The improved female villains regained their memories.

Although he didn't understand why Xu Anyin wanted to pull him into seclusion and confess her feelings to him, he figured it was fine; they had already gone this far, so he let her do whatever she wanted.

The courtyard in the valley was set up by the female villain; she was responsible for all the furniture, the furnishings, and the daily meals. Yang Pingsheng's daily routine consisted of lying in the rocking chair in the courtyard, leisurely basking in the sun.

Xu Anyin also became much more obedient, no longer as domineering as when she was an emperor. She simply stayed by his side quietly, no longer trying to take the final step or steal his soul. Every night when they slept, she simply held him in her arms.

In a daze, Yang Pingsheng seemed to see Xu Anlu, that lovely and well-behaved child.

By the way, how is Xu Anlu doing now?

That child was probably the most innocent one.

At night, Yang Pingsheng lay in a rocking chair, gazing at the stars in the sky, his thoughts drifting back to the past.

The little girl, who once accidentally broke a vase when they met, clamored to learn martial arts from him, bullied animals everywhere in the mountains and forests, befriended sparrows, and often ran over excitedly to share her joy.

When strolling through Yong'an City, she wanted to try some snacks, took my hand, and asked me what I liked. She confided in me about Xiaojiu's situation, feeling wronged, while also defending her older sister. She talked about trivial matters of life, sometimes managing to make me laugh.

When we parted, I pretended not to cry, but my eyes welled up with tears first. My movements were stiff, and I tried my best not to cry. In the end, I broke down and hugged myself, saying that I couldn't bear to part, like a child who will never grow up.

Xu Anlu, in many different forms.

And then there was that gray gaze from when he was holding Ling Yan'er in Cining Palace.

That forlorn gaze, that fleeing figure—that was the last thing Yang Pingsheng saw.

she……

"Grand Tutor".

My thoughts were interrupted when a red-haired girl carrying fruit approached with a smile.

"Have some fruit."

The smile on her face was clear and innocent, and the gentleness in her eyes under the soft moonlight made Yang Pingsheng even more immersed in his memories.

That girl.

"it is good."

Yang Pingsheng nodded, but didn't move his hands. The red-haired girl didn't mind, put down the fruit, walked behind the rocking chair, and placed both hands on Yang Pingsheng's shoulders.

"Grand Tutor, let me massage your shoulders."

"it is good."

A gentle, moderate force came from my shoulder, accompanied by a soft voice, in waves.

"Grand Tutor, what are you looking at?"

"Look at the stars."

"Does the Grand Tutor enjoy looking at the stars?"

"I didn't like it at first, but then I thought, it's not bad to take a look," Yang Pingsheng said. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Grand Tutor, please ask."

"Xiao Lu, how is she?"

The hand massaging the shoulder paused slightly, then continued moving.

"Naturally, it is still within the space of consciousness."

"Aren't you going to return this body to her?"

"Does the Grand Tutor care about her a lot?"

"I care... how should I put it?"

This has nothing to do with the Heavenly Dao's plan, but it's fine to chat casually anyway. Yang Pingsheng thought for a moment and said, "Yes, I care very much."

"What does the Grand Tutor think of her?"

"In my heart, she will always be that child."

Innocent, lively, cheerful, and kind.

In Yang Pingsheng's heart, she was the innocent one in this world.

"Does the Grand Tutor like her?"

The red-haired girl asked this question.

The night wind rustled the leaves as Xu Anyin asked a question that touched upon the Heavenly Dao's plan.

Yang Pingsheng sighed helplessly and placed his hand in the girl's hand:

"I like you, Xiao Yin."

The massaging hands stopped completely.

Yang Pingsheng didn't care at all and continued to speak according to what the system had taught him: "At first, I did have some opinions about you, but as we got to know each other better, I was able to understand your loneliness in both lifetimes. Perhaps this is why humanity chose me to support you. Actually, you and I are quite similar."

"Forgive me for abandoning you at the last moment. Actually, my original plan was to save you afterward."

He slowly withdrew his hand.

The red-haired girl turned around and said, "Grand Tutor, it's getting late. I'll go prepare some hot water for you."

"...Xiao Yin".

Yang Pingsheng sensed something was wrong and was about to speak when the girl had already left.

Consciousness space.

Xu Anlu stood in the very center, with countless traces of the Great Dao appearing and spreading over her body.

She let out a low shout and merged into these traces of the Great Dao, causing the entire consciousness space to tremble violently.

"Xiao Yin".

A cold voice lingered, and Xu Anyin emerged from the darkness, weakly asking, "Sister, what is it?"

"The Grand Tutor said he likes you very much."

"Hey?"

Xu Anyin was a little stunned, then he saw Xu Anlu turn her head slightly and look at him with a red glow in her eyes.

Her legs went weak on the spot, and she knelt down with a thud, stammering:

"Sister, what are you going to do?"

Chapter Ninety-Three: The Two-Faced Emperor

Some things are changing.

Yang Pingsheng noticed this change.

Xu Anyin became silent. Every day, he would cook the meals as usual, then lock himself in his room and rarely come out to see anyone.

She stopped bothering Yang Pingsheng to sleep with her. Although she was still very polite, there was always something hidden in her eyes.

Hidden within... desire?

It's not just desire; there's something else besides desire.

Yang Pingsheng wanted to ask, but still felt it was better to stay put.

In the final stretch, he didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble, if possible.

Life in the valley was detached from worldly affairs, and Yang Pingsheng didn't even realize that the New Year had arrived.

But then, it snowed again.

The world was a vast expanse of white, the weather was freezing, and everything was dressed in white. Yang Pingsheng's recliner was moved back into the house, where he would lie every day, watching the snow through the window.

As he watched, until the heavy snow disappeared and new buds began to sprout, he realized that another year had passed.

Xu Anyin came out less and less often, and basically, except for preparing meals, she kept herself locked in her room most of the time. Yang Pingsheng couldn't figure out what she was doing, and could only see red spiritual energy emanating from her room from time to time.

Perhaps she went out at night, but Yang Pingsheng was sound asleep and didn't know she had gone out.

The night the snow melted, he fell asleep and had a dream. In the dream, he was in a pitch-black space, and Xu Anyin, with her flowing red hair, ran up to him and said anxiously, "Grand Tutor, run! My sister has gone mad!"

……crazy?

Who? Xiao Lu? But isn't Xiao Lu Xu An Yin's sister?

Who is my sister talking about?

"Grand Tutor!" In the dream, Xu Anyin grabbed his hand, her face serious. "I'm not joking with you, my sister has really gone mad!"

The Xu Anyin in his dream was not as ridiculous as the Xu Anyin in reality. Perhaps it was because he was dreaming, but he had the urge to tease her.

"Okay, okay, your sister's gone mad, even mader than you. So what's the reason for her madness?"

Upon hearing the question, a dejected expression appeared on Xu Anyin's face. This was definitely the first time Yang Pingsheng had ever seen Xu Anyin so dejected. She lowered her head, not daring to look at him, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, and pursed her lips as she said, "It's...it's my fault. I'm a useless piece of trash, only a burden. Even if I'm reborn, I'll still mess everything up."

"This really is a dream," Yang Pingsheng thought. "If it were the real Xu Anyin, he would never have said such a thing."

“I truly realize my mistakes. I have caused the deaths of many people, even my uncle… died because of me. But at least, at least you, Grand Tutor, I don’t want you to die because of me!”

Her words were halting, but they couldn't hide the girl's earnestness.

As Yang Pingsheng looked down, the red-haired girl's eyes were filled with tears. She said earnestly, word by word, "I... am not a good person, nor am I a grateful person. My uncle helped me in my past life, and I killed him. And you, Grand Tutor, you also helped me, but because of suspicion and fear, I did very bad things to you. I am really sorry."

She raised her hand and touched Yang Pingsheng's chest with her fingertips. Points of light gathered there and eventually merged into Yang Pingsheng's body.

"Xiao Yin, you..."

"I'm sorry, Grand Tutor. I am neither a good emperor nor a good student. I have failed your teachings and caused the deaths of so many people. I am truly sorry."

As the light shone through, Xu Anyin's figure became much weaker.

Her face was deathly pale, and she gave a weak smile: "I'm sorry, my sister has placed a restriction on me, so I can't tell you what happened, but at least, in these last moments, let me help you escape..."

"What a wonderful coincidence! I only realized this now. If you have the chance in the future, please tell me more about that world. Maybe I myself will also fall in love with the Grand Tutor..."

"If only you had been my teacher in my past life, that would have been wonderful..."

Xu Anyin's figure began to disappear.

Starting from his lower body, Xu Anyin's body slowly transformed into light and gently rose upwards.

She looked at the Grand Tutor, initially smiling, but slowly, she burst into tears.