After the Jiang family moved away from Yanjing City, Jiang Li truly moved into the Duke’s manor.

Jiang Li’s attitude was seen by many people in Yanjing City. Over these past few months, Emperor Hongxiao gradually dealt with ministers in the court and countryside who previously harbored different intentions, replacing them with trusted new nobles. The court’s entire structure completely reversed, and the realm of Northern Yan began a new chapter.

However, even so, it was exactly as Jiang Li had initially predicted. Ji Heng’s death in battle caused some of Ji Heng’s past enemies to begin stirring restlessly. At this point, those who had been watching to see whether Ji Heng might still emerge midway completely set their hearts at ease and began taking action against Ji Heng.

Jiang Li lived in the Duke’s manor, constantly guarding it. Some ministers memorialized Emperor Hongxiao to strip the Ji family of their title, arguing that if Jiang Li were to remarry someone else in the future, this title would fall into others’ hands. Jiang Li then entered the palace to request an audience, stating she would never marry for her entire life. On the other side, Xue Huaiyuan also advised Ye Shijie, having Ye Shijie exert influence in court to protect the Duke’s manor.

Over these past few months, several times when storms seemed about to break, everything ended safely. Later, when those people saw that Jiang Li’s attitude seemed extremely stubborn, and Ye Shijie continued climbing higher, and most importantly, Emperor Hongxiao’s attitude had become very clear—he didn’t seem to plan to reclaim the Duke’s manor title—those people lowered their banners and stilled their drums. Even more people were just watching the spectacle. Jiang Li had vowed never to marry for her entire life, but after all, she was a young lady. Life was long. She thought this way now, but in a few more years, just watch—she’d likely voluntarily break her word. If she couldn’t swallow the bitter fruit she herself had brewed, who knew if it might stir up some romantic affair, becoming gossip for the streets and alleys.

Jiang Li knew those people harbored a spectator’s mentality. She paid it no mind. Every day she practiced whip techniques together with Xue Zhao. She didn’t have Xue Zhao’s martial arts foundation, so she simply focused on learning to use various poisoned hidden weapons. Now in Yanjing City, there was no resting easy. Danger could appear at any moment, and now, another Ji Heng would never appear. She had to find ways to protect others.

In Jiang Li’s heart, there was another thought she didn’t know how to tell Xue Huaiyuan. She wanted to personally go to Qimin after some more time. Now heavy snow sealed the mountains and one couldn’t enter, but when spring arrived and entering the mountains became possible, no matter what, she must go once. Even now with Ji Heng’s death unseen and no corpse found, everyone said he was torn apart and devoured by wild beasts. It seemed to fulfill the words in that prophecy, but Jiang Li always felt he wouldn’t be so heartless. Even if he truly couldn’t return, she must personally verify this point rather than waiting in Yanjing City for news others sent.

Time seemed to pass very slowly, yet also seemed to pass very quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the year’s end.

This year she still spent it in Yanjing City. Before the new year, under Ye Mingyu’s witness, Jiang Li acknowledged Xue Huaiyuan as her adoptive father and thereafter always called Xue Huaiyuan “Father.” Ye Mingyu didn’t think much of it. In Ye Mingyu’s view, Xue Huaiyuan was much better than Jiang Yuanbai. At least now, those accompanying Jiang Li were Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao. Ye Mingyu also quite liked Xue Zhao’s carefree righteousness. If not for the difference in generational standing, he would have become sworn brothers with Xue Zhao.

This year they celebrated New Year at the Duke’s manor, but Kong Liu and Lu Ji didn’t appear. After the Jinwu Army returned triumphantly to the capital, Lu Ji was said to have also returned to his hometown. Wenren Yao said that back then, Lu Ji followed Ji Heng because Ji Heng showed him the kindness of recognition. At that time, Lu Ji’s family was pursued by enemies and the entire household was wiped out. It was Ji Heng who took Lu Ji to find those enemies and, before Lu Ji’s eyes, executed the enemies one by one. From then on, Lu Ji decided to follow Ji Heng. Many years ago when still a young child, he already had the reputation of “child prodigy,” and he didn’t become mediocre with age. Initially following Ji Heng was probably to repay kindness, but later it was genuinely wanting to follow Ji Heng. Now that Ji Heng was gone, Lu Ji staying in Yanjing City had no meaning. He had no need to become an official to provide shade for descendants, so he simply went home to farm.

Kong Liu was still in Yanjing City, just busy with year-end affairs and hadn’t had time to come. Wenren Yao remained as always, and Situ Jiuyue was also there. One could only be grateful that precisely because of this, the Duke’s manor didn’t become a desolate residence without any human presence.

During festivals, Jiang Li would also pay respects to Ji Heng’s parents, Ji Minghan and Yu Hongye, on his behalf. Thinking of how astonishingly talented those two people had been, yet now could never be seen again—it was somewhat regrettable. Jiang Li was very meticulous about this.

When New Year’s Day arrived, everyone gathered at the manor for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

The chef Ye Mingyu hired had truly excellent cooking skills. But as Jiang Li sat at the table, she kept thinking of how Ji Heng personally cooked. Wenren Yao and Situ Jiuyue probably thought of this too, their expressions somewhat unnatural. Ye Mingyu didn’t know the reason and only complained a few times that the atmosphere was strange, but in the end let it go. However, Xue Huaiyuan guessed, and though he said nothing, his gaze toward Jiang Li contained some worry.

Little Blue had grown very tall, becoming a handsome steed with an increasingly bad temper. Little Red liked to perch on his head and peck at his mane, so Little Blue would run around the courtyard nearly knocking people over. Ye Mingyu complained several times that Jiang Li and the others were really spoiling Little Blue and Little Red. Jiang Li only smiled without speaking. Little Blue and Little Red were ultimately what Ji Heng left behind. With Ji Heng absent, they had no more restraints and acted quite presumptuously. It was just that… Jiang Li occasionally wondered whether Little Blue and Little Red sometimes thought of their master, feeling that with the Duke’s manor having lost that splash of red, it was as if it had lost its soul, no longer having its former bright and brilliant appearance.

In the evening, everyone gathered to stay up through the night. Wenren Yao suddenly said out of nowhere, “Last time we also stayed up through the night together with Second Miss.”

Everyone froze. Ye Mingyu narrowed his eyes and asked, “What do you mean? How could Ali have stayed up through the night with you? Would Jiang Yuanbai have allowed it? Are you dreaming or still confused from sleep? Don’t go around talking nonsense and ruin our Ali’s reputation.” He aggressively drew the blade at his waist and struck it against the ground with a thud. “Hmph!”

But Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan realized something and looked toward Jiang Li with probing gazes.

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh out loud with a “pfft,” thinking of how it was the deep of night then, and Zhao Ke had protected her as she ran out from the Jiang residence to eagerly roast venison for Old General Ji. Laughing and laughing, her smile faded, and she only felt extremely desolate.

That rough, joyful, straightforward feast had unexpectedly become their first and also last time celebrating New Year together. She still remembered every clear scene, every sentence Old General Ji and Ji Heng spoke, but the people were no longer there. Originally thinking there would be countless such days in the future, who knew it would suddenly stop so abruptly.

Situ Jiuyue glared at Wenren Yao. Seeing Jiang Li’s expression, Wenren Yao seemed to realize he’d said something wrong and immediately picked up the wine cup before him to cover it up, saying, “I think we should toast first! Happy New Year, everyone!”

Everyone raised their cups in celebration. No one saw that when Jiang Li raised her wine cup close to her lips, she softly said another sentence.

She said, “Happy New Year, Ji Heng.”

After staying up past midnight, everyone felt tired and returned to their rooms to sleep. Jiang Li also felt weary, but even more, she felt her mind was tangled with a thousand threads and couldn’t sleep no matter what. The more it was like this, the more she thought of Ji Heng. She always felt that if Ji Heng were still alive and had returned, what would tonight be like? At least this night wouldn’t make her feel so cold.

From close against her neck, she took out a fan ornament. That butterfly fan ornament—she had carefully repaired it until it finally looked not much different from before. She made the fan ornament into a necklace and wore it around her neck, letting it press against her chest, feeling the warmth of her own heartbeat, as if this way Ji Heng could accompany her at any time.

The red butterfly under lamplight flowed with gorgeous brilliance. Jiang Li pinched the fan ornament, staring at it in a daze.

After who knows how long, the sound of wind and snow outside seemed to lessen. In the silence, what seemed like “knock knock” knocking sounds came—those knocking sounds neither hurried nor slow, as if someone stood smiling at the door, covered in wind and snow, dressed in brilliant red, knocking on an old friend’s door.

Jiang Li jolted violently. Immediately after, wild joy swept through her heart. She didn’t even put on an outer garment before rushing out the door and immediately opening it. However, outside the door was nothing.

Unwilling to accept this, she walked a few more steps outward. The Duke’s manor was so large. Following her own courtyard, she even walked outside. Under the long corridor, lanterns swayed slightly in the wind. The lamplight seemed about to be blown out. Below was covered with thick snow, but snow had stopped falling from the sky.

But there was nothing.

It was as if she’d become the person in the opera who dreamed in the garden—everything was merely a beautiful dream with geese passing without trace. That knocking sound was merely a joke the wind played with her, yet under extreme longing, she took it seriously.

Jiang Li couldn’t help but slowly crouch down, covering her face and weeping.

She cried with great restraint, more like a young beast unable to find direction—confused, yet afraid others would see her fragility—whimpering low. These days when facing others, her light smile seemed as usual. She appeared not to take anything to heart, as if she could walk on well without Ji Heng, yet today was completely destroyed by this cruel beautiful dream. She couldn’t pretend anymore. No matter how much she pretended, there would be a day of exhaustion. Especially living here, where everywhere were memories, everywhere his shadow—how could she act as if nothing had happened? She wasn’t an immortal, nor did she have a heart of stone.

Jiang Li cried for a very long time. She didn’t like crying before others. The few times she had cried, Ji Heng seemed to always be there. But now, when she wept, whether it was Ji Heng coldly watching from the side or Ji Heng gently wiping away her tears, neither would appear again.

Not until even the wind sounds settled did Jiang Li lift her face from her arms. She saw that not far from her, Ye Shijie stood with a complex expression, looking at her.

She didn’t know how long he’d already been standing there, didn’t know how long he’d listened to her cry like this. In any case, Ye Shijie hadn’t come to disturb her, just quietly being an observer, just as he had done in the past.

“Cousin Shijie?” Jiang Li stood up. She rubbed her numb knees, her face still showing the sorrow from moments before, now mixed with new astonishment. “Why are you here?”

Ye Shijie said, “I couldn’t sleep and came out for a walk. I happened to see you.”

“I’ve made Cousin laugh at me.” Jiang Li said softly.

Ye Shijie walked two steps closer. He stared at Jiang Li’s face. Jiang Li’s eyes were slightly swollen, yet her gaze remained as clear as always. This reminded him of when he first saw the grown-up Jiang Li in Yanjing City. At that time, Jiang Li suddenly appeared from the street, revealing her identity. The corners of her mouth held a slight smile, calm and composed, her eyes containing slight pride and distance.

The current Jiang Li no longer had that distance. Her temperament had become increasingly peaceful, as if this was her true nature. She also wasn’t shaken by external matters. No matter what happened, she always appeared calm. Yet it turned out all her passion and emotions were given to another person and would never be known to outsiders.

“Why are you crying?” Ye Shijie heard his own voice. “Is it for Ji Heng?”

The words having left his mouth, Ye Shijie himself froze for a moment. He didn’t understand why he would ask such a foolish question. This was clearly an obvious matter, but that trace of unwillingness in his heart suddenly made him want to ask.

“Yes.” Jiang Li answered honestly. “Earlier I seemed to dream of him. Waking from the dream, I felt very unwilling. Cousin must think me very childish—crying over a dream is something only children would do.”

So what? Ye Shijie silently thought. This showed that before Ji Heng, Jiang Li could display all her joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness without reservation. Before others she was mature and proper; before Ji Heng, she was a willful little girl. This was a side others couldn’t see—only Ji Heng could see it.

In his heart, jealousy suddenly arose. This jealousy came fiercely. Before he could guard against it, he said, “Cousin, the Duke of Su won’t return. If you want to live more easily, you’d best forget him.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li looked at Ye Shijie with surprise, as if astonished Ye Shijie would actually say this. Under her gaze, Ye Shijie suddenly felt his face burning. He knew what he said was really too selfish, but he couldn’t control himself.

Yin Zhili liked Jiang Li and at least fought for it. Yet he liked Jiang Li but couldn’t even speak of it. Ye Shijie had his own pride. He didn’t feel that because he was born to a merchant household, he was unworthy of the legitimate daughter of Chief Minister Jiang’s family. Moreover, now Jiang Yuanbai was no longer chief minister, and he had already entered official service. The reason Ye Shijie couldn’t speak was simply because he knew very clearly that in Jiang Li’s eyes there was only Ji Heng. In Jiang Li’s eyes, he was only Cousin, only an elder brother, nothing of romantic feelings between man and woman.

Upon learning Ji Heng would never return, Ye Shijie worried about Jiang Li’s future, but at the same time, he couldn’t help asking himself—might this be heaven testing him with an opportunity? Perhaps if he continued caring for Jiang Li, one day between them, some other outcome might arise.

But who could have expected that before anyone else could speak, Jiang Li decisively blocked off all her own escape routes. Vowing never to marry for her entire life—thus Ye Shijie’s last trace of humble hope also shattered. He knew he would have no more chances. This lifetime, he could only be Jiang Li’s elder brother.

Yet he still didn’t understand why Jiang Li would like Ji Heng so much. Was it because of Ji Heng’s beauty? Beautiful people under heaven were countless, and Jiang Li wasn’t such a superficial person. Was it because of Ji Heng’s position? The Yin family’s position back then was also not low. As for character and personality, Ji Heng was even more extremely terrible. Ye Shijie could only determine that between Jiang Li and Ji Heng, there was some past that belonged only to each other. It was precisely because of that past that Jiang Li’s heart would never shift no matter what.

What he said to Jiang Li was certainly sincerely for Jiang Li’s sake, but also contained his own selfish thoughts. Only when seeing Jiang Li’s eyes did Ye Shijie feel that Jiang Li might have long known his little bit of ulterior thoughts.

“Cousin, you also think Ji Heng won’t return?” Jiang Li asked softly.

Ye Shijie fell silent. Silence represented his answer.

“But I always feel he’ll return. It’s just that he’s been delayed on the road.” Jiang Li smiled slightly. “Although waiting is very long, before he calls for it to stop, I’ll keep waiting for him. As for whether future days are easy or not, I only know that if I forget him, that’s when there truly won’t be happy days.”

In Ye Shijie’s heart came a long sigh. Jiang Li’s stubbornness—all of them had experienced it. He should have known this long ago. Everyone had taken turns trying to persuade her. Jiang Li was indifferent. If it were him, would the result be any different? Of course not.

“Cousin hasn’t encountered that person yet.” Jiang Li smiled. “When Cousin encounters the most important woman in your life, you’ll understand that sometimes, using a lifetime to wait is actually a very beautiful thing. If Cousin faced the same situation as me, Cousin would also make this choice. Of course, I hope Cousin never encounters such a situation and everything goes smoothly.”

Ye Shijie looked at Jiang Li with a complex expression. The young lady smiled at him. In her gaze, the usual composure and calmness had returned, no longer as collapsed and fragile as when he first discovered her. She was as when first seen, never changed, but he had gone from initial hostility and mockery to gradual admiration.

When did he start liking her? It was no longer clear. Perhaps when she spoke righteously for Xue Huaiyuan of Tongxiang, perhaps when she smiled joyfully at Ye Mingyu, or even earlier—from when he was entangled in lawsuits on the street and a strange young lady walked out from the crowd, stood before him, unhurried and confident, helping him resolve his predicament—he had noticed her.

Through strange coincidences, he ultimately lost to time.

And Jiang Li truly had an orchid heart and delicate nature. She understood all his thoughts. Those words just now were also a tactful refusal, hoping he would pursue his own happiness.

Only… Ye Shijie thought bitterly, if Jiang Li truly would wait for Ji Heng for life, would he also have to hopelessly wait for Jiang Li for life like this? Was it truly as Jiang Li said—this was merely youthful infatuation, and when one day he met a woman he truly loved in his life, these would become the past, not worth mentioning? Or would it be that as time passed, infatuation became obsession, and like Jiang Li, he’d spend his life guarding an illusory shadow that would never turn back, visible to no one?

No one could predict the future. Neither he nor Jiang Li were exceptions. No one could control emotions either. He also gave up.

Let it be like this—take it as it comes. At least he should feel satisfied that he still had the chance on this night to see the vivid, vibrant Jiang Li and speak with her here.

“Cousin should return to rest earlier.” Jiang Li smiled. “It’s already a new year.”

“Yes,” Ye Shijie looked into the distance, saying as if in a dream. “It’s already a new year.”

Everything still had new hope after all.

…

The next morning, Jiang Li rose a bit late.

Last night, because she encountered Ye Shijie and spoke outside for a while, when Jiang Li fell asleep, it was already very late. But it was New Year, so Baixue and Tong’er didn’t wake her. New Year—everything deserved tolerance.

Jiang Li casually ate something and walked out the door. Last night in the latter half of the night, the snow fell very heavily again. Qingfeng and Mingyue were sweeping snow in the courtyard. Even so, walking out of the courtyard, with one step in, the snow could almost reach halfway up one’s knee.

Jiang Li heard sounds from the flower garden and walked that way. Just approaching, she froze. She saw Zhao Ke and Wen Ji standing there, saying something to Situ Jiuyue. Situ Jiuyue had her back to Jiang Li. Zhao Ke saw Jiang Li’s figure first and called out, “Second Miss.”

Jiang Li didn’t answer him. Her gaze looked toward the flower garden and fell completely silent.

In the entire flower garden, probably due to last night’s heavy snow, nearly all the flowers couldn’t withstand the ravaging and were completely devastated. Some were buried in the snow, some exposed outside but also leaning this way and that, scattered about, looking extremely miserable.

The flowers in the Duke’s manor—or rather, the precious poisonous medicinal plants—were inherently delicate. Originally brought to the Duke’s manor by Ji Heng from thousands of miles away, they were carefully tended. They grew in clusters like brocade, exceedingly pleasing. The flowers inside increased year by year. Precisely because of this, Situ Jiuyue could find raw materials for poison-making in the flower garden.

After the Jinwu Army returned triumphantly and Ji Heng died on the battlefield, according to Ji Heng’s previous instructions, the entire Duke’s manor was given to Jiang Li. Naturally, Jiang Li also managed this flower garden. Jiang Li wasn’t a gardener. Previously when tending flowers and plants, it was also tending ordinary flowers and plants in Tongxiang. How to care for poisonous medicinal plants—she truly knew nothing. Fortunately, the original gardener was still there and had been helping. Jiang Li also frequently went to the flower garden to help, as if only this way could dilute the melancholy in her heart and give herself things to do.

However, this year Yanjing City’s winter was especially cold, and the wind and snow especially heavy. Last night in the latter half of the night, the wind and snow were extremely fierce. Everyone hadn’t noticed. This snow almost buried the entire flower garden. When Situ Jiuyue and others discovered it early this morning, they immediately had people hurry to remove the snow. Even so, it seemed powerless to reverse heaven’s will. They could only watch helplessly as this flourishing garden became desolate.

Jiang Li crouched down, reached out to pick up a flower from the muddy ground. The petals still bore frost and snow, already crushed out of shape. One could vaguely see clearly the originally beautiful peach-pink color. Jiang Li held that petal, looking at Situ Jiuyue. “These… can’t be saved?”

Situ Jiuyue shook her head.

“These medicinal plants were already not easy to find. Their growing environment is also extremely demanding. Yanjing City’s climate was fundamentally unsuitable for them to grow here. It was Ji Heng who over all these years spent heavily to find ways to create the environment. But this year it really won’t work. Yanjing City gets colder each year. These medicinal plants can’t hold on. Their roots are all broken.” Situ Jiuyue’s voice also held much regret.

Although after Ji Minghan died, this flower garden seemed to have lost its reason for existence, having this flower garden made poison-making much more convenient for Situ Jiuyue. Moreover, from a certain perspective, the flower garden truly added much color to the Duke’s manor, filling this residence with an immortal, demonic air that made people yearn for it. But now, one snowstorm was like last night’s beautiful dream being awakened, leaving behind only the sober truth.

For those who loved to dream, it was always extremely cruel.

Jiang Li didn’t know what to say. It seemed that since Ji Heng left, this place lost vitality bit by bit. Even if the Ye family and Xue Huaiyuan moved in, with daily noise and clamor seeming very lively, it always felt like something was missing. As if this residence also knew its master would never return and declined like this.

Looking at the desolation filling the flower garden, she only felt this was a very bad omen. She stood up and said, “Since that’s the case, then bury this flower garden. Bury these flowers. When spring opens, plant again.”

Situ Jiuyue looked at her with surprise. “Plant again?”

“Ji Heng only had two hobbies,” Jiang Li said slowly. “One was appreciating flowers, the other was watching opera. He entrusted the Duke’s manor to me. If I make this place gray and dusty, someone as fastidious as him, upon seeing it, would definitely be displeased. Moreover, some colors—adding some liveliness is good.”

Situ Jiuyue fell silent. Since Jiang Li said so, she couldn’t say anything more. Moreover, now the Duke’s manor all belonged to Jiang Li. Whatever Jiang Li wanted to do, she could naturally do.

“However,” Situ Jiuyue pointed to another side, “all these flowers died, but that tree is still alive.”

Following her gesture, Jiang Li looked over and saw that in the flower garden, a small tree still grew. This was a pear tree—from that night when she came from the Jiang residence to the Duke’s manor, saw Ji Heng planting it, and stepped forward herself to plant it together with Ji Heng.

She walked to the tree’s side. The small tree had grown much taller, from a tender sapling growing upright, quite graceful and elegant. Perhaps before long, it could continue growing taller and larger. Come summer, its branches and leaves would flourish, becoming a patch of green shade. Next spring, white flowers would bloom again. It would slowly grow up in the Duke’s manor, starting from when Ji Heng was alive, continuing for a very long time afterward.

Jiang Li reached out to touch the trunk. The branches were also piled with snow, pressing the small tree somewhat crooked. Jiang Li brushed away that snow, and it seemed to gain relief, appearing even taller. Just then, under Jiang Li’s hand, she touched something uneven. She felt it was something carved by someone and focused her gaze to look. With this look, her eyes immediately reddened and tears nearly fell.

The handwriting above was familiar—precisely Ji Heng’s handwriting, probably chiseled with a sword point: Twenty-eighth year, third month of spring, planted by hand with Ali.

She seemed able to see through this line of writing the red-clad youth half-kneeling on the ground, using his sword point to chisel word by word. His expression serious, his amber eyes made focused by the moonlight, the corners of his mouth holding a smile, beautiful beyond compare.

To the Jiang Li of that time, this was merely a small matter, yet he took it to heart and seriously commemorated it, as if in his life, this was a major event worth remembering.

How… how could he be like this?

Jiang Li turned away. Tears instantly fell, sinking into the earth. The small tree trembled slightly in the wind, gentle yet uncomprehending. In her heart, the sourness was extraordinary.

After calming herself for quite a while, Jiang Li finally turned and walked out. She thought perhaps this too was something Ji Heng left her—this pear tree they planted together would replace Ji Heng, always accompanying her through countless springs and autumns.

After walking out, Jiang Li saw Xue Huaiyuan outside the courtyard. Xue Huaiyuan gauged her expression, seeming to have something to say. Jiang Li froze and asked, “Father, has something happened?”

Xue Huaiyuan quickly waved his hand. “Nothing. I just have something I want to discuss with you.”

“Please speak, Father.” Jiang Li said.

Xue Huaiyuan pulled Jiang Li to sit at the stone table outside before saying, “I was thinking, New Year has passed. Since you’ll be staying in Yanjing City from now on, we’ll first return to Tongxiang for a trip. Handle matters with the old residence there and also greet the fellow villagers—consider it a farewell. We won’t return in the future. What do you think…” He looked at Jiang Li searchingly.

Jiang Li wasn’t particularly surprised. Xue Huaiyuan had mentioned this plan to her before, and Jiang Li agreed with it. She also planned that after returning to Tongxiang, she would make a trip to Qimin herself. After all, going to Qimin would pass through Tongxiang anyway. She immediately said, “Alright.”

Xue Huaiyuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Ali, Father knows what you’re thinking. Those words others use to persuade you—Father won’t say them. You know what you’re doing in your heart. However, wherever you are, Father and Azhao will be there. Our family will never be separated again from now on. No matter whether you stay in Yanjing City forever or go somewhere else, Father won’t let you be alone. So whatever you want to do, just do it. Don’t worry about others’ views and words. Father and Azhao will both understand you.”

Jiang Li smiled. “I know, Father.”

“Then let’s plan when to depart.” Xue Huaiyuan said, “There’s no time to waste. If we leave early, we’ll return early too.”

“Father,” Jiang Li interrupted Xue Huaiyuan’s words. “I also have something I want to discuss with Father.”

“What is it?”

“After returning to Tongxiang, I don’t want to return to Yanjing City immediately just yet. I want to make a trip to Qimin.”

Hearing this, Xue Huaiyuan didn’t answer for a long time.

“Father, no matter how I think about it, I can’t accept just waiting forever in Yanjing City. It’s not that I can’t wait, but I always feel I can still do other things. Only if I personally go search and personally feel there’s no hope will I give up. Otherwise, I’ll live my entire life with this regret. Shouldn’t people follow their hearts? This is what Father originally taught me and Azhao.”

Xue Huaiyuan smiled and sighed, shaking his head. “Azhao told me before that you would definitely go to Qimin once. I didn’t believe it at first, but now it seems that rascal understands you quite well. Ali, Father already said—whatever you want to do, Father won’t stop you, but Father and Azhao must accompany you.”

“But your health…”

“Our health isn’t good, but does that mean you, a weak woman, are better off? Let it be like this, Ali. Ji Heng is your obsession, and you are Father’s obsession. I’ve already lost you once. I don’t want to lose you again.”

Jiang Li clearly saw the pain in Xue Huaiyuan’s eyes. She suddenly felt she was truly too selfish. Since Ji Heng’s incident, she’d been immersed in sorrow, yet forgot how anxious this appearance of hers must make her close family. Xue Huaiyuan had watched her die with his own eyes last time. He couldn’t bear such pain again.

Jiang Li nodded. “Alright, Father. We’ll find more guards and go to Qimin together.”

Only then was Xue Huaiyuan satisfied. The two discussed when to depart and whom to bring when Ye Mingyu happened to pass by from the side. Hearing this, he froze and said, “What are you saying? What traveling far? Where to?”

Jiang Li turned around. Ye Mingyu was carrying his large blade, just returning from outside. Jiang Li answered, “We plan to return to Tongxiang for a trip.”

“Return to Tongxiang?” Ye Mingyu looked at Xue Huaiyuan. “What? Is Master Xue going back to his hometown?”

“It’s not like that.” Xue Huaiyuan explained, “This time returning to Tongxiang is to handle the old residence there and bid farewell to the relatives. After that, we won’t return to Tongxiang anymore and will stay in Yanjing City to accompany Ali.”

“I see.” Ye Mingyu said carelessly, “Then let’s go together. I also need to return to Xiangyang for a trip.”

This time, it was Jiang Li’s turn to be surprised. Jiang Li asked, “Uncle is returning to Xiangyang?”

“Yes. I received a letter from Big Brother yesterday. Big Brother said Taoshui embroidery is selling quite well in Yanjing City now. Now Shijie is doing well as an official too. Mother usually wants to see Shijie but can’t. We can’t keep being separated in two places like this forever. The Ye family was originally in Yanjing many years ago. Now we’re planning to return to Yanjing from Xiangyang. This time I’m going back to bring Mother and Big Brother and everyone here.” Ye Mingyu laughed heartily. “Ali, once your cousins all arrive, you won’t be so lonely in Yanjing City. Who knows, you might even need to help with matters at the Ye family shop.”

This was beyond Jiang Li’s expectations, but she was indeed very happy. She truly hadn’t seen Old Madam Ye and the others for a long time, so she said, “This couldn’t be better.”

“So, when do you plan to depart? Take me along.” Ye Mingyu patted his chest. “With me along, even highway bandits will take a detour. The whole journey will be safe. We’ll depart smoothly and arrive earlier than you think, guaranteed!”

Jiang Li and Xue Huaiyuan exchanged glances. Jiang Li said, “Then we’ll ask Uncle to depart with us.”

“Great.” Ye Mingyu answered readily.

…

This journey from Yanjing City back to Tongxiang was the second time for Jiang Li since her rebirth. Last time, she had no one by her side. Now Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan were both beside her—perhaps heaven was merciful. But heaven was unwilling to grant people a peaceful and complete life, so it took away her precious things again.

Jiang Li departed on the tenth day after New Year. When she left, probably no one in Yanjing City knew. Some people were left to look after the Duke’s manor. Zhao Ke and Wen Ji accompanied them. Situ Jiuyue was also there, saying she could take the opportunity to see if she could find rare poisonous medicinal plants for raw materials along the way. Throughout the journey, it was indeed as Ye Mingyu had guaranteed before—they didn’t encounter any highway bandits or thieves. But perhaps it was because they had too many people and horses, and the guards escorting the carriages didn’t look like pushovers. Even if there were real villains, they had long since dispersed.

In any case, the road to Xiangyang was completely safe and smooth.

Everyone first arrived at Xiangyang and met the Ye family. Old Madam Ye in Xiangyang had already heard about these events that happened to Jiang Li. She kept holding Jiang Li’s hand, shedding tears of heartache, feeling that for Jiang Li at such a young age to never marry again in the future was truly too bitter a fate. The other Ye family members also felt sad for Jiang Li. Ye Jia’er was extremely saddened that Jiang Li’s future husband died on the battlefield. Precisely because of this, the Ye family treated Jiang Li with even more care, hoping that during these days in Xiangyang, Jiang Li could be as happy as possible and temporarily forget those sorrowful matters.

Because Old Madam Ye’s health wasn’t good, the Ye family had to wait until the weather warmed up a bit before departing for the capital. At the same time, they needed some time to handle matters like the Xiangyang shops and residence. This time the Ye family was moving to Yanjing City en masse and didn’t plan to return.

Jiang Li temporarily stayed with the Ye family. After more than ten days passed, when Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao were to go to Tongxiang first, Jiang Li said to Old Madam Ye that she also wanted to see Tongxiang, since last time here, she’d only focused on dealing with Feng Yutang and hadn’t properly looked at what Tongxiang was like.

Now Old Madam Ye was afraid Jiang Li couldn’t let things go. As long as Jiang Li was happy, anything was fine. She immediately agreed readily, only fearing that Jiang Li, a young lady going alone, would be bored. So she had Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng also go along. The three young people plus Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan, and also Situ Jiuyue, returned to Tongxiang like this.

Tongxiang was still the same. After Feng Yutang’s downfall, a new county magistrate came. This magistrate wasn’t very old, not yet thirty, but probably precisely because he was young, he had quite some talent. He’d already handled several major matters in Tongxiang, and the common people were very satisfied with this magistrate. Hearing that Xue Huaiyuan had returned, all the Tongxiang common people crowded in front of the Xue residence gates, presenting eggs, grain, and such.

Previously when Jiang Li rescued Xue Huaiyuan from Feng Yutang’s hands, Xue Huaiyuan had already gone mad. The Tongxiang common people knew this too and couldn’t help but sigh regretfully. Now Xue Huaiyuan stood properly before them, speaking clearly. Apart from looking slightly older and more haggard than before, he was clearly no different from the past. The common people could only be grateful that heaven showed mercy. Butcher Zhang laughed heartily, saying, “I knew Master Xue would definitely get better! In this world, good people are still rewarded!”

Everyone echoed this. Those common people also saw Jiang Li and even wanted to kneel down and kowtow to thank Jiang Li. Back then, if Jiang Li hadn’t led them to Yanjing City to beat the stone lion’s grievance drum and dealt with Feng Yutang, otherwise with Feng Yutang continuing to abuse his power in Tongxiang, who knew how much longer they would have suffered bitter days.

How could Jiang Li dare let them actually kneel? She quickly stepped aside to avoid it, helped them up, only saying it was no trouble. Those people also saw Xue Zhao sitting in a wheelchair and sighed one after another.

With great difficulty sending off these enthusiastic common people and cleaning up the Xue residence, everyone finally truly moved in.

Xue Huaiyuan said to Ye Jia’er, “My humble dwelling is simple. Miss Ye, please bear with it.”

“It’s no trouble, Uncle Xue.” Ye Jia’er smiled. “The Xue family is very beloved in Tongxiang.”

Xue Huaiyuan smiled without speaking. Probably so, but returning this time truly brought many feelings. In the Xue family ancestral hall, Madam Xue’s memorial tablet had gathered dust. Xue Huaiyuan had Jiang Li come in, offer incense to Madam Xue, and say some words.

When night came, Jiang Li stayed in the courtyard she lived in before leaving home, sleeping in her past bed. Back then, Feng Yutang had sealed up the Xue residence, but because the Xue family was originally impoverished with no valuable belongings at home, the rooms actually hadn’t been disturbed. Sitting on her past boudoir bed, Jiang Li couldn’t calm down for a long time. It was as if these years—marrying, being harmed, rebirth, being granted marriage again, and now Ji Heng’s whereabouts unknown—were all just a dream she had, or perhaps a person watching opera below the stage accidentally entered the play, unable to distinguish whether in the game or in reality.

But ultimately, the days had passed like this gradually. She touched the butterfly at her neck—warm, crystalline, like flowing blood, bright and eye-catching, making her memories unable to fade.

She closed her eyes.

This counted as… bringing Ji Heng back to her hometown, didn’t it?

…

The first day of the fourth month was the Spring Lantern Festival.

Tongxiang had a long river. On the Spring Lantern Festival, many young ladies and madams would place handmade flower lanterns along the riverbank. The flower lanterns contained candles inside. Looking from afar, the water surface was covered with a sheet of lamplight, illuminating even beneath the water, sparkling with ripples, as if the Dragon Palace fairyland.

In the evening, the young people wanted to go out and experience the lively Spring Lantern Festival. Xue Huaiyuan’s legs and feet were inconvenient, so he didn’t go along, only having guards accompany and care for them.

Apart from Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan, the others were all seeing such a scene for the first time. Tongxiang couldn’t compare to Yanjing City’s prosperity, but the folk customs were simple and honest. Probably because the Spring Lantern Festival was also very important to them, this night was as lively as Yanjing City’s temple fair. The streets were full of people who came out to watch the excitement—young masters and misses, as well as youths and maidens from common families, and also playing children. Many people on the street wore masks—masks painted with deity faces, all colors imaginable. At first glance, it looked like singing grand opera. This was because the Tongxiang common people believed that during the Spring Lantern Festival, immortals would transform into mortals and descend to wander and play. Whichever place the immortals reached would be blessed with favorable weather and bountiful harvest that year. Thus, Tongxiang common people habitually came out to wander wearing deity masks during the Spring Lantern Festival.

Situ Jiuyue bought a black-faced deity mask. Ye Jia’er bought one that looked like its eyes were smiling into slits—a kind-faced, benevolent bodhisattva. The mask Ye Rufeng wore had a face that looked like it was puffing its beard and glaring—very fierce. Xue Zhao and Jiang Li bought a pair of twin children masks to wear.

Everywhere were flower lanterns, everywhere were lively voices. Clay figurine makers could be seen everywhere. Situ Jiuyue was even handed a candied hawthorn stick. Those performing juggling acts, blowing sugar figures—Tongxiang’s liveliness was completely different from the capital, but there was a kind of worldly prosperity beyond the mundane, like the Peach Blossom Spring recorded in books, where everyone was content and at ease.

This was Situ Jiuyue’s first time coming to Tongxiang. Her expression was full of wonder. Xue Zhao explained these things to her. Unknowingly, the two of them fell behind alone. Seeing this, Jiang Li didn’t urge them, letting the two spend some time alone together. Situ Jiuyue rarely had such a relaxed time. When Jiang Li turned to look, she could still see the smile on Situ Jiuyue’s face.

She was truly very happy.

Jiang Li was also happy for her. At this moment, Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng happened to stop before a juggler. The juggler held a stack of plates in his hands and balanced another stack on his head, piled extremely high yet never falling down. Sounds of applause rose from the crowd. The two watched entranced. Jiang Li stopped to the side, patiently waiting.

Just at this moment, Jiang Li happened to turn her head and her gaze suddenly froze. She seemed to see a familiar figure flash through the crowd—that splash of brilliant red made the surrounding prosperity and liveliness pale in comparison. Jiang Li’s heart shook violently. Her body moved faster than her thoughts. Almost without thinking, she ran toward that direction, wanting to see clearly who that person was.

All around were people. Jiang Li bumped into many people. She apologized to them, yet continued searching. No matter what, she couldn’t find them. It was as if her eyes had been playing tricks, or it was her hallucination, yet it was unbelievably real. Jiang Li caught up with a red-clothed person wearing a mask ahead. For an instant, she almost thought she’d found him. Trembling, she reached out to remove the other person’s mask, then her smile froze on her face. It was an unfamiliar middle-aged man looking at her with suspicion.

Jiang Li choked up before saying, “I’m sorry, I mistook you for someone else.”

The man had wanted to complain a bit, but seeing Jiang Li’s eyes redden, thinking she was afraid, he said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Why cry over mistaking someone?” He left awkwardly.

Jiang Li remained in place. Many people came and went past her. In the crowded throng, she tried to find that red figure. But with lamplight flickering, she couldn’t see anything. The faces of people coming and going wore all kinds of masks, but not a single face beneath those masks was the one she wanted to see.

She had lost Ji Heng and couldn’t find him no matter what.

On both sides of Tongxiang’s streets, peach blossom trees were planted everywhere. This year’s spring feeling was especially strong. The trees bloomed in layers upon layers, all romantic charm—originally a rare beautiful color in the human world, yet in this lively throng of ten thousand people, it made Jiang Li feel miserable and desolate.

She searched again and again. What entered her eyes seemed to become the same person. Finally, she too was tired and stopped right there.

Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng’s figures were long gone from her side. She had walked too hastily and hadn’t greeted the siblings, but after going round and round, nothing remained.

The April wind seemed to also carry warmth, brushing against people’s faces with a tickling softness. Jiang Li walked slowly along the riverbank. On the riverbank, many young ladies were releasing flower lanterns. The water surface was all lit up. Lovers wrote of longing through ripples. Song and dance were lively. Jiang Li walked slowly, as if returning to many years ago on that spring-intoxicated night. Ji Heng was also like this, walking slowly, the liveliness having nothing to do with him, out of place in all the prosperity, like an intruding stranger.

Some people cast curious gazes at Jiang Li. They saw this beautiful and clear young lady with a completely lost and dejected expression, not knowing what she was thinking, walking extraordinarily slowly, as if [walking through] life itself.

The lamplight seemed like it would never extinguish. Jiang Li walked for a very long time. She walked to the end of the riverbank. Just then, she heard Ye Jia’er’s voice: “Cousin!”

Jiang Li turned around. Ye Jia’er ran over panting, grabbed Jiang Li’s hand, looking left and right. “Cousin, where did you go? I couldn’t find you no matter what. I thought you’d disappeared and almost went to report to the authorities.”

“I’m fine.” Jiang Li forced a smile at her. Not seeing Ye Rufeng’s figure, she asked, “Where’s Rufeng?”

Hearing this, Ye Jia’er’s expression became even more unpleasant. Jiang Li asked, “Has something happened?”

“Rufeng and I initially didn’t know you’d disappeared. We thought you went to wait for Young Master Xue and them. Not far ahead, someone set up a stage for opera. Rufeng had never seen such a good opera troupe perform. But the stage was surrounded by guards. It’s some rich young master from who knows where who reserved this performance to watch alone. Rufeng is young and hot-blooded, couldn’t stand it, and got into an argument with that person. Later Young Master Xue came and went to resolve it. It still hasn’t been sorted out.”

Jiang Li frowned. “How could this happen?”

“Even if I wanted to persuade him, I couldn’t do anything about it.” Ye Jia’er’s face was full of anxiety.

“Sister, don’t worry. I’ll go see what’s going on. Since Azhao is there, I imagine he won’t let Rufeng get into trouble.” Jiang Li comforted her. Jiang Li was familiar with all the Tongxiang common people. Unless it was an outsider, otherwise as long as they were from here, Jiang Li knew them. It was probably a misunderstanding.

Ye Jia’er nodded. “I’ll take you there.”

The two hurried to the place Ye Jia’er mentioned. They saw that below the East Street building in Tongxiang, at the Qinglian Pavilion, from far away they could already hear the melodious and winding opera tune. They were singing “The Peony Pavilion.”

“Waking from dreams to oriole songs, disrupting time’s passage everywhere. One stands alone in the small deep courtyard. After burning all the incense, abandoning embroidery threads—are this spring’s sentiments like last year’s?”

That female opera voice was distant yet languid. In an instant, spring brilliance suddenly opened. Those watching the opera didn’t enter the pavilion, only observing from outside. On both sides of the road, peach blossoms were enchanting, just like the romantic spring colors in the opera text. Visitors accidentally walked into it, intruding upon a startling dream.

“You say the verdant skirt is dyed crimson, the bright hairpin studded with eight treasures. How would you know my lifelong love is for nature? Just at the best of three springs, no one sees. Unguarded against fish sinking and geese falling, birds startled and clamorous, only fearing flowers ashamed and moon hiding, flowers trembling with worry.”

“Originally all these gorgeous purples and reds bloom everywhere, yet it seems they’re all given to ruined wells and crumbling walls. Beautiful times and scenes—oh helpless heaven! Pleasing heart and delightful matters—whose family courtyard? Morning flies, evening furls, cloud-hued pavilions, rain threads and wind fragments, misty wave painted boats. The person behind the brocade screen treats this splendid time too cheaply.”

Even though Jiang Li knew why she came, at this moment she couldn’t help but be amazed by this opera tune. Her footsteps involuntarily slowed. She walked forward. At the entrance of Qinglian Pavilion, a huge stage had indeed been erected. On the stage, people sang of spring feelings difficult to dispel, melancholy and resentful, spring brilliance flowing darkly.

Below the stage was a row of chairs, but only one person sat there. She could only see his cloak. Jiang Li hadn’t seen Xue Zhao, nor had she seen Ye Rufeng. When she turned back to look, there was only the crowd. Even Ye Jia’er could no longer be seen.

She didn’t know what the reason was. Just as she planned to step forward, she suddenly froze.

That person had his back to her. She couldn’t see the other person’s appearance, but she could see the folding fan in his hand.

That folding fan opened bit by bit. On it, peonies were embroidered with gold thread, exquisite and gorgeous, beautifully captivating. Just like Jiang Li’s memory, never fading. She involuntarily touched her own neck. There, the butterfly fan ornament seemed to instantly gain life, almost about to spread its wings and fly. Her heart also flew high, not in the human world. Her footsteps couldn’t touch the ground, drifting ethereally.

“Only because of you, my beautiful companion like a flower, like flowing water through the years. It’s this idle one searching everywhere, pitying herself in the boudoir. Passing before this peony railing, pressing close to the lakeside rocks.”

In that opera tune was actually lingering attachment. Jiang Li’s gaze stared unmoving at that person’s back. She could no longer move at all.

That person seemed to know Jiang Li was also here. The movement of gently shaking his folding fan stopped. His slender hand gripped the fan handle as he stood up. Letting the melodious opera tune continue captivating, he turned around.

Lamplight dim, in an instant time flowed past. The stunning person remained stunning, standing in the night of boundless spring colors. Peach blossoms bloomed one after another, competing to open for him. That youth wore red, held a folding fan, lips red and teeth white, beauty pressing upon people. His amber eyes reflected the stars and lamplight of the night. Even separated by layers of crowds, they clearly reflected her.

Jiang Li’s hand loosened. The butterfly fan ornament suddenly fell to the ground, striking it and making a clear ringing sound, then instantly submerged in the liveliness. But she completely didn’t care, only staring tightly at the red-clothed young man, step by step, walking toward her.

Heaven and earth and all things seemed to lose their sound, as if many years ago he sat on the other side of the wall while she sang on a swing inside the wall. Or like back then on the Buddhist hall roof, moonlight hazy, she held a candle and lifted her eyes, startling into the world’s peerless beauty.

All that sourness, sorrow, melancholy, and despair had already departed. In peach blossom colors, he walked toward her neither hurried nor slow. People in the world came and went, yet nothing blocked his footsteps. Wild geese crossing the azure sky, red beans growing in the southern lands—ten thousand kinds of longing, yet only one beloved. It was him, only him. There would never be anyone else.

He walked before Jiang Li, bent down to pick up the butterfly fan ornament that had fallen by her feet. Between his brows, as always, frivolous yet soul-hooking, he smiled and returned it to her. “Little miss, it seems you picked up something of mine.”

Jiang Li laughed out loud with a “pfft.”

She had once thought meeting was most beautiful. Yet it turned out what’s rare in this world is reunion.

“Then how do you plan to repay me?” She tilted her head, her eyes full of laughter. “How about pledging yourself to me?”

The End