Even if An Jiu had always been a normal person, she and Lou Xiaowu could never have become kindred spirits—they were fundamentally different.
Some people may not always understand what you're thinking, but they stand by you through life's joys and sorrows. These are what we call family and friends.
"I'm not sick. Maybe I'll never be sick again," An Jiu murmured, patting Lou Xiaowu's head, her voice drowned out by the girl's sobs.
Take last night's close-quarters bloodbath, for instance. In the past, her consciousness would have long been consumed by bloodlust. But last night, though she could feel the excitement coursing through her soul and blood, she remained clear-headed from start to finish—something that had never happened before.
Sui Yunzhu observed An Jiu's demeanor and gradually relaxed, sitting down to pour himself a cup of water. "Who knows what's happening outside now."
"What do you mean?" Ling Ziyue turned to look at him.
Sui Yunzhu took a sip of water and smiled. "General Ling, don't play dumb. If His Majesty were truly fine, the Crane Control Army wouldn't have suddenly descended into such chaos. Since they dare to openly declare that His Majesty is nearing his end, it's almost certainly true. Do you think the Crown Prince and the Second Prince will just sit still?"
"Last night in Bianjing... ah!" Ling Ziyue could imagine the turmoil the capital had endured in such a short time. His heart was torn between worry and exhilaration. "Change is always good."
On the path of decline and death, a sudden variable emerges—its nature uncertain. It might hasten destruction or herald a rebirth from the ashes.
At this moment, the suffocating weight in Ling Ziyue's chest unexpectedly lightened.
Listening to Lou Xiaowu's bright sobs outside, Sui Yunzhu lowered his gaze to the reflection in his cup and ventured a rare piece of gossip. "Xiao Wu relies on you a great deal. If you two could..."
"There is no 'General' anymore," Ling Ziyue said flatly. "I'm a few years older than you. If you don't mind, just call me 'Brother Ling.'"
"Brother Ling," Sui Yunzhu obliged smoothly.
Ling Ziyue gave a quiet hum, then fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "Xiao Wu... deserves someone better. I'm old enough to be her father. Let's not bring this up again."
Ling Ziyue had already failed his wife. Even if he didn't feel unworthy of Lou Xiaowu, he wouldn't entertain the thought of another woman, no matter how suitable. "In this life, I will have only one wife."
Sui Yunzhu looked up at him with a smile, his narrow eyes clear and penetrating, as if they could see straight into a person's heart.
Ling Ziyue turned away to avoid his gaze.
Sui Yunzhu understood.
Ling Ziyue was a man of rigid principles. If his thoughts truly aligned with his words, his tone wouldn't have been so indifferent. He would have reacted with anger. His current demeanor suggested guilt—perhaps even a belief that harboring such feelings for Lou Xiaowu was utterly despicable.
Sui Yunzhu studied the tall figure before him. When he first met Ling Ziyue, the man had stood clad in armor at the border like an unshakable mountain, immovable by any force. Now, he had grown much thinner, his brow etched with weariness and melancholy, a shadow of his former self.
Sometimes, Sui Yunzhu wondered if they should have saved Ling Ziyue at all. For him, perhaps dying under the corruption of the court would have been better than living on in disgrace.For Ling Ziyue, living required far more courage than death, yet he was undoubtedly a formidable man. Even trapped in the abyss of regret and hatred, tormented by agony, he never once contemplated ending his life. His sole purpose now was to wait for the day he could return to the frontlines and lead his troops into Shangjing!
"The food's here!" Li Qingzhi's booming voice snapped everyone out of their thoughts.
Li Qingzhi and the apothecary's apprentice entered the house wearing raincoats, the food boxes covered in a thin layer of condensation.
An Jiu and Lou Xiaowu had also returned.
Oblivious to the odd atmosphere, the thick-skinned Li Qingzhi shook off his raincoat, rubbed his hands, and opened the food boxes. "Today, Old Li himself cooked! Come taste it. Though my martial arts haven't improved on this island, my culinary skills have soared!"
An Jiu picked up a shred of meat and popped it into her mouth, smacking her lips. "Congratulations."
Li Qingzhi grinned broadly.
"Keep at it for two more years, and you might actually make something edible." An Jiu patted his shoulder encouragingly.
Seeing her reach for a bowl, Li Qingzhi snatched it away. "Hey! Listen here, with your cooking skills, you've got no right to complain. If it's not good enough, don't eat it!"
"Your temper's definitely grown," An Jiu remarked, grabbing another bowl. "Who said I was eating the dishes? Did you cook the rice?"
Since the rice had been steamed by Sui Yunzhu, Li Qingzhi had no retort. He sullenly grabbed a few shreds of meat to taste. "It's perfectly fine!" he grumbled.
"Shi Si's tastes have been spoiled by Lord Chu. Don't take it to heart, Brother Li," Lou Xiaowu said fairly. Then, with childlike innocence, she raised a finger. "But Shi Si exaggerated—it won't take two years. I think Brother Li only needs one year to make something edible!"
"Pfft!" Sui Yunzhu spat out a mouthful of rice. Noticing Li Qingzhi's murderous glare, he silently turned away with his bowl.
"Truth cuts like a knife; innocence kills without a trace," Ling Ziyue mused before digging into his rice.
Li Qingzhi felt wronged, but seeing Lou Xiaowu's still-swollen eyes and her earnest "I believe in you" expression, he wondered if losing his temper would be too harsh.
Apart from the apothecary's apprentice and Li Qingzhi, everyone else was just eating plain rice.
Delighted to have at least one appreciative eater, Li Qingzhi beamed at the apprentice, piling food onto his plate. "Little Yao, you're growing—eat more!"
The apprentice mumbled an acknowledgment, shoveling food into his mouth with gusto, much to Li Qingzhi's delight and pride.
Sui Yunzhu grew slightly concerned. Li Qingzhi was a prodigy of dark cuisine—his dishes rivaled poison pills. The first few times he cooked, they hadn't taken it seriously, thinking it was just unpalatable. As seasoned killers, what hardship hadn't they endured? But afterward, they either vomited, had diarrhea, or felt utterly drained—like everything had gone wrong.
"Little Yao, are you okay eating so much?" Sui Yunzhu asked.
Li Qingzhi glared. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Unnecessary worry. Mo Sigui feeds him poison pills all the time, and he eats them with the same fearless expression," An Jiu said, picking at her rice.
"Mei Shisi!" Li Qingzhi fumed, on the verge of exploding. "Little Yao, you tell me—is it good or not?"The apothecary's apprentice finished eating and set the bowl on the table, wiping his mouth. "It's fine! Before Master left, he specifically told me to seize every opportunity to learn on my own while he's away. Don't worry, I'll definitely prepare the antidote for Brother Li's dish within three days!"
The young apprentice spoke with conviction.
Li Qingzhi abruptly stood up and strode out.
At the doorway, he turned back with a dark expression to retrieve his unfinished bowl of rice.
"Eh," An Jiu said slowly, "seems like something's missing..."
"Chang Ying and Da Jiu!" Sui Yunzhu exclaimed in alarm. "Quick, let's go find them!"
The group hurried out to search for the forgotten pair—one human and one tiger—who had been left unattended for a full day and night.
In a small town on the border between Liao and Song, thick, oppressive black clouds loomed so low they seemed within reach. A bolt of lightning snaked through the clouds like a wandering dragon, pausing for a breath before a deafening thunderclap erupted.
The few pedestrians on the street began to run.
Raindrops pattered onto the stone pavement, blossoming like tiny flowers.
"Quick, take down the lanterns!" the innkeeper barked at the waiter.
On the second floor, a gap opened in the window of one guest room. Rain struck the wooden frame, creating a chaotic rhythm that somehow brought an inexplicable sense of calm.
Inside the room, incense smoke curled from an ornate burner, its faint orange glow flickering in the wind.
A gauzy canopy draped over the bed, where a woman lay still. Outside the canopy, a massive tiger crouched.
A lean man leaned against the windowsill, holding a pipe. The bowl glowed faintly as he exhaled rings of smoke, veiling his mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes in haze.
Half a month ago, he had arrived at the border and found Lou Mingyue in a hidden cave, barely clinging to life.
At that moment, only one thought consumed him—even if Lou Mingyue's name had already been struck from the ledger of life and death, he would rewrite it stroke by stroke!
Mo Sigui had never doubted his own abilities, but for the first time, he felt fear. Even now, his heart still trembled with lingering dread.
He turned his head, peering through the thin smoke and the sheer canopy, reassured only when he could clearly sense Lou Mingyue's steady breathing.
(To be continued...)
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