“No need,” Qing Xia grabbed Qin Zhiyan’s hand, pitifully raising her pale little face as she said: “Just stay with me for a while.”

Her eyes were clear and moving, carrying a rare vulnerability like layers of mist slowly spreading. Qin Zhiyan sat back down on the bed, wrapping his arms around her shoulders, his palm gently stroking her long hair in silent comfort.

Da Huang climbed awkwardly out of the water basin, looked at the two with displeasure, huffed twice, then plopped to the ground and waddled out to the outer room to eat, swaying its fat bottom.

“Qin Zhiyan, I’ve never told you about my family before, have I?” Qing Xia’s voice was muffled as she lay in Qin Zhiyan’s embrace, speaking softly.

Qin Zhiyan nodded: “No, so tell me about them, Yima’er.”

“My father’s surname was Zhou – he was a doctor. My mother was from Xinjiang.”

The man raised his voice slightly: “Xinjiang?”

“Don’t interrupt,” Qing Xia said: “It’s within Xichuan territory, even further west than Bailu Plain…”

Qing Xia’s voice was very soft, but she still revealed everything bit by bit – her many years of wandering life, later joining the military, training for many years before being selected by Military Intelligence Division 9 as an agent, then being abandoned in Tokyo and beheaded, only to wake up as a consort of Southern Chu, followed by her entanglements with Chu Li, unclear connections with Qi An, and absurd disputes with the Zhuang family. From Southern Chu to Western Hei, from Bailing to Xichuan, from Bailu Plain to Penglai Valley – by the time she finished telling everything, it was already the third watch of night, and Da Huang lay in a cushioned wooden box, snoring loudly in deep sleep.

All around was silent except for the crackling of candleflames. Qin Zhiyan had remained quiet throughout, just holding her silently, his arms continuously tightening. Having finished telling everything, Qing Xia seemed to have exhausted all her strength. Leaning in Qin Zhiyan’s embrace, she sighed softly: “I’ve never told this story to anyone else – I know they wouldn’t believe it. Qin Zhiyan, do you believe it?”

Qin Zhiyan’s voice was slightly hoarse, his eyes like lake water rippling in gentle waves, so tender they could almost drown her: “Do you remember I once said that no matter what you tell me, I believe it?”

Tears immediately filled Qing Xia’s eyes, crystal droplets flowing down her cheeks. Qin Zhiyan’s voice was like a warm ocean, wrapping around her layer by layer, and even the bone-deep weariness gradually dissolved in the cold wind and desolate night. She raised her head, looking firmly into the man’s dark eyes, saying word by word: “Qin Zhiyan, this trip to Penglai changed nothing, so please don’t change either. No matter what words passed between you and him, I only want to tell you this – even if I hadn’t fallen unconscious then, even if I hadn’t been severely injured, I still would have chosen to go with you.”

“In a person’s life, one must always make choices. That day on Bailu Plain I already chose you, and I won’t turn back.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled slowly, bright light shining in his eyes. He knew his intentional distance these past days had finally been noticed by her. He reached out to gently caress her brow and eyes, saying softly: “I just… fear you might regret it someday.”

Qing Xia smiled gently, though tears rolled down with her smile lines. The pale woman raised her eyebrows: “Will you make me regret it?”

“I hope not,” Qin Zhiyan tenderly wiped the tears from Qing Xia’s eyes, saying softly: “I just fear I’m not good enough.”

“Don’t be any better,” Qing Xia shook her head, though tears flowed even more: “I only fear you’re too good – then I won’t be worthy of you.”

Qin Zhiyan lovingly cupped her face, smiling: “Silly girl! You are heaven’s precious gift to me, my only beloved in this life. The suffering you’ve endured, the injuries you’ve sustained, all pain my heart. From now on, let me protect you, let your remaining years be without wind or waves, without disaster or pain. No matter who they are, none can harm you even slightly.”

Qing Xia slowly closed her eyes, tears still at the corners, and raised her head to kiss the corner of Qin Zhiyan’s lips. That man with gloomy eyes, those desperate eyes in the flames, that tall jade-like figure standing in wind and snow – all finally crumbled thunderously in her heart. Their meeting had been a mistake from the start – wrong time, wrong place, wrong identities, filled with too much calculation and scheming. Those turbulent, dramatically joyful and sorrowful past events had already tortured both of them beyond repair. Perhaps Zhuang Dianru was right – she truly shouldn’t exist in his life. Only by releasing golden shackles could the white bird spread its wings and soar; only without worries and constraints could he achieve his dreams.

From now on, separated by north and south poles, no more past connections – Shen and Shang forever apart.

Let everything be this way, just this way.

Early the next morning, the Yan Division broke camp to prepare for the return to the capital. Qing Xia didn’t ask Qin Zhiyan why he had suddenly changed his mind. She watched as the two little maids Qing’er and Bi’er busily packed the gifts sent by Xifeng City merchants and officials – filling two entire carts.

Winter was gradually passing, and early spring willows began to sprout. The further east they traveled, the milder the climate became. Six days later, they reached the secondary capital Jinxiu City. Just as they dismounted from the carriage, a fast horse arrived with news that the Qin King urgently summoned Qin Zhiyan back to Xianyang for important matters to discuss.

Qin Zhiyan frowned slightly but didn’t rush back to the capital as the Qin King ordered. Instead, he stayed overnight at the official residence in Jinxiu City.

Qing Xia’s external injuries had largely healed – the Southern Border witch doctors’ medical skills were indeed excellent. If not for residual poison still lurking in her body, she would have almost fully recovered. Through historical changes, with things remaining but people different, this Jinxiu City that never appeared in later history was here one of the world’s most prosperous major cities, second only to Eastern Qi’s Haicheng in commercial prosperity. Qing Xia rarely had such high spirits – when entering the city, she kept lifting the curtain to look outside. Seeing her happiness, Qin Zhiyan gave some instructions upon reaching the official residence, then took several personal guards to accompany her shopping.

By then it was dark – the liveliest time for Jinxiu City’s night market. Qing Xia and Qin Zhiyan wore common people’s clothing and mingled in the crowds, yet still couldn’t hide their noble and refined aura. Wherever Qin Zhiyan went, everyone made way and stared, causing Qing Xia some dissatisfaction.

However, before they had browsed long, a Yan Division personal guard suddenly ran over, saying there was urgent business from the capital – Palace Official Liu had important matters to report to Qin Zhiyan.

Seeing Qin Zhiyan’s serious expression, Qing Xia immediately remembered the morning’s urgent summons from the Qin King and looked uneasily at the handsome man in moon-white robes. Noticing her tension, Qin Zhiyan smiled and took her hand as they returned to the official residence together.

As soon as they entered the main gate, a young, graceful and forthright man suddenly stepped forward and said loudly: “Prince Xuan, great joy!”

Qin Zhiyan was slightly stunned and cupped his hands: “Brother Liu? What joy is there?”

Official Liu smiled: “You don’t know yet? The Southern Chu Great Emperor is offering twenty thousand jin of Southern Chu black iron as dowry for a marriage alliance with our nation. Southern Chu’s Princess Imperial Jiayun is already on the road and has been specifically chosen for you!”

Like a thunderclap exploding overhead, Qing Xia’s face instantly turned deathly pale. Chu Li’s nightmare-like voice echoed in her ears once again: Even if I die, I will never let you go!

White candles burned high, one lamp like a bean.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, and the woman sitting with chin propped on hand slowly turned around, smiled brilliantly, stood up and walked forward to greet him.

“Has Official Liu left?”

“Mm.” Qin Zhiyan obediently removed his outer robe and handed it to Qing Xia, pulling her to sit back at the table. Taking her hand, he felt a bone-piercing coldness and frowned slightly: “Why so cold? Have you taken your medicine?”

Qing Xia nodded, pointing to the white porcelain bowl on the table: “Just finished, and drank a bowl of honey water too. So bitter.”

Qin Zhiyan smiled: “Good medicine tastes bitter – this way it’s beneficial for your illness.”

“I know.” Qing Xia smiled: “I’m not a child – would I be afraid of taking medicine? But Master Baishi’s medicine is indeed terribly bitter. He seems to be doing it on purpose, getting revenge for Da Huang stealing that old ginseng root the day before yesterday.”

Qin Zhiyan laughed heartily and lovingly tapped her nose tip: “Naughty!”

Qing Xia giggled as she poured tea for Qin Zhiyan. The two chatted casually about unimportant matters as the sky gradually darkened. Qin Zhiyan stood to leave, and Qing Xia rose to see him off, showing no signs of discomfort.

“Yima’er.” Even someone as composed as Qin Zhiyan couldn’t help but turn back at the door and say softly: “About that matter, don’t take it to heart. I will definitely…”

“I know.” Before Qin Zhiyan could finish, Qing Xia quickly cut off his words, smiling: “I know you’ll handle it properly. I’m not worried at all.”

Qin Zhiyan was slightly stunned, then a big smile appeared on his face. He smiled while stroking Qing Xia’s smooth long hair: “That’s good. Sleep early – we still have to travel tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Qing Xia nodded, watching Qin Zhiyan leave the room. Her smile finally slowly faded as she sat heavily on the bed, her head beginning to throb violently. Da Huang whimpered below, biting at her skirt hem and gently wagging its tail. Around its neck hung a piece of pure white warm jade. Removing the cold chill, the characters at the end combined to form that man’s name.

So this was how his name originated?

A child who had never received even a bit of parental love – even his name was filled with such loneliness and coldness, destined from birth for a lifetime of rough roads.

If the ground splitting that day had given her and Chu Li a chance to be alone together, shattering Zhuang Dianru’s mad plan to completely extinguish hope in the king’s heart, then now – wasn’t she cruelly walking this same old path? Qing Xia smiled bitterly. Once, she had arrogantly thought she could overturn heaven and earth with her meager strength, not knowing she was only pushing him into another deeper abyss. All along, it had been her presumption and overreach affecting everyone and everything around her. She trusted her own power too much, worshipped her own abilities too much, always stepping forward competitively in everything, repeatedly pushing herself and those she cared about into difficult desperate situations.