Round One (09)

By the time the two returned to the mountain, dusk had already settled.

The grand villa stood dark and silent, so quiet that its emptiness seemed almost suffocating—a lonely place, heavy with the air of death.

Had Shen Huai really lived in such an environment for a hundred years?

Watching over a helpless infant and a cold, lifeless body... all for someone with whom he’d shared but a fleeting month. Was it worth it?

Si Jiu couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for him.

Shen Yu stole a glance at the figure beside him, robed in red. In the moonlight, she appeared pale and ethereal, as if she might vanish at any moment. Her exquisitely beautiful face glowed like jade, bearing an otherworldly aura that seemed untouched by earthly dust.

At this moment, she looked inexplicably sad.

Only hours ago in the city she’d been lively and spirited.

Shen Yu spoke quietly, "Be careful. Don’t let my uncle discover you. How far… can you go from the bronze mirror?"

Tonight, he would return the mirror to Shen Huai, his heart filled with worry for the beautiful ghostly sister—and perhaps something more, a reluctance to part.

"I’m not really sure," Si Jiu deliberately furrowed her brow. "Is my little sweetheart worried about me?"

In truth, the restrictions no longer mattered—the seal on the bronze mirror had already been broken. Still, she had to go back for now, and find a way to approach Shen Huai. The last time, she’d nearly been dispersed by him; it was clear how merciless he was toward spirits.

"Who’s… cough… worried about you," Shen Yu’s cheeks burned. "It’s just that… just that…"

Just that what? He didn’t know.

"Alright, alright, I understand. I was just being sentimental."

"Cough, cough… it's not…"

"Aren’t you supposed to prepare dinner? Then hurry up," Si Jiu, seeing how flustered he was, took pity and rescued him.

Shen Yu pressed his lips together and said nothing more.

After he finished preparing dinner, he carried the jade box to Shen Huai’s door.

Si Jiu had already obediently returned to the bronze mirror.

"Uncle, I’m back." Shen Yu tapped lightly on the door.

A moment later, the sound of wheels rolling came from within. With a creak, the door opened, and Shen Huai appeared before him.

His gaze swept over Shen Yu’s face and lingered for a moment.

Shen Yu’s heart thumped wildly, his mouth suddenly dry.

"Mm. Give it to me."

Exhaling quietly, Shen Yu respectfully handed the jade box to Shen Huai.

"Dinner…"

"No need for dinner. Go to bed early tonight, and do not leave your room."

Shen Yu’s heart gave a hard jolt. "Uncle, you’re going to summon spirits again?"

Shen Huai nodded.

This time, he would try using blood from his heart.

Anxiety clouded Shen Yu’s face. Every time his uncle summoned spirits, it left him weak for days. How much longer could his body endure?

Since he could remember, his uncle had performed these rituals several times a year, all the way to now. If they truly worked, how could there still be no response?

He didn’t understand what made Miss Tang so important to his uncle. But he knew how important his uncle was to himself.

He wanted to persuade him, but when he met those deep, unruffled eyes, all his words and courage dried up.

He dared not.

In the end, all he could do was meekly utter a "yes" and withdraw.

Shen Huai took the jade box back to his room, opened it, and removed the bronze mirror.

Si Jiu was inside, her gaze meeting Shen Huai’s directly.

He had never been one for laughter, his expressions always sparse, but now he looked utterly impassive—cold, even.

Compared to the young master, who, despite his reserved demeanor, always seemed soft and gentle, Shen Huai now had nothing left of his former self but his face.

They were separated, one outside the mirror, one within.

It seemed like they were staring at each other, but Si Jiu knew Shen Huai could not see her.

Yet she’d heard him say he meant to summon spirits again.

He’d mentioned before that the blood from his wrist was ineffective, so now he would try blood from his heart.

Si Jiu frowned. How could she stop him?

Should she show herself directly? Would she even get a chance to speak before Shen Huai dispersed her?

And even if she claimed she was "Tang Tang," why would Shen Huai believe her? After all, her current spirit form was her own, not Tang You’s.

Or perhaps… could she try to possess Tang You’s body?

Lost in thought, Si Jiu failed to notice that Shen Huai’s gaze resting on the bronze mirror was growing colder, clearly realizing the presence of this spirit.