Yun Rao pressed her lips and turned to look at him, "Not really. Just a rumor." An Zi yuan gently raised an eyebrow, "Then why has it reached you specifically?" Yun Rao sat down at the table, poured herself a cup of tea, rested her hands on her cheek, and sighed deeply before looking at him. "I've grown up in Youming Valley all my life. People have grown used to my appearance, and no one has ever expressed any particular astonishment at it. At the time, I never thought my face was special either, so I went out without changing my attire. Naturally, many people coveted me—those with more timid courage merely watched from afar, while those with a bit more confidence tried to tease me, and the more bold ones even sought to take me by force. Men who wished to claim me as their own were all sent and killed by Xiao Run. Over time, this gradually became the story. Moreover, at that time, Xiao Run intended to pressure me back, and by doing so, he ensured that I would eventually have no choice but to return." "Now I haven't returned home, yet enemies are everywhere—people want to kill me wherever I go. That's why everyone at Master Yu's birthday banquet acted so strangely back then." Yun Rao shrugged, speaking with a carefree tone. Over the past two years, she had grown used to it, having long since accepted that she had to shield her face to accumulate more good deeds, so as not to bring untold misfortunes upon innocent others. An Zi yuan looked at her. "Any man who has had intentions toward you?" Yun Rao nodded lightly. "He has been sending people after me constantly. Any man who has shown interest in me has generally not escaped unscathed." "You're probably the first one who's remained unharmed," she added at the end. An Zi yuan smiled gently. "Xiao Run has been particularly attentive to you." Yun Rao lowered her eyes, silent. He did care for her—indeed, he showed great affection—but the way he did it, she found it unbearable. And no matter how much he cherished her, he ultimately delivered the most devastating blow. She would rather trade her lifelong health for his perpetual indifference. The lower jaw was gently lifted, and An Zi yuan had already seated himself across from her, gazing at her. "Yun Rao, should the day come when I face Xiao Run in opposition, which side will you stand with?" Yun Rao smiled slightly. "I won't stand by either side—I'll just watch." Indeed, by the time that day arrived, she might already be as frail as a withered skeleton. Her answer left An Zi yuan somewhat dissatisfied. He tightened his grip on her lower jaw. "What if I insist that you stand with me?" Yun Rao couldn't help but smile again. "Then I'll stand by the lord's side." An Zi yuan furrowed his brow. "Are you merely being evasive?" Feeling self-conscious under his steady gaze, Yun Rao found herself always exposed in his presence. With her own sense of vulnerability, she instinctively reached out and grasped his hand, offering reassurance. "No, really." An Zi yuan's eyes settled on the hand now resting over hers. Only then did Yun Rao realize she had been distracted, and she awkwardly withdrew her hand—only to be stopped midway by An Zi yuan, who held it firmly A warm sensation covered the entire palm. He merely held her hand, with no untoward movements, his gaze clear and calm. "Let Xiao Man tidy up a bit. We'll need to set off soon. I have to return to Wei Zhou first." Yun Rao's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded promptly, "Yes, good." She overlooked the implication that Xiao Man should prepare, assuming it was only he who would be returning. An Zi yuan glanced at her with a slightly puzzled expression, then stood up. "Let Xiao Man take care of the preparations. Let's leave early." Yun Rao realized it only then, "Us? Didn't you just say you'd be going back alone?" The dark eyes narrowed slightly. "So your delight was because I finally have to leave?" "No, no," Yun Rao quickly waved her hand to clarify, though there was a hint of embarrassment. Raising her head, she found An Zi yuan staring at her steadily, his gaze so intense it made her feel uneasy. She lowered her eyes, speaking softly, "Your Grace, I would like to go to Zhongzhuang. I cannot accompany you back to Wei Zhou." "An Zi-yuan furrowed his brow, his gaze probing as he asked, 'Looking for Princess Xi Yue?'" His words were always sharp and precise, leaving Yun Rao no room to deny, only able to nod. "Why?" he stared at her, asking just three words, yet as if they carried a thousand weights. Yun Rao lowered her eyes. "I simply wanted to know how she's doing." When Xi Yue had risked her life to carry her out and see her safely beyond the city walls, they had made a promise—should she survive, Xi Yue would send her a message. She was alive, though she had lived in a haze for ten years. Now, finally awakened, she would surely tell her that Su Wan was still alive. And since she had promised Xi Yue back then, if Xi Yue needed anything and her own time was running short, she would be able to offer something of value. "What is your relationship with her?" An Zi-yuan asked, pausing. "Or perhaps, Yun Rao—what exactly are you?" "Do you know who you are?" Yun Rao smiled warmly. "I'm Yun Rao, that's all." An Zi yuan stared at her silently. Yun Rao slowly faded her smile, only to sigh deeply and look at him. "An Zi yuan, are you treating me like one of your old acquaintances again?" An Zi yuan gently pressed his lips, still silent, merely gazing at her. Yun Rao couldn't help but shrug, hesitating slightly before reaching out and taking his hand, gently grasping his fingers, playing with them thoughtfully. "I'm not her. I met you the very night we stole your qilin ring." An Zi yuan lowered his gaze to her hand holding his fingers, and didn't pursue the topic further. "Then go to Zhoushan whenever you wish. I'll first return to Weizhou, and then come to visit you a few days later." "Very well." Yun Rao nodded lightly. An Zi yuan watched her, a touch of resignation passing through his eyes, then gently kissed her lips. "Take care of yourself." Yun Rao nodded in agreement. They lingered a while in the room before parting ways. Yun Rao and Qu Xiaomian headed north, while An Zi yuan traveled west. Fearing she might miss anything, Yun Rao traveled swiftly, never staying overnight, pushing herself to continue day and night. What normally took six days was completed in just three, and she spent two additional days investigating Xie Yue’s movements. Typically, when a princess married, the event was widely known throughout the realm—yet this time, Xie Yue’s wedding unfolded quietly and almost in secret, as if she were deliberately avoiding any notice. Due to this discretion, Yun Rao found it difficult to trace Xie Yue’s whereabouts. After two days of persistent efforts, she was finally able to determine her location—only to be halted by the strict watch and guards. It wouldn't work to simply ask him directly. Yun Rao pondered and thought deeply all day, and, together with Qu Xiaoman, kept watching Cen Tong for two days, until finally spotting him leave his residence and head toward the most prestigious teahouse in Zhongzhou, Zui Yi Xuan. Indeed, he was a man who could not bear loneliness—Yun Ze's decline was surely tied to the way he was appointed and managed. For someone who cherished beauty, breaking through was much easier. After discussing with Qu Xiaoman, Yun Rao followed Cen Tong into the teahouse.