Ji Mingzhu stepped out of the gates of Crane Dance Hall.
At a glance, she saw Xie Yunxuan standing in the snow, and... Xie Yunzhen.
Separated by some distance, Ji Mingzhu couldn't hear what they were saying.
But the moment Xie Yunxuan saw her, he wrapped up the conversation and quickly walked toward her.
Seeing Ji Mingzhu's reddened eyes, Xie Yunxuan asked anxiously, "Did Grandmother trouble you?"
Ji Mingzhu shook her head, "No."
"You cried."
Xie Yunxuan stated with certainty, unable to hide the distress in his eyes.
He instinctively raised his hand, wanting to brush the corner of her eyes, wipe away that blush.
He feared seeing Mingzhu shed tears...
"Second brother, weren't you going to come to my place? Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Xie Yunzhen's expression was indifferent, yet the hand behind his back slightly clenched.
Whenever he encountered Ji Mingzhu, he behaved unusually.
As if bewitched.
Seeing Ji Mingzhu and Xie Yunxuan standing together inexplicably irritated him.
Especially when he saw Xie Yunxuan's actions, a wave of displeasure surged from the depths of his heart.
A voice inside him whispered: No other man should touch Ji Mingzhu, not even his family!
Separate them.
Don't let them speak!
Don't let them stand together!
His mind was in chaos, yet his mouth spoke without control.
Xie Yunzhen strolled forward, "I was there earlier too, if you have questions, feel free to ask me."
His gaze swept over Ji Mingzhu, "People often prefer to share joy over sorrow, asking her might not yield much."
It was naturally necessary to clarify.
Couldn't let Mingzhu suffer grievances for nothing.
Knowing Ji Mingzhu didn't like his brother, Xie Yunxuan didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.
He said, "Big brother, I'll first escort Mingzhu back to Xiao Xiang Courtyard, then come find you."
Standing together, they seemed against him, and Xie Yunzhen was displeased again.
He detested his own irrationality but couldn't control the emotional surge.
This loss of control was terrible, causing him to look at Ji Mingzhu with sharper eyes.
What exactly had she done to him?
Given Ji Mingzhu already felt wronged, being stared at by Xie Yunzhen's fierce gaze made her even angrier.
Living under someone else's roof, she had no right to vent her anger.
She could only glare at Xie Yunzhen and turn toward Xiao Xiang Courtyard.
Xie Yunxuan hurriedly followed.
"Walk slower, don't fall."
"Fall then fall, it won't kill anyone, just get back up!"
"No talk of dying, don't joke about that..."
Just like that, the two of them faded from his sight, Xie Yunzhen repeatedly recalled Ji Mingzhu's glare.
So vivid, entirely different from her previous calm gaze.
His dormant heart beat joyously at this moment.
Xie Yunzhen kicked a pile of snow, "What a damn sight!"
He quickly returned to the East Courtyard.
"Go invite Xi Yu the physician."
Two people stepped out, Xie Yunzhen going to Crane Dance Hall for a courtesy call, Xi Yu disliked such occasions, so he returned to the guest courtyard.
Hearing this, Tianshui thought the master's wound had reopened and rushed to invite help.
Xi Yu also thought so, hence his swift arrival.
Before he entered the room, his voice came through first.
"Didn't I say if your wound tears again, you might not survive?"
Xie Yunzhen sat calmly on a chair, leisurely brewing tea, seeming untroubled.
Xi Yu breathed a sigh of relief, "Why call for me?"
"Is there truly someone who knows witchcraft?"
Xie Yunzhen asked.
His expression was serious, not like he was spouting nonsense.
Xi Yu sat down casually, "Strange things happen everywhere, maybe someone really knows."
Though he's heard many tales about witchcraft, they seemed too exaggerated for him to believe.
Xie Yunzhen had always scoffed at such matters, but now he truly felt he might be bewitched.
Xi Yu asked curiously, "Why ask this suddenly, someone bewitched?"
Xie Yunzhen didn't answer but asked, "How to break a love spell if one is under it?"
Used between men and women—that must be this kind of spell, he speculated.
Xi Yu's expression was peculiar, "You're bewitched?"
"A friend."
Xi Yu's mouth twitched, "Creating imaginary friends, think I'm a fool?"
Xie Yunzhen's gaze surveyed, "Just answer the question."
"Is this your attitude when seeking help?"
Many feared Xie Yunzhen, but Xi Yu wasn't one of them.
He stared at Xie Yunzhen, eyes filled with mischief.
"Which lady have you fallen for?"
Answering his own question, Xi Yu said, "We've been back for a short while, the only lady you've interacted with is Miss, is it...?"
"But it makes sense, no hero can resist beauty, especially one so beautiful, it's natural to fall with just a glance."
Xie Yunzhen's face grew darker, "Stop spouting nonsense."
Never has he felt affection for a woman, especially one he barely knows.
If he truly had feelings, it must be because Ji Mingzhu did something to him.
Xi Yu shook his head, "Liking a girl isn't shameful, why resist?"
Xie Yunzhen wasn't interested in discussing this.
"If the witch behind the spell disappears, would it solve the problem?"
He spoke seriously, not like joking.
Xi Yu hurriedly replied, "Don't commit unjust killings, if you truly kill the girl you like, there's no time to cry!"
Sweeping a chilly look at Xi Yu, correcting, "There's no girl I like."
He just couldn't control his heart, always focusing on Ji Mingzhu.
Rather than like, it's more like being influenced by someone else.
Xie Yunzhen wanted to eliminate anything causing his loss of control from the start.
Xi Yu was baffled by him.
There's a hint of awakening in him, yet he wants to resolve it at the root.
Such contradiction, no wonder he's still alone past twenty.
"I think Miss Ji is quite good, different from those who intentionally seek advantage, don't wrong her."
Xie Yunzhen frowned slightly; if she's truly innocent, how does he explain his abnormality?
"Have you considered something?"
Detesting circumlocution, "Speak."
"You're moved!"
Saying these four words, Xi Yu felt like laughing to the skies.
Who earlier thought Miss Ji wanted to cling to prestige?
For that, even labeled her as scheming.
Now it's obvious he was the one moved, falsely blaming Miss Ji.
A stunning beauty's impact struck the cold-hearted King Yan!
Xie Yunzhen wasn't convinced; if he truly liked Ji Mingzhu, how could he watch her be bullied?
How could he ignore her grievances and tears?
Even if he's never loved anyone, he knows men in love are protective.
Wouldn't tolerate their woman being mistreated.
Even by elders.
Casually drinking tea, he concluded, "Utter nonsense!"
Instantly relieved, the sense of impending threat vanished.
Just now he'd been muddled, inviting Xi Yu over, and got laughed at.
Seems he needs to distance himself from Ji Mingzhu.
If still influenced, then...
Xie Yunzhen's eyes glinted sharply; then he must push forward and marry Ji Mingzhu off!