Master Lan, we shall part ways here

Half a month has passed since the old King Yan was interred in the imperial tomb, accompanied by his most favored imperial concubine, who was granted the death sentence to serve him in the afterlife. With the new king's ascension, all matters have settled into a dusty calm.

A few days ago, a group of individuals was imprisoned on charges of discussing the new king's governance, while others were executed in the bustling streets. Under such a repressive regime, discussions about that fateful night have vanished from tea houses and taverns, and no one dares to accuse Yan Rongxu of fratricide. It is as if that night never occurred; the Yan state has neither the fleeting favor of an imperial concubine nor the beloved third prince.

Some truths may be spoken, while others must remain unvoiced.

Those who inhabit the lower echelons of society will often voice their opinions fervently during significant events, yet when their words might endanger them, they retract like turtles into their shells. All they seek is a life of peace and simplicity, desiring that everything returns to its former state. Who rules the throne, who lives, and who dies makes no difference to them. They have accepted the reality of a fractured, powerful Yan state without much deliberation, giving little thought to the implications of such turmoil.

Every day, the sun rises as usual, and Yan Jing regains the splendor and clamor it had before the riots. The cries of vendors echo as in days of yore, yet patrolling guards can be seen on the streets, day and night. The sky has yet to fully brighten, and faint stars still twinkle in the distance. On the horizon, a misty gray hue lingers, as if it cannot disperse, mingling with the cool morning breeze that brushes against one's face, refreshing and brisk.

In the eastern suburbs of Yan Jing, on a street that is neither bustling nor secluded, an unmarked crimson door stands before a figure no one would expect at this hour.

Lan Yixuan approached the entrance, greeted by a slender silhouette draped in white, fluttering in the morning breeze. The petite figure stood rigid, her spine straight as if to support a world of burdens.

As the first light of dawn seeped in, he stood behind her, mesmerized by her form, a sense of worry creeping into his heart, as if the wind might carry her away.

Aside from eating, there was sleeping, yet still, she could not gain weight.

"Xianyue, at this hour, you ought to be nestled in bed, dreaming sweetly."

Xianyue turned, her lips curling into a smile. "The sweet dream has already ended; good days are numbered."

Lan Yixuan's footsteps faltered momentarily, a subtle movement that was almost imperceptible, before he regained his composure.

"Master Lan, accompany me for a stroll."

Xianyue took a few steps back, bowing with an inviting gesture. Yet her bright eyes remained fixed on Lan Yixuan, defiant, like a spirited little beast that would never yield, a juxtaposition that felt quite incongruous.

Lan Yixuan stepped closer, casting a glance at her. "Yan Jing has no flower thieves."

With a smile, his eyes roamed over Xianyue, slightly scrutinizing. "In this state, even a flower thief wouldn't want you."

Rather than feeling offended by his teasing, Xianyue remained unfazed, exuding a generosity that was charming. Turning on the steps, she smiled brightly, "It matters not if a flower thief finds me unattractive; are there not grass thieves? Master Lan, with your handsome demeanor and charming presence, even a blind man would seek you out. Beware of your own allure, blue-eyed charmer."

Lan Yixuan showed no sign of embarrassment, following in Xianyue's footsteps. "Surely, you didn't seek me out just to convey this."

Xianyue shook her head. "Of course not."

She pointed at him, adopting a matter-of-fact expression. "I need someone to pay me."

Lan Yixuan chuckled. "I believe Brother Bai would be more than willing to assist you, Xianyue."

Xianyue blinked innocently. "Master Lan possesses a benevolent heart and remarkable skill; could you truly bear to see me flayed by Miss Nian?"

When rivals meet, the tension is palpable. Despite her indifference towards Bai Zhanfeng, there is a saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To her, her beloved is the best of all. Nian Xiaoyu inevitably feels a twinge of worry when witnessing Bai Zhanfeng's kindness toward her. A pair of resentful, jealous eyes watching her can't help but affect her appetite.

As they strolled from the eastern suburbs to the main streets of Yan Jing, the sun had fully risen, casting its warm light upon them, devoid of the summer's scorching heat. A faint rosy hue glimmered on the cobblestone streets, trampled by passing carriages, scattering golden reflections.

Although it was early, stalls lined both sides of the street, the enticing aroma wafting from afar, making one's fingers itch with desire. The calls of vendors resounded endlessly, while pedestrians were scarce, only a few hurried souls passing by, nodding to acquaintances before continuing on, lacking even the common pleasantries. Despite the sweltering summer day, those individuals huddled, reluctant to lift their heads.

In stark contrast, Lan Yixuan and Xianyue strolled leisurely, chatting and laughing, drawing attention from all around.

Xianyue, never one to deny herself pleasures, had risen early to indulge her appetite, dragging Lan Yixuan along as they sampled delicacies from one end of the street to the other. Her belly round and full, she let out a satisfied belch, grinning widely with her greasy face directed at Lan Yixuan.

Lan Yixuan regarded Xianyue with her oil-smeared mouth, maintaining his noble demeanor, while his misty eyes sparkled with amusement. The morning sunlight enveloped him, and in that moment, Xianyue thought him a true, unblemished jade, warm and pure, unpretentious in his beauty.

"Did Lei Yun not prepare dinner for you?"

He stepped closer to her, suddenly producing a plain white handkerchief, offering it to her. "In this state, who would dare desire you?"

Xianyue seized the handkerchief without hesitation, waving it away dismissively, sunlight revealing a corner of exquisite orchids nearby. "What a waste to use such fine material to wipe one's mouth."

She waved the handkerchief about before stuffing it into her bosom. "If I find myself short on funds in the future, I could take it to the pawnshop and tell the owner it was used by Master Lan; perhaps I could fetch a good price."

With a swift motion, she wiped the grease from her mouth. "Do you think the shopkeeper might think I'm mad and rudely exclaim, 'If this handkerchief belongs to Master Lan, then my clothes were personally crafted for me by the son of the Xuanyuan family?'"

After saying this, Xianyue tilted her head back and burst into laughter.

Once her laughter subsided, she continued on her way, with Lan Yixuan following closely behind, paying for whatever caught her fancy.

As they passed through the bustling market to its end, they unknowingly arrived before the charred remains of the Lou Wang residence.

A great fire had consumed all.

The opulence of the past had transformed into ruins. The golden, dazzling characters spelling "Lou Wang Fu" still hung crookedly above the entrance, now a charred black-gold, covered in dust. The once red iron gate bore a seal, and in the sunlight, the remnants resembled a spider's web. The stone lion at the entrance lay toppled, still bound by the red ribbon tied on that fateful night, its bright hue now a distant echo of past celebrations.

On that night, the Lou Wang residence was alive with the bustle of guests arriving to offer their congratulations, all high-ranking officials from the court. The air had been filled with joyous laughter, yet now, in stark contrast, the site appeared desolate, evoking a sense of time having passed.

Though set in a vibrant marketplace, the surroundings were eerily deserted, devoid of life, let alone anyone like Xianyue and Lan Yixuan lingering at the entrance. The place felt hauntingly cold.

"A waste."

Xianyue shook her head, clicking her tongue disapprovingly. "If they had to set a fire, they should have at least salvaged something valuable from the Lou Wang residence."

She turned to Lan Yixuan, her tone slightly chilled. "Master Lan, do you not agree with me?"

Lan Yixuan bit his lip, observing Xianyue in silence.

"Let's go inside and take a look."

Xianyue pointed towards the Lou Wang residence, stepping back a few paces, scanning the area for a suitable entrance.

"Follow me."

Lan Yixuan said nothing as he walked ahead, rounding the long walls and passing through a narrow alley. It was a rather secluded spot, where a small wooden door, half-hidden by branches extending from the wall, stood. He stepped forward and gently pushed it open. The door, neglected for far too long, was covered in dust that danced in the wind, stinging his eyes.

Xianyue followed closely behind, watching as Lan Yixuan brushed the dust away with his hand. The slight furrow in his brow made her chuckle lightly. "Lan Yixuan, is there anything you don't know?"

Graceful and composed, yet not without his quirks. His fastidiousness amused her—she took pleasure in building her happiness on Lan Yixuan's discomfort.

Xianyue darted ahead of him, entering through the wooden door. Before her lay the charred remains of buildings, likely the remnants of the palace's backyard. Despite the fire's devastation, faint traces of the past lingered—rock gardens, streams, and fallen glazed lanterns, faring better than the grand hall, which had been completely ravaged.

Turning back, Xianyue mischievously watched Lan Yixuan. He took a few steps forward, his brow still slightly creased, an expression that almost made her laugh.

His obsession with cleanliness was truly incurable.

Around them, the trees stood bare, their leaves long scorched, with only a few withered, lifeless remnants clinging to the branches, marred by blackened burn marks.

Xianyue clapped the dust from her hands, leaped onto the rooftop, and dangled her legs over the edge, glancing down at Lan Yixuan, her lips pressed tight, as if deep in thought. Then, suddenly, she laughed.

Lan Yixuan looked up at the sound of her laughter.

"Come up, Young Master Lan."

She patted the spot beside her, inviting him to sit.

Lan Yixuan turned his head away, slightly furrowing his brow, his gaze distant, as if sighing in cold resignation.

"The view here isn't bad."

He climbed up, pulling out a clean handkerchief from his robe, which he laid down before sitting.

Xianyue eyed him with disdain. "Young Master Lan."

Lan Yixuan smiled, and the two sat quietly on the rooftop, neither speaking.

The sun had fully risen, casting a brilliant light over everything, yet its radiance only accentuated the desolation of the scene below.

"Lan Yixuan, do you hear that?"

Xianyue rested her chin in her hands, gazing up at the clouds, her voice breaking the silence. "It sounds like someone is crying."

Letting her hands fall, she turned to face him, her expression darkening. In a low, eerie voice, she covered the lower half of her face as if performing, her nose and cheeks pale in the sunlight, her crimson lips glistening—a striking contrast to her sinister tone.

Lan Yixuan's pinky finger twitched slightly as he watched her theatrical act, and he smiled faintly. "Aren't you afraid?"

His tone was indifferent, as if everything around him was inconsequential, or perhaps his conscience was clear.

Xianyue snorted, turning away. "They didn't die because of me. If anyone should fear retribution, it's you, Young Master Lan."

A flicker of surprise flashed in Lan Yixuan's eyes, as fleeting as a shooting star across a summer night, gone before it could be caught.

"I did nothing."

Lan Yixuan looked at her, his expression calm. "They died by the hands of the imperial guards of Yan's new king. The fire was their doing."

Xianyue listened quietly until he finished, then burst out laughing, her clear eyes filled with icy mockery. She nodded, as though in agreement. "Indeed, it was all Yan Rongxu's doing."

Her gaze locked onto Lan Yixuan, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "But Lan Yixuan isn't one to make a losing deal."

Xianyue chuckled softly, looking up at the azure sky. "I always wondered why you were so eager to catch those flower thieves back in Fancheng. You even paid the ransom for Miss Zhilian of Liyange just to get them. When Bai Zhanfeng asked for them, you told him they would never harm the world again. But I never imagined you'd hand them over to the Third Prince."

Lan Yixuan's smile deepened. "How could someone as clever as Xianyue not have figured it out?"

"I'm no match for your foresight, Young Master Lan, your brilliance knows no bounds."

The coldness in her voice was laced with thick sarcasm.

"Everyone in Yan knows that the king favored the third prince and his mother. Yan Rongxu, spoiled and arrogant, had long been a thorn in the king's side. The scandal involving the flower thieves was orchestrated by the crown prince. If the king found out, he would surely lose faith in him. Once Yan Rongxu was dethroned, the crown would fall to Yan Yulou. You did him a great favor, and he would be forever indebted to you. But in the end, the king didn't act as you and Yan Yulou expected. The crown prince was merely stripped of power."

The sun beat down on his hands, making them sweat. Lan Yixuan quietly moved his hands into the shade.

He pursed his lips, smiling faintly. It was inevitable that Yan Rongxu would be dethroned, but the man in the palace...

"Even though the crown prince wasn't deposed, with your talents, helping Yan Yulou ascend the throne wouldn't have been difficult. So, why did you change your mind, Young Master Lan?"

Lan Yixuan reached out, picking a stray leaf from Xianyue's shoulder, twirling it between his fingers before carelessly tossing it aside. He dusted his hands. "He touched something he shouldn't have. He had to pay the price."

Xianyue kicked the leaf away, watching it spin in the wind before falling to the ground, blending with the dust.

She didn't dwell on what it was that Yan Yulou shouldn't have touched and instead laughed, her voice as clear and bright as silver bells. "So, you tipped Yan Rongxu off about Yan Yulou's plans, selling him a great favor. The wine was switched at the banquet, and the assassins were all part of your arrangement. Yan Rongxu's imperial guards were lying in wait, ready to accuse Yan Yulou of attempted regicide. But what he didn't know was that you only gave him half the story."

Lan Yixuan remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"He had no idea there were fifty thousand elite soldiers from Ancheng and Fancheng marching toward Yanjing. He didn't know you had already smuggled the Lady of Lou and her son out. Nor did he know that the old king would die that very night."

Lan Yixuan chuckled softly, his voice tinged with pride. "He lacks your intelligence. Naturally, he wouldn't know these things."

Xianyue turned slightly, gazing in the direction of the palace, and sighed. "Yan Rongxu is a cursed soul. He ascended the throne, only to carry a burden for someone else. While no one dares speak of it in Yanjing, the world still sees him as a fratricidal, patricidal tyrant. Who could have guessed that the one who killed the old king was none other than the third prince he so loved?"

She turned back, her face radiant in the sunlight. "I'd wager that if the old king knew the truth, even in death, he wouldn't rest easy. Don't you think so, Young Master Lan?"

Her voice grew colder as she looked at him.

Lan Yixuan sighed, full of pity. "To betray someone who treats you sincerely, the Third Prince is unworthy of being king."

Xianyue let out a cold snort. "Prince, crown prince—aren't they all just toys in your hands? Yan Rongxu appreciates your kindness, and the Lady of Lou Manor probably regards you as her savior. Perhaps she has even set up a longevity tablet for you in Fan City, worshipping you daily."

"Those who gave me life are my parents, but the one who understands me is you, Xianyue."

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes brimming with amusement. There was no trace of anger at Xianyue's revelation of the truth. He remained as composed as ever, unperturbed by her sharp words or discontent. Such calmness was enough to provoke frustration.

"Is that so?"

Xianyue curled her lips in a sneer. "But Lan Yixuan, I feel like I don't understand you at all."

She stared at him, as if trying to discern something from his face. "Why would a person of the martial world get involved in court intrigues? What gain do you seek from all this? What are you truly after?"

Lan Yixuan turned to her. "Knowing too much does neither of us any good."

Xianyue glared at him, her gaze sharp enough to bore a hole through his composure. "Then at least tell me what those assassins who came for me were. That much, you owe me."

Lan Yixuan narrowed his eyes and turned his head, his thin lips curving into a stiff line under the harsh sunlight. "You don't need to know."

Xianyue laughed aloud, though her eyes remained tightly shut, betraying not a hint of joy. Her hands, hidden under her sleeves, clenched into fists, as if trying to suppress some overwhelming emotion. After a long moment, she unclenched one hand and gently patted her chest, as though trying to ease the stifling discomfort that weighed heavily there.

"No wonder the world praises you as a man of great righteousness, Lan Gongzi. So this is the celebrated hero of the martial world. Consider me enlightened."

She forced herself to stop laughing, succumbing to a fit of violent coughing.

"I never claimed to be a hero of great righteousness, nor have I ever pretended to be a good man. But since the world has seen fit to call me one, how could I refuse such well-intended praise?"

Lan Yixuan smiled, but it was laced with biting sarcasm. "Xianyue, we are the same kind of person. Why condemn me?"

Xianyue tilted her head back to look at the sun, finding the glaring brightness almost unbearable. "The same?"

She shut her eyes tightly before opening them again and turned to gaze at him, her expression firm and unwavering. She shook her head slowly. "Lan Yixuan, you and I are not the same."

Her gaze was clear and steadfast, as immovable as a mountain, radiating a resolve that outshone even the sun, burning with such intensity that it pained the eyes to behold.

"I am no saint, but I never kill the innocent. Those who have died by my hand sought to harm me. I cherish my life, and I will never allow anyone to endanger it. Even if the King of Hell himself demands my life, I will not yield it. But you, Lan Yixuan—what about you? The people of Lou Manor were innocent. With your capabilities, if you had truly wanted to protect them, how could you not have succeeded? Yan Rongxu owes you a great debt, and you are known for your righteousness. If you had asked, he would not have refused. But you didn't."

The sun blazed too fiercely, its rays too oppressive. Lan Yixuan raised his hand to shield his face, spreading his fingers slightly as if to block out the blinding light.

"I have clear goals and principles in everything I do. But you, Lan Yixuan—why have you done all this?"

Xianyue's clenched fists slowly relaxed, her fingertips trembling slightly. "And besides, Lan Yixuan, I have never used you."

Lan Yixuan's smile faltered.

"In Fan City, you used me to capture the flower thieves. In Yanjing, you used me to fend off unwelcome admirers. Did I ever tell you how much I despise being used? Especially when I only realize it afterward, making me feel like a fool."

Instead of anger, Lan Yixuan's reaction was amusement. He leaned closer to her, his warm breath brushing against her face as he stared into her eyes. "Are you upset because of those innocent lives, or because I used you? Does it hurt?"

Xianyue's gaze flickered briefly, but the moment passed too quickly to catch. In an instant, her bright eyes turned into an unfathomable ocean, as calm as a still lake, without a single ripple.

But Lan Yixuan was relentless, his piercing gaze like a mirror, determined to reflect what lay within her heart.

"Being used and then expected to be grateful for it—I don't have that kind of magnanimity."

Xianyue shoved him away. "And—"

She smiled, with complete honesty. "I am not extraordinarily clever. The rebellion of King Yan was something someone told me about. Do you recall the night I disappeared? On my way back, I encountered a man, gravely wounded. He claimed to be a servant from Lou Manor, and he overheard you and Lord Lou conspiring to revolt. He asked me to deliver this message to the Crown Prince."

Lan Yixuan's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of regret flashing through them, but it was quickly concealed by his right hand, hiding any trace of emotion.

"Knowing this, it wasn't hard to piece together the rest."

To this day, Yan Rongxu sits upon his golden throne, lost in indulgence, still intoxicated by dreams of luxury. It's clear that he was never poisoned by the 'Divine Smile' toxin. No matter how foolish Yan Yulou might have been, he would never make such a blunder. When I chased after the woman in red, no more than three hours had passed. Yet by the time I returned, Lou Manor was already engulfed in flames, eerily silent. Surely, most within had been slaughtered. If Yan Rongxu had not been forewarned, how could he have surrounded Lou Manor with such lightning speed?"

"I always knew you were unfathomable, Lan Gongzi, but even so, the reality is far more terrifying than I imagined."

From Yanjing, perhaps even earlier—at the Lin'an Inn—it all became clear that your kindness was merely a means to an end.

The more Xianyue pondered, the more stifled she felt. Her irritation grew as she watched Lan Yixuan's hand shielding his brow, finding it increasingly displeasing. Yet, her face betrayed none of her annoyance. A faint, mocking smile played upon her lips, barely there.

She reached out and pulled his hand away. Lan Yixuan's fingers twitched slightly, the three long ones caught firmly in Xianyue's grasp. Their fingertips intertwined. "Xianyue, your hands are still greasy."

Lan Yixuan's little finger twitched again as he looked down at her. Her pale face glowed softly in the sunlight, tinged with faint dissatisfaction.

Without glancing at him, Xianyue studied the lines on her palm with great care. Then, she pressed her fingers against his, as if determined to rub the now-dried oil from her hands onto his.

Leaning forward, she pulled his hand from behind him, laying it open in front of her with deliberate seriousness. "This is Qing'an."

Her gaze shifted from his left hand to his right. "And this is Yan."

She smiled, lifting her head to look at him, the sarcasm in her voice unmistakable. "The entire Yan kingdom, divided in two, rests in the palm of Lan Gongzi's hand."

Lan Yixuan withdrew his left hand from her grasp, his fingers curling slightly. He sighed softly. "Xianyue, we were born into a time of chaos."

Xianyue tilted her head up, frowning slightly as her grip on his hand loosened, yet Lan Yixuan made no move to pull away.

He smiled, serene and composed, confidence radiating from him. "Someone must put an end to it all."

Xianyue's pupils widened suddenly, her previously leaning body snapping upright. She clutched his hand tightly, her trembling fingers betraying her inner turmoil.

"You intend to be that someone?"

Lan Yixuan did not answer directly. "King Hui of Zhou spends his days drinking and composing poetry, ignoring the affairs of the state. The Zhou dynasty long lost its claim as ruler of all under heaven. Though the land appears peaceful now, one day that peace will be shattered. I merely seized upon the opportunity. If it hadn't been for the 763 lives at Lou Manor, it might have been millions of corpses, rivers of blood. Which weighs heavier?"

"So, by that logic, the people of Lou Manor died with honor?"

She couldn't understand why she clung so desperately to this question, but since returning from Qiqiao Mountain that night, it had weighed heavily on her mind, filling her with frustration.

She looked at Lan Yixuan, her gaze calm, though beneath the surface, storms raged.

Her lips pressed together, motionless, as she continued to stare at him. Noble and graceful, with an unshakable composure, as if even the collapse of a mountain wouldn't mar his confidence.

A person like him—one day, perhaps they would fight side by side. But more likely, if fate held no surprises, they would face each other on the battlefield as enemies.

Xianyue furrowed her brows, deep in thought for a long while. The sky above was a brilliant, cloudless blue, the sun shining brightly, a gentle breeze carrying their intertwined thoughts. Their hair mingled together, creating a moment of indescribable beauty, yet each was lost in their own reflections.

Her eyes grew sore, and with a soft sigh, she finally relaxed under Lan Yixuan's calm, accepting gaze. A carefree, liberated smile spread across her face, her brow finally smoothing. "Lan Gongzi's hands are quite clean."

Seven hundred and sixty-three lives, and yet not a single drop of blood stained his hands.

Still smiling, she reached out with her left hand, gently removing the butterfly hairpin she had always worn. The delicate wings were now speckled with tiny bloodstains.

She twirled the hairpin between her fingers, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall. Pale garments, dark hair, clear eyes, red lips—such beauty, though he had seen countless others, many more beautiful than her. Yet her face, like a sharp axe, cleaved into one's sight, rendering all other beauties of the mortal world mere common rouge.

Lan Yixuan's right hand, still held in her grasp, remained open. He watched as the hairpin traced a graceful arc through the air before falling gently into his palm.

Xianyue's left hand slowly curled his fingers around the hairpin, pointing to the bloodstains upon it. "This isn't mine."

Then, her hand closed completely, and she smiled. Turning away, she casually patted the dust from her clothes without any care for appearances, standing on the roof beam. Taking a few steps back, she said, "Lan Gongzi, from here, we part ways."

Each word was a clear declaration of her unchangeable decision, her voice soft but resolute.

Lan Yixuan listened carefully, looking up, his eyes still faintly showing traces of shock. Behind her, the barren branches loomed over her head, casting shadows that blocked the sunlight, revealing only the cold, cruel curve of her lips.

"I'm greedy, I love sleep, and I want good food and a comfortable place to stay. But I have no desire to be sold off in my dreams and wake up counting money for others."

She gave herself a perfect excuse to leave.

"You're leaving like this, without bidding farewell to Brother Bai?"

Xianyue firmly shook her head. "I don't want two tagalongs in my life—one trailing behind, managing everything, and the other constantly glaring at me with resentment, accusing me of stealing her man. So, they're your problem now, Lan Gongzi. Consider it repayment for all the ways you've used me."

She lifted her head, brushing aside the branch above. "Lan Gongzi, you're a man of great virtue and righteousness. We've known each other for some time now, you wouldn't leave me to sleep on the streets, would you? Therefore, the silver notes from the Lin'an Inn... I'll be holding onto those."

Xianyue turned, her sharp chin cutting a cold, heartless arc through the air. She leapt from the rooftop, her long hair billowing behind her like a banner, whipping through the air with a sound that echoed like a storm, striking the heart with a dull ache.

Xianyue landed gracefully, took a few steps forward, then abruptly turned back. Raising her hands to her mouth, she shouted at Lan Yixuan, who still sat on the rooftop, "Lan Gongzi, don't forget the meeting in Pansheng City! You promised, no going back on your word, or else..."

She raised her pinky finger at him with a mischievous smirk, her pristine white figure disappearing without a trace of hesitation.

"Is this goodbye, then?"

Sitting on the rooftop, he watched her retreating figure. Opening his palm, he stared at the hairpin she had returned to him. His hands clenched into fists, as though he might crush the delicate object, but soon, he loosened his grip.

Looking up, the white figure bounced away with a carefree grace that was almost infuriating. "That woman... she has no heart."

"Gongzi, Miss Xianyue is long gone."

Not long after Xianyue had left, Lei Yun appeared behind Lan Yixuan, his gaze fixed on the vanishing white silhouette.

"Yes," Lan Yixuan responded, his voice betraying no emotion. It was as still as a placid lake. He tucked the hairpin into his sleeve and stood up, gazing at the faint red marks in his palm before closing his hand once more, eyes narrowing as if the distant white figure were prey caught in his net.

He smiled faintly, brushing the dust from his clothes. "Let's go change."

His sharp eyes narrowed, his regal air showing no trace of turmoil.

"Why didn't Gongzi stop Miss Xianyue?" Lei Yun's voice was quiet, but Lan Yixuan still heard him.

"Stop her for what? So that you and Lei An have to serve her every day?"

Lei Yun followed behind Lan Yixuan, wanting to tell his master that, despite the extra work, he and Lei An were more than willing to serve Miss Xianyue. For reasons he couldn't quite explain, having her around made their Gongzi talk more, even smile.

"I should've gone with her to Qiqiao Mountain."

His soft voice carried a tinge of regret, barely audible. When Lan Yixuan and Lei Yun returned to their villa in the eastern suburbs of Yanjing, Lei An had already prepared the carriage. Bai Zhanfeng rushed over when he saw Lan Yixuan, glancing around. "Where's Xianyue? Why isn't she with you?"

He had searched the entire villa but found no sign of her. Lan Yixuan wasn't in his room either, so Bai had assumed they had gone out together. Now, seeing Lan Yixuan return alone, his irritation grew, but Xianyue was nowhere to be seen.

"She left."

Lan Yixuan glanced at Bai Zhanfeng, his voice as calm as ever. He walked past him, heading toward the villa.

"She left?"

Bai Zhanfeng turned around, repeating Lan Yixuan's words in disbelief. He ran after him. "Where did she go?"

"I don't know."

Bai Zhanfeng's eyes widened, clearly unconvinced.

"Miss Xianyue had something urgent and couldn't travel with us. She didn't tell Gongzi where she was headed."

"Why didn't you stop her?"

"She wanted to leave. How could I stop her?"

Bai Zhanfeng stared at Lan Yixuan, the sunlight reflecting off his purple robes, now dusted with dirt—a rare sight of disarray. Yet his demeanor remained composed, noble, unaffected by Xianyue's departure.

"You're not lying to me, are you?"

He pointed a finger at Lan Yixuan, as if seeking confirmation.

"She'll definitely be at the gathering in Pansheng City in three months. You can ask her then, Brother Bai."

Bai Zhanfeng thought for a moment. Lan Yixuan wasn't the type to lie straight-faced. 

"Haha!"

Nian Xiaoyu ran up behind Bai Zhanfeng, laughing heartily. "That woman has finally left."

Her delight at Xianyue's departure was barely concealed.

Bai Zhanfeng turned around and shot her a glare. Nian Xiaoyu hastily covered her mouth, but the smile at the corners of her eyes and brows couldn't be suppressed.

Bai Zhanfeng looked at Lan Yixuan's retreating figure. "Why did she only tell you?"

Lan Yixuan, now at the doorway, suddenly turned back. "If she had told you, would she have been able to leave?"

He smiled slightly. "I imagine Brother Bai would have followed her all the way."

"Damn woman," Bai Zhanfeng muttered under his breath. "I'm going to find her."

Even if it means searching to the ends of the earth, he was determined to find her.

He bowed to Lan Yixuan in farewell, his eyes brimming with frustration and anger.

"Brother Feng, I'll go with you to find her."

Nian Xiaoyu called out cheerfully, quickly scampering after him.

Lan Yixuan watched the two figures—one in red, the other in black—fade into the distance. He squinted at the glaring midday sun. "Lei Yun, prepare hot water. We'll set off a bit later."