Such clear moonlight had long become a luxury in modern times. Industrial smog obscured the starry sky, and the clamor of neon lights devoured the tranquility. People chased after so-called development, yet they didn't even have time to look up at the moon.
—Just like fate, which was always stingy in granting her even a sliver of tenderness.
Abandoned by her relatives, her closest relatives passed away one after another, and finally, even death caught her unprepared. Perhaps at this moment, her body was still lying alone in the cold apartment, unknown, until the smell of decay alerted the neighbors, prompting someone to break down the door and discover a corpse long gone cold...
Now, she had transmigrated to this Tianxuan Continent, becoming the Legitimate Daughter of the Duke's Residence. Her Grandfather's affection and Xiao Wu's dependence constantly reminded her—this miraculous encounter was real to the point of cruelty.
She had originally planned to handle the mess in the Duke's Residence, then take her Spirit Stones and fly far away to find a beautiful, scenic place to live out her days in leisure. But now, it seemed that plan was unlikely to be realized.
There were too many things to do—heal her Grandfather's increasingly failing body, nourish Xiao Wu's weak foundation, repair this dilapidated Duke's Residence, and also... improve her own strength.
Speaking of cultivation, Yun Pianpian couldn't help but press her forehead.
Other people who transmigrate either come with heaven-defying systems or possess peerless Spiritual Roots. Why was it that when it came to her, all she was left with was internal injuries plus the pursuit and kill from the Scarlet Heaven Tiger?
She truly wanted to grab the Original Owner's collar and roar, "I really must thank you profusely for this 'generous gift'! Thank! You! Ah!"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She slammed the railing, making the wind chimes at the corner of the pavilion jingle loudly. Looking up at the vast Star River, she finally couldn't help but exclaim indignantly, "Where is my golden finger?! Heavens, you are too cruel!"
Yun Pianpian was lazily draped over the railing, her fingertips unconsciously fiddling with the peeling cinnabar paint on the balustrade. Suddenly, a disturbance came from the withered lotus patch in the distance—a rustling sound, as if something was pushing aside the decaying lotus leaves.
The pond water moved without wind, stirring up eerie ripples. The old locust tree on the bank trembled rustlingly, shaking off a few withered leaves that drifted down into the water.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tensed up, calculating secretly, "It's over, it's over. The Spiritual Power Shen Yue lent me shouldn't be depleted yet? It should... be enough to handle it, right?"
The thought had just arisen when suddenly—
"Splash!"
A snow-white figure shot out of the water like a Stream of Light, instantly closing the distance! Yun Pianpian's pupils contracted sharply, and she hastily retreated, but her ankle was tripped by the Stone Stool behind her, causing her to fall backward. In a flash of lightning and flint, the white shadow lunged forward and pinned her fiercely onto the cold Stone Table.
"Don't kill me, don't kill me! Good sir, spare me! I didn't see anything, I don't know anything!" She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, her long Eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, waving her hands randomly, resembling a frightened rabbit.
A low chuckle suddenly reached her ear, clear like jade striking jade, yet like a cold spring washing over stones, carrying a hint of teasing as it slowly brushed past her earlobe—
"Eldest Miss Yun was dominating the Duke's Residence today, looking so imposing. Why are you so scared out of your wits in front of this King?"
This voice... was too pleasant!
Yun Pianpian's Ear Tips tingled, half her body went numb, and she wailed internally, "Help, my ears are going to get pregnant..."
She secretly lifted one eyelid slit. The moonlight was like water, casting a hazy silver glow on the newcomer. His sword-like eyebrows slanted sharply toward his temples, his eyes were captivatingly expressive, and his thin lips were like dyed Cinnabar, gazing at her with a half-smile. He was clearly a handsome man like a Banished Immortal, yet his eyes hid a dangerous playfulness.
"Eldest Miss Yun..." The man suddenly froze, his voice slightly hoarse, "Could you please let go?"
Yun Pianpian was stunned, only then realizing her right hand was tightly wrapped around his waist, and her left hand... was resting on a place it shouldn't be.
The air instantly solidified.
She slowly lowered her gaze, looking at her "scene of the crime," instantly blushing scarlet, even her neck burning up. But the next second, she suddenly realized—this man's hand seemed... also rather improper?
Her gaze moved down; sure enough, the other person's long fingers were lightly pressing against her chest, and he had even subtly... pinched?
"You—" Yun Pianpian became furious. Spiritual Power gathered in her palm, and she pushed out with both hands, nearly shoving him directly into the lotus pond.
"Plop!"
Water splashed everywhere. The two separated in a clumsy scramble—one leaning heavily on the Stone Table, the other staggering to hold the railing. Their robes were messy, and their hair was tangled, looking exactly like a pair of illicit lovers caught in the act.
"I-I... I didn't mean to," Yun Pianpian stammered in defense, her face red enough to drip blood.
Damn it, why am I stuttering?
Xuan Ye slowly adjusted his sleeves, the corner of his lips curving slightly, "Coincidentally, neither did I."
Xuan Ye casually brushed his sleeve cuffs. His wide, snow-colored sleeves spread like crane wings under the moonlight. The flowing silver Dark Patterns circulating within made him appear even more noble and imposing. Seeing her transition from stuttering to a flushed face, the corner of his lips curved up, and a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, "This King has been taken advantage of by Eldest Miss Yun. How do you plan to compensate me?"
"Taken advantage of?!" Yun Pianpian widened her Apricot Eyes, first pointing a finger at herself, then sharply at him, lifting her chin righteously, "No, you made the first move! I was also... that way by you, so we're even!"
Xuan Ye chuckled softly, raising his long, jade-like fingers slightly, spreading them open to make a gesture.
"What does that mean?!" Yun Pianpian instantly bristled, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, every hair on her body standing up.
"I don't have two pieces of flesh to spare, so I can't tell front from back," His voice was as cold as a Jade Chime, yet every word was barbed, stinging enough to make one's gums itch.
"You—!" Yun Pianpian ground her teeth in anger. However, with very little Spiritual Power left in her body, she couldn't win by fighting, nor could she win by arguing. She could only glare fiercely at him, trying to bore holes through him with her eyes.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and waved her hand, feigning magnanimity, "Fine! Fine! This Miss is broad-minded and won't hold it against you."
Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly smiled slyly, lightly hooking her collar with her fingertip and leaning forward, revealing a stretch of her fair neck, challenging him, "Since I have no Spirit Stones, I only have my life. Prince, feel free to take it if you want?"
Xuan Ye was almost broken by her rogue demeanor. A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, and the corner of his thin lips curved up, "Is Eldest Miss Yun planning to cling to this King?"
He suddenly leaned in close, his crisp scent of snow pine instantly enveloping her. His deep voice carried a hint of teasing, "Too bad, this King also has no money and only one life."
The moonlight flowed between the two. He suddenly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, this King seems not to have asked for Eldest Miss Yun's name yet."
"Huh?" Yun Pianpian exaggeratedly widened her eyes, hands on her hips with a lively expression, "No way, no way! Is there still someone who asks for another person's name without introducing themselves first?"
She deliberately drew out her tone, mimicking his manner of speaking, "No way, no way~"
"Xuan Ye," he suddenly spoke, his clear, cold voice exceptionally distinct in the night. After a pause, he added, "That's my name."
Before she could react, the man spoke again on his own accord, "How about I call you Pian'er? Or... Pianpian'er?"
Yun Pianpian nearly choked on her own Saliva. What a lunatic! Who would want to be so intimate with a scoundrel who broke into her house at night? He clearly knew her name yet asked her like that, and Pianpian'er? Was this guy reading too many storybooks!
"Call me whatever you want!" She rolled her eyes irritably, "Your mouth is yours, I can't sew it shut, can I?"
The moonlight pulled their figures very close, so close they could feel each other's breath. The interest in Xuan Ye's eyes grew stronger. He leisurely gestured, "Continue."
Where he couldn't see, Yun Pianpian secretly curled her lips and made a 'yes' gesture with the hand behind her back. There was hope!
She immediately went into acting mode, gesturing animatedly, "Although your cultivation is profound, this is the Duke's Residence!" She spread her arms in a wide circle, "It's not a place where just anyone can run wild..."
Then she suddenly crossed her arms and stepped back, "Besides, you are 'this King,' why bother arguing with an ordinary person like me? So, we owe each other nothing, let's part ways here!"
Seeing Xuan Ye about to speak, she quickly preempted him, "However~"
She suddenly leaned in close, blinking her bright Apricot Eyes, "Considering you are so handsome, this Miss will be magnanimous and not hold a grudge against a petty person like you." She smiled slyly and shook her index finger, "After all, in this Eldest Miss's eyes, handsome men always have privileges~"
Indeed, the Old Ancestor was right; beauty can mislead people! Yun Pianpian silently gave herself a thumbs-up in her mind; this move was simply perfect.
As she was speaking, the faint sound of Liu Yun's call drifted from the distance. Yun Pianpian's eyes darted, and she quietly retreated her feet. Taking advantage of Xuan Ye's inattention, she abruptly turned and ran—"My Grandfather is calling me home for dinner! Don't follow me!"
She ran swiftly, her Sleeves Fluttering, just like a frightened rabbit, not forgetting to look back and shout, afraid he might chase after her.
Xuan Ye remained standing in place and did not pursue. He merely watched her fleeing figure, the corner of his thin lips lifting, the smile in his eyes deepening.
The night breeze swept by, causing ripples on the lotus pond. His whisper dissipated in the wind, yet it seemed like the gears of fate had quietly begun to turn.