Lianhua County, with beautiful mountains and rivers, is filled with the fragrance of books. The Bai Chuan Academy is nestled among them, and the literary peak is at its zenith.
In a quiet courtyard near the academy, Xuan Ji is dressed in simple clothes, closing his eyes and focusing. The room is filled with a faint fragrance of sandalwood.
The moonlight shone through the window, casting a glow on his handsome and unparalleled features, adding an extra touch of ethereal grace.
"Subordinate pays respects to the Sixth Prince."
The voice of the moon shadows suddenly rings out, breaking the quiet of the night.
He knelt on the ground in black clothing with respect.
Xuan Ji opened his eyes and looked down at the figure kneeling before him, a look of doubt flickering in his eyes before he smiled faintly, "Layman, you must have mistaken someone. I am but an outsider."
Moon Shadow bowed even lower, respectfully said, "Your Majesty is wise and has uncovered everything. He knows that you are the son of the Princess Ming, His Highness the Sixth Prince. The Emperor says you have suffered outside, and has ordered me to bring His Highness the Sixth Prince back to the palace."
Xuan Ji heard these words and felt a mix of emotions in his heart.
In his heart, he slightly changed his mind and realized that the day he said goodbye and left the Imperial Study Room, he had been secretly followed by people sent by the Emperor. That was why they knew about his identity.
There was nothing particularly unpleasant about it; he just felt rather remiss. He had been followed the whole time without realizing it at all.
He looked up at Moon Shadow and whispered, "Master Cloud Mist, how are you?"
Since someone had followed him that day, it could be assumed that the one who knew the truth, Master Cloud Mist, had also been taken away. It was unclear what the current situation was.
Moon Shadow was caught off guard by the sudden question about Cloud Mist, but he quickly replied with respect, "Your Highness need not worry. Master Cloud Mist is well. After this matter is settled, the Emperor will send her back home."
Xuan Ji knew that the other party was okay, so he didn't ask any further questions.
He paused in silence for a moment before his gaze fell on Moon Shadow, his voice low as he spoke, "The matter of returning to the palace is of great importance. Allow me to consider this for a moment."
Moon Shadow smiled faintly, "Your Highness is quite right. Then, I will come back in two days."
He respectfully bowed and disappeared, as if he had never appeared before.
Here and gone without a trace, it's evident that the stretch is not ordinary.
Xuan Ji rose and walked to the window, his simple robe shimmering with a soft luster under the moonlight, as if he were a hermit separated from the world.
"The status of the Sixth Prince is both an honor and a burden."
He sighed inwardly, his gaze piercing through the layers of darkness. He seemed to see the gilded palace and the complex power struggle within.
The moonlight was bright, illuminating the hesitation and struggle in his eyebrows.
Xuan Ji closed his eyes and pondered, his mind racing with memories of his past. There were the peaceful days spent at the temple, the warm times spent with Yao Er and the children, and all the conflicts that arose because of his status.
Each scene was etched in his mind like a carving, making it difficult for him to let go.
"Buddha said that all things with form are like dreams, illusions, and shadows, but my heart is still burdened by the dust of the world."
Xuan Ji muttered softly to himself, the beads in his hand turning faster and faster, as if seeking some kind of answer.
He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time. Still, he decided to consult Yao Er and seek her advice. She was always wise, and perhaps she could provide him with an answer.
He walked through the winding corridors and arrived at her chamber, where the lights were twinkling and the atmosphere was warm as spring.
She sat by the bedside, gently patting An An and You You, singing lullabies to the two children, and making them sleep soundly. She exuded a motherly radiance that filled Xuan Ji's heart with tenderness.
Once the two children had gradually fallen into deep sleep, Yao Er got up softly and left the room. She stood beside Xuan Ji in the courtyard, under the bright moonlight, her shadow stretched out unusually long along with his.
Her gaze met Xuan Ji's, and she smiled warmly. "What is it? Do you have something to say to me?"
She pulled Xuan Ji over to a green stone table in the courtyard.
In the courtyard, the gentle breeze swayed and the bamboo leaves rustled softly, bringing a hint of coolness at night.
After sitting down, Xuan Ji then recounted the sudden appearance of Moon Shadow and his mission to bring him back to the palace at the order of the Emperor.
The voice was calm, but it revealed a sense of confusion and unwillingness.
Yao Er listened quietly, then she laughed, "What's the problem? The palace is your home and roots. It also has your relatives there. After you return to the palace, it will be convenient for you to investigate the cause of your mother's death."
"Yao Er, what you said is very true. The palace may be my roots, and there are mysteries I have yet to solve there."
Xuan Ji's voice was low and filled with emotion, "But, once I enter the palace, it will be a never-ending land of contention. And I'm afraid that it may involve you and the children."
Seeing his worried expression, she smiled and gently took Xuan Ji's hand, "You need not worry about me and the children. I will take care of myself and I will also take care of An An and You You. Have you forgotten that I am a spider goddess? Should I be afraid of those ordinary people?"
It's always people who fear demons, not demons who fear people.
Xuan Ji laughed at that, finally realizing that she was not an ordinary person and he had been overthinking. "You are right. You can rest assured at home and wait for me. I will deal with the matters in the palace and then come back to fetch you."
He rose and walked over to her side, gently pulling her into his embrace, his eyes filled with reluctance. "I just reunited with you, and it's only been a few days before we have to part ways again. I do feel a bit reluctant."
The deep, tender voice carried a profound sense of attachment.
Yao Er wrapped her hands around his waist and leaned her head on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body. She smiled softly, "Don't worry, I and the children will be waiting for you at home."
This man is becoming increasingly sentimental, quite different from his initial aloofness.
He's also become much more proactive.
Xuan Ji tightly held her, his fingers tracing gently along her hair behind her head. The emotion in his eyes deepened as he whispered, "Okay, wait for me when I come back."
The night is winding and tender, the dim candlelight illuminating the entangled lovers on the bed, their faces flushed and hearts racing.
Yao Er had never had such thoughts before, but lately, she had been well-fed by Mo Jue, so she wasn't very interested.
Added to the guilt she felt towards Xuan Ji, she was afraid to get close to him, and mainly, she feared he would find out.
But Xuan Ji suddenly became more proactive, perhaps knowing that they were about to part ways, or perhaps not wanting to leave her.
He held her tightly and kissed her, speaking sweet and intimate words. Later, everything seemed to happen naturally.
In that moment, Yao Er wondered if Xuan Ji was a false monk or if he had already planned to return to the secular world, otherwise, she wouldn't have become more and more unrestrained.
Afterwards, she lay on Xuan Ji's chest, lightly caressing his broad and muscular chest, her breath disordered as she asked in a hushed voice, "Be honest with me. Do you plan to take the monastic vow and return to the secular world?"
Her face was flushed with color, her eyes sparkling like ripples in a jade pond, filled with infinite allure and charm, her beauty was boundless and captivating.
Xuan Ji lay quietly, the moonlight shining through the lattice windows onto his body. Under the moonlight, his tawny skin shone with a healthy radiance. His broad shoulders, sturdy chest, and tight abs revealed the masculine beauty of a man.
The handsome face became even more attractive under the moonlight, exuding a seductive and alluring aura of repressed desire.
"Yao Er, I never thought of taking the monastic vow with intent, but now that I have you and the children, my heart is tightly bound to the world. Perhaps the path ahead will guide me to make a choice, but for now, I only want to protect you all well."
Xuan Ji's voice was deep and tender, and he gently stroked her hair, as if making an unspoken promise.
Yao Er listened to his words, and though her face was smiling happily, her heart was incredibly complex.
She lay on Xuan Ji's chest, feeling his heartbeat, the steady rhythm making her feel incredibly at ease.
But then she thought of Mo Jue, sighing inwardly: both men loved her, treated her well, and were equally outstanding. She really didn't know what to do.
Xuan Ji noticed her unease and gently stroked her smooth arm, frowning slightly, "Yao Er, what's wrong with you?"
She raised her head and looked at him with a complicated gaze, then shook her head slightly, "I'm fine. Go wash up."
She got up from the bed, barefoot, her steps circling around the screen. Here was a basin of warm water.
She rinsed and dried herself with the water, put on a light nightgown, and went to look at the cradle. Seeing the children sleeping soundly and not having kicked off their blankets, she felt relieved.
Xuan Ji also finished washing up quickly.
They lay down in bed and cuddled each other.
Xuan Ji fell asleep quickly, dozing off in no time.
However, Yao Er was unable to sleep. She looked at the man in front of her and gently traced his beautiful eyebrows and eyes.
But in the next second, her mind flashed back to Mo Jue's cold and lifeless gaze as he left, and she was torn up inside.
After a long while, she sighed softly.
Alright, let it be natural. If no one marries me, that's fine too. Life can be good like that.
As long as there's a man to sleep with and no shortage of money, if someone can't accept it, they're free to leave, and I'll never hold them back.
There's no need to torture yourself over it.
She's being called heartless or unfeeling, but that's just the kind of person she is.
Thinking of this, she closed her eyes and quickly drifted into sleep.
But Xuan Ji suddenly opened his eyes and gently stroked her beautiful face, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.
Upon his return, he could clearly feel her change. He had noticed her conflicted expression, her absentminded gaze, and the occasional moments of distraction.
And even when he was playing with An An and You You, he heard them calling him "Ye Ye," although the pronunciation wasn't perfect, it was probably close to that.
He didn't know who "Night Uncle" was, but it was definitely a man.
He didn't know who "Night Uncle" was, but he was definitely a man. And he had been here before, which indicated that Yao Er cared about him.
He gently turned his head, gazing at her peaceful sleep, and couldn't lie to himself that he wasn't jealous.
He wanted to ask, but he was afraid of hearing an answer he didn't want to hear.
He couldn't fall asleep until midnight, and then he fell asleep in a daze.
