The weather gradually grew colder, and Pu Garden, where famous flowers had been painstakingly planted everywhere, also lost its splendor, revealing a touch of winter’s desolation.

Pu Garden had gradually shown some stability recently. The Prince’s improved mood had lifted everyone’s spirits in the garden. The result of this relaxation was that Guard Liu Sanhu’s whip technique became increasingly spectacular. Physician Ruan and his simple-minded medicine boy were no longer kept under tight surveillance. Qiu Shu from the study had recovered from his injuries and returned to serve. Due to the friendship between Qiu Shu and Liu Sanhu from entering the residence in the same batch, and because Physician Ruan had once received instructions from Miss Shaoyao to deliver medicine to Qiu Shu, there was some reasonable and open interaction between them. As the frequency increased, gradually no one paid attention.

Guard Liu Sanhu asked the Deputy Captain of Guards to help find him a wife. He had originally just been making casual conversation, but couldn’t withstand honest Old Liu taking it seriously and chasing after him every day, crying and begging him to set up an introduction. That Deputy Captain, pestered beyond endurance by Old Liu, randomly found a maid from the inner courtyard—not one of Miss Shaoyao’s maids, but a girl who, upon closer inspection, had quite good looks, though she was somewhat strange and peculiar. It was said she had a habit of talking oddly in her sleep, often frightening her roommates half to death. Gradually, no one wanted to associate with her, and they didn’t dare let her serve in respectable places, so she was assigned to the sewing room and forgotten. As this maid gradually grew older, no one thought to release her. The Deputy Captain of Guards once entered the inner courtyard to report matters and inadvertently saw her. His heart stirred, thinking that since Old Liu was a crude man who surely slept like the dead, he wouldn’t hear her sleep talking, so why not introduce her to him?

He quietly told Old Liu, instructing Warrior Liu Sanhu never to tell Captain Liu of the Guard Corps. Old Liu nodded solemnly with a dark face—naturally he couldn’t tell; his masochist would be jealous.

Finding opportunities to secretly meet the maid several times, Old Liu hissed through his teeth—who told him she looked not bad? How was this “not bad” determined? What kind of eyesight could see “not bad” in this face? That would require extraordinarily exceptional vision… Well, he admitted, upon careful examination the features were absolutely beautiful, but they were hidden among extremely thick hair that hadn’t been washed in a long time, set off by a long scar under her chin and years of yellowish grime on her neck. That beauty was truly hair-raising and deafening.

Warrior Liu was sorrowful. Warrior Liu sorrowfully thought that his great king who loved cleanliness and frequently washed his feet had no choice but to deal with a filthy woman. If his little aunt knew about this, how heartbroken she would be.

He also wondered how such an oddity could remain in a wealthy place like Pu Garden. Don’t large households scrutinize their maids? Moreover, with the Prince residing here, why hadn’t she been driven out? Upon inquiry, he learned this woman wasn’t from Pucheng but was from the mountains on the border between Great Yue and Tiansheng. Years ago, the Pu Garden steward had encountered danger in the mountains and been saved by this woman. Seeing her alone and quite pitiful, he brought her back to look after her—she just couldn’t appear before important people normally.

Guard Liu Sanhu, hearing this account, felt his heart stir, vaguely remembering something, though he couldn’t quite grasp it clearly. Because of this inexplicable stirring, he didn’t reject the woman. Finding opportunities to secretly meet several times, this woman actually seemed quite fond of him. Every time she saw him, her eyes were full of affection, with a gaze like Liu Tuzi’s that made Warrior Liu break out in goosebumps every time their eyes met.

This day, the inner courtyard sewing room was distributing winter clothes to the outer courtyard guards. These errand-running tasks in the inner courtyard were all done by the maid called Jiarong. The Deputy Captain of Guards arranged for Old Liu to collect the winter clothes, also giving them a chance to meet.

Jiarong, whose appearance wasn’t good, saw Liu Sanhu and her eyes lit up. Suppressing herself, she handed the winter clothes to a servant to take back, then shyly and timidly invited Old Liu to take a walk at Biyi Pool at the boundary between the inner and outer courtyards. Old Liu rolled his eyes and agreed—what kind of walk by a cold lake in the dead of winter? Besides, were people allowed to take walks in the garden? That’s not called taking a walk, that’s called having an affair.

This Pu Garden was truly the place that would bury his lifelong reputation. He’d encountered the rabbit, been stuck with the daily whip-cracking job, and now had to accompany an ugly woman on a walk.

The two trembled as they circled the not-very-large Biyi Pool, walking round and round, three or four circles already. Jiarong, who had been shyly twisting her handkerchief, didn’t speak, but kept trying to lead Old Liu toward secluded places.

Old Liu resolutely refused—wash your neck clean first before talking!

“Hehe, the residence has been quite peaceful lately…” Old Liu chatted aimlessly, thinking about how to steer the conversation toward Miss Shaoyao.

“New Year is coming soon, then it’ll get busy again.” Jiarong secretly tried to touch his hand.

The trembling hand hadn’t yet made contact when Old Liu suddenly raised his hand to arrange his hair, looking around at the scenery. “Ah, your sewing room must be too busy to sleep, right? The Prince’s… clothes are all taken care of by you?”

“I’m not qualified yet to make the Prince’s clothes. That’s done by our Head Seamstress.” Jiarong wasn’t discouraged, intentionally or unintentionally moving to his other side.

Old Liu swiftly changed direction. “Then your Head Seamstress must have it easy, only making clothes for one person.”

Jiarong shuffled and moved over again, her face reddening as she secretly glanced at his perky bottom, saying absentmindedly: “Not at all. The Prince’s clothes are the most labor-intensive, and she also has to make Miss Shaoyao’s clothes. I heard recently she took on another job, making ceremonial garments for Miss Shaoyao…”

Old Liu froze and stopped moving. Jiarong successfully touched Old Liu’s hand and quickly scratched his palm. Unfortunately, the flirtatious technique she’d learned wasn’t quite right—she’d forgotten to trim her nails. One scratch left a red mark, nearly breaking the skin of Old Liu’s palm.

But Old Liu currently had no time to worry about this inadequate flirtation. “Ah!” he said. “Ceremonial garments?”

“Yes, after New Year the Prince will take a concubine. That Miss Shaoyao, a war captive, is now flying up to the branch. If she bears a son or daughter, she might even become a secondary consort.” Jiarong pursed her lips and suddenly turned to stare at Liu Sanhu. “You seem particularly concerned about this Miss Shaoyao?”

Her tone was sour.

“Not at all.” Old Liu immediately took her hand, gently rubbing her palm. “What morning glories, peonies, or trumpet flowers—none can compare to one ten-thousandth of my Jiarong. You are my heart, my liver, my precious darling. When you look at me once, my heart trembles three times.”

Having said this, Old Liu really did tremble.

“You fool!” Jiarong coquettishly stamped her foot. Even through that thick hair, one could see her face flush red. Her eyes sparkled as she swatted Old Liu. “How can you say such disgusting things!”

Yes, how did he manage to say such disgusting things? Old Liu looked heavenward…

“Disgusting? I was moved by passion.” Old Liu took Jiarong’s hand and put his arm around her waist, leading her behind the trees. “Jiarong, we’re both not young anymore. I think we should settle our lifelong matter. When exactly after New Year will the Prince take his concubine? After that big event is finished, we can talk to the steward about releasing you.”

Jiarong was bashfully led by him, her heart pounding, body soft, soul flying. In her daze, she answered: “The eighth day of the first month, I think. Miss Shaoyao’s health has gradually improved, so the Prince dares to proceed with taking a concubine. Otherwise he’d fear tiring her. A few days ago I heard Sister Hexiang say the Prince moved Miss Shaoyao out of Cuixue Studio, saying the furnishings there were too harsh and Miss Shaoyao would have nightmares at night. Originally she was to stay in Lvqi Residence next to the Prince, but Miss Shaoyao prefers quiet, so she chose Tingfeng Pavilion in the southwest corner of the inner courtyard with its own private garden. Of the original maids and matrons, they selected the good ones to bring over, and said they’d add a few new ones…”

She chattered on, telling Liu Sanhu everything she knew. Liu Sanhu listened absentmindedly while grinning and groping, making her go weak all over, completely forgetting what she was saying. Liu Sanhu added: “You’re close with Hexiang who serves beside Shaoyao. I think in the future you might as well cultivate more friendship with her. If you gain favor before Miss Shaoyao, when you’re released she might even give you some dowry. That would be face for both of us.”

But Jiarong pursed her lips and said: “What rare person is she? Just a war captive with good luck. My wet nurse told me that I’m actually the one who…”

She suddenly stopped talking, showing a confused expression. Liu Sanhu didn’t pay attention to this sentence, his mind full of what he’d just heard. Thinking it over, he withdrew his hand from her bosom. Jiarong felt lost, whimpering and clinging to him. But Old Liu was already impatient. Checking the time, he swiftly stood up and said: “I’m leaving.”

Jiarong sat up in shock. She was at the age of blooming desire, and after being aroused by Old Liu’s few moves, she unexpectedly found him withdraw. It was like falling off a cliff in a dream, or needing the privy urgently but being unable to find one—that feeling of both emptiness and being left halfway was truly unbearable, like being scratched by cat claws. She stared blankly at Old Liu, then suddenly raised her hand to grab his trouser leg, tears already welling in her eyes.

Old Liu hated people grabbing his trouser leg the most!

He was sick of being grabbed every day!

He had felt some compassion, but suddenly couldn’t help wanting to explode. Old Liu smiled wickedly and calmly spread his hand before Jiarong.

On his hand were some faint strip-shaped gray marks—upon closer inspection, they seemed to be grime rubbed off…

He’d just rubbed her wrist and chest and rubbed this off…

Jiarong was stunned before she could see clearly what it was. With a boom, her face burned up. In an instant, her whole body trembled with shame and indignation, wishing she were dead. Old Liu had already chuckled, turned without another word, and lifted his leg to leave.

“Splash.”

The sound of water behind him made Old Liu’s hair stand on end. Oh no, if this girl was overstimulated and jumped in the water, this would be big trouble. Not only would it cost a life, it might ruin everyone’s plans!

Old Liu swiftly turned around, took a running start, and prepared to heroically dive into the river to save the beauty. As he turned, he suddenly froze.

That girl was paddling in the river!

What was this? Warrior Liu Sanhu stood dumbly by the river. Swimming in the dead of winter? If she wanted to swim, why do it in front of him? Or had she been driven mad, with her legendary strange problem acting up?

Yet looking at the woman in the river trembling with a pale face, it didn’t seem like it.

Before Old Liu could react, Jiarong in the river suddenly dunked her head underwater!

Oh my, was she trying to drown herself in the river? Did it need to be this difficult?

Old Liu stared blankly at the shape of Miss Jiarong’s head dunked underwater in the river, thinking whether this was a demonstration or a display of her breath-holding skills. Before he could think it through, he suddenly heard a “splash.”

A crystal wall of water rose from the surface, and brilliant colors flashed within the crystal wall.

Warrior Liu Sanhu froze.

The thick hair was gone, the scar on her chin was gone, the yellowing grime all over her face was gone. The woman clothed in watery light had skin like snow, elegant eyebrows gathering mist, a pair of slender, flowing phoenix eyes, water light rippling within them. She was bright as the clear moon, radiant as a lotus flower.

She stood trembling in the water, lips quivering as she looked at Old Liu. Her thin jacket was soaked through and clinging to her body, revealing the exquisite figure usually hidden by her especially loose jacket. She was graceful like a slender lotus leaf, swaying in the winter’s blue waves.

Old Liu hissed and drew in a cold breath—after recognizing her for a long time, he finally recognized her. Jiarong, Jiarong—truly a superior countenance indeed.

The beauty who had transformed by washing in the winter lake water trembled as she looked at Old Liu, trembling as she asked: “I… I… I… am I clean now…”

Warrior Liu Sanhu rubbed his nose, finally repenting somewhat for his earlier unconscionable behavior, and said awkwardly: “Clean, clean. Actually, I said you should wash, but did you need to wash so vigorously? Come out quickly, freezing in this cold weather is no joke…”

“Am I… clean now…” Jiarong tremblingly rubbed her wrist. “…No more… no more dirt…”

Old Liu had a splitting headache. Inland women were just this fragile—seeking death over the slightest harm. If this were Feng Zhiwei, whoever said she was dirty, she’d definitely send them to the mud pit. She’d never jump in the water pit herself.

Old Liu sighed bleakly and went to pull Jiarong out, while consolingly rubbing her wrist. “…Clean, very clean…”

Jiarong sobbed and threw herself into his arms, immediately getting him soaked from head to toe, crying convulsively. “I… I saved up… ten-plus years of grime… all washed away… for you…”

Old Liu went “uh,” thinking how much this sentence sounded like “I preserved my purity for over ten years and gave it all to you,” but how much more sorrowful the content was…

He held Jiarong’s shoulders and pushed her away slightly, saying solemnly: “Rest assured, I will be responsible for the ten-plus years of grime you worked so hard to accumulate… uh.”

Jiarong, having received this promise, cried even more tearfully in his arms. Old Liu looked at the mottled yellow marks on the back of her neck, not daring to remind her that actually, miss, you still haven’t washed completely clean…

The cold wind whistled. Old Liu, half-soaked, held a completely soaked beauty, thinking through gritted teeth: Little aunt, little aunt, for you I’ve really suffered a huge loss. There’s nothing more tragic in this world than looking but not being able to eat.

“Why did you make yourself so dirty?” With Jiarong crying non-stop, Old Liu could only change the subject.

“I… don’t know either.” Jiarong sobbed. “My wet nurse told me to. Before she died, she said that for an orphan girl to survive in this world, she couldn’t have good looks, or it would bring disaster. She made me swear a poisonous oath to hide my appearance. So all these years I never trimmed my hair, stuck on a fake scar, and tried to make myself as dirty as possible. I originally planned to live like this my whole life… but… but…”

But when her sweetheart showed disgust, she couldn’t hold out.

A woman’s weakness is always love.

“Since you made a poisonous oath, you still shouldn’t violate it.” Warrior Liu Sanhu thought that such a beauty suddenly appearing would truly be troublesome. “When your hair dries, don’t fix it, still let it hang over your face. Put the scar back on. Oh dear, this skin…”

Jiarong looked at him resentfully. “All the dirt I saved up for so long is washed away…”

That tone was as if saying I poured out my decades of private savings to subsidize you, you gigolo.

“White is a bit whiter then.” Old Liu sighed and patted her shoulder. “If anyone is surprised, just say you were always like this—what’s so shocking? It’s their bad eyesight.”

Jiarong was simple-minded and happily accepted this not-very-good reason from her sweetheart. She nodded, then suddenly sneezed. Old Liu quickly pushed her. “Go back, go back! Hurry and take a hot bath and change clothes!”

“You…” Jiarong was reluctant to part.

“I’ll always be yours…” Old Liu opened his mouth, but those smooth love words suddenly wouldn’t come out. Earlier he’d been playing along, thinking this girl was just eager to marry. At worst, he could look for an opportunity to take her out and find her a good grassland man. But now she had broken her poisonous oath because of one sentence of disgust from him, clearly deeply in love. How could he continue closing his eyes and spouting sweet nothings to deceive her?

A woman’s affection cannot be hurt. Hurting it repeatedly creates karma. After the Meiduo incident, someone had learned his painful lesson and absolutely dared not trifle with women’s hearts again.

With a sigh, he touched Jiarong’s hair and said gently: “Go back. Don’t worry, I’ll remember you.”

Jiarong blushed and walked away with three backward glances per step. Old Liu sighed and walked off shaking his wet cotton robe. That evening he encountered cleaning servant Ning So-and-so. The two had been exchanging information during this period, and despite constant bickering, had formed an odd friendship. He couldn’t help telling him about this matter.

Ning Cheng’s eyes flashed with a strange light, but he said nothing, mumbling a few sentences before leaving. Warrior Liu Sanhu didn’t pay attention, continuing to chat and flirt with Jiarong, occasionally letting her take small advantages while gathering bits and pieces of information. He pieced it together and shared it with everyone, running errands diligently, running back and forth throughout the outer courtyard. Not to mention the guard shift times and sequences, the changes in inner and outer post rotations, and the various large and small hidden sentries he could find—he’d even urinated at the base of every wall to mark that he’d been there.

Of course, the others weren’t idle either, doing much the same things, waiting for Miss Shaoyao’s body to be strong enough to support a long flight and pursuit, while waiting for the time they’d agreed upon to arrive.

This day Old Liu went to meet Jiarong again, bringing her some rouge and powder. Seeing that the rouge was of excellent quality, Jiarong was immediately very pleased. Old Liu scratched his head and very sincerely stated that this was half a month’s wages. Jiarong immediately used her youthfully vigorous chest to pin him in a corner and fiercely used her cherry-small mouth beneath thick hair and fake scar to express her worship of his three pectoral muscles.

There were two portions of rouge. Having been thoroughly taken advantage of, Old Liu stated that he didn’t know which kind was better, so he bought both. Both types were naturally good, with one slightly inferior. This was Physician Ruan’s idea—if both types were absolutely excellent, women would generally keep both for themselves, but if one was slightly inferior, it would be easier to give the worse one away as a favor.

Old Liu had expressed his sincere admiration for Physician Ruan at the time, and solemnly asked if he’d grown up among women. He’d just asked casually, but unexpectedly the usually gentle and easy-going Physician Ruan, upon hearing this, immediately rewarded him with itching powder, causing him to scratch innocently for many days.

Sure enough, Jiarong happily said she wanted to give one portion to Hexiang, and was about to return to the inner courtyard. Old Liu happened to need to deliver documents, so he accompanied her part of the way. At the inner courtyard entrance, he saw Qiu Shu waiting there.

That person stood quietly at the inner courtyard entrance, with a composed bearing. The blue robe and small cap on him didn’t make him seem cramped at all. Seeing Old Liu and Jiarong coming together, his eyes swept over them.

Old Liu felt that gaze seemed to be looking at him, though actually, perhaps not.

“Little Qiu.” Old Liu handed over the box, greeting him with a smile. “How are your buttocks?”

Qiu Shu glanced at him and took the box, his tone polite and courteous. “Thanks to your concern. Guard Liu with beauties on both sides enjoys great romantic fortune—truly makes your brothers envious.”

Old Liu’s face instantly turned pale. Jiarong shyly lowered her head, thinking hazily that “great romantic fortune” was right, but where did “beauties on both sides” come from?

“This young lady is…” Qiu Shu looked at Jiarong with an expression waiting for Old Liu to introduce her.

Old Liu rolled his eyes and reluctantly introduced her: “Miss Jiarong from the embroidery room.”

Jiarong thought this was her man’s good friend and had no reservations. She shyly curtsied to Qiu Shu. Qiu Shu half-turned his body and courteously returned the greeting. Jiarong said: “If Brother Qiu has any clothes that need mending, feel free to send word through a servant. I’ll take care of it for Brother Qiu.”

This sounded simple but was quite difficult to execute in the strictly regulated inner courtyard—it was just polite talk. But Qiu Shu smiled and agreed, saying a few more words before taking his leave.

Old Liu stared at his retreating back, then looked at Jiarong who had left by another path, stroking his chin with a thoughtful expression.

A few days later, the inner courtyard steward suddenly sent word that a batch of maids and servants were of age and, taking advantage of the New Year festivities, would be released before the holiday. The list came out, and it included Jiarong, to be married to secondary gate guard Liu Sanhu.

Warrior Liu Sanhu led Jiarong in thanking for the grace, but felt somewhat strange in his heart. There had been no news of releasing anyone before—how did it suddenly happen? He had originally planned to bring Jiarong out after everything was completely finished. This was a bit early, but fortunately he’d already learned quite a lot, so it didn’t matter.

When he asked Jiarong, she said shyly: “I went to the steward myself… I’m also… not young anymore…”

Old Liu, hearing this, always felt something was off. This girl wasn’t someone with such initiative. Who had given her this idea?

He brought Jiarong out of the residence to live in a house in Big Persimmon Alley in the western district of Pucheng. Since his fabricated background claimed he was a local, he naturally had his own shabby house in Pucheng, complete with fake mother and fake grandmother. His men were also stationed nearby, but to avoid exposing flaws, he rarely returned.

That night a group of guards came to his “home” to celebrate with wine, immediately clamoring to force a wedding ceremony. Old Liu absolutely refused, but the crude men immediately pushed Old Liu and Jiarong into the room and locked them in.

Old Liu turned around to see Jiarong sitting shyly on the bedside, completely acquiescing to the guards’ rowdy behavior, looking like she really planned to give herself to him tonight. Looking more carefully by lamplight, he noticed that because she’d left the residence, she’d trimmed her thick hair, removed the fake scar, and bathed, applying light powder and rouge. In the dim candlelight she was increasingly stunningly beautiful. His heart immediately tightened, thinking that though he, a hot-blooded handsome youth, had very good self-control, rouge traps had always been powerful. Although others were willing to trust him, he himself didn’t dare trust himself. So Old Liu went “whoosh” and slipped out the window.

Having slipped out the window, he was caught by guard friends lying in wait, who immediately pushed him off to a wine house for penalty drinks. Old Liu chuckled, thinking that tonight he had nowhere to go anyway, so drinking was drinking. He cheerfully went to Taibai Residence and caroused until the third watch before returning.

Returning at the third watch, the tipsy Old Liu was just about to open the door when suddenly a black shadow flashed in his peripheral vision.

Startled sober, Old Liu twisted and gave chase. He thought that with that person’s amazing speed, chasing might not work, but unexpectedly after that person swept away a distance, they actually stopped and waited for him. When Old Liu ran closer, that person ran away again, teasing like a cat.

Old Liu’s stubborn temper was provoked. He put in full effort to chase, pursuing for several circuits. Suddenly he had an epiphany—wasn’t this circling around the city?

This was clearly luring the tiger from the mountain!

Looking again at the person ahead, the more he looked the more familiar the figure seemed, the more he looked the more wretched.

Old Liu stamped his foot, stopped chasing, and turned to run toward Big Persimmon Alley. He rushed back urgently, but made no sound at the door, sweeping like a gust of wind over the eaves, heading straight for his own bedroom.

“Bang.”

He kicked open his chamber door.

Then he was stunned.

The room had no lamp lit. Moonlight faintly spilled in, enough to see everything clearly—seeing Jiarong sleeping sweetly on the bed, seeing a person unhurriedly sitting up from beside her.

That person turned his face. In the moonlight, despite disheveled clothing, his demeanor was composed. Even a human skin mask couldn’t conceal his naturally cool and gorgeous aura.

Qiu Shu. Ning Yi.

Old Liu stood frozen there. Although he’d finally recognized earlier that the one leading him in circles around the city was Ning Cheng and knew this matter must be related to Ning Yi, he hadn’t expected him to appear here in this form.

He stared blankly from the sleeping Jiarong to Ning Yi, then from Ning Yi back to Jiarong.

Ning Yi actually nodded and smiled at him.

This smile instantly ignited Warrior Liu like a spark.

He took a flying leap forward, raising his hand in a punch, viciously aiming at Ning Yi’s chin.

Ning Yi tilted his head to dodge, sweeping up like flowing clouds and water, drifting away in one elegant motion. Old Liu’s punch headed straight for Jiarong on the bed. He hurriedly forced himself to twist direction, and with a “bang” struck the bedpost, forcibly breaking it.

Even with such commotion, Jiarong didn’t wake.

At this time, the Eight Stalwarts hidden in the courtyard rushed over one after another, anxiously inquiring outside the door. Old Liu shouted: “All of you get lost.”

The surroundings quieted down. Old Liu, Helian Zheng, glared viciously at Ning Yi, his eyes like a man-eating lion. After a long moment, he asked through gritted teeth: “What are you doing here?”

Ning Yi smiled. “As you see.”

“What I see?” Helian Zheng turned his head to look at Jiarong, a blue light flashing in his eyes. “What I see is you running over, climbing into my bed, sleeping with this innocent woman.”

“If you want to think that, you may.” Ning Yi nonchalantly straightened his lapels. “I must leave. I still need to return to the residence for roll call.”

Helian Zheng glided to block his path.

“Explain clearly before leaving!”

“Explain clearly…” Ning Yi looked at Helian Zheng and suddenly smiled again. This time the smile was no longer casual and indifferent as before, but coldly grim. The commanding First Prince of Tiansheng returned in an instant. “Fine. You abducted my woman and made her your Grand Consort. So I came to abduct one of your women. If you’re willing, I’ll give her to you—she can be a concubine.”

Helian Zheng stared at him. Ning Yi’s gaze didn’t yield. The two looked at each other for a moment, then Helian Zheng suddenly laughed.

“Haha!”

He opened his mouth in great laughter, laughing uncontrollably, laughing until he swayed back and forth, clutching his belly and nearly rolling on the ground. “Oh my, should I be celebrating or proud? The dignified Prince Chu actually said such childish words? Are you jealous? Jealous jealous jealous? This jealousy is truly interesting… oh my goodness…”

Ning Yi didn’t speak, quietly watching him.

Helian Zheng collected his laughter, wiped away tears from laughing, and instantly straightened his face. “I know your words aren’t entirely false. At least your resentment over that Grand Consort title is real. But Ning Yi, don’t take me for a fool. What ‘stealing women’? Are you insulting yourself, insulting me, or insulting her?”

Ning Yi remained silent, sitting down by the table and pouring himself tea.

“Don’t drink.” Helian Zheng immediately sneered. “It’s poisoned.”

Ning Yi heard but paid no heed, methodically taking a sip, and said calmly: “Helian, though you’re a bit crude, this prince still appreciates you greatly. At the very least, that you can do this much for her, I’m very grateful.”

“Do I need your gratitude?” Helian Zheng immediately retorted. “Don’t presumptuously speak in a husband’s tone. What right do you have to say such words? If anything, I should say this to you—that you can do this much for my Grand Consort, I’m very grateful.”

Without waiting for Ning Yi to answer, he immediately sneered again. “But starting tonight, I’m no longer grateful. I originally thought that with your noble status as a prince, for her to infiltrate an enemy nation, work lowly jobs, endure branding, take beatings—given your personality and status, doing this much was quite commendable. But today I finally discovered that you’re indeed the world’s most selfish person. Your life indeed has no deep affection or devotion. Everything you’ve done was never for her—it was always only for yourself, to find—her!”

He whirled around, pointing at Jiarong on the bed.

Ning Yi looked at him, his dark, cool pupils expressionless, neither embarrassed at having his intentions exposed, nor aggrieved at having his intentions misunderstood.

Looking at those eyes only made one feel that if he closed his heart’s door, no one could ever approach.

After a long while he smiled slightly, lowering his head to gently sip his tea. He shook his head and said, “Why should I explain to you?”

“Of course you don’t need to explain to me.” Helian Zheng laughed bitterly in anger. “You naturally have someone you should explain to. I just fear that even in death, you won’t be able to explain the sins you’ve created!”

“If I have sinful karma, I’ll wait for her to claim it.” Ning Yi said calmly. “Before that, no one is qualified to demand anything from me.”

Helian Zheng sneered coldly. “Speaking one more word with you disgusts me!” He strode quickly to Jiarong’s side, testing her breathing and pulse. Feeling she’d only entered a deep sleep with no bodily harm, unable to tell what Ning Yi had done to her, Helian Zheng stood dumbly for a long moment, truly unable to lift the bedding to check whether this woman had been violated. At this point, saying anything seemed too late.

He now believed Ning Yi had entered the residence for this woman. He himself had been used. From Jiarong’s concealed appearance, this woman’s background must also be unusual. Ning Yi, this person, was truly shameless!

Ning Yi saw the raging fire in Helian Zheng’s eyes and sat calmly to one side drinking tea. Many things were indeed coincidences, but he had no interest in explaining how others chose to distort matters. The person he truly cared about, the one he wanted to explain to, had long ago lost any possibility of explanation.

Thus, saying anything had lost meaning.

If love was no longer possible, a bit more hatred wasn’t bad either.

“I’m leaving.” He rose calmly, pointing at Jiarong. “Please help me take good care of this young lady.”

Helian Zheng glared at him, so angry he could barely speak, and indeed couldn’t speak—with his nature, he would definitely take good care of the innocent Jiarong and absolutely wouldn’t take his anger out on her. Shameless Ning Yi had completely grasped his nature, which was why he was so unscrupulous.

“There’s a celebration on New Year’s Eve. She will attend.” Ning Yi walked to the door and half-turned to add another instruction. “Zong Chen said if we miss that opportunity, we’ll probably have to wait until spring. Long nights bring many dreams—try to do it that day. No matter how angry you are at me, I hope you’ll exercise some restraint in certain matters.”

Helian Zheng said nothing, his back to him. He heard Ning Yi’s unhurried footsteps receding, and before his eyes suddenly appeared the pale, cold Wei Zhi on horseback on a high hill, black hair flying, lips pressed in a straight line.

That coldly resolute woman—a lifetime of joy permanently buried in the deep snow of Dijing’s thirteenth year of Changxi—thanks to him.

He’d originally thought Ning Yi finally knew pain and regret, finally understood sacrifice for her. Though he still couldn’t help mocking and ridiculing him, privately he was happy for her, thinking that if she hadn’t lost her memory and knew these things, that long-cold heart would surely gain some warmth and comfort from it. But it turned out… it turned out…

Helian Zheng felt his five organs and six viscera all seemed to surge with raging fire, an endless inferno instantly consuming his heart’s vast wilderness.

“Hey!”

Startling lightning split the sky, fierce and decisive.

Twisting his body and shifting his stance, sword light flashed. A basin stand was sliced cleanly in half and crashed down.

The tremendous noise finally woke Jiarong on the bed. She sat up in shock, rubbed her eyes, first looking down at her body in only undergarments, then looking at Helian Zheng with his back to her. Her face showed a slight blush. After a long moment of bashfulness, she turned to Helian Zheng with a gentle, shy smile, asking softly: “Husband… what’s wrong?”

That form of address made Helian Zheng freeze with his back stiff, stunned for a long while.

After a long time, he slowly turned around. To Jiarong, who looked at him with eyes full of loving trust, he forced out the most amiable smile he could manage at the moment.

“…Sword practice, sword practice, hehe!”

—

Starting from the eighth day of the twelfth month, snow began falling in Pucheng, continuing for many days. The ground accumulated a foot of snow. Many poor people’s shacks inside and outside the city were crushed. Jin Siyu, stationed in Pucheng, naturally had to arrange disaster relief and compensation. Though official duties were busy, he didn’t forget to accompany Shaoyao. When free, he’d carry documents into Shaoyao’s warm chamber. The two would sit by the brazier, holding hot tea, chatting and laughing while completing official business.

There was another reason Jin Siyu handled official business beside Shaoyao—this woman was extremely intelligent. Though she didn’t directly comment or advise on governmental affairs, her perspective was precise and her thinking unique. Often when Jin Siyu walked into a dead end, she could enlighten him with a casual remark. Yet she didn’t display astounding talent that surpassed others—many of her ideas were naive and laughable, showing no deep understanding of governmental affairs. She simply offered inspiration from tangential angles.

Because of this, Jin Siyu’s recent handling of official duties had repeatedly earned praise from the Great Yue Emperor. In just a short time he’d received commendations twice, further improving his mood. And Shaoyao’s unpolished, natural intelligence also earned his great admiration. This was clearly the thinking and perspective of an outsider unmarred by governmental machinations.

Early one morning, Tingfeng Pavilion began having people clear snow to prevent Miss Shaoyao from slipping. Actually, Miss Shaoyao never came out. Even if she did, she’d certainly be in Jin Siyu’s arms with a large group of guards behind—slipping would be impossible.

Among the snow clearers was Physician Ruan’s young medicine boy. He swept extremely seriously, using his hands to pick out the broken snow from every crack between the blue stones, leaving his fingers frozen bright red.

Bit by bit sweeping to the base of the steps, he seemed a bit tired and leaned on his broom, resting under the eaves.

“Xiao Dai.” The window suddenly opened, revealing Shaoyao’s smiling face. Her mouth moved as she held several steaming hot buns in her hand. “Cold? Eat something hot to warm your body.”

Xiao Dai raised his head to look at her and honestly answered: “Cold.”

She smiled and put the buns in a bag to hand out. When Xiao Dai reached to take them, she grabbed his fingers and rubbed them, saying: “When frozen by snow, you need to stimulate circulation.”

Xiao Dai held the bun bag in his mouth and unceremoniously extended both hands for her to rub.

The people in the courtyard all smiled at the sight. No one felt anything strange. Though this youth called Xiao Dai was a bit simple, he was very diligent, had endearing mannerisms, and was liked by everyone above and below in the courtyard. Xiao Dai would brew medicine for her and sweep the courtyard every day. Each time he swept to the corridor, she’d open the window to say a few words and give him something to eat. Recently with continuous snow, each time she’d rub his frozen fingers. Xiao Dai never knew how to refuse either. Both their actions were calm and natural, not suggesting anything improper. Even Jin Siyu, seeing it several times, didn’t feel anything was amiss. Instead, he smiled and said these two were like siblings—quite nice.

His fingers rubbed in her palm—her skin was delicate and warm. The injury on her palm had healed, slightly deformed, but not noticeable unless you looked carefully.

He lowered his eyes, watching that hand gently enfolding his fingers, not moving.

Every day, this was the closest distance to her.

For this he competed to do tasks, undertaking all the courtyard’s miscellaneous work, because Zong Chen said if he didn’t usually do work, suddenly needing to do something would be very suspicious.

So he’d taken on almost all the courtyard’s work, so everyone was happy to accommodate whatever he needed to do.

Previously he hadn’t done such work. To avoid appearing incompetent at menial tasks when he started, unlike someone from an ordinary background, he secretly followed Zong Chen learning these tasks at night, not sleeping, practicing over and over until he was skilled enough not to appear awkward.

Earlier when clearing snow he would unconsciously circulate his energy to avoid getting cold. Later, discovering she was especially considerate of those suffering from cold, he never circulated his energy again, displaying his radish hands to her every day.

Her fingers caressed his fingers. He quietly aligned his fingertips with hers.

Zong Chen said fingers are the closest distance to the heart.

She covered his hand and looked up at him, a hint of amusement passing through her eyes.

He suddenly felt something pressed into his palm.

For an instant he was surprised—he knew everyone had been preparing to rescue her under all circumstances, but these matters were all handled by them. He only needed to play the medicine boy Xiao Dai well. Yet today was very special—she had actually chosen him to pass messages.

She… trusted that he wouldn’t make mistakes?

He opened his mouth. The bun bag slipped down. He quickly caught it, the bag covering that small object.

She leaned on the windowsill, smiling at him with bright eyes.

He suddenly felt immense joy—in this world only one person could trust him and feel at ease with him like this, not treating him as an oddity to be distanced or abandoned, not merely protecting him because of his special nature, but using all her patience to open him up.

He held the bun, clutching the broom, and left the courtyard. At the gate he met Jin Siyu face to face. He calmly saluted him and brushed past Jin Siyu.

Jin Siyu didn’t give him a second glance, striding hurriedly inside. He shook the snow from his body under the corridor and entered with a smile: “Feeling better today?”

“Very well.” She gestured for Hexiang to serve tea. Jin Siyu passed through the medicinal sachets hanging from the door lintel and laughed: “After a while, these sachets should be taken down. Smelling them every day, even I feel I smell of medicine.”

“These are good things. Doesn’t the Prince feel especially light-bodied, healthy, and vigorous lately?” She smiled. “Physician Ruan said these things should permeate slowly like this—long-term diffusion is what makes them effective.”

“As you wish, as you wish. They’re definitely good things.” He affectionately pinched her cheek.

Hexiang came to serve tea. Because it was New Year, she was dressed very neatly, her hair smoothed without a strand out of place. After drinking tea, he suddenly smiled: “This maid dressed carefully today. Even her fragrance is more pleasant than usual.”

“Is it? I didn’t notice.” She leaned over to smell, causing the maid to blush and quickly excuse herself.

“Tonight is New Year’s Eve. I’ve thought of an amusement for you. I see you’re much better and can properly enjoy yourself,” Jin Siyu pulled her into his embrace and said leisurely. “Counting it up, this is our first New Year together. Later I’ll take you back to the capital. We’ll have the next year, the year after… thirty years… forty years… eighty years…”

She laughed, her voice delicate and crisp. “How can we live that long? When we’re all wrinkled and white-haired, that won’t be fun anymore.”

“It’s New Year’s Eve—don’t say inauspicious things.” Jin Siyu gently covered her lips. “As long as you’re willing, we can last forever.”

“I’m naturally willing.” She leaned gently into his embrace with a beautiful smile.

“I’m very much looking forward to this New Year’s Eve.”