The Mountain Lord's Daughter

"Don't let him do anything reckless that could hurt you."

The Floating Dream Mirage wouldn't cause amnesia, and Yue Zhi Heng certainly remembered everything clearly. What happened in the mirage was just like his past, the only difference being that, this time, in the mirage, he saw the moonlight of the Spirit Realm that he had never seen before as a child.

Back then, he had made a deal with Wen Xun, serving as a slave at the Jianhuan brothel for several days. Later, he escaped from Du'e City with a mute girl and a group of spiritual cultivators.

In reality, there was no stunning, bright moon, only a torrential downpour. The two children had to hide under other people's eaves, repeatedly being driven away.

After months of trekking, Yue Zhi Heng had finally found the Yue Manor in Qiyang County, beginning over ten years of imprisonment and confinement.

He hadn't expected to fulfill the childhood wish in such circumstances. The absurd part was, if it were the present him, he would have remained unmoved. Yet, in the Floating Dream Mirage, he was still an eight-year-old child, almost unable to resist the feelings of that moment.

But so what?

Thinking about the pile of vows he had made when he was young, tricked into swearing by Zhan Yunwei, Yue Zhi Heng found it extremely amusing. He had never noticed before that Miss Zhan could be so naïve.

Although Zhan Yunwei didn't expect much, since no one had ever made a soul vow in the Floating Dream Mirage, she still couldn't help herself. She tried to struggle and asked, "Did you forget your vow?"

"I didn't forget," Yue Zhi Heng said as he took off his outer robe, "But compared to fulfilling the absurd conditions Miss Zhan set, I would rather die without a whole body. Please, move over."

"..."

He was shameless.

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but ask, "Does the soul vow in the Floating Dream Mirage not count?"

"I don't know."

"Aren't you afraid?"

Yue Zhi Heng gave her a surprised look. "Miss Zhan, do you think someone like me will have a good ending in the future?"

Zhan Yunwei opened her mouth, only to realize that he indeed had no good future. Few people in the world would want Yue Zhi Heng to live.

Even the Emperor of the Spirit Dynasty, if he knew that Yue Zhi Heng could use the Compassionate Lotus Mark to break through laws and kill opponents beyond his level, wouldn't hesitate to remove him as a potential threat.

Judging by what the Second Master said today, it seemed that even the Yue family didn't want him to live.

Yue Zhi Heng could tell from her expression what she was thinking. She probably didn't wish him well, and he wasn't surprised. Even if Zhan Yunwei had brought him out of the Floating Dream Mirage, she must have understood that even if he died, the position of the Chitian Mansion leader would simply be given to someone else.

Seeing that she couldn't convince him to suffer, Zhan Yunwei reluctantly moved over. Yue Zhi Heng lay down in the space she vacated.

He took off his outer robe, revealing a moon-white inner robe underneath.

Perhaps Yue Zhi Heng had specifically ordered this during the day, as there was an extra blanket on the bed. Zhan Yunwei hugged her own blanket and fell into a moment of indecision.

Should she take off her outer robe?

Honestly, it would be more comfortable to remove it, but when she looked at Yue Zhi Heng, a tall young man with a cold and stern face, his thoughts hard to fathom, she couldn't bring herself to lie down next to him without any mental reservations.

If she didn't sleep, the pearl light in the room wouldn't go out.

Yue Zhi Heng had to open his eyes and look at her. "Miss Zhan, I know you want to keep your chastity for your brother. But you've been thinking for quite a while. Are you going to stay awake until dawn? You've been through so much in the Floating Dream Mirage. Aren't you tired?"

Zhan Yunwei could hear the hint of sarcasm in his calm tone. What did he mean by keeping her chastity for her brother?

In her past life, she had already abandoned any thoughts of being with Pei Yujing.

She was dissatisfied with Yue Zhi Heng's words and retorted, "I certainly don't have the carefree and worldly experience of Lord Yue. Not only can you immediately recognize something like Nightly Spring, but you can also help a woman undress even when you don't like her."

Yue Zhi Heng replied coldly, "If you stayed at Chitian Mansion for a year or two, you would probably recognize most of the common medicines in the world. Since I've traded my life for everything I have now, I won't deprive myself for anyone."

Having chosen this path as a flattering minister, he intended to sleep on soft bedding, drink immortal wine, and eat delicacies!

He wanted to make his subordinates smile and make the common people fear him, to the point that they hated him to their core but dared not speak a word against him!

Zhan Yunwei had never understood this before, but after coming out of the Floating Dream Mirage, she somewhat grasped the concept. If she had lived a life where she had to kneel before others, with no dignity, then when she grew up, she would want to live in a way that repaid that suffering.

She couldn't accept being persuaded by Yue Zhi Heng, so she asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your identity?"

After all, Yue Zhi Heng couldn't possibly be the eldest son of the Yue family.

"Miss Zhan, you can say whatever you like." Yue Zhi Heng smiled at her, his tone dark and calm. "Who knows? If anyone finds out, I'll just kill them."

Zhan Yunwei snorted, finding the conversation pointless.

Yue Zhi Heng stared at her, his eyes cold. The world hated evil spirits with a passion, and even more so hated the children of evil spirits, who were seen as even more filthy and sinful.

Yet when Zhan Yunwei tried to threaten him, there was no trace of disgust in her eyes. In fact, when she carried him out of Du'e City, she even teased him, calling him "Little Demon."

It was as if, to her, there was no difference between the disciples of the Immortal Sect, the noble family members of the Dynasty, or the descendants of evil spirits who had escaped from such places.

She, a noble lady raised in the Immortal Sect, had clearly found the key but had walked so far with the young boy from a lowly background, showing him the prosperity under the clear breeze and bright moon.

Such a laughable action, yet it made him unable to mock her even a little.

As night deepened, Zhan Yunwei realized she couldn't keep this stand anymore.

She knew Yue Zhi Heng wouldn't give in, and she couldn't sleep in her outer robe forever. After all, since he didn't think much of her, even if she took everything off, he would probably only coldly mock her, saying, "Miss Zhan is nothing special."

There was an inner robe beneath her outer robe, and a smaller one underneath that. She had even more layers than Yue Zhi Heng. Since he didn't mind sleeping like this, why should she?

So, she simply lowered her head to untie her robe.

The clothes prepared for her by the Shihu were a flowing dress made of lotus-patterned fabric, with embroidered, multi-petaled lotus flowers in the same color on the ties. Although the dress was lovely and delicate, it was loose and comfortable, perfect for sleeping.

Yue Zhi Heng didn't know why Zhan Yunwei suddenly seemed to have made up her mind. His gaze didn't have time to look away from her before—

He was caught off guard when the lotus flower slipped off her shoulder, and another scene unfolded on her body.

"The long midsummer passed, and fireflies quietly landed on the window sill. The light of the pearl dimmed, replaced by her thick, ink-black hair and her fluttering lashes like butterfly wings.

The intertwined lotus vines piled up beneath her. She was already stunningly beautiful, with skin as white as snow.

From Yue Zhi Heng's perspective, her neck was long and graceful like jade, her chestnut-colored eyes as if swimming in clear water, her lips plump and red, tempting and luscious.

Yet she was oblivious to how she looked. Her fair fingers subconsciously fiddled with the knot of her clothes. It was easy to understand why there were so many beautiful women in the immortal mountains, but only this girl, in the midst of the empire's fame, could make the Third Prince think of her day and night.

When the confused firefly finally fluttered clumsily out of the window, Yue Zhi Heng realized that he hadn't moved his gaze and had been staring for quite a while. He lowered his eyes, coldly shifting his line of sight away.

Zhan Yunwei finally managed to untangle the knot in her clothes and noticed that Yue Zhi Heng had already closed his eyes.

She spoke, "Lord Yue."

Yue Zhi Heng coldly replied, "What is it now?"

"Could you extinguish the pearl light?"

Without opening his eyes, Yue Zhi Heng waved his hand, and the entire room was plunged into darkness as the pearls lost their glow.

Zhan Yunwei lay down, feeling so comfortable that she almost sighed. Not to mention, Yue Zhi Heng lived quite well. The bed was made from Yao Xian Ling Yu, keeping warm in winter and cool in summer. The mattress beneath her was woven from celestial silkworm thread, soft like flowing clouds.

This feeling of lying down, letting go, was so good.

Thinking back to Yue Zhi Heng's response earlier, devoid of any drowsiness, Zhan Yunwei asked the question that had puzzled her for so long.

"When you were a child, at the Jianhuan brothel…"

Yue Zhi Heng's voice was cold as he interrupted, "I didn't do that."

Zhan Yunwei froze for a moment, then realized what he meant. He was saying that he hadn't served those evil cultivators, nor had they abused him as a child prostitute.

"I didn't mean that. I was asking, was it Wen Xun who saved you?"

There was a long pause before Yue Zhi Heng's reply came, still tinged with displeasure.

"Mm."

"Who exactly is Wen Xun?" Zhan Yunwei asked curiously. "Why is it that a demonic being not only can control his murderous intent, but also summon a sword of light that shines like new? His personal sword is even stronger than many spiritual cultivators'."

But this time, Yue Zhi Heng did not answer her.

"Miss Zhan, are you going to sleep tonight or not? Do you think I don't know everything?"

Zhan Yunwei heard his latter sentence and realized that, indeed, she seemed to have an impression that Yue Zhi Heng knew everything. She didn't know when this strange idea had taken root.

She was truly tired now, so she stopped speaking, burying the lower half of her face in the thin blanket as her eyes fluttered sleepily.

Zhan Yunwei quickly fell asleep, but Yue Zhi Heng stayed awake until the third watch of the night, barely suppressing his consciousness before falling into a shallow sleep.

For the first time, Yue Zhi Heng seriously considered that perhaps he should let her have this bed—the one he had spent countless efforts crafting.

The next day, Fang Huai came to find Yue Zhi Heng, clicking his tongue.

"So it's newlywed bliss, Lord Yue… you've tasted the sweet honey and haven't had a good night's sleep?"

Although, based on what he knew, Yue Zhi Heng wasn't a man of great desires, people changed, especially when his wife was none other than Miss Zhan, a woman admired by half of the male cultivators in the kingdom.

Yue Zhi Heng could hardly be bothered to maintain his usual polite and gentle demeanor in front of him. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, get lost."

"Well, there wasn't much to say, but I happened to run into Miss Qu yesterday when I was out shopping." Fang Huai observed Yue Zhi Heng's expression carefully. "Since your wedding, Miss Qu has been in low spirits. Yesterday, she asked me to ask you when you would help her brother remove the remaining ice needles. I came to the Yue Manor and heard you were trapped in a killing formation, but seeing you're fine now…"

"Thanks to His Majesty, I'm not dead yet."

Fang Huai smiled. Yue Zhi Heng had really managed to establish a solid image of loyalty to the Spirit Emperor.

"Miss Qu's request isn't urgent. Everyone in Fenhe County knows that a few years ago, you saved her and her brother from the demonic calamity. Since then, she's secretly held feelings for you. When the empire called her to inherit her father's title, she refused and has stayed in this small Fenhe County. Yue brother, tell me the truth, do you have feelings for her?"

As he spoke, Fang Huai's teasing tone disappeared, replaced with a hint of worry.

Before Yue Zhi Heng married Zhan Yunwei on orders from the Emperor, Fang Huai had always thought that Yue Zhi Heng had feelings for Qu Lan Yue.

Not to mention, Yue Zhi Heng was such a cold and distant person, yet every month, he would personally help remove the ice needles from Qu Lan Yue's brother. When Qu Lan Yue first came to Fenhe County, she was alone and destitute, and it was Yue Zhi Heng who took her under his wing.

Because of this, for all these years, though the noble families of Fenhe County were eager to court Qu Lan Yue, they feared Yue Zhi Heng and didn't dare to act.

The entire Fenhe County had more or less accepted that Qu Lan Yue was Yue Zhi Heng's woman.

This time, Miss Qu might be in a panic, which is why she came to him for help.

Fang Huai frowned. What was going on here? Of course, he knew that neither Yue Zhi Heng nor Zhan Yunwei was willing to marry, but the situation was what it was, and there had to be a solution.

Yue Zhi Heng understood that Fang Huai was acting out of kindness and thanked him.

"Don't worry, I know what to do."

"Anyway, just make sure Miss Zhan doesn't find out," Fang Huai said. "Otherwise, I'm afraid she might overthink it."

Yue Zhi Heng paused for a moment, then lowered his gaze and said coldly, "You're overthinking. She won't care."

Fang Huai awkwardly rubbed his nose. He had a point.

Zhan Yunwei also had Pei Yujing in her heart. Although Fang Huai joked about Yue Zhi Heng and Zhan Yunwei's relationship, he knew that Miss Zhan might secretly wish for Yue Zhi Heng to die sooner.

If Zhan Yunwei didn't even like Yue Zhi Heng, why would she care about his past connections?

Taking advantage of Yue Zhi Heng meeting with guests, Zhan Yunwei handed the Demonic Puppet Pill she had hidden to Bai Rui. "Keep this for now. It's not safe to leave it with me."

The one thing she was most grateful for from last night was that the Demonic Puppet Pill hadn't been discovered. Yue Zhi Heng was just too cautious.

"Has the young lady not found the right moment to act?" Bai Rui asked.

"Don't even mention it," Zhan Yunwei said gloomily. "Yue Zhi Heng guards me more strictly than a thief."

It was clearly harder this time than in her previous life. Yue Zhi Heng still hadn't removed the bracelet for her, and in the Illusory Realm, he had discovered her ability to control spirits.

It seemed that the Demonic Puppet Pill was their last hope.

"Does the young lady have any other plans in mind?" Bai Rui asked anxiously. "The people in the Imperial Prison may not last much longer."

Zhan Yunwei knew they needed to act quickly.

In her past life, she had barely survived and used her control over spirits to surprise the enemy and rescue her people. But many young spirit cultivators had died in the Imperial Prison, including her four-year-old cousin.

Although the Empire didn't kill spiritual practitioners, they didn't treat captured cultivators kindly either.

This time, they had to act faster.

She needed to find the right moment to make Yue Zhi Heng consume the Demonic Puppet Pill, ideally when he was weak and not fully conscious.

If she remembered correctly, there would be such an opportunity in three days.

For now, she had to contact her second aunt and see if they could also take the spirit cultivator from the Danxin Pavilion with them.

Bai Rui tucked the Demonic Puppet Pill away. "I'll wait for the young lady's signal."

Not long after, Shi Hu arrived with news that someone had come to visit.

Shi Hu's expression was a little odd. "It's the mute girl from the back courtyard, the young mistress. Should I let her in?"

She spoke with little respect for the mute girl.

In the Yue family's ancestral hall, only Yue Zhi Heng's name was listed, and the mute girl had not been formally recognized. Most people in the household were unaware of the relationship between Yue Zhi Heng and the mute girl.

The mute girl was shy by nature and lived in the back courtyard, almost never coming to the front. She had little presence in the Yue household.

Although no one bullied her, she was treated as invisible.

It was the first time Shi Hu had seen the mute girl step out of her courtyard since coming to the manor.

Zhan Yunwei remembered that in her past life, the mute girl had also come to visit and brought pastries. At the time, she didn't know who the mute girl was and thought she had been sent by Yue Zhi Heng to humiliate her.

At that time, Zhan Yunwei had been at odds with Yue Zhi Heng, and she had thrown out the pastries the mute girl had brought. When Yue Zhi Heng returned, his face was cold, but he didn't say anything. He merely picked up the pastries.

Zhan Yunwei had never seen Yue Zhi Heng look like that. Even though he didn't scold her, there was a deep sense of self-mockery and a subtle hint of hatred in his eyes.

Later, Zhan Yunwei learned a few details from the household staff and began to guess at the truth. She had always felt guilty toward the mute girl.

In the front hall, the mute girl was hunched over, awkwardly waiting. In her arms was a bamboo basket, inside of which were sugar cakes she had steamed that morning.

She had intended to come earlier, but when she heard that her younger brother and Miss Zhan were trapped in a killing formation, she had felt helpless, pacing anxiously and praying for their safe return.

As for the Yue family only recognizing Yue Zhi Heng, she held no resentment—only gratitude for her younger brother's happiness.

When they were children, Yue Zhi Heng had endured much suffering. To the mute girl, the fact that Yue Zhi Heng could live a good life in the Yue family was something she would be grateful for for the rest of her life.

Although she had learned that her younger brother's actions were despised by others, and she had been heartbroken for a time, she had tried to persuade Yue Zhi Heng to follow a righteous path. But Yue Zhi Heng had always been more resolute than her. The mute girl, despite being his older sister, couldn't control him.

Yue Zhi Heng's marriage was the happiest event in the mute girl's life in recent days.

She had heard from the servants that the young mistress was extraordinarily beautiful and the descendant of an immortal sect, so she felt truly happy that her younger brother had married such a fine wife.

She didn't have any better gift to give and regretted not accepting Yue Zhi Heng's past offers. She had always refused out of fear of owing the Yue family.

Today, the mute girl had steamed the sugar cakes she usually wouldn't eat herself and was anxiously waiting to give them to Yue Zhi Heng. She didn't expect to see the young mistress; given her own lowly status, she thought even the soles of her shoes would dirty the ground. She only wanted to leave the cakes and do something for Yue Zhi Heng.

The mute girl understood the customs of the spiritual domain, where giving a gift to the new mistress signified the family's acknowledgment.

She had only wanted to hand the cakes over to a servant and leave, but unexpectedly, Shi Hu told her to wait a moment and went in to report.

The mute girl felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She was full of self-doubt, afraid of troubling Yue Zhi Heng, and increasingly regretted coming. She almost wanted to run away, but then she saw a young woman with eyes like autumn water stepping out of the inner hall.

After sending Fang Huai off, Yue Zhi Heng learned from the guard at the manor that the mute girl had come to his courtyard.

Yue Zhi Heng walked quickly back.

In that moment, he couldn't quite say what he was worried about, but as soon as he entered the courtyard, he didn't feel the cold atmosphere he had imagined. Instead, he heard soft voices and laughter.

The mute girl couldn't speak, so Yue Zhi Heng knew without thinking who was speaking. In the small courtyard, the young woman was looking down, holding a sugar cake in one hand and asking the mute girl something.

Yue Zhi Heng frowned as he looked over. He saw that his older sister, though still a little shy, had a joy in her eyes that even he rarely saw. She was patiently gesturing, and Zhan Yunwei, who was sitting opposite her, seemed unable to understand, guessing and speculating.

The mute girl gestured: "Your sister-in-law, Ah Heng is very gentle. Even if he gets angry, just coax him a little, and he won't stay mad. Also, he's very capable, he can give you almost anything you want."

Zhan Yunwei was completely confused: "Are you saying Yue Zhi Heng has a bad temper and likes to get angry?"

"…"

Yue Zhi Heng could not help but speak coldly: "Yue Qingluo, I'll take you back."

The mute girl quickly turned around, stood up hastily, and looked down at her feet, appearing as though she had done something wrong. Zhan Yunwei hadn't expected Yue Zhi Heng to be so forceful even with his own sister. The moment he spoke, the mute girl followed him and left.

Once they left the courtyard, Yue Zhi Heng said, "What did you need her for?"

The mute girl gestured for a while.

Yue Zhi Heng frowned. "I've told you, this marriage is by the Emperor's decree, it's not going to last. You don't need to do this."

The mute girl seemed a little down.

"And," Yue Zhi Heng said coldly, "don't talk to her about my affairs. Her heart isn't with the Dynasty, and she'll leave sooner or later. You'd better stay away from her, or she'll use you."

**The mute girl grew anxious: "If you are nicer to her, why would she leave?"

Yue Zhi Heng fell silent for a moment. "You don't understand."**

The mute girl noticed the look on his face and did not dare to speak further.

Yue Zhi Heng glanced at her: "You really like her?"

A smile appeared in the mute girl's eyes as she nodded vigorously.

"Why? You've just met her."

**Now it was the mute girl's turn to be confused. She looked at Yue Zhi Heng as if she didn't understand: "Don't you like her?"

Yue Zhi Heng's voice was cold: "I don't like anyone."**

The mute girl sighed. Although she didn't understand what Yue Zhi Heng was doing, she could distinguish between not liking someone, being unable to like someone, and not wanting to like someone.

Zhan Yunwei waited for a while before Yue Zhi Heng returned. He didn't comment on the mute girl's visit, nor did he ask what they had discussed.

Zhan Yunwei handed him the sugar cakes and asked, "Your sister's name is Yue Qingluo?"

Yue Zhi Heng wasn't surprised that Zhan Yunwei had figured out the mute girl's identity. He responded, "Yes." The Immortal Sect had always been straightforward, and he wasn't worried that Zhan Yunwei would use the mute girl against him.

"Such a nice name," Zhan Yunwei said. "From now on, I'll call her that."

Hearing Zhan Yunwei say "from now on," Yue Zhi Heng paused for a moment.

Zhan Yunwei said, "Lord Yue, do you know what day it was the day before yesterday?"

Yue Zhi Heng raised his eyebrows, a hint of understanding in his expression. "Miss Zhan, you want to do something again. Why don't you just say it?"

Zhan Yunwei ignored his remark and said seriously, "The day before yesterday was supposed to be the day I returned to my family."

Yue Zhi Heng sneered.

Zhan Yunwei's face flushed, realizing how forced her statement sounded. Well, in this current situation, she had no family to return to. She didn't even know where her father was, and today was already the fifth day.

But thinking of her plans, she said, "I request to make up the return. Spirit Domain Immortal Masters have the right to do so."

Yue Zhi Heng didn't give an immediate answer.

"We don't need to go back to Changya Mountain. We can go to Danxin Pavilion instead. I want to visit my second aunt," Zhan Yunwei said, deciding that she couldn't hide this from him any longer.

Yue Zhi Heng didn't expect her to speak the truth. He looked at her with surprise.

Zhan Yunwei asked, "Is that a problem?"

"No." Yue Zhi Heng's voice was low. "I'm just thinking… What kind of idea have you come up with to escape?"

"…."

Zhan Yunwei gritted her teeth. "Lord Yue, don't you have any confidence in yourself?"

Yue Zhi Heng said, "Miss Zhan, trying to provoke me won't work. I don't fall for that kind of trick."

Zhan Yunwei made a bold move: "If you want, you can give me a condition. I'll guarantee I'll do it."

Yue Zhi Heng glanced at her, and Zhan Yunwei quickly added, "Nothing too excessive."

He sneered dismissively.

But in the end, Yue Zhi Heng agreed to her request.

After noon, the two of them took a sedan chair to Danxin Pavilion. The young servants at the pavilion noticed the insignia of the Che Tian Fu on the sedan chair and hurriedly came out to greet them.

Danxin Pavilion was bustling with activity. Most of the visitors were people whose families didn't have an Immortal Master and had come to have an Immortal Master exorcise evil spirits.

The Immortal Masters at Danxin Pavilion often had sins of their own and had no right to refuse.

Some people recognized Yue Zhi Heng and couldn't help but look at him with a mix of fear and obsequiousness.

Yue Zhi Heng ignored these people trying to strike up a conversation. He had already sent word ahead, so Madam Hua was waiting for Zhan Yunwei inside the pavilion.

When Madam Hua saw Yue Zhi Heng and Zhan Yunwei enter together, she shot Yue Zhi Heng a cold look and quickly embraced her niece. "Yang Yang, are you alright?"

Zhan Yunwei understood her concern and nodded.

Since Yue Zhi Heng had dared to agree to send her here, he didn't mind letting them have some time alone. He said, "I'll wait outside."

Once he left, Madam Hua's expression turned sorrowful. She carefully checked her niece, asking, "That beast, did he…"

"No." Zhan Yunwei said, "Second Aunt, I haven't suffered any injustice."

Although Madam Hua didn't want her niece to be with such a man, she cared more about Zhan Yunwei's safety. Nothing else mattered.

Seeing that Zhan Yunwei didn't appear to be lying, Madam Hua finally relaxed.

Zhan Yunwei lowered her voice and explained her plan.

Madam Hua asked, "Are you confident?"

"If we can successfully get Yue Zhi Heng to take the Demonic Puppet Pill, I'm confident we can rescue my brother and the others," Zhan Yunwei said. "But for my younger cousins, I don't have a solution yet."

Madam Hua, understanding the greater picture, said, "Xue Yin is safe for now. First, we need to rescue the relatives in prison; that's the most important thing."

The two of them spoke for a while. Considering that Zhan Yunwei had grown up without a mother, Madam Hua felt the need to warn her. She took her hand and said, "If things really get out of hand, be careful. Don't let him hurt you."

Zhan Yunwei hadn't expected her second aunt to say such things. She was both amused and vaguely embarrassed, but hearing her second aunt's good intentions, she listened seriously.

After all, these were things a mother would teach her daughter. Although nothing would happen between her and Yue Zhi Heng, it wouldn't hurt to listen.

Madam Hua carefully instructed her on matters such as not overindulging in intimacy, and how to avoid pregnancy.

Zhan Yunwei responded vaguely, not expecting that, under the guise of returning to her family, she would actually hear so much about what one should do on such occasions.

Madam Hua continued, "Yang Yang, no matter whether you want to stay with Pei Yujing or not in the future, if he minds your past with Yue Zhi Heng, then he is not a good man."

There are always things in this world more important than love between a man and a woman. Everyone is bound by their circumstances.

Just like how Zhan Yunwei didn't blame Pei Yujing for not coming to rescue her, Pei Yujing had no reason to blame her for what she had done to survive and save her family.

Madam Hua looked at her with affection. "What others cannot give you, you must fight for yourself. It is never wrong to do so."

Although Zhan Yunwei had already come to terms with things and let go, hearing these words from another person still made her feel a sense of regret, as though it wasn't truly what it seemed.

It was summer, the rainy season in the Spirit Domain, when the weather was often unpredictable.

When they left, the sky was clear, but before long, a torrential rain started falling. The raindrops beat against the roof, making a sharp, incessant sound.

Zhan Yunwei pushed open the door, intending to find Yue Zhi Heng, but she noticed that he was standing not far away in the corridor, with a young woman in front of him.

The young woman wore a light blue silk gown, her figure slender, giving off an air of delicate, sickly grace.

She was holding an umbrella, so Zhan Yunwei could only see her lips and the lower half of her face.

The young woman was saying something, and Yue Zhi Heng was listening intently. Zhan Yunwei wasn't sure whether she should approach.

Noticing her footsteps, both Yue Zhi Heng and the young woman turned to look at her.

The oiled-paper umbrella was moved aside, and Zhan Yunwei finally saw the woman's full face. It was a striking face, exuding an ethereal, unforgettable aura, like a wild orchid hidden in a valley.

Zhan Yunwei suddenly had a thought in her mind, realizing that this might be the rumored Miss Qu, the one with whom Yue Zhi Heng shared a deep connection.

Upon seeing her, Miss Qu seemed somewhat surprised. She then looked at Yue Zhi Heng with an ambiguous expression, her voice soft and sad as she said, "Lord Yue, why don't you introduce me to this lady? Who is she?"

Yue Zhi Heng frowned as he looked at Qu Lan Yue, his expression cold, and he didn't speak.

For a moment, Zhan Yunwei understood Yue Zhi Heng's attitude when he had seen her interacting with Pei Yujing in the Mirage Realm.

Perhaps this was karma — a role reversal. Not wanting to disturb their reunion, Zhan Yunwei cleared her throat softly and, in a considerate manner, said, "I'll wait for you in the carriage, Lord Yue."

As for how to explain things, or whether she could win her lover's heart, that depended on Lord Yue's ability.

Zhan Yunwei's figure disappeared around the corner. Miss Qu, holding her umbrella, turned around slowly and noticed that Yue Zhi Heng's gaze was still fixed on Zhan Yunwei's retreating figure. She couldn't help but express a hint of sorrow, saying, "Lord Changsi is so heartless, staring at the back of his new wife without blinking right in front of her. How heartbreaking for her. Has Lord Yue forgotten how he once coaxed me?"

Yue Zhi Heng coldly looked at her. "Qu Lan Yue, what nonsense are you talking?"

Seeing that he was genuinely angry, Qu Lan Yue smiled lightly and covered her lips. "Don't be angry, Lord Changsi, I was just joking. But it seems that the Young Mistress of Changya Mountain doesn't care about you much. When she saw you so close to a stranger, her first reaction was to leave quickly."

Yet, her words didn't seem to have any effect on Yue Zhi Heng.

Qu Lan Yue saw that he wasn't reacting and sighed softly. "Miss Zhan is truly beautiful. She must be even more stunning when she cries. If I were you, I would claim her for myself. After all, we're not good people, and doing bad things is nothing surprising."

"I advise you not to have any thoughts about her." Yue Zhi Heng said coldly. "If you do, and she kills you, it will be your own fault."

"Ah, she looks so sweet and cute, but who would have thought she's so fierce," Qu Lan Yue raised her eyebrows in surprise, not daring to speak the rest of her thoughts aloud. She quickly changed the topic, "You must come to my manor sometime, or I won't be able to suppress those things..."

Yue Zhi Heng's voice was calm. "I'll come tomorrow."

After the business was settled, Qu Lan Yue held her umbrella and walked slowly into the rain, while Yue Zhi Heng stood still for a while before returning to the sedan.

Zhan Yunwei was leaning against the carriage, watching the rain and observing the nobles coming and going for exorcism rituals. She had thought that Yue Zhi Heng would take a long time, but before long, she saw him arrive, soaked from the rain.

She was very surprised. "You're done already?"

Yue Zhi Heng gave her a cold look. "Are you disappointed?"

Zhan Yunwei thought to herself that Yue Zhi Heng's mood was so unpredictable. He was meeting a lover, and she didn't get angry, but now he was angry for no reason.

Remembering that she had successfully seen her second aunt today, Zhan Yunwei was in a good mood and didn't feel like arguing with him. She asked, "Who was that young woman just now?"

"Qu Lan Yue."

See? She had been right. A woman's intuition was sharp. In her past life, she had only heard about this Miss Qu, and today, seeing her in person, she realized that Yue Zhi Heng certainly had good taste.

Although Miss Qu looked frail, her voice was pleasant, and her appearance was exceptional.

Moreover, despite Yue Zhi Heng abandoning her and marrying her under the Emperor's orders, Miss Qu hadn't given up. She had followed him to Danxin Pavilion just to see him. This kind of devotion was something Zhan Yunwei admitted she couldn't replicate.

Anyone who had abandoned her would find it hard to earn her forgiveness.

Zhan Yunwei asked Yue Zhi Heng, "What are you planning? Are you going to keep making Qu Lan Yue suffer?"

The implication was clear — she wanted him to stop clinging to her and come up with a solution.

Yue Zhi Heng found it hard to stay calm in front of Zhan Yunwei.

"Miss Zhan," he turned to look at her, smiling faintly. "There are some things I will only say once. My relationship with Qu Lan Yue is not what you think it is. If you want to leave, it's not impossible. You can either leave on your own merits, or if Pei Yujing is executed, His Majesty will no longer care about you."

Zhan Yunwei was stunned. "You don't like Qu Lan Yue?"

Yue Zhi Heng replied coldly, "I don't like her."

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but think back to the person who had told her that information. This was strange...

"Did you have a wet nurse when you were young?"

Yue Zhi Heng replied, "You've seen where I grew up. I returned to the Yue family at the age of eight. Why would you ask such a question?"

Zhan Yunwei hesitated, then said, "I once met someone who claimed to be your wet nurse." She went on to explain that the person had lied to her, saying that Yue Zhi Heng was a bad seed from childhood, full of misdeeds, and that he was cold-hearted, only having affection for Miss Qu and a mute girl.

Yue Zhi Heng lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Zhan Yunwei observed his expression. "Do you know who it was?"

"I can probably guess who it was. Do you remember the Tianjie Killing Formation used by Yue Wujou? My cousin isn't capable of such things."

Zhan Yunwei immediately understood. In the Spirit Domain, few people could draw the Tianjie formation. Apart from the Fang family where Fang Huai resided, the only other people who could do so were those from the previous generation of the Che Tian Mansion. It was said that the Dongfang family also had a long history of studying formations.

"Was it someone from the Dongfang family?"

Yue Zhi Heng nodded.

"But didn't Dongfang Jibai already die?" It was said that Yue Zhi Heng himself had killed him. Dongfang Jibai had been at the height of his power back then, no less influential than Yue Zhi Heng now. If he hadn't been so arrogant and offended the Spirit Emperor, and if Yue Zhi Heng hadn't been more useful, the Dongfang family wouldn't have fallen so quickly.

"He had a young son. Back then, he fell off a cliff, and the Che Tian Mansion thought he was dead. But now, thinking about it, he's probably still alive."

"Did you exterminate his entire family?"

Yue Zhi Heng smiled faintly. "Miss Zhan, what kind of look is that? Don't tell me this was the Emperor's command? If I hadn't exterminated his entire family, should I have waited for his son to grow up and destroy mine?"

Zhan Yunwei had no words to respond. The power struggles of the dynasty had always been like this. Only the most ruthless people survived. Wasn't the Spirit Emperor trying to wipe out the Immortal Sect now?

But that Dongfang Young Master hiding in the shadows was indeed someone not to be underestimated.

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but think, who wanted to kill Yue Zhi Heng? She felt that staying by his side was too dangerous and became even more determined to leave as soon as possible.

Three days from now, it would be soon enough. Success or failure would hinge on this.

The Demon Puppet Pill, you'd better hold on!

Due to the wedding, the dynasty had granted Yue Zhi Heng a seven-day leave.

As Fang Huai had said, once the Fang family got busy, Yue Zhi Heng would have more free time.

Zhan Yunwei noticed that Yue Zhi Heng was very studious. During the last two days when he didn't go out, he spent nearly all his time reading at home.

She had visited Yue Zhi Heng's study once and discovered that it contained books not only on weapon forging, but also on alchemy, poison, formations, and even techniques like whip fighting and swordsmanship.

This once again refreshed Zhan Yunwei's understanding of him. She silently reminded herself that, unless she was completely sure, she should not act recklessly against Yue Zhi Heng.

"Can I have a look?"

Yue Zhi Heng glanced at her. "Go ahead."

In fact, as long as she didn't do anything outrageous, Yue Zhi Heng didn't restrict her freedom. Although he knew she probably had something planned for her "return visit," he wasn't afraid.

After all, Miss Zhan, though full of schemes, lacked one thing—ruthlessness. Even if she had the opportunity, she would hesitate to kill him.

And as long as he was alive, Zhan Yunwei would find it hard to escape.

Zhan Yunwei continued to browse, and she noticed that the bookshelf even had a calligraphy practice book from when Yue Zhi Heng was younger. However, it seemed that the Yue family hadn't valued him much back then. The calligraphy was hastily done, likely because Yue Zhi Heng had too many things to learn and didn't have the chance to continue practicing.

At the far end of the bookshelf, there was a sealed box that looked like it had been there for years. Based on its size, it probably contained jade ornaments or something similar.

What could it be, that had to be sealed up like that?

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but ask.

Yue Zhi Heng glanced at the box and then at her, his voice calm. "It's nothing, just something from my early education."

She nodded. "I also used a spirit jade when I was young for my early education, but I ended up giving it away."

Yue Zhi Heng lowered his gaze. "Hmm."

On the eighth day, Yue Zhi Heng was finally going back to the Che Tian Mansion to resume his duties. Early in the morning, he put on the official robes of the Che Tian Mansion Master and was about to leave.

It was just after the second watch of the morning. Zhan Yunwei, still groggy, saw him putting on his dark-colored official robe. The silver embroidery on the collar looked imposing and sharp.

She mumbled, "Are you going to the dynasty?"

Yue Zhi Heng turned back to look at her. On the bed he had so meticulously crafted, half of the girl's face was exposed, her cheeks faintly flushed, her eyes half-closed, like a delicate, blooming begonia.

Yue Zhi Heng stared at her for a long while, then slowly replied, "Hmm."

But he found that she had already unconsciously fallen back asleep.

Yue Zhi Heng lowered his gaze, adjusting his sleeves, and suppressed all other thoughts. His heart became cold and hard once again.

That day, the rain continued from early morning until nightfall, and Yue Zhi Heng still hadn't returned.

The sky was dark and oppressive, like a giant beast ready to devour.

Yue Zhi Heng's absence wasn't an unusual occurrence. No one at the mansion usually cared about his well-being.

Only the still somewhat innocent Shi Hu asked, "It's raining so heavily. Will the Young Master return tonight?"

In her eyes, since the Young Master and Young Mistress had just married, it was only natural that they would be inseparable. It seemed unlikely that something so trivial would delay his return. Could something have happened?

But Zhan Yunwei knew that even if Yue Zhi Heng wanted to return, his life was probably hanging by a thread, and it would be hard for him to make it back.

She gazed at the dark sky, called Bai Rui, and retrieved the Demon Puppet Pill.

Her opportunity had come.