As dawn broke, Shen Jintang awoke.

She stretched, her fingertips touching the still-warm blankets beside her, and unconsciously frowned. The sound of Gu Zhixing's footsteps, steady and powerful, came from outside the window, finally allowing her to relax.

"woke up?"

Gu Zhixing pushed open the door and entered, his forehead still covered with fine beads of sweat.

He walked to the bedside, naturally took her hand, and placed a bag of warm copper coins in her palm. "Today's wages from the docks."

Shen Jintang stroked the bag of copper coins, then suddenly grabbed his wrist.

Gu Zhixing's palms were much rougher, and there were still unhealed calluses on his knuckles.

She frowned and stuffed the copper coin back into his arms: "From today onwards, you are not allowed to go to the dock anymore."

"What?" Gu Zhixing chuckled. "You think I don't earn enough?"

“I have money now.” Shen Jintang looked up, the morning light shining through the window curtains onto her porcelain-white cheeks. “Would you like to go sightseeing with me? The doctor said that my eyes will heal faster if I’m in a good mood.”

Gu Zhixing's breath hitched. The way she tilted her head back made it look exactly like she was waiting for a kiss. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he leaned down to place a light kiss on her eyelids: "I'll listen to you."

——

On the official road outside Qingzhou City, a blue cloth carriage slowly moved forward.

Shen Jintang leaned on Gu Zhixing's shoulder, her fingertips twirling the tassel of the jade pendant at his waist.

The spring breeze lifted the carriage curtain, bringing the fragrance of peach blossoms from all over the mountains and fields.

"Try this." Gu Zhixing held a piece of osmanthus cake to her lips. "It's from Wang Ji in Chengnan. You said you liked it last time."

Shen Jintang took a bite of his hand, the sweet taste melting on her tongue. Suddenly, she felt playful and deliberately licked his fingertips. Gu Zhixing's breathing became heavy, and he grabbed her chin and kissed her. The fragrance of osmanthus spread between their lips and teeth. As the carriage bumped along, her hairpin slipped off, and her black hair cascaded down his hand like a waterfall.

Such intimacy occurred almost daily. They rowed a boat on the lake in the misty rain of March, Gu Zhixing's hand holding the umbrella steady as a rock, while his other hand restlessly slipped inside her clothes; they kissed behind the scripture pavilion while listening to the bells at the ancient temple, startling a tree full of white doves; the most absurd thing was that night at the inn, when Shen Jintang, blindfolded, was pressed against the edge of the bathtub by Gu Zhixing, warm water splashing all over the floor...

"Gu Zhixing," Shen Jintang suddenly called to him one evening, "don't we look like a pair of eloped lovers?"

At that moment, Gu Zhixing was peeling lotus seeds for her when he heard this and his fingertips paused.

The lotus seed fell into the porcelain bowl with a "plop," splashing a few drops of sugar water.

He gazed at her face, flushed red by the sunset, and whispered, "If I could, I would love to live like this forever."

Shen Jintang's smile froze for a moment, and she did not reply.

It's been more than half a month since that day, but their eyes haven't shown any signs of improvement.

——

The change came quietly.

First, caravans in the suburbs were frequently attacked, then the post stations on the official road were burned, and later the night market in Qingzhou closed early, and every household closed its doors and windows tightly.

One late night, Shen Jintang heard faint shouts of battle coming from afar, and her fingers unconsciously clenched Gu Zhixing's clothes.

"Something's not right," she whispered. "How could bandits be this rampant?"

Gu Zhixing pulled her closer to him: "Shall I go and find out?"

“No need.” Shen Jintang shook his head. “Although I can’t see clearly, I can smell the blood mixed with gunpowder – this is no ordinary bandit.”

It looks like a war has broken out.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her profile, making it appear as cold and frosty as snow.

Gu Zhixing suddenly grasped her hand: "Jintang, how about we find a quiet place and live in seclusion?"

"Let's ignore all this right and wrong. We're far from Kyoto, and nobody knows us..."

Shen Jintang suddenly looked up, and Gu Zhixing's words came to an abrupt halt.

Beneath the blindfold, her lips were pressed into a straight line.

Gu Zhixing could feel her hands trembling slightly, but she remained silent.

Silence washed over him like a tide, and finally he sighed and held her even tighter.

They never brought up the topic again.

But Shen Jintang began to frequently stand by the window, facing the direction of Kyoto, as if waiting for something.

Gu Zhixing wanted to ask, but he always hesitated in front of her tense back.

——

It was a drizzly afternoon.

Shen Jintang was brewing tea when he suddenly heard the courtyard gate creak.

She paused—Gu Zhixing had said he wouldn't be back until 5 PM before leaving.

Footsteps echoed through the rain, unhurried and deliberate, each step precise as if measured.

Shen Jintang's fingertips unconsciously dug into her palm.

"After three years apart, you won't even offer me a cup of tea?" The newcomer's voice was as cold and clear as a jade chime.

Shen Jintang didn't need to look to know that the man standing in the rain at this moment must be the man in white, untouched by dust—Shangguan Qingchen.

Rain streaked obliquely into the porch. The person holding the umbrella had distinct knuckles, and the umbrella was slightly raised, revealing a perfectly sculpted chin.

As he closed his umbrella and stepped inside, even the gloomy, rainy day seemed to brighten a bit.

Shangguan Qingchen was exceptionally handsome.

His eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, his eyes like cold stars fallen into a lake. He wore a spotless, moon-white brocade robe, and the jade pendant hanging at his waist swayed gently with his steps. Even the light and shadow seemed to favor him. What was most remarkable was his aura. Although he stood among the mundane world, it was as if he were separated by a layer of glass, aloof and detached, unlike any other mortal.

"What's wrong with your eyes?" He frowned and stepped forward, carrying the crisp scent of cedarwood.

Shen Jintang's fingertips unconsciously caressed the edge of the teacup, the cool touch of the glaze calming her down slightly: "Something unexpected happened, and I can't see it for the time being."

Shangguan Qingchen's breathing visibly faltered.

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