Out of the blue, a delicate voice sounded.
"Jiu You, would you like some water?"
Ye Chuang paused.
Feng Yun stopped in her tracks, pressing her hands against her dress, standing still in the wind.
A torch flickered on the shore, casting long shadows of the two figures.
The speaker was Yin Shuang.
She was handing over a water bladder to Jiu You, her voice full of gratitude.
"If it werenât for Jiu You just now, I would have fallen."
Jiu You said, "Itâs a trivial matter. Donât worry about it."
In a soft voice, Yin Shuang said, "Itâs because Iâm clumsy. With the sudden misfortunes at home, my mind has been elsewhere, and I canât even walk properly..."
"Itâs my fault; I startled you by appearing so suddenly." Jiu You looked tenderly at the pitiable yet spirited young lady, "Youâve done nothing wrong, you donât need to blame yourself all the time. If I were in your situation, I might not have handled it as well as you..."
Yin Shuangâs brows knit rapidly in gratitude and she offered the water bladder again.
This was her way of saying thanks.
Jiu You took it, tilted his head back to drink, then handed it back to her.
"Thank you."
Without a word, Yin Shuang took the bladder and lightly sipped from its mouth.
Seeing her do this, Jiu You was momentarily stunned, feeling suddenly parched.
Though it was winter, his body felt strangely hot...
He lifted his sleeve to wipe his forehead.
Noticing this, Yin Shuang pulled out a scented handkerchief from her bosom and handed it over.
"Jiu You, here."
The fragrance from the ladyâs cuff was overpowering, her eyes mournful yet smiling, like crushed petals after rain, emanating a delicate scent that tugged at the heart, making one yearn to crush her in his embrace...
Realizing this horrifying thought, Jiu Youâs back was covered in a cold sweat; he became completely weak as if thrown into a blazing furnace, his breathing tightened, and he accepted the handkerchief, yet he didnât know where to wipe...
Yin Shuang tilted her head: "Jiu You?"
Startled out of his reverie, Jiu You quickly regained his senses, vigorously wiped his forehead, and his face flushed red.
"I will wash it, wash it and then return it to you."
Yin Shuang held back a smile, "No need, itâs just a handkerchief. I made it myself, itâs not worth much money."
Jiu Youâs Adamâs apple moved slightly as he swallowed his saliva.
"Whereâs your sister?"
"My sister..." Yin Shuang shyly lowered her head, "My sister... she went to relieve herself. Otherwise, why would I be here waiting, chatting so much nonsense with Jiu You..."
Her mention of ârelieve herselfâ, spoken in such an embarrassed manner, made Jiu Youâs settled heart lift once more, aimlessly floating, his mind repeatedly filled with images of the ladyâs autumn-like eyes...
"Then you should go back early later."
"Mm, I understand..."
As Yin Shuang spoke, she seemed to hear something, suddenly turned around, and let out an exclamation.
"Sister..."
Jiu Youâs brow jumped as he turned around too.
He saw Zuo Zhong walking towards the firelight from the dark riverbank...
In his arm was a girl with a limp body, like boneless, slumped entirely in his embrace, looking completely unconscious.
But strangely, the scene was unexpectedly beautiful; the damsel was soft and flexible, the young man strong and resolute, they appeared so well-matched no matter how one looked at it.
Jiu Youâs face changed, and he stood there, stunned.
Not far away, Feng Yunâs attendant Xiaoman seemed completely bewildered, her mind buzzing blankly, her legs so weak she could hardly stand...
Ye Chuang gave her a hand.
Xiaoman clutched her chest, feeling a rush of nausea and dizziness coming over her.
Ye Chuangâs brows furrowed unintentionally as he let her lean into the crook of his arm and called Feng Yun:
"My lady..."
Feng Yun did not respond.
She walked slowly down.
Stepping from the shadows into the light, her slow approach startled everyone.
Feng Yunâs face was impassive.
She didnât look at the dazed Jiu You, nor at the surprised Yin Shuang, not even at Zuo Zhong holding Jin Shuang; instead, she walked past the torch, towards the farther riverbank behind Zuo Zhong...
Until she was out of the torchâs glow.
Then her soft laugh was heard.
"Where did you go, my king? Youâve made me search for you."