I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

Mu Fusheng liked Lu Yun this way, but she also knew that there was always a void in her husband's heart that she could not fill.

She didn't say anything, but silently used her actions to prevent Lu Yun from having time to think about those painful things.

A harmonious and respectful marriage.

The two were a well-known model couple in the Da Yan official circle, and others often came to Lu Yun for advice on how to maintain a harmonious family. Whenever this happened, Lu Yun would attribute the credit to Mu Fusheng.

"With such a virtuous wife, Lord Lu is truly blessed."

Others will then leave with well wishes.

but……

It seems that Heaven felt Lu Yun's life was going too smoothly, and it was very unhappy about it.

then……

On one occasion when Lu Yun and Mu Fusheng went to investigate the people's conditions, a natural disaster struck without warning.

To protect a child, Mu Fusheng had his leg pierced by a fragment of Originium.

Acute mineral poisoning.

That day, Lu Yun returned to Boyun Prefecture alone.

That day, all that remained in Lu Boyun's memory was his father's image.

"I will not interfere with my father's decision."

Lu Boyun stared at Banxia.

Although there was anger in his eyes, there was also more reason.

Banxia smiled.

"Brother Bai, thank you for your trouble."

Lu Boyun turned around and bowed to Bai Zhou.

"Lord Lu is a good official."

Looking at Lu Boyun in the daytime, this young Li Boli still has a long way to go.

"I will become a good official like my father."

Lu Boyun swore an oath to him.

"Then we won't bother you any longer, Brother Lu, farewell."

Lu Boyun will handle the rest.

"Boyun, hurry up and deal with this. I have something to tell you."

"Lord Bai Yi, please speak."

Lu Boyun planned to listen to Bai Yi's advice before dealing with Banxia's matter.

"It's about her."

Bai Yi listened to the entire story from the side.

He glanced at Banxia, ​​then at Baizhou, who was following Xi down the mountain.

"Although the law stipulates that only true dragons can deal with these beings, this only applies to the living."

After saying that, he turned and left.

"...I see. Thank you, Lord Bai Yi."

Lu Boyun understood.

"Then come with me. I will take you to see your father and mother."

Lu Boyun glanced at Du Heng, who nodded and led his men to clean up the scene.

Some things are better left unsaid.

Some things simply have to be dealt with.

"Sir! Sir! Please be gentle, my ear! My ear is about to fall off!"

Back at the inn, Bai Zhou received Xi's punishment with a pained expression.

Why didn't you wake me up before you left?

"Why didn't she just release Xiao Zizai when she captured you?"

"Why...why waste my time!"

Thinking of Bai Zhou's innocent look earlier, Xi gritted her teeth in anger.

She was running around looking for people and fighting tirelessly.

He, on the other hand, was just listening to stories! Was he planning to eat there if they went later?

"Sir, I was wrong, I was wrong."

During the day, she didn't struggle or resist, but only begged for mercy in a soft voice.

"Humph."

Seeing Bai Zhou's pitiful state, Xi let go of his hand, and then, as if still not satisfied, raised her hand and tapped Bai Zhou's forehead three times.

Xi turned around, took out a painting from the bamboo box containing the paintings, unfolded it, and pointed at the painting as she looked at Bai Zhou.

"Get in!"

"what?"

■

With a splash, Bai Zhou was soaking in a hot spring.

"Don't come out until you're clean."

"Oh!"

He agreed during the day, and then obediently took off his clothes and started taking a bath.

However, as if he had thought of something else, Bai Zhou took out Xiao Zizai's portrait and released it.

"Little Zizai, can you rub my back for me?"

"Goo~"

"..."

"Sir, are you hungry?"

After washing herself and her clothes and drying them in the painting, Bai Zhou squatted down next to Xi and gently bothered her.

I'm not hungry.

Before daylight could respond, dusk said again:

"Not tired, not thirsty, not sleepy."

"Waaah..."

Hmph, speechless now.

With nothing to say, Bai Zhou sat down in a chair, holding a jar of dried fruit, and looked up at Xi's profile, her mind filled with many thoughts.

"Sir, you said... what is the relationship between Lu Yun and Banxia like?"

"..."

What's there to say?

Xi picked up her paintbrush and started drawing something on the paper.

She'd seen countless love stories, breakups and reunions, separations and reunions. Having seen so many, she felt they were all just like that, nothing to be ashamed of.

The world will keep turning whether they are there or not; they are not the only ones.

"Sir, you said... when they reunited and saw each other's appearance, what were their feelings?"

The love between the two was undoubtedly strong, and even the long passage of time could not diminish it.

but……

Tragically, the racial divide between the two is a significant factor.

It is the divide between things that live long and things that die young.

"Sir, what kind of people will I meet in the future...?"

Xi glanced at Bai Zhou.

Seeing his troubled expression, Xi suddenly felt a little annoyed.

How old are you to be thinking about this? You're just a little kid, your hair hasn't even grown up yet and you're already thinking about love and romance? Nonsense!

Xi stopped looking at him and picked up her pen to start sketching again.

"Mr. Magic Pen..."

"Ok?"

What did he just say?

He mentioned the writer, didn't he?

"Like Mr. Magic Pen..."

Like the way you write?

He... likes the way he writes?

Xi paused, her brushstrokes faltering, the ink spreading and staining the painting.

What did he mean by what he just said?

Does he like the one who writes?

Xi picked up her pen and turned her head to look. She wanted to give Bai Zhou a painful lesson, to let him know that he couldn't just think about anything.

The pen tip stopped on Bai Zhou's forehead.