"That's Ye Lanshan's business, not mine." Ye Yutian's expression was cold, utterly devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
"She's your fiancée—are you just going to stand by and do nothing?" Luo Rui's face was full of disbelief.
"We called off the engagement long ago." A flicker of impatience crossed Ye Yutian's eyes, clearly annoyed by Luo Rui's questioning.
"What exactly happened between you two? Why would you suddenly break off the engagement? I didn't even hear a word about it."
Luo Rui's impression of their relationship was still stuck on the last time at the Ye residence, when Ye Yutian seemed somewhat smitten. And back at the ruined temple, Ye Yutian had even shown jealousy over Ye Lanshan's connection with Lan Youli.
"You seem pretty free lately, so concerned about my affairs." Ye Yutian narrowed his eyes, as if looking for something to keep him busy.
Bracing himself against the sudden low pressure from Ye Yutian, Luo Rui said, "Sigh! As your friend, I'm really worried. With a personality like yours, I hope you won't end up regretting this."
"Oh, right, I just remembered I have something else to do. I'll be off then." Luo Rui slapped his forehead, suddenly recalling another matter.
After Luo Rui had been gone for a good while, Ye Yutian summoned Bai Yan. "What exactly happened with Ye Lanshan? Why didn't you tell me?"
Bai Yan knelt on one knee, cold sweat beading on his brow. "Master, you've never cared about matters that don't benefit you, and since you and Ye Lanshan are no longer connected, I thought you wouldn't want to know, so I didn't mention it."
"From now on, report anything about Ye Lanshan to me immediately." Though Ye Yutian's voice was cold, it carried a complex emotion.
"Yes, I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Bai Yan was eager to get out of there.
Ye Yutian hummed in acknowledgment and dismissed him.
Back in his room, Bai Yan mentally confronted Bai Yong. "What's going on? Why didn't you tell me about Ye Lanshan?"
"You should know, I like the prince. How could I possibly tell him about my rival?" A crisp voice echoed in Bai Yan's mind.
"Do you realize this is a forbidden love? If anyone finds out, it won't be tolerated by the world." Bai Yan hadn't expected Bai Yong to still be so infatuated with the prince.
Bai Yong replied nonchalantly, "I know, but so what?"
"Get rid of that thought right now. Don't forget, this is my body. If you dare use it to do anything bad, don't blame me for being harsh." Bai Yan spoke fiercely.
"I've never dared to hope the prince would like me. As long as he remains alone, as long as I can watch him here every day, that's enough."
"Are you going to take away even this little right of mine, dear brother?" Bai Yong's voice carried a hint of sadness.
"You, you're impossible. Don't forget whose body you're using. From now on, you must tell me everything about Ye Lanshan, got it?" Bai Yan didn't care whether Bai Yong was upset.
"I know." Bai Yong sighed softly before slowly answering, "I know. Don't worry, I won't cause you trouble. After all, you're still my brother." The crisp voice slowly faded in his mind.
Bai Yan said, "I wish I didn't have a brother like you."
Bai Yong chuckled lightly. "You can dislike me all you want, but there's nothing you can do about it—we share one body."
Though Bai Yan was unwilling to admit it, it was an unavoidable truth. Unlike conjoined twins, they had two souls but only one body, impossible to separate even if they wanted to.
...
"Makeup?" Fu Tian looked stunned, completely baffled as to why they needed makeup.
"If you don't want to be discovered by the Holy Land people, you'll have to wear makeup. Makeup or not, the choice is yours." Ye Lanshan shrugged, tossing the decision to Fu Tian.
After a moment of thought, Fu Tian gritted his teeth and decided, "Makeup."
"Alright then. Take a look—what style do you want?" Ye Lanshan spread five scrolls flat on the table for Fu Tian to choose from.
Among the five paintings, Fu Tian's eyes immediately landed on the middle one, depicting an immortal-like Taoist priest.
Ye Lanshan glanced at the painting, then at his current build and demeanor, and shook her head. "Your aura doesn't suit this one. Pick another."
Aside from thinking this one was better, Fu Tian didn't really fancy the others.
After a moment's thought, Fu Tian said, "Then make me look younger. I don't care what I look like, as long as I'm young."
Ye Lanshan studied him for a long while before finally saying, "Fine."
During the lengthy makeup process, Fu Tian experienced for the first time the agony of getting made up. It had already been half an hour, and it still wasn't done.
"Not bad." After finishing the makeup, Ye Lanshan stepped back to take a look. Indeed, it was worlds apart from his original appearance. Even if the Holy Land people came, they probably wouldn't recognize him.
"You need makeup too." Ye Lanshan pointed at Fu Feng, signaling him to sit down.
Though Fu Feng was reluctant to wear makeup, he obediently sat on the stool to avoid causing trouble for his grandfather and Ye Lanshan.
Makeup for a child was much easier than for an old man. In no time, Fu Feng was transformed into a completely different person.
Ye Lanshan made Fu Feng look much older, while also making Fu Tian appear much younger.
Of course, relying solely on makeup wasn't enough. Ye Lanshan brought out the perfume she had asked Tao Yao to make earlier and sprayed it on both of them. Now even their scents were masked. It would likely be difficult for the Holy Land people to find them.
Finally satisfied, Ye Lanshan nodded and handed them a mirror to look at themselves.
"This, this is me?" Fu Tian stared at the unfamiliar face in the mirror.
Ye Lanshan replied, "Yes, that's right."
"I've rented a courtyard for you nearby. You and Fu Feng should pack up and move. Staying in a brothel isn't ideal—it might draw the Holy Land's attention."
"However, there are a few kids in the courtyard, a bit older than Fu Feng. I hope you can help train them, senior." Ye Lanshan finally remembered the people she had left at the brothel.
"Of course, that's no problem." Fu Tian readily agreed to Ye Lanshan's request.
"Good. As long as you don't run around these days, the chances of the Holy Land finding you are very low."
"Let's go. I'll take you to see your courtyard first." After giving her instructions, Ye Lanshan led them to a small courtyard.
The courtyard wasn't large, but it wasn't small either. In the front yard was a pond with a rockery in the middle, surrounded by trickling water. Around the rockery, several lotus plants grew, sending a faint fragrance on the breeze. A few willow trees stood by the pond, swaying gently in the wind.