So he wasn't there last night. Could it be his uncle?
Yu Xiao speculated silently, her brows furrowing.
How old is he? Determined by this Young Master, possibly he is getting on in years now.
She sighed inwardly, frustrated that she hadn't seen his face clearly that time.
She gasped when Yun Qingjue's voice cut through her thoughts.
"To remind you, Lady Yu. Don't stress yourself. Dijun is off somewhere, so I'm in charge of your safety. Understand?"
Yun Qingjue's tone was firm but not unkind.
Yu Xiao straightened, meeting his gaze.
"I do."
"Stay here. I'll go outside."
Yun Qingjue turned toward the door, his robes swishing with the movement.
Before he could take another step, Yu Xiao lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve, her fingers clutching the fabric desperately.
"You're leaving? Why? I need to ask you something."
Yun Qingjue paused, glancing down at her hand on his sleeve before raising an eyebrow.
"About what?"
Yu Xiao's eyes were wide with urgency.
"You said you and your Dijun were close to each other. Could you help me ask him to find Tiaopi for me?"
Yun Qingjue's expression shifted to confusion.
"Young Master," Yu Xiao continued quickly, her voice almost pleading, "we aren't close, and I know that. Besides, you are the person I know more than your so-called Dijun."
She tightened her grip on his sleeve, her desperation bleeding into her words.
"So, I don't have a choice but to plead with you. Can you lend a hand to me? Otherwise, this place isn't familiar to me at all."
Yun Qingjue's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tiaopi? Are you saying someone was with you when you entered this place?"
Yu Xiao nodded vigorously, her head bobbing up and down with earnest conviction.
Yun Qingjue's expression grew serious, his jaw tightening as he remembered his master's instructions.
"By the way, Dijun left a word. You're not allowed to leave this chamber when you wake."
Yu Xiao's face fell, confusion and frustration flickering across her features.
"Why?" she demanded, her voice rising with indignation.
Yun Qingjue crossed his arms, his posture rigid and unyielding.
"Don't ask, I'm just following the order."
His tone was clipped, leaving no room for negotiation, though a flicker of sympathy passed through his eyes before he looked away.
"Ha? But…"
Yu Xiao's mouth opened in protest, her eyes widening with desperation.
Yun Qingjue raised a finger to his lips, his expression stern.
"Shhh… Dijun doesn't like noise. You ask too much; patients don't act this way. Go back to sleep."
He gestured toward the bed with an authoritative wave of his hand.
Again, he turned to leave, his robes flowing as he moved toward the door.
But Yu Xiao wasn't finished. She strode forward with determined steps and planted herself directly in his path, her arms spread wide to block his way.
Yun Qingjue stopped abruptly, his patience visibly thinning.
"Stand aside," he commanded, his voice low and firm.
"No way!"
Yu Xiao shot back, her lower lip jutting out in a sulking pout. Her cheeks puffed slightly as she crossed her arms defiantly, refusing to budge an inch.
Yun Qingjue stared at her in stunned silence, his mouth opening slightly before closing again.
He blinked slowly, utterly speechless at her childish defiance.
A muscle twitched in his jaw as he tried to maintain his composure, clearly torn between exasperation and disbelief.
After a mere moment, a smirk escaped onto his lips, curving upward with calculated amusement.
"Lady Yu, do you think your acting can resolve your query?"
His voice dripped with sarcasm as he tilted his head slightly, studying her with sharp, assessing eyes.
"I appreciate your appearance, but it doesn't mean I can lower my guard."
The words came out smooth and cutting, his tone making it clear he saw right through her theatrical display.
"Haughty!" she murmured under her breath, gritting her teeth as anger flashed in her eyes.
Her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at him.
"If that's so, I will go alone to your Dijun and plead with him myself! At least I won't waste your precious time! Hmft!"
She turned her head away sharply, her nose lifted in the air with stubborn indignation.
Yun Qingjue stood frozen, his expression blank.
His eye twitched slightly as he watched her dramatic display.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again, seemingly at a complete loss for words.
The corner of his lips twitched with suppressed irritation.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiao made her decision in a flash.
She whirled around and bolted toward the exit, her feet moving quickly across the floor.
But just as her fingers reached for the curtain to pull it aside, the fabric suddenly swept open from the other side.
She froze mid-step, her breath catching in her throat.
An overwhelming figure materialized before her, so close she could feel the subtle warmth radiating from him—just an inch away.
Her eyes instinctively dropped downward, and she found herself staring at the intricate embroidered pattern of a luxurious blue robe, the silk shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Gradually, almost hesitantly, she lifted her gaze.
A man stood before her, commanding yet serene.
One of his elegant hands held a small jade bowl filled with freshly prepared medicinal herbs, wisps of steam curling upward.
His other hand still gripped the curtain he'd just pulled aside.
The man lowered his head slightly, his eyes finding hers with an intensity that made her heart skip.
Is he the man I met recently?
Time seemed to slow, stretching the moment into something surreal.
They stared at each other in profound silence, as if both were searching through memories, convinced they had crossed paths before in some distant time or place.
Yu Xiao's face went nearly blank as she gazed up at him, her thoughts scattering.
And him—why didn't he step back? Why didn't he move away?
Up close, the mysterious man was breathtakingly beautiful.
His eyes were deeply expressive, framed by long lashes that cast delicate shadows on his cheeks.
The bridge of his nose was elegant and refined, his skin pale as moonlight.
His red lips were perfectly shaped, the kind that seemed almost sculpted—tempting, as if made for stolen kisses.
Every feature of his face came together in flawless harmony, carved into perfect symmetry that seemed almost otherworldly.
Yu Xiao gulped hard, her throat suddenly dry.
Discreetly, she reached down and pinched the skin of her wrist, twisting it sharply.
She shut her eyes tight when the sharp sting of pain shot through her.
Is this a dream?
But the pain was undeniable, grounding her in reality.
This is real!
Finally, the mysterious man broke the silence.
His gaze shifted smoothly away from her, darting toward Yun Qingjue who stood behind her.
"Take the medicine away," he commanded, his voice carrying effortless authority that demanded immediate obedience.
Hearing his voice for the first time, Yu Xiao felt something stir within her chest.
She was captivated by the timbre of it, the way each word resonated with quiet power.
He was clearly authoritative, yet beneath that commanding tone lay something unexpected—an underlying warmth, almost affectionate somehow.
His voice was cold like winter frost, yet it wrapped around her like a dream she never wanted to wake from.
Immediately, Yun Qingjue responded to his command without hesitation.
He took the jade bowl carefully and disappeared through the curtain, placing the medicine in his Dijun's bedchamber.
Yu Xiao stepped back slowly, deliberately, creating space for the mysterious man to pass through.
A chill crept beneath her robes, spreading across her skin and settling deep in her bones.
Her mind raced frantically—she had no idea what she was going to say or how she should act now that she was face to face with him.
Standing aside seemed her safest option.
The mysterious man moved past her with fluid grace, walking toward the bed with unhurried steps.
He sat down elegantly, his robes settling around him like water.
Once he was comfortable, his piercing gaze fixed directly on Yu Xiao.
With one slender hand, he tapped the space beside him on the bed, the gesture both inviting and commanding.
His voice softened, taking on a surprisingly gentle tone.
"Come and sit here."
Yun Qingjue's eyebrow rose sharply, his expression betraying his surprise.
He clearly hadn't expected to hear such words from his Dijun's lips.
Yu Xiao hesitated, her feet rooted to the spot.
Her eyes darted nervously toward Yun Qingjue, seeking some kind of guidance or reassurance.
The Dijun caught the movement immediately, his observant gaze following hers.
He let out a soft breath, understanding her unease.
"You're not completely healed yet," he said calmly, his tone patient and measured. "Come, I will check your pulse."
Yu Xiao moved her feet gently, each step tentative as she approached the bedchamber.
Her heart hammered in her chest with each footfall.
Once she reached the bed, she lowered herself carefully onto the edge, her posture stiff with nervous awareness.
The Dijun reached for her hand with surprising tenderness, cradling it delicately between his fingers.
His touch was warm as he pressed two fingertips against her wrist, checking her pulse with practiced precision.
After a long moment of silence, he shifted closer to her, his hand rising slowly toward her nape.
But the instant his fingers neared her neck, Yu Xiao flinched backward instinctively, her eyes widening with shock as she stared at his suspended hand.
The Dijun's head tilted slightly, his piercing gaze fixing on her with an intensity that made her breath hitch.
He studied her reaction with quiet scrutiny.
"Why dodge?" His voice was calm but questioning. "I just want to heal you."
Yu Xiao remained silent, her lips pressed together.
She forced herself to settle, her shoulders relaxing as she allowed him to continue his treatment.
When his hand finally reached her nape, a warm and tingling sensation spread across her skin like gentle lightning.
She felt the healing energy flow through her meridians, running along her nerves like liquid warmth.
The tension melted from her body, and she couldn't help but close her eyes instantly, surrendering to the soothing sensation.
A moment later, her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself staring directly at him.
He met her gaze without hesitation, his expression unreadable.
But Yu Xiao quickly looked away, her cheeks warming as she averted her eyes.
After the healing process concluded, Yu Xiao felt a bead of sweat trailing down her temple.
She reached up quickly and wiped it away with the back of her hand, still feeling flustered.
Finally, the Dijun reached for the jade bowl beside him and gently extended it toward her, his movements unhurried and graceful.
"Take the medicine. It helps to replenish your qi. You were badly hurt—it affected your meridians."
His tone was patient, almost instructive.
"The medicine is a bit bitter, but a bitter one is a good one."
Yu Xiao nodded slightly, accepting the bowl from his hands with both of hers.
Her fingers brushed against his briefly, sending another small jolt through her.
"Thank you!" she said softly, her voice sincere and grateful.