The remnants of autumn flowers filled the landscape, while the distant horizon stretched endlessly in verdant hues. The autumn wind, ever dutiful, swept through without restraint.

Outside Beijin Gate, by the racetrack bridge, dressed in our finest, my sister-in-law and I had come to bid farewell.

Under the ornate canopies of the royal carriage, the King’s banner fluttered in the breeze. King Ling Zhun stood on the bridge, gazing at the hundred thousand strong troops arrayed before him. His voice rang out clear and resolute: “Today, King Jing faces peril. In consideration of the century-long friendship between our two nations, I have specially ordered you all to go to their aid.” He raised a golden dragon goblet. “I offer three toasts to all of you brave soldiers. The first toast—to the dust of the frontier, where your valor will uphold the glory of our nation! Your military stipends shall be doubled!”

“Oh! Oh!” The roar of the army echoed thunderously.

He drained the cup and took the next one: “The second toast—do not worry about your families; there will be no lack of provisions for them, no burdens left behind!”

At these words, golden halberds and silver axes pointed skyward. “Oh!” “Oh!” The cries shook the earth.

The King picked up the final cup, his cheeks puffing slightly as his chest rose and fell. A nearby eunuch, looking troubled, stepped forward to stop him from drinking further. But the King raised the goblet high, waving his arm gently, and the deafening shouts gradually subsided. “This third toast—to the day of your triumphant return, when your deeds will bring honor and glory to your households!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!” The generals were fired with zeal, the soldiers brimming with excitement. Every face radiated eagerness for battle, every eye gleamed with bloodlust.

The King wiped his lips with a yellow silk cloth and called out loudly: “General Fubo!”

“Your servant is here!” Clad in a lion helmet and beastly armor, silver-plated and robed in white, my brother’s towering figure under the autumn sun overlapped with memories of my father. It filled me with both sorrow and joy, leaving me dazed and disoriented.

“Supervisor Ninghou!” The King called again.

“Your servant is here!” Crowned with a silver coronet and dressed in crimson robes, he was dazzling as if rivaling the brilliance of the sun itself. His peach-shaped eyes, once languid and enchanting, now resembled the mesmerizing gaze of an ancient divine beast, exuding an awe-inspiring dominance.

“A toast of fine wine, may you achieve swift victory!” The King gestured, and a eunuch approached bearing a golden tray. Yunzhi took the silver tiger goblet, and my brother raised the copper sparrow vessel. They exchanged a smile, drank deeply, and mounted their steeds, exuding gallantry and vigor.

My sister-in-law led me slowly onto the racetrack bridge, bowing gracefully. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live the King...”

The King coughed twice, waving his hand dismissively. “Lady, there is no need for ceremony. The camp is about to depart; let us keep this brief.”

“Yes.” My sister-in-law raised her head, gazing tenderly at my brother. After a moment, she closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, all traces of lingering affection had vanished. “Ride swiftly like the wind, do not worry about those left behind at home.” I admired her deeply. She was truly a daughter of a military family—soft on the outside but strong within, surpassing even our mother in resolve.

“Thank you, Lady.” My brother gazed deeply at her, as if trying to etch her image into his heart forever. The sunlight softened the scar on his face as he turned to me with a gentle smile. “It is getting colder, Qingqing. Take care of yourself.”

I turned my gaze and smiled. “There is much sand and wind in the north, Brother. Take care of yourself. If you return looking like a weathered old man, Yan’er might not recognize you.”

“You cheeky girl! Still just like when you were little...” His handsome face froze, and I paused momentarily, choosing silence.

“Lady and Miss need not worry,” Yunzhi broke the awkwardness with his voice full of confidence. “When we return victorious, I promise to bring back your general unscathed.”

Meeting his unwaveringly confident eyes: Is this your promise, Yunzhi?

The corner of his mouth curved mischievously as he turned his head, his glossy black hair tracing an elegant arc in the air. “This prince never breaks his promises!” With a flick of his whip, he charged forward, brimming with heroic spirit.

Standing at the bridgehead, I watched as the figures of silver and red gradually receded into the morning light, leaving behind an uneasy foreboding in my heart: It feels so similar to that time...

Turning around, I descended the racetrack bridge step by hesitant step. Slowly raising my eyes, I saw Que’er leaning against the railing, her gaze solemnly fixed on the departing army. Her head moved slightly, as if nodding. Following her line of sight, I squinted into the distance, where a young officer rode side by side with Uncle Han Qi. When I looked back, the solemnity in Que’er’s eyes had transformed into a dreamy infatuation. She leaned against a yellow willow tree, craning her neck to look, appearing as if struck by the pangs of first love.

I smirked. This was already the second time.

“Miss Han.” A sharp yet soft voice came from beside me.

I curtsied. “Eunuch.”

“The King has sent me to deliver a message.” The King’s personal attendant, holding a whisk, bowed slightly. “Return home early; do not wait until the frost grows heavy.”

I glanced toward the heavily guarded royal carriage in the distance: Truly meticulous, leaving no room for error. Bowing respectfully, I said, “I humbly request that you relay a message for me.”

“Please speak, Miss.”

Looking up with a faint smile, I spoke softly: “Tomorrow at sunrise, east of the fence, let us drink one last farewell.”

The elderly eunuch, his skin slackened with age, nodded. “I will ensure not a single word is omitted when I report to His Majesty.” He then looked at me meaningfully. “Those who understand the times are blessed. Please take care of yourself, Miss. I shall take my leave now.”

“Take your time, Eunuch.” Turning my gaze to the innocent-looking maid beside me, I smiled gently. “Has Que’er been dazzled?”

She started, nervously twisting the hem of her dress. A blush spread across her cheeks as she blinked rapidly, feigning innocence.

Hmph, I chuckled softly and strode forward. “Look around while you still can before we leave. Take in the sights of this capital.”

“Mm.” She scurried after me, complaining lightly. “How strange—I’ve never heard the name of that uncle before. Why does the King insist that you return to Lianzhou to mourn? Oh, and this will be my first time visiting Jiaocheng. I wonder what delicious foods they have there…”

Time flowed so swiftly that, in the blink of an eye, it was already the hour when the lamps dimmed and dreams began. Wrapping myself in a thin robe, I stepped down from the bed and retrieved the yellow silk scroll from the box: “May the heavens protect the azure skies, and bestow eternal prosperity upon us. In recognition of Han Baiyuan of Jiaocheng, who served faithfully and diligently all his life, and considering his solitary state without heirs, I hereby bestow upon the virtuous maiden of the Han family the title of ‘Filial Daughter Under the Moon,’ to return home and observe mourning for her uncle.”

Holding the imperial decree, I stood silently by the window, hearing only the muffled rustling of the silk curtain stirred by the wind. The night was cold, as if autumn frost had painted the dark blue landscape. There was not a single star in the sky, nor could the pale moon be seen.

I still remembered the night I received this royal decree…

I raised an eyebrow in mild surprise: Xiu Yuan has already left, so why continue this pretense?

“Hohoho~” Yunzhi laughed heartily, walking over to the wall of Fusong Hall and tapping the stone bricks. “Hmm, they’re hard enough.” Then he glanced at the top of the wall. “But they’re not high enough.” He gazed at me with a flirtatious smirk, his tone teasing. “Even if the apricot doesn’t leave the garden, there are always thieves who try to pluck its flowers…”

I glared at him, gritting my teeth. “Your Highness, please mind your words.”

“My Lord.” My brother gave a slight nod. “Please clarify, My Lord.”

Yunzhi paced elegantly, asking casually, “Did you know that Lady Han was harassed while she was still unmarried?”

My brother clenched his fists tightly, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. “Yes, I hadn’t met my wife yet at that time. In my opinion, those scoundrels deserved to die!”

I looked at my brother, astonished by his sudden anger: What was this about?

“Ho ho, it was nothing more than a few dissolute young men whose marriage proposals were rejected. They tried to climb the wall in the middle of the night, imitating others.” Yunzhi chuckled lightly. “But they were beaten half to death by Lady Han and her maidservant, and then thrown over the high wall by the household guards.”

I knew Yinzhang had some martial skills, but I hadn’t realized my sister-in-law was also formidable. Unable to help myself, I covered my mouth and laughed. No wonder she was called a heroine among women—she truly upheld the dignity of her sex!

Upon hearing this, my brother couldn’t help but chuckle softly, his gaze tender and content.

“The reason Father issued the decree is precisely this.” Yunzhi’s voice dropped slightly as he stepped into the shadows. “Qingqing, you are quite the prized morsel...” He chuckled low and deep. “Once Zhusu departs for the frontlines, this morsel will lose the protection of its cage, and those flies will stop at nothing to swarm around you.”

“What does Your Highness mean?” My brother’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Hmm...” His voice was barely audible. “Once they’ve had a taste, there’s no fear of you changing your mind.”

“No...” My brother murmured. “Third Highness and Seventh Highness... how could that be possible?!”

“How could it not be?” The sound of branches snapping echoed from the shadows, his voice growing fainter with each word, so much so that even I, standing closest to him, struggled to hear. “...Even Father...” After a long pause, Yunzhi emerged from the shadows, a sly smirk curling his lips. “But what Father doesn’t know is that their plans will never succeed.” He gazed at me with a seductive, hazy look, his eyes brimming with amusement. “Because this particular morsel has teeth, and any fly that dares approach is sure to meet its end! Hahahaha~”

The echoes of his arrogant laughter still rang in my ears, filling me with irritation. I rolled up the imperial decree and placed it back in the box.

“Dong... dong! Dong! Dong!” The night watchman’s rhythm—one slow beat followed by three quick ones—signaled the fourth watch. Hmm, it was already the fourth watch. By the fifth watch, the people from Wuyan Gate would arrive. For now, I decided to rest for a while.

I rubbed the side of my neck and slowly walked toward the bed. Suddenly, a nearly imperceptible sound came from above. Grabbing my weapon, Xiaohun , I leaped out the window and onto the roof.

The cicadas cried mournfully in the cold night, their voices half-choked, half-carried by the wind. Everything around seemed to be in deep slumber, while a faint white mist rose in the darkness, like the earth exhaling softly. Facing the cool breeze, I followed the shadow ahead at a moderate distance. The figure moved swiftly, covering ten steps with each leap, as nimble as a swallow. Her lightness of foot was impressive. She showed no hesitation, clearly familiar with the surroundings, and headed straight for the southeast corner.

I descended quietly, hiding behind the moon gate of Fusong Hall, observing intently. The black-clad figure appeared even smaller against the night. She removed something from her head and inserted it into the lock, turning it twice. With a crisp click, the copper lock opened. She glanced cautiously around. So it was you—on the last day, you finally couldn’t resist, could you?

As she tiptoed into the study, I strolled leisurely to the door. The room was eerily silent; if not for the faint creaking of the cabinet doors, one might have doubted whether anyone was inside. “Knock... knock...” The sound of tapping on the wall came, and I raised an eyebrow: clever indeed. “Knock... knock... thud...” A pause. “Thud... thud... thud...” After a while, the faint sound of furniture being dragged across the floor reached my ears.

Counting silently to ten in my mind, I slipped into the room. The interior was empty, save for the bookshelf leaning diagonally against the northern wall, revealing a hidden passageway behind it. A faint smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I slowly made my way to the desk and sat down. Carefully adjusting my outer robe and smoothing my skirt, I waited patiently for the night bird to return to its nest.

Silently reciting the Sutra of the Past Vows of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva , I reached the final passage just as hollow echoes reverberated from within the northern wall.

“May this merit adorn the Buddha’s Pure Land. Repay the fourfold kindness above and relieve the suffering of the three lower realms. May all who see or hear this awaken the Bodhi mind. In this lifetime, may we all be reborn together in the Pure Land of Bliss.”

With hands clasped together, I finished reciting the final verse. Gazing into the pitch-black night, I gently curved my lips: Time was running out. Before dawn, I had to send this evil spirit back to the hell realm.

A small, lithe figure pressed against the wall, squeezing out through the gap behind the bookshelf.

I smiled softly. “Welcome back.”

Startled, she spun around quickly, her expression adorably fierce.

I picked up the tinderbox from the desk, blew on it gently, and lit the white candle. The weak flame flickered ghostlike in the wind, casting an eerie pall over the night.

Glancing at the figure behind her, I spoke softly. “Are you satisfied, Que’er?”

The doll-faced young woman before me had lost all traces of her usual innocence. Her single-lidded eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of ruthlessness. “It’s late. Why hasn’t Miss retired yet?”

Standing up, I advanced step by step, speaking calmly. “Because I witnessed the fallen sparrow take flight again.”

Her killing intent flared as she glared at me and lunged forward. Without dodging or retreating, I waited until her palm nearly grazed my forehead before shifting lightly on my feet. Her hair brushed past my cheek as I spun gracefully behind her, whispering low into her ear, “This level of skill won’t harm me.”

Que’er froze, her jaw grinding audibly after a moment. With a flick of her toes, she performed a somersault, vaulting over my head before I could strike.

“I didn’t expect Miss to be so skilled,” Que’er muttered as she drew a dagger from her sleeve. The cold gleam reflecting off her face lent her an unexpected beauty. “Then, don’t blame me for being impolite!”

Seven steps to the left, three steps to the right, bending low, spinning around. “Swish... swish... swish... swish...” One slash, two slashes, three slashes, then a leap and a punch.

Her movements were strange—I avoided them without retaliating, luring her out of the study and into the open courtyard. There, she darted about like a sparrow, alternately rising and falling with great agility. Observing her techniques closely, I committed them to memory. Her excitement grew as her eyes widened, her expression becoming increasingly vicious. As her dagger lunged toward my heart, I spun 180 degrees at the last moment, slipping into her embrace. With an open palm, I deflected her wrist sharply.

“Ugh...” A muffled groan escaped her lips as I stepped forward and wrested the dagger from her grasp. Que’er bared her teeth, her right wrist bent at an unnatural angle. I picked up the exquisite short blade, examining it closely. Engraved on the hilt were two seal script characters: “Lingque.” Speaking the name aloud, I smiled at her. “So you’re not a sparrow but a divine bird, Lingque.”

Focusing my energy, I flicked my wrist, sending the blade flying. A flash of silver, and the dagger embedded itself into the stone wall.

Que’er’s eyes widened in terror, beads of sweat sliding down her face. Slowly retreating, she picked up a stick from the ground. Puffing out her red lips, she charged at me recklessly. This swordplay differed from her earlier knife techniques—it felt strangely familiar. Where had I seen it before? Sidestepping, I kicked off a tree and sent her flying several meters away. Lowering my head, I tried to recall. “Ah!” She growled in frustration, her strikes growing more ruthless, her sword wind sharp and deadly.

My eyes snapped wide open as I narrowly dodged a fatal thrust aimed at my throat. Dropping into a half-crouch, I thrust my blade-like palm straight forward. My left hand was enveloped by a warm body, my fingertips submerged in slick, viscous fluid. Slowly raising my head, I whispered softly, “Xuan Palace.” Reflected in Que’er’s fear-filled pupils was my expression—cold and detached.

Taking two steps back, I slid my left hand out of the warm flesh, the sound of tearing skin faintly audible.

“Drip... drip...” Blood dripped from my fingertips, blossoming into dark flowers on the ground.

The wind stirred, and I cast a sharp glance around. Several figures instantly appeared atop the walls. “Miss!” The male voice sounded uneasy. When did he start addressing me as “Miss”? Sighing softly, I said, “It’s not yet the fifth watch. Master Lin, you’ve arrived early.”

Several other figures leapt down from the walls, surrounding the kneeling Que’er.

Lin Chengbi bowed his head. “Forgive us for our tardiness, Miss. You must have been frightened.”

I shook my hand, annoyed by the sticky sensation. “I’m no delicate flower sheltered from storms, Master Lin. No need for such formalities.”

Hurried footsteps approached from outside the courtyard, accompanied by faint light seeping through. The sound of a key unlocking the gate echoed, and the door was pushed open urgently. Leading the group was none other than Steward Han Rang. He paused briefly, then blocked the others behind him with his body, his voice heavy. “Everyone, wait outside.”

“Yes.”

Han Rang extinguished the torch in his hand, stepping aside with a respectful bow. “Madam.”

My sister-in-law stood wrapped in an outer robe, her long hair loosely tied into a bun. She stared at my bloodied left hand, her eyes widening in shock. Yet her tone remained calm, betraying no trace of disturbance. “Han Rang, Yinzhang, guard the courtyard gates.”

“Yes.”

She rushed over, grabbed my hand, and whispered anxiously, “Sister, are you hurt?”

I gently shook my head and pursed my lips. The members of Wuyan Gate stepped aside, revealing the injured and unconscious Que’er to my sister-in-law. Seeing this, she let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good, that’s good.”

“Master Lin,” I turned to the man beside me, my tone serious. “This woman uses the Qiushui Sword Techniques of Xuan Palace. Her name should be Lingque.”

“A seat protector from Xuan Palace?” Lin Chengbi’s voice carried a hint of surprise. “Miss, Lingque is one of the four guardians of the holy maidens of Xuan Palace, alongside Ge’ying, Dujue, and Zhegu.”

This was getting complicated. A guardian from Xuan Palace had infiltrated the house of a Qing general as a maid, intertwining the martial world with the imperial court—a tangled mess indeed. Furrowing my brows, I spoke: “Master Lin, can you bring Lingque back to Wuyan Gate for now?”

“Certainly, but may I ask what your plan is?”

I glanced coldly at the ground. “Revive her, then extract the identity of the mastermind behind this.”

“I understand.” Lin Chengbi nodded slightly, then commanded sternly, “A’mo, take Lingque back to the main altar.”

The tall man hoisted the petite Que’er onto his shoulder and disappeared into the night.

“Everyone, let’s go inside and talk,” my sister-in-law said cautiously, glancing outside the wall. “We must beware of eavesdroppers.”

I nodded, and we all entered the study. By the dim light of the lanterns, I caught a fleeting glimpse of a striking face—Lin Keyan.

Lin Chengbi gestured toward her and explained slowly, “This is Miss’s double, Zhuque of Wuyan Gate.”

Lin Keyan clasped his hands together in a respectful bow. “Your subordinate greets you, Miss.” His voice startled both me and my sister-in-law. A man? The brazen young girl my senior disciple had mentioned… was actually a man?!

Seeing my astonishment, Lin Chengbi kindly clarified, “Zhuque is my junior disciple and excels in disguise.”

I stared fixedly at the seemingly delicate and charming Zhuque, suppressing the urge to inspect him further—it was utterly unbelievable. “Even Tang, the leader of the Hundred Faces Sect, couldn’t see through it?”

“Hundred Faces Sect?” Zhuque snorted disdainfully. “Being compared to that amateur is an insult to me!”

Lin Chengbi reprimanded sharply, “Lü, show some respect.”

“Hmph.” Zhuque twisted his body, looking remarkably like a sulking young maiden.

I closed my jaw and gave a slight bow. “Forgive me for unintentionally offending Zhuque.”

He turned back, blinked at me, and smiled brightly. “No harm done, just don’t mention it again next time.”

Lin Chengbi shook his head helplessly. “Lü, stop fooling around. Hurry and prepare. At dawn, you’ll set off for Jiaocheng disguised as Miss.”

“Yes, yes,” Zhuque drawled lazily, pulling out a small cloth bundle. He studied me closely, then took out a small bamboo stick and measured it against my face from a distance. After a while, he suddenly sat down and began working busily.

“Sister,” my sister-in-law took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the blood from my hand. “When I saw you like that earlier, it nearly frightened me to death. This morning, I promised Zhusu I would take care of you. If something happened tonight, I wouldn’t have the face to meet him again.”

This morning... The memory of Que’er’s strange behavior during our farewell flashed through my mind. I gripped her hand tightly. “Sister, Brother might be in danger.”

The bloodstained handkerchief slipped from her fingers, tracing a soft arc in the air. “What do you mean?” She grasped my hand firmly, her grip almost painful. I recounted everything I knew, then softly reassured her, “Perhaps I’m overthinking this. Sister, please don’t panic.”

“Better safe than sorry.” My sister-in-law furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes clouded with worry.

“Therefore, I can’t stay hidden at home anymore.” I stood up and bowed deeply to Lin Chengbi. “Master Lin, I have a request.”

“Miss, anything you need, just command it. Such a formal bow makes me uneasy.”

I raised my head, my gaze steady. “I want to leave and search for Brother. Please assign some men to protect my sister-in-law and nephew.”

“The master already instructed this before leaving—it’s part of my duty.” Lin Chengbi nodded slightly, then added, “Actually, Miss, there’s no need for you to go personally. Once I contact the master, General Zhusu will know about this matter.”

“No!” I looked at my sister-in-law, who nodded in agreement, and stated firmly, “I must go.” I clenched my fists tightly beneath my sleeves—I had to personally vanquish the evil spirits. Farewell, separation—I couldn’t bear another such loss. “I’ll leave as soon as the city gates open.”

“All right!” A soft, melodious female voice interrupted. I looked up to see the faint candlelight reflected on a face identical to mine. As she approached, she tilted her head and wrinkled her brow, mimicking my expressions perfectly—it was like looking into a mirror.

“Zhuque, can you help me with a disguise?” I asked.

“Of course!” He pulled out a jar of ointment, his excitement making him gesticulate wildly. “What kind do you want? Fat, thin, old, young?”

“Male,” I replied decisively.

He froze, blinking after a moment, then placed his hands on his hips and declared loudly, “No problem!” He pointed to a stool. “Sit.” I obeyed. “Raise your chin!” I lifted my head. He dipped his finger into the ointment and was about to apply it to my face when my sister-in-law suddenly cried out, “Wait!”

Zhuque raised an eyebrow, confused, and looked at her. Seeing him make that expression with my face felt strangely unsettling.

My sister-in-law came over and subtly separated us. “A gentleman shouldn’t touch my younger sister’s face.”

Zhuque flirtatiously flicked his long hair and winked at her. “Sister, how could I possibly be a man?”

His coquettish tone sent shivers down my spine—it was too… unbearably creepy.

My sister-in-law’s smile froze as she stared blankly at him, completely speechless.

“Lady,” Lin Chengbi shot a glare at Zhuque and calmly explained, “This is a necessary step in the disguise process—it cannot be skipped.”

“Oh, oh,” my sister-in-law murmured hesitantly and stepped aside.

Zhuque rolled his eyes at Lin Chengbi and, with exaggerated force, began rubbing my face vigorously. “Remember, this Bi Lu ointment must be applied evenly and finely. If not, once the mask is on, your face will look like a patchwork.” As he spoke, he pulled out a stack of paper-thin masks from his bundle. His slender, elegant fingers moved gracefully across them, more delicate than any woman’s.

“How beautiful,” I couldn’t help but remark.

“Hmm?” He widened his eyes, looking at me in surprise.

“Ah, sorry!” I hastily apologized, fearing he might hold a grudge.

“No, no, no.” His beautiful eyes sparkled with delight. “You’re talking about my hands, aren’t you?” He held up both hands and waved them in front of me.

“Mm.” Seeing he wasn’t offended, I spoke freely. “Your wrists are white, your skin rosy, like tender bamboo shoots—they’re very beautiful.”

“Oh, I love honest people!” He patted his chest confidently. “Today, I’ll give you the most handsome face!”

“Ugh, no need for it to stand out so much,” I quickly interjected.

“Don’t worry, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!” Without further ado, he pressed a thin mask onto my face. Thanks to the ointment applied earlier, the mask adhered instantly. After all the fuss, I was utterly exhausted—I hadn’t slept at all.

“Done!” Zhuque clapped his hands and handed me a small mirror. “Take a look—the most handsome man in Shén Kūn!”

In the mirror was a pale, gaunt face, bleak like the winter moon, with only the eyes showing a hint of life. This… was the most handsome man in Shén Kūn? Was this face perhaps…

“One last important thing.” He handed me a strange protrusion and pointed to my neck. “Put this on.”

Curious, I examined it—it was a fake Adam’s apple. Facing the mirror, I carefully attached it, then turned to him. “Why don’t you have one of these?”

Zhuque held his breath for a moment, then suddenly a lump appeared in his throat. “This is called skill.”

“Oh.” I raised an eyebrow and smirked teasingly, “Impressive skill indeed, the most handsome man in Shén Kūn.”

His eyes widened in disbelief, a faint blush creeping across his face, which elicited soft chuckles from my sister-in-law and Lin Chengbi. Not bad—my hand brushed lightly over my face, detecting no foreign sensation. It seemed the mask he provided was exceptionally thin.

Zhuque pouted slightly and handed me a small jar of ointment. “Here, for you. You know how to use it, right?”

“Mm.” I tucked the jar into my sleeve. “Thank you.” Suddenly recalling something, I lowered my voice and asked, “I’ve heard you’re always clinging to my senior disciple. Could it be that you truly like him?”

Zhuque half-covered his face, then smiled coquettishly, his gaze fixed on Lin Chengbi as he enunciated clearly, “Yes, I’m in love with Feng Wuyu!”

Glancing at Lin Chengbi’s expressionless face, I shook my head helplessly. So that was how it was.

“Dong... dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!” One slow beat followed by four quick ones—it was the fifth watch.

“Well, it’s getting late. Sister, go back and pack up,” I said.

“Oo... oo! Oo!” As the roosters crowed one after another, the night finally came to an end, and the road ahead gradually grew clearer.

Dressed in male attire, I sat astride my horse. “Sister,” my sister-in-law raised her hand, passing me a jade token engraved with flowing cloud patterns. “This is another of Zhusu’s command tokens. Show it when you arrive at the camp, and you’ll have unrestricted access.”

“Mm.” I tucked the jade token into my bag and gave her a faint smile. “Sister, I’m leaving. Take care of yourself and Yan’er.”

“Don’t worry,” she replied with a confident arch of her brow. “Find your brother and come back soon. Be careful on the road.”

I patted Tanyaong, who had grown restless, nodded to her, and spurred the horse forward. “Hyah!”

Sparrows flitted over the eaves; cicadas startled out of trees.

The steed neighed loudly, chasing the sun and racing through the clouds.

Gripping the reins tightly, I pressed my lips together firmly: This time, I will hold on tightly to all that I cherish.