Inside Ruyun Tower, the bustling crowds from years ago were gone. Cailian explained with a smile that after Madam Ding passed away, many of the girls had left the establishment. Some got married, others returned home. Cailian hadn’t recruited any new girls either. With plenty of other pleasure houses in the city and Hua Yuxian’s departure to Yangzhou, Ruyun Tower’s business had declined significantly. After the girls left, it became practically deserted.

“It’s not so bad. We usually make some money selling cosmetics and make ends meet,” Cailian smiled. “Since the sisters have nowhere else to go, Ruyun Tower, built by Madam, remains our home.”

One should be content with what they have, and their current situation wasn’t bad at all.

Hua Yuxian invited everyone to sit in the banquet hall, first ordering people to prepare food and wine while asking Yan He and the others, “What are you young masters doing these days?”

Years had passed, and the young boys had grown into young men. Though they no longer possessed their former innocence, it was evident that each had experienced extraordinary things.

“I’ve become a doctor,” Lin Shuanghe said seriously while gently fanning himself. “Though I only treat women. Thanks to everyone’s favor, I’ve earned the nickname ‘Divine Hand in White Robes,’ though I’m quite embarrassed by it.”

He Yan looked at Lin Shuanghe in surprise. Although Lin Shuanghe was usually outspoken, this was the first time since their reunion that he’d seen him boast about himself.

Perhaps in front of someone he had admired in his youth, one always wanted to appear more impressive.

“This one is even more formidable,” he pointed his fan at Yan He. “General Yan, the Middle Commander of Guide.”

Cailian was extremely surprised, “The young masters have become so impressive!”

Yan He felt somewhat uncomfortable, touched his ponytail, and snorted, “Not as impressive as General Fengyun.”

“General Fengyun?” Hua Yuxian started, following Yan He’s gaze to where Xiao Jue was calmly drinking tea. “Young Master Xiao… is the current General Fengyun?”

Lin Shuanghe: “Indeed.”

Hua Yuxian and Cailian simultaneously gasped. Years ago, when the group of young men had introduced themselves, only this one and another masked youth hadn’t spoken. At the time, everyone assumed either their identities were too prestigious to reveal, or too ordinary to mention. However, Hua Yuxian had felt that given the white-robed youth’s outstanding appearance and bearing, it must have been the former.

Now, after so many years, they never expected him to be the famous Right Army Commander of Great Wei.

“This one is even more coincidental,” Lin Shuanghe pointed at Yang Mingzhi, speaking with an indescribable emotion, “The current Provincial Governor of your Jinling City is none other than this Lord Yang.”

Yang Mingzhi moved his lips but ultimately said nothing.

Unaware of the underlying connections, Hua Yuxian and Cailian were overjoyed, saying, “It seems Young Master Yang truly has a destiny with Jinling City. What an amazing coincidence!”

“Indeed.” Lin Shuanghe snorted, “How coincidental.”

“These two gentlemen look unfamiliar,” Hua Yuxian looked questioningly at He Yan and Chu Zhao.

“This is their first time in Jinling,” Lin Shuanghe explained. “This one’s surname is Chu, you can call him Young Master Chu. As for this one, he’s my good friend. Despite his young age, he’s already been granted the title of Wuan Lang by His Majesty and serves under Commander Xiao. His name is He Yan.”

“Young Master Chu, Young Master He.” Hua Yuxian bowed with a smile, “Since it’s your first time in Jinling, you must try Ruyun Tower’s dishes.”

At these words, Lin Shuanghe’s eyes lit up, “Miss Yuxian, does Ruyun Tower still have the same cook as before?”

Hua Yuxian nodded with a smile: “The sisters prepare all the food themselves, the same as before. The young masters’ enjoyment would make everyone very happy.”

He Yan remembered that Ruyun Tower’s cuisine was indeed exceptional, completely different from the restaurants in Shuojing. The flavors were sweet and rich, leaving a lasting impression. After returning to Shuojing, though the He family never stinted on food and clothing, she never again tasted dishes like those from Ruyun Tower.

While they were exchanging pleasantries, servers soon brought dishes to the long table. There were various home-style dishes: duck oil crispy pancakes, plum blossom cakes, small wontons, red bean yuan xiao, pork dumplings… golden and fragrant. Having not eaten since arriving in Jinling that afternoon, He Yan was already hungry. Seeing everyone focused on conversation, she finally couldn’t resist and quietly picked up her chopsticks, taking small bites of the silver thread noodles with smoked fish in front of her.

The silver thread noodles were thin and soft, melting in the mouth, and once in the stomach, awakened all her hunger pangs. Seeing no one paying attention, He Yan picked up another crystal bun.

While Lin Shuanghe was telling Hua Yuxian about interesting events from recent years and where the young men from Xianchangguan had gone, He Yan continued eating without interruption, grabbing a blooming steamed bun.

The dishes were naturally delicious, especially after experiencing days in Rundou City where even dry biscuits were scarce and tofu soup became more precious than imperial dishes. He Yan spotted a plate of lotus root stuffed with sweet rice at the other end of the long table and became restless.

Ruyun Tower’s lotus root stuffed with sweet rice was delicious – one bite was like tasting the small bridges, flowing water, and clear moonlight of a Jiangnan water town. She had loved it back then, remembering how she had finished an entire plate during her first visit to Ruyun Tower. She wanted to take advantage of everyone’s conversation to secretly pick up a piece and see if it still tasted the same.

Unfortunately, the plate was placed at the furthest end of the long table from her.

He Yan raised her chopsticks with effort, trying to reach for it, but it was too far away. Standing up to get food would be too impolite. After several attempts, she had to give up reluctantly. Just as she was sighing inwardly, suddenly a piece of stuffed lotus root appeared in her bowl.

He Yan was startled and saw Xiao Jue putting down his chopsticks, acting as if he hadn’t just done this. He didn’t look at He Yan, turning his head to listen to Lin Shuanghe, as if his action was merely casual and not worth noting.

He Yan’s ear tips turned slightly red, but before she could decide what to do next, another piece of stuffed lotus root appeared in her bowl. She was startled and instinctively looked up, meeting Chu Zhao’s smiling expression.

The conversation at the table had stopped at some point. He Yan’s bowl now conspicuously contained two pieces of stuffed lotus root, and everyone else at the table was staring at her with meaningful gazes.

He Yan’s vision darkened – what was this? She had just wanted to quietly pick up some dessert to eat, how had she become the center of everyone’s attention?

On one side, Chu Zhao maintained his usual warm smile, while on the other, Xiao Jue watched her calmly, making her feel like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Yan He frowned at her for a moment, tapped the edge of his bowl with his chopsticks, and asked, “Let me ask, Wuan Lang, are you some royal relative?”

He Yan: “No.”

“Since you’re not,” Yan He asked incredulously, “why would these two,” he pointed his chopsticks at Xiao Jue, then at Chu Zhao, “act like they’re competing for favor?”

At the phrase “competing for a favor,” He Yan was shocked.

Before she could think of how to respond, Lin Shuanghe had already started laughing, using his chopsticks to take the piece of stuffed lotus root that Chu Zhao had given to He Yan, saying with a smile, “Ah, stuffed lotus root is my favorite. Fourth Young Master Chu understands me. How wonderful,” he took a bite, “so sweet! Thank you, Fourth Young Master Chu.”

Seeing this, Chu Zhao was slightly startled, then smiled and shook his head without saying anything.

He Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Lin Shuanghe, that clever one, had smoothed things over. Otherwise, who knows what Xiao Jue would think of her? But Chu Zhao was also strange – why would he suddenly give her food? Such behavior would inevitably seem odd to others.

Hua Yuxian seemed to notice something and smiled, clapping her hands. A girl with a falling horse bun hairstyle came forward carrying a small wine jar.

“Young masters haven’t had Ruyun Tower’s Bifang wine in a long time, right?” She placed the wine jar on the table. “This jar of Bifang wine is the last one for this year.”

The attending girl brought several crystal cups, and when the Bifang wine was poured, it showed a blue-green luster with an enchanting fragrance. He Yan remembered that the wine at Ruyun Tower in her youth was sweet and crisp, making people tipsy but not drunk. She was quite looking forward to it, but just as the girl was about to pour wine into He Yan’s cup, Xiao Jue glanced at her and suddenly said, “Give her a bowl of milk.”

He Yan: “”

The girl pouring wine was also stunned, looking uncertainly at Xiao Jue. He Yan was puzzled and asked, “Commander, why should I drink milk?”

He replied very calmly, “Milk helps you grow taller.”

Yan He stroked his chin, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping over He Yan, and nodded in agreement, “Indeed, this little one is rather short.”

Hua Yuxian laughed, “Young Master Xiao, Ruyun Tower doesn’t have milk. Bifang wine is quite strong, perhaps this young master can’t handle it. Dingxiang, go fetch some rose dew wine.”

Soon, a girl brought rose dew wine, which when poured into the cup showed a light red color completely different from Bifang wine. He Yan took a sip and was surprised.

This wine was the same as the sweet wine she had tasted at Ruyun Tower years ago.

Beside her, Yan He snatched a cup and took a sip, frowning, “What is this? It’s sweet like fruit juice.”

“This is rose dew wine, usually drunk by the girls themselves.”

Yan He, completely oblivious, mocked He Yan, “Wuan Lang, did you hear that? This is for girls! Are you even a man?”

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. He Yan was truly at a loss for words. Just as she was thinking about how to respond without being impolite, Lin Shuanghe came to her rescue. He waved his fan unhurriedly and said, “Yan Nanguang, you came to Ruyun Tower in your youth and now you’re here again. Does your wife know about this?”

Yan He’s face changed dramatically.

“Miss Chenxiu values propriety highly, and Lord Xia is also a man of integrity. Probably no one in the Xia family has ever visited a pleasure house, yet you’re the exception. I wonder what Miss Chenxiu would think of you if she knew about this?”

“You… don’t talk nonsense.” Yan He stammered in response, though his protest lacked any force.

Upon hearing this, He Yan asked curiously, “Miss Chenxiu? Is she General Yan’s wife?”

“Miss Xia Chenxiu, the eldest legitimate daughter of Director Xia from the Imperial Academy, is as delicate as a tender branch and gracefully mannered. Many families in Shuojing City hoped to secure such a fine lady for their young masters, but Yan Nanguang won her first,” Lin Shuanghe teased with a smile. “They say heroes can’t resist beautiful women, and our General Yan is said to be extremely obedient to his wife at home. If his wife says east, he won’t go west; if she forbids drinking, he only has tea when socializing with colleagues. He’s truly an exemplary husband.”

Yan He’s face turned bright red, “Lin Shuanghe, you… stop talking nonsense here!”

“Oh? Is that not true? Then when I return to Shuojing, I must ask my Sister-in-law about this properly,” he said.

Yan He didn’t dare say anything more. If Lin Shuanghe confronted Xia Chenxiu directly, wouldn’t that immediately humiliate him? His gaze swept across everyone at the table, and he decided to take a different approach. Flicking his ponytail, he slammed his wine cup on the table and loudly declared, “What’s wrong with listening to one’s wife? A real man knows when to be flexible! Besides, at least I have a wife – do you? Do you? Among everyone present, which of you currently has a wife?”

He Yan: “”

There was no way to respond to that.

Yan He drained his cup of wine in one go. Perhaps the Bifang wine was particularly potent, as he was already showing signs of intoxication. He first questioned Lin Shuanghe: “You spend all day mixing with women, treating every woman in the world as your sister, but do you have a wife?”

Lin Shuanghe: “…No.”

Like a victorious general, he turned satisfactorily to Yang Mingzhi, “You’re gentle-natured and highly talented. They say talented scholars never lack good matches, so do you have a wife?”

Yang Mingzhi: “…No.”

Growing more enthusiastic, Yan He looked at Chu Zhao, “Do you…” He suddenly stopped, muttering to himself, “Your wife is already predetermined, never mind, next.”

He then asked He Yan: “Shorty, do you have a wife?”

He Yan: “”

This was something she really couldn’t have.

Yan He turned to Xiao Jue, looking at him smugly, “You were first at Xianchangguan, handsome-faced, outstanding in bearing, unmatched in both civil and martial arts. Back then, girls nearly wore down the threshold of Xianchangguan, but… do you have a wife?”

Xiao Jue looked at him calmly.

“One look and I know you don’t!” Having swept through everyone at the table single-handedly, Yan He, apparently considering having a wife a great honor, became increasingly pleased and proud. He slapped the table, stood up, and proclaimed loudly: “Looking at this, none of you amount to much. Do you know how impressive it is to have a wife? When you return home late at night, no one waits for you by the lamp, right? When you have headaches and fevers, have you ever had your wife’s homemade hot soup? Not to mention clothes and boots sewn by your wife’s own hands, hah!” He swept a contemptuous glance over everyone, like an emperor looking down on the world, “Forget having wives, you’ve probably never even held a girl’s hand, still saving your first kiss.”

The conversation was becoming increasingly inappropriate. He Yan covered her face, unable to watch anymore. Yang Mingzhi couldn’t help but pull at Yan He’s robe, “Brother Nanguang, you’re going too far.”

The girls pouring wine and playing the zither nearby couldn’t help but giggle. They found this arrogant young man somewhat endearingly clumsy at the moment.

Cailian smiled and said, “Young Master Yan’s words aren’t quite right. This is Ruyun Tower, and if you’re talking about girls, we have plenty. All the young masters here are so outstanding, if they were to choose any of our sisters, everyone would be willing.”

He Yan nearly dropped her cup in shock. What was this? They were already offering themselves? No! Not! Although this was Ruyun Tower, she had always treated it as a proper tavern.

Just as she thought this, she saw two incredibly beautiful girls by Cailian’s side already moving toward Xiao Jue – they certainly had good taste, immediately picking out the most outstanding one among them. He Yan acted before thinking, instinctively shouting, “No!”

The two girls who were about to offer wine paused, and everyone at the table looked at her.

Meeting Xiao Jue’s thoughtful gaze, He Yan said calmly, “Our group came here only to drink, not to discuss romance.”

Hearing this, Hua Yuxian smiled even more warmly. She poured herself a cup of Bifang wine and made a gesture of toasting He Yan, “Young Master is so adorable, let me toast to you.”

He Yan felt like a naive scholar who had wandered into a den of spirits, feeling small, pitiful, and helpless at this moment.

After finishing a cup of rose dew wine, Cailian smiled and said, “Do the young masters remember, years ago in this place, everyone sang and danced together,” she looked at Yan He, “Young Master Yan even danced with a sword on the table.”

Yan He was startled: “How come I don’t remember?”

It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned it, but once he did, He Yan remembered too. After helping Hua Yuxian drive away Tong Qiushi and scare off Liu Rui, everyone drank at Ruyun Tower to celebrate. The girls of Ruyun Tower played instruments and danced, creating a lively atmosphere. Madam Ding brought out the best Bifang wine to treat them, and Yan He drank the most and got drunk the fastest. When drunk, he drew his sword and split in half a lotus flower that had been placed in a vase for decoration.

Everyone was startled, but before they could stop him, they saw the brightly dressed young man step onto the table and begin dancing with his sword. As he danced, he recited: “In the east, there is a divine tree, beneath it lies the torch-bearing dragon. I shall cut off the dragon’s feet, chew the dragon’s flesh, so it cannot return at dawn nor rest at night!”

His companions rushed to pull him down from the table, with Lin Shuanghe covering his mouth while apologizing to the girls with a smile: “This fellow is drunk and talking nonsense, don’t take it seriously, sisters, please forget about this and don’t take it to heart.” Then he turned back to scold Yan He: “What dragon slaying… How dare you speak such treasonous words, if your father knew, he’d take you home tomorrow and break your legs.”

But by then, Yan He was completely drunk.

“Everyone was drunk then,” Lin Shuanghe recalled the past with great feeling, “Bifang wine is strong. Thinking back, except for Huaijin, surprisingly little He Rufei had the best tolerance and stayed the most clear-headed.”

“He Rufei?” As soon as Yan He heard this name, he became uncomfortable and snorted, “I bet he secretly poured the wine away. I don’t believe he has good alcohol tolerance! He must have used some trick.”

He Yan lowered her eyes, looking at the deep red wine in her cup, thinking to herself that indeed, she hadn’t been drunk that time. Even when everyone else was unconscious, she had remained completely clear-headed and returned to her room, lying down fully clothed. The reason was simple – while everyone else was drinking Bifang wine, she alone was drinking rose dew wine, just like today.

Rose dew wine was, as Yan He said, sweet like fruit juice. Though it was considered wine, its potency couldn’t compare to Bifang wine. Moreover, she had been particularly cautious that day and drank very little, which was why she remained standing while everyone else had collapsed.

But… why was she the only one given rose dew wine back then?

He Yan couldn’t figure it out.

A girl began playing the pipa, the sound light and cheerful, making everyone happy. In youth, one tends to enjoy watching tragedies on stage and listening to sorrowful songs, thinking joy is mundane and only sadness leaves lasting impressions. As one grows older, seeking perfection in everything, one realizes how difficult perfection is to achieve.

What we seek is but a moment.

Cailian covered her mouth and laughed, “Not only that, but the young masters also left various pieces of calligraphy around Ruyun Tower at that time. Unfortunately, over time, those pieces were lost. Otherwise, we could bring them out today to admire, which would be quite enjoyable.”

“What’s so special about calligraphy,” Yan He said dismissively, “we can just write new ones. We have our great talented Yang here, what can’t he write, right?”

Yang Mingzhi was startled but didn’t speak.

Hua Yuxian seemed moved by his words and said “Wait a moment” before leaving her seat. No one understood what she was going to do, but after a while, she returned carrying a long scroll and walked to everyone’s side.

“Miss Yuxian, what is this?” Lin Shuanghe asked.

Hua Yuxian looked at the scroll in her arms, gently stroking it, her eyes full of attachment and memories. She spoke softly: “Do the young masters remember, Young Master Wang was also here when we celebrated at Ruyun Tower that year?”

Everyone fell silent.

“Young Master Wang” was both the cause and the end of everything that year. Since their reunion, everyone had deliberately avoided mentioning him, fearing it would upset Hua Yuxian. Although they didn’t know exactly why, something must have been heartbreaking enough to make a girl who was willing to sacrifice herself for love and travel thousands of miles suddenly break off their relationship.

“While the young masters were drinking and discussing, Young Master Wang was drawing on the side, capturing all of you,” she said while having the girl beside her help unfurl the scroll. “Later, when I separated from Young Master Wang and left the mansion, I didn’t take much luggage, only this.”

As she finished speaking, the long scroll slowly unfurled before everyone’s eyes.

Whatever else might be said about Wang Sheng, his talent was undeniable. His brushstrokes excellently captured everyone’s characteristics, bringing them vividly to life. On the scroll, lanterns glowed, and the sounds of huqin and songs seemed to flow. Beautiful girls with delicate eyebrows had skirts like blooming lotus flowers, and the long table was scattered with wine vessels and cups.

A youth with a high ponytail stood on the table, his expression spirited and bold, dancing with a sword, while below the table, another youth held a folding fan in one hand while trying to pull him down with the other. To the side, Yang Mingzhi, not as steady as he is now but still wearing his characteristic gentle expression, was being held by a sister offering him wine, frantically waving his hands in refusal.

He Yan also saw herself.

The masked girl sat in a corner, seemingly forgotten amidst the laughter and joy, her head slightly turned as if following something. Her gaze fell upon the white-robed youth sitting in the middle, casually taking a small sip of wine with apparent indifference.

Regarding the competition for favor, Dr. Lin, who saw through everything, thought: Ah! These men are damned competitive spirit!

Yan Yan: Though I’m a cowboy, I only order milk at the bar~~