Xiao Xue hasn't been sleeping well. She hasn’t said anything to Xie Yuan but he could sense something is plaguing her and whatever it is, it’s keeping her awake at night.

Night after night Xiao Xue would toss and turn until finally she would give up on sleep, walk out and stand outside to stare at the star-filled sky. She would stay outside, unmoving, for hours then walk back to the house before dawn like nothing unprecedented happened.

“Can’t sleep?” Xie Yuan asked, placing a cloak over her shoulders. As usual Xiao Xue came out in the middle of the night to stare at the midnight sky.

“Did I wake you?” Xiao Xue asked, worried that she caused some sort of inconvenience, again. “I’m sorry.”

“I was meditating and sensed you went out.” Xie Yuan answered, fastening the cloak securely around her. “I needed a break so I followed.”

They stood side by side silently for a while. Xie Yuan wanted to know what was on her mind, what it was that’s bothering her so he could solve it for her but he knows that if she wanted to tell him, she would. There was no need to ask. It’s exasperating but that’s how things are, for now. Xie Yuan understands that Xiao Xue has been independent her whole life. It would take some time before she learns how to rely on people, to rely on him. There’s no need to rush because right now what they have in abundance is time.

“Xie Yuan, don’t you have business you’re supposed to take care of? Other places you have to be?” Xiao Xue asked after a while. “You’ve been here for a while, your sect master must be worried about you. How about your family, have you notified them about your whereabouts?”

This is the third time Xiao Xue asked him this question. The words and phrasing might be different but the meaning is the same.

“No. I have no other place I need to be.” Xie Yuan answered flatly.

Xie Yuan already sent word to his uncle and informed him he won’t be going back to the sect, for now. As for his family, he’s quite certain they tracked his whereabouts the moment he managed to shake off his hidden guards. Soon, the people they sent from there would arrive. Since no summon has come, given the situation, it’s safe to assume that his parents would not meddle in his current business. He is free to do what he wants which gives him a lot of room to maneuver.

“You haven’t told your family or your sect about our engagement. I suppose this is a good time to go and tell them the news in person.” Xiao Xue took a step forward and looked down at her toes, the expression on her face remained passive but there was turbulence brewing in her eyes. “If they agree, you can plan the wedding. Once everything is decided send word to me, I will inform my senior sisters and then you may come to fetch me.”

Xie Yuan was immediately on guard. Since they settled their engagement a fortnight ago, Xiao Xue have been adamant on not disclosing the news to anyone until they are certain about their path to marry. Xiao Xue was worried that releasing the news prematurely will hurt his reputation if by chance the engagement falls through due to unforeseen complications. She’s been firm on her decision and he’s been trying to convince her to change her mind since. But now, out of nowhere, she changed her tune. Why?

Xie Yuan gently turned Xiao Xue to face him and asked, “What changed?” Something must have otherwise she wouldn’t tell him to inform his family or sect so soon.

Xie Yuan estimated, given Xiao Xue’s stubborn temper, she’d hold off on marrying him for a few years, if he’s persistent enough perhaps he’d be able to convince her sooner. But right now, it’s like she’s purposely dangling a reward in front of him to lead him astray, why?

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“Nothing,” she answered. Xiao Xue looked into Xie Yuan’s eyes but couldn’t hold his steady gaze. She was hoping to use their time together to make him see the error of his judgment but it’s no longer possible.

Xie Yuan knows something is wrong and she feels guilty not telling him anything but there’s no other way. How could she tell him the truth when she knows that if she did he would not leave? She cannot have that. He cannot stay!

Xiao Xue has been thinking of ways to make Xie Yuan move out without knowing the situation of the valley. She’s been very careful and has thought of various ways to trick him into leaving. But she didn’t factor in Xie Yuan’s stubborn personality and persistence. He could faintly sense something is going on, he doesn’t know what but it involves Xiao Xue and because of that Xie Yuan refuses to cooperate. He’s been yielding to her without question before but not with this matter.

Xiao Xue tried to be gentle, to bargain and even compromise but there’s no time for any of that now. She has to send Xie Yuan away, within the next three days if possible, any later would be too late.

“There’s a spiritual herb in the south side of Whispering Forest within the Unending Highland called Astral Hoarfrost. It blooms only for a day, every twenty years. A physician once told me it’s a good herb for relieving muscular and skeletal pain. The day when the Astral Hoarfrost blooms is coming, I was hoping you could pick some for me when you go back to Divine Martial Sect.”

Of course, Xie Yuan knew about the Astral Hoarfrost. Part of the Unending Highland is owned by Divine Martial Sect and as it happens Whispering Forest is part of the sect’s land as well. Alchemists from the sect would collect the flowers whenever it blooms to concoct pills and potions.

Before Xiao Xue mentioned the herb, Xie Yuan already asked his uncle to save a batch for him. He knew it would be a huge help to tend Xiao Xue’s leg. But Xiao Xue sending him back to Divine Martial Sect specifically for the herb or to arrange the wedding is definitely out of character.

“Tell me, Little Xue...” Xie Yuan said, taking her slightly cold hands in between his. He gently rubbed and massaged her fingers, slowly infusing a bit of internal energy to warm her. “Why are you trying so hard to send me away?”

Xiao Xue has been struggling to convince him for the past days using various reasons, some of which don't even make sense. Perhaps she still doesn’t understand that he will not leave, not without her. Xie Yuan just hopes she hasn't changed her mind so soon after the engagement. Of course he will not agree but that would surely create a huge dent on his self-esteem.

Instead of waiting for her to respond with another silly rejoinder, Xie Yuan tilted her head up and looked deep into her eyes. He could always rely on the two beautiful orbs to guide him. Xiao Xue has the most expressive pair of eyes he had seen; clear, direct and free of impurities. And whenever he looks into her eyes he could see the truth that she’s trying so hard to hide.

Knowing that she’s caught, Xiao Xue has no choice but to tell the truth. “I do want you out of the valley, but only temporarily.” She explained cautiously. “You can come back once everything is settled.”

“What’s going to happen? Why can’t I be here?”

Xiao Xue frowned and looked away, biting her lower lip, still reluctant to tell him the reason.

“Little Xue, you made me a promise. Now, please tell me…” Xie Yuan coaxed.

Xiao Xue thought for a while before opening her mouth. “If I tell you the reason why I need you out of the valley, will you cooperate and go willingly?”

Xie Yuan smiled indulgently but did not answer.

“Will you?” she pressed.

“Tell me first.” Xie Yuan answered. The reason makes no difference for him because in the end, he will stay beside her. How could he make her understand he would never abandon her? The reason why he wanted her to tell him so he could prepare for the eventuality. But even if she doesn’t tell him, now that he knows something is definitely wrong and she is involved then he would have to double his efforts in making his own arrangements to make sure accidents will not happen.

Xiao Xue sighed in defeat. There’s no use trying to trick Xie Yuan. She tried and failed. She understands that if she does not tell him the truth now Xie Yuan would be more opposed to leaving, he’s infuriatingly stubborn that way. The only way now is to tell him the truth and hope that he will listen to reason.

Xiao Xue looked deep into Xie Yuan’s amethyst colored eyes and said slowly, “The beast tide is coming.”