Yue Ruling lingered outside Mirror Cloud Residence, hesitating, unable to decide whether she should go in.
"After all, it was me who encouraged Junior Brother to steal the wine… He got punished because of it. I should at least come see him."She muttered to herself, then faltered again.
"But Elder Yi has always been kind to me. If he finds out I was the one behind it, he might be disappointed… Ah, what should I do?"
She wanted to see Mi Xingzhe, yet without a proper excuse, barging in felt inappropriate. So she hovered at the entrance, pacing back and forth, trying to think of a reason.
"Ruling? What brings you here today?"
Yun Qingyi happened to pass by and noticed her lingering nearby. He called out gently.
"Brother Qingyi."Yue Ruling turned, saw him carrying a bowl of medicine, and immediately brightened. She put on a smile and trotted over.
She had been worrying about how to justify coming inside, but Yun Qingyi's appearance felt like timely salvation.
"Are you here to see Nian Nian?" Yun Qingyi asked softly, warmth and indulgence flickering in his eyes.
"Yes," Yue Ruling replied, guilt flashing across her face. "I heard Junior Brother was punished for drinking Blue Snow Clear Brew last time, so I came to check on him."
"Oh?" Yun Qingyi said mildly. "I wonder who it was that Nian Nian drank with—someone who shouted and caused a ruckus in the courtyard after coming back, only to be caught by Master."
As he spoke, he deliberately cast her a sideways glance.
Seeing Yue Ruling's expression sink with remorse, Yun Qingyi shifted the topic.
"Actually, Nian Nian wasn't punished just for stealing Master's wine," he said with a faint smile.
"Then why?" Yue Ruling asked.
Yun Qingyi gestured with his eyes toward the medicine bowl in his hands. Yue Ruling looked at it, puzzled, then shook her head, still confused.
"He was punished because he secretly poured out the medicine Master prepared for his illness," Yun Qingyi said, setting the bowl down for emphasis.
"Poured it out?" Yue Ruling repeated softly. "But your Master is an apothecary. Wouldn't that be indirectly questioning his medical skill?"
"We don't even know how many times he did it," Yun Qingyi said, his voice tinged with frustration.
"The Blue Snow Flowers beneath the back window were stained for days. If Senior Uncle Mu Han hadn't come to drink with Master and admire the flowers, we might still not have discovered it."
"In that case, Junior Brother really deserved the punishment," Yue Ruling said, clenching her fist.
"No wonder Master was so angry. Pouring out medicine personally given by Master—that's a serious offense."
"From what I know of Master, he's already been very tolerant with Nian Nian lately," Yun Qingyi sighed.
"If it weren't for his fragile health, he would've been beaten countless times by now. It's worrying."
"I didn't expect Master Yi—who always seems so gentle—to be this strict when disciplining disciples," Yue Ruling said thoughtfully.
"By the way, Brother Qingyi… haven't you noticed Junior Brother has changed recently? He seems… sharper than before. More lively."
As they walked slowly forward, Yun Qingyi smiled faintly and nodded.
"That's because of the elixir," he said leisurely.
"The elixir?" Yue Ruling asked curiously. "What does that have to do with it?"
"Nian Nian used to have a vacant body," Yun Qingyi explained.
"Though different from ordinary vacant constitutions, he was still clumsy compared to normal people. Without spiritual power to circulate, his three souls and six spirits could never fully converge—naturally dulling his thoughts."
"After receiving the elixir, his bodily deficiencies were repaired. And now that he no longer wanders aimlessly or lives in constant fear, his temperament has improved. He can finally be himself."
"That sounds… pitiful," Yue Ruling murmured.
"But the effects of this elixir are truly miraculous. It manifests differently in different people."
"It seems he's told you everything," Yun Qingyi said lightly, unsurprised.
"…Yeah," Yue Ruling replied awkwardly. "He… told me about… the drinking… last time."
She scratched her neck and laughed dryly.
Flashback — Starlight Pavilion
The aftertaste of Blue Snow Clear Brew lingered strongly. What had begun as casual tasting had unknowingly left both of them slightly drunk.
"Speaking of which, Junior Brother," Yue Ruling said lazily after several rounds
"How did you come to the Liao Yin Immortal Realm?"
"Master picked me up," Mi Xingzhe replied casually.
"Picked up another one!" Yue Ruling laughed.
"Your Master really likes collecting disciples. Just like Brother Qingyi—wasn't he also picked up while Master Yi was gathering herbs somewhere?"
Her tongue was already a bit stiff.
"Qingyi?" Mi Xingzhe echoed hazily.
"Yes. I heard when he was found years ago, his inner elixir was damaged. Master Yi secluded himself for a long time just to pull him back from the brink of death."She sighed.
"You brothers really have it rough. Either a shattered inner elixir or none at all. Your Master truly enjoys trouble."
"I didn't know Qingyi also…"Mi Xingzhe's voice trailed off, dazed.
Yue Ruling snapped back to the present.
"Qingyi , the truth is—I was the one who told Little Junior Brother to steal the wine."Her face filled with guilt.
"I only wanted a small bottle to taste, but he took out two. And… the Blue Snow Clear Brew really does taste good. We only meant to drink a little, but then…"
"You!" Yun Qingyi poked her forehead, feigning anger.
"I knew it. How else would Little Junior Brother know about Master's wine? So it was you—greedy for drink, corrupting your junior brother. Your courage really has grown. Aren't you afraid I'll tell Master?"
As they spoke, the two arrived at Mi Xingzhe's door.
"Sister Ruling!"
Mi Xingzhe, who had been copying texts, immediately dropped his brush and hurried over.
"I came to check on your copying," Yue Ruling teased.
"You still ~" Mi Xingzhe pouted.
"If you hadn't insisted on that Blue Snow Clear Brew, I wouldn't have been punished. Look—it's still red!"
He held out his palm, showing the faint marks.
"You deserved it," Yue Ruling retorted, hands on her hips.
"If you hadn't secretly poured out the medicine, Master wouldn't have been that angry."
"Brother~ How could you?"Mi Xingzhe turned to Yun Qingyi, complaining.
"You told Sister everything!"
"Alright, enough," Yun Qingyi laughed.
"No more stealing wine. If I catch either of you again, you'll both be punished."
Yue Ruling and Mi Xingzhe exchanged a glance and shrugged.
"Xingzhe, drink this. I'll watch you this time."Yun Qingyi lifted the medicine bowl, blew gently, and handed it over.
"Cough—cough—!"The medicine was strong. Mi Xingzhe drank too quickly and choked, coughing violently.
Yun Qingyi immediately took the bowl—still half full—and gently patted his back.
"Senior Brother, why is it so bitter today?" Mi Xingzhe complained.
"Because you poured it out before," Yun Qingyi replied calmly.
"Master added something extra this time."
Mi Xingzhe forced down the last two mouthfuls, then hurriedly gulped down a full cup of water.
"Sister, I won't be able to play with you these days," he said gloomily, pointing at the table.
"Master made me copy heart techniques. There's still a lot left."
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright," Yue Ruling said.
"Now I'm relieved."
"But being stuck copying all day is so boring!"Mi Xingzhe sighed, glancing sneakily at Yun Qingyi.
"If you're bored, just stay," Yun Qingyi said gently, with a trace of severity.
"At your current cultivation, even a small beast could injure you. Then it's medicine all over again. Better stay quiet for a few days."
"Hmph."Mi Xingzhe snorted.
"How about this," Yue Ruling suggested.
"When you finish copying, I'll take you wandering around the Liao Yin Immortal Realm in a few days. With me there, your Master and Qingyi Ge won't worry."
"Okay! Okay!"Mi Xingzhe instantly brightened and turned to Yun Qingyi, blinking pitifully.
Yue Ruling mirrored the expression.
"You two…"Yun Qingyi sighed helplessly.
"Fine. Once every ten days. I'll talk to Master. But you stay within the Immortal Realm, don't cross boundaries, and absolutely no getting drunk. Understood?"
"Thank you, Qingyi !"They answered in unison.
"Oh—Qingyi ," Mi Xingzhe asked.
"I haven't seen Master all day. What happened?"
"He went to visit an elder," Yun Qingyi replied.
"He left early this morning."
"Have you changed the medicine room I arranged for you recently?"
Li Luoning asked as he wiped his hands, turning toward Dragon King Yanding, who lay resting.
Though Yanding's temples were gray, beneath his thick brows his eyes were still as blue as the sea.
"Not really," the Dragon King replied.
"I've just felt unwell these days—nothing serious. Next time, just send Qingyi. No need for you to come all the way into the deep sea. You've been warm-bodied since childhood; you're not suited to this cold."
"It's no trouble," Li Luoning replied calmly.
"As a junior, I should visit. I checked your pulse—your liver qi has been excessive lately. Who upset you?"
"Nothing of the sort," Yanding waved it off.
Even in old age, his spirit remained indomitable, though his face looked pale and tired.
"Your liver qi is surging, and your spiritual power unstable," Li Luoning pressed.
"Has anything happened recently?"
"My Dragon Palace is too cold and quiet for anyone to pick a fight," Yanding said after thinking.
"Just a few days ago, the Medicine King sent someone with several pills he'd recently refined."
"New pills?"Li Luoning frowned slightly.
With his relationship to the Medicine King, he shouldn't have been unaware.
"Do you still have them? Let me examine them," Li Luoning said, his unease growing.
"They're on that shelf. Take a look yourself," Yanding gestured.
Freshly refined pills carried a strong medicinal fragrance. Li Luoning immediately located the newest box. Inside were only two pills. Judging from the indentations, there had originally been four—meaning Yanding had already taken two.
Li Luoning brought one closer and inhaled, surprise flashing across his face.
"This is… a Dragon Ling Pill."
Dragon Ling Pills are refined from Qing Ling, which nourishes liver qi. Yanding Dragon King has always suffered from excessive liver qi—this pill would offer him no benefit at all. The Medicine King should have known this.
Doubt clouded Li Luoning's mind.
"That old fool must've grabbed the wrong pills," Yanding scoffed.
"I'll settle accounts with him later."
"Were these pills personally delivered by the Medicine King?"Li Luoning asked quietly.
Something was wrong. The Medicine King would never make such a simple mistake—especially not with someone he'd known for so many years.