Yu Lingxi’s slightly raised apricot eyes reflected a pool of spring water, her eyelashes dyed with ink-like lines, utterly captivating.

With her fingertips twirling Ning Yin’s black hair, she felt as if she had been possessed.

Until she met Ning Yin’s deep eyes, black as ice, her heart buzzed loudly as if coming to her senses, and she slowly lowered her hand.

That strand of hair then slipped through her fingers, cool and ticklish like a feather.

“Just now, young lady,”

Ning Yin maintained his posture, holding the paperweight, and contemplated his wording before slowly asking, “Were you flirting with me?”

The wind rippled the pool of spring water, the thin gauze in the waterside pavilion fluttered, and Yu Lingxi felt that stifling heat rise again, even the tips of her ears involuntarily turning a faint red.

It was remarkable that such a cold-hearted person even understood the word “flirting.”

“The love of beauty is common to all, I was merely compelled to praise it.”

Yu Lingxi didn’t know what nonsense she was babbling, lowering her eyes slightly uncomfortably, she simply gathered up her writing materials and rose, saying, “I’ll go get another brush.”

With that, without looking at Ning Yin’s expression, she hugged the rice paper and hurriedly left.

Ning Yin straightened up, looking in the direction where Yu Lingxi’s robes had disappeared.

Slightly dissatisfied, what kind of game was it to tease and then run away?

He stood in the waterside pavilion for a moment, raised his hand to pinch that strand of black hair that had been twirled, savoring the moment for a long time, with traces of interest blossoming in his ink-black eyes.

If it was so beautiful, why not touch it a bit longer?

At an invisible corner of the flower garden, Yu Lingxi stopped, leaning gently against the surrounding wall.

One arm hugged the crumpled rice paper, the still-wet ink smudging into a mess against her chest, while the other hand covered her warm cheeks to cool them down.

Just now, what had happened?

Yu Lingxi was truly puzzled as to how she could have been so hot-headed as to speak such frivolous words to Ning Yin.

Could it be a remnant of her habit from her previous life, where she had used her beauty to serve others?

Clouds obscured the sun, and the cool late spring breeze blew gently, yet still could not disperse the lingering heat in her body.

…

On the eighth day of the fourth month, the Buddha Bathing Festival, the city’s temple gates were wide open, with chanting and almsgiving, creating a lively atmosphere.

In this dynasty, which honored Buddhism, every Buddha Bathing Festival, noble families would cook salt beans and sugar water to distribute to passersby for blessings.

The sky was overcast, yet strangely hot.

Yu Lingxi prepared herself, leaning against the couch fanning herself, when she saw Hutao enter with a card.

“Young lady, an invitation from the Xue family. They must be inviting you to join the almsgiving.” Hutao said, happily presenting the invitation.

In her view, almsgiving on the Buddha Bathing Festival was a significant event, and the Xue family inviting her young lady to visit was tantamount to publicly acknowledging their marriage arrangement.

With the Xue family showing such courtesy, her young lady would surely be blessed after marrying into their household. Wasn’t this a beautiful tale of a good match?

Yu Lingxi took the card and opened it, but it was in Xue Cen’s handwriting, and the signature was also Xue Cen’s private seal.

She asked, “Was this card personally delivered by the Xue household’s steward?”

“No, I heard from the guards that it was delivered by Young Master Xue’s servant.”

Hutao poured tea for her, puzzled, “Isn’t it the same no matter who delivers it? Why does the young lady ask?”

With a little deduction, Yu Lingxi knew this card was not from Xue’s parents, but a private invitation from Xue Cen himself.

The Xue family’s household rules were strict, adhering closely to propriety. It seemed that the earlier rumors of “losing virtue” had not only stopped the Eastern Palace marriage but also made Prime Minister Xue hesitant, hence the delay in finalizing their marriage.

Most likely, Xue Cen feared she might overthink things, so he insisted on sending an invitation to show his determination to marry none but her.

His heart was in the right place but unfortunately misapplied.

Yu Lingxi ordered her maid to bring paper and pen, moistened the ink, and wrote a reply, politely declining Xue Cen’s invitation.

Visiting without proper occasion was against the rules; she didn’t want to make things difficult for herself, nor for Xue Cen.

After sending out the card, she saw an attendant from Yu Huanchen come to inquire, announcing from the corridor: “Young lady, it’s time for the almsgiving.”

This year, the Yu family’s almsgiving ceremony was arranged by Yu Huanchen and set up at the intersection in front of the mansion’s main street.

At this moment, Yu Huanchen was listlessly stirring the pot of salt beans, having lost his usual vigor.

Yu Lingxi knew that the family had already sent three letters and six gifts to propose marriage to the young lady of the Su family, who came from a prestigious background. Yu Huanchen preferred spirited women, and the mere thought of the pampered noble daughter gave him a headache. With the wedding approaching, he grew increasingly depressed and gloomy.

Yu Lingxi, with her veiled hat concealing her face, walked over and discovered that Ning Yin was also under the porridge tent.

“Young lady,” Ning Yin called out when he looked up and saw Yu Lingxi.

The young man in a dark martial robe stood tall and straight, his hair halfbound and half-loose, with even the roots an even ink color. When he bent to pick something up, a beautiful strand of ink-black hair fell over his shoulder, always reminding Yu Lingxi of the silky, cool sensation when it had twirled around her fingertips…

It seemed that since she had praised his beautiful hair a few days ago, he rarely tied all of it up, always letting half fall over his shoulders, adding a touch of elegant youthfulness.

Yu Lingxi couldn’t help but look at him for a long time, until Ning Yin brought over some oiled paper and deliberately lowered his voice to ask, “Is it that good-looking?”

Seeing the indulgent smile in his eyes, the heat rushed up to Yu Lingxi’s ears again, feeling a feather-like tickle. Fortunately, the veiled hat concealed her face, preventing him from noticing.

Yu Lingxi snatched the oiled paper from Ning Yin’s hand, rolled it into a funnel, and asked, “Why are you here?”

Ning Yin casually replied, “Qingxiao isn’t here, and they need an extra hand.”

Yu Lingxi let out a light “Oh,” then turned to receive the salt beans that Yu Huanchen ladled out, wrapped them neatly, and distributed them to beggars and passersby.

“Suisui!”

A clear call came from the crowd. It was Tang Buli who had found her way here, pushing through the crowd to run over. “I’m going to Jinyun Temple to pray for blessings. Want to come?”

Yu Lingxi had been feeling strangely hot these past few days, languid and lacking energy.

While she hesitated, Tang Buli took the paper funnel from her hand and pleaded, “Come on, come on. Today, the matchmaking lots at the temple are especially efficacious. Don’t you want to divine a fortune for a certain Mr. Xue?”

There was a soft clattering sound from behind, as Ning Yin dropped a porcelain ladle on the table.

He smiled coldly: “Sorry.”

For some reason, Yu Lingxi was reminded of the white jade purple-bristle brush that had broken by the waterside pavilion.

Unable to resist the persistent coaxing, Yu Lingxi finally said, “Alright.”

Tang Buli cheered and linked her arm with Yu Lingxi’s, smiling at Yu Huanchen, “Young Master, I’m taking Suisui away! I’ll bring her back safely before the hour of you!”

Yu Lingxi was pulled along for a few steps, then backed up, lifting a corner of her veiled hat to reveal half of her exquisite face, and said to Ning Yin, “Wei Qi, follow me.”

Ning Yin looked toward Jinyun Temple, lowering his eyes to hide the darkness within them, and nodded.

Yu Huanchen watched as his sister’s group departed, then casually pointed to one of his guards: “Follow them and protect the Second Young Lady.”

The guard saluted, adjusted his sword, and followed.

The market was bustling, and the temple’s chanting and sandalwood incense could be sensed from afar.

Tang Buli was a restless character. Along the way, various stalls were shouting and selling, and she was either touching this or looking at that, never still.

Yu Lingxi followed behind, glancing at Ning Yin who was half a step away from her side.

She took out a small item from the pouch she carried, then turned and said, “Hold out your hand.”

Ning Yin seemed to be deep in thought and, hearing her speak this way, stopped in his tracks.

After a while, he obediently raised his hand.

Yu Lingxi let go, and a small candy wrapped in oiled paper fell into Ning Yin’s palm.

Unwrapping it, he found it was a milk-scented candy.

Ning Yin raised his eyebrows, sniffed it, and looked at Yu Lingxi.

People and horses passed by all around, incessantly, embodying the capital’s thousand-year-old, unchanging prosperity.

Yu Lingxi fanned herself to dispel the stuffiness, moved forward, and put the candy into Ning Yin’s mouth, saying resignedly, “This one doesn’t have chili powder in it, eat it without worry.”

After feeding him the candy, Ning Yin was stunned, and so was Yu Lingxi.

It was almost an instinctive action; she hadn’t thought much about it.

It seemed that in the past few days, her mind had become increasingly relaxed and scattered, unconsciously doing strange things toward Ning Yin.

Fortunately, with the crowds of passersby around, no one knew anyone else, and no one would pay attention to the actions of a young man and woman on the street.

Ning Yin didn’t say anything, just rolled the candy with his tongue, holding it between his lips and teeth, narrowing his eyes.

Yu Lingxi guessed he must be satisfied and asked, “Is it sweet?”

Ning Yin absentmindedly bit the candy, but his eyes were fixed steadily on Yu Lingxi.

After looking at her for a long time, he finally said with deeper meaning, “Quite sweet.”

So Yu Lingxi smiled with relief, her translucent veil unable to hide her radiant, beautiful smile.

“Suisui, why are you standing here?”

Tang Buli, seeing that she hadn’t followed, came back to look for her, pulling her wrist and urging, “Hurry, hurry, don’t keep people waiting anxiously.”

Yu Lingxi only understood what Tang Buli meant by “don’t keep people waiting anxiously” after she arrived at Jinyun Temple.

Xue Cen stood facing the Buddha statue, and hearing the girls’ laughter, he turned, his eyes tinged with a cultured, restrained smile.

“Second Sister.”

Xue Cen first greeted Yu Lingxi, then bowed to Tang Buli, “Thank you, Qingping Xiangjun.”

“Alright, I’ve brought her to you, you two chat slowly,” said Tang Buli, waving her hand and bouncing out the door.

Yu Lingxi sighed helplessly and faced Xue Cen, asking, “What does Brother Cen need from me?”

“Please don’t blame Qingping Xiangjun, I asked her to invite you here.”

Saying this, Xue Cen took out a mutton-fat jade pendant from his robes and presented it to Yu Lingxi with both hands. “This is a jade pendant blessed by the high monk of Jinyun Temple, able to ward off disasters and bring blessings. I had originally planned to give it to Second Sister in front of family and elders today, but…”

He paused, his ears turning slightly red, and continued softly, “…Nevertheless, giving it to Second Sister here is just the same.”

In front of the Buddha hall at Jinyun Temple stood a two-hundred-year-old bodhi tree with lush branches and leaves.

Each year, many devout men and women would come here to make wishes and express their feelings, personally writing their worldly desires on red paper slips, and then hanging them on the tree branches with red strings.

Ning Yin dipped his brush in ink, writing with fluid, powerful strokes, then stopped, sealed the still-wet paper slip, and handed it to the young novice monk who came forward.

The novice didn’t hang his paper slip on the treetop but tucked it into his sleeve and, using the cover of the crowd of worshippers, quickly walked toward the meditation rooms in the back courtyard.

After silently completing all this, Ning Yin returned to the side hall of the temple, just in time to see Xue Cen hand a jade pendant with a water-blue tassel to Yu Lingxi.

That hesitant look—clearly up to no good.

Crack! Ning Yin expressionlessly crushed the candy in his mouth, as if chewing someone’s bones.

“Tastes bad, sour.”

He spat out the candy, darkness crossing the depths of his eyes.

In the Buddha hall, Yu Lingxi was unaware of the gaze from outside.

She looked at the jade pendant and exhaled a hot breath, saying, “Brother Cen, you’ve already given me too many things.”

And she had nothing to give in return.

“Whatever I give you is never too much…”

Xue Cen was still saying something, but Yu Lingxi could no longer hear.

Strangely, she watched Xue Cen’s lips move, but couldn’t understand a single word, only hearing a buzzing noise.

She widened her eyes, but everything before her was dispersing, distorting, her vision uncontrollably becoming sluggish.

Dong——

The temple bell rang with a deep sound, and Yu Lingxi felt a surge of hot blood rush to her head, burning her cheeks, then spreading throughout her limbs and gathering in her lower abdomen.

This was too strange, too strange.

This feeling was just like… just like her reaction after being exposed to the drugged incense that day in the confined storeroom.

No, it was even worse than then.

Xue Cen noticed her unusual complexion, concern appearing on his face as he quickly stepped forward and asked, “Second Sister, what’s wrong?”

“Don’t come closer!” Yu Lingxi instinctively avoided his outstretched hand, but her steps were unsteady, and she knocked over the incense ash offerings on the table.

A series of clattering sounds made the novices outside look over.

Yu Lingxi didn’t care about Xue Cen’s reaction, struggling to maintain her last shred of consciousness as she put on her veiled hat and walked toward the hall exit.

Instinct told her she absolutely could not stay in a crowded place any longer—something bad would happen!

There were many worshippers today, almost shoulder to shoulder.

Her vision blurred and distorted, she fled without direction, completely unaware that she was moving farther and farther away from the Yu family guards waiting by the wall.

By the time the guard and Hutao realized she had left, Yu Lingxi had already gone in the opposite direction, her position scattered by the crowded worshippers.

Her breathing was rapid and hot, everyone’s face was a blur, and everyone seemed to be smiling at her. Despite being in a temple, it felt as if a splendid clamor was rushing toward her, dreamlike and illusory, luring her to sink.

Yu Lingxi stumbled, not knowing how far she had walked, unable to find a way out. Her consciousness was beginning to drift, leaving only despair, embarrassing despair.

Suddenly, her wrist tightened.

Someone had come against the crowd and grabbed her wrist.

Yu Lingxi instinctively tried to shake free but saw a familiar blurry figure, tall and straight, standing in the crowd like a sharp sword.

“It’s me.” A familiar cold voice.

Yu Lingxi stared at him blankly, her hot palm gripping his knuckles in return, like a drowning person grasping a lifesaving piece of wood.

“Wei… Wei Qi… I’m not right…”

She bit her lips pale, her temples sweaty, tremblingly saying in fragments, “I don’t know… what’s happening…”

As she spoke, her body went limp, and was promptly caught by Ning Yin.

His palm touched her delicate waist, feeling the burning heat even through her clothes.

Her face showed an abnormal crimson, the corners of her eyes holding allure, her breath emitting a faint sweet fragrance…

Just like the last time in the storeroom.

Ning Yin frowned, understanding what was happening.

The place where they stood had only two exits, one leading to the front courtyard, already blocked by coming and going worshippers and chanting monks.

If they forced their way through, people would surely notice something unusual.

The other exit led to the deserted meditation rooms in the back courtyard——

He never brought living people in there.

Ning Yin carried Yu Lingxi and directly kicked open the door of the meditation room.

Zhejian had just opened the red paper slip passed to him by the novice monk when Ning Yin suddenly burst in.

He was somewhat surprised and immediately stood up, saying, “You—”

Then he noticed the woman in Ning Yin’s arms.

Ning Yin placed Yu Lingxi flat on the bed and gave a cold glance: “Get out.”

Zhejian looked straight ahead, immediately closing the door as he left, standing guard ten paces away.