Even though they knew this was an illusion, when Jiang Yan looked over, their eyes met, and it felt as if they were actually there, as if he were really seeing himself.

Fortunately, after staring at the sky for a few seconds, Jiang Yan quietly looked away, took off his boots, got into bed, and closed his eyes to rest.

"What's going on..." Shu Yun murmured, "You scared me."

She thought Jiang Yan had seen her, and even though she knew this was an illusion, she was still a little flustered for a moment.

The illusion lingered longer this time than before. Shu Yun quietly watched as Jiang Yan, as depicted in the illusion, walked around the courtyard again and again, occasionally stopping to think about something.

When Jiang Yan suddenly confessed his feelings, she was so upset that she sealed his memory without thinking twice, cutting the Gordian knot and not wanting to bother thinking of other solutions.

At that time, she was in a bad mood, and after saving Jiang Yan from the hands of the Nine Heavens, she directly dumped all the mess in the human world onto Zi'e.

In retrospect, Zi'e did a very thorough job with her follow-up work.

Everything related to Shu Yun was dealt with. As expected of the number one steward of Penglai, she must have spent a lot of time doing things meticulously and without any mistakes, making it impossible for someone as intelligent as Jiang Yan to find out anything.

"Master," Ke Min said anxiously.

Mu Guo kept sending him messages, practically poking his head and scolding him for being useless.

There are so many government affairs to deal with! Mu Guo and his men, who remained in the capital, worked day and night with the cabinet ministers to screen them. In reality, Mu Guo didn't allow anyone to submit memorials into the imperial study.

Important government affairs were all rushed and sent over from afar for Jiang Yan to review, and then sent back over a long distance again. The people who remained in the capital were almost frantic with work.

Only by actually doing it yourself can you know how much work Jiang Yan does every day.

"Have you finished your incognito visit?" Ke Min asked cautiously, watching his master's expression. "Bo Gu is very busy with official business, and Mu Guo and the others are extremely anxious."

Jiang Yan ignored him and walked on her own in the alley.

Pingyang has suffered from several wars, and the original bluestone road has long been destroyed.

The alleys that people walk through now have been renovated and are somewhat different from before, but the road surface is still paved with bluestone slabs.

"master……"

Ke Min felt that his life was so miserable. On one hand, he was disliked by his own master, and on the other hand, he was exploited by Mu Guo and his gang of bastards.

Even though it was difficult, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask, "We didn't bring many guards, and I'm really worried. How about... we go back to the capital first?"

Perhaps because Ke Min's tone was too aggrieved, Jiang Yan, who was walking in front, turned around and glanced at him with a half-smile.

"Go back?" Jiang Yan paused. "Are Mu Guo and the others urging you to go back?"

Ke Min decisively shifted the blame, "Yes, they don't have your extraordinary talent, Master. They cried and begged me to bring you back."

Jiang Yan looked up at the dark clouds gathering not far in the sky. Pingyang is rainy, especially with continuous drizzle, unlike Bo Gu where it rains heavily. The rain in Pingyang is fine and dense, like needles, and after soaking your clothes, it chills you to the bone.

"They're all just trivial greetings. When I was in the capital, they seemed to be having a lot of fun. It's time for them to experience something different."

The master's words mean he's not going back.

Ke Min had a long face, but his tone of voice was surprisingly sincere, which did not match his inner frustration. "What Master said makes a lot of sense. It's time to let them taste how hard-won this peaceful and prosperous era is, so that they don't become more and more dissolute as their lives get better and better."

Dark clouds loomed over the city, and the rain came quickly. Strands of white silk fell from the sky, and looking into the distance, the white silk filled the sky, covering the entire horizon in white.

"Damn, how come it started raining so suddenly?" Ke Min stretched out his hand to the guards following behind him. "Quick, quick, get an umbrella."

The guards exchanged glances. Some looked down at the sword at their waists. They hadn't thought of bringing the umbrella, but they certainly hadn't forgotten the sword.

Kemin's eyes widened. "What use are you to me?"

Having said that, to show his loyalty, he immediately began to take off his cloak, "Come, Master, don't mind, I..."

He turned his head and saw that Jiang Yan was nowhere to be seen. His heart tightened and he shouted, "Master!"

Jiang Yan's deep, pleasant voice came from the shadows beside them, "What are you yelling for? Come here."

It turns out that the designer of this dark alley in Pingyang was very cunning. The alley is winding and twisting, and many houses and shops are hidden in it.

Kemin and his guards quickly took two large strides and rushed into the dimly lit shop.

Shu Yun naturally followed her in. The store's decor had changed quite a bit, but the umbrellas were still arranged as neatly as ever.

Upon entering, Ke Min was immediately drawn to the walls covered with umbrella ribs and paper umbrellas already covered with canopies.

There were only three lamps lit in the shop. One was placed behind the entrance against the wall, seemingly to attract customers. Now the lamp oil was almost gone, and the candle flame flickered weakly.

The other two lamps were placed around an old man; these two lamps were filled with oil and the candlelight was bright.

The old man probably had poor eyesight; with such bright light, his bald head seemed to be practically shoving against the umbrella, and his wrinkled hands were trembling as he brushed something onto the umbrella surface.

Despite their loud noise, the old man didn't react at all; his head was pressed against the umbrella, and he continued with his own tasks.

Ke Min and his guards cautiously surrounded Jiang Yan. Years of experience in life-and-death battles did not allow them to underestimate anyone, even if the other party was a pregnant woman or an elderly person.

The old man worked diligently, and Jiang Yan watched attentively as well.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!