From what he knew, Yun Xi would one day become the woman Li Fei loved most deeply—but that lay far in the future.
At present, Yun Xi had never even crossed paths with Li Fei, much less knew of his existence.
The Moon Essence Profound Art and Ice Soul Divine Record she cultivated had left her cold toward nearly every man who pursued her.
Their gazes slid off her like rain from frozen glass, unwanted and unacknowledged.
Yet one person had always been different. One person had always been the exception.
Ye Qian.
Their bond had been forged in childhood, tempered through years of companionship before she ever touched those Yin-type cultivation techniques.
When she began her training, Yun Xi had expected the methods to freeze every warm feeling in her heart, to erase even him from her thoughts.
But she'd been wrong.
Their connection refused to fade. The techniques merely drove it deeper, burying it beneath layers of ice where it burned all the brighter for being hidden.
Ye Qian's gaze found her across the banquet hall and lingered.
As though sensing the weight of his attention, Yun Xi turned. Their eyes met.
Shyness flickered in her expression—a crack in her carefully maintained composure—but she concealed it swiftly, averting her gaze even as color bloomed across her cheeks.
Her heart hammered against her ribs in a rhythm she'd never felt before.
In the past, anyone bold enough to stare at her for more than a breath received her coldest glare in return. She'd perfected that particular weapon over years of unwanted attention.
But with Ye Qian, she found herself utterly disarmed.
She couldn't even meet his eyes properly. One second longer and the shyness would overwhelm her completely, stripping away every defense she'd built.
Watching her struggle, Ye Qian smiled.
His cousin harbored feelings for him—feelings she herself had barely begun to acknowledge.
[Ding! After exchanging looks with the host, Yun Xi's Affection increased by 2 points. Current Affection: 72 points.]
Excellent.
An unexpected harvest from a single glance. Two points gained without even trying.
He still needed to reach 80 points for the System reward, but matters of the heart couldn't be rushed.
Patience would serve him better than haste.
Yun Xi had spent most of her life cloistered within the Moon Essence Palace, sheltered from the world and untouched by its complexities.
Compared to someone as experienced as Ye Qian, she was hopelessly outmatched.
He already had plans for this older cousin of his. He knew exactly what would come next.
Yun Xi kept her head lowered, warmth still flooding her cheeks.
Was Brother Qian looking at me just now?
I couldn't have imagined it. We definitely met each other's gaze.
But why? Why was he looking at me?
Could it be... could it possibly be...
The thoughts tumbled through her mind one after another, each more dangerous than the last. Her face, which had just begun to cool, flushed crimson once more.
The banquet concluded swiftly.
Representatives from the various families and sects began their departures, filtering out in clusters of silk and status.
Ye Qian had already committed every important figure to memory.
None were Children of Destiny themselves, but all would intersect with such individuals in time. Pieces on the board, waiting to be moved.
Useful, in their own way.
…
Night settled over the estate.
Ye Qian had returned to his palace, where Xia He and Qiu Lan prepared his bath with practiced efficiency.
Meanwhile, Yue Ming engaged in a very different sort of preparation.
Tonight, she would serve the Young Master during his bath.
Just the thought made her tremble. Nerves coiled through her body like living things.
Her thin lips bore the indentations of her teeth—proof of how deeply the anxiety ran. Her hands clenched into fists so tight her knuckles went pale, fingernails pressing crescents into her palms.
"I can do it... I can do it..."
The mantra spilled from her lips in barely audible repetition, as though saying it enough times might make it true.
Xia He entered and found Yue Ming frozen in place, radiating tension.
She crossed the room and placed a gentle hand on the younger maid's shoulder.
Yue Ming startled violently, so focused on her mounting panic that even a light touch felt like an attack.
"Xia... Xia He, is... is something wrong?"
Her voice shook. Sweat already slicked her palms.
Xia He smiled at the display.
"Calm yourself. Serving the Young Master in his bath is an honor, not a punishment.
Very few maids receive this privilege.
Besides Qiu Lan and myself, only you have been granted it.
You should cherish this opportunity rather than fear it."
She proceeded to detail every requirement and expectation—water temperature, washing techniques, proper etiquette, the exact sequence of tasks.
By the time Xia He finished, Yue Ming's mind had gone completely blank.
She'd never imagined something as simple as a bath could involve so many rules.
"Did you remember everything?"
Xia He studied the younger maid's dazed expression with mild concern.
Yue Ming managed a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"This... this is too much, Xia He. I'm worried I'll make a mistake."
She hadn't retained a single instruction.
What if she failed? What if she angered him? Punishments in great families could be severe.
Xia He shook her head, sympathy softening her features.
"Don't be nervous. The Young Master asked for you specifically, so he must have his reasons.
Just focus on doing your best.
As long as you're attentive and sincere, he won't punish you."
She hadn't expected Yue Ming to master everything immediately. Xia He herself had struggled at first, learning through repetition until the movements became instinct.
The reassurance helped, easing some of the tension from Yue Ming's shoulders.
Then Qiu Lan's voice cut through from outside.
"Yue Ming, the Young Master is growing impatient. How much longer do you intend to make him wait?"
Terror flashed across Yue Ming's face. She stared at Xia He like a cornered animal searching for an opening to flee.
"Go," Xia He said firmly, setting aside any further comfort.
"The Young Master hates to be kept waiting—never forget that."
Yue Ming swallowed hard, accepting there would be no reprieve.
Her feet felt impossibly heavy as she forced them toward the door, each step an act of will.
Breathe, Yue Ming. You can do this!
The self-encouragement helped. By the time she crossed the threshold, her movements had steadied, the worst of the panic pushed down where it couldn't cripple her.
Xia He watched her go with an approving nod.
Good adaptability. She'll learn.
...
In the bathing chamber, Ye Qian sat motionless in an ornate chair, perfectly at ease.
Now and then, he raised a plump immortal fruit—already peeled and sliced for him by Qiu Lan—to his lips.
When the servants attended to him, he had no need to lift a finger.
As for waiting a few minutes for a goddess to come bathe him while wearing tantalizing clothes?
It cost him nothing. In fact, it was rather comfortable.
This was his life now.
Of course, he could not allow his beautiful maids to slacken, so he would never openly admit it.
Soon, the soft rustle of footsteps drew near from the corridor beyond.