He looked up. There sat Dimples, perched on the railing, greeting him.
Ajun smiled, walked over, bent down, and let Dimples leap onto his shoulder. Together, they headed toward the side wing, taking in the beauty of the ancient estate.
The Yuwen family's mansion was one of the oldest structures in the guardian world. It had stood since the royal unification and the founding of the Guardian Alliance—over three thousand years ago. A gift from the imperial court, it predated even the Marshal's estate.
Though it had weathered countless storms, the mansion remained intact thanks to the Yuwen clan's care and restorations. At its heart stood a thousand-year-old tree—a silent witness to it all.
As they walked, Ajun and Dimples found themselves near the rose they'd seen earlier. There, Xiao Shuai was admiring the flower with Xiao Xi and Ning'er, chatting quietly. Two maids stood nearby, laughing along.
Ajun approached and asked what was going on. Turns out, Xiao Xi's curiosity had drawn her to the unusual bloom—and Xiao Shuai had joined her. The Cricket Brothers had come to see the rare treasure cultivated by Yuwen's grandson.
At that moment, the maids were watering the rose under strict instructions from the young master. Their hands trembled with nerves.
Even a slight mistake—too much or too little water—could earn a cold glare. But the Cricket Brothers' arrival eased the tension.
The group began discussing the rose's symbolism. The mood lightened. Xiao Xi nodded approvingly at one of the girls, though Ning'er seemed distracted—just stepping out for air. She spoke little, and though she smiled when Ajun arrived, she soon fell silent again.
Ajun and Dimples listened, admiring the rare bloom—a rose unlike any other. Its appearance resembled the Blue Enchantress of the human realm. Though not yet in full bloom, it radiated charm and fragrance.
According to Xiao Shuai, the flower's magic lay not just in its beauty or glow. If cultivated properly, it would bloom eternally—never withering. That's why it was called the Star of the Sea.
But raising such a treasure was no easy task. The flower was finicky to the extreme. A single misstep could cause it to self-harm—driving ordinary gardeners to madness. Only experts like the Yuwen clan could manage it.
The maids revealed that the young master had traveled far to find it, treating it like a precious gem. Aside from his grandfather and childhood friend, they'd never seen him care so deeply about anything.
The maids were about the same age as the group, newly assigned to help care for the flower. They were thrilled—finally able to see their idol up close.
Of course, Xiao Xi had no fondness for that stone-faced boy. She found him plain and foul-tempered. The maids, once dreamy-eyed, now looked bitter.
Still, they insisted the young master was perfect—handsome, brilliant, already chosen as the next clan leader. He'd passed the sacred domain's dual trials at a young age, managed family affairs with ease, and supported his grandfather loyally.
But his personality was… odd. He rarely spoke, wore a constant frown, kept everything bottled up, and often shut himself off. He'd never mistreat anyone, but his expression alone made hearts race.
And despite his looks, he never let anyone see his full face—always in a high collar, hiding his chin and mouth. It drove the maids crazy.
Xiao Xi agreed completely.
—What's with the mystery? Does he think he's invincible or something?
The young master's attitude toward the flower was… extreme. Even the slightest mistake from others would trigger a cold, merciless reaction. His gaze turned icy, and no matter who it was, they'd be dismissed—or he'd take over himself.
But as the heir of the Yuwen clan and the sacred medicine lineage, where would he find time to play gardener? Judging by the maids' experience, they must be among the few who'd lasted this long.
As the Cricket Brothers sighed over the girls' ordeal, Xiao Xi couldn't hold back his curiosity. He reached out, wanting to touch the rare bloom and see what made it so special. Xiao Shuai cheered him on, but Ajun had to restrain them.
Still, emboldened by the group's presence, Xiao Shuai prepared to sneak a touch. He'd been eyeing the flower for ages, waiting for the right excuse—and today, he had it.
"—Stop!"
Just then, the two maids—momentarily lost in admiration—snapped to attention. A sharp voice rang out. Xiao Shuai flinched instinctively, redirecting his hand mid-motion.
"I… was just brushing off a bug!" he stammered, cold sweat forming. He didn't dare turn around, only grinned awkwardly.
Yuwen Yue had arrived, dressed in full gear, with the old steward at his side. He stepped forward, blocking Xiao Shuai's path.
"That flower is off-limits. It's poisonous. How many times do I have to tell you?"
His tone was stern, like scolding a child. Xiao Xi couldn't take it anymore—he broke free and shouted in protest, defending his friend. Xiao Shuai joined in, rallying against the iron-faced enforcer.
Surprisingly, the two maids—despite often being scolded and harboring rebellious thoughts—spoke up in defense of their master.
Turns out, the flower's thorns were indeed toxic. Unlike ordinary roses, its barbs had once poisoned one of the maids, requiring weeks of careful recovery.
"You're all in on this, huh? Think I'm stupid?"
Xiao Shuai glanced at the maids' sincere expressions and grumbled. "I was with you when we found this flower. I saw you touch it. What, am I blind?"
"Mm—here."
Yuwen Yue shook his head and showed his gear. The maids held out their hands too—thin gloves, nearly invisible, like gossamer.
The Cricket Brothers were speechless.
Yuwen Yue continued, "I warned you back then. Without these, even Nine-Petal Jade Dew won't save you—you'd be bedridden for weeks."
Faced with this high-IQ, high-status lecture, Xiao Shuai surrendered, smiling sheepishly. "Okay, okay… You could've just said so earlier. I won't touch it again. Just curious, that's all…"
"Mm."
Watching this cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside boy, Ajun recalled what Grandpa Yuwen had told him. Clearly, this new companion had been deeply shaped by his parents. Once a sunny child, now a thorned rose.
As Ajun pondered, the mood grew awkward. But soon, Xiao Shuai and Xiao Xi's comedic duo revived the courtyard with laughter—captured by an elder watching nearby.
Direct or indirect, the effect was clear… Proximity breeds influence.
Still, not everyone could act freely. The old steward, seeing the two maids giggling and swooning, turned green with rage. Without a word, he hauled them away.
After all, decorum mattered. These girls were new and didn't know their place. With the young master, a prince, and honored guests present, such behavior was unacceptable.
"Here—"
Later, Yuwen Yue checked the time, handed Xiao Shuai the gloves and a booklet, and said seriously, "Watch the flower for me these two days. If anything happens, refer to this."
Everyone looked puzzled. Xiao Shuai held the items like treasures, unsure whether to be thrilled or terrified. He could finally admire the flower openly—but curiosity had faded, replaced by fear. What if something went wrong?
"Why not take the flower with you?" he asked.
"It hasn't bloomed."
"When will it bloom? It's been months!"
"No idea…"
"How long will you be gone?"
"Depends—on him."
"She… is she coming back too?"
"Hmm?"
"Grandpa's worried. He asked me to go with you. You can call me Yuwen."
After the handoff, Yuwen Yue ignored Xiao Shuai's chatter, glanced politely at Ning'er, introduced himself to the group, then gave Ajun a cold look and turned to leave—leaving Xiao Shuai in stunned silence.
"Hey! What about the military academy exam?" Xiao Shuai suddenly remembered, shouting after him.
"If I'm late, tell the general I need leave." Yuwen Yue didn't look back, just waved and led the group onward.
"Yuwen… you didn't have to come. I've got everything planned."
After leaving the estate, Ajun hesitated. Once they'd walked a bit, he voiced his thoughts.
"Forget it. Grandpa knew you'd be late. He insisted I come. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. What a hassle."
Yuwen Yue glanced at Ajun, unmoved by the friendly gesture.
"You—" Xiao Xi, furious at the rudeness, rushed forward.
"—Thanks anyway!" Ajun, learning it was Grandpa's wish, held back his impulsive brother and smiled politely.
"Mm. Whatever. You're taking the valley route, right?"
"I studied the terrain. Seems like the canyon's the only option."
"No time. There are three paths to Empire North City. The maze is off-limits for your trio. Qinghai Lake bans ships. So outsiders only see the valley."
Yuwen Yue frowned. Ajun's plan was viable but slow. Crossing the canyon would take days—and it was dangerous.
"This…" Ajun, already anxious, grew more worried.
"Grandpa asked me to take you through the shortcut."
Seeing Ajun's confusion, Yuwen Yue offered hope. "It's normal you don't know. But even if you did, you couldn't pass. With the shortcut, we'll arrive by noon tomorrow."
"Oh… then I'll rely on you!" Ajun brightened. Though he didn't know the method, he felt a strange trust in this new companion.
"Mm. No need. If not for…"
"—Your grandpa's request, you wouldn't be here. Hmph!"
Xiao Xi, still upset, mimicked Yuwen Yue's tone. Ajun quickly covered his brother's mouth, smiling awkwardly.
With Yuwen Yue's help, the journey would be much easier. Ajun walked happily with Dimples, enjoying the scenery.
Ning'er remained quiet and alert, trailing behind. She disliked conflict and preferred silence. Watching Ajun, she reflected on her thoughts.
Seeing Ajun complete his trial successfully filled her with pride. Though calm on the outside, she cheered for him inwardly.
His growth affirmed her choice. As her grandfather said, Ajun was worth everything.
"—Ning'er, are you okay? Feeling unwell?" Xiao Xi, puzzled by her silence, asked gently. Usually, she ignored him.
"—No."
But this time, the saintess replied softly, eyes forward. Xiao Xi blinked in disbelief, joy spreading across his face.
Since they met, Ning'er rarely spoke to him—only when giving orders or talking to Ajun. He usually talked to himself.
Now, he felt closer to her. Though still behind Ajun, he didn't mind. He'd keep doing what he wanted, working hard instead of wasting time.
He hummed a tune from a storyteller, his joy lifting the group's spirits.
Ajun turned to his silly brother, smiling with Dimples. Ning'er, too, smiled faintly.
Yuwen Yue, however, remained aloof—smirking coldly, scanning the surroundings.
After the last incident, patrols had increased. It should be safe, but he stayed vigilant. He wouldn't let Grandpa worry again.
Later, Ajun asked about the shortcut. Yuwen Yue didn't hide anything—just looked annoyed.
The shortcut was a time-space passage in the dense forest of the Yili Grasslands in the northeast. Even if one found the place, the gate required the help of a divine beast living at the core. Only high-level insiders could access it.
Listening to Yuwen Yue's serious explanation, Ajun felt uncertain—but chose to trust him. This new companion was indeed reliable.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xi—usually fiercely protective—was unusually quiet. He was lost in his own world, full of joy.
Though it looked like puppy love, if his mom saw it, she'd surely intervene. Kids needed guidance, after all.
Ajun, as the older brother, understood. Liking someone and falling in love were different. Though clueless about romance, his instincts told him Xiao Xi wasn't there yet.
—Look at that silly face. Early love? He wishes. It takes two to tango… Right now, it's just innocent admiration between friends.