He waited a beat before adding, "You should change after this."
That made her pause. She glanced down at her robes. Blood. Not dramatic amounts, but enough to ruin the delicate fabric. She frowned slightly. "Oh." Then she looked up at him. There was dried blood on his collar too. And his sleeves. And a dark smudge on his jaw like he had tried to wipe it but gave up halfway.
Linyue pointed at him with the last bite of her pie. "You should change too."
Shu Mingye smirked, leaning a little closer. "Will you help me?"
"Why would you need my help?"
"I don't need it," he said smoothly. "I want it."
She looked at him, unimpressed. Then nodded. "Alright."
Shu Mingye blinked. "Really?"
"You said you want it," she replied calmly.
He squinted at her, suddenly suspicious. "And you just agree like that? No protest? No blushing? That's suspicious."
Linyue tilted her head. "Why not? It's just changing clothes."
Shu Mingye stared at her for a moment and then let out a low laugh. "Then from now on, you should help me change my clothes every single day."
Linyue raised one eyebrow. "Are your hands broken?"
"They might be," he said seriously, lifting them slightly. "Can't you see? Emotionally broken."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Emotionally broken hands don't need new robes."
"I'm emotionally fragile, Pie," he insisted, pressing a hand dramatically to his chest. "If you don't help me, I might just fall apart right here."
She laughed, her eyes curving, her shoulders shaking slightly. "Is it even okay for the fearful Demon King to be this cute and foolish?"
"Only for you," he said without a hint of shame.
Linyue gave him a slow nod, pretending to think. "Then I suppose it's worth the investment."
"Of course," he said smoothly, confidence dripping from every word. "I'll make sure you never regret it."
"I'm done eating," she announced suddenly, brushing the crumbs from her lap. "Let's change clothes now."
Shu Mingye's lips curled into a wicked smirk. From behind him, he casually pulled out two neatly folded white robes, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment. Of course he had prepared ahead of time. He handed one to her with a look that said very clearly, I win.
Linyue took the robe from him. Then she looked at him expectantly.
Shu Mingye blinked. "What are you doing, Pie? You said you'd help me."
"Take it off first," she said casually, holding the clean robes.
He squinted at her. "You agreed to help me. You can't back out now."
"Shameless," Linyue said flatly.
"Very," Shu Mingye agreed proudly as he started undoing his bloodstained robe. "Because that's your preference."
Linyue turned her back to him. "I'm helping. From a safe distance."
He laughed quietly. "You've already seen everything. Why so shy now?"
Her ears turned the color of steamed crab. She stayed still for a long moment, then turned back around. Very seriously, she aimed her gaze at his chin like it was suddenly the most fascinating thing in the carriage. She held up the clean robe and quietly helped him. Slipping his arms through the sleeves, tying the belt, adjusting the outer robe. All very professional. All very calm. Except for her slightly pink cheeks and the growing smirk on his face.
Shu Mingye tilted his head, clearly entertained. "It's my turn. Let me help you."
"No need," Linyue said quickly. "I'll do it myself."
"Why?" he asked innocently, already reaching for the sash of her robe. "I'm offering my help. For free."
Before she could protest, his fingers moved with suspicious skill and efficiency. The knot of her sash loosened, and her outer robe slipped off in one smooth motion. He didn't even look smug. He looked helpful. That was the worst part.
Then he reached for her inner robe.
Linyue froze. Her whole body stiffened. She turned her face to the side, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Pie," Shu Mingye said gently, "I won't do anything. I'm just helping you change. That's all."
"Really?" she asked, skeptical.
"Really," he said, very sincerely. "You just got hurt. You need rest. You should nap again after we arrive."
Linyue looked at him. Somehow, the way he said that made her chest feel warm. He wasn't teasing. Just thoughtful. And maybe a little soft. She smiled faintly and finally nodded, letting him help her.
Shu Mingye, still suspiciously efficient, moved with a patience that would have surprised anyone who knew his temper. He tied sashes, smoothed sleeves, and adjusted folds like someone who had far too much practice dressing someone else.
After they changed into clean robes, Linyue looked down at hers with suspicion. The inner robe was black, the outer robe white, with delicate golden floral embroidery along the collar and hem. Elegant. Simple. And unfortunately… exactly the same as the one Shu Mingye was wearing. She gave him a long, silent look. He looked straight ahead, pretending not to notice.
Matching couple robes. Again.
Linyue didn't say a word. She didn't sigh or complain or ask why he had a secret hobby of turning them into a walking couple outfit advertisement. She simply sat by the carriage window, letting the wind brush past her face.
The sun lit up the road ahead as the scenery shifted into the busy streets of Luyan. It was just as lively as she remembered. Merchants shouted over each other, children darted between stalls, and the air carried the thick mixed scent of medicinal herbs and fried snacks. It was loud, chaotic, and a little overwhelming. But it felt nice. Familiar.
Shu Mingye stayed quiet beside her. He wasn't teasing her, making outrageous comments, or trying to pull her back into his lap. He just sat there. Calm. Peaceful. Suspicious. Or maybe considerate? She wasn't sure anymore.
Soon, the carriage slowed and came to a full stop.
They had arrived. Xuanyi Pavilion.
Shu Mingye stepped down first, like a proper gentleman. Then with perfect form and a composed face, he turned and offered her his hand. Linyue reached for it, let him help her down, and then shockingly, he let go of her hand. Just like that. No holding. No teasing. No sudden "oops you almost tripped, let me carry you forever." He just stood there. Respectful. Like some chivalrous fairy-tale prince. Linyue barely held back a laugh. Was he trying to pretend to be a proper gentleman?
She didn't have time to ask. Her chaos family spotted her.
Song Meiyu squealed, "Sister Linyue! I missed yoouuuuu!"
Then she charged and hugged her tight.
Linyue smiled and patted her back gently. "I missed you, too."
He Yuying appeared behind her, looking half-asleep as usual. "She just missed freedom. After being trapped and forced to meditate for six whole days."
Song Meiyu huffed, "Do you think I didn't know you were sneakily eating snacks while we meditated?!"
Shen Zhenyu gave He Yuying a long stare.
He Yuying groaned. "I needed energy to keep meditating."
Linyue chuckled softly. "Let's go in."
Together, the group walked through the tall, elegant archway of Xuanyi Pavilion. It looked exactly the same as Linyue remembered. Peaceful, clean, and faintly intimidating in that medicinal way. The smell of herbs drifted on the breeze like a polite warning: welcome to the land of bitter soup and long health lectures.
Xuanyi Pavilion was large and neatly divided. The west wing was the Healing Hall, where people came in with small cuts or half a foot in the grave and left fully scolded and healed. The east wing was the Alchemy Room, better known as the Land of Explosions and Strange Smells. The north side held the living quarters, and the south was for workers and visitors.
Linyue guessed Master Yin Xue was probably in the west Healing Hall, treating patients with her usual mix of sharp skill and sharper comments. Master Tian Mo was most likely hiding in the back garden pretending to meditate while actually sipping tea and gossiping with birds.
The group headed north, their footsteps echoing softly in the long corridor. Shu Mingye's people followed behind, carrying boxes, luggage, and what looked like an absurd number of pies. No one dared question it.
The workers of Xuanyi Pavilion didn't say much either. A few servants swept the floor, while junior physicians rushed around clutching scrolls and medicine trays. Most avoided looking directly at Shu Mingye, their gazes darting away nervously like he was a dangerous spirit who might demand tea and steal their souls as payment.
Song Meiyu, of course, bounced ahead of them. She chattered about the flowers blooming, the new tea blend she tried, and how He Yuying snored during meditation (which he denied with a blank face and zero effort).