The Bei Mo King couldn't help but nod.

And now, Ze Yin was back.

The news of Bei Mo's favourite general returning to protect the country was bound to bring joy and pleasure to all of the people.

Bei Yali had been a scene of joy and song as Ze Yin entered the city, leading the other residents of Petal Cottage. He was not only greeted by the Bei Mo King himself but he had also been greeted by the eager cheers of thousands upon thousands of peasants.

The newly designed residence was already waiting for Ze Yin, decorated and glittering brilliantly.

Yangfeng was in the most magnificent building, listening to the chatter that still managed to flow through the thick walls. Ze Yin was summoned back into the political side. She was pleasantly surprised to find herself being visited by an old friend.

The maid at the door refused to notify her name and Yangfeng's eyes were so big that they looked as if they were going to fall.

"How long are you going to stare at me?" Pingting was sitting on a chair, smiling as she said this.

"Long time no see, so why won't you let me have a good look at you?" Yangfeng gave a faint sigh, stretching towards Pingting, her fingers as white as ivory. "Pingting, come here. Let me have a good look at you."

Pingting grinned and laughed, "Yes sir, my General...no, wife of a General." She walked towards Yangfeng, sitting down on the bed beside her.

The two pairs of equally intelligent eyes stared into each other, the reflection of each other perfectly imprinted inside them.

"You've lost some weight."

Pingting couldn't help but smile, "You've become prettier."

"I really missed you; I just can't stop thinking of our childhood. I can't really talk to anyone else apart from you."

"Yangfeng..." Pingting interrupted, "Why didn't you ask about it?"

"Ask?" Yangfeng's smile wavered slightly, so she lowered her head. "I...don't dare ask. Why would you leave your Master, unless for some unspeakable reason? That reason must be very, very scary."

Like the rumbling of a drum, Pingting chuckled. "It's really quite thrilling when you think about it. Play a song for me and I'll tell you everything from the start."

The qin was on the small table beside the bed. Yangfeng looked at her, deep in thought. She picked up the qin, fingertips lightly touching a string.

Tremble.

Her heart fluttered at the inaudible but existing sound of a plucked string. The pressure, the sadness, in her heart jumped up, breaking through the walls she had built over her emotions.

"Yangfeng!" Pingting cried, flying into the arms of Yangfeng, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Let the tears flow down and into the earth. This wasn't Gui Le, nor was it Dong Lin. The person who made her sad wasn't here nor was the person who made her soulless here.

How was she supposed to forget that beautiful winter day, that gentle night, that tall figure, or the crystal-clear memories of living in the Residence for the last eighteen years?

How was she supposed to make Yangfeng realise that she had fallen in love with a man? She loved him but then hurt and lied to him. She even made the decision to leave him even if it meant death, only to realise that she could no longer return to the Jing-An Ducal Residence?

Today, under Yangfeng's solemn eyes, Pingting was finally able to cry out the pain she felt, and they came out like peas being poured out of a bag.

Under this sky, perhaps only Yangfeng understood her heart.

Pingting just cried without speaking, leaving Yangfeng to guess what had happened. It had to be something to do with love, or else Pingting wouldn't be so upset.

But who had the ability to make arrogant Pingting fall in love?

"What's his name?" Yangfeng patted her hair.

Pingting was still tearful as she clenched her teeth, her words full of pain. "Chu. Bei. Jie."

Dong Lin's Duke of Zhen-Bei? Yangfeng looked slightly inattentive, but then she sighed again, softly saying, "Cry. Have a good cry."

The walls did not close as Pingting collapsed again into Yangfeng's arms, tears dripping.

"Yangfeng, I'm now finally..." Pingting sluggishly pulled herself up but then suddenly stopped as she felt something rise in her throat. She shrieked a "waah" as she coughed up red blood.

"Pingting!" Yangfeng stood up, staring at her dyed-red clothes. "Come! Someone, come!"

And so, after her big cry, she got sick again.

Only yesterday , she had been thinking that she wouldn't be so lonely anymore.

Pingting's sickness was back.

Way more intense and dangerous than before.