The next moment, Lin Ting’s breathing returned to normal, and she rolled over, her hand patting the shoulder of Duan Ling lying beside her, producing a soft sound.
Her foot moved as well, resting against his leg.
In her sleep, Lin Ting reached out to Duan Ling unconsciously, drawing him into her embrace, nestling against him, breathing in the scent of agarwood.
At that instant, Duan Ling’s heartbeat steadied along with Lin Ting’s breathing.
He lowered his head to look at the top of her jet-black hair resting before him.
He gazed for a long time before slowly raising his hand to pull her closer. Â
After a while, Duan Ling closed his eyes.
Lin Ting occasionally shifted slightly in his arms, but Duan Ling slept soundly and peacefully.
The next day, before dawn, Lin Ting woke up—rarely did she wake so early.
Even rarer, Duan Ling was still asleep.
He lay on his side, his arms wrapped around her waist like a soft lock. Â
The morning light was dim.
The room was unlit, the window only half open, casting a hazy, blurred view over everything. Â
Yet, whether it was because Lin Ting was too familiar with Duan Ling or because they were so close, she could clearly see every detail of him with just a slight glance upward.
Lin Ting watched quietly for a while.
She didn’t get up immediately, lying still in Duan Ling’s arms, though her eyes never idled—they roved, finally settling on the Jin Caishen Pendant slipping out of his collar.
Beneath the Jin Caishen Pendant were Duan Ling’s two jade-like collarbones.
The red cord rested across them, following the graceful contours of the bones in a beautiful rhythm. Â
Lin Ting had initially been looking at the Jin Caishen Pendant but somehow shifted her gaze to his collarbones and the red cord.
It was only when daylight fully broke that Duan Ling woke.
Hearing Duan Ling stir, Lin Ting left him and slowly climbed out of bed to put on her shoes.
Although Madam Feng had invited monks to the house today to drive away evil and pray for blessings, they were only coming at noon, so there was no rush to get up early.
After putting on her shoes, she summoned a servant to bring water for washing and then moved to the mirror to groom herself.
The reflection in the mirror showed skin as rosy as ever, revealing no hint of her impending fate.
Lin Ting couldn’t help but poke her own face, then picked up the sandalwood comb to brush her hair.
Duan Ling stepped behind her and took the comb by saying: “Today, I want to style your hair.” Â
Lin Ting glanced at Duan Ling in the mirror.
His dark hair was loose, his white inner garment pristine as snow. Â
A slender belt hung from his waist, faintly outlining the lean shape of his abdomen—thin but not frail, exuding strength.
She withdrew her gaze, opened a drawer, pulled out several colorful silk ribbons, then opened a jewelry box to select some accessories, placing them on the table—an unspoken acceptance of his intention to style her hair.
Duan Ling focused intently on styling her hair.
A servant silently brought in the breakfast and left.
Lin Ting’s strange illness was known to many in the household; everyone was aware that her days were numbered.
Good news rarely left the house, but bad news traveled far and wide.
Lin Ting could feel the change in the atmosphere of the estate caused by her illness but chose to ignore it for the time being.
After Duan Ling finished styling her hair, he helped her change into a long skirt of soft goose-yellow.
Once Lin Ting was properly dressed, Duan Ling began to prepare himself.
Just as they were about to have breakfast, Duan Father arrived, intending to discuss some matters with Duan Ling.
Duan Ling took Lin Ting to meet Duan Father.
Seeing Duan Ling bring Lin Ting to meet him in the courtyard, Duan Father was momentarily stunned.
He had heard that Duan Ling always brought Lin Ting wherever he went recently, but he hadn’t expected him to go this far—to even bring her to meet him in the estate courtyard.
There were things he couldn’t say openly in front of Lin Ting, and for a moment, his expression revealed a trace of difficulty.
But Duan Ling, usually sharp at reading people, seemed not to notice the flicker of unease on Duan Father’s face and calmly said, “Father.”
Lin Ting did not address Duan Father as “Father.”
Ever since she learned that Duan Father had sent Duan Ling to become a Medicine Man, she could no longer bring herself to call him that. Â
Duan Father paid no mind.
He ordered the servants in the courtyard to leave and cut straight to the point: “Did you already know that Shijian Marquis was colluding with the enemy and betraying the country?”
This was a matter of utmost gravity.
Not long ago, Shijian Marquis and Xia Zimo opened Ancheng’s gates to welcome the rebel army.
The news of his betrayal had spread through every street and alley. Â
Emperor Jiade, already grieving the death of the Empress, sank further into sorrow and was unable to recover.
Upon learning of Shijian Marquis’s treason, he was filled with bitter anger and fell seriously ill.
For now, the Crown Prince was acting as regent. Â
With Shijian Marquis joining the rebels, their forces were greatly strengthened and advancing rapidly, threatening to strike the capital city soon.
They had used the Earth God of Ancheng’s manifestation to claim they were following Heaven’s will to overthrow Great Yan, giving the rebellion a veneer of legitimacy.
Great Yan’s situation was precarious.
In the past, Duan Father could analyze and handle such matters with composure, but now, he was unable to.
Duan Ling reacted indifferently, showing no concern.
He didn’t answer directly but said, “So what if I knew? So what if I didn’t?”
Duan Father ignored that Lin Ting was present and shouted in anger, “If you knew and kept it from His Majesty, how could you act so recklessly? If only you had reported it to Emperor Jiade at the time, perhaps there would still be hope.  The Emperor might have even shared methods to restore Medicine Men to normal humans, out of consideration for the Duan family’s loyalty.” Â
Duan Father grew angrier the more he thought about it.
Duan Ling fastened the ties of Lin Ting’s cloak without lifting his eyelids: “And so?”
Lin Ting listened silently, not interrupting.
Though Duan Father was used to Duan Ling’s indifferent attitude toward everything, hearing this, he couldn’t help but glare, “Duan Ziyu!”
Duan Ling remained unmoved: “If you came here just to say this, then please leave. We haven’t eaten breakfast yet.”
At that moment, a servant hurried over from Madam Feng’s side, bowing politely, then said, “Master, Madam requests your presence.”
Duan Father suppressed his anger, understanding why Madam Feng sent for him at this time—she must have been monitoring his every move and intervened upon seeing him lose his temper with Duan Ling.
“I know. I’ll go shortly.”
The servant stayed by their side: “Madam asks you to come now.”
Duan Father, knowing Madam Feng’s outward gentleness masked a resolute nature, had no choice but to follow the servant.
Before leaving, he softened his tone and reminded Lin Ting to take care of her health.
Lin Ting gave a perfunctory nod, unaffected by Duan Father’s words, and returned to her room to have breakfast as usual.
After breakfast, Lin Ting received a letter, delivered by a servant at the Duan family gate on behalf of Jin Anazai, who addressed himself as her friend.
The letter contained only four words: “Meet me outside.”
Seeing the letter, Lin Ting immediately went out.
She did not hide it from Duan Ling but showed it to him and went with him to meet Jin Anazai.
Jin Anazai stood before the Duan estate gate, empty-handed, without sword or mask, and had deliberately used disguising makeup to cover the scar on his face, looking less like a wanderer of the martial world and more like a noble Young Master, despite his low-key attire.
Lin Ting rarely saw Jin Anazai dressed this way—he usually wore obvious martial arts garb.
When things happen abnormally, there must be some hidden reason.
She feigned ease: “What’s the matter?”
Jin Anazai looked uneasy just thinking about what he had to do next, avoiding her gaze: “Can’t a friend visit without reason?”
Lin Ting snorted lightly, folding her arms: “Don’t I know you well? No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. Since you came here, you must have something to say.”
“If you have something, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush. I’ve never seen you like this before.” Â
He looked down and coughed a few times and replied, “I heard that when performing rituals to drive away evil and pray for blessings, it’s better to have more friends and family present.” Â
Indeed, there was such a belief.
Yesterday, Madam Feng had even asked Lin Ting if she had any friends to invite, the more the better.
Lin Ting had thought it unnecessary and didn’t mention it to Jin Anazai. Â
Lin Ting’s eyes brightened: “You want to come and pray for me too?”
‘No wonder you changed your clothes today—came to pray for me.  ‘
Jin Anazai looked up and gave Lin Ting a sidelong glance: “What, am I not your friend? Not allowed to come?”
She reluctantly admitted, “Kind of.”
He wore a cold expression: “What do you mean by ‘kind of’?”
Jin Anazai decided that after Lin Ting recovered, he would take her out to a tavern and give her a proper scolding.
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