Pingting's eyes swivelled towards the centuries-old sword, stretched out a hand and slowly stroked it, repeating, "Departed Soul?"

"Back then I didn't understand why he left the most important left sword, instead of his right sword, 'Divine'. But now I get it. He left this sword for you, since your soul has departed from this world." He Xia stuffed the sword into Pingting's hands, sighed again, then walked out of the room.

Departed Soul?

Pingting hugged the sword, the cold scabbard pressed against her skin.

She stared into space.

That's right, her soul had disappeared while the figure disappeared on that horse.

How could I forget Chu Beijie? It was spring, the best time to admire flowers.

After everything had settled down, she spent her days and nights, carefully and precisely, thinking about Chu Beijie.

Why her heart had become mud then gradually melting into water, she did not know. She could not remember the frauds, the plotting, nor the leading to Chu Beijie's defeat. She could only think of those three nights at Hua Residence, that time when his face was so sincere while he quietly stood vigil.

"What kind of person are you?" Pingting lifted her head, looking up at the clouds. "Do you hate me, or do you love me? Before your departure, did you pretend to be dismayed, or did you lie to me?"

He was gentle, day and night. That was true.

His deception and lies, they weren't untrue either.

She was extremely clever, but she was extremely confused at the moment as if she were stuck in quicksand, unable to pull herself up.

Feeling a sudden heavy pain on her shoulder, Pingting turned abruptly, startled.

"Haha, daydreaming again?" Dongzhuo pretended to grimace, but seeing Pingting's pale face, he stopped himself to laugh instead. "Eh, eh? Why're you crying?"

Pingting hastily wiped her eyes, glared and said, "You're never serious. You finally decided to change your habits after that incident, but a couple of days later, your cheeky habits are back again."

Dongzhuo scratched his head, glanced at her, sat down and lifted a tea cup. "I came to see you and cheer you up. Instead you scowled at me, trying to tell me off or something."

Pingting felt bad when she heard this. She lowered her head and mumbled, "You don't need to worry about me, I'm perfectly healthy, and I'll be all right in a couple of days."

"A couple of days? We're leaving today, so lighten up."

"Today?" Pingting hesitated, "Where are we going?"

Dongzhuo looked stunned, like he had expected that Pingting knew all along. Something unnatural flashed on his face, but it disappeared as soon as it came. He blinked, "I only vaguely heard Master say it twice, something like...'Although this place has been the secret hideout of our Residence for several years, it is still within Gui Le territory. The King is still searching for us, so it's best to leave as soon as possible...'I don't know where we're going though." He scratched his head in concentration, "Master asked me to do something by the way. I haven't done it yet."

Pingting watched Dongzhuo leave in a hurry, looking away long after he had gone.

Her master and Dongzhuo weren't to blame for the propaganda in Gui Le.

Ever since returning to her Master's side, she was like a lost soul. Others would say ten sentences whereas she would awkwardly say one sentence.

She used to partially manage the household work, but ever since falling into the hands of Dong Lin, her work had been distributed among some other maids. Her return did not affect daily life.

Just like that, life continued on.

Her master was right, though the location was fairly discrete, it was still a place where the King could move freely and so preparations must be made early. In the past, she would have realized it early on and told her master, but now... had she also lost her intelligence?

As expected, a maid came to pack her clothes up that day.

Pingting asked, "Where are we going?"

"I don't know."

"Where's Master?"

"Master is busy."

She followed her Residence's people onto a carriage when she realized that she couldn't see Dongzhuo either. "Where's Dongzhuo?"

"How am I supposed to know that? Sis Pingting, don't worry about it and sit calmly for the journey."

"Which carriage is Master on? I always sit on the same carriage with him."