When I returned, Yan Shao was already asleep.

This fellow had been sleeping a lot lately. I didn’t dare wake him, so I quietly went out to the bamboo grove in the backyard. The moon hung over the treetops, flower shadows danced, and the night was peaceful.

I picked up a small pebble and tossed it into the grove. An unidentifiable bird suddenly took flight with a flutter. I leaped up and caught it in my palm. Looking at it in the moonlight, it was quite an adorable little bird. What a pity.

I went straight to the study, lit a candle, spread out some paper, took out the list provided by Lan Zixu, found those names that looked disagreeable to me and got busy.

Hehe, Zhu Zhanji, do you want a list? I’ll write one for you right now! After all, no one has seen the actual list, so no one knows what it looks like.

After about an hour, I had created a bloody list. I held it up to the light and looked at it—hmm, it appeared genuine. My aching back and arms were worth it. Fortunately, I had practiced calligraphy before; otherwise, mimicking so many different handwriting styles would have been the death of me.

I had just put away the list when I heard Yan Shao calling my name. I quickly opened the door and went out.

He stood at the doorway with a smiling face and said, “So you’re quite the scholar?”

I waved my hand to extinguish the candle and laughed awkwardly, “Hehe, I’m well-read, you know.”

“Is that so?” he responded lightly, putting his arm around me as we walked back. “I thought you weren’t coming back tonight!”

I grinned mischievously, “How could I bear to leave you alone in your chamber, suffering from loneliness?”

He smiled, then suddenly began to cough.

I teased him, “No need to get so excited.”

He stopped coughing, looked up, and glared at me. A faint blush appeared on his pale face, and a hint of deep purple shimmered in his clear eyes, strangely alluring in the bright moonlight.

I stared at him in a daze. “Your eyes…”

His expression changed slightly, and then he playfully blinked. “What about my eyes?”

I cupped his face with both hands and frowned, looking carefully, but that deep purple color had disappeared. His clear eyes were now distinctly black and white.

“Strange… maybe I was seeing things,” I laughed. “But tonight, you truly are beautiful, with a peach-blossom flush and sparkling eyes.”

“Good heavens!” He closed his eyes and groaned helplessly, his face showing a rather resigned expression. “Let’s go back to our room. The night is getting cold.”

I took his hand, grinning as we returned to rest. The night passed without incident.

The next day, I had planned to find an opportunity to call Lan Zixu to collect the list, but Yan Shao wanted me to accompany him to the streets. Come to think of it, since arriving in the Ming Dynasty, I hadn’t properly explored.

He led me around buying many trinkets, and even personally selected several high-quality cosmetics, hair ornaments, and jewelry. This person who normally wouldn’t touch dust was somehow acting out of character today. Full of questions, I asked him, but he only smiled without answering.

By lunchtime, I finally couldn’t hold back anymore. “What exactly are you up to?”

He leisurely sipped his tea.

I knocked on the table, pretending to be angry, “If you don’t tell me, I won’t accompany you anymore.”

He held my hand and said childishly, “With all these things, you expect me to carry them alone?”

“You bought them, so of course you carry them.”

“But they’re all for you.”

“Come on, I didn’t ask for these things.”

“Let’s eat first.” He picked up his chopsticks. “After we eat, there’s still a lot more to buy.”

“I—”

“You’re annoying!” He pressed down on my head and commanded, “Eat!”

My nose got covered in rice grains, angering me into eating furiously. Shortly after, I had cleared all the dishes on the table, grabbed his wine, and downed it in one gulp, then stared at him with wide eyes.

“I’m full. Let’s go!”

“But I haven’t eaten yet.”

“You have a mouth. Who told you not to eat?”

“Shrew!” he muttered.

“What did you say?” I put my hands on my hips.

“I said there’s a grain of rice on your face.”

I quickly wiped it off. “Don’t think I didn’t hear you. I’ll settle accounts with you tonight.”

He laughed as he went downstairs, and I hurriedly gathered our things and followed him. We passed through streets and alleys until we arrived at a large clothing shop. He selected a piece of bright red fabric and instructed the owner to make two wedding garments.

I asked curiously, “What’s this for?”

He calmly replied, “For our wedding ceremony!”

“Who’s getting married?” I exclaimed, then suddenly had a flash of insight. “Could it be… you’re marrying Fei Wu?”

He smiled and escorted me out. “How did you bring her into this? It’s for our wedding!”

I frowned, “Aren’t we already husband and wife?”

He feigned anger, “You still dare to mention it—having an affair on our wedding night.”

I immediately smiled apologetically, “But I still ended up in your hands, didn’t I? You’re so formidable…”

“Stop flattering me!” He snorted coldly. “Let me ask you, do you see me as Yan Shao or as Chu Tianyao now?”

“Is there a difference?”

“Of course!”

“Both are you!”

“Answer the question!” He emphasized.

“Hmm. Before, I liked Yan Shao more, but now…” I deliberately hesitated.

“Say it!”

“They’re the same person!”

He stopped walking and glared at me angrily. I gave in and said with utmost grievance, “Whether you’re Yan Shao or Chu Tianyao, I like you all the same. Satisfied?”

“That’s more like it!” He snorted heavily, his face breaking into a smile.

Tyrant! But wait, I thought, this guy has never confessed his feelings to me. I need to get this straight.

I quickened my pace to catch up with him and asked, “What about you?”

“What?”

I grinned and asked teasingly, “When did you start liking me?”

He countered, “Did I ever say I liked you?”

“What?” I cried out, “That’s too much—”

He laughed, “You’re angry just because of that?”

I grabbed his arm and demanded, “Tell me!”

“Hmm! Well—” he mimicked my tone, “I think it was from the moment you fell on top of me. I was thinking—”

“Thinking what?”

He said with a straight face, “I was thinking that Chu Tianyao’s charm must be extraordinary to make a woman throw herself into my arms so recklessly—”

“My goodness!” I covered my forehead and wailed. This arrogant fool!

He smiled, “I coveted your beauty, didn’t I?”

I rolled my eyes at him, “So you’ve been calculating against me from the beginning?”

He was thoroughly amused.

I sighed deeply, “Heaven knows, I always thought you were a wastrel, and so easy to deceive—”

“Oh—” he also pretended to have a sudden realization, “So you’ve been plotting against me from the start!”

I laughed playfully, “What does it matter? Now I’ve married you, and you’ve married me. This is called a win-win.”

“Win-win?” He laughed out loud, “Where do you get these strange terms?”

“Hehe… that’s a secret.”

The twelfth day of the fourth month in the first year of Hongxi, by the shores of Lake Daming, at the Chu residence.

The entire courtyard was decorated with lanterns and festive ornaments. The servants were all dressed in new clothes, and even Feng Ming changed into a bright coral-colored outfit, creating an atmosphere of celebration. Except for the bride and groom who were old, everything else was new.

Yan Shao and I completed a set of rituals and entered our chamber to sit down.

He kept staring at me with a dazed look, and I stared back at him, seemingly conveying a wordless understanding.

In the glow of the red candles, his crimson clothes, silver hair, and pitch-black pupils—three colors each pure to the extreme—gave off an otherworldly aura that bordered on sacred.

I was momentarily seized by an ominous feeling, but I immediately dismissed the thought—at this moment, such a thought would be a sin.

So I smiled and said, “Red suits you well, truly worthy of the name ‘Yan Shao’!”

He continued to stare at me foolishly, stammering my name, calling it in a way that inexplicably pained my heart.

I held his hand and said softly, “I’m right here.”

He smiled, his tone tinged with wonder, “Strange, that someone like you exists in this world, and I didn’t meet you earlier.”

I smiled, “It’s not too late now!”

He remained silent, just staring at me intently. Finally, I grew embarrassed under his gaze and lowered my head.

He suddenly said, “Shuang, I’ve been a bit afraid.”

“Afraid?” I looked up in shock.

He nodded and sighed lightly, “I fear you might suddenly regain your memory and discover that I’m not the one you love most.”

I was stunned. I never knew Yan Shao could lack confidence. So he loved me this much, to the point where he couldn’t bear the thought of losing me.

I lowered my head to kiss his hand, “Silly, you are the one I love most.”

He held my hand in return, his pale face flushing. Suddenly, he smiled in a nearly self-mocking way.

I asked, “What are you smiling about?”

He sighed lightly, “I suddenly remembered what you said that night at Li Lake. Looking back now, it seems like a prophecy.”

I was startled.

He gazed at me tenderly, “In the first half of my life, I relied on my talents, lived freely, and thought I had seen through all worldly emotions. I never expected that upon returning to the jianghu, I would immediately meet you, as if it were destined.”

He smiled, “Shuang, can you understand this feeling?”

I felt tears welling up, about to fall. I nodded vigorously, and hot tears flowed down.

He raised his hand to wipe away my tears.

I smiled, “Don’t worry! My memory will never return. Because—”

I looked up, fixed my gaze on his eyes, and said softly, “I am not Rong Shukuang at all!”

He raised his eyebrows slightly, showing no extreme reaction.

I cautiously said, “Don’t be scared when I tell you!”

He smiled broadly, his brows once again radiating that unparalleled, spirited expression, “Having lived until today, I have yet to fear anything!”

So I told him the whole story in detail.

His face remained expressionless, his gaze deep and distant, unfathomable.

The room fell silent.

After a long while, he finally exhaled softly and smiled, “That’s certainly frightening! But it finally puts one of my worries to rest.”

“Hmm?” I didn’t understand.

He smiled, “Fang Yi won’t fall in love with Lin Shaoci, will she?”

I exclaimed, “Heavens! Is that all you care about?”

He countered, “What else should I care about?”

“Don’t you want to know about some major historical events?”

“Right now, you are my greatest concern!”

“What?” I was visibly delighted and blurted out, “So you won’t help Prince Han anymore?”

He frowned, looking quite troubled, “For now, my interest is limited to you! I want to get a good look at what makes a woman from the future different.”

As he spoke, he scooped me up in one motion, slipped into the red silk curtains, and laid me down on the mandarin duck embroidered quilt. The red candles flickered, casting amorous shadows throughout the room, creating an exceptionally sensual atmosphere. As per old customs, the details of what followed won’t be elaborated.

On the third afternoon, I finally couldn’t help but tell him that the entire Ming Dynasty only had 276 years of history and that Prince Han’s rebellion would inevitably fail! Zhu Zhanji would ascend the throne as emperor with the reign title Xuande, historically known as Ming Xuanzong.

His face showed no expression as he sat in the pavilion, his white clothes as pure as snow, exuding an otherworldly elegance.

I shook his shoulders, “Did you hear me at all?”

He turned to look at me, his gaze deep and indiscernible, “What about you?”

“Me?” I frowned.

He smiled, “You are the master of Yu Chi Mountain Manor, and I am Prince Han’s strategist. His rebellion is inevitable, and we are enemies, not friends. I want to know what you think.”

I was stunned.

He stood up and said, “Shuang, if I were determined to change the course of fate, what would you do?”

I was dumbfounded for a moment, “I only know that Zhu Zhanji is a good emperor.”

He remained silent for a while, then suddenly said, “Then we shall each do our best!”

I felt somewhat angry, “The history of the Ming Dynasty is already established. I don’t believe you can overturn heaven with one hand.”

He sighed lightly and said softly, “That depends on heaven’s will. If I can avoid this calamity…” then he abruptly stopped.

I was startled, “What do you mean?”

“Nothing, just feeling emotional,” he smiled. “I’m tired and need to rest. Wake me up in three hours.”

“I’ll accompany you!” I reached out to hold him.

“No need!” he declined with a smile. “If you’re bored, have Feng Ming take you for a walk.”

I suddenly remembered the list matter and immediately nodded, “Alright!”

After he left, I immediately sent out a signal, notifying Lan Zixu that the list was ready and ordering him to come at midnight to collect it. God willing, this list would temporarily confuse the situation, so Zhu Zhanji wouldn’t keep such close watch, giving Yu Chi Mountain Manor some time—if he discovered the list was fake, he could only blame Prince Han for being too cunning, not me for being unfaithful.

I thought about it and took out the list to look at it again, making sure there were no loopholes, increasingly feeling like a genius. Everything was ready, just waiting for the right moment—I needed to find a way to make Yan Shao sleep till dawn, so as not to spoil my clever plan!

As evening approached, I wandered to the kitchen and saw Feng Ming busy at the stove.

I said eagerly, “Let me help you!”

“No need!” His tone was cold and hard. He didn’t even look at me. This kid’s attitude toward me had been increasingly strange lately.

I laughed awkwardly, “I thought your hands were only for wielding swords?”

“Madam, please leave. The kitchen is very greasy.”

I left, embarrassed. Well, if all else fails tonight, I’ll just have to exhaust him as much as I can. But things turned out easier than I expected. From afternoon till late night, he didn’t wake up at all. His face looked somewhat pale with beads of sweat on his forehead.

I didn’t dare disturb him and quietly got out of bed, slipping out lightly dressed.

The night was dark and windy as I went straight to the meeting place. But the person who came wasn’t Lan Zixu, but a man in black with graying hair and a black cloth covering his face. He seemed quite old.

“Who are you?”

“Zuo Wangchun, Commander of the Northern Garrison.” He flashed a silver badge and quickly put it away.

“Give the list directly to me. No need for Lan Zixu to handle it.”

Hmph! What’s with the attitude? I didn’t want to linger or waste words with him, so I tossed the sealed list to him.

Just as he was about to catch it, a white flash of light suddenly appeared before my eyes. A cold wind swept around us, and the list was snatched by someone else.

The newcomer gracefully turned to face us, coldly saying, “Rong Shukuang, you have some nerve!”

I clearly saw who it was and was greatly shocked.

In the moonlight, Feng Ming’s face was as cold as iron, his gaze sharp as a knife. He sneered, “Rong Shukuang, you dare betray our master?”

I was stunned. This guy was jumping to conclusions and ruining my plans at a critical moment.

I hurriedly said, “We’ll discuss this when we get back. First, give him the list!”

“Dream on!”

He spat these words through clenched teeth, then suddenly moved like lightning, thrusting his sword at Zuo Wangchun. His strike was as fast as a falling star, cold and extremely deadly.

Zuo Wangchun was no pushover either. The two exchanged deadly blows, each faster than the last, as surrounding foliage rustled and leaves scattered. With no other choice, I first had to take the list from Feng Ming’s hand.

I made my move, and Feng Ming retreated several steps, angrily saying, “Rong Shukuang, do you really think I won’t kill you?”

Seriously, is it that serious?

“Feng Ming, listen to me—”

“What’s there to say?” Zuo Wangchun snorted coldly. “Let’s join forces to deal with this boy first.”

That’s just adding fuel to the fire!

Sure enough, Feng Ming laughed in extreme anger and thrust his sword forward, the sharp cold light directly threatening my skin.

I couldn’t help him against Feng Ming, nor could I directly say the list was fake. I really didn’t know what to do. Seeing Zuo Wangchun’s desperate fighting stance, he probably wouldn’t be able to deliver the list tonight, and Zhu Zhanji would surely have his head. But how could he easily deal with Feng Ming? After just a moment, he was already at a disadvantage, gradually being overpowered.

While defending himself, he called out, “Master Rong, why are you standing by? Have you forgotten—”

Before he could finish, he suddenly groaned, his shoulder pierced by Feng Ming’s sword.

This can’t go on! I leaped to intercept Feng Ming’s sword, using the Flowing Cloud Finger technique to grasp his blade, and shouted at Zuo Wangchun, “Go now!”

“But the list…” This fool was still thinking about the list despite being in mortal danger.

“I’ll find a way!”

He immediately flew up like an arrow leaving a bowstring, skimming across the lake surface and escaping. Well! His escape skills were certainly first-rate.

I turned back and suddenly felt something cold on my face—Feng Ming’s sword tip was pointing at my brow.

I cried out in alarm, “Hey! Are you serious?”

He said coldly, “The master is poisoned because of you, yet you repay kindness with betrayal—”

“Poisoned?” I was shocked. “What happened?”

He sneered. “If the master hadn’t healed you, you would be dead by now!”

“What do you mean?”

“You went into the Seeking Truth Pavilion, and you’re still playing dumb?”

I was confused. “What does this have to do with the Seeking Truth Pavilion?”

He suddenly withdrew his sword and sneered, “You were poisoned severely. To save you, the master had to absorb the poison into his own body. All the information about the poison’s source, toxicity, and the people involved is recorded in Feng Jingli’s file. How could you not know?”

I was stunned.

So Feng Tingjie hadn’t lied to me; he just didn’t know the poison had been transferred to Yan Shao.

“So his hair… wasn’t because of Shen Zuitian’s…?” I felt my voice trembling.

Feng Ming snorted coldly, “What is Shen Zuitian? His Ice Jade Palm means nothing to the master. What’s truly formidable is the deadly poison in your body. To control its spread, the master’s hair turned white overnight.”

I was stunned again.

No wonder he tired easily lately? No wonder he increasingly indulged me. So the one with limited time was him! I felt my body uncontrollably shaking, a cold sensation rising from the soles of my feet that I couldn’t stop.

“Is there truly no cure for this poison?”

He looked at me without answering, then suddenly said, “Now that you know everything, commit suicide immediately!”

I was dumbfounded.

He turned away, coldly saying, “You are the master’s beloved. I don’t want to kill you with my own hands, nor do I want him to be heartbroken after knowing the truth. So—please kill yourself to atone to the master!”

“The list is fake, you idiot!”

I threw out these words and flew back.

Just as I entered the courtyard gate, I saw Yan Shao sitting in the courtyard dressed in white, smiling as he looked at me. His face in the moonlight was as gentle as jade.

At that moment, I suddenly felt extraordinarily calm. I walked toward him, my steps so steady that I surprised even myself.

He calmly said, “I woke up and didn’t see you.”

I said softly, “I went out to handle something.”

He poured a cup of tea, “If you’re not tired, sit with me for a while.”

I sat down, “Aren’t you going to ask where I went? What I was doing?”

He smiled, “With your little tricks, you think you can hide from me?”

I also smiled, “I forgot again, you’re all-knowing.”

He remained silent, with a shallow smile constantly on his lips, seemingly in a good mood.

In the courtyard, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, their fragrance lingering. Occasionally, a night breeze would sweep by, causing pink petals to fall like sleet. A few crimson petals landed gently on his white hair—that small touch of pale pink against the cascading white, contrasting with the snow, was breathtakingly beautiful.

He suddenly recited, “Forest flowers withered with spring’s red, too hastily…” His voice was low and hoarse, like the old sound of an untuned erhu.

I felt as if someone had poured a kettle of strong liquor down my chest. My chest burned to the point of pain, making it difficult to breathe.

Finally, I couldn’t help but ask, “Is there no cure for that poison?”

His face became as cold as an icy lake, and he said calmly, “There’s still a chance.”

I was both shocked and delighted, “What kind of poison is it? Where’s the antidote? Let’s go find it immediately.”

He smiled, “Currently, we only know the poison came from the White Lotus Sect. As for exactly what poison it is, that’s still unclear. I’ve sent Fei Wu beyond the Great Wall to investigate. We should have news soon.”

I was shocked and asked, “Could Feng Jingli’s master be from the White Lotus Sect?”

He frowned slightly, “Yes, very likely the former White Lotus Sect leader—Tang Sai’er.”

I was greatly surprised. According to records, White Lotus Sect leader Tang Sai’er led a rebellion during the Yongle era. After her defeat, she disappeared into monastic life, whereabouts unknown. The Yongle Emperor detained a hundred thousand nuns across the country but couldn’t find her.

He held my hand and said softly, “Don’t worry! Didn’t you say that troublemakers live for a thousand years? I won’t die so easily.”

I murmured, “Feng Tingjie said… this poison has no cure.”

He remained silent, then suddenly said, “He dared to sneak into the Seeking Truth Pavilion at night, so he must have also suspected Feng Jingli’s master.” After a pause, he added, “However, Feng Jingli herself doesn’t know the severity of this poison.”

I was startled, “Feng Tingjie personally told me she administered the poison.”

He sighed lightly, “She did administer the poison, but it was temporarily switched by someone.”

“Who would be so vicious as to want Rong Shukuang dead?”

“She stood in someone’s way, so naturally, someone wanted her dead!”

He was silent for a moment, then smiled, “Feng Jingli is just someone else’s pawn. Perhaps Shen Zuitian has some connection with the White Lotus Sect.”

I widened my eyes, “Don’t you know Shen Zuitian’s background either?”

He sighed lightly, “Silly girl, I may have more talent than others, but I’m not a god.”

He took a sip of tea and continued, “Seven years ago, the Ghost Valley Alliance rose suddenly in the jianghu, coming on strong, obviously well-prepared. If it’s truly the White Lotus Sect changing its name and making a comeback, then this world will be even more lively.”

His tone seemed full of anticipation. This troublemaker who feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough made me both angry and amused.

“Your life hangs by a thread, and you still have the mood to watch the excitement?”

He smiled, “I should have told you earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“It feels good to be cared for by you.”

I gave up and softened my voice to plead with him, “Can we go find the antidote first?”

“No! Shuang, I just want to be with you now, not go anywhere.”

I was at a loss for words, feeling a tenderness spreading through my heart like ice cracking.

I looked at him, “Am I that important to you?”

He looked back at me, “More important than you can imagine!”

I went over and gently laid my head on his lap. Around us, all was quiet, and flowers fell silently.

The next day, Feng Ming was extremely awkward when he saw me. He apologized and was about to leave.

I quickly stopped him and said, “Go invite Li Xiuran here.”

He stood still, “It’s useless.”

“What?”

“I’ve already asked him.”

I was startled, “When?”

He remained expressionless, “When you and Lan Zixu were plotting your clever plan.”

“So that black-clothed person was you.” I suddenly realized, “What did he say?”

“He’s never heard of such a poison!”

I was stunned. If even Li Xiuran was helpless against this poison, it certainly wasn’t as simple as Yan Shao made it out to be.

“How is Yan Shao’s body doing?”

“I don’t know.”

“How many days until the poison takes effect?”

“I don’t know.”

I cried out, “You’re by his side every day! How can you not know anything?”

He showed no expression, “What the master doesn’t want others to know, no one will know.”

I fell silent for a moment, “Any news from Fei Wu?”

“I don’t know.”

I was helpless. “Then what exactly do you know?”

He didn’t answer.

“Are we just going to wait like this?”

He didn’t answer.

“Say something!”

He suddenly turned to stare at me, “What ideas do you have?”

I pulled him to sit down and lowered my voice, “I want to personally go beyond the Great Wall to find the antidote.”

He looked surprised, “You?”

I sneered, “My martial arts aren’t inferior to yours, are they?”

“It’s not about martial arts.” He slightly curled his lips and said, “The master won’t agree.”

“So we need to find a way to deceive him. Go tell him that Yu Chi Mountain Manor has an emergency. This way, I’ll have a reason to leave—”

He stood up and coldly interrupted me, “I will never deceive the master!”

I also stood up, “That’s precisely why he would believe your words without doubt.”

He remained silent.

I pressed on, “You don’t want anything to happen to him either, right?”

He frowned slightly.

“Come on, at a time like this, why are you still so stubborn…”

He suddenly said, “Lies will be exposed quickly.”

I waved my hand, “Don’t worry about that. By the time the lie is discovered, I’ll already be beyond the Great Wall.”

He was silent for a moment, then turned and walked out.

I immediately called out, “Hey, we haven’t finished talking. Where are you going?”

He didn’t look back, “To report to the master.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. This kid’s temperament was remarkably similar to his master’s; they both acted so eccentric.

I busied myself in the kitchen making a bowl of soup. Estimating the time was about right, I picked it up and headed to the study. Upon entering, I saw Yan Shao sitting at his desk with Feng Ming standing expressionlessly beside him.

Before I could speak, he said, “Shuang, you’ve come at the right time. Yu Chi Mountain Manor has a situation.”

“Ah?” I pretended to be surprised and put down the bowl, “What happened?”

“They’ve discovered Lin Qianyi’s whereabouts.”

“Is it true?”

I glanced at Feng Ming. I couldn’t tell this kid was such a good liar. This lie was perfectly reasonable—as the master of Yu Chi Mountain Manor, Rong Shukuang, who was raised by Lin Qianyi, couldn’t possibly stand idle.

He smiled without answering.

I immediately said, “Then I must return right away to discuss this with them.”

“Good!” He nodded, “Feng Ming, accompany Shuang.”

Feng Ming and I left the study and exited the courtyard.

I couldn’t help but praise him, “I didn’t expect you to be such a good liar.”

He said coldly, “I didn’t lie.”

I was shocked and stopped to ask, “What do you mean?”

“When I went to the study, I just happened to meet someone from Yu Chi Mountain Manor bringing a message.”

I was stunned, “So this news is real?”

He nodded, “Yes!”

I was dumbfounded. Talk about when it rains, it pours! Everything was happening at once.

“Then I won’t return to Yu Chi Mountain Manor. If I go back now, they’ll want me to find Lin Qianyi.”

“They sent someone with a message, that’s probably what they want.”

“Then how can I go find the antidote?”

He remained silent.

“What do we do now?” I was getting anxious, “Come on, don’t just stand there like a wooden post. Help me think of something!”

“There’s no solution.”

It seemed I couldn’t count on him.

I said helplessly, “Let’s do this: I won’t return to Yu Chi Mountain Manor but will go directly beyond the Great Wall. You just say I went to find Lin Qianyi.”

Feng Ming hadn’t yet answered when a voice said, “No!”

Yan Shao was somehow standing behind us, smiling as he said, “Shuang, I know what you’re thinking.”

I sighed helplessly, “If you knew, you would immediately go beyond the Great Wall with me.”

He smiled and shook his head, “Now is not the time for us to go. You should first return to Yu Chi Mountain Manor.”

I stubbornly said, “What does Lin Qianyi’s life have to do with me? I’m not Rong—”

“No!” He quickly interrupted me, emphasizing, “Right now, you are the master of Yu Chi Mountain Manor. It’s a prominent position, and all eyes in the jianghu are watching you.”

He suddenly sighed lightly, “Of course, I don’t want you to leave, but since we are in this jianghu, there are many things we must do.”

I was slightly stunned, then understood.

Yes, I am Fang Yi, not Rong Shukuang, but I occupy Rong Shukuang’s body—I cannot separate my soul from her body—which means I must bear the responsibilities that Rong Shukuang shoulders. Rong Shukuang is a person with identity and standing in the jianghu; her image and reputation will become mine, Fang Yi’s image. No matter whose body my soul chooses, this is unavoidable.

I smiled bitterly, “Long have I hated that this body is not my own!”

He smiled, “You’re very clever.”

I walked over and held his hand, “I don’t want to leave you.”

He sighed lightly, “I’ll send people to assist you.”

“But your health—”

“Don’t worry,” he lowered his head and said tenderly, “I wouldn’t dare die without seeing you.”

My heart warmed, and tears fell.

He turned away, not looking at me, “Go quickly and return quickly.”