Chapter 2 Drizzling Blue Time

He entered holding a pale moon-white umbrella, drenched from the rain. Fine droplets clung to his jet-black hair, the hue of his robes standing out against the overcast sky beyond the eaves like a striking emerald amidst the misty drizzle—damp and desolate, save for his eyes. Those eyes seemed to pull in the cold fragrance of the entire courtyard, like the crisp yet gentle sunlight that brushes over withered branches after a snowfall, unable to soften his unyielding demeanor yet never quite matching the warmth of a spring breeze.  

Folding the umbrella, the emerald robes now appeared even more austere. With a slight bow, the man said, “My apologies for disturbing you, miss.”  

Su Qing poured him a cup of tea and gestured for him to sit. Her eyes held the chill of countless evening rains.  

“Jiu Jiu has been eagerly awaiting Young Master Qing Shi’s visit. It’s no disturbance at all.”  

Mu Qing Shi’s eyes were a vast expanse of snow, flecked with sunlight.  

“Is that so? Then I must thank her.”  

Su Qing’s gaze drifted past the ceaseless raindrops falling beyond the corridor as she remarked coolly, “Last time you visited, you gifted me an unpublished calligraphy piece by the Last Emperor of Chen. Only after reading it did I realize how prophetic the line *‘The songstress knows not the grief of a fallen kingdom, yet sings ‘Backyard Flowers’ across the river’* truly was. With such decadent verses, one can hardly blame others for their scorn.”  

Mu Qing Shi studied the woman before him, his smile deepening. “Why concern yourself with others’ opinions? Even without the talent of an emperor, mastering a single skill makes a life well-lived.”  

“Young Master speaks wisely,” Su Qing replied, the corners of her lips curling slightly as if in wholehearted agreement.  

“Since the lady possesses such rare talents, might she lend her aid to Qing Shi?”  

As he spoke, his eyes held the gentle warmth of winter sunlight—perhaps the only pair in the world that could be both soothing and piercing, leaving one trembling and breathless.  

Trembling, because such warmth felt unreal. Breathless, because they were too beautiful.  

Su Qing thought Mu Qing Shi’s presence could only be described as *breathtaking*—no other word sufficed.  

Yet, she felt no fondness for it. She had seen too many striking faces to be moved anymore.  

“Su Qing has said before: the *Candle Chamber* only helps people forget, never to remember. What, then, does the Young Master mean by bringing this up again?”  

Mu Qing Shi let out a soft chuckle before rising slowly. “You should change your robes. Staying damp isn’t good for your health.”  

Only then did Su Qing realize—her sleeves had been soaked through without her noticing. She had sat by the corridor for too long, forgetting the rain entirely.  

Turning to look at Mu Qing Shi, who had remained drenched all this time, she suddenly laughed. “My apologies for the Young Master’s discomfort.”  

“It’s nothing,” he replied softly.  

And so, both went to change their clothes.  

Jiu Jiu, watching Mu Qing Shi standing beneath the eaves in fresh bamboo-green robes, scurried to his door with a grin. “Brother Qing Shi looks so handsome!”  

Mu Qing Shi patted her head and murmured, “What would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.”  

Jiu Jiu tilted her head, counting on her fingers before finally drooping slightly. “Brother Qing Shi knows too many dishes, and Jiu Jiu wants to eat them all! But to make sure Brother comes back often, let’s just make the simplest *Fried Honey Twist* today!”  

Mu Qing Shi couldn’t help but laugh. “That simple?”  

Jiu Jiu beamed up at him. “Jiu Jiu would never lie to Brother Qing Shi!”  

The sunlight in his eyes flickered, warm and bright, as he slowly rolled up his sleeves. “Very well.”  

And so, Jiu Jiu trailed behind him as his little helper, kneading and shaping the dough with gleeful enthusiasm.

Fried Honey Twist is actually a snack from this dynasty. Nowadays, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong in the Tang Dynasty, the legacy of Emperor Taizong continued, marking the early prosperous period of the Tang. Due to the open and liberal national ethos, many gods, demons, and spirits had entered the mortal world, blending in seamlessly with humans during the day and only revealing their true forms when returning to their dwellings.

They neither interfered with the turning tides of history nor harmed human lives without cause. The Investiture of the Gods War thousands of years ago had already proven that no one could contend with the gods. Unless tasked by history itself, none dared to act recklessly. Moreover, the fate of the fox spirits after that war was well-known among the demons and spirits who had lived for millennia. Such unbearable consequences were best avoided.

Thus, under this broad-minded and open atmosphere, coupled with the unprecedented prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, all beings across the three realms generally remained law-abiding, coexisting harmoniously with humans.

Naturally, when it came to the Tang Dynasty’s indulgences in food, drink, and entertainment, gods, demons, and spirits were just as knowledgeable as humans. From wontons and hu cakes to cold noodles, and even the Promotion Banquets held for those elevated by the emperor or passing the imperial exams—the list was endless.

So, the Fried Honey Twist was nothing extraordinary.

Mix honey into flour, roll it into thin strips, bundle them together, twist into a knot, and deep-fry—simple as that. But Mu Qing Shi’s version was different. Before twisting, he would add the Candle Chamber’s unique purple osmanthus, giving it an exceptionally fragrant aroma.

Watching Jiu Jiu’s delighted expression, Mu Qing Shi couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Children really are the easiest to please!”

Jiu Jiu tilted her head in confusion. “Isn’t it natural to be happy when you get to eat what you want? Why wouldn’t I be satisfied?”

Mu Qing Shi gently patted her shoulder-length hair, his eyes as light as drifting snow. “True enough!”

Jiu Jiu grinned and said she wanted Su Qing to try some too. Mu Qing Shi remained silent, tacitly agreeing.