Chuxia had to meet his gaze, her tone not yielding: “You’ve destroyed the Heavenly Dipper, why can’t you leave me here with peace of mind?”
The young master still gazed at her calmly, not explaining further, only saying, “You promised me something.”
Chuxia’s mouth fell slightly open, incredulously, “What did you say?”
“You’ve promised me something, and now I’m asking you to go out with me.” The young master said expressionlessly.
Chuxia’s expression grew colder, gritting her teeth, “Jun Ye An, so you were waiting for me here.”
The young master released her, standing with his hands behind his back, his robe hem fluttered by the wind, his eyes dark, yet he only said calmly, “We will set off in a few days, no need for further preparations.” He said no more, turning to leave. Chuxia hesitated for a long time, finally calling out to him, “Young Master… I really don’t want to go.”
The young master paused, turned to look at her, his face initially expressionless, but upon meeting her gaze, he suddenly paused. Her eyes held no stubbornness or awkwardness; she just looked at him, soft and transparent, yet seemingly filled with sorrow.
“Chuxia…” His heart softened almost to the point of yielding to her request. However, Chuxia had already withdrawn that momentary look, turning her head aside to not let him see her expression, “Young Master, I’m just very uneasy… I always feel like something bad will happen. Let’s not bother with the ‘Mountain and Water Ballad,’ okay?”
The young master pursed his lips, quietly watching her, his voice gentle, “Girl, I’m not going for the ‘Mountain and Water Ballad.’ But this matter must be resolved.” He stepped closer, gently stroking her hair, slowly saying, “Some things, if I don’t take care of them, they will come knocking. So… it’s better to take the initiative.”
Chuxia looked up at him, his tone so gentle and sincere, making her believe him—but she also trusted her instincts, which were so strong that she couldn’t shake off the unease, “But I always have a bad feeling… If we go on this trip, either you or I… will regret it.”
The young master pulled her into his arms, smiling, “We won’t… Girl, if I say we won’t, then we won’t.” His chin gently brushed against her hair, tickling her, “Once the ‘Mountain and Water Ballad’ is resolved, we’ll go to Jiangnan, to the North Desert, you can see whatever you want, okay?”
Chuxia buried her head in the young master’s embrace, just like every night before, whenever she had nightmares, this faint, lingering scent enveloped her. Suddenly, she asked out of context, “Young Master, is it you? When I have nightmares, that person… is it you?”
This was the second time she had asked this question. The first time, the young master avoided answering, but this time, she waited with some anticipation and tension for him to speak, finally hearing a low, affirmative “It’s me.”
Her hand unconsciously gripped his robe, looking up at his face. In the deep courtyard, light filtered through the tree shadows, casting a dappled pattern on the young master’s refined profile. His gaze was tender as he slowly leaned down to kiss her cheek. Chuxia did not avoid it, only murmuring, “Young Master… I’m still scared.”
The young master’s movements paused, then he chuckled, “Chuxia, don’t call me ‘Young Master’ anymore—I remember you’ve called me by my name before.”
“Jun Ye An?” Chuxia called out, feeling it wasn’t quite right… it seemed she only used that name when she was angry.
“Just call me Ye An,” the young master said lightly.
Chuxia silently recited the name in her heart, but when it came time to say it, she still felt somewhat powerless. “Young Master—”
The young master looked at her faintly.
“Hmm, Ye An?” Chuxia’s tone was hesitant, as if not entirely sure. The young master smiled, his smile so genuine that he couldn’t help but comment, “You’ll need to call it a few more times to get used to it.”
Someone coughed softly behind them. Chuxia quickly stepped back, seeing Bai Xue standing there with a half-smile, not knowing how long she had been watching. She blushed slightly, hurriedly greeted him, and then turned to leave. The young master did not stop her, only looking at the Zhuque Envoy dressed in short combat attire, “Are you ready?” Bai Xue nodded and gave a charming smile, “Young Master, are you sending Qinglong with me?” The young master raised his eyebrows slightly, “Why? You’re unwilling?” “I would be delighted, and I’ll certainly take good care of him,” Bai Xue’s smile in her eyes slowly faded, “But, Young Master, with just you and Chuxia on this journey, won’t there be any trouble?” The young master seemed to find the question somewhat absurd, momentarily unsure how to respond. “Young Master, having emotions or not, it’s just a difference in one word… but the meaning behind it is vastly different. Previously, you roamed the martial world alone, naturally unattached, fearless, and without concerns. Now, with someone in your heart—Young Master, ask yourself, now that you and Chuxia are in love, would you still be willing to use her as bait and throw her to the mercy of the Tiangang?” The young master fell silent, and Bai Xue sighed softly, “In any case, Young Master, please be careful.”
Scholar Su’s injuries were visibly improving day by day, and his energy was much better. This scholar had a rather stubborn streak; aside from recuperating and reading, he would spend his time meticulously going through the account books. If he encountered something he didn’t understand, he would grab someone to ask. Sometimes Chuxia felt he was working too hard and would try to persuade him, but Scholar Su would shake his head and say, “A gentleman does not eat the bread of charity. Since I’ve agreed to manage the accounts, I must do it properly.” Chuxia watched him clumsily fiddle with the abacus, making a series of loud clicks, only to mess up the beads again. Feeling somewhat speechless, she stood up, “I’ll fetch you some more books. Tomorrow I’ll be out of the mansion for about ten days or half a month.” Scholar Su was surprised, “Where are you going?” Chuxia didn’t answer, just looked at the sky and said, “Looks like we’re going to have a heavy rain today.” Scholar Su struggled to sit up, “Since you’re going out, let me cast a divination for you to predict your fortune.” Chuxia stopped, slightly curious, “You can tell fortunes?” Su Feng Hua proudly said, “Of course.” “Then why didn’t you foresee your own family’s decline and being chased?” Chuxia asked sincerely, her clear eyes fixed on Scholar Su. “This…” Su Feng Hua coughed awkwardly, “A diviner does not predict for themselves.” “Alright then, you can predict for me.”
That afternoon, the thick clouds pressed down like a heavy quilt, making it stiflingly uncomfortable. Chuxia opened the window; the air was so humid it could drip, yet there wasn’t a hint of wind. Su Feng Hua tinkered for a long time, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his expression grave. A bolt of lightning tore through the cloud layer in the distance, starkly visible, followed by the rolling thunder, as if endless mountains were approaching layer by layer. Chuxia frowned, “What does the divination say?” “The hexagram is Dui, indicating disputes and destruction,” Su Feng Hua murmured, “Great misfortune… great misfortune.”
Chapter 27 (Part Two)
