"Xiaoyun, haven't you realized you're being too nosy?"

Is she too good-tempered?

Mingyue re-examined herself.

Not at all.

Su Linglong and her group were on high alert whenever they saw her.

Who gave Xiaoyun the courage to keep controlling her again and again?

"This servant just doesn't want you to become so despondent."

Xiaoyun knelt before Mingyue, her attitude sincere.

The smile on Mingyue's face faded, and her cool voice carried a hint of detachment, "Just do your job well."

Xiaoyun pinched her palm, leaving rows of crescent-shaped fingerprints, and said with trembling lips, "...Yes."

As soon as Mingyue left, Xiaoyun's body went limp and she collapsed to the ground. After a long while, her legs trembled as she leaned against the wall and walked back to the courtyard.

When Chen Yao saw Xiao Yun return, she put down her book, walked over and helped Xiao Yun up. "What's wrong? Didn't you go to wait for the adults?"

"Sister Chen Yao, do you think I did something wrong? The adults told me to do my own thing and not to worry about anything else."

Xiaoyun grabbed Chen Yao's arm, hoping to gain some approval.

Chen Yao frowned slightly and asked, "Tell me what happened to you first, so I can help you analyze it."

"I just noticed that you've been going out to have fun lately, disregarding your status, so I advised you to stay at the Imperial Preceptor's residence, just like before."

Chen Yao understood and sighed deeply. Xiao Yun had finally met her match in the adults' rigidity.

Just from the time she spent with Huaizhou, she knew that although the adults seemed unreliable and were always going out to eat and drink, they always managed to bring back a lot of information.

Moreover, when they were in the bandit stronghold, the person the bandits feared most was the adult, which shows that the adult's martial prowess intimidated the bandits.

In addition, there are many hidden talents in the capital. They are just servants without any martial arts skills. If they go there, they will only be a hindrance to their masters. Otherwise, they can stay at the Imperial Preceptor's mansion.

“This time you have indeed overstepped your bounds. The whereabouts of the master are not something we servants can decide.”

She hadn't spent as much time with the adults as Xiaoyun, so Chen Yao carefully chose her words to comfort Xiaoyun.

Feeling unappreciated, Xiaoyun withdrew her hand distantly. "You are the master's disciple, and Shenyu is the master's most precious treasure. I am the servant."

"Xiaoyun, what you're saying is really hurtful."

Chen Yao stared blankly at Xiao Yun's withdrawn hand. She truly couldn't understand how their friendship could be severed so easily.

Xiaoyun lowered her eyes and murmured, "I'm a little tired, I'm going to sleep now."

Chen Yao: ...

The feeling of being about to die.

The next day, Chen Yao was about to leave when Xiao Yun opened the door and left.

Helpless, Chen Yao had no choice but to go to Mingyue. Xiaoyun was still young and prone to overthinking, so she decided to try and find out what Mingyue was thinking and plead for Xiaoyun's life.

"grown ups."

Mingyue lazily opened her arms, letting Chen Yao help her change clothes and wash up, without ever opening her eyes the entire time.

It wasn't until Shen Yu brought out breakfast that Mingyue slightly opened her eyes, took a bite of the fragrant meat bun, and asked, "What were you trying to say just now?"

"Sir, about Xiaoyun..."

"What's wrong with her?"

Chen Yao kept quiet, unsure whether to speak or not, given the adult's calm tone.

Not knowing what had happened, Shen Yu innocently asked, "What's wrong with Sister Xiaoyun?"

"Overstepping one's bounds and meddling in other people's business."

Mingyue sipped her soy milk and spoke softly.

Hearing Mingyue's voice, Xiaoyun, who was outside the door, dropped the plate of lotus soup she was carrying. Startled, Chen Yao and Shen Yu looked out the door and saw a figure running away in a hurry.