The door burst open, and An Jin stood in the doorway, blocking the light. His expression was unclear—neither happy nor sad.
“A Yao…” he called out, his tone strange, as if his voice had traveled through countless twists and turns. “Is it really you?”
I held my head high, coughed coldly, and ignored Yuanxiao’s cries for help, moving slightly towards the doorway. “I saw Yuanxiao running in this direction, so I came to check.”
I tried to peek inside through the gap between his body and the door, but he shifted, blocking my view. “A Yao, you’ve come to find me?”
He smiled brightly, then seemed to realize it was too much and tried to suppress it, making his expression appear stiff.
I pointed towards the window. “I’m here to find Yuanxiao.”
“Okay, come in and we’ll talk,” he said, stepping aside.
I rushed in without thinking, full of righteous indignation.
There was a woman by the window, staring blankly at Yuanxiao’s half-stuck body. “Que’er?” I said in surprise. “How is it you?”
She came to her senses. “Madam? No wonder Yuanxiao suddenly jumped at the window—you were behind this?”
“Of course not!” I quickly distanced myself. “It was entirely its own idea.”
Yuanxiao whimpered pitifully at me. I moved forward, helping Que’er pull it down from the window.
Yuanxiao lay on the ground, looking defeated.
“How are you… here?” I glanced at An Jin nearby, amused, and whispered to Que’er.
Que’er blinked. “You and my lord are in a cold war and sleeping separately. He was worried you weren’t sleeping or eating well, so he asked me to inquire.”
My heart warmed slightly, but I maintained my stern expression, refusing to look back at him.
Que’er looked between us. “Should I… take Yuanxiao and leave?”
After they left, only the two of us remained. I glanced at him, catching his tender gaze. When I looked back, he stepped forward but stopped when I glared, pointing at a stool. “…sit and talk,” he stammered.
I shook my head, saying seriously, “Actually, I have something to discuss with you.”
I explained the three-month deadline Hongdi had given me to deal with him. He showed no reaction, lowering his eyes and calmly responding, “I understand. You came to find me for this?”
