An extraordinarily ordinary case.

Black lacquered surface, with only the lock clasp cast in an extremely sharp sword shape.

Yan Lin, after all, came from a military family. One glance at this clasp and he knew this case was a box for holding a sword. So he smiled, but deliberately didn’t immediately reach out to open it. Instead, he intentionally asked her: “Is it heavy?”

A long sword forged from refined iron mixed with meteoric iron—how could it not be heavy?

Jiang Xuening, a young miss with slender arms and legs, carrying the sword case all the way from outside the gate while being pulled by Shen Zhiyi to run inside—even the pearl hairpin on her head had become somewhat crooked, fine beads of sweat seeping from her forehead. Her hands were truly about to die of soreness.

Hearing Yan Lin’s teasing question with a smile, she became annoyed and raised her eyebrows.

She simply said: “You know it’s heavy yet still won’t take it?”

Yan Lin’s occasional mischievous teasing, her blurted complaint.

Everything was joke-like intimacy.

Though there was no physical contact, their familiarity was revealed unmistakably in this moment.

This was completely different from Yan Lin’s performance when they encountered each other on the palace road that day, when he had actively distanced himself from Jiang Xuening.

Yet at this moment, surprisingly no one around expressed shock.

Or even if there was a bit of surprise, after thinking briefly, they were relieved: Those who could personally come to the Marquis Manor at such a precarious time to attend Yan Lin’s capping ceremony were without exception good friends with very close relationships to him. Even if they knew, even if they saw, it truly caused no great harm.

Seeing Jiang Xuening’s pair of hands holding the sword case already trembling slightly, her pair of beautiful black and white eyes almost glaring at him, Yan Lin couldn’t help pressing his lips and laughing aloud. Finally, he still stepped forward and personally received this sword case.

With a flip of the lock clasp, the sword case opened.

The three-chi blue blade lay flat in the sword case. Heavenly light fell from the side. With a slight tilt of the hand, that cold and chilling radiance flashed in everyone’s eyes.

For a moment, there were sounds of amazement all around.

Looking at that cold blade edge, Yan Lin suddenly fell somewhat silent.

His throat moved slightly. Only then did he look again at Jiang Xuening before him, saying: “Is there no scabbard?”

The youth’s eyes were dark as lacquer. In that instant, it seemed as if some moist traces crossed them, but with a light blink, they vanished without trace.

She felt her heart swelling sourly.

Yet she insisted on curving her lips to smile, with several parts stubborn brightness, unstained by gloom, saying: “Only a wandering swordsman’s blade needs a scabbard; a general’s blade does not. Even if one day you must journey far, it won’t remain hidden in a scabbard for long. The scabbard should be fitted by the one who sheathes the sword himself.”

Only a wandering swordsman’s blade needs a scabbard.

But a general’s blade must go to the battlefield.

Young people are always sharp and exposed. When they grow up and mature, they become like sharp blades sheathed, no longer pressing upon others, possessing a roundness polished by worldly matters. But she so hoped this polishing wouldn’t come from this kind of tumultuous fate imposed upon them, but rather originate from the youth’s most authentic inner heart!

Therefore, only gift the sword, not gift the scabbard!

Yan Lin extended his hand and grasped the sword hilt. With a light turn of his wrist, the long sword was already in his palm.

No longer the sword one could tell at a glance was used by noble sons.

This sword was sharp and cold.

Even fierce.

Light reflecting autumn waters, yet incomparably fitting the most hidden stretch of bleakness deep within his heart.

Prince Yanping couldn’t help clapping his hands upon seeing it, praising: “Fine sword!”

Shen Zhiyi joined in the commotion, becoming curious: “Call Qingfeng over, compare with you, test the sword!”

Yan Lin smiled helplessly.

But at this moment, there was still quite a while before the capping ceremony would be held, and indeed there was nothing to do. So he waved his hand, calling Qingfeng to fetch a sword to test against his own. The ease in his brows and eyes vaguely still resembled his appearance of old days.

Jiang Xuening stood before the steps watching, somewhat lost in thought.

But Yan Lin turned his head to look at her, saying: “This kind of birthday gift—I like it very much.”

Yet Jiang Xuening couldn’t smile: “I was just afraid I wouldn’t make it in time.”

Yan Lin smiled at her, his brows and eyes suffused with gentle radiance, extraordinarily certain as he said: “It won’t happen. Anyone in the world might miss it, but I know you will definitely come.”

Even if in the future, perhaps I cannot marry you.

Even if afterward, the Yongyi Marquis Manor collapses overnight.

Believing that the Ningning he waited for would definitely come was like believing the blazing rising sun rises from the east, the rolling rivers all gather toward the vast sea—so natural, without any doubt.

At this moment, Jiang Xuening truly almost cried.

The youth standing before her would never know that there truly did exist such an impossibility he thought impossible—

That is, she hadn’t come.

Yan Lin so firmly believed that no matter what, she would come to his capping ceremony, believed he could wait for her. But in the previous life, whether due to delays or the house raid, she simply hadn’t arrived in time, and even when she did arrive, she couldn’t enter.

Perhaps precisely because of such firm belief, that was why there was such deep disappointment.

Moreover, she not only didn’t arrive in time, but also brought this youth even deeper despair.

In the previous life, she truly was a very bad, very bad person.

The many companion readers from the palace basically came together, but the others were after all different from Grand Princess Leyang and also different from Jiang Xuening. Shen Zhiyi could pull people along, directly ask for directions, and run inside. They didn’t dare.

Having presented their cards at the gate, everyone then entered.

Yao Xi lowered her head, following behind Xiao Shu and Chen Shuyi, only using an especially cold gaze to observe this Yongyi Marquis Manor with its deep foundation. Just as she was about to enter the hall together with them, she heard a voice from behind.

Someone handed a card into the steward’s hands, saying softly: “Zhang Zhe.”

Though she’d only heard it that one time in Cining Palace, that clear, cold, shallow voice with almost no fluctuation was as if carved into Yao Xi’s ears, making her immediately recognize it.

This was announcing one’s name when presenting a card.

Yao Xi’s footsteps immediately stopped. She turned abruptly to look—

Zhang Zhe had just ascended the steps, standing outside the entrance hall, having handed over his card.

Eyelids lowered, brows and eyes bland.

Today he wore no official robes, only a simple set of plain dark blue fine cloth round-collar robe. Neither fancy clothing nor superfluous decorations. Standing together with the other attending guests around, he didn’t seem very conspicuous, possessing a kind of detachment difficult for others to notice.

Yet Yao Xi saw him at a glance.

But Zhang Zhe didn’t notice others, much less glance once in Yao Xi’s direction. He went with the few Ministry of Justice officials who came with him toward another side hall.

Yao Xi suddenly felt extreme hatred.

She stood there, not moving a single step for a long time, until watching Zhang Zhe’s figure disappear behind the partition of diamond-patterned window frames. Only then did she clench her fingers tightly, forcefully suppressing that surging emotion in her chest, and walk forward.

Only her mind was distracted. Though walking forward, she wasn’t looking ahead.

Xiao Shu and the others had already walked far ahead. Coming from inside, however, was a man wearing a flying fish robe. When Yao Xi turned, she nearly collided with this person!

“Ah!”

Caught off guard, she was startled, immediately retreating a step, crying out softly.

Seeing before her was actually a man, tall and sturdy in build, she subconsciously frowned, saying: “Don’t you watch where you’re walking?”

Zhou Yinzhi could be said to be one of the few in the Embroidered Uniform Guard who dared come attend the capping ceremony, and his position as Chiliarch was also not considered low in the court.

Yet unexpectedly while walking, he nearly collided with this young miss.

This would have been acceptable—a small matter. But unexpectedly, the one not watching where she walked instead accused him of not watching where he walked.

He was one whose emotions didn’t show on his face. At the moment, his expression didn’t change. Knowing that at this time, those who dared come to Yongyi Marquis Manor were either wealthy or noble, all with certain backing behind them, he only bowed to Yao Xi, saying: “An unintentional mistake. I’ve offended the young miss.”

Yao Xi also saw he was from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

But her father was a Minister of the Six Ministries, a Cabinet Scholar, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince—how could she take this mere Chiliarch seriously?

Seeing the other party apologize, she had no particular response.

She was a young lady; at this kind of occasion colliding with a man, her thoughts were inevitably somewhat sensitive. She said nothing, flicked her sleeve, and went directly toward the direction where Xiao Shu and the others had gone.

But Zhou Yinzhi turned his head to glance at her, asking the colleague beside him: “Whose young miss is that?”

That colleague said: “Grand Tutor Yao’s household.”

Having said this, he suddenly made a sound of “eh,” grinning as he smiled: “Is the Chiliarch also interested?”

Zhou Yinzhi casually tugged at the corner of his lips, only saying: “Just asking.”

He was merely somewhat curious about the hatred and venom deeply hidden in this young miss’s eyes in that instant when she turned around just now.

People with too-intense emotions were easily exploited.

What’s more, such genuine and obvious hatred?

Zhou Yinzhi asked no more, turning also toward the direction Zhang Zhe had gone earlier.

But Xie Wei didn’t arrive early.

Today there was no court session. His manor was right next door. He neither took a carriage nor had people carry a palanquin. Only bringing Jianshu, walking leisurely out the door, in a short while he arrived at Yongyi Marquis Manor’s gate.

The steward saw him from afar and immediately came to greet him with a bow.

Even before the Yongyi Marquis Manor met with trouble, the Marquis had sought throughout court and country, considering whom to ask to bestow Yan Lin’s courtesy name. Unexpectedly, one day after court, traveling with Xie Wei, after chatting a few sentences that were quite agreeable, upon asking, Xie Wei was actually willing. Naturally, he was greatly pleased.

Thus it was decided to ask Xie Wei to bestow the courtesy name.

It could be said that among today’s many guests, the most important was precisely this one. The steward almost personally guided him inside, smiling as he said: “Teacher Xie has finally arrived. The Marquis specifically instructed that if you came today, we should first invite you to sit in his hall.”

Xie Wei wore a snow-white garment with cloud patterns as the base, ethereally transcendent.

Ascending the steps, he was just like an immortal banished from the ninth heaven.

He glanced at the steward, walking into the manor with him, looking at the pavilions and towers on both sides. But there was a kind of trance as if placed in a dream. He only asked: “I heard the Marquis has been ill these days. Is he somewhat better?”

The steward sighed, smiling bitterly: “In this situation, how could he get better? Not long ago, he was still drinking with the young master—wouldn’t listen to advice. However, being confined to the manor these days, freed from worldly duties, it’s rare to have time to constantly be with the young master. Though the illness hasn’t completely healed, his mood has improved considerably.”

“Is that so…”

Xie Wei blinked, murmuring as if to himself: “That’s also good.”

Yongyi Marquis Yan Mu lived in Chengqing Hall, right behind Qingyu Hall.

Going to Chengqing Hall, one would pass Qingyu Hall.

All along the way, artificial mountains, potted landscapes, winding corridors—one could see this was a manor already aged, though many carved beams and painted rafters had new decorations. The plants and trees in the manor were completely different from over twenty years ago.

Walking here, Xie Wei actually felt very unfamiliar.

Qingyu Hall overlooked the water. In the water, koi still swam. Near the corridor side, a tall cherry tree was planted.

In the deep winter, the tree leaves had long since fallen completely.

However, it grew extremely tall, almost surpassing the rooftop. Some branches even penetrated through the top of the corridor. Standing below and looking up, the tall and sparse tree shadow stood out against the gray-white sky, as if enabling people to imagine its verdant green in blazing summer.

Xie Wei gazed at it, somewhat unable to withdraw his gaze.

Seeing this, the steward only thought he was somewhat puzzled how such a vast Yongyi Marquis Manor could tolerate letting this tree grow like this. He only smiled, saying: “Please don’t find it strange. This cherry tree was personally planted by the Marquis years ago for the young master. It’s grown over twenty years…”

Speaking to here, he paused, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural.

Probably guessing Xie Wei didn’t know whom he was talking about, he added half a sentence: “It was when the Xiao and Yan families allied through marriage, deciding on the young master Dingfei…”

Xie Wei’s fingers resting before his body slowly pressed tight, as if this way he could also press down some surging things inside. He slowly said: “I see.”

While speaking, they had already arrived before Qingyu Hall.

A group of young people were all gathered here, having just finished watching Yan Lin and Qingfeng test swords. All were calling out “good” in unison and clapping. Suddenly turning their heads and seeing Xie Wei, they were all startled, stopping one after another to turn and bow: “Greetings, Teacher Xie!”

Yan Lin gazed at Xie Wei, his look profound, saying nothing.

Though Jiang Xuening knew Xie Wei could be considered Yan Lin’s teacher and would bestow his courtesy name, she hadn’t expected to encounter him in the depths of this manor. Stunned for a moment, she then bowed with the others.

Thus she was half a beat slow.

Xie Wei noticed, but didn’t say anything, only saying: “No need for excessive courtesy.”

His gaze turned, then saw the long sword Yan Lin held in his hand. He opened his mouth to say something.

But unexpectedly, from behind that cherry tree in front came a “meow” sound.

A cat with snow-white fur dotted with yellow spots, chasing some flying insect, extremely nimbly darted out from behind the tree, actually running toward where Xie Wei stood.

His pupils contracted, his body suddenly tensing.

Everyone’s gazes were drawn.

But Jiang Xuening’s heart jumped violently. Watching this little spotted cat pass by her feet about to dart before Xie Wei, without time for deep thought, subconsciously she bent down, hurriedly extending her hands, intercepting this cat and picking it up!

The little spotted cat fell into her arms and could go no further forward.

It waved its paws somewhat panicked, meowing.

Everyone’s gazes suddenly all turned to fall on her, somewhat surprised by her sudden action.

But Jiang Xuening nearly couldn’t catch her breath caught in her throat. Secretly glancing at Xie Wei, who stood in place with a stiff body yet hadn’t moved half a step, she only raised her hand as if unintentionally to gently stroke that little spotted cat. Her wide sleeves thus shielded most of the cat.

Her heartbeat was still very fast.

Xie Wei silently looked at her once.

But she only held that little cat tightly, afraid it would dart out again. On her face, however, she smiled at everyone as if nothing had happened, saying: “I didn’t expect the Marquis Manor also keeps little cats. How lovable.”