This time he had originally wanted to travel alone, but ultimately couldn’t help bringing Quan Feitong along, hoping to have someone remember her with him.
He needed a listener.
He wanted to tell Quan Feitong about their past.
Quan Feitong had already moved on, delighting in the beauty by his side, while he would never find peace again.
The carriages deliberately took small roads, and after more than ten days arrived at Huai County. He didn’t have local officials receive him, only having Liang Song go ahead to notify the county office and tell nearby households to avoid the area when the time came. As for the reason, that was the county magistrate’s business.
His adoptive parents had long been brought to the capital, and Magistrate Li had also retired long ago, with the county official position filled by someone new. Actually, after the Feng family incident, Magistrate Li had moved away with his wife. According to his adoptive mother, several neighboring families had also moved away.
He hadn’t returned here for many years, nor had he sent anyone to maintain it. This place held too many people and events he didn’t want to remember. What he would see this time—not only would the Feng family’s gates be dilapidated, but the Li family should also have changed appearance.
However, when he stepped down from the carriage, he was surprised to discover that the Li family home had been kept very clean and beautiful. From the wall, he could see flowering branches in the courtyard—peach blossoms and green willows, quite pleasing. Even the front of the house had been neatly enclosed with bamboo fencing.
He immediately understood—having once leaped from fish to dragon, as the former residence of a monarch, it would naturally attract attention. How could local officials dare neglect it? The number of people who came to visit out of admiration was probably countless. There were clearly several incense stick butts still stuck in the ground in front of the door that hadn’t been cleaned up.
He couldn’t help but curve his lips in mockery.
But with another glance, he was slightly surprised again.
The Feng residence adjacent to the Li family wasn’t as gray and withered as he had imagined.
There weren’t many spider webs or dust.
This old fox had always gotten along well with the neighbors. Later, Lian Yu pardoned the Feng family’s great crime. Perhaps after the storm passed, the neighbors who had moved away felt sorry and came to clean up—that was possible.
“Your Majesty, is that the old Feng residence?” Quan Feitong’s voice came from behind, pulling him back from his thoughts.
He nodded, then heard Quan Feitong say to the woman traveling with them: “Wait here for a moment. His Majesty and I are going in to pay respects to an old friend.”
The other party hesitated slightly. “Alright.”
The shock in her voice suggested she already knew what this place was and who had lived here. Having spent two years in Quan Manor, she knew many court secrets and anecdotes.
Quan Feitong took a basket from Xiao Si’s hands—it contained items for mourning.
Seeing his natural movements, Li Zhaoting couldn’t help feeling disgusted. Actually, over these years, he hadn’t felt this way toward his senior brother. The man was both righteous and devious, not necessarily completely under his control, but was rare talent in governing the country.
But at this moment, he couldn’t help thinking that perhaps in her heart, even Quan Feitong was much better than him.
He reached out to take the basket, speaking lightly: “Senior Brother, wait here for a moment. I want to go in and look around by myself first. I’m afraid I’ll be moved by the scene and let Senior Brother see me make a fool of myself.”
Hearing this, Quan Feitong curved his lips but said nothing, only nodding in agreement.
Si Lanfeng and Xiao Si were walking behind. He again spoke to stop them: “You all wait here.”
“Yes.” Si Lanfeng hesitated a moment, answering together with Xiao Si.
The sealing strips from the investigation had been removed from the door, leaving only faint traces. He glanced at them and pushed the door open to enter.
The flowers and plants in the courtyard were still growing well. Though not like the Li family’s specially planted additions, whoever tended to this place had put thought into it. He touched the clothesline pole—there were no clothes on it, but only light dust, no thick dirt.
Finally, he walked to the house door, about to push it open to look at her boudoir. Suddenly remembering something, he went around the side path directly to the back courtyard.
The grape garden and osmanthus trees in the back courtyard were still there. Beside the grape garden stood a monument—the tomb of the Feng couple and Hong Xiao.
She had returned here before.
He set down the basket, taking out incense, candles, paper money, and wine vessels.
Then he lit the candles and paper, and poured three cups of wine.
“Uncle Feng, this cup Zhaoting offers to you. Perhaps you wouldn’t want to see me again, but I did ultimately fulfill my father’s dying wish.” As he spoke, he poured one cup onto the ground, then refilled it without concealment and drained it in one gulp.
“Didn’t you say that if I insisted, I would never obtain what I wanted? Now I am emperor—I have obtained it.”
“If you hadn’t blocked me back then,” his face suddenly showed anger, veins bulging on his forehead, “I wouldn’t have been so cold to her. Perhaps I could still have been with her. I…”
“You always acted like you saw through worldly affairs clearly. This evil fruit was created by your own hand. You prided yourself on supreme cleverness—could you have foreseen today’s events!” As he spoke, he suddenly smashed the wine cup, went to the osmanthus tree, and struck the ground with his palm, cracking it. Then he began digging with his bare hands.
His hands were torn and bleeding, but he seemed to feel nothing. Dirt flew everywhere. After an unknown time, the area under the osmanthus tree was a complete mess with hardly any intact soil. A rich wine fragrance assaulted the nostrils—sweet and long-lasting. In a deep pit lay two jars of aged wine, and beside one jar was a brocade pouch.
He reached down to take the pouch, shaking off the dust and untying the cord.
Inside was a piece of old paper folded neatly, already slightly yellowed.
Outside the Feng residence, Quan Feitong stood with his hands behind his back by the river. The sky had darkened slightly when it suddenly began drizzling. Xue Zhu came over with an umbrella, holding it over his head.
“Is this the former residence of the person you like? I heard you say some things the day I tried to kill you,” she said deliberately.
Quan Feitong gave a light “mm.”
“Would someone like you truly care about anyone? The person you liked is gone—I suppose you have even less heart now.” She feigned casual sarcasm.
“Who knows about the future?” He narrowed his eyes with a smile. “But I truly have no such thoughts at present.”
Her heart suddenly trembled downward.
Suddenly, the sound of wheels came. She looked up in surprise to see a carriage approaching with over ten cavalry guards in plain clothes. Though disguised, their imposing bearing and fierce valor clearly marked them as no ordinary people.
Soon, a maid and a middle-aged female servant, each holding umbrellas, helped a young woman dressed as a matron and a four or five-year-old child down from the carriage.
The woman had delicate, clear features and an elegant bearing. The child was also adorably carved from jade—clearly of high birth.
But she knew these two couldn’t be described merely as wealthy or noble. This was the current empress and eldest prince. She had been brought into the palace by Quan Feitong and had the fortune of seeing palace people. It was said this empress had also taken the imperial examinations and was quite a woman with stories.
Except for Quan Feitong, whose expression remained mockingly unmoved, everyone else knelt in greeting. Si Lanfeng’s eyes flashed with concern: “Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress. Why has Your Majesty come here?”
Ah Luo seemed not to hear, only staring fixedly at the two characters “Feng Residence” in the distance.
The rain wasn’t heavy—even without an umbrella it would be fine. But to prevent the letter from getting wet, Li Zhaoting quickly walked to the corridor. Just as he was about to open the letter, he heard sounds from behind the eaves.
Knowing it might be neighbors passing by who wouldn’t necessarily enter, but not wanting to see anyone, especially those he once knew, he ducked into the back room to wait for them to leave.
However, the person didn’t push the door to enter from the back courtyard, but appeared on the eaves.
The moment they met face to face, all his blood rushed to his head.
…
“Lian Yu, let me tell you, when Leng Xue and I used to sneak out to play, this is how I climbed back home. And look, over there is Auntie Li’s house. This Auntie Li was so interesting—”
Feng Suzhen suddenly fell silent, cursing herself for truly being possessed by Lian Qin—bringing up whatever shouldn’t be mentioned. The two had traveled hastily to Huai County. What was she doing climbing walls and reminiscing about the past? Who was Auntie Li? Li Zhaoting’s adoptive mother.
Of course, she truly hadn’t thought of Li Zhaoting, only remembered that fierce-looking but kind-hearted neighbor auntie. But what would Lian Yu think!
She stole a glance at his expression, but unexpectedly, Lian Yu smiled slightly: “How was that Auntie Li interesting?”
Her heart filled with sweetness. Except for those few days of quarreling when they reunited, hadn’t he been absolutely wonderful to her in every way? Well, though occasionally he would put on airs as her male god to tease her.
She was about to tell him when a series of knuckle raps fell on her head. “I told you to talk! Told you to talk!”
“I don’t dare anymore, don’t dare anymore…”
Caught off guard, she laughed shrilly while dodging left and right. Afraid she might fall, he wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Are you going to keep talking?” He raised an eyebrow at her. She raised her eyebrow back: “I was talking about Auntie Li. Did you think I could still be thinking of that Li surname? I’d rather think of the treacherous minister than him.”
“Quan Feitong?” The other’s gaze turned dangerous. “Seems your energy is quite good—you still have time to think of other men. One Lian Xi isn’t enough, so give me ten or eight more!”
Her face flushed. She was about to retort when she saw his gaze suddenly deepen, falling on one part of the courtyard. “Someone has been here. Not many people know your father hid wine under the tree, right?”
“Let’s leave first. I’ll make arrangements and bring you back later.”
Before Feng Suzhen could react, he had already swept her up, about to leap down.
At that moment, the house door burst open and a figure flew out, sword attacking the two of them.
“You can leave if you want, but she must stay!”
The voice was harsh and unyielding, with no room for negotiation.
In a flash, he had pushed her aside, drew the folding fan from his waist, and engaged the attacker.
Both were highly skilled. In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged several moves in mid-air, then separated and landed in the courtyard.
“I did underestimate you. I thought someone as heartless and ungrateful as you would never again set foot in your benefactor’s residence.” Lian Yu’s brow held a smile, but not a trace reached his eyes.
“But,” he said word by word, his eyes clearly showing killing intent, “if you want to take her away, you’ll have to kill me first. She is the mother of my child, my wife. Don’t force me to send troops to drag you down from your throne.”
His tone was calm, but the ruthless savagery was fully exposed. Li Zhaoting knew this wasn’t empty talk, and knew the other hated him extremely. But at this moment he disregarded everything, his gaze half on this person, half on the woman on the eaves.
Her hair was jet black, no longer the snowy color of years past. Her face was delicately clear, brows slightly furrowed, but her gaze was extraordinarily calm, watching the person opposite him.
She wasn’t looking at him—not even once.
“Lian Yu, be careful,” she said.
Jealous rage surged… his heart felt ready to bleed. He didn’t know why she was still alive, nor did he want to investigate. Whether she was human, ghost, or demon, he only knew that seeing her in that instant made him dizzy and lightheaded, all his wild joy seeming ready to burst from his chest. If this wasn’t a dream, he would willingly trade half his life for it!
His heart was cut by knives, but he knew what he had to do.
“Whatever happens to you, I must keep her here today. Destiny has brought her back to my side.” He quickly turned to look at his opponent, speaking coldly.
The two exchanged cold smiles and quickly began fighting again.
His martial arts were good—originally on par with Lian Yu. However, over these years, Lian Yu had personally led troops in battle. What had improved was his stamina, his reactions in life-and-death combat situations. So after a hundred moves, though Lian Yu’s folding fan was slashed to pieces by his long sword, with just one fan he had blocked all attacks from the sharp blade. Using internal energy through the fan ribs, he wounded his opponent’s shoulder and arm.
Seeing his opponent’s fierce brow, the next sword thrust aimed at his throat, he barely leaped away in a sorry state. Following this, he let out a long whistle that tore through the surrounding silence.
Feng Suzhen’s expression changed. Lian Yu mockingly curved his lips, suddenly leaped up to the eaves, wrapped his arm around her waist, and jumped down.
He didn’t immediately pursue—at this moment, even if he was willing to risk his life, he couldn’t keep her!
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
In moments, Si Lanfeng’s anxious voice came. Dozens of palace guards came around the house from the side path, instantly arriving before him.
Seeing his injuries, Si Lanfeng and the Imperial Guard commander were shocked. Just as they were about to inquire, he shouted sternly: “Send people to the front house to have the cavalry mount up and give chase. The rest of you follow me immediately!”
Speaking thus, he leaped onto the roof first, then down. The others didn’t understand but could only follow.
In the distance, a horse galloped toward them. Lian Yu and the woman quickly mounted. Seeing the familiar figure, Si Lanfeng’s eyes nearly popped out.
But he was like a man possessed, using lightness skills to pursue. Everyone followed closely behind. Behind them, the cavalry arrived—over ten riders burst through the back door!
Ahead, six horses suddenly emerged diagonally, blocking Lian Yu and Feng Suzhen’s path. Among them, a dark-skinned youth with gold circular earrings laughed coldly. His hands moved like lightning, shooting iron caltrops that embedded in the mud. The pursuing horses stepped on them and were injured, throwing their riders.
These were military items.
“Daring to challenge my master—I want you to come one and die as a pair. If you have the skill, come find me, Ah Jin, at the border.” The youth spoke coldly.
The six riders immediately followed the thin horse ahead, disappearing in a cloud of dust.
When the guards cleared the road, Li Zhaoting mounted his horse, but it was too late to pursue.
He could only watch helplessly as Lian Yu looked back, his gaze like a sword. The person in his arms never once looked in his direction. Her gaze passed over him, falling on another person, her eyes smiling as if in silent greeting.
Quan Feitong stood watching calmly with Xue Zhu, his lips slowly curving into a smile.
“Give the order—have local troops seal all county roads and pursue for me!”
He knew that once they left, with the border being the other’s sphere of influence, finding her would be nearly impossible.
Si Lanfeng and the Imperial Guard commander immediately responded loudly: “Yes!”
Ah Luo, who had followed the whistle sound with Ah Huan in her arms, stood frozen in place like thunder on a clear day, trembling uncontrollably.
“Your Majesty…” After an unknown time, she finally found her voice, but he seemed not to see her at all.
He seemed not to hear at all, his Adam’s apple moving. Suddenly, he yanked a letter from his bosom.
Rain fell increasingly heavy.
Quan Feitong quickly approached and saw written on the letter:
I am skilled in divination. Prince Jin once showed me great kindness. Though I knew rescuing his young son from prison would bring great change, in this life, feelings cannot be betrayed nor kindness ungrateful. I also thought perhaps man could triumph over heaven, that I could reverse fate.
I have one son and one daughter. I arranged my daughter to marry the prince’s son, hoping to bind his ambitions with affection, prevent wars that would ravage the realm, and let the people live in peace for decades. However, with the villain Wei at his side, after more than ten years, I knew persuasion was hopeless. I also knew my original actions violated heavenly law, implicating old friends, with my own end approaching and bringing disaster to my family. Thus I cast divination for my son, daughter, adopted daughter, and the prince’s son.
Among them, my adopted daughter Hong Xiao was plagued by illness from childhood, with her jade-like death approaching. I agreed to her request, having her replace my daughter to give my daughter a thread of hope for life. My son faces danger, with possible turning point in the north, half a lifetime of perilous waves. The prince’s son will ultimately reach the pinnacle, gaining everything yet losing everything—the heights are unbearably cold.
But my daughter’s divination showed strange and magnificent signs, far beyond my expectations. Her life is connected to the Great Zhou’s fate, bound to wood, three lives and three deaths, never forgetting her original heart, perhaps gaining permanence.
I was both grieved and excited, so I sent my daughter away in the name of imperial examinations. A father’s love—hoping to find her a thread of survival. I dare not lightly speak of changing heaven again, but hope that if she can hold to old thoughts and show compassion for the world, she may be favored by heaven.
Small hermits hide in the wild, middle hermits hide in the market, great hermits hide in court. I gave her examination credentials, hoping she could understand. But life in this world, good and bad fortune, are all self-determined, every thought directed, every step taken…
Rain washed away the ink marks. Ah Luo was ice-cold all over, only seeing that person push away the umbrella offered by guards, clutching the letter tightly in his muddy, bloody, mangled fingers, his eyelids trembling, motionless for a long time.
Feng Suzhen hadn’t expected to encounter Li Zhaoting again at the Feng residence, but she wasn’t afraid. She knew the person behind her wouldn’t let her leave again. However, she hadn’t expected Lian Yu to be bold enough not to leave the county immediately, but to run to a family’s house.
This was the old Wang family who used to be their neighbors, now moved to another part of the county.
When Lian Yu knocked on the door and the old Wang couple came out, the moment they met face to face, all were greatly shocked.
“Ah Zhen?! Weren’t you dead?” Auntie Wang pointed at her tremblingly.
This stubborn stone hadn’t told her they were going to her old neighbors! Feng Suzhen was pondering how to explain when she saw that person already smiling: “Greetings, elders. This isn’t the Feng master’s daughter, but my newly wed wife. You know I’ve always admired Miss Feng’s talent and beauty, but unfortunately she was already betrothed to another. I had no choice but to abandon that thought. Now I’ve married a woman who resembles Miss Feng. Look—though Miss Feng was beautiful, she’s still not as pretty as my wife.”
The old Wang couple exchanged glances with sudden understanding. Feng Suzhen felt both annoyed and amused—”always admired Miss Feng’s talent and beauty”? This person was quite smooth at making up stories!
Auntie Wang sighed: “Master Feng was a good man. Who knows how such a good person suddenly had his home raided? We never saw him associate with any powerful people. Fortunately, the court later pardoned the Feng family’s crimes.”
Seeing her deep sadness, Feng Suzhen softly comforted her with a few words, also moved in her heart. These old neighbors still remembered her Feng family. She couldn’t help but wonder—it seemed Lian Yu was acquainted with the two, but how could this be? At this time, Old Wang pulled his wife aside, making way for them to enter, treating Lian Yu very warmly.
Lian Yu glanced at Qinglong, who took a bank note from his bosom and handed it to Old Wang. Lian Yu said: “Thanks to you elders for caring for the Feng residence all these years. My wife and I are settling outside the pass. The journey is long—we may not be able to return for a year or two. Please continue to tend to it for us. When I return next time, I will certainly come to thank you again.”
Feng Suzhen knew they probably couldn’t return here for some time. Li Zhaoting would certainly have people watching this place. Lian Yu naturally wasn’t afraid of conflict with him, but there was no need.
“Oh my, how can we accept this?” The old Wang couple shook their heads repeatedly. Old Wang said: “Young Master Li, the silver you gave before was enough for our family for ten or eight years. Every year when you come to weed and clean, inside and out—those who don’t know would think you’re some relative of the Feng family. You and Master Feng aren’t related by blood or marriage, yet you’re so generous just for a bit of yearning. Master Feng was our old neighbor—if we took more, wouldn’t that be laughable? Just rest assured. Old man here and my son and daughter-in-law will certainly clean regularly.”
“The Feng family has few relatives, and they’re far away. I bow in gratitude here.” Hearing this, Lian Yu bowed deeply.
Feng Suzhen watched quietly, moved in her heart. In the years she was away, not only had he never forgotten her for a moment, he had done everything she should have done, even coming personally to clean each year.
Old Wang invited them to stay for tea and a meal. Lian Yu politely declined. The group rode through moonlight and starlight on the country roads of Huai County.
Time to bring their daughter home.
It turned out Qilin had taken Lian Xi to the place where the two first met.
Over these years, Lian Xi’s bedtime stories were about the two of them, told by Lian Yu. Lian Xi had always clamored for daddy to take her to gather jade. When Lian Yu was previously at odds with Feng Suzhen, he simply used this opportunity to fulfill his daughter’s wish.
“Lian Buxiao, thank you.”
Eager to see Lianzi soon, Feng Suzhen rode Ah Chou Saqima while Lian Yu rode another fine horse. She turned to the man riding alongside her. Lian Jie and others had wickedly said Lian Yu had been difficult to get along with these past years—a complete ice man—so she had given him a nickname.
Lian Yu said: “Your husband was careless, not expecting Li Zhaoting would go there. When I gave the letter to Quan Feitong to deliver, I should have anticipated today.”
“With nothing to repay you, I’ll offer my body and bear you a bunch of children. Think about it—I’m at least an emperor, today no less than a regional overlord, yet I only have you, one little ugly wife, by my side.”
This man—clearly wanting her to bear him children yet still speaking so meanly of her. Feng Suzhen burst out laughing, even that touch of melancholy about things and people changing dissipated completely. She laughed and scolded back: “Dream on! I won’t be a breeding sow…”
“By the way,” she suddenly remembered something. Not knowing if she should ask, since Lian Yu hated Li Zhaoting to the bone. After hesitating a moment, unable to resist curiosity, she didn’t beat around the bush: “Why do Auntie Wang and the others call you Young Master Li?”
Lian Yu raised his eyebrows slightly: “You think I’m envious of your Young Master Li? That guy wasn’t originally surnamed Li either.”
He paused, suddenly pulling the reins so his horse moved ahead of hers.
“The world follows the father’s surname, especially since my father is emperor—I had to follow the paternal surname. But the late emperor never fulfilled half a responsibility toward me. My birth mother was surnamed Li. Now that I’m no longer in the palace, what’s wrong with occasionally following my mother’s surname?” His voice came from ahead, revealing no joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness.
Feng Suzhen suddenly trembled all over, remembering the divination the great scholar Tingyu had cast for her long ago.
Not Quan Feitong—Li Zhaoting was originally surnamed Lian, while he…
She suddenly smiled, then couldn’t help laughing softly aloud. But she said nothing. Throughout their acquaintance, he had always worried about her. His birth mother would probably forever be a wound in his heart. She patted Saqima’s bridle, wanting to spur her horse forward to say a few words to him. Even someone as strong as him would have times needing comfort. However, he suddenly stopped his horse and turned to look at her.
“Lady Lian, the road ahead is full of internal and external troubles. Your husband no longer has royal glory, only passionate blood to protect Great Zhou and protect his wife and daughter. Are you still willing to escort me on this journey?”
The wilderness was silent, spring grass swaying, starlight flowing slowly overhead. His eyes seemed to be tempered with that light as he smiled and asked her.
Around them, Lian Jie and others quietly stopped their steps. Feng Suzhen smiled and slowly answered: “She is willing.”
Young and fearless of danger,
Treading snow to seek plum blossoms throughout the capital.
All the great scholars laughed at the madness,
Daring to make sun and moon change faces.
Not forgetting the words in the original divination,
Only seeking to be worthy of heaven and earth.
When spring winds meet Jiangnan mists again,
This era’s rivers and mountains—how many years?
Epilogue: In childhood I once saw elders wearing theatrical costumes, performing the famous Huangmei opera “The Female Prince Consort” on stage. The strange and magnificent emotions within stirred my heart. Years later, visiting historical sites of imperial scholars and seeing excavated artifacts, I met a reader who had searched far and wide, telling of a childhood sweetheart’s death and finding deep love with another, yet feeling no closeness in heart. Using this eternal legend as foundation, I re-adapted the people and events within—not emphasizing conquest of many nations, not proclaiming the rise of female strength, but hoping that in this vast world, whether nobles like them or mayflies like you and me, all can transcend their own limitations. Also, when one love dies and another rises, what the heart thinks of brings no harm; what gives the heart peace becomes home. Additionally, when I began writing, some said this was the author’s worst work to date, while others said it was the author’s best book so far. I actually know that during the writing process there were countless flaws. Here I thank all readers for their corrections and encouragement—I benefited greatly. Having nothing to give back to everyone, I plan to write a small epilogue for Lianzi to give to everyone. I’ll update it on Weibo in a few days, then put the content back in the text later. Everyone can read it there without needing to subscribe here again. An unresolved question from “Qingcheng” will certainly find its answer there.
[Epilogue: End]