The snow outside had not stopped, falling like willow catkins. The cold wind was biting, but he was protected by spiritual energy and felt no chill.
Arriving at the Xin Qing Palace, Rong Hua, without even bothering to brush off the snow from his body, eagerly knocked on the door and inquired, "Master, may I come in?"
The door opened automatically, and Rong Hua couldn't help but curve his lips.
Amidst the layers of white silk drapes, Rong Hua could instantly pinpoint the white figure.
The white figure emerged from the right, his brows and eyes serene and distant.
Rong Hua knew full well that his Master couldn't see, yet he couldn't help but smile, completely devoid of his usual gloom.
"Master, I've personally brewed some soup for you, please have a taste!"
He held the porcelain bowl in one hand, tugging at Shen Yue's sleeve with the other, urging her to sit on the stone stool, his movements somewhat hasty.
Shen Yue simply let him have his way, accepting the porcelain bowl. Its warmth spread to her palm, still steaming and exuding an enticing aroma.
Shen Yue took a small sip, and the taste was surprisingly good. She hadn't eaten anything in a long time. Ever since she began abstaining from grain, she had almost stopped eating altogether.
Now, with this taste, she felt a sense of daze.
"Master, is the taste alright?" the man's cautious inquiry reached her ears.
Shen Yue's heart softened, "Very good."
The person beside her visibly perked up, his eyes crinkling with pleasure, revealing the sunny and simple demeanor befitting his age.
"I'm glad you like it, Master. I'll make it for you every day from now on, okay?"
Rong Hua couldn't help but grip the edge of her sleeve tighter.
Shen Yue disapproved, "Cultivate properly. There's no need to waste your time here."
Rong Hua shook her sleeve as if he were acting spoiled, his voice low, "My aptitude is poor, I can't bring you honor, Master. I can only cook simple things. Even though I know you don't need it, it at least makes me feel useful."
His tone was not dejected, and even carried a hint of a smile.
Shen Yue stirred the soup in the porcelain bowl, took a silent sip, and then softly asked, "Hua'er, do you want to become stronger?"
Rong Hua was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Master, what kind of question is that? Who wouldn't want to become stronger? Who would willingly be a good-for-nothing?"
He lightly, intimately stroked the clean, pure white edge of the immortal's robe with his fingertips, his expression unreadable.
After finishing the soup, leaving not a single drop behind, Shen Yue placed the porcelain bowl down and gently patted his hand.
"You are not a good-for-nothing," Shen Yue's tone was serious and firm.
Shen Yue's words were certainly not a joke. After all, in the future, he would be the one to throw the cultivation world into chaos, a formidable great villain.
Rong Hua looked at Shen Yue's fair and delicate profile, his entire being warming. His eyes were filled with filial affection and reverence.
...
The night was dim, yet Xin Qing Palace remained brightly lit.
Yin Jing emerged from Rong Hua's chambers, still holding a few storybooks. She flipped through a few pages casually, and her gaze inadvertently fell upon the white figure. Her previously languid expression changed.
"Immortal Master..."
The white-robed immortal pursed her pale lips, her brows and eyes serene. She gave a cool nod, acknowledging her.
"Immortal Master, are you looking for Ah Hua?" Yin Jing inquired softly.
The response was another nod from Shen Yue.
She smiled gently, "Ah Hua has already fallen asleep. Perhaps Immortal Master could come again tomorrow? Ah Hua's sleep quality has not been very good, and if Immortal Master wakes him, it might be difficult for Ah Hua to fall asleep again."
The young woman's words sounded as if she were very familiar and close with Rong Hua, making Shen Yue seem like an outsider.
Shen Yue remained silent. After some thought, she knew she had to leave at dawn and might be gone for a long time. If she didn't inform Rong Hua, he might throw a tantrum.
"When did he fall asleep?" the immortal's voice was clear and cold, carrying an air of aloofness.
Yin Jing bit her tender lips and asked innocently, "Immortal Master... is there anything that can't wait until tomorrow? Ah Hua is asleep. As his Master, shouldn't you consider him?"
The girl's voice was sweet and soft when she lowered it, as if coquettishly pleading, but her words were not very friendly.
Since childhood, only one person had dared to speak to her like this.
Of course, Shen Yue did not care. Her disposition was indifferent and proud; she disdained to quibble with such people.
Her expression did not change. Ignoring Yin Jing, she turned and left.
Yin Jing watched his tall, bamboo-like back, her head tilted slightly. Only after he disappeared around the corner did she prepare to leave.
Before she had taken two steps, the door next to her, which had been silent, opened.
She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around, seeing a dark shadow cast upon the white jade porcelain.
Immediately after, the man's tall figure emerged. He was wearing only his inner garment, with a black robe draped over it. When he saw Yin Jing, his expression faltered.
Yin Jing smiled and asked, "Why are you awake?"
Rong Hua first surveyed his surroundings, then lowered his gaze, "I thought I heard Master's voice."
He felt a sense of loss, his chest feeling heavy, as if a breath were stuck midway.
"You must have misheard. Go back to sleep early," she said with a gentle expression.
Rong Hua, however, frowned. His gaze fell upon the storybook in her hand, his eyes growing cold. "Didn't I tell you I don't like others entering my room without permission?"
Yin Jing's expression stiffened, and she looked flustered, "I just couldn't sleep and wanted to find some storybooks to read. You slept early, so I didn't want to disturb you."
Seeing her like this, Rong Hua said nothing more, though his expression was not good. He stared intently at the storybook in his hand, his face displaying an unpredictable range of emotions. "Give them back to me."
Yin Jing, hearing this, also felt a touch of dissatisfaction. She didn't understand why Rong Hua was so angry, and over just a few storybooks. To want them back so urgently, as if afraid she would soil them, made one wonder if they were some kind of treasure.
Yin Jing expressionlessly tossed the books into the man's embrace, let out a huff, and turned to leave.
After walking a couple of steps, Yin Jing expected Rong Hua to say something conciliatory. To her surprise, he didn't even try to stop her. Gritting her teeth, Yin Jing turned back and saw the man holding the books as if they were precious treasures, his sharp and gloomy brows softened with a warmth she had never seen before.
She couldn't comprehend why these ordinary storybooks were so valuable. Seeing that Rong Hua paid her no mind, she left alone, feeling resentful.
Rong Hua paid no attention to the departing Yin Jing. He lightly caressed the cover of the book with his fingertip, turned around without a word, and the door closed behind him.
When Rong Hua, as usual, prepared the soup and went to his Master's chambers, they were empty.
He called out "Master" but received no response. He found it strange.
Usually, his Master would be cultivating at this hour, but now...
Rong Hua searched all the places his Master frequented but found no trace of anyone.
Finally, he returned to his Master's chambers, the soup in his hands long since gone cold.