Chapter 33 Sable Clouds and Mist

inging and playing the zither. I've also asked SuSu about this; she doesn't know what the Crown Prince means by doing so!" Hua Sheng said."Has SuSu mentioned anything different about Nan Lingrui's fan...Chapter 33 Sable Clouds and Dawn

When Yun Qianyue heard Ling Lian's voice, she was startled. Her body suddenly sat up from its position, and she turned her head to look out the window.

Rong Jing walked in slowly into Qianyue Hall, wearing the robe that she had sewn for him on that day. The silk robe shimmered with a faint luster; his black hair contrasted elegantly against it in the cold winter weather, painting a picture of grace and poise like an ink wash painting. Even the plum blossom tree in the southwest corner of Qianyue Hall seemed to bloom brilliantly because of him.

Yun Qianyue heard her heart thumping twice and reached up to cover her chest, silently cursing this tormentor.

"Young Lord Jing… Why are you here" Ling Lian looked at Rong Jing in surprise, feeling that she had never expected him to appear today. According to how he had ignored her for the past three days, it would be hard to make amends without Miss taking the initiative to do so; yet, unexpectedly, he actually came.

Rong Jing paused, looked at Ling Lian, and slightly raised his eyebrows. "Shouldn't I come"

Ling Lian had originally felt discontented with Rong Jing for not coming in the past three days, but now that she saw him standing before her, she couldn’t find it within herself to speak up about it. She only said hesitantly, "Miss just woke up…"

"I know!" Rong Jing nodded slightly.

Ling Lian looked at Rong Jing as he stood there quietly without a particular expression on his face. It made her dare not act rashly against him even from the depths of her heart. She lowered her head and retreated a step, making way for him.

Rong Jing’s lips seemed to twitch slightly before he took a step towards the door.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes as she watched this scene unfold from inside the room. Soon after, she pulled down the curtain and lay straight back on the bed, pulling up the quilt over herself and turning away with closed eyes, completing each action seamlessly.

Rong Jing walked to the door like he was entering his own home, gently pushing it open. He glanced inside casually before walking slowly towards the bed; the door closed behind him as he entered.

The moment he stepped into the room, the atmosphere changed instantly. The incense in the room added a scent reminiscent of snow and lotus flowers.

Walking slowly to the bedside, Rong Jing stopped and gazed calmly at the person lying with his back turned inside the curtain. The silk quilt covered only halfway down her waist, revealing her slender shoulders; her black hair was scattered loosely, making her appear petite. He squinted slightly but remained silent, observing quietly.

Yun Qianyue held in her breath and pretended to be fast asleep, ignoring the person standing by the bed behind her and his unchanging gaze.

After a long time, Rong Jing still didn’t move, his eyes fixed.

Frowning, Yun Qianyue tried not to let any signs of being awake slip out. Her defenses began to crumble under his scrutiny, but she silently reminded herself that she couldn't be so pitiful; after rushing back without sleep and fainting at the front gate of Rong Jing’s residence, she wanted nothing more than to see him as soon as possible. Yet he had ignored her for three days, now standing motionlessly behind her like a wooden post—what kind of situation was this

The air in the room seemed to have frozen; Qianyue Hall was exceptionally quiet both inside and out.

Yun Qianyue’s initial frustration had turned into anger, which then evolved into resentment over time. With her eyes closed and lips tightly pursed, her previously steady breathing began to feel stifled.

Rong Jing remained motionless by the bed, his shallow breaths barely noticeable, and his gaze still calm.

Yun Qianyue suddenly wanted to turn around and vent her frustrations on him but restrained herself. She couldn't lose this round; he definitely knew she was awake, and if she lost now, it would be a loss for all future encounters as well.

A long time passed without any movement from Rong Jing.

Yun Qianyue was so frustrated that she wanted to give up. She had lived two lifetimes; why should she still hold a grudge He was barely twenty, no matter how mature he acted; he was only eighteen years old. Although she was three years younger than him now, it didn’t matter how many more years she actually had. If the situation were reversed and he lay unconscious before her in the capital, she would probably be even angrier. With these thoughts, ignoring her for three days seemed reasonable. She sighed inwardly and prepared to turn around.

Just then, Rong Jing suddenly turned and walked toward the door.

<

"Prince Jing, are you...are you leaving" Ling Lian's voice came from outside.

Rong Jing made a low "hm" sound in response.

"Then miss..." Ling Lian had been standing guard at the door all along. Through the crack of the door, she saw Rong Jing enter and stand by the bed without making any further movements, which now left her feeling rather alarmed when he suddenly walked out without a word.

Rong Jing's footsteps seemed to pause for a moment. He then said in a soft tone, "She doesn't want to see me."

Ling Lian fell silent.

Cloud Qianyue, who had been lying on the bed, suddenly sat up straight and grew angry! What did it mean for her not wanting to see him She pushed aside the blankets and got out of bed. Without bothering to put on her shoes, she walked towards the door, but stopped in her tracks when she reached it and stared intently at the closed door.

Rong Jing didn't linger any longer. He left Qianyue Pavilion slowly.

Cloud Qianyue suppressed her anger, yet waves of it continued to surge up from within until they hit the back of her throat. She could imagine what her expression must look like at this moment—certainly a face covered in cold fury, with a pallor as ghostlike as ever.

Ling Lian was worried about Cloud Qianyue and opened the door from outside when she saw her standing by the entrance. She jumped back in surprise: "Miss" She had never seen Miss look like this before.

Cloud Qianyue glanced at Ling Lian; Rong Jing's figure had long disappeared from outside, so she suppressed her anger but could not hide her terrible countenance. Shaking her head, she said, "I'm fine."

Ling Lian was concerned: "Prince Jing must care for you if he came here; otherwise..."

"He cares nothing about me!" Cloud Qianyue turned around and walked back to the bed. She waved her hand at Ling Lian and said, "I'm fine—don't worry about me. You've been by my side for three nights now, and you must be tired. Go rest."

Ling Lian nodded and closed the door before stepping out.

Cloud Qianyue walked to the bed where Rong Jing had stood earlier; she could still smell his lingering presence. She turned around and walked over to the window, opening it. The cool wind blew in, dispersing the warmth in the room along with the scent that reminded her of snow and lotus flowers. Shortly after, she didn't bother closing the window again but returned to the bed and lay down with her eyes closed.

Not long afterward, footsteps were heard entering Qianyue Pavilion.

"Prince Feng, you're here" Ling Lian greeted him with a relieved tone. "Miss has woken up."

"I thought she should have woken up today; otherwise, it would be frightening if she continued sleeping," Prince Feng said with a smile as he slowly entered.

Ling Lian quickly opened the door and pulled aside the curtain to let Prince Feng in.

Prince Feng thanked her briefly before stepping into the room through the opening. He saw Cloud Qianyue lying on the bed with her eyes closed, while a window was open, creating a chill inside the room. He hurried over and shut the window.

Ling Lian closed the door behind Prince Feng, thinking that Miss's mood would likely improve now that he had arrived.

Indeed, as soon as she closed the door, Cloud Qianyue spoke up: "You didn't go to court today Why are you here at this hour"

"Since you've been ill for several days, I asked the Regent Wang for leave so that I could come daily and take your pulse," Rong Jing said as he walked over to the bed and carefully observed her. He frowned slightly and inquired, "Why do you look so pale"

"Angry!" Cloud Qianyue spat out two words.

Rong Feng's eyes flashed momentarily; he asked with a smile, "Has Prince Jing been here already"

"He'd be better off not coming at all!" Cloud Qianyue was seething but still couldn't suppress her anger.

"The Crown Prince Jing has been suffering from a cold recently, but there are many matters in the court that need his attention. He can't rest and isn't in good health." Rong Feng sat on the edge of the bed, smiling at Yun Qianyue, "I haven't seen him looking well since you fell ill these days. Especially three days ago, he looked extremely bad, just like how you look now."

Yun Qianyue frowned and waved her hand, "I don’t want to talk about him."

Rong Feng smiled and reached out to take Yun Qianyue’s pulse. After a moment, he lowered his hand and said, "Your pulse is still too weak. You need to rest properly for a few days. Did you drink the medicine today"

Yun Qianyue shook her head, "No!"

"Miss Linglian, where’s your master's medicine Didn’t forget it, did you" Rong Feng asked outside.

"Reporting to Crown Prince Feng, I haven't forgotten. Yi Xue is brewing the medicine in the kitchen and it should be done soon!" replied Ling Lian hastily.

Rong Feng withdrew his gaze and looked at Yun Qianyue’s hand, pulling open a piece of silk cloth on her wrist to inspect the wound. He said warmly, "The scar has fallen off already, but you still need some time for another layer of scar tissue to fall off before it recovers."

Yun Qianyue only then remembered her hand and looked down at it. She saw that there was no more scar left, just a deep pink mark that could clearly be seen as the bite mark. She nodded.

Rong Feng took out a jade bottle, poured white liquid medicine into his palm, and applied it gently to her arm.

Yun Qianyue watched Rong Feng's movements which were meticulous and gentle as if he was treating a large wound. She thought that since Rong Feng had seen her hand, he probably guessed about her identity given the rumors about her and Gu Shaoqing. But it didn't matter as long as he was Rong Feng; even if others knew, what difference would it make Some people weren’t afraid of being known like Rong Feng, while others wouldn’t be affected even if they knew since they couldn’t get a handle on her anyway, such as Ye Tianyi. The anger and frustration that Yun Qianyue had accumulated towards Rong Jing dissipated from her heart. She smiled and said, "Rong Feng, I’ve been ill these few days; have you worked hard"

Rong Feng raised his head with a smile, shook his head, and said, "I haven’t worked as hard as Crown Prince Jing!"

"Can we not talk about him He doesn't come here anyway. What’s the point of saying he’s working hard" Yun Qianyue glared.

"The library in the Yong王府 stays lit all night long; how can you say he isn’t working hard" Rong Feng smiled warmly at her, "Yue Er, you and Crown Prince Jing..."

"He’s working for the court. Rong Feng, if you keep talking about him, just leave," Yun Qianyue frowned.

"Alright, I won't talk anymore!" Rong Feng stopped speaking, touched her head with his hand and said worriedly, "You’ve lost so much weight; it’s not easy to regain what you’ve lost. You’re really making people worry."

Yun Qianyue reached out to touch her face, noticing that her chin was sharper than before. She sighed, "I’ll try my best to gain back the weight!"

Rong Feng smiled and agreed, "Yes, you should work hard to regain your weight."

The bedroom door opened; Yi Xue walked in with a bowl of medicine. She looked at Rong Feng and said to Yun Qianyue, "Miss, it’s time for the medicine!"

"I’ll feed her," Rong Feng reached out his hand to take the bowl.

Yi Xue handed over the medicine and retreated.

Rong Feng stirred the medicinal soup with a spoon; before Yun Qianyue drank it, she could already taste its bitterness. She frowned. After a moment, Rong Feng passed her the medicine bowl, saying, "Drink it all in one go. Your mouth is bitter anyway, so you won’t feel how bitter this medicine is."

Yun Qianyue took the medicinal soup, tipped her head back, and gulped it down. As Rong Feng had said, she already found her mouth bitter; now she didn't even notice the bitterness of this medicine. She handed an empty bowl to him, who then gave her a cup of water. She rinsed her mouth before passing the cup back to him and asked, "Rong Feng, since you’ve taken leave, do you have nothing pressing"

"Yes, there are some things I don’t need to do," replied Rong Feng.

"Then please stay a bit longer. Let’s talk for a while; we haven't chatted in such a long time," said Yun Qianyue.

Rong Feng nodded, "Alright!"

"Has Old Man Snow returned to Heaven Snow Mountain I wonder how Little Black is doing," Yun Qianyue looked out the window.

"Master hasn't come back from the East Sea yet, and I don't know how Little Black is faring," Rong Feng's tone was tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "Little Black has always been by my side. Since I've arrived in Heavenly Saint, I haven't returned to Heaven Snow Mountain for half a year now, so I have no idea what it’s like there. Fortunately, it can catch its own food and shouldn’t starve,"

"Why don’t you bring it here You won’t be returning anyway. That old man at the snow mountain looks to be in better spirits these days; he probably doesn't stick around Snow Sect anymore. Leaving Little Black there by itself is a bit sad, isn't it" Yun Qianyue suggested.

Rong Feng shook his head. "That’s not possible. It's free and easy living up the mountain. If I bring it here, it will be confined to the mansion, losing its freedom. And if it runs out of the estate, people on the streets would panic and cause trouble." Rong Feng shook his head.

Yun Qianyue sighed. "That’s true!"

Rong Feng smiled, noticing Yun Qianyue didn't seem to have any energy left but was not sleepy either. He understood her mood and changed the topic to amusing stories about Little Black over the years. Yun Qianyue grinned as she listened, and they chatted idly for a while. Even though it had been some time since they last talked, their rapport remained intact, reminiscent of when Yun Qianyue used to visit Rong Feng at Heaven Snow Mountain and would never run out of things to talk about during her stay.

At noon, Rong Feng had lunch in the Pavilion of Shallow Moon.

In the afternoon, Rong Feng played two games of chess with Yun Qianyue. When the sun started setting, he left the Pavilion of Shallow Moon seeing that Yun Qianyue was tired.

Yun Qianyue watched as Rong Feng departed and the sun gradually set behind the mountains. The cold wind outside grew chilly while the fire in her room burned brightly. When the person who had left did not return, she pulled down the curtain with a wave of her hand and closed her eyes to sleep.

The Cloud King returned that evening along with Yu Qingqing. Seeing Yun Qianyue asleep, they only briefly inquired about her condition from Ling Lian outside before leaving. Yun Li came back when it was dark and didn't enter the house either after hearing Yun Qianyue was sleeping; he went straight to West Maple Garden.

That night, Yun Qianyue tossed and turned, unable to sleep soundly.

The next day, the weather remained clear as usual.

In the early morning, people came to Pavilion of Shallow Moon without interruption. The Cloud King, Yu Qingqing, Yun Li, Seventh Princess, Rong Feng. After seeing her and noticing she looked slightly better, they either went to court or attended to matters in their residences. Rong Feng stated there was an urgent matter at the Military Machine Bureau last night that required his attention, so he couldn't accompany her anymore. He urged her to take her medicine properly and rest well. Yun Qianyue nodded and watched him leave.

After breakfast, she lay back down on the bed again, thinking of how Rong Jing came at this time yesterday; she wondered if he would come today too.

About an hour went by without any sign of Rong Jing. Yun Qianyue's anger flared up once more.

The people in Pavilion of Shallow Moon seemed to understand Yun Qianyue’s mood. Ling Lian and Yi Xue led the way, carefully moving about so as not to make a sound. The silence was such that even a pin dropping would probably be heard distinctly.

Another hour passed before footsteps could be heard from outside Pavilion of Shallow Moon, especially clear in the quietness. The steps were familiar but steady rather than light and swift.

"Cold Young Master!" Ling Lian went forward to greet Cold Shaozhuo with a bow.

Yun Qianyue looked out the window and saw Cold Shaozhuo walking in, wearing a lightweight robe. He had always been good-looking, but his former dissolute lifestyle marred his appearance. After months of recuperation and reforming himself, he now looked exceptionally well—like an elegant nobleman exuding refined nobility from head to toe. It seemed that after experiencing many things and seeing much in life, there was a discernment and enlightenment about the world that made him stand out and look particularly attractive.

"Your lady has been ill for quite some time without improvement; I’m worried about her, so I came to check up," Cold Shaozhuo told Ling Lian.

"I'll inform my mistress!" Ling Lian walked towards the door.

"No need. Shaozhuo, come in," Yun Qianyue’s face brightened and her tone relaxed as if a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders. She’d almost felt she was going to go mad with boredom if there were no disturbance at Pavilion of Shallow Moon. Cold Shaozhuo’s arrival couldn’t have been more timely, preventing the boredom from setting in today.

Ling Lian made way for him as instructed; Cold Shaozhuo stepped inside and saw Yun Qianyue lying straight on her bed. He looked up and down at her and asked, "How serious is your illness You’ve lost a lot of weight."

"I nearly lost half my life," Yun Qianyue patted the bed beside her and said to him, "sit! I’m bored out of my mind; it’s fortunate you’re here."

Cold Shaozhuo didn’t hesitate to sit down. Looking at her, he continued, "I intended to come a few days ago but was too busy with the Ministry of Households. Hearing that Rong Feng visits every day to take your pulse, I didn’t bother coming. But today, he sent someone telling me to visit you whenever I had time as he feared you might be bored. I thought it was high time for me to come and see how you were doing, but I never expected things to have gotten so serious,

Yun Qianyue curled her lips and said, "Rong Feng is still the best!"

Leng Shaozhu suddenly laughed, "Indeed, many matchmakers in Jing have stepped through Wen Bohou’s residence. Birth dates of ladies from various households are stacked up outside his courtyard. Unfortunately, he just doesn’t care about them and only cares for you. When you fall ill, he rushes over immediately. He even requested leave from the Regent Prince, who granted it."

"We have a bond that transcends life and death; naturally, he treats me well." Yun Qianyue looked askance at Leng Shaozhu with a smile as she asked, "Matchmakers in Jing haven’t stepped through Xiaoqin王府’s gates Birth dates of ladies from various households aren’t stacked up outside the courtyard"

Leng Shaozhu laughed and shook his head. "They haven't!"

"Your act would make even demons skeptical! Do you know what is most precious to a man" Yun Qianyue looked at Leng Shaozhu, seeing him in rapt attention. She said, "It’s the value of a reformed rogue."

Leng Shaozhu couldn’t help but laugh. "Looks like your mood isn't bad."

Yun Qianyue grunted and thought to herself that her mood would have been worse if he hadn’t seen it. She said to him, "If you're free today, don’t leave, tell me some jokes!"

"All my jokes have been emptied by you," Leng Shaozhu replied.

"Then repeat them again; I want to hear!" Yun Qianyue said.

Leng Shaozhu nodded upon hearing her and started telling stories. Yun Qianyue listened attentively, though she had heard them before. She still burst out laughing at the funny parts.

At noon, Leng Shaozhu ate in Yun Shanyue Pavilion as well. When the sun set, he left the pavilion. As he was about to leave, Yun Qianyue looked longingly at him. Leng Shaozhu smiled and said that he would come again tomorrow, satisfying Yun Qianyue enough to let him go.

As soon as the sun set, the temperature dropped sharply; chilly winds blew against the window lattice of the washing room, rather cold.

Yun Qianyue looked at the darkening sky outside, thinking that it was already her second day awake.

This night too, she tossed and turned and couldn’t sleep.

The third day, the weather remained sunny; after waking up, Yun Qianyue stood in the courtyard to look at plum blossoms for a while before eating. Then she waited for Leng Shaozhu. After waiting past the time of yesterday, Leng Shaozhu still hadn’t come. Instead, his personal servant arrived.

After the child came over and said, "The young prince has been arranged with matters today and can’t accompany Miss Qianyue! He told me to inform you not to wait for him." He added, "When I was telling Young Prince Rang about this, he heard. So he asked me to tell you that there are some things he must handle but will come see you in a while."

Yun Qianyue responded and the child turned around and left.

Yun Qianyue looked at the boy as he left, thinking that Nie Qingran was coming How long had it been since he did so She still remembered how he stood outside Yun Shanyue Pavilion last time to sever ties with her. After she brutally hurt him, Night Tianyi came and sent him back. The next time they met was at the funeral of the old emperor; Nie Qingran looked like a sword that had lost its edge. Later, when Zi Shu left, it seemed as if he had returned to his usual self, forgetting about what happened then. Now that he was coming again, she felt an array of emotions inside her—neither comfortable nor sad.

Half an hour later, Nie Qingran entered Yun Shanyue Pavilion.

Nie Qingran didn’t come empty-handed; in his hands were a pile of things wrapped up in purple. In his hand, they seemed soft and fluffy like a mass of purple clouds. Upon arriving, he greeted Ling Lian with a smile first. Ling Lian also politely saluted him respectfully. Knowing that her master knew Young Prince Rang was coming, she didn’t stop him from entering the house.

Nie Qingran pushed open the door and walked in to see Yun Qianyue lying stiffly on her bed. He came over and stood by the bedside; he raised his brows at her and smiled, "Little girl, you’re lying down like this that your body is almost stuck to the mattress!"

There’s a saying: one doesn’t strike a smiling person! As for Nie Qingran, Yun Qianyue always reserved some thoughts. Looking at his handsome brows and eyes, past events seemed frozen in time or even made her suspect that those cold and unpleasant things as well as injuries had never occurred between them. She tugged the corners of her lips into a smile with no energy left and asked, "What’s in your hands"

Nie Qingran immediately opened it—it was a purple sable fur cloak. He asked Yun Qianyue like he was presenting something valuable, "Little girl, do you like it I hunted this sable when there were heavy snows recently and made it especially for you." Yun Qianyue looked at the cloak in his hands; sables were equally precious. This piece of fur coat wasn’t inferior to Rong Jing’s snow fox fur one he gave her, especially this color—it would match the purple Yansmoke she often wore beautifully and wherever she went, she’d be like a mass of purple clouds. She smiled and said, "This is too valuable; shouldn’t you give it to someone else"

"I hunted this specially for you; who should I give it to if not you" Nie Qingran shoved the cloak into her hands and plopped down onto the window sill. He said to her, "Little girl, I’m using this fur coat as an apology. Will you forgive me for my foolishness that day"

Yun Qianyue blinked.

"That day, I was at fault. You provoked me, and later on, I repeatedly thought to myself, what the hell am I after My heart aches every day, and I can't sleep well at night. Before, I had already made up my mind that no matter what happens, in public I speak publicly, and in private I speak privately. My identity cannot change; it has been predestined. But should I lose myself just because of this surname There are people and things I want to protect too. If even the protection is thrown away or taken away from me, then what's the point of living on Therefore, I am apologizing to you. It took half a month for me to make you a cloak as an apology. Please forgive me!" Night Qingran looked at Yun Qianyue’s face with unprecedented seriousness.

Yun Qianyue just stared at him without speaking.

Seeing that Yun Qianyue didn't say anything, Night Qingran rolled up his sleeves and revealed several deep scratches on his arm. "Look! I encountered a fierce tiger while hunting for a purple sable to make you this cloak as an apology. Look at these marks—do you want to see the rest of my body"

Yun Qianyue looked at him and saw that there were scars on his arm, but they were deep and would likely leave permanent marks. She thought of her own hand and was glad that it was still in bed where he couldn't see it. She stretched out her healthy hand and touched the scarred one, frowning as she asked: "Isn’t your martial arts skill not good enough to be injured by a tiger"

"At that time I encountered both a fierce tiger and a purple sable. Fearing that the purple sable would escape, I went after it first and was caught by the tiger," Night Qingran explained.

Yun Qianyue looked at him. How could she say no to such effort Especially with that speech he had just given her a moment ago. She glared at him and scolded, "Two children having a tantrum—today they refuse to speak, but tomorrow they're fine again. Such an immature matter; I'm too lazy to argue with you over something so trivial. As long as you don't cause me more trouble, there's no need for forgiveness. Why make such efforts by hunting purple sables just to apologize Is it really necessary Didn’t a tiger almost eat you"

"How is it not necessary" Night Qingran suddenly laughed and put down his sleeves, looking at Yun Qianyue with bright eyes. "I nearly got eaten by the tiger. At that moment I thought to myself, 'I'm working so hard to make things right, you must forgive me!' But then I hesitated out of fear that you would throw away my cloak. After all, you have plenty of valuable items; it's uncertain whether you'll like this cloak."

Yun Qianyue laughed in anger. "Am I really such a person"

"Yes! That's exactly why I thought you wouldn't be such a person and came over!" Night Qingran chuckled with pride, saying, "How do you like this cloak How does it compare to Weak Beauty’s His is old while mine is new and warm. You should wear it; otherwise, you’ll always feel cold. With your frail body, if you continue being sick like this, I really worry that the lively girl will turn into a weak one... Ah yes, once you mentioned a woman named Lin something."

"Lin Daiyu!" Yun Qianyue replied.

“Right, right, it’s Lin Daiyu. If you continue like this, you’ll end up becoming her relative," Night Qingran said to her.

Yun Qianyue touched her face and was somewhat speechless but also amused. She nodded, "What you say is correct; I don't want to become Lin Daiyu’s relative."

"Since that's the case, why are you still lying here These days, people tell me you've been either unconscious or in bed all day long without stepping out of your room. Such repression can lead to illness. Come on, today has such beautiful weather; let's ride horses and go see plum blossoms at the back mountain!" Night Qingran stood up and pulled her up from the bed.

"I've just started feeling better," Yun Qianyue said as she looked at his excited face.

Night Qingran turned around, picked up a mirror from the dressing table for Yun Qianyue to see herself. "Look at yourself—weak and sickly-looking! Your hair is messy and your skin pale, with a gloomy expression on your face. You've been lying in bed all day, which isn't good for your health. It only seems like you're recuperating but not really healing. The weather these past two days has been quite warm; the air is fresh, and plum blossoms at the back mountain are blooming beautifully, like a red sea of clouds. Go out to refresh yourself, and perhaps your illness will improve," he said.

Yun Qianyue was somewhat moved by his words, glancing outside where she saw sunlight shining brightly. She had indeed been in bed for too long.

"Some people just need cold treatment; even if you treat them well, they remain ungrateful—why bother with yourself" Night Qingran looked at Yun Qianyue and said, "This room smells so medicinal that one can imagine how many bitter medicine potions you've had to drink. After the heavy snow a few days ago, it was windy and cold; now finally there's warm weather like spring has arrived. Many people have gone to the back mountain to appreciate plum blossoms and even organized a poetry recitation session—it must be very lively."

"Aren't you busy Are all the residents in Jing City so idle" Yun Qianyue asked doubtfully.

“Uncle Emperor's burial rites have passed, and Second Prince is now properly buried. This year’s imperial examinations are under my responsibility; hence I’m quite busy. But it’s still early as we’re not starting until the New Year. The time frame is ample enough for me to spare a couple of days off. Everyone in Jing City has been cooped up indoors and have suffered from being confined inside during this period. With such good weather now, although they can’t wear extravagant clothing, appreciating plum blossoms and reciting poems should be fine; it’s also lively to break the monotony. Otherwise, everyone will get sick like you if they continue staying indoors," Night Qingran explained.

Yun Qianyue was speechless—her illness had actually brought some life to Jing City! She smiled and nodded in agreement, "Alright then!"

"Wear one more layer of clothes and put on the cloak I made for you. Also take a hand warmer with you. You just need to keep warm; we won’t ride horses but go by carriage instead. My carriage is waiting at the main gate," Night Qingran said.

Yun Qianyue nodded, and Linglian and Yixue, hearing that Yun Qianyue was going out, quickly came in to help her get ready. It didn’t take long before she was dressed appropriately for the weather, although her face still looked pale but acceptable enough to be seen by others. She then left with Night Qingran.

The purple sable cloak resembled a cloud of red霞，容貌嬌弱輕柔罕見。纔出院門，便驚豔了高懸的那輪日光。

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Dear readers, this is necessary for the story's development. Please don't leave angry comments even if you're impatient; otherwise, I might not have the energy to update tomorrow... O(n_n)O~" Qin Yuning spat through gritted teeth."Do you remember now That day will always stay fresh in your memory. The mark I left on you can never fade away no matter how long you live. As long as you're a...