Fu Yun Xi raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the plum blossom dagger in her hand. Han Yan blushed, quickly hiding her hands behind her back, flustering: “Thank you for saving my life, Your Highness.”
“Let’s go,” Fu Yun Xi said, looking at her.
“Shu Hong…” Han Yan ventured, watching his expression intently.
“He Lian is there,” Fu Yun Xi replied, already turning to leave the room.
Han Yan bit her lip. Though worried about Shu Hong, his assurance somewhat calmed her, but what was happening? The person she’d meant to save had ended up saving her instead, and where were they going?
Before Han Yan could think it through, Fu Yun Xi, seeing her hesitation, returned to her side and simply picked her up, using his lightness skill to leap away from Wang Jiang Tower.
Han Yan silently cursed Fu Yun Xi thoroughly. Being carried around like a chicken was truly the most unfortunate thing she’d experienced since her rebirth. Her body was stiff as stone, while the culprit showed no remorse, standing before her with arms crossed, completely at ease.
Finally, Han Yan couldn’t hold back: “Hey, why did you bring me here?”
They were in the bustling market, surrounded by brilliant lanterns. Young men and women brushed shoulders in the crowded streets, where handsome young masters and pretty ladies exchanged smiles, drawing teasing from those around them.
“To view the lanterns,” Fu Yun Xi said tersely, walking beside Han Yan with his hands behind his back. His outstanding appearance drew many gazes. Han Yan felt extremely awkward and said irritably: “I want to go home.”
“Not likely,” Fu Yun Xi replied calmly, seeming to ignore her annoyance. Han Yan composed herself, not knowing why she so easily showed her emotions around Fu Yun Xi – something that wasn’t good for her.
“You knew about today’s events beforehand, didn’t you?” Accepting she couldn’t leave easily, Han Yan settled down. Fu Yun Xi had emerged unscathed and even had time to save her. Setting aside how he’d discovered her, seeing the imperial guards below Wang Jiang Tower made it clear that today’s drama hadn’t ended well for the perpetrators.
“Yes,” Fu Yun Xi answered directly. Han Yan glanced at him sideways, sighing inwardly. How could someone so young who wielded such influence not have some capabilities? Even without her involvement, he could have handled today’s events easily. She’d worried needlessly and interfered unnecessarily.
Fu Yun Xi’s somewhat cold voice reached her ears: “How did you know about today’s events?”
Han Yan knew she needed to explain Shu Hong’s appearance, so she replied half-truthfully: “I’d seen that purple-clothed dancer before and overheard her conversation with others… In the urgency of the moment, I lost my reason. I hope I didn’t interfere with Your Highness’s plans.” She didn’t elaborate further, and Fu Yun Xi didn’t press, merely glancing at her: “Thank you.”
Han Yan paused: “This commoner doesn’t deserve such thanks. Your Highness has saved me multiple times, and I cannot repay you. Today was but a small gesture, and Your Highness saved my life again. If anything, I owe Your Highness an enormous debt.”
“Want to be even?” Hearing Fu Yun Xi’s question, Han Yan was startled. Seeing him looking down at her with a faint, mocking smile, she felt displeased and replied: “There are no free favors in this world. Owing someone a debt means being controlled by them for life – isn’t that too miserable?”
Fu Yun Xi halted suddenly, looking at her thoughtfully: “Your height hasn’t changed, but your temper has grown considerably.”
Han Yan froze, quickly asking: “You knew me before?”
Fu Yun Xi didn’t respond. Instead, he suddenly bent down – Han Yan was petite, only reaching his chest despite his youthful height. Before she could understand why he was removing his fox fur robe, she felt warmth on her shoulders as the snow-white fur, still carrying his body heat, settled around her. Han Yan’s heart stirred as Fu Yun Xi’s long fingers adjusted the robe’s ties. His jade-like hands winding the red silk ribbons appeared even more lustrous, like fine craftsmanship. Her gaze followed his hands upward to his face.
Up close, his beauty was even more striking – not the stunning beauty of He Lian Yu, but rather like ice and snow, aloof yet gentle. He was typically cold and sharp, but now as he bent toward Han Yan, his movements were gentle. His deep phoenix eyes were half-closed, their expression unclear yet somehow intoxicating. His thin lips were pressed together but seemed to hold a mocking smile. This man was like a puzzle – impenetrable yet fascinating.
His deft hands tied a secure butterfly knot. Seeing Han Yan staring at him unblinkingly, amusement flickered in his eyes. Han Yan paused, awkwardly looking away: “I don’t need…”
“Keep it on.” Ignoring her form of address, he had already returned to his previous detached manner. Han Yan felt conflicted – the fur was extremely warm, warming not just her body but seemingly her heart as well.
Just then, firecrackers exploded overhead. Looking up, they saw brilliant fireworks sparkling across the night sky – the New Year’s Eve fireworks display had officially begun.
Across both lifetimes, she hadn’t seen such beautiful fireworks in a long time. At this moment in her previous life, she had been curled up in a strange dark room, tears dried and throat hoarse, desperately enduring the most miserable New Year of her life. Han Yan stared at the fireworks, but memories of her past life came flooding back. The scenes before her eyes intermingled with her memories until she couldn’t distinguish reality from dreams.
Fu Yun Xi stood beside Han Yan, initially watching the colorful display with her. Though such displays happened every year and couldn’t hold his attention, he was startled when he glanced at the small girl beside him.
Han Yan tilted her head back, watching the fireworks, their brilliance reflected in her eyes, clear as spring streams. He knew she was calculating despite her young age, and that she could be ruthless when necessary, but he rarely saw Han Yan’s vulnerable side. Now as she gazed skyward, her eyes seemed to yearn for something, brimming with tears that she refused to let fall, gritting her teeth as she looked up.
Stubborn, yet heartbreaking.
He recalled finding her behind the vase at Wang Jiang Tower, wearing a thin light green jacket, trembling, her eyes showing both fear and determination. Like a frightened beast, pitiful yet clutching her plum blossom dagger, hiding her fangs, waiting to strike. Her ability to endure and her deep thoughts were hard to reconcile with a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl.
Looking at her again, the young girl’s small frame wrapped in the oversized fur robe appeared even more delicate. Two long braids hung over her chest, more elegant than her usual bun hairstyle, showing less childishness and more grace. If only… one could ignore the patience and coldness in her eyes that didn’t match her age.