“Alright, stop thinking too much,” said Nan Xun. “We won’t get an answer just yet. We’ll just have our people watch them closely. She isn’t going to do anything for some time after this failure. Don’t worry about who she is and what she’s planning. You’ve just gotten better. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

He gave her a gentle smile. “We’ll face the storm together when it rises. You have me. Let me shoulder your burden. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”

Jun Huang blushed. A gust of wind swept over her. It was a little cold for her since she was wearing only a thin robe. Worried that she’d catch a cold, Nan Xun guided her to the study with a hand on her shoulder.

Once inside, Nan Xun had a maid prepare some hot tea and snacks. Jun Huang was warmed by his attentiveness. Once he came back to the study, she took his hands...