Bai Fanlu was pulled along, running the whole way.

From the bustling Jiang Tian Yise Pavilion to an unknown quiet location, he could only hear a few faint voices around them, indicating it was a tranquil place.

Bai Fanlu was utterly exhausted. In his current body, without the aid of spiritual power, he was much weaker and couldn’t break free from the person pulling him along.

However, just as he caught his breath, the person, surprisingly considerate, stopped.

Mu Yunhe, still upset, spoke up, “How dare you say that about me—like you have any experience?”

So, he was still brooding over that joke! To think the joke had hit the mark—Mu Yunhe really was… not very capable in that area.

Speaking of “not capable,” Bai Fanlu felt like he’d said something similar to someone else before. But surely not to Yun Zhan? He would’ve exploded in anger.

Bending over to calm his racing heartbeat, Bai Fanlu knew he couldn’t answer this question. Answering it would be a trap.

“Hey! You haven’t answered me yet. Do you or do you not?”

Bai Fanlu shifted his hand, and Mu Yunhe noticed how slender his wrist was. As Mu Yunhe held it, the stark contrast in their skin tones became obvious. It looked as though a slight squeeze would leave a red mark.

Feeling a bit sorry, Mu Yunhe loosened his grip.

Coming from a military family, Mu Yunhe had always been annoyed by bookish scholars, especially those who clung to the powerful for favors.

Yet, ever since he saw Bai Fanlu yesterday—despite not even seeing his face—his mind had been filled with thoughts of him, unable to shake the image.

“Whether I have or haven’t doesn’t seem to matter much to you, does it?” Bai Fanlu replied.

Hearing this, Mu Yunhe grew more frustrated. He stared at Bai Fanlu for a long time before gritting his teeth and blurting out, “You and Old Five aren’t… involved in that way, right?”

“Involved in what way?” Bai Fanlu asked, feigning ignorance.

“…” Mu Yunhe was momentarily tongue-tied.

Bai Fanlu knew what he was implying, but being misunderstood like this left him feeling stifled, and he didn’t want to explain. Just as he turned to leave, Mu Yunhe grabbed him again.

This time, Mu Yunhe was gentler, his grip far softer than before. “I know you’re not that kind of person.”

“And how would you know that?” Bai Fanlu asked, amused.

“I just do!” Mu Yunhe replied, sounding slightly defensive.

Mu Yunhe was caught off guard by the way Bai Fanlu turned slightly as if looking at him, but he insisted, “I just feel it.”

Bai Fanlu found this quite amusing—this person really was something else.

Seeing that Bai Fanlu was no longer upset, Mu Yunhe tentatively asked, “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

Bai Fanlu truly didn’t know where he had been staying, so he simply answered, “Wherever I came from, I’ll just head back there.”

Mu Yunhe assumed he meant he wanted to return to Lord Meng’s estate, and a feeling of discomfort—mixed with inexplicable jealousy—rose within him, making him feel unsettled.

On impulse, he retorted, “Fine, go ahead then!”

But as soon as he said it, he regretted it. And yet, Bai Fanlu didn’t argue, instead calmly figuring out the direction they had come from and preparing to walk away.

Watching him leave without any hesitation, without even a backward glance, Mu Yunhe was suddenly overwhelmed with a fear he couldn’t explain. He rushed forward, grabbing Bai Fanlu and turning him to face him.

“Can’t you… just give in for once?”

Bai Fanlu looked at him, confused. “Me? Why should I give in to you?”

Although he had some suspicions that Mu Yunhe might be Yun Zhan, he had no direct evidence, and even if he were, there was no reason for him to give in.

“Brother Mu…” Bai Fanlu began.

“It’s my fault!” Mu Yunhe interrupted.

“It was wrong of me to take you to a brothel without your permission, so… so I apologize! I sincerely apologize!”

Mu Yunhe wasn’t used to saying such apologetic words. When he did, his voice was full of confidence, lacking the usual meekness that comes with an apology.

He had probably rehearsed it a dozen times in his head, as his tone was as even and rhythmic as if reciting a text from a scholar.

Bai Fanlu was surprised that when he asked Mu Yunhe to “give in,” Mu Yunhe’s first reaction was to apologize.

Going to a brothel wasn’t something that warranted an apology, though Bai Fanlu had indeed felt a little uncomfortable.

But his discomfort wasn’t about being taken there, it was something else entirely…

Bai Fanlu shook his head, hiding his thoughts. “How does Brother Mu plan to make amends?”

“I’ll treat you to osmanthus wine!” Mu Yunhe offered enthusiastically.

Bai Fanlu wasn’t interested and started walking again.

“This is wine I’ve kept hidden for years, not even my mother knows about it!”

Mu Yunhe was genuinely panicked now. Afraid of hurting Bai Fanlu’s wrist, he shifted his grip to his arm. “This osmanthus wine is one of my three most treasured possessions. I’ve never shared it with anyone before—you can’t refuse!”

“Three treasures?” Bai Fanlu was intrigued, stopping but saying nothing.

Mu Yunhe realized he had gone too far, making it sound more like a threat than an apology. Nervous, he softened his tone, “I’m being sincere today, really apologizing. If you don’t accept it, then you’re rejecting me as a friend!”

When had they become friends? Bai Fanlu sighed inwardly, feeling a bit moved. He nodded slightly, “Since Brother Mu holds me in such regard, it would be rude of me to refuse. I’ll go with you. However, I don’t handle alcohol well, so please bear with me.”

Mu Yunhe beamed with joy, relieved that Bai Fanlu didn’t change his mind. He quickly helped him onto the horse.

On the way, Mu Yunhe chatted enthusiastically, introducing Bai Fanlu to all the best food and entertainment spots in Hengchang City, since he had heard Bai Fanlu wasn’t very familiar with the area.

They arrived at the place where Mu Yunhe kept his private stash of wine and took out two jars of aged brew.

Although it was technically against the rules to bring outside alcohol into a restaurant, no one dared stop the young Lord Mu. He waltzed into Lingbo Pavilion, proudly carrying two jars of wine.

They chose a quiet private room by the window, ordered some dishes, and shut the door, blocking out the noise from the rest of the restaurant. Only the occasional sounds of street vendors and passersby drifted in through the window.

As Bai Fanlu listened, he couldn’t help but think of the outside world. In these turbulent times, such peaceful moments were rare. However, he vaguely recalled that he had spent time drinking with someone before.

Mu Yunhe, watching Bai Fanlu delicately eat with his hands hidden beneath his veil, couldn’t help but think it was all too troublesome, even though his movements were graceful and elegant.

“Linqiu, there’s something I’ve been wondering about.”

“Go ahead, Brother Mu.”

“Why do you always wear that ridiculous hat?”

Bai Fanlu thought for a moment. Was it to avoid trouble? Or perhaps it was on the orders of the fifth prince? The hat had been placed on his head by the maid that morning, and since he couldn’t see, he had forgotten to take it off.

But that explanation wasn’t very fun, and seeing how interested Mu Yunhe was, Bai Fanlu decided to tease him a bit.

“Haha… The reason behind it is actually quite long. I’m not sure if Brother Mu has the patience to hear the whole story.”

“Of course I do, of course! Tell me!” Mu Yunhe eagerly leaned in, even putting down his wine cup, his expression unusually focused.

Bai Fanlu spoke slowly, “To be honest, this hat was originally my father’s idea. He believed that a man should seek experience out in the world, otherwise, no matter how much he learned, he would still be like a frog at the bottom of a well.”

“But I was born blind and unfit for martial arts. My father was worried that I wouldn’t be able to protect myself in the dangerous world of the jianghu, so he instructed me to wear this hat whenever I traveled.”

“Huh? How does that make any sense? How could a hat help you fight?” Mu Yunhe interrupted, unable to hold back his curiosity.

Bai Fanlu didn’t mind and patiently explained, “Brother Mu, you jest. Of course the hat doesn’t help me fight. But since I cannot see, wearing the hat is a way to confuse others, to keep them from realizing I’m blind. That’s one reason.”

“I see!” Mu Yunhe nodded in understanding, then suddenly remembered something. “But that night, why did you tell me so directly? Weren’t you worried I might want to harm you?”

Bai Fanlu smiled and asked in return, “Would you?”

“Of course not! I would never take advantage of someone’s weakness,” Mu Yunhe declared, patting his chest confidently.

“Exactly. I know what kind of person Brother Mu is.”

Mu Yunhe found these words very pleasing and felt a bit elated. “Since you know how I treat you, and since there’s no one else around, why not take off the hat and let me have a look? I’m really curious.”

Bai Fanlu smiled. “Brother Mu, you’ve only heard the first reason. Aren’t you curious about the second?”

“Oh right, there’s a second reason! Tell me quickly!”

Mu Yunhe’s attention was easily diverted, and after talking for a while, he felt thirsty. He poured himself a cup of osmanthus wine and quickly downed it, then filled Bai Fanlu’s cup as well.

Bai Fanlu accepted the cup but didn’t drink immediately. He simply held it between his fingers, gently rubbing the rim. After a moment, he lifted the veil slightly to drink.

Mu Yunhe quickly stole a glance but could only see the edge of Bai Fanlu’s chin.

His skin was as smooth as jade, so translucent that it seemed to glow faintly, even more delicate than the veil itself. Unfortunately, his lips were hidden behind the cup, so Mu Yunhe couldn’t see them.

But just the sight of that pale chin was enough to set his imagination racing. He wondered how mesmerizing it would be to see a drop of wine glide down that elegant curve.

“Brother Mu?” Bai Fanlu’s soft voice broke into his thoughts, startling him.

Mu Yunhe realized with a jolt what strange thoughts he had just been having. He quickly composed himself, feeling relieved that Bai Fanlu couldn’t see his expression.

But he couldn’t help wondering—he already had someone he admired, and even if he appreciated others, they were always beauties like Yanyan and Yue Nong. So why was he suddenly feeling such foolish desires toward a man whose face he hadn’t even seen?

“It’s nothing. The osmanthus wine must be too fragrant. Let’s just drink, forget about it!” Mu Yunhe quickly filled his cup again, trying to brush off his earlier thoughts. He noticed, however, that Bai Fanlu still hadn’t drunk his wine.

“Linqiu, I bet you’ve never heard the story behind this osmanthus wine. Let me tell you! It’s a recipe brought down from the heavens by a celestial fairy. There’s even a little poem about it—”

Mu Yunhe scratched his head, trying to recall it, then recited proudly, “In the Crystal Palace, the fragrance of osmanthus fills the air. The Jade Rabbit and Silver Toad drink their fill. If you seek the nectar of the Immortals, you’ll find it brewed in Lingbo Pavilion.”

After finishing the verse, Mu Yunhe downed his cup in one gulp and smacked his lips in satisfaction. “This wine is truly heavenly. Try it, I guarantee you’ll love it!”

Bai Fanlu brought the cup to his lips. The aroma was intoxicating, and as the wine entered his mouth, its rich, smooth taste filled his senses. Unlike other wines, it wasn’t harsh or overpowering, but mellow and enticing, enough to make one feel pleasantly tipsy.

“Excellent wine!” Bai Fanlu exclaimed. “And a fine poem to match. Both are truly delightful.”

Mu Yunhe was thrilled and refilled both their cups. Clapping his hands, he laughed, “Exactly! A perfect pair! Linqiu, we’re kindred spirits in wine! Let’s drink to our heart’s content tonight, shall we?”

Bai Fanlu raised his cup but hesitated. “Brother Mu, while I would gladly drink with you, I’ve been feeling unwell lately. I’m afraid I can’t drink too much. I hope you’ll understand.”

“You’re not feeling well? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I shouldn’t have forced you to drink two cups already. Are you alright? Should I take you to a doctor?”

Hearing the concern in Mu Yunhe’s voice, Bai Fanlu felt touched, as he had only mentioned his illness as an excuse to avoid drinking too much. He shook his head. “It’s nothing serious, Brother Mu, don’t worry.”

“Then no more wine for you. I’ll drink, and you can drink tea instead.” With that, Mu Yunhe replaced Bai Fanlu’s wine cup with a tea cup and called for a pot of high-quality Biluochun tea.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brother Mu.”

“No need for thanks. If you feel unwell, make sure to let me know. Don’t suffer in silence.”

“Alright.”

With that, the two finally let go of their previous misunderstandings and started drinking. Before long, Mu Yunhe had drained both jars of wine and was calling for more, though the staff was hesitant to serve him any more. Mu Yunhe, in his drunken state, began acting rowdy, loudly declaring that he wouldn’t leave until he was completely drunk.

But when he turned to look at Bai Fanlu, who sat quietly sipping his tea, the sight immediately dampened his wild energy.

Mu Yunhe slumped back into his chair, half-drunk, sitting crookedly with one leg propped up on the table. The dishes were all empty, the table a mess.

Kicking away the clutter, Mu Yunhe no longer looked like the refined young lord he usually was. His face flushed red from the alcohol, and his vision blurred as objects seemed to double before his eyes.

He looked across at Bai Fanlu, whose snowy-white robe and graceful demeanor stood in stark contrast to the chaos around him, exuding an air of mystery.

Just as Mu Yunhe was about to grab the wine jar again, he caught sight of Bai Fanlu and paused. He mumbled, “It’s a pity Linqiu can’t drink. I really wanted to see what he looks like when he’s drunk…”

Mu Yunhe shook his head, annoyed. “No, that’s not right. My plan was to get him drunk. If he doesn’t get drunk, how will I see what he really looks like…?”

Muttering to himself, Mu Yunhe didn’t realize that his every word had been heard by the person across from him.

Bai Fanlu couldn’t help but chuckle. This man was already drunk out of his mind, yet he was still fixated on that. It was almost endearing.

But Bai Fanlu, too, had his own schemes. Unfortunately, Mu Yunhe held his alcohol well and remained somewhat sober.

“Brother Mu?” Bai Fanlu’s voice was soft.

Hearing it, Mu Yunhe felt a wave of comfort wash over him. He opened his eyes slightly, but all he could see was a white blur of the veil. He reached out, grasping at the air.

“Brother Mu, now that the wine is finished, it might be a bit boring. How about we play a game?” Bai Fanlu suggested.

Mu Yunhe, who had been growing bored, perked up at the suggestion. His interest piqued, he sobered up slightly. “That’s a great idea! But what should we play? No drinking games, though. How about a guessing game? Although, I have to warn you, I’m pretty good at it.”

Bai Fanlu chuckled. “Since Brother Mu is the host, I’ll follow your lead. I know a little about guessing games myself, but how would Brother Mu like to wager?”

Mu Yunhe glanced around the room and picked up a large wine jar, flipping it upside down on the table.

“Let’s use this wine jar. You pick something, and I’ll guess. Since the wine is all gone, we’ll wager something else. Whatever you choose. But since you can’t see, I’ll cover my eyes too, to keep it fair!”

With that, Mu Yunhe tore a strip of cloth from his outer robe and tied it over his eyes. “Linqiu, feel free to check. I’m serious—I won’t cheat you.”

He even reached out to grab Bai Fanlu’s hand to let him feel the blindfold, but Bai Fanlu quickly avoided it.

Mu Yunhe grinned. “Don’t get cocky. Even blindfolded, I’m lucky. My mother always said I was born under a lucky star. You’ll lose everything by the end of the night, just you wait!”

“Haha! Brother Mu, don’t celebrate too early.”

Bai Fanlu thought for a moment, then chose something from the table and placed it under the jar. Mu Yunhe, without hesitation, blurted out, “It’s a spoon!”

Bai Fanlu smiled but said nothing.

Mu Yunhe lifted the jar, feeling around, and was shocked to find a wine cup instead of a spoon.

“How could this be?! I never guess wrong!”

Mu Yunhe tore off his blindfold, only to see that it really was a wine cup under the jar. He had clearly lost the first round.

“Alright, fine, you win this time. What do you want?”

Hearing the clear frustration in Mu Yunhe’s voice, Bai Fanlu replied, “It doesn’t matter. Whatever you think is fair.”

Such confidence! Mu Yunhe thought to himself, determined to make him beg for mercy before the night was through.

He generously pulled out a piece of silver from his pouch and tossed it to Bai Fanlu, who caught it with perfect precision.

Scoffing, Mu Yunhe surveyed the room and carefully chose something to place under the jar.

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Fanlu raised two fingers to his nose, then smiled. “At first, there was the scent of camellia, osmanthus, and hibiscus in the room. Now, the osmanthus scent is strongest, followed by hibiscus, while the camellia scent seems to have faded. Could it be that you placed a camellia under the jar?”

It was indeed a camellia!

Bai Fanlu won the second round as well.

And so, they played back and forth, and without realizing it, they had gone through ten rounds. By that time, Mu Yunhe had lost all the silver he had on him, even his pouch.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Mu Yunhe called the waiter to supervise, ensuring Bai Fanlu wasn’t cheating. But even with that precaution, Bai Fanlu guessed every item correctly, while Mu Yunhe’s guesses were always just a little off.

Eventually, Mu Yunhe even lost his clothes, ending up shirtless, with only his pants left.

Luckily, they had already sent the waiter away, or Mu Yunhe would have been utterly disgraced.

Finally, as his last pair of pants was about to be gambled away, Mu Yunhe tore off the blindfold and, with a dark expression, prepared to make a quick exit.

“Brother Mu, wait! Are you really planning to leave without winning a single round?”

Bai Fanlu called out to him.

Looking down at his awkward state, Mu Yunhe thought to himself that revenge could wait. As long as he still had his dignity, he wasn’t about to lose his last pair of pants.

But Bai Fanlu wasn’t about to let him off so easily.

“What if I wager this hat of mine?” Bai Fanlu asked.