After settling the last of the household needs,
Li Zhexian invited Xue Qinghe, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the four members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for a celebratory meal.
A small ritual, just to mark the occasion of moving into his new home.
Honestly, this was why Li Zhexian was willing to befriend these people.
These pampered young nobles, who normally wouldn't lift a finger in the kitchen, actually cleaned up the entire battlefield of messy cups and dishes before leaving.
Li Zhexian saw them all to the gate one by one.
Once everyone had gone—
He lazily slouched into a sandalwood recliner.
Above him, the four-season plum tree was in bloom. He took sips of wine from time to time, feeling as if life's greatest pleasure was this.
He was chewing on a plum and feeling drowsy from the wine when—
His eyes suddenly snapped open!
Two sharp gleams burst from his gaze like solid blades, startling the plum blossoms overhead into scattering down in a flurry.
"Again?!"
"Did I offend someone again?!"
Having already experienced one assassination attempt, Li Zhexian reacted with lightning speed.
He immediately prepared to leap over the courtyard wall.
But just as he was about to move, a vaguely familiar aura approached from behind.
He froze, then turned around.
Whoosh—!
A shadow shot through the air like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.
Li Zhexian reflexively raised his hand—his Qinglian Sword was already halfway out.
But as the aura drew closer, it became unmistakably familiar.
He instantly dismissed his defenses, didn't dodge, didn't move.
He just stood there, waiting.
The shadow arrived in the blink of an eye.
The figure wore a tight black outfit, face obscured by a sheer veil. A gleaming claw hovered over Li Zhexian's chest—yet stopped short, refusing to go further.
Li Zhexian's lips curled into a smile.
He didn't say a word.
He simply looked into the eyes behind the veil.
Slowly…
Gradually…
Those inky black eyes began to glisten with tears.
She retracted her claw, and without warning, flung her arms around him—throwing herself into his chest with a mix of relief and pent-up emotion.
"Li Zhexian… I finally… finally found you again!"
At that moment—
If any of the other Shrek Seven Monster had been present…
They'd likely have dropped their jaws in shock.
Zhu Zhuqing—the cold, aloof girl who rarely spoke—was showing such a fiery, open side?
Her warmth and fragrance filled his arms.
But Li Zhexian could also smell the dust on her.
Lowering his gaze, he noticed bits of grass and dirt tangled in her hair—signs of how far she'd traveled to reach Heaven Dou City alone.
He gently raised his hand.
And softly patted her trembling shoulders.
"Sister Zhuqing... it's been a while."
A moment later—
Zhu Zhuqing shyly pulled away from his embrace.
She looked him over carefully, and at last, a smile bloomed on her lips.
"I actually arrived in Heaven Dou City this morning."
"But I saw you surrounded by friends and didn't want to interrupt."
"Seeing how well you're living… it makes me happy."
Li Zhexian led her beneath the plum tree and took out his Clear Spring Wine Gourd, filling a cup for her.
"I drank the wine you sent through Dugu Yan last time. It was good."
"This is a new brew I made myself. Try it."
A soft blue mist, like flowing firelight, rose from the cup's rim.
Its rich, mellow aroma instantly filled the courtyard.
Zhu Zhuqing unconsciously licked her dry lips.
If it was Li Zhexian's wine, it was guaranteed to be extraordinary.
"Then I won't hold back."
She eagerly raised the cup and took a sip.
"Mmm…"
As the liquor slid down her throat, a blush visibly spread across her pale face, and even her usually sharp eyes grew misty with intoxication.
"So good…"
Watching her tipsy, adorable expression, Li Zhexian chuckled and raised his own cup for a sip.
Just then—
A conversation from days ago flashed through his mind, when he'd asked Dugu Yan:
"What else did Zhu Zhuqing say?"
"She said she likes you—and next time you meet, you'd better kiss her."
Li Zhexian set the gourd down.
Normally carefree and bold, he was actually a little flustered this time.
"Sister Zhuqing…"
"Hmm?"
She looked up at him with hazy eyes.
"That might not be appropriate…"
"What's not appropriate?"
Her breath smelled faintly of wine, and her words were slightly slurred.
Li Zhexian furrowed his brow, deciding to stop beating around the bush.
He told her exactly what Dugu Yan had relayed.
Zhu Zhuqing blinked in surprise.
Then, her already flushed face turned an even deeper shade of red—practically dripping with heat. Even her ears and the back of her neck flushed.
"I—I never said that!"
"I… I just asked her to bring you some wine… I didn't say anything like that!"
Li Zhexian gave a helpless smile.
He understood now.
He'd been tricked by Dugu Yan.
Watching Zhu Zhuqing squirm in embarrassment, the man who should've been flustered actually found himself relaxed.
"It's fine, Sister Zhuqing. Dugu Yan was just being mischievous."
"You don't have to take it to heart."
"Mm… okay…"
She nodded softly.
But seeing how little Li Zhexian seemed to care… it left a strange feeling in her chest.
Clutching the bundle in her arms, she bit her lip and murmured:
"Li Zhexian…"
"Can I… take a bath here?"
Li Zhexian pointed to the delicate side room next to the main house.
"Over there. It has a water pool with natural hot spring stones. I've only used it twice since moving in. If you don't mind, feel free use it."
"Okay."
She answered almost inaudibly, then carried her small bundle and hurried into the side room.
Li Zhexian had no stray thoughts.
He turned his back to the room and leaned against the plum tree, enjoying a sip of wine and a plum, perfectly at ease.
...
About half an hour passed.
His vision was slightly hazy from the wine.
Suddenly—
A subtle floral fragrance drifted toward him.
Zhu Zhuqing's soft, uncertain voice sounded behind him:
"Li Zhexian…"
"C-Can you… turn around and look at me?"
He turned instinctively.
What he saw—would etch itself into his memory for years to come.
Zhu Zhuqing, who always wore tight black battle clothes, now stood in a flowing violet gown as soft as morning mist.
Her sharp phoenix eyes were lowered, her thick lashes casting gentle shadows across her cheeks in the fading light.
For once, she looked tender. Vulnerable.
Clearly, she wasn't used to such an outfit.
Her hand instinctively reached for her waist—only to find no hidden weapons, just soft tassels swaying from a decorative sash.
Feeling Li Zhexian's gaze, which seemed to carry a tangible warmth, made Zhu Zhuqing's heart flutter.
She turned her head away and said in a trembling voice, "Li Zhexian..."
"Didn't… didn't you say purple was elegant?"
"If it looks bad… I'll go change…"
"Don't."
Li Zhexian stopped her, then gave a firm nod.
"You look beautiful. Truly beautiful, Sister Zhuqing."
She turned back.
Her usual hair tie had been replaced with two violet jade hairpins.
As she moved, the tiny jade beads hanging from them chimed softly.
Her gaze—
Met Li Zhexian's smiling eyes directly.
The blush on her ear tips looked just like the falling plum blossoms from earlier.
Li Zhexian patted the treasure pouch at his waist and took out two stalks of immortal herbs.
"Since Sister Zhuqing remembered something I said—"
"Let me give you a gift in return."