At dawn, just as the sky began to brighten, inside a room in the rear courtyard of Bedrock Court.
Miao Yue'er sat propped against the headboard. Much of the color had returned to her face, though a trace of weakness from her grave injuries still lingered between her brows.
Yue Qingshan sat in a pearwood chair nearby, resting with his eyes closed and occasionally opening them to glance toward the bed.
Zhou Muyun sat at the bedside, holding a bowl of medicine and patiently feeding Miao Yue'er one spoonful at a time.
Miao Yue'er had already heard from the others everything that had happened last night.
Zhou Muyun had faced Nian Huan head-on and defeated her, saving Miao Yue'er's life. Saving everyone!
She saw the layers of bandages peeking out from beneath Zhou Muyun's clothes, and her heart ached with guilt.
She had insisted on going to the Heaven's Chosen Banquet. Not only had she failed to find any clues about her mother, but she had nearly gotten both Zhou Muyun and herself killed there.
"Little Blind One... It was all my fault. If I hadn't—"
"It's all right."
Zhou Muyun shook his head, cutting her off. He looked into Miao Yue'er's eyes and said earnestly, "It's over now. At least we're both alive, aren't we?"
Miao Yue'er stared at him, her eyes reddening. She gave a soft "Mm."
She did not call him Little Blind One again. Instead, she said gently:
"A-Yun, you're so good to me!"
"Ahem! Ahem!"
A deliberately loud cough rang out.
"How many times have I told you? You can whisper sweet nothings all you like, but not in front of this old man! I'm too old to stomach it!"
Yue Qingshan opened his eyes and waved a hand irritably, thoroughly breaking the tender mood