Gu Yunxi slowly opened her eyes. Cascading from the sandalwood canopy bed, into her vision the lavender drape fell, through which golden candlelight glimmered.

It was already nightfall.

"Lady, you wake up?"

Qinger stood by the bed and saw Gu Yunxi's thick eyelashes flutter and then part open. She quickly rubbed her eyes and came to her Lady with a teacup in her hands as she asked gently,

"Have you slept well? What would you like to eat? I'll inform the kitchen."

"Yunxi!"

Xiao Xiaoshen had been waiting at her bedside. Seeing her sitting up, he jumped from the stool to the bed edge and hurriedly held her hand.

Gu Yunxi was surprised to see him at first, but then it occurred to her that the Honor Guards had withdrawn from the Eastern Depot to the Palace. With the curfew lifted, the guards could move freely.

"You came…"

Gu Yunxi gazed at Xiao Xiaoshen's handsome face calmly and spoke softly.

Xiaoshen had obviously lost weight, and his face became more chiseled as a result. His complexion was fair yet slightly dull with black circles under the eyes, betraying his exhaustion.

Without asking, she could tell from his look that no one's life had been easy in the Eastern Depot during the lockdown.

Xiao Xiaoshen's sullen eyes rolled and fell on Gu Yunxi's pale face, brimming with tears.

Having never seen him cry, Gu Yunxi did not know what to say for a while.

Realizing that the atmosphere was growing strange, Xiao Xiaoshen blinked hardly to refrain from bursting into tears. Still with wet eyes, he said to Gu Yunxi,

"As soon as the Honor Guards left, the captains came to visit the Master and you. You were sleeping then, and we didn't want to disturb you, so I was asked to stay."

"Is that so…"

Gu Yunxi's head went down, and a sad smile touched her face.

"So I guess you have all met her... The Master's spouse. Beautiful, isn't she?"

Xiao Xiaoshen frowned. He exchanged a glance with Qinger and then put on an uncaring countenance.

"How is that possible? She is no comparison to you. During your sleep, I heard the eunuchs gossiping that there's nothing striking about the girl sent from the Kunning Palace! Her dress may be glamorous, but she's not half as handsome as you!"

Gu Yunxi returned a bitter smile as her sorrowful red eyes dodged and looked away. Words of despair were released from her dry lips as they opened.

"I used to have the same dream many times. In the dream, the Master was wearing a python robe, looking majestic and handsome. He smiled at me with his hands behind his back. I couldn't remove my eyes once I cast them on him."

After that, he left with his back to me. I cried and chased him desperately but couldn't catch up... I always thought it was just a dream. Yet it turned out to be a sign. I never expected the prophecy from the Pengxian Temple to come true this soon. He and I are doomed to separate like birds flying in different directions..."

"Yunxi!"

Xiao Xiaoshen was overwhelmed by her soft and shallow voice. He couldn't bear to listen anymore, so he held her hand harder and consoled her with sobs,

"The Master does have difficulties. We all know that well. Stop overthinking and recover soon. If you feel bored in the mansion, come with me to the Eastern Depot. Everyone is waiting for you over there!"

Leaning weakly against the bedpost, Gu Yunxi looked pale and haggard, giving no reply. With bloodless lips curled, she smiled distraughtly. Her eyes were tired, looking into the void. The candlelight was flickering in her pupils but could not light them up.

She seemed drowned in the world of her own memories, unable to escape. As she whispered, glittering teardrops kept hitting the ground.

With a rustle outside, a limpid voice sounded from under the corridor.

"Lord Yun, I brought dinner. May I enter?"

"It's Yanwan!"

Raising her eyebrows, Qinger warned as she heard it.

"I will get her away!"

"Don't!"

Gu Yunxi stopped her. Wiping her tears away, she said,

"Let her in first! It would be rude to turn her away!"

"You worry too much!"

Qinger pursed her mouth and reluctantly minced there to open the door.

Under the porch, Yanwan stood with a lacquer tray in her hands. Seeing Qinger's angry face, she frowned with aggrieved fright but then smiled flatteringly, explaining,

"I came to see Lord Yun. The Master asked me to come..."

Qinger moved sideways to make way with dislike.

Yanwan's delicate feet quickly stepped over the doorsill. She was so grateful that her every motion was eye-catching.

Finding Gu Yunxi on the bed, she smiled like a bright peach blossom in spring,

"Lord Yun, you've woken up? I heard that you fainted, and the Master was worried. He said he hadn't left his sickbed for a long time, and you must be exhausted from managing all the household affairs. The Master knows you like porridge with shrimp and fish paste, so he had it cooked especially for you and sent me to deliver it."

Yanwan put the tray on the table and brought the porridge to the bed.

"Thanks. But I have no appetite. Please leave it there and I'll ask Qinger to warm it when I want to."

Gu Yunxi replied emotionlessly. Her drooping eyelashes concealed the moisture in her eyes.

Pondering for a while, she asked calmly,

"How is the Master?"

Yanwan put on a sincere face full of joy.

"Don't worry, Lord Yun. Everything is fine for the Master. He had a good appetite during dinner and ate half a more bowl of rice."

"Well, good..."

Gu Yunxi's eyes darkened, and her voice was so weak.

Xiao Xiaoshen remained silent until suddenly his eyes brightened up and he stared at Yanwan.

He felt that Yanwan's reply was too harsh. He wondered if it was intentional or inconsiderate.

Yanwan paused since she noticed the sharp look stabbed in her from the side, making her hair stand on end.

Silence fell again.

Gu Yunxi saw that Yanwan was staying with no words, so she inquired,

"Anything else?"

Yanwan looked hesitant. With frustration in her dainty face, she tentatively asked,

"Lord Yun, may I have a few words with you alone?"

Gu Yunxi's eyes gleamed slightly, but her face was straight. Looking at Qinger and Xiao Xiaoshen, she dismissed them.

"Xiaoshen, Qinger, please leave us alone."

Xiao Xiaoshen's face stiffened. Without refuting, he grabbed Qinger and walked out.

Gu Yunxi and Yanwan were alone in the room.

With a plop, Yanwan dropped on her knees, looking ashamed and embarrassed. A few tears condensed in her gleaming eyes.

Gu Yunxi's pupils enlarged with a startle for she never expected the woman in front of her to act like this. Despite the astonishment, Gu Yunxi did not show it on her face. Instead, she looked only slightly surprised as she questioned softly,

"What are you doing? Get up now."

"If you don't have the porridge I sent, I dare not get up."

Gu Yunxi frowned and shook her head. Upset as she was, she was in no shape to deal with her. So she reached to her and replied hoarsely,

"Bring it. I'll have it."

Yanwan immediately turned relieved, smiling and raising the bowl.

Gu Yunxi took it and scooped two spoons into her mouth.

Chef Guo's cooking skills were outstanding in the Master's Mansion. Had it been in the past, Gu Yunxi could have drunk two and a half bowls. Now she was satisfied after two spoons.

Yanwan was observing enough to guess it, so she took the bowl and eagerly handed over a handkerchief.

Gu Yunxi wiped her mouth and uttered languidly,

"Well, I have had it. Your job is done."

Yanwan knelt again with her eyes tearing with sorrow.

"Lord Yun, I am here to apologize to you."

Gu Yunxi shook her head. She stared at her closely without letting down her guard.

"I do not understand you."

"Lord Yun, please don't get me wrong. I came to the mansion as the Master's spouse only under the order. I don't mean to snatch the favor from you."

"What did you say?!"

Gu Yunxi's eyes widened, her pale face flushing strangely.

"Don't misunderstand..."

Yanwan continued with her head low.

"In fact, I have long been aware of the Master's fetish and that he adores you. It's no great matter. After all, many inner servants in the Palace are into men too..."

This was a huge misunderstanding.

Gu Yunxi was frightened just now because she thought her secret female identity had been discovered by Yanwan.

It turned out that she mistook the Master as a homosexual.

Nonetheless, that was not the point!

Gu Yunxi remained mute on the bed, waiting for Yanwan's next move.

Yanwan gave an awkward smile from the ground.

"I know my place as the Master's spouse under the order. Master Leng is in a high position and has been in the officialdom for a long time. He put the interests of the whole above everything else. I'm only a weak woman under others' disposal. I know I'm only a chip in this gamble and shall make no complaints."

"However, I was alone in this place without any help. All I ask for is a roof over my head. Therefore, I'll look up to you for your mercy. And if I offend you somehow, please forgive me."

Gu Yunxi was bewildered by her pleading. Her intuition told her that Yanwan and the Master were ordered to wed with a hidden purpose.

With a shallow frown, the sharpness was concealed away from Gu Yunxi's eyes. She waved at Yanwan and soothed her,

"Please get up. You were sent from the Palace to marry the Master as wished by His and Her Majesty. The Master is bound to take care of you. I'm just his apprentice and attendant, who do not deserve your kneeling."

The words were neither cold nor warm, with some grievances implied. How could Yanwan not hear it?

With her eyebrows raised slightly, Yanwan suppressed a sense of complacency and buried her head lower, saying,

"Lord, are you blaming me? Must I dig out my heart to prove my innocence to you? I've died once, and I'll not flinch from death."

"What are you talking about?!" Gu Yunxi was shocked.

Yanwan sighed,

"Master Leng was seriously injured, and that’s why Her Grace chose me to care for him. Yet I was too silly to comprehend Her Grace's intention and only served the Master to fulfill my mission. Then I was sent back to the Palace for no reason and ridiculed by everyone. Ashamed of my existence, I tried to hang myself but was saved."

"Because of the past, I was unwilling to marry the Master at first. Yet after talking with the chief maid, I realized that this was all a game and I'd become a pawn without knowing. If I'd known this earlier, I would never have attempted to hang myself."

"I was a poor woman with no strength or political tactics. Now that I'm here in the mansion, I only want a peaceful life and nothing else."

Gu Yunxi's heart abruptly twitched, and she deeply frowned with freezing sweat.

"Yanwan, you mean..."

"You are a smart man, Lord Yun. Can't you discern the true purpose behind my relocation?"

To lure her prey further, Yanwan did not give a direct answer. She put her bright eyes on Gu Yunxi with a soft smile tangled with ruthlessness and cunningness.

With a sudden realization, Gu Yunxi felt like she had just woken up from a dream, only to feel chilly sweat start out on her spine.

With more consideration, she concluded that Yanwan was implying that she was nothing but a pawn sent by the Empress to spy on the Master.

The Eastern Depot had grown too strong and posed a risk to the court. That the Honor Guards cordoned off the Eastern Depot might be a sign of the Emperor’s intention of disbanding them with the excuse of the Spring Banquet assassination. This was exactly what the Master had been worried about.

Yanwan had been sent here by Empress Qian before but was later returned by the Master at the risk of offending the Kunning Palace. This time, Her Grace upgraded the old trick and wedded the maid to the Master. The two parties had been crossing swords.

Now that Yanwan was successfully planted in the mansion to spy on the Master, the lockdown of the Eastern Depot had become unnecessary, so the Honour Guards were removed.

As for the Master, the reason why he could accept Yanwan for the second time and tolerate her spying eyes upon him must be...

She had turned the capital upside down for Liyu and Jiaozhu Pear Curd, traded it for Fu Danqing's portraits, and then tried to find witnesses with much manpower. Compared to her idea, the Master had walked a time-saving and worry-free shortcut by accepting Yanwan in exchange for the Eastern Depot's power.

Gu Yunxi's long eyelashes rose suddenly, and her eyes widened with brightness.

It was shocking!

Gu Yunxi clenched her fists and pressed the tip of her tongue against the upper teeth, trying her best not to tremble violently or let her panic crawl on her face easily.

Getting out of bed slowly, Gu Yunxi helped Yanwan up, walked to the dressing table, and took out an embroidered handkerchief from the drawer.

Yanwan's face changed slightly, and she asked in surprise,

"Isn't this the handkerchief I gave to the Master? How can you have it?"

Gu Yunxi sneered sadly,

"Last time when you left, the Master asked me to throw it away. I figured it would be a waste to throw the expensive silk, so I kept it but never had the chance to use it. Now you've come back. I should give it back to you. Yanwan, remember, the Master only uses plain handkerchiefs.

Nervous under Gu Yunxi's strange stare, the resentment in Yanwan's eyes vanished in a flash like a withered flower.

Lowering her head, she silently took the embroidered handkerchief back.

Gu Yunxi said to her solemnly,

"I'll go to the Master to discuss something."

Yanwan replied with a smile,

"The Master hasn't slept yet. Please go as you wish. I'll send the dishes to the kitchen and then come to serve him."

Gu Yunxi strode out the door.

Behind her, Yanwan narrowed her eyes beaming coldness. Her rosy lips curled in a mocking sneer.

The best way to destroy people was to torture their souls. It was more than achievable.

She walked around in the empty room, inspecting the furnishings with her gloomy eyes.

The furnishings in this small room were exquisite and luxurious, which showed the eunuch's favor for her.

In a swirl of thoughts, Yanwan turned her attention to a shell-decorated jewelry box on the dressing table.

She wore men's clothing usually. Why did she need jewelry?

Yanwan was curious, so she opened the box to look through it. On the satin lining, there were only a few plain hairpins. One of them was peculiar enough to catch Yanwan's eyes instantly.

It was a wooden hairpin with a budding magnolia sculptured on one end. No matter how exquisite it was, she could tell it was a rare handmade piece.

Pinching the wooden hairpin with her long fingers curled up, Yanwan sneered.

Could the merciless Eastern Depot Master do such clever woodwork?

...

Gu Yunxi walked quickly to the Master's courtyard and let herself in.

Leng Qingtang was cuddling sideways on the bed and reading. Hearing the door open, he looked up and found Gu Yunxi by the bed.

"Woke up?"

He asked sullenly, staring at her sweaty face. All the agonies and frustrations on it stung his eyes.

"..."

Gu Yunxi just gazed at him without speaking, and her dry lips trembled.

"I heard that you passed out because of tiredness. Now you just woke up, don't catch a cold. It's too late, go back."

Leng Qingtang said with a calm expression. He seemed concerned but was actually driving people out.

His tone was so cold that there was no emotion or affection.

Gu Yunxi was at a loss as to what to do with this chilly sentence. Her eyelashes fluttered in a daze as she stared dumbly at Leng Qingtang, who lowered his indifferent eyes back at the book.

For an instant, there was only silence.

The man was still handsome and extraordinary, with his black hair and white nightgown. He was still the free spirit in her memory and heart.

The only difference was that his expression was as cold as an ancient glacier. His every look, word, and even breath were frozen.

"Master... I just want to ask you one thing..."

Gu Yunxi waited by the bed, ignored by him as if she had been transparent.

"Go on." He answered calmly.

"Did you send Yanwan back to the Palace last time, for me... or the Eastern Depot?!"

The voice of sorrow caused Leng Qingtang's eyebrows to twitch faintly. His eyes were like bright stars, shining in bitterness.

Not receiving his reply for a long time, Gu Yunxi sank deeper in misery and repeated her question.

"For me, or the Eastern Depot?"

He once said that he only had her in his heart. He would handle Yanwan well and asked her to trust him.

At that time, she firmly believed that the Master sent the woman back for her. For her, he had not hesitated to offend Empress Qian.

If it had not been for Yanwan's hint, Gu Yunxi would never have believed that the Master had other purposes.

Until now, when she stood before his eyes, with her hands and feet trembling and her heart frozen because of his coldness, she still didn't want to doubt him, hoping that he could assure her personally and give her the answer she wanted.

Finally, Leng Qingtang slowly looked up in her anxious and hopeful gaze. Their eyes met, and his tone was a bit impatient.

"For you or for the Eastern Depot? What's the matter? It's already the past!"

"It's very important to me! I want to know the answer, and you'll tell me yourself!"

Gu Yunxi insisted stubbornly with sorrow in her watery eyes. She pushed him without slack and refused to retreat.

Leng Qingtang frowned. He looked perplexed, like a veteran chess player whose cards had been seen through. Regrets, shame, and guilt were intertwined on his face. His bloodshot eyes announced his demise.

After a moment of silence, he moved his fragile red eyes to the side and said hoarsely,

"Girl, don't push me."

Gu Yunxi's eyes widened in astonishment. Lost in a reverie, she stumbled back with her big eyes narrowed into a bitter smile.

She already knew the answer.

Her long eyelashes were shaking, drenched by the miserable tears in her eyes. Through the mist, his appearance became blurry, making her unable to discern.

His face was close at hand, yet strangely distant. With five steps, the two hearts were far apart.

Gu Yunxi slowly turned around, crying.

Behind her, his voice hurriedly came up.

"Girl, I can't lose the Eastern Depot! I've put ten years of hard work into it. You should know how important it is to me!"

Silent for a second, he continued.

"Girl... Don't leave me!"

His trembling broken voice suppressed all emotions, turning into a weak imploration. It landed on Gu Yunxi's soft heart with a heavy blow.

"Do not leave me."

She didn't dare to look back at the feeble stranger on the bed. Teardrops dropped one after another like unlinked beads, shattered on the ground. She pushed the door resolutely and ran away.

In the room, Leng Qingtang was as decadent as a piece of heartless wood sculpture on the bed. His hands loosened, and the book fell to the ground, but he was unable to pick it up.

Silently looking towards the empty door, the wet spots on the ground became blurry in front of his vision.

His heart ached inexplicably, and the grinding sensation quickly spread all over his body until his ten fingers were trembling.

Gu Yunxi ran out of the yard in one breath. Tears covered her petite face without control. She raised her head stubbornly and swallowed the tears back.

The night sky was ink-black, deep, and vast, where countless stars were scattered. This splendid night sky was like his eyes, clear, brilliant, mysterious, and seductive.

She smiled sadly at the stars.

Once, she thought she was no longer tiny. She thought she was strong enough to reach his tenderness when she raised her hand.

It was not until today that she found the starry sky was cold. She was still tiny and had never touched the sky with her hands. She had never owned the gentleness of the starry sky...

That night.

Leng Qingtang was alone in the room. He could not fall into sleep until midnight.

A long dark shadow was cast on the drape and alerted him from the dizziness.

"Who."

As he shouted, he had already split the curtains and got up.

At the other side of the curtain was Yu Xuanji in a red Taoist robe.

Leng Qingtang knew the High Priest. It was impressive of him to sneak into his bedroom inside the Master's Mansion without wearing a black suit and raising alarms.

Leng Qingtang sharpened his eyes and said solemnly,

"How can you show up without my order?"

Yu Xuanji sneered.

"What a worshipful lord! I came here without an order only to return something to you. Besides, I also heard that there was a joyous occasion in the mansion, so I want to congratulate you as well. The spring has come, so I figure you are lucky with women to have two beauties by your side."

"What the hell are you here for?"

Seeing the Master was losing his temper, Yu Xuanji took back his sneer and raised his right hand.

Airflow brushed across Leng Qingtang's cheeks. He caught the thrown object and studied it by the moonlight.

It was the red string he personally wrapped around Gu Yunxi's wrist. The two gold beans were glittering faintly in the night.

Leng Qingtang frowned. "Have you met her?"

"Don't get me wrong. She came to the Pengxian Temple to find me!"

Yu Xuanji raised one eyebrow with pride in his cold smile.

Leng Qingtang's face darkened, so were his eyes. He warned with a deep voice,

"Keep your hands off her!"

"Are you jealous?"

Yu Xuanji's clear eyes shone grimly in the night, locking tightly on Leng Qingtang's angry face.

"I'm not interested in women, and you know it. I just want to ask you, who is she?"

Sealing away the ridicule, Yu Xuanji looked solemn and asked sternly.

"You took her by your side disguised as a man merely because you like her?"

Leng Qingtang turned his head away from him and replied stiffly,

"It doesn't matter who she is! Your mission is to do what you should do!"

"Huanan He,"

Yu Xuanji was finally ignited by his surprising calmness and indifference. He flung his sleeves and exclaimed,

"Do you know what you are doing? I came here to tell you that the political game is always cruel. You should learn from the Spring Banquet and don't look for trouble anymore! Don't forget who my eldest brother died for and for whom I've paid the great price!"

Leng Qingtang exhaled quietly and promised in a flat tone,

"I will not forget."

"One more thing. Why did you give the recipe of Jiaozhu Pear Curd to her?"

"What are you saying?"

Leng Qingtang turned surprised and looked back at Yu Xuanji's angry face.

"Don't pretend! She has already admitted it. In order to make Jiaozhu Pear Curd for you, she went to my temple and stole a whole jar of Liyu! How did the dish by her hands taste?"

Yu Xuanji stared at Leng Qingtang's bewildered face as desolation permeated his cold sneer.

The two were silent.

All of a sudden, Yu Xuanji turned around. He murmured with a depressed voice full of grievances,

"Brother He, I taught you how to tie that knot on the red string when I was a kid. Every time I asked about it, you said you didn't learn."

Leng Qingtang was dazed for a flash, staring at the red string in his palm without words. When he raised his eyes again, Yu Xuanji had disappeared without a trace.