In the warmth of the third lunar month, dawn spilled over the riot of blossoms along both banks of the Huai River.
The Tower Ship sailed onward in the spring breeze. Coal Ball perched atop its roof, gazing at the mountains and waters she had once traveled through with A Huan.
Inside a room at the stern, several pieces of clothing lay scattered outside the bed curtains.
Xie Jinhuan lay on the pillow, his fingers interlaced with the Bespectacled Girl's. Wanyi, who had sneaked over during the night, had already lost herself in a daze of passion, but spotting daylight out of the corner of her eye brought her back to her senses. "Hurry up. Zisu's going to come knocking. I need to get back early and tidy up. Zisu and I will meet you at Westwater Harbor at noon-"
"There's no need for such a fuss. I can go back myself."
"The Eldest Princess and Qingmo are both going. How would it look if I didn't? Hurry, hurry, hurry-ah~ slow down-"
Caught off guard, Lin Wanyi hurriedly covered her mouth and endured it, stealing a glance farther inside.
Nangong Ye lay on her side with her back to them, silent and seemingly asleep. Even her back gave off an ethereal air, as though she partook of none of the mortal world's smoke and fire. Yet the faint blush lingering at the roots of her ears still betrayed the mortal warmth hidden beneath that iceberg.
Seeing that Fairy Nangong still had not emerged from the shadow of her social demise, Lin Wanyi did not feel it right to invite her into a team battle. Once their training ended, she rose quietly and ran behind the Folding Screen to wash, lest Master return and accuse her of caring only about rough