Western Lake At the venue promised, Xu Hanshan stood with a grave look on his face, wearing a dark outfit. Dongyue arrived at the lake, flanked by his companions. Upon seeing the man approach,

The next day In those days, houses or even inns would have a trap door leading undergr

After being spun in the water from some time, making several swooshing sounds, the boat stabilised and came to a standstill. Xiyu opened her eyes and looked upwards at the sleeping Dongyue, who still had his arms curled around her. Her heart warmed, and a smile spread across her pale face, partially concealed by the sheer material of her veil. Perhaps, many Muxue women would have desired this man of Han descent. But she, Muxue Xiyu, had her doubts. 

Hours before reaching Xuancang MountainsWhile her companions and Dongyue were asleep, Xiyu thought of her mother, Lady Peony’s words at the creek on the island. She was a little girl of no more than eight, then.

Xiyu realised her emotions were taking over her and remembered to keep up her pretence of the icy-cold witch. “You… healed me,” she repeated coldly. “How did you do it, Young Master Zhan?”