The mountains were shrouded in mist, the sound of night rain was vexing.
The rain was inside the wooden cabinet.
Yet outside the wooden cabinet, what seemed like a flirtatious atmosphere felt to Xu Yuan like dangerous undercurrents swirling.
"Isn't that a lot?"
Tian Liuli chuckled softly, but there was little mirth in her eyes.
"Yet why are you so skilled at it?"
As she spoke, the smile on her face turned ice cold.
Her words were laced with chill and interrogation. Xu Yuan almost shuddered but managed to steady his mind and spoke calmly.
"Because 'Heaven has a use for my inborn talent; spend a thousand, and it comes back round.'
"... What do you mean?"
His sudden declaration made Tian Liuli somewhat bewildered.
What on earth is all this about?
"Actually... Miss Liuli, from the moment I first saw you, I remembered certain scenes, such as the fact that we indeed were Dao Companions in a past life, as well as the particular talents I just displayed, which I have been secretly honing for a long time.
At that time, I thought it was simply because I was too eager for this marriage arrangement, so I didn't take it to heart, until you just mentioned it that I understood... those memories are real."
As Xu Yuan spoke, he began to massage the tender, fair Jade Foot that had suddenly appeared in his mind.
"Oh?"
Tian Liuli's expression was somewhat aloof.
Of course, it may also have been because she was a bit cold now.
She slowly narrowed her eyes, "Then why did you just now firmly deny it? Also, I'm not very fond of the word 'once.'"
Xu Yuan's face stiffened, but he didn't pause and naturally continued, "I don't want things between us to progress too quickly. After all, you know how my junior sister is. If I openly agree to our marriage tomorrow, she'll surely make a huge fuss and create many complications. But rest assured, I've always regarded her as my sister."
"If that is your reason, I do not accept it."
Tian Liuli spoke coldly, "Her feelings are feelings, but are mine not feelings too, hmm?"
"Are you jealous?"
Xu Yuan didn't feel the fear she expected but instead laughed, "Actually... there's also my own reason."
"Speak."
Tian Liuli bit her red lips quietly, her expression colder than ever, but this time, it was because of the pressure he applied to the heart of her foot in his hand, causing her ears to involuntarily flush red.
Her delicate body felt numb and tingly, both sour and ticklish.
Therefore, she had to keep her face tight, so he couldn't see anything unusual.
"I don't know how much you've changed now, and in my mind, I only have memories about you, not a single one about myself. If I were to speak about them..."
He sighed, then looked at her with eyes brimming with emotion.
Caught by his gaze, Tian Liuli was startled, as if some memory had been triggered, and her heart softened.
'Indeed, from the very beginning until now, his heart has only had room for me. Why did I even doubt him just now?'
Her eyes welled with tears, her breathing growing slightly heavier.
"One last question..."
Xu Yuan applied a little more pressure to the heart of her foot, causing Tian Liuli, who was in the midst of speaking, to nearly tremble and let out a moan.
Fortunately, she reacted in time, turning her head to cover her mouth.
Otherwise, the dignity she had so carefully cultivated as the empress might have crumbled in an instant.
But, had he used some sort of spell just now?
What was that mysterious surge that spread through her body, what kind of spell could it be?
After taking a deep breath, Tian Liuli turned back, her voice as if nothing had happened, "In one sentence... prove that what you've just said is true."
She paused, waiting for the mysterious surge to pass through her again before speaking with difficulty.
"Fine, in that case... my Empress, it's been a long time."
This sentence, originally, was meant to be the conclusion of her main storyline, where he, as the protagonist, confessed his feelings to her.
Upon hearing that sentence, Tian Liuli's delicate body trembled once again.
But this time, it wasn't about emotions; it was simply that his words had touched a chord in her heart.
The red-clad girl, of immortal beauty and grace, gazed out the window, reminiscing about the moonlight over the Celestial Palace from a million years ago, just as cold and detached.
"Hmm... It's been a long time."
She lowered her eyelids, now glistening with unshed tears.
...
As he watched Tian Liuli leave, the smile on Xu Yuan's face gradually faded until he was completely expressionless.
After a while, he lowered his head, deep in thought.
'It seems that, apart from blood, this thing also has an effect?'
"Wait a second, almost forgot, why hasn't Lin Qingque come out yet? What is she doing?
Didn't she use 'Heart Voice' to watch us the whole time? Then, wasn't all the effort I put in a waste?"
Xu Yuan suddenly snapped to the realization of something and felt a vague sense of worry.
After all, it also meant that things might be slipping out of his control.
He pulled open the cabinet door to reveal a mess within.
The girl was lying inside.
"..."
Xu Yuan was silent, for he had to be silent.
Well, better to let her keep sleeping.
Oh no, to remain unconscious.
When Lin Qingque came to, the candlelight in the room was still flickering.
All around was silence, with only the sound of the candle tears falling.
"Where is Senior Brother?"
She gasped in shock, shoved the cabinet door open forcefully, and tumbled out.
Then, she saw the boy standing in front of the window, his hands clasped behind him, gazing at the moonlight.
Xu Yuan had a look of deep furrowed worry.
Only after hearing the commotion did he sigh and turn around once more.
When he saw her disheveled appearance, he was taken aback and then quickly averted his gaze in slight embarrassment.
"Ahem, Junior Sister, your clothes are coming undone."
Alerted by his comment, Lin Qingque let out a yelp and came to her senses.
She casually fixed her hair and straightened her colorful dress, then scampered over to him.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, has she left?"
Lin Qingque's voice was barely concealed excitement.
In her opinion, since Tian Liuli had not stayed but left, it meant, she must have gone away holding a grudge.
After all, if it were her, holding the marriage pledge and coming here in the dead of night, it would naturally be to settle matters once and for all.
And now that she had not stayed, it was proven.
Did Senior Brother lay everything on the table with her?
"She left."
Yet, Xu Yuan's expression was one of heavy concern.
"What's the matter, Senior Brother?"
Lin Qingque then realized that something was amiss and cautiously inquired.