The torrential downpour had finally begun to subside, though the rain remained dense; Jun Xie walked at an unhurried pace, and any servant who glimpsed him through the doors and windows was greatly astonished, whispering amongst themselves: Heaven knows what madness has seized the young master this time? Still, compared to the sheer chaos he usually instigated, this current bout of eccentricity was tolerable, yet undeniably strange: running out in such a deluge?

As he reached the garden, a faint, mournful sound of a xiao flute drifted through the curtain of rain, carrying an unshakeable sorrow; merely listening to it painted a vivid picture of the deep grief and bitter resentment held within the musician's heart.

But at this precise moment, the sound resonated perfectly with Jun Xie’s own state of mind, compelling him to follow the melody.

In a pavilion at the heart of the garden, a woman clad in snow-white sat alone on a stone bench, her back to Jun Xie. Her shoulders were exquisitely sloped, her hair piled high like raven clouds, and her slender waist was an invitation to hold. Just from her silhouette, one could tell this woman possessed an air of rarefied aloofness, yet paired with the desolate, lingering music amidst the mournful autumn rain, she appeared intensely solitary and lost.

Jun Xie stood quietly in the rain outside the pavilion, eyes gently closed, absorbing the transcendent beauty of the flute music. His thoughts drifted aimlessly, as if he were once again hearing his favorite melody from the Dream of the Red Chamber in a past life—a tune like "Plaintive Regret," equally mournful, equally choked with sorrowful plea...

Jun Xie felt utterly intoxicated by the atmosphere—such wind and rain, such an autumn—for whom did this despair and anguish exist? In that instant, Jun Xie suddenly perceived this woman’s emotional state: it was precisely as lonely and solitary as his own! Yet, compared to him, hers carried an added layer of profound helplessness.

The autumn rain fell ceaselessly, boundless and unending; within the resonance of that sorrowful flute, even the sound of the wind seemed to weep...

The music gradually softened, thinning like a delicate thread swaying in the breeze, until it ceased altogether. The white-robed woman remained motionless, gently lowering the jade xiao from her hands, and let out a long, lingering sigh. The sigh dissolved into the sounds of the storm, sounding utterly powerless.

Jun Xie, deeply moved, could not help but release a soft sigh of his own.

Though quiet, the sound startled the woman immensely. She spun around abruptly, her beautiful eyes locking onto Jun Xie, an expression of surprise crossing her face, quickly hardening into a faint veil of disgust and disdain: “It’s you.”

“A fine performance; very beautiful,” Jun Xie offered with a slight smile, stepping leisurely into the pavilion, his rain-soaked garments immediately soaking a patch of ground. “Sister-in-law, what pleasure brings you out in such a mood today?”

The woman’s face was profoundly cold, her features exquisitely drawn, her bearing graceful, yet she naturally exuded an air of frigid, silent nobility. This was none other than Jun Mo Xie’s elder sister-in-law, the wife of Jun Mo You, Guan Qinghan. She was the daughter of the renowned Guan family, and a celebrated talent within the Tianxiang Nation.

In truth, ‘wife’ was not entirely accurate. They had been betrothed since childhood. Three years prior, when Jun Mo You was twenty-two and Guan Qinghan eighteen, both families were preparing the wedding arrangements. However, it coincided with the campaign against the God-Granted Empire, during which Jun Mo You was commanded to the front lines, serving as vanguard alongside his younger brother, Jun Mo Chou. The families thus agreed that once Jun Mo You returned victorious, the wedding would proceed, fulfilling their bond.

The formal procedures—the exchange of gifts and the dowry—had been completed before he left, meaning Guan Qinghan was effectively already part of the Jun family, awaiting only Jun Mo You’s return for the marriage date to be set. Even the date had been fixed, but who could have foreseen that Jun Mo You would never return, meeting his end on the battlefield, thus separating the childhood sweethearts by heaven and earth, casting them onto different paths into the underworld, leaving behind an eternal, biting regret!

Alas, the bones of the unclaimed rest nowhere, yet they remain the dream of one secluded in the inner chambers!

When the tragic news arrived, Guan Qinghan fainted on the spot. Afterwards, ignoring all pleas from her family, she resolutely moved into the Jun residence, claiming the status of the deceased eldest grandson’s widow, dedicated to caring for the elders. Old Master Jun had repeatedly suggested she need not do this; since they were never formally married, with her lineage and beauty, she could command no shortage of fine matches. He even proposed the Jun family formally issue documents dissolving the betrothal, restoring her freedom.

Guan Qinghan adamantly refused. The elders of both families, fearing she might take some drastic action, could only tacitly consent, waiting until she eventually changed her mind and agreed to return to the Guan household.

Everyone in the Jun manor, from Old Master Jun and Jun Wu Yi down to the lowest house servant, held this 'Young Mistress' in high esteem, never daring to slight her. If there was one person in the entire manor that caused Guan Qinghan displeasure, it was only her younger brother-in-law, Jun Mo Xie!

This dissolute prodigal son had been anything but quiescent since the beautiful and dignified sister-in-law moved in, spewing frivolous words and acting with unbearable levity, provoking Guan Qinghan’s extreme disgust. Unable to bear it any longer, she had struck him sharply to teach him a lesson. Besides being a literary savant, Miss Guan was quite skilled in martial arts. Though she had not yet reached the Silver Rank, she was already at the peak of the Ninth Grade, making dealing with Jun Mo Xie a simple matter!

However, the rake’s lecherous intentions never waned. He knew his beautiful sister-in-law wouldn't strike him too hard, and he repeatedly lurked nearby, attempting to spy on her. Confronted by such a shameless rogue, Guan Qinghan found herself with no recourse but to remain confined to her rooms for long stretches. Today, seeing the heavy rain stirring the sorrow deep in her heart, she felt an unbearable melancholy and came to the pavilion to pour out her feelings through the xiao. She never expected this prodigal to actually venture out in such weather!

Truly blinded by lust. Doesn't he know my Ninth Grade Xuan Qi cultivation vastly surpasses his? Teaching him a lesson would be effortless. The only reason I don't is to avoid causing a stir among the household and further grieving the elders. Does he truly believe I fear him?!

“Oh, just passing the time, so I played a few notes randomly. Is the Third Young Master also an expert in this art?” Hearing Jun Xie’s words, Guan Qinghan felt even greater revulsion. This rake, what would he know of beautiful music? He’s just seizing an opportunity to talk to me. She fixed him with a cold stare, waiting to see what new trick he had today, her replies naturally laced with veiled barbs.

With Jun Xie’s intelligence, he certainly understood her meaning. Yet, he also admired the woman before him and fully grasped the unsavory reputation Jun Mo Xie had cultivated; he couldn't fault others for looking down on him! He felt a degree of respect for Guan Qinghan’s profound devotion and tenacity.

“The sound of the flute is the sound of the heart. The past is past; Sister-in-law should try to set your heart at ease. Everything will pass,” Jun Xie advised after a moment’s hesitation.

Guan Qinghan snorted softly, her lovely face like frost, and she turned away, pointedly ignoring him.

Jun Xie felt greatly disappointed. By his nature, if you ignore me, I’ll ignore you even more! What’s so special about a beauty? Just because she’s beautiful can she treat people with such disdain? He forced a mild tone: “My apologies for the intrusion just now. I shall take my leave.” With that, he smiled, turned, and walked out without the slightest hesitation. You ignore me? Perfect! I’ll go back to sleep.

Guan Qinghan was completely taken aback.

She had expected the boy to launch into another bout of relentless pestering and shameless familiarity, but she never anticipated he would speak two sensible sentences and then simply leave without entanglement, not even sparing a thought for the heavy rain outside.

Watching Jun Xie’s retreating back disappear into the downpour, Guan Qinghan opened her mouth, intending to speak but stopping short; however, a flash in her beautiful eyes made her suddenly realize that her brother-in-law today was indeed vastly different from before.

Before, his face always held a roguish, wicked smirk, and his eyes were constantly restless, darting everywhere. When he saw her, he would often descend to the point of having drool hanging from his lips. But recalling his demeanor and actions just now, there was not a trace of frivolity; he had been quite solemn, quite... steady.

Furthermore, his gaze had never once wandered improperly over her body. And as he walked away, his back was straight, moving through the rain with an unexpected composure...

Has he truly changed? Guan Qinghan scoffed inwardly. It must be that his persistent harassment tactics no longer worked, and now he’s switched to a ‘gentlemanly’ facade to approach me?! Hmph, Jun Mo Xie, do you think I’d fall for your tricks? No matter how many faces you wear, in my heart, deep down, you will always be that vulgar, shameless wastrel, never changing in the slightest!

You ran out in this downpour just to say those two sentences to me? Only a fool would believe that! The more he acts this way, the more suspicious he seems! Can you truly be a gentleman? Who would ever believe that?!

Guan Qinghan’s beautiful face instantly turned as cold as ice!

But the way he looked at me today—there wasn't a flicker of enchantment in his eyes... Hmph!