Before the age of eighteen

Qin Shi leaned against the wall without reacting, while Ming Yue brought over a stool, climbed atop it, and peered out the window. The two figures standing on the cliff’s edge were indeed Jun Yi and Gu Qianrun.

Gu Qianrun snorted coldly, “As expected of Second Master Jun, you truly only care about yourself.”

Jun Yi chuckled as he polished his sword, “Well said. I won’t keep you company, sir—I'll be on my way.”

After Jun Yi departed, Gu Qianrun soon turned and took another path down the mountain. Ming Yue hopped down, her voice shadowy as she asked, “What did you do to offend Mr. Gu?”

“Shouldn't the head of the household be more interested in learning the name of that young woman?” Qin Shi flicked his little finger with force, finally loosening the tiny golden snake. Yet it merely slipped from his finger to his earlobe, clinging there unmoving like a golden tattoo. Qin Shi gave up, ignoring the snake, and remained indifferent to the conversation between Gu Qianrun and Jun Yi.

Ming Yue caught on, “Her name is Gu Yanrong, isn’t it? I wonder whether Jun Xiao knows or not. This Mr. Gu certainly seems odd—did you offend him before you lost your memory?”

“I have no recollection,” Qin Shi frowned slightly, clearly unwilling to discuss Gu Qianrun further.

Ming Yue waved her hand, “Forget it. We know her name now, so there’s no need to look for him. He tried to kill you this time; who knows, next time he might try to kill me, and I’d rather stay alive. When we return, I’ll talk to Jun Xiao—given his feelings for Gu Yanrong, he shouldn’t lie.”

Qin Shi leaned against the wall, eyes half-closed. After a while, he opened them and saw Ming Yue standing motionless in the room.

“Head of the household? Are we leaving or staying?” she asked.

“Do you know the way down the mountain?” Qin Shi was taken aback. He brushed the hair from his forehead with slender fingers and murmured, “In that case, let’s go outside—before Second Master Jun loses track of us.”

No sooner had Qin Shi finished speaking than Ming Yue flung open the door, allowing brilliant sunlight to pour in, illuminating her pale cheeks, making them seem translucent. Qin Shi stood up, supporting himself on the wall, glanced briefly, then lowered his gaze. Ming Yue turned and said, “Let’s go. You must stay alive for me.”

She walked into the courtyard, and Qin Shi, behind her, gave a quiet laugh as he looked down.

Neither of them knew the way, and the manor was indeed labyrinthine. Ming Yue soon lost interest and stopped by an ornamental rock, gazing at the duckweed floating in the water. At that moment, she saw Ah Yuan. He stood across the pond, momentarily stunned, then gathered himself and strode over.

“I’ve found you,” he said.

Ming Yue uttered a soft “ah,” evidently surprised to see someone other than Jun Yi. “You came, too?”

“Of course. After you were abducted, Second Master quickly notified the head of the hall. It took some time to find this place—Second Master came up the mountain alone from the back, while we broke in through the front gate to save time.”

Looking into Ah Yuan’s simple, pure eyes, Ming Yue suddenly felt a chill in her heart. “What happened to those who brought me here?”

“All the ones in front are dead; a few remain and Second Master chased after them.”

Ming Yue forced a stiff smile. “Then go find Second Master. We’ll wait here. Since they’re all dead, we won’t be hurt anymore.”

Ah Yuan cocked his head, thought for a moment, then nodded and left with his sword. Ming Yue hurried toward the main hall, indifferent to the fate of most, but unwilling to let that woman perish here. Sadly, after searching for a long time, she found no trace of anyone, alive or dead. Just then, several men leapt onto the rooftops, heading in the direction Ming Yue and her group had come, only to be swiftly overtaken by Jun Yi.

With a single stroke, he cut their throats—clean and decisive.

Bright red blood dripped from the sword’s tip as Jun Yi turned back toward Qin Shi. Ming Yue’s body was hidden by foliage, making it hard for Jun Yi to spot her, so he boldly turned his blade toward Qin Shi.

Jun Yi stopped in front of Qin Shi, his usual smile present, elegant yet tinged with mischief. “Qin Shi, apologies. I’ll explain to Ming Yue later.”

He raised his sword, but Ming Yue stepped to Qin Shi’s side, flashing a playful smile as Jun Yi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Second Master Jun, what are you planning to explain?”

“Since Ming Yue is here, things are much easier. It was a miscalculation by the Gentlemen’s Hall that allowed Ming Yue and Qin Shi to be abducted and frightened. Naturally, the Gentlemen’s Hall will compensate.”

Jun Yi sheathed his sword, his shock masked by a smile. “Is Second Master Jun saying you’ll pay Ming Yue extra money?” Ming Yue teased.

Jun Yi arched his long brows, “That’s easily arranged, as long as Ming Yue completes the Lovesick Guide for my brother as promised.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Second Master Jun, hurry and take us back.” Ming Yue grabbed Qin Shi’s wrist and started forward, then paused and turned, “Well, perhaps Second Master Jun should lead the way. The two of us might have trouble getting out.”

Jun Yi laughed and went ahead to guide them. Ming Yue followed, glancing about. Only when she was sure the bodies scattered about did not include the woman she sought did she finally relax. At the main gate, Ah Yuan and several other disciples caught up.

Ah Yuan said, “You didn’t wait for me.”

“…That’s because I ran into Second Master first,” Ming Yue replied, a bit sheepishly, hoping Ah Yuan wouldn’t press further. Thankfully, Jun Yi ended the conversation, patting Ah Yuan’s shoulder, and the group headed down the mountain.

By the time they returned to the city, dusk was settling, bathing the streets in warm orange light. On their way back to the Gentlemen’s Hall, they unexpectedly encountered Gu Qianrun. When Gu Qianrun caught sight of Qin Shi beside Ming Yue, a flash of terror crossed his brow before he turned to Jun Yi, his voice cold, “Good day, Second Master Jun.”

Ming Yue tilted her head, sizing up the two men, curious to see what drama would unfold.

“Apologies, Mr. Gu. I’ve let you down. Ming Yue was frightened, so I’ll take her back to the Gentlemen’s Hall first, and call on you later,” Jun Yi said.

He cupped his fist in salute, but Gu Qianrun snorted and turned away toward the direction of the Ancient Painting Studio. Jun Yi touched his nose, laughing at himself, “I’ve made Ming Yue laugh.”

“Not at all, Second Master Jun. Now that we’re back in the city, Qin Shi and I will be fine, and I doubt anyone will cause trouble now. We’d like to stroll around before returning.”

Jun Yi gazed at Ming Yue for a moment, then nodded and headed toward the Jun residence. Ah Yuan and the other disciples returned to the Gentlemen’s Hall ahead of them. When everyone was gone, Ming Yue sighed deeply, stretching her arms, “Finally, everyone’s gone. Even if I noticed something, it doesn’t matter. I’ll rest a couple of days then hurry back to Yinzhou. By the way, what did the Yi family say back then?”

“…It was the young master of the Yi family, troubled by love. Who knows how things will turn out when we get back.”

“Then hurry. When we return, you go to the Yi family and inquire further. For now, let’s get back to the Gentlemen’s Hall, tidy up, and after a couple of days settle Jun Xiao’s matter. If we delay any more, we might not dig up anything useful. The Gentlemen’s Hall, the Jun family, and even Mr. Gu are all tricky, none of them easy to deal with.” Ming Yue looked at her hands, “Besides, I don’t know how much longer I can hold on, so I’m not planning to push my limits.”

Qin Shi was silent. After a brief circuit through the city, they returned to the Gentlemen’s Hall. This brush with danger had changed Ming Yue’s original plans. With the sudden weariness settling on her heart, she only longed to return to Yinzhou, to the Lovesick Pavilion. As soon as she entered the Gentlemen’s Hall, Jun Xiao and several elders who’d heard the news hurried over. Ming Yue glanced around—thankfully, all familiar faces.

Jun Xiao bowed, “Once again, I’ve troubled you, Miss Ming Yue.”

“Yes,” Ming Yue nodded openly, a faint smile on her face. “So I’ve decided to finish things quickly and return home sooner. Give me two days to prepare, and please arrange a quiet place where we won’t be disturbed. On the third day, I’ll bring Qin Shi to see you.”

Jun Xiao was briefly taken aback, while the elders beside him visibly relaxed.

Recalling Gu Qianrun’s words, a flicker of aversion rose in Ming Yue’s heart—Gu Yanrong’s death was probably linked to Jun Yi and those old men.

“Did anything happen to you this afternoon, Miss Ming Yue? Please speak frankly, I will see justice done for you,” said Jun Xiao.

Ming Yue looked at his furrowed brow and ignored the chorus of voices behind him. As for Jun Xiao alone, she didn’t dislike him, but in the Jun family, she couldn’t bring herself to like him either. Ming Yue breathed deeply, gathering up her fatigue and annoyance, then smiled, “Nothing much happened this afternoon, so there’s no need to worry, Hall Master. I’ve been in Shuzhou for some time, and the Lovesick Pavilion in Yinzhou has been unattended. I have everything I need, so there’s no reason to delay. Isn’t it your wish to conclude things quickly?”

“…Yes, the sooner the better, of course.” Jun Xiao repeated himself, then ordered Ming Yue and Qin Shi to be escorted back, leaving alone after the others had dispersed.

Once back, Ming Yue threw herself onto the bed, resting her head on her arm, staring at her cold hands. She clenched them, feeling weak. She patted her cheeks and murmured, “What are you thinking? Being this dejected is not your style, Ming Yue.”