Half a month later.

In the deep autumn, the ginkgo leaves of the Far Mountain Sect shimmered, rustling to the ground as the wind blew.

After discussing matters with his elders in the main hall, Chu Hanjin’s first action wasn’t to return to Yue Zhao Palace but to head towards the study.

The literacy tutor stood up upon seeing him about to speak, “Lord Yue Zhao…”

Chu Hanjin shook his head before the tutor could speak, signaling him to remain silent.

The tutor then said no more, bowed his head, and went back to reviewing the literacy progress of the children in the school.

Among the queue of small children, one little boy with his hair tightly tied with a red string, cheeks fair and plump, looking extremely adorable, was not as tall as two books stacked but still stood among the crowd, books in hand, his eyes closed, shaking his head as he recited something unknown.

A little girl stood in front of him, her brows furrowed over her book in a very nervous demeanor.

Chu Zhaoyang, seeing Miaomiao nervous, gently patted her back, saying, “I remember everything.”

Then he added, “If you can’t write it later and the teacher keeps you after class, I’ll stay too and write with you.”

Miaomiao immediately nodded, “Then I’m not afraid.”

Hearing this, Chu Hanjin, who thought about standing by the staircase a while longer, sighed softly and turned to stride towards the white marble path.

He thought the children would finish their lessons at the usual time, but if he waited for Miaomiao to practice writing, it would probably be late at night.

Chu Hanjin instructed those nearby to wait, stepping on the fallen leaves, and returned to Yue Zhao Palace ahead of everyone else.

The usual coldness was gone; the child guarding the door had been replaced by a fifth-tier cultivator. Since he became the sect leader, several elders who valued propriety criticized his previously cold and aloof demeanor as improper, insisting that having more attendants would better reflect the sect leader’s reverence. Although Chu Hanjin felt this was unimportant, he had no intention of arguing with the elders and simply nodded in agreement.

Inside Yue Zhao Palace, the fallen leaves had been swept clean, and the courtyards and pavilions were tidy, the weeds meticulously uprooted. Just as Chu Hanjin entered the courtyard, he heard the creaking sound of wooden wheels turning.

“Just got back?” A somewhat lazy male voice.

Sitting in the wheelchair, Yue Lin seemed to be sunbathing, although the sun had already set. He was still on the platform, obviously waiting for someone. He wore a moon-white outer robe embroidered with patterns, covered by a crane cloak, his black hair partially held up by a jade crown. His features were young and handsome as he lazily turned to look at him.

“Where’s the boy?”

Chu Hanjin placed his hand on the wheelchair, “He stayed back with Miaomiao.”

Hearing this, Yue Lin showed no displeasure; instead, he nodded approvingly, “A very loyal child, takes after you.”

Then he gently pulled Chu Hanjin’s hand, “I’m done sunbathing, let’s go inside.”

The wheelchair was equipped with a mechanism and didn’t need much pushing; it could move on its own. Following him to the inner hall, Yue Lin naturally took down the muslin curtains, and the servants inside the hall tactfully left, making the space much cozier and warmer.

Chu Hanjin habitually half-squatted, his slender fingers gently pressing on Yue Lin’s legs, “Still can’t walk?”

Yue Lin, “Not yet.”

Chu Hanjin frowned, “But your legs have been healed for a while now.”

Yue Lin smiled, “I don’t know why these legs just can’t walk, can’t exert any strength.”

As he spoke, his fingertips climbed Chu Hanjin’s face, gently kissing him.

Chu Hanjin’s back instinctively stiffened, but he quickly relaxed, half-supporting Yue Lin’s sitting wheelchair, his eyes lowered, allowing Yue Lin’s fingers to gently caress his lips.

Yue Lin’s dark pupils deepened, rubbing a few times before gently pressing against his teeth, tilting his head to lick, capturing the tongue inside.

While kissing him, Yue Lin sighed, “Ran into another junior disciple speaking ill of me behind my back today, truly undisciplined.”

Chu Hanjin’s eyes slightly reddened, awkwardly enduring, suppressing his breath, “What did they say?”

“They asked how I could be worthy of you. If it weren’t for that sword that saved your life by supporting the mountain, you, with your refined and noble character, would definitely not have submitted to me. They meant that I forced you.” Yue Lin ground against his lips, “You have too many admirers in the Far Mountain Sect.”

Chu Hanjin said, “They are wrong.”

“Hmm, after all, we already had our child before the incident with the sword supporting the mountain.” Yue Lin’s tone feigned pitifulness, yet his hands skillfully began to unbutton his clothes, “Ignorance is not a sin, I’ll work hard to be a good spouse for you, so they respect me.”

As he spoke, he began unbuttoning Chu Hanjin’s clothes, “I’ll serve you well in bed too.”

Chu Hanjin, “…”

It was now the afternoon, broad daylight, and someone might soon seek Chu Hanjin for matters, yet Yue Lin was already making advances.

Chu Hanjin held his hand, “Yue Lin.”

Yue Lin’s tone was gentle, “It’ll be quick.”

Chu Hanjin clenched his teeth, “Yue Lin…”

His fair fingers slightly tightened, his heart clenched, unable to voice his next words as his eyes brimmed with tears. Yue Lin’s body was fine now, but his legs remained immobile, so during their nighttime activities, it was Chu Hanjin…

“Can’t we?” Yue Lin asked.

Chu Hanjin, “We can’t.”

Yue Lin, physically the same as before but weaker, saw he wasn’t relenting and sighed softly, “Then forget it, you probably prefer it when I initiate, but I’ve been too weak lately, you probably don’t enjoy being with me.”

Chu Hanjin, “…”

What was he talking about now?

Yue Lin said, “Go busy yourself, Lord Sect Leader, I’ll go enjoy the flowers in the courtyard.”

“…”

Chu Hanjin lowered his eyes, wanting to say something, but then a servant’s voice came from outside, “Lord Yue Zhao, Xuan Qingzi requests your presence.”

Chu Hanjin gently touched his hand, lifted the muslin curtain, and left Yue Zhao Palace. After becoming the sect leader, his responsibilities had increased significantly. Xuan Qingzi, one of his senior uncles, now called him over to discuss the funeral arrangements for Mu Lianchun.

Xuan Qingzi said, “Mu Lianchun was deceived by fame and fortune, which led him into demonic ways and finally fell completely into the demonic path. It seems best not to erect a monument or include him in the ancestral temple. What do you think, Lord Yue Zhao?”

Chu Hanjin nodded, “Do not include him. If we did, it would be unfair to those who died because of him.”

Xuan Qingzi nodded and took a note on paper.

Chu Hanjin stepped over the threshold, leaving a message, “Next year during the ancestral rites for my father, scatter a bit more paper money beside him, that’s all we can do.”

Xuan Qingzi nodded silently again.

Chu Hanjin then visited the academy to see if Qiuqiu had finished his classes, but instead, he saw Miaomiao’s grandparents, holding two portions of glutinous rice cakes wrapped in lotus leaves, two little puppets, two pairs of rain boots, sitting smilingly in the pavilion waiting.

Just by looking, Chu Hanjin guessed that the old couple had come to pick up Miaomiao and probably wanted to take Qiuqiu for supper and possibly even for an overnight stay.

Chu Hanjin’s gaze fell, and he turned around, his white robe fluttering, returning alone to Yue Zhao Palace.

But this time, he didn’t see Yue Lin sitting and sunbathing.

“Master Yue Lin has gone to sleep,” a servant said.

“…”

Chu Hanjin frowned, knowing he was being petulant, entered, lifted the curtain, and indeed found him lying quietly on the bed, eyes closed.

Now, it was getting dark.

Chu Hanjin sat in front of the bed, gently holding his hand, “Yue Lin…”

Just as he spoke, Yue Lin’s eyelids fluttered open, his golden eyes looking at him, murmured calmly, “You’re back?”

Chu Hanjin, “I’m back.”

“Go have dinner first, don’t starve,” Yue Lin’s voice was very steady.

“…”

Really.

Becoming formal now.

Chu Hanjin stood up, “Then I’ll go—”

But just as he finished speaking, he was suddenly pulled by the sleeve and fiercely brought down onto the bed, the silk bedding making a slight noise, Yue Lin’s feverish breath falling on his neck, his voice low and grinding his teeth, “Really going? Ah Chu, do you truly not have me in your heart?”

“…”

The moment he pounced, Chu Hanjin felt his eagerness, his mind filled with images of him waiting in the yard, the pains of these past days, the bloody storms of this year.

Chu Hanjin half-closed his eyes, tears reddening his eyes, “I have you…”

He hugged Yue Lin’s shoulders, held by him in his embrace, warmth quickly surging.

Yue Lin, breath unsteady, “Apart from in your heart?”

Chu Hanjin blushed deeply, “Yes,”

Affirmatively, “I have everything.”