Qin Jue and Xiao Xi'er came to Yizhengxiang together.

He examined the incense stick carefully, from top to bottom and inside to outside.

He went over everything that needed to be replaced, modified, and strengthened.

This matter was also entrusted to Feng Yang.

This was a "kind" "reward" from Qin Ruoxi to Feng Yang. Feng Yang didn't say anything, just accepted it, and even said he would do a good job and told Qin Ruoxi to keep an eye on it.

——————

"Senior brother, where are you going?"

Today is the seventh day of the eighth lunar month…

Qingye called out to Baizhong as he left the room, only to hear Baizhong give an answer that wasn't really an answer.

However, Qingye still understood the meaning behind Baizhong's words.

The seventh day of the eighth lunar month... is the day Lu Yuan died. Every month on the seventh day, Bai Zhong would go to Lu Yuan's grave to pay his respects and sit there for a whole day and night.

Although the 17th and 27th of each month are not Lu Yuan's death anniversaries, Bai Zhong would still go and sit there for the entire day.

Both Zou Heng and Yu Ying tried to persuade Bai Zhong, but both attempts failed. After that, Bai Zhong sat alone at Lu Yuan's grave.

At first, people brought food to Baizhong, but he wouldn't eat it.

After I got a perfect score, no one brought me food anymore.

Some people tried to persuade Bai Zhong to let go of Lu Yuan, but each time they did, Bai Zhong would beat them up. Over time, everyone realized that Bai Zhong could never truly let go of Lu Yuan, so they left and stopped trying to persuade him.

Bai Zhong arrived at Lu Yuan's grave. He first swept away the soil and leaves in front of the grave, then took out the food from his food box and placed it in front of the tombstone.

"These are all your favorite foods, I brought them all for you."

After saying this, Bai Zhong withdrew his hand, sat down beside the tombstone, leaned against it, and said with a bitter smile.

"You really are heartless; you've only appeared in my dreams a handful of times."

Bai Zhong chuckled self-deprecatingly as he spoke.

"That's right, I wanted to marry you back then, but you didn't want to. You didn't like me, did you..."

If Lu Yuan were here, he'd probably say, "You're talking nonsense! Who said they didn't like me? You always act like you're joking. Who knows if you really like me?"

As Bai Zhong spoke, he recalled how he used to tell Lu Yuan, "Anyway, you'll be my wife in the future."

What was Lu Yuan's expression at that moment? Was he shy? Did he blush? Then did he berate himself for being shameless before leaving?

Even though you don't miss me, I miss you very much.

"Come into my dreams... please?"

As he spoke, Bai Zhong reached out and carefully stroked Lu Yuan's tombstone.

His hand stopped at the position of "Zhiluyuan", and he gently traced the three characters with his index finger.

That day, Bai Zhong sat at Lu Yuan's grave for another day.

After Bai Zhong left, Qing Ye used her lightness skill to arrive at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Master, did you summon me?"

"Yes, get up."

Qingye arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation and saw Qin Jue standing by the window. She walked to Qin Jue's side and knelt down on one knee.

"How are you doing in the secret guard camp?"

Qingye didn't understand what Qin Jue meant by asking that question, but she still answered in her own words.

"I think the Secret Guard Camp is very good."

After listening to Qing Ye's words, Qin Jue nodded, and after a short while, he continued speaking.

"Then you should leave the Dark Guard Camp."

"???"

Qingye was stunned by Qin Jue's words, thinking she had done something wrong to upset Qin Jue, so she quickly knelt down.

"Master, have I done something wrong?"

"If your subordinates make a mistake, you should punish them."

Do not expel your subordinates from the Dark Guard Camp.

Qingye knelt on the ground, initially with her head bowed, then raised her head and looked at Qin Jue pleadingly, saying...

"stand up"

Qin Jue frowned slightly upon hearing Qing Ye's words, but quickly relaxed his grip.

"master!"

Qingye called out to Qin Jue again, but did not get up; he remained kneeling on the ground.

"stand up"

Upon hearing Qin Jue say "get up" a second time, Qing Ye quickly got up.

"Take off the black cloth covering your face."

Qingye did as Qin Jue instructed, removing the black cloth covering her face.

As you can see, Qingye's face has a cool and aloof quality, and her high nose bridge adds to her exotic charm. Indeed, Qingye was entrusted to Yuying by a woman from the Western Regions before her death.

"From this day forward, you are no longer a secret guard in the Dark Guard Camp. I will have Yu Ying destroy all information about you within the Dark Guard Camp."

"From now on, I will be the princess's personal bodyguard, protecting her safety."

Qingye was stunned by Qin Jue's words. She remained speechless for a long time, staring blankly at Qin Jue.

In Qin Jue's eyes, Qingye's behavior just meant she wasn't thinking straight.

Qin Jue began to doubt whether he had chosen the wrong people; should he have made Feng Yang his bodyguard and Qing Ye his secret guard?

Qin Jue frowned, displeased, as he looked at Qing Ye, who was still in a daze.

"you…"

Just as Qin Jue was about to overturn his decision, Qing Ye suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Your subordinate obeys."

"Your subordinate will certainly protect the princess's safety."

Qin Jue sat on the stool by the window, glanced at Qing Ye, then picked up his teacup and began to drink water.

This is not simple protection!

"As long as the princess is here, you are here; if anything happens to the princess, you will be punished, even to the point of losing your life."

"I'm giving you time to consider. If you're unwilling, you can continue to stay in the Dark Guard Camp."

However, no sooner had Qin Jue finished speaking than Qing Ye made his stance clear.

"Your subordinate swears to follow the princess to the death."

Qingye spoke very solemnly, which pleased Qin Jue greatly.

"Get up, go change your clothes. From now on, you will stay by the princess's side and protect her together with Dongtao."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qin Jue frowned upon hearing this form of address and tapped the table with his index finger.

"Your master has only one person, and that is the princess."

"You don't need to call me 'Master' anymore. From now on, you'll be the same as Dongtao."

"Yes, Your Majesty..."

"Go down."

After seeing Qingye's clear-headedness, Qin Jue waved his hand at Qingye, signaling her to leave.

Aoya was then led down by Sanwako to get some clothes, which she then put on.

Most of the clothes were black and white fitted outfits, and Sanhezi gave Qingye two swords.

Aoya saw the two swords on the tray in Sanwako's hand and became puzzled.

"This is from His Majesty."

"For you to use in protecting the princess."

After Qingye finished dressing, she picked up a magic weapon and wrapped it around her waist.

He picked up another sword, holding it in his hand or hanging it at his waist. Sometimes, Qingye would hug the sword with both arms.

After finishing tidying up, Sanhezi circled around Qingye to make sure everything was alright, then nodded.

His Majesty said that you must forget the past and change your past behavior.