Once the Awakening of Insects passed, the weather truly warmed up.
Mei Wuchang and Qiu Dongfang had also returned from Tianqi and were surprised to learn that Jiu Yue had founded her own faction. Both of them couldn’t help but express their envy.
"I want to go have fun too," Mei Wuchang said. Ever since the death of Prince Ping, he had gained his freedom, and Jiu Yue’s talk of local specialties had ignited an obsession in him. No longer the shut-in he once was, he now yearned for the outside world.
Especially after hearing that the Shadowless Sect was currently holding trials to compete for the position of Guardian over the past two months.
Mei Wuchang was itching to join.
Even Mo Jin and Fu Yu had gone to join the excitement.
At first, Jiu Yue had frequently gone down the mountain, but later, her outings became fewer. Even when she did leave, it was mostly because Bai Mian and the others had attracted overly formidable enemies under Dao Yu’s name, making things troublesome. In such cases, Jiu Yue would handle some "pixelation business" right outside the courtyard gate.
Lately, the weather had been pleasant, with signs of vitality everywhere, so she often lounged on the rooftop to bask in the sun.
Now, listening to Mei Wuchang muttering beside her, Jiu Yue crossed her legs and encouraged him, "Just go if you want to. Actually, Mo Jin and the others sent word a few days ago—they’ve cornered a few small fry from the Rakshasa Gang. It’s a bit far, though, so you’d better take a horse."
Mei Wuchang sighed dejectedly. "But I can’t leave."
"Why not?"
"I have to guard the Prince Consort," Mei Wuchang said solemnly. "You taught me—a promise is a promise."
Jiu Yue: "..."
Jiu Yue smacked him in exasperation. "I’m not telling you to run away and never come back."
"..." Mei Wuchang’s eyes darted around. "That’s true. Besides, Dongfang’s still here, right? If I’m gone for just a day or two, the Prince Consort probably won’t blame me."
Jiu Yue thumped her chest confidently. "Don’t worry, with me here, he won’t dock your pay."
Mei Wuchang, who still hadn’t repaid the five hundred taels for the bathtub: "..."
"Besides, we won’t be staying here much longer before heading back to Yan Capital. If you don’t go now, who knows when you’ll get another chance?" Jiu Yue rested her head on her hands. "Fu Yu said the scenery there is amazing. If you don’t go, I will."
"Then I’ll go in your place!" Mei Wuchang sprang to his feet, flinging aside the half-dead snake he’d been toying with, then flashed a fawning grin. "You’ll cover for me with the Prince Consort for a couple of days, right?"
"With me here, nothing unexpected will happen," Jiu Yue declared, patting her chest.
Mei Wuchang bolted. "Then I’m off! Tell the Prince Consort for me—I’ll bring back local specialties!"
Jiu Yue lazily propped her chin on her hand, watching him disappear in a few bounds, and sighed wistfully. "Ah, youth."
System: "...You’re not old."
Jiu Yue shook her head and closed her eyes contentedly.
"Shut it, machine."
System: "..."
……
In the backyard, Qiu Dongfang was huffing and puffing as he tended the fire.
The one wielding the ladle beside him was none other than Sima Qing.
Both wore grave expressions. After painstakingly preparing a dish that looked perfectly normal, Qiu Dongfang hurriedly carried it out.
Sima Qing followed closely behind, solemnly picking up his chopsticks to taste it.
"...Prince Consort, how is it?" Qiu Dongfang asked cautiously.
Sima Qing said nothing, simply handing him another pair of chopsticks.
Qiu Dongfang nervously took a bite... and his expression visibly relaxed.
He was even moved—had their suffering finally paid off? After all this time, the Prince Consort had finally managed to cook something edible!
Before the two of them had returned, the meals in the courtyard had been handled by Mo Jin and Fu Yu. But after their return, Mo Jin and Fu Yu had gone down the mountain to exchange intelligence with their brothers in the training camp, leaving the task to Qiu Dongfang and Mei Wuchang.
But while these two had talent in eating, their cooking skills... were about on par with Sima Qing’s.
So after going in circles, Sima Qing had taken the initiative to shoulder the responsibility.
Qiu Dongfang was deeply touched.
Just look—His Highness was becoming more considerate by the day!
He was about to take a second bite when Sima Qing blocked his chopsticks and gestured toward the front courtyard. "Have her try it."
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
Obediently setting down his chopsticks, Qiu Dongfang muttered an "Oh" and turned to leave. But after two steps, he suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, Prince Consort," he said, smacking his forehead. "Mr. Bai asked us to pass along a message—he said you should find someone else for the job... Prince Consort, has your residual poison flared up again?"
A trace of concern flickered in Qiu Dongfang’s eyes.
Sima Qing’s expression remained unchanged. Just as he was about to respond, a dark shadow streaked across the sky—
Qiu Dongfang instinctively looked up and snatched at it.
A half-dead snake landed in his hand.
His eyelid twitched, and with a reflexive flick of his wrist, he sent the still-wriggling creature flying... straight into the dish.
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
Sima Qing: "..."
Sima Qing’s face darkened.
Qiu Dongfang wanted to cry. "It must’ve been that idiot Wuchang! I’ll go drag him back right now!"
Sima Qing’s voice squeezed through gritted teeth. "Get back here and tend the fire! I’m making it again!"
"...Yes." Qiu Dongfang steeled himself and ducked back into the kitchen.
……
Jiu Yue woke up from the cold.
Rubbing her arms, she opened her eyes to find night had fallen. The sky was a deep blue-black, exuding a quiet, leisurely atmosphere.
After a brief daze, she stood and stretched. The courtyard was peaceful—it seemed there’d be no "pixelation business" today.
Jiu Yue hopped down from the roof and ambled toward the backyard... only to find two thoroughly disheveled figures.
Qiu Dongfang’s face was blackened with soot, as if he’d just emerged from a coal mine.
Spotting her, he grinned widely. "Hungry? Perfect timing—the Prince Consort just finished cooking. Come try it!"
Jiu Yue reluctantly tore her gaze from Qiu Dongfang’s gleaming teeth and turned to Sima Qing.
Compared to Qiu Dongfang, Sima Qing’s appearance wasn’t as ruined... but there was a stark contrast to his usual elegant and dignified demeanor.
...He looked oddly... earnest.
Jiu Yue: "..."
An indescribable sense of strangeness settled over her.
Jiu Yue fell into deep thought, suspecting that these two had teamed up to prank her.
As she approached, Sima Qing’s eyes brightened slightly. Restraining himself, he said, "Try it. Dongfang said it’s quite good."
Qiu Dongfang chimed in enthusiastically, "It really is! Trust me."
But the more they insisted, the less Jiu Yue believed them.
She eyed the three perfectly normal-looking dishes with suspicion, her expression growing increasingly grave. After a moment, she crossed her arms and smirked.
"Did you add something to the food, waiting to trick me?" She tilted her chin up, her gaze piercingly sharp as she studied Sima Qing.
Sima Qing: "..."
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
Qiu Dongfang glanced silently at Sima Qing’s impassive face and meekly said, "Uh... I’m not hungry. I’ll go wash up now."
He wisely made himself scarce, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire if the Prince Consort lost his temper.
But watching him leave only reinforced Jiu Yue’s suspicions.
She stood up too. "Then I’m not hungry either. I’ll go wash up too."
If even Qiu Dongfang wouldn’t eat it, there had to be something in there—like a lethal dose of seasoning!
"……" Sima Qing let out an exasperated laugh, reaching out to grab the back of Jiu Yue's collar and pulling her back with a slight tug.
Jiu Yue could have easily broken free if she wanted, but she was a kind soul and decided to humor Sima Qing—this fragile man.
So she let herself be pressed back into her seat by him.
A pair of chopsticks was unceremoniously shoved into her hand.
A light scoff came from above her. She looked up just as he leaned down slightly, his previously towering gaze now level with hers.
"Eat," he said coolly, the single word leaving no room for argument.
Jiu Yue: "……"
