Little Green had originally intended to deliver a message to Big Brother Xiao but when Little Green flew halfway there, she learned that Big Brother Xiao had already resigned from office and returned to his hometown.

Little Green hurriedly rushed back to Stone Bridge Village to tell her sister this news but when she returned home, she discovered she was still a step too late.

In the courtyard, a white-haired elderly man was reading a book, while another woman in a white dress was hanging clothes to dry.

Standing outside the courtyard gate, Little Green felt a sense of disorientation in her heart.

It was as if she had returned to forty-eight years ago.

Her sister taking care of Big Brother Xiao, Big Brother Xiao reading every day to pass the imperial examinations for official rank.

The only difference was that Big Brother Xiao in the courtyard had passed the examinations, even reaching the highest ministerial position, yet his hair was now completely white.

Little Green could sense that although Big Brother Xiao looked quite healthy, in reality, his life flame was already very weak, as if it could be extinguished at any moment.

"Little Green, you've returned. Sorry for making you travel in vain," Xiao Mo looked up and saw Little Green outside the courtyard. "It's my fault too for not writing to inform you that I had returned."

"It's nothing, Big Brother Xiao," Little Green shook her head. "It's good that Big Brother Xiao returned safely."

Hearing the voices of Xiao Mo and the others, Bai Ruxue turned to look at her younger sister and smiled, "Why is Little Green just standing outside the courtyard? Come help me hang the clothes."

"Coming, coming."

Little Green entered the courtyard and went to her sister's side to help.

At noon, Little Green and her sister went to the kitchen together to cook.

After inquiring, Little Green finally understood that Big Brother Xiao had returned on the third day after she left, and it had now been four days.

In the afternoon, Little Green and her sister cleaned the courtyard together.

Little Green felt as if time had truly returned to the past but over the next few days, she gradually understood.

Some things had ultimately changed.

Many things ultimately could not return to the past.

The meals her sister made for Big Brother Xiao were all easy to chew, all stewed until very soft and tender.

When her sister massaged Big Brother Xiao's shoulders, she used much gentler force.

Every evening, her sister would support Big Brother Xiao back to his room, afraid he might fall.

Only after Big Brother Xiao fell asleep would her sister return to her room.

Her sister would sit by the bedside, not sleeping for a long time, as if thinking about something.

Actually, Little Green knew what her sister was thinking about.

Big Brother Xiao also knew what her sister was thinking about.

After all, if even she could see that Big Brother Xiao's life flame was weakening, how could her sister not see it?

As a mortal sage blessed with the fortune of mountains and rivers, how could Big Brother Xiao not know his own destiny?

But no one spoke of it, as if everyone was deliberately avoiding this issue.

Big Brother Xiao had returned, but her sister never mentioned marriage.

Wasn't this also because there was something more important her sister wanted to do?

Several more days passed.

When Xiao Mo had been back in the village for half a month, no matter how slow their reactions, everyone knew that Prime Minister Xiao, Sage Xiao, had returned.

The neighbors in Stone Bridge Village very much wanted to visit this great sage renowned throughout the land but they were also afraid of disturbing Sage Xiao, so most people only observed from afar outside the courtyard.

However, Xiao Mo would often leave the courtyard to chat with some villagers.

Whenever Xiao Mo went out, he was always supported by a fairy-like celestial maiden.

News of Xiao Mo's return to the village gradually spread, and even the prefect and governor made time to visit.

Regardless of the visitor's status, Xiao Mo received them all equally.

There were indeed many fame-seeking individuals who wanted to show off before Xiao Mo.

After all, although Xiao Mo had retired to his hometown, if they could receive a word or two of praise from him, they would certainly gain considerable reputation at court in the future. Some even wanted to become Xiao Mo's students but all these people were driven away by County Magistrate Qin.

A month later, Xiao Mo also announced he would no longer receive visitors.

During this time, an old rumor about Xiao Mo began spreading from Stone Bridge Village again.

Many people discovered that the white-dressed beauty beside Prime Minister Xiao was none other than the legendary "childhood sweetheart who went to the mountains to cultivate."

Forty-eight years had passed, Mr. Xiao was nearly seventy, and only now did he wait for his childhood sweetheart.

Mr. Xiao's hair was white as snow, yet that woman remained young.

This couldn't help but evoke sighs of sympathy.

However, not a single person blamed this young lady.

After all, immortals and mortals were separated by different realms.

That this fairy could remember Mr. Xiao and come to accompany him on his final journey was already remarkable.

Another half month passed.

Starting from a certain day.

Every night, after Xiao Mo fell asleep, Bai Ruxue would disappear for a period of time.

Only in the early morning would Bai Ruxue return, continuing this pattern for several months.

Every so often, Bai Ruxue would find some strange spiritual flowers and herbs for Xiao Mo to consume.

Otherwise, she would stew soup with spiritual beast blood and flesh containing spiritual power for Xiao Mo.

Whatever Bai Ruxue made, Xiao Mo would eat.

He pretended to know nothing.

One night, Bai Ruxue supported Xiao Mo back to his room to sleep.

After Xiao Mo "fell asleep," Bai Ruxue left the courtyard.

Xiao Mo opened his eyes and sat by the bed looking out the window.

Bai Ruxue's figure gradually disappeared into the night.

"Has she gone to Tianxuan Sect again?"

Only after her figure completely disappeared did Xiao Mo withdraw his gaze toward the night sky and speak slowly.

In Xiao Mo's room, a woman in Daoist robes stood at some unknown time.

"Yes," Fuchen looked at the old man on the bed. "She goes to Tianxuan Sect's library pavilion every night, searching for methods to extend your lifespan."

"Hehehe," Xiao Mo chuckled. "Life extension? Items that extend life all steal from heaven and earth's creation. How easy are they to find? Not to mention I'm already like a candle flickering in the wind. Even if found, how much use would they be to me?"

Fuchen shook her head, "This is her final persistence."

"This silly girl."

Xiao Mo sighed.

"If she didn't know that marrying me in my decrepit state might not withstand the karmic consequences of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator, causing my end to come even sooner, why else would she keep avoiding the topic of marriage?"

Fuchen remained silent.

"Regardless, thank you, Fairy, for providing Ruxue convenience and allowing her to enter your sect's library pavilion." Xiao Mo stood up and bowed to Fuchen.

"Mr. Xiao speaks too seriously, this is but a small matter." Fuchen looked at this old man whose time was running short. "However, Mr. Xiao, do you really plan to do that?"

Fuchen had come tonight because she received a package two days ago that Xiao Mo had asked the Jiangnan Prefecture Governor to deliver.

"Cough, cough, cough, yes." Xiao Mo coughed several times. "Would the Fairy be willing to help this humble one with this favor?"

Fuchen's brow furrowed, "Has Mr. Xiao truly thought this through?"

"I have thought it through." Xiao Mo smiled.

"This is the last thing this old man can do for Ruxue."