“Sit down,” Yun Xiao gestured to the seat in front of her. Ye Wu Yun swept his long robes and sat down, his posture elegant and captivating, his every move graceful and refined, his demeanor noble and clear.
Yun Xiao noticed that this man particularly liked to wear purple clothes, deep purple, light purple, dark purple.
In short, all his clothes were purple. Purple really suited him, highlighting his tall and straight figure, his fair skin, and his elegant temperament.
Cold poison was a slow-acting poison administered to the blood, which could make a person's blood icy. Because of its long incubation period, it was undetectable at first.
By the time it was discovered, it was already severe. Yun Xiao took his pulse.
Preliminary estimates suggested that Ye Wu Yun had been suffering from cold poison for at least five to six years. Judging by his age, it was administered when he was fifteen or sixteen. Who would inflict such a wicked poison on him?
“This cold poison is already quite severe. To eradicate it completely will likely take some time; it cannot be cured in a day or two.”
Yun Xiao told the man opposite her indifferently, slowly withdrawing her hand.
“You mean there is a way to cure this poison?”
“I will try my best, but I must make a deal with you now.”
Yun Xiao’s expression was arrogant, and she stared fixedly at Ye Wu Yun. She knew Ye Wu Yun was a formidable individual. He had been lying low, not out of a lack of desire for fame or fortune,
but due to his physical condition, he had kept to himself. However, she had witnessed his capabilities firsthand.
“Speak.”
Ye Wu Yun did not become overjoyed upon hearing that his condition could be treated. Instead, he remained very calm, his deep, cold eyes holding a submerged darkness. This Leng Yue was no simple character.
He acted erratically, not playing by the rules. When he was in a good mood, he would heal people; when he was in a bad mood, he would only torment them. Who knew what kind of demand she would make? This person was like a demon in the dark night, and one had to be extremely cautious when making a deal with a devil.
“I saved you, so your life belongs to me. From now on, if I command you to do something, you must fulfill it.”
Yun Xiao stated calmly. Her demand was not excessive because her saving his life was undeniable, and it was only right for him to work for her.
However, Ye Wu Yun remained motionless. On his purple brocade robe, golden mandalas bloomed, exuding a wild, enchanting golden glow.
His sharply defined features showed a slight arch of his brows as he spoke with a devilishly arrogant tone.
“Firstly, I will only help you three times. Secondly, you cannot violate my principles.”
“Three times?” Yun Xiao blinked. Wasn’t this too much of a loss? His life was exchanged for only three of his services. It was truly not worth it. However, looking at the man’s arrogant and indifferent demeanor, it was likely that he would rather let himself die than compromise.
“Alright, three times. But Qiao Fan’s case is separate. If I heal her, that will be an additional time. And you must compensate for the losses in the manor.”
Yun Xiao stood up, pointing to the herbs that had been trashed in front of the manor, reminding Ye Wu Yun. She then yawned and headed upstairs.
Behind her, Ye Wu Yun watched her with unblinking eyes. This person was peculiar and unfathomable, yet his charisma was unmatched, making anyone who glanced at him remember him forever…
Late summer, the night was cool as water, with a gentle breeze and a bright moon.
The sky was like ink, the moonlight thinly spread, and a blue light enveloped the earth.
Fireflies flitted in the corners, burning out their last rays of residual light. Flowers bloomed luxuriantly, their fragrance rich and dense. This last struggle was a vow to remain in others’ hearts forever.
The zither music was distant and ethereal, elegant and melodious, like a river of spring breeze flowing eastward.
The manor was hit by an east wind last night. When will the spring flowers and autumn moon end? How much of the past remains?
Wanwan leaned against the doorframe not far away, listening to her mistress play the zither with a thoughtful expression. She reached out and lightly touched the bead curtain, which jingled musically, clear and pleasant to the ear.
It seemed her mistress was waiting for someone. She smiled and quietly withdrew.
Yun Xiao played the zither while gazing out the window. The crescent moon hung among the stars, and the sky was a vast blue, without a single trace of clouds, bringing a sense of peace and expansiveness.
All things were immersed in a veil of light, and even the distant voices and shouts seemed ethereal and fleeting.
She was waiting for someone.
She didn’t know if he would come, but whether he came or not no longer mattered, because she believed in him.
Belief was not an easy thing. After a day of anxiety and deliberation, she had finally chosen to firmly believe in him.
The word "trust" was simple to say, yet how many people could truly achieve it? Yun Xiao sighed, her eyes half-closed, her senses following the notes beneath her fingers.
The notes seemed alive, soaring into the heavens, winding and circling.
Suddenly, a clear and elegant fragrance permeated the air. A person, dressed in light clothing and loose robes, with fluttering sleeves, stood beneath the window. His black, lustrous eyes were like the brightest star in the cool night, or like a pearl that had been immersed in a deep pool for a long time, emitting a shimmering cold light, dazzling and brilliant.
As the melody ended, applause broke out, followed by a deep, resonant voice: “Are you waiting for me, Xiao’er?”
This time, Yun Xiao did not act coy. She opened her slightly hazy eyes and stared fixedly at the person who seemed as light as a gentle breeze, his robes fluttering. A knowing smile played on his distinctive lips, and his eyes were like a flowing spring, so tender they seemed like a pool of water.
In his gaze, she saw intelligence and a pure heart, as well as an unsullied purity. How could he possibly have killed Sima Qingyun? There was only one explanation: it was a scheme. This scheme had saved the Sima Mansion and Prime Minister Sima Qingyun.
“Yes, this humble one is waiting for you. I wonder if my lord will come tonight?”
Yun Xiao blinked her eyes, feeling thoroughly amused. She smiled with extreme charm, though she couldn’t replicate the cloying sweetness of a courtesan; instead, it held a touch of comic humor.
However, this clever and lively spirit, when seen by the person outside the window, touched him to the core. Naturally, he didn’t forget to play along. With a wave of his wide water-cloud sleeve, he traced a beautiful arc. His posture was like a willow, and he gracefully flashed inside. His magnetic, deep voice rang out.
“You little imp.”
He had already entered her spacious embrace, hugging her tightly. His magnetic voice carried a hint of helpless joy. His deep black eyes were like a thousand-year-old magnet, capable of deeply drawing people’s hearts.
Yun Xiao gazed at him, feeling the ardor in his heart. She stared at him without blinking, her heart pounding like a small deer. With a beauty in his arms, flawless as jade, he was no ascetic. Moreover, she was his most cherished person.
Mu Rong Chong carried her towards the bed. Yun Xiao couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, placing her hand against his chest: “What are you doing? What are you doing?”
“I’m sleeping with you tonight. I have matters to attend to tomorrow, and I won’t be back in the capital for several days.”
His voice could not hide his loneliness. Even before leaving, he already felt the pangs of longing. It wasn’t that he didn’t miss her, but he hadn’t reached the depths of their affection yet. For someone like him, he wanted to keep her by his side at all times to feel at ease, fearing that if he was not careful, someone else might lay eyes on her.
“Leaving the capital?”
Yun Xiao was startled. She reached out and hugged him, also somewhat surprised. Thinking of the days they wouldn’t see each other, she felt a pang of reluctance, as if she had grown accustomed to his presence.
Or perhaps she had grown accustomed to having him around. If he were not by her side, she would feel unaccustomed to it. However, having a few days of leisure was also a good thing.