You rascal, stop right there!

It's quiet at night.

The man standing at the window felt a slight chill and judging by the heavy dampness in the air, he estimated that it was probably night time.

Faced with the darkness, the scent of bamboo in the air, and the scattered lanterns at hand, he became more clear about where he was.

In the past, Bai Wan practiced six subjects of painting every day, rain or shine, almost without interruption.

Now that he suddenly stopped, he felt even more uncomfortable. His fingertips rubbed the ink, turning it into various tiny scratches and abrasions.

He groped for the edge of the bed, sat on it tremblingly, then let his hands drop and curled up in a corner of the bed to lie down.

"Tomorrow when you open your eyes, you will see the light."

This was a lie that Bai Wan told herself every night.

……

Soon, people in Linjia Village received the news.

Previously, Bai Wan had sent three guards with swords to send back the food and other items, but unexpectedly they learned about the incident of being buried by rocks on their way back.

They then went to Jiangzhou Post Station to report to the emperor's order. Two of them were left to watch the cave entrance explode and were surprised to find that there was no one there.

At this moment, the two guards widened their eyes and looked at the man from Yuliang County next to Jiangzhou City.

Without a trace of light in his eyes, he walked towards them step by step, leaning on a bamboo pole and tapping the ground.

Ah Yi couldn't help but said: "Bai Shizhao, your eyes——"

Bai Wan quietly used the bamboo pole to draw in the air: "The star eyes are vivid, but the heaven is jealous and has temporarily taken them back."

The words were spoken lightly, as if the person on the other side wasn't aware of the shocked expression, so calmly that it was hard to tell whether he was sad or happy.

Even though they had only known Bai Shizhao for a short time, they knew how big a disaster it would be for a renowned court painter to be invisible.

"I'm warning you, don't look at me with pity. It would be more practical to give me some silver."

Bai Wan continued to knock the ground with the not-so-flexible bamboo pole, bringing out the momentum he had from the beginning when he went out to fight with the ruffians.

"Did you understand?"

One sound after another, knocking.

The bamboo poles seemed to have some cracks.

Seeing this, the two sword-wielding guards beside him took a step back, bowed and whispered: "Yes!"

Bai Wan opened her eyes, which were completely devoid of any light, and said with a hint of contentment and sadness: "Okay, that's it... that's good..."

This person usually likes to say one thing and mean another, and he usually acts tough. In short, it is best if no one sees his weak side.

Even if you are blind, you have to be the most imposing one.

"Bai Shizhao, the carriage has been sent over. You can return to the capital immediately."

Ayi seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Because, although Emperor Jiaxing clearly said that he would look for Bai Shizhao, whose life or death was unknown, he actually only sent people to transport the flowers and stones.

After hearing this, Bai Wan could roughly guess what was going on.

The so-called painters are only slightly better than ants and ordinary people.

No matter how talented a painter is, it is probably not more valuable than a piece of flower or stone.

Ah Yi and Ah Si came forward and sorted out the things they needed. But they vaguely saw that the painting box seemed to be missing from Bai Wan's luggage.

"Sir, Jiangzhou is a long way from the capital. Since you are still alive, you may submit the written report first." Ayi bowed.

"Report..."

It is impossible for the Daying Painting Academy to allow a blind and incompetent person to be a painter. If he returns to Beijing, he will probably be dismissed or asked to resign.

"About blindness..." Bai Wan suddenly closed his eyes.

These days, his mind was full of how he would survive in the future, how he would let Danqing down and how he would feel resentful again.

But he never thought about what would happen if Ling Shumo found out that he had become like this after returning to the capital...

Even though they were engaged, he knew that Ling Shumo had a deep bond with him.

But if I become disabled and let him live with a blind man for the rest of his life, wouldn't it be too much trouble for myself and Zichen?

A good man has to fall in love with another man, and now he is a disabled man. This is so against morality...

"Do I look obviously blind?" he asked calmly.

This question was asked.

Bai Wan has the best eyebrows and eyes on her face. When she smiles, her peach blossom eyes give people a sense of closeness.

Now that his most lively eyes have been taken away, anyone would see that his eyes are lifeless.

The two guards looked at him stiffly, not knowing whether to tell the truth or not.

Ah Yi hesitated for a moment: "Bai Shizhao's pupils are dark, without any light. Of course, I can see it at a glance!"

Bai Wan sighed: "How can I cover my eyes so that others can't see?"

Mrs. Zeng looked at it for a long time and came over with something in her hand: "This is my veil. It is inlaid with silk to block the wind. If you put it on, I won't be able to tell if there is something wrong with your eyes."

Bai Wan fumbled for the veil and took it, feeling grateful.

He turned sideways and bowed deeply to the Zeng couple: "Thank you for saving my life. I have no way to repay you. How about this, assign any heavy work you have to do today to them, and let them finish it before leaving."

The Zeng couple looked at him with horror and worry in their eyes.

"Brother Bai, is this okay? They..." Zeng Yuan felt a little embarrassed as he looked at these two majestic men.

He looks like an official, how can he do hard labor for others?

"They were supposed to protect people, but I'm blind and they're really useless. I can't use them for a few days anyway, so you can just use them. You're welcome!"

Bai Wan shook his head unhappily and smiled coldly.

……

The Office of the Minister of Rites.

Ling Shumo looked at the trembling paper in his hand. There were a few thrilling words on it - Bai Shizhao is alive.

This is the only good news after many days of quarry collapse.

Living, two words.

No one knows what their weight means to Ling Shumo.

The expression in his eyes changed from relief to confusion and worry. Countless emotions emerged.

Finally, perhaps because he was crying with joy, something uncontrollable slowly slid down his jaw.

A Yan, who was standing by, was so frightened that he froze.

This man never sheds tears easily, so what's wrong with you, sir?

Ling Shumo seemed to realize that his behavior was inappropriate at the moment. He turned his back and wiped it off calmly.

"Sir, is this good news?" A Yan asked stutteringly.

"Yes." Ling Shumo glanced at the bright moon and fresh breeze outside the window with emotion, "He is still alive."

A Yan knew who this "he" was without even having to guess.

So, he bowed in worry and said, "If Bai Shizhao is really fine, why didn't he report to the court and come back for so many days?"

"The men your majesty sent to Jiangzhou City to transport flowers and rocks and to blow up Penglai Cave have all returned!"

Being alive is probably good news, but why hasn't he returned to Beijing for so long?

What is the reason why I can't return?

A Yan didn't say anything else. Since he was a bystander, he saw it more clearly.

If Bai Shizhao couldn't come back for some reason, then he would have deliberately given up the Painting Academy and never returned to the imperial city.

Ling Shumo then realized the hidden meaning in his words, and his eyes suddenly became blurry. He nodded lightly and let out a sigh.

"He said he would come back..."