Jiang Xuening had gone out very early in the morning without greeting anyone. Only the gatekeeper saw her leave, but he wouldn’t know where she had gone. If her family discovered she was missing, they would surely worry.

But the matter of going to Shu had already been settled with Jiang Boyou.

If she returned home in this distracted state, it would inevitably make people worry about her current condition, to the point where the plan to go to Shu might not be able to proceed. So halfway back she found a secluded place with few people and sat for a long while, until she forced her emotions to calm somewhat. She scooped up clear water from the stream to wash her face clean before returning to the residence feigning nonchalance.

Early that morning, Jiang Boyou had heard his daughter was missing and hadn’t been able to find out where she’d gone. He had scolded several servants in the residence. Seeing her return as if nothing had happened, his brows furrowed tightly as he said sternly, “Where did you go again? You didn’t even inform the family. If you act like this when you get to Shu, how can anyone feel at ease?”

Jiang Xuening actually had no heart to deal with this.

But in this life, aside from Zhang Zhe, she still had things she must accomplish and mistakes she must make up for. Thus she didn’t reveal any flaws before Jiang Boyou, only saying, “Your daughter was just thinking about soon leaving the capital and felt some attachment to familiar sights. Also, some friends are no longer in the capital, so I took advantage of the early market opening to go out alone for a walk, to clear my mind and see if I needed to prepare any gifts for old friends before leaving the capital. It was an impulse, combined with the sorrow of parting. It was your daughter’s fault to make you worry.”

She looked no different from usual, though indeed she didn’t seem very spirited. Jiang Boyou had no idea what had passed between her and Zhang Zhe, so naturally couldn’t guess where she had gone this morning. He simply took her words as truth.

For any other proper young lady, this excuse would be nonsense.

But for Jiang Xuening, it was perfectly reasonable.

However, this explanation also made Jiang Boyou sigh. “Since you have some attachment, then would you consider giving up on going to Shu? If you don’t like staying at home, then finding someone satisfactory to marry wouldn’t be a bad option either.”

Jiang Xuening looked up at Jiang Boyou.

Jiang Boyou had wanted to bring this up last night, but seeing her distracted state, he had only discussed various matters about going to Shu and ultimately didn’t have time to speak before returning home. So it was put off until today. “At yesterday’s banquet, your father actually took notice of someone with good character. After much consideration, I think he would actually suit you well. If it could work out, it might be a good marriage.”

Jiang Xuening had no interest in this and shook her head.

But Jiang Boyou said, “That Lord Zhang, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Justice, I heard he took quite good care of you during the Tongzhou incident. Though he seems silent and reticent, he’s someone dependable. Yesterday your father chatted with him for a bit—he’s truly a rare upright official at court. Won’t you at least consider it?”

“…”

Jiang Xuening never expected that the person Jiang Boyou had taken a fancy to was Zhang Zhe. For a moment her heart was filled with mixed feelings—bitter and desolate. She couldn’t cry, nor could she laugh.

She slowly lowered her eyes.

Then said, “Father has truly taken great pains, but your daughter’s intention to go to Shu is decided, and all arrangements have been made properly. Moreover, with your daughter’s domineering temperament, it’s better not to bring harm to others. Please dismiss this thought, Father.”

Jiang Boyou was instantly helpless.

Though he certainly appreciated Zhang Zhe, since Ning girl had no interest, it really wasn’t good to force it. He hadn’t held much hope when originally raising this suggestion anyway. Jiang Xuening’s indifference was within his expectations.

So he could only say, “Then there’s really nothing to be done. But Shu is so far away with high mountains and distant waters, I’m truly worried…”

“Father is a Vice Minister of Revenue, wielding power within the Six Ministries. Sichuan Governor Lu Wenying was your classmate in the same examination year, and the Rongzhou Prefect once received your kindness in the past—everything above has been arranged properly.” Jiang Xuening had indeed never been to Shu, but surprisingly felt little fear in her heart. “Below, your daughter also has her old friend You Fangyin, who married into the Ren family who now manage the large Ziliujing salt yard. With her looking after me, it shouldn’t be bad. Also, I heard that Miss Fan Yilan from Minister Fan of the Ministry of Rites—the one who was eliminated for her poetry talent when we went together for the companion selection last year—has also been in Shu for the past few months, residing in Chengdu. If your daughter goes there, she won’t be without company.”

Fan Yilan had traveled to various places after the companion selection, so naturally she had no real friendship with Jiang Xuening.

But this lady was the one who had set the unprecedented example.

A woman leaving the capital to travel and write poetry—in recent months some of her poetic works had circulated and gained a modest reputation. Moreover, her father’s official position was even higher than Jiang Boyou’s, and she was in Shu, which naturally made her more convincing to Jiang Boyou.

Thinking it over, Jiang Boyou finally had nothing more to say, only remarking, “Since that’s the case, in these remaining two days you should see if there are any old friends in the capital you need to bid farewell to. Have good conversations with them, since who knows how long it will be before you can return from this journey.”

Jiang Xuening said, “Yes.”

But after Jiang Boyou left, she sat under the flower trellis outside her room, looking at those several tall hibiscus trees by the courtyard wall. With spring passing into summer, green leaves were growing, yet there wasn’t a single flower. She remembered Yan Lin in his brocade robes climbing over the wall to pluck a hibiscus flower and toss it into her lap, his eyes full of laughter.

At that time, the spirited youth had not yet experienced wind and rain, the pampered princess was carefree, You Fangyin was still a pitiful concubine-born daughter desperately seeking a way out, and she had just been reborn, full of hope for everything and for Zhang Zhe.

But now, everything had changed while the scenery remained.

The Yongyi Marquis Estate collapsed overnight, the Yan clan exiled to Huangzhou; the Tartar marriage alliance with wolf-like ambitions, Grand Princess Leyang going to the barbarian lands; You Fangyin transformed, marrying Ren Weizhi and going far away to Shu; and all her fortune and hope shattered, beaten bloody in this love and hate with Zhang Zhe, finally knowing that the past was not like smoke after all.

What was there left worth cherishing in this capital?

Jiang Xuening couldn’t think of anything.

If she had originally felt some melancholy, it was only because Zhang Zhe was still in the capital. But now, whether or not she could let go, the heavy entanglement of love and hate from the past could only come to an end on this day.

Even the last trace of reluctance vanished with it.

She thought she had never felt so urgently about wanting to leave this prosperous cage, to go to that free landscape she had longed for.

The household had already begun packing luggage.

Fearing complications along the way, this matter was not publicly announced.

Jiang Xuening carefully sorted things out. Since this journey was both to fulfill her previous life’s wishes and to ensure she could successfully rescue Grand Princess Leyang in the future, she couldn’t neglect her connections in the capital. People like Fang Miao and Xiao Dingfei, though not necessarily useful, were better tended to than not. So during these last two days, she had people prepare some gifts to send to various residences.

These days Xiao Dingfei had been stirring up trouble with Jiang Xuening, fully experiencing the joy of doing whatever he pleased and acting lawlessly. Taking advantage of the Xiao clan’s troubles to constantly kick them while they were down, he had thoroughly embodied the terms “profligate son” and “squandered genius.” Right when he was at the height of his pleasure unable to extricate himself, he suddenly received Jiang Xuening’s parting gift and was so shocked he jumped three feet high.

That very afternoon he charged to the Jiang residence, grabbing her sleeve and wailing dramatically.

Who knew how much was real and how much was an act, spouting nonsense like “who will I rely on after you’re gone,” “how can you abandon me alone to go enjoy yourself,” and “you promised to protect me.” But he couldn’t pester for long before Jiang Boyou, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, had people beat him out with sticks.

Jiang Xuening felt nothing, thinking that with Xiao Dingfei’s flexible character—able to play both man and ghost—he wouldn’t suffer any great losses anywhere, so she didn’t take his words seriously.

However, after Xiao Dingfei left, she became somewhat hesitant.

She had taken care of everyone except one person who troubled her.

This person was Xie Wei.

In the previous life, this person had plotted rebellion, killed all the imperial family, executed all the Xiao clan, staining the rivers and mountains with blood. Though she had brought it upon herself, in the end she was reduced to suicide and burial with the emperor—ultimately she feared Xie Wei.

After Wanniang’s death, when she was brought back to the capital traveling alongside him, he knew all her wretchedness and disgrace, so she also felt aversion and avoidance in her heart.

In this life, she had changed her obstinate perversity, going with the flow when possible, coaxing when possible, and had actually become his student. She had helped him and received his help, so beyond fear and disgust, she felt some gratitude.

Various emotions intertwined, truly complex.

But no matter how complex, in this life Xie Wei was after all her teacher and had many connections with her. Moreover, he was at court. In the future when Yan Lin led troops, he would need Xie Wei’s assistance at court. When attacking the Tartars to rescue the Grand Princess, they would need him to maneuver behind the scenes…

Everyone could be neglected, but not him.

Everyone could be offended, but not him.

Jiang Xuening could bend and stretch. Besides, this life’s Xie Wei didn’t seem so frightening. After thinking it over, she decided to cater to his preferences and simply made a trip to the Youhuang Pavilion.

These days Lu Xian’s business was mediocre—he hadn’t sold many qin. But from Shu there were frequent reports of success. The Ren family salt yard was going smoothly. Though he had previously lost some money selling and buying back shares, now watching the stock price slowly rise back he couldn’t help beaming with joy.

Recently the young attendant at Youhuang Pavilion could even hear him humming songs while drinking tea.

His mood couldn’t be brighter.

On this early summer afternoon, after a half-hour nap, he was holding a fine purple clay teapot, walking around inspecting his qin shop.

Looking up to see a customer arrive, he was pleased at first.

But upon focusing to identify the person, his eyebrows raised.

Lu Xian smiled craftily. “Well, well, a rare and distinguished guest! If it isn’t Second Miss Jiang? Are you here to commission a qin, buy a qin, or perhaps to discuss stock shares with me?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening knew Lu Xian was still brooding over the old Ren family salt yard stock transaction. Looking at his expression, she knew she appeared to him as a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

A perfectly good jinshi degree holder and Hanlin Academy future minister—how had he become such a mercenary merchant?

Jiang Xuening didn’t smile. “To buy a qin.”

Lu Xian was immediately disappointed, but turning his thoughts around he perked up again. “That’s excellent! In recent months I’ve acquired several fine qin. I was thinking early on that the Jiao’an you’ve been playing since last year should be replaced after half a year. Come look at these few—delicate lacquer, elegant and dignified, perfect for a proper young lady like yourself…”

Jiang Xuening’s lips twitched slightly. “This qin is not for a woman.”

Lu Xian said “Oh,” and quickly turned his hand to the qin hanging on another wall, diligently recommending them. “The qin for gentlemen are all on this side. Look at this one made of zelkova wood, crafted over two years by a one-armed qin maker from Heyang. Though it’s somewhat inferior to that Jiao’an you took before, it’s absolutely presentable as a gift…”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

She looked at Lu Xian wordlessly.

Lu Xian’s skill at reading expressions was formidable. He easily detected her dissatisfaction, so his eyes brightened even more. “None of these satisfy you?”

Jiang Xuening glanced at him and spoke truthfully. “It’s for Xie Shaoshi.”

Lu Xian: “…”

Lu Xian, who had been prepared to ruthlessly swindle Jiang Xuening of a large sum with an ordinary qin, found the ingratiating smile on his face almost immediately freezing. His hand, which had just been pointing to a qin priced at five thousand taels but actually worth only thirteen hundred taels, also froze as if turned to ice, slowly withdrawing.

He felt a mouthful of old blood in his throat.

Swindling Jiang Xuening was simple—after all, she couldn’t tell good from bad. But if this qin was really sent to Xie Wei, heh, regardless of how many years he had worked like an ox and horse for that surnamed Xie, if Xie Wei saw it was an inferior qin, he’d be made to cry for mercy!

Lu Xian examined Jiang Xuening with a different look, only pondering whether this young lady was doing this on purpose.

But whether intentional or not, his original merchant schemes immediately evaporated completely.

Lifting the curtain to the inner room, he hung a cordial and warm smile back on his face. “Please come inside. I’ll have the attendant bring out those qin.”

Not long after, Jiang Xuening paid four thousand taels for a qin and emerged from inside.

Lu Xian counted the banknotes in his hand, but his heart lamented that he had earned half less than he could have. As he was about to personally see Jiang Xuening out, he couldn’t help but be curious. “That surnamed Xie—no, Xie Ju’an’s birthday isn’t around this time. Why did you suddenly think of giving him a qin?”

Jiang Xuening held the qin diagonally, saying indifferently, “For the grace of being my teacher, a parting gift, nothing more.”

Lu Xian’s heart jumped as he froze.

But Jiang Xuening bowed slightly, turned past the staircase, and went downstairs. She directly boarded the carriage waiting at the street side and traveled far along the long street.

This trip took her straight to the Xie residence.