Gu Moran wiped the mud off his sleeves and turned to walk towards the study.
Murong Xue took two steps after her.
Gu Moran.
He stopped under the eaves.
The night breeze carried the dampness of well water, and felt pleasantly cool.
"Does the princess want another bucket?"
Murong Xue stared at him.
"That five-cash doctor, is he very skilled?"
Gu Moran with his cuffs.
Chu Tianxing.
In the original book, he was a divine physician who saved all the nobles in the capital with his Thirteen Ghost Gate Needles, and in the end, he even left the villain half-paralyzed.
Now I only have seven coins left in my pocket, and I'm still being bossed around at the charity hall.
Moving medicine.
Wash the can.
Copying from the medical records.
"Sharp."
Murong Xue's hand landed beside the hilt of the knife.
"You know how to use poison?"
"It can cure diseases."
"Can treating illness also kill?"
"Able."
Murong Xue looked at the damp mud on his palm that he hadn't wiped clean.
"Then I'll go with you to meet him tomorrow."
Gu Moran stopped in her tracks.
Should I take Murong Xue to see Chu Tianxing?
A princess from the Northern Territory.
A divinely ordained healer.
If Heavenly Dao were to arrange a life-saving act on the spot, the countdown to one's lifespan in one's mind would immediately jump up.
"Not tomorrow."
Murong Xue narrowed her eyes.
"Are you afraid I'll chop him up?"
"I'm afraid he'll see you."
"What's wrong with me?"
Gu Moran turned around, and the corridor lamp cast his shadow on the ground.
My wife doesn't let others see her.
He paused for a moment, then added another sentence.
"The princess is so popular that a doctor who charges five coins might charge five taels for a single visit."
Murong Xue realized he was lying and tapped the scabbard with her fingertips.
"Men from the Central Plains speak in a roundabout way; nine out of ten sentences they utter are convoluted."
The remaining sentence praises the princess's beauty.
"Glib tongue."
Murong Xue raised her hand and grabbed his collar, her fingertips pressing against his chest through the fabric, as if to confirm how many of the words he was saying were true.
Gu Moran looked down at her hand, but didn't move.
Her fingertips were warm, the night breeze under the eaves was cool, and the smell of hay and leather wafted over from the distant stables.
He raised his hand halfway up the air, then paused for a moment.
"Princess, grabbing someone's collar is no small matter in the Central Plains."
Murong Xue stared at him.
"It doesn't count in the Northern Territory either."
"Then why are you still arresting them?"
"Because I want to catch it."
Gu Moran looked at her, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"The princess rarely argues."
Murong Xue pulled him forward half a step.
Are you afraid of me?
"I'm afraid the Eternal Heaven will be too idle tonight."
Murong Xue's eyes darkened slightly.
"You're interrupting us again with the topic of the Eternal Heaven."
Gu Moran his head and smelled the scent of herbs in her hair.
This flavor isn't delicate.
Yet it's more memorable than any other incense.
"Then I won't interrupt."
Murong Xue loosened her grip on his clothes and turned to walk towards the Azure Wolf Courtyard.
She took three steps and then stopped.
"Keep up."
Gu Moran only hesitated for a moment before following after him.
"Princess, let me make this clear first: you are not allowed to draw your sword tonight."
Murong Xue did not turn around.
"It depends on your performance."
"That's too difficult to please."
"Now you regret it? Go back to your study."
Gu Moran walked to her side.
"The study is too cold."
Murong Xue looked at him.
" The Azure Wolf Courtyard is cold too."
"It's not cold as long as you're here."
She stopped in her tracks.
The corridor light fell on her profile, highlighting the straight lines of her nose, her pursed lips, and the flush behind her ears.
"If you say that again, I'll have Gray Wind kick you."
Gu Moran laughed out loud.
Murong Xue turned around and continued walking, her pace quickening slightly.
The gate to the Azure Wolf Courtyard was open.
Murong Xue pushed open the door.
Gu Moran stood at the door, not going in immediately.
A lamp was lit inside the room.
The wick was cut short, and the light fell on the animal skin rug, illuminating the Northern Territory patterns.
On the wall hung a scimitar, a riding whip, a short bow, and a string of copper bells.
A water bag sat by the window.
It was the same one we drank with.
Murong Xue turned to look at him.
What are you doing standing at the door?
Gu Moran glanced at the threshold.
"I'm wondering if Lin Qingdai will be waiting for me with a stick tomorrow after I go through this door."
Murong Xue walked to the table, picked up the water pouch, and tossed it to him.
Are you afraid of her?
Gu Moran caught the water pouch; the pouch still smelled of milk wine.
"I'm not afraid, I'm just worried about not treating everyone equally."
"Then why did you come?"
Gu Moran stepped through the door.
The door closed behind him.
The wind inside the room subsided, and the scents of grass, wood, and lamp oil became more distinct.
"Because you called me."
Murong Xue looked at him and tapped her fingers twice on the edge of the table.
Gu Moran a step closer, stopping just out of her reach.
He reached out and slowly pushed the scabbard at Murong Xue's waist half an inch to the side, leaving her enough room to change her mind.
Murong Xue did not stop her.
Gu Moran's fingertips touched the wolf pattern on the scabbard, the cool metal against his skin.
"Put the knife down first."
Murong Xue looked at his hand.
"Afraid of it?"
"I'm afraid it will hurt you."
Her breath hitched.
Gu Moran.
"Um."
Are you trying to comfort me?
I care about you.
You're always so glib.
"But it's always for real."
Murong Xue took off the knife and placed it on the table.
The scabbard struck the wooden surface with a soft sound.
Gu Moran watched as the knife moved away from her waist, and the taut line on her chest loosened slightly.
The next moment, Murong Xue raised her hand and loosened his belt.
Gu Moran looked into her eyes.
"Princess, don't regret it tomorrow morning."
Murong Xue stared at him for a long time.
Outside, horses' hooves lightly kicked the wooden planks; inside, the lamp wicks crackled softly.
She grabbed Gu Moran's hand and pressed it against her chest.
Even through the fabric, I could clearly hear his heartbeat.
"Did you feel it?"
Gu Moran tucked his fingertips in.
"Hmm, very capable."
Murong Xue took half a step forward, the tip of her boot touching his shoe.
I know you have another wife.
Gu Moran's throat tightened.
"Um."
"I know they'll find out tomorrow."
"Um."
"But we drank from the same cup, you rode with me under the moonlight, you entered my stable, and saw my father's whip."
She paused, a fierce, defiant heat burning in her eyes.
"In the Northern Territory, these things all count."
Gu Moran raised his other hand and placed it on her shoulder.
"How does the princess intend to calculate this?"
Murong Xue placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Tonight it is."
Gu Moran slightly tightened his fingertips, touching her shoulder bone through the fabric.
She has practiced horseback riding and swordsmanship for many years, resulting in strong shoulder and back lines, but they are not stiff when you get close to her.
" Murong Xue."
What did you call me?
" Xue'er?"
Her brow twitched.
"Who gave you permission to call me that?"
"If you don't like it, I'll get another one."
"Change to what?"
"Lady."
She looked at him, her lips moved, but she didn't utter a word of abuse.
Gu Moran lowered his head and moved closer, his breath brushing against the stray hairs on her forehead.
Murong Xue raised her hand and put it around the back of his neck.
If you say another word, I'll bite you.