Since ancient times, affection never made them stay

Li Garden, the west wing!

Bang!

Young Li Ziye had come to challenge the eldest senior brother again. Five moves later, he was slapped flying and landed face-first in the dirt.

"Ptooey, ptooey! I'm done!"

Seeing Little Red Riding Hood's apologetic gaze only soured Li Ziye's mood further. He spat out the dirt in his mouth and plopped down on the stone steps.

They were both young, both human. Heaven was far too unfair.

Why did Little Red Riding Hood get to be so handsome and such a good fighter?

"You've actually improved a great deal, Brother Li," Bai Wangyu said, coming forward to comfort him.

"From three moves to five. A great deal indeed."

Li Ziye gave a hollow smile. "Old Bai, you definitely haven't been teaching me properly. Tell me, have you been holding something back?"

"You must be joking, Brother Li."

Bai Wangyu said helplessly, "Learning martial arts is a gradual process. You can't reach the summit in a single bound. I've been practicing longer than you, so it's only natural that I'm somewhat stronger. Don't be too impatient, Brother Li."

"Ah."

Li Ziye sighed, his face clouded with worry, then half reclined on the stone steps. "But in less than three years, I have to fight Huo Liner. How can I not be anxious?"

Bai Wangyu fell silent at that. After a moment, he said softly, "Huo Liner really is formidable."

"You know Huo Liner?"

Li Ziye immediately sat up. "Have you fought?"

"We haven't."

Bai Wangyu shook his head. "But I did fight Yan Xiaoyu, the Divine Son of the Divine Oracle Temple, once. If Huo Liner is on par with Yan Xiaoyu, then it really will be difficult for you to win that match in three years, Brother Li."

"You fought that Divine Son?"

Surprise appeared on Li Ziye's face. "How did it end?"

"He didn't lose, and I didn't win."

Bai Wangyu said softly, "You could call it a draw."

"Old Bai, I'm getting a little jealous of you!"

Li Ziye looked thoroughly envious. That Divine Son was acclaimed as one of the world's four great heavenly prodigies, yet Little Red Riding Hood had actually fought him to a draw. Comparing yourself to others really could anger you to death!

"Although you're weak now, Brother Li, your potential is astonishing, and you also practice the Flying Immortal Art, hailed as the finest art under heaven. One day, you'll surpass me," Bai Wangyu said earnestly.

Seeing Little Red Riding Hood's utterly earnest face only made Li Ziye want to cry even more.

Could potential fill his stomach?

Was he supposed to say that Old Qin hadn't taught him the Flying Immortal Art because she valued his potential, but because there really had been no other way, and she was treating a dead horse as though it were still alive?

After all, he cultivated just as slowly no matter what he practiced.

"I'm going to discuss life with the little courtesan queen. Talking to you is no fun."

Dealt another blow, Li Ziye snapped resentfully at Little Red Riding Hood, then rose and headed out of Li Garden.

"Brother Li."

Behind him, Bai Wangyu called out.

"What is it?"

Li Ziye turned back and asked.

"Do you need me to protect you at close quarters?"

Bai Wangyu asked earnestly.

"Scram!"

Li Ziye spat out the word in a very refined tone.

Bai Wangyu chuckled and said no more.

Li Ziye left Li Garden feeling thoroughly depressed.

It had only been a few days, and even Little Red Riding Hood had picked up bad habits!

In a small courtyard in the southeastern part of the capital, not far from the Huai River, Yu Qingxuan sat quietly beneath a maple tree in a plain, neat dress, tuning her guqin. The tree's red leaves blazed like fire, setting off the beauty's face in a sight too lovely to take in.

When Li Ziye arrived, he stood quietly outside the courtyard, gazing at the beautiful scene within, unable to bear disturbing it.

An unknown stretch of time passed before Yu Qingxuan sensed the gaze from outside the courtyard and looked up.

Then her face blossomed into a smile.

For an instant, it was as though a hundred flowers had burst into bloom, so beautiful one hardly dared look straight at her.

At that moment, Li Ziye felt as though something had struck his heart, sending a faint ripple through it.

"Young Master Li."

Yu Qingxuan rose. She had only just greeted him when she seemed to remember something, and her face flushed slightly. "Ziye, have you been here long?"

"I just got here."

Li Ziye stepped into the courtyard and smiled. "Tuning your guqin?"

"Mm."

Yu Qingxuan nodded. She was about to say more when a shrill voice rang out from outside.

"His Highness the First Prince has arrived!"

The First Prince?

Yu Qingxuan's expression shifted slightly.

Beside her, a peculiar look flashed through Li Ziye's eyes. Zhangsun Nanqiao had warned him that the First Prince knew Yu Qingxuan. It seemed that hadn't been entirely wind from an empty cave.

"Ziye, hide inside for a moment. With the First Prince here, things could be troublesome."

Recovering herself, Yu Qingxuan looked at the man beside her and spoke gravely.

Li Ziye nodded and stepped into the little house without asking any further questions.

Yu Qingxuan composed herself and went forward to welcome him.

Then, in front of the courtyard, a wheelchair creaked as an old eunuch pushed the First Prince over.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Yu Qingxuan dipped into a graceful curtsy and spoke respectfully.

"No need for ceremony."

From his wheelchair, Mu Yuan looked at the woman before him and asked, "How are the preparations I requested coming along?"

"Your Highness, everything has been prepared according to your instructions," Yu Qingxuan replied.

"Very good."

Mu Yuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the guqin and musical score on the stone table. "I hear you've grown rather close to the Li Family's legitimate son these past few days. Is that true?"

At his words, Yu Qingxuan instinctively glanced toward the house to the side. After a brief hesitation, she replied, "We're merely acquainted."

"No need to be nervous. I'm not blaming you."

Mu Yuan said calmly, "Since you know the Li Family's legitimate son, get along with him well. We have a use for this chess piece."

"Yes!"

Yu Qingxuan fell silent for a moment, then answered respectfully.

While the two spoke, the elderly eunuch Zhao Jie behind Mu Yuan looked toward the wooden house. His sinister eyes narrowed slightly, and he gently tapped the wheelchair as a reminder.

Mu Yuan noticed and also looked toward the wooden house.

Seeing this, Yu Qingxuan immediately grew nervous.

Mu Yuan glanced at the woman before him without asking anything further. "We're leaving," he said indifferently.

Zhao Jie nodded and pushed the wheelchair out of the courtyard.

"Farewell, Your Highness."

Yu Qingxuan bowed respectfully, a thin sheen of sweat forming on her beautiful face.

That was close!

Outside the courtyard, Zhao Jie helped the First Prince into the carriage and asked, "Your Highness, do you need this old servant to drag that person out?"

"No need."

Inside the carriage, Mu Yuan looked at the small courtyard beside them, the corners of his mouth curving coldly. "I can more or less guess who's in that house. I simply didn't expect his relationship with Yu Qingxuan to develop so quickly."

"Could Yu Qingxuan betray Your Highness?" Zhao Jie asked gravely.

"She wouldn't dare."

Mu Yuan said calmly, "Besides, I haven't forced her to do anything. Isn't getting closer to the Li Family's legitimate son precisely what she wants?"

"Your Highness is wise," Zhao Jie answered respectfully.

"Let's go. Back to the manor," Mu Yuan said indifferently.

"Yes!"

Zhao Jie answered, then drove the carriage away.

Back in the courtyard, once the First Prince had left, Li Ziye came out of the room.

Yu Qingxuan looked at him and parted her lips, wanting to explain, yet not knowing where to begin.

"No need to explain."

Li Ziye smiled. "Everyone has their own secrets. You never pry into my affairs either, do you?"

At his words, Yu Qingxuan relaxed a little, and a smile returned to her face. "Ziye, I've never thought of using you."

"I know."

Li Ziye nodded and smiled. "But I actually do have something I'd like your help with."

"My help?"

Yu Qingxuan asked in surprise, "What is it?"

"The Yin Clan's old patriarch will be celebrating his sixtieth birthday soon. I hear you've been invited to perform, Qingxuan. Could you take me along?" Li Ziye asked earnestly.

Yu Qingxuan froze. After a moment, she nodded. "I could, but may I ask what you're planning to do?"

Li Ziye looked around, then leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words.

Sensing the presence of the man before her, Yu Qingxuan first flushed, then cried out involuntarily upon hearing what he said. "Steal something?"

"Shh!"

Li Ziye placed his index finger against her lips. "Keep your voice down. Don't let anyone else hear."

Startled, Yu Qingxuan hurriedly covered her mouth and looked around. "Steal something from the Yin Clan? Have you gone mad?" she whispered.

"I have no choice. This thing is very important to me. I have to steal it."

Li Ziye smiled sheepishly, his face full of hope. "Qingxuan, you have to help me. Otherwise, I really won't know how to sneak into the Yin Clan."

Yu Qingxuan bit her lip. After a long while, she nodded. "All right. I'll take you in when the time comes."

"Really? Wonderful! Give me a hug."

Delight spread across Li Ziye's face, and he threw his arms around her.

Yu Qingxuan had no time to dodge, and her face instantly turned scarlet. Coming to her senses, she hurriedly broke free and scolded him with feigned anger. "Ziye, if you do that again, I really will get angry."

"It was a reflex. I didn't mean it."

Li Ziye rubbed his nose awkwardly. "All right, it's getting late. I should head home. Come visit Li Garden when you have time."

"Mm."

Yu Qingxuan nodded and agreed softly.

Li Ziye waved and prepared to leave.

"Ziye."

Behind him, Yu Qingxuan called out.

"Hmm?"

Li Ziye stopped and looked back. "Is something wrong?"

"The First Prince did me a kindness, and I agreed to do three things for him. Beyond that, there is nothing between us," Yu Qingxuan explained softly.

At her words, a brilliant smile spread across Li Ziye's face. "Got it. If you ever run into trouble, come to me anytime. In this world, money can make ghosts turn the millstone. As luck would have it, the Li Family lacks everything except silver."

"All right."

Yu Qingxuan smiled too and nodded. "If I'm short of silver, I'll be sure to come to you, you wastrel."

"Haha, it's a deal!"

Li Ziye laughed heartily, then strode away.

At that moment, Li Ziye walked very, very slowly, trying to make his departing figure look as tall and imposing as possible.

Since ancient times, deep affection... left only regret. Pah, never made them stay! Only tricks-only calculated moves won hearts!

Sure enough, inside the courtyard, Yu Qingxuan watched his retreating figure, and faint ripples stirred in her usually still-water heart.

This young master of the Li Family was so different.

In all these years, this was the first time she had met someone who truly did not care about her identity.

Whether she was a courtesan queen from a brothel or the First Prince's hidden chess piece.

To him, it all seemed the same.

Before him, she was simply Yu Qingxuan.

You treat me with a true heart, and I will repay you with mine.

Yu Qingxuan made a vow in her heart. Whatever happened in the future, she would remember everything from today, yesterday, and the day before, and would never do anything detrimental to him.

Meeting was easy; truly knowing each other was far too hard.