Yun Zhen sat down as instructed. He was dressed in a blue gown, appearing gentle and refined, with a pleasing smile and a hint of a flowing stream in his eyes, clear and bright.
Yun Xiao observed him subtly, wondering what he was thinking. She tried to discern something from his eyes, but they were always as gentle as jade.
"Brother, why haven't you returned to Fengya Pass yet? It's been a month. If you don't go back soon, I fear someone will notice something is amiss."
He held a position in Fengya Pass, and his disappearance for over a month would surely raise questions among the soldiers.
Fengya Pass was teeming with Shangguan Yao's cronies. If this news reached the capital, it could stir up trouble without reason. Now that she knew the Emperor was a fake, he was capable of anything.
"Xiao'er, do you really want me to go back?"
Yun Zhen spoke softly, his voice exceedingly gentle.
Yun Xiao faltered, then looked up. She saw a bright sparkle in his eyes, a soft gleam that seemed to be yearning for something, gazing at her intently.
Yun Xiao's heart skipped a beat. Finally, belatedly, she began to suspect something. Could Yun Zhen...?
The moment the thought occurred, she immediately dismissed it. How could he possibly have such thoughts? She was thinking too indecently.
Such an elegant Yun Zhen, such a gentle Yun Zhen, would simply be worried about her, dislike Murong Chong. How could he have such feelings for his own sister?
This was absolutely not permissible. Even if her soul was not Xiao'er's, her body, her blood, were Xiao'er's, sharing the same lineage as Yun Zhen.
"Yes, Brother, I wish for you to go back."
"Alright, then you accompany me back. Don't stay here. Isn't it good for us to be together as a family?"
Yun Zhen suddenly, without any warning, reached out and tightly gripped Yun Xiao's hand. The heat from his fingers was scorching, and his gaze was profound as he spoke with agitation.
Yun Xiao was startled and quickly pulled her hand away from Yun Zhen's grasp, frowning and looking at him coldly.
Yun Zhen seemed truly different now. Had his heart been ensnared by a demon?
She was his own sister! How could he even think such things? Yun Xiao abruptly stood up, breaking out in a cold sweat, her clear pupils shining. She spoke each word deliberately.
"Brother, I am your sister. I will not go to Fengya Pass."
If he harbored even the slightest inappropriate thought, she hoped he would cut it off early. Otherwise, it would only harm both of them, and their father, who was far away.
He could never have imagined that his son would harbor such sordid thoughts. If he knew, he would be utterly disappointed.
"Xiao'er."
Yun Xiao gave him no further opportunity to speak. She had always pondered why Yun Zhen had returned to the capital from afar and lingered there.
It turned out that it was all because of the demon in his heart. If she were to show him any more kindness, she feared it would only push him deeper. Therefore, from this moment on, she and he needed to maintain a certain distance.
"Be mindful of yourself. I have said all I can."
After speaking, Yun Xiao flicked her hand, pulled the door open, and left. Outside the door, Wanwan saw her mistress emerge and quickly followed her downstairs. Noticing her mistress's troubled expression, she dared not say anything more.
In the private room of the teahouse, Yun Zhen buried his face in his palms, motionless. His entire body trembled violently, a mix of shame and despair.
He had wanted to hide it from Xiao'er, but she was so clever, and she had sensed it. He only wanted to stay by her side, but now even that small hope was gone.
Yun Zhen loathed himself for having these shameful thoughts. Overwhelmed by sorrow and anger, he couldn't help but tug at his dark hair, letting out low whimpers like a desperate little beast, venting the gloom in his heart.
Yun Xiao was also in a bad mood. She didn't speak a word all the way back to the medical hall.
She had never dreamed that Yun Zhen would harbor such feelings for her. She had always regarded him as her brother, a brother she particularly liked. But now, all of that had changed.
Inside the carriage, Wanwan saw her mistress's expression grow grim and hard to fathom. She had been fine earlier, but after meeting Young Master Yun, why had she become like this? Had Young Master Yun angered her mistress? she asked with concern.
"Mistress, is it because Young Master Yun...?"
Yun Xiao's face darkened, and she said coldly, "Don't mention him."
"Yes."
It seemed her mistress was truly angered. Wanwan sighed inwardly. Young Master Yun was truly something, knowing his mistress's personality so well, yet still provoking her. Wouldn't it have been better to return earlier? It would have spared his mistress worry. And what about the prince at the border? What if something happened to him?
Upon returning to the medical hall, they found someone waiting for them.
It was Ye Wu Yun and Qiao Fan. As soon as Qiao Fan saw Yun Xiao, she respectfully called out, "Young Master Leng."
Yun Xiao nodded, calming her emotions. She couldn't burden others with her bad mood. Moreover, Ye Wu Yun's arrival was surely for treatment. Why should she make things difficult for them? She led them to the back building. The front of the building was noisy.
As soon as they entered the back building, Ye Wu Yun asked with concern,
"What's wrong? Your face is very pale. Are you feeling unwell? Perhaps we should come another day."
Yun Xiao looked up and saw that Ye Wu Yun had returned to his usual cool demeanor, as if what he had just said hadn't come from him.
Qiao Fan walked over quickly, anxiously asking, "Young Master Leng, are you alright?"
Wanwan knew Yun Xiao didn't want to talk about what had just happened, so she quickly came forward to greet them, "Young Master Ye, please sit down. Mistress is fine."
Ye Wu Yun adjusted his robes and sat down with elegant bearing, looking up at Yun Xiao. Yun Xiao sat in the head seat, and Wanwan served tea.
After the recent emotional turmoil, her complexion had improved. Although still a little pale, it wasn't as severe as before. Her bright pupils looked at Ye Wu Yun.
In just a few days, Ye Wu Yun's complexion seemed even paler than before, and he had lost a considerable amount of weight.
Despite his thinness, it didn't detract from his charm. He was still graceful and elegant, not only in appearance but also in his refined and aloof demeanor, like ethereal clouds in the sky, pure and distant, beyond reach.
"Has your cold poison flared up again?"
Yun Xiao asked softly. Ye Wu Yun nodded slightly. "Last night, it flared up more severely than usual, which is why I came today."
"Hmm, it seems your cold poison is quite serious."
Yun Xiao took a sip of tea. Since she had promised to treat him, she would not go back on her word. She looked up at Wanwan and said, "Bring my medicine box."
"Yes, Mistress."
Wanwan brought the medicine box over. Yun Xiao gestured for Ye Wu Yun to come closer. "This cold poison won't be cured in a day or two, but it's not life-threatening."
As Yun Xiao spoke, she reached out and pricked Ye Wu Yun's finger with a silver needle, drawing some blood. She pointed with a faint expression.
"Look, the blood is bluish-black, unlike the red of ordinary people. Therefore, we need to draw blood while simultaneously replenishing it with medicine. Additionally, acupuncture will be used to prevent the remaining toxins from invading new blood. Given time, you will be fully healed."
Ye Wu Yun stared at the blood on his finger. It was indeed bluish-black, different from ordinary people's. His clear, icy gaze was so profound that the bottom was invisible.