Chapter Ten, Nandu Jinling

Uncertain how much time had passed, neither of the two spoke. The river wind swirled around the rooftop, and the surroundings were so quiet that it seemed only the sound of water remained. The painted boat had already drifted away, yet Xie Yun continued to stare blankly at the dark water's surface, as if a fleeting night-blooming cereus was about to blossom there.

Xie Yun stepped forward, placed the food and wine on the table, and said to Zhou Fei: "This is the best restaurant in Jinling, please enjoy."

The two parties in the South have been fighting from the previous dynasty to the present, and the capital has been lost to them once. Currently, the eastern wind has just begun to overpower the western wind. Zhou Cun is aware of his unstable foundation and has never been willing to represent the new party, placing himself in the position of a pawn to charge into battle. This time, he is even more distant from the front line, where Zhao Yuan could encounter any unexpected situation, and that prince... Cao Ning shook his head and smiled, saying, "If he truly had the resolve to stir up a bloody storm in Jinling and forcefully suppress the masses, how could he have been schemed against by his royal uncle to such an extent back then? The emperor in the south has long been replaced by someone else. The current situation is one where it is better for Zhao Yuan to remain still than to act, while for us, it is quite the opposite. The murkier the waters, the easier it is to catch fish. My people are still in the army, and gathering them will only take a letter or two. As long as it is chaotic enough, we may not be unable to turn the tables."

Shen Tianshu, however, showed no regard for him, took the cup, and directly poured the wine out of the window, mixing himself a cup of plain water instead. Fortunately, Tong Kaiyang had known him for many years and was well aware of Shen's character, so he did not take it to heart. Instead, he smiled and said, "Brother, you have reached the realm of 'carving in clear water' and 'returning to simplicity'"

At that moment, a handful of delicate fireworks was unexpectedly set off on the water's surface, illuminating a wide area in an instant. Xie Yun was startled by the bright light and slightly turned his head, only to feel a faint, yet slightly sweet scent reminiscent of a young girl swiftly approaching, as if his lips had been brushed by a feather.

Xie Yun carefully turned over, gazing up at the bed curtains, lazily contemplating in his heart that Zhao Yuan, after listening to that performance of "The Tale of the White Bone," would probably find it hard to sleep. He was quite pitiful, merely performing a ritual for his ancestors, yet on one hand, he was worried that the suddenly emerged "Tale of the White Bone" might have some conspiracy to disrupt things, while on the other hand, he had to worry that his meticulously prepared "Crown Prince" drama had not even begun before the "Crown Prince" himself had already turned into a broken kite.

Zhou Fei was momentarily at a loss for words, then coolly said: "... Is that so? I thought that 'Twenty-Four Bridges' was a hidden stake in our village."

In the evening, as the setting sun gradually fades, the sound of the wind flute stirs, and the first gently swaying lotus lantern is lit by the banks of the Qinhuai River. In the places touched by its faint light, fallen leaves rustle as they lean against the water's edge, only to quietly vanish from sight. Within the palace walls, the century-old splendor remains unchanged, with intricately carved railings and jade pillars standing gracefully nearby. Xie Yun, whose soul had been trapped in a cold body, clumsily breaks free, stumbling amidst the high eaves and jade columns, the horizontal red terrace and glazed tiles, bumping around everywhere, stubbornly refusing to return.

Xie Yun shook his head: "Without me, you need not confront Wu Qu, nor venture into the perilous forbidden grounds of the Qi Gate..."

A moment later, the two disregarded the imperial palace and climbed over the palace walls, running out along the path of the commotion.

Shen Tianshu ignored his flattery and said: "Zhao Yuan's child is to announce the decree at tomorrow's ancestral worship ceremony, to enshrine his short-lived nephew as the crown prince. Did you not say that the little brat has been suffering from a serious illness for many years? How is he still alive? Lian Zhen is indeed a worthless waste who deserves to die."

As the day of national humiliation, the third day of the twelfth lunar month, approaches, the residence of Prince Duan becomes increasingly lively. Grand ceremonial attire and imperial gifts flow in like a stream, while a rumor has inexplicably arisen both inside and outside the court, suggesting that the Emperor intends to bring Prince Duan back at this critical moment, possibly indicating a desire to establish a crown prince. The impact of this rumor is significant; the front of Xie Yun's residence has almost become bustling with visitors, causing him great annoyance. He nearly considered disrupting Zhao Yuan's so-called "ancestor worship ceremony" and had no choice but to feign illness daily, closing the doors to guests.

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

The courtiers in the court, upon hearing the sound of the strings, understood the refined intentions. After the court session, they hurried home to inform their various acquaintances. The lively nights of Jinling, filled with music and revelry, suddenly fell silent. On the eve of the ancestral worship ceremony, an eerie tranquility permeated the atmosphere.

Tong Kaiyang, sensing the implications in his words, quickly said: "I would like to hear more details."

She followed the direction indicated by the "vendor" and saw a large courtyard filled with flowers, blooming fragrantly even in the cold winter months. Several flowering vines climbed out from the courtyard walls, revealing the vibrant colors of spring, which appeared somewhat eerie. For some reason, this flower-filled courtyard made Zhou Fei feel a sense of familiarity.

A wine glass suddenly flew over, interrupting Zhou Fei's words. She instinctively caught it with one hand, not spilling a single drop. Zhou Fei was taken aback, only to feel a somewhat sharp aroma of wine rushing towards her.

Xie Yun gently held Zhou Fei's wrist with both hands, lowered his head to press her hand against his forehead, and softly said: "Do not cry, the time people spend together is but a fleeting moment; each moment you cry is a moment lost, is it not a pity? We have not yet grown old together, yet we can already be considered companions for a lifetime, with a beginning and an end, is that not fortunate? There is no need to live until seventy or eighty."

Xie Yun swiftly darted out from the crowd like a gentle breeze, moving with an elegance that seemed to surpass his former self. A small dog, wandering about on the bluestone pavement, raised its head in confusion, looking around but failing to catch even a glimpse of a shadow. Although Zhou Fei did not possess the extraordinary lightness of skill that allowed him to merge with the breeze as Xie Yun did, she surprisingly managed to follow him without much effort.

Xie Yun smiled and said, "What are we waiting for?"

Unless he is being pursued, it is rare to see such a profound expression on Xie Yun's face. Perhaps he feels that his life has already been filled with enough awkwardness, and it is not good to take things too seriously. Thus, he continues to maintain a cynical attitude, hoping to make both himself and others feel a little better.

"He is merely a minor character intimidated by Mr. Shen's presence, so there is no need to take it to heart," said Cao Ning. "Currently, the city of Jinling is a mix of fish and dragons, with all kinds of people. We remain hidden among the masses, which does not draw attention—how has it been?"

Zhou Fei listened, her expression unchanged, completely unmoved

By then, no one will remember that he was born of a lowly servant girl, and no one will recall the will of Cao Zhongkun that was biased to the point of reaching the eastern coast.

A few individuals possessed decent lightness of body skills, but they were incomparable to true martial arts masters. Zhou Fei pursued them with great ease, noticing that those few guards quickly gathered a large group of people in a very short time, making a grand exit from the palace, heading towards a residential area outside the imperial city. Subsequently, several individuals dressed in plain clothes, disguised as ordinary vendors, approached and spoke in hushed tones to the leading guard, saying: "The person is here, confirmed. We have been watching all along."

The proverb "An inch of time is an inch of gold" has almost become a cliché that children are reluctant to hear. When Zhou Fei was napping in Zhou Yitang's study as a child, she often received such admonitions, which she always let pass through one ear and out the other. However, as she grew older, she gradually came to understand the deeper meanings behind these words. They had only this little time, akin to the bare coins in the hands of a miserly man, which seemed to dwindle away more and more, leaving him increasingly pressed for resources. She hated that she could not divide each coin into eight parts, and she wished she could split every fleeting moment into countless segments.

Zhou Fei forcefully pulled her hand outward, but Xie Yun's fingers seemed to weave into an inescapable cage, remaining motionless in mid-air. Suddenly, she began to tremble, as all the emotions she had grown accustomed to hiding and restraining converged into a surging undercurrent, crashing back and forth with great momentum in her narrow heart.

This was the first time Zhou Fei encountered such a grand figure who was so terrified of death. At first, she found Zhao Yuan somewhat amusing, but after a moment, she could no longer smile. A series of doubts rose in her heart—this well-trained guard team could not have been hastily assembled. How long had Zhao Yuan, a dignified emperor, been living in such a state of constant anxiety?

A Lady in splendid attire, a Lord of the Vermilion Bird; if those two were to cause a commotion together, it would not be certain that the group of inept and gluttonous individuals around Zhao Yuan could capture them.

Zhou Fei looked at him and felt that apart from being emaciated, his appearance had hardly changed since he first arrived at the Forty-Eighth Village eight years ago, when he was navigating through a maze of entanglements. He seemed like a person who had already been shaped by the fleeting passage of time and an abundance of experiences

Cao Ning said: "I fear that Zhao Yuan has taken a liking to his sickly nephew, which is why he dares to establish him as the crown prince. Just right for today’s enthronement, tomorrow the crown prince will kick the bucket, and he will follow suit, feigning tears, as if to say 'the restoration of power' was unsuccessful. From then on, he will be the emperor in name and in fact."

Xie Yun shook his head and sighed, "A good light beauty has turned into a great beauty, yet still lacks understanding of romance"

Yet within the city of Jinling, there remains a serene autumn landscape stretching endlessly.

Upon hearing these words, the shopkeeper felt as if he had received a great pardon, not uttering a single sound, and swiftly ran away.

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhou Fei had already landed deftly behind him: "What should not be?"

He gripped tightly with his fingers, the tips turning somewhat pale, and asked in a strained voice: "What are your plans?"

Xie Yun asked: "Have I ever told you before that of all the delicious food in the world, half of it is found in Jinling?"

Shen Tianshu did not see it; as soon as he left the window, the closed door opened again. Zhou Fei, very alert, peered around the crack of the door. The person hidden nearby spoke in a soft tone, assimilated by the locals, and asked: "What is it, junior sister? Is there someone there?"

During the day, the two had to part ways. Xie Yun was quite busy in the palace, often dealing with a large group of people—endless officials from the Ministry of Rites, useless imperial physicians, and Zhao Yuan himself. It seemed that Zhao Yuan, in an effort to please Xie Yun, even released his eldest son Zhao Mingchen, who had been confined for many years, and summoned Mingchen to the palace every few days, allowing one who looked haggard and the other who appeared sickly to perform the act of brotherly affection.

Zhou Fei looked down and saw the steward handing over a package, which contained the colorful soft armor that she had taken off and given to Wu Chuchu and the others in the forbidden area of the Qi Gate

Before he could finish his words, Zhou Fei had already thrust the hilt of her knife forward. Xie Yun took to his heels and ran away, with one chasing and the other fleeing. It was as if they were once again the young and carefree individuals from years past, playfully chasing each other in the tumultuous world of martial arts amidst the chaos of dust and smoke.

Before he finished speaking, Shen Tianshu drank the cold water in one gulp and bluntly interrupted Cao Ning, saying: "I see the seal of the former master and am obliged to follow your orders, which is only natural. However, after this task, we shall owe each other nothing, and there is no need for you to grant me any merit."

The second day of the twelfth lunar month, night

With a faint glimmer of light, he saw that numerous wounds of various sizes had inexplicably appeared on his body, starting from the tips of his fingers and spreading to his shoulders and chest. A faint smell of blood lingered around him, as if heralding the imminent end of this struggling flesh. When this condition first emerged, the imperial physicians were so frightened that they nearly hanged themselves in despair. Yet, regardless of who it was, no one could devise a solution; they could only treat the increasingly numerous wounds on his body as if they were external injuries from blades and swords, patching up his windblown, dilapidated form by robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The portly wealthy merchant, upon seeing this, waved his hand and said, "You may go down; there is no need to come over without a command."

The small courtyard lay in complete silence, the clothes rack still standing, yet the garments that adorned it had vanished without a trace. A few tail feathers of a kingfisher had fallen to the ground, and amidst the flourishing surroundings, a small swing hung, swaying gently in the breeze. It seemed as if the inhabitants of the courtyard were ethereal beings; at the slightest rustle of the wind or movement of the grass, they would conceal their forms and disappear without a trace

Tong Kaiyang is so perceptive that he can naturally discern that this "we" does not refer to the Northern Dynasties, but rather to Cao Ning himself

Various forces have already set out, directing their reins towards the same destination—Nandu Jinling

Zhou Fei was taken aback: "Where are the people who came?"

Cao Ning smiled gently and said, "How could we do without the two of you..."

But the question is, which performance are they singing?

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Tong Kaiyang said softly: "Over there, it is inevitable that we will have to seek a merit of support from His Highness."

He spoke as he pulled Zhou Fei into the seat, casually propping his long legs on the wooden beam of the "rooftop elegant room." In the distance, the painted boat had already set sail, and the faint sound of music and singing drifted through the shimmering waves. He squinted his eyes to look, and the wine in the cup he held had already formed frost in an instant. After a while, Xie Yun finally said: "What I just said was a joke. If I can delay you for three years, I would already be able to laugh proudly in the underworld."

Xie Yun's breath suddenly halted, leaving him in a daze

Zhou Fei raised her hand and tapped Xie Yun's wine cup, causing a few drops of fine liquor to splash. She then lifted her cup and drank it all in one go

Zhou Fei's voice was somewhat hoarse: "You are still gnawing on a stuffed bun while making grandiose claims, saying you want to treat me to the best restaurant in Jinling"

Xie Yun finally came to his senses. Looking down, he discovered that the tips of his stiff fingers had actually split open, with the skin torn and flesh exposed. Remarkably, he did not feel any pain and inadvertently smeared the collar of his outer robe with a deep red stain, resembling someone who had just cut their throat.

Xie Yun turned back to her and winked, saying: "If the beauty is willing to kiss me once, I will be able to close my eyes peacefully"

After speaking, she felt that she had misspoken, as if she had rushed to the East China Sea to see him countless times. She quickly bit her tongue lightly and added, "I am so tired of seeing it."

Cao Ning and his companions quietly infiltrated the city of Jinling

At that moment, a creaking sound was heard in the elegant room on the roof, and a wooden board beneath the table was unexpectedly pushed aside, revealing a three-tiered food box emerging from under the table, followed by a small pot of wine

I do not know," after a while, Zhou Fei finally said, "I may need to see if my father has any tasks for me. If not, I must retrieve those two heads from Beidou. Once I have resolved these old grievances, I might return to the Forty-Eighth Village to help Chuchu organize those lost items. When needed, I can serve as a fighter for the village, and then... perhaps peace will finally reign in the world?

The guards, resembling an iron barrel, surrounded his sleeping quarters, while others patrolled back and forth.

Because he carelessly uttered the word "clever," His Highness the Duke of Duan, who had caused the imperial medical team to argue in a chaotic manner, was chased down eight streets

Who exactly is he afraid of

Exactly the same as the small courtyard of the Feathered Garment Troupe in Shaoyang City back then, where the smoke and clouds dissipated after a night

The ways of the dandy and the ways of the wanderer... He is capable of everything, able to pick up any skill, and has quickly led Zhou Fei astray—if it weren't for the increasingly frequent attacks of the bone-chilling green on Xie Yun, visibly weakening day by day, these days could almost be described as wonderful.

After speaking, he showed no regard for the Northern King and stood up to leave. At that moment, a deliberately heavy sound of footsteps came from the winding stone path below the tavern. Shen Tianshu, sensing something inexplicable, turned to glance at the source of the footsteps. He saw a young woman slowly approaching, holding a paper lantern, her figure slender and graceful, dressed in a gentle long dress that was currently in vogue. At first glance, she appeared no different from the Jiangnan women filling the streets. She kept her head down, walking at a leisurely pace, and made her way directly to the back door of a shop that sold rouge and powder. The family waiting at the door must have heard her footsteps, as they opened the door early to greet her, scolding the late-returning girl a few times. The girl listened in silence, hung the lantern at the door, stepped into the courtyard, and then with a creak, her family firmly closed the door behind her.

Tsk, worrying so much

Unexpectedly, Xie Yun, who used to speak eloquently and chatter like a horse, seemed to have been silenced by some means. He merely stared at her with a dazed expression, as if his soul had fled, and did not utter a word. Zhou Fei could only maintain a nonchalant expression, slipping in front of Xie Yun and pretending to be casual as she waved her hand in front of him: "What’s the matter, don’t you recognize me, or are you just lying there in a daze?"

The wealthy merchant then said: "Mr. Shen, Lord Tong, please take a seat"

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the ancestral worship ceremony was fully prepared, awaiting the grand appearance of all parties on the auspicious day. At this moment, news of victory also arrived from the front lines, as the remnants of the Northern Dynasty's army, hastily gathered, seemed as fragile as paper. Some even fled at the mere sound of the Southern Dynasty's troops. In just a few months, Zhou Yitang had advanced directly towards the royal capital. Surprisingly, Jinling, which rarely sees snow, had an early light snowfall, although it was very weak and melted into mud upon landing. Nevertheless, under the name of 'auspicious snow,' those singing praises and extolling its virtues were making a grand show.

The black-clad guard's veins bulged as he shouted: "Pursue!"

Zhou Fei quietly followed Zhao Yuan

At this moment, a high-pitched female voice echoed from afar, singing: "The long river flows into the sea, vast and boundless returns to the sky as well"

A man dressed as a wealthy merchant sat there, leisurely picking at some appetizers while sipping a glass of light wine. He was quite portly, taking up the space of two people. The waiter, yawning, was refilling his wine when suddenly, two middle-aged men ascended the wooden stairs of the restaurant. Judging by their attire, they were likely bodyguards of the young merchant. One of them was tall and thin, with several knife-like wrinkles on his face; at first glance, he seemed unremarkable. However, the moment the waiter met his gaze, he jolted awake, his hand trembling, causing wine to spill onto the table.

Xie Yun was momentarily speechless, turning back to look at her in astonishment: "My goodness, how shameless! You truly have the charm of my youth!"

Xie Yun tightly grasped her hand, startled by the warmth of the girl's touch, and quickly released it, feeling an inexplicable sense of grievance. He said, "After so many years, why are you so fierce the moment we meet?"

Waiting for you ahead, whether in a hurry or taking it slow, it seems there is something urgent!

Zhou Fei, upon hearing Liu Youliang mention that Xie Yun had directly entered the palace, could no longer contain herself. She brazenly breached the palace's restrictions and wandered around for an entire day, ultimately gaining nothing. Just as she had calmed down and planned to leave, she happened to notice a large group of imperial guards stationed nearby. A momentary spark of competitive spirit ignited within her, prompting her to attempt to sneak in under the watchful eyes of these skilled individuals. However, just as she climbed onto the roof beams with a sense of pride, she caught sight of someone she had been searching for tirelessly. Zhou Fei nearly lost her footing and fell down.

And the permission of "Zao Zao Xie Xia" suddenly opened its eyes amidst the layers of bed curtains

The two of them had nearly traversed half of Jinling, and Xie Yun's footsteps came to a halt beside a small tavern by the riverside. He stood at the bridgehead, surrounded by a thick mist rising from the water, picked up a small stone from the ground, and with remarkable precision, flicked it into a window adorned with lanterns. He then waved at Zhou Fei, leaping into the air, nimbly touching the surrounding osmanthus trees, from which a rich fragrance suddenly burst forth, lifting him gently to land on the rooftop of the three-story building.

Zhou Fei pinched his note and burned it under the palace lantern. She sat for a while on the high-arched palace roof, yet the moonlight remained elusive. Suddenly, her eyes twitched inexplicably twice, and then she leaped into the night, disappearing from sight after a few rises and falls.

Even if they are merely actors and performers, they cannot be arrested without reason. Jinling has always possessed an air of elegance, and it has been a long-standing custom for literati, poets, and dignitaries to associate with renowned courtesans and famous prostitutes. The sudden appearance of the Imperial Guards immediately caused a great uproar. Due to Zhao Yuan's increasingly hardline approach in recent years, no one dared to publicly question him, yet private discussions were rampant. Zhao Yuan was furious, angered by his subordinates, a group of fools who did not understand the concept of drawing attention to their own misdeeds. He punished the commander of the Imperial Guards with thirty strikes of the rod. The next day, when he appeared in court, he said nothing about the guards' arrests, which immediately caused another uproar. Zhao Yuan, still furious, recalled his national humiliation and family grievances over the past twenty years with genuine emotion, and finally, he lightly remarked, "I still remember the shame of those years; since the twelfth month, music and drums have been banned in the palace."

Zhou Fei frowned—who is it?

At this moment, Xie Yun suddenly became serious, his slightly lowered eyelids outlining a graceful line. He gazed deeply into Zhou Fei's eyes and said, "I miss you very much"

It was yet another gloomy and cold day. Zhou Fei wandered around Jinling City but could not find any trace of Madam Ni Chang and the others. By evening, she sneaked back into the palace. She anticipated that Xie Yun might not be able to leave the palace, yet she still went to see him. She intended to ask about the matter of "The Tale of the White Bones," but found Xie Yun behaving unusually, having gone to bed early. He left her a note, stating that he needed to accompany Zhao Yuan to finish the play "Establishing the Heir," after which he would be free to take her out to have fun, and asked her to return first.

Shen Tianshu, feeling impatient, coldly snorted: "What is the point of discussing these useless matters? I just want to know, if I were to take Zhao Yuan's head, wouldn't that just benefit that sickly wretch?"

A dog cannot change its nature, and someone with the surname Xie cannot change their sharp tongue

Xie Yun, having fabricated a story, was caught on the spot, yet he showed no embarrassment at all. Instead, he casually smiled and said: "Ah, there was someone back in the day who, standing at his own doorstep, didn't even know how to enter. He went on to recite thirty-two anecdotes from Shu, twenty-eight of which he made up himself..."

It was not until the figure disappeared from sight that Shen Tianshu, feeling quite perplexed, withdrew his gaze, unaware of why he had been staring at a young girl whose appearance he could not discern as handsome or ugly

Zhou Fei accidentally drank an entire pot of wine by herself, and only when there was not a single drop left in the pot did she realize that she had not tasted a thing. It was as if she had drunk like a donkey, purely wasting the effort the shopkeeper had put into it. Suddenly feeling very embarrassed, she stood up abruptly, but Xie Yun seemed to have eyes on his ears and grabbed her wrist.

"Did it benefit him?" Cao Ning laughed and said, "Mr. Shen, I have been 'missing' for so long, and the military power in my hands has been handed over to my imperial brother. What was the result?"

Zhou Fei: "... ... Do you want to roll down from the roof?"

The story is likely to unfold as follows: the Northern Emperor, lacking capability, harbors jealousy towards his capable brothers and insists on meddling in military affairs, which leads to defeat on the front lines, ultimately resulting in his own disgraceful demise under the iron hooves of the Southern people's restoration. In contrast, the Duke of Duan, Cao Ningjian, who has been wronged and has fallen into the common folk, takes an unconventional approach, bringing along two great masters and employing a strategy of cutting off the enemy's supplies, thoroughly stirring the waters between the North and the South. As long as he navigates the situation skillfully, he may still rise again.

Cao Ning scoffed, "If it weren't for Zhao Yuan constantly hanging the phrase 'returning power' on his lips and engaging in the farcical rituals of 'ancestor worship' and 'establishing an heir', no one would question his legitimacy. In my opinion, Zhao Yuan is indeed a prominent figure of our time, but for some reason, he is always overly concerned and unable to let go regarding these matters, sometimes even losing his sense of proportion... Perhaps there are indeed some hidden intricacies that you and I are unaware of. I observe that the person who has been using the alias 'Brother Xie' for many years is not to be underestimated either; he probably does not wish to depart from this world too soon. Otherwise, why would he create a 'White Bone Chronicle' at such a critical juncture? Hehe, the Zhao family of the Southern Dynasties truly evokes a wealth of imagination.

Zhou Fei was momentarily stunned, and then a cold breath cautiously approached, carefully brushing against her body through her clothes, only to dissipate upon contact. It was clearly not the warmth of a human, yet it nearly brought her to tears.

A crowd surged forward, following the direction from which the singing came. Once they had all left, Zhou Fei slowly emerged from her hiding place, gazing thoughtfully towards the source of the song. She was not concerned about anything else; the trick of an empty building was a specialty of the Feathered Garment Troupe. Instead, it was the earlier singing voice that left her somewhat uneasy—she could still remember that voice as if it had turned to ash; it belonged to the formidable Zhuque Master, Mu Xiao Qiao.

On the roof, there was unexpectedly a "private room," partitioning off a small area, complete with tables and chairs. Unfortunately, there was no ladder, and even a slight deficiency in lightness of skill would make it difficult to ascend. Xie Yun leaned his head out and said to Zhou Fei: "Come up, be careful not to ... ... "

He leaned forward slightly and caught a faint, not very noticeable scent of powder from Zhou Fei. Lowering his voice, he said: "What? Are you tired of looking at my flower-like beauty? What else do you want to see, miss? A celestial being?"

"A beautiful time and scenery," Xie Yun said, "Why must you speak of these unpleasant things? Are you looking for punishment?"

In the next moment, the leading black-clad guard issued an order, and the group surrounded the small courtyard, forcefully breaking down the door... Then, this group of people stood there in shock.

At that moment, a sound of something shattering suddenly came from the distant palace. Zhou Fei frowned and saw several guards in black robes hurriedly leaving. She immediately circumvented the sea of people that Zhao Yuan had created as a cage for her and followed those black-clad individuals

The sky has turned cold, yet the lanterns shine as brightly as day. The mist swirls around, soon condensing into fine shards of ice that seem to glimmer faintly. He weaves through the crowd, leading the way, neither reminiscing with Zhou Fei nor inquiring about her purpose for being there, cutting off the beginning and end of the unfolding story, lost in this moment that is difficult to discern as reality or dream.

Tong Kaiyang remarked: "That Zhao Mingyun is merely the orphan of the Crown Prince, not the true Crown Prince officially conferred by the Zhao family. Zhao Yuan, as an elder, took over the imperial seal during a time of necessity and became the emperor. What is there that is unjust or improper about this?"

Zhou Fei said: "It has been many years since we last met, yet I can always see you."

The singer is gone. Tong Kaiyang poured two cups of wine, and without drinking himself, he first respectfully placed one cup in front of Shen Tianshu.

Xie Yun mischievously smiled at her and said: "I want to ask you to marry a short-lived husband, so that twenty years later, I can come looking for you again"

Shen Tianshu sat nearby, indifferent as he drank cold water. Tong Kaiyang responded, "These two, the uncle and the nephew, are quite amusing. They both wish for the other to die quickly, yet they still come together to stage a harmonious succession. Is it possible that if the Crown Prince does not die in the future, Zhao Yuan will really pass the throne to him?"

Zhou Fei actually wanted to deceive herself by saying, "I will stay with you in Jinling for a while," but she also knew that Xie Yunwen was not asking about her current plans, but rather about after his death. She was inclined to evade the question and pretend to be foolish, but upon seeing his clear eyes reflecting the shimmering light, she ultimately gritted her teeth, turned her gaze away, and faced the ugly truth head-on

It seems as if someone has wedged the term "assassin" into Zhao Yuan's mind

Zhao Yuan was extremely afraid of death. Wherever he went, various guards and skilled experts from the inner palace filled every corner, both openly and covertly. Even though Zhou Fei was highly skilled, she nearly got discovered several times, causing her to break out in a cold sweat. After much difficulty in approaching Zhao Yuan's sleeping quarters, she found herself at a loss—this fellow lived in a place that, to prevent assassination, had cleared away all small trees within a radius of three zhang!

A glimmer of moisture flashed in Zhou Fei's eyes, and she immediately scoffed, "Stop flattering yourself; without you, would I not have survived these three years?"

Zhou Fei hesitated and shook her head. She had just felt an inexplicable chill; today she had not brought her knife to the palace to find Xie Yun, otherwise she might have drawn it out. Just as she was in doubt and confusion, the steward of the hidden forces in Jinling approached quickly and said, "Why are you back so late? Someone is looking for you and brought this item. Take a look and see if you recognize it"

Zhou Fei raised her head with a hint of confusion. As her gaze met Xie Yun's, he suddenly raised his hand to cover his heart, lamenting: "How many regrets there are in life! Regretting the strong fragrance of osmanthus, the brevity of beautiful nights, the scentless peony, and the difficulty of getting drunk on flower wine. Before me stands the stunning beauty who has disturbed my three years of peaceful dreams, yet I cannot marry her. Tsk, what joy is there in life?"

Xie Yun laughed heartily: "Head down? No, that's inappropriate"

Various forces have already set out, their reins pointing towards the same destination—Nandu Jinling

On this night, at a damp corner of Jinling, a small tavern that has yet to close still has its lights on.

Tong Kaiyang squinted his eyes and glanced in the direction where the shop assistant had fled, saying: "The little brat from the Walking Foot Gang, not much in terms of martial arts, but quite obedient indeed"

Xie Yun pretended to send him off, subtly signaling to Zhou Fei. Upon hearing a faint sound, he knew that Zhou Fei had followed his instructions and chased after him. He thoughtfully leaned against the door, gently adjusting his outer robe. At that moment, a young eunuch who was tidying up the tea set emerged, carrying a pile of cups and plates. While bowing, he inadvertently glanced at Xie Yun, and immediately gasped in fright, causing the cups and plates in his hands to crash to the ground, shattering into a pile of porcelain shards. He knelt on the ground, trembling: "Your Highness..."

Zhou Fei suddenly shook him off: "You are the one who is crying."

"... ... Do not touch the bell on the lower roof, otherwise they will not serve you wine." Xie Yundun paused for a moment before slowly completing his words, expressing with emotion, "Master Chen said you are making rapid progress, even Master Lin is afraid of you. At first, I thought he was exaggerating, but now it seems I must also be afraid of you."

However, Zhao Yuan appeared even more restless than usual. When he came to visit the sick, he had just exchanged a few casual words with Xie Yun when a man resembling a palace guard hurried in. He bent down and whispered a few words in Zhao Yuan's ear. This person was presumably Zhao Yuan's trusted confidant, employing a technique akin to "transmitting sound into the world," revealing not even a fragment of their conversation. Before he finished speaking, Zhao Yuan's expression changed dramatically; he suddenly stood up, not even taking a moment to inform Xie Yun, and turned to leave.

Mu Xiaoqiao's voice resembled a seed of grass taking root everywhere; in just one night, it seemed that the mysterious "White Bone Legend" was being sung everywhere. The situation escalated too quickly, prompting the court to impose a ban, but it was already too late. The imperial guards, in a moment of confusion, would arrest anyone they heard singing on the spot

Zhou Fei did not move, and the faint smile on her face faded: "I found the forbidden ground of the Qi Sect, saw the old traces of Master Lu, and through a series of twists and turns, I understood the essence of the withering and flourishing true energy, but..."

Xie Yun was taken aback, his pale lips resembling the ice of early spring, breathtakingly reversing the passage of time, and then, with an impassive demeanor, slowly melting into a well-formed wicked smile

Zhou Fei hesitated for a moment, then turned and slipped into the empty courtyard of the Feathered Garment Class. She noticed that the door to the inner room was ajar, the scent of the recently extinguished incense lingered in the air, and there was still a small amount of wine left in the cup. On the wall directly opposite the main entrance, two wooden sheaths, one for a sword and one for a dagger, were hanging, with a letter placed in between them.

She was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling both amused and exasperated. For three years, the 'corpse' by the East Sea had held her heart captive. She had grown accustomed to scouring the world for rare medicinal herbs, only to be repeatedly cast aside by that faint glimmer of hope. Then she would spend a day and a half in Penglai, engaging in written conversations with someone who was so close yet so distant. At this moment, upon suddenly encountering a living person who could run and jump, she was almost unsure of where to begin.

At this point, the timing, the environment, and the harmony among people seem to be fully present for Zhao Yuan

"How could the great hero Zhou cry? After all, he is the best in the world who can 'tread on the Big Dipper.'" Xie Yun paused for a moment, then added very cleverly, "Although he is self-proclaimed."

Zhou Fei replied earnestly: "Indeed, there is no need to aspire to master the unparalleled skill of stepping on the Big Dipper."

He murmured along the way, pointing out the sights of the capital to Zhou Fei, who had never been to the city before. At first, Zhou Fei listened half-heartedly, until Xie Yun pointed to a modest rouge shop and said: "Look at that unassuming little shop, named 'Twenty-Four Bridges', which has its own story. It is said that two hundred years ago, there was a stunning beauty who fell into the world of dust and fame, and a song 'Twenty-Four Bridges' became famous throughout the land. Later, as her beauty faded, she ultimately compromised with the mundane world and was redeemed by a wealthy man. Before leaving, she played the flute here for an entire night. Later, people, moved by this tale, began to sell rouge here, naming it after the sound of the flute, with the meaning 'Life is but a dream, and beauty never fades'.

Hmm," Xie Yun's lips revealed a peculiar smile, "The path has already been paved by those before us, what else is there to be unsettled about? May I ask you for a favor?"

Zhou Fei carefully took down the letter, which read: "The Feathered Garment Troupe brings 'The Tale of the White Bone' to the capital, as a tribute to our great Zhao's prosperous era."

At such times, Zhou Fei would generally be on the beam, watching the commotion of the Zhao family. Xie Yun and she had briefly devised a set of special gestures. Xie Yun often pretended to be polite and accommodating to others while using the hand hidden behind his back to convey some sharp and acerbic truths to Zhou Fei, which several times nearly exposed her as a gentleman on the beam. Once he had sent away this group of idle people, Xie Yun would disregard the inner palace of the imperial palace and take Zhou Fei to play around in Jinling City.