After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Such an overbearing statement.

It was something Sang Che had never heard Yin Huaixi mention, though he was overjoyed.

But this time, Sang Che chose not to open her eyes, and bathed herself as if no one else was around.

Sang Che sighed.

"Huaixi, I want to stay by your side, and I don't want to leave you, but... you've seen the situation now."

"You are Han Chinese, and I am Miao. I imagine what your sister did to me must be hard to swallow."

"If I insist on persisting, where will you stand?"

"Besides, I also have the duties of a saintess... just like your duties as the Third Miss."

Ignoring that Sang Che was currently soaking in a medicinal bath, Yin Huaixi threw the towel draped over the edge of the tub into the green medicinal bath.

It splashed water everywhere.

It splashed onto Sang Che's cheek and slid down to his jaw.

She gave a cold laugh.

"Ah Che, we've known each other for so long, don't I understand your ways? You're just saying all this to feign retreat... You won't leave me."

This is certainty.

This also shows Yin Huaixi's familiarity with Sang Che.

If she really doesn't want to cause her trouble, she should at least have some self-respect and dignity.

Once Zhao Huining's carriage takes her to Miao territory, it will not follow her any further.

After going through countless hardships to find her, she disguised herself as a Han Chinese and a maidservant sold by human traffickers.

Why bother saying these things in front of her now, only to disturb her peace of mind?

Sang Che's actions went far beyond a strategic retreat; she was pushing her luck.

She's just taking advantage of that.

Sang Che, who suddenly opened his eyes, immediately caught the most crucial sentence in Yin Huaixi's words.

She spoke calmly, as if she had everything under control: "A strategic retreat?"

"Huaixi... this tactic of feigning retreat only works if you have me in your heart."

With a smile playing on his lips, Sang Che suddenly moved closer to Yin Huaixi, the distance between them eroding until they were only inches apart.

"If you don't have me in your heart, I will cause all sorts of trouble and even tear the sky apart."

"You remain unmoved as well."

With her fingers still wet with water droplets, Sang Che pinched Yin Huaixi's cheek, applying slight pressure, and she was quite pleased with herself.

"Huaixi, according to you..."

"You have me in your heart, right?"

The air felt frozen.

Yin Huaixi didn't expect Sang Che to say that directly. At this moment, she couldn't admit it or deny it.

She lowered her eyes to avoid Sang Che.

She didn't respond for a long time.

Sang Che didn't press Yin Huaixi to say anything she didn't want to say. She released Yin Huaixi and set her free.

He calmly combed his damp, long hair with his fingers.

"It's settled then."

"Huaixi, I will follow your elder sister's wishes..."

Yin Huaixi: "What if I don't let you leave?"

"A-Che".

His tone was more serious than ever before.

Without saying a word, Yin Huaixi reached out and firmly grabbed Sang Che's slender wrist. She held it in her palm so tightly that she almost crushed the bones in Sang Che's wrist.

"You've always been like this, coming and going as you please."

"Where do you place me? Do you think I'm some lowly person?"

"I have to endure your flirting while feeling guilty towards you, A-Che... Should I say that you are really calculating?"

Nothing can escape the trap you've set.

"You want me to never forget you until I die, don't you?"

Sang Che never expected Yin Huaixi to react this way. She was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at her beloved's face without making a response.

But Yin Huaixi, who was blinded by her own desires, didn't care about anything else. She stepped into the bathtub and let the water splash up and fall on the carved floor.

It was all wet.

"Huai Xi..."

I called her name instinctively.

Before she could utter another word, Yin Huaixi pressed her nose against Sang Che's cheek and kissed his lips.

Immediately afterwards, Sang Che's shoulders were pressed down by the force of the palms, and her back was forced to press tightly against the brown bath tub, bearing Yin Huaixi's weight.

With her mind in turmoil, Yin Huaixi just wanted to vent and shut up Sang Che's mouth that kept saying things she didn't want to hear.

It felt very comfortable to be kissed.

Sang Che completely followed Yin Huaixi's lead; how could she pass up such a golden opportunity that came knocking on her door?

It wasn't until their knees touched that the confused and infatuated Yin Huaixi realized something was wrong. She released Sang Che's lips, and their foreheads met.

Sang Che: "Huai Xi, I didn't do anything just now. You were the one who kissed me first."

She now truly wore an expression of innocence on her face, as if she hadn't done anything to seduce anyone.

Open and honest.

I don't know if I feel guilty.

Yin Huaixi avoided looking into Sang Che's cunning eyes, afraid she might easily fall for them. She murmured softly, "A-Che, are you still going to say... you're leaving?"

"If you're worried about my older sister, I'll talk to them and make things clear. Don't worry, I'll never abandon you no matter what."

The pool water soaked through their clothes, the thin fabric floating on the surface, covering their intertwined calves.

Yin Huaixi's straightforward expression of her feelings made Sang Che reluctant to leave, as she was unwilling to disturb the scene she had been longing for.

"So don't leave, and don't... take your life for granted."

The mask that had been worn on his face and in his heart, showing no regard for Sang Che, shattered into pieces at this moment. Yin Huaixi looked at Sang Che's pitiful face, wet with water droplets.

She couldn't suppress the concern welling up inside her; at this moment, Yin Huaixi was truly exhausted.

What does it feel like to fall in love with someone?

It's about being anxious about gains and losses.

When she was around, Yin Huaixi took it for granted, but once she left, she would miss the scent of Sang Che, and her shameless actions were like those of a scoundrel.

In Fengming Mountain, in the bandit stronghold, in the imperial city, and in the Lingshui area.

They seemed to always be together, gradually becoming an inseparable part of each other's lives.

Sang Che, who did not immediately answer Yin Huaixi's question, originally wanted to negotiate further. Her leaving the Yin residence did not mean that she would never see Yin Huaixi again.

She herself probably couldn't do it herself to leave Yin Huaixi.

However, after careful consideration these past few days, Sang Che realized that she really shouldn't have involved Huai Xi in the Miao region's affairs.

If she refuses to refine the Gu King, then there can only be one of them—the King or her—having an idea.

Even without the Central Plains, without the imperial court.

The internal strife in Miao territory was also inevitable.

This is nobody's fault but theirs.

Facing Sang Che, who remained silent, seemingly wanting to say something but then swallowing it back.

Yin Huaixi was now truly enraged. She resented Sang Che for being able to come and go as he pleased.

Why provoke her again and again, and then distance yourself from her under the guise of doing it for her own good?

Reaching out, she tore open her clothes and untied the thin ribbon at the hem of her skirt, then wrapped it around Sang Che's wrist without saying a word.

The pool water rippled, splashing against his wrists. Sang Che offered no resistance, letting Yin Huaixi do as she pleased.

"Ah Che, you always only think of yourself like this, then I'll have to teach you a lesson."

"Let me let you know that since you delivered yourself to my doorstep, you can't blame me for keeping you here."

"Just like you back then... you wouldn't let me leave no matter what."