Jing Heng drew his sword.
The sword's shadow fell into Yun Shu's clear, cold eyes.
She glanced at Elder Yin, who had quietly departed. She wondered what he had thought in his final moments, to be able to smile as he passed away.
Since she had promised him, she would take Xiao Feng to his grave and call him Grandpa.
But who was at the door now?
She scanned the old man by the door who was still unconscious.
The room was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Outside the door, it suddenly became silent as well, as if no one had approached.
Jing Heng turned back to look at Yun Shu.
Yun Shu nodded.
The next moment, just as the newcomer pushed the door open, Jing Heng preemptively swung it open.
The door creaked.
It slowly swung open.
The person outside the door was revealed.
Jing Heng's sharp sword was about to stab forward.
Upon seeing who it was, he immediately stopped his sword's momentum.
"Why is it you?" Jing Heng's imposing aura had not yet subsided. He stared coldly at Qiu Lu, as if Qiu Lu shouldn't have been there.
Qiu Lu was stunned by Jing Heng's stare. "What's wrong with me? If you can be here, why can't I?"
Jing Heng couldn't be bothered to argue with Qiu Lu, stepping aside with an expression that said, "Don't talk to me, your presence annoys me."
Qiu Lu's mouth twitched. For the sake of Miss Yun Er, he would endure it!
With Jing Heng's strange temper, he'd surely never make any friends!
Yun Shu looked at Qiu Lu, a hint of surprise in her beautiful eyes, her sharp gaze retracting slightly. "Why are you here?"
"It's not just me, Your Highness is here too." Qiu Lu stepped aside, gesturing to the side.
Zhan Tianye, who was in the courtyard behind them, revealed himself to the group.
He sat in his wheelchair.
His eyes, so dark they seemed bottomless, peered through the scattered light towards them.
It was nearly dusk.
This illuminated his well-defined features, making him appear even more exquisitely elegant.
Yun Shu's gaze flickered slightly, her heart stirred in a way she didn't notice. Even if she didn't want to admit it, he was, in this life and the last, the most captivating man she had ever seen.
As Yun Shu looked at Zhan Tianye, Zhan Tianye also looked at Yun Shu.
His deep gaze grew even more profound as he saw her.
His long, dark robe, bathed in the crimson evening glow of the mountain village, made his eyes appear like a bottomless pool, concealing his restless heart.
If they were closer, he longed to gently caress her fair cheek, kiss her lips, and declare to the world that this woman was his.
Even the mere thought made a certain string in his heart vibrate uncontrollably.
Yun Shu quickly regained her composure and looked at Jing Heng. "Let's bury Elder Yin first."
"Alright," Jing Heng replied.
Jing Heng, efficient in his actions, immediately stepped forward and hoisted Elder Yin onto his shoulder.
He intended to find a spot with good feng shui to bury Elder Yin.
"Elder Yin is dead?" Qiu Lu immediately looked at Elder Yin, carried on Jing Heng's shoulder, his face full of surprise.
Yun Shu hummed in affirmation.
Qiu Lu immediately looked at Zhan Tianye.
Zhan Tianye looked at Yun Shu, then shifted his gaze to Elder Yin.
Elder Yin was now completely lifeless.
He was indeed dead.
Zhan Tianye's expression suddenly turned cold.
Yun Shu sensed something unusual. "Is there something you wanted to know about Elder Yin?" she asked.
Zhan Tianye replied, "I learned some things about the past. I know that the one who saved Elder Yin back then was not the Regent. Elder Yin did many things for the Regent and knew some of the Regent's secrets. I didn't expect him to die before he could learn the truth."
Yun Shu's eyes narrowed, her heart feeling a touch of melancholy as she looked at the lifeless Elder Yin.
For Elder Yin, learning the truth before his death was likely not a good thing.
Another tragic victim of deception.
Bai Chun still had a chance to turn things around, but Elder Yin no longer did.
Yun Shu glanced at the peaceful mountain village and walked out of the thatched hut.
As she stepped out, the old man, tied up and unconscious behind her, suddenly woke up and let out a muffled cry.
Jing Heng was carrying Elder Yin. Seeing this, Qiu Lu went up and kicked the old man, knocking him unconscious again.
Yun Shu merely glanced back.
The sun was setting.
Yun Shu felt a sense of peace, no longer concerned about who was admiring the beautiful mountain scenery with her.
Zhan Tianye, however, was thoroughly enjoying the current tranquility, as if envisioning a future decades from now, where he and she could live as hermits in the mountains, watching sunrises and sunsets, clouds and mist together.
The surrounding silence made one feel joyful.
Time passed without them realizing it.
Jing Heng and Qiu Lu returned.
They had just gone to bury Elder Yin together.
Jing Heng was about to step forward to report when Qiu Lu stopped him, winking and gesturing, implying that he shouldn't disturb the Prince and Miss Yun Er.
But Jing Heng, lacking tact, was about to proceed.
Qiu Lu could only lower his voice and say, "The Prince and Miss Yun Er are enjoying the scenery together! Can't you avoid disturbing them?"
Jing Heng looked at Yun Shu and finally relented, not pushing forward.
Qiu Lu's face finally lost its darkened hue. Sigh!
So worrisome!
He rolled his eyes, then pulled Jing Heng aside and asked in a low voice, "Did Young Master Ji, whom we met yesterday, really like Miss Yun Er?"
He wanted to probe.
Jing Heng, who had been expressionless, raised his eyebrows at Qiu Lu's question.
He looked at Qiu Lu as if he were an idiot with a problem.
Feeling a bit unnerved by Jing Heng's gaze, Qiu Lu chuckled nervously to cover his embarrassment. "I heard someone say that he and Miss Yun Er are betrothed?"
Jing Heng's gaze became even more hostile. He hadn't wanted to speak, but was forced to say a couple of words. "Are you out of your mind? Go find someone to treat you."
His master and Ji Rong to be betrothed?
Where did this rumor come from?!
Qiu Lu had intended to probe, but Jing Heng's words left him even more confused than before.
Meanwhile, Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye had already retracted their gazes.
It was getting late.
They needed to return to the capital.
"Let's go back to the capital," Yun Shu said.
As soon as she spoke, she stood up and was about to leave.
However, as she lifted her foot and turned, she inadvertently bumped into Zhan Tianye's leg.
Just as she was about to steady herself,
The next moment,
Even with her thick skin, she couldn't help but blush.
He grabbed her waist, making her sit directly on his lap.
Their posture instantly became intimate and heart-pounding.
They were incredibly close.
Her slender, soft waist.
Right beneath his palm.
Zhan Tianye's eyes were as deep as the night, as if he were desperately restraining something.
His voice became unusually low.
"Be careful."
The two words struck Yun Shu like a thunderbolt.
Yun Shu took a deep breath. They were too close.
She stood up in a fluster, her mind in a mess.
Seeing this, Jing Heng thought Zhan Tianye was bullying Yun Shu and was about to rush forward aggressively.