In the brightly lit room, Ning Ke wore plain robes without a trace of makeup. Seeing Xiang Yang radiant with joy, she could not help but let out a relieved breath. Her worries of many days vanished into nothingness as she asked,
"What, you finally decided to come out? You've kept yourself shut away all this time. Have you finally thought it through?"
Though Ning Ke and Xiang Yang were not lovers who had shared years of affection, they had a Mind-to-Mind Connection, perfectly attuned to one another and deeply familiar with each other. Naturally, she knew that he was no longer troubled by anything, so her tone carried a hint of teasing.
"Indeed. Not only have I thought it through, I've attained great enlightenment. I'm truly sorry for making you worry these past days."
The shackles around Xiang Yang's heart had all fallen away. He stepped forward in a few strides and tightly held Ning Ke's hands. Seeing the slight weariness on her face, he felt both guilty and heartbroken. With Ning Ke's cultivation, she had naturally become like this because of him. How could Xiang Yang not be moved?
"Cut it out. Tell me, what exactly are you thinking?
"First, you had Huang Shaoxiong deliver those two letters to the Third Prince and the Divine Constable Gate. Then, a couple of days ago, you treated the people from the Imperial Capital like that. Even I ended up catching blame because of you.
"Though you are no longer who you once were, such conduct will still draw criticism and even breed resentment."
Ning Ke yanked her hands free. The tension that had only just eased surged back, leaving her deeply worried and unable to understand Xiang Yang's actions.
On the smaller scale, Xiang Yang was plotting to purge the