Shrouding the Heavens: When the Empress Was the Strictest Master, Chapter 123

As if he had keenly sensed some indescribably subtle change,

Chi Yushan tactfully and quietly stepped back a few paces, leaving the space atop the cliff entirely to this pair of "aunt and nephew."

He stood far off to one side, his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, as though he had lost all interest in everything around him. In truth, his divine sense had long covered every corner of the clan grounds, preventing any prying eyes.

At last, Tan Lin slowly rose to his feet.

As he moved, the wounds on his body tore open slightly, sending a wave of pain through him. Fresh blood seeped out beneath the silkworm robe, glaring beneath the moonlight.

Yet he paid it no mind. He merely raised a hand and casually wiped away a dried streak of blood from his cheek, as naturally as if he were brushing off a speck of dust.

At that moment, he looked at that peerless immortal figure, at those autumn-water eyes fixed tightly upon him, seemingly containing a thousand unspoken words.

The next instant, the corners of his lips slowly curved into an extremely faint smile.

That smile was light, lacking the pure delight of youth.

Nor did it carry any deliberate intimacy. Instead, it bore the understanding of one who had weathered the vicissitudes of life, carrying an indescribable meaning.

Then he spoke two words, his voice seemingly carrying a hint of teasing amusement:

"Auntie?"

Boom...

The moment those two words were spoken.

Upon hearing them, Tianling's exquisite body beneath her plain skirt trembled violently, though almost imperceptibly.

It was not merely because of that form of address.

It was because of the tone in which he had called her, and the faint smile hidden beneath those calm, profound eyes, as though