On the official road of Yanjing, towering mountains stretched into the sky on the left, with lush trees painting the world in green, their reflection shimmering on the crystal-clear lake to the right. The sunlight cast dappled shadows on the wide gravel path.
A simple figure stood against the undulating mountains, head tilted back, gazing through the layers of green at the drifting clouds in the sky, savoring the cool breeze stirred by the swaying leaves. Her pale face had reddened under the sun, and she licked her lips, instinctively touching her stomach.
At this hour, she should have been full and resting on her cloud-like bed, enjoying her midday nap.
She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sun and looked around—there wasn't a soul in sight. She turned and continued walking, a hint of frustration on her face.
She regretted traveling alone. After all, she was bound to meet Lan Yixuan in Pancheng eventually. She should have borrowed Lei Yun from him for three months, someone to attend to her daily needs. If not, she at least should have hired a carriage and stocked up on delicious snacks. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how impulsive and unwise her decision had been.
The official road here was nothing like the smooth stone streets within the city. It was a bumpy gravel path, and the midday sun scorched it until it seemed to sizzle. There were no villages ahead, no inns behind, and the long road stretched endlessly before her.
After waiting fruitlessly for a passing carriage, Xianyue decided to press on. She resolved to find a forest ahead and take a nap there. Once you get used to roughing it, it becomes second nature.
With that thought, her spirits lifted. She walked to the riverbank, cupped some water in her hands, and splashed her face. The heat immediately dissipated, and she let out a satisfied sigh. She squatted down, gulped several mouthfuls of water, trying to fill her empty stomach, then stood up and shook her head, the droplets from her face scattering into the river, causing faint ripples.
She lifted her head, and in that moment, her water-filled eyes sparkled like stars. Smiling to herself, she wiped the water from her face, pushed her damp hair away from her forehead, and laughed aloud. She felt as unstoppable as the river flowing before her.
Xianyue, humming a cheerful tune, leaped back onto the road, her white clothes now speckled with water. Her wet hair clung to her face, obscuring her features.
The carriage parked nearby was unremarkable, the kind that would be overlooked in front of a grand residence. Its owner would surely be scorned by the gatekeepers of any noble house. But to Xianyue, this carriage was an oasis in the desert, and its owner, her savior.
Her exposed eyes gleamed with excitement, as if a dog had spotted a bone or a bandit encountered a wealthy target, sending shivers down one's spine.
The coachman, startled, trembled as he gripped the reins, leaning back in fear. The horse, sensing his unease, neighed loudly, its hooves clattering on the gravel.
The coachman stared at Xianyue, mistaking her for a mountain bandit. He shrank into himself, wishing he could dig a hole and hide.
Xianyue was bewildered. Was she really that terrifying? Why did everyone seem to think she was some kind of monster?
She let go of the reins and ran straight to the coachman, whose mouth gaped in shock, barely stifling a scream.
"Give me a ride," Xianyue said with a smile, but her tone was anything but a request.
"In this desolate wilderness, what if a weak woman like me encounters bandits or wild beasts?" Xianyue blinked innocently, her eyes filled with pitiful helplessness as she gazed at the frightened coachman.
A weak woman? Would a "weak woman" suddenly appear in the middle of the road and stop a carriage? Wild beasts and bandits? She looked scarier than either.
Realizing she wasn't a bandit and had no murderous intent, the coachman relaxed a little, sitting up straighter. "I'll go inside and ask the owner."
He swallowed hard and turned to leave.
At that moment, the carriage curtain lifted, and the sunlight made Xianyue squint.
"Come in."
In the heat of June or July, after such a long journey, the rising heat from the ground made her irritable and restless.
At the entrance of the carriage stood a man dressed in white, bathed in sunlight. His face was as youthful and handsome as it had been when she first saw him in Yanjing. Like fresh snow on the plains, he was pure, translucent, and clean. His smile, as soft as a spring breeze, brought with it a refreshing coolness, washing away all her frustration.
He looked at Xianyue and smiled gently. "Miss Xianyue."
A healer, dedicated to aiding the world, having met countless people, yet Xianyue didn't expect him to still remember her. Grinning, she replied, "Jun Pinyu, you still remember me."
She ran up to him, placed her hands on the carriage board, and craned her neck to look inside the carriage. Tilting her head to meet his gaze, she smiled even more brightly. "The carriage is quite spacious."
Jun Pinyu said nothing, letting go of the curtain and suddenly crouching down.
Xianyue watched as his hand reached for her face, her eyes widening. "Is there something on my face?"
She thought back to when she washed her face by the river, perhaps some algae had stuck to her skin, and her haphazard wiping hadn't cleaned it off. The strands of hair clinging to her cheeks parted to the sides.
Her features were delicate, with fair skin still glistening with traces of water, and her flushed cheeks bore the marks of the burning sun. Strands of hair stuck to her face, giving her a playful and endearing appearance. Her eyes, bright and pure, seemed to burn hotter than the sun as they locked onto someone.
Jun Pinyu gently pushed the strands of hair behind her ears, his touch tender and cautious, his fingers grazing her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine.
Her earlobe—a sensitive spot.
Xianyue tilted her head back, seeing only the side of his face. Under the sunlight, the soft curves of his features made him appear all the more approachable.
Lan Yixuan's closeness was more of a distant feeling, like a lotus in bloom—something to be admired from afar, not to be sullied. Though he roamed the martial world, he carried the noble air of a royal prince, lofty and untouchable.
Jun Pinyu, however, was different. He exuded a warmth that, though distant, invited one to draw near. Xianyue thought, this is what it means to be truly approachable.
Xianyue smiled brightly at Jun Pinyu, rubbing her ear as she stepped back a few paces. "I'm ticklish."
She then tucked the playful strands of hair behind her ear herself and jumped onto the carriage.
Compared to Lan Yixuan's luxurious carriage, Jun Pinyu's was simple.
Though spacious, the carriage had no beaded curtain to separate it. A long table ran down the middle aisle, dividing the carriage into two sides, where one could either sit or lie down. Instead of silk cushions, the floor was covered with bamboo mats, firm but cool to the touch—perfect for this sweltering weather.
Separated by the table, Xianyue sat down just as her stomach growled. She smiled, unbothered by the sound, in fact, she felt relieved. It saved her the trouble of finding a way to broach the subject.
"Jun Pinyu, do you have any food in this carriage?"
Xianyue patted her flat stomach, giving a couple of sheepish chuckles.
If it were anyone else, Xianyue would've boldly pulled out some silver and slammed it on the table, declaring, "I'll pay double! Give me all the food and drink you've got!"
But this was Jun Pinyu, someone unmoved by wealth. Acting like that would only tarnish his character, and she might even find herself thrown out of the carriage.
Jun Pinyu nodded, opening a drawer from the table, and began taking out plates of snacks. Xianyue hadn't expected such hidden compartments within the small table. She moved back a few steps, eagerly opening her side of the drawer, eyes gleaming at the sight—everything was food.
Pastries, candied fruits, warm white rice porridge, and some light side dishes—all vegetarian.
"Simple fare, Miss Xianyue, help yourself."
"Jun Pinyu, if you say it like that, I'll feel embarrassed."
Despite her words, her actions showed no hesitation as she devoured the food with great speed, leaving nothing behind. Xianyue, now satisfied, patted her stomach and glanced at Jun Pinyu, who was leaning against the carriage, focused on his medical book. His slender, pale fingers turned the pages with grace.
Xianyue, half-closing her eyes, found the surroundings to be incredibly quiet. She could even hear the soft sound of pages turning. The afternoon sun streamed through the beaded curtains, filling the space with warmth. It was a rare moment of tranquility, and for once, Xianyue felt no urge to sleep.
Jun Pinyu set his book down on the table. Despite her rapid consumption
Jun Pin Yu carefully placed the book down, his movements meticulous, revealing his deep affection for it.
"Miss Xianyue, the last time you spoke of observing, inquiring, examining, and diagnosing before prescribing remedies—where did you learn such methods?"
His gaze fixed on Xianyue, eyes gleaming like the dazzling fireworks of a summer night, bright and radiant.
Xianyue squinted, appearing drowsy though her mind was sharp. Such words were far too common to her.
She straightened, placing her hands on the table. "I read it in a book."
Tilting her head slightly, as if deep in thought, she mused aloud, "Which book was it?"
Tapping rhythmically on the table, she glanced at Jun Pin Yu, whose eager expression betrayed his anticipation. With a faint crease in her brow, she offered him an apologetic smile. "I can't quite recall where I read it."
Her sincerity was unmistakable.
Jun Pin Yu, though visibly disappointed, did not abandon his pursuit of medical knowledge. "If you do remember, Miss Xianyue, would you kindly inform me?"
Xianyue nodded. "Of course."
Just then, a thought crossed her mind—how could he appear here, untouched, after such a major upheaval in Yanjing? Despite his renowned reputation as a divine healer, with a duty to save lives, the sudden death of the Yan King implicated him. Even if he did nothing wrong, Yan Rongxu could easily shift all the blame onto him. Why had that not happened?
"What are you thinking, Miss Xianyue?"
Jun Pin Yu set the book aside, pouring himself a cup of water.
"I was just pondering when I might have read that book. I'll find it for you when I return," Xianyue replied, her suspicions hidden behind a smile.
"No need to trouble yourself, Miss Xianyue," Jun Pin Yu responded, his expression gentle and understanding.
"Jun Pin Yu," Xianyue leaned forward, her body drawing closer to his.
He set down his cup, raising his gaze to meet hers, answering softly.
"Snow toad... it can enhance internal strength. But if taken directly, could it suppress the Frost Illness and ease the suffering during an attack?"
Jun Pin Yu gazed at Xianyue, locking eyes with her hopeful expression. This time, instead of hesitating like before, he took her right hand, placing his fingers on her pulse, his touch careful and intent.
"Jun Pin Yu, I am not ill."
He froze, momentarily startled. His clean and handsome face showed a brief flash of confusion, as though her words had not registered. It wasn't until she waved her hand in front of his eyes that he slowly regained his composure.
"Your expression is strange, Jun Pin Yu. Have I contracted some incurable disease?" Xianyue teased.
He smiled faintly, but the look in his eyes had shifted, tinged with a gentle pity. He shook his head. "I was merely curious. Why does Miss Xianyue repeatedly ask about the snow toad? It's a rare and priceless treasure coveted by many in the martial world."
Retracting his hand, his gaze lingered on her, though her demeanor remained unperturbed—oblivious to its true value.
"The Pan City gathering will feature snow toad, won't it?" Xianyue's hands clenched into determined fists.
"Since you are headed to Pan City, why not travel with Master Lan and Hero Bai for company?" Jun Pin Yu inquired casually.
Xianyue turned, lifting the curtain beside her to gaze out at the rippling lake, the trees swaying in the breeze. Though the sun still blazed, she no longer felt the heat inside the carriage.
Letting the bamboo curtain fall, she turned to Jun Pin Yu with a sincere expression. "I escaped because I didn't want to travel with them."
The wind outside stirred her hair, momentarily veiling her eyes. "Lan Yixuan—handsome, graceful, noble in demeanor, courteous. Nine out of ten women would fall for him. The remaining half already have someone else in mind. As for Bai Zhanfeng..."
She sighed. "He's the most meddlesome hero I've ever met. Always restricting this and forbidding that, as if a woman can't think of anything beyond eating and sleeping. And don't get me started on Nian Xiaoyu with her whip, eager to flay me alive every time Bai Zhanfeng reprimands me, as if I were competing with her for his affection."
Xianyue sighed heavily, but Jun Pin Yu couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you one of the nine and a half, Miss Xianyue?"
She shook her head, her gaze serious. "I have no such feelings, but I am aware of my own limitations. I am clever, and clever people don't pit themselves against the world over a man."
Pausing for a moment, she added, "Jun Pin Yu, you won't miss the Pan City gathering, will you?"
The journey to Pan City by carriage would take at least a month. Traveling alone might become tedious, so having Jun Pin Yu, the divine healer, as a companion seemed ideal. If she ever needed his help, it wouldn't feel awkward.
"That snow toad... many in the martial world would risk everything for it. What makes you so confident that you'll be the one to obtain it?"
The martial world teemed with experts. Though she was intelligent, a woman like her would face immense challenges to claim such a treasure.
Xianyue caressed the jade flute at her waist. "I am willing to risk my life for it—something others wouldn't dare to do."
If she was ready to sacrifice her life, what couldn't she achieve?
Jun Pin Yu fell silent, his gaze filled with a deepening pity. When Xianyue finally looked at him, he quickly turned away, mirroring her posture by pulling his legs up toward the door.
"Is that person very important to you, Miss Xianyue?"
"Yes," she answered without hesitation.
"He is the best person in this world to me."
Resting her chin on her knees, she thought of Feng Jiulan, far away in the kingdom of Feng. A smile of contentment and joy crept onto her face.
Her brother was the only attachment she could never let go of in this world.
"My father wasn't like those men who indulge in pleasures and neglect their families. He loved my mother deeply and married no other woman. When my mother died giving birth to me, he blamed me for her death and resented me ever since. He abandoned me in a large courtyard, leaving me in the care of a few maids, and never acknowledged my existence. Years later, under pressure from the family, he married again—many young and beautiful women, all sharp-tongued and venomous, especially one—an utterly vile stepmother..."
Thinking of Consort Li, Xianyue clenched her teeth. If it weren't for her, her brother wouldn't have fallen into the water, worsening his condition.
"During that time, only my brother stayed by my side. He helped me up when I fell, stood up for me when I was bullied, and celebrated my birthdays with me. He was the only one."
Had it not been for that incident, they wouldn't have been separated for ten long years.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt Consort Li deserved nothing less than the harshest fate.
Jun Pin Yu silently observed her, taking in her clear eyes. She was neither angry nor resentful, nor did she harbor hatred. Instead, she seemed calm, even content, as if her whole world revolved around that one person she called "brother." As long as he existed, it was enough.
Straightening, Jun Pin Yu rolled up the curtain, letting the wind from outside rush in.
As a healer, he had grown used to witnessing life and death, seeing through the transient nature of existence. Yet now, as she spoke so calmly of her unyielding determination, he found his heart stirring.
In a world of chaos and deception, true affection within a great family was rare and precious.
But in his own world, such feelings could never exist.
"What illness does your brother suffer from?"
Jun Pin Yu turned to gaze at the crescent moon, his face resuming its usual calm expression.
Likewise, Xianyue shifted her body, propped her chin on her hands, and said softly, "My brother was born prematurely, his health was always frail. I have no medical knowledge and I don't know what illness he suffers from. The servants say it strikes him every year, and because he doesn't want me to worry, he hides from me during those days. Once, I couldn't resist and secretly went to his courtyard. I found him with disheveled hair, his face pale as a ghost, his lips bloodless. He had collapsed on the floor, looking terrifyingly weak. Later, one of Father's women plotted against me, causing me to fall into the water. My brother nearly drowned trying to save me, and after that, his health deteriorated even further."
Jun Pin Yu listened quietly, with each of Xianyue's words deepening the shock in his eyes. However, he knew that what astonished him wasn't the political intrigue within a powerful family—that was all too familiar. What truly surprised him was Xianyue herself, having grown up in such an environment, yet still possessing such a pure and simple heart.
"If his illness stems from birth, curing it completely after all these years would be difficult. At most, medicine could alleviate some of his suffering," he said.
Xianyue thought for a moment and nodded.
"Are you thinking of using the snow toad to boost his resistance to pain?" Jun Pin Yu asked.
Xianyue hesitated briefly before nodding again, indicating that was more or less her plan.
People with internal martial arts skills generally heal faster than ordinary individuals. Many of the medicines Liu Xinyou gave her were meant to enhance inner strength, though the potency was too strong to give to Feng Jiulan. But the snow toad was different. If combined with the gentle jade snow lotus, it might not relieve the pain completely, but it wouldn't harm his body either.
Every year, when her brother's illness flared up, she found herself restless on Pear Blossom Mountain, unable to sleep or eat, longing to rush back to the Feng Kingdom's palace. Thankfully, her brother always pulled through.
Although Liu Xinyou was not a great person, her medical skills were exceptional. Yet she never allowed Xianyue to study them, making her practice martial arts daily instead. Otherwise, Xianyue would have long returned to serve as Feng Jiulan's personal physician.
Jun Pin Yu picked up a medical text from the table, leafing through it swiftly before resting it on his knee. He looked at Xianyue and said, "I know of a certain herb that may not boost inner strength, but it's very effective for pain relief."
"What herb?" Xianyue moved closer, her curiosity piqued. "Where can I find it? Does it have any side effects?"
She was well aware of pain-relieving drugs like poppy seeds, but their side effects made her hesitant to give them to Feng Jiulan.
"No, it doesn't," Jun Pin Yu assured her with almost a guarantee.
Xianyue's brows arched, and she couldn't help but laugh. "What herb is it, then? Where does it grow?"
She felt as if there should be a tail wagging behind her; when it came to Feng Jiulan, her principles always melted away. Her biggest principle was that Feng Jiulan remained safe and healthy, ideally living a long life.
"I'll tell you if you agree to one condition," Jun Pin Yu said.
Xianyue's laughter ceased, and she regarded him warily. Did he always set terms before helping someone? Surely, it wouldn't be anything unlawful or unethical. Still, if he was asking, it couldn't be an easy task. After a moment's contemplation, Xianyue nodded, pointing firmly at Jun Pin Yu. "Deal. But if I help you, you must tell me where to find that herb immediately."
Jun Pin Yu nodded in agreement, but as Xianyue watched the smile on his face, she had the distinct feeling she was boarding a pirate ship. This Jun Pin Yu was certainly no saint.
They arrived at the entrance to the mansion at the end of Tianmen Alley in Ancheng, and Xianyue glanced up at the two somewhat tarnished characters above the gate. Her face soured, and she leaned back, unwilling to be dragged forward by Jun Pin Yu.
When they reached the steps, Xianyue abruptly stopped and shook off Jun Pin Yu's hand. In a near-pleading tone, she said, "Divine Physician Jun, can we change the condition?"
With a bitter expression, she began to understand why he had used such a solemn tone to propose his condition. In her eyes, his request wasn't unreasonable. He was offering her something she desperately needed, and it was only fair for him to ask something in return. It wasn't like Lan Yixuan, who was upfront from the start. It wasn't exploitation; it was a mutual exchange.
Pretending to be his woman to deceive someone wasn't the issue. The problem was that the one being deceived was already at death's door. Lying to a dying man felt... unsettling.
Jun Pin Yu released her hand and gazed at the mansion, which looked worn with age. "When I was very young, a great tragedy struck my family. Both my parents died in the chaos, and it was Uncle Fu who raised me. Over the years, I've mostly been away, but I've heard from the servants that his body has grown increasingly frail, and his mind isn't as sharp as it once was. He asks everyone where I am, when I'll return, and then lies by the dry well in the courtyard, sometimes for an entire day. When he wakes, he tells the servants he dreamt I came back, and that I brought my wife to visit him."
Jun Pin Yu turned to face Xianyue, a faraway look of memory still lingering in his eyes. "This time, in Yanjing, the servants sent word that he's grown even weaker. He's been bedridden for days, and they say he hasn't much time left."
Seeing his melancholy, Xianyue wanted to offer comforting words but found herself at a loss. If Lan Yixuan had told her something similar, she might not have believed him and would have teased him in return.
She understood that kind of feeling, though. If one day her brother were to leave this world before her, she knew she couldn't bear it. Although life and death were inevitable, she couldn't be as detached as Jun Pin Yu seemed to be.
To be left entirely alone in the world, that kind of loneliness and desolation, she could never endure.
She imagined that, to fulfill the final wish of the old man who had raised him, Jun Pin Yu must have considered bringing a woman home. She studied him, this man so transparent and pure, like crystal. If it were another woman, would he really let her go once her role was done?
Just as she had described Lan Yixuan, he was impeccably handsome, refined in demeanor, and renowned in the martial world. How could anyone not be captivated by such a man? But Xianyue knew herself well enough—it wasn't self-deprecation. She felt worthy of any man in the world. Yet her marriage, her happiness, had long been destroyed by this chaotic era. A wise person might fall for someone they shouldn't, but she would never let herself become entangled.
One cannot ask for too much in life, for the more you desire, the more you will lose in the end.
She hoped the old man would live a little longer. She wasn't worried about wasting her time but hated the idea of deceiving him.
"He doesn't believe in 'wedding for good fortune,' does he?" Xianyue asked, running to Jun Pin Yu's side. She thought Jun Pin Yu had some rather modern ideas; few people would have come up with such a scheme.
Jun Pin Yu caught her meaning and replied, "Complete nonsense."
Xianyue chuckled and, before he could react, wrapped her arm around his left arm, startling him.
"If you want him to leave peacefully, we'll need to put on a good show," she said, her eyes clear and sincere, utterly devoid of any ulterior motive.
Jun Pin Yu smiled, nodding slightly.
"Since I'm now the young mistress, I should enjoy the privileges that come with the title," Xianyue said playfully. "Every day, I'll sleep as long as I please, and no one is allowed to disturb me. Once I wake up, I expect a delicious meal to be prepared immediately—five dishes and one soup, along with a dessert. I'm still growing, so I need fish and meat, not just vegetables. Also—"
She squatted down to look at Jun Pin Yu, "I'll only stay in your house for seven days. After that, whether I stay or leave, you cannot interfere. When I leave, you must prepare a carriage with a driver, along with enough food for three days."
Xianyue bounced along happily, but Jun Pin Yu suddenly stopped, turning to her. "Did you make these same demands to Lan Yixuan?" he asked.
Caught off balance by his sudden stop, Xianyue stumbled forward into his chest. She looked up at him, lips curling into a smile. "His carriage was large and comfortable, and he had Lei'an and Leiyun to attend to my every need. I lived in his private villa, waking naturally every day without a care in the world. Too bad I left in such a hurry—I should've had him lend me Leiyun for a few months to take care of me on the road."
She furrowed her brow, as if deeply regretting
Jun Pinyu did not respond to him, instead, he dragged her by the hand and knocked directly on the door.
The servant who opened the door was a delicate-looking young man, seemingly younger than Jun Pinyu and about the same age as herself. Upon seeing Jun Pinyu, he immediately leapt out from within the door, his eyes fixed firmly on him, filled with excitement, his eyes brimming with tears in an instant. "Young Master, you're back."
Jun Pinyu smiled gently at him, bending slightly as he reached out to wipe away the tears in his eyes. "I'm back."
His demeanor was clean and elegant, his behavior courteous and approachable, yet there was an air of natural detachment and aloofness, as if this distance was innate, impossible to bridge.
The young servant, smiling through his tears, only then noticed Xianyue standing beside Jun Pinyu, her hand looped through his arm. His eyes lit up with joy once more. "Is this the Young Mistress?"
Unable to contain his grin, he added, "Why didn't Young Master mention her in his letters?"
He looked at Xianyue with a bright smile, revealing the innocence of a child. "Young Mistress, I'm Rong Peng, but you can just call me Xiao Peng."
Xianyue, charmed by his simple nature, nodded and greeted, "Xiao Peng, I heard Uncle Fu is unwell. We should go see him first. Could you arrange for lunch to be prepared?"
Jun Pinyu glanced at Xianyue, a faint trace of amusement in his eyes.
Rong Peng didn't sense anything amiss; instead, he found the Young Mistress remarkably approachable and quickly nodded. "If Uncle Fu sees both Young Master and Young Mistress together, he'll be so happy. I'll have lunch prepared immediately, and I'll get the rooms ready too."
With that, Rong Peng turned and opened the heavy iron gate, skipping happily in the direction of the kitchen. Halfway there, he suddenly retraced his steps. "I'll tell Uncle Fu the good news first!"
"What a character this Xiao Peng is," Xianyue remarked, shaking Jun Pinyu's arm as she watched his cheerful retreating figure.
"Let's go inside."
Jun Manor was not particularly large, and the interior was rather modest. Unlike other homes adorned with various flowers and plants, this courtyard only had a single trellis with a dry well in the middle. Though it was tidy, the place still gave off a sense of wear and age.
The servants in the manor were few. As they walked through, they encountered only three or four young attendants and two maids, all of whom appeared overjoyed and excited to see Jun Pinyu, evidence of the high regard in which he was held by the household staff.
"Uncle Fu's room is over there," Jun Pinyu said, standing in the courtyard and pointing toward a room not far away. The door was open, likely from when Rong Peng had rushed in to share the news in his excitement.
"How long has your family lived here?"
"Over twenty years now," Jun Pinyu replied, his gaze lifting to take in the surroundings, the weight of deep thoughts evident in his expression.
"Is...is it really the Young Master?"
The voice was frail, trembling with a mix of excitement, disbelief, and age.
Jun Pinyu turned his gaze toward the open door. "Uncle Fu is coming out."
He let go of Xianyue's hand and hurried over. Moments later, he emerged, supporting an elderly man with snow-white hair. The old man clung to him tightly, his hands gripping Jun Pinyu's, whispering something with a tremor in his voice. Jun Pinyu responded quietly, but continuously, as if comforting him. At that moment, the sunlight was so dazzling that Xianyue felt an unexpected urge to cry.
She had never seen such a frail old man before. Everything about him seemed to have shriveled, like a flower on a withering branch, bereft of water and nutrients, on the verge of crumbling. His hands, clutching Jun Pinyu's, were like brittle bark, their color a disquieting gray, a sight both alarming and deeply pitiful.
As she looked at Jun Pinyu's gentle smile, an ache stirred in her heart. Even for one who had grown accustomed to witnessing life and death, seeing the person who had raised him so weak, so close to fading away, must have been unbearably painful.
A master of healing, capable of curing countless ailments, yet in the end, he could only watch helplessly as his dearest kin aged and withered before his eyes.
"I heard from Xiao Peng that you brought the Young Mistress with you," Uncle Fu said, his voice trembling as he held onto Jun Pinyu's hand.
"Xianyue, come greet Uncle Fu," Jun Pinyu beckoned.
Xianyue was just about to step forward when she saw the elderly man release Jun Pinyu's hand and, with slow, unsteady steps, shuffle toward her. Jun Pinyu followed closely behind, careful but not offering his support.
When Uncle Fu finally reached Xianyue, his deeply wrinkled face turned toward her, his eyes—barely slits—struggling to focus in the harsh sunlight. Yet, slowly, a smile bloomed across his face, wrinkles deepening with the warmth of his joy.
"Uncle Fu," Xianyue called softly as she approached, raising her voice slightly to ensure he could hear.
The old man's smile widened, his eyes narrowing until the slits disappeared entirely. He nodded repeatedly, "Good, good."
Then, to Xianyue's astonishment, he knelt before her. Startled, she glanced at Jun Pinyu, then bent down, trying to help him up.
But Uncle Fu clasped her arms firmly, refusing to rise. Looking up at her, he solemnly placed his hands on the ground and, with utmost reverence, performed a deep kowtow, his voice trembling with emotion. "Young Mistress, from now on, I entrust our Young Master to you."