Jiang Xuening returned to her room, washed up, and went to bed.

She’d thought that after doing such a momentous thing, she’d toss and turn with wild thoughts all night unable to sleep. Who would have expected that she’d already drunk quite a bit at the feast—Huadiao wasn’t particularly strong, but drinking too much still packed a punch. The moment her head touched the pillow, after thinking about Zhang Zhe’s matters for a while, she sank into deep sleep.

Only her sleep wasn’t very good.

She had strange dreams all night.

But when she woke in the morning and opened her eyes, she’d forgotten most of it.

On the table still sat that small green jade seal she’d left there yesterday.

The seal had been purchased blank—whatever characters needed had to be carved oneself.

Carving such a small inch-sized surface didn’t take much time, but pondering how to execute it took considerable mental effort.

Jiang Xuening glanced at it without touching it for now, simply pushing open the window to look outside: “The snow has stopped.”

No wonder she felt a bit cold upon waking this morning.

She stretched lazily, yawned several times, and before long saw Xiaobao walking along the covered walkway outside the window, dressed in thick clothing. He said to her: “Second Miss, news just came—after the snow stopped in the latter half of last night, that collapsed mountain road was cleared most of the night. This morning the road is already passable. Looking at this weather, the sun will probably come out by noon. Duke Dingguo discussed with Sir and said we should take advantage of this time to leave, fearing that in a few days when the snow melts, some other problem might arise. So I’m informing you—if you have anything to pack, best prepare it early. We leave at noon.”

The journey between Tongzhou and the capital wasn’t far. Leaving early, riding horses or taking carriages, departing at midday meant arriving by evening.

Jiang Xuening nodded in agreement.

But seeing Xiaobao turn to leave again, she couldn’t help calling out “hey,” stopping him to ask: “By the way, what about Official Zhang?”

Xiaobao thought she was asking if Zhang Zhe was also leaving, so he said: “Official Zhang also learned the news early and will naturally leave with everyone. However, the soldiers who originally accompanied us may have to wait until the snow melts to leave, since there aren’t that many horses.”

Jiang Xuening said wordlessly: “I’m asking where he is right now.”

Only then did Xiaobao realize. He thought for a moment, seeming uncertain, and hesitated before saying: “I saw him earlier. Since a batch of people need to stay in Tongzhou, it seems Duke Dingguo pulled Sir and Official Zhang together to give some instructions. Right now they’re probably at the prefecture office.”

“Oh…”

So he wasn’t around.

She didn’t know if he’d seen what she left last night when he got up this morning.

Thinking Zhang Zhe was probably too busy to break away now, Jiang Xuening couldn’t very well go disturb him. She could only wait to find a suitable opportunity later to speak.

She gathered her own belongings.

Everyone else at Shangqing Temple also busied themselves—those preparing carriages prepared carriages, those packing luggage packed luggage.

By noon, after casually eating some food, it was just the right time to depart.

Officials large and small from Tongzhou City naturally all came, lined up at the gate to see them off. Some flattered Xie Wei, while others congratulated Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan on finding his legitimate son who’d been missing for years.

Xiao Yuan stood before the crowd, his smile looking somewhat forced.

Xie Wei wordlessly turned his gaze aside, taking in this expression that actually suppressed gloom. As everyone was about to board carriages to set off, he suddenly said: “Duke, why don’t Young Master Dingfei’s carriage travel in front of mine? Though his identity still needs confirmation, setting aside that layer, he’s still a member of the Heavenly Teachings who needs intensive interrogation upon returning to the capital. Tongzhou made such a commotion—it’s hard to avoid the Heavenly Teachings wanting to silence witnesses. Though Jianshu at my side has crude martial skills, he still understands something of blades and swords. If some mishap occurs, he can respond in time.”

There were several carriages.

Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan’s was at the very front.

Jiang Xuening had unexpectedly gotten involved in the suppression of the Heavenly Teachings. For an innocent young lady to encounter such matters would inevitably ruin her reputation if word got out, so the capital had consistently claimed externally that she was ill, saying she was recuperating at home behind closed doors. Now leaving Tongzhou, naturally she couldn’t make a grand show of it.

Her carriage trailed at the end.

Someone like Xiao Dingfei with his special status, being treated as half a prisoner, was similarly placed at the rear.

Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan never expected Xie Wei to make such a proposal. His eyelid twitched as he said with difficulty: “That’s not necessary, is it? The Heavenly Teachings’ rebel party was completely annihilated in this suppression. Even if news gets out, it won’t spread that fast. The journey isn’t long—there shouldn’t be any accidents.”

“How could there not be?”

Xie Wei smiled, reminding him: “Duke, have you forgotten? We verified the list of prisoners who escaped from the Heavenly Prison. Most were indeed annihilated along with the Heavenly Teachings’ rebel party, but some escaped long ago. Among them is an extremely vicious Meng Yang. He was present during the suppression, but when counting bodies afterward, his wasn’t found. He probably played dead to slip away. If this person leaks information, it may not be safe.”

Meng Yang actually escaped?

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help being startled.

Thinking back, though this Righteous Hero Meng hadn’t agreed to her request that day, when turning against the Heavenly Teachings people, he had helped Zhang Zhe. Thus, though this person had escaped, she didn’t feel righteous indignation about a vicious criminal getting away.

But Xiao Yuan was stunned by Xie Wei’s words, immediately losing room to refuse. As if just awakening, he said: “This duke was muddled and nearly forgot. I too hope this journey is peaceful. I wanted to move him forward, but was concerned about gossip…”

This made it seem like he was impartially just, not opening convenient doors because the other was his son.

Everyone understood upon hearing this.

Xiao Yuan cupped his hands toward Xie Wei: “Since Teacher Xie has made it clear, it was my insufficient consideration. Let his carriage be positioned further forward.”

This adjusted everyone’s carriage positions.

Perhaps because they’d spent so much time together, with much more familiarity than in her previous life, when Jiang Xuening looked at Xie Wei, she always felt that smile on his face that outsiders saw as flawless was very hollow, fake.

She even felt it concealed some mockery inside.

She couldn’t help spacing out for a moment.

Perhaps this watching gaze was somewhat obvious. Xie Wei noticed and actually looked back at her—his pupils deep, still, and desolate.

Jiang Xuening was immediately startled and hurriedly put on a smile.

Xie Wei didn’t respond to her. After looking at her for a moment, he withdrew his gaze, turned and bent down to board his carriage.

The carriage curtain lowered, separating him from everyone.

Zhang Zhe was further back.

He seemed preoccupied with something. When others spoke earlier, he was absent-minded. Now he simply boarded his own carriage without glancing elsewhere.

Jiang Xuening saw this but naturally couldn’t go greet him in front of so many people.

Seeing him like this, she wondered—

Did what I left last night frighten him or put him in a difficult position?

Her heart thus grew somewhat nervous, with a bit more secret delight.

Xiao Dingfei used the handle of his fragrant fan to scratch his head. When looking toward his own carriage, a strange light flashed in his eyes. But his smile showed no flaws as he simply said: “This young master’s survival wasn’t easy—how could I so easily let someone harm me again?”

He snapped his fan shut, only saying to Jiang Xuening: “Once we reach the capital, remember what you said!”

Jiang Xuening looked at him.

He jauntily jumped into the carriage, calling out: “Let’s go!”

Jiang Xuening thought for a moment before remembering she’d said last night she’d cover for him once in the capital. She also smiled, no longer looking at others, and took Xiaobao’s proffered hand to board her carriage as well.

Her bundle was just a small one.

Inside were two changes of clothes, a stack of unspent banknotes, plus that seal and a set of carving knives.

The journey was boring—perfect for carving the seal.

This was one of the “hobbies” Jiang Xuening had learned from Shen Jie out of boredom in her previous life. While the carriage traveled through the city it was fine, not shaking much. But once they left the city and got on the official road outside, the delicate Zhu-wen knife in her hand started trembling.

What should have taken half a shichen to carve, she ended up picking at the whole way.

Finally, she dug out the ink paste, dipped it and stamped to check the effect—it didn’t look very good.

“How troublesome. If this were in the capital, I could just give some rare treasures as New Year’s tuition gifts. Why would I need such hassle?” Jiang Xuening looked at the seal impression on the paper, pursed her lips, muttered a sentence, then couldn’t help comforting herself: “The gift is light but the sentiment is heavy. Whatever, whatever.”

Just then, having traveled halfway, Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan suggested everyone stop to rest briefly.

A fast horse came from the official road ahead.

Everyone was first on alert, then heard the rider waving and shouting to them: “Letters and the latest gazettes from the capital, ordered to be delivered to Teacher Xie!”

So it was a messenger.

Xie Wei didn’t personally descend. He only had Jianshu go receive the letters and return inside the carriage to present them.

Before long, he came out again, actually walking all the way to Jiang Xuening’s carriage. Bending down, he said: “Second Miss, Sir received letters from the capital and requests you come speak.”

Jiang Xuening was somewhat surprised.

She’d actually been pondering when to give Xie Wei the book seal. Unexpectedly, Xie Wei’s side first had someone come fetch her, so she said: “Please wait a moment.”

She hastily wiped the seal bottom stained with ink paste, packed it into a small seal pouch, tucked it in her sleeve, then crawled out of the carriage.

Jianshu led her to Xie Wei’s carriage.

Jiang Xuening bowed toward the carriage curtain: “Student pays respects to Sir. What are Sir’s instructions?”

Xie Wei’s calm voice came from inside, simply saying: “Enter.”

Jiang Xuening hesitated briefly, then lifted her skirt hem and boarded the carriage.

Jianshu didn’t dare help her, only holding open the carriage curtain.

Bending to enter, Jiang Xuening saw Xie Wei sitting inside. Before him was a small square table with a thick stack of letters scattered on top—some already opened, some still untouched.

This carriage was Xie Wei’s own. Inside was actually carpeted with soft rugs, with a hand warmer casually placed beside the small table. The curtains hanging on both sides were weighted down, not letting in wind.

Only behind him was a window frame papered over, letting in a square of bright light.

It happened to envelop him while illuminating that small table before him.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Xuening hesitated somewhat.

Xie Wei kept his brows and eyes lowered, reading a letter sent from the capital. He faintly pointed to his left: “Sit.”

Jiang Xuening thanked him and sat properly.

Xie Wei passed this letter over, saying: “A letter from Lord Jiang. Take a look.”

Jiang Boyou?

Jiang Xuening took the letter to read carefully, discovering it wasn’t written to her by Jiang Boyou, but to Xie Wei.

The letter first thanked Xie Wei for his thorough planning in this matter, saying arrangements at the residence were quite proper without leaking information, only hoping Xie Wei would continue taking care on the journey.

Another matter stated that since the affair was significant, it ultimately couldn’t be hidden from Madam Meng.

Meng-shi was his first wife and Jiang Xuening’s birth mother. There had always been some estrangement due to old matters. Upon learning Jiang Xuening had gotten mixed up in these affairs, she was furious, even nearly falling seriously ill. Recently, news had spread that His Highness Prince Linzi Shen Jie was selecting a consort. The Ministry of Rites, following imperial decree, was drafting candidates and had already marked the name of Jiang Xuening’s older sister Jiang Xuehui. If scandal broke out at home now, ruining the family’s young ladies’ reputations and spoiling this good match, Meng-shi would likely blame Ningning.

Thus he shamelessly requested Xie Wei to counsel Jiang Xuening somewhat.

Upon returning home, she absolutely must not quarrel with her mother. She should humble herself and endure some grievances, lest a ruckus leave the entire household without peace.

Matters of the inner quarters had always been improper to discuss with outsiders.

Yet Jiang Boyou did discuss them in his letter to Xie Wei, showing he trusted this friend across generations extremely, with of course also a layer being that Xie Wei was Jiang Xuening’s teacher—believing that after Jiang Xuening entered the palace as a study companion, she’d improved considerably, crediting Xie Wei’s merit.

The letter did seem quite considerate of Jiang Xuening.

However, after slowly reading it through, she felt whatever warmth had been in her heart scattered completely clean, like the snowy plains and wilderness outside—ice cold.

Xie Wei assessed her expression: “Should I counsel you a few words?”

Jiang Xuening smiled: “How would Sir counsel me?”

Xie Wei thought, then said: “Parental affection is not easily obtained. If you don’t wish to abandon it, there’s no need for direct confrontation. Sometimes taking a step back opens up a broader world, allowing you to obtain what you desire.”

Taking a step back opens up a broader world.

Jiang Xuening kept her eyes lowered, not responding, simply setting down those two pages of letter.

Xie Wei’s Emei zither was in its case, leaning in the corner.

She inadvertently saw it and thus recalled old matters.

This scene was somewhat similar to when she first met Xie Wei years ago.

Only back then there hadn’t been such a large, comfortably arranged carriage—just that simple, plain one with a few chattering servants behind. Back then Xie Wei wasn’t any Shaoshi either, merely a “distant relative” in white cloth robes with a green wood hairpin, holding a zither, with a good-looking face but appearing short-lived, sickly. Back then she certainly wasn’t the current Jiang Xuening either—merely a little girl who’d just witnessed Wanniang’s death not long ago, harboring unspeakable fear as she went to the capital to meet her birth parents, born in the countryside, bristling with spines to hide that panicked, unbearable inferiority…

Now sitting in a carriage with Xie Wei again.

Still on this road to the capital.

Sometimes, Jiang Xuening felt her life was like a joke.

Thinking this, she actually laughed.

Only raising her eyes toward Xie Wei, seeing he was also watching her, she raised an eyebrow: “Has Sir finished counseling?”

Xie Wei saw she didn’t seem to want to engage with others right now, so withdrew his gaze to avoid appearing overly intrusive. He simply picked up that letter from the table, folding it back along the original creases into the envelope, faintly humming acknowledgment: “Finished counseling.”

Jiang Xuening then said: “Then this student takes her leave.”

Xie Wei didn’t stop her.

Jiang Xuening made to rise, but just as she was about to lift the carriage curtain to exit, she remembered the item in her sleeve. So she stopped again, taking out the seal pouch containing the seal. Holding it with both hands, she placed it on the small table, saying: “Last night when passing by, I heard Sir was resting and didn’t dare disturb you to make the request. Having nothing of value, I only managed to carve a book seal to modestly express this student’s small token of gratitude for Sir’s teaching and clarifying guidance. However, it’s somewhat crude—I fear being laughed at by someone of refinement.”

Xie Wei was actually taken aback.

But Jiang Xuening’s mood didn’t seem particularly high. After speaking, she bowed again in salutation and withdrew from the carriage.

That seal pouch rested on the stack of letters.

From the outside, it didn’t look particularly distinctive.

Xie Wei picked it up and unwrapped it. Inside was indeed a small square seal about two and a half cun long and only one cun wide. Turning over the bottom to look, it still had some red ink paste not completely wiped clean in haste—it looked very new.

Outside suddenly came a sharp, cold shout: “Careful, people in the forest!”

It was Jianshu’s voice.

Xie Wei looked up through the gap in the carriage curtain and glimpsed what seemed like several black-clad figures in tight clothing charging toward Xiao Dingfei’s location. In an instant, outside the carriage was filled with the sounds of clashing blades and swords.

He couldn’t even be bothered to look.

Withdrawing his gaze, he simply grasped this small seal and pressed it into his left palm. The ink paste remaining on the seal bottom left a shallow red impression about one cun across in his clean palm.

Master of Zhuoqin Hall.

Xie Wei stared at these characters in his palm for a moment, then suddenly smiled, murmuring lowly to himself: “It is a bit ugly…”