After leaving the Empress Dowager's residence, Xiao Mo returned to Yangxin Hall and once again entered the Hundred Generations Book.
He sat in the courtyard.
Xiao Mo took a translucent, crystalline Snake Scale from his robes.
Bai Ruxue had already strung the Snake Scale onto a necklace, which now hung around Xiao Mo's neck for him to carry at all times.
Xiao Mo set down the book in his hands and looked up in the direction of She Mountain.
'It's about time for me to go get her.'
Yesterday, Bai Ruxue had told him she would pack her things and wait for him on the small path at noon today.
Judging by the hour, she should be coming down the mountain now.
...
"Sister, are you really leaving?"
At the mouth of the cave, Xiao Qing sniffled as she looked at her older sister.
"Don't worry, Xiao Qing." Bai Ruxue patted her younger sister's shoulder. "I'll definitely come back to see you often. Once I get used to the world down the mountain, I'll bring you with me. Xiao Mo is a very good person."
"Alright then." Xiao Qing wiped the tears from her eyes. "You have to be careful after you go down the mountain, Sister. The Human Race is full of bad people! And you're so naive, you'll be easily tricked…"
"I won't be." Bai Ruxue lifted her fair little chin proudly. "I'm very smart, you know. Besides, Xiao Mo will be there."
'I'm just afraid he'll be the one to sell you out, Sister,' Xiao Qing sighed to herself.
"Sister, after you go down the mountain, you must never reveal your true form in front of people. Remember that, you must remember," Xiao Qing urged her again.
"Mhm, mhm, I know." Bai Ruxue nodded. "You have to eat lots of mice and take care of yourself, Xiao Qing. I'll come get you as soon as I can."
"I'll be waiting for you, Sister…"
After bidding her sister farewell, Bai Ruxue happily headed down the mountain.
Before long, she reached the halfway point.
By a rock on the small path, Bai Ruxue saw him, dressed in a green scholar's robe.
"Xiao Mo," Bai Ruxue called out, jogging over to him.
Xiao Mo turned around and saw Bai Ruxue carrying a chicken in one hand and a rabbit in the other.
"What's this?" Xiao Mo asked.
"This is our lunch for today~" Bai Ruxue swung the prey in her hands. "I'll cook for you after we get down the mountain."
"Alright." Xiao Mo smiled. "Then I'll be looking forward to experiencing Miss Bai's culinary skills."
"Hmph, hmph~ This young lady's skills are excellent~~~"
"I believe you, Miss Bai," Xiao Mo said with anticipation.
The two of them descended She Mountain side by side and walked into the village.
"Mr. Xiao, the young lady with you is so pretty!"
"What a beautiful girl."
"This girl looks like a Fairy. Mr. Xiao, who is she?"
When Xiao Mo brought Bai Ruxue into the village, Aunt Li, Granny Wang, and the others all showered her with praise upon seeing her.
They weren't just being polite; they had truly never seen such a beautiful woman before.
This woman's skin was fair and delicate, as pure as snow, just like a Fairy from the legends.
"She is the daughter of a friend of my late father. She used to live in the Chen Kingdom, but when war broke out, Ruxue fled with her parents. Not long ago, her parents passed away. I was in town today when I recognized Ruxue. She had nowhere else to go, so I brought her back with me for now."
Xiao Mo recited his well-prepared story to all the gossiping aunties of the village.
Hearing about the girl's pitiful story, the aunties' hearts ached for her. They pulled Bai Ruxue close and fussed over her, asking if she was cold or hungry.
Before long, all the villagers of Shiqiao Village knew that a girl as beautiful as a flower, even more so than a Fairy, had arrived.
"Miss Bai, I'm sorry you have to make do with this place for now. If you need anything, just let me know."
After returning to the courtyard, Xiao Mo led Bai Ruxue to a small wooden cabin to the side.
The cabin was originally used to store miscellaneous items, but Xiao Mo had cleaned it out and replaced the bedding and pillows with new ones.
"It's not making do at all!" Bai Ruxue waved her hand and sat down on her bed. "This is so comfortable… I usually sleep on rocks…"
Xiao Mo: "..."
"Um, what I mean is, my sister's and my bed is really hard, like a rock," Bai Ruxue quickly tried to cover her mistake.
"As long as you like it, Miss Bai." Xiao Mo continued to pretend he hadn't noticed a thing.
"I love it!"
Seeing how easy Xiao Mo was to fool, Bai Ruxue thought to herself, 'How could I possibly expose my identity? Xiao Qing's worries are completely unnecessary.'
"Xiao Mo, I'll go make us something to eat."
"Thank you, Miss Bai."
"You're very welcome~"
Bai Ruxue hopped cheerfully out of the bedroom and ran toward the kitchen.
Xiao Mo picked up a book and sat reading in the courtyard.
But not long after, he smelled a thick plume of smoke.
Lifting his head, Xiao Mo saw a soot-covered Bai Ruxue run crying from the kitchen:
"Xiao Mo, it's on fire! The kitchen's on fire…!"
...
In the kitchen in the rear courtyard of the Minister of Rites' Mansion in the Zhou Kingdom.
Yan Ruxue was cooking a meal.
Her Maid, Xiao Chun, stood by her side to assist.
But though she was there to assist, there was nothing for Xiao Chun to do.
Whether it was chopping vegetables or tending the fire, her lady did it all herself.
Watching her lady's expert knife skills and the deft, efficient way she stoked the fire and added wood, Xiao Chun always found herself marveling at how such a perfect woman could exist…
Graceful in the parlor and skilled in the kitchen, possessing both beauty and talent.
Only her own lady could be like this.
After the meal was prepared, Yan Ruxue had Xiao Chun carry the dishes out.
In the courtyard, a woman in a green dress was seated.
She was her lady's good friend, but Xiao Chun had never known the woman's origins.
She always came and went without a trace.
But Xiao Chun never said much, nor did she ask.
Xiao Chun only knew that this woman's beauty was just a fraction less than her own lady's.
And that her lady called her "Xiao Qing"...
After placing the dishes on the table, Xiao Chun bowed as usual and retreated.
Yan Ruxue sat before Xiao Qing. She gracefully rolled up her sleeve, revealing a fair arm, and ladled a bowl of chicken soup, placing it in front of her:
"It's been a long time since you've had my cooking, hasn't it, Xiao Qing? Here, try some and see how my skills are. Let's see if I've gotten rusty."
"Sister…" Xiao Qing looked up, her gaze complex as she looked at the woman before her. "You haven't been back to the Dragon Palace in a very long time."
Yan Ruxue placed a piece of braised rabbit meat in Xiao Qing's bowl. "I'll go back once things are taken care of."
"Sister! It's useless!"
Xiao Qing's tone was tinged with anger.
"So what if you've found his third lifetime? He's still just an ordinary person in this life. His lifespan is still no more than a hundred years. He will eventually turn to dust!"
Yan Ruxue remained silent, simply scooping rice for her sister.
"Sister! Have you forgotten what he said to you before he died?" Xiao Qing shot to her feet, staring at her sister, her chest heaving.
Yan Ruxue: "..."
Looking at her sister, who had remained steadfast for thousands of years, Xiao Qing felt as if all her strength had drained away. "Sister… let it go…"
"Xiao Qing…"
Yan Ruxue looked up, her gaze gentle as she met Xiao Qing's eyes.
"I can let go of anything.
But him.
I can't."