Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Title

Ye Qingshang: "?"

Had she misspoken? Why his astonishment?

Qiao Zhu cleared her throat calmly. "Actually, the young master’s divine whip injuries required three or four years’ meditation. ‘Lifelong’ was… an exaggeration."

"Why deceive me?" Ye Qingshang pressed.

Qiao Zhu shook her head helplessly. "Seeing the young master’s unrequited feelings exhausted him, I hoped you’d show concern. Now that you fret over him… have you recognized your own heart?"

Before Ye Qingshang answered, Mu Huaiyun intervened. "Qiao Zhu, I need to speak with Qingshang alone."

Qiao Zhu smiled knowingly. "Understood. The young master finally got his wish." Placing medicine on the table, she added, "Sister Ye, ensure he takes this."

She exited, closing the door behind her.

Ye Qingshang and Mu Huaiyun: …

Ye Qingshang drew nearer. "What did you want to tell me?"

"Naturally, matters between us." Mu Huaiyun leaned against the headboard, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "Qingshang, have you always remembered our past life?"

"Yes. Ever since rebirth. Is that strange?"

"Ancient texts say forbidden techniques reset everything except the caster’s memories. You shouldn’t recall anything."

Ye Qingshang countered, "Could your Heart Vein Power transfer have interfered?"

"Possibly. Any other irregularities? I recall your spiritual power faltering at the Illusionary Battle Arena."

"Not just there," she admitted. "My spiritual power stopped working entirely since that day. It only functions within three meters of you."

"Truly?" He paused. "Good."

"Good?" She laughed lightly. "Planning to keep me tethered to you forever? How absurd."

"I’d gladly do so if you permit. Another matter—how will you handle Mu Rongyan after his past betrayal?"

At Mu Rongyan’s mention, her head throbbed faintly. Yet she recalled their recent heartfelt talk resolving years of conflict. "My senior brother killed me out of resentment last life. This time we’ve reconciled. I trust him."

"But last time…" Mu Huaiyun bit back words about later false accusations, simply saying, "Enough. Your trust is mine."

"Let’s speak no more. Time for your medicine, Ah Yun."

As she held the vial, Mu Huaiyun raised a hand. "Give it here. This medicine causes… side effects. Wait outside for half an hour."

She tightened her grip. "All the more reason I should stay."

He seized the vial. "I won’t have you witness this. Go."

"Ah Yun, I—" A barrier shoved her out, sealing the door.

Stunned outside, she frowned. What side effects could heart-healing medicine possibly hide? She called through the wood, "Call if you need me. I’ll wait right here."

Silence answered.

Leaning against the door, anxiety prickled her skin. With his heart vein injury unhealed, what if these "effects"…?

A crash echoed inside—shattering porcelain.

"Ah Yun! Are you hurt?"

"Don’t enter!" His voice strained. "Poor spiritual control… broke a vase. It’s nothing."

"Spiritual control? Since when does medicine cause that? Don’t lie to me!"

"Qingshang, don’t—"

She pushed the door open. Shards littered the floor. Mu Huaiyun leaned against the bed, eyes wide and fever-bright.

Abnormal flush colored his face. His gaze burned into hers, words labored: "Qingshang… leave. Now."

Even inexperienced, she understood. Heat flooded her veins. Closing her eyes briefly, she cast a soundproof barrier instead and shut the door.

"Ah Yun, I’m staying."

With a wave, she vanished the porcelain fragments. Step by silent step, she closed the distance between them.

Mu Huaiyun’s eyes darkened. "Qingshang. Do you realize what this means?"

One step away, she bent and brushed her lips against his—a fleeting touch. Her smile bloomed, luminous and deliberate.

"I know. And I choose this."

Mu Huaiyun could no longer bear to listen. His spiritual power enveloped her, and in an instant, everything turned upside down. As her hair cascaded down, he braced his elbow beside her neck, his breath heavy with unbearable heat that seemed capable of consuming her entirely. He sighed softly, "I never intended to… with you at this moment—"

His words were cut off as Ye Qingshang lifted her hand to loop around his neck. "I love you."

That phrase devoured him whole, igniting a fire that burned through his very core. Their low breaths mingled like footsteps treading clouds, ethereal whispers reaching her ears.

A blur of purple drifted into her vision, settling upon Ye Qingshang’s forehead, accentuating the crimson between her brows. Her delicate features tensed slightly before she spoke, "This flower… you kept it… all this time…?"

"Yes." Mu Huaiyun claimed her lips. His warm mouth trailed to her ear and further down, until she gently pushed him back. "Four years ago, I treated you so harshly… yet you still held on…"

"Ah Yun…" She turned her head, fine beads of sweat glistening against her jade-white neck, adding a touch of allure. She offered a faint smile that carried a hint of sorrow. "I offered you flowers… you gifted me yourself. A fair exchange."

A tender kiss brushed her neck, unraveling that allure as they became entwined. She felt like a lone boat drifting in shallows, unable to reach shore. A soft gasp escaped her lips, and the man above her stilled.

"Hmm?" Ye Qingshang blinked, her eyes misted.

He curved his lips slightly. "Ah Yun… is the heart vein injury… too painful?"

Mu Huaiyun exhaled a long, scorching breath against her skin, making her heart flutter strangely.

Finding this amusing, Ye Qingshang touched his nose with her fingertips. Her spiritual power flowed out, gently merging into his body. Her tone held a trace of lightness, "Ah Yun was right before… we shouldn’t be doing this now…"

"Mmm…"

Her remaining words vanished between their lips, swallowed whole. She clung to the only light, sinking like a star into the sea of night, surrounded by untouchable jewels.

A sigh was lost in the dusk, leaving the room steeped in intimacy.