The author has something to say: To make An Zi yuan's emotional development feel more natural, the scene in which An Zi yuan collapses on Yun Rao was removed in the previous chapter. This chapter has undergone minor revisions at the beginning and a complete overhaul in the latter half. Please forget entirely the dialogue Yun Rao said earlier. The update will be posted approximately one and a half hours later. An Zi yuan stayed overnight at the foot of the mountain, while Yun Rao remained submerged in icy water all night, still able to hear the occasional stifled, muffled sighs—sharp, painful, and poignant. Watching the rain and snow fall gently around them, and hearing the occasional creak of the door, An Zi yuan suddenly recalled the night he had failed to reach Wei Zhou and was stranded on the mountain. At that time, Wu Chang had secretly administered poison to her, though she was in severe pain, curled up on the ground, she never uttered a single cry—only silently biting down on her pain. That piercing pain, which would drive even a man of seven feet to wail and beg for mercy, she endured without a single sigh—indeed, she smiled and asked Mòcháng, one taking life and the other preserving it, which should they choose? Yet now, able to emit such a piercing, unbearable cry, must she be suffering at the very peak of agony? Her gaze involuntarily turned toward the mountain. The forest, now deep in night, had sunk into a vast, misty darkness, save for a few silver glimmers from the snow. The whole landscape was dark and profoundly cold. In this deep winter, with wind sharp and laden with rain and snow, even a gentle breeze seemed to carry blades, slicing across her face like wounds. Such weather, even within a warm room with a blazing hearth, would leave one shivering; let alone being submerged in icy water. Wu Chang hurried out of the house without dressing warmly, feeling a bit too cold to bear. He looked at An Ziyuan and said, "Master, shall we go back first? Yun's lady...” His words trailed off as he instinctively watched the now motionless An Ziyuan. Su Yan rubbed his arms. "Wu Chang, if you can't bear the cold, go back first." Yet he too unconsciously glanced toward the mountain. "Wu Chang, go back now," An Ziyuan finally spoke, still gazing at the mountain, his voice calm and quiet. Since his master wouldn't move, Wu Chang dared not go back either. He sighed inwardly, sat down, and settled into meditation, circulating his internal energy to warm himself. An Ziyuan paid no attention to him, simply leaning against the snow-covered cypress, gazing into the vast night sky, occasionally reaching out to feel the falling snowflakes. He remained there all night long. By dawn in the east, the sharp, persistent groan had gradually ceased. As the sky gradually brightened, two figures—one white, one red—descended slowly from the mountain. An Zi yuan's expression stirred slightly, and he rose to approach them. Yun Rao's damp robe had been dried by Qu Xiaoman's internal energy, but her dark hair remained wet, cascading gently over her crimson ermine cloak. Qu Xiaoman fastened the cloak around her. What had once been smooth and clear now lay tangled in loose strands, some of which clung haphazardly to her face and forehead, making her look somewhat disheveled. The ice water she had been drinking all night had left her complexion pale as ash, even her once vibrant lips now a wan, lifeless gray. In just one night, she seemed as though a flower suddenly withered—wan, fragile, and worn. Upon seeing An Zi yuan, a touch of embarrassment crossed her pale face, tinged subtly with other emotions that An had not yet caught. Before he could fully register them, she had already managed a smile, "Mr. An." He stood before her, his dark eyes sweeping over the gray and white lines of his face. Slowly, he lifted a hand, the cool tips of his fingers resting gently on her face, brushing aside the damp hair clinging to it. "Better now?" he asked, his voice clear yet slightly strained, as if it had been pressed out from deep within his throat and momentarily caught by something. His question made her feel awkward, so she lowered her gaze and unconsciously tugged at the collar of her cloak. She didn't answer right away. An Zi yuan didn't press her for an explanation. Instead, he gently adjusted the collar, tightening it a little. "Go back and change into something else. Rest a while—outside is quite cold." His movements were natural and tender, leaving her momentarily stunned. Qu Xiao Man looked at him with a touch of puzzlement. The ease and warmth in his words and actions were unexpected, yet she wisely chose not to interrupt, simply watching quietly as the two of them interacted. Wu Chang was genuinely surprised—she had never seen her lord express such care and compassion before. Su Yan only stared at everything unfolding, his eyes slightly dimmed with a quiet sadness. Yun Rao felt uneasy, glancing at others, and as she saw the collective surprise on their faces, her embarrassment deepened. She nodded softly, "Hmm," and then stepped forward to head back. An Zi yuan glanced at her frail silhouette without saying a word, merely moving silently beside her, together returning to the civilian residence where he had taken up his temporary quarters. He sent servants to bring warm ginger tea and hot meals to her room. Every time she felt herself lost in thought, she would climb to the roof, where the quiet and stillness offered her peace, free from interruption. Below, there was a hurried, bustling sound, as if someone was searching for someone. Yun Rao was so absorbed that she didn’t notice the activity below. She had no idea how long she had been there, until suddenly she felt a warmth spread over her body—a cloak caught the wind and settled gently around her, bringing her back to awareness. Turning instinctively, she saw An Ziyuan and was momentarily startled, "Master An?" Then, remembering the morning’s events, a slight discomfort crossed her face, and she lowered her gaze. An Ziyuan, as if completely unaware of her hesitation, simply sat beside her and gently arranged the cloak. "You came all the way up here? The wind outside is quite strong," he said, already tying the cloak securely. Yun Rao smiled slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It's quiet here." An Ziyuan glanced at her, said nothing, and then reached out, extending his hand. "Give me your hand!" Yun Rao slightly drew her right hand back, but An Zi yuan had already suddenly leaned forward, with an unyielding firmness, taking her hand and gripping it firmly to take her pulse. Yun Rao unconsciously bit her lower lip, yet didn’t struggle—she merely watched him, seeing his brows grow deeper and deeper, then release her hand, his expression now slightly serious, his voice a touch sharper. "What exactly is going on?" Her pulse was weak, almost faint, yet disordered and turbulent, as if several different energies within her were in constant conflict. Yun Rao silently returned her hand to her side, lowered her gaze, and unconsciously held her right hand with her left, remaining silent. An Zi yuan stared at her profile, his voice now calm again. "Yun Rao, you're currently very weak. What's really happening?" Yun Rao shook her head. Her eyes, for some reason, suddenly felt a bit watery. She gently lifted her gaze, pushing back the moisture, and smiled at him. "I'm fine. This happens every time the poison takes effect." An Zi yuan stared at her silently. Yun Rao smiled, a touch of self-consciousness in her expression, her hand instinctively tracing over her untamed hair before reaching to her waist, where she pulled out an ancient bronze qilin-shaped ring finger holder. She rotated it gently between her slender, pale fingers. An Zi yuan glanced at her fingers, a subtle ripple passing through his calm eyes. The ring finger holder she held was precisely the one he had lost. Yun Rao turned her head slightly and offered a gentle smile to An Zi yuan. "Mr. An, I'm sorry I took your item. Here, let me return it to you." An Zi yuan looked at the qilin ring finger holder, his gaze settling on her face. He didn't reach out to take it, nor did he speak—he simply stared at her steadily. Though it was merely a calm, steady gaze, Yun Rao felt slightly uneasy under its weight, smiled unconsciously, and reached for his hand, placing the Qilin ring into it. "Your Grace, I have now returned the ring exactly as it was. From now on, please don't come looking for me again," she said with a bright tone. Then, she rose swiftly. "The evening is drawing in; I shall return to rest. Good night, Your Grace." With those words, she vanished into the air, her movements slightly hurried, as if eager to escape. An Zi yuan did not rise to follow her. Instead, he gazed thoughtfully at her hurried silhouette before lowering his eyes to the Qilin ring resting quietly in his palm, gently tracing it with his thumb, silent. The Immortal, hidden in the shadows, stepped forward. "Your Grace, why did Lady Yun suddenly return the ring to you?" He had even poisoned her then, yet she had shown no reluctance. Now... moreover, how had the Qilin ring suddenly appeared on her? She must have never worn it before. "She is leaving." "An Zi yuan responded calmly, suddenly tightening his grip on the Qilin ring, cradling it firmly in his palm. 'Ah?' Unchanging looked puzzled at his lord. But An Zi yuan had already turned away, walking off without looking back."