When Shen Yang suddenly proposed taking Qing Yun Ge away, the Xu family found it hard to accept. Although Qing Yun Ge hadn’t been with the Xu family long, everyone had genuinely grown fond of this lively, pure, and lovable young girl. Madam Xu, who had no daughters, treated Qing Yun Ge even better than her sons, and deep down, she had quietly hoped this little girl might become her daughter-in-law. Now that Qing Yun Ge was suddenly leaving, how could Madam Xu not be upset?

But Shen Yang was Qing Yun Ge’s blood relative, and even though he had now become Qing Yun Ge’s adoptive father, his relationship with her was still much closer than the Xu family’s. When Shen Yang said he wanted to take Qing Yun Ge away, even the Xu family couldn’t find a reason to refuse.

Suppressing her anxiety, Madam Xu turned her gaze to her son sitting below, hoping he could think of an acceptable excuse to refuse Shen Yang.

Xu Qingchen looked up at Shen Yang, his expression returning to its usual cultured elegance. He smiled calmly and said, “Master Shen, you’ve been very busy these past few months. How would you have time to take care of Qing Yun Ge? If she goes to live at your residence, wouldn’t it be just like when she lived in the mountains?”

How could living at his residence be anything like living in the deep mountains? Shen Yang thought displeasedly, wanting to refute. Before he could speak, Xu Qingchen continued, “Moreover, even if you weren’t busy… there are no women in your household. If Qing Yun Ge goes to your residence, she’ll have no companions and no one to guide her…”

Madam Xu’s eyes brightened, and she quickly smiled and said, “That’s exactly right, Master Shen… you know Qing Yun Ge previously lived with her father, and there was no one to teach her many things that young ladies should learn. If you’ll trust me, leave Qing Yun Ge with me, and I guarantee to teach her to become the most cultured and refined young lady.”

“This…” Shen Yang frowned. Whether Qing Yun Ge could become a refined lady wasn’t important, but Madam Xu was right that she needed to learn many customs and rules that young ladies should know. He couldn’t take care of Qing Yun Ge forever; she would eventually marry. It was fine to indulge her as a young girl, and it didn’t matter if she didn’t know these things now, but when she went to her husband’s family in the future, knowing nothing would certainly not win her mother-in-law’s favor.

Seeing Shen Yang hesitate, Qin Zhong quickly smiled and said, “What First Aunt says is right, Master Shen. Qing Yun Ge studies very diligently; surely it won’t take long to make up for what she lacks. Before Qing Yun Ge completes her studies, let her stay with us and learn more from First Aunt. If Master Shen wants to guide Qing Yun Ge in medicine, why not have her come to the medicine shop or your residence for half a day, just like Wuyou?”

Shen Yang looked hesitantly at Qing Yun Ge standing nearby, frowning in thought. He had been quite busy lately—though he didn’t need to go to the frontlines during the war, he needed to prepare medicines to be sent there.

“In that case, I’ll trouble Madam Xu.” Shen Yang felt somewhat embarrassed—he had stormed into their home angrily, but in the end, still had to trouble them.

Madam Xu didn’t mind at all and smiled, saying, “Qing Yun Ge is very well-behaved. Everyone in our family is very busy, and my sister-in-law and Zhong’er often keep her company, while I’m all alone. I’m happy to have Qing Yun Ge as a company.”

Qing Yun Ge stood to the side blinking, looking at Shen Yang. Was she still going to stay at the Xu residence? She quite liked the Xu family; everyone there was very nice, and she would miss them. If only…

“Does Qing Yun Ge want to live with Master Shen?” Young Master Qingchen smiled gently at Qing Yun Ge and said softly, “Once you pass your studies, you can go back with Master Shen. Until then, Qing Yun Ge must study hard and not disappoint Master Shen.”

Qing Yun Ge’s neck retracted as she felt a chill wind blow over her head. Her bright eyes immediately dimmed, and her originally smiling face turned as bitter as if she’d eaten Chinese goldthread. Her little head shook vigorously before nodding.

Wuwu… Adoptive Father, Xu Qingchen is so scary.

Unfortunately, Shen Yang merely thought his newly adopted daughter, his only blood relative in this world, had indeed been spoiled by her father and didn’t like studying. He completely missed Qing Yun Ge’s cry for help.

After Shen Yang left, Qing Yun Ge once again faced a new round of intensive study. Apart from the half-day arranged to study medicine with Shen Yang, Qing Yun Ge spent most of her time either in the study or on the way to it. Moreover, after Shen Yang had introduced his adopted daughter in Li City, more and more young talented ladies found various excuses to visit Shen Yang’s clinic or coincidentally meet them on the road. There was no help for it—Shen Yang’s two female disciples were not only skilled in medicine but also beautiful as flowers. Unfortunately, Mo Wuyou was already promised to the Xu family’s Fourth Young Master, so there was no hope with this senior disciple, but perhaps there was still a chance with this junior disciple and adopted daughter.

Thus, Qing Yun Ge tragically discovered she had endless assignments. Every time she felt she had learned well enough to be free, the next day in front of Xu Qingchen she would shamefully discover that she was too stupid to face people and must continue studying hard, returning to the study room with even more books and assignments.

Young Master Qingchen’s excessive teaching zeal made even Madam Xu unable to watch anymore. After Qing Yun Ge’s fifth time regretfully declining her invitation to go out for a walk with a face full of longing yet rejection, Madam Xu finally couldn’t help wanting to talk with her son.

“Qing Yun Ge is just a young lady, not preparing for the imperial examinations. Why are you pressuring her so much?” Madam Xu sighed, looking at her son’s calm demeanor.

Young Master Qingchen righteously replied, “Young ladies from other families don’t take the imperial examinations either, but don’t they still study from childhood? Qing Yun Ge is over ten years behind, naturally, she needs to work harder.”

I don’t mind if my daughter-in-law isn’t a talented lady… Madam Xu couldn’t help saying silently in her heart.

“Mother, Qing Yun Ge has rarely met outsiders since childhood, and her thoughts are pure. But she’s also active and always running around outside. If someone deceives her, how will you explain to Master Shen? Haven’t you heard what Wuyou said? Lately, many people have been trying to find Qing Yun Ge. At the clinic, there’s Master Shen to watch over her, but what if she runs out to play by herself?”

“Is that so?” Madam Xu also became somewhat nervous.

Young Master Qingchen nodded and said, “Naturally, I wouldn’t do this without reason. Once Qing Yun Ge has learned more and understands more, things will naturally relax. Master Shen has entrusted Qing Yun Ge to us, so shouldn’t we do our best?”

Madam Xu frowned, pondering while nodding, completely failing to notice that she had been led out of the study by Xu Qingchen. After walking a few more steps, Madam Xu finally stopped and turned back irritably, “You rascal, Wuyou would never tell you such things! Qing Yun Ge is so obedient, how would she…”

At the door, Young Master Qingchen’s figure had already vanished without a trace.

Knowing that once her son was determined to do something, no one could change his mind, Madam Xu could only sigh and shake her head helplessly. She might as well go check on Qing Yun Ge and make some nutritious soup for her. Poor child… Though Qing Yun Ge was quite obedient—if she didn’t want to study, couldn’t she just give Xu Qingchen a good beating? At least Xu Qingchen definitely couldn’t win against her in a fight, right? Madam Xu calculated absent-mindedly.

And so, Qing Yun Ge’s painful academic life continued until Prince Ding and his Princess returned triumphantly, only then declaring a temporary halt. Qing Yun Ge breathed a sigh of relief and became even more respectful of Young Master Qingchen. If someone had asked Qing Yun Ge before what kind of person Young Master Qingchen was, she would have said that Young Master Qingchen was the most beautiful, most capable, and most intelligent person in the world. But if someone asked her now what kind of person Young Master Qingchen was, Qing Yun Ge’s answer would be that Young Master Qingchen was the most beautiful, most capable, and most responsible teacher in the world.

With Prince Ding and Princess Ding’s triumphant return, the realm was finally at peace, and people who had endured years of war gained temporary tranquility. The entire Li City became even more extraordinarily lively. Just days after the first birthday celebration of Prince Ding’s young heir and princess came the wedding feast of the Xu family’s Third and Fourth Young Masters. The guests who had come to Li City for the birthday celebration hadn’t yet departed, so they naturally joined in the festivities of the Xu family’s wedding.

At the wedding feast, as the elder brother of the two grooms, even though Young Master Qingchen was as ethereal and transcendent as ever, he couldn’t escape the fate of being pulled into drinking with guests. During this time, naturally, many people didn’t forget to engage in other activities.

“Why don’t we see Master Xu’s wife?” a prince from a small Western Region kingdom asked in a somewhat stiff Central Plains speech.

Xu Qingchen, who was making a toast, glanced at the Western Region princess sitting below the prince, staring fixedly at him. His eyes darkened slightly as he smiled and said, “I am not yet married.”

The Western Region prince’s eyes brightened, “That’s wonderful! What does Master Xu think of my sister? The princess is our country’s most beautiful and virtuous… maiden.” Given the open customs of the Western Regions, the princess felt no embarrassment and gazed eagerly at the extraordinarily handsome man before her.

Young Master Qingchen was startled and smiled, shaking his head in polite refusal, “I’m afraid I must disappoint the prince’s kind intentions.”

The Western Region prince was puzzled, “Why is that?” Young Master Qingchen was unmarried, his sister was unwed, and both their status and appearances were well-matched—why wouldn’t he agree?

Young Master Qingchen was about to speak when he caught sight of a delicate figure passing by in the distance, turning toward the corridor. Of course, he also didn’t miss the graceful young man following eagerly behind her. Young Master Qingchen’s eyes darkened, and he smiled faintly, “My apologies, I already have a fiancée.”

“That’s impossible, I’ve never heard of this,” the Western Region princess cried disbelievingly. “Who is she? I want to challenge her!”

“She just walked past,” Young Master Qingchen smiled.

If it had been anyone else, they might not have known what Young Master Qingchen meant, but the Western Region princess happened to be sitting facing the direction Qing Yun Ge had gone, and more coincidentally, she knew Qing Yun Ge. The Western Region princess looked at Young Master Qingchen with some surprise, “No… even if she’s a bit prettier than me, she’s still a child. How could you like her? She’s not even thirteen.”

Young Master Qingchen was speechless—Qing Yun Ge was almost seventeen. It was just that Western Region people tended to look older, so they naturally thought Qing Yun Ge was young, and Qing Yun Ge’s lively, cheerful nature made her seem like a child in the princess’s eyes.

“This princess absolutely cannot lose to a child. I will challenge her!” The Western Region princess didn’t even stay for the banquet anymore, directly getting up to chase after the direction Qing Yun Ge had disappeared. The Western Region prince, fearing his sister would cause trouble, quickly stood up to follow. Young Master Qingchen patted his shoulder and said, “Please sit, Prince. I’ll go look.”

The Western Region prince thought for a moment and nodded, “Very well, you caused this situation, you should resolve it.” He truly hadn’t insisted on having him marry his sister, he had merely asked casually.

Young Master Qingchen smiled and nodded, then strolled after them. The entire Xu mansion was filled with noise, guests drinking and making merry, and few noticed Young Master Qingchen’s quiet departure.

“Miss Shen… Miss Shen…”

Qing Yun Ge irritably glared at the person following behind her, deciding to simply use her lightness skill to leave this place. This person always followed her whenever they met, and when she stopped to ask what he wanted, he wouldn’t say, but when she walked away, he would follow again. She was planning to go see the new rooms to check on Wuyou and Sister Tianxiang—what was this fellow following her for?

“Miss Shen, Miss Shen…”

“What do you want to say?” Qing Yun Ge said displeasedly. Xu Qingchen had said it wasn’t good to let people keep calling her name. Uh… what Xu Qingchen had said was that when unfamiliar men followed her around calling her name, they were bad people and she should just beat them up. However, this fellow didn’t seem to be a bad person—she had seen him help up an elderly person who had been knocked down a few days ago. Beat him up… or not…

“Miss, Miss Shen…” Seeing the beautiful, delicate young woman in the moonlight, the handsome young man couldn’t help but blush, becoming somewhat flustered, “Um… Miss Shen, I have something to tell you.”

“I know, you’ve been following for several days now. Have you finally remembered what you want to say? Say it quickly, and stop calling me, or I really will beat you up,” Qing Yun Ge nodded.

Eh? The young man was stunned and laughed dryly, “Miss Shen likes to joke.” Such a delicate young lady, even if she hit him it wouldn’t hurt, right? To reassure the beauty, “If Miss Shen wants to hit me, go ahead. I won’t dodge.” The young man declared righteously.

Ah? Now it was Qing Yun Ge’s turn to be dumbfounded.

“Um… you’d better quickly say what you want to say. After you finish, I need to go. I’m busy.”

The young man quickly nodded, saying delightedly, “Miss Shen, I want to say, want to say… my surname is Mei, Mei Changxi. I’m eighteen this year, my father serves as the governor of a prefecture. Ah… that’s not important. I study at Lishan Academy, and just completed my military service last year, and though I can’t claim to excel in both civil and military arts, I’m not a weak scholar. I can protect you, Miss. My family…”

Although she felt it was impolite to interrupt others, Qing Yun Ge couldn’t help but speak up, “Um… what exactly do you want to say?” Did she need his protection? She could send him flying with one palm strike, and besides… she didn’t even know him!

The young man froze, finally realizing he had talked for so long without getting to the point. Gritting his teeth, the young man firmly said, “Miss Shen, what I want to say is. I have feelings for you…”

“Qing Yun Ge, what are you doing here?” A clear voice rang out from nearby. In the moonlight, a man in white robes strolled over gracefully. His handsome face wearing a faint smile seemed to be crowned with a halo in the moonlight, making it impossible to look away, but the young man surnamed Mei standing beside Qing Yun Ge suddenly felt a cold wind blow past and sneezed on the spot.

“What are you doing here?” Walking to stand beside Qing Yun Ge, Young Master Qingchen smiled as he reached out to brush away some strands of hair that the night wind had blown across her face, asking softly.

Qing Yun Ge blinked, “To get to the new rooms, where else would I walk?”

“It’s too dark, be careful not to trip,” Young Master Qingchen smiled gently.

Why was Xu Qingchen being so strange? How could she possibly trip?

Why did he feel so superfluous? Young Master Mei thought somewhat dejectedly, “Young… Young Master Qingchen, you and Miss Shen…” Are acquainted?

“Qing Yun Ge, I finally found you! I challenge you to a duel! If I win, Young Master Qingchen belongs to me!” From not far away, the Western Region princess’s eyes brightened upon seeing the three people, and she rushed over quickly.

“…”