On the Three-Life Stone, Immortal and Mortal Fates Were Sealed: Thatched Cottage, Bamboo Fence, a Wealth of Innocent Charm

That morning, as Xing Yan and his two companions chatted, the outline of Raozhou City came into view in the distance.

It was a winter morning, the air crisp and cold, the landscape bleak in the early light. Along the post road west of the city, the trees on either side had long since shed their leaves. The northwesterly wind sweeping in from the fields slipped through bare branches and blew against the travelers, pouring cold down their collars and chilling them all over. Most of the steady stream of people heading into the city hunched their shoulders and hurried along with lowered heads, hoping only to get inside sooner and find somewhere to rest and warm themselves.

Of course, cold as the northwesterly wind swirling around them was, it had no effect on Xing Yan and his companions. In the biting north wind, Xueyi looked even more at ease than usual. Carrying a coarse-cloth bundle in a pale hand as smooth as creamy jade, she followed gracefully behind Xing Yan. Qiong Rong was as restless as ever, scampering back and forth. Whenever she spotted a withered leaf still clinging to a roadside branch, she acted as though she had made some earth-shattering discovery, excitedly calling for her hall master brother and Sister Xueyi to look up with her.

Her innocent delight soothed the young man, whose emotions had been surging as he approached home, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

Before long, the three passed through Raozhou City's gate. Inside, the tall walls behind them blocked the cold wind from the countryside. The streets ahead bustled with people, and vendors called out incessantly on either side. The lively marketplace lent warmth even to this chilly winter day. Bright sunlight spilled through the battlements and fell upon them,