The moon hangs in the corridor, a crescent moon

Chapter 15

Even though Queyue really felt that Adi was just worrying unnecessarily, Adi's concern warmed her heart, and Queyue's expression softened even more, with a faint smile appearing on her lips.

"Okay, I'll remember to take my medicine and eat."

"Also, get enough rest and avoid overexertion..."

...Adi, she really just moved from the front of the yard to the back.

That's all.

Chapter Thirty

As Queyue finished packing and left the room, Adi subconsciously said, "I'll see you off..."

Queyue looked up at him blankly for a moment, then pointed to the roof of her new room, which she could see with her own eyes—it really was just behind the yard.

“Uh…” Adi paused, “I’ll help you tidy up the house, but you should still do heavy work like moving things…”

Queyue paused, staring in astonishment at the bundle in his hands… two pieces of clothing, several bundles of medicinal herbs. What was he going to move?

"Adi?"

"...Uh, no, it's nothing..." Adi seemed to finally realize that he had done something a bit silly, and laughed awkwardly, even he himself was puzzled.

Queyue stopped looking at him and walked past him without lingering to avoid embarrassing him. She had only taken a few steps out of the room when she bumped into Longyan, who was heading to his own room. The two collided head-on, and Longyan stared wide-eyed at Queyue, standing there dumbfounded, as if he were about to freeze in place.

"Captain Long." Queyue gave a slight bow and walked past him. Long Yan's neck seemed to have wheels, and he followed Queyue around blankly until Queyue's figure disappeared into the distance, still frozen in place. Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder, and he turned around in a daze, only to see Adi calling out with a half-smile, "Captain Long."

“Huh? Ah…she, she—” He pointed at Queyue’s retreating figure in the distance, “she, is Young Master Duan—no, Miss Duan?”

However, although Duan Jin was refined and handsome, she clearly looked like a young boy. Originally, I thought that even if she reverted to women's clothing, she would only have a slightly androgynous appearance. But how... how could this be—

"Yes, it's her. But her surname isn't Duan; her name is Zhijin."

"She—she—" Long Yan uttered "she" twice, but couldn't get any results. He simply closed his jaw and sighed deeply. After sighing enough, he turned back to look at Adi, "You and the Brocade-Weaving Girl... could she be yours...?"

“…No, it’s not related.” Adi hesitated slightly, genuinely unsure how to define her relationship with Zhijin.

“Like this… um…” Long Yan stared blankly in the direction Queyue had left. Adi patted him hard on the shoulder, using seven-tenths of her strength, making him stumble. “Hey!”

"Don't think about it."

"What? You said you two weren't related..."

“Yes, we’re not related, but it’s a pity that Zhijin already has someone in her heart. So, Officer Long, you shouldn’t get involved in this mess.” He patted her lightly twice more, then turned and left.

"Huh? Someone's there? Who is it? Oh, Young Master Di—"

The residence of the clothing store owner was remarkably quiet, thanks to his long period of recuperation. Crescent Moon settled in here, stepping out of his room...

In front of the gate is a small, not spacious courtyard, lush and verdant in various shades of green, but devoid of seasonal flowers. Shady bamboo grows along the courtyard wall, occupying half of the yard, making it appear even narrower yet more secluded.

"The Brocade Weaver Girl".

Yi Moran walked up from behind, and Queyue turned around, nodded and said, "Master Yi, just call me Zhijin."

He smiled but did not reply, instead asking, "Although it would be inappropriate for you to move here, you do not have any martial arts skills, so it would be inappropriate to leave the young lady with Master Rong. In case something happens, there might be some accidental injury. Although it is not safe for me here, at least I can look after you. However, I have been recuperating for many years, and the environment here is rather lonely. I apologize for having to make do with it for the time being."

"No." Sensing his politeness and aloofness, Queyue also subtly restrained her emotions.

If one can glimpse into a person's inner world through their dwelling, then this secluded and tranquil environment speaks volumes. She may simply be an intruder here, a temporary visitor, who, even if allowed to stay, will leave without a trace.

He guarded his heart, while she passed by and left, unaware of the source of the faint melancholy in her heart.

They hadn't known each other for long and had hardly any contact. Is love at first sight really possible?

Xinyue had fallen in love with Cangming Gongzi at first sight, and then succumbed to his charm at second sight, a feeling she could never truly understand. She did indeed care somewhat for Yi Moran; he was as detached as a passing cloud, yet exuded an aura of weathered experience. She would want to spend more time by his side; a few words from him brought her peace. When she couldn't see him, she would occasionally think of him, but she wouldn't miss him. What... was this?

Queyue composed herself slightly and said, "I heard from Adi that today, because Master Rong and Constable Long arrived suddenly, there was no time to treat her. The longer the poison of Yaolianzi is left untreated, the more damage it will cause to the body. We cannot be careless. Please make sure to seek treatment on time."

"Alright, I'll instruct Liu Zhi to prepare again." He smiled gratefully, his smile returning to its usual warmth. It seemed that as long as his defenses weren't breached, his attitude towards Queyue was exceptionally kind and gentle. But as soon as he took a step forward, that gentle smile would quickly vanish, replaced by a faint distance a few steps away. And once Queyue stepped back, he would return to his usual self.

A gust of wind rose, and Queyue, speaking purely from a doctor's perspective, advised, "Master Yi, please come inside. Your body is not suited to be exposed to the wind right now..." Looking up, she was met with a pair of eyes as distant as mountains shrouded in mist, gazing at her with such gentle tenderness.

Queyue was stunned for a moment, feeling bewildered by his gaze. "Since we have to prepare again, I'll go call Adi." She looked away and walked past him, still able to feel his gaze behind her, gentle and unwavering, neither too close nor too distant, like soft silk gradually enveloping her.

The crescent moon didn't understand. Human hearts are complex, and she could observe them clearly from a detached perspective, but matters of the heart seemed even more unpredictable than the human heart, something she truly didn't understand.

Ah Di came to treat the shop owner. After the treatment, he wiped his hands and came out of the room, only to see Que Yue standing outside.

"Why didn't you go back to rest? Are you getting used to living there?"

No matter what, we're in someone else's place. When you're away from home, there's no such thing as being used to something. Queyue just didn't want him to worry, so she nodded.

"Adi, will you teach me medicine?"

Adi paused slightly, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts in that instant. His medical skills, martial arts, everything he knew came from the same place, and although he had left that place, these skills could not be passed on to others…

Seeing his hesitation, Queyue said, "I was just saying it casually, you don't need to take it to heart. I don't want to learn it..."

“No, if you want to learn, I will naturally teach you. All medical skills are the same—healing and saving lives. There's nothing to hide. I'll teach you.” It was rare for Queyue to offer this, so how could he refuse? If she had a skill to rely on, he could feel more at ease. He just didn't know if this was related to Yi Moran…

He glanced back at the room he had just come from, and decided to ask anyway: "Zhijin, do you... like the owner of the clothing store?"

Queyue was startled, and subconsciously shook her head, but stopped halfway through, looking slightly bewildered.

Liking someone? Is this what liking someone means? She didn't know—if it were just now, before she noticed Yi Moran's deliberate distance, perhaps admitting it wouldn't have been so wrong. But now that she saw his aloofness, she had already suppressed her emotions. Such vague admiration, so easily suppressed, this couldn't be considered liking someone, could it?

Adi observed her reaction and, just as he had sensed, Queyue did have some thoughts on her mind. He could tell, but to avoid misunderstandings due to his own speculation, he should still ask her directly what she was thinking. Seeing her reaction, he understood the gist of it.

He smiled gently, reached out and plucked a tuft of willow catkins from her shoulder in the breeze, and said in a clear voice, "If you like, I'll help you."

Queyue looked up at his gentle, spring-like smile with slight surprise. He didn't say anything more, but he made her clearly feel that he was right there and would help her no matter what happened. So, she didn't need to panic or feel uneasy.

The astonishment in Queyue's eyes gradually softened, and her calm gaze became as gentle as willow catkins.

—Fool, is this something I can help with?

The faint melancholy she had felt earlier vanished, replaced by a subtle smile that, like the spring breeze, was elusive and hard to capture.

Chapters 31-32

After Yi Moran finished dressing, Liu Zhi handed him an outer robe and draped it over his shoulders. Turning her head, she glimpsed the two people outside through the openwork patterns on the door. The courtyard on this side was spacious, and the warm spring sunlight shone down unrestrainedly, illuminating the two of them. Everything looked so beautiful and harmonious.

This place is different from the lush courtyard that belonged only to him. The varying shades of green, nestled in the shadows of the bamboo grove, create a serene atmosphere. That woman, indeed, is better suited to standing in a spacious place, enveloped in warm sunlight.

He withdrew his gaze, the gentle look in his eyes gone, and asked Liu Zhi beside him in a low voice, "What's the latest news from Master Rong's side?"

"Not for now. Constable Long's eyes are wide open, just like eggs, so even if he wanted to move, he wouldn't be able to."

"Keep an eye on him. Chief Constable Long is too straightforward; he can't keep an eye on that old fox."

"Yes." Liu Zhi quickly tidied up the room, her face turned cold, and she quickly returned to her usual cold demeanor, leaving meticulously.

Yi Moran returned to her room and let out a long sigh, her expression showing a hint of exhaustion.

When will he finally be able to stop witnessing the chaos of the martial world and the complexities of human nature... betrayal and treachery, even friends of over ten years are reduced to nothing. If he could, he wouldn't want to stay here any longer; he would wander to the ends of the earth, seeking a secluded place to live out his days.

But... now is not the time.

He'd been working at the brothel for ten years. Was this life, which could barely be called peaceful, about to end? He just wanted to live a quiet life, but it turned out to be so difficult.

Through the window, he could see that Queyue had returned to her room. His gaze softened unconsciously as he looked at her.

Human hearts are complex, but she was so pure. Despite her outwardly indifferent and composed demeanor, her heart was spotless, so beautiful it seemed unreal. Only someone like Adi could be worthy of such a woman. He was confident in his judgment of people, rarely wrong, yet he had only missed the mark with Master Rong. It wasn't that he hadn't seen it, but he simply refused to believe it. As for Zhijin and Adi… he couldn't be certain of the circumstances under which Zhijin had lived, but he was certain of Adi's character.

With just one glance, he could see into Adi's past. What was truly remarkable was that Adi had abandoned it, severed all ties, and suppressed his darker side, living such a genuine life. His heart was simple, perhaps not entirely pure, but at least simple. As long as one didn't cross his bottom line or provoke him, he could continue living with Zhijin in this gentle and kind manner.

Nothing should disrupt their lives...including themselves.

The restaurant owner didn't show up for dinner that evening, and even though Queyue lived next door to him, he didn't leave his room. Although he had just received treatment today, he still felt a little uneasy because he hadn't personally checked on Queyue's condition.

After finishing his meal, he returned to the courtyard and gently knocked on Yi Moran's door.

In the past, Yi Moran would always greet him with a smile as soon as he approached his door. Queyue had always liked this habit of his; it brought a gentle warmth and joy to her heart. But today, he didn't. It wasn't that he hadn't heard Queyue's footsteps; he just hesitated slightly, thinking that if she only walked to the door… if she didn't knock, he wouldn't open it. But in that moment of hesitation, a knock sounded at the door.

Yi Moran paused slightly, not having time to think about what kind of emotion was stirring in her heart, before getting up to open the door.

"The Brocade Weaver Girl".

"Master Yi, may I take her pulse?" There were no extra words, but the concern was clearly conveyed. This concern, however, was no longer about personal feelings, but simply fulfilling his duty to treat Yi Moran.

She did indeed control her emotions very well. Otherwise, Yi Moran probably wouldn't have let her into the room. He smiled slightly and led her inside. The room was filled with a faint scent of licorice, which was calming.

Queyue carefully examined his pulse. Her medical knowledge was only superficial, acquired through years of living with Xinyue, an expert in poisons, which gave her some understanding of various poisons. Sometimes, she herself didn't quite understand whether her sudden desire to learn medicine from Adi had anything to do with the person before her.

“Adi…” she suddenly spoke softly, “His medical skills are very good. In the next two days, I will be able to teach him all the methods to cure the demonic purple, and then he will not need me anymore. After that… I will not come here.” She finished speaking calmly, without a trace of emotion. She felt the hand she was touching move slightly, and then there was no further reaction.

"Thank you for your help these past two days, young lady."

"where."

She withdrew her hand, realizing she should distance herself at the right time; if the water had no intention of getting involved, it was best to avoid entanglement.

Yi Moran maintained a faint smile, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

Queyue had a good idea of what was going on after taking Queyue's pulse. She was about to go back and revise the treatment plan when Yi Moran suddenly became serious. He swept out the candles in the room with his sleeve, pulled Queyue towards him, and then swept her aside.

A dark figure burst through the window, a flash of cold light, and several iron chains and grappling hooks were thrown horizontally—

Yi Moran shielded Queyue and flipped her to the side, a claw slicing across her shoulder and barely tearing her clothes. As soon as he regained his footing, he pulled Queyue behind him, his face showing no sign of panic, and said calmly, "Master Rong, you've come after all."

The newcomer was dressed entirely in black, but his face was not covered, clearly indicating he didn't care about being recognized. He smiled, appearing as always as Master Rong, as if the events unfolding at this moment had nothing to do with him.

"Brother Yi, I really can't figure out where I slipped up and you saw through me?"

"No, you've done everything perfectly. The problem is probably that I can't completely trust anyone." Since Master Rong is already here, Liu Zhi's situation must be dire as well. It's not surprising that Long Yan couldn't keep an eye on Master Rong, but if his judgment wasn't wrong, A Di wouldn't have been so easily fooled. So why did he let Master Rong escape so easily?

The crescent moon had also thought of this problem, and her heart tightened with worry, but she quickly felt relieved.

No… Ah Di is always reliable, so she never needs to worry about her. All she needs to do is figure out how to face the situation. Now that she has no martial arts skills, she can only become a burden to others in this situation.

Chapter Thirty-Two

"Master Rong, I wonder when I offended you, or anyone else?"

Now that the matter is laid bare, there's no need to pretend anymore. Yi Moran put away her gentle demeanor and asked calmly.

Master Rong laughed a few times, "Brother Yi, do you really think I'm a spy who risks his life for a few bucks? That's just for show."