"Sister Yue Niang, you don’t need to keep watch tonight."

Anning lay on the bed, drawing the bed curtains apart, speaking to Yue Niang who was still busy outside.

"Will the young lady be alright alone?"

Yue Niang felt a bit concerned.

"I’ll be fine. I just want to sleep alone tonight."

Anning waved her hand toward Yue Niang: "You all go have a good sleep and come back refreshed to assist me tomorrow."

Knowing her mistress’s willful nature, Yue Niang nodded, bidding farewell and leaving with the other girls. Before departing, she told Anning: "I moved a side table to your bedside, placing a kettle and a cup on top. If you’re thirsty, you can pour yourself a drink."

"I got it, I got it."

Anning responded with a smile.

After Yue Niang and the others had left, the surroundings became quiet. Anning chuckled lightly: "Since you’re here already, why hide any longer? Come on out."

Even before her words faded, Xiao Yuan stood at the foot of her bed.

Wearing her underclothes, Anning sat cross-legged on the bed, and they scrutinized each other in the moonlight.

"Good evening, Daoist Xiao."

After glancing at Xiao Yuan a few times, Anning teasingly greeted.

Xiao Yuan cupped his hands: "Good evening, Miss Luo."

The two shared a laugh.

Xiao Yuan flicked the corner of his robe and sat down by the bed: "I happened to run into Constable Geng today and heard him talking about the affairs of the Prime Minister Luo’s family. I speculated where you might be, and indeed, my guess was correct."

Anning smiled: "Since you know, I’ll leave this matter to you then."

"No problem, no problem."

Xiao Yuan nodded: "As long as there are benefits, everything is negotiable."

Anning leaned over and gave Xiao Yuan a light kiss on the cheek: "Is this benefit enough?"

Xiao Yuan abruptly climbed onto the bed, closing the bed curtains in one swift motion: "Of course, it’s not enough."

He lay beside Anning, pulling her into his embrace: "Your body was destined for a supporting role, as was mine—more or less a minor character, with not a pleasant fate ahead."

"Oh?"

Anning raised an eyebrow: "I’d like to hear more about it."

Xiao Yuan tightened his hold on Anning: "Originally, this body was the brother of Li Pengcheng. I was intelligent and clever from a young age, more favored by my parents than Li Pengcheng. Around the age of four or five, once when Mr. Li took me to deliver something to the academy, I listened to the teacher’s lessons outside the window. Just from that one session, I memorized everything the teacher said. Mr. Li, seeing how I could recall things upon hearing them once, planned to support my studies. When he discussed it with Mrs. Li, Li Pengcheng overheard, coaxed me into playing outside, and then lured me to the wilderness, where he struck me unconscious with a stick and abandoned me at the foot of a mountain before running off."

"Turns out, he was a scoundrel from the start."

Angered by the tale, Anning asked: "What happened afterward?"

"Later, my master found me. I had been knocked unconscious, so I’d forgotten many things, including my name, family, and residence. My master took me into the sect and gave me a new name. Seeing how bright and clever I was, he taught me Taoist skills diligently."

Xiao Yuan sighed here: "Our sect values spontaneity, and every generation of disciples is few. Unlike the famed Maoshan Sect, my master’s mana is actually superior to the Chang Sect of the Maoshan. I don’t know why, but my master had an old grudge with the Maoshan Sect’s leader, and the two sects seldom interacted. I speculate that if I hadn’t come, this body would’ve encountered Mao Xiaoxiao and fallen for her, doing many things for her. With strong mana and many spells, he ultimately died saving Mao Xiaoxiao."

Anning chuckled: "Our luck is quite something. This body of mine also perished because of Mao Xiaoxiao, ending in ashes and dust."

"Mao Xiaoxiao is nothing but trouble. Who knows how many more she’ll harm in the future?"

Xiao Yuan sneered: "Without the original body taking the blame for her, shielding her from danger, and saving her life time and again, she’d surely not fare well."

Anning shared her body’s original story with Xiao Yuan, and they exchanged endless anecdotes for two full hours, chatting until past midnight. Only when dawn was near did Xiao Yuan reluctantly leave.

After Xiao Yuan departed, Anning went to sleep.

At daybreak, she got up, poured herself a cup of water, and then called Yue Niang and the others into the room.

Yue Niang tidied Anning’s bed, smiling as she went: "Milady, did you perhaps roll around in your sleep like when you were a child?"

Anning smiled primly and quipped after her hair was combed: "I started out unable to sleep, so I kept rolling around."

After tidying up, a little girl brought in a basin of water for Anning to wash her face.

Having washed and changed into a new outfit, Anning went to pay respects to Mrs. Luo.

After breakfast, Mrs. Luo spoke to Anning about a matter: "Your grandmother just sent someone over, saying she misses you and wants you to stay with her for a few days."

"Is Mother going too?"

Anning inquired.

Mrs. Luo shook her head: "I won’t be going. If I leave, who will watch over the house? Go if you want to; I’m sure Xue Lian misses you as well."

"Sister Xue Lian hasn’t come to play with me in a long time."

Anning pouted: "Probably still upset about the time I took her hairpin."

Mrs. Luo laughed: "Xue Lian isn’t that petty. She’s probably busy lately. Earlier, your uncle had arranged a marriage for Xue Lian with the Fu Family, as you might know. However, the Fu Family gradually fell into decline. Both parents passed away one after another a couple of years ago, leaving only Jun, who, after fulfilling his mourning duties, couldn’t survive without seeking your uncle’s shelter. He currently stays with your uncle, which is likely why Xue Lian hasn’t come to see you."

"Then I’ll go find her. It wouldn’t do for her to be bored at home."

Cradling her tea, Anning’s smile brightened her entire face.

Mrs. Luo poked her: "It’s you who’s bored, blaming it on Xue Lian. Fortunately, Xue Lian has a good nature, letting you have your mischief."

After a while, Mrs. Luo instructed people to pack for Anning and arranged for her to be sent to the Yao Family for a stay.

Anning set out late morning with a cart full of luggage and gifts.

Luckily, the Luo residence wasn’t far from the Yao Family’s. Before long, they reached the Yao’s, just in time for lunch.

The carriage stopped at the Yao residence entrance, and Anning, aided by Yue Niang, stepped out.

She looked up at the entrance where she stood, hearing someone tease her: "What’s this? It’s been so long that you’ve forgotten your grandmother’s doorstep?"

Anning stuck her tongue out playfully: "I remember it well, naturally. But looking at our house, it seems overcast with black clouds, as if there’s demon energy."

A handsome gentleman, leaning on a folding fan and dressed in moon-white garments, descended the steps with a smile and stood by Anning, tapping her head with the fan: "Incredible! Since when did our Second Miss Luo learn spiritual arts enough to discern demon energy?"

"Believe it or not, up to you."

Annoyed, Anning turned her head away: "Can’t be bothered to explain."