One hand gently rested on her shoulder, lifting her slightly from Qu Xiao-man’s embrace, then curved around her neck, resting on the back of her head, pressing her down onto his chest, while the other hand pressed firmly against her back, cradling her tightly against him. The familiar scent enveloped her, flowing all around, wrapping her gently and continuously. Yun Rao felt deeply embarrassed, and simply tucked herself like a peacock into his chest, silent and motionless. After a while, An Zi yuan slowly stepped back, gazing down at her. Yet Yun Rao remained deeply uneasy, her head bowed low, unable to look up, only occasionally wiping away tears with her hand. With her hand held and her chin gently lifted, Yun Rao was forced to meet An Zi yuan’s gaze—her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her swollen eyes too shy to meet his directly. The delicate fingers, like jade, lightly brushed her temples, while the palm gently cupped her head, the thumb’s pad gently wiping away the lingering tears, tender and slow. Yun Rao felt stiff, glanced at him hesitantly, only to find him slightly lowering his eyelids, intently and seriously focused on her. Her cheeks grew even hotter. "Why are you crying?" he asked. "I'm not crying at all!" she stammered, pushing her lips stubbornly. The fingertip resting against her eyelid applied gentle pressure, as if reminding her of her earlier, awkward tears. Blushing deeply, she shifted her gaze away, asking, "How did you come back? I mean—how did you manage to return?" Her voice had grown slightly hoarse from her earlier tears. An Zi yuan replied calmly, "Just to see if that clumsy girl will cry when I'm gone." "I wasn't crying because of you!" Yun Rao pouted, then, after a moment's thought, felt even more embarrassed, as if trying to cover up her embarrassment. "Now you've seen it, you still don't leave." "I don't want to leave," he said, his voice still calm and composed, yet subtly warm. Yun Rao sniffed, lowered her eyes, and remained silent. Yet he insisted on pressing gently on her chin, forcing her to Gazing into her eyes, he asked softly. Yun Rao pushed her lips slightly, her voice dropping unconsciously. "I haven't lied..." "Stop." An Ziyuan suddenly interrupted her. "Yun Rao, don't mention Xiao Ruan a single word in front of me. And stop repeatedly emphasizing that the man you love is Xiao Ruan." "I..." Yun Rao lowered her gaze, unsure of what to say. Though she knew it was impossible, she still insisted on trying, on tasting it out. Taking a deep breath, Yun Rao lifted her eyes to meet his. "Master An, actually, you haven't been that fond of me, have you?" An Ziyuan paused his gaze on her face before nodding. "Yes. You're not indispensable to me. But seeing you speak of your love for another man, seeing how familiar and close you've grown with him—those moments have unsettled me." Yun Rao managed a weak smile. "Then perhaps we each take some time apart. In time, you'll soon forget me, won't you?" "An Zi yuan still nodded gently," "Yes, but I don't want to forget how hard it is to meet a girl who touches my heart with compassion." "Yet this girl is destined to leave the lord's side eventually. Why not step away now, while the situation is still manageable? There are so many young women in the world—surely one will truly win the lord's heart, not merely move him with pity." An Zi yuan gently pressed her chin. "Yun Rao, how do you know that the one who will finally win my heart and whom I won't let go of isn't you?" Yun Rao lowered her gaze. "Then perhaps the lord should never fall in love with me—by the time he finds himself unable to let go, it may already be too late." An Zi yuan furrowed his brow, gazing at her. Yun Rao slightly smiled, forcing a warm expression. "The lord is a kind man, but alas, Yun Rao's fate is brief—she lacks the fortune to remain by his side for long. It is destined that she will not accompany him for the long haul." "Then, however long she can, she shall." "An Zi yuan interrupted her softly, 'Yun Rao, perhaps by the time you're no longer here, your appeal to me has already faded. How can you be certain that I'll never let go of you?' His words left Yun Rao momentarily speechless. She thought it made perfect sense—how could she be so confident that he would always remain captivated by her? Maybe within just a few days, he'd realize that beyond her face, she had little else to offer, and thus, his affection would wane. Once she understood this clearly, she no longer felt the need to dwell on it, merely smiling and saying, 'Then, if one day I leave without notice, will you not blame me?' An Zi yuan gently pressed her jaw. 'Yun Rao, with your words, I'll hold you firmly in my grasp.' Yun Rao smiled and glanced at the sky. 'It's getting late now; let's go check into a hotel.' As she turned to leave, An Zi yuan pulled her back. 'Yun Rao, be honest with me—how much does Xiao Run hold in your heart?' "Yun Rao arched her brows, 'Lord, didn't you just tell me not to mention Xiao Run at all?' An Ziyuan glanced at her. 'Then I now allow you to mention him.' Yun Rao hesitated, shoulders lifting slightly. 'Perhaps it's better if you don't. I'm afraid Lord will grow irritated.' An Ziyuan gently squeezed her waist. 'Do you truly like Xiao Run?' Yun Rao looked at him. 'If I say yes, will Lord leave just as he did a moment ago?' An Ziyuan paused, unsure of his answer. Yun Rao turned her head toward him. 'If Lord's answer is yes, then mine is also yes. If Lord's answer is no, then mine is no.' An Ziyuan gazed at her thoughtfully, then a gentle smile spread across the lines of his beautiful lips. His hand naturally drew her into his arms, and with her own words, 'It's getting late now—let's go check into a guest inn.' He led her toward the nearest inn. Qu Xiaomian sighed softly and followed silently. Unchanging stood there, staring at the backs of the two figures for a long time, utterly puzzled as to what had happened. Just moments ago, he had left with a serious expression; now, the sky had cleared, and especially his own lord, whose final smile warmed the heart like a gentle spring breeze—cheerful and radiant, yet still unable to grasp the subtle riddle between the two. At night, Qu Xiao-man was worried, "Miss, has An Gongzi been accompanying us all the way?" Yun Rao shook her head, "I'm not sure." She intended to return to Yunze and find Yun Xue before she married, so having An Ziyuan accompany them all the way would indeed be somewhat inconvenient. She had heard a few days ago that the wedding procession for Princess Xue was already en route, but didn't know where it had reached by now. It seemed that while the world viewed the alliance between Yunze and Dazhong as a mutual marriage, those with sharp eyes clearly understood that this was merely Yunze's gift of sending their daughter to Dazhong as a gesture of diplomacy—perhaps even with other ulterior motives. After all, a royal daughter was born to make sacrifices for the nation's stability. Since she had been sent as a diplomatic envoy, the wedding procession didn't quite match the grandeur of a princess from another kingdom, let alone Dazhong sending a delegation to personally welcome her. "So what are your plans now?" Qu Xiao-man asked. "We'll take it one step at a time," Yun Rao replied. She felt at ease being with An Ziyuan, but Sighing, Yun Rao asked Qu Xiao Man to keep an eye on the latest news about Princess Xi Yue. Qu Xiao Man was puzzled, intending to ask a question, but recalling that Yun Rao was also from Yunze, and that when she was rescued, she was dressed in fine, high-quality garments—clothes typically reserved for royal and noble families—she realized Yun Rao must have some connection to the Yunze royal family. Yun Rao felt embarrassed under his gaze, awkwardly steering the conversation, "Lord, the Emperor is about to marry Princess Xi Yue. Why don't you go back to the palace and lend a hand?" An Ziyuan spoke with a calm demeanor, "The Emperor is getting married—it's not as if it's my wedding." "But as a member of the imperial household, you're expected to return regularly." "The divorce banquet is still over a month away. I'll go back then." An Ziyuan said simply, then added, "Then you can come with me." Yun Rao was startled, looking at him. "Why?" An Ziyuan glanced at her, then tossed the question back. "Why?" Her face flushed slightly, and she gave him a quiet glare. An Ziyuan smiled gently, then said, "Yun Rao, it seems as though you're never willing to share anything with me." Lowering her eyes, Yun Rao stirred the porridge before her quietly, "I don't really have much to share." "Looking up at him," she said, "They always say Princess Xi Yue is the most beautiful woman in Yunze. I've never seen her myself—wouldn't it be wonderful to actually witness her grace in person?" An Ziyuan glanced at her with a sharp look. "You'd surely steal her charm away before long." "...", Cloud Rao remained silent, finding it difficult to extract words from him. "Besides, if you truly wish to see her, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future," said An Ziyuan, calmly picking up a preserved egg and slowly peeling it as he spoke, his tone gentle. "Cloud Rao, you seem particularly interested in Princess Xi Yue this morning. Is there perhaps some connection between you two?" Cloud Rao lowered her gaze, brushing it lightly. "There is, indeed, some." An Ziyuan looked at her, but she said nothing further—only smiled and lowered her head to drink her porridge. "Young servant, bring all the delicious dishes you have to the table—everything, please." Just having a bowl of porridge, a clear, bright voice came from outside. The tone was slightly familiar, and Yun Rao couldn't help lifting her gaze toward the door, then quickly lowered her eyes again, drinking her porridge with concentration. An Zi yuan noticed her unusual demeanor and gently asked, "What's wrong?" Her eyes subtly glanced toward the door, and just as the woman turned to look at him, their gazes met. The woman's eyes sparkled, and she smiled warmly, stepping forward. "An gentleman, it's been a while!" Her greeting was open, spirited, and full of the natural ease of a young Jianghu woman. Her tailored black martial attire perfectly embodied her unpretentious grace. "Ms. Xiang," An Zi yuan replied calmly. Yun Rao's head nearly dipped into her bowl. She didn't want to create any trouble—she had only been on her journey for just two days. "An gentleman, how is it that you're here?" The woman set her long sword on the table, sat down casually, and asked with a smile. The others who had entered with her settled down beside them. "There's something on my mind." Still with a gentle tone. The lady seemed accustomed to An Ziyuan's reserved demeanor, maintaining a warm smile and continuously showing concern and asking questions, as if she had completely forgotten the young lady sitting beside her. Yun Rao had been hoping she would be overlooked all along, yet when the lady, after several instances of An Ziyuan's indifferent responses, finally redirected the conversation back to her, it was no longer possible to ignore. The other Jianghu figures who had come with Xiang Jinfei also turned their attention this way. An Ziyuan was renowned throughout the Jianghu, yet what matched his fame equally was his lifelong reserve in matters of romance—he had never had any close female companions or beloved. Aside from the incident two months ago at Yu Elder’s birthday banquet, when the magical sect’s young lady passionately declared she was pregnant with An Ziyuan’s child, there had never been any news of any woman in his life. Though An Ziyuan had, for the first time, brought that woman with him that day, everyone had still preferred to believe it was the young lady who had pressured him. Now, just two months later, An Ziyuan himself had publicly announced that he already had a fiancée—someone who had been accepted into the Nine Heavens of the Celestial Realm. Everyone now looked forward to seeing Yun Rao, who was quietly drinking porridge, and admired her. Yun Rao had slightly stiffened at An Ziyuan’s words, as all eyes and conversation now centered on her. She could no longer keep her head down and was forced to lift it, offering a dry smile and greeting Xiang Jinfei, “Miss An Zi yuan glanced calmly at the group, then gently reached down and held Yun Rao's hand, pulling her a little closer. Yun Rao looked at him in confusion, yet he remained as composed as ever. Xiang Jinfei, however, immediately stiffened upon seeing Yun Rao's face, her expression turning cold with sudden intensity, "It's you!" She swiftly picked up the long sword from the table. As the blade emerged, An Zi yuan swiftly exerted force, sending it back with a sharp jolt. "Miss Xiang, what are you doing?" An Zi yuan spoke calmly, his eyes and posture unchanged. Yun Rao smiled steadily, her face expression steady, though her hands were now damp with unshed tears. Xiang Jinfei was the eldest daughter of Xiang Family Manor, renowned for her swift, almost invisible swordplay, admired throughout the martial circles. Indeed, she might not have been able to withstand Yun Rao's attack alone. "Master An, how can you be together with this woman? She's merely a beauty who charms men with her grace—she's been the cause of my brother's death. Today, I will not stop until I kill her and avenge my brother!" "Complaining bitterly, Xiang Jingfei said, her own brother's eyes were slightly red as he strained to draw his sword, yet seemed held back by an invisible force, unable to get it out of its sheath no matter how hard he pressed. An Ziyuan's expression grew slightly colder, "Miss Xiang, be a little more courteous." With a sudden, firm pressure of his palm, Xiang Shao Meng's long sword snapped in two. Xiang Jingfei's face paled; when she looked at An Ziyuan, her eyes were swollen with emotion. "Master An, you've always been close friends with my two elder brothers. Now my second brother has died senselessly at the hands of this female demon—how can you protect her?" Yun Rao glanced at An Ziyuan with curiosity. She had never realized that An Ziyuan had such a close relationship with Xiang Jingfei's two brothers. When she was ambushed halfway to Xiang Family Village, An Ziyuan had even summoned the Immortal to save her—those people seemed to have no recognition of him at all. An Ziyuan's expression remained utterly unchanged. "Miss Xiang, I believe there must be more to "What else is there? Isn't it simply that she, with her striking appearance, attracts men from all sides, seduces them, and has caused countless men to fall under her spell and perish at her hands?" Xiang Jinfei said, counting on her fingers. "Starting with the eldest son of Feng family in Cangzhou, the top disciple of Lin Elder in Jianzhou, one of the Four Princes of Endzhou, Mu Yue, the son-in-law of Wen Elder of Ruizhou—oh, and my brother. You ask her how many men have died because of her." "Another man in gray linen clothes lowered his voice and added, 'Princess Xi Yue has arrived in Zhongzhou. We must make haste to go there.' Yun Rao's eyes slightly flickered, and her feet unconsciously paused—Zhongzhou. An Ziyuan glanced down at her, 'What's wrong?' Yun Rao smiled at him, 'Nothing.' She had been inquiring for two days without any news, but today it came effortlessly—she simply didn't know what matter the Princess Jing妃 had in mind when seeking out Princess Xi Yue. The group, already attentive to the scene, were momentarily stunned by Yun Rao's smile. An Ziyuan subtly shifted his position to partially shield her, gently drew her closer into his arms, and led her toward the room. Upon returning to the room, he released her hand and glanced at her side, 'What exactly did Princess Jing say earlier?'