After breakfast, Fang Han put down his chopsticks, gave Qui Lan a few words of advice, and then left the courtyard.
Walk along the bluestone path towards the Zi Courtyard.
Morning light filters through the gaps in the branches and leaves of the ancient trees along the road, casting dappled shadows on the steps. A mountain breeze carries the faint sounds of shouts from the distant training ground.
It has been seven days since I returned to the sect.
During these seven days, he devoted most of his time to cultivating the Wind God Step. Now that he had Proficiency Realm the Body Movement, he finally had some free time and decided to go see Yun Qianyue.
The layout of the Zi Courtyard was not much different from what he remembered.
The houses he once lived in, the paths he walked countless times, the open space where he practiced Sword Technique in the early morning—everything is still there.
After passing through several rows of houses, he followed his memory and walked towards the Forest Clearing behind the Zi Courtyard.
The Forest Clearing was small and surrounded by ancient trees.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
A slender figure stood in the center of the open space.
Today, Yun Qianyue was dressed in a light blue disciple's outfit, her long hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin, and her face was covered with a light purple veil.
She was slightly raising her long sword, as if she was about to practice some kind of sword move, when she heard footsteps behind her and paused slightly.
She turned around.
The instant their eyes met, Fang Han clearly saw a faint glimmer of light flash across those cool, clear eyes.
The light came and went quickly, like a ripple on a calm lake, returning to stillness in an instant.
But her fingers holding the sword tightened almost imperceptibly, and her other hand, hanging by her side, gently pinched the corner of her sleeve.
"You've returned to your sect."
Yun Qianyue spoke, her voice still cool, but less distant than usual.
"Um."
Fang Han stopped about ten feet in front of Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue sheathed her sword and leaned it against the tree trunk beside her.
She raised her eyes, her cool gaze lingering on Fang Han's face for a moment before looking away.
Fang Han looked at Yun Qianyue and asked:
"How about we go for a stroll in town? We haven't had a chance to buy anything since autumn started."
Yun Qianyue nodded slightly, without saying much, but turned around and picked up the long sword leaning against the tree trunk, hanging it at her waist.
The two walked side by side toward the gate of the mountain.
The morning light cast their shadows on the bluestone steps, one high and one low, sometimes overlapping and sometimes separating.
The ancient trees on both sides of the mountain path have taken on a touch of autumn, with a few yellowing leaves occasionally swirling down, tracing light paths in the wind.
I went home a few days ago.
Fang Han's voice echoed softly along the mountain path.
Yun Qianyue turned her head to look at Fang Han, without saying a word, but her clear, cold eyes held a hint of inquiry.
"I mentioned you to my parents."
Yun Qianyue paused almost imperceptibly.
In just a moment, she regained her original rhythm, but Fang Han still noticed that her steps on the bluestone slabs were a bit stiffer than before.
My parents said they'd like to invite you to their home if you're free at the end of the year.
Fang Han continued, his gaze fixed on the winding mountain road ahead.
They want to see you.
Yun Qianyue fell silent.
Fang Han turned his head and saw that she was still looking straight ahead without glancing to the side, but her face, veiled in purple gauze, revealed a kind of unease that was different from usual.
Her fingers, hanging by her sides, curled up and then relaxed, then curled up again, repeating this several times.
"Good."
Yun Qianyue finally spoke, her voice still cold, but it seemed a little softer than usual.
"I'll go with you to visit your aunt and uncle at the end of the year."
Fang Han nodded and didn't say anything more.
The two continued walking down the mountain. A mountain breeze blew, stirring a few strands of hair at Yun Qianyue's temples that were not covered by the purple veil.
She walked a little slower than usual, as if she was processing the ripples from the conversation she had just had.
Azure Profound City remained bustling, with shops lining both sides of the main street and vendors calling out their wares.
New autumn goods have been hitting the market one after another. Silk shops are displaying newly arrived Shu brocade, herbal medicine shops are showing off dried chrysanthemums and goji berries, and the streets and alleys are filled with the sweet aroma of roasted chestnuts.
Once inside the city, Yun Qianyue took the lead, with Fang Han following beside her, his gaze sweeping over the shops along the street.
After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yun Qianyue stopped in front of a three-story wooden building.
With its upturned eaves and bracket sets, the two bronze lions in front of the door are polished to a shine, and the three gilded characters " Hundred Treasures Pavilion " on the plaque gleam in the morning light.
Fang Han was slightly taken aback and turned his head to look at Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue didn't look at Fang Han, but simply stepped into the pavilion.
The interior is elegantly furnished, with various precious objects displayed on rosewood shelves, and a faint Sandalwood Incense permeating the air.
A Maid came forward and, upon seeing Yun Qianyue, seemed to recognize her, bowing slightly and saying:
"Miss Yun has arrived. The steward is in the Inner Hall. Please follow me."
Fang Han followed Yun Qianyue through the hall filled with precious objects and along the Corridor to a private room deep inside.
The door to the room was ajar, and a faint aroma of tea wafted out.
The Maid gently pushed open the door and stepped aside.
Inside, Lan Yuexin stood before the tea table, her delicate hand holding a teapot, pouring boiling water into a celadon teacup.
Today she wore a light blue long dress, her black hair was styled into a flowing cloud bun, and a jade hairpin was inserted diagonally.
Hearing the door open, she looked up, her gaze first falling on Yun Qianyue, nodding slightly, then turning to Fang Han, a genuine smile appearing in her bright eyes.
" Fang Han, Sister Yun, what brings you here together today?"
Fang Han's gaze swept between Yun Qianyue and Lan Yuexin, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Lan Yuexin called Yun Qianyue "Sister Yun" in such a familiar tone, clearly indicating that this was not their first meeting.
"Does Yuexin know Qian Yue?" Fang Han asked.
Lan Yuexin put down the teapot, smiled, and her bright eyes swept over Yun Qianyue before she spoke:
"Sister Yun visited a few days ago. We had a very pleasant chat and became sworn sisters."
Sensing Fang Han's gaze, Yun Qianyue remained silent, only slightly turning her head.
She walked to the tea table and sat down in the chair opposite Lan Yuexin, her movements composed.
Fang Han sat down beside Yun Qianyue, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two of them, a strange feeling creeping into his heart.
"My senior brother Fang invited me to his home at the end of the year."
Yun Qianyue put down her teacup, her voice still cool, but more serious than usual.
"I've come today to pick out a few gifts for my uncle, aunt, and Xiao Ying."
Lan Yuexin paused slightly, then stood up, walked to Yun Qianyue's side, and naturally took Yun Qianyue's arm:
"Then we'll have to choose carefully. Don't worry, Sister Yun, although I wouldn't dare say that my pavilion has everything, it's still no problem to pick out a few presentable gifts."
She led Yun Qianyue toward the rosewood shelf displaying precious artifacts, and Fang Han got up and followed behind the two of them.
Lan Yuexin took a brocade box from the shelf, opened the lid, and inside lay a warm, lustrous white jade pendant, exquisitely carved with flowing cloud patterns.
"This jade pendant is made by a master craftsman. Wearing it close to the body can nourish one's blood and energy, making it perfect for elders."
Yun Qianyue took the brocade box, examined it carefully for a moment, and nodded slightly.
Lan Yuexin then took out a small jade bracelet. The bracelet was translucent, with faint golden threads flowing through it.
"This bracelet is for children; it's said to calm the mind and soothe the spirit. Children should like it."
The two talked in hushed tones in front of the wooden shelf, sometimes picking up an object to examine it closely, and sometimes huddling together to compare the quality of the two items.
When Lan Yuexin spoke, her eyes curved into crescents. Although Yun Qianyue remained taciturn, she would nod in agreement from time to time, and occasionally she would pick up something and ask Lan Yuexin for her opinion.
Fang Han stood a few steps away with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the two of them, feeling increasingly uneasy.
Judging from the timeline, the two must have known each other for a short time, but they have already become quite familiar with each other, as if they were old friends who had spent a considerable amount of time together.
The friendship between women is truly surprising.
After Yun Qianyue had chosen her gifts, Lan Yuexin instructed her Maid to wrap them carefully and then personally escorted the two of them to the pavilion gate.
As they parted, her bright eyes lingered on Fang Han for a moment before turning to Yun Qianyue and nodding slightly.
Fang Han and Yun Qianyue walked out of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion side by side. The autumn sun slanted down from the eaves of the houses across the street, turning the entire long street into a warm gold.
The streets remained bustling, with the peddler's cries mingling with the children's laughter.
After buying some more things in the city, the two began their return journey.
Once outside the city gate, the official road narrowed, and the trees on both sides rustled in the autumn wind. Occasionally, a few fallen leaves would swirl down, land on your shoulders, and then be swept away by the wind.
"Senior Brother Fang."
Yun Qianyue suddenly spoke.
Fang Han turned his head to look at Yun Qianyue.
Yun Qianyue didn't look at Fang Han; her gaze remained fixed on the winding mountain road ahead.
She paused for a moment before continuing:
"Miss Lan has feelings for you."
Fang Han paused slightly in his steps.
"She invited me over last time and talked to me a lot."
Yun Qianyue's voice remained cool and clear, but it carried a hint of solemnity.
"She said she could help you."
She paused, a very faint ripple flashing in her clear, cold eyes.
"She's right, her business acumen can definitely help you."
Fang Han fell silent.
He wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
"If you wish to marry Miss Lan," Yun Qianyue's voice was very soft, as if carried away by a mountain breeze, "I wouldn't mind."
Fang Han turned his head to look at Yun Qianyue, who was still staring straight ahead. Her face was obscured by the purple veil, but the fingers gripping the sword hilt tightened slightly.
" Qian Yue," Fang Han spoke, his voice a little softer than usual, "Are you really not bothered?"
Yun Qianyue remained silent for a moment before slowly saying:
"My father had several wives and concubines, and I grew up seeing how things worked out in the inner quarters of the house. In this world, this is just a common occurrence."
She paused, a barely perceptible softening in her voice:
"Moreover, Miss Lan can indeed help you. Your path in martial arts is still long, and you need someone to take care of things outside of cultivation for you."
Fang Han didn't say anything more.
He simply reached out and gently grasped Yun Qianyue's hand, which was hanging by her side.
Yun Qianyue's fingers were shockingly cold. The moment he grasped them, they trembled almost imperceptibly, but she did not pull away.
The two walked side by side on the mountain path. The autumn wind swept by, carrying the distant sound of bells and fallen leaves, which swirled around them before gradually fading into the distance.