Bai Fanlu had another dream, and once again, it was about Mo Jiuli.

There seemed to be many candles flickering around, making the entire view hazy and unclear.

Mo Jiuli’s voice was clear, like the sound of a flowing spring, and just hearing it made it easy to imagine his appearance.

He seemed to be speaking to someone, “If the reflection in the mirror learns human greed after experiencing the world, what should be done? And if, one day, that reflection is unwilling to return to the mirror, what would that look like?”

Another voice, coming from an unknown source, chuckled, “If a reflection becomes greedy, it means it has gained a heart. If it refuses to return, it means the affairs of the world have entered its heart. It’s no wonder some people have pursued it for years without giving up.”

The laughter was like the wind rustling through pine trees. Bai Fanlu recognized it; it was the voice of the person who saved Mo Jiuli in his previous dream and asked for his name.

So, they had “met again by fate”?

“Qi Zhao…”

The name Mo Jiuli called made Bai Fanlu frown slightly.

“If I and all the people in the world…”

“A-Li!” Qi Zhao interrupted Mo Jiuli’s unfinished sentence. “Don’t say anything ominous today. We’re about to swear an oath before the gods to be together for eternity. Don’t think about anything else, at least not today.”

“The gods… yes, the gods…”

For some reason, Bai Fanlu could deeply sense the sorrow and helplessness in the heart of this person called “A-Li.”

Suddenly, he felt a strong urge to reach out and touch him, but someone in his vision had already done so.

The two blurry figures gradually merged into one.

“Qi Zhao…”

“Shh, don’t speak. Just feel me… A-Li, I only want you. Nothing else matters—what does the world, good or evil, have to do with us?”

Qi Zhao’s voice seemed to dispel all hesitation. His urgency left no room for Mo Jiuli to object.

Mo Jiuli seemed to sigh, “Alright… then let’s not care about anything. We’ve agreed, we won’t care.”

Bai Fanlu stood frozen for a while before realizing he felt like an eavesdropper. But it wasn’t just eavesdropping—he could also see something.

Was it the interwoven fabrics and long hair? Or the ten fingers tightly clasped together? Or perhaps the shattered, passionate flowers strewn across the ground?

He didn’t know how much time passed, but Mo Jiuli’s slightly hoarse voice asked, “What time is it now?”

Qi Zhao lazily replied, “What does it matter…”

“You should go back… ah…”

The sounds that followed grew louder and louder, making it hard to ignore. What had been faint whispers were now loud and clear, as if right beside him.

They were… Bai Fanlu’s heartbeat suddenly quickened, initially due to the embarrassment of witnessing a secret, but gradually, for some reason, that nervousness and subtle excitement began to make him feel… connected?

Bai Fanlu immediately wanted to wake himself up, but he had no physical body, only a fragment of consciousness, and he couldn’t control it. As the flames of passion between the two burned brighter, his own discomfort intensified.

Damn it! Why couldn’t he wake up?

“A-Li, you’re getting distracted at this moment? Then I guess I’ll have to try harder… to make you forget those troublesome people, right?”

Qi Zhao’s breathless voice was filled with natural arrogance and indulgence. With a single “A-Li,” it carried an unmistakable depth of affection and an unreachable sense of sorrow.

“A-Li, look at me…”

This was clearly directed at “A-Li,” but for some reason, Bai Fanlu felt his heart skip a beat as well.

Qi Zhao… Bai Fanlu found himself silently repeating the name in his mind.

“Qi Zhao…” Mo Jiuli was also calling out, his voice like a small boat battered by the waves, with the latter words broken and incoherent.

Amidst the sound of clothing rustling, something made of copper rolled and fell onto the stone floor, emitting a crisp clink that echoed.

Then Bai Fanlu suddenly caught the overwhelming scent of alcohol in the air. In the haze, he heard Qi Zhao’s solemn vow-like words.

“A-Li, from now on, His Highness Jiuli and Emperor Zhaohe are bound by the red thread, like pearls and jade joined together.”

“For the years to come, may we be in harmony. With this cup, we drink to our shared heart, never to betray each other—”

Drink to a shared heart, never to betray…

Bai Fanlu shuddered and awoke with a start.

He opened his eyes to darkness, no longer seeing the dazzling and colorful fragments of the dream. Everything was pitch black.

But he still vividly remembered the last words of the vow, the exact same words Mu Yunhe had said last night when they drank the ceremonial wine.

Bai Fanlu steadied his mind and realized there was an arm around his waist, his head resting on another arm.

The person holding him seemed to sense that he had woken up, moved slightly, and tightened his embrace.

But other than a soft grunt, there was no further movement.

Bai Fanlu guessed that, given the difference in their physiques and how closely they were entangled, getting out of bed without waking the person behind him was nearly impossible.

So, he could only close his eyes and pretend to sleep, as Bai Fanlu hadn’t yet decided how he would face Mu Yunhe if he woke up.

Truthfully, this tactic of pretending to sleep had already been used last night, after he had been forced to call out “A-Zhan” more times than he could bear. Out of utter shame, he had passed out.

Then he had heard the person next to him chuckle softly, “Senior Brother, you’re so heartless. You’re just going to leave me like this… What if I do something bad while you’re asleep?”

In his mind, Bai Fanlu kept repeating: I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you.

Then he had felt a peck on the corner of his lips, and Mu Yunhe had gotten out of bed to fetch something.

Bai Fanlu had curled up defensively, but it hadn’t helped much. Mu Yunhe had easily moved him aside, coaxing, “Just sleep, I’ll clean you up.”

“…” Dear heavens, let him disappear!

“Why is it you can say such things with a straight face? You said you didn’t do anything when you went to the brothel—were you lying to me?”

Obviously embarrassed, he could only resort to arguing forcefully.

But as soon as Bai Fanlu said it, he realized that this act of pretending to sleep had lasted only a few seconds before he was completely exposed.

Mu Yunhe had grabbed his hand, ignoring Bai Fanlu’s increasingly flushed face, and carefully cleaned the stains from his clothes.

“We’re already married, what’s the big deal about this? Besides…” Mu Yunhe paused, “How do you know I wasn’t blushing too?”

Bai Fanlu, “…”

Mu Yunhe leaned in closer and whispered, “Maybe I’m even shyer than you. Want to… test it?”

The last part, “test it,” was said in a pitiful, innocent tone, but after what had just happened, how could Bai Fanlu not understand his implications? “Pervert!”

A pillow was thrown at him, but Mu Yunhe caught it easily, frowning at the object in his hand. “Attempted murder of your husband?”

Bai Fanlu’s usual calm demeanor and sharp tongue were completely useless against Mu Yunhe, whose shamelessness in certain matters was practically a natural talent. He turned away, silently giving up. He was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

“Senior Brother?”

No response.

“Senior Brother, are you asleep?”

Still no response.

“Senior Brother… I’m uncomfortable…”

“I told you not to call me that anymore.”

Especially in bed—such a term, with its forbidden undertones, was far too embarrassing!

“You like it when I call you that, I know.”

You know nothing!

Bai Fanlu hid under the covers, feeling utterly defeated. He had really only intended to save Yun Zhan, not to get involved in such a confusing relationship. But now… could it still be considered clean and pure?

Mu Yunhe pulled the covers off him. “Don’t suffocate yourself. I won’t tease you anymore, okay?”

Bai Fanlu wouldn’t believe that even if he had lost his mind.

But Mu Yunhe had already scooted over, forcibly turning Bai Fanlu around and pulling him into his embrace. Bai Fanlu, feeling weak, was left leaning against Mu Yunhe’s chest, his head resting on his shoulder.

Bai Fanlu couldn’t see, but being held like this, he could feel the curve of Mu Yunhe’s shoulder line, the firmness and elasticity of his muscles. He had to admit, the man’s physique was quite impressive.

Mu Yunhe held Bai Fanlu close, his fingers twirling his hair, sometimes looking down at him, sometimes gazing up at the red bed canopy.

Through the canopy, the flickering candlelight created a faint, hazy glow of red.

This, perhaps, was what they called the warmth of the bridal chamber.

Bai Fanlu couldn’t see the candlelight; he only felt Mu Yunhe’s hand twirling around his head. At first, it was a bit irritating, but gradually, he grew used to it. In fact, the intimate and natural gesture even made him yawn frequently.

“Senior Brother?”

Damn it… how many times had he said not to call him that?

Bai Fanlu thought sleepily, and then he drifted off.

Even though he had wanted to tell Mu Yunhe not to hold him while they slept, he had clearly forgotten about that in the end.

He also hadn’t expected that when he woke up, the two of them would still be in the same position as before.

“You’re awake but not moving. Could it be that you can’t bear to leave your husband?”

Mu Yunhe’s lazy voice came from above.

Bai Fanlu’s eyelashes fluttered, and without saying a word, he gave Mu Yunhe a shove and sat up. Initially, he had been worried about the awkward atmosphere upon waking, but this situation made him snap out of it and act without thinking. He directly pinched Mu Yunhe on his side, right at the most sensitive spot above his waist.

The new day began with a little act of revenge.

He had chosen the spot carefully, knowing it would cause the most discomfort. As expected, Mu Yunhe cried out in pain.

“Senior Brother, if you pinch any lower, I might actually end up crippled!”

Bai Fanlu ignored him and fumbled to get out of bed. Mu Yunhe immediately stopped whining and reached out to support him. “Careful.”

“…I’ve noticed,” Bai Fanlu suddenly said.

“Noticed what?”

“You’re only taking advantage of my blindness, aren’t you?”

“That’s an injustice!” Mu Yunhe exclaimed dramatically, “You’re my lawfully wedded wife! How could I ever bear to mistreat you? I care for you more than anything.”

Bai Fanlu’s breath hitched. He responded coldly, “I’m a man, and you calling me your wife—if that’s not bullying me, then what is it?”

“Ah?” Mu Yunhe pretended to realize something, “Oh, you mean that… wife?”

Bai Fanlu gritted his teeth. “If you dare to call me that in public, do you believe I won’t pinch even harder?”

“Though, honestly, I’d look forward to that…”

Mu Yunhe grabbed Bai Fanlu’s incoming hand and pressed it against his chest, leaning in to give a light kiss on his nose.

“But maybe we should keep that title for ourselves, just for our… personal, bedroom enjoyment.”

The filthy words kept pouring out of his mouth endlessly.

Bai Fanlu knew better now. The more he engaged with this man, the more excited he became. The only way to deal with Mu Yunhe was to completely ignore him.

Mu Yunhe, seeing that Bai Fanlu was genuinely angry, quickly softened his tone and said, “Alright, don’t be upset. I won’t tease you anymore. Come on, sit here for now.”

He guided Bai Fanlu to sit in front of the dressing table and draped an outer robe over him. “I’ll call someone in now.”

Bai Fanlu nodded, understanding that it was time to stay silent.

Mu Yunhe drew aside the curtain that separated the inner chamber and called out. The iron lock on the door, which had been removed sometime earlier, opened, and several maidservants entered.

“Good morning, Young Lord, Young Madam.”

They brought in basins of water and towels, setting everything down before leaving again, leaving only the maid Liu Xin behind.

Liu Xin helped Bai Fanlu freshen up, while Mu Yunhe attended to his own grooming. Despite being a young lord, Mu Yunhe had never required personal servants for such tasks.

Since today was the first day after their wedding, they were required to visit Mu Yunhe’s mother, the Matriarch, which meant that Bai Fanlu’s attire needed to be formal and slightly elaborate.

As Liu Xin helped Bai Fanlu get dressed, Mu Yunhe stood nearby, watching as she skillfully tied the intricate knots with the fabric.

Bai Fanlu’s outfit was a palace-style gown with a light yellow base, overlaid with a pale apricot outer robe. Embroidered with dark purple cloud patterns, it shimmered subtly when he moved, appearing understated at first but exuding an air of refined elegance upon closer inspection.

Liu Xin began to braid Bai Fanlu’s hair, which was long enough to reach the seat behind him.

Mu Yunhe watched quietly for a while before, as if struck by a thought, picking up the comb once Liu Xin was done using it and inspecting it closely.

Liu Xin didn’t know what Mu Yunhe intended, but his focused expression suggested he was contemplating something. Based on his attentiveness in observing the dressing process, she could guess what was on his mind.

It was the job of a maid to remain silent even when understanding, so she didn’t comment on anything, not even the red mark on the back of Bai Fanlu’s neck that she spotted while braiding his hair. Instead, she kept her amusement to herself.

After dressing Bai Fanlu and completing his hair, Liu Xin draped a pale lotus-colored veil over his face, covering half of it. The length was just right, falling to his chest, and it also helped to obscure his figure a bit.

The official reason for the veil was that the young madam had scars on his face, which was a ruse concocted to prevent anyone from recognizing him too easily.

With everything ready, it was time to visit the Matriarch.

Liu Xin supported Bai Fanlu as they walked out of the room, and Bai Fanlu could feel eyes on him as they went, but it didn’t matter. What truly made him nervous was the impending formal meeting.

It wasn’t as if Bai Fanlu had never met Mu Yunhe’s mother, but after the events of last night, the thought of encountering this bold and fierce female general made him feel an indescribable sense of… dread.

Still, no matter what, the formalities had to be observed.

The tea ceremony went smoothly. Though Mu Yunhe’s mother maintained her dignified stance as an elder, she was considerate enough not to make her new daughter-in-law kneel, as it was customary for men to uphold their pride.

“You’re in poor health, and you must have been exhausted yesterday. You may skip the kneeling,” she said.

Though her tone was sympathetic, there was an underlying meaning that Bai Fanlu couldn’t quite ignore.

After Bai Fanlu offered the tea, the formal exchange of titles didn’t require him to speak. Since his voice was a dead giveaway, the cover story was that the new young madam was mute as well as blind and scarred.

This was, of course, a blessing for Bai Fanlu, who was more than happy to play the role of a silent flower vase.

So, he just listened to the Matriarch repeatedly referring to herself as “mother” in a voice filled with affection for her new daughter-in-law.

“Yunhe, you’re a married man now, so you must stop acting as recklessly as before.”

“And you, Lin’er—if Yunhe ever steps out of line, you are welcome to set him straight without needing to consider my face.”

To outsiders, Bai Fanlu’s name was changed to Lu Lin to avoid suspicion. Only their clan records would mention his true name, but others would never need to know it.

In the hall were several relatives from the extended Mu clan, who had stayed at the estate after last night’s celebrations. Bai Fanlu had to perform a bit for them as well.

The elders offered polite praise for Bai Fanlu, but beneath their compliments, they harbored some curiosity. There was, however, one opinion they all seemed to share.

“Now that Yunhe has taken a wife, he seems much more mature and stable. It’s truly a cause for celebration!”

It seemed that Mu Yunhe’s previous behavior had been so reckless that just seeing him stand still and endure the elders’ lecturing moved them to tears.

Bai Fanlu found it amusing, but the blatant stares from the relatives, unlike the more subtle glances of the maids and servants, became uncomfortable after a while.

As Bai Fanlu stood there quietly, Mu Yunhe suddenly said, “Mother, rest assured, I will protect Lin’er well. But now that I’ve started a family, I also have something to take care of. I heard that there’s been an issue with the fabric shop in Qingying County, so I plan to go check on it and take the opportunity to learn more about the business.”

The Matriarch nodded approvingly, “It’s good that you’re taking an interest. Qingying has a pleasant climate, perfect for Lin’er to go there and recuperate.”

“Thank you for your concern, Mother,” Mu Yunhe replied with mock seriousness, giving Bai Fanlu’s hand a discreet squeeze as he helped him to sit.

After the long and tedious gathering, the two returned to their room, where Bai Fanlu finally asked, “What’s going on with Qingying County?”

Mu Yunhe feigned innocence, “There are just some matters to deal with. If I went alone, you’d miss me, wouldn’t you?”

Of course, Bai Fanlu wouldn’t miss him, but he had to go with him. There was less than a month left, and if anything went wrong during this time, the marriage would be for nothing.

“I’ll go with you,” Bai Fanlu said simply.

Mu Yunhe laughed heartily, “With a beauty by my side, the journey will be all the more enjoyable. How could I refuse?”

You and your nonsense, Bai Fanlu thought to himself.

As a rule, newlyweds should remain in the estate to entertain their guests. However, Mu Yunhe couldn’t care less about propriety. After informing his mother in the morning, he had arranged for a carriage by the afternoon to take them to Qingying County.

It wasn’t until they had left Hengchang County far behind that Bai Fanlu finally realized why Mu Yunhe had been so eager to take him on a trip.