Ye Guhan's injuries were too severe; even giving my all, I couldn't guarantee a full recovery. Moreover, even if he eventually healed, his right hand was severed, making it impossible for him to wield a sword again, thus losing perhaps seventy percent of his martial arts skill. Therefore... to avoid unnecessary trouble, you should announce to the outside world that Ye Guhan has succumbed to his grave injuries. Even if you wish to visit him later, you must notify me beforehand so I can make arrangements. You have no objection, do you?"

Princess Lingmeng bit her lip and nodded. She naturally understood what Jun Moxie meant by "to avoid unnecessary trouble." After all, some matters were best left tacitly understood between them, no need to voice them aloud.

Seeing the desolate grief in Du Gu Xiaoyi's weeping, Princess Lingmeng sighed and walked over, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe away the tears. She said mournfully, "Silly sister, older sister... won't contend with you for anything. Alas... is it truly that our sisterhood is fated for such hardship? Is this truly worth it for you?" She had intended to say 'this dissolute wastrel,' but remembering her oath, she swallowed the words.

Du Gu Xiaoyi’s crying finally subsided. She opened her tear-filled, wide eyes: "Is that true? But just now you..."

"It's naturally true. I had no choice just now..." Princess Lingmeng smiled tenderly. In that fleeting moment, this maiden, who was only slightly older than Du Gu Xiaoyi, seemed to have matured considerably. "At most, after you are formally married and the good deed is done, I will ask Father Emperor to grant the marriage decree to fulfill that promise. It is merely... a promise; complying with the oath is sufficient, is that not enough?"

Du Gu Xiaoyi instantly blushed, but a smile broke through her tears. She snorted twice, "You're older, so you should go first..." Even as she spoke these words, anyone could see the insincerity behind the little girl's reply. Jun Moxie, walking over to sit beside Ye Guhan, nearly fell flat on his face upon hearing this exchange.

Things haven't even begun to settle, and these two women are already talking about this?

I haven't even planned on taking a wife, yet two eager women are rushing to marry me?

I have absolutely no intention of pursuing that right now. Pure Yuan Qi flowed into Ye Guhan’s body. Jun Moxie's expression was cold, his eyes slightly closed, as he spoke sharply, "Miss Sun!"

Sun Xiaomei lowered her head apologetically, "No need to say it, I know what you intend to say. I won't do it again in the future. I apologize!"

"Considering you are Fatty's future wife and the little girl's sister, I will let this pass this time. But if there is a next time, I will... kill you! What I despise most is... betrayal!" Jun Moxie flicked his eyelids, and a cold, sharp killing intent flashed through them. Heavy killing aura erupted, instantly chilling the three women to the bone. Jun Moxie's words were filled with decisive ruthlessness; no one would doubt him, and no one could challenge him. What he said, he would certainly do. Sun Xiaomei remained silent, knowing that Jun Moxie was not joking with her in the slightest.

Just now, Jun Moxie and Jun Wuyi had spoken in front of her and Du Gu Xiaoyi without any reservation. This indicated his trust in them. Yet, she had leaked the matter to Lingmeng without his consent. While 'betrayal' might seem too harsh a word, strictly speaking, calling it betrayal was not an overstatement.

After all, regardless of position or reason, the fact remained unchanged: had she simply overlooked Jun Moxie's character? This young man’s inherent nature was that of a hegemon—"Prosper with me, perish against me!" Suddenly, Sun Xiaomei shuddered; she was startled by the eight words that had just popped into her mind.

Jun Moxie, could you truly be that kind of person?

Princess Lingmeng widened her eyes in astonishment: Since when did this Jun Moxie possess such an overbearing aura? Could it be... he really is different from before?

Could this be the reason Du Gu Xiaoyi is so devoted to him?

Princess Lingmeng remained uneasy. She tiptoed to the bedside, gazing at Ye Guhan’s thin, pale face, her heart clenching with sorrow, and tears streamed down.

"Xiaoyi!" Jun Moxie closed his eyes, pushing his internal energy to its limit.

"What is it?" Du Gu Xiaoyi's naturally cheerful disposition meant her emotions, however intense, passed quickly. By now, she had already dried her tears, feeling rather embarrassed for having wept so loudly. Hearing Jun Moxie call her, she sprang up instantly. "Have Third Uncle immediately send men to the Noble Hall to fetch a few medicinal herbs," Jun Moxie said casually, listing a few types of herbs. "The sooner the better; I have a crucial use for them."

Du Gu Xiaoyi nodded repeatedly and darted away in a flash.

Princess Lingmeng moved very close to Jun Moxie—the closest she had ever been to Young Master Jun. Watching his face as he concentrated on circulating his power, she saw a cold austerity that was indescribable, an air of utter focus, almost like a transcendent detachment that scorned all living beings under heaven. Her heart stirred.

At that very moment, Princess Lingmeng felt a faint, familiar sensation rise within her.

Yes, an exceptionally familiar feeling, and... intimate, safe! This feeling was incomparably warm, utterly comfortable. Where had she experienced this before?

Why did I have this warm feeling? Princess Lingmeng frowned, racking her brain to recall. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her—this aura... how was it so familiar...? Princess Lingmeng couldn't help but move closer to the great expert Jun. The closer she got, the clearer the sensation became, gently reminding her of something, yet she simply couldn't grasp what it was.

She sat silently to the side, not speaking, pondering intensely.

Sun Xiaomei sat beside her, looking somewhat vexed.

"Xiaomei, sister," she couldn't help but ask. Her heart felt bitter; the Blood Oath had been sworn, so what was there to dwell on anymore?

"After you were captured, Little Bai led Third Uncle Jun and Jun Moxiu to that place..." Sun Xiaomei briefly explained. "Then Third Uncle Jun brought us and the heavily wounded Uncle Ye back to the Jun family, while Young Master Jun went alone to scout for news of you..."

"What? Jun Moxie went alone to find news of me?" Princess Lingmeng suddenly lost her composure and exclaimed loudly, jumping to her feet, her face filled with shock. In that instant, the mystery she had struggled to solve suddenly split open like a rift in a sky full of dark clouds, and her heart became instantly illuminated.

Today, a mysterious master was the first to carry her out of the underground chamber—that same mysterious flying dagger master who had protected her all along! And in that person's embrace, what she felt resembled... what she was feeling next to Jun Moxie just now... Could it be...? But how was this possible?! Princess Lingmeng shook her head fiercely, as if trying to cast off this utterly nonsensical notion, yet her heart grew more certain, and the two figures gradually began to merge in her mind... Recalling the time she was assassinated previously, Jun Moxiu had also been present... and then suddenly vanished... Could it really be him?

Princess Lingmeng’s heart pounded wildly. She looked at Jun Moxiu with uncertain astonishment. Suddenly, a novel thought surfaced: he is actually quite handsome... Her face instantly flushed scarlet.

Just then, Du Gu Xiaoyi bounced back in, having completed her task. The little girl had only now fully recovered her senses, feeling infinitely joyful inside: He called me 'Xiaoyi' just now! It sounded so sweet. I'll have him say it a few more times later, hehe...

"Sister Xiaoyi," Princess Lingmeng tried her best to suppress her internal excitement, forcing a calm tone. "I heard that Young Master Jun once forged a precious blade for you? The one you were showing off last time, rumored to have a beautiful name, 'The First Blade of Crimson Sleeves and Heavenly Fragrance'? Could you show it to your sister?"

"Last time I offered to show it to you, and you acted so disdainful. Now you ask to see it? Fine, fine, I'll let you see it..." Du Gu Xiaoyi grumbled but still rolled up her sleeve and unfastened the thin blade.

Jun Moxiu glanced over unintentionally and nearly fainted.

"Du Gu Xiaoyi! I gave you this blade to cut people with, not to use as an arm guard! What a waste of a treasure!" Jun Moxiu roared, burning with anger.

This girl had actually tied this blade tightly to her forearm. He had struggled to unfasten it just now! This was no different from an arm guard! If she were bound like this in battle, by the time she drew the sword, the fight would already be over...

Du Gu Xiaoyi’s face flushed crimson. She made a few whimpering noises, fidgeting bashfully, and asked in a voice barely audible, like a mosquito's hum: "...My jade pendant... are you... still wearing it?"

While Princess Lingmeng’s Blood Oath was not made willingly, the little girl sensed a tremendous threat from her, feeling her own position was precarious. Now that Jun Moxiu brought up the matter, she finally cast aside her shyness and immediately used the word 'token' first. Her implication was to tell Princess Lingmeng: whether you want to or not, I am ahead of you. See! We even have a token of our engagement.

Hmph, when it comes to this, even if we are good sisters... I cannot back down! I, Du Gu Xiaoyi, will fight for my love to the very end! Hmph, if you push me too far, I'll swear a Blood Oath too! You weren't willing, but I was; who is afraid of whom regarding the jade pendant? Token? Jun Moxie was momentarily stunned. What was this all about? That jade pendant, he vaguely recalled setting it aside immediately after accepting it that day... now he couldn't even remember where he put it...

Princess Lingmeng, however, hadn't noticed Du Gu Xiaoyi's words at all. Her hands trembled slightly, and her eyes shone with an almost excessive, strange light of joy. Taking the precious blade, she instantly confirmed one thing with just a glance: this blade was undeniably forged by the same hand that crafted the flying dagger she held. Whether it was the forging technique, the artisan's skill, the patterns upon it, the unique ingenuity in its casting, or its sharpness—everything declared this perfectly clear fact. The blade was light and small, easy to grip, suitable for hacking and slashing, and good for stabbing, yet it wouldn't injure the hand holding it. The tip, the edge, the back, the guard, the body, the hilt, the hanging ring... every aspect, including every curve of the blade, showed evidence of being refined through countless hammer blows and meticulous carving, speaking volumes about the intense effort and dedication the craftsman poured into it. Furthermore, the blade was slightly shorter, clearly indicating that the raw material size at the time of casting had already determined this blade was specifically made for a woman. The entire blade shimmered, cloud patterns swirling and flashing like countless stars in the night sky, or like the Milky Way descending and resting upon it. The entire blade body was a flowing river of light. As she watched, Princess Lingmeng suddenly felt a strange surge of jealousy... He truly treated her very... very well...