AUOF - 86

Sang Li didn’t sober up until the next day.

In her half-dreaming state, it seemed like she had a vague dream. She scratched her head, and her fingertips touched a cool Flowing Cloud Jade hairpin, with a vivid red hibiscus flower adorning it.

Startled, those blurry fragments gradually became clearer.

Sang Li held the hairpin in a daze; she no longer remembered what she had said, perhaps giving some sort of promise or something else.

She couldn’t recall.

Deciding to set aside the hairpin for now, she got up to wash and dress.

**

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve.

As expected, another heavy snow fell over Gui Xu Sea.

Yue Zhuqing had arranged a banquet in her courtyard and invited Sang Li over.

She changed into a new peach-colored blouse, paired with a white cloak. After some thought, Sang Li decided to wear the Flowing Cloud Jade hairpin and happily went to the feast.

The banquet was set up on the pavilion in the backyard.

They enjoyed the snowy lake scenery while drinking tea and wine, creating quite an elegant atmosphere.

When she arrived, everyone else was already there, including Qi and Ningxi, as well as Shen Zheyou and Si Tu, which surprised Sang Li.

Si Tu was playfully bickering with Ningxi. Whatever Ningxi said made her pout in discontent.

As for Shen Zheyou, his seat was next to Yue Zhuqing. Remembering the content of the original story, Sang Li felt a pang in her heart and quickly rushed over, “Senior Sister.”

Everyone’s gaze instantly turned to her.

Yue Zhuqing immediately stood up, a noticeable joy spreading across her usually cold face, “It’s been a while. A Li has become even more beautiful.”

Sang Li shyly smiled, “Senior Sister, don’t tease me.” Then she added, “It’s all my fault for not visiting you these past days.”

Hearing this, Si Tu, who had been arguing with Ningxi, also expressed her dissatisfaction, “What do you mean, Sang Li? You didn’t come to see me either! Why didn’t you think about seeing me? What does it mean to only see Yue Zhuqing?”

Si Tu had been thinking about her for months, but she hadn’t received any news from Sang Li upon her return, and now she seemed to only care about Yue Zhuqing.

Sang Li countered, “Goddess didn’t visit me either.”

Si Tu was furious, “You’ve grown bold, did you want me to come looking for you?!” Though she said this, she didn’t show too much anger and couldn’t help but smile a little.

Yue Zhuqing smiled faintly as she listened to their banter.

“Let’s sit down. Sang Li, you...”

“I’ll sit with Senior Sister.” As Sang Li spoke, she elbowed Shen Zheyou out of the way, unceremoniously taking his original seat.

Shen Zheyou glanced at her indifferently and silently sat down opposite.

Seeing this, Si Tu also sat next to Sang Li, leaving the three men sitting across.

“Why is the goddess here too?”

Sang Li was genuinely curious.

In the original story, Yue Zhuqing and Si Tu weren’t enemies, but their relationship wasn’t close enough for an invitation. Unconsciously, she stole a glance at Shen Zheyou beside her, fearing that the scumbag might have taken advantage during her absence.

Seemingly noticing Sang Li’s sidelong glance, Shen Zheyou paused slightly, then subtly started chatting with Qi nearby.

Ningxi at this moment said, “I invited her.” He smiled brightly, “The goddess traveled thousands of miles to Gui Xu and had no friends. Spending New Year’s Eve alone would be pitiful.”

Si Tu glared at him and kicked him, “I have plenty of friends. Get away from me.”

Ningxi grinned, “The other seat is for Lord Ji. I dare not move over there.”

With this remark, Sang Li noticed there was still an empty seat.

“Is Lord Ji coming too?”

Yue Zhuqing smiled, “Every year we leave a seat for Lord Ji, whether he comes or not is up to him.”

She understood.

Ji Hengyu probably wouldn’t return.

She absentmindedly touched the Flowing Cloud Jade hairpin in her hair, lost in thought for a moment.

This small gesture did not escape Yue Zhuqing’s notice. When Ji Hengyu had asked her to specifically keep the Flowing Cloud Jade, she hadn’t questioned his intent. It wasn’t hard to tell that the hairpin adorning Sang Li’s head was crafted from that piece of jade.

Indescribable emotions stirred within her—some surprise, but not entirely unexpected.

Her heart softened, and her gaze towards Sang Li grew gentler.

“If Lord Ji doesn’t come, then he doesn’t come. We can enjoy our gathering.” Yue Zhuqing poured wine for everyone, “The first toast is to A Li passing the trial successfully; the second is to the New Year, and the third is to wish us happiness and peace every year.”

Everyone raised their cups to clink, just about to drink when Qi suddenly looked alarmed and bowed behind him: “Lord Ji.”

Sang Li followed his gaze.

Ji Hengyu stood at the boundary where candlelight met snow. His silver bamboo-patterned cloak enveloped his entire body, accentuating his tall and slender figure.

Snowflakes drifted onto his hair and eyelashes, adding a touch of aloofness to his already gentle face.

As Ji Hengyu approached, his unhidden aura was like the wind and snow on the lake—not sharp, but piercing to the bone.

Upon nearing, Ji Hengyu revealed a smile, and the frost around him began to dissipate: “Having nothing to do, I came to join the fun. Is there a seat for me?”

“Lord Ji, please sit here.”

Qi had forgotten about the empty seat and hurriedly moved aside, worried that Ji Hengyu would find him displeasing. He even thoughtfully wiped the chair with his sleeve before making a respectful “please” gesture.

Ji Hengyu: “….”

Yue Zhuqing: “….”

This eldest disciple was beyond help.

Yue Zhuqing sighed inwardly, put down her wine cup, and slowly rose, “Lord Ji, please sit here.”

She voluntarily gave her seat to Ji Hengyu and sat in the farthest spot from Sang Li.

He didn’t hesitate and actually sat down.

Instantly, his chill swept over to Sang Li. She kept her eyes straight ahead, sitting upright in crisis, which made Ji Hengyu chuckle quietly.

“Lord Ji fears the cold, I’ll heat up the stove.” Qi was very eager, saying this while adding fire to the stove.

For the first time, Yue Zhuqing felt weary of the eldest disciple. Under the table, she pulled him hard and, when he looked at her in confusion, nodded toward Sang Li.

Their shoulders were close, the atmosphere subtle.

Only then did he realize, his ugly face blushing as he obediently sat down.

“In previous years, Lord Ji wouldn’t give us this honor. Surely, Lord Ji has someone in mind.” Ningxi was always daring, noticing the subtle tension between the two, and fearlessly teased.

Ji Hengyu didn’t shy away, openly accepting the comment: “Indeed.”

Ningxi’s eyebrows lifted, about to ask further when he heard Ji Hengyu’s voice calmly say: “If you want to know, compete with your Senior Brother Qi. If you win, I’ll tell you.”

His handsome face immediately fell: “Lord Ji always bullies me because of my youth. Every year, it’s either my Senior Sister beating me or my Senior Brother beating me.”

Ji Hengyu smirked: “Isn’t it because you neglect your practice and are inferior in skill?”

Ningxi ignored him.

Qi couldn’t bear to see his youngest disciple being criticized by Master, so he comfortingly reassured him: “No worries, you’ll fight with Senior Brother later. This time, you’ll definitely win.”

Everyone: “...” This senior brother might as well write “letting him win” on his face.

The atmosphere at the dinner table didn’t cool down with Ji Hengyu’s arrival.

Although Yue Zhuqing, Shen Zheyou, and Qi weren’t talkative, Ningxi’s mouth could make up for ten others, and occasionally bickering with Si Tu kept the atmosphere lively.

As dusk settled.

The starry sky created by illusions replaced the heavy snow.

Ji Hengyu waved his long sleeves, and fireworks lit up the entire Gui Xu Palace.

The brilliant fireworks were dazzling, instantly capturing everyone’s attention. The previously noisy Ningxi and Si Tu fell silent.

“Lord Ji finally understands leisure and elegance,” Ningxi admired while watching.

Ji Hengyu lowered his eyes to drink: “I’ve always understood.” It just depended on who he was facing.

He put down his wine cup, his gaze unreservedly fixed on Sang Li.

Feeling his stare, she nervously drank two cups of warm wine.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone was somewhat tipsy. Suddenly, Ningxi proposed a competition.

The four of them would ride swords, letting Qi fly alone in front, to see who was faster—the one flying or the ones riding the swords.

Si Tu found it amusing and, without hesitation, pulled the reluctant Shen Zheyou to accept the challenge. As for Qi, though feeling embarrassed, he also wanted to create an opportunity for Lord Ji, so he reluctantly agreed. Yue Zhuqing, who was wondering how to get rid of them, naturally nodded in agreement.

This left Sang Li and Ji Hengyu alone in the villa.

Sitting close together, the sudden quiet atmosphere made her uncomfortably rub the intricate patterns on her wine cup.

After a long silence, Sang Li felt she should say something.

She cleared her throat softly and mustered the courage to meet Ji Hengyu’s eyes, “I forgot to tell you the other day. The hairpin you gave me is very beautiful, I really like it.”

Hairpin?

Ji Hengyu’s expression flickered, his gaze slowly falling on her hair.

It was beautiful.

The vibrant yet tasteful hibiscus flower doubled her radiance.

Ji Hengyu had been busy with affairs recently. As for who had seen Sang Li and given her the hairpin, the answer was obvious.

His knuckles tightened, nearly crushing the wine goblet.

Sang Li nervously swallowed and cautiously probed: “I accidentally drank some wine that day. Did I say anything inappropriate to Lord Ji?”

Ji Hengyu rested his chin: “Let me think...” He genuinely recalled and then a smile crossed his eyes, “Yes.”

Sang Li was startled and scrutinized his expression. His smile carried a hint of teasing.

Unhappily, she pursed her lips: “...Lord Ji just likes to tease me.”

Ji Hengyu only smiled without speaking.

Sang Li suddenly remembered something and took out the Fushi Bell from her storage bag, handing it to him: “I originally intended to hand it in, but then I thought it contained my memories, so I reconsidered. This thing is useless to me; it’s better for Lord Ji to keep it.”

Without hesitation, he accepted it.

Afterward, Ji Hengyu said: “I have a way to dissolve the engagement.”

Sang Li was immediately astonished.

He slightly lowered his head, his eyelids covering his pupils, his profile shrouded in dimness, “At that time, I will ask you again.”

Sang Li was shocked and tightly gripped the small cup, naturally knowing what he referred to.

When it came to unfamiliar emotions, she had always been timid, lacking the courage to look him in the eye. Yet, even without seeing it, Sang Li could feel his gaze.

It seemed to carry a burning warmth, heating her heart slightly.

“You should know, I am not a good person.” Ji Hengyu’s voice was soft, his clear tone carrying a calm arc, “Someone as despicable as me, even if I can’t obtain what I desire, I will insist on forcing it.”

Sang Li looked at him incredulously.

Did this mean… even if she still didn’t like him, he would persistently force his way forward?

Ji Hengyu’s eyes met hers, his smile still gentle: “Being this honest, are you afraid of me?”

Sang Li first shook her head, then nodded firmly.

He chuckled softly, casually plucking the pearl hairpin from her hair. Meeting Sang Li’s puzzled gaze, Ji Hengyu said, “I’ll take this back for now. If things go smoothly, I’ll give you another gift.”

Before Sang Li could react, Ji Hengyu walked away, holding the hairpin.

Once out of the villa, the man’s previously smiling eyes turned cold, brimming with intense killing intent.

Ji Wu, sleeping in his consciousness sea, sensed danger and immediately woke up, without hesitation rushing to warn Ji Xun.

[What did you do? Master is coming to kill you!!]

Absolutely no mistake!

Ji Wu had been killed by Ji Hengyu countless times, even losing count. Even if he forgot the reason due to memory loss, the fear was etched into his bones.

Master… was definitely coming to kill Ji Xun!!