Not far away, Ji Nanjue, who was sewing a sleeve, caught a glimpse of Su Bei stealthily looking in her direction. A tender smile crept onto her cheeks as she stood up and walked toward him, speaking softly, "Husband, let me check your wounds."

"....."

She sat beside him, undid his clothing, gently held the wounded area, and examined it for a while.

Su Bei's wounds had generally healed completely. The tender, red new flesh was gradually becoming firm. A satisfied smile surfaced on her face, and she glanced at him with her clear, bright eyes. Her maturely beautiful face flushed, suddenly filled with an alluring feminine charm. She lifted her hand to tuck a strand of hair by her temple.

At that moment, Dan Wuque approached, holding a basket. In the basket lay a large watermelon and four delicate side dishes. A pot of tea sat on top; its porcelain pot was wrapped in a towel with several blocks of cellar-stored ice keeping it chilled. There were quite a few items indeed.

The Bamboo Leaf Green wine was chilled. Melon was cut to be eaten with the wine. By the creek, weeping willows seemed to caress a zither. Cups and chopsticks were held aloft, and red-sleeved maidens attended him—each with a pretty face, full of affection and interest for him. For a romantic scholar, could this be the most dreamed-of life?

Su Bei lifted his chopsticks and gazed around, his heart a tangled mess.

Should he steel his heart and thoroughly enjoy everything he now possessed to face life more genuinely? Having been reborn, shouldn't he try to make himself and those around him happier? Whether intentional or not, after all, all of it had come into his life.

Dan Wulan sat across from Su Bei, eating a slightly undercooked scallion pancake and mimicking Dan Wuque's actions in arranging the dishes. Ji Nanjue rolled up her sleeves and filled Su Bei's cup to the brim; the wine in the cup was golden-emerald, its fragrance assailing the nose.

He couldn't stand it— Su Bei felt utterly ill at ease. This kind of pampered lifestyle, so "corrupt and decadent," felt all too sinful...

「Night gradually fell.」

Dan Wulan, being considerate, left a private space for Su Bei and Ji Nanjue. She was about to leave with her sister when a somewhat embarrassed cough came from behind.

"COUGH, COUGH—"

"Um, Wulan... where are you going?"

"..."

Ji Nanjue feigned indifference, turning her head away. She busied herself by the bonfire, picking at the dirt under her fingernails.

Dan Wulan turned her head and saw Su Bei's mischievous expression. A blush instantly crept onto her cheeks, but she still said, feigning nonchalance, "Hmph, I'm giving you and Nan Ji some space. Don't be too loud tonight.

"If you disturb my sister and me, I'll get angry!"

"..."

Her tone, at least, sounded utterly carefree. As for what she truly thought, Su Bei had no idea.

Su Bei stepped forward, gazing deeply into Dan Wulan's slightly evasive eyes, and then shamelessly spoke the words he had buried in his heart for a long time, "Well, why don't you both stay? It's not often we get to meet—I, your husband, want to have a long talk with you all, throughout the night..."

"..."

These words should have sounded abrupt, even shameless. Yet at this moment, when spoken by Su Bei, they seemed so fitting.

Hearing his words, Dan Wulan's silver hair shimmered with a peculiar luster in the flame's reflection. Her crimson lips slightly parted, the corners of her eyes curving upward as she revealed a playful smile, "Husband, since you woke up, your skin really has gotten thicker.

"You can even say something like 'sharing a bed together' with such deep emotion..."

"..."

The bright bonfire light flickered on the faces of the three women. It was clear that two of them were blushing furiously, while the third, Dan Wuque, looked somewhat at a loss.

At least for Dan Wuque, Su Bei was merely her senior brother in name; she had no real intimate connection with him.

Her white cowlick quivered gently—a clear sign of the unease in her heart.

So, she carefully backed away, one small hand absently picking at a tear in her black silk stockings.

"Senior... Senior Brother."

"Uh, I'm getting a bit hungry. I'm going to go hunt a bear.

"I might not be back until tomorrow... You guys do... ah, no, I mean, you guys talk... This junior sister will take her leave first."

"..."

As she spoke, her cowlick spun wildly, like helicopter blades. Her heart grew increasingly restless.

Covering her cheeks, now as red as the morning clouds, she fled into the distance like a startled bird.

She ran until she reached a spot where she believed she wouldn't hear those sounds that threw her Dao heart into turmoil. Only then did she stop, hugging her knees as she sat before a large rock.

Her small mouth panted softly. She patted her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

THUMP—

THUMP—

Su Bei's current, world-weary face replayed endlessly in her mind. Centuries had passed—though the marks of age and the relentless flow of time vied with each other, she had never forgotten her senior brother.

Dan Wuque lowered her head slightly, burying her small face in her arms. Her cowlick drooped too, like a frost-nipped eggplant seedling...

After a very long time, she whispered, "You have room for so many by your side; why won't you ever turn back and look at me?

"It's not just Wulan.

"I miss you so much too."

"..."

「In the dim cave.」

After Dan Wuque fled, only Su Bei and the two women remained.

Su Bei knew Dan Wulan was mostly all talk; that woman had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. And as for Nan Ji, she was now completely obedient to him. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

On a relatively flat rock, Su Bei sat with a woman in each arm, their soft, warm, fragrant bodies pressed against him.

Nan Ji's waist was still as slender as a willow. The touch of her chest against his brought a rich fragrance... even carrying a hint of the unique aroma of a Phoenix.

Yet, his heart was strangely devoid of distracting thoughts; instead, he felt an exceptional sense of satisfaction, desiring nothing else.

Nan Ji was initially somewhat nervous. Although they had done many outrageous things together—including that time with Dan Wulan and the others, playing cards on the large bed at the inn—now, in such a desolate wilderness, what if he made such a request again?

It was one thing with Dan Wulan, but if they reached Northern Border Pass, and he dared to force his Empress again...

Ji Nanjue knew Su Bei all too well. His mind always harbored some perverse thoughts; she wouldn't be surprised if he was already scheming something along those lines...

However, this time Su Bei merely held them gently. Ji Nanjue's body gradually relaxed, and she leaned her perfect head against his solid chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat.

Resting on his chest, Nan Ji met Dan Wulan's clear, expressionless eyes.

In that moment, their long hair intertwined, and their even breaths mingled in the air around them.

Ji Nanjue pressed her lips together tightly, her tongue darting out to lick them. Finally, she made a decision.

She tentatively reached a small hand toward Dan Wulan.

Dan Wulan started, her eyes narrowing slightly as she pondered... Ji Nanjue could clearly see her confusion.

But Ji Nanjue did not withdraw her hand.

Finally—

After a moment, Dan Wulan also extended a hand, as if she had at last come to a decision, letting out a long sigh.

At that moment.

There, on Su Bei's chest, the two women reached an understanding.

Their outstretched hands clasped tightly.

From now on, it's not 'I.'

"It's 'us.'"