After a moment of silence in the room, Liu Buwang’s voice interrupted He Yan’s reminiscence.

“And you,” he asked, “Ah He, how did you end up like this? Is it a disguise? Young Master Qiao surely isn’t your husband.”

It was a long story. He Yan lowered her head with a smile and said, “Master, I’m no longer called He Rufei, but He Yan now. That person… is my superior. We came to Jiyang to search for someone, so we’re pretending to be husband and wife. As for disguise, I’m not wearing any – this is how I look now. The previous me can never return.”

Liu Buwang pondered briefly before nodding, “I understand.”

He was always like this, showing appropriate restraint regarding others’ affairs. If someone was unwilling to speak, he wouldn’t deliberately pry. Some might view this as cold-hearted, but for He Yan right now, his lack of questioning was the greatest blessing.

After a while, Cuijiao from the inner room knocked and came out, leading the young girl from earlier by the hand.

The girl, having recovered from the effects of the medicine, walked with more strength now. Her face had been washed clean, and she appeared to be just over ten years old. She was beautiful and vivacious, with eyes as captivating as black jade, carrying herself with natural grace. Hongjiao had styled her hair in the long braid favored by Jiyang girls, wrapping it around to hang in front of her chest. Small bells were attached to it, and she wore red riding clothes borrowed from the Cui Manor’s steward. As she walked, the bells tinkled delightfully, making her appear both adorably sweet and uniquely spirited compared to ordinary girls.

Liu Buwang gazed at her, momentarily lost in thought.

He Yan smiled and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Cuijiao looked troubled, “Madam, the young miss refuses to eat.”

He Yan then asked, “Why won’t you eat? Aren’t you hungry?”

The young girl turned her head away, ignoring the question, quite haughty in her manner.

“She might be distrustful of food after being drugged before,” Liu Buwang chuckled softly, looking at the little girl. “Young miss, since we rescued you from the bandits, we won’t harm you. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have brought you back to the manor. You can rest assured. If you don’t trust us, we can eat together. That way, you won’t have to stay hungry or worry about the food.”

Liu Buwang, with his gentle demeanor that always carried a hint of detachment, combined with his graceful bearing, easily won people’s favor. This young girl was no exception. After staring into his eyes for a moment, she said, “Alright.”

Her attitude had finally softened.

He Yan felt relieved and quickly asked Cuijiao to prepare some easily digestible foods that the children would enjoy. As Cuijiao withdrew, Liu Buwang smiled and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Xiaolou,” the young girl replied, showing less arrogance and more obedience in Liu Buwang’s presence.

“That’s a lovely name,” Liu Buwang smiled. “Which family are you from, and how did you end up being kidnapped?”

At this question, Xiaolou closed her mouth and refused to speak further.

He Yan and Liu Buwang exchanged glances – this child had strong defenses, and they wondered what she had experienced before.

While they were pondering, Xiaolou’s gaze fell on the zither on the table. After looking at it for a while, she asked Liu Buwang, “Is this your zither?”

Good eye, He Yan thought, noting how she immediately recognized such a refined instrument wouldn’t suit herself.

“Yes.”

“Can you play?”

Liu Buwang answered, “I can.”

“Play something for me,” Xiaolou said.

This child knew how to command people. He Yan was uncertain – although Liu Buwang carried a zither with him, he rarely played it. Even when He Yan was his disciple and had requested performances, he had always refused.

But this time, Liu Buwang’s response surprised He Yan. He just looked at Xiaolou gently and smiled, “Alright.”

He Yan: “…Master?”

Whose master was he?

“What would you like to hear?” He even asked Xiaolou tenderly.

Xiaolou played with her braid and shook her head, “I don’t know. Play whatever you’re best at.”

He lowered his head, seriously consulting Xiaolou’s opinion: “Would ‘Shaoguang Man’ be acceptable?”

“I’ve never heard it,” Xiaolou nodded, “Go ahead and play!”

He Yan was speechless.

Liu Buwang was more accommodating to Xiaolou than he had ever been to her, his disciple. If not for the age difference, He Yan would have suspected that Xiaolou might be Liu Buwang’s long-lost daughter.

The young girl sat on the high stool, swinging her feet, while Liu Buwang placed the zither on the table, sat down, wiped his hands, and began plucking the strings.

He Yan had rarely heard Liu Buwang play. On the few occasions she had, it was during deep night when she got up to use the privy and heard ethereal zither sounds, thinking she’d encountered a ghost and trembling with fear. Only after gathering her courage to look did she discover it was Liu Buwang.

In her youth, she hadn’t understood why Liu Buwang would play in the courtyard during the dead of night, only feeling that the music carried an indescribable sadness. After experiencing much and growing up, she gradually understood that her master too had his own story. Perhaps someone had once appeared in Liu Buwang’s life, leaving such a deep mark that he could only express his longing through music in the night.

Now, after many years apart, the sadness and loss in his music had grown even deeper.

The willows sway in spring’s gentle breeze in the western city. Stirring departure’s sorrow, tears hard to contain. Still remember those passionate days, when I tied up the returning boat. The emerald fields and vermillion bridge of those times – the person is gone, only water flows empty.

Youth’s glory doesn’t flow for the young. Endless hatred, when will it end? In the season of floating catkins and falling flowers, climbing a tower, all the spring river becomes tears, an endless flow of countless sorrows.

Xiaolou, being young, didn’t perceive the music’s sadness, only finding it melodious and delightful. But He Yan felt that in Liu Buwang’s music, he seemed to be bidding farewell to something. Something was about to leave his life, mixed with reluctance and loss, never to return.

Lin Shuanghe and Xiao Jue had entered the room at some point. Lin Shuanghe walked to He Yan’s side and said softly, “Sister, your master’s zither playing is truly excellent, on par with Huaijin. Though it’s somewhat too sorrowful.”

If even Lin Shuanghe could hear it, He Yan sighed slightly. Despite being Liu Buwang’s disciple for many years, He Yan felt she had never truly entered his heart. Who Liu Buwang was, what he had done in the past – she knew nothing, and he never mentioned it.

He was like someone who had abandoned his past, yet didn’t take the future seriously either, casual as if ready to leave at any moment without leaving a trace.

When the song “Shaoguang Man” ended, its echoes lingering, Xiaolou looked at him and suddenly broke into enthusiastic applause, saying, “I’ve heard Grandmother play this piece before, but she didn’t play as well as you. You played it much better. What’s your name?”

Liu Buwang patted her head, “You can call me the Yunlin Recluse.”

“That name is too long,” Xiaolou wasn’t satisfied with his answer. “Isn’t your surname Liu?”

Lin Shuanghe strongly agreed with Xiaolou’s words, saying, “The playing was indeed excellent, ranking among the best even in Shuojing. However…” He looked toward He Yan, asking in confusion, “Sister He, forgive my directness, but with your master’s unparalleled zither skills and your ‘husband’s’ exceptional refinement, how did your zither playing end up in such a state? Did your master never teach you?”

He Yan replied expressionlessly, “My master only taught me martial arts. As for my husband…”

Xiao Jue stood beside her, raising his eyebrows slightly, waiting for her to continue.

He Yan cleared her throat, “Him playing for me is enough, why should I bother learning these things?”

Lin Shuanghe: “…”

After a moment, he nodded, “That’s truly an irrefutable reason.”

Cuijiao brought in the food. Since He Yan and Xiao Jue had eaten earlier, only Liu Buwang and Xiaolou sat together to eat. Xiaolou seemed uncomfortable dining with others, showing discomfort several times, presumably only eating with Liu Buwang to ensure the food wasn’t poisoned. Liu Buwang understood the young girl’s mindset and only took tiny portions of each dish before stopping.

Xiaolou ate very selectively but at least had some food.

He Yan felt relieved and said to Xiao Jue, “Now we just need to wait for Master Cui to return and ask whose child this is so we can send her back.”

Speak of the devil – Zhong Fu’s voice came from outside: “Sir, Young Master Qiao, and Miss Yuyan have returned with two guests and are currently having a meal inside. Young Master Qiao seems to have matters to discuss with you.”

Then came Cui Yuezhi’s gruff voice: “I understand.”

The door curtain was lifted, and Cui Yuezhi’s voice came from behind: “Huanqing, Yuyan, you’re back? Do you have urgent business with me? The Princess summoned me early this morning, I can’t stay long at the manor, I need to leave again soon…”

His voice stopped abruptly when he saw Xiaolou’s face. After a moment of shock, his voice changed pitch: “Young Royal – how are you here?”

Xiaolou, who had been proud and haughty since He Yan brought her back, now put down her chopsticks, looked at Cui Yuezhi, and raised her chin arrogantly, “Cavalry Commander Cui, you’ve finally arrived.”

Young Royal?

Everyone in the room was quite surprised.

Cui Yuezhi stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Xiaolou, speaking anxiously, “The Princess summoned me to her residence early this morning, saying the Young Royal had disappeared last night. Her Highness is desperately worried. How did the Young Royal end up here?” He turned to look at He Yan: “Yuyan… what happened?”

He Yan also wanted to know what was going on. She had guessed this young girl’s identity wasn’t ordinary, but never imagined she would be a “Young Royal.”

“Last night, Yuyan and I fell asleep on the Luoying Boat. Early this morning, we were planning to hire a carriage back to the manor near the courier station. We encountered the Young Royal being kidnapped and rescued from the criminals,” Xiao Jue answered Cui Yuezhi’s question on He Yan’s behalf. “Of those who kidnapped the Young Royal, one is dead, the others escaped. When Yuyan and I brought the Young Royal back, we were unaware of her identity.”

Hearing this, Cui Yuezhi was greatly alarmed and asked Xiaolou, “You were kidnapped? Young Royal, do you know who they were?”

Xiaolou seemed unwilling to discuss the matter and replied impatiently, “How would I know? As soon as I left the Royal Manor, I met them near the Grand Canal. They didn’t look like bad people, but who knew…” At this point, she added with hatred, “They harbored evil intentions, truly despicable!”

Cui Yuezhi asked Xiaolou again, “Young Royal, were you injured?”

“No,” Xiaolou mumbled, then pointed at Liu Buwang, “I was almost killed, but this person, this… Yunlin Recluse saved me.”

Only then did Cui Yuezhi notice the stranger in the room. Seeing Liu Buwang’s extraordinary bearing, he made a deep bow and said, “Thank you for the rescue, respected sir. May I ask your esteemed name?”

“This is my martial arts master,” Xiao Jue said calmly. “He taught me my combat skills years ago. We hadn’t seen each other for many years and unexpectedly met in Jiyang. Uncle, you can call him ‘Yunlin.'”

“So it’s Master Yunlin,” Cui Yuezhi was surprised and grew even more favorable toward Liu Buwang, saying, “I’ll be going to the Royal Manor shortly to escort the Young Royal back. Master Yunlin, why don’t you come along? When the Princess learns of your lifesaving grace toward the Young Royal, she will surely reward you generously.”

Liu Buwang smiled slightly and returned Cui Yuezhi’s bow, “Yunlin has long been a person outside the mundane world. I appreciate the Minister’s kindness, but I must decline the reward. When I intervened to help, I didn’t know Xiaolou was the Young Royal.”

Such capable people often had a touch of pride, which Cui Yuezhi could understand. Besides, as he was Qiao Huanqing’s master, there would be plenty of opportunities to build a relationship in the future. The urgent matter now was to return Mu Xiaolou to the Royal Manor – Mu Hongjin was nearly frantic with worry.

Cui Yuezhi then said to Liu Buwang, “In that case, I won’t insist.”

Liu Buwang smiled and nodded.

“Young Royal, have you finished eating?” Cui Yuezhi looked at Mu Xiaolou, “If you’re done, please come back to the manor with me. Her Highness will be overjoyed to see you safe and sound.”

Mu Xiaolou jumped down from the stool, saying, “I understand, prepare the sedan chair.” As she was about to leave with Cui Yuezhi, she stopped when passing Liu Buwang and asked somewhat reluctantly, “Are you not coming to the manor with me? Grandmother will reward you with lots of gold. You can have anything you want.”

Liu Buwang bent down and gently stroked her hair, “I’m just glad the Young Royal is safe.”

Cui Yuezhi watched with surprise. Mu Xiaolou had been spoiled by Mu Hongjin since childhood and was usually very particular with others, yet she showed unusual closeness to Liu Buwang. As martial artists themselves, Cui Yuezhi could sense Liu Buwang’s profound martial arts skills. If this person could stay at the Royal Manor by the Young Royal’s side, he could both accompany and protect her – it would be perfect.

However, these matters would have to wait until they met Mu Hongjin. He turned to He Yan and Xiao Jue: “Yuyan, Huanqing, get ready and come with me to the Royal Manor immediately. You saved the Young Royal, and the Princess will surely have many questions for you. You’ll have to visit the Royal Manor sooner or later, might as well be today.”

He Yan and Xiao Jue exchanged glances, and He Yan replied, “Yes, Uncle.”

As Cui Yuezhi left with Mu Xiaolou, He Yan said to Liu Buwang, “Master, please stay at the manor for now, we can discuss everything when we return.” Fearing Liu Buwang might leave without saying goodbye, she also instructed Lin Shuanghe, “Brother Lin, please look after my master and don’t let him go anywhere alone.”

Liu Buwang looked at her and smiled helplessly.

Lin Shuanghe immediately understood He Yan’s meaning and said, “No problem, I guarantee Master Liu will be the same when you return, not a hair fewer.”

Only then did He Yan feel reassured. After Hongjiao helped her fix her hair and change into clean clothes, she left with Xiao Jue toward the manor gates, asking him quietly as they walked, “Commander, why did you say earlier that my master was your martial arts teacher?”

And why did he say “Yunlin Recluse” instead of “Liu Buwang.”

Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows: “Your master seems very unwilling to reveal his identity. Saying he’s my teacher at least avoids suspicion.”

That’s true, He Yan thought, when unexpectedly Xiao Jue added, “However, your master’s identity is quite extraordinary, and he seems to be an old acquaintance of the Princess.”

He Yan was startled, “How could that be?”

“The way he looked at Mu Xiaolou, it was as if he was seeing someone else through her, and if I’m not mistaken, that someone would be the Princess,” Xiao Jue said unhurriedly. “How is it that you, his disciple, know nothing about this?”

“He never told me anything!” He Yan couldn’t hide her shock. Liu Buwang and Mu Hongjin were old acquaintances. This was the most shocking news she’d heard today! Yet He Yan vaguely felt that what Xiao Jue said might be true. Liu Buwang’s gentle indulgence toward Mu Xiaolou, the sadness in his zither playing, his refusal to go to the Royal Manor with Cui Yuezhi – all these threads seemed to indicate one thing: at the very least, Liu Buwang wasn’t completely unrelated to the Mu family.

But what exactly was the relationship?

This question remained unanswered as Cui Yuezhi urged them to depart for the Royal Manor.

Mu Xiaolou rode in a sedan chair, while He Yan’s group traveled by carriage. Cui Yuezhi personally escorted them, with guards in armor and carrying swords, presumably because of Mu Xiaolou’s earlier mention of being kidnapped by bandits, making people feel that Jiyang City wasn’t as peaceful and safe as it appeared on the surface.

The Royal Manor was located along a northern line from the city center of Jiyang, occupying vast grounds. As soon as they reached the gate, soldiers came forward to question them. Cui Yuezhi led them into the manor, first taking Mu Xiaolou inside while having He Yan and Xiao Jue wait in the outer hall until they were called.

As He Yan and Xiao Jue sat in the outer hall, out of boredom, He Yan asked Xiao Jue, “Commander, do you know about the Princess of Mengji?”

“Not much,” Xiao Jue said lazily. “I only know that the King of Mengji had one son and one daughter. The eldest son died before reaching eighteen, and at that time, the King of Mengji’s position wasn’t very secure.”

When one’s position is unstable, one needs to unite forces to consolidate power. Although His Majesty ruled benevolently, there were always confidants who couldn’t stand the feudal princes holding power, wishing all the princes of Great Wei would disappear.

Finally, the Princess of Mengji married the son of a high court official. With her husband being a court official, he could monitor Jiyang for any signs of disloyalty. It was because of this that the King of Mengji maintained his position as a feudal prince.

However, that court official’s son – the Princess’s husband – died of illness shortly after the Princess gave birth to a son. Their son had the same condition as his father, being constitutionally weak, and their daughter passed away in childhood. Thus, the current Royal Manor of Mengji only had Princess Mu Hongjin and her granddaughter Mu Xiaolou.

He Yan hadn’t been particularly curious about Mu Hongjin, but after Xiao Jue’s earlier comments suggesting she might be an old acquaintance of Liu Buwang, she developed some anticipation, wanting to know who had appeared in Liu Buwang’s past life. Liu Buwang was so kind to Mu Xiaolou – for a man to be so kind to a young girl, if it wasn’t simply his gentle nature, it was very likely because of the girl’s relatives.

They hadn’t been sitting long when a maid wearing gauze clothes and multiple braids came forward smiling and said, “Please follow me, the Princess wishes to see you.”

He Yan and Xiao Jue stood up and followed the maid inside.

Upon entering the Royal Manor, they were amazed to find it even larger and more spacious than it appeared from the outside, truly magnificent. The primary color scheme was sunset red, and the railings and pillars throughout the manor were carved with myths about water deities. In the back courtyard, there was even a bronze statue depicting a bare-chested goddess riding a kun fish through merchant seas.

Jiyang’s weather was hot, though not as bitter as Liangzhou’s cold. Even in spring, the morning sun could be quite warm. Bronze basins filled with ice blocks were placed at the four corners of the courtyard, making it feel cool and pleasant. As for the flowers and trees, they gave the same impression as Jiyang City itself – prosperous, bustling, and proud…

After passing through courtyards and corridors, the maid stopped at the hall and smiled, “Please enter.”

As He Yan and Xiao Jue stepped in, they felt their view suddenly open up.

The great hall was spacious, with round pillars carved with water deity patterns at all four corners, and the ceiling was painted with auspicious cloud patterns. The floor was covered with thin carpets, transparent as gauze and studded with gold, shimmering with light. For a moment, He Yan thought this must be what the legendary Dragon Palace looked like.

It had a kind of wild, mysterious beauty.

There was a main seat in the hall and side seats, but no one was sitting in them at the moment. Was the Princess not here?

As He Yan wondered, footsteps were heard from behind the hall, and someone emerged from beside the high seat at the back.

This was a beautiful woman.

She was tall and thin, and though somewhat advanced in years, showed no signs of fading beauty. She wore a red robe with wave patterns embroidered in gold thread at the hem, and her jet-black hair was braided and coiled only at the crown, adorned with a small golden coronet. Her skin was extremely fair, but her eyes were intensely black, with a touch of red at the corners. Her features were striking and profound, though her expression carried a hint of coldness. Even with a slight smile onx her lips, that smile was aloof, like a frost flower blooming brilliantly but coldly on a cliff edge – something to be admired from afar, not approached.

It was rare to see a woman with such an overwhelming presence. She was already very beautiful, but her pride made her beauty almost seem superfluous.

Mu Hongjin slowly walked out and sat down on the central high seat, looking down at He Yan and Xiao Jue from above.

He Yan tugged slightly at Xiao Jue’s clothes, lowered her head, and respectfully said, “Yuyan pays respects to Your Highness.”

There was no response for a long while.

Just when He Yan thought Mu Hongjin would continue her silence, she spoke. Her voice was also cold, beautiful and unrestrained, seeping into one’s heart bit by bit.

“This Princess was unaware that the Right Army Commander would have the leisure to come to my Jiyang, even going so far as to disguise himself as someone else?”