Lin Chengyou laughed mockingly at these words: “Just to beg for my bath water, you came here to ruin my and Yu’er’s—”

He paused, then changed his words: “Do I owe you something?”

“Little Blade,” Teng Yuyi said sadly, curled up behind the curtain with a muffled voice. “If it wasn’t for the bath water, would you have never thought to come back to see me? Did you feel even a moment of reluctance when you left? Do you know I still prepare fruit and wine for you every day?”

Little Blade shrugged carelessly: “A spirit weapon must protect its master. This old one’s merits are fulfilled; it’s time to return and wait for the next fated person who needs guidance through tribulation. Though Lady Teng’s wine and fruit are excellent, this old one cannot linger by your side forever.”

Teng Yuyi was rendered speechless. By now, Lin Chengyou had dressed anew and reached back to lower the curtains, concealing Teng Yuyi completely. He walked to the small table, lifted his robes, and crouched down to examine Little Blade.

Little Blade held his small face high, the silk ribbon over his eyes red as fire.

Seeming to sense Lin Chengyou’s scrutiny, he smacked his lips again.

This appearance was truly the height of shamelessness.

“You want bath water and I must give it to you?” Lin Chengyou sneered. “Sorry, you came for nothing—tonight I won’t even bathe.”

Little Blade slowly crossed his arms: “This old one has long known the Young Master loves cleanliness. You bathe every day, even using special bath beans. Today after such a grand ceremony, how could you not bathe? Earlier you were too preoccupied, but now it’s time to make up for it.”

Lin Chengyou’s face burned like hot coals. He suddenly reached out to grab Little Blade, but Little Blade flipped and entered the sword’s body. Even though Lin Chengyou moved as fast as lightning, he still missed by half an inch.

“Come out, and I’ll give you a proper welcome.”

Little Blade naturally refused to emerge: “This old one didn’t come intentionally to be disliked. Young Master, think about it—if not for this old one, how would you and Lady Teng have met at Purple Cloud Tower? Looking at it carefully, this old one is the great matchmaker between you and Lady Teng. Just for this, Young Master preparing a hundred barrels of bath water for this old one would be appropriate, wouldn’t it…”

“Is it that you can’t use the Sage’s pure yang essence, or my Master’s? They both have Daoist true qi in their pure yang bodies. I just ask you—why must you come tonight specifically to beg for my bath water?”

“Well, about that…”

Lin Chengyou glanced sideways at the sword hilt, suddenly understanding: “You’re also a bit reluctant to part with Yu’er, aren’t you?”

Teng Yuyi, who was hurriedly dressing behind the curtain, heard this and quickly peered through a gap in the drapes.

The little old man slowly emerged from the sword and settled himself, covering his face with his small hands, and appearing quite embarrassed.

Lin Chengyou smiled: “As far as I know, the fate between a spirit weapon and its master has a fixed measure. When the time comes, you cannot linger. You asking me for bath water—you know that forcefully returning would harm your spiritual power, yet you still can’t bear to part with Yu’er.”

So even though he had steeled his heart to leave for Wei River, he traveled back to see her face. This bath water wasn’t for washing away so-called “impurities,” but to make amends for this extra visit.

Little Blade continued covering his face, but mumbled: “What reluctance or attachment? This old one isn’t some sentimental person. This old one just misses Lady Teng’s Stone Frost Spring wine and her Immortal Peaches. Such excellent wine and fruit can’t be found elsewhere.”

Teng Yuyi had been heartbroken by Little Blade’s indifferent farewell earlier, but now she felt a different kind of sorrow: “Little Blade.”

Lin Chengyou thought for a moment, then let Little Blade enter the sword. He stood and said: “Wait here.”

He sat on the bed and lifted the curtains to look inside, seeing that Teng Yuyi had put on her outer robes and skirts. He pulled her down from the bed and leaned close to whisper in her ear: “I’ll go get the bath water.”

Teng Yuyi blushed and made a soft sound of acknowledgment.

Soon after, the matrons filed in. Some were responsible for bringing hot water and towels, while others carried platters of fresh fruit and jugs of fine wine.

Lin Chengyou was the last to enter, carrying two specially styled wine vessels.

The matrons assumed the bride wanted refreshments, and while arranging the items, they couldn’t help but smile as they glanced at Teng Yuyi sitting on the bed’s edge.

But Lin Chengyou said: “I haven’t eaten properly all day and I’m hungry now. Let’s have a proper feast before sleeping.”

With that, he dismissed the matrons, placed the wine on the small table, cleared his throat, and said: “I’m going to wash up.”

Teng Yuyi was too embarrassed to meet Lin Chengyou’s gaze, only responding with a sound of acknowledgment. She sat at the small table and tapped the sword hilt: “Come out.”

Little Blade emerged anew, and Teng Yuyi tilted her head to examine him: “I’m not used to seeing you like this—take off the silk ribbon.”

Little Blade felt around to remove the ribbon and suddenly noticed the plates and cups before him. Fresh fruits of all kinds were displayed in abundance, and there were seven or eight different types of wine. Those tiny green-bean eyes immediately lit up with gleaming light, and he rubbed his hands together saying: “Hehehe, the Young Master is truly generous—this visit was worth it.”

Teng Yuyi poured wine for herself and Little Blade: “If not for having you as a companion, I couldn’t have passed through that tribulation. I thought I’d never have the chance to see you again, but fortunately, we’ve made up for it tonight.”

She raised her wine cup solemnly: “Little Blade, this cup is to you. During my darkest and most difficult times, I was fortunate to have you to light my path.”

Little Blade suddenly turned his head away, neither responding nor drinking. Teng Yuyi curiously leaned forward and was surprised to find Little Blade’s eyes were a bit red.

“Little Blade…”

Little Blade roughly rubbed his eyes: “On the way here I must have gotten some dirty water in them somewhere—that’s why this old one’s eyes hurt.”

He turned back and lifted the small wine cup, drinking it all in one gulp.

“What wine is this? It smells even more fragrant than Stone Frost Spring.” Little Blade squinted his eyes with lingering appreciation.

“Bone-Transforming Wine.” Teng Yuyi said, thinking back to how these two bottles of Bone-Transforming Wine were originally given to Lin Chengyou as thanks for saving her life. It seemed he hadn’t drunk them, but tonight he readily brought them out to treat Little Blade.

Teng Yuyi glanced gratefully at the washroom curtain—there probably wasn’t a second person in the world who understood her better than Lin Chengyou.

“This wine isn’t easy to come by. Both the Young Master and I are willing to share it—how’s the taste?” Teng Yuyi poured Little Blade a second cup.

Little Blade sighed deeply: “Not just good—it’s truly like immortal nectar from the Jasper Pool. This year by Lady Teng’s side, though I’ve had few frights, I’ve certainly had my fill of fine wine. With my next master, who knows if I’ll have such good fortune…”

As he spoke, he glimpsed the red cord at the back of Teng Yuyi’s skirt and paused.

Teng Yuyi followed his gaze to look back. The red cord was supposed to be tied at both ends, but after she helped Lin Chengyou tie one end, Little Blade appeared—the other end was still tied to her ankle.

“This is…” Little Blade was about to look closer when the curtain moved and Lin Chengyou emerged from washing.

He had changed into a fresh crimson brocade robe, his temples still damp.

Teng Yuyi couldn’t help but glance at Lin Chengyou, seeing him holding a pouch, and guessing it contained bath water. She asked curiously: “Why not simply let Little Blade use the bathtub?”

Lin Chengyou sat down, lifting his robes, and poured the bath water from the pouch into a glass basin: “That’s our bathtub—how could we let others use it?”

These words made one’s face burn red, but Little Blade was all smiles, jumping into the glass basin and swimming back and forth with joy: “This much bath water is enough for this old one to wash several times.”

Lin Chengyou took the wine vessel from Teng Yuyi’s hand and poured himself a large cup, raising it to Little Blade: “Little Blade, for helping Yu’er through her most difficult time, I should also toast you several cups. I hear you were fashioned from a jade tablet by the Blue Lotus Venerable One, specifically to guide fated people through tribulation. Neither Buddhist temples nor Daoist monasteries could confine you—you would lie dormant for decades or even over a century. Tonight we husband and wife bid you farewell, and in this life, we likely won’t meet again. Great kindness needs no thanks spoken—this cup, I, Lin, drink first in respect.”

This was the first time Lin Chengyou had spoken to Little Blade with such reverence. As these words were spoken, a thick melancholy of parting pervaded the bridal chamber. Little Blade also stopped his usual chatter, silently swimming to the basin’s edge to hold his wine cup and drink slowly.

Teng Yuyi didn’t even drink, only gazing longingly at Little Blade before suddenly saying: “Speaking of choosing masters, there’s something I still have time to ask you. The monk Huiren from Bodhi Temple told Father that you came to my side because of my mother…”

She paused. Since experiencing life and death partings, she had long understood how to appreciate her mother’s painful choices, but she still couldn’t help feeling sad whenever mentioning this matter. After a moment, she steadied herself with effort: “My father and I didn’t just bear personal curses—without breaking them, we were destined to die unnatural deaths time after time. In her previous life, Mother successfully helped Father and me pass through tribulation, and in this second life she managed to bring you to my side. Though I can guess eight or nine-tenths of what happened in the previous life, it may not be the whole truth. Now that my tribulation has passed, you surely aren’t afraid of revealing heaven’s secrets anymore—can you tell me who killed me in my previous life, and who helped me borrow a life?”

Little Blade waved his hands: “No, no, if those words were spoken, even washing the Young Master’s bath water a hundred times wouldn’t help this old one.”

Seeming afraid Teng Yuyi and Lin Chengyou would press further, Little Blade suddenly climbed out of the glass basin, shook off the water, and jumped onto the sword with vigorous energy: “I’ve drunk and eaten, said my farewells—this old one has been by Lady Teng’s side for a whole year, it wouldn’t be right for either of us if I lingered longer. Young Master, please trouble yourself to place me by your manor’s well. I looked earlier—it’s not far. All water sources under heaven are connected; this old one has ways to return to the Wei River. Lady Teng, this old one only appears to those who need guidance through tribulation. You’ve broken the wrongly-bound curse through countless hardships—from now on you’ll surely have peace and prosperity. Tonight we part—may we meet again!”

With that, he steeled his heart and entered the sword’s body.

Teng Yuyi leaned forward to grab the small sword but was a step too late. She gazed at that translucent, quiet small sword, and in an instant, her eyes filled with tears. Throughout this year, she had experienced many things and met many people. This little one who had first given her jade and silk was finally leaving her. Her heart was full of reluctance to part, and she turned to tell Lin Chengyou: “I want to see Little Blade off.”

“Then I’ll take you out.”

“But I’m a new bride—I can’t leave the bridal chamber.”

Lin Chengyou smiled: “Yu’er, are you someone who follows rules? From the beginning you’ve followed your heart’s desires—now that you’ve married me, should you be bound hand and foot? Half an hour ago I had everyone cleared from around the bridal chamber. Going out now, there’s no need to worry about running into anyone.”

He pointed to his shoulder: “Come.”

Teng Yuyi broke into a smile through her tears and leaned against Lin Chengyou’s shoulder. Lin Chengyou handed Little Blade’s sword to Teng Yuyi and turned his head to say: “Between us, there’s no need for such formality. Do whatever you want to do, say whatever you want to say. In everything, I’ll protect you—I’ll accompany you in even the most willful things.”

Teng Yuyi’s smile spread from her heart to her face. She lazily breathed in the clear scent at his neck and made an intimate sound of agreement.

Lin Chengyou suddenly remembered something: “Remember that time when you confronted Li Huaisan and spoke of matters from the ‘previous life’—in your previous life, did you want to marry me too? Did you already know I had someone?”

Teng Yuyi was silent, then quickly denied it: “Nonsense. Do you believe Li Huaisan’s words? There was no such thing.”

Lin Chengyou clicked his tongue: “Last time you admitted it, but now you won’t acknowledge it? Tell me in detail how you schemed for me, and how I told you I wouldn’t marry. I promise I won’t laugh at you.”

Teng Yuyi tightened her arms around his shoulders and mumbled with closed eyes: “You only heard half of it then. To tell you the truth, in the previous life you also loved me desperately.”

“Really?” Lin Chengyou was skeptical.

“Really.” Teng Yuyi nodded, her tone very certain.

As Lin Chengyou had said, not even a moving servant could be seen outside the bridal chamber. When they reached the well, Teng Yuyi took out Little Blade’s sword and placed it on the well platform. She stroked the sword body with extreme reluctance to part: “Go then.”

Unexpectedly, the sword body grew hot and Little Blade emerged again, standing by the well with hands on hips, pointing at the red cord at the hem of Teng Yuyi’s skirt: “Ah, this old one originally didn’t want to say. Look, you’ve already gotten the Twin Lives Twin Companions Knot? This was refined by fox immortals using most of their spiritual power to seek mates. It’s said it can glimpse shadows of past events. Let me tell you a secret—if you tie it to your ankles, should there have been entanglements between you in your previous life, you’ll be able to glimpse the truth in dreams.”

Lin Chengyou and Teng Yuyi both froze, but Little Blade’s sword quickly slid into the well with a splash, sending up drops of water. Then the water surface returned to stillness as if nothing had happened.

Back in the bridal chamber, Teng Yuyi still felt somewhat melancholic.

Lin Chengyou led Teng Yuyi to the bedside, and after sitting down, without a word lifted her skirt.

This time Teng Yuyi didn’t shy away, only blushing as she let Lin Chengyou examine the red cord on her ankle.

“An ancient divine sword like Little Blade must know many things about the netherworld. I just never thought this red cord would have such a use.” Lin Chengyou raised his eyes to glance at Teng Yuyi, suddenly smiling, “Now I finally have a chance to know how I ‘loved you desperately’ in the previous life.”

Teng Yuyi felt a bit guilty and instinctively wanted to pull her foot back, but she truly couldn’t bear to waste the auspicious meaning of the Twin Lives Twin Companions Knot. She could only let him handle it while huffing: “Little Blade always likes to fool people. His words can’t be trusted. Besides, dreams are often reversed—even if we dream something, it might not be true.”

Lin Chengyou’s smile carried a hint of playfulness: “Teng Yuyi, why do I feel you’re very afraid of me glimpsing matters from the previous life? Tell me, were you just boasting earlier?”

“What did I boast about?” Teng Yuyi said, “Aren’t you desperately in love with me now? What’s so strange about you being in love with me in the previous life?”

Before her words finished, heat pressed against her lips as Lin Chengyou leaned in to kiss her.

Teng Yuyi’s heart stopped in her chest. Lin Chengyou’s temperature seemed able to melt a person. Her arms couldn’t support her, and together they fell back onto the bed. Lin Chengyou’s breath and kisses were equally scorching as he said by her ear: “So you also know that I’m desperately in love with you…”

His kisses fell on her lips… and then traveled downward.

Teng Yuyi’s eyes burned hot, that floating, dizzy heat carried her instantly to the clouds, and in the next moment, it was as if she had fallen into vast, surging waves. Those towering waves enveloped her body, rolling her back and forth. She was shy, trembling, trying to dodge, but Lin Chengyou had infinite patience with her, passionate yet restrained, pursuing yet considerate. Finally, in those tumultuous waters, she was like a delicate blooming flower, opening petal by petal.

From within the curtains came Teng Yuyi’s light protests and soft whimpers, followed by Lin Chengyou’s pained hissing sounds.

“Don’t bite me…”

Teng Yuyi trembled: “Then… then don’t move.”

“Alright, I won’t move. Yu’er, I can’t help it… ah… let go… you’re biting too hard.”

“…I’m the one who’s about to die from pain…”

After who knows how long, they finally stopped “fighting” inside the curtains.

Teng Yuyi was covered in sweat, dimly feeling Lin Chengyou wiping her body. She was too embarrassed to open her eyes, letting him tend to her for a while before pushing him away and curling up into a ball, hiding in the bed.

Lin Chengyou covered Teng Yuyi with the quilt.

Just as Teng Yuyi was about to close her eyes, a cloth doll appeared in her arms. Lin Chengyou embraced her from behind, kissing her cheek: “Your two maids said you can’t sleep without this.”

Teng Yuyi said nothing and hugged the doll tightly.

“Yu’er…” Lin Chengyou brushed away the wet hair from her cheek, “Are you… still in pain?”

Teng Yuyi closed her eyes even tighter, remembering how she had bitten Lin Chengyou’s shoulder when the pain was worst, not knowing how hard she had bitten. She hesitated for a moment, but finally turned her head, slightly raising her eyes to see Lin Chengyou playing with a strand of her black hair, seeming lost in thought.

He was vigorous and energetic, showing no sign of fatigue.

Teng Yuyi quickly glanced at Lin Chengyou’s shoulder, then swiftly moved her gaze away. Earlier his shoulders and back had been exposed, but now he wore sleeping clothes again, hiding the wound from careful examination.

“What are you looking at?” Lin Chengyou turned and asked with a smile.

“Are you still in pain?”

“Yes.”

Could she have bitten that hard? Teng Yuyi quickly put down the doll and leaned forward to look at his shoulder.

“You can see for yourself.”

Teng Yuyi glanced over, gently lifting the collar of his sleeping clothes. Though she was just checking the wound, this action made both their faces flush red.

Indeed, there was a clear teeth mark on Lin Chengyou’s right shoulder, but it was very shallow and would fade in two days.

“Liar, it doesn’t hurt at all. You’re the one who hurt me.”

Lin Chengyou stared unblinkingly at that lotus-like pink face before him and said with a low laugh: “If you think it’s not enough, why don’t you bite me again?”

His arm was right by her lips. Teng Yuyi didn’t hesitate to open her mouth and bite, but she only held it gently, unwilling to use force. She raised her eyes to meet his, which held such deep amusement they seemed to contain a whirlpool that could suck her in. She pushed him away and closed her eyes: “I’m tired, I want to sleep.”

Perhaps due to exhaustion, as soon as she closed her eyes, she quickly fell asleep.

When Teng Yuyi next opened her eyes, it was already dawn. The bridal chamber was silent inside and out, without even footsteps or voices to be heard.

Teng Yuyi was dazed for a moment, then turned to see that familiar profile. The red candles on the table had almost burned out, but their light could still clearly illuminate the contours of the person beside her.

This was the first time Teng Yuyi had seen Lin Chengyou’s sleeping face. She couldn’t help but quietly prop herself up on her arm to examine him.

Lin Chengyou’s breathing was very light in sleep. The candlelight fell on his high straight nose, adding a touch of gentle elegance to his handsome, spirited features.

Yesterday he had hurried back from Luoyang, dusty from travel, and the journey had been so bumpy—he must be exhausted. Teng Yuyi quietly propped her chin to study Lin Chengyou, patiently waiting for him to wake naturally. Suddenly remembering something, she carefully lifted the quilt to look down—the red cord was still tied to both their ankles, but she hadn’t dreamed of the previous life last night.

Looking at Lin Chengyou’s peaceful sleeping face, he didn’t seem to have dreamed anything either.

Teng Yuyi puzzledly covered the quilt again and continued to rest her chin on her hand while examining Lin Chengyou. As she gazed, she suddenly noticed that the front of Lin Chengyou’s sleeping clothes, near his chest, had a patch of fabric that looked darker than elsewhere, as if soaked with water.

Teng Yuyi thought with some amusement that this wet patch… surely Lin Chengyou hadn’t drooled in his sleep?

Another thought suddenly popped into her mind—wait, if it was drool, the position was too low. Perhaps it was her drool from her dreams.

Thinking this, Teng Yuyi’s smile froze on her face. If Lin Chengyou discovered this, he would certainly tease her endlessly. No, she must wipe it dry before he wakes up. There were spare towels just outside the curtain…

Teng Yuyi held her breath as she tried to climb over Lin Chengyou, but at that moment, her waist was suddenly gripped tightly. Before she could react, Lin Chengyou had flipped her under him with one motion.

“Don’t bother wiping it—I saw it long ago.”

Teng Yuyi was startled. Lin Chengyou’s eyes were sharp and clear, without a trace of sleepiness. Their eyes met, and both felt somewhat embarrassed.

“You… you were already awake?”

“You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t bear to disturb you.” Lin Chengyou pointed to the drool on his clothes. “Teng Yuyi, I never imagined your drool could flow onto my sleeping clothes.”

Teng Yuyi blushed and immediately denied it: “How would I know if I drool in my sleep? Maybe it was your own drool—don’t try to blame it on me.”

“Last night I watched you snuggle up to me. I wanted to move away, but you insisted on hugging me while sleeping. You nearly pushed me off the bed.”

Teng Yuyi didn’t believe it: “Nonsense, when I sleep I only hug my mother’s doll.” As she spoke, her eyes wandered randomly and found the little doll lying crooked on her pillow.

Now she had nothing to say.

Lin Chengyou thoroughly enjoyed teasing Teng Yuyi: “You can’t blame this on the doll.” He lowered his head to kiss her jade-like neck exposed outside the covers.

Teng Yuyi had always been ticklish and couldn’t help but laugh and dodge: “So what if I drool? If you mind it, you can sleep somewhere else.”

“That won’t do. From now on, wherever you sleep, I can only sleep there too.”

Suddenly footsteps were heard outside, and Azhi’s cheerful laughter rang out beyond the bridal chamber: “Brother, Sister-in-law, are you up?”

Another servant said: “Young Master, Miss Yu, congratulations. Imperial Eunuch Guan has come with a decree from the palace.”

They were both startled. Azhi would never deliberately disturb them—it seemed the hour was quite late, but the darkness of the bridal chamber had made it impossible to tell the time of day.

Teng Yuyi’s face burned red as she hurriedly tried to push Lin Chengyou away to get up, but as soon as she moved, she nearly fell off the bed. Fortunately, Lin Chengyou grabbed her arm and pulled her back in time.

They looked down and discovered they both still had the red cord tied to their ankles—if one person got up, the other would necessarily have to follow.

Teng Yuyi lowered her head to untie the red cord, but Lin Chengyou stopped her: “We can only untie the red cord when leaving the bridal chamber.”

Teng Yuyi was puzzled: “Then what should we do?”

Lin Chengyou simply picked up Teng Yuyi and got out of bed, letting her wrap her arms around his waist and having her feet step on top of his: “Isn’t this the solution?”

He then called out to those outside: “I understand. Let Brother speak with his sister-in-law for a moment. Have Matron Caiping take you to play in the garden.”

They were both barefoot, with Teng Yuyi following Lin Chengyou’s lead step by step toward the washroom.

Teng Yuyi had no choice but to hold onto Lin Chengyou’s waist while looking up at him. At first, she was embarrassed, but finally, she simply started making demands: “I’m thirsty, I want to drink water first.”

Lin Chengyou changed course and carried her backward toward the small table, retreating while lowering his head to examine her with a smile: “Don’t laugh—look what’s on your cheek. Let me trouble myself to help you wash your face in a moment.”

***

The main hall was filled with cheerful conversation. The Prince and Princess of Cheng, Lin Chengyou’s maternal grandparents, and his uncle and aunt were all present.

The Princess of Cheng said with a smile: “You all heard what the Prince said earlier—there are evil spirits causing trouble in Puyang and other areas. Local officials have successively submitted memorials requesting the court to immediately dispatch monks and Daoists to subdue these spirits. After reading these memorials, your Master told the Prince that since Youer would be taking Yuer to Nanyang on business, and Abbot Yuanjue would also be traveling along, why not simply assign the five Daoist masters from Dongming Temple and Jueshenqizhi to go as well? Let this group go together merrily to subdue the spirits, so they can look after each other on the journey.”

Aunt Wang Yingning smiled: “That’s a good idea. Now that Youer’s eyes have recovered, this is a good opportunity for Miss Yu to travel and sightsee properly with the Young Master.”

Azhi got excited: “Then I want to go too!”

Lin Xiao’s expression was calm, but his eyes couldn’t hide his love for his daughter: “What would you go for?”

Azhi threw herself into her father’s arms: “I just learned the Qingxuan Sword techniques from Mother—I can help Brother and Sister-in-law catch evil spirits!”

Amidst the laughter, Teng Yuyi and Lin Chengyou entered to pay their respects. As they entered the room, they felt gazes from all directions—those loving looks warmed their hearts.

Lin Chengyou led Teng Yuyi to kneel in the center, saying with a smile: “Son brings new daughter-in-law Yu’er to pay respects to Father and Mother.”