The dog, clearly not having forgotten the trouser leg from outside, agilely wriggled past Shen Chan in the blink of an eye.
"Woof woof—"
The dog circled excitedly around Xie Jiang's feet, then, under Shen Chan's pained gaze, continued to playfully paw at Xie Jiang's trouser leg.
"Lord Xie, Lord Xie..."
Seeing Shen Chan's almost tearful expression, Xie Jiang chuckled and said, "Haven't I asked your Highness to tie my belt for me yet?"
Shen Chan: "..."
If Lord Xie hadn't said it in that tone, he might have believed it.
Shen Chan looked at Xiao Bao as if it were a traitor. His Highness doted on it so much, yet it was so eager to sell His Highness out! Was this Lord Xie a good person!
Xie Jiang crouched down and picked up the dog. The dog immediately became still, nestling in Xie Jiang's arms like a demure young wife.
Shen Chan was speechless at the sight.
He served it food and took care of its needs all day, but it had never been this obedient to him...
Xie Jiang pressed the dog against the railing in front of her, and before the dog could react, she let go.
"You're a mature dog now, you need to learn to be self-reliant."
"Woof..."
The dog's front paws instinctively gripped the railing, and its short hind legs had to be stretched to barely reach the lower crossbar. Its plump body swayed in the cold wind, and its hind legs, barely able to stand, trembled as it slowly slid down.
"Woof woof woof woof woof..." The dog realized its precarious situation, its barks growing increasingly urgent.
Shen Chan stared, his heart leaping into his throat.
"Oh, oh, oh, little ancestor—"
Shen Chan exclaimed and rushed to catch the dog, fearing that if he were a moment slower, his little ancestor would be smashed into a meat patty.
"No, no, no, no, no, Lord Xie, this won't do at all, it will fall, the little ancestor can't hold on..."
Xie Jiang patted its paw, "I'm watching, can I let it fall?"
That was debatable.
He had heard of Lord Xie's brilliant exploits; Lord Xie had never been soft-hearted.
Xie Jiang looked at the terrified dog, expressing her confusion, "Didn't it want me to pick it up to see the view? Why is it afraid of heights?"
Shen Chan said, "My little ancestor is, after all, a dog, not a bird with wings. It's only natural for it to be afraid of heights. Has Lord Xie never owned a dog?"
Xie Jiang shook her head, "Never."
Shen Chan said, "Then it's no wonder."
But even a person, placed on such a high railing, would be scared half to death.
Including the base and the hidden levels below, the Zhaoying Tower was at least ten stories high. He felt his legs go weak just looking at it from the edge.
The dog was probably frightened. After struggling free from Shen Chan's arms, it no longer dared to approach the railing.
It ran back to Xia Rongyu and whined, like a child seeking comfort from a parent after being wronged.
Xia Rongyu said softly, "Such a timid creature?"
Xie Jiang's actions were indeed somewhat unexpected, but Xia Rongyu did not blame her, seeing that Xie Jiang had no ill intentions towards Xiao Bao.
After circling the two people playing chess, the dog couldn't help but approach Xie Jiang's feet again, though it no longer dared to pull at her trouser leg.
The setting sun, about to descend, was as red as if it were on fire.
The autumn mountains were resplendent with color, green, red, and yellow hues intermingling, like exquisite painted scrolls.
Xie Jiang stood at the height, taking in every colorful, poetic, and picturesque scene.
Xie Jiang narrowed her eyes, immersed in the rich and vibrant colors, and the gloom weighing on her chest unconsciously dissipated.
Xie Jiang leisurely completed her circuit, feeling considerably lighter. However, the wind in the mountains was strong, blowing her eyes shut, and a chill gradually seeped into her bones.
Xie Jiang lost interest in watching the sunset any further. She came in from outside, bid farewell to Xia Rongyu, and prepared to return to Nan Zhao Temple.
Xia Rongyu glanced westward. The rosy clouds were slowly spreading across the sky. "Since Lord Xie has ascended the Zhaoying Tower, why not wait a moment longer to enjoy the sunset and the misty clouds?"
Xie Jiang said, "It's a bit cold, perhaps next time."
She then let out a loud sneeze.
Seeing her rub her nose, Xia Rongyu felt that she bore some resemblance to Xiao Bao and gestured for Shen Chan to give his cloak to Xie Jiang.
Xie Jiang looked at the cloak Shen Chan offered and felt there was no need to be stubborn with her own body.
"Your Highness's kind offer, I shall not refuse."
Smiling, she thanked Xia Rongyu and then unfurled the cloak over herself.
Xia Rongyu was a head taller than Xie Jiang. His cloak draped over Xie Jiang, leaving a long section trailing on the ground. Xie Jiang had to lift it with her hand to walk.
As she neared the staircase, Xie Jiang caught sight of Xia Rongyu's gleaming bald head opposite her and a mischievous thought struck her.
She turned back and walked towards the two of them. "Is Master alright? You seemed startled just now. Am I that frightening?"
As she spoke, she touched her face. "My nose is my nose, my eyes are my eyes, and I don't look ferocious, do I?"
Pu Xuan lowered his head. Xie Jiang bent down and peered at Pu Xuan's face, as if trying to see through everything.
Pu Xuan cupped his hand in a prayer gesture, bowed slightly, and nodded. "The wind on the tower is strong, and I was momentarily blinded; it was my fault."
Xie Jiang stood before Pu Xuan, with a rather persistent air, "You weren't blinded earlier or later, but you were blinded the moment I appeared. Does Master have an opinion of me?"
Pu Xuan lowered his gaze, his expression unchanged. "It was merely a coincidence."
Xie Jiang: "Really?"
Pu Xuan remained calm and composed. "A person of faith does not lie."
Although his eyes still showed some abnormality, he did not want Xie Jiang to see it and cause further trouble. However, if Xie Jiang insisted, it would not be difficult to conceal this abnormality.
Xie Jiang nodded with a half-smile, "It's good that you weren't frightened by me, otherwise, wouldn't I be deeply sinful?"
Turning to smile at Xia Rongyu, Xie Jiang then took her cloak and departed.
The dog rushed down the stairs, grabbed Xie Jiang's hem, and pulled upwards.
Shen Chan, who had followed, was at a loss for words. Xie Hou was finally leaving; what was the little ancestor doing?
To Shen Chan's relief, it didn't pull at her trouser leg this time. Shen Chan feared that if Xie Hou's belt came undone, His Highness would have to be responsible for Xie Hou's belt.
Xie Jiang pulled her hem free from the dog's mouth, but after a few steps, it was caught again by the dog that had chased after her.
Xie Jiang had to stop and looked down at the anxious dog, smiling, "Do you want me to go up? Does your father know of your filial piety?"
"Xiao Bao—"
Xia Rongyu knew and immediately called out to it.
The dog barked back towards the upper level a few times, though its meaning was unclear. In any case, it refused to let go of Xie Jiang's hem.
Shen Chan awkwardly explained, "Xiao Bao and Lord Xie are quite compatible; it probably doesn't want Lord Xie to leave."
Despite Shen Chan's persuasive words, the dog kicked him away when he tried to pick it up.
Xia Rongyu was also very surprised and puzzled. Xiao Bao and Lord Xie were not at all familiar; including today, they had only met three times. Why was Xiao Bao so attached to Lord Xie?
Pu Xuan also turned to look towards the staircase at this moment.
Xie Jiang had already reached the floor below. From their seating position, they couldn't see much of what was happening below, but they could clearly hear the commotion.
Seeing Pu Xuan deep in thought, Xia Rongyu felt a surge of curiosity.
Pu Xuan turned back to look at him and said slowly, "All things have a spirit."