Ji Chun and Su Ran exchanged glances before turning their attention in the direction of the disturbance. At first glance, they saw a person clad in tattered clothing, their face obscured by a dirty cloth wrapped around their head. Since the old woman had brought them into her home, they couldn't simply sit and eat while ignoring the situation. They rose to their feet and approached the individual. Before the old woman could introduce them, a sharp scream erupted from the person. They forcefully pushed the old woman, who had been supporting them, sending her stumbling backward. The elderly woman, unprepared for such a sudden shove, nearly fell to the ground. Ji Chun quickly stepped forward, catching her just in time to prevent her from collapsing. However, the abrupt push had clearly shaken her, and her already unsteady legs gave way, causing her to sprain her ankle. She winced in pain, her gaze fixed on the man with a mixture of fear and confusion.
Over time, Ji Chun and Su Ran had developed a silent understanding that required no words. So, the moment Ji Chun moved to support the old woman, Su Ran instinctively stepped in front of the individual, blocking their attempt to flee. As the person suddenly lifted their head, Su Ran got a clear look at their face. It was none other than Wenshi! Recognizing Su Ran standing before her, cold and unyielding, Wenshi was overcome with terror. She began to scream again, desperate to escape but finding herself trapped. Her eyes widened in horror as she stared at the beautiful yet terrifying man before her, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "Don't kill me..."
Ji Chun, too, recognized the woman's voice. His expression darkened as he supported the old woman, whispering gently, "Let me help you sit down first." It was clear he wanted no further part in this matter. Anyone who had harmed Su Ran deserved their fate. The Wenshi before them was a far cry from the woman they had once known. Gone was the graceful courtesan, the wife of the third Young Master of Liuyun Manor. Now, she was disheveled, covered in dust, and resembled a beggar. Her once-pretty face bore several scratches, and her posture was hunched. If not for the familiarity of her voice, she would have been unrecognizable.
Su Ran's lips curled into a cold sneer, his voice as icy as the depths of hell. "Prepare to die," he said, his tone leaving no room for mercy. Before he could finish speaking, his hand shot forward, a sharp gust of wind accompanying his strike as he aimed to deliver a fatal blow.
"Stop!" A frail but urgent voice interrupted. It was the old woman, who had just managed to sit down despite her sprained ankle. "Please, Young Master," she begged, "let her go..."
Su Ran's expression remained stern, but his hand froze mid-air. The next moment, he clutched his chest, coughing softly as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He had forgotten that his internal injuries were still healing, and he couldn't afford to exert himself so recklessly. Seeing this, Ji Chun hurried over, his face etched with worry and regret. Before he could speak, Su Ran looked up at him, his gaze cold and resolute as he pointed at the trembling woman. "Kill her," he commanded, his voice firm.
When the old woman had cried out, Ji Chun had been reminded of everything Wenshi had endured since leaving them. Now, as he took in her pitiful state, a pang of sympathy stirred within him. Yun Mushang had deserved his fate—he was the one who had orchestrated the attack on Su Ran. Wenshi, on the other hand, had merely been seeking revenge. If Ji Chun had stopped her from following them back then, perhaps none of this would have happened. But what good would killing her do now? It would only be an act of vengeance, and one life had already been lost in that incident. Could more bloodshed truly resolve anything?
Ji Chun knew that sparing Wenshi would make him appear weak and overly compassionate in Su Ran's eyes. When he saw Su Ran's injuries, he, too, had felt the urge to destroy those who had caused him harm. But everything had its consequences. Su Ran's hands were already stained with the blood of countless lives. Ji Chun feared for him. Perhaps showing mercy this once would be a step toward redemption.
"Spare her," Ji Chun whispered to Su Ran, hoping to calm his fury and appeal to his reason. "Let her live."
But Su Ran's glare was unyielding, his voice as cold as ice. "I want you to kill her!" he demanded, leaving no room for negotiation. His hatred was absolute; anyone who crossed him deserved death.
Ji Chun fell silent, his steps halting as he weighed his options. Sensing the tension between the two men, Wenshi seized the opportunity to flee. She scrambled toward the back door, desperate to escape. But as she burst through the doorway, she collided with a group of people entering from the other side. At the forefront was none other than Yun Zizhuo, who had come to apprehend her.
Su Ran pushed Ji Chun aside, his cold glare lingering for a moment before he turned to pursue Wenshi. But before he could take another step, Yun Zizhuo and his servants entered through the back door, firmly restraining the fleeing woman.
"Why are you here?" Yun Zizhuo asked, his eyes flicking between Ji Chun and Su Ran.
Su Ran, who harbored no goodwill toward the people of Liuyun Manor, remained silent and aloof, stepping aside without a word. Ji Chun, however, approached Yun Zizhuo. "We're here to recuperate," he explained. "What brings you here?"
Yun Zizhuo glanced at the captured woman and let out a cold snort. "That night, my Da Ge separated Wenshi and Yun Mushang, locking them in different courtyards. He intended to deal with the matter after a few days. But a few nights ago, a group of men in black broke into Yun Mushang's courtyard and killed him. By the time the servants arrived, it was too late to save him. The family has been preparing for his funeral these past few days. Dage was furious and ordered an investigation, but we found no leads. Then, the following night, the same men in black returned, this time targeting Wenshi. Sange happened to be passing by and engaged them in combat, drawing the attention of the servants. In the chaos, Wenshi managed to escape. I've been tracking her ever since."
Ji Chun knew that the men in black Yun Zizhuo spoke of had been sent by Su Ran, but he chose not to reveal this. He noticed Yun Zizhuo glance in Su Ran's direction after finishing his explanation, suggesting that he had already pieced together the truth. However, Yun Mushang and Wenshi had been nothing but trouble for Liuyun Manor, and Su Ran's actions had inadvertently solved their problems. For that reason, Yun Zizhuo was unlikely to press the matter further.
"I see," Ji Chun nodded. "It was my fault that Liuyun Manor didn't take better care of you last time. Why don't you come back with me and stay for a few days this time?" Yun Zizhuo invited sincerely, his eyes filled with both guilt and hope as he looked at Ji Chun.
"We've already decided to set off tomorrow, so I'm afraid we won't be able to stay. But if the opportunity arises, we'll visit again," Ji Chun replied politely. Though Yun Zizhuo's intentions were good, Ji Chun couldn't bring himself to treat the people of Liuyun Manor with an open heart, not when Su Ran's injuries were tied to them. Besides, he knew Su Ran would never agree to go.
"In that case, I'll take my leave now," Yun Zizhuo said, his disappointment evident despite having anticipated their refusal. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, unsure if he would ever see his childhood friends again. With a respectful bow to both Ji Chun and Su Ran, he turned and left.
Ji Chun escorted him to the door before returning to the courtyard. When he arrived, Su Ran was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, Ji Chun searched the backyard but found no trace of him. As he walked into the medicine shop, the old doctor was applying medicinal salve to the old woman's sprained ankle. Noticing Ji Chun, the doctor said, "The Young Gongzi headed to the street up ahead. You should go and look for him."
"Thank you," Ji Chun replied, hurrying after Su Ran.
Though it was dark, the streetlights illuminated the road clearly enough. Ji Chun spotted Su Ran's figure in the distance and quickened his pace, catching up to him but maintaining a respectful distance of about seven or eight steps. He followed quietly, matching Su Ran's pace as they walked.
Soon, Su Ran turned onto a bustling street. It was a lively scene, with colorful lanterns of all shapes and sizes hanging in front of every shop. The street was even more crowded than when they had passed through earlier. Men, women, the elderly, and children gathered around, admiring the lanterns and enjoying the festive atmosphere. From the attics above, women sang soft melodies, adding to the vibrant energy of the night.
Ji Chun kept his eyes on Su Ran, worried that he might have gotten into an argument or that his earlier outburst had worsened his injuries. He couldn't shake the concern that Su Ran's old wounds might have flared up again after he had recklessly used his internal energy. As he walked, his gaze fixed on Su Ran's back, he overheard two young men—dressed like wealthy nobles—whispering as they passed by.
"Did you see the pregnant woman up ahead?" the man in blue asked, half-hiding his face behind a folding fan as he spoke to his companion.
"No, which one?" the man in purple replied, scanning the crowd.
"The one in white, just ahead. She's stunning," the man in blue said, closing his fan and pointing subtly in Su Ran's direction.
"A pregnant woman? Are you sure?" the man in purple asked, skeptical. "From the back, she doesn't look like a woman at all, let alone pregnant. And she's taller than both of us."
"You don't understand. You haven't seen her face. It's flawless—the most beautiful I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, let's go take a closer look!" the man in blue insisted, clearly convinced. He had caught a glimpse of Su Ran's face earlier and was captivated by his striking features. Without waiting for his friend's response, he tugged the man in purple forward, pushing through the crowd toward Su Ran.
In their haste, the man in blue accidentally bumped into Ji Chun's shoulder. Ji Chun frowned, annoyed by their rudeness and their absurd assumption. No matter how beautiful Su Ran is, he doesn't look like a woman. What's wrong with that man's eyes? he thought. Realizing their intentions, Ji Chun quickened his pace, no longer content to keep his distance. He wanted to stand by Su Ran's side, ready to intervene if necessary.
Su Ran, aware that Ji Chun was following him, felt his earlier anger gradually dissipate in the cool night breeze. He decided to stroll through the street, taking in the lively atmosphere of the Lantern Festival. As he walked, he noticed a crowd gathered around a small stall where people were guessing lantern riddles. Intrigued, he made his way over to join in.
A young nobleman stood at the front, holding a lantern and reading the riddle aloud in a clear voice: "The riddle contains not a single word. Guess the name of a traditional Chinese herb?"
The crowd fell silent, everyone deep in thought. Suddenly, a voice called out from the group, "Baizhi!"
The crowd erupted in admiration. "That's right, it's Baizhi!" they exclaimed.
The man who had guessed the riddle stepped forward, and the stall owner smiled warmly. "Since you guessed it correctly, this lantern is yours. You can give it to your sweetheart," he said, handing the lantern to the young man.
The man accepted it with a modest smile. "Then I will respectfully obey," he said, turning to a young woman standing nearby. "Wang Guniang, this is for you. Do you like it?" he asked softly, offering her the lantern.
Ji Chun watched the scene unfold, his attention briefly diverted from Su Ran. But his concern for his companion never wavered. He remained close, ready to support Su Ran in whatever way he could, even as the night's festivities continued around them.