Cheng Wanli hurried into Master's Mansion and rushed to the Master's room.

Pale as a ghost, Leng Qingtang was sitting at the table and quietly drinking ginseng soup. After Cheng saluted to him, he put down the bowl and ordered without moving his eyes from the tabletop.

"The secret guards brought news that they found two damsels from the southern border and would arrive in Luoshui tomorrow. Within five or six days, they'll be in the capital. I want Zhao Wuji prepared for the reception."

Puzzled, Cheng Wanli withdrew his surprised eyes away from the Master to Yanwan, who was busy on the side.

She folded up the Master’s two robes and then put them neatly in the sandalwood wardrobe. Her every movement was extremely gentle and elegant, pleasing the observer's eyes.

Cheng Wanli remembered that the Master had never mentioned official duties in front of this woman before.

Suddenly, he seemed to come to a realization.

And the Master was making further instruction.

"It's almost time, Yanwan. Go and tell the kitchen to prepare dinner. Wanli, stay tonight and dine with me."

Yanwan nodded and answered curtly. Then she walked out of the room after a curtsy.

Seeing her out of the yard, Cheng Wanli approached the Master with a worried expression.

"Master, are you well?"

He was not being overanxious. With the first look he cast on the Master when he entered the room, he had felt that his face was abnormally pale. The bluish ashen complexion was morbid and dull, definitely not what a healthy man should have.

He had heard from Imperial Doctor Jiang the day before yesterday that the Master’s ulcerated wound had recovered. How could he look worse and worse?

Solemnly, Leng Qingtang opened his pale and bloodless lips.

"Wanli, I'm poisoned!"

"What?!"

Cheng Wanli was shocked, and the whites of his widened eyes looked creepier on his dark skin.

"How come? Your wound is already healed..."

"The poison has infiltrated my organs before the recovery. I managed to keep my life these days thanks to the ginseng soup..."

Leng Qingtang muttered. His narrowed eyes were reflected on the surface of the red soup, shining coldly.

"Poisoned me when my guard was down. She was capable!"

Cheng Wanli stared out of the door and replied furiously,

"I'll immediately obtain the antidote from her and then kill her."

Leng Qingtang waved at him with a smile.

"The antidote is definitely not in her hands. Jiang Huaian and the medical sage have studied the prescription and are only short of Qiangwu fern. They have sent people to the western tribes for it."

As if standing on cotton, Cheng Wanli's burly body stumbled and almost fell.

Leng Qingtang lifted his eyebrows slightly and suddenly asked,

"How is Yunxi recently?"

"Master, rest assured. Everything is fine for her at the Eastern Depot."

Nodding, Leng Qingtang slowly held up the bowl and swallowed a few spoons of ginseng soup. When he spoke again, his soft voice sounded a little tired, saddening the listener's heart.

"I sent her to the Eastern Depot because I didn't want her to see me like this. Besides, she has found the book left by her mother. Sooner or later, the secret of her identity will be discovered. It’s the safest for her to stay in the Eastern Depot."

The words cut Cheng Wanli's heart like a knife, and his eyes were tearing up. He had to hurriedly take a deep breath to suppress his sadness and said to the Master,

"Yunxi is smart enough to understand your good intentions."

Leng Qingtang curled his lips and chuckled,

"The herb-seeker has yet returned. My time is running out. I will go to the Eastern Depot tomorrow to explain the matter clearly."

...

The Eastern Depot at nightfall.

Gu Yunxi carried a sack of wine on her bag and climbed onto the roof with a long ladder.

After she came to the Eastern Depot, she would stay with the captains every meal, devouring meat, chugging alcohol, and having drink contests.

Everyone knew that she was in a bad mood, so they let her drink her sorrows away.

However, all banquets will eventually come to an end. After the noise and excitement, she was left alone in grief.

The scenery in the Southern Residence remained the same.

Since she went to Master's Mansion with the Master, this small courtyard was run by depot worker Sun Bing alone.

As soon as the ban was lifted, Sun Bing took leave and returned home. Fortunately, Qinger disguised herself as a man and accompanied Gu Yunxi at all times, chattering constantly to keep her from boredom.

Gu Yunxi found it interesting that a happy man would be drunk after two or three cups. On the contrary, the more a sad man drank, the soberer he became, just like her at this moment.

Pulling out the cork, Gu Yunxi raised the sack and poured the wine into her mouth.

Sweet and sour with a hint of fermentation, the liquid tasted different from before.

She swallowed too fast and was choked. Coughing hardly, Gu Yunxi burst into tears at this moment.

She lay down on her back, facing the night sky.

The moonlight was bright in the vast sky, where twinkling stars were dotted like countless crystal-clear eyes, looking down at the small and lonely girl.

She still remembered the New Year's Eve, when she was carried here by the handsome man. Against the sparkling snow, the two of them hugged each other tightly in furs, drinking and watching the sky full of fireworks.

The place and the wine were the same. But she was left alone in the dark night.

That blue figure occupied every corner of her memory. He was carefully puncturing the blisters on her hands, gently bandaging her, feeding her decoction patiently, and smashing walnuts one by one...

But now, where was the gentleman? Perhaps, he was lovingly cuddling with the charming lady in the mansion, forgetting there was still someone somewhere waiting for him...

Gu Yunxi felt a dull pain in her chest. Daring not to wallow in her imagination, she closed her eyes and spaced out.

The tiles made a slight noise, and someone sat down beside her.

Master.

Gu Yunxi hurriedly opened her eyes in surprise and expectation.

The tall and straight figure was covered in black clothes. It was Lu Qiange, the charming young man.

His purple eyes were calm like the vast night sky above. Pity rippled in them when meeting with her watery eyes.

"Every time I see you, you look miserable..."

A frown touched his straight eyebrows as he spoke faintly. His voice was limpid like a stream, flowing in the tranquil night.

Gu Yunxi fell silent, not wanting Lu Qiange to notice the disappointment in her eyes.

"Lu, why are you here?"

He grabbed her wine pouch, took a few sips, wiped his mouth, and said,

"I missed you, so I went to the Master's Mansion for you. But to my surprise, I saw another woman!"

As he spoke, he gave her a smile mixed with triumph.

Seeing Gu Yunxi's sad expression, he restrained himself and took her hand softly.

"Yunxi, that eunuch doesn't know how to cherish you. He doesn't know how good you are! I care about you. Come with me!"

A hint of confusion flashed in Gu Yunxi's eyes, and she quickly withdrew her small hand from his palm. She looked at him seriously.

The old saying was right that men looked the best in black.

The black suit hugged Lu Qiange, outlining his lean body. The style was no inferior to him in white.

A breeze was blowing, bringing his dark up-tied hair swaying in the air. Up and down, the curved strands were shining like stars.

Seeing that she was staring in a daze, Lu Qiange smiled and explained,

"You should know that I didn't lie to you. Yunxi, I really care about you and cherish you. I wear black clothes that I dislike so that I can see you without bringing risks to you."

Obviously, she was touched by his sincere shining eyes. But her face remained calm, showing no sadness or joy.

"Lu, I told you earlier that my life was given by the Master. Even if he hates me, it'll be enough for me to just look at him from a distance, and I won't leave him."

Lu Qiange's face was sullen, and his eyes turned cold.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. My mother is celebrating her birthday, and I must hurry home..."

"Send my regards to your mother. I wish her boundless happiness and everlasting longevity."

Gu Yunxi gave her most sincere wishes with a calm expression and a determined smile.

Provoked by her tactful refusal, Lu Qiange rose suddenly and threw the wine sack.

"He doesn't have you in his heart! Why are you so obsessed with him?"

"You and I are mere acquaintances..."

"You don't need to believe me, but I really like you! At least I won't let you sit on the roof alone at night, drinking with tears!"

Looking at her, he found it heart-broken and irritating that her eyes were shining silently and coldly like the moon.

After a while, he turned to look at the night sky and asked sullenly,

"If I have you by force now, will you go with me after?"

"No!"

She was composed and fearless. "The Lu I know is born with a chivalrous and soft heart. He will never force others or use nasty methods!"

"You…"

Gu Yunxi's remarks seemed a compliment, but they were actually a very powerful defense. Lu Qiange was unable to contest her point.

Qiange strode to the eaves and kicked down the ladder.

"Who is there?"

Qinger heard the noise and ran out, catching Lu Qiange jump into the courtyard lightly without making a sound when his feet touched the ground.

"Who are you?"

Stepping back in shock, Qinger scrutinized the young and handsome man in black and immediately took up the defense.

Lu Qiange's purple eyes were firmly locked on young Qinger. Not anxious or annoyed at all, he smiled and gave a thumb to the roof, saying,

"Who am I? Ask your Lady on the roof!"

Qinger looked up and saw Gu Yunxi standing alone on the roof with the crescent moon hanging over her head.

"Qinger, put back the ladder and let me down!"

Lu Qiange turned his head abruptly, raising his eyebrows and said,

"If you want to come down, you have to go with me!"

Qinger finally understood. She embraced her arms and grinned at Yunxi.

"Why, my worry is unnecessary. With so many handsome men to choose, you have to waste your youth with one who cares about you not! This is your own business, not mine!"

Then she tilted her chin up and stared at Lu Qiange proudly,

"Gentleman, do you like my Lady?"

"Yes!"

Lu Qiange was not shy. He nodded and admitted, "I like her and will marry none but her!"

"Do you own fertile land and a large estate?"

"Yes! Marry me and she will have nothing to worry about forever!" Lu Qiange raised his eyebrows cunningly.

"Very good! Then you may suit yourself, and I'll keep my eyes closed."

Then Qinger turned to enter the room.

On the roof, Gu Yunxi ground her teeth and waved her arms as she yelled,

"Bad girl, you turned against me!"

Qinger raised her head to look at her with her tear-covered eyes.

"Lady, no matter how reluctant I am to leave you, it is for your own good."

Lu Qiange clapped his hands and laughed,

"Wonderful, wonderful! The maid is smarter than the Lady!"

Footsteps appeared from outside the courtyard.

Qinger's face changed, and she urged,

"The night-watchers are here. Hurry up! Don't hesitate if you want to take her!"

Gu Yunxi heard it clearly on the roof and stomped angrily.

"If you force me, I'll jump and knock myself to death!"

Smiling bitterly, Lu Qiange shook his head. He swiftly jumped on the roof and then carried her back to the ground.

They looked at each other. His pair of purple eyes were shining dazzlingly.

Resting his hands on her shoulders, he said affectionately,

"Tomorrow at this time, I will pick you up at the Eastern Depot. Wait for me."

Suddenly, a kiss fell on Gu Yunxi's cheek. And the bright blush soon spread across her whole face like pink clouds at dusk.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Qiange flew across the courtyard wall and disappeared.