For half a month, the two spent every day in the study reading, writing, discussing poetry, and creating paintings. Gu Qianxi had no siblings since childhood and, being naturally proud, rarely had close friends. Having such a literary companion brought her extraordinary joy. Lu Yun, seeing her treat him with such intimacy, gradually lost his formality and no longer treated her as a young lady. The two talked daily and gradually couldn’t bear to be apart for even a day.

By this time it was March and spring was warming. Master Gu Siyuan would return south in another half month. Gu Qianxi was delighted in her heart – she knew her father greatly favored Lu Yun, and with her father’s support, given Lu Yun’s literary talent, his future success would be no difficult matter. Daily she looked forward to her father’s return.

But Lu Yun feared the master wouldn’t approve of him being with the young lady, and also feared his fugitive status being exposed. Sometimes thinking of this made him feel melancholy. Second Concubine hadn’t come to bother them these past days. Seeing her remain silent, Lu Yun didn’t know what plot she had and couldn’t help feeling secretly alarmed. Gu Qianxi, being a fearless young lady by temperament, paid no attention to such concerns.

On this day, Gu Qianxi went with Madam Gu to the temple to burn incense and wouldn’t return until evening. Having become inseparable from Lu Yun, after just one day apart, Gu Qianxi gave various instructions and reminders, deeply fearing he would again be bullied by Second Concubine and others. Lu Yun secretly sighed, feeling too useless, but without Gu Qianxi’s help, he would have been tormented severely by Second Concubine and others long ago.

That afternoon, Lu Yun was practicing martial arts when he suddenly heard servants shouting: “There’s a thief!” Lu Yun was shocked and rushed out of the study to see a person in black clothes with covered face running toward the inner hall.

Lu Yun thought: “How could there be thieves in broad daylight? Could there be some scheme?”

Lu Yun had always been quite clever – though stubborn in temperament, he was very intelligent. He stopped to understand the situation first.

But then a servant called: “The thief ran into the young lady’s bedroom!”

Though Lu Yun knew Gu Qianxi wasn’t in the residence, he became anxious and quickly pursued.

He saw the black-clothed person running out from the inner hall. Lu Yun shouted: “The thief is here! Everyone come quickly!”

The black-clothed person seemed terrified out of his wits, leaping toward the wall in one bound. Lu Yun called: “Where are you going!” and threw a punch at the man’s back. The man raised his palm to block, but how could he withstand it? He was immediately struck by Lu Yun’s punch force until he vomited blood.

Lu Yun was startled, not expecting his casual punch could cause internal injuries. He couldn’t help looking at his own palm to see if there was anything strange about it.

The man clutched his chest and leaped toward the wall again. How could Lu Yun let him escape? He reached out to grab the man’s back. The man had a bundle tied to his back – Lu Yun’s grab missed the man but caught his bundle. The man leaped forward forcefully, tearing the bundle from his back. In this moment, the man had already climbed the wall and fled.

Lu Yun held the bundle and pondered: “What kind of person would steal things in broad daylight? This is a high court official’s residence!”

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard a group of servants running over, pointing at Lu Yun and shouting: “We caught the thief!”

Lu Yun shouted: “What nonsense are you talking! I was catching that thief!”

A servant sneered: “What’s that thing in your hands? If it’s not stolen goods, what is it? Caught red-handed – what more do you have to say?”

Lu Yun’s mind suddenly awakened: “Trouble! This is a trap – someone definitely planned to frame me!” He snorted and immediately threw the bundle to that servant, who was stunned and caught it reflexively.

Lu Yun sneered: “Don’t try to frame me. Now you’re holding the stolen goods – are you the thief then? You people are absolutely ridiculous! Don’t falsely accuse good people!” He turned to return to the study.

Seeing Lu Yun about to leave, the servant raised his voice: “Someone! The thief is escaping!” Instantly, over ten guards rushed out and surrounded Lu Yun.

When the thief had escaped earlier, these people were nowhere to be seen, but now they all appeared. Lu Yun knew someone had planned to harm him. Anger rose in his heart as he thought: “In the Gu residence, the one who treats me most harshly is Second Concubine. It must be her doing – though this method is rather crude.”

Several servants shouted: “Arrest this thief and send him to the authorities!”

Lu Yun was stunned – he had a criminal record, and if sent to the yamen, his life would be ruined. A guard, seeing him lost in thought, kicked toward him. Lu Yun saw the man looking at his waist and immediately sidestepped, lightly chopping toward the man’s arm with his palm.

Lu Yun had been practicing palm and fist techniques lately – this palm carried thirty percent of his true power, which ordinary people probably couldn’t withstand. The guard raised his hand to block, but his arm bone cracked as it was broken by Lu Yun’s palm force. The man screamed in pain. The other guards, seeing Lu Yun had martial arts skills, were all shocked. A guard in his forties cursed: “Damn! This pretty boy really has some skills!”

Lu Yun’s heart trembled. Hearing this guard’s insulting words, he remembered what the servant Lai Xi had said about guards spreading rumors that he was a catamite – it was probably this very person.

Thinking of this, anger rose from his heart. He threw a heavy punch toward the man’s face, shouting: “You… you deserve to die!”

Seeing him fighting desperately, the man laughed: “Pretty boy’s angry?” He dodged away.

Lu Yun’s martial arts were newly developed – “Unparalleled Consecutive Punches” combined with powerful internal energy had extraordinary might, but firstly he had no combat experience, and secondly he was in a rage. He saw the man jumping and dodging, relying on lightness skills to flee left and right. Though Lu Yun roared like a tiger, he couldn’t touch him at all.

The man dodged Lu Yun’s fists and feet while laughing: “Little pretty face! Why so angry? Grandpa will help you cool down, okay?”

Lu Yun’s face flushed red with anger: “I’m an upright man – you… you insult me like this…” He had suffered mockery and bullying all his life, but no one had ever insulted him with such base words. The angrier he became, the more he wanted to catch that man and fight to mutual destruction. But the man’s movement was too fast – he couldn’t even touch his clothes.

Lu Yun felt grief and rage in his heart. He roared loudly, his chest tight with anger. Suddenly he felt sweetness in his throat and actually spat out blood.

“Hee hee, this boy can really run!”

The spectators laughed endlessly. Several more guards joined in teasing him. Lu Yun’s tall figure ran back and forth under the guards’ harassment, roaring continuously but unable to catch their extremely agile bodies.

“Pretty face is really spirited!”

A guard laughed and actually touched Lu Yun’s face. Lu Yun cried out in grief and lunged forward with all his might. The guard hadn’t expected him to pounce like a mad tiger and forgot to dodge in his fright, being caught by Lu Yun on the spot.

Lu Yun lifted him with one hand and shouted: “You… if you have guts, call me pretty boy again! You… say it!”

The guard’s face was pale. Seeing Lu Yun’s bloodshot eyes and twisted facial muscles, he truly feared Lu Yun would strike his head with a palm.

The other guards, seeing the situation was bad, quietly approached from behind and struck Lu Yun’s back with full force. Lu Yun was so enraged he didn’t notice the sneak attack from behind. Despite his considerable internal energy, he couldn’t withstand this palm and immediately fell to the ground.

The guards were overjoyed, tied him up, and shouted: “Thief! Come with us to see Second Concubine!”

Lu Yun couldn’t catch his breath and had to let them take him away.

Everyone entered the hall where Second Concubine sat high in the main seat. A guard stepped forward and reported: “Page boy Lu Yun stole family property and was caught red-handed by us. We have both the person and evidence – please make your decision, Second Concubine.”

The steward jumped up and cursed: “Surname Lu! You received the master’s favor yet still dared steal family property – do you have any conscience!”

Lu Yun was so angry he laughed instead: “Second Concubine, your framing methods are too crude. Wait until the master returns and we’ll settle this properly!”

Second Concubine sipped her tea and arranged her hair ornaments leisurely: “Lu Yun, ah Lu Yun, if your concubine didn’t have complete confidence today, I wouldn’t have had you tied up here.”

Lu Yun’s heart trembled as he thought secretly: “Hearing her speak so confidently, could I have some weakness in her hands?”

Second Concubine walked down the steps: “I’ve tolerated you for several days, letting you read and write with the young lady. Don’t think I was surrendering to you – don’t underestimate your concubine.”

She glanced at Lu Yun and smiled slightly: “I’m a decisive person and never intended to make things difficult for anyone. If someone wasn’t harboring foolish fantasies, refusing to be a proper servant and only wanting to curry favor with the master and pester the young lady with wild dreams of marrying into the master’s family, why would I disturb my peaceful life to interfere?”

Hearing her describe him so despicably, Lu Yun’s anger flared. The servants around all grinned and pointed at Lu Yun mockingly. He immediately shouted: “Since Second Concubine hates me so much and is determined to drive me away, that’s no difficult matter! When the master returns, I’ll inform him of my intention to leave!”

Second Concubine shook her head repeatedly and made disapproving sounds, laughing: “There you go again – you always think I only want to hate and torment you, never knowing to examine yourself. Actually, considering the master’s affection for you, I don’t want to drive you away at all – do you know this?”

Lu Yun laughed heartily: “Second Concubine wants to keep me? The sun must be rising in the west!”

Second Concubine wasn’t angry but suddenly smiled: “Lu Yun! If you truly want to stay in the Gu family, your concubine won’t make things difficult for you. As long as you agree to two things, we’ll be happy together from now on and won’t have such ugliness as today.”

Lu Yun didn’t know what she was plotting and said coldly: “What two things? Please speak directly, Second Concubine.”

Second Concubine said: “The first thing – you cannot be with the young lady. Don’t even mention writing and painting together – even talking isn’t allowed.”

Lu Yun had expected this and just snorted: “What about the second thing?”

Second Concubine suddenly covered her mouth and smiled, actually showing bashfulness as she said gently: “This matter isn’t difficult either – as long as you agree to it, from now on we’ll be inseparable like family. What do you say?”

Lu Yun had never seen Second Concubine speak to him so politely. In the past she either cursed harshly or mocked him – when had she ever shown such gentle manner? He was greatly on guard and said coldly: “Second Concubine, please speak plainly without beating around the bush.”

Second Concubine giggled and walked forward gracefully, then leaned close to Lu Yun’s ear and whispered: “I want you to acknowledge me as your mother.”

Lu Yun’s mouth gaped open – he could hardly believe his ears. This woman who hated him to the extreme and used despicable methods to torment him was actually asking him to worship her as his mother? Lu Yun stared at her blankly. Second Concubine smiled: “As long as you obediently listen and agree to what concubine has instructed, concubine guarantees you won’t suffer.” She walked forward, her phoenix eyes fixed only on Lu Yun.

Lu Yun gaped for a long time without being able to speak.

Seeing his delayed response, Second Concubine’s face darkened as she said quietly: “Surname Lu! I’ll say the ugly words first – if I want to destroy and disgrace you today, that would be as easy as turning over my hand. You’d better know what’s good for you!”

Lu Yun sighed and already understood Second Concubine’s little scheme. Her reason for wanting to adopt him as a foster son was simply because the master valued him. If the two of them continued fighting for years, she probably couldn’t bear it either. As long as he was willing to worship her as foster mother, the two would naturally become close and no longer need to be enemies. Once the mother-son relationship was established, Second Concubine could naturally and openly keep him away from the young lady to arrange Gu Qianxi’s marriage with Young Master Pei.

Seeing him smile slightly, Second Concubine thought he was willing to agree and immediately smiled: “As long as you agree, everything will be fine. If anyone dares plot against you again, I’ll severely punish them without mercy. Your concubine never treats her own people badly.”

Lu Yun suddenly couldn’t help but burst into laughter on the spot. Second Concubine angrily said: “You… what are you laughing at?”

Lu Yun looked up to the sky and laughed until he beat his chest and stamped his feet, as if hearing the most absurd and ridiculous thing in the world. He laughed loudly: “What am I laughing at? I’m laughing at how pitiful and worthless I am… Think of me, Lu Yun – I’ve read extensively and should serve my country loyally, seeking welfare for the people under heaven. But I failed the imperial examinations and suffered continuous misfortune, not only falling to become a page boy in a wealthy family, doing menial work daily. That’s all bearable, but the most pitiful thing is having to fight with you, this kind of gossipy woman, dealing with your trivial household squabbles! Haha! How ridiculous! Haha! Haha!”

Second Concubine’s anger surged. She had kindly wanted to adopt Lu Yun as foster son, seeing he was handsome and not disagreeable, wanting to give him a good life. It was bad enough that Lu Yun didn’t agree, but what made him most detestable was his arrogant mockery of her, treating all the important matters of her daily life as trivial things. This wasn’t just calling her ignorant – it carried deep pity. For Second Concubine, managing servants daily and socializing with officials’ wives was her entire life – the honor she had worked so hard to achieve. She never expected someone would dare mock her for it.

Second Concubine was so angry she nearly fainted, shouting loudly: “You lowly thing dare talk back to me! Someone! Bring the family punishment!”

A servant brought over a wooden rod. Second Concubine picked up the punishment stick, walked before Lu Yun, and struck hard at his mouth: “I’ll smash this mouth of yours – let’s see if you dare speak again!”

Suddenly someone called out sweetly: “Who dares hit him!” Everyone heard the voice – it was Gu Qianxi who had arrived.

Second Concubine’s heart trembled as she stopped her hand, thinking secretly: “The young lady and madam returned so early – this ruins everything.”

They saw Gu Qianxi and Madam Gu enter the hall. Gu Qianxi helped Lu Yun up, seeing he was injured. Despite her good upbringing, she was so angry she couldn’t speak for a long time.

Madam Gu said: “Xiao Lan, what are you doing? Why is this child tied up here?”

Second Concubine glared viciously at Lu Yun. Lu Yun saw her eyes were vicious and cruel, knowing she had staked everything. Remembering her confident manner earlier, his heart immediately trembled.

He heard Second Concubine sigh: “Madam! We really know people’s faces but not their hearts. This child has read so many books in vain and wasted the master’s good treatment – he actually stole things from our house. It’s truly heartbreaking! If several guards hadn’t discovered it quickly, our property would have been stolen clean by him.”

Hearing this, Madam Gu immediately became angry: “Such a thing? Then why not quickly send him to the authorities for investigation!”

Second Concubine shook her head: “I had the same thought, but firstly I feared the young lady would be angry, and secondly I feared the master would blame me for driving this child away when he returns. How to deal with him still requires madam’s decision.”

Madam Gu was extremely angry: “What courtesy do we need with such a shameless person? Just take him to the authorities – I’ll handle the master’s side.”

Second Concubine sighed: “Sigh! I don’t want to ruin this child either, but he didn’t improve himself – there’s nothing I can do. Come! Take him away!”

Several servants, hearing her say this, all stepped forward to take Lu Yun away.

Gu Qianxi blocked Lu Yun’s path and shouted: “Who dares come forward?”

Seeing the young lady angry, which servant dared approach? Gu Qianxi had always known Second Concubine hated Lu Yun and understood she must have taken advantage of her absence to plot against him.

The angrier Gu Qianxi became, the louder she shouted: “Second Concubine! My mother may fear you, but I don’t. Today you say he stole property – you must produce real evidence! Just relying on you and your few trusted servants’ nonsense – who can you fool?”

Second Concubine smiled slightly: “If the young lady wants evidence, what’s difficult about that?” She ordered servants to bring a cloth bag containing Lu Yun’s daily belongings and asked: “Lu Yun, is this cloth bag your possession?”

Lu Yun knew she had another plot, but confident in his own honesty, he wasn’t afraid of her tricks and declared loudly: “This cloth bag is my possession!”

Second Concubine smiled: “It’s really your possession? Excellent – don’t let anyone say I wronged you. Everyone look – what are these things?” She shook the cloth bag, spilling out a pile of jewelry and ornaments. Madam Gu cried out in surprise. Second Concubine smiled while Gu Qianxi’s face turned deathly pale. For a moment, no one in the great hall spoke.

Second Concubine smiled: “Lu Yun, what do you have to say?”

Lu Yun didn’t get angry but laughed, saying in a deep voice: “In the past the master treated me well and allowed me free access. If I wanted to steal, why not do it then instead of waiting until today? Second Concubine, if you want me gone, say so frankly – why such sneaky framing of me?”

These few words were quite powerful. Among the crowd, anyone fair-minded secretly nodded.

Second Concubine angrily said: “Audacious! How dare a mere servant talk back to your concubine! Someone! Slap this boy’s mouth!”

Several servants rushed forward to hit Lu Yun’s face. Gu Qianxi angrily said: “Who dares hurt him!” With the wealthy young lady blocking the path, no one dared approach.

Seeing Gu Qianxi’s determined attitude and unable to out-argue Lu Yun for the moment, Second Concubine – being a person whose nature grew more cunning with age – smiled slightly: “Young lady, don’t be deceived by this beast worse than an animal. He appears human on the outside but is actually extremely evil inside. I’m doing this all for your sake – don’t misunderstand concubine’s good intentions!”

Gu Qianxi showed no appreciation and shouted: “Second Concubine, speak with conscience! How is he evil! You just have those few bad schemes wanting to manipulate my marriage – don’t I know?”

Madam Gu shouted: “Qian’er, speak with propriety! Second Concubine is your elder!”

Second Concubine said: “Qian’er is still young – I don’t blame her. When she grows up and understands more, she’ll appreciate me.” She turned to smile at everyone and said lightly: “Today I want you all to witness whether your concubine is ignoring right and wrong! Everyone watch carefully – I’ll now expose this boy’s true face!”

Second Concubine took out a thin paper from her bosom that looked like an official document from the yamen. She read aloud: “Lu Yun of Weifang County, Shandong, murdered a jailer and escaped prison with Taihu Lake bandits. If discovered and reported, reward twenty taels of silver.” She sneered: “This person’s background is so filthy, and now he’s been caught stealing by our guards. Young lady, madam – speak fairly: was I wrong to look after the Gu household like this?”

Everyone in the hall, hearing the official document Second Concubine read, were all greatly shocked and discussed among themselves. Looking at the jewelry in the cloth bag with disdainful expressions, they all regarded Lu Yun as a thief and no longer doubted.

Lu Yun’s heart shook greatly, realizing Second Concubine had long investigated his background. The past few days when she hadn’t bothered him, she must have been searching for this document. Her repeated hints that she could destroy him anytime were indeed not empty threats.

Second Concubine handed the document to Gu Qianxi with a smile: “Young lady, this person is a fugitive. Unfortunately, you’re young and inexperienced and were deceived by him.”

Gu Qianxi received the document, her hands trembling, not daring to look at it.

Second Concubine smiled: “Young lady, why don’t you open it to look? You keep saying I want to frame this boy – why not expose my schemes?” She covered her mouth and laughed lightly, looking quite pleased.

Gu Qianxi was afraid in her heart and said tremblingly: “Second Concubine, you… why must you be so hard on him? I beg you – please spare him…” Her voice trembled as she lowered her head in defeat.

Second Concubine said gently: “Young lady, I absolutely don’t mean to maliciously frame this Lu Yun. At this point, why do you still want to protect him?”

Madam Gu shouted: “Qian’er! Quickly open the document and look – don’t invite wolves into the house!”

Gu Qianxi’s hands trembled as she slowly opened the document, forcing herself to glance at it. Suddenly seeing the official seal on it, her heart was shocked and her face became extremely pale – she didn’t dare look again. With tears in her eyes, she crumpled the document into a ball and said tremblingly: “This isn’t real! There are so many people with the same name in the world – it’s not him! It’s not him!”

Second Concubine said: “Young lady, there probably aren’t too many people in the world from Weifang County, Shandong named Lu Yun. Try to accept it – why be sad for such a person?”

Gu Qianxi held back her tears, took the document in her hand, walked to Lu Yun’s side, and said softly: “Is… is this real? I don’t want to hear others say it – I want you to tell me yourself. Until I hear you say it personally, I… I won’t believe anyone.”

She stared at Lu Yun blankly, hoping he could tell her that everything Second Concubine said was false, fabricated lies.

Lu Yun bit his teeth and lowered his head. Seeing Gu Qianxi’s miserable expression, he truly hoped he could loudly tell her that he, Lu Yun, had never killed anyone, that his imprisonment was wrongful, and the theft was also a frame-up. But he just couldn’t speak. For a moment his heart seemed to break – he could only turn his head away, not daring to look at her expression.

Gu Qianxi stared at Lu Yun. Seeing he never dared look at her, it seemed the truth was indeed so. Her face became deathly pale, her eyes full of misery. She bit her lower lip hard, turned, and ran into the inner hall.

Seeing Lu Yun admit it himself, Second Concubine sneered: “Lu Yun! What do you have to say now?” A servant nearby shouted: “Thief! Let’s see what other tricks you have!” Madam Gu shook her head: “The master was so fond of him – really never would have imagined… sigh, this person is truly worse than a beast…”

Everyone looked contemptuous and cursed Lu Yun.

Lu Yun felt desolate in his heart, his chest cut as if by knives. He silently circulated his internal energy, snapping all the ropes on his body and slowly standing up. Everyone in the hall, seeing his divine strength, were all shocked. Madam Gu was even more frightened, her face losing color. The guards, fearing he might violently attack, all drew their waist sabers.

But Second Concubine remained calm and composed. Her beautiful eyebrows raised as she said coldly: “Looking at you, you seem like a scholar, but you’re actually a fugitive – truly knowing faces but not hearts. Considering the master’s affection for you, we won’t report to the authorities anymore. Just go!”

Lu Yun saw Gu Qianxi still hadn’t come out, knowing he couldn’t see her this last time either. His heart ached as he said quietly: “Madam, please give my regards to the master and say Lu Yun is sorry to him and cannot bid him farewell.”

Madam Gu waved her hands repeatedly and sighed: “How dare you still mention the master – don’t say anymore, just leave quickly!”

Lu Yun turned to go when he suddenly heard Madam Gu say again: “Don’t say you ever stayed in the Gu family – our Gu family can’t afford to lose this face!”

Lu Yun looked up to the sky speechlessly, tears already filling his eyes. At this time and place, besides accepting fate, what else could he say? He bit his teeth, turned, and walked toward the main gate. A servant nearby shouted: “Boy! Go out the back door! This main gate isn’t for servants to use!”

Lu Yun’s eyes flashed as he glared angrily at that servant. The servant’s heart turned cold and he retreated.

Lu Yun walked to the Gu family’s main gate and saw it tightly closed with heavy, thick bars. He suddenly felt overwhelming anger in his heart. With a loud “Ah!” he struck out with one palm. His powerful internal energy smashed down, immediately splitting the Gu family’s main gate to pieces, then he flew out rapidly.

Everyone in the hall, seeing his martial arts skill so powerful, all cried out in shock. Seeing Lu Yun’s elegant appearance – he should have been powerless as a scholar, but who knew his martial arts were so advanced? If he weren’t from a bandit background, where would such skills come from?

Lu Yun left the Gu family penniless, not even taking his saved wages. But his mind was agitated – he couldn’t care about such things and ran wildly all the way.

By this time it was getting dark and rain suddenly began to fall. Lu Yun was soaked through, walking alone on Yangzhou’s streets, feeling indescribable loneliness and not knowing where to go. Thinking of a year ago when he first came to Yangzhou, he had also walked the streets alone like this – alone when he came and alone when he had to leave. He had become that same fugitive from a year ago who had just escaped from prison, dirty all over, wandering and fearful. Where should he go? He couldn’t take imperial examinations anymore, couldn’t stay in Yangzhou anymore. Lu Yun wiped the water from his face – he didn’t know if it was rainwater or his own tears. Ten years felt like a Yangzhou dream, now everything had come to nothing.

The rain poured down, soaking his blue shirt. He wanted to shout loudly to vent his suffering.

Suddenly a slender, delicate hand reached from behind, holding an umbrella to shelter him. Lu Yun’s heart shook as he turned around. Before him stood someone with tear-soaked sleeves, a beautiful face forcing a smile – it was Miss Gu Qianxi.

After tonight, with their backgrounds separated, they probably could never meet again in this lifetime, so she still came.

Lu Yun’s voice was dry and hoarse: “Miss… miss…”

Gu Qianxi forced a smile and took out a bundle to give to Lu Yun.

Lu Yun said quietly: “Miss, Lu Yun has been wanted for a case and never told you the truth…”

Gu Qianxi shook her head: “Don’t say these things anymore – it’s all fate… You go! Don’t let the authorities catch you.”

Lu Yun held back tears as a voice in his heart shouted loudly: “I didn’t kill anyone! I was wrongly accused!” But the official document was in black and white – even if he shouted until his throat was raw, who in the world would believe him? Through blurred tears he looked up at the pitch-black night sky where, except for fine raindrops continuously falling, nothing could be seen.

Lu Yun smiled miserably: “Is this my fate? I… I’ve never done a single bad thing, committed no more sins than any of you – why must I be a fugitive all my life?”

Gu Qianxi said tremblingly: “Young master, heaven never cuts off all paths for people. You’re just temporarily unsuccessful – don’t lose heart. I… I…” Though she spoke this way, her heart was grieved and tears couldn’t help flowing down.

Seeing her tears, Lu Yun felt extreme desolation and could no longer restrain himself. He rushed onto the dark street and cried to heaven: “Heaven above! Why do you treat me this way? You don’t like my writing, look down on me, beat me, scold me, laugh at me – that’s all bearable! But why destroy my entire life! Why?”

He shouted for a while until his throat was hoarse and tears were about to fall, but heaven remained silent, giving no answer except cold, bone-piercing rain. Lu Yun’s grief was unbearable – finally his knees went soft and he knelt on the ground.

Truly: “If the Jade Emperor asks about human affairs, in troubled times literature is worthless.”

Though heaven was heartless, though people were cold, life still had to go on, didn’t it? Lu Yun knelt on the ground and smiled bitterly. Even if he dashed his head against a wall and killed himself, besides saving one life, what would it accomplish? He wiped the tears from his face and turned to look at Gu Qianxi, seeing her face full of unbearable expression as she stared at him blankly.

Lu Yun’s heart filled with grief as he thought: “Once I leave tonight, I’m afraid we can never meet again in this lifetime. Lu Yun, go look at her – this is the last time…”

Thinking this, he forced a smile on his face, slowly stood up, and walked before Gu Qianxi.

The two looked quietly at each other without speaking.

Lu Yun gazed at Gu Qianxi’s beautiful face, his heart filled with endless emotion. She should belong to that beautiful world – being with such a lowly person as himself would only bring her pain. Perhaps they should never have met; perhaps this ending was right… But pitifully, he too was born of parents, a person of flesh and blood – how could he endure this piercing pain? Instantly his heart ached and he nearly shed tears.

After a very long time, Lu Yun said quietly: “Miss, I’m leaving.”

Gu Qianxi truly couldn’t bear it and immediately began crying. She wanted to do something for Lu Yun but didn’t know what to do. Seeing the heavy rain falling and Lu Yun already soaked like a drowned rat, she extended her delicate hand to offer him her umbrella.

Lu Yun didn’t take it, saying quietly: “My body is already wet – even walking to the ends of the earth, I’ll still be wet.”

Gu Qianxi covered her face with both hands, letting the umbrella fall to the ground, and sobbed: “The world’s storms are dangerous… Young master… you… you must take great care!”

Lu Yun silently picked up the oil-paper umbrella from the ground and placed it back in Gu Qianxi’s hands. Instantly he turned away, lowered his head, and left.

Watching Lu Yun’s hunched figure gradually disappear into the distance, Gu Qianxi’s heart was filled with great grief. Through tear-filled eyes, she truly didn’t know if the two of them could ever meet again in this lifetime…

Lu Yun, his heart heavy with worries, walked aimlessly through the rainy night until he reached the outskirts of the city. He took shelter from the rain in a broken temple and opened the bundle Gu Qianxi had given him. Inside he found several small gold ingots along with some dried food and clothing – clearly prepared hastily but filled with deep affection.

Lu Yun reached out to touch the items in the bundle as if the beautiful woman were right beside him. He looked around the dark temple where he was alone, a solitary shadow. Except for tightly holding the bundle Gu Qianxi had left him, he truly didn’t know where to go.

At this moment of touching the scene and feeling hurt, Lu Yun could no longer restrain himself – tears fell drop by drop onto the bundle.

Only at this final moment of separation did he understand Gu Qianxi’s importance to him. He would forever remember that in his humble life, there had been such a noble woman who cared for him so much…