The autumn rain was continuous, and the bluestone road shimmered with a damp, cold light.

Qiu Xin hurried through the alley carrying her medicine bag when she was suddenly stopped by three drunken spoiled brats.

The oil-paper umbrella fell into the mud, and rainwater mixed with tears blurred my vision.

She took a few steps back, her back pressed against the cold wall, her fingers gripping the medicine packet tightly until her knuckles turned white.

"Young lady, it's so late, isn't it dangerous for you to be alone?" The leading man reached out to touch her face.

Qiu Xin turned her head to avoid him, her voice trembling slightly: "Make way...make way!"

"Move aside? Or how about having a drink with us?" The man grinned menacingly as he approached.

Just as Qiu Xin touched the stone on the ground, a clear, cold voice came from the alley entrance.

"Gentlemen, isn't it rather unseemly to force someone to do something they can't?"

Everyone turned around and saw a noble young man in a dark blue brocade robe standing with an umbrella.

The newcomer's face was as pale as snow, but his eyebrows and eyes were as sharp as blades.

Two guards followed behind him, their swords gleaming coldly at their waists.

The drunkards recognized him and immediately sobered up considerably, hurriedly forcing a smile: "Forgive us! We were blind to your greatness..."

Zhou Yun'an didn't even bother to glance at them, simply saying indifferently, "Get lost."

The group scrambled away in a panic.

Qiu Xin stared at him blankly, raindrops sliding down her temples, looking quite disheveled.

Zhou Yun'an approached, tilted the umbrella slightly to shield her head, and asked in a low voice, "Are you alright, young lady?"

Qiu Xin then came to her senses and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you for saving me, young master."

"It was nothing." He smiled slightly, his gaze falling on the medicine packet in her arms. "It's so late, are you going to get medicine, young lady?"

"Yes, my younger sister is frail and needs to take medicine every day."

Zhou Yun'an's eyes flickered slightly, as if he was deep in thought, and then he said gently, "The night road is dangerous, I will escort you there."

Qiu Xin wanted to refuse, but when she met his calm gaze, she somehow nodded as if possessed.

From that day on, Qiu Xin would occasionally "bump into" him.

Qiu Xin was initially wary, until one day her sister's medicine was missing a key ingredient.

The pharmacy owner said that the medicine had been out of stock for a long time, and coincidentally, this medicine was crucial to Qiuyue's prescription.

Qiu Xin was so anxious that she ran into Zhou Yun'an, who was also there to ask for something.

Upon learning of Qiu Xin's predicament, he suggested that another, less common, herb could be used as a substitute.

"You also know medicine?"

"I've become a doctor through long illness." He suddenly coughed, and Qiu Xin instinctively supported him, touching the bony wrist bone under his sleeve.

That night she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind filled with the image of that person's trembling eyelashes as he lowered his gaze.

After that, the two had more opportunities to meet.

Sometimes it was at the pharmacy, where he happened to be there to get medicine and would chat with her about medicine; other times it was at a street corner, where he would hand her a packet of newly released candied fruit, saying that a friend had brought it from Jiangnan and that she should take it back for Qiuyue to try.

One day, Qiuyue fell ill and coughed up blood incessantly.

Qiu Xin was at a loss and went to fetch a doctor, but all the doctors at the clinic were out seeing patients.

Just as she was in despair, the man's carriage stopped in front of Jishetang.

Zhou Yun'an lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze falling on her pale face: "Miss Qiu, has something happened?"

Qiu Xin grasped at a straw, her voice choked with emotion: "My lord, my younger sister is seriously ill, I..."

"Get in the car," he said briefly.

The carriage sped all the way to Mingyue Tower, where Zhou Yun'an personally examined Qiuyue's pulse. He then took out a white jade bottle from his sleeve and poured out a snow-white pill.

"This is Jade Toad Pill, which can temporarily alleviate her symptoms."

Qiu Xin took the medicine with trembling hands and fed it to Qiu Yue.

Sure enough, Qiuyue's breathing calmed down in less than a moment.

Through her teary eyes, she looked at Zhou Yun'an and said, "Young Master, I have no way to repay your great kindness..."

Zhou Yun'an smiled slightly, "No need for thanks, but this medicine..."

"What's wrong with this medicine?"

"It requires long-term use to cure the disease, and the preparation process is complicated; it is a family secret recipe."

"What...what should we do?"

Zhou Yun'an's eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Don't be afraid, young lady."

In the months that followed, Zhou Yun'an frequently visited Mingyue Tower.

At first, Qiu Xin was only grateful, but gradually she also began to look forward to his arrival.

Every time he came, he would bring some little trinkets—either rare medical books or delicate pastries.

He would enjoy tea and listen to the zither in the building, quietly watch Qiu Xin do her accounts, and accompany Qiu Yue to brew tea in the courtyard after she fell asleep.

That day, Qiu Xin brought in newly brewed plum wine and saw him resting by the window, the sunlight casting a soft shadow under his eyelashes.

Qiu Xin was watching intently when she suddenly met his eyes, which were so close to hers.

"Young master?" Her heart skipped a beat.

Zhou Yun'an reached out and gently plucked a petal from her hair, his voice low and deep: "Qiu Xin, would you... stay by my side forever?"

The faint scent of agarwood lingered around her nose as Qiu Xin looked at the handsome face so close to hers, her heart pounding like thunder.

Her cheeks burned, and Qiu Xin unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers.

She didn't see the fleeting coldness in his eyes.

Until one day, Zhou Yun'an was delayed by something and delivered the medicine half a day late.

Qiuyue suddenly fell ill and vomited blood continuously.

Qiu Xin rushed into the Zhou residence like a madwoman and pushed open the door to the study.

Zhou Yun'an was slowly pouring a packet of medicine powder into a porcelain bottle.

Seeing her burst in, he showed no sign of panic, but instead smiled slightly: "You've come at the right time, the medicine has just been prepared."

Qiu Xin felt a chill run through her body: "This medicine... is poisonous?"

"No, it's the antidote." He walked slowly closer, his fingertips tracing her pale face. "As long as you obey."

Qiu Xin collapsed to the ground, finally understanding—

This gentle trap was set for her from the very beginning; she was the one who harmed her sister.

"What I want you to do is very simple." Zhou Yun'an leaned down and pinched her chin, "Get close to someone and gain her trust."