The crowd was immersed in grief, tears streaming down their faces, when Yun Xiao added another remark.
"Your Highness, I do not have such inclinations; I am a normal person."
Shangguan Wangye, usually composed and stoic, finally broke. His face turned a deep shade of blue, and he abruptly raised his hand, a surge of airflow forming in his palm before he flung it outwards.
The iron pots, ceramic bowls, and torches previously set on the grass were hit by the powerful airflow. They were swept up as if caught in a typhoon, crashing and splashing into the West City River.
The ground was suddenly plunged into darkness. Everyone could only see a tall, handsome figure drift past like a gust of wind, followed by the voices of Mu Li and another person.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, wait for this subordinate."
They chased after him, while the two hundred cavalrymen glared menacingly at the few people opposite them.
Yun Zhen glanced at Yun Xiao, surprised that Xiao'er was not only skilled in medicine but also mischievous. She had clearly been provoking Shangguan Lin just now, and Prince Lin seemed genuinely angered.
"You, you only know how to be mischievous and upset him."
Yun Zhen's voice was light and breezy, as gentle as spring water, devoid of any reprimand, only doting affection.
Under the pitch-black night sky, Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows, a radiant smile blooming in her dark, ink-like eyes. She had indeed done it on purpose.
She had intentionally provoked this Shangguan Wangye. However, he seemed different tonight from usual. Could it be that he was truly interested in men?
Yun Xiao hunched her shoulders, thinking with a touch of vanity. Had he really taken a liking to her in her male disguise? "No!" she thought, hunching her shoulders, tossing aside the bowl in her hand, her face etched with melancholy.
"You, you think too much."
Yun Zhen spoke again, his voice still gentle. He seemed accustomed to doting on this sister.
Sometimes, habit was a terrible thing. It happened subconsciously. Even knowing that the woman beside him might not be his sister from before, he still wanted to cherish and pamper her. He just wanted to know who she truly was.
She was exceptionally intelligent, possessed superb medical skills, and feared nothing.
"Xiao'er, I have something I want to ask you. Shall we walk by the river?"
Although there was no light, the cold moonlight shone brightly. By the West City River, lush wild grass had grown, spreading out like a green carpet. The siblings walked lightly, bathed in the moonlight.
Liu Xing, Jing Yun, and the others followed at a distance. In the quiet night, it had become much more peaceful. The patients who had taken the Zi Luo root felt less pain and gradually fell asleep. All that could be heard were the chirping of insects and the murmuring of the river.
Yun Xiao knew that what was meant to come would eventually arrive. Yun Zhen was truly a wise person. She tilted her head to examine him.
In the dim moonlight, he wore a dark blue robe. It was made of ordinary fabric, not fine silk or satin, yet it exuded an innate elegance.
The night breeze gently lifted his dark hair, making it flutter like a dense, impenetrable fan. His features were gentle and refined, like jade. He lacked Shangguan Lin's firm severity or Mu Rong Chong's wild dominance, possessing instead a unique aura.
He was elegant and refined like a slender bamboo, his subtle fragrance permeating the dark night.
What kind of ethereal woman would be suited for such a man? Yun Xiao pondered as Yun Zhen stopped beside her. He stood still, his deep, ocean-like eyes gazing at the shimmering river surface.
"Tell me, who exactly are you? I have reason to believe you are definitely not my sister Yun Xiao. Perhaps Xiao'er could improve, but her medical skills would not be this extraordinary. Such profound medical knowledge requires decades of cultivation."
Yun Xiao was startled. She hadn't expected Yun Zhen to ask so directly. She didn't want to deceive him, sighing inwardly, tears welling up in her eyes.
She remembered her parents and friends from her past life. When they faced her death, were they as heartbroken and sorrowful as she felt now facing Yun Mo?
"Do you believe in souls? I am still a wisp of soul from another world. In our world, I had already died. My soul, however, traversed into this body, and I became Xiao'er, and Xiao'er became me."
After speaking, Yun Xiao looked at Yun Zhen's tall, upright figure. She knew such a thing was hard to believe. Whether he believed her or not, she did not want to lie to him.
Yun Zhen's heart sank. Xiao'er meant that the original Xiao'er was dead, and she was merely a wandering soul from another world.
The thought of his sister Xiao'er being dead pained Yun Zhen deeply. However, after the pain, a flicker of warmth arose. At least she had come, and he and their father had something to cling to.
If it weren't for her, their father would likely have lived out his days in regret, and his hatred would have only grown. Therefore, since she had come, she was their sister Xiao'er. As for the real Xiao'er...
Yun Zhen looked up at the vast, pale blue sky, dotted with countless dazzling stars. One of them, the largest and brightest, must be his sister Xiao'er.
She had gone to heaven and must be very happy. And the current Xiao'er was his sister.
Yun Zhen turned back, his clear and serene eyes veiled by a light mist. He reached out, gently tousled Yun Xiao's hair, and whispered softly, "In that world, you must have been a truly endearing person."
This meant he had accepted her. Yun Xiao was filled with emotion. As for being endearing?
Her parents and friends had all said she was a bit rigid, always dealing with dead bones. She had very few friends, and had never even dated. Was such a person endearing?
It was more likely to earn resentment. But what was there to say at this moment? Knowing that Yun Zhen accepted her as his sister made her very happy.
"Thank you, Yun Zhen. You are truly like a big brother, with a heart as vast as the sea and a spirit as resilient as bamboo. From now on, you are my brother."
"Mm," Yun Zhen said no more. He turned and walked ahead, choosing a slightly elevated spot to sit down. He patted the green grass beside him, gesturing for Yun Xiao to sit.
Then, as if performing magic, two pots of wine appeared in his hands. The pots were small and gourd-shaped, quite charming.
Yun Xiao took one, clinked it with Yun Zhen's, and unceremoniously pulled out the stopper, taking a drink directly from the mouth, then smacking her lips in admiration.
"This is truly good wine."
"Peach Blossom Brew, it's quite rare," Yun Zhen said, also taking a sip. He leaned back, lying on the grass, his hands propping up his head, his eyes fixed on the sky.
He gazed at the bright stars and then spoke softly, "Do you think Xiao'er is happy up there?"
Yun Xiao understood what he meant. She, too, lay down on the grass, a blade of grass in her mouth, chewing it slowly. The grass had a slightly sweet taste. She looked up at the sky and said earnestly, "She must be living very happily and joyfully."
"Mm," Yun Zhen finally felt at ease. He turned over to face Yun Xiao, raising his wine pot. "Come, let's celebrate. Celebrate my sister Xiao'er becoming a famous doctor."
"Thank you."
Yun Xiao raised her wine pot, sloshed it, and boldly took another drink.
Yun Zhen gazed at her intently, his dark eyes deep and shining, his thoughts unreadable. After a long while, he said, "Are women in that world all like you, not only skilled in medicine but also able to drink?"
Her spirit was as bold and unrestrained as that of a man.