Chapter One Hundred and Four: Leaving the Cliffside

Three days later, Lian Yue and her companions returned to the foot of the cliff. In just a few days, what had once been a smooth, remote wall was now carved into a line of steps resembling a ladder to the heavens, with sturdy ropes fastened on either side.

Even so, ascending the cliff remained no easy feat. Lian Yue gazed at the sky, so close yet unreachable, wishing she could sprout wings and fly upward. If not for the steady encouragement from those before and behind her, she doubted whether she could have endured such a towering ascent.

Now, Lian Yue felt that descending directly as she had was not such a bad thing after all—though thrilling, it was swift. Remembering the moment she fell with An Ming off the cliff, her steps faltered, lost in recollection.

Over the past days, Lian Yue had often been absent-minded, staring blankly at empty patches of ground for long stretches. At first, her companions were puzzled and asked her, but since she refused to explain, they grew accustomed to her spells of distraction, pausing without complaint until she was ready to move on.

“Little sister Yue, are you struggling? I really can carry you up if you want,” Qiao Zhi resumed his usual playful, teasing manner along the journey, often including Yu Wen Lingxi in his banter.

Lian Yue could only resign herself to his antics. Now, whenever she saw Yu Wen Lingxi, she was inexplicably embarrassed, and Qiao Zhi, seeing her unwilling to retort, became even more relentless.

All she wanted now was to reach the top of the cliff quickly, so she would have ample reason to rid herself of this annoying “fly” and escape her own awkwardness.

“They’re coming up! They’re coming up!” The people above the cliff shouted excitedly upon seeing Yue Lingjun and his party.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past, and a streak of blue flashed before their eyes—it was Miss Lan, always stationed there.

Suppressing her anxiety, Lan Shui finally saw the figures below with her own eyes. The steadfast Lan Shui’s eyes brimmed with mist; Heaven had blessed them, they were truly safe.

Lian Yue looked up and waved excitedly, calling, “Sister Lan… Sister Lan…”

She wished she could ascend immediately and found the pace maddeningly slow, urging, “Hurry up at the front, why is it so slow?”

Qingfeng, leading the way, understood the relationship between his mistress and Lan Shui, and quickened his pace in response.

“Sister Lan, Yue missed you so much.” The moment she reached the top, Lian Yue rushed into Lan Shui’s embrace.

Feeling the reality in her arms, Lan Shui finally let go of her worry, gently patting Lian Yue, her voice choked with emotion, “It’s good you’re home.”

Yue Lingjun stood nearby, watching the two with a sense of fulfillment. He silently vowed that he would ask for nothing more in this life; this was enough.

As if hearing his thoughts, Lan Shui withdrew her gaze from Lian Yue and looked tenderly at Yue Lingjun. “You’re back,” she said.

Those three simple words left Yue Lingjun stunned, repeating them in his heart, unsure if it was truly concern.

Still nestled in Lan Shui’s arms, Lian Yue heard the warmth in her words. In disbelief, she looked up, reading both Lan Shui and Yue Lingjun’s expressions. Suddenly, a spark of understanding lit within her, followed swiftly by joy. Seeing her big brother’s dazed look, she wanted to kick him, but could only blink at him repeatedly.

Yet her usually clever and decisive brother was acting foolish, and her eyelids grew sore from blinking, while he seemed utterly oblivious.

“Sister Yue, are your eyes uncomfortable? Why are you blinking so much, it’s odd,” Yao Yao asked with concern.

Yue Lingjun finally looked at Lian Yue, meeting her gaze, a faint blush of embarrassment rising on his face.

Lian Yue grew even more frustrated. “Sister Lan, hurry and take care of my brother, look how dense he is.”

“Yue, don’t speak nonsense!” Yue Lingjun glanced nervously at Lan Shui, who had put away her smile, and scolded Lian Yue.

She made a face at him, grabbed Lan Shui’s hand and pleaded, “Sister Lan, I want a bath right away, and I need to change clothes—I’ve worn these for days and they’re nearly foul.”

With that, she pulled Lan Shui toward the carriages, not forgetting to stick her tongue out at Yue Lingjun, who still stood there.

Yao Yao glanced warily at Meng Chuchen, who wore a smile, edged a few steps away, and seeing Meng Chuchen hadn’t noticed, quickly ran after Lian Yue by the carriage, calling, “Sister Lan, Sister Yue, wait for me!”

“Wait for me too!” Qiao Zhi shamelessly followed.

Meng Chuchen had already noticed her cautious demeanor, but now that they were no longer at the cliff, there was no need to keep her close.

He had more pressing concerns. Meng Chuchen cast an ambiguous glance at Yue Lingjun, making his scalp tingle.

Yue Lingjun coughed awkwardly, pretended to look away, and glared at Qingfeng and the others, who hid their laughter. “Qingfeng, stay here with some men and tidy up,” he ordered, then turned to Yu Wen Lingxi, who stood alone, and said politely, “Brother Yu Wen, would you care to join us?”

Yu Wen Lingxiao hesitated briefly, then replied coolly, “Lingxi will accompany Brother Yue, as I am to meet my father in the capital.”

But inwardly, Yu Wen Lingxiao thought, Of course I’ll go—I must guard my sister-in-law for my brother.

Yue Lingjun had no objections. “In that case, let’s go.”

In the carriage, Lian Yue glared at Qiao Zhi, who followed shamelessly, and said bluntly, “Why are you here?”

Qiao Zhi leaned against the carriage, his peach blossom eyes full of dissatisfaction. “Sister Yue, I braved the elements for days searching for you—surely you’re not so stingy as to begrudge me a spot in the carriage?”

Lian Yue felt her own protests were unreasonable, so she relented, “You can ride, but don’t be noisy.”

“Noisy? Me? I’m not noisy!” Qiao Zhi insisted, convinced of his own virtue.

“You’re noisy right now, aren’t you, Sister Yue?” Yao Yao said.

Lian Yue nodded, and Yao Yao took a triumphant bite of her apple, waving her fist at Qiao Zhi.

Hmph, serves you right. Yao Yao, having finally escaped Meng Chuchen, had so much to confide in Lian Yue and Lan Shui, but now the carriage was crowded with a man, and even she knew some things could not be said.

Lan Shui still sat quietly, occasionally pouring tea or offering pastries. The corners of her mouth, once ice-cold, now held a perpetual smile.

At first, Lian Yue was astonished, even transfixed—Lan Shui now was fully the gentle, kind sister she remembered from before her accident. This Lan Shui felt truly real.

Lian Yue was curious about all that had happened recently, especially between her brother and Sister Lan. She felt her accident had occurred at the perfect time.

Her brother was now willing to open his heart, and Sister Lan was willing to accept him. For her two dearest people to find happiness was the greatest joy for Lian Yue.

Like Yao Yao, she would have asked about it already if not for Qiao Zhi’s presence. But his excuse was so reasonable, she couldn’t bring herself to chase him away.

Yet the frustration was fleeting; soon the carriage rang with laughter from Lian Yue, Yao Yao, and Qiao Zhi. They seemed to get along well enough.

Outside, Meng Chuchen exchanged a glance with Yue Lingjun, both reading concern in each other’s eyes.

Beside them, Yu Wen Lingxiao’s face remained as icy as ever, but inwardly he was scheming how best to warn Qiao Zhi. That man dared covet his brother’s woman—should he make his tongue lose all taste, or give him sores? No, those were too childish. If he dared provoke his sister-in-law, it needed to be something serious.

It required careful consideration.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Qiao Zhi suddenly felt a chill sweep across his back. He turned, puzzled, but seeing nothing, shook his head and continued to join in Lian Yue and Yao Yao’s merriment.