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    <b>S T E L L A R C L O U D</b>


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    <b>Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧?≦*)</b>


    After Gu Jiao woke up, she remained remarkablyposed, "Truly my husband, enemies can never hurt you, but you just have to be so unlucky."


    The events in her dream urred during a snowy day.


    It should still be early for that.


    It was only the eighth month now.


    However, Gu Jiao remembered the appearance of those assassins. Each of their swords bore a symbol, as if they were affiliated with a certain martial organization.


    Gu Jiao was sure that Xiao Ling hadn''t offended anyone from the martial world. Therefore, there was only one possibility: they were hired assassins.


    Gu Jiao decided to seek out Gu Chengfeng and inquire about which martial organization the symbol belonged to. If they kept an eye on them, they might find out who intended to harm Xiao Ling several monthster.


    ……


    After leaving the Hanlin Academy, Xiao Ling headed to a nearby bakery.


    "I''d like a few dried vegetable pancakes, please give them to me freshly prepared." He requested. The pancakes tended to be soft when taken home while they were still warm, losing their crispy texture.


    "Alright! We only have six left. How many would you like?"


    "Give me all of them."


    The bakery owner wrapped the pancakes in bamboo leaves and ced them in a food container for Xiao Ling.


    After paying, Xiao Ling carried the container and started heading home.


    However, while he was walking, he had a vague feeling that someone was following him. He hesitated in his steps and looked back at the street behind him.


    The bustling crowd seemed ordinary, but the sensation of being watched was bing even more pronounced.


    Xiao Ling entered the same clothing store as before.


    After about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, he emerged from the shop. Unbeknownst to him, a few shadowy figures silently trailed behind him. As he passed through a quiet alley, they suddenly rushed forward and pulled him to the ground as silent as possible!


    "What are you doing!" He yelled.


    The group of individuals took a closer look, and their brows furrowed.


    This man, leaning on a crutch and wearing the official attire of the Hanlin Academy, wasn’t the person they were following!


    The guy had slipped through their fingers!


    "You——" One of the assassins angrily drew his de.


    Another person stopped him, "Don''t create unnecessary trouble!"


    If they caused a scene here and a patrol officer arrived, it would only hinder their movements further.


    Xiao Ling gave the shop assistant some money to have him pretend to leave while he changed into a set of clothes from the store, then he exited through the back door.


    Although he no longer had his crutch, he could still walk. However, his limping was far less convenient than when he had a crutch. While passing by a rouge shop, he identally tripped and fell.


    His right hand hit the uneven steps of the shop entrance, leaving a long gash that oozed blood.


    Ignoring the pain, he quickly got up and continued walking.


    "Brother-inw?"


    A girl of around fifteen years old rushed out of the rouge shop. She wore simple clothes that weren''t particrly fancy, but her appearance was lovely and delicate.


    However, Xiao Ling seemed to have not heard her call. He continued dragging his feet forward.


    Yao Xin, lifting her skirt slightly, hurriedly caught up to him. As they were about to exit the alley, she positioned herself in front of him, "Brother-inw, it''s really you! Do you remember me? I''ve been to Bishui Alley. I''m Xinxin!"


    Yao Xin was the daughter of Yao shi''s elder brother. Strictly speaking, she should have called Xiao Ling "cousin-inw." But she used the more intimate “brother-inw” instead.


    Xiao Ling''s brows slightly furrowed. He seemed not to care whether he remembered her or not and had no intention of acknowledging her.


    Seemingly oblivious to Xiao Ling''s alienation, Yao Xin''s gaze swept over and she noticed his bleeding hand. Her expression paled as she eximed, "Brother-inw! What happened to your hand? Are you hurt? Where did you get injured?"


    Xiao Ling didn''t spare her a nce, continuing to walk ahead.


    Growing increasingly worried, Yao Xin unconsciously reached out to grab him.


    Xiao Ling dodged, but in doing so, he stumbled again!


    Yao Xin: "..."


    Yao Xin felt guilty and crouched down, saying apologetically, "I''m sorry, I''m sorry! Brother-inw, I didn''t mean to! I didn''t intend to push you! Were you startled by me? Your hand..."


    Xiao Ling''s fall caused his hand to scrape against the ground, causing more blood to flow.


    Yao Xin hurriedly reached out to help him up, "Let me take you to the medical hall!"


    "No need." Xiao Ling said lightly. "Don''t touch me."


    Yao Xin''s hand froze in midair.


    Being rejected was always embarrassing. Most people would be too ashamed and would quickly leave. However, Yao Xin didn''t.


    She suppressed all her awkwardness and embarrassment, pinching the handkerchief in her hand. Then, she lowered her head and gathered a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her temple behind her ear, saying gently, "You, you''re seriously injured. At least let me help you bandage it."


    This was the look of a shy and timid young girl.


    When a woman tried to seduce or get closer to a man, the man could only either truly understand or pretend not to understand.


    Xiao Ling initially regarded Yao Xin as a stranger and only felt distant from her. But now, there was a bit more coldness in his gaze.


    He looked at her icily, "You want to be my concubine?"


    Yao Xin didn’t expect him to suddenly ask such a thing.


    She waspletely taken aback.


    Sitting on the cold ground, Xiao Ling coldly smiled at her, "What''s the matter? Did I say something wrong? Don''t you like me? Don''t you want to climb into my bed?"


    Yao Xin''s entire face turned red, unable to tell whether it was from embarrassment or bashfulness.


    Since their first meeting, her heart had been captivated by him.


    She had hoped to forget him after going back home, but day and night, her thoughts were consumed by his unparalleled good-looks.


    Plus, he was also the new Zhuangyuan, the favored courtier of the Emperor!


    Even if, even if it was just his concubine... She would dly ept!


    It was just... his words were a bit too embarrassing andcking in respect for her.


    This was the true Xiao Ling.


    He wasn''t a modest gentleman, nor a kind-hearted individual. He wasn''t even a good person. He was simply an evil being harboring deep darkness in his heart. Hecked sympathy, had no protective feelings for the fairer sex, and was devoid of gentlemanly demeanor.


    He merely suppressed his darkness and presented Gu Jiao with the version of Xiao Ling she wanted to see.


    She liked him reading books, so he read books.


    She wished him to have friends, so he made a few friends.


    She was happy when he became an aplished official, so he appeared to be a just and incorruptible official.


    Respect for others?


    He didn''t understand.


    And Yao Xin wasn''t deserving of it!


    The phrase about climbing into his bed left Yao Xin feeling an unprecedented sense of humiliation.


    Her eyes slightly reddened as she said, "I... I truly admire you, brother-inw. Even if you have no interest in me, there''s no need to humiliate me like this!"


    "Admire me?" Xiao Ling coldly chuckled, pointing to the other end of the alley. "Over there, there are people trying to kill me. Go there and lure them away. They might or might not kill you. It all depends on your luck. Are you willing to go?"


    Yao Xin''s face turned pale.


    Xiao Ling let out a scornfulugh, using his hand that wasn''t stained with blood to support himself against the wall as he stood up.


    Yao Xin hurriedly said, "It''s not that I''m afraid! It''s just that even if I go, it won''t help. I can''t dy or lure them away. I might end up exposing you instead!"


    Xiao Ling reached into his pocket and tossed a nail to her, "Pick it up."


    Yao Xin didn''t understand, but she picked it up as he instructed.


    Xiao Ling''s tone was indifferent, "Swallow it."


    "Ah!" Startled, Yao Xin tossed the nail in her hand aside, and itnded in the pool of blood on the ground.


    Xiao Ling chuckled, "What sincere feelings."


    Yao Xin felt unreconciled and questioned, "Has my cousin also swallowed a nail for you?"


    "No." Xiao Ling replied, looking at the bustling street, "I can’t bear to let her do such a thing. If anyone were to swallow it, it would be me swallowing it for her."


    Madman!


    This man was a madman! <h4>Raz P.''s Thoughts</h4>


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