Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Ye Zhuixun coldly gazed at Lou Jinglei. “It’s true.”

“Young Master Ye, you’re in the wrong. Lou Qianxue and Master Gongsun are good friends. Master Gongsun definitely doesn’t want her to be dead. Even if you’re feeling aggrieved, you shouldn’t have offended Master Gongsun! Go and quickly apologize to him.”

“… ” Ye Zhuixun became furious. However, he endured his fury, glanced at Lou Potian, and coldly said, “It seems that it’s not your turn to lecture me on what I should do!”

“You!” His rebuke left Lou Jinglei speechless for a moment.

Lou Potian seemed to have aged a lot within this short period. With an exhausted expression, he said, “Family Head, I’m sorry. I really don’t have the mood to entertain you right now. Please be understanding.”

“… It’s alright. I understand.” Lou Jinglei revealed a stiff smile. “But the dead are already done. We, who are alive, have to live on. After you all attend the Imperial Academy, cultivate well, and achieve glory for my Lou family, I’ll definitely treat you all well.”

He took a pause before continuing, “Of course… As for Master Gongsun, you better go and apologize… Otherwise, if both sides really fight, you can’t blame me for being unable to protect you all.”

“Don’t worry.” Lou Potian said in a cold voice, “We will not implicate the Prefectural Governor’s Mansion.”

“That’ll be good.” Lou Jinglei’s expression had also worsened after he had been continuously rebuked. He immediately waved his sleeves and left.

As he left the yard, he paused, turned around, and took a glance. He then snorted and said, “Humph! Lou Qianxue? Although it’s a pity that she’s dead, it’s good for me. As she’s dead, our secret will remain a secret! Looks like letting these people from Qingyun City remain here won’t bring any harm.”

Seven days later.

An Shaoning had woken up, but the meridians in his body had ruptured; he had become unable to cultivate.

On the first day An Shaoning woke up, he arranged for someone to go to the Imperial Academy to explain his situation to Teacher Mo. He asked Teacher Mo to replace his name at the Imperial Academy with another member from his family.

On the night of the same day, he brought his servants and left Fengyang prefecture.

Lou Xiaoxiao had guarded his bed for seven days, but after he woke up, he had persuaded her to rest. But when she woke up…

“He left? Where did he go?”

“I don’t know. Young Master An didn’t inform us.”

“… ” Lou Xiaoxiao turned around and hurriedly looked for a horse. She then swiftly rushed toward Liuyun Prefecture.

She moved at an extremely fast speed, and she caught up with An Shaoning soon.

“An Shaoning! Why aren’t you resting? Where are you going?”

“Lou Xiaoxiao.”

Of the two of them, one was sitting inside a carriage, and the other was riding the horse.

Lou Xiaoxiao was dressed in a red form-fitting garment. Her hands were tightly clutching the reins of the horse, and her beautiful eyes were staring at the carriage.

A voice as gentle as always came from inside the carriage. “Since I was young, I’ve been a genius in Liuyun Prefecture. Can you imagine what a genius would feel after becoming a useless piece of trash? Even I can’t help but be depressed… That’s why I want to be alone.”

“… ” Lou Xiaoxiao suddenly choked as she breathed. A tinge of pain swept past her beautiful eyes. She paused and hoarsely said, “Let me look after you.”

No reply came from inside the carriage.

“I’m sincere.”

“Haha…” An Shaoning, who was in the carriage, closed his eyes and opened them again. He then smiled and said, “Xiaoxiao, I don’t wish to deceive you, so I’m telling you the truth. I really don’t like this pity. Do you know that you’re humiliating me like this?”

“I am not—”

“Shhh! Don’t say it, I know.” Although An Shaoning’s tone was sad, he did not bear any resentment. He was gentle and elegant as always. “Don’t think of me as so weak. I am An Shaoning.

“Even if I, the exceptionally talented and intellectual An Shaoning from Liuyun Prefecture, have lost my cultivation, I won’t admit defeat. I will live my life to the fullest. Xiaoxiao, I’m not giving up on myself. I just want to be alone. Give me some time. I’ll personally look for you, alright?”