Yu Lingxi recalled the ice bed from her previous life.

She stared at Ning Yin in astonishment, her lips slightly parted as she asked the question that had puzzled her for so long: “When a person dies, their light extinguishes, and they find peace when buried. Isn’t it out of hatred for someone that one would preserve their corpse?”

Ning Yin’s face showed contempt; that was what ordinary, vulgar people would do.

“Those who are truly despised should be tormented while alive—that’s more entertaining. If they die before one has the chance to torment them, then simply behead them, mutilate their corpse, and throw it out to feed the dogs.”

Ning Yin used the gentlest tone to speak the most ruthless words, sneering as he asked, “To seal them nearby, creating an obstruction—isn’t that stupid?”

Thinking back carefully, it had indeed been so in her previous life.

Yu Lingxi’s eyes widened further: “So if you were to preserve a dead person in ice in a secret chamber, it would be because… you couldn’t bear to part with them?”

Ning Yin slowly swallowed the spicy plum flesh, his crimson lips and the corners of his eyes taking on a beautiful flush.

That look in his eyes was asking her: Shouldn’t things that are used with satisfaction be locked away?

Willful and obsessive, but it was indeed Ning Yin’s style.

A preposterous idea floated into Yu Lingxi’s mind, though she thought it unlikely.

Her body after death had indeed been preserved in a secret chamber, but Ning Yin had only visited once when drunk, and afterward had sealed the chamber, forbidding anyone to mention it.

There had been none of what he just described—seeing her daily.

The only thing she could be certain of was that Ning Yin did not hate her. Even though she had been the poisoned vessel meant to assassinate him.

Yu Lingxi had not yet figured out where the contradiction in all this came from.

He lowered his gaze, scanning Yu Lingxi’s complex expression, and raised his hand toward the top of her head.

As the shadow fell, Yu Lingxi’s eyelashes trembled and she instinctively closed her eyes.

But Ning Yin merely plucked a wisteria petal that had fallen on her coiled hair, rubbing the smooth petal between his fingertips, and said lightly: “What are you afraid of? I’m someone who most fears trouble. The one who could make me go to such lengths has not yet appeared.”

His deep, slow tone was quite profound.

Yu Lingxi opened her eyes, looking at Ning Yin’s pitch-black eyes bathed in light, and said softly but firmly: “I am not afraid, Ning Yin.”

She called him Ning Yin.

This name, when spoken from her lips, always carried a gentle determination that transcended time and death.

Ning Yin looked at her for a long time, his lips twitching, and raised his hand again.

This time, his long, powerful hand gently covered the top of her head, as if stroking a cat.

After returning to her quarters, Yu Lingxi sat on her bedspread with jade mats, looking at the red-lacquered plum blossom pen with its ink-black tip on the pen stand.

After a while, she gently touched the spot over her beating heart. It was warm there, with a slight ache.

The moon rose to its zenith, and no lamp was lit in the chamber.

Ning Yin reclined on the bed in loose middle garments, the apricot-white ribbon twisted around his long fingers, glowing white in the lingering moonlight.

The hidden compartment of the low cabinet beside the bed was wide open, with a kite whose broken wings had been repaired lying quietly inside, along with the five-colored longevity thread that was now out of season.

…

Madam Yu, concerned that the new daughter-in-law might not adapt well after just being married into the family, instructed Yu Lingxi to visit her often when free to keep her company.

Even without her mother’s instructions, Yu Lingxi would have done so.

After all, due to her previous life, Yu Lingxi had an extremely favorable impression of her new sister-in-law. Besides, with her brother and sister both having official duties, she rarely found someone her age in the manor with whom she could converse.

“How is it?”

Su Wan, with her hair in a small coil befitting a new bride, blinked her large cat-like eyes, quite expectantly awaiting her sister-in-law’s reaction.

Yu Lingxi held the red bean flower cake that Su Wan had made herself, taking a small bite.

The sweet taste spread across her tongue, enough to sweep away all worries.

Yu Lingxi nodded, praising sincerely: “It’s delicious!”

Su Wan smiled with satisfaction and picked another cake for Yu Lingxi before placing the rest in a food box for safekeeping, planning to send it to Yu Huanchen to taste later.

Seeing the salt and pepper plums in Yu Lingxi’s cup, Su Wan was full of curiosity and asked softly: “Does Sister like sour food?”

“It’s spicy,” Yu Lingxi explained.

“May I try some?” Su Wan asked.

Yu Lingxi thought for a moment, untied the small purse at her waist, and picked out another salt and pepper plum, placing it in a teacup. After the flavor had dissolved, she handed it to Su Wan.

Su Wan sniffed it, took a graceful small sip, blinked, and covered her lips with a handkerchief, saying: “Slightly sour and spicy, a very special flavor.”

“Right?” Yu Lingxi smiled.

After girls exchanged their preferences, they naturally became closer. The two stools moved increasingly near to each other, and finally, they simply sat together to chat.

When Yu Huanchen returned from court, he saw his newly-wed wife and youngest sister sitting close together on a swing, reading a book together.

Under the dense shade of summer, sunlight scattered like gold fragments. One was delicate and adorable, the other beautiful and bright. The wind blew their shawls, creating a vivid painting of beauties.

Yu Huanchen cleared his throat discreetly.

Su Wan immediately raised her head, stood up to welcome him, and said: “Husband has returned?”

Yu Huanchen glanced at his charming wife, then quickly shifted his gaze, giving a low “mm” in response.

“The weather is hot, and the husband’s official duties are burdensome. You’ve worked hard.”

Su Wan considerately took the cool tea passed by the maid and smiled as she offered it, saying, “Husband, have some tea.”

As soon as Yu Huanchen took the tea, Su Wan presented the red bean cake, saying: “I made these sweets myself. Would husband like to try?”

She called him “husband” with such sweet clarity that even Yu Huanchen, who had once firmly declared his dislike for “delicate young ladies from good families,” couldn’t help but redden at the ears, showing a sweet awkwardness.

Yu Lingxi idly swung on the swing, hiding her face behind the book, her eyes curved in a smile.

As she smiled, she thought again of Ning Yin’s reddened, gorgeous eye-c corners that night, and that heart-stirring statement about “keeping her by his side even after death”…

Could it be that emotions in this world are not uniform, but rather exist in a thousand different states?

The summer day made her drowsy and thoughtful. Lately, the frequency with which she recalled Ning Yin and her previous life had noticeably increased. Each time she reached a new conclusion, it would be overturned by even deeper questions.

As noon approached, the sun grew increasingly hot.

The young couple before her were on their honeymoon, and Yu Lingxi didn’t want to intrude further. She gathered her scattered thoughts, rose, said goodbye, and returned to her residence.

Just as she entered the courtyard, she saw Hutao coming over with the tip of her nose sweating, eagerly saying: “Young Lady, both Zhongwu General’s manor and Cheng’an Baron’s household have sent people to propose marriage!”

“Propose marriage?”

Yu Lingxi asked: “For whom?”

“For you, of course, Young Lady! It’s said that during the Young General’s wedding feast a few days ago, all the young masters from noble families in the capital came, and seeing the Young Lady’s extraordinary beauty, many had thoughts of proposing. Today, two families have already come!”

As she said this, Hutao was both happy and worried.

Happy because her young lady had more choices, worried that she might miss her true fate.

After all, no matter how much the Young Lady favored that guard, she could never cross the vast gulf of status and family background. And Xue Second Young Master’s deep affection for the Young Lady was evident not only to the General and his wife but also to them as servants.

Yu Lingxi didn’t show much joy, only sighed, privately troubled.

This time, what reason could she use to refuse?

…

The hot summer days were the peak season for teahouses in the capital to attract customers.

Some famous establishments that catered exclusively to high officials and nobles also introduced various colorful and flavorful iced drinks and caramel custards.

The heir of Cheng’an Baron gently fanned himself with a paper fan, sitting opposite his friend. After some pleasantries, he naturally steered the conversation to the other’s marriage plans.

One of them said: “I heard that the Young Master intends to seek the hand of General Yu’s youngest daughter. Allow me to congratulate you in advance on this joyous occasion!”

The Cheng’an Baron’s heir suppressed his small ambitions, feigning modesty: “It’s merely my parents’ wish, nothing is decided yet.”

“Ah, Young Master, you speak too humbly. General Yu commands a large army, and to prevent his achievements from overshadowing the Emperor’s caution, he certainly won’t arrange a marriage with Zhongwu General, who is also a military talent. As for Xue Second Young Master, it’s said he already has an engagement with the Yu family’s eldest daughter, and the Xue family values propriety too much to easily change agreements… Looking at it this way, isn’t Young Master the only one left?”

Another person nudged the Cheng’an Baron’s heir’s shoulder with a folded fan, smiling: “Besides, Young Master is like fragrant orchid and fine jade, especially with your exquisite painting skills that rival Xue Second Young Master’s. What woman wouldn’t like that?”

The Cheng’an Baron’s heir indeed thought so.

Although he held the title of heir, the Cheng’an Baron’s family had declined over several generations and had no real power, making him the most suitable marriage partner for the Yu family.

However, he was indeed displeased. What he resented most was being compared to Xue Second Young Master.

After nearly twenty years of practicing painting, all he got was a phrase “comparable to Xue Second Young Master.”

Who did this Xue Second Young Master think he was, worthy of being the standard for all men in the world?

The previous speaker seemed to sense his displeasure and smiled: “Only Young Master has such good fortune. The rest of us are married young and have no chance to compete!”

The Cheng’an Baron’s heir felt somewhat better.

Talented men are romantic and love beauty; Miss Yu was acknowledged as the capital’s premier beauty—what was not to like?

Just as he was thinking this, there came a light, hurried footstep from behind the partition screen, and then a young woman dressed in elegant clothes stumbled over, falling frantically into the Cheng’an Baron heir’s arms.

Behind her, two fierce-looking men pursued.

The teacup in the heir’s hand was knocked over, soaking his lower garments, causing him to frown: “Miss, you…”

“Save me, young master!” The woman raised a small face streaked with tears, her hairpins loosened, her breath slightly ragged, looking utterly delicate and vulnerable.

The fragrance on her body was sweet and enticing; the Cheng’an Baron’s heir was stunned by the scent, involuntarily leaning closer to her neck.

“Young master…”

Only when the coquettish voice softly sounded did he snap back to his senses, murmuring, “What did Miss just say?”

“This humble girl came to the capital alone to find relatives but was deceived and sold to a brothel. I beg the young master to save me!”

The woman gently tugged at the heir’s sleeve, her tear-filled charming eyes soft as cream, pitiful, and lovely.

All men have a hero complex, especially romantic men.

With sweet fragrance wafting around, the Cheng’an Baron’s heir changed from pulling away to encircling the woman’s waist, protecting her behind him, and said to the two villains: “How much silver did she sell for? This heir will redeem her.”

The two friends had no time to dissuade him and exchanged glances.

By nightfall, it was closing time.

A black-clad youth sat by the railing in a private room, playing with a teacup, his gaze directed toward a certain spot on the street outside the window.

Under the lingering dim lights in front of the teahouse stood the woman who had been rescued by the Cheng’an Baron’s heir a few days ago, looking quite nervous. Upon closer inspection, one could see in her manner and bearing traces of one immersed in the ways of pleasure houses.

She said something in a low voice, and the figure standing in the shadows, Zhe Ju, tossed out a fairly heavy money pouch and a medicinal bottle.

The woman hurriedly caught them, expressing profuse thanks as she left.

…

Ning Yin had been excessively quiet these days, not having appeared before her for several days.

Yu Lingxi remembered how he had turned dark and fierce when Xue Cen proposed marriage, and seeing him now so silent, she felt a vague sense of guilt and apology without reason.

Just as she had figured out a way to reject the marriage proposals, she heard Hutao, who had gone to gather information, say that both Zhongwu General’s eldest son and Cheng’an Baron’s heir had canceled their marriage proposals.

“General Zhou’s eldest son broke his leg the day after proposing. He heard some fortune-teller say his and the Young Lady’s horoscopes were incompatible and would clash. If they married, he would certainly die in a foreign land, which frightened Young Master Zhou so much that he immediately called off the engagement!”

Hutao’s face was red with anger as she gestured emphatically: “And that Cheng’an Baron’s heir—just thinking about him makes me angry! He kept a fox-like concubine who bewitched him thoroughly. He’s determined to bring the woman into his household as a permanent companion, angering the Cheng’an Baron greatly, so he’s too embarrassed to propose to Young Lady now! They appear so proper on the outside, yet their private morals are so disgraceful!”

Among those who had hoped to marry, only Xue Second Young Master remained pure and steadfast.

While Hutao was indignantly thinking this, Yu Lingxi was surprised for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.

“Young Lady!”

Hutao pouted, “Why are you laughing?”

Heaven had granted her wish, so of course, Yu Lingxi had to laugh.

Zhou’s eldest son was a military officer, most afraid of dying on the battlefield, so the fortune-teller persuaded him with talk of clashing fates; the Cheng’an Baron’s heir prided himself on his romantic nature, so he was suddenly bewitched by a woman to the point of turning the world upside down…

It was as if someone had grasped their weaknesses, too coincidental.

But this was all for the best; these men had retreated of their own accord, saving her the effort of having to decline.

In high spirits, even the sky seemed brighter, refreshing her completely.

Hutao continued to feel indignant about her mistress’s troubled marriage prospects for a while, then said: “By the way, Young Lady, just now the Lady from Tanggong Mansion, the Qingping Xianjun, sent a verbal message inviting you to go lantern viewing with her on the Night of Skill-seeking.”

With this reminder, Yu Lingxi recalled that in half a month it would be the seventh day of the seventh month, Qixi.

Yu Lingxi remembered that in her previous life on that year’s Qixi, her uncle had wanted to take her to a banquet to curry favor with the imperial relatives and noble families.

That was the first time she had seen the true face behind her uncle’s hypocritical mask, and shocked and frightened, she had fallen seriously ill.

Later, when she recovered, the leaves in the courtyard had all withered and fallen. Yu Lingxi then learned that all those imperial relatives and nobles her uncle had tried to curry favor with were dead. The court had undergone a massive bloodletting, and Ning Yin’s name had risen overnight, intimidating the world.

Yu Lingxi did not know what exactly had happened in court during those few short months. Everything had been wiped clean, and everyone was as silent as if in deep winter.

She only knew that if Ning Yin’s plans went smoothly, he would likely leave the Yu manor before long.

Strange—this was an ending she had known from the beginning, yet suddenly thinking of it today gave her a feeling of unpreparedness.

The wind brushed over the surface of the pavilion pond, creating ripples that did not subside for a long time.

Summer brought many fruits, and often fruit farmers carried grapes, melons, and other produce they couldn’t finish themselves, hawking them through the streets and alleys.

The people supporting below followed the trend, no longer selling candy, but grapes.

When Ning Yin returned, he had a bunch of grapes in his hand, which he had washed and was eating at a leisurely pace.

Seeing Yu Lingxi sitting alone in the waterside pavilion, lost in thought, he paused, then slowly walked toward her.

He had not been in a good mood these days—too many wild bees and butterflies to deal with. Moreover, there was also the stubborn fool Xue Cen, waiting with an open mouth for his young lady to fall into his embrace…

Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable.

It was only because he had become obedient now and disliked killing people.

Otherwise, those people would have been chopped up into flower fertilizer long ago.

A coolness touched her face, and Yu Lingxi suddenly turned around, meeting Ning Yin’s deep, handsome black eyes.

What rested on her face was a bunch of purple-skinned grapes still beaded with water droplets.

“Ning… Wei Qi, what have you been doing these days?”

Yu Lingxi’s eyes brightened, then spread into gentle, rippling waves of light. “Where did you get the grapes?”

She must have been distracted by her thoughts, nearly calling out his real name.

Ning Yin picked a grape, carefully peeled it, and with juice-moistened fingers, placed the fruit flesh into her mouth.

His fingertip pressed ever so slightly against her lips before calmly withdrawing, leaving a cool, moist trace.

Yu Lingxi was startled, then immediately wrinkled her brow, stimulated by the rush of juice.

Such sour grapes—where had he found them?

“Sour?” Ning Yin asked.

Yu Lingxi nodded hurriedly, shivering from the sourness.

Ning Yin began to smile, nodding: “It should be sour.”

Using the same hand that had just touched her lips, he picked a grape and put it between his lips, eating it without changing expression.

Yu Lingxi watched him for a while, then, as if having made up her mind, rested her chin on her hand and asked: “Wei Qi, is there anything you want?”

Having spent so much time together, she realized she had never properly asked about Ning Yin’s desires.

When it came time for him to leave, she should at least leave him with a memento.

Ning Yin glanced at her, swallowing the grape at a measured pace.

As if savoring something delicious, he asked with a deep smile: “I can have anything I want?”