Chapter Sixty-Five: You Are a Fool (The Second Mysterious Update)

The wind swept through, carrying the scent of tea and the curve of fallen petals, gently dancing in the depths of the night. The moon hung high in the sky, stars sparkling brilliantly. She opened her eyes wide, and within their hollow depths, it seemed as if dazzling lights began to flow, lending her an ethereal beauty.

A hand unraveled her hair bun, letting her long, ink-black hair spill across the bed, enhancing her otherworldly elegance and adding a touch of languid charm, tinged with a trace of allure.

"Xue'er, can you hear my heartbeat?" His forehead pressed to hers, fingers lightly threading through her hair, tracing its strands with a gentle, almost imperceptible touch.

Blood Snow gave no response, her pure features flushed almost to the point of fever.

His hand naturally found her small hand resting beside her head, guiding it to his chest, passing through layers of robes...

At last, Blood Snow reacted. When her hand touched the well-defined muscles of his chest, she felt the strong, rapid beating of his heart.

Her hand shrank back, but she could not withdraw it.

Though the weather was cold, her face grew warm, her hand seemingly burning with heat.

"Can one live if the heart doesn't beat?" She forced herself to remain calm, lowering her gaze. Yet her breathing grew heavy, impossible to conceal.

"But if the heart beats too fast, wouldn't that mean dying even sooner?" Ji Wuqing refused to let her go, pressing her hand firmly to his heart, making her confront his heartbeat, not allowing even the slightest retreat.

"You're talking nonsense," she replied, pursing her lips and turning her face toward him. "Are you a fool?"

Was he a fool, asking such a question? Her heart trembled uncontrollably, thrown into turmoil.

Hearing her words, Ji Wuqing chuckled softly, reaching out to pull her into his embrace. The laughter in his chest vibrated through her.

"I'm no fool."

He held her tightly. They lay side by side on the bed, her face pressed against his raven-colored robe. Beneath its soft texture was his chest, where the powerful, rapid heartbeat incessantly reminded Blood Snow of his presence.

Silence settled between them. After a long pause, she sighed, seeming to relax completely. "If you're not a fool, why say foolish things?"

"How is it foolish? It's the truth. Just now, my heart was beating so fast I could barely breathe." His face rested on her long hair, gently rubbing against it, a hint of ease appearing in his expression.

Blood Snow listened quietly, saying nothing.

She shifted slightly, reached out to grasp his collar, and leaned into his embrace.

No more words were spoken. They slept together, simply and warmly, wrapped in each other's arms.

The next morning.

A light mist rendered the scenery ethereal and serene.

She awoke from her dreams, and though the night had been peaceful, a heaviness lingered somewhere on her body. The culprit turned out to be the man whose head rested on her waist, his arm wrapped around her, sleeping soundly.

No wonder even breathing felt heavy...

Softly, faint noises came from outside the door—a small child scratching at the door again.

Ji Wuqing’s dreams were disturbed, and his expression darkened. Opening the door, he found Little Xi'er pitifully sitting by the threshold, tracing circles on the door frame with her finger, looking exactly like an abandoned beggar child.

"Old man, you tricked me yesterday!" Seeing Ji Wuqing open the door, her carefully arranged expression of grievance vanished, replaced by puffed cheeks and brows furrowed into a comical shape.

"Xi'er, what do you mean?" Ji Wuqing leaned against the door, feigning innocence, his handsome face showing no hint of guilt.

"You—how dare you ask me! Last night, you did something to mother and wouldn't let me sleep with her!" Little Xi'er immediately vented her annoyance, her brows furrowing even more, and even her adorable bun hairstyle couldn't save her from her indignation.

Yet, her bun hairstyle was both her weapon and her downfall. How could such a tiny figure ever compete with Ji Wuqing, the "big villain"?

"Really? Did I do that? And when did I ever prevent you from sleeping with Xue'er? It's heartbreaking to hear you say that, as if I'm a wicked father." Ji Wuqing retorted, looking at the little one before him. "Besides, your mother is my wife, so naturally she should sleep with me."

He finished with a serious tone.

"Liar, you must have bullied mother. I don't believe you at all. Anyway, you're just a big villain!" Little Xi'er, true daughter of Blood Snow, was sharp with her words.

Ji Wuqing was amused by her remarks.

"Little one, has anyone ever told you how adorable you are?" His gentle smile revealed his good mood.

"Big villain, stop smiling like that. You must be scheming something!" Little Xi'er watched him warily, a hint of toughness appearing on her small face.

Without warning, Ji Wuqing crouched down and lifted Little Xi'er high above his head. She was startled by his action, for even her mother rarely held her, and now it was this "bad old man" picking her up.

"What are you doing, you bad man, you bad old man!"

"Father’s in a good mood today, so I'll just hold you for a bit," Ji Wuqing replied mischievously, continuing to tease her.

Though they were "father and daughter," it was truly the first time they'd been so close. Little Xi'er was frightened, but she inherited Blood Snow's composure and tried her best to appear calm.

Hearing their playful voices, Blood Snow shook her head.

Ji Wuqing’s childlike demeanor was rather charming, much like an ordinary father playing with his child. Such a side of him was delightful...

The thought brought a smile to her lips.

After breakfast, Miao Jian and the others made all arrangements, preparing carriages to escort them back to the palace, with hidden guards following for protection.

Just as they left Yueji Teahouse, Yu Bufan arrived uninvited.

Unlike last night’s muddled impression of him as an art fanatic, today he seemed much more composed. He wore official robes adorned with carp scales, not the indulgent reddish-brown robe of the previous night, lending him a more restrained and dignified air befitting a government official.

Shedding his artistic obsession, he appeared like a painter who had lost his brush, completely transformed.

"Lord Yu, what brings you here? I am sending off my friends and have no time to receive you," Miao Jian resumed his role as the patrolling minister. "Return to your office, I shall send someone to invite you later."

His manner was meticulous, and though his words were polite, his presence was impossible to refuse.

"I am here to apologize for yesterday’s events, not only for slighting your lordship but also for the fright caused to your friends." His tone carried a compelling sincerity.

Apologizing for frightening his friends? He must be referring to his attempt to act against them last night.

Blood Snow, sitting in the carriage, recalled the events of the previous night. The matter could be seen as minor or grave.

If he meant disrespecting a patrolling minister’s friends, it was a trivial issue. If he referred to disrespect toward the king and queen, even extermination of nine generations would not be excessive.

But, as she and Ji Wuqing were currently only the minister’s friends, his apology seemed somewhat exaggerated.

"I think he’s incorrigible," Ji Wuqing muttered, his tone tinged with annoyance.

"Ah, you’re speaking ill of him!" Bundled in a thick jacket, Little Xi'er seized upon his words, her expression lively and her bright eyes full of accusation.

Ji Wuqing glanced at her lazily, causing Little Xi'er to hide beside Blood Snow, clutching her little raccoon, seeking her mother as a shield.

"Who’s the real child here?" Blood Snow couldn’t help but ask.

"Of course it’s old man," Little Xi'er declared righteously, her face unwavering.

With her mother nearby, she was unafraid.

"Xi'er, go sit over there," her mother ordered, her tone brooking no refusal.

"Oh." Little Xi'er’s mood instantly deflated. She lowered her head, hugging her raccoon as she slowly returned to her seat, looking somewhat pitiful, like a puppy with drooping ears.

"Mind your manners when you speak, understand?" A hand rested gently on her back, stroking it softly.

Feeling her mother’s gentle touch, Little Xi'er nodded vigorously. "Xi'er understands and will always listen to mother."

"You’d better not just agree with me." She knew well the little one’s thoughts, but now was the time for mischief, so she let her grow naturally.

"Of course not!" The little one vowed earnestly.

Outside the carriage, Yu Bufan continued to converse with Miao Jian. For eloquence, Yu Bufan was indeed impressive. Yet, with Ji Wuqing’s instructions, Miao Jian would never let him personally apologize to them.

"Lord Yu, I am pleased by your reflection. Since you have realized your mistake, it is nothing serious. My friends are not petty," Miao Jian replied coolly, cutting off Yu Bufan’s attempt to persist.

"In that case, I thank you," Yu Bufan said, his gaze subtly drifting toward the carriage.

The carriage rolled on, gradually disappearing from his sight.