Night fell soft over Yinshi; lanterns glowed along narrow streets like scattered prayer beads.
In the Pavilion, music floated thin and brittle — but at a corner table, Xiao's laughter, low and teasing, broke the hush.
"You came early tonight, Lan flower," he drawled, tracing the rim of Yujin's cup.
"No bruises this time, or did the noble sect wrap you in silk?"
Yujin's lips twitched. "And if they did, whose fault would that be?"
Xiao's grin softened, almost shy for a breath. "I'd like to see you in silk," he murmured, gaze slipping sideways.
Yujin flushed faintly, hiding it behind a sip of tea — wine had made his tongue too loose before.
But silence settled warmly between them, softer than it used to.
Across the room, laughter rose around the dice table. Xiao turned to look — instinct, half work, half caution — and when he turned back, Yujin's eyes were still on him.
"You're staring again," Xiao teased.
"You're still wearing that ribbon," Yujin shot back.
Xiao lifted his wrist, letting the dyed red catch lamplight. "It suits me, doesn't it?"
"It suits your stubbornness," Yujin muttered — but his voice held no real reproach.
Outside, winter wind stirred the street banners.
Unnoticed, a cloaked figure leaned in a shadowed alley, watching the Pavilion door.
A note passed hand to hand among grey-clad cultivators:
"Lan-Hun Yujin visits nightly. Target: courtesan named Xiao. Possible connection to lost talisman. Observe, do not act — yet."
That same night, Xiao offered to pour tea. His hand trembled slightly, enough for Yujin to notice.
"You've been refusing customers," Yujin murmured, voice low.
"Your spies tell you that?" Xiao shot back, heat in his tone — but the anger slipped away too quickly.
"I asked," Yujin said simply. "I wondered why."
Xiao looked at him, chin tilted high, lips pale. "Because I didn't feel like being touched."
The truth lay raw between them — Xiao still wore paint and perfume, but his body hadn't lain with another in days.
"Do you think less of me now?" Xiao whispered.
"No," Yujin answered, voice rougher than he meant. "No, Xiao. Never for that."