Dong Tianyun glared at him for a while. Not only did the young master in ochre robes show no embarrassment, he even smiled and squeezed onto their cloud. Dong Tianyun gave a cold snort and on his own descended the cloud onto a small hill with no pedestrians.

Xiang Su understood—having said such outrageous things, if Junshang hadn’t slapped him until he vomited blood, he should count as a friend.

The young master in ochre robes was somewhat overly familiar. A pair of delicate phoenix eyes looked at Xiang Su with a smile for a moment. “Su Bing?” He called out tentatively.

Xiang Su looked at him in surprise, not knowing how he would know this “nickname” of hers.

The young master in ochre robes saw through her confusion and said very kindly, “Qingsui is quite proud of this, boasting to me quite a bit—that even a wood spirit could enter Shenghuan Manor and catch the eye of—Sijin Dijun.” Xiang Su didn’t know why he suddenly gasped dramatically while speaking, even glancing at Junshang from the corner of his eye, appearing somewhat ill-intentioned.

Dong Tianyun gave a heavy cold snort.

“You know Elder Sister Qingsui?” Xiang Su felt the atmosphere becoming very tense and quickly changed the subject. Speaking of Elder Sister Qingsui, she felt somewhat closer to the young master in ochre robes and didn’t want him to suffer at Junshang’s hands.

“Mm, mm.” The young master in ochre robes nodded with a smile.

Dong Tianyun turned his face to glare at Xiang Su. Xiang Su was baffled. “Do not be disrespectful to Yuanhou Dijun.” His tone saying “Yuanhou Dijun” could practically be counted as sarcasm.

Xiang Su blinked and thought—Yuanhou Dijun… wasn’t that just the Earth Sovereign! He had a good relationship with Elder Sister Qingsui. Jin Zhan’s magical implement had even been filched from him.

Looking at his frivolous appearance, he indeed was the same type as Elder Sister Qingsui. If Junshang hadn’t said so, she wouldn’t have seen even a bit of dijun bearing in him.

“Little Su Bing, what did your Junshang bring you out to do?” As they walked down the mountain, Yuanhou asked with smiling eyes, looking like a human trafficker.

“My stomach…”

Xiang Su wanted to say her stomach was hungry and Junshang had brought her to eat delicious food. But before she finished speaking, Yuanhou Dijun made a big fuss and cried out, instead startling Xiang Su. She stared at him blankly, not knowing what he was horrified about.

“You already have something in your stomach?” Yuanhou suddenly became very anxious, even clapping his hands repeatedly. “This won’t do, this won’t do, Little Su Bing, wood spirits can’t give birth before five hundred years old! Dong Tianyun, you… you’re too hasty! Wood spirits are different from other immortal spirits!”

Dong Tianyun turned around and struck with his palm without warning. The palm wind shot out several yards, immediately sending Yuanhou back up to the sky. Yuanhou still wouldn’t give up and shouted, “Dong Tianyun… can’t give birth…”

Xiang Su could hear the grinding sound of Junshang gritting his teeth. What had Yuanhou Dijun said to make Junshang so angry? She actually didn’t quite understand. What was in her stomach? One moment she couldn’t give birth, the next moment Junshang couldn’t give birth?

“Junshang…” She looked at Dong Tianyun hesitantly.

“Shut your mouth!” Junshang’s expression was ugly. “Don’t ask!” If she asked one foolish word, he wouldn’t be able to resist strangling her too.

Xiang Su’s face paled with fright. Was this a taboo? How could Junshang have so many secrets that couldn’t be spoken!

Dong Tianyun saw her unsettled appearance, clenched his fist, and threatened, “Forget the pangolin’s nonsense! Today’s words… you cannot mention them to anyone!”

Sure enough, another major secret! Xiang Su fearfully swallowed her saliva and nodded repeatedly.

The small hill was quite far from the lakeshore. Xiang Su kept her distance following Dong Tianyun, once again firmly resolved to return to Elder Sister Qingsui once the sword was forged. Before, she hadn’t realized what a good person Elder Sister Qingsui was, and all her friends were very interesting and warm. Unlike Junshang—those around him were either vicious figures like Chilin or friends like the Celestial Clan prince, rotten philanderers and hypocrites. This can’t be said, that can’t be said… living was too oppressive!

Pangolin… Yuanhou Dijun’s name was also quite special…

She looked up at the sky. Yuanhou Dijun had long since disappeared. If it were her, she wouldn’t come back either.

Walking in silence was truly boring. Junshang, the people of Shenghuan Manor… were boring like this year-round!

She discovered Junshang had stopped, standing on the small path gazing at the lake surface. She couldn’t just walk away by herself, so she could only imitate him, looking through the tree vines and flower branches toward the lake. Xiang Su couldn’t help but let out a sigh of admiration. So beautiful.

The sky was somewhat overcast, making the lake surface and surrounding weeping willows and flowers all the more elegant, as if dyed with light ink. The brightly colored pleasure boats and painted barges drifting on the lake had rich, deep colors without any gaudy air. Someone was playing a zither at the bow—though she couldn’t hear the music, that scene alone added charm.

Xiang Su had never seen such beautiful scenery. She felt dazed. She’d thought she’d already seen the Mortal Realm, but facing such refined and elegant lakes and mountains, she felt she was still incomparably unfamiliar with this world.

Dong Tianyun didn’t rush her either, patiently waiting for her to look for a while before saying, “Let’s go.”

Xiang Su walked behind him with lowered head for a moment, then suddenly said with great resentment, “I hate Kunpeng!” If only he’d brought her to such a beautiful place from the start. The Mortal Realm she’d seen before had made her so despairing!

The corner of Dong Tianyun’s mouth twitched slightly upward.

After descending the mountain, there were more and more pedestrians. Xiang Su discovered quite a few pleasing men and women. “Humans are ugly” was clearly another shameless lie Kunpeng had told her!

Human young ladies walked gracefully, even more delicate and pitiful than Dragon Lady. Their clothes, their hair… were no worse than the immortal maidens she’d seen. Aside from not knowing magic, she really couldn’t see any difference between humans and immortal spirits.

Human men were also quite refined and elegant. Many gathered in threes and twos under flowers and willows drinking wine and writing, passing around what they’d written to each other. Though Xiang Su didn’t know what they were doing, their carefree and natural demeanor was quite infectious, making her feel heroic in spirit.

In such mountain and water scenery, talking and laughing with a few good friends was truly something to make one’s heart open and mind at ease. She suddenly missed Jin Zhan and Bai Zhicao very much.

Approaching the lakeside, small vendors also increased. Xiang Su saw old people, children, middle-aged people… She suddenly felt somewhat sad. Human lives were so brief—to her, a wood spirit with eternal longevity, they were truly like one spring and autumn.

Two vendors started cursing at each other over a prime spot for their stalls, then even came to blows. Xiang Su felt it was pitiful and wanted to go persuade them. Their lives were already short—why be so calculating? If she also only had a few decades of life, there would be too much to do—she definitely wouldn’t hold grudges over such small matters.

She wanted to step forward to stop them, but was blocked by Dong Tianyun. Xiang Su looked at him uncomprehendingly. Dong Tianyun looked at her peacefully and shook his head, leading her away from the crowd of onlookers before saying, “Each person has their own fate and destiny. This quarrel of theirs may well be old resentments accumulated from past lives. As immortal spirits, we shouldn’t interfere lightly.”

Xiang Su frowned. Even persuading people to stop fighting was wrong? Past lives and present lives…

“Junshang, human lives are so short. Good friends and family from past lives—after just a few decades, because they’ve died it’s terminated, and in this life they don’t recognize each other…” She suddenly felt her nose sting, feeling very desolate.

Hearing this, Dong Tianyun raised his hand to pat her head, his voice rarely gentle. “So transcending the cycle of reincarnation is a fortunate thing. We… can be together for a very, very long time.”

Xiang Su nodded forcefully. Being an immortal spirit was truly good.

“Come, let’s go eat.” Dong Tianyun laughed softly. Xiang Su was infected by his good mood. Looking up, she again saw that incomparably enchanting shallow smile of his.

She couldn’t help but want to sigh. A male immortal born with such an appearance—was it a blessing or a curse for female immortals? Forget it, how was this something for her to worry about! After all this sentiment, she’d forgotten the purpose of this trip. Her lifespan was very long—she had plenty of time to feel sorrow for spring and pity for autumn. Right now, quickly filling her stomach was what mattered.

Following Junshang, she came to a small building by the lakeshore. As soon as they entered, an unremarkable-looking young man came over to greet them, a cloth draped over his shoulder, eagerly saying, “Customers please—” From time to time he’d remove the cloth to dust away nonexistent dust. Xiang Su found him very amusing and smiled at him. She heard other diners calling him “waiter.”

“Get a private room and bring all your specialty dishes.” When descending the mountain, Dong Tianyun had already cast a glamor spell. In mortals’ eyes, he and Xiang Su were merely an ordinary young master and book boy.

Xiang Su entered the private room. The window facing the lake was open, and it had already begun to drizzle lightly. She stood greedily by the window watching the willow banks and Su Causeway as pedestrians opened colorful oil-paper umbrellas. The scenery in the fine rain was even more poetic and picturesque than before. Xiang Su was in a trance, not knowing whether she was in heaven or the mortal world.

The waiter nimbly brought a full table of dishes. She heard Junshang order, “Bring a jar of your best wine.”

Junshang indicated she could eat. Xiang Su tasted each dish—everything was delicious. Different from the feast she’d eaten at Shenghuan Manor before, the manor’s dishes emphasized refined taste. Here the food had rich flavors, with a unique meaty fragrance and mellow taste special to the Mortal Realm, much more authentic than Shenghuan Manor’s dishes.

She ate without stopping her chopsticks. These many days of restless complaining about thin porridge and pickled vegetables were swept completely away. Junshang as usual didn’t eat, only watching the scenery outside the window while leisurely drinking wine.

“Junshang, give me a cup too.” Xiang Su smiled and raised the empty cup beside her.

Wine—of course she’d heard of it. It was said to be the number one divine object for resolving worries and forgetting sorrows throughout the three realms and six worlds.

Dong Tianyun slowly drew his gaze back from outside the window, lightly quirked the corner of his mouth, and poured her half a cup.

Xiang Su sniffed it. The smell was very strong and not at all fragrant! She’d truly been fooled by “hearsay” countless times! What wine fragrance? It smelled like a sour rag. She was about to not drink it, but Junshang was watching her. She’d been the one insisting on trying it—now she was stuck, and could only cautiously lick it. Sure enough, it was awful! A pungent spiciness rushed straight to her head, making her wrinkle her nose from choking.

Dong Tianyun shook his head. “You should just eat. It’s not yet time for you to understand wine.”

Xiang Su buried her head among the bowls and plates again. Even if she never understood wine, she wouldn’t feel regret. It was awful.

After eating and drinking her fill, Dong Tianyun called the waiter to settle the bill. Xiang Su was in high spirits from eating and very magnanimously patted her money pouch. “Today I’ll pay.”

Dong Tianyun narrowed his eyes to look at her. Xiang Su happily pulled out a handful of small green gemstones removed from the bed curtain, hesitating over how many to give the waiter.

The waiter’s eyes went straight. He reached out planning to ask Xiang Su for several more, but was looked at coldly by Dong Tianyun. The waiter was worldly-wise and immediately changed his words. “One… one is quite enough.”

Xiang Su generously settled the bill and followed Dong Tianyun downstairs, body and mind comfortable.

“Where did you get these gemstones?” Dong Tianyun walked very slowly, his tone also not high.

“I removed them from the bed curtain.” Xiang Su completely ignored Junshang’s ferocity, immersed in beautiful hopes for the future.

So one tiny piece could exchange for such a big meal. Recalling carefully, she almost laughed aloud. There were many leaves on that curtain, and flowers pieced together with gemstones of other colors too. How many years of meals would that be enough for?

“Hmph!” Junshang very severely gave a snort. Xiang Su shivered and immediately couldn’t laugh anymore. “That’s Dianshan ancestral emerald!”

Xiang Su trembled with lowered head. Though she didn’t know how precious ancestral emerald was, whenever Junshang put on this expression, she definitely wouldn’t have a good time. Quickly admitting fault was the best strategy.

Dong Tianyun no longer paid attention to her and walked straight out of the shop.

The sky had already grown somewhat dark. Because of the rain, many shops had early hung up rain-proof horn lanterns. A thin mist rose over the lake surface. Painted barges and small boats moved as if traveling through clouds.

Pedestrians and tourists hadn’t decreased at all. The continuous drizzle added to West Lake’s elegant charm.

Dong Tianyun went to the shore and hired an unremarkable painted barge. Xiang Su was secretly elated but didn’t dare show it, appearing quite obedient as she followed him onto the boat.

The boatman punted once against a stone at the shore, and the small boat gently rocked away. Touring the lake in the rain was indeed an elegant matter, especially after eating and drinking one’s fill. The dense rain mist brushed against her face. Xiang Su’s mood was as good as a bright sunny day. She wanted to casually sing something, but unfortunately she hadn’t learned any tunes normally. To make her sing in front of Junshang whose face was currently as black as ash—she really didn’t have that courage.

Many pleasure boats drifted freely on the lake surface. Some had people reciting poetry, some had singing girls crooning softly, complementing the clear and beautiful lake and mountain scenery.

Dong Tianyun glanced at Xiang Su, intoxicated by the beautiful scenery, and casually conjured an umbrella to hand to her.

Wood spirits always loved rain. Xiang Su had no concept of holding umbrellas either. She wanted to shake her head and say it wasn’t necessary, but a small boat brushing past theirs had a maid holding an umbrella for her young mistress, who kept shyly stealing glances at Junshang.

Xiang Su was greatly inspired. So holding umbrellas was also one of servants’ duties. Junshang was habitually sarcastic. Having provoked him today, she’d definitely be ordered around thoroughly by him. She resignedly yet obsequiously tried opening the umbrella and half-raised it to shield the rain from above Junshang’s head.

Dong Tianyun seemed not to have expected she would hold the umbrella for him. When he turned his face to look at her, his mouth curved in an approving arc.

Xiang Su felt the boat sway. Junshang, if you want to praise her, just say so directly. Don’t smile at her like this—she didn’t fall for this! See, see, how fast that expression changed? Just now wasn’t he looking like he wanted to slap her to death?

Xiang Su grasped another principle of getting along with him: pretend diligence, pretend obedience, but never pretend generosity.

“Little Su Bing!” Someone was actually calling her? Through the rain curtain, Xiang Su looked at who was calling her. On a small boat not far away, two people sat lazily at the bow drinking wine. Weren’t they Elder Sister Qingsui and Yuanhou Dijun?

“Elder Sister Qingsui!” Xiang Su waved repeatedly. She missed her so much.

Qingsui laughed and raised the wine cup in her hand as a return greeting. The fine rain dampened her and Yuanhou’s clothes and hair, but the two remained quite comfortable. A small black-canopied boat carrying two people drinking freely together—unspeakably bold and romantic.

Watching Elder Sister Qingsui drink wine, Xiang Su felt she was very carefree.

Qingsui drank dry the wine in her cup in one gulp. Yuanhou filled it for her. Qingsui stared unblinking at the two figures under one umbrella amid the green mountains and beautiful waters, beautiful as a dream.

“Perhaps… when Little Su Bing thinks of today later, she’ll be somewhat sad. Beautiful memories—thinking back on them will make people feel sad.”

Hearing this, Yuanhou’s mouth showed faint bitterness. After a moment of silence, he said, “You always recall the past. How can this do? Look, right now boating and drinking boldly with me—isn’t this also very beautiful? As long as you’re willing, in the future anytime, anywhere… I’ll accompany you, so that whenever you think of me, you’ll feel your heart filled with joy.”

Hearing this, Qingsui froze, then laughed heartily. “Little Jia, you’re still so humorous.”

Yuanhou sighed helplessly and also laughed. “You still can never distinguish what’s a joke and what isn’t.”

Qingsui tossed a peanut into her mouth as if she hadn’t heard what he said.

Yuanhou didn’t want to speak so plainly anymore. He took a drink of wine and asked, “How much longer will you search here?”

Qingsui shook her head. “I don’t know. This is his favorite scenic spot in the Mortal Realm. I believe even if he’s been demoted into reincarnation, he’ll still be around here.”

Yuanhou said lightly, “Why must you work so hard to find him? After two hundred years, he’ll naturally return.”

“Two hundred years…” Qingsui held the cup against her lips, gazing distantly at the lantern reflections on the lake surface. “How many times will the landscape change? I always feel if I can’t find him, I’ll lose him.”

Yuanhou pressed his lips together. Actually, he wanted to say she’d never obtained that man, but such cruel words—he could never say them to Qingsui.

Over on that boat, Xiang Su kept pleading, “Junshang, go over there, go over there.”

Dong Tianyun frowned and glared at her. “Pine Cone and the pangolin are doing fine together. What are you joining in for?”

“Since we happened to meet them, naturally we should catch up.” Xiang Su patiently reasoned. Today her luck was too bad—encountering Junshang in a bad mood, he wouldn’t agree to anything.

Dong Tianyun gave a cold snort and rebuked, “No sense of propriety!”

He instructed the boatman to row the boat back to shore, clearly unwilling to acknowledge those two people.

Xiang Su thought for this whole time, only now saying with infinite worry, “You mean to say… Elder Sister Qingsui and Yuanhou Dijun are a couple?”

Dong Tianyun glanced at her. In this area she showed extraordinary comprehension.

“But… how can this work?” Xiang Su grew anxious. “What about Jin Zhan?”

Dong Tianyun was somewhat speechless. “Is this something you should worry about?”

Every time Junshang extinguished her conversational enthusiasm in one stroke, she hated him even more!

As the boat gradually moved away, only then did Xiang Su remember to wave goodbye to Qingsui and Yuanhou. Watching Elder Sister Qingsui and Yuanhou Dijun respond to her very warmly, Xiang Su increasingly felt her days following Junshang had no prospects.