The street erupted with a roar, everyone excitedly stirring up noise. In the clamor that drowned out all other sounds, some sharp-eared people still furrowed their brows in thought, hesitantly muttering to themselves: “Eh, the voice doesn’t sound right. How is it a woman’s voice? Does Lord Wei have a woman in his carriage?”

The officials heard it too and exchanged glances. The carriage didn’t lift its curtain again, only a hand reached out and beckoned. A retainer went over to receive instructions, then had the petitioner follow. The carriage turned back toward Zhengyi Gate once more.

The watching crowd dispersed reluctantly, whispering throughout the street. Tomorrow the marketplace would surely add a new legend: “Shannan commoner blocks carriage on the street, young Loyal Righteous Marquis resolutely accepts petition.”

Inside the carriage, Feng Zhiwei was apologizing to Shaoning: “I’m truly sorry, Your Highness. We can’t go see the imperial temple now.”

“It’s fine.” Shaoning was willing to do anything for her lover. The small regret of not being able to be alone together vanished like smoke at Wei Zhi’s gentle soft words. Smiling radiantly, she nestled close, flipping through the petition in her hands. “The case doesn’t seem like much. But the Shannan officials also went too far – ordinary hunters living in Yue Mountain were also treated as Hang family bandits and suppressed together, wiping out entire families… Wait, that’s not right. Why was the killing in Yue Mountain? Earlier I heard the Shannan Inspector say that group of bandits gathered in Weiming County’s Weiming Mountain, and were also completely annihilated in Weiming Mountain, didn’t he?”

Feng Zhiwei smiled inwardly – at least you’re somewhat clever, finally seeing the problem.

This was also why she had a sudden inspiration to lure Shaoning out – Shaoning had earlier hidden behind the screen and heard the full account of the Shannan Weiming County bandit gathering case. Now using her special status to accept the petition, comparing the two versions, she could naturally see the problem. And seeing the problem, with her family’s territory and state at stake, how could she sit by and do nothing?

That “bandit gathering” case truly occurred in Yue Mountain. The Hang family army that split from the Changning fief was ambushed while passing through Yue Mountain at the border of the Changning fief and Shannan province. Because Yue Mountain was too close to the Changning fief’s Yue County garrison, the Changning fief feared drawing court attention, so they colluded with Xu Minglin to change the case location to Weiming County’s Weiming Mountain.

“Is that so?” Feng Zhiwei put on a shocked expression, took the petition to examine it carefully, then slapped her knee in sudden realization. “Your Highness is truly clever. I hadn’t even noticed. According to what Your Highness says, there’s something very suspicious about this matter!”

Praised like this, Shaoning beamed even more brightly. She poked her head out to look at the petitioner following the carriage and instructed her attendants: “Protect his safety well.” Turning back to Feng Zhiwei with a smile, she said: “I see this matter is not small. Don’t worry – we won’t let those scoundrel officials succeed.”

Feng Zhiwei’s gaze swept over the petitioner with a trace of faint amusement. Shaoning naturally didn’t know that this petitioner who blocked the carriage claiming to be an “innocent hunter killed in Yue Mountain” was arranged by Feng Zhiwei. The capital was thousands of miles from Shannan. If they really had to go find witnesses and then return to file a complaint, the Second Prince would probably have finished everything he wanted to do. This kind of thing was exactly one where delay bred complications. Feng Zhiwei, doing things thoroughly, simply created a witness.

“Receiving the ruler’s stipend means sharing the ruler’s worries.” Feng Zhiwei sighed. “Unfortunately, I only oversee the Ministry of Rites and have no authority to accept petitions. I had to trouble Your Highness to accept the petition. It’s just that this petition will probably still need to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice…”

“It can’t go to the Ministry of Justice, and you certainly can’t be the one to submit it.” Reminded by this, Shaoning frowned. “Those scoundrels at the Ministry of Justice just dealt with you. Though Peng Pei is imprisoned, there’s no guarantee others haven’t formed grudges with you. If they know you accepted the petition, some people will probably make an issue of it. I accepted this petition – I’ll submit it directly to the Court of Judicial Review or the Cabinet. It has nothing to do with you.”

Feng Zhiwei remained silent. Though these words were what she wanted to hear, Shaoning being so wholeheartedly considerate of her, and then thinking of how she had been scheming against her all along, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat guilty. Recalling that night in Jingshen Hall with all its misunderstandings, she felt resentful anger rising. She felt that only by dragging out all those scoundrels and destroying them could she be worthy of both herself and Shaoning.

“I can’t stay with you.” Shaoning saw that Zhengyi Gate was approaching and quickly grabbed the petition. “This witness can’t go to the Ministry of Justice – he goes directly to the Court of Judicial Review. Zhang Yong at the Court of Judicial Review is a cautious person who won’t cause problems. At this hour, Father Emperor should be discussing matters with Cabinet ministers at Haoyun Pavilion. I’ll submit it directly – let’s see who can still cover this up!”

“Your Highness is truly wise and thorough!” Feng Zhiwei praised.

Hearing this, Shaoning paused in her motion to stand, hesitated, then suddenly blushed. Feng Zhiwei was looking at her in puzzlement, wondering why she was blushing for no reason, when she saw Shaoning quickly lean over. Then Feng Zhiwei felt fragrant wind blow past and her forehead grow warm – she had silently received a sweet kiss.

Feng Zhiwei froze on the spot. Shaoning, having boldly stolen a kiss, her heart already pounding like drums, half-covered her flushed face and did not dare look at her again. Snatching up the petition, she leapt out of the carriage.

Feng Zhiwei stared blankly at Shaoning’s lightly running departing figure, slowly stroking her forehead that was still warm and faintly fragrant. A trace of worry gradually rose in her eyes.

This girl whose roots of love had grown deep – she really shouldn’t be given any more hope. The deeper the feelings, the more unmanageable things would become in the future. When the day came that nothing could be hidden anymore, what then?

She gazed at the towering palace city before her and sighed.

Late spring of the fifteenth year of Changxi – the shocking Shannan forged bandit gathering case occurred.

The cause of this case was quite simple. In Weiming County’s Weiming Mountain in Shannan province, a bandit gathering rebellion case occurred. It was quickly suppressed by the Shannan government. Because the rebel leader was a descendant of Hang Shou, the Brave Valor Marquis who was implicated in the Third Prince’s rebellion case years ago and ordered to commit suicide, Shannan province reported it as Hang family descendants seeking revenge for their father. The case had already been concluded. However, during one of Princess Shaoning’s incognito outings, she happened to encounter a petitioner from Shannan who claimed to be a hunter from Yue Mountain in Shannan. He stated that during the local government’s suppression of a military force of unknown origin, his entire family was innocently killed. The petitioner claimed that in that suppression, all the hunters in Yue Mountain were killed to silence them – only he escaped because he had gone to another county to sell game. The Princess was shocked and immediately accepted the petition. She barged straight into the imperial study and directly submitted the petition before all the Cabinet ministers, forcefully overturning the previously concluded Weiming County bandit gathering case.

This was the version circulating in the court. In fact, this case had been kept very tightly sealed, even bypassing the Shannan Provincial Inspector’s office and the Ministry of Justice that had originally handled the case. It went directly to the Court of Judicial Review to accept the petition. All investigation and case handling details were not publicly announced. Not only did people throughout the realm still know nothing about it, even court officials below second rank had no qualification to know the inside story. But the shrewd veteran officials had already sniffed dangerous odors from these near-theatrical events and the several sensitive locations involved. They looked up at the flying dragon coiling around the great hall’s ceiling, as if seeing heavy layers of dark clouds from the southwest direction, silently and slowly moving toward overhead.

No one knew what had already happened, or what was about to happen. Officials without sufficient rank scurried about daily gathering information, trying to read their superiors’ expressions in constant anxiety. Those with sufficient rank came and went frequently, each with iron-gray faces. At the same time, defenses inside and outside the capital suddenly strengthened. Daily the Nine Gates Infantry Commander, the Changying Guard, and the Tiger Majesty Garrison took turns patrolling the capital in endless streams. There were also some unfamiliar faces with eagle-like eyes, hurrying in and out of various places. Officials were continuously being secretly invited for “tea” – some returned after drinking, others disappeared after drinking. These scattered yet unsettling pieces of news brought a tense atmosphere to the entire Tiansheng court.

During this period, another incident occurred that didn’t attract much attention – the Second Prince’s famous villa Shuyu Manor in the suburbs suddenly caught fire, burning down half the manor.

Fires were common occurrences, but those fortunate enough to have visited Shuyu Manor harbored a question in their hearts – Shuyu Manor was surrounded on all sides by spring water and built in layers up the mountain. What kind of fire could start? And what kind of fire would climb mountains, able to follow the cliffs and burn down half the manor?

Of course, only a few involved parties understood the trickery behind these matters.

This storm swept through court and countryside, but the instigator stayed far from the storm’s center. Feng Zhiwei, this Minister of Rites, put on a completely unconcerned leisurely attitude. In fact, she had only reached out to lift one corner of the inside story’s veil – those below who should act would act.

According to her thinking, Emperor Tiansheng did have some wariness toward the Second Prince, which was why he ordered the Golden Feather Guard leader to accept the Second Prince’s overtures, attempting to gain something. But the Golden Feather Guard leader’s identity was too fearsome after all – he couldn’t fully access the core secrets of the Second Prince and others. Instead, Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei stumbled upon the full truth. Now Feng Zhiwei used Shaoning’s hand to submit the petition, using the hint of Yue Mountain hunters being killed to remind the Emperor to investigate the different case locations, thereby truly discovering the Changning fief’s unusual movements. From the Changning fief’s dealings with the Second Prince, he would think of even more frightening things – princes colluding with external fiefs, external fiefs being restless, even pursuing and killing across provinces – what did this mean?

Emperor Tiansheng could tolerate a thousand things, ten thousand things, but absolutely could not tolerate this!

This was truly leading people in step by step – not making a sound, not directly revealing it, letting you figure it out yourself. What you figure out yourself, you believe most.

While the capital stirred with hidden winds and lurking currents, she continued her own business – starting from the seventh day of the third month, it was time for the metropolitan examinations.

This year’s metropolitan examinations were later than usual. The chief examiner was the young Minister Wei, called a pillar of the nation. The scholar candidates had long been impatient, just waiting to show their talents, have their names on the golden list, and parade through the streets with flowers in their caps. After that, the famous Marquis Wei would rightfully be their examination hall master.

Chief Examiner Wei bathed and burned incense to welcome the metropolitan examinations. Guard Gu came to patrol the examination grounds eating walnuts. Minister Wei’s jade-carved guard who was also famous for following her everywhere played an extremely important personal role in the metropolitan examinations.

For example, body searches. He sat far away on a stool, lazily eating walnuts. Strangely, no matter who had smuggled anything, passing by him they would get hit by a walnut. Once a fellow had pasted two essays on the soles of his feet. The gate patrol inspection didn’t find them, but passing by Young Master Gu he suddenly jumped. Inexplicably his shoes fell off, his sock ties loosened, and the soles of his feet were gloriously exposed. Naturally he was thrown out. Onlookers couldn’t figure out how, with his veil hanging low, he had discovered the trick in the man’s socks. And how did he make the man jump? Unable to figure it out, they found it even more mysterious. Scholar candidates passing by him were terrified. Forget about cheating – they didn’t even dare hide a steamed bun, thus creating a record for the fewest smuggling attempts in any year’s metropolitan examinations.

Another example was patrol duty. The proctors for this metropolitan examination found it quite enjoyable – no need to run all over the place. Young Master Gu squatted in a tree with his daughter sitting on his shoulder, observing all directions and hearing all sides. In the vast deep examination grounds, he alone controlled the entire situation. Scholar candidates clenched their buttocks, not even daring to fart loudly, because any unusual sound might produce a two-person show above their heads – one big, one small, staring down at you with identical postures, truly affecting one’s literary thoughts.

The seventh, ninth, and eleventh – after nine days of examinations, the scholar candidates came marching in energetically and left supporting themselves on walls trembling. Feng Zhiwei sealed the examination grounds. Others would handle matters like sealing names and binding scrolls. After posting heavy guards, she stole time to go home.

The Personnel Ministry’s recommendation had come down – Hua Qiong was promoted to Vice Commander of Minnan and would take up the post immediately. Tomorrow she and Yan Huaishi would return home as husband and wife.

With Hua Qiong leaving the capital, Feng Zhiwei absolutely had to hold a farewell banquet. Days earlier while still busy with the metropolitan examinations, she had instructed the kitchen to prepare well. Except for specialties from Nanhai and Minnan that needed no effort, she had gathered famous dishes from all across Tiansheng, even including stewed deer antler with snow lotus from the far snowy mountains. She vowed to let Hua Qiong eat through all of Tiansheng in one go, eating until Hua Qiong constantly missed Wei Manor’s food and would rush back for a meal whether there was business or not.

That evening a banquet was set at Wei Manor’s Shuanghong Pavilion. Basically a family feast – the Yan couple, Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi, Zong Chen, two children plus the children’s two pets. Any banquet with children lacked romance and atmosphere. At the table, soup and bibs danced together, silver spoons flew alongside drool. Yan Changtian sat in his mother’s lap, timidly pointing at Gu Zhixiao who sat high at the table wielding her little spoon in all directions, indicating he wanted to eat by himself. The pretty-boy Yan Changtian could already show shadows of Hua Qiong’s former husband – thin and shy. Hua Qiong often expressed dissatisfaction with this son, always clamoring that he needed toughening up. Instead, Yan Huaishi felt tender toward him and often stopped her. Tonight Yan Huaishi worried Yan Changtian couldn’t eat, about to take him over to feed him himself, when Hua Qiong had already stuffed the spoon in Yan Changtian’s hand and set him aside to eat by himself. Laughing, she said: “Xiao Wei, do you think I’m a country bumpkin, or do you think I won’t be as well-off as you in the future, unable to travel the world eating delicacies? Look at this table – tsk tsk, couldn’t be done without a thousand taels.”

“A thousand taels of silver is nothing.” Feng Zhiwei attentively urged food on Gu Nanyi, pushing a plate of pure white slightly yellow custard-like something before him. “Among capital officials, there are plenty who spend thousands of gold on one meal. What does ours count for? You should know that we officials ought to appropriately exploit and embezzle somewhat. Though we needn’t collude, we also shouldn’t be too lofty. Otherwise people think you’re an oddity and will certainly guard against and distance themselves from you. When the time comes they’ll unite to destroy you. What they like most is looking around and seeing everyone equally dirty – then they’re reassured. You know – when water is too clear there are no fish.”

She spoke casually, but Hua Qiong stopped her chopsticks and listened carefully. Zong Chen and the others knew Feng Zhiwei was reminding Hua Qiong how to conduct herself in the official world. Yan Huaishi gratefully smiled at Feng Zhiwei. But Gu Nanyi was sniffing the dish, very satisfied with the fragrance. While tremblingly scooping a spoonful and first placing it in Feng Zhiwei’s bowl, he said: “Not allowed to be dirty.”

Feng Zhiwei very good-temperedly nodded. “Alright, alright. Not allowed to be dirty.”

But Gu Nanyi still wasn’t reassured. Holding her face, he examined it carefully and thoroughly, as if looking for dirt on her face. He wasn’t interested in these topics – half-listening, he’d only heard the word “dirty” and was quite displeased.

He gripped Feng Zhiwei’s face, eye to eye studying her seriously, his face leaning very close, close enough that the features behind the thin double-layer veil could almost be seen clearly by Feng Zhiwei. Feng Zhiwei was about to avoid him, thinking Young Master Gu had grown up and was getting increasingly familiar – couldn’t indulge him anymore. Suddenly she felt something was wrong. Looking up, her eyes dazzled – brilliant light blazing, five colors confusing. In a trance, the thin clouds and scattered mists between heaven and earth gathered in an instant, then scattered with a bang in her mind. Her vision instantly went black.

After the blackness came brightness. The surrounding scenery shifted from blurry to clear. People were like reefs after the tide receded, gradually showing pale outlines. Hua Qiong was still heartlessly mocking how clumsy her Yan Changtian was at grasping a spoon. Yan Huaishi was still smiling protectively over his son. The two children were still each busy with their own affairs. No one noticed the earlier abnormality. Only Zong Chen diagonally across looked at her and Gu Nanyi with a strange gaze. But Gu Nanyi had already released her face and lowered his head to eat on his own.

Feng Zhiwei took a deep breath. Her mind was somewhat chaotic. What had she just seen? Or rather, what had she felt? Also, why at that instant when they were so close, had she not been able to see Gu Nanyi’s face clearly?

In that instant she had been completely controlled by some strange sensation. Forget appearance – she’d even forgotten who she herself was. Actually she had a rough idea of Young Master Gu’s appearance. Living together day and night for so long, Young Master Gu didn’t particularly guard against her either. She’d pieced together a general impression from glimpses here and there. It wasn’t as if she’d never seen his eyes in her memory, but probably because she’d never looked directly, none had left as deep an impression as tonight.

Two people had looked directly at Young Master Gu – one was Chunyu Meng who fell off a wall, the other was Gu Zhixiao who jumped off a building.

Feng Zhiwei felt fortunate she’d been sitting just now, otherwise it would be hard to say what would have happened.

Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly heard Yan Changtian crying loudly at the table. Turning to look, Young Master Yan had accidentally jabbed Gu Zhixiao’s eye with his spoon. Gu Zhixiao grabbed a roasted lamb rib and unceremoniously drew a circle on Yan Changtian’s face with it. Yan Changtian cried in grievance. Hua Qiong picked up her son, nonchalantly wiping his face while sighing: “Son, you bear such a spirited name in vain – how can you not be tough at all? A man bullied to tears by a woman? Remember what your mother taught you – next time any woman wants to bully you, you grab her, drag her away, pin her down…”

Feng Zhiwei, listening to this three-stage Hua family philosophy, nearly sprayed food all over Gu Nanyi. While hastily apologizing and soothing Gu Nanyi, she sneakily grinned at Hua Qiong: “So back then you two husband and wife were like this…”

“You guessed wrong.” Hua Qiong said seriously. “The facts were exactly the opposite.”

The whole table laughed. The parting atmosphere was swept away. Yan Huaishi smiled at his wife with a red face, looking completely content with an expression of “whatever you say is right.” Feng Zhiwei raised her cup, grateful in her heart – she knew this couple just didn’t want everyone’s mood to be low, deliberately playing around.

Beside her, Young Master Gu seemed very satisfied with the dish she’d recommended. After scooping one spoonful for her, he pulled it in front of himself and buried his head eating, completely ignoring that others hadn’t tasted it yet. Hua Qiong smiled at him: “Young Master, share a spoonful for me to taste?”

Feng Zhiwei thought the young master wouldn’t pay attention – except for her, the young master never regarded anyone else. But who knew the young master would actually stop his spoon, think seriously for a moment, then carefully pull out the spoon that had just entered his mouth and hand it over.

Hua Qiong was dumbfounded.

Feng Zhiwei froze.

Yan Huaishi was shocked.

Not shocked that his Hua Qiong had been innocently teased by Young Master Gu, but shocked that Young Master Gu was actually willing to share his own things with someone besides Feng Zhiwei.

Young Master Gu earnestly handed over that spoonful he’d eaten half of, saying flatly: “You’re very good to her. Here.”

Feng Zhiwei’s stunned expression slowly softened, her lips pressed together, her face rippling with warmth.

Her Little Dumb… always gave the most delicate warmth in unexpected moments.

“Eat it yourself. I’ll have the kitchen bring another serving.” She gently pushed the spoon back, saying: “Worried you might have favorite dishes, the kitchen prepared double portions of everything.”

Hua Qiong made a couple of appreciative sounds, laughing: “Xiao Wei is only this considerate with Young Master.” One hand pressed on the table, the other picking up food to eat, not looking at anyone, also saying calmly and peacefully: “Young Master Gu, rest assured. This dish you gave today won’t be given in vain.”

Young Master Gu looked at her carefully, nodded, then lowered his head to eat again.

Feng Zhiwei sat there watching the two of them. Clearly ordinary movements and conversation, yet her normally calm and composed heart that had weathered countless storms suddenly surged. Like something was excitedly beating against her heart, stirring hot blood rushing, flowing backward and upward, impacting until even her eyes seemed to ache and burn.

This was kindred spirits recognizing each other. This was a gentleman’s promise. This was the oath between legendary men and women that needed no alliance yet would be defended with life and death.

A moment of silence at the table was quickly filled by Hua Qiong’s cheerful conversation. But Gu Zhixiao was pouting unhappily. She felt that dish should have gone into her own mouth. Unable to help herself, she banged on her bowl, loudly saying: “Worms…”

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes and hands were quick – she covered her mouth with one hand.

“Worms what?” The chef brought up a new serving of “custard.” Hua Qiong also found it delicious, scooping half a bowl while eating heartily, asking with her mouth full: “What dish is this? Quite special. This pink stuff inside – is it minced meat?”

“Yes.” Feng Zhiwei put on an innocent smile. “Beaten pigeon eggs, steamed with fresh flying dragon meat.”

Hua Qiong glanced at her, quite distrustful of Feng Zhiwei’s brilliant smile, but didn’t say anything. As long as it tasted good, who cared what the ingredients were?

Over there Gu Zhixiao refused to have her mouth covered by Feng Zhiwei. She spat right into Feng Zhiwei’s palm. Feng Zhiwei had no choice but to let go. Gu Zhixiao immediately announced loudly: “These are worms!”

“Pfft—”

Yan Huaishi sprayed the Gu family’s little miss in the face with “custard.”

Feng Zhiwei gleefully escorted the wailing Gu family little miss out to wash her face, worriedly glancing at Young Master Gu. This dish was indeed worms, but not ordinary worms – they were rice worms from the south, rare and precious. Their flavor was rich and chewy, and they nourished energy and spirit. Even in the south, one plate was worth a thousand gold and hard to obtain. She’d ordered people to seek them at great expense and have them rushed by fast horse. Worried about spoilage, they were wrapped in cotton silk and covered with mulberry bark paper. When they arrived at Wei Manor they were still fresh. Probably when delivered to the kitchen, they were seen by Gu Zhixiao who was playing there.

But Young Master Gu remained unmoved, continuing to eat.

Eh, the young master was so easygoing?

Didn’t hear?

Gu Nanyi had of course heard those words. He was calmly thinking – these worms were much better than those he’d eaten when wandering at age three. Wei Manor’s cooks were good, able to make unpalatable worms taste like this.

While pondering, he instructed Feng Zhiwei: “Next time try green caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets. There’s also a kind of bell worm – the meat is crispy, like this one, just sour.”

Hua Qiong’s smile suddenly faded.

Zong Chen had long since put down his chopsticks, his gaze distant, somewhat desolate.

Yan Huaishi looked left and right. A noble young master, he hadn’t yet reacted to what this sentence meant.

But Feng Zhiwei had already frozen there.

What was he saying?

She understood Gu Nanyi clearly. Because of his own condition, this person had to live carefully and preciously. His food, clothing, housing, and transportation had to be more particular than ordinary people’s, otherwise he would suffer greatly. So he absolutely couldn’t be a worm-eating enthusiast. Yet just now hearing his words, that natural casual calm composed attitude – clearly, he had truly once eaten such things as food, and for quite a long period of time.

This jade-carved exquisite precious youth – behind that enclosed quiet world, what exactly had he experienced?

Feng Zhiwei vaguely recalled Zong Chen once saying that he truly came to Gu Nanyi’s side after age six. Before that, Gu Nanyi lost his father at age three. The people from his original organization were scattered. For three years, that three-year-old child with no one to care for him wandered alone through the world, until Zong Chen found him in a deep mountain ruined temple. Just that one meeting, and Zong Chen honored the Xuanyuan family’s oath from years past, leaving the mountain to protect him.

Such a special child – during those three wandering years, what kind of life had he lived?

And what kind of meeting scene made Zong Chen, born to the indifferent non-competing Xuanyuan family, willing to give up freedom and from then on wholeheartedly protect him?

Feng Zhiwei suddenly hated how numb and unfeeling she’d been before. Why had she never carefully considered how someone like Gu Nanyi survived those three years in his childhood?

But was it that she hadn’t thought of it, or that she didn’t dare think of it?

“Eaten enough, drunk enough. I still have to rise early tomorrow – everyone disperse.” Seeing her sitting in a daze, Hua Qiong’s eyes flashed. She stretched first to stand up, scooping up Feng Zhiwei in one motion: “Too full – accompany me for a walk to digest, otherwise I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep.”

Feng Zhiwei forced a smile: “Alright.” She ordered people to clear the table. Everyone was often together and very casual, each going back. Feng Zhiwei took Hua Qiong’s arm and went to the back garden to stroll.

The late spring scenery was perfect. Though the flowers in the night had all half-closed, they had their own graceful subtle charm. Moonlight like milk poured over those half-opened buds, showing touches of rosy red and faint purple, beautifully serene.

Fragrant scents all around spread in varying intensities – night-blooming jasmine, night-blooming cereus, phoenix tail flowers, canna lilies. In the various fragrances, Hua Qiong took a deep breath, her brows and eyes relaxing: “Tomorrow I leave the capital! Wonderful!”

“Don’t like it here?” Feng Zhiwei asked with a smile.

“What do you think?” Hua Qiong narrowed her eyes, sneering coldly. “One examination scandal case – the capital has already let me see enough!”

She suddenly turned to grasp Feng Zhiwei’s hand, saying earnestly: “Zhiwei, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I feel that though you now seem to have flowers adorning brocade with glory everywhere, actually you’re also walking on a cliff’s edge with every step fraught with danger. Accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger – same hall, different hearts. The higher and faster you climb, the more dangerous it is, because you’re a solitary minister, and a solitary minister envied by all. Just like the examination scandal case – once the wall falls, everyone pushes together. When that time comes, who will help you?”

She thought of this too – Feng Zhiwei smiled faintly. “Are you advising me that good birds choose trees to perch in?”

“I’m advising you to at least make an appearance of having someone to rely on, just like you just advised me to be dirty along with the official world.” Hua Qiong said. “Whether you cultivate sources everywhere, or whether your body is with Cao while your heart is with Han – I don’t care about any of that. I only hope that when capital storms come, you can stand firm.”

“His Majesty hopes I’ll be a solitary minister.” Feng Zhiwei said softly. “Wei Zhi has too much prestige. Someone like this entering anyone’s camp wouldn’t reassure him. The old fellow hasn’t lost control of the court situation. Following anyone closely is not as important as following him closely.”

“You’re evading my point.” Hua Qiong gave her a look. “You know perfectly well what I mean. You know perfectly well I’m not telling you to openly enter anyone’s camp.”

Feng Zhiwei stopped talking, smiling thoughtfully. Hua Qiong observed her expression but still couldn’t grasp whether those lost memories still existed or not. She wasn’t someone skilled at roundabout probing, so after thinking, she spoke directly: “I see His Highness is sincere toward you. I don’t care what you think – even just for your own foothold, you might as well get along well with him.”

“That’s natural.” Feng Zhiwei said lightly.

Hua Qiong looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating. Feng Zhiwei smiled again: “Back then you advised me to stay far from him. Now your tune has changed.”

“That’s because the situation has changed.” Hua Qiong sighed softly. “As things stand now, he’s the prince with the strongest momentum, you’re the minister with the highest prestige. If you can’t be used by him, I’m very afraid that in the future…”

Feng Zhiwei remained silent, her eyes in the night gentle as those half-closed flowers, showing no particular emotion.

But Hua Qiong’s voice suddenly became lighter than the wind.

“That year you told me you wanted to learn to cherish some rare sentiments in life, wanted to occasionally indulge and follow your own heart. Now… is your heart still there?”

Is your heart still there?

The simplest question, the most difficult answer.

All around was very quiet. Even night insects refused to chirp. Flowers drew in their branches and leaves, the moon withdrew its radiance. All things awaited an answer, yet that person countered the human world with silence.

After a long time, a sigh – whose sigh, one couldn’t tell.

After a while Hua Qiong suddenly walked away. Feng Zhiwei didn’t move, leaning against the pavilion railing, gazing absently at the pond with its faint ripples. She recalled that night at Prince Chu’s manor when a certain woman had asked and answered in blood light, heavy and mournful.

After a while footsteps sounded behind her again. Hua Qiong had returned. Feng Zhiwei still didn’t move, but something was suddenly thrust at her from behind.

Light green wood, elegant in color, with naturally beautiful patterns like wind dancing through snow, edges branded with a golden mandala flower.

Feng Zhiwei froze.

That thing Ning Yi had given her – the phoenix tail wood letter box.

Something that should have long rotted at the bottom of the Changshui River on the grasslands now appeared here.

The box was still intact, even the golden brand mark wasn’t rusted. She remembered clearly – back then she had personally thrown this box with all those letters into the Changshui River.

“When you threw this thing that day, I was nearby.” Hua Qiong slowly said behind her. “I was pregnant then and didn’t dare go in the water. I had Chunyu secretly dive down to retrieve it. It was dark, and you’d gone back to your tent – you didn’t notice.”

After a long time Feng Zhiwei finally asked: “Why?”

“I just felt that no one should easily discard the first beautiful period in their life.” Hua Qiong said softly. “That would make me feel regretful.”

“Then why give it to me now?”

Hua Qiong didn’t speak. After a while she smiled: “I’m leaving. Who knows when we’ll meet again – there’s no reason to keep holding onto this. Now I’m returning it to its original owner. Whether you throw it away again or keep it – up to you.”

She spread her hands and straightforwardly left the pavilion. As she walked, she muttered quite lightly: “At least I’ve returned it – carrying it around everywhere was killing me…” Without turning her head back, she instructed: “Don’t come see me off tomorrow. I’m afraid you’ll cry. That’s it then. Farewell.”

Feng Zhiwei watched her crisp decisive figure stride away, gently stroking the box in her hands, light rippling in her eyes.

Suddenly hearing a sound behind her, she started, remembering this garden had hidden mysteries – hopefully it wasn’t a certain someone. Her first reaction was to hide the box. But there was nowhere to hide it all around. Helplessly, she stuffed it under herself and sat firmly on top of it.

That well with hidden mechanisms made a slight sound. Emerging from it was indeed Ning Yi. Recently he came here constantly whether he had business or not, in the middle of the night coming to discuss with her the bandit gathering case currently being handled, discussing how to guide the investigation direction and so forth. So much so that Feng Zhiwei dared not sleep too early, fearing that one day if she slept, this person would definitely thick-facedly go to her bed to talk.

Ning Yi stepped out of the well opening. Seeing her sitting there as if waiting for him, laughter glinted faintly in his eyes. He greeted her: “Waiting for me here?”

Feng Zhiwei sat unmoving, raising an eyebrow at him, saying mockingly: “This subordinate nearly thought this was Your Highness’s back garden.”

“Don’t be so petty.” Ning Yi wanted to sit beside her but discovered Feng Zhiwei was sitting right at the pavilion corner, posture upright, back straight, looking like “don’t come near me.” He could only raise an eyebrow with a smile and sit across from her, leaning back against the pavilion railing: “Got anything to eat? I just came back from the Court of Judicial Review, very hungry. The pastries in the kitchen are boring – thought I’d come to your place to find something novel.”

Feng Zhiwei said slowly: “Have some, but afraid you won’t dare eat it.”

“What wouldn’t I dare eat?” Ning Yi seemed in a very good mood, the laughter in his eyes making his features bright. “Just knew with Hua Qiong leaving tomorrow, you’d definitely have good food tonight. Sure enough, better to come at the right time than early.”

Feng Zhiwei looked at him and clapped her hands at the air. Someone flashed out from behind a tree. Feng Zhiwei said: “Tonight’s custard – have the cook make a fresh serving.”

The guard received the order and left. Ning Yi watched the other party’s ghost-like movement skills, his gaze flashing, but he laughed: “Custard? I thought it would be some rare treasure. You’re too stingy – sending off Hua Qiong with just this?”

“Not so, not so.” Feng Zhiwei smiled and shook her head. “This is no ordinary custard. This thing should only exist in heaven – how many times can one taste it in the human world? I guarantee after Your Highness eats it once, you’ll definitely never forget it your whole life.”

“Your things – I never forget them my whole life anyway. Just afraid you love to forget too much.” Ning Yi smiled, his words double-edged. Suddenly he turned to look at Feng Zhiwei, frowning: “You look a bit strange today. Why are you sitting so upright?”

Feng Zhiwei was also cursing inwardly – why did you make that box so square? Hard as a rock jabbing my butt – can’t even shift sideways.

She sat with dignified virtue, pulling a fake smile at His Highness: “Little Gu taught me a new qigong technique. It requires sitting upright in a place with clear moon and fresh wind, sitting and breathing deeply—” She seriously took a breath.

Ning Yi suddenly brought his face close, frowning: “Eh… what’s this?”