Yun Zhixi's Plan

"...Uncle Lin, Aunt Ye, look over there. That patch of Dream Orchid Flowers only blooms at night. The petals are pale purple, and they glow, too! They're so pretty! And sometimes, Moonlight Bamboo Bears sneak out of that bamboo grove up ahead to steal bamboo shoots. They're chubby and so silly..."

That voice was far too familiar. It was Yun Zhixi.

The three women looked up at the same time, toward the courtyard gate. Why was that girl Yun Zhixi still out wandering so late? From the way she was talking, she seemed to be showing someone around. "Uncle Lin," "Aunt Ye"? Those forms of address...

The gate creaked open, and a figure in goose-yellow darted in first. It was Yun Zhixi. Her little face was alight with a cheerful smile. She turned and waved toward the entrance. "Uncle Lin, Aunt Ye, come on in! This is where Sister Fang Yao, Sister Jiang Weiwei, and Sister Su Xiaorui live—the ones I'm always telling you about! They're so nice!"

As she spoke, two figures walked into the courtyard at an unhurried pace.

The one in front was a middle-aged man dressed in a simple blue-green martial outfit. He stood straight as a pine, with strong, resolute features, sword-shaped brows, and bright eyes. Though he made no effort to project his presence, there was a steady air about him, tempered by years of blood and fire, with a hint of steel beneath the surface. It instantly drew all three women's attention. His gaze was calm and deep as it swept across the courtyard, then settled on the three women beside the stone table. He gave a slight nod in greeting.

Following close behind was a woman in an elegant, pale-blue dress. She was beautiful, with gentle features and a warm expression. Though