Jiang Hanyuan had Fan Jing lead the guards who came with him to rest, then turned to seek out Dowager Consort Zhuang.

Shu Shenhui was also there, telling his mother about last night’s accidental fire at Merit Temple—such a major incident couldn’t be concealed even if he wanted to.

He downplayed the severity of the fire considerably in his words, but the Dowager Consort was still frightened afterward. After comforting Jiang Hanyuan, she harshly scolded her son: “What’s wrong with you? You’re such a grown man, yet you only thought of your amusement? Going out in the dead of night is one thing, but you didn’t think to call Sisi? If not for ancestral protection, that Sisi also went out, leaving her alone there while she was fast asleep—wouldn’t that have been extremely dangerous?”

Jiang Hanyuan felt Dowager Consort Zhuang was truly angry. Seeing him with his head lowered, saying nothing, she interjected: “Mother Consort, you’ve misunderstood. He did call me initially, but I didn’t want to go and declined. Later, after he left, I couldn’t sleep and changed my mind, going out myself. It had nothing to do with him.”

Dowager Consort Zhuang paused, her expression finally softening somewhat.

Jiang Hanyuan felt the person beside her turn to look at her. She didn’t move, her gaze remaining on the Dowager Consort’s face as she continued, “Meeting Mother Consort this time, I feel especially close to you, as if meeting my mother. Receiving Mother Consort’s undeserved affection, I also very much wish to stay longer to serve you. But Uncle Fan has already arrived. I’ve come to respectfully inquire if Mother Consort has any other matters. If not, I plan to depart as soon as possible.”

She truly liked the Dowager Consort and this place. But though Liang Garden was beautiful, it wasn’t a home for long attachment.

She knew clearly in her heart where she came from and where she would return.

Dowager Consort Zhuang pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned her gaze to her son, who was silently watching Jiang Hanyuan, and unexpectedly called out, “San Lang!”

Shu Shenhui came to his senses, quickly withdrew his gaze from her, and turned to look at his mother.

“Regarding Sisi, do you have any other matters?” Dowager Consort Zhuang asked.

Shu Shenhui seemed somewhat hesitant and didn’t answer immediately. Unexpectedly, before he could finally speak, Dowager Consort Zhuang nodded. “I understand. So there are no other matters.”

She no longer looked at her son, turning to Jiang Hanyuan with a smile. “Sisi, I’m also very reluctant to let you go. And that General Fan—I was thinking he’s come from far away and should be arranged some sightseeing as part of our host’s courtesy. But from his response this morning, it seems there are urgent matters in Yanmen, and he’s quite anxious. Since that’s the case, never mind—important business comes first. On my end, having visited the royal tomb, other matters are optional. Sisi, arrange it yourself—any day is fine…”

The Dowager Consort pondered again and added, “You needn’t consider me. If there are urgent matters, even tomorrow would be acceptable.”

Shu Shenhui quickly looked up at his mother.

But Dowager Consort Zhuang seemed completely unaware, only looking at Jiang Hanyuan, quietly awaiting her response.

Jiang Hanyuan lowered her eyes. “Thank you for Mother Consort’s understanding and not minding my rudeness. Then I’ll depart tomorrow.”

Dowager Consort Zhuang nodded, then sighed. “I truly can’t bear to let you go so soon. Though the mountains and passes are far, even knowing you’ll surely come to see me again in the future, I don’t know what year or month that will be…”

She paused and suddenly gestured for Jiang Hanyuan to come to her side.

Jiang Hanyuan went over. She extended her arms and embraced her.

Jiang Hanyuan docilely buried her face in the Dowager Consort’s warm, soft embrace. In her breath, she seemed to catch a faint, subtle fragrance mixed with light sandalwood and orchid.

Gradually, her eyes began to feel warm.

The Dowager Consort, before her, suddenly reminded her of the mother from her dreams.

Dowager Consort Zhuang held her quietly for a moment, finally gently patting her back and slowly releasing her. She studied her face, then raised her hand to smooth a strand of hair that had fallen loose, showing a gentle smile. “Then so be it. Sisi, may you have a safe journey.”

She released Jiang Hanyuan and turned her gaze to her son again, for the first time calling him directly by name. “Shenhui, I came here to see Sisi. Now that I’ve seen her, I’m content. I should return—you needn’t see me off. Arrange her departure tomorrow properly.”

She summoned the executive eunuch and gave orders to return to the mountains. The eunuch prepared for the Dowager Consort’s departure, busy but orderly. Soon, the carriage was ready, with everyone waiting respectfully outside. Shu Shenhui and Jiang Hanyuan escorted Dowager Consort Zhuang to the palace gates. She said nothing more, walking to the carriage and stopping. She turned back to gaze deeply at the two people standing shoulder to shoulder at the foot of the palace steps, showed a smile, waved her hand to signal them to stop, then mounted the carriage.

Jiang Hanyuan watched the Dowager Consort leave. When the procession ahead gradually disappeared from view, she turned and met the gaze directed at her by the person beside her.

She smiled and said, “I have no other matters—Your Highness needn’t arrange anything for me. If Your Highness has business, please attend to it.”

After she spoke, he remained silent without responding.

She nodded to him. “I’ll go in first to pack.” After walking a few steps, she suddenly heard him say behind her, “Fan Jing has come from far away. Let me take him around the nearby area. At least he’ll have visited here. Fortunately, it’s just a few steps away—no need for him to travel strenuously again.”

Jiang Hanyuan turned back hurriedly. “I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness. I can take Uncle Fan around the area myself.”

After she spoke, she heard him say, “It’s no trouble—I have nothing to do today. You also heard my mother’s words just now. This is the host’s courtesy I should fulfill.”

“You were frightened last night. Go rest.”

He nodded to her and then strode away.

Seeing his mind was made up, Jiang Hanyuan could only let him be and returned to her room to pack.

Hearing that the Regent Prince wanted to personally take him sightseeing on the lake, Fan Jing was even more surprised. How could he accept such treatment? He repeatedly bowed in thanks, saying he didn’t dare. But the Regent Prince smiled and said, “General Fan needn’t be so polite. The Princess Consort calls you uncle—you’re close family, not an outsider. It’s appropriate for me to show some host’s courtesy. You and Liu Xiang should know each other from before—I’ll have him come along as well.”

Fan Jing couldn’t refuse, and moreover felt he was straightforward and a man of character, greatly admiring him. Unconsciously, he developed some desire to befriend him. Hearing that Liu Xiang would also be there—indeed, they hadn’t seen each other in years—he repeatedly thanked him and agreed.

The remaining daylight passed, and evening fell.

Jiang Hanyuan waited at the palace for their return. She waited and waited, but Fan Jing didn’t return. Finally, only Zhang Bao came back.

Zhang Bao vividly described to her how the Regent Prince took Fan Jing sightseeing on the lake with Liu Xiang accompanying them. They went to an extremely elegant place for dinner in the evening, with beautiful singing girls whose voices were like celestial music providing entertainment. The host and guest were in high spirits, and it looked like they wouldn’t return soon. The Regent Prince sent him back to inform the Princess Consort first, saying they would return after drinking, and not to worry about General Fan.

Since arriving here, Jiang Hanyuan hadn’t planned a long stay. She had little luggage to reorganize for departure and had finished packing early.

Another night of bright moon and clear wind. After Zhang Bao left, she couldn’t fall asleep for a long time. She rose and leaned by a window facing the lake, gazing at the tranquil lake and mountain shadows under the moonlight outside, and in the distance, the path at the mountain’s foot leading to this halfway palace. Lights burned there for nighttime illumination, appearing and disappearing like shadows.

After a long while, she closed the window and returned to bed.

She had left a lamp burning in her room.

She closed her eyes and listened for sounds outside. After another long while, the courtyard and corridors outside remained completely quiet. Besides the occasional rustling of laurel branches in the courtyard corner stirred by light breezes, there were no other sounds.

It must be midnight now. The bright candle in the room slowly burned out, finally collapsing with the wick falling into a pool of hot wax tears.

The candlelight died.

The room fell into dimness. Moonlight gradually appeared, filtering through the windows and quietly falling on the floor by the window.

Jiang Hanyuan closed her eyes, turned over, and decided to sleep.

She had to depart early tomorrow morning. She needed to rest.

She closed her eyes, as if entering dreams yet seeming still awake. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she heard again a faint rustling sound from the courtyard. It seemed like another breeze passing through the yard, yet not quite.

She lay quietly for a moment, slowly opened her eyes, finally sat up, got out of bed, slipped on soft-soled shoes, and silently walked toward the door. Finally reaching behind the door, her heart suddenly pounded violently, nearly bursting through her chest.

The subtle feeling in her heart became even stronger at this moment, separated by the door.

She raised her hand and slowly opened the door.

Outside the door, a figure appeared in her line of sight.

Shu Shenhui had returned at some unknown time and stood outside the door like a pillar in the corridor.

She didn’t speak. He also didn’t speak immediately. Separated by a threshold, they looked at each other in the night shadows for a moment. His figure suddenly moved slightly. “Did I wake you?” he asked in a low voice.

Jiang Hanyuan caught a faint scent of alcohol.

She didn’t answer his question, only looked at him.

He was silent for another moment, his figure moving again. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning. There’s something I want you to know.”

She still didn’t respond.

“Last time at the prince’s residence, the matter you asked me about—do you still remember?” He continued speaking on his own. “I hadn’t thought it through then and couldn’t answer. Now I know. I just don’t know if you’re still willing to hear my answer.”

His speaking pace suddenly quickened, as if not wanting to give her a chance to interrupt.

“When I risked danger to find her and save her that day, it wasn’t merely because she was Jiang Zuowang’s daughter named Jiang Hanyuan. I went to find her and save her because she was also my Princess Consort, the wife I married. Jiang Zuowang’s daughter and my Princess Consort—they are the same person.”

“That night, you also asked me if I had feelings for you—”

He paused, gazing at her who remained silent within the threshold.

“Yes. I think in my heart, I already have you.”

After speaking this final sentence, he fell silent again.

Another breeze swept through the courtyard. Tree shadows swayed. The moonlight seemed like molten silver, spreading with the wind across the steps before the courtyard. His eyes also seemed to flow with faint light.

He looked at her, still silent within the threshold, as if waiting for something. After waiting a moment and seeing no reaction from her, his figure slowly moved. When he spoke again, his voice had become muffled and unclear. “Never mind, I also drank some wine tonight. Just now I was thinking you’d be leaving tomorrow morning, so I came to tell you—”

He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, his tone becoming relaxed. “I’m truly sorry—Fan Jing got drunk tonight, and it’s inconvenient for him to return, so he can only stay there. But don’t worry, the host is an old friend who will take good care of him. He should wake up tomorrow morning without affecting your departure. Well then, rest well. I won’t disturb you. After you return, take good care of yourself.”

He raised his hand to rub his forehead, and after lowering it, smiled at her in a self-deprecating way, then stepped back and turned around, about to leave.

“Stop!” A woman’s sharp command suddenly came from behind.

Shu Shenhui’s heart jumped, and he immediately stopped, slowly turning back.

She still stood in the night shadows within the threshold, her figure hazy, but her eyes seemed to contain brilliance, reflecting the moonlight. He heard her let out a soft snort. “You came in the middle of the night—do you have nothing else to say?”

Shu Shenhui was stunned. Suddenly, he felt emotions surging in his chest, no longer suppressible.

He had personally arranged the tour, summoned Qiantang’s most skilled singing beauties, kept that unexpected visitor elsewhere, and after returning, wandered alone by the dark lakeside for a long time. Finally, he had successfully drawn her out and said so much to her. Could it have been just for that final courteous “take care”?

No.

Those words that had been turning over countless times in his heart were pushed upward by the emotional tide in his chest, surging to his throat.

He gazed at her and, with his already hoarse voice, said low and word by word: “A Yuan, I don’t want you to leave tomorrow! I want you to stay and keep me company for a few more days!”

Jiang Hanyuan stepped onto the threshold and, like a little tiger, pounced fiercely at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. As if she hated him extremely, she opened her mouth and bit his lips hard with her teeth.

Shu Shenhui felt his lips being bitten painfully by her, as if they would break and bleed, but after reacting, he was stimulated by this punishment from her teeth, getting goosebumps all over his body. His heart surged with overwhelming wild joy, and he trembled slightly with excitement. Standing in the water-like moonlight, enduring the pain without moving, he let her hold and bite him, enjoying the most cruel yet most precious punishment she inflicted upon him. After a moment, when he felt her force lighten and heard her breathing heavily, he began his retaliation. He raised his arms, pushed her against the door frame, held her there, lowered his head, and fiercely kissed her mouth.

She understood nothing, yet made him suffer greatly because of her. She tormented him until his dignity was lost, his composure gone, his emotions unstable and unpredictable, unable to focus on affairs during the day or sleep peacefully at night. Yet she acted as if nothing had happened. If not for his surrender tonight, seeking her favor and fortunately arousing her feelings, would she really abandon him tomorrow morning, return to Yanmen, and become a stranger to him forever?

She would. She was an iron-blooded, ruthless female general who had killed more people than he had. She was someone with a cold heart and cold blood. His heart suddenly surged with intense mixed feelings of love and hate. While entangling and sucking on her, he couldn’t help but bite her soft tongue hatefully. He heard her make a muffled sound of pain under his mouth and begin to struggle, as if wanting to break free from him. How could he let her have her way? He lifted this person he was pressing against the door and kissing, stepped across the threshold, raised his foot, and kicked the door shut.

Tonight, he would thoroughly keep her, make her forget Yanmen, forget her identity as a female general. What Great Wei, what imperial court—here with him, they would all temporarily step aside.

He only wanted to keep her, to make her never want to leave him!