"Shhh," Chen Leike shushed her. Despite his soft tone, what he said was merciless, "Father is already dead, you know? No thanks to you."

As far as anyone knew, it was the traitorous Guanghai Elder who was responsible for Chen Ganyong's death. Chen Anyue knew better, bits of memory that was erased returned to her in a fever-induced dream. But her control over her own body was waning. She was shaking, feverish and coughing even when she was without strength. " It wasn't…It wasn't him or me, it was…"

But her older brother only clicked his tongue at her when Chen Anyue curled up into another coughing fit. A servant rushed over with a hot steaming bowl with a strong scent of medicinal herbs. It was hot to touch, but the Immortal of Luck picked it up anyway, uncaring if the pads of his fingers burned. 

"Drink this, little sister. It will make you feel better." Without blowing on it, he shoved the bowl against her lips. She coughed again sputtering a mess of boiling medicine all over her chest.

He hissed, showing his annoyance if only briefly. But before he could entirely pull away and set the bowl down temporarily, Chen Anyue grabbed her brother's forearm. Her eyes went wide, and for an instant, they were bright and deep brown. Lucidity came to her for only a moment.

"Dage!" Her voice was urgent, pupils dilating and contracting in quick turns. 

He was startled for a moment and waiting for what she might have to say. Chen Anyue muttered both breathless and hoa.r.s.e, "Dage, you have to cancel my wedding, please."

Chen Leike's face was expressionless. He looked down on her and decided that he did not like the words coming out of her mouth. A cruel smile twisted his lips, and he brought the medicine bowl back to her lips. Pus.h.i.+ng her down against the bed with a fist against her shoulder, he shoved the hot liquid against her lips.

"There, there little sister of mine. It appears that you're still very hurt and ill and so very, utterly confused. Whatever could you be talking about?"

Chen Anyue whimpered and sputtered as the medicine burned her delicate mouth. But even as she flailed, there was nothing she could do but choke down the liquid. After a fruitless struggle, she calmed again, consciousness slipping away once more.

"It seems that my little sister still needs plenty and plenty of rest." Chen Leike hummed absently over her. 

…

Yuan Xuelan wasn't able to see the Ivory Sword Saint much after that time they finally bore their feelings for each other. Instead, he was left to drown in the memory, toes curling in excitement at the pure thought.

It was a pity that the world would not wait for them to share precious moments together.

It all began with a note, pa.s.sed into his fingertips by a dive-bombing raven. Yuan Xuelan cursed at the thing as it fled in a cloud of black feathers. Unfolding the small piece of paper, he saw that it was Hui Moxiang's atrocious writing. A moment was taken to decode the awful thing, but Yuan Xuelan's frown only deepened when it asked him to meet in the next town over.

Yuan Xuelan was reluctant to go. But when he had gone to Liu Sumeng late that night and consulted the Ivory Sword Saint, Sumeng was unexpectedly insistent that he leave.

He was almost got up and left himself, grabbing Mingshui off its stand and striding toward to door.

"Wait!" Yuan Xuelan stepped between Liu Sumeng and the door. He earned the slightest of scowls. It was nighttime, and candlelight made Liu Sumeng's visage look warm in Xuelan's eyes. "You shouldn't go."

"I'm alright." Liu Sumeng responded sharply.

"Your wound still hasn't fully healed," Yuan Xuelan pointed out. "What if it's dangerous?"

"Then I can handle my own."

Of course, Liu Sumeng could handle his own, but so could Yuan Xuelan. Yuan Xuelan's injuries hadn't been nearly as severe in comparison, and he wasn't in danger of suddenly ripping wounds open again from overexertion. 

"I know that. But…Can Sumeng let me take care of it?" He said, voice slightly pleading. "Sumeng still has plenty of paperwork to go through, doesn't he? You've been corresponding with your Sect members up in the north, haven't you? I know that you're already busy as it is so…"

The frown on Liu Sumeng's face was etched in deep. He didn't say anything, knowing that Yuan Xuelan's words had good reason. And this boy, who had grown up so much was quite reliable now, wasn't he? A pleasant warmth tickled Liu Sumeng's belly. 

He sighed, shoulders deflating in admitted defeat. "I trust you, Xuelan. Take care and be careful."

Yuan Xuelan was a.s.saulted with joy. His eyes lit with energy and love, swooping down in one excited motion to claim Liu Sumeng's lips in a victorious kiss. "Thank you!"

Liu Sumeng was stunned for a moment, uncertain just what he was even being thanked for. He did not understand what suddenly possessed Yuan Xuelan with such merriment and happiness.

In truth, Yuan Xuelan was simply ecstatic that his Sumeng trusted him, was able to rely on him. There was no better feeling in the world.

Wait no, he paused in thought, that wasn't true.

The best feeling in the world was having Liu Sumeng kiss him back, have his feelings be returned. Yuan Xuelan wound his arms around the small of Liu Sumeng's back and chuckled in the curve of his neck, "You're the best Sumeng."

"...I don't understand." Liu Sumeng's words came with a chuckle of his own. Even if he couldn't understand Xuelan's sudden actions, they were still very entertaining. 

Yuan Xuelan pulled away just enough to give a wide smile before coming down again and kissing Liu Sumeng on the lips. "I'm just happy whenever I can do something for you."

"Foolish," Liu Sumeng chided when he kissed him back.

After hugging him one last time and breathing in the wonderful aura of the Ivory Sword Saint, Yuan Xuelan finally freed Sumeng from his hold. He was practically vibrating. Hand clasped around Silei's guard as it he might draw the sword at a moment's notice.

Liu Sumeng raised a brow, a gentle smile was upon his lips and he folded his arms across his chest, "Are you going to leave now?"

"Of course!"

"It's the middle of the night," Liu Sumeng pointed out. "You should wait till morning. Rest now."

Yuan Xuelan grinned back, "I know. But the sooner I leave means, the sooner I can come back. Please wait for me." 

Privately, Liu Sumeng wondered if it was really okay to leave Yuan Xuelan like this, giddy like a newborn foal greeting the wide gra.s.slands. A part of him lamented staying behind just because he wouldn't be able to witness and spend more time with this cheerful and energetic Yuan Xuelan.

He was seriously cute. But Liu Sumeng wanted to believe that they will have more time to share between them later. He wanted nothing more than to trust.

And so he did. "Wait," Liu Sumeng beckoned him back before Yuan Xuelan ran off.

The younger blinked at him eagerly, "Yes?"

All Liu Sumeng did was pull him close by the collar of his robes, planting a chase kiss on the corner of Yuan Xuelan's lips. Yuan Xuelan startled a little. He was just about to press in again to deepen the kiss but before he could, the Ivory Sword Saint had pushed him away. He caught a playful glimmer in those sharp brown eyes. There was secret little smirk and Liu Sumeng closed the door in Yuan Xuelan's face.

Stupefied, Yuan Xuelan blinked at the door for a moment or two.

'Pray tell, are you just going to stare at it?' Huo Tang chided, snapping Yuan Xuelan from his embarra.s.sing stupor. He grimaced and stepped away. There was determination thrummed through his veins. He was going to travel to the neighboring village as soon as possible!

…

On flying sword, it wasn't that far away. Yuan Xuelan found the small Lou Village that was just by the main roads. Yuan Xuelan wondered why Hui Moxiang would choose to meet him in such a place until he remembered that Chen Leike had forbidden the demon from entering Reling knowingly, promising to end her life if he were ever to catch sight of her.

They had tried to convince the new sect leader that despite being a Hui, Moxiang was on their side and had helped them time and time again. But Chen Leike was oddly unyielding and forced her out of the city.

Hui Moxiang herself did not care so much for the banishment but was too wary now of entering carelessly. Nothing bode well being an enemy of Chen Leike; for his absurd luck seemed to ensure his victory over his foes.

It was still dark when Yuan Xuelan arrived in the village. Constellations were plastered across the dark sky. Yuan Xuelan suddenly felt a little regretful that he hadn't brought Liu Sumeng with him after all. It was an awfully romantic night; the sky was clear aside from a few stray wispy clouds. The wind was gentle with its caress. Though it was a bit chilly, winter just around the corner now, that would give Yuan Xuelan the perfect excuse to drape his jacket over Liu Sumeng's shoulder.

He strolled the quiet dirt paths, absently daydreaming about such a scenario, Liu Sumeng's breath fogging in front of his face and warming the slight flush of his chilled cheeks. He imagined Liu Sumeng's soft smile and his long slender fingers reaching over to entwine with his own.

"Where are you going!?" A familiar voice snapped his out of his trance. Yuan Xuelan blinked and scowled, annoyed that he'd been forcefully ripped away from such a lovely daydream. But when he turned around, Hui Moxiang's face was there to greet him and reminded him of why he was even there in the first place.

"Oh hey, Auntie Hui."

Hui Moxiang blinked for a moment. She was back in her feminine form, her face rounded and delicate. Though she was no longer dressed in an androgynous way and instead sported a dress similar to something she would have worn back in the days of calling herself Xiao Hei. Of course, she did not conjure those ridiculous b.r.e.a.s.t.s and opted for a more convenient and less memorable body-type.

"What did you just call me?" The appearance that she donned this time was that of a young woman and did not warrant being called Auntie. 

"..." Yuan Xuelan stared at her a little and then said, "I can call you Uncle instead, which do you prefer?"

"..."

"..."

"...Big sister is fine."

"Okay, Auntie it is."