Aqing didn’t become the person she wanted to be, but it wasn’t her fault. The world itself was at fault.

If only An Long hadn’t died under the sword, and she hadn’t been captured. If she had guarded that Peach Grove, she might have grown up safe and joyful, still innocent and naive as before.

Chen Changsheng didn’t respond to her words. Instead, he raised his teacup in a gesture.

Aqing glanced at it and asked with a smile, “Are you drinking tea instead of wine?”

“You could say that,” Chen Changsheng nodded.

Their teacups clinked lightly, and then they drained the tea in one gulp.

After finishing his tea, Chen Changsheng let out a sigh and asked, “Why have you come back this time?”

Aqing replied, “Came to see dad. And also, to take back the Peach Grove.”

Yan Huanglou, upon hearing this, said, “I heard that Peach Grove later became part of the Prince’s Mansion.”

“I know.”

“It probably won’t be easy to get back. What’s your plan?”

Aqing shook her head. “No plan. I’ll just go and ask for it back.”

Yan Huanglou said, “How could you possibly get it back that way?”

“Not necessarily,” Aqing answered with a laugh.

Yan Huanglou shook his head, thinking she was joking.

After a few more words, Aqing put on her Faceless Mask again and hurried away, saying she’d come back for tea later.

Only Chen Changsheng and Yan Huanglou remained at the table.

Yan Huanglou watched Aqing leave and raised an eyebrow. “That girl really intends to demand it back?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Probably.”

Yan Huanglou blinked. “I thought she was joking! We should stop her. The Prince’s Mansion is heavily guarded. It’s not a place she can just walk into!”

Chen Changsheng chuckled. “What if she really gets it back?”

Yan Huanglou retorted, “Is she being reckless, or are you?”

Chen Changsheng said calmly, “Just enjoy your tea peacefully.” 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Yan Huanglou sighed and asked no more.

…

At noon, the sky suddenly darkened.

The ground had just dried, but it looked like rain was about to fall again.

“Afraid it’s going to rain again,” Yan Huanglou remarked.

Chen Changsheng glanced sideways and said, “A heavy rain.”

Yan Huanglou considered packing up the stall.

But Chen Changsheng said, “You go back first. I’m waiting for someone. I’ll pack up the stall for you later and bring it back.”

“Alright then,” Yan Huanglou agreed.

He started walking away but found himself gasping for breath after only a few steps.

Maybe it was because of the coming storm. With only a breath left in him, he struggled to go on.

The path home from the Tea Stall wasn’t far, but today it took him twice as long. By the time he reached his room, he was drenched in sweat.

He collapsed onto the bed, his breathing heavy and labored.

Boom!!

A clap of thunder roared across the sky.

In the blink of an eye, Qingshan City seemed to shift from day into night.

In front of the Prince’s Mansion…

Several elite soldiers lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain, unable to stand.

The woman standing before the mansion gate lifted her hand…

And knocked on the Prince’s Mansion door!

…

The tea on the table was still warm.

Whoosh…

A strong wind blew through, making the worn-out stall creak and sway violently.

Chen Changsheng placed a hand on the table. Instantly, the shaking stall steadied, untouched by wind or rain.

Looking up, he saw a black-robed old man already seated in front of him.

The Old Dragon King said, “Huh? Have you changed your tastes? Drinking tea now?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Drinking something warm. Keeps the chill away.”

The Old Dragon King glanced at the steaming tea and nodded. “Fair enough.”

Pitter-patter…

Rain began falling heavily, drumming loudly on the stall’s roof.

“I brought the elixir you asked for,” said the Old Dragon King, handing over the pills.

He also handed over several books on the way of Alchemy.

“Thank you for your trouble, Dragon Lord,” Chen Changsheng expressed his gratitude.

The Old Dragon King snorted. “If you were really grateful, you wouldn’t just offer me tea. Could you be a bit more generous? At least treat me to a meal!”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. “I’ve always been used to having no money. I forgot. Next time, I can treat you to some food.”

“That’s more like it,” the Dragon Lord nodded with a smile.

Chen Changsheng nodded too, then changed the subject. “I also wanted to ask you about someone this time, Dragon Lord.”

“Who?”

“Prince Yu Yan Yan from the Jing Era. His title was Master Zhulan. A Cultivation practitioner.”

“Master Zhulan?”

The Old Dragon King thought for a while and raised an eyebrow. “Never heard that name. Maybe I missed it. I’ve rarely walked the Mortal World these past years. And if it’s a prince, honestly, I never paid attention to such things.”

“What did this person do to have Mr. Chen inquire personally?”

Chen Changsheng said, “Not much. Just thought he sounded rather interesting and wanted to meet him.”

“Interesting?”

“Yes.”

Chen Changsheng told him about Master Zhulan’s deeds.

Hearing it, the Old Dragon King sighed. “Quite a figure then. Pitiable…”

“Pity what?”

“By doing such things, he incurred Heaven’s Retribution. Even if he used tricks to hide from Heavenly Secrets, he’s doomed to walk in the shadows forever afterward.”

Chen Changsheng nodded in agreement. “Exactly…”

The Old Dragon King asked further, “Speaking of… that fragment of the Human Emperor’s Fortune… is it in your hands now?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Not sure what to do with it yet. Best let things be.”

“Dispose of it sooner rather than later,” urged the Old Dragon King.

“To avoid getting tangled in karma, harming your Taoist journey.”

Chen Changsheng said, “I understand.”

Truthfully, when he’d brought that fragment of Fortune out of the painting, he’d vaguely sensed some resistance from Heaven and Earth. But it wasn’t severe. Probably because those three strands of Fortune hadn’t yet shown their true effect.

The Old Dragon King nodded, then started chatting about family matters—his Dragon Princesses and young dragons. A proud smile spread across his face as he boasted.

Chen Changsheng nodded along, long accustomed to that expression of his.

When the rain stopped, the Old Dragon King took his leave.

“I’m off. Come to Tongtian River next time, and I’ll treat you to wine!”

“Safe journey, Dragon Lord.”

After the Dragon Lord left, Chen Changsheng gathered the elixirs and books on the table, then began packing up the Tea Stall, taking everything that needed to be brought back home.

On his way back, he met Wang Sanniang.

Chen Changsheng asked, “No stall today, Sanniang?”

Wang Sanniang answered, “Ruyi felt terribly dizzy. Maybe she caught a chill in yesterday’s rain. Gave her some medicine. She’s a bit better now.”

Chen Changsheng said, “Glad she’s a bit better.”

After a few more words, Wang Sanniang went back inside to boil more medicine.

Chen Changsheng returned to his courtyard and entered his room.

One heavy rain later…

Yan Huanglou lay on his bed, breathing faintly, seeming close to slipping away forever.

Chen Changsheng walked to the bedside and said, “You were fine earlier. How did one downpour bring you this low?”

Yan Huanglou took a gasping breath, his voice barely a whisper.

“Already…”

“…long been failing.”