A gentle breeze stirred the willow branches, lifting the silk curtains as the jade bowl overturned, frost shimmering like a dragon in the sword’s gleam.
A sharp, cold light pierced the sunlight first.
Before her black hair could even stir, the sword was already sheathed!
When the corpse lay silently on the ground, that cold, clear voice instantly echoed in everyone’s ears.
Third Prince Li Zhun lifted his head in terror, his eyes filled with despair as they fixed on that figure.
Meanwhile, the poisoned and weak Emperor Li Shuo raised his head, a faint gleam of joy flashing in his eyes.
But at that moment, no one noticed among the many gazes turning toward the woman, there was one who revealed a look of doting affection.
Except for one person.
Li Yuer had not run far when she heard a voice that sounded vaguely familiar. She turned her head to look back.
The moment she saw that familiar face, she almost instinctively lowered her gaze toward Xu Ping’an.
Seeing Xu Ping’an reveal a kind of love toward the woman in the sky he had never shown her before, Li Yuer bowed her head, her lips bitter.
“Mister… Yu’er, am I really not as good as her?”
Recalling the past month, although they were traveling, she had met Xu Ping’an many times, yet he had never looked at her that way.
For a moment, the girl’s heart was overwhelmed with mixed emotions—sorrow, pain, and heartbreak.
But at this moment, Xu Ping’an did not notice Li Yuer’s gaze. His full attention was fixed on the figure descending from the sky.
It was her… without a doubt.
Nearly two months had passed since their separation, yet she remained unchanged, just as before.
Watching that slowly descending silhouette, a faint smile appeared on Xu Ping’an’s lips.
At this moment, facing Third Prince Li Zhun, kneeling weakly with both knees, his former proud and spirited demeanor was completely gone, replaced only by despair and dejection.
Pei Qingxuan turned around and looked toward the emperor.
When her gaze swept over those beside him, her eyelids twitched slightly, but she said nothing.
However, the person standing next to the emperor smiled and moved his lips. Though no sound came out, the meaning was clear.
“Wife, your husband is here.”
When this phrase flashed through her mind, Pei Qingxuan’s hand trembled slightly, almost dropping the Nine Phoenix Sword she held.
After calming the sudden flutter in her heart, she turned her cold gaze back to Emperor Li Shuo.
“Thank you, Pei Sect Leader, for your assistance… On behalf of all the people, I thank you.”
Before she could speak further, Emperor Li Shuo bowed deeply.
“There is no need for thanks. Since I made a promise, I will not break it. Now that this matter is settled, Qingxuan will not stay to trouble you any longer.”
“Disciple, how could you be so reckless as to come here on your own? Quickly, come back with your Master.”
Xu Ping’an was taken aback, pointing at himself.
“Me?”
Pei Qingxuan stepped forward, her cold eyes fixed sharply on Xu Ping’an’s.
“Who else but you? What, have you forgotten your Master? Come on, follow me!”
The girl reached out, grabbing his wrist, trying to pull him away.
Xu Ping’an suddenly understood and let Pei Qingxuan have her way.
“So Mister is actually Pei Sect Leader’s top disciple. Pei Sect Leader, please wait. It is not that I wish to detain him, but I am gravely poisoned at the moment. Your disciple’s medical skills are divine; I hope you will allow him to stay until I recover, then return him.”
Pei Qingxuan paused briefly, then pulled a small bottle from her sleeve and tossed it over.
Inside the porcelain bottle was the Dan of Detoxification.
With this pill, she was confident—
But before she could finish, Xu Ping’an’s wrist twisted, the bottle slipping from her palm into his hand.
Startled, she shivered all over and turned sharply.
Her icy eyes locked onto Xu Ping’an’s, but within those moist orbs, there seemed to be a flicker of pleading.
Xu Ping’an blinked deliberately, emphasizing two words.
“Master~ Disciple just used a special technique to temporarily awaken His Majesty’s vitality. At this point, mere detoxification pills might be ineffective. I hope Master will allow me to treat the Emperor first, then accompany you home.”
The word “home” struck Pei Qingxuan like a blow. Her icy gaze nearly broke.
Her body softened; if not for biting her lip hard, she might have already collapsed into the arms before her.
“Very well. If that is so, I shall wait until you heal the Emperor before taking you home.”
With a flick of her sleeve, Xu Ping’an smiled playfully, releasing her wrist. Pei Qingxuan visibly relaxed but felt a twinge of loss deep inside.
She glanced back toward Emperor Li Shuo.
“Since my disciple used special methods, we can only wait for him to finish healing His Majesty. During this time, I will trouble you, Your Majesty.”
“Not at all, not at all. Pei Sect Leader’s personal visit is truly a blessing for Great Qi! Someone, quickly prepare a feast, and set up the East Warm Pavilion for Pei Sect Leader to rest.”
Emperor Li Shuo’s expression brightened noticeably.
Previously, when he begged Pei Qingxuan for help to stabilize Great Qi, it was partly for his ancestors’ sake, but Pei Qingxuan had never paid him much attention.
Now, with Pei Sect Leader personally visiting Great Qi and staying in the palace for a while, it was exhilarating news for him and the nation.
Yet no matter how joyful he was, he did not forget the urgent matter—his life was still in the hands of Pei Sect Leader’s disciple.
“Mister Xu, please use your medical skills again to save me.”
Previously, he addressed him as “y-y-you,” but now he directly switched to “you.”
This was naturally because of Pei Qingxuan’s presence, but Xu Ping’an did not mind.
“Your Majesty, please come inside and rest. I will begin acupuncture treatment immediately.”
Xu Ping’an’s eyes glimmered teasingly.
“Master~ Then disciple will go treat His Majesty now. Master can head to East Warm Pavilion first; wait for me—I will come shortly.”
Seeing the look in Xu Ping’an’s eyes, even the famed Pei Sect Leader struggled to maintain her composure.
A flush crept onto her delicate face, and where no one saw, she gave Xu Ping’an a sharp eye-roll.
That glance carried a mix of grievance, slight reproach, but also a hint of fondness and admiration.
Such allure is irresistible.
When Xu Ping’an caught that look, his heart instantly steadied.
She was still his wife.
Finally, it didn’t become a scene of sword-drawing and cutting—that put him at ease.
Xu Ping’an hurried into Zhonghe Hall. After detoxifying the Emperor and restoring his vitality, he gave a few instructions, placed a Great Restoration Pill nearby, and then rushed to the East Warm Pavilion.
As for cleaning up or follow-up matters, he had no time to deal with them.
When his hand touched the doorframe, a flicker of hesitation crossed Xu Ping’an’s mind, but the door… still opened.
The next second, a figure suddenly dashed forward, carrying a faint scent of fragrance, and dove into his embrace.
That familiar voice instantly made him feel as if he’d swallowed a huge cup of shaved ice on a scorching summer day—his heart bloomed with joy.
“Darling~”