Xunxue looked down at the little wolf cub in her arms, who had used the flowers to curry favor, a smile glimmering in her eyes, but she did not refuse this gesture.
She reached out with slender fingers, elegantly picking up a piece of golden osmanthus cake and gently placing it between her lips.
As her pearly teeth bit down, the flaky crust shattered with a crisp sound, and the soft, sweet filling inside mixed with the rich fragrance of osmanthus, spreading through her mouth.
Xunxue raised her brows ever so slightly, a hint of surprise showing at just the right measure—this pastry tasted unexpectedly good.
“Xiao Wanbai,” Xunxue asked casually, her gaze tinged with appreciation, “where did you buy this osmanthus cake? The taste is excellent. When we set out to return to Tianyuan Sect, why not buy some more to snack on along the way?”
Ling Wanbai still wore her expressionless little face, her voice calm and even: “Replying to Immortal Venerable, I made it myself. If Immortal Venerable likes it, I can make more.”
“Oh?” Xunxue’s eyes widened a little more in surprise, before melting into a sincere compliment, “You made it yourself? Such skillful hands.”
Ling Wanbai maintained her trademark calm expression even after hearing the praise, as if she had only heard something ordinary. Yet behind her, her fluffy big tail could not help but swish a few times.
Although her face remained composed, deep down, she was truly delighted.
As the last bite of the osmanthus cake’s sweetness melted away in her mouth, Lu Qiancha squinted her eyes in satisfaction, and then a wave of drowsiness surged up.
She opened her small mouth in a big yawn, “Haaah…”
Sleepiness flooded over her like a tide, and she couldn’t be bothered to move.
She simply snuggled into the warm, soft crook of Xunxue’s embrace, found the most comfortable position, tucked her little head into the crook of an arm, and let her eyelids grow heavy and close.
Almost in the blink of an eye, gentle and even breaths sounded—she had clearly drifted into dreamland.
“Little Sleepyhead.” Xunxue looked at the little wolf cub asleep in her arms, a gentle curve lifting the corners of her lips as she teased softly.
With delicate care, she picked up a clean handkerchief and carefully wiped away the crumbs from the corner of Lu Qiancha’s mouth.
Then, Xunxue cradled the little ball of fluff and slowly rose, walking to the bedside.
Xunxue gently laid Lu Qiancha onto the soft mattress and carefully tucked the blanket around her.
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, softly illuminating Lu Qiancha’s peaceful, sleeping face.
Afterward, Xunxue leaned over and lay down beside Lu Qiancha, dropping a feather-light kiss on her smooth forehead: “Sweet dreams.”
***
The next morning, dawn barely glimmered.
Unlike Lu Qiancha, who was still sound asleep in Xunxue’s arms, Ling Muxue woke with a start on a cold bed.
Her face was pale as paper, her eyelids swollen like peaches, and the trails of dried tears traced cold paths down her cheeks. The cool morning breeze stirred her messy hair, bringing a chill.
As she forced her heavy eyes open, yesterday’s stabbing, heart-rending memories surged back like a flood, dragging her down once more into the abyss of despair.
Sun Nanny’s pained expression, her own helpless self-blame, and the regret of destroying hope with her own hands—all stabbed her heart over and over like countless icy needles.
“Sun Nanny! How is Sun Nanny?!”
Panic coiled tight around her heart like vines. Ling Muxue sat bolt upright in bed.
The sunlight that filtered through the window lattice should have brought warmth, but now it only deepened the chill that pierced her bones.
It was already the second day…
Which meant, Sun Nanny, without the Nirvana Elixir, by now surely…
“Your Highness, the Emperor commands you to proceed quickly to Jinhua Palace. Sun Nanny is there as well,” came the cautious voice of a maid outside the door.
Father? Sun Nanny?
These brief words struck Ling Muxue’s lifeless heart like a stone cast into still water, instantly stirring violent waves.
She all but slammed open the door, rushing toward Jinhua Palace without caring for her composure.
The guards behind her followed in silence, making no move to stop her.
***
A moment later, inside Jinhua Palace.
Fine snow fluttered endlessly outside the hall, cloaking the towering palace at the side wing of the royal palace in a mantle of lonely white.
Stepping through the hall doors, Ling Muxue’s eyes immediately fell upon Ling Ze, who stood by the window in his stately black-and-gold imperial robe.
His tall figure, outlined by the snowy light, radiated an oppressive authority.
“Father!” Ling Muxue’s voice trembled.
“Go speak with Sun Nanny.”
Ling Ze’s voice was low, without superfluous greetings, his gaze pointing to the side hall.
At this reminder, Ling Muxue’s heartbeat suddenly faltered. She stumbled, almost tripping over herself as she rushed into the side chamber heavy with the scent of medicine.
Sun Nanny lay on a wide bed, and even the thick quilt could not hide her emaciated frame.
The face that once overflowed with loving smiles was now ashen and withered, drained of any color.
Only the faintest rise and fall of her chest showed the last flickers of life.
Several Imperial Physicians and servants kept silent vigil at her side, their faces grave and the atmosphere so heavy it was hard to breathe.
She was still surrounded by those busy Imperial Physicians and servants.
“Sun Nanny!”
Seeing that familiar figure still before her, a frail sense of relief welled up in Ling Muxue’s heart—like barely surviving a calamity.
Thank goodness, thank goodness, Sun Nanny was still here. At least, she hadn’t passed away silently while Ling Muxue slept through the night.
Yet, this relief was as fragile as ice and snow, shattered in an instant by a new wave of overwhelming grief.
Not dead didn’t mean she would live.
She could only watch helplessly as the dearest person in her life moved step by step toward the end, powerless to stop it.
“Xiaoxue…”
From the bed, Sun Nanny’s thread-thin voice drifted out, as if from far away. Hearing Ling Muxue’s call, a faint light seemed to flicker in her clouded eyes, as she struggled to gather the last of her strength.
“Sun Nanny!” Ling Muxue flung herself to the bedside, clutching that withered yet still warm hand, tears gushing forth, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It’s all my fault… I couldn’t save you… I’m sorry…”
Her voice was hoarse and broken with sobs.
The old woman’s expression was as gentle as ever, heartbreakingly so.
She summoned all her strength to lift her rough, trembling hand, and with infinite slowness and gentleness, wiped the tears from Ling Muxue’s face:
“Silly child… why are you crying? I’m just an old woman, not worth your tears. Seeing you grow up safe and well, Sun Nanny’s whole life is worth it…”
She paused for breath, her voice growing weaker, yet thick with longing:
“Sun Nanny made you a lot of Sweet Wine, all sealed up—it will keep for a long time. If you ever have happy occasions in the future, drink a little. That way, Sun Nanny down below can be happy with you, too…”
“No! No! I don’t want that! I don’t want you to go!”
Ling Muxue shook her head desperately, immense grief blocking her throat, making it impossible to utter a complete sentence.
Watching Sun Nanny force herself to hold on, the regret of giving away the life-saving elixir grew inside her like poisonous vines, gnawing savagely at her soul.