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Lady Rong almost had an accident in his care.

His master adored Lady Rong so much. If she were to be harmed due to his inability to protect her, how could he face his master or have the dignity to continue living?

Heng Ping looked at Chang Ji, who was weeping bitterly, with disdain.

He stepped forward and said to Gu Changjin, "I've investigated. There were no explosives on the top of Dragon Yin Mountain. The avalanche seems to have been an accident. However, there were traces of a carriage being dragged on the mountain path. I suspect that soon after the avalanche, someone rescued Lady Rong and Chang Ji before pushing the carriage off the cliff, creating the illusion that Lady Rong fell with it."

"Those people were very decisive and efficient. If not for the remaining charcoal marks on the ground, I wouldn't have known that the carriage's fall was deliberate."

They must be highly skilled to have rescued Rong Shu and staged her fake death so swiftly.

Both Gu Changjin and Rong Shu knew who those people were and who had sent them.

After exchanging a glance, Gu Changjin said, "There's no need to worry. Even if they find us, they won't hurt us. Heng Ping, go hunt some snow rabbits outside. Roast one for Chang Ji later."

Both Chang Ji and Heng Ping were taken aback by his words.

Chang Ji thought he had misheard. He couldn't wipe away his tears fast enough as he exclaimed, "H-Heng Ping is roasting one for me?"

Heng Ping was a man who cherished his sleep above all else and had little interest in food. On missions, he would merely eat to survive, even going as far as to calmly consume wild grass without a hint of discomfort. Surprisingly, this same person possessed an innate culinary talent that filled Chang Ji with envy and jealousy.

It had been years since Chang Ji had tasted Heng Ping's roasted meat. Furthermore, he hadn't had a decent meal during his recent search for Rong Shu. He immediately patted Heng Ping's shoulder, saying, "This is the Master's order! Hurry up!"

Heng Ping instinctively glanced at Gu Changjin, who smiled and said, "In that case, you won't owe him anything."

In their previous lives, when they were ambushed, Chang Ji sacrificed his chance to escape, asking Heng Ping to save Rong Shu instead.

Unfortunately, just as Heng Ping left the side chamber of the Sishi Garden, his hand was injured by Mama Zhang, causing him to be poisoned. If not for Lin Qingyue secretly rescuing him and hiding him away, he would have died alongside Chang Ji in the Sishi Garden.

Heng Ping spent the rest of his life plagued by guilt.

Now that Chang Ji was still alive, roasting meat for him could be seen as a way to repay the debt Heng Ping felt he owed from their past lives.

Although somewhat confused, Heng Ping knew that if the Master said so, it must be right.

He nodded slightly and replied, "As you command, my Lord."

Then, with obvious disdain, he brushed off Chang Ji's hand from his shoulder, saying, "Let's go!"

Just as they were about to leave, Chang Ji suddenly called out, "Young Lady."

Rong Shu looked at him instinctively.

"Yingyue and Ying Que are currently in the guest lodge at the foot of the mountain. They initially wanted to come along, but Heng Ping and I were worried that we wouldn't be able to protect them if anything unexpected happened, so we asked them to wait at the lodge," said the man with the delicate, feline-like scars on his face. He paused before smiling at Rong Shu and assuring her, "Don't worry, they're both safe and sound!"

Rong Shu smiled back. "Thank you for your hard work."

Chang Ji knew that it was a rare opportunity for his master to have the young lady's care. After saying this, he swiftly followed Heng Ping out of the room.

When she could no longer hear their voices, Rong Shu turned to Gu Changjin and asked, "Did something happen at the Sishi Garden, Chang Ji?"

While others might not understand Gu Changjin's intentions, Rong Shu understood him. From what he and Heng Ping had said, she could vaguely guess that in her previous life, something had happened to Chang Ji, while Heng Ping was the one who survived.

Gu Changjin nodded. "The night before your incident, Xiao Fu's men ambushed them. You and Ying Que were drugged by Mother Zhang and were unconscious, unaware of what was happening in the courtyard."

Rong Shu fell silent.

Gu Changjin gazed at her and spoke softly, "Rong Zhaozhao, those events are now as if they never occurred. So don't be upset."

Since time had reversed, the occurrences of the past naturally vanished without a trace.

Chang Ji was alive, and she was too.

Rong Shu had always been an open-minded person. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "When we reach Da Tong, I'll ask Nijing to prepare a full lamb feast for him."

Upon saying this, her voice suddenly paused.

Da Tong – was she still going?

But Gu Changjin continued her sentence with an assenting sound, "Mm."

"I've heard that their sheep milk scented tea is also incredibly delicious. I believe Chang Ji would enjoy it," he said with a smile on his lips. "Tomorrow, I will personally escort you to Da Tong."

Rong Shu didn't respond but simply stared intently at him.

Her eyes conveyed her thoughts, and there was no need for words. Gu Changjin could tell what she was thinking and what she wanted to say.

"Dragon Yin Mountain is only a few days' journey from Da Tong. Your mother should have arrived there by now. In about four or five days, you'll be able to see her."

"I've told you before, don't burden yourself unnecessarily."

"You enjoy reading travelogues and learning about the world's customs and landscapes, longing to verify if it truly matches the descriptions in those writings. You also wish to do something within your power for the people of Great Yin before your time runs out, so that you won't have regrets."

His deep voice carried the unique blend of early spring's chill and warmth. Gazing at her, his gaze was tender.

He said, "Rong Zhaozhao, go ahead and do whatever you desire. Don't hold back."

He had spared no effort to bring her back to life, not to imprison her by his side, causing her unhappiness.

He couldn't be as greedy as he once was.

All he wanted was for her to be happy.

For her to live freely and joyfully, was already a source of contentment and gratitude for him.

Chapter 114

Aside from two humble cottages, the only inhabitable space in Qingyan Temple was the grand hall where the Three Purities were enshrined.

One cottage was occupied by Qing Miao and his disciple, while the other was shared by Gu Changjin and Rong Shu. Before Gu Changjin regained consciousness, Rong Shu would lie on the bamboo bed out of fear that he might develop a high fever in the middle of the night. After he woke up, she stayed in the cottage as well, concerned about his convenience should he need water during the night.