12. Be Mindful

As Mingyue was lost in thought, Jun Yi suddenly reached out, flicked her forehead with his finger, and asked, “Mingyue, would you like to stroll around the main city of Shu Province?”

The main city of Shu Province was where Mingyue and her companions currently resided; it was once the capital of the ancient Shu Kingdom. Mingyue recalled what she had seen along the way and felt her heart waver, yet she knew now was not the time for leisure, even if Jun Yi did not care—she herself did not want to be gossiped about by the elders of the Jun family. Mingyue patted her head, forcing herself to suppress the restless thoughts swirling within.

She shook her head and replied, “Not for now. Once I’ve figured everything out, I’ll have Second Master Jun take me on a tour. For today, the two of us should return first.”

With that, Mingyue rose, and Qin Shi put away the glass lamp. Before Jun Yi could speak, Mingyue grabbed Qin Shi’s wrist and led him out; only after leaving the Jun residence did she slow her pace.

“Why must you understand all the complexities?” Qin Shi asked. “For Miss Wen and the others, you didn’t require this.”

Mingyue replied, “At the beginning, I didn’t understand, nor did they. There were so many misunderstandings and dangers—you’re not unaware, are you? As for Wen Yan, I am certain she wouldn’t fabricate a story to deceive me. Her feelings for Chu Xuan run deeper than she realizes, and perhaps even Chu Xuan hasn't noticed. Wen Yan is stubborn at heart; she would rather bleed and weep in truth than live a lie. So she won’t lie, and we won’t face unnecessary trouble.”

Mingyue paused, her gaze sweeping over the bustling scene beside her. She continued, “Of everyone in that tale, only Wen Yan is pure and genuine. The rest, including Chu Xuan, hide something to varying degrees. I think even if the ending is as it was, Wen Yan has no regrets; she’s always lived by her own will—boldly, flamboyantly, joyfully, painfully... Sometimes I find it strange. I don’t understand the life-and-death emotions of the story, yet I see its people clearly. Is that a blessing or a curse?”

Qin Shi halted behind her, raising his eyes to watch Mingyue stride forward, hands clasped behind her back, tossing her hair like an innocent girl untouched by the world. Soon, perhaps sensing he hadn’t followed, Mingyue stopped ahead, turned back, and frowned, “Why are you standing there? Hurry up! Have you been distracted by these little things and forgotten how to walk?”

Qin Shi said nothing, silently catching up. The two passed through the streets, one after the other, finally disappearing along the mountain path leading to the Gentleman’s Hall.

Over an hour later, when they returned to the plaza, the number of sword-practicing disciples had only grown. Unlike before, Mingyue did not walk down the central avenue but deliberately took a small path at the edge, observing the disciples as she went. When the crowd thinned, Mingyue stopped and caught a young boy, asking, “How long have you been at the Gentleman’s Hall?”

“Since my parents were killed by villains when I was ten, I’ve been here at the Gentleman’s Hall. It’s been seven years now. May I ask who you are?”

“I am,” Mingyue looked around, scratched her head, and answered, “a guest invited by your Second Master Jun. But he worries my presence in the Jun residence might harm both his and my reputation. You know what I mean, right?”

The boy, Ah Yuan, nodded, “Yes, there aren’t many people in the Second Master’s residence. If you lived there alone, it could indeed affect his reputation. The Gentleman’s Hall is more convenient. But why did Second Master invite you? Is there something he can’t do?”

Mingyue’s eyes widened, and she bit her lip, lifting her hand before letting it fall. She hadn’t realized Jun Yi was so revered in this boy’s eyes! “You can ask him yourself later, can’t you? What do you think of your Hall Master?”

“He’s wonderful! If the Hall Master hadn’t passed by that year, I would have died with my parents outside Shu City. He saved my life.”

Mingyue nodded and asked quietly, “Has your Hall Master ever married?”

Ah Yuan shook his head so vigorously he resembled a rattling drum, scowling, “Hall Master has not married. Don’t slander him!”

Mingyue blinked, confirming she hadn’t misheard—the clean, blank-slate youth before her could speak so fiercely.

“All right, all right, your Hall Master hasn’t wed.” When Ah Yuan’s expression eased, Mingyue asked again, “Over the years, have you ever seen Hall Master get close to any woman? Just close—nothing more.”

Ah Yuan looked puzzled, tilting his head as if pondering. After a moment, he frowned, “I think there was one. But she was a bad woman. Everyone hoped Hall Master wouldn’t get too close to her.”

“A bad woman? How was she bad?” Mingyue raised an eyebrow, intrigued. If the Hall Master of Gentleman’s Hall, one of the four pillars of the righteous path, were involved with someone from an evil sect, it would indeed cause much opposition.

Ah Yuan pouted, frowning, “I’ve never met her, so I don’t know what was bad about her... The senior brothers and sisters all said she was a bad woman and wouldn’t let me near her. By the way, aren’t you the guest Second Master invited? Why are you asking so much about the Hall Master?”

“Well, naturally there’s a reason. Second Master understands. Now, hurry back to practicing your sword—otherwise, your seniors will surpass you!” Mingyue moved briskly ahead, glancing back after some distance to see Ah Yuan earnestly wielding his sword again. Mingyue shook her head, a chill creeping up her spine.

Once they turned into the small courtyard, Mingyue asked Qin Shi, “Did you find Ah Yuan a bit strange?”

Qin Shi pursed his lips, answering with calm, “Unless he’s innately lacking or truly sheltered from the world, he is indeed odd for his age.”

“His admiration for the Jun brothers is understandable, but it seems... excessive.” Mingyue scratched her head. “Still, he mentioned a possibility—could that woman belong to an evil sect?”

“‘Bad woman’ could mean many things. An evil sect is one possibility.”

Mingyue nodded, scratching her head again and sighing, “Such trouble! Isn’t Gentleman’s Hall the leader of the righteous path? Why aren’t they straightforward? Even in seeking a Love’s Guidance, there’s so much secrecy. What do they want? If they provoke me, I’ll throw everything aside and leave!”

“Master.”

“What?” Mingyue turned angrily, only to see Qin Shi offering her a cup of tea. Her anger dissipated; she coughed awkwardly before accepting it. After a moment’s silence, she said, “Since Gentleman’s Hall is in Shu’s main city, they must have ties with the city. If we’re free tomorrow, let’s go explore.”

Qin Shi simply agreed, turning his gaze aside.

As dusk fell, three serving maids brought supper to the courtyard. Without a word, they set the dishes down and departed. Qin Shi frowned, glanced over, and saw Mingyue asleep at the stone table.

Those three... Qin Shi picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks and stirred the dishes; a strange fragrance drifted to his nose. Frowning, he rose only to be forced back into his seat, collapsing onto the stone table, knocking one of the food boxes to the ground.

A sharp, piercing whistle sounded; two figures leaped onto Mingyue’s rooftop from behind the house. Both faces were pale, eyes reddened, and green serpents flicked their tongues from their necks. After a brief pause, the taller one approached Mingyue, reaching to check her pulse.

“She’s asleep. Shall we?” He gestured silently, drawing his hand across his neck.

The other was about to respond but stopped abruptly after checking Qin Shi’s breath, his face changing. He whispered, “No. This is not someone we can afford to offend—don’t invite trouble needlessly.” With that, both executed light-footed leaps, vanishing into the bamboo groves surrounding the small courtyard.