Moonlight

"Pa!"

Mingyao slammed her third bowl of wine onto the table, the liquid still burning in her throat as she let out a breathless laugh.

"Master Chen, I..." She hiccupped, her delicate frame swaying slightly. "I won't go easy on you."

Chen Xiao simply watched. The soft glow of the lanterns flickering across his face.

"Okay, same here, Lady Shen," he said, lifting his own bowl and downing its contents in one smooth motion. The alcohol barely left a trace of warmth in his stomach—he was far from feeling drunk.

Mingyao reached for the wine jar again, her fingers trembling slightly. She poured herself another bowl. The wine sloshed over the edge of the bowl, dribbling onto the table.

She lifted it with shaky fingers, determined to drink her fourth. But the strength of the wine was beyond her—her body faltered, her footing unstable, she swayed. Before she could topple over, a firm yet gentle hand caught her.

Chen Xiao's arms encircled her, supporting her as she collapsed

She landed against his chest. The warmth of his body pressed against her.

The scent of rice wine lingered between them, mingling with the soft fragrance of her skin. Her flushed cheeks, the faint gloss of unshed tears in her eyes—under the dim lantern light, she looked almost ethereal. The sight was stirring something within him.

A single tear broke free, slipping down her cheek and soaking into his white robes.

Chen Xiao exhaled. "Lady Shen, why don't we take a break?"

"A... break?" Mingyao slurred, her forehead wrinkling. "No, not until I win."

Pushing herself from his chest, she staggered back to the table. Her movements were clumsy, her limbs betraying her intent, yet she managed to grip the bowl once more.

She downed the contents in one go before letting it slip from her fingers. The porcelain shattered against the floor.

Again, she fell into his arms.

"My lady," he murmured, holding her gently, "I think that's enough."

"No... I have to win," she whispered, her voice cracking. More tears spilled, tracing shimmering paths down her cheeks.

Chen Xiao sighed. "Don't cry, my lady. It will all be well."

"But... I don't know what to do."

"You have already won, my lady. You have your freedom."

"Master Chen..." She looked up at him, her vision unfocused. "You enjoy looking down on me, don't you?"

"How could I?"

"Then why are you giving up?"

"I truly can't drink anymore."

"Shut up and just drink," she huffed, reaching for the wine jar. But as she did, she miscalculated, stumbling forward once more.

Chen Xiao sighed, catching her wrist before she could spill the wine. "My lady, I truly can't. How about we take a break before continuing our competition?"

Mingyao pouted, her intoxicated mind struggling to find a counterargument. "...Isn't that cheating?"

"There were no rules saying we had to drink it all at once. How about we sit back and enjoy the moon?"

Without waiting for her response, Chen Xiao moved toward the window, pushing it open. A cool breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of night blossoms. The silver glow of the moon bathed the room in soft light.

He guided Mingyao toward the window.

"What do you think of the moon, my lady?"

She gazed at it lazily. "It's nothing grand."

"Nothing grand?" He chuckled. "Look at it. Isn't it beautiful?"

"It's not even full today."

"Does that matter? The moon is beautiful whether it's full or not, isn't it?"

Mingyao paused. "...I suppose it is."

He smiled. "The same applies to you, my lady. Whether courtesan or princess, you are beautiful all the same."

Her breath hitched slightly. "Master Chen..."

"If you don't mind me asking, Lady Shen, why are you so adamant about leaving Yin Lian? Are they treating you poorly?"

She shook her head. "No, they are very kind."

"Then why?"

She turned her gaze away. "Isn't it human nature to want to be free?"

"I suppose it is. But then, why refuse my help at first?"

Mingyao laughed dryly. "I want to earn my freedom with my own hands, even if it's through gambling."

"That's admirable," he admitted. "But there are better ways."

"Perhaps... but they would take years. I saw an opportunity, and I took it. And now, I am in ruin."

"You aren't," he said firmly. "As long as I am here, you won't be ruined."

She studied him, flickers in her wine-dazed eyes. "That's kind of you, Master Chen, but unnecessary. My mother always told me—never accept favors from anyone. You never know what's in their heart."

"But my lady, I have no ill intentions."

"I know." She offered him a weak smile. "And I am grateful for the drinking competition. I know it was your way of cheering me up. I will find a way to free myself and give my sister the wedding she deserves on my own."

Before he could respond, the deep, rhythmic sound of drums echoed through the night. The curfew signal.

Mingyao's eyes widened. "I need to head back—" She tried to rise, only to falter, her body surrendering to intoxication.

She collapsed.

Without hesitation, Chen Xiao scooped her into his arms, holding her securely against his chest as she slipped into unconsciousness. He let out a sigh. Briefly, he considered calling for Ruoyan, but ultimately deciding against it. Instead, he opted to head to Yin Lian Pavilion.

Then—

The air tensed.

A sharp whizz cut through the night.

Chen Xiao barely turned in time to see an arrow speeding toward them.

Before it could strike, a figure descended from above, flicking a fan midair. The arrow deflected, embedding itself into the wooden floor beside them.

Chen Xiao's grip tightened around Mingyao as his eyes locked onto the man before him.

"I have come for the lady in your hands," the newcomer declared.

Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes. The man's face—it was familiar. His voice, too, held an echo of recognition, yet the memory was elusive.

"And who might you be?" Chen Xiao asked, shifting slightly, prepared for an attack.

Before the man could answer, another volley of arrows rained upon them.

"Go back inside while I deal with this nuisance," the stranger ordered.

With a flick of his wrist, a powerful wave of qi erupted from him. The arrows halted midair, as if hitting an invisible force, before clattering uselessly to the ground.

A martial artist. An experienced one.

With a snap, the man's fan unfurled. A powerful gust of wind burst forth, toppling the masked assailants from the rooftop.

Then, it clicked.

"The storyteller," Chen Xiao murmured.

The six attackers rushed in, weapons flashing under the moonlight. The storyteller met them head-on, moving like a wraith—every strike precise, every step part of a choreographed dance.

He was flowing water, weaving between them.

But while he handled them, another shadow emerged.

Chen Xiao barely had time to react before a blade lunged at him.

Clang!

Another sword intercepted the strike.

Silky black hair caught in the moonlight. A woman stood before him, blade gleaming as it repelled the attack.

"Yu Ya," Chen Xiao breathed her name."You finally made an appearance," 

She turned her head slightly, her sharp gaze flickering between him and Mingyao in his arms. A hint of discontent passed over her face, but she wasted no time dwelling on it.

Her lips parted slightly,

"Prepare yourselves for death," she declared.

A wave of overwhelming qi pressure filled the air, sending a shudder through the night.