Chapter 8: Not Enemies, Not Gathered Together

As the autumn rain began to fall, I walked away. After a short while, when I came back, I was holding a paper bag, which I handed over, saying: "Fortunately, there are still some provisions left. You can make do with this for now. There is hot tea here, which you can have with your meal. Tomorrow, I will go down the mountain and bring you some hot food."

Autumn opens with rain and smiles: "What does my Water Cloud Palace lack? Is this ginseng really so rare?"

In the autumn, the rain lightly furrows her brow, perhaps recalling the unpleasant memories of that day, she says: "Fangfei, although you are a woman, you are very intelligent and quite courageous. On that day—were you hiding in that room the whole time?"

Qiu Kaiyu did not speak, glaring at her fiercely, wiping the sweat from his face, feeling more disheveled than ever. Xie Fangfei threw a damp towel from beside her at him, asking him to bring in a basin of cool water, taking advantage of the situation. After waiting for a long time, with no sign of the medicine being ready, Qiu Kaiyu impatiently said: "Why is it still not ready? Is the fire too low?" He pushed out his right palm, using his internal energy to increase the fire. Xie Fangfei quickly said: "No need, no need, there’s no way to brew medicine like this. You haven’t heard? Brewing medicine requires a gentle fire and slow simmering; you can’t rush to eat hot tofu, it has to be done slowly. Come over here, let’s talk."

During this time, Xie Fangfei had never shown him a good face, always speaking coldly and with sarcasm. However, in the past two days of her illness, she had been amiable and very dependent on him. Qiu Kaiyu indeed sat beside her and asked her what was wrong. Feeling that he was being overly concerned, he felt a heaviness in his heart and coldly said: "Fangfei, once you recover, we will set off to get the Taiyue Ling." Buying medicine and preparing decoctions were not tasks that Qiu Kaiyu should be doing; he had many important matters to attend to.

After taking the medicine, I broke out in a cold sweat, feeling a bit lighter. Qiu Kaiyu glanced outside and said, "It is getting late. I have matters to attend to down the mountain tonight. If you feel better, you should eat these things. I will keep the fire going for you to avoid catching a chill. You should lie down and rest for now. In a few days, when you are fully recovered, I will take you down the mountain."

Qiu Kaiyu looked at her suspiciously and said, "You don't even understand the prescription you created yourself?"

Although it is summer, the weather on the mountain is cold and foggy. You should come in; if you fall ill, it would be troublesome. Qiu Kaiyu frowned slightly and said softly, feeling quite helpless towards the person in front of her. She could neither kill nor strike them, and they would not listen to her words. If she spoke, it would be ignored, and if she remained silent, it would be frustrating. It was truly a headache.

Qiu Kaiyu lazily said: "Just throw it away if it's not needed"

Qiu Kaiyu looked at her with great interest and casually asked, "How did you manage to escape that day?"

In the autumn rain, I heard her panting as she recited: "Three qian of white atractylodes, three qian of perilla, three qian of cloud sclerotium, four qian of cooked rehmannia, two qian of angelica, three qian of bitter orange, three qian of angelica sinensis, four qian of ephedra, two qian of saposhnikovia, eight fen of vinegar-fried bupleurum, two qian of Chinese yam, and it must be stir-fried." After a pause, I heard her continue, "These common medicinal herbs are manageable, but there is one medicinal ingredient that is rather troublesome. You should go to the largest pharmacy in the city and ask the shopkeeper, 'Do you have wine-fried corydalis and clam powder-fried genuine ejiao?' Be sure to clarify with the shopkeeper that it is 'wine-fried corydalis and clam powder-fried genuine ejiao,' and do not make a mistake. If they have it, just ask for one and a half qian of each."

Xie Fangfei looked strangely at today's autumn rain. Wasn't he always one to keep his emotions in check? Why was he so impatient today? Could it be because the assassination of Xiao Yan had failed? This person is unpredictable and inexplicable, changing his attitude faster than one can turn a page.

Xie Fangfei hurriedly said: "Alright, then make me some ginseng tea. But isn't it a bit extravagant to use a whole intact ginseng root?"

In the autumn rain, I suddenly realized: "Oh! No wonder." I took out a ginseng root about the thickness of my thumb and said, "He mentioned that after an illness, patients become weak and need nourishment, and advised me to buy some ginseng to take home. So that's it, in my moment of impatience, I actually let this unscrupulous merchant take advantage of me.

He brought her in and laid her down on the bed of hay, while he sat down beside her to meditate and cultivate his energy. Seeing her tossing and turning on the ground, unable to sleep soundly and constantly rolling off, he initially felt a headache and carried her back onto the hay. Later, growing impatient, he simply pressed on her acupoint to make her stay still, so that he could concentrate on his cultivation. In truth, it was not that Xie Fangfei's sleeping posture was truly that poor, but rather that the ground was too hard; even though Qiu Kaiyu had kindly placed a layer of hay, it was still uncomfortable, making her feel uneasy even in her dreams.

Xie Fangfei pondered for a moment and then asked curiously: "Then why didn't you take action the moment I left the 'Rain After Pavilion'? At that time, the guards were the least vigilant, making it the perfect opportunity to strike"

Qiu Kaiyu thought for a moment and nodded, saying: "I really couldn't have guessed that you would be with the chickens." Imagining Xie Fangfei coming out in a disheveled state, covered in feathers, he couldn't help but smile.

The autumn rain also smiled, saying: "Are they being cautious about autumn? Have you lost your mind?" What nonsense it spoke, shaking its head as it descended the mountain, yet its mood was unexpectedly good

Xie Fangfei averted her gaze and then asked him: "What use do you have for this 'burnt tail'?"

The autumn rain fell gently, and I noted it down. Upon picking it up and examining it closely, it indeed resembled a genuine prescription. I asked with suspicion, "Are you sure this prescription can cure your illness?"

Xie Fangfei remained silent and did not say much. After a while, she casually asked: "I want to ask you, where did you buy this medicine? Did the shopkeeper mention anything inappropriate about the prescription? There are no issues, right?"

Xie Fangfei smiled and said: "This shopkeeper is indeed a kind-hearted person. What else could he possibly say?"

When the autumn rain returned from the mountains, I saw Xie Fangfei lying on the ground and said, "Fangfei, it is not dark yet, why are you sleeping so early? Get up and have something to eat first." I thought to myself, sleeping during the day is indeed Fangfei's style. After waiting for a moment, there was no response. I found it strange; usually, she is the most enthusiastic when it comes to meals, so what is going on today? Not even a sound of protest. As I approached, I realized something was wrong. I found it strange; usually, she is the most enthusiastic when it comes to meals, so what is going on today? Not even a sound of protest. As I approached, I realized something was wrong.

Qiu Kai responded naturally without realizing the change in her address, as if it had always been this way. She turned back and asked, "What’s wrong?" Xie Fangfei thought for a long time before smiling and saying, "Be careful when you go down the mountain or come up; watch out for wolves and leopards that might eat you."

"I have never been ill." After a long silence, Qiu Kaiyu broke the quiet with a faint explanation. Although Xie Fangfei was seriously ill, her mind was still clear. After a moment of shock, she finally understood and could only say: "I know you possess profound internal strength and are immune to all poisons. However, I am just an ordinary person; when I fall ill, I need to see a doctor and take medicine." After coughing a few times, she mustered her strength to say, "I feel extremely hot and very uncomfortable. Please go find a towel, soak it in cold water, and place it on my forehead. Let's manage it this way for now. If I still feel unwell tomorrow, I will need to take medicine."

Xie Fangfei ignored him, standing at the edge of the cliff, facing the howling cold wind, seemingly lost in thought

It is uncertain whether Qiu Kaiyu believed her words, only smiling and saying: "Indeed, she is a sharp-tongued maid." However, there was no further pressing for answers.

Xie Fangfei glanced at him and sighed, saying: "No, Brother Qiu, I am not angry, and of course, I will not belittle myself. As the saying goes, those who do not share the same path do not seek to collaborate. You and I have different personal stances, and it is irrelevant who is right or wrong. Since ancient times, success has favored the nobility while failure has branded one as a bandit; it is merely a matter of choice. Standing here, gazing out, the sea is vast and the sky is boundless. Reflecting on worldly affairs, they truly are but fleeting illusions. What use are riches, honors, and fame a hundred years from now? After death, one is merely a pile of yellow earth! Therefore, in an instant, all thoughts become empty, and in a daze, I truly have the notion of riding the wind to return. Unfortunately, I fear that the jade towers and crystal palaces are too high and cold to endure."

In the autumn rain, he forced a bitter smile, realizing that this had become his fault. He helplessly said: "I am at a loss for words; you even dare to prescribe your own medicine. The medicine was purchased from 'Health Hall.' I was worried about any mistakes from my subordinates, so I went personally. The shopkeeper said that your peculiar medicinal ingredients are indeed available, and there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the prescription itself, but the potency of the medicine is a bit too strong. He mentioned that bitter orange and ephedra are not suitable for women and suggested that I first replace these two ingredients with dried tangerine peel and white peony. If there is no improvement, it would not be too late to use them later."

Xie Fangfei murmured: "Where, where, I am just confirming. A long illness makes one knowledgeable, but I am still not a doctor. It is ultimately because of you that I have to live in such an isolated and remote place, where can I find a good doctor? Otherwise, why would I take the risk of prescribing medicine myself? Oh dear, where did you buy the medicine?"

On a rainy autumn day, it seemed that her mood was quite poor, and she did not go out. After waiting for a long time and seeing that she still had not come in, he patiently waited for half an hour. Earlier, he had heard footsteps moving, one after another, like the pulse beating in his body. Later, the sound slowed down, and eventually, it became completely silent. Suddenly, a possibility struck him, and his face turned pale; he spun around and moved quickly like a ghost. It was rare for the mountain top, usually shrouded in mist, to have a faint moonlight shining in. Turning around the house, he saw Xie Fangfei curled up against a large rock, asleep, and the heavy stone in his heart finally felt at ease. He had initially thought of waking her, but after some consideration, he decided against it. He quietly picked her up, and Xie Fangfei, still unconscious, instinctively burrowed into his arms, seeking warmth. He was taken aback, realizing that the person in his arms was even smaller than he had imagined, as light as a soft feather, with almost no weight. Unable to resist, he glanced down at the bottomless cliff, feeling a twinge of fear in his heart. He was taken aback, realizing that the person in his arms was even smaller than he had imagined, as light as a soft feather, with almost no weight. Unable to resist, he glanced down at the bottomless cliff, feeling a twinge of fear in his heart. He secretly laughed at himself for worrying unnecessarily; Xie Fangfei was active, optimistic, and full of vitality, how could she possibly do such a thing!

Xie Fangfei glanced at him, ignored him, pressed her lips tightly together, and remained silent.

Xie Fangfei did not respond and after a while said, "Qiu Xiong, I will stand for a while longer before going in." Qiu Kaiyu no longer disturbed her and wisely left.

Qiu Kaiyu suddenly laughed and teased, "Fang Fei, what are you doing? Are you sulking with me? Do you really value that broken piano so much? If you truly want it, I can give it to you." He casually placed the "Jiao Wei" on the table.

Qiu Kaiyu strangely said: "What else do you want him to say?"

Qiu Kaiyu turned his head and realized she had woken up, hurriedly saying: "You woke up just in time, how much water should be added to this medicine?" He indeed had never done such a thing and knew nothing about it. Xie Fangfei leaned over and said: "Let me take a look—hmm, hmm, this is enough! Enough, it's almost overflowing, just put it on the fire and simmer it slowly, it will take a while."

"Oh? I am quite curious to know what kind of person you think Qiukai Yu is in your eyes?" Qiukai Yu appeared to be quite interested and eager to understand what Xie Fangfei truly thought of her.

Qiu Kaiyu looked at her and said softly: "It is of no use. However, don't you like it very much?"

Autumn opened the rain and could only walk out, sighing: "What is so captivating outside? What makes you linger and forget to return? Even if you are angry, there is no need to be hard on yourself"

Autumn opened the rain, and Xin said to herself, no wonder when she returned to check later, she did not see her come out. She thought she had slipped away long ago, but it turned out to be a stroke of luck by chance. Looking at her impatient demeanor, she raised her eyes and said: "You should carefully recall your conversation with the library; I certainly will not make things difficult for you. Why did Xiao Yan deliberately pretend not to recognize you in the 'Post-Rain Pavilion'? You had better tell the truth. This is one thing, but why was there not the slightest expression of surprise at your sudden appearance? If you say that you two have not exchanged any messages, no one would believe it."

Xie Fangfei glanced at him, unsure of what he was really up to. She changed the subject and said, "After all this fuss, I'm hungry. If you want to know something, you should let me eat first."

Xie Fangfei took it and said: "Then just hold onto it for me for now, there will be many places where it will be needed in the future, and it might even save a life. Oh dear, I almost forgot, you should hurry and check if the medicine is ready, pour it out so I can drink it while it's hot. I only hope this medicine can cure illnesses when there are any, and strengthen the body when there are none, but please don't let anything go wrong."

Xie Fangfei was secretly astonished by his meticulous observation. It was highly likely that he was lying in wait somewhere at that time, but he had always been close at hand, leaving no opportunity to act. She said, "Isn't Lord Xiao and Princess Qiu of the same kind? Are you not aware of this?"

Xie Fangfei said irritably, "What does it matter to you whether I like it or not!" She tried to suppress the anger in her chest and walked out without looking back. "Where are you going at this late hour? There is a cliff ahead, be careful not to slip and fall down," Qiu Kaiyu hurriedly chased after her.

Upon hearing the autumn rain, Qiu Kai was taken aback and said: "The heights are unbearable in the cold; no matter how well it is said, it is merely a reflection of countless vicissitudes. Yet, for no apparent reason, I do not understand why Fang Fei has such a lamentation."

Xie Fangfei retorted, "Trying every possible means? You must have followed me back to the Xie residence for something other than that, right? You probably want to investigate Lord Xiao's matters through me, don't you? You merely see 'Jiao Wei' as a rare item and harbor ill intentions, taking advantage of the situation. " She glared at him, paused, and continued, "Moreover, what use do you have for 'Jiao Wei'? Isn't it just like burning a qin and boiling a crane, wasting a treasure?" The last part of her statement was vague and faint, like the sound of a mosquito. After a pause, she added, "Moreover, what use do you have for 'Jiao Wei'? Isn't it just like burning a qin and boiling a crane, wasting a treasure?" The last part of her statement was vague and faint, like the sound of a mosquito.

At that time, I was almost driven mad. I didn't dare to crawl out after you all left, and surprisingly, I just lay there and took a short nap, not daring to return to the Xiao residence. Just then, the Xie residence was recruiting maids, and by a stroke of luck, I entered to serve Xie Tiao, having no connection with Lord Xiao. Are you satisfied with this answer? If there is nothing else, I am going to sleep.

The autumn rain had been fiddled with for half a day without igniting a fire. In a moment of frustration, he concentrated his energy in his palms, channeling his inner strength to create a flame. Xie Fangfei, sitting beside him, watched with wide eyes and after a while said: "Indeed impressive, but what a pity! Isn't this a bit of an overreaction? Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?"

The reason why Lord Xiao showed no signs of surprise is that, like Brother Qiu, he remained unperturbed in the face of calamity, as if a mountain were collapsing before him and he did not change color, or as if the Yangtze River were breaking behind him and he did not catch his breath. Of course, he remained still, observing the changes before making any remarks. Consider this: what reason does Lord Xiao have to keep me in the Xie residence? Although Xie Tiao holds a noble status, he is marginalized by certain powerful figures in the court, feeling dejected and unaccomplished, distanced from political struggles. What use is it to stay by his side?" Xie Fangfei said irritably. The main reason she still remained in the Xie residence was due to Xiao Yan's intentions.

In the autumn rain, they had not spoken for half a day. It was not the first time he had been mocked by Xie Fangfei in such a sarcastic manner over the past few days. However, for some reason, he could never bring himself to be angry with her. Yet, it was not that he truly looked down on her; he felt both annoyed and helpless. Xie Fangfei now felt that even breathing was difficult, gasping for air and saying little, causing the atmosphere to fall into a moment of silence.

Xie Fangfei only realized at this moment why Rong Qing had to follow Xiao Yan closely even when he came to the brothel; it turned out to be a personal bodyguard. However, she was unsure of the relationship between Xiao Yan and this Daoist Tian Yi, who could actually summon such a prominent figure in the martial arts world to intervene in this matter. It seemed that everything was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface. Suddenly, she noticed Qiu Kaiyu's movement and exclaimed, "Ah!"

Qiu Kaiyu smiled lazily and said, "Fang Fei, do you think there are such cheap things in the world? After going to great lengths to steal it, is there any reason to obediently return it? Isn't that madness?"

Qiu Kaiyu coldly remarked: "Then one will neither obtain this unparalleled ancient zither nor witness the deep affection of Young Master Xie for Miss Fangfei. To be willing to present such a rare treasure is truly remarkable!" After finishing, he snorted, appearing quite disdainful on the surface, yet internally he was both angry and annoyed, feeling extremely restless. Even he himself was not entirely clear about what was happening; in short, he felt conflicted but could not find the source of his feelings.

Qiu Kaiyu looked at her strangely and asked without any expression, "What’s wrong?" Xie Fangfei stared at her empty teacup and had no choice but to swallow the words that were about to come out. She had just taken a sip of the tea—yet Qiu Kaiyu was completely unaware. She made a face in her heart, thinking that no matter how cunning Qiu Kaiyu was, she would still drink my leftover tea! A smile involuntarily appeared on her face, prompting Qiu Kaiyu to say, "It seems that Miss Fangfei really likes it here, so let’s stay a couple more days."

Xie Fangfei shot him a glance and said, "Am I joking with my own life? I still want to live for another two years. Hurry up, hurry up, I'm waiting to take my medicine." Watching Qiu Kaiyu leave, she let out a long sigh, her head felt heavy, her vision blurred, and she lay back down on the ground, pulling the quilt over herself tightly, drenched in sweat.

Xie Fangfei's face was flushed, her forehead was burning, her lips were pale, and she curled up on the ground, looking very uncomfortable. Qiu Kaiyu hurriedly took her pulse and realized it was not poisoning, but merely a case of wind-cold. If it were poisoning, it would be easier to handle; she could use her internal energy to expel it and everything would be fine. However, this wind-cold, a minor ailment, was more troublesome. It must have been because she stood outside in the wind and caught the chill from the mountain, which caused her to have a fever. Supporting her, she gently asked: "Fangfei, Fangfei, what happened? Are you alright?"

After a flurry of activity, Xie Fangfei felt somewhat more comfortable, but her throat still burned as if it were on fire, dry and itchy, indicating that her illness was quite serious. After enduring a long night, when she woke up in the morning, she felt that it was not as unbearable as the previous night, and she was no longer coughing. However, she still felt heavy-headed and weak, unable to sit up. Knowing that she had not developed pneumonia, it probably wasn't too serious, so she called out softly: "Hey, Qiu Kaiyu." Her voice was hoarse, as if something was lodged in her throat, making her speech sluggish.

Xie Fangfei sighed: "Of course I know, what kind of place is it where birds don't lay eggs! Since we can't invite a doctor, you should go down and buy some. I have a prescription; you can take it and get the medicine." Xie Fangfei struggled to sit up and said: "Because I am always sick, I have become half a doctor myself. You should write it down with a pen."

Indeed, before long, Qiu Kaiyu coldly remarked, "Xiao Yan, that little thief, is greedy for life and afraid of death, cunning and treacherous. He actually invited a disciple of the Heavenly Yi Daoist to protect him. Does he think that by doing so, I will have no way to deal with him? Hmph—" Saying this, he sat down on the other side and drained the cup of tea from the table in one gulp

Xie Fangfei finds the scene from that day absurd, and suppressing a smile, she said: "I was hiding behind the toilet, where there was a small chicken coop. In a moment of desperation, I crawled into the overturned chicken cage beside it, held my breath, and didn't dare to move a muscle."

Did you not see it all?" Xie Fangfei said with an expression of impatience

Xie Fangfei reluctantly opened her eyes and weakly said, "This little illness won't kill me. You finally came back; I thought I would die of thirst." Qiu Kaiyu poured tea, and Xie Fangfei drank it all in one go. Qiu Kaiyu poured another cup, which was also finished, and asked, "Do you want more?" Xie Fangfei slightly shook her head. Qiu Kaiyu inquired, "What should we do now, your body is so hot?" And so soft, having spent these days together, Qiu Kaiyu felt somewhat restless.

Xie Fangfei smiled: "There is not a single good merchant in the world; all merchants are deceitful. I have seen enough of this. Has he not recommended any other precious medicinal materials to you? For instance, those that nourish the body and enhance vitality?"

In a state of confusion, I heard someone walking back and forth. With great effort, I opened my eyes and saw Qiu Kaiyu using the pot for cooking porridge to prepare medicine, rushing in and out, busy to the point of sweating profusely. This person is quite self-assured, values his own status, and has not made things difficult for me. I couldn't help but think: although Qiu Kaiyu has repeatedly taken me hostage, he has indeed treated me quite well. Given his status, it is quite touching that he is willing to personally prepare medicine for me; to say that it does not move me would be somewhat pretentious.

Qiu Kaiyu was practicing nearby when he heard the words and immediately said, "You are awake. Are you feeling better?" The rising sunlight cast a layer of red light over him, giving a quiet and comfortable feeling. It accentuated his striking features, with a well-defined face that was so handsome and charming, evoking a fluttering of the heart. It was hard to associate the person before him with the ruthless and cold-hearted "Evil Monarch" who dominated the world.

Xie Fangfei, feeling unwell due to illness, was in a very bad mood and weakly scolded: "How could you ask a patient what to do? Really, do you have no brains and no common sense? It's not like you've never been sick before!" She was harboring a deep resentment, which she vented entirely on Qiu Kaiyu. If it weren't for him, how could she have fallen so gravely ill?

The autumn rain fell softly, and I couldn't hear clearly. I frowned slightly and unconsciously leaned my body towards her, asking: "Did Xiao Yan send you to the Xie residence? What does he want you to do?"

Xie Fangfei adjusted her clothing and composed herself, cautiously saying: "Brother Qiu, I presume you do not find this ancient zither appealing either. I wonder if you could return it to the Xie residence? It would be considered a good deed. After all, it is of little use to you, wouldn't you agree? As for the Taiyue Ling, rest assured, I will certainly help you find it. A gentleman's word is his bond."

Xie Fangfei shouted at him: "Even if I am in prison, there are still times for fresh air. Is it not permissible for me to go out for a walk alone? Are you afraid that I might escape? There is nowhere for me to run anyway. Rest assured, I won't fall to my death; I still want to live for another two years." Groping her way outside, a crescent moon hung overhead, faintly reflecting the shadows of people.

Xie Fangfei took a bite, finding it as hard as a stone, and frowned as she said, "Forget it, I might lose my teeth before I even finish biting it." She put down the dry food in her hand, knowing that the autumn rain was difficult to deal with, and simply said, "If you have any questions, hurry up and ask. Once you finish asking, I still need to sleep." She steeled herself, adopting an attitude of facing whatever comes her way.

Xie Fangfei knew that he had other matters to attend to, and she sighed inwardly. Perhaps this would be better after all, so let it be. No matter what, their positions were fundamentally different. Watching him walk out, an unusual emotion flashed by, and she couldn't help but call out: "Kai Yu!" This was her first time calling out "Kai Yu," and it was spontaneous, escaping her lips before she even realized it herself

Xie Fangfei glared at him with annoyance and said indignantly: "What do you think? Haven't you heard? Illness comes on like a mountain collapsing, but it departs like pulling silk; how can it get better so quickly? Then what do we need doctors for?" Qiu Kaiyu frowned and said: "There are no doctors here, nor any medicine."

Xie Fangfei quickly said: "Alright, alright, it's nothing much. Ginseng is also a good thing. If you give it to me, it would be a waste. You should keep it for yourself."