Lin Jinlou fell silent after speaking. The room was completely quiet, and after an unknown amount of time, the sound of the third watch being struck came from outside. Xiang Lan knew Lin Jinlou was still awake. She too lay there quietly, her mind dwelling on the question he had asked her: “Xiang Lan, do you still despise me?” Suddenly, her nose stung with emotion, her heart feeling as if it had traversed thousands of mountains and seas with such vicissitudes, and as heavy as if it had been tossed about in the misty ocean several times.

The next day, at exactly Mao Hour (5-7 AM), Lin Jinlou got up and called for someone to attend to his grooming. Xiang Lan also rose silently. After they had both finished washing up, Lin Jinlou ordered a carriage to be prepared and had someone bring his fur-lined great coat. Xiang Lan hesitantly asked, “Master, are you going out?”

Lin Jinlou gave an “Mm” in response, then said to Xiang Lan, “Change your clothes too, come with me.”

“But Master, you’re injured…”

“It’s fine.”

“But…”

“I said it’s fine.” Lin Jinlou turned his face, saw Xiang Lan’s furrowed brows, and softened his voice, “I thought about it all night, this trip is necessary. Don’t ask anymore, just get ready. We’ll be back in half an Hour at most.”

Xiang Lan wanted to ask more, but seeing Lin Jinlou’s stern face and furrowed brows as he called Ling Qing and Ling Su to attend to his writing materials, while repeatedly urging her to change clothes, she had no choice. Lin Jinlou was always firm in his decisions. Xiang Lan could only change her clothes, and before departing, they each ate a bowl of hot noodle soup before setting out.

At this time, the sky was still dark, with a crescent moon hanging diagonally in the night sky. Eight servants carried lanterns on both sides, with more than ten armed guards on horseback following on either side. The carriage was lined with thick gray squirrel fur rugs and had a large copper foot warmer, burning pine, cypress, and lily grass incense. Lin Jinlou sat half-reclined against a large ink-colored cushion, while Xiang Lan knelt at the other end. She stole glances at Lin Jinlou, but the light in the carriage was dim, making it difficult to see his expression clearly, though she could vaguely make out his thoughtful demeanor.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the carriage stopped. Ji Xiang approached the carriage, exhaled two puffs of white breath, rubbed his hands, and respectfully bent down to say, “Master, we’ve arrived.”

Lin Jinlou responded with an “Mm.” Shuang Xi immediately stepped forward to lift the curtain, and every one carefully helped Lin Jinlou out. A chair had already been prepared nearby, layered with thick wolf fur cushions for him to sit on. Xiang Lan looked up and realized they had left the city. Now before them was a post station, where two men stood in the pavilion holding wine cups, appearing to be bidding farewell. Looking more carefully, she saw that the man facing her wore a semi-new indigo broadcloth cloak and a white fox fur hat. Against the backdrop of green cypresses and pines, his tall and elegant stature was even more striking – it was none other than Song Ke.

Their eyes met unexpectedly, and Song Ke immediately showed an expression of disbelief, his whole body freezing. Xiang Lan was also startled, covering her mouth with her hand and unconsciously taking half a step back, then looking down at Lin Jinlou.

Lin Jinlou sat in the master chair, pursing his lips, holding a plum-orchid-chrysanthemum hand warmer. The bitter wind blew fiercely, making the black fox fur on his hat roll in the wind, making his face beneath appear even paler and more sickly. Seeing Xiang Lan looking at him, he smiled and said, “Go see him. It’s the last time. I might as well be magnanimous. After this, with mountains and waters between you, even with wings you couldn’t meet again.”

Xiang Lan blinked, staring at Lin Jinlou blankly, feeling as if she must have misheard.

At this point, Shuang Xi lifted his clothes and ran over to invite Song Ke over. The one bidding farewell to Song Ke was Lin Jinting, who gaped in astonishment, looking between Song Ke and Lin Jinlou, and rubbing his hands. Just as he was about to come over, Lin Jinlou glared at him, fixing him in place.

Ji Xiang handed Xiang Lan a package wrapped in blue satin, saying quietly, “Master knows you are a sincere and honest person who repays kindness. This is what Master prepared for you.”

Xiang Lan took it and looked inside, seeing a thick stack of bank notes and two gold ingots. She was shocked again and looked back to see Lin Jinlou still holding his hand warmer, expressionless, sitting there like a wax figure. Xiang Lan turned her head, feeling her eyes grow hot. When she looked up again, Song Ke had already walked up to her, stopping a foot away, clasping his hands in greeting, “Thank you, General Lin, for coming to see us off.”

Lin Jinlou coughed twice and said with a smile, “Brother Yi Fei is too polite. I am injured and cannot stand, please forgive me. My wife has repeatedly received great kindness from Brother Yi Fei. Her benefactor is my benefactor, so I naturally had to come and show my sincerity.”

Before he finished speaking, a tall woman in a silver-white cloak emerged from one of the three carriages parked outside the pavilion, carrying a small child, and walked straight over.

Xiang Lan looked and saw it was Zheng Jingxian. Now that her family had suffered a great catastrophe – her father had committed suicide in prison, her mother had died of illness two days ago, her family’s property had been confiscated, and her siblings’ fates were unknown – Zheng Jingxian had become thin and haggard, almost wasting away, but her back remained straight as ever, her face still maintaining its proud and heroic spirit.

Lin Jinlou nodded slightly and smiled first, “Cousin, you’re here.” Xiang Lan also curtsied.

Zheng Jingxian only bowed to Lin Jinlou, saying, “Greetings, Elder Cousin.” Then looking at Xiang Lan, she smiled and said, “Oh, you’re here too. Everyone in the capital says that Master Lin’s concubine has a great face, and it seems true indeed. It appears you and Elder Cousin are now deeply in love, unlike your previous pitiful state.”

Lin Jinlou, being shrewd, didn’t wait for Xiang Lan to speak before smiling and saying, “Bring your son over for me to see, I haven’t met this little one yet.” Zheng Jingxian walked forward two steps and coaxed the child, “Be good, say hello to Uncle.” The child appeared to be about two years old, fair and tender, with chubby cheeks and large bright eyes that darted about, truly a picture of adorable cleverness. He didn’t greet anyone, just sucked his fingers while staring at Lin Jinlou.

Lin Jinlou untied a jade pendant with five-colored long tassels from his waist and handed it to Zheng Jingxian, saying, “I came in a hurry, let this serve as a meeting gift.”

Zheng Jingxian accepted it and smiled, “Then I won’t decline.” She glanced at Xiang Lan and added, “Later, let Sister Xiang Lan give you a child too. I know several doctors who are most skilled at treating difficult conditions and nurturing the body.”

Song Ke frowned involuntarily. The matter of Xiang Lan’s difficulty in conceiving due to the Jiang sisters’ scheme had spread in whispers, and Zheng Jingxian’s intentional or unintentional jab would surely make Lin Jinlou uncomfortable. Indeed, Lin Jinlou smiled and said, “Look at my cousin, more concerned about my offspring than my wife. Indeed, being a married woman makes you speak more freely than when you were unmarried.”

Song Ke said to Zheng Jingxian, “General Lin has come specially to see us off, why are you saying such things? The child’s face is red from the cold, quickly take him back to the carriage.”

Zheng Jingxian knew Song Ke was helping her out of the situation and said, “My mouth runs away with me, I spoke out of turn. Elder Cousin, please don’t laugh at me.”

Lin Jinlou just smiled faintly and said to Xiang Lan, “Stand aside for a moment, I have something to say privately to Brother Yi Fei.”

Zheng Jingxian couldn’t stay any longer and carried the child back to the carriage. Xiang Lan followed behind, and Zheng Jingxian asked, “Why are you following me?”

Xiang Lan said, “Isn’t Master Song’s mother in the carriage? I haven’t seen her for a long time, it’s only right that I pay my respects.”

Zheng Jingxian bit her lip and walked away with the child. She got into the carriage and lifted the curtain slightly, only to see Xiang Lan enter Madam Song’s carriage. After a while, Song Ke’s mother personally saw her out, the two women holding hands tightly, Madam Song continuously wiping tears, while Xiang Lan comforted her for a time before they finally bid farewell.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinlou had ordered someone to warm some wine for Song Ke. He lowered his head to stroke the hand warmer, then looked up. The two men stared at each other for a moment before Song Ke smiled slightly and said, “I wonder what General Lin wishes to tell me?”

Lin Jinlou curved his lips and said, “No need for such poor formalities, we both understand clearly. You don’t like seeing me, and I’m not happy to see you either.”

Song Ke raised his eyebrows and said, “Then General Lin today is here because…”

“It’s all because of that stubborn girl Xiang Lan, who keeps remembering that you are her benefactor. If I didn’t come, I feared she would be uneasy her whole life. As I said earlier, her benefactor is my benefactor. If she wants to repay your kindness, I’ll come with her.”

Song Ke was startled, smiled, and lowered his head.

Lin Jinlou said in a deep voice: “Moreover, I truly should thank you. If you hadn’t saved her back then, who knows where Zhao Yuechan would have sold her to.” He took out a letter from his chest and handed it forward, saying: “This is for you.”

Song Ke looked up: “This is…”

Lin Jinlou said: “General Yang in Guizhou Border Defense is an old acquaintance of mine and owes me some favor. Take this letter to find him. He’s a righteous man and will look after you. Guizhou has many bandits now, and having a General’s protection will help you serve as County Magistrate properly. I’ll also send several guards to escort you there. Don’t be a stubborn poor scholar and refuse this help saying you won’t accept charity – your mother, wife, and child are all traveling with you. This journey through high mountains and distant roads, you understand in your heart, if you insist on being prideful…”

“Thank you, General Lin.” Before Lin Jinlou could finish, Song Ke took the letter, clasped his hands, and said, “I am grateful for General Lin’s kindness and will not disappoint.”

Lin Jinlou narrowed his eyes, waved his hand with a smile, and sighed: “Good, more dignified than I expected.”

Song Ke’s face still held a faint smile as he looked down at the letter, but the smile faded, gradually turning bitter as he said softly: “I hope you will truly love her and cherish her.”

Lin Jinlou started, impatiently waved his hand, and said: “I like her very much.”

Song Ke looked up and said: “That’s different. Liking is merely casual entertainment, love is treasuring in one’s heart.”

Lin Jinlou fell silent, slightly narrowing his eyes as he looked at him. Song Ke turned his face to look at a distant pine tree and said: “She has such self-respect and self-love, would never agree to be a concubine. No matter how reluctant I was in my heart, I had to let her go, because only then could she be happy. She is so good and has suffered so much. I implore you, General, don’t just possess her because you like her beauty, but love her character and be willing to give for her… or at least let her be happy.”

Lin Jinlou remained silent, raising his head to look at the flowing clouds in the sky, then suddenly spoke: “Song Yi Fei, your flaw is that you’re soft when you should be firm, and clingy when you should be gentle. When things are decided, you still can’t get over the hurdle in your heart. When you learn to be decisive, that’s when you’ll be able to accomplish something.”

After these words, both men fell silent with nothing more to say. At this point, Song Ke bid farewell, and on his way back, he encountered Xiang Lan. Song Ke stopped in his tracks, his throat tight, and clasped his hands in greeting. After a long while, he finally said softly: “Are you well?”

Xiang Lan said quietly: “I am very well.” After a pause, she added, “The road to Guizhou is long, please take good care of yourself.”

The two fell silent, with only the sound of wind between them. Song Ke suddenly spoke: “After taking office in Guizhou, I will be diligent and be a good official.”

Xiang Lan looked at him in surprise, nodded with a slight smile, and said: “You’ve lived two lives, studying the classics diligently, all to apply your knowledge to governance. You will surely be a good official.”

Song Ke shook his head: “No, I wasn’t.” He sighed deeply: “I studied only to bring glory to my family name and revive our fortunes, to gain promotion and honor. I studied for fame and fortune. That’s why when I encountered setbacks, I became impatient for quick success, chose based on advancement, and considered myself clever, thinking everything would eventually go my way. But fate played tricks, and every time ended in tragedy. Though I hate Lin Jinlou, I am not his equal – he risked his life protecting his country and home, while what have I done all these years? Before submitting my memorial requesting a transfer to Guizhou, I had already thought deeply. I no longer seek fame, only wish to do some practical things for the people. Even if I spend my whole life in remote borderlands, as long as I can face heaven and earth without shame, not disappoint the classics I studied so hard, not waste the hardships endured in two lives, then I will be at peace.”

Xiang Lan’s heart trembled. She gathered her skirts and made a deep bow, saying: “For these words alone, I must pay you my respects.”

Song Ke smiled bitterly, staring at Xiang Lan: “It’s just a pity I understood this truth too late, otherwise back then I wouldn’t have…”

Xiang Lan shook her head and said: “Both our lives have had great ups and downs. Sometimes I also don’t understand why fate plays tricks, why heaven treats me this way. How nice it would be to live without worries, but without being tempered and losing our superficiality, we cannot view the world with humility and harmony. In life, not everything goes as we wish. Some things you don’t like, you must do; some people you love, you must part from. Gatherings and partings are uncertain, life’s path is turbulent, and when we cannot change things we must endure. Originally I didn’t like the word ‘endure,’ but now I know truly that endurance creates gold – endure through the night and dawn will come; endure through harsh winter and early spring will arrive. Those hardships that once seemed insurmountable now seem calm when remembered.” She looked at Song Ke and said softly: “Let it go.”

Song Ke’s heart trembled, and tears welled up. He struggled to hold them back as Xiang Lan became a blur before his eyes.

Zheng Jingxian, sitting in the carriage, exhaled deeply. She wasn’t a petty person, but faced with her husband’s lingering affection for another, how could she be magnanimous? Chen Xiang Lan was a thorn in her heart, disturbing her peace daily, especially seeing Song Ke’s cool and distant respect towards her, completely lacking the tender affection in his eyes when he used to look at Xiang Lan. Since Song Tanchai entered the palace, Song Ke had grown increasingly cold towards her. She couldn’t help but argue and make scenes, yet they gradually became like strangers. Now her family, once her backbone, had fallen, and she deeply feared Song Ke would abandon her. How could she allow this? She loved him so deeply, and he was now her only support and comfort. Seeing her husband exchange glances with that woman, she could no longer tolerate it. She lifted the curtain to go out, nearly falling from the carriage, and called out: “Husband!” This cry was shrill and sorrowful. Song Ke started, turning his head to see Zheng Jingxian stumbling towards him.

Xiang Lan smiled slightly, made another bow to Song Ke, and said: “Mountains high and waters long, take care.” She rose gracefully and left.

Song Ke went forward to support Zheng Jingxian and looked back but only saw Xiang Lan’s slender retreating figure. He lowered his head and said: “Let’s go back, it’s time to depart.” He looked back one more time but saw that Xiang Lan had already returned to Lin Jinlou’s side.

Back in the carriage, seeing Zheng Jingxian’s anxious expression, Song Ke suddenly felt a wave of emotion. He let out a long breath – yes, he should let go. He reached out to cover and hold Zheng Jingxian’s hand, saying: “You needn’t worry needlessly. You are my wife, I will never abandon you. We will live together for a long time.” Zheng Jingxian’s heart relaxed, but she couldn’t help letting out a sob, burying her face in Song Ke’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face.

Xiang Lan stood behind Lin Jinlou watching Song’s carriage creaking away on the official road. Only then did the tears she had been struggling to hold back fall drop by drop. Song Ke, her husband in her previous life, a passerby in this life, and a frequent guest in her tender memories. But a guest is after all a guest, unable to stay permanently. Song Ke – seeing off a guest. After this parting, floating clouds and white sun, the bright moon at the edge of the sky – she had finally bid this guest farewell.