Ye Lanshan's eyes sharpened, signaling the female ghost to hide. The female ghost shot her an extremely reluctant glance, then finally stamped her foot and flew to another tree.
"Arrogant child, do you think hiding in a tree means I can't find you?" An aged voice rang out with oppressive force.
Ye Yutian remained cold-faced. He told Ye Lanshan to stay hidden and not move, then lightly descended from the tree alone.
"Prince Ye, I wonder what brings you sneaking all the way into my domain." An exceptionally frail figure walked toward him.
"Yueshu," the female ghost murmured softly, her heart heavy with unspeakable guilt.
"Prince Ye, this isn't your Ye Kingdom. Do you think the Moon Kingdom's sacred grounds are a place you can come and go as you please?" The aged voice sounded again.
"You're too serious, Elder Yue. I'm merely here visiting an old friend." Ye Yutian showed no fear in the face of such formidable pressure.
"I told you, cough, I just want to live out my days in peace, cough, I absolutely will not join you against the Holy Land, cough..." Yueshu coughed uncontrollably, as if he might cough his life away.
"This is a new pill, specially for your condition. I don't need your alliance—just lend me the Iron Crystal." Ye Yutian produced a pill, pitch-black yet gleaming, clearly no ordinary item.
"The Iron Crystal? You mean the key to opening Cloud Island? You'd have to ask the Feather Clan for that." Yueshu pulled his clothes tighter around himself, as if that was the only way to stay warm.
"I've asked Yufan—the key isn't with him. Yueshu, you know my nature. I'm very reluctant to force you." Ye Yutian's gaze was icy, his presence overwhelming, his pressure even stronger than the old man's.
Yueshu gave a bitter smile. "You know I'm extremely unwilling to bring it out. Why do you have to push me?"
"Then don't blame me for being discourteous." Ye Yutian struck directly at his throat, but though Yueshu was frail, his reactions were swift. In no time, he was evenly matched with Ye Yutian.
"You two little ones up there, shouldn't you come down now?" The aged voice struck their ears directly. The female ghost was fine—it didn't affect her—but Ye Lanshan suffered, her ears ringing painfully, nearly reopening her wounds.
"Senior is indeed formidable, spotting our position at a glance." Ye Lanshan floated down with a smile, her gentle demeanor far more pleasant than Ye Yutian's.
"I am Ye Lanshan. I didn't realize this was the Third Prince's residence. I meant no offense, please forgive me. If the Third Prince has no further business, I'll take my leave." Ye Lanshan was puzzled. The Third Prince was supposed to have perished in a fire fifteen years ago, yet here he was in the palace, looking as if he lived here.
If so, why hadn't anyone in the palace noticed? And if he was frail and wanted a peaceful life, why would he choose the palace?
"You must be the genius General Ye Lanshan, who put down Yue Jie'ao's rebellion?" Yueshu watched her float down like a celestial being, captivating his heart. He had seen countless beauties, but none had stirred him like this—yet now, he was moved.
"Yes, I did quell Yue Jie'ao's rebellion, but I dare not claim the title of genius." Ye Lanshan met Yueshu's gaze, her eyes clear and pure like amber, free of any scheming or guile.
Seeing his clear eyes, he didn't seem like a calculating, ambitious man. So why was he living here?
Ye Lanshan ran through a thousand possibilities in her mind, but none fit. What was the reason?
"Won't the other little friend come down?" The old man called out to the conspicuous purple figure in the tree.
The female ghost, her expression complex, appeared before Yueshu in an instant. A "sorry" laden with immense guilt escaped her lips.
She was now dressed in a light purple gauze skirt with a patterned sash. Because the paper effigy contained a drop of blood, her pale face had regained some color.
Her captivating eyes held sorrow, her mournful expression adding a layer of charm to her already stunning beauty.
But Yueshu was genuinely confused. "Miss, do we know each other?"
"We do, and we don't. But what does it matter? It's all in the past." The female ghost's thoughts drifted, reflecting on how absurd her life had been.
"Let me think about the key matter. I'll give it to you when I'm ready." Yueshu, exposed to the cold night air, lost more color from his face, swaying unsteadily.
"Then I won't linger. I'll give you this pill when you're ready to hand over the key." Ye Yutian grabbed Ye Lanshan and vanished, the female ghost following.
"Light silk fan, white orchid, slender waist, jade belt dancing celestial gauze. Like a fairy descending to earth, a glance outshines the stars. Ye Lanshan is truly stunning. When she grows older, who knows how radiant she'll be. But I fear I'll never see her again." Yueshu sighed softly.
"Yueshu, as long as your uncle is here, Yue Jinghong won't know you exist. If you want to do something, go ahead—I'll shield you if the sky falls." The aged voice spoke slowly, pouring warmth into Yueshu's cold heart.
"Imperial Uncle, I know. Thank you for protecting me all these years." Yueshu's pale face looked even more pallid in the moonlight.
"Alright, go back and rest. Your health has just started improving—this wind might set you back again."
"Mm, let's go back." In a moment, Yueshu and the others faded into the palace walls.
"What do you mean by this, Ye Yutian?" Ye Lanshan was now dragged to his residence, trapped inside the room.
"Don't go anywhere for now. The Holy Land wants to capture you—I'll help you." Ye Yutian had thoroughly investigated the Holy Land's plan to seize Ye Lanshan.
"Why should I listen to you? If the Holy Land wants me, let them come. What right do you have to imprison me here?" After so many unpleasant encounters with Ye Yutian, Ye Lanshan felt a growing disgust toward him.
"What if I say I regret breaking off the engagement?" Ye Yutian had confirmed his feelings for Ye Lanshan were love.
"But I don't regret it. If there's nothing else, please let me return to my residence, or my people won't be polite." The female ghost stood behind Ye Yutian, ready to strike him down at Ye Lanshan's command.