The smile on Mo Yuan’s face disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.
Only the drifting peach blossoms remained, dancing lazily between the three men.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Ji Chen was the first to recover.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as though nothing unusual had happened.
“It seems Young Master Lin enjoys making jokes today.”
His voice was as warm as ever, carrying none of the displeasure hidden beneath it.
“The Ghost Manor is hardly a place for distinguished guests.”
He turned toward Lin Xue, his expression gentle.
“If you wish to discuss cultivation or the Oracle, the Eastern Palace will always welcome you.”
Lin Xue lowered his eyes.
“In the past, I would have gladly accepted.”
Ji Chen’s smile stiffened.
“But…”
Lin Xue met his gaze.
“…today I wish to visit His Highness, Prince Mo Yuan.”
Another silence settled over the garden.
The spring breeze seemed to stop.
Even the birds hidden among the peach blossoms had fallen quiet.
Ji Chen studied Lin Xue carefully.
There was no hesitation.
No embarrassment.
Only quiet determination.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, an unfamiliar irritation rose within him.
He had always believed Lin Xue would remain by his side.
Even if Heaven had not spoken.
Even if no decree existed.
That confidence…
Was beginning to crack.
Much like the Heavenly Oracle itself.
After a long pause, Ji Chen smiled once more.
“If that is your decision…”
“I shall not interfere.”
He bowed gracefully toward Mo Yuan.
“Elder Brother.”
“I hope you’ll take good care of Young Master Lin.”
Mo Yuan merely inclined his head.
“I always do.”
The answer was simple.
Yet something about those three words caused Ji Chen’s expression to darken for the briefest moment.
Without another word, the Crown Prince turned and left.
His attendants hurried after him.
As his figure disappeared beyond the stone bridge, Lin Xue let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Only then did he notice Mo Yuan watching him.
“You lied.”
Lin Xue blinked.
“…About what?”
“You said you wished to visit me.”
Mo Yuan’s voice remained calm.
“But your spiritual energy became unstable the moment Ji Chen approached.”
“You wanted to leave.”
Lin Xue smiled faintly.
“I suppose I wasn’t very convincing.”
“You were.”
Mo Yuan looked away toward the flowing stream.
“Only I noticed.”
Lin Xue’s heart skipped a beat.
There was something strange about this man.
Everyone called him cold.
Unapproachable.
Merciless.
Yet in the few minutes they had spoken…
It was as though…
He had spent years observing him.
“Shall we go?”
Mo Yuan’s voice broke his thoughts.
Lin Xue nodded.
“Yes.”
The Ghost Manor stood at the northern edge of the capital.
Unlike the luxurious residences of the other princes, it was surrounded by towering black walls covered in climbing ivy.
Ancient pine trees stretched toward the sky, casting long shadows across the stone path.
A thick mist drifted between them.
From a distance…
The manor resembled an abandoned fortress.
No wonder the people feared it.
As the carriage stopped before the massive gates, Lin Xue looked upward.
A plaque of black jade hung above the entrance.
Upon it were carved two silver characters.
Ghost Manor.
The gates slowly opened.
Lin Xue expected darkness.
Instead…
He froze.
Beyond the walls lay an ocean of white.
White plum blossoms.
White magnolia flowers.
White lotus ponds.
Crystal-clear streams wound through elegant courtyards connected by moon-shaped archways.
The manor was peaceful.
Beautiful.
Nothing like the terrifying place described by the rumors.
“You seem surprised.”
Mo Yuan stepped down from the carriage first before offering his hand.
Lin Xue accepted it without thinking.
The moment their fingers touched—
A strange warmth spread through both of them.
The crimson lotus mark hidden beneath Lin Xue’s sleeve pulsed once.
Mo Yuan’s eyes flickered.
Neither mentioned it.
Lin Xue withdrew his hand almost immediately.
“…This place is…”
He searched for the right words.
“Nothing like the stories.”
Mo Yuan looked around quietly.
“Rumors are useful.”
“They keep unwanted visitors away.”
Lin Xue couldn’t help laughing softly.
“So Your Highness spread them yourself?”
“I never denied them.”
“…”
That wasn’t exactly an answer.
But somehow…
It sounded very much like Mo Yuan.
As they walked deeper into the manor, servants bowed respectfully.
Unlike the frightened palace servants, everyone here appeared relaxed.
Some even smiled at Mo Yuan.
“Welcome back, Your Highness.”
“The medicinal herbs have been prepared.”
“The physician is waiting in the eastern courtyard.”
Mo Yuan nodded to each of them.
No arrogance.
Simply quiet acknowledgment.
Lin Xue observed everything.
In the palace, they called Mo Yuan a bloodthirsty monster.
Yet the servants here clearly respected him.
Not out of fear…
But genuine loyalty.
Just then, a little girl no older than seven came running across the bridge.
“Big Brother!”
She threw herself toward Mo Yuan without hesitation.
Lin Xue instinctively reached for the sword at his waist—
Only to remember…
He wasn’t carrying one.
Before anyone could react, the child wrapped both arms around Mo Yuan’s waist.
Mo Yuan sighed almost imperceptibly.
“You’ve skipped your lessons again.”
The girl pouted.
“Teacher is boring.”
“He only talks about books.”
“I wanted to wait for you.”
Mo Yuan gently patted her head.
“I’ll accompany you after dinner.”
“Really?”
Her eyes sparkled.
“Really.”
She beamed before finally noticing Lin Xue.
Large curious eyes blinked several times.
“…Who is this beautiful gege?”
The courtyard fell silent.
Lin Xue blinked in surprise.
Even the servants exchanged amused glances.
The little girl walked up to him without the slightest fear.
“You look prettier than the flowers.”
She tilted her head.
“Are you Big Brother’s friend?”
Lin Xue smiled for what felt like the first genuine time since his rebirth.
“…I suppose I am.”
The little girl clapped excitedly.
“Then you’re the first!”
She grabbed Lin Xue’s sleeve.
“Big Brother never brings anyone home!”
Mo Yuan let out another quiet sigh.
“…Xiao Yue.”
The little girl immediately covered her mouth.
“…Oops.”
Lin Xue slowly turned toward Mo Yuan.
“So…”
“I’m your first guest?”
For the first time…
The feared Ghost King looked unexpectedly embarrassed.
“…Yes.”
A gentle smile spread across Lin Xue’s face.
He didn’t know why.
But somehow…
The warmth inside this manor felt more like home than the Imperial Palace ever had.
Neither of them noticed the pair of cold eyes watching from atop a distant rooftop.
Hidden among the swaying branches, a masked figure silently disappeared into the shadows.
His destination…
The Eastern Palace.
End of Chapter 6