At the Zhongnan Mountain retreat, deep within the secluded bamboo grove.
Lu Changfeng swept over the courtyard wall like a wisp of smoke, then stopped in his tracks.
Beside the bluestone well, a woman in a plain white dress stood with her back to him, her bare feet resting on the slightly damp moss. Morning sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, tracing a hazy halo around her.
Her black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. With her head tilted slightly upward and her eyes closed, she seemed to be listening intently to something, a faint smile hovering at the corners of her lips.
Mountain mist curled gently around her, and birdsong rang clear. At that moment, she seemed less a woman of the mortal world than a sprite who had chanced to descend into the mountains, ethereal and untouched by the smoke and bustle of human life.
This was not Lu Changfeng's first time seeing Luo Qingge, yet every time, he was still moved by that unique aura of hers, a blend of peerless beauty and spiritual grace.
He had seen Princess Taiping's regal splendor and Shangguan Wan'er's cultivated poise, but Luo Qingge's beauty was a clear spring in the mountains, a bright moon among the trees, pure and brimming with life. Especially after receiving a certain fortuitous blessing, she had gained an even more mysterious, crystalline clarity.
He walked slowly toward her and asked softly, "Qingge, what are you listening to?"
At his voice, Luo Qingge slowly opened her eyes and turned her head.
Those exquisitely beautiful eyes were clear to their depths, yet now brimmed with mischievous amusement. She winked at him. "I'm listening to them say nasty things about you."
"..."
Lu Changfeng's heart gave a little jolt, but he kept his expression composed and