Jin Xiu raised a hand. “You—”
But Hong Ning stepped back, deliberately avoiding his touch.
His hand remained suspended in midair before he slowly let it fall.
Jin Xiu turned his gaze away.
“The tribulation has passed. There is no point in dwelling on it. If you truly refuse the path of immortality, then after some time…” He paused, as if weighing his words, then finally continued, “After some time, I will send you back. You will forget everything that happened here. You won’t have to grieve.”
To live as a mortal—that was fine.
As long as she was alive, he could always watch over her.
“Why should I forget?” Hong Ning cut him off sharply.
“Do you find it amusing to change people’s fates as you please?
To cultivate or not, to stay or return—every decision has been yours alone.
But the person being decided for is me.
I can forget you, but I don’t want to forget him.”
It was just like when he had sent her to the underworld to be reincarnated.
The further he walked away, the more distant his silhouette became.
And he never once looked back.
Jin Xiu remained motionless, only his phoenix eyes dimming further.
“She likely does not understand your intentions. Do not hold it against her.”
A voice, gentle yet knowing, floated in from the darkness.
A woman in flowing white robes stepped forward gracefully.
It was Lady Lu Yao—the Heavenly Maiden.
She smiled faintly. “Forgive my intrusion, but I heard you left seclusion in a hurry. I was concerned and decided to follow.”
Jin Xiu was not surprised. He nodded. “Thank you.”
Because of his spell, Lu Yao had not heard the earlier conversation.
Now standing beside him, she looked toward the end of the covered corridor and asked, “You used the Flower Deity’s seal on her?”
Jin Xiu replied calmly, “She is reckless. She might cause trouble.”
Lu Yao chuckled. “You always have your reasons. Besides, the Emperor has already bestowed upon her the Jade Pool’s Golden Lotus Dew. She shouldn’t still be holding a grudge.
I heard she’s been hunting demons lately—almost as if she’s cultivating.
Perhaps she will truly achieve her wish one day. If she and he meet again in the Celestial Realm, what more do you have to worry about?”
Jin Xiu shifted the conversation. “Where is Lu Jiu?”
Lu Yao’s voice softened. “Thanks to your guidance, he has become more restrained. I will not let him roam recklessly again.”
She hesitated briefly before adding, “But it is your tribulation that worries both the Emperor and my father. You know I am not petty—I can look after things here. Why don’t you focus on overcoming your trial with peace of mind?”
Jin Xiu gave no response.
After a moment, he simply said, “Let’s go.”
* * *
Yang Zhen, born into noble privilege, was strict with his concubines, yet he never mistreated them in daily life.
Lady Wang’s residence, though modest in size, was elegantly designed, its delicate corridors lined with crabapple trees.
Outside, several maids stood waiting, their attire fine and refined—a clear sign of their mistress’s status.
One of them held a half-filled bowl of bird’s nest porridge, and upon seeing Yang Zhen and Hong Ning, she hurriedly bowed before retreating inside to inform Lady Wang.
Hong Ning instinctively stepped back, positioning herself behind Yang Zhen.
Yang Zhen ignored her and stepped inside first.
Hong Ning stood outside, momentarily at a loss.
It was perfectly natural for him to enter his concubine’s chambers, but for her, it felt inappropriate. After all, she was merely a guest, and he had not explicitly invited her inside.
The maid holding the curtain hesitated, unsure whether to let her in or not.
The awkward moment stretched—until a cold voice sounded from within.
"What are you still doing out there?"
Hong Ning let out a silent sigh.
He was doing this on purpose.
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