Last night, snow drifted, falling unceasingly throughout the evening.

The cold wind brushed gently, shrouding everything in a snow-blurred freshness.

Early in the morning, on this day of the Upper Yuan Festival, Empress Lin's phoenix carriage stopped outside the Han Baiyu Mountain Gate of the Sword Sect. She drew back the Brocade Phoenix Silk Curtain within the vehicle and gazed at the man smiling and waving goodbye to her.

Her own Phoenix Belly Band was still missing. Lin Jinyu was certain Su Bei had taken it, yet, faced with his feigned ignorance, she found herself at a loss for words.

Her vermilion lips mumbled a few words, her eyes deep and shifting. Ultimately, she sighed, her long lashes fluttering lightly as she said, "Thank you, Elder Su, for escorting me here."

"Doesn't Elder Su have anything to say to me?"

"..."

Anything to say?

Su Bei cleared his throat and then said earnestly, "What I want to say is... I wish the Empress a healthy and prosperous phoenix body, and may you... may you soon bear precious children."

"..."

Lin Jinyu's face darkened instantly. With a flick of her hand, she slammed the curtain down. Her chest heaved, her fair hands clenched tightly.

She had never before encountered such a brazenly shameless person!

"Return to the court!"

The phoenix carriage raced into the sky. Despite herself, Empress Lin couldn't resist lifting a corner of the curtain. The early morning breeze was gentle, and sunlight scattered, casting shadows inside the carriage.

Through the gap, she saw that peculiar man standing with his hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips as he watched her carriage, one hand waving lightly.

—He hadn't turned to leave immediately.

Her vermilion lips moved slightly as she murmured, her eyes reflecting her thoughts. In some ways, he resembles 'him' so strikingly... No wonder 'he' was so fond of him. Perhaps there will be a time for us to meet again...

"..."

Swallows flew through the wafting blue smoke, circling No-Sword Peak in a graceful dance.

Xiao Ruoching rose early. From the clothes she had purchased at Wan Qingzhai, she began selecting an outfit and trying it on.

The Bronze Mirror reflected a graceful, unclothed figure. Her black hair, in the morning light, seemed like black snow. She hummed an unknown little tune.

She felt a faint sense of anticipation. Spending this special day shopping alone with her Master felt like... it felt like...

Unconsciously, her lips curved into a lovely arc. She gently picked up a moon-white ruqun and held it to her chest, gesturing lightly as she murmured softly, "This one? It seems a bit small, it won't fit over..."

"TSK—"

A soft snort of disdain suddenly came from behind her. Xiao Ruoching put down the ruqun, crossed an arm protectively before her, and turned around. Her dark brows furrowed as she looked at Mo Li, who sat on the bed with a sword, and asked coldly, "What are you laughing at?"

Mo Li's eyes opened slightly. She glanced at Xiao Ruoching nonchalantly and said emotionlessly, "Senior Sister, am I not even allowed to laugh now?"

Xiao Ruoching bit her lip, her jade-like foot stomping on the floor. She turned away in a huff, assuming Mo Li was jealous because she couldn't go to see the flower lanterns with their Master.

Looking at her own attractive figure in the Bronze Mirror, she nodded in satisfaction. "This one it is. It fits perfectly."

"..."

Mo Li's eyes lightly examined a certain area on Xiao Ruoching, then she glanced down at herself. A hint of amusement touched her lips. She murmured softly to herself, "So small," and then turned to leave.

Xiao Ruoching: "?!"

Two more houses had been added near the thatched cottage. Su Bei, finding it troublesome that his two disciples were always fighting when together, had moved two complete houses, elegant courtyard dwellings, over from Red Dust Peak. They contrasted starkly with his own dilapidated straw hut.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Mo Li squinted, pondering everything.

Although I haven't stayed long at No-Sword Peak, everything is evidently the same as in my previous life. As for Master... after these past few days of interaction, although his personality largely remains similar to that of my previous life, I can't shake the feeling that something is missing, or that something has changed—a sensation I can't quite pinpoint. Perhaps he's just trying to mislead me?

Mo Li gently wiped the dagger in her hands, staring at the Sword Scripture, which was worn and bore a patina from age, thinking deeply for a long while.

This Sword Scripture should be fine; Xiao Ruoching has cultivated it too. But why would she cultivate this Cultivation Technique in this life? Could it be that my reincarnation changed something? Or maybe...

"..."

At this rather terrifying thought, Mo Li's gaze deepened as she looked out the window. She perked up her ears, listening to the conversation between Xiao Ruoching and Su Bei:

"Master, your disciple..."

"Why are you taking so long to get dressed? Wouldn't it be better not to wear anything at all..."

"??"

SHIIING—

"Put the sword back. Let's get going."

The voices grew fainter and more distant...

Listening to the peculiar conversation and what sounded like a sword being drawn, Mo Li licked her lips. She toyed with the dagger in her hand, its cold gleam reflecting her stunning visage.

If I could be reincarnated, then was it possible... she was too?

Mo Li's eyes narrowed as she carefully recalled Xiao Ruoching's every move.

In my previous life, when she drew her sword, her right hand would subconsciously touch the sword hilt. When had she developed that habit? It was probably that night when she avenged her clan's annihilation; disgusted by the blood staining the sword hilt, she would subconsciously wipe it...