Enter Chang Xiangsi and help Jingzhai fight

Xuan agreed: "It's a small matter. It's easy to handle. But isn't Tushan's request too little?"

I nodded: "Tushan clan only wants this much because the Tushan clan leader wants more."

The smile didn't disappear, it just moved from Xuan's face to mine. I saw him clench his fists and then unclench them, staring at me and saying, "He wants Xiaoyao."

I didn't dare to provoke him, and I also slightly suppressed my smile, and said carefully: "Yes, otherwise you would think that Master Qingqiu admires your talent and wisdom, and is ambitious to follow you to accomplish great things? Tushan clan does not take sides, and it doesn't matter who becomes the emperor. He is just helping Xiaoyao."

Xuan remained silent and pondered for a long time.

I saw that he was struggling internally, so I just spoke frankly, "Your Highness, I know what you are thinking. If you want to protect Xiaoyao, you have to be the king of the world, starting with the King of Xiyan. You can sacrifice yourself for her, even if you have to marry eight or nine women from aristocratic families just to get the support of the forces behind them. I also know that you can't bear to part with her, but she has already fallen deeply in love with Tu Shanjing. If you don't make it happen, aren't you afraid that she will be heartbroken and disappear like before, never to see you again?"

He raised his eyes, and his expression suddenly became so cold and ruthless that I couldn't help but shudder. He said sharply: "How do you know?!"

I cautiously laughed, "I have been a fox by your side for five years. I am already familiar with your habits and personality. Otherwise, how can I make a living by your side?"

His eyes were still sharp, as if he wanted to see into my heart: "You are really good at guessing people's hearts. I thought... you liked Tu Shanjing, but now you are doing wedding dresses for him, are you willing?"

The blood in my chest seemed to be surging again, but I forced myself to suppress it.

Are you willing?

At the beginning, it is impossible to say that you are unwilling.

But after so many years of settling down, and experiencing the recklessness and innocence of youth being ruthlessly crushed by reality, now when I think of his helplessness as he struggled forward with the bleeding body on his back, and the slightly threatening hint from King Haoling, and Xiaoyao's brilliant smile, and... and his tears, his hesitation, his silence, and his silent protection...

There are so many things intertwined together. The relationship between him and me is far from being explained by just the word "love".

After sorting out my thoughts, I looked at Xuan intently: "I thought you would understand. After all, you also have someone you want to protect at all costs. If you get her, there is a risk of losing her, or even if you are together, she will still be at risk of losing you later. I mean, losing you forever... Would you have the heart to keep her alone?"

This "she" is also "he".

Xuan's eyes flashed, and there was a sharp angle at the corner of his eye under his sword-like eyebrows.

However, his slightly trembling lips betrayed his hard-earned calmness.

He experienced the pain of separation much longer and more desperately than I did.

After a long while, he spoke: "I understand. Do you still have any conditions?"

I nodded: "The last one is my condition."

"You said."

"You can't hurt Tu Shanjing." I faced his sharp gaze and looked into his eyes.

He turned his eyes away: "That means he can't let Xiaoyao be sad."

"That's a matter between them. You can't hurt him." I said firmly.

He turned his eyes away, stared at me for a while as if preparing for a fight, and replied, "Deal. I will discuss the details of the march and other matters with them later."

I bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. Then, please keep today's transaction a secret."

He nodded: "Don't worry, I understand. Xiaoyao doesn't have to know what I have done for her. She just needs to be happy and live every day well."

I smiled and said, "I think the same thing. As long as Your Highness doesn't say it, no one will know."

So we each poured ourselves a cup of tea and drank it, ending this transaction that was very exhausting in terms of both our minds and our eyes.

Two days later, I checked out of the house and returned to Qingqiu with Xiaowei, Qiaobin and Tu Shanjing.

As the paradise-like Qingshui Town got farther and farther away from me, I knew that the tranquility here was also getting farther away from me.

I pinched Qiao Bin's little face in my arms, which had closed its eyes because of fear. Somehow, I suddenly missed my mother. When I was a child, I went to the amusement park to ride those exciting rides. She must have held me tightly like this, even though she was also scared.

This time, all the staff returned home and were given an extra gift, Jingye was very happy. First, someone took Qiao Bin away to be taken care of, and then, while Tu Shanjing was out and we didn't have to wait for orders, he pulled me aside to chat.

"That Wen Xiaoliu is actually Hao Ling's long-missing princess?! She even touched my face before, and I was surprised that the young master didn't stop her but laughed instead. It turns out she is a girl!" she sighed.

"Yes, the young master will agree to whatever she does. Not to mention touching your face, even if she touches the young master's face, the young master will come over and let her rub it flat and round it." I felt a little sour, just a little bit.

"Huh?! The two of them...?" Jingye was very alert and captured the secret.

I nodded and changed the subject: "Do you want to know how I rescued the young master back then?"

"Of course! I asked Xiaowei, and she only gave me a general idea and told me to ask you the details myself. I haven't had the chance to ask you, so tell me about it soon." Jingye leaned over.

So I told her the story again, hiding the part where my spiritual power was sucked away, and it brought her tears.

She hugged me and cried non-stop, soaking my shoulders. "I had guessed earlier that it would be difficult, but I never thought you would have such a tortuous journey! Fortunately, you are back now! I will go ask You later to see if he knows how to restore my spiritual power."

I patted her back and said, "Alright, alright, don't cry, I'm fine now! Has Brother You come back from recovery?"

She took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, then answered, "He's back. Although he still can't speak, the young master used a dragon tendon to reconnect the veins in his hand. Now he's much more flexible and can write crookedly. Do you want to go see him?"

I nodded and followed her to visit You.

You was still dressed in black, sitting neatly in the yard. When he saw us coming, he immediately stood up and saluted.

But when I looked closer, I saw that his eyes and brows looked much more weathered.

Jingye brought us paper and pen and said, "You guys chat first. If there's no one to serve the young master when he comes back, I'll go and keep an eye on it."

I knew she was looking for an excuse to leave us some private space, so I thanked her and she went back.

You took the pen and wrote crookedly: "I learned to read lips."

I smiled and tried to mouth the question to him: "So, how do you feel now?"

“Better than before,” he wrote.

I knew he must have gone through a lot before climbing out of the dark valley, so I comforted him: "Take your time, there is always hope."

He nodded and wrote, "Thank you for the Shadow Guard."