On the other side.

Zhao’er sat in the carriage returning to her manor.

A smile continuously graced her lips.

The maid beside her stared at her for a long time.

Finally unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked, “Miss, are you thinking about that Young Master Jing?”

Uh!

With one sentence, she had spoken what was in her heart.

Was it that obvious?

She’d been found out just like that?

Zhao’er felt extremely shy, gently turning aside, her face flushed with color.

“I’m not!”

The maid smiled, looking quite shrewd as she raised her chin and said, “Miss, your thoughts are written all over your face. Just now you kept staring at Young Master Jing, and this servant saw everything!”

“I…”

“But truly speaking, that Young Master Jing is indeed talented and handsome, a perfect match for you, Miss.”

Zhao’er looked up. “Really?”

“Of course! Miss, you’re kind-hearted and beautiful, while Young Master Jing is handsome and very righteous. You two together would indeed be a perfect match.”

The maid’s face was full of longing.

Fantasizing about the scene of her young mistress together with that Young Master Jing.

How beautiful it must be!

Certainly more beautiful than today’s heavy snow!

With the maid saying this, Zhao’er grew even more bashful!

She lowered her gaze, the smile at the corners of her mouth deepening.

She was about to say something.

But in the next moment—

The maid withdrew her joyful expression.

Immediately pouring cold water on her.

“However… this servant noticed that Young Master Jing seemed very indifferent, didn’t talk much, and seemed not to care about anything. Miss, you’ve expressed all your feelings, but he doesn’t seem to understand at all. I don’t know why, but I always feel he keeps people at a distance.”

Jingrong didn’t keep people at a distance!

He was simply indifferent to all women except Ji Yinshu!

After hearing the maid’s words, Zhao’er’s heart immediately sank.

Feeling somewhat dejected.

Of course she knew, she had noticed. She had always been unable to hide her feelings—if she liked someone, she liked them; if she didn’t, she didn’t. But Young Master Jing seemed completely oblivious and would even deliberately avoid her.

Seeing her mistress’s expression change, the maid realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly said, “This servant was just talking carelessly, Miss, don’t overthink it.”

Comforting her!

Zhao’er didn’t speak. After a long silence, she finally said, “You don’t need to comfort me. I understand in my heart.”

“Miss…”

“Perhaps…” She shook her head, not continuing. Instead, she told the maid, “Only you know my feelings. You can’t tell anyone else, not even Zhuxin.”

The maid nodded. “Yes, this servant will say nothing.”

“Also, you can’t mention that we went to the City Magistrate’s Office today. If Father learns I went there and saw Big Brother Cheng, he’ll certainly be unhappy.”

“Understood, this servant knows.”

Only then did Zhao’er feel at ease.

…

At the old residence.

Bai Yin sat in the front courtyard’s corridor. Seeing that the sky had already darkened but Jingrong and Ji Yinshu still hadn’t returned,

He couldn’t help feeling somewhat worried.

Song Zhi was sitting in the main hall reading.

He’d been reading all day!

When he finally looked up, the sky had turned dark!

He saw Bai Yin sitting in the outer corridor with a worried expression.

So he poured a cup of hot tea and carried it out.

Walking to Bai Yin’s side, he offered him the tea.

“Drink some hot tea to warm yourself.”

Bai Yin said, “No need.”

“You should still drink some!”

“I said no need.”

Bai Yin’s attitude toward Song Zhi remained the same as before.

Neither warm nor cold!

Song Zhi withdrew his hand that had been awkwardly suspended in the air holding the hot tea, then took a sip himself.

To ease the embarrassment!

But he didn’t leave. Instead, he sat down beside Bai Yin.

Keeping him company!

Bai Yin frowned. “You should go back inside and read.”

“It’s fine. I’ll sit with you for a while.”

“I don’t need company!”

“Were you like this before too?”

Hm?

Bai Yin was puzzled and glanced at him. “What do you mean?”

Song Zhi said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. From Yiwu to here, you always seem to be alone, looking… very lonely.”

Pfft—

Lonely?

That was quite the adjective!

Bai Yin’s expression stiffened. He told him very seriously, “I’m not lonely.”

“Then why are you always unhappy?”

“Am I?”

“Yes!”

“You’re overthinking it. I’m not!”

Song Zhi paused. Could he really be overthinking it? But after pondering for a moment, he said, “Actually, being alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Look at me—aren’t I often alone as well? But I enjoy the freedom.”

“I’ll say it again—I don’t feel lonely!” Bai Yin emphasized his tone.

“Actually, there’s no shame in admitting it!”

Bai Yin: “…”

Like a bone stuck in his throat!

He felt he truly had no way to communicate with scholars.

Even less way to communicate with scholars like Song Zhi.

It was simply exhausting!

And maddening.

But Bai Yin restrained himself.

Seeing him silent, Song Zhi asked, “Bai Yin, you all… if you find the person you’re looking for, will you leave Gaoding?”

His tone carried the sadness of not wanting to part.

Bai Yin asked, “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

“No reason, just asking.”

“Then don’t ask.” Bai Yin said curtly.

Song Zhi fell silent for a moment, then asked again, “Is the person you’re looking for very important?”

“Yes!”

“What kind of person are they?”

“Some things that you shouldn’t ask about, don’t ask.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. I just want to help.”

“Help with what?”

“Perhaps I know the person you’re looking for?” Song Zhi said very earnestly.

Bai Yin was about to throw him a line of “it’s none of your business,” but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back, only saying, “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know them.”

“You haven’t said yet. How do you know I don’t know them?”

Bai Yin was too lazy to argue with him further. “You should go back inside and read.”

“It’s fi—” ne.

“Go now!”

Song Zhi’s body trembled. He had no choice but to silently stand up, carrying that bowl of tea and looking back every few steps as he went inside.

Watching the sky grow darker and darker, Bai Yin truly became worried.

Jingrong and Ji Yinshu were on the carriage returning—

Snow was still falling outside!

On a winter night, there weren’t many people on the streets of the eastern district. Red lanterns hung outside shops along the road.

The orange-red light reflected on the white snow, like the glow of sunset.

Ji Yinshu pulled aside the carriage curtain to look outside. The long street appeared dreamlike under the white snow, reality and illusion alternating.

Breathtakingly beautiful.

Suddenly an impulse arose in her heart—she wanted to walk back through the heavy snow.

Jingrong sat beside her, seemingly perceiving her thoughts.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward.

Then he said to the guard driving the horses, “Stop here.”

“Yes!”

The guard pulled the reins, bringing the horses to a halt.

Ji Yinshu was somewhat confused and turned to look at him.

“What is it?”

Jingrong smiled gently, already taking her hand and helping her down from the carriage.

At the same time, he opened an umbrella and held it over both their heads!