Chapter 67: Beneath the Night Sky

Before long, the carriage arrived at He Yingying’s residence within the imperial capital.

The escort guard quickly took his leave, and Lin Wuming, with Zhao Ke’er tucked under his arm like a bundle, followed his junior sister into the estate.

He Yingying’s gaze lingered briefly on Zhao Ke’er, who was being carried like a sack of potatoes, and a subtle smirk formed on her lips.

Compared to this, her treatment back then had definitely been much better…

“Uwah! Can’t you be a little more gentle with a girl? I’m still injured, you know…”

Zhao Ke’er whined pitifully, especially after bumping one of her wounds, causing her eyes to well up with tears from the pain.

“They’re just superficial wounds. Nothing serious,” Lin Wuming shrugged, unconcerned.

They had only met by chance—if she hadn’t been cute, and it wasn’t such a waste to let her die for nothing, he wouldn’t have even bothered.

After all, avoiding trouble was always smarter, and who knew what mess this girl might drag him into?

They weren’t close, nor did they have any connection.

Why should he go out of his way to be nice?

Besides, compared to how He Yingying had been when he first found her, Zhao Ke’er’s injuries were much more minor—mostly cuts and bruises.

With a cultivator’s constitution, a bit of treatment and a few days of rest would be enough.

Grrrng~

Zhao Ke’er whimpered, “If you keep acting like this, you’ll never find a wife!”

“Well, sorry,” Lin Wuming replied with a grin, “I already have a fiancée.”

He Yingying opened her mouth as if to say something like “Then I’ll be your wife instead!”, but in the end, she swallowed the words and her expression dimmed again.

The estate was fairly spacious.

Lin Wuming casually picked a room, opened the door, and tossed Zhao Ke’er onto the bed.

“Strip.”

“???”

“How else am I supposed to treat your injuries?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“I’m a doctor. Come on, take it off—let me take a look!”

As he spoke, he pulled out some herbs and medical tools he’d bought on the way to the residence.

“But…”

Zhao Ke’er hesitated.

“I heard bad uncles always say they’re doctors and then… and then give shots to girls! And I heard… getting shots hurts!”

“…”

Lin Wuming’s face darkened.

He took a deep breath.

“Didn’t you say I wasn’t a bad guy?”

“Oh! Right!” Zhao Ke’er’s eyes lit up as if having an epiphany.

She patted her own head, then obediently undressed herself like a little lamb.

Just then, He Yingying entered the room—and froze at the scene before her.

‘Maybe… I shouldn’t have come in right now…’

She backed away silently and left the room.

***

“What’s wrong with me…?”

He Yingying sat alone on the stone steps in the courtyard, burying her face in her knees.

Normally, she would’ve rushed in and challenged that “vixen” to a stripping contest.

But this all-too-familiar imperial capital awakened her deepest insecurities.

She didn’t want her senior brother to see the broken, defeated version of her past self.

She didn’t want to show any weakness in front of him.

She was avoiding it—avoiding the version of herself she thought unworthy of him.

The sky darkened. He Yingying slowly stood up, her figure fading into the deepening shadows.

***

The moon hung high.

Inside the imperial study, under the flickering candlelight, a man in imperial yellow robes frowned deeply at the document in his hands.

It was a personal letter from the Lord of Luoshui City, detailing everything that had transpired there.

“Wanle Palace, Tianyin Sect, Taixu Palace…”

He rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh.

“Such a small city, and yet so full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!”

Suddenly, the doors of the study swung open.

A man with youthful features but white hair, dressed like a scholar, entered with a folding fan in hand.

He gave a slight bow to the emperor.

“Your Majesty called for me?”

The imperial study was where the emperor handled state affairs.

Even the Prime Minister couldn’t enter without notice during such times.

To walk in unannounced like this—only two people in the entire empire had such privilege.

“You’re here, Grandmaster!”

The emperor looked at the man before him as if grabbing hold of a lifeline.

The tension in his shoulders eased, and disregarding his imperial dignity, he stood up and walked over with the letter in hand.

The Grandmaster merely smiled and gently guided him back to his seat.

“Your Majesty, after all these years, have you still not remembered what I always say?”

“As one in power, one must guard their image; as emperor, one must uphold royal dignity. Of course I remember.”

“Then why are you still acting so unsteady?”

Though his words were scolding, the Grandmaster’s expression remained gentle, clearly used to this kind of scene.

“In front of you, Grandmaster, there’s no need for such formalities.”

“You…” The white-haired man shook his head with a helpless smile.

“So, Your Majesty summoned me at this hour—what’s the matter?”

“This letter,” the emperor said, handing it over, “was written personally by Lord Luo Haonian of Luoshui. Please have a look.”

“Luo Haonian…” the Grandmaster murmured as he accepted the letter.

His expression stiffened slightly as he scanned it, and his brows furrowed deeply.

“Your Majesty, the Ninth Princess requests an audience…”

Suddenly, a voice called from outside the study.

The emperor’s face changed, his expression turning complicated.

“Not seeing her,” he replied coldly after a brief silence.

“…Understood.”

The eunuch outside fell quiet, and after a long pause, let out a faint, almost inaudible sigh before walking away.

Silence returned to the study.

Under the wavering candlelight, the emperor lifted his head and looked toward the paper window, where the moon hung high.

He slowly closed his eyes and sighed softly.

“Xiao Jiu (Little Ninth)…”

“You won’t even grant her a single audience after she’s returned safely?” the Grandmaster asked.

“Heh…” The emperor chuckled bitterly.

“The inner palace is the most complicated of all places. You know the reasons better than anyone.”

“Is that so…” the Grandmaster smiled faintly.

“I think, Your Majesty, you’re being too harsh and arbitrary.”

“Perhaps.” The emperor didn’t deny it.

“But Xiao Jiu… she’s the only one I truly can’t stop worrying about.”

“You can protect her for a time, but not forever,” the Grandmaster said calmly.

“Enough about that…” The emperor waved it off.

“About this matter—do you have any insights?”

The Grandmaster sighed softly and looked down at the letter.

“Judging by the contents, the culprits don’t seem to be from those three sects. Their presence in Luoshui didn’t seem to be for the Ninth Princess at all, but rather… this young man mentioned in the letter.”

“So you think…?”

“The truth may indeed be what Your Majesty feared,” the Grandmaster said solemnly.

“Those bastards!” the emperor slammed his fist down.

“The empire is in decline, and they’ve done nothing to help. But when it comes to scheming and backstabbing, they’re masters of the craft!”

The Grandmaster, however, only lowered his gaze.

“Your Majesty, don’t be hasty. From what I see, although someone within the capital is certainly involved, this matter may not be so simple…”