Chapter 1 Ordinary Happiness

轉碼失敗！請您使用右上換源切換源站閱讀或者直接前往源網站進行閱讀！The First Chapter: Ordinary Happiness

In the winter solstice of Tiansheng Year 117, the fifth emperor of the Tiansheng Dynasty passed away after reigning for thirty years.

During this emperor's reign, it was the most turbulent period in the history of the Tiansheng Dynasty. Small countries that had submitted to it began to grow powerful and ceased offering tribute, secretly amassing troops without being under the control of the Tiansheng anymore. Border conflicts even broke out among different countries due to territorial interests, such as the Fenghuang Pass battle in Tiansheng Year 102 where the Southern Liang’s state minister alone repelled fifteen thousand soldiers from Tiansheng; and a decade ago when a small northern country secretly interfered, leading to unrest in the north frontier. Prince Yong and Minister Wen went to quell it but both lost their lives—Minister Wen sacrificing his life for the country while Prince Yong died on his way back to the capital after being poisoned.

A decade ago, the entire Wen family was exterminated overnight by someone, leaving only a single son, Rong Feng, alive.

Five years ago, the Lan family was wiped out due to Lady Lan’s crimes, leaving only one imperial grandson, Ye Tianyi, alive.

Many significant events occurred during this period; countless trivial matters added up to an unstable era for Tiansheng every year.

This year, the second and fourth princes rebelled against the throne. The rebellion ended with the death of Second Prince and the imprisonment of Fourth Prince, marking the end of the emperor's life with his passing.

No matter what future historians say about this emperor, he would never again open his eyes to see the江山基業 (the empire) that was as precious as his life to him.

Rong Jing and Yun Qianmo were standing in the Buddha Hall of Lingtai Temple when Qingying reported this news. Both fell silent.

The old emperor could have lived for another month, but he suddenly passed away due to the succession crisis triggered by Crown Princes Ye Tianqing and Ye Tiandyu. However, more directly, it was because he realized his inability to control others' lives from that throne anymore. Despite a life of commanding and having everyone kneeling before him, now no one listened to what he said, leading to his death due to sheer frustration. Yet every emperor inevitably faces an end as bleak as this when their reigns draw to a close.

Rong Jing was silent for a moment then waved dismissively at Qingying: “Understood. You may leave.”

Qingying silently withdrew.

Yun Qianmo thought silently that while the old emperor finally died, his death might not make her life easier compared to when he was alive. Someone would become the most powerful successor of this Tiansheng Dynasty; she likely wouldn't have an easy time with the entanglements over the past decade.

A moment later, Yun Qianmo looked at Rong Jing and asked softly, "Should we return now or wait a bit longer"

"It's late. We won't be returning today; let’s stay in the retreat on the back mountain," replied Rong Jing gently.

Yun Qianmo nodded. She had no objections to not going to the palace for the old emperor's funeral, so she turned her head and looked at the large Buddha statue before her again. The corners of her mouth twitched as she murmured with a soft laugh: "Ye Tianqing, even in death, you mustn’t wish to meet such a father on the Yellow Springs road! Since that’s the case, then hurry up and drink Meng Po's soup and enter the cycle of rebirth quickly. Next life, don't be born into an imperial family again. Wealth and honor are like smoke; true happiness is ordinary.

Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianmo as his eyes flickered with a light wave.

"Let's go! I'm hungry after not eating all day. Let’s go to the back mountain to grill some fish!" Yun Qianmo turned around and pulled Rong Jing, her tone easygoing.

"Grill fish" Rong Jing raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I want grilled fish now!” said Yun Qianmo.

Rong Jing smiled slightly and nodded slowly: "Alright."

The two came to a mutual decision and turned around to face the Venerable Ci Yun. Rong Jing said to him: “We’ll be borrowing the retreat on the back mountain for today; please have your monks perform rituals here tonight. I will send someone with offerings tomorrow.”

"Young Master Rong, you’re too courteous! This is what a temple should do for guests staying overnight. You and Miss Qianmo can relax while staying at our temple," said the Venerable Ci Yun respectfully as he stood up.

Rong Jing nodded but didn’t speak further; pulling Yun Qianmo, they left the Dharma Hall.

Outside the hall, a thick layer of snow had already fallen in just these few moments, blanketing everything in white. The entire Qingquan Mountain Lingtai Temple was enveloped in a layer of snowy whiteness. Walking on it made deep impressions and produced creaking sounds.

Inside were the chants for the deceased echoing through the mountain valleys; outside, nature wore a silver coat with everything silent except for large snowflakes falling down cleanly and purely.

The moment they stepped out, snow fell heavily on them both.

Yun Qianmo blinked as snowflakes slid off her long eyelashes onto the ground where blood had congealed. Suddenly, she reached around Rong Jing's waist with a playful look and smiled at him.

Rong Jing turned slightly to look at Yun Qianmo sideways; seeing her childish expression, he asked with a smile: "Do you still want to go eat grilled fish

"Think!" Yun Qianyue nodded.

"Then let's go eat!" Rong Jing smiled and patted her head. His warm palm was wet when he took it away, and he laughed and said, "Shall I have Qing Ying bring an umbrella We'll get soaked before we reach the Fragrant Spring Water if we continue like this."

"Sir Rong, have you ever ventured out in a snowstorm" Yun Qianyue tilted her head to look at Rong Jing.

Rong Jing seemed to think for a moment and shook his head. "No!"

"No wonder," Yun Qianyue grumbled, thinking about how he had been tormented by the Ten-Year Cold Poison. Venturing out in such a snowstorm was like adding salt to injury for him. She mocked him with a teasing look at his face and said, "Don't you know this basic common sense You're supposed to be well-versed and talented! I think your reputation for being an eminent noble should be given to me instead. It's raining so people get wet, but snow doesn't make them wet."

Rong Jing smiled lightly. "Is that so"

"Of course!" Yun Qianyue laughed at him.

“But your clothes will soon be wet; are you sure you don’t need an umbrella” Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue with a smile and asked.

Yun Qianyue was taken aback, retracted her gaze to look at herself. She only then realized that her clothes were indeed dampened by one layer of water. But she didn't feel it as she had put on formal attire for the ji ji ceremony this morning and wore thick clothes. So she asked in surprise, "How could I be wet It's snowing here! Not raining. Look at the ground; there’s a thick layer of snow that isn’t melting. Why would it melt when it falls on me"

Rong Jing smiled as he looked at her and tapped his finger on her forehead with a jade-like hand, saying: "Because you practice the Phoenix True Scripture which is fire natured. The benefit of this skill is that after your eight extraordinary meridians are opened up from practicing it daily, it would self-integrate to refine further修煉。如今你的武功大約過了第九重春風化雨，正進入鳳凰真經的最後一重天雷地火階段。想想這兩重功力都有催化的功效，你若不收斂真氣，雪落在你身上如何能不濕了衣服？”

"So that's how it is!" Yun Qianyue was enlightened. She hit her head with her hand, somewhat dejectedly said: "Rong Jing, my brain really isn't working well anymore, getting more and more stupid. What should I do"

Rong Jing chuckled softly, reaching out to grasp her hand: "You weren’t smart to begin with!"

Yun Qianyue glared at him, saying: "I was quite clever originally! But it's only since being around you that I've become stupid!"

"So that's how it is! Well, there isn't much harm in you becoming a little less smart. From now on, there will be me to rely on. With you so dumb, I can only strive to become cleverer!" Rong Jing sighed with seeming helplessness.

Yun Qianyue looked at him speechlessly; she was just momentarily perplexed and hadn't gone completely stupid, right This person... he still wanted to become more intelligent How much intelligence is considered sufficient Then do the unintelligent people not have any reason to live

Rong Jing smiled amusedly as he looked at Yun Qianyue. Using his sleeve to shield her head from snowflakes, he said clearly: "Qing Ying, go fetch an umbrella!"

"Yes, Young Master!" Qing Ying answered in the dark.

Yun Qianyue tilted her face upwards and looked at above her. The moon-white clouds of Rong Jing's water sleeves covered her head as if shielding a piece of sky for her; none of the snowflakes could fall onto her head, all blocked by his sleeve. She smiled lightly while tilting her head up: "A capable bodyguard like him has been turned into an errand boy by you!"

Rong Jing said with a smile: “It can't be helped; how could my woman have any other wishes except these petty ones He is in the position where he cannot show his true abilities, so this is all that's left for him.”

Yun Qianyue looked at him and rolled her eyes with a smile: "What would be considered as an important wish"

"At least it wouldn't be fetching me an umbrella to block snow," Rong Jing said with a smile.

Yun Qianyue retracted her gaze, looking ahead. Snowflakes fell thickly and densely; the ridges of Lingtai Temple were covered in silver-white. This pure atmosphere contrasted sharply with the early morning bloodstains at the imperial palace. She thought that by now the entire Imperial City must have been covered in snow as well; how wonderful, everything would be buried beneath it. Recalling this, she suddenly asked, "Have you heard of the story about igniting beacon fires to deceive feudal lords"

Rong Jing blinked his long eyelashes slightly and said, “You can tell me.”

"You cook fish for me, I'll tell you a story," Yun Qianyue took the opportunity to propose.

“Alright,” Rong Jing nodded with a smile.

Jade Qing Ying arrived holding an umbrella then, handing it over to Rong Jing. He reached out and accepted it, opening it up; this umbrella was rather large and could easily cover the two of them under its shade. Yun Qianyue clung onto Rong Jing's arm tightly, leaning half her body weight on him. Rong Jing helplessly smiled at her, only able to let her lean against him as he held the umbrella and lifted his feet towards the Fragrant Spring Water behind the mountain.

Under one umbrella, two figures, in a sea of snowflakes, formed an idyllic scene on their own.

"Rong Jing, are your hands cold" After walking for some time, Yun Qianyue tilted her head up to look at Rong Jing.

Rong Jing looked at her still hugging his arm childishly and smiled crookedly. "My hands aren't cold, but if you keep hugging my arm like this while we walk on, I'll get too tired to roast fish for you.

Yun Qianyue fluttered her eyelids, "What's this I haven't made you carry me yet!"

Rong Jing raised his eyebrows and smiled, "You still want me to carry you"

Yun Qianyue sized him up with an appraising glance, released his arm, and waved her hand, "Forget it. Look at your frail frame; you're as thin as a bamboo pole. If I really made you carry me, we wouldn't need to roast the fish."

"Yun Qianyue, do you know what the consequences are when a man's abilities are doubted" Rong Jing looked at Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue raised her eyes to the sky, "I don't know!"

Rong Jing suddenly reached out and grabbed Yun Qianyue's arm. With a light wave of his sleeve, she was thrown straight up into the air. Unprepared for this sudden move, Yun Qianyue cried out as her body left the ground, floated momentarily in mid-air, then plummeted toward the earth.

Standing still where he was, Rong Jing watched Yun Qianyue being tossed high into the sky and then rapidly falling back down. A smile curled his lips.

A mere three feet from the ground, Yun Qianyue could have used her martial arts to control herself but she clearly saw the smirk on Rong Jing's face, so she steeled her heart, shut her eyes, and let gravity take over without using any energy.

Right as she was about to hit the ground, Rong Jing gently raised his hand. His white sleeves brushed past her face; he lightly tugged at her arm and lifted it slightly, flinging her body onto his back in a gentle toss.

Rong Jing’s slender figure bent slightly, yet the umbrella he was holding remained perfectly still, covering them both instantly under its shade.

Yun Qianyue opened her eyes to see herself lying on Rong Jing's back; his originally slender frame was now steadily supporting her weight. She blinked and suddenly reached out to punch him, scolding, "What’s gotten into you"

"Was it fun" Rong Jing asked with a smile as he supported Yun Qianyue under one arm while holding the umbrella.

Yun Qianyue let out a small huff and said, "If I didn’t have any martial arts skills, being thrown up like that and caught again would’ve left me seeing King Yin immediately."

"How could that be Even if you had no martial arts abilities, I wouldn't allow you to see King Yin; he couldn't take you away," Rong Jing chuckled, then started walking forward while carrying Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue looked at him and saw only a white jade hairpin securing his three-foot-long black hair. She withdrew her gaze, turned around to see the two sets of footprints now reduced to one set. Staring at those straight footprints, she suddenly smiled, then lazily leaned on Rong Jing's back with her head resting against him and asked, "Rong Jing, are you really going to carry me"

"If Miss Yun Qianyue requests it, I must fulfill the request," Rong Jing replied smilingly.

Yun Qianyue reached out to take the umbrella from his hand, held it over their heads, hooked one arm around his neck, and rested her head against him. Smiling, she asked, "Then how long can you carry Miss Yun Qianyue"

"For a lifetime How about that" Rong Jing asked with both hands now supporting her as he had no umbrella in hand.

"Two lifetimes wouldn't do it" Yun Qianyue raised an eyebrow.

"If you want, even ten lifetimes would be fine!" Rong Jing's voice was filled with a hint of rich laughter.

Yun Qianyue hummed softly and slid her hand into his collar, feeling the warmth. She smiled gently, "You said it yourself, for ten lifetimes; not a single lifetime can be missing."

"Alright, I did say so," Rong Jing took a light breath, glanced down at the small hand in his neck and responded smilingly.

Yun Qianyue fell silent, listening to Rong Jing's soft footsteps, the sound of snow hitting the umbrella, faint chanting from afar, and their heartbeats. She suddenly forgot about today’s blood-drenched Imperial City, Palace, and Holy Yang Hall; she only remembered it was a significant day for both of them—Rong Jing’s coming-of-age ceremony and her own adult rite. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth provided by this jade-like man who carried her on his back under the umbrella.

After half an hour, they reached Fragrant Spring Water.

Rong Jing stopped walking, tilted his head slightly to look at Yun Qianyue and asked, "Still not want to get down"

The head lying on Rong Jing's back lifted up, looking up at him with a grin, "Are you tired"

Rong Jing shook his head, "Not tired, but you should roast the fish."

"Alright!" Yun Qianyue readily agreed and patted Rong Jing’s arm; he let go of her, allowing her to slide down off him. Handing him back the umbrella, she cheerfully said, "Wait here, I'll catch some fish!"

Rong Jing nodded with a smile.

Yun Qianyue looked around and noticed that the reason for Xiangquan Mountain being a hot spring resort was that even on this winter solstice day covered in heavy snow, the water of Xiangquan had not frozen. The sound of the waterfall flowing down from the cliff added pleasant notes to the silent valley behind the mountain. She lightly touched her toes and flew up onto a tree branch, where she broke off two branches, then gently threw one into the water while holding the other in her hand and looking at it.

Soon after, she pulled out a fish that weighed about two catties (about 1 kg). She asked Rong Jing, "Is this enough"

"Probably not," replied Rong Jing with a smile.

Yun Qianyue nodded in understanding and continued to look at the fish. Soon after, another two-catty fish was pulled out of the water. She again asked Rong Jing, "How about now"

Rong Jing glanced at her hands holding the fish and smiled as he nodded. "It's enough!"

Yun Qianyue threw away the branches, grabbed the fish, and floated onto shore.

Just as Rong Jing was about to reach out for them, Yun Qianyue dodged his hand and said with a smile: "Since you've carried me all this way, let's consider roasting these fish as my reward!"

"It’s an honor for Ji to taste Miss Qianyue's cooking!" Rong Jing smiled.

“So pretentious!” Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes at him with a smile, then drew out Suixue from her waist and started gutting the fish.

Rong Jing stood next to Yun Qianyue with an umbrella in his hand, blocking the snow from falling on her. Watching her use Suixue to kill fish, he slowly said: "If the person who made this sword knew that you used one of the world’s three great swords—Suixue—to kill a fish and treat such an excellent sword so carelessly, they would probably crawl out of the ground to fight you."

Yun Qianyue retorted: "An outstanding sword should be used for sustenance rather than killing people."

Rong Jing smiled and nodded. "You’re right!"

Yun Qianyue no longer spoke, focusing solely on gutting the fish. She had done this many times before and was very proficient at it; in no time she had cleaned the fish thoroughly, gathered dry wood, built a fire, and roasted the fish over it with her internal energy to keep the flames burning even as snow fell all around them. She pulled Rong Jing over and they sat together on a large rock.

"You seem to have forgotten something," said Rong Jing when he noticed Yun Qianyue staring intently at the fire.

“What is it” Yun Qianyue asked, turning her head toward him.

“The beacon fires of the feudal lords,” Rong Jing said.

Yun Qianyue realized what he meant and laughed as she looked at him. "Are you sure you want to hear this story"

"Since we have nothing else to do, I’d like to listen," replied Rong Jing with a smile.

"Alright then, let me tell you the tale." Yun Qianyue said after thinking for a moment. "During the late Western Zhou period, King You of Zhou ascended the throne upon his father's death. He was tyrannical and incompetent, neglecting state affairs, favoring corrupt officials, and persecuting loyal ministers. The king of Bao advised him against these actions but was imprisoned instead. To save their country’s ruler, they offered a beautiful woman named Bao Si to King You as compensation for his crimes. King You fell in love with her at first sight, doing everything he could to please her. Yet she never smiled until one day, when a courtier suggested igniting the beacon fires that were only meant to be used during an invasion to amuse her. The feudal lords rushed to defend their king upon seeing the flames but found out it was just a joke and got enraged. After Bao Si finally laughed, King You remained intoxicated by her laughter; he repeatedly set off the beacon fires until one day real enemies invaded while he again lit up the beacons. But this time, the feudal lords did not come to his aid as they had been tricked before, leading to King You's death and the collapse of Western Zhou."

"One laugh destroyed a nation!" said Rong Jing with a smile.

“Indeed,” Yun Qianyue nodded. “Just one laugh.” She turned around and hugged his waist as she asked: "Didn’t you say I could make big demands For instance, if I were to emulate Bao Si and entice you as my king by lighting up the beacon fires, would you do it for me"

Rong Jing's eyes flashed slightly as he looked down at her with a smile. "Yun Qianyue, those are outrageous words! And what kind of comparison is that If I were to be the king, how could I possibly reign tyrannically and neglect my duties like King You did How can you become Bao Si"

"Are you afraid of being seen as a tyrant too Don't worry about whether it's an apt comparison; just tell me if you would do it or not!" Yun Qianyue said.

Rong Jing looked into her eyes, which were like clear lake water reflecting his face. He smiled and replied: "If I were to light the beacon fires for amusement, why don't we make an even grander gesture Burn down the entire beacon tower if you wish."

Yun Qianyue pushed him away with a laugh. "That would be even more tyrannical!"

Rong Jing swayed slightly but remained silent.

The aroma of roasted fish soon wafted through the air, capturing Yun Qianyue's full attention. After some time, she handed Rong Jing a fish and took another one for herself; they each held two-kilogram fish in hand to eat.

After gobbling down her share, Yun Qianyue turned around and saw Rong Jing sitting there, dressed in an elegant white robe, with a face as fair as jade. He seemed like he should be enjoying tea or playing chess in the most refined location instead of holding roasted fish here under falling snow. Yet even now, he was so gracefully handsome that she couldn't help but whistle in admiration and mutter: "How contrary to reason!"

Rong Jing glanced at her with a raised brow and smiled: "Your cooking is really good."

Yun Qianyue turned around and continued to concentrate on eating the fish.

The two of them finished eating the fish, and by then it was already dark. Snow had accumulated to a depth of one foot on the ground. Rong Jing stood up first and offered his hand to Yun Qianyue, saying, "Get up, I'll carry you back!"

Yun Qianyue shook her head and said to him, "No need, you go ahead, and I’ll follow behind."

"What are you planning" Rong Jing looked at her with a kind expression.

"Today we both underwent our coming-of-age ceremony; shouldn’t I have some plans" Yun Qianyue asked him.

"Aren't you afraid of getting wet" Rong Jing holding the umbrella asked.

"I'm not afraid, anyway, I’ll take a bath when I get back." Yun Qianyue shook her head.

Seeing that she had made up her mind to follow him, Rong Jing smiled and shook his head. He then walked forward with the umbrella raised over his head.

Yun Qianyue followed behind him, stepping into the footprints he left in the snow as she walked carefully along them. Step by step, it felt a bit silly to walk this way, but now that she was doing it herself, she suddenly felt very happy. To have someone willing to carry you and not mind the effort; to have someone willing to do anything for you without considering consequences; to have someone who is content standing behind them, following in their footsteps—this kind of ordinary happiness wasn’t out of reach.

Rong Jing turned his head to glance at Yun Qianyue and suddenly burst into laughter. "Yun Qianyue, how old are you"

"Fifteen!" Yun Qianyue lowered her head and walked carefully while answering truthfully.

"You're still a child!" Rong Jing chuckled as he turned back around.

"Rong Jing, I'm an adult now!" Yun Qianyue raised her head to correct him.

Rong Jing’s steps paused slightly. He then said with a deep smile, "Yes, you've become an adult; so have I!" The last tone of his voice was ambiguous and full of profound meaning.

Yun Qianyue stopped walking for a moment as her lips curved into a smile.

The two no longer spoke. Following behind one another, they arrived at the retreat on the back mountain.

Servants had already cleared a path to their rooms from the entrance. Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue walked straight in. Rong Jing put down his umbrella and turned around to look at Yun Qianyue, "Quickly go take a bath; otherwise tomorrow you'll catch a cold."

"How about we bathe together" Yun Qianyue asked Rong Jing while taking off her wet outer clothing.

Rong Jing coughed lightly and turned his gaze away from her, saying to Yun Qianyue, "Yun Qianyue, this is sacred Buddhist ground! It’s not appropriate to desecrate it."

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes and turned around to enter behind the screen.

The water was warm, dispelling all chill. Yun Qianyue sank into the water, thinking of nothing as she fell asleep after a short time.

Rong Jing finished bathing in another room, changed his clothes, but still had not seen Yun Qianyue come out and could not hear any sound from behind the screen. He walked over there, reached out to lift the screen, and saw Yun Qianyue sleeping with her head on the edge of a wooden tub. Quietly approaching her side, he observed that the water was still warm, emitting faint steam. The woman’s fair face, eyebrows like ink, clear and unsullied, had closed eyes peaceful in slumber. Without the attachment, liveliness, laziness, carefree attitude, or even laughter when happy or silent tears when sad, mockery and cold smiles—all these were gone. She simply fell asleep without any defenses. This simple sleep filled his heart suddenly, as he raised a delicate hand to touch her sleeping face.

Yun Qianyue seemed to be disturbed by the noise; she wrinkled her nose in response.

Rong Jing withdrew his hand and looked at her for a moment before sighing, "Yun Qianyue, you truly are my calamity!"

Yun Qianyue didn’t move but continued sleeping on.

Rong Jing calmed the emotions in his eyes and gently reached out to lift her from the water. Her delicate figure was exquisite with smooth skin like jade, soft and fine as silk under his touch. He looked down at her briefly, took a deep breath, then carried her out from behind the screen and laid her on the bed.

The moment Yun Qianyue’s body touched the bed, she rolled over and wrapped herself in the blankets to sleep.

Rong Jing stood by the bedside watching her. Seeing that she showed no signs of waking up, he dissipated the misty light from his eyes with a smile as he shook his head, then lay down beside her. He pulled back the blanket and held her soft body in his arms before closing his own eyes.

The temple bells still rang at Lingtai Temple, their chime carried by the snowflakes to the back mountain, clear and ethereal.

This day, Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue chose such a way to force the throne in the blood-soaked imperial city. They paid no heed to major events like the death of one prince, another's imprisonment, the emperor's demise, and the entire nation mourning.

The heavy snowfall lasted an entire half-day and night, but on the second morning, it had yet to cease.

Yun Qianyue woke up to see Rong Jing staring at her with his eyes open. She blinked and squirmed in his embrace, asking in a clingy tone, "What time is it"

"It's now辰時!"Rong Jing’s usually clear voice was slightly hoarse.

"Is it still snowing outside" Yun Qianyue asked again.

“嗯！” Rong Jing nodded.

"What should be done when an emperor dies" Yun Qianyue asked once more.

"Read the will, a new emperor ascends to the throne, give the late emperor’s body proper burial and place it in a coffin. Then all members of the royal family shall mourn for three days, fast for seven days. The Bureau of Astronomy will choose an auspicious date and time to announce the death. After that, preparations are made for the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, and foreign envoys come to congratulate," Rong Jing explained.

Yun Qianyue frowned, "The old emperor died suddenly; could there be a will"

"Of course! He knew he wouldn’t live long. How could he not have made a will" Rong Jing responded.

Yun Qianyue fell silent and didn't speak further.

"Get up, we're returning to the capital," Rong Jing said softly after glancing at her.

Yun Qianyue nodded, withdrew from his embrace, and realized she wasn’t wearing anything. Her face turned slightly red but without saying a word, she took clothes and dressed herself.

Rong Jing looked at her with amusement, put on his robe and stood up.

The two of them tidied themselves up and left the room. The snow had piled up another foot overnight, turning everything white. In the courtyard, a path had been cleared earlier but was quickly covered by falling snow once more.

Rong Jing held Yun Qianyue's hand and opened an umbrella as they walked towards the gate of the yard.

As soon as they reached the entrance to the guesthouse, Master Ci Yun hurriedly arrived. Seeing them, he respectfully said, "Young Prince Jing, Miss Shallow Moon, Palace Grand Eunuch Wen Gonggong from the palace is here, saying that the Seventh Prince has ordered him to invite you two back to the palace as soon as possible."

"The Seventh Prince Not the new emperor" Yun Qianyue raised her eyebrows at Master Ci Yun.

Master Ci Yun shook his head. "Grand Eunuch Wen referred to the Seventh Prince, not the new emperor."

“Alright, master, you’ve worked hard! We’ll be returning right away.” Rong Jing nodded and pulled Yun Qianyue towards the temple gate.

Mistery Ci Yun clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect and recited a Buddhist chant before following them out of the temple gate.

At the temple gates, two carriages were parked. One was a bright yellow carriage waiting with Wen Lai red-faced from the cold, and another was an all-black carriage occupied by Xian Ge.

The moment he saw Rong Jing and Yun Qianyue, Wen Lai quickly approached them and said respectfully, "Young Prince Jing, Miss Shallow Moon, Seventh Prince has sent me to invite you two back to the palace immediately."

"Understood!" Rong Jing glanced at Wen Lai, pulled Yun Qianyue towards his carriage.

Xian Ge promptly lifted the curtain of the carriage. Yun Qianyue got in first and then Rong Jing closed the umbrella, slowly getting into the carriage too. Once they were inside, the curtains fell down, Xian Ge whipped the reins to set off the carriage from Lingtai Temple. Wen Lai quickly entered his own carriage and drove after Rong Jing's carriage; both carriages headed towards the imperial city one following the other.

–––Extracurricular Note: The current chapter marks a turning point with the old emperor’s death, ushering in new beginnings. I dare not promise it will be thrilling but I’ll do my best to present the most exciting story possible! Those of you who have accumulated monthly votes, give me your support, please!

Dear readers, I’ve seen all the monthly votes you’ve sent; thank you so much for your love. Don’t forget to leave a beautiful message when voting for the annual ticket as it may earn you a free trip to Guilin. O（∩_∩）O~r a month since coming here, she could gain such familiarity with this world’s past and present circumstances as well as its myriad matters because of being forced by Rong Jing to read those books whi...