Love truly has a way of making people grow—just look at how the once-naive Ninth has learned to speak with subtlety now.
Chu'he felt a bit embarrassed but refused to admit her own shortcomings. She shoved the flute back into his hands and huffed, "It must be your flute that's the problem, not me."
Ninth stroked the short flute and murmured, "My flute is just fine."
Chu'he turned her head away. "Impossible."
Ninth glanced at the back of her dark-haired head, then lifted the flute to his lips. With a soft exhale, a clear, melodious tune drifted through the air, stirring the creatures around them.
Birds and beasts hidden in the trees and grass peeked out, while crimson carp leaped from the pond, sending ripples across the water. Droplets from their tails caught the sunlight, scattering tiny glimmers like scattered gems.
It was as if spring had returned in the midst of summer—lush, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Chu'he instinctively reached out, and a sparrow alighted on her fingertip, chirping and bobbing its head.
The boy lowered his flute, propping his chin on one hand as he studied her profile, softened further by the sunlight. His voice, too, softened without him realizing.
"Fun?"
Chu'he couldn’t help but smile, her eyes crinkling with delight. "So much fun!"
As the bird flew away, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to the corner of his lips.
Ninth touched his mouth, struck by the thought that the flute music he’d once deemed useless unless it could kill had somehow brought him an unimaginable reward.
Chu'he clasped his cold hand, interlacing their fingers with practiced ease. "Ninth, will you play for me again someday?"
He chuckled. "Silly Chu'he."
She glared. "Why am I silly again?"
Twirling a lock of her black hair around his finger, he marveled at the contrast between his pale skin and her dark strands. A rare tranquility settled over him.
"Most people would run at the sound of my flute."
Yet here she was, asking for more after just one listen.
"Why would they run?" Chu'he nestled into his arms, gazing up at him with adoration. "Ninth is beautiful, his voice is sweet, and his flute is even sweeter. Just seeing you fills me with joy. I’ve decided—I’ll stay with you for lifetimes. I won’t run from you, and you’re not allowed to run from me either."
The boy’s throat moved as he released a quiet, husky sigh—part exasperation, but mostly something far warmer, something he couldn’t suppress.
He looked down into her shining eyes, where fervor and determination burned like a small flame, gently thawing the frost in his long-dormant heart.
"Chu'he… you’re really terrible."
She pursed her lips. "How am I terrible now?"
Ninth bent down, resting his forehead against hers. His white bangs mingled with her black ones, blurring the line between them. His breath was warm as he hooked his pinky with hers.
"How am I supposed to leave you after this?"
Chu'he giggled, nuzzling his cheek. "Then don’t. I’ve already planned it—once we’re home, I’ll talk to my father. We’re definitely getting married. And when we’re older, we can think about having little ones. Sound good?"
Ninth nodded, smiling faintly. "Good."
A tickling sensation at her feet made Chu'he glance down—her little green snake had slithered into the water to play.
Perhaps the saying "like owner, like pet" held some truth. The mischievous serpent chased after the crimson carp, baring its fangs playfully before suddenly lunging and swallowing a golden koi whole.
Chu'he froze.
Ninth spoke abruptly. "Someone’s coming."
She hastily pulled him up, drying their feet and slipping on their shoes. Moments later, a group approached.
Luo Qiaoqiao, cradling her child, walked gracefully toward them with her maids in tow. Spotting Chu'he and Ninth, her eyes brightened. "Miss Chu, Young Master Ninth, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. So this is where you’ve been."
Ninth, who disliked socializing, busied himself with twirling Chu'he’s hair, finding endless fascination in each strand.
Chu'he offered a polite smile. "What brings you here, madam?"
Luo Qiaoqiao bowed slightly. "That day, my son and I nearly lost our lives to those vile creatures. Thanks to you both for saving us."
Chu'he waved it off. "Anyone would’ve helped in that situation. No need for gratitude. But… why were you and your son alone, hunted by those things?"
Luo Qiaoqiao sighed. "Yan'er has been frail since birth. We’ve lived in a quiet estate outside the city, where he could recuperate. Then one day, the estate was attacked. We barely escaped and fled into the woods, where we met you."
Recalling the ordeal, she shuddered, tightening her grip on her child. The memory of Shangguan Huanxi’s arrow still haunted her. Now, she refused to let the boy out of her sight.
"Back then, I only prayed the Lord of the Continent would find us quickly. Never imagined you’d appear before him."
Chu'he merely maintained her cheerful, oblivious expression, offering no reply.
Luo Qiaoqiao smiled and changed the subject. "You must stay in Canghai Continent a few more days. The Lord and I insist on hosting you properly as thanks."
"The scenery here is breathtaking—staying longer would be a pleasure. Ah, but Ninth and I promised to explore the city today. We’ll take our leave now."
Tugging Ninth’s hand, Chu'he hurried away.
In a hushed voice, she muttered, "I don’t want to deal with her."
Ninth nodded sagely. "Her smile was fake."
Meanwhile, one of Luo Qiaoqiao’s maids scattered fish food into the pond, then gasped. "Huh? The golden koi is gone!"
Luo Qiaoqiao paled. "Gone?"
The maid fretted. "That was the auspicious koi madam sought for Young Master’s birth—it’s supposed to safeguard his health! Just yesterday, it was swimming under the lotus leaves. Where could it be?"
Panicked, Luo Qiaoqiao ordered, "Find it! That fish cannot disappear!"
Not far off, the two whisperers abruptly fell silent, edging closer together to shield the green snake—now sporting a conspicuously round belly—from view.
Chu'he frantically wiped fish scales from the snake’s mouth.
Ninth attempted to flatten its swollen middle, to no avail.
The poor serpent’s eyes rolled back, nearly popping from the pressure.
Chu'he hissed, "What do we do?"
Ninth’s eyes gleamed with an idea. "I’ve got a plan."
In that moment, they resembled nothing so much as parents covering for their troublemaking child.
A beat later, Ninth cleared his throat delicately into his fist.
A dark purple scorpion emerged from the corner, first casting a disdainful glance at the little green snake favored by the mistress, then swaying its venomous tail, leaving faint trails on the ground.
Then, it slithered back into the shadows, hiding itself once more.
A maidservant searching for the koi fish came upon the scene and exclaimed, "Madam, there’s a drawing here!"
Luo Qiaoqiao hurried over with her attendants and looked down.
On the ground, a simple sketch had been drawn with crude lines.
It depicted a small figure with a sword at his waist, holding a fan in one hand and a fish in the other, stuffing it greedily into his wide-open mouth.
The drawing seemed like a memento, akin to the sentiment of "So-and-so was here."
"I recognize this! It’s Dao Sanlang, one of the Dao Brothers Trio from the Feng Family Fort beyond the frontier!"
"Because of his dashing charm, everyone calls him Young Master Dao!"
"Lately, he’s earned another title—the infamous Blade Demon, whom all wish to slay!"
"There’s no mistake—such arrogance can only mean he’s the one who stole and devoured the koi!"
Luo Qiaoqiao’s gentle demeanor slowly cracked, her teeth clenched in fury.
"Blade Demon… Could he also be one of Shangguan Huanxi’s men?"
"Achoo!"
Hidden in a chicken coop, a disheveled young man sneezed and clutched his head in horror.
"Oh no, is misfortune coming for me again?!"
