Neither knew how much time had passed. It seemed the fledgling birds in the tree chirped a few times before the two figures below separated, though their breaths still intertwined, her snow-white delicate arm still hanging around his neck.

Unlike the urgent passion of their previous two encounters, his kiss had become gentle and light, like playing a lively and cheerful game of hide-and-seek with her. Unconsciously, she was guided and seduced, even beginning to taste more and more sweetness.

So much so that when he ended the kiss, she was still somewhat reluctant to part.

Feng Miao Jun leaned against his chest, regulating her breath before saying: “Why didn’t you inform me in advance about Yu Lin Lang’s injury?”

He caught her small hand, intertwining their fingers: “It was a sudden decision.” This girl was getting better at hiding herself. Without such an incident, how could he see her anxious concern for him?

He knew this wasn’t fair, but he liked it immensely.

“Was it the real Yu Lin Lang who was sent back to the mansion after the attack?” Yu Geng Qing had rushed back, and as the saying goes, father and son are connected in heart. Whether it was Yun Ya or anyone else, trying to impersonate Yu Lin Lang and deceive his father’s eyes would be impossible. Besides, she didn’t believe Yun Ya would apply such a painful flesh trick on himself. It was too… painful.

The only explanation was that Yu Lin Lang himself performed according to the script.

This was what Feng Miao Jun couldn’t understand. This fellow had originally planned to kill Yu Lin Lang, so why did he change his mind?

Most crucially, why did Yu Lin Lang agree to cooperate with him? If the Third Young Master Yu had mentioned his earlier experience of being trapped in the inch-sized bottle, Yu Geng Qing would immediately know something was amiss. Yet he didn’t mention a word. “Did you beat him into amnesia?”

With this thought, she looked at Yun Ya with some wariness. If this guy could erase people’s memories, such an ability would be too divine, too much of a cheat!

“What kind of look is that?” Yun Ya expressed his displeasure. “I promised Yu Lin Lang that if he performed well in this play, afterward he could have his wish fulfilled.”

“And his wish is?”

“For true lovers to finally become a couple.”

Her expression at him could no longer be described as merely surprised. Yun Ya was indignant, fiercely kissing her eyelids twice before flicking her forehead with his finger: “What kind of filthy thoughts are filling your mind!”

She felt quite wronged: “If your thoughts weren’t running along the same lines as mine, how would you know my thoughts were filthy?”

Yun Ya made a gesture as if to pinch her soft, smooth cheeks. She lowered her head and tried to hide in his embrace.

He embraced her in one movement, lightly tickling her particularly sensitive waist. She screamed as she tried to escape, but couldn’t get away, and could only surrender completely, raising the white flag.

After they played around for a while, she asked breathlessly: “What’s the real reason?”

He looked at her misty phoenix eyes and moist red lips: “What reason?”

She pinched his waist hard, and Yun Ya let out a heavy hiss before seemingly returning to his senses: “Oh, Yu Lin Lang.”

“Yu Lin Lang has a lover, his attendant Mo Che.” This one sentence made Feng Miao Jun widen her phoenix eyes: “What?”

“Mo Che has been with him since he was thirteen, but the two conducted their affairs secretly. Yu Geng Qing only discovered this illicit relationship recently, so he beat Mo Che half to death and locked him up. It would be as easy as turning over his palm for him to take Mo Che’s life, but Yu Lin Lang is very proud and previously refused to enter the palace to paint. Because his painting reputation is widespread, Yu Geng Qing threatened him with Mo Che’s life, forcing him to please you.”

“When I found Mo Che, the young servant had only half a life left, and his lower limbs were also crippled.” Yun Ya’s face also showed an uncomfortable expression. “I originally intended to leave him to his fate, but who knew Yu Lin Lang would cry so devastatingly inside the inch-sized bottle, begging me to save Mo Che’s life, willing to pay any price for it.”

Willing to pay any price? Feng Miao Jun pursed her lips. Young people are just impulsive, how could one say such things so casually? Especially saying it to Yun Ya—that was pushing oneself into an abyss of no return.

Thinking of this, her mind stirred. This trait seemed to be present in the Celestial Demon as well.

“What identity did you use to make this deal with him?”

“Naturally, I carried the Queen’s banner.” Yun Ya smiled, opening his palm to reveal the hairpin of flowers blooming under the moon. “You wore it that day when painting. Yu Lin Lang is keenly observant and wouldn’t miss it. I showed him this hairpin, and healed half of Mo Che’s leg injuries in front of him, leaving him with no doubts.”

Feng Miao Jun was annoyed. After returning to the palace from Flying Waterfall Villa, she discovered this hairpin was missing—sure enough, he had taken it. She reached out to grab it, but Yun Ya withdrew his wrist: “At least let me keep something to remember you by.”

Then, returning to the main topic, he continued: “I also said that after the matter was concluded, I could let him and Mo Che be together, and the Yu family would prosper because of his loyal service to the sovereign. He didn’t hesitate long before agreeing.”

She couldn’t help but say: “Weren’t you afraid he would just go along perfunctorily and then ruin things once released?”

“No one can perfunctorily deal with me.” Yun Ya was completely unconcerned. “Anyway, later I had someone disguised as Shi Zhang Qing seriously injure Yu Lin Lang, then returned to add three blood marks on the same positions on Shi Zhang Qing’s face, successfully framing him.”

Shi Zhang Qing’s claim of “a good night’s sleep” was him unwittingly falling into Yun Ya’s trap.

“Among the ministers, there are many clever people who can see that Shi Zhang Qing is truly innocent.”

He smiled gently: “If they are clever, then they should understand that as long as the real culprit cannot be found, this blame will forever be placed on Shi Zhang Qing and Fu Ling Chuan’s heads!”

“If you can frame Fu Ling Chuan, he naturally can also shift the blame to others.” She had a clear understanding of this point. In this world, there are various mystical arts and spells; even what one sees may not necessarily be true.

“Therefore, we must accelerate our actions, before he transfers the blame to some unfortunate person.” There was a flash of brilliance in his eyes. “Why not create some opportunities for father and son Hu Yan?”

This coincided with Feng Miao Jun’s plans. However, was Yun Ya giving her advice now? She lowered her eyelids, hiding the flickering light within: “That’s a matter for tomorrow. In this moment and atmosphere, wouldn’t it be a pity to only discuss official business?”

Yun Ya’s peach blossom eyes brightened, and he said gleefully: “Does An’an want to engage in romantic affairs?” His hand, which was embracing her slender waist, immediately slid downward…

“Smack!” She swatted away his wolfish paw. “Be proper! Last time, you took me into someone else’s dream. This time—” she tilted her head slightly, “I want to see your dreamscape.”

His? Yun Ya’s gaze upon her suddenly became profound: “Tonight, my dream doesn’t have the poetic scenery of this place—not very suitable for viewing.” This girl, was she trying to probe his secrets?

Peering into dreams is one of the most effective ways to observe a person. Interestingly, though, he had come several times and hadn’t discovered any useful information from her.

Was her dreamscape too pure, or…

“Could it be a human purgatory?” In fact, from the very beginning, she knew she was in a dream. White Horse Lake under the moonlight was merely another dreamscape, a projection of reality.