Suzhen changed her disguise again, dressing herself as a dark, thin young man.

She didn’t travel quickly on this journey. With each step, she drew closer to Huai County, feeling timid about approaching home.

Wherever she went, everything seemed no different from when she first traveled to the capital, yet also somehow different. Perhaps it was because back then she had Leng Xue as her companion, but now they had each scattered to the ends of the earth.

After Leng Xue left, he only met with Wu Qing and helped with Wu Yan’s affairs. The message she had Quan Feitong relay would be passed to Leng Xue by Wu Qing. Regardless of whether they could meet again, knowing each other was safe was always good.

Or perhaps this place was more prosperous than before, and people’s lives were better. Lian Yu’s political achievements were evident.

She quickly cut off her own thoughts. Constantly thinking of one person involuntarily really wasn’t good.

However, upon entering Qiongrong Prefecture, her pace quickened.

She had once seen the imperial proclamation that brought her despair in a place just ahead of here. She had once inadvertently touched upon Li Zhaoting’s deeply hidden thoughts here.

She bit into a steamed bun while leading the thin horse she’d bought for transportation—being cheap wasn’t necessarily good. This horse was sold cheaply because it looked crude and was extremely thin. She couldn’t bear to see it suffer, so she fed it well, groomed it, and didn’t dare overwork it, just letting it walk slowly. The thin horse thus considered itself important, became very proud, and walked even more slowly.

She walked along with a face full of tragic indignation when suddenly she heard someone in the crowd shout loudly: “Imperial proclamation! The court has issued another decree!”

She paused, then saw the crowd surge like a tide toward a wall nearby.

She smiled and continued on her way.

“This Feng family matter, I seem to have heard of it somewhere…”

“Sir, surely you haven’t forgotten? Nearly two years ago, the Feng family of neighboring Huai County was sentenced to complete extermination, said to be accomplices of the rebel Prince Jin. Their corpses were exposed in the marketplace afterward—the situation was quite tragic.”

“Now that you mention it, I do remember. I didn’t expect there would be a sequel.”

“Yes, the internal details of this sequel are probably quite strange and complex. Look at what this imperial proclamation says—that private school teacher Feng Shaoqing of Huai County had treasonous crimes, but his descendants made great contributions to the state. The Feng family’s crimes are pardoned, punishing evil while also acknowledging good. Additionally, the court is considering abolishing collective punishment and the great crime of executing nine generations of relatives.”

“Indeed, this proclamation mentions Feng family descendants… but weren’t the Feng family descendants already completely dead? How could they have made contributions to the state? Could it be that some of the Feng family actually didn’t die that day? Did Feng Shaoqing have other children? Or did collateral relatives of the Feng family later contribute to the court?”

“This is indeed mysterious.”

“Two gentlemen, I don’t see it that way. Setting aside the Feng family matter, haven’t you overlooked the most important point shown in this proclamation?”

“Abolishing collective punishment and the great crime of clan execution—our Great Zhou court dares to set this precedent. In which country has there been such a precedent?”

“Yes, this doesn’t quite fit the emperor’s early style.”

“That’s right. Though Emperor Wu implemented many measures benefiting the people, when encountering such matters he would always suppress them bloodily. With undercurrents surging in the court, he wants to use violence…” someone said in a lowered voice.

“But from establishing women’s schools, reforming official governance, to now changing laws… His Majesty seems to want to lead Great Zhou down a path different from other countries.”

“Do you think this is good or bad?”

“Who knows, but I have an excited anticipation to see what happens.”

Originally two men were talking quietly, but later several more voices joined in. When they reached an exciting point, they all gestured enthusiastically, filled with great surprise and excitement.

Whether in the capital or remote towns, there were always such groups of young people discussing politics and governance, full of the greatest passion and the grandest ambitions. Perhaps it was the fearless courage of newborn calves, or perhaps the beginning of opening a new era’s rhythm.

Suzhen stood in place, momentarily forgetting to move.

The old place, an imperial proclamation.

The Feng family’s crimes—was this equivalent to a general amnesty?

When she originally went to the capital, it was to appeal an injustice, because she never believed her father was a traitor and always felt there was an injustice. But later she discovered things were far from as simple as she had imagined.

Her father had once been Great Zhou’s magistrate, saving countless people, but he had also secretly released Prince Jin’s widow—that man judged to be a rebel prince.

After experiencing a series of cases and events, what were the boundaries between right and wrong, black and white?

In her heart, her thinking had actually changed.

She had once been extremely rebellious, yet also held her father and Young Master Li as her gods. But all along the way, she had both affirmed and denied her father. Perhaps as early as some morning awakening, what she sought in her heart was no longer simply clearing an injustice, but her affirmation and denial of this dynasty’s laws, her desire to rebuild.

Hoping every life would receive the greatest respect, hoping every wrongful imprisonment would be completely overturned.

Hoping the Feng family’s tragedy would not happen to other families.

Today’s proclamation—that person still hadn’t pardoned Feng Shaoqing’s crimes. His willingness to spare her life wasn’t because he thought he was wrong, but because he liked her yet had indirectly killed her family members.

Between love and country, that was his persistence, but he had affirmed her ideals. He had affirmed that the Feng family was innocent—crimes don’t extend to family members, starting from the Feng family and extending to all the people under heaven.

In these young scholars’ hearts, they saw the country. The Feng family’s matter naturally didn’t count for much. But for her, leading the thin horse and looking at the sky after these days of cleared snow, her eyes misted over.

“Zhen’er, the Feng family’s case ends here—completely ends. You no longer owe us anything. Actually, you never owed your parents anything to begin with.”

In the clear blue sky, someone seemed to look at her lovingly, with shrewd intent hidden in the corners of upturned eyes.

So familiar.

She glanced at the crowded, lively street to the side. Under the imperial proclamation, clusters of people gathered like a sea. She didn’t go join the excitement to properly look at the decree that had been formed from over a year of blood and tears, to bring out the greatest joy from her heart.

She finished the unpalatable dry bun in a few bites, leaped onto the thin horse that had been living quite comfortably these past days, pulled the reins, and laughed: “Sha Qima, let’s go home with big sister.”

The thin horse suddenly raised its head in a long neigh, lifted its front hooves, and its body reared back sharply—

“Damn…” Suzhen nearly fell off, but fortunately her riding skills were decent. In the critical moment she steadied herself. She had just uttered one low curse when the thin horse’s four hooves shot forward like arrows, whooshing as it bolted away, stirring up countless clouds of dust behind and countless… curses.

Suzhen felt she had gained new knowledge. Horses also couldn’t be judged by appearance. She had really underestimated this thin horse before. Though Huai County wasn’t too far from Qiongrong Prefecture, for an ordinary horse to make the journey in half a day was absolutely impossible. She suspected she had encountered a thousand-li horse that was greatly hidden in ugliness.

When she reached near her home’s entrance, she dismounted and ingratiatingly patted the thin horse’s head. The thin horse impatiently shook off her hand and lowered its head to forage for grass by the roadside.

Suzhen was disdained by it and felt quite indignant, but soon she couldn’t spare attention for feeling dejected about the thin horse. She stared fixedly at the home she hadn’t returned to for so long.

Her home was situated beyond a small river, with that winding waterway passing by several households. But the neighboring houses all had their doors tightly shut. Leading the thin horse past them, she saw that the copper ring on the door of Uncle Li and Aunt Li’s large residence had a sign hanging from it reading “Luxury Home for Sale.” Both the door and sign were covered with cobwebs and dust.

After her family’s incident, the Feng residence probably became a haunted house, and neighboring people all moved away, afraid of being contaminated by bad luck.

She released the horse’s reins, letting the thin horse eat grass outside, and slowly, gently walked to her family’s front door.

The door had once been crisscrossed with yellow official seals. Now, both door panels still bore the faded residual traces, branded onto the spotless door boards… Wait, that’s not right. Why had the seals been torn off? And why were these two door panels so clean?!

Her feelings of deep sadness instantly turned to shocked suspicion.

“Come out…”

There were voices inside! Her heart jumped heavily. Could it be her brother? Overjoyed, she suddenly pushed open the door: “Brother—”

Her voice immediately froze in her throat!

Obviously, the surprise of the several people facing her was no less than hers.

“Sixth Brother is still busy inside. Would it be inappropriate for us to come out?” A young girl among them blankly finished her sentence.

“Why have you come back?”

“Why are you in my house!”

Two sets of questions sounded simultaneously. The one asking from the other side was Lian Qin. Though Lian Jie, the four attendants, and Ming Yanchu beside him didn’t speak, the astonishment in their eyes conveyed Lian Qin’s meaning as well.

Suzhen didn’t spare attention for Lian Xin’s flower-like smile as she ran toward her. She bypassed everyone, walked through the side corridor, passed through two courtyards, and came to the back garden.

“Xin’er, I told you if you’re afraid, go out with your brothers. I can tidy up here myself.”

Her family’s back garden was quite large. Feng Meiren had planted many flowering trees in it, mostly osmanthus, and had climbing ivy growing up the walls. In one corner she had built a small grape arbor with a wooden swing set up inside for her to play on.

At the right season, she would swing high and could bite down fresh grapes in one mouthful, filling her mouth with sweetness.

Now, beside the small grape arbor, she saw a blue-robed man bent over filling earth. Nearby were placed several wine jars, incense candles, and spirit money, with several shovels lying on the ground. Seemingly hearing sounds, the man spoke in a deep voice.

Finally, the man placed the shovel in his hands on the ground and bowed down: “Elder Feng above, due to a twist of fate, our grudges and gratitudes are difficult to resolve. Lian Yu cannot achieve marriage with your daughter in this life, but Lian Yu already considers her his lifelong companion in his heart. For as long as I live, I will protect her safety and happiness. Today before you and your wife’s graves I swear…”

“What are you doing here?”

Suppressing the surging emotions in her heart—unclear whether anger, grief, or some other indescribable enormous feeling—she questioned him word by word.

The other’s form obviously stiffened. As he slowly turned around, Suzhen also clearly saw the two tombstones behind him. The inscriptions showed one was for her parents, the other for Hong Xiao.

Seeing her, his gaze carried doubt yet was compellingly bright. Though he bore questions, he didn’t ask her anything like his brothers and sisters had, but slowly answered: “I’ve been unable to contact Huo Chang’an, but a few days ago I received what seemed to be a letter from Huo Chang’an. The letter had no other words, only the name of a western country. He and Wu Yan seem to have encountered trouble…”

“What?!”

Suzhen was greatly shocked.

“Don’t panic. I’ve already sent people to search for them along the way. As long as they’re still alive, we’ll definitely find them. Huo Chang’an is a fierce battlefield general who has been through life and death. He won’t lose his life so easily, and certainly won’t let Wu Yan come to harm.”

Only then did Suzhen relax slightly, still looking at him coldly, her chest rising and falling dramatically.

“Why are you here?” she asked again. “Is it appropriate for you to establish this cenotaph, Lian Yu?”

Lian Yu smiled self-mockingly, glanced at his dirt-covered hands, and said faintly: “After receiving Chang’an’s letter, I knew that the day of battle between me, Quan Feitong, and the Prince Jin faction that has been hiding in the shadows wouldn’t be far off.”

“When that time comes, I won’t be able to leave anywhere. I used this last bit of free time to issue the proclamation and rush here. To see the place where you were born and grew up, and to personally pay respects to your parents.” He gestured toward the two tombstones. “This isn’t a cenotaph—these are bones I retrieved from the mass grave. Though they were hastily buried at the time, Yan Da still marked the spot.”

Even though just moments ago she had hazily seemed to see her father telling her, “Zhen’er, everything is over,” and knew that from Lian Yu’s position he wasn’t wrong—even her parents’ death was ordered by Xiao An—Suzhen’s tears still burst forth: “What right do you have to bury my parents? Anyone else in this world has the right, except you. I won’t discuss grudges and resentments anymore, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to do this.”

“Please leave and don’t disturb their peace.” She pointed toward the entrance.

“Alright.”

He wanted to rush over and hold her tightly, but clenching his dirty, broken hands until his knuckles turned white, he finally only answered in a low voice. He smiled bitterly to himself: I know I have no right. I just feared that when you came back someday to bury them, you would be heartbroken. The feeling of retrieving beloved relatives’ remains from a mass grave—I understand it well, having done it myself over ten years ago.

He walked a few steps, then suddenly remembered something: “Where’s Quan Feitong? Isn’t he accompanying you to pay respects to your parents? I’ll leave people behind—if you need anything—”

“No need!” Suzhen saw his slightly furrowed brow, full of reproach, and angrily almost blurted out—what does my business have to do with Quan Feitong!

But since he thought this way, why should she explain? She only said: “He has official duties. I came ahead.”

After saying this, she spoke no more, walked to the tombstones, slowly knelt down, and said quietly: “Father, Mother, your unfilial daughter Suzhen has returned; Hong Xiao’er, the little sister who caused you suffering has returned.”

Lian Yu looked at her slender figure, remembering how Quan Feitong had abandoned her during the caning and now let her travel alone. Anger burned in his heart. He had wasted his thought that if he didn’t survive this battle, so be it, but if he could win, besides Consort Ai, he would certainly kill the rest. But he might have found a way to spare Quan Feitong’s life, letting him and her live freely in the martial world.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his heartache and anger, and left quickly.

Staying one moment longer, he would want to take her away even more.

Leaving the courtyard, everyone approached: “Sixth Brother (Master)…”

He interrupted them: “Back to the inn.”

“Sixth Brother, seeing you and Huaisu meet like this—if this isn’t fate, what is? I’ll go help you talk—”

“I said back to the inn. We leave immediately for the capital tomorrow. No one is allowed to disturb her. Don’t make me say it a third time!” He coldly interrupted Lian Xin.

Lian Xin, scolded harshly by him, was also angry: “This princess doesn’t care anymore.”

Lian Yu had already strode out. Though everyone was anxious, knowing his mind was made up, they could only follow.

Qinglong and Baihu walked away to bring the two carriages from ahead. Everyone waited outside.

“That horse is so ugly. Is it Li Huaisu’s?” Lian Qin discovered something and pointed ahead, clapping his hands and laughing quite crudely.

“This style really does look like hers.”

Zhuque joined in rather unkindly, causing everyone to laugh. But seeing Lian Yu’s serious expression, standing with hands behind his back, no one could laugh anymore.

Lian Qin and Lian Xin went to play with the thin horse.

The thin horse looked at them disdainfully, then turned around and presented its rear end to them, making them shriek with indignation.

This drew Xuanwu and Zhuque into the horse-teasing ranks, but the thin horse kicked at them with a hoof.

Later, everyone tried, all receiving disdain. Lian Jie, who prided himself on being handsome, also couldn’t escape.

At this time, Qinglong and Baihu returned with the carriages. Just as everyone was about to board, Lian Yu walked to the thin horse and gently patted its head.

The thin horse had been chewing grass contentedly by itself when for some reason, as Lian Yu approached, it became very friendly. Seeing him being affectionate, the horse nuzzled his cheek with its head, leaving everyone dumbfounded and thinking this ugly horse had high standards indeed.

Lian Yu’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed slightly. He gestured to Xuanwu, who understood and threw over a package. Lian Yu took some in his hand. The thin horse came over to sniff, then happily began eating, not afraid this handsome stranger would poison it.

After feeding the horse some premium fodder, Lian Yu boarded the carriage and left.

On the road, everyone chatted among themselves, but Lian Yu remained quiet, reading a military manual until Xuanwu alertly lifted the curtain: “Not good—there seem to be pursuers behind us!”

“Our travel news was so tightly held, it couldn’t have leaked.” Lian Jie and Lian Qin were also startled. Lian Qin’s voice came with trembling laughter: “Damn, that ugly horse is chasing our carriage!”

“We have thousand-li steeds, one in ten thousand—it can actually catch up?!” Lian Xin was greatly surprised and stuck her head out to look.

By now they had reached the inn. Hearing this, Lian Yu was also slightly surprised and got off the carriage with everyone. Sure enough, the thin horse was behind them. Seeing him, it excitedly ran over and gently bit his hand, as if trying to indicate something.

Zhuque and Lian Xin were delighted by its behavior. Each grabbed some fodder to feed it, but it paid no attention. Lian Jie and the others, unwilling to admit defeat, tried the same, but were still disdained. Finally, it was still Lian Yu who smiled slightly, took some fodder to feed it, and the ugly horse obediently ate. Everyone was dumbfounded again.

Lian Qin said indignantly: “It’s definitely a little mare.”

Lian Jie, with sour grapes, continued: “This horse has some intelligence, but casually abandoning its master for food isn’t the behavior of a good horse—”

Before he finished speaking, the thin horse finished the fodder in Lian Yu’s hand, bit the fodder bag from Xuanwu’s hand in one gulp, and immediately disappeared before everyone’s eyes.

It was now dinner time. Everyone cursed and laughed as they entered the inn to eat, thinking this little interlude might cheer up Lian Yu. But Lian Yu’s smile was only fleeting—once everyone sat down he went upstairs, having Ming Yanchu send food up.

When Ming Yanchu came down, his face was full of worry: “He’s looking at the letter again.”

“How many times has he read that letter?” Everyone exchanged glances.

Lian Yu was indeed looking at the letter again. Even her little horse made him want to pamper it, let alone the person herself. This thousand-li glimpse and moment of longing stirred up the emotions buried in his heart again, burning him with irritation, anger, and pain.

His gaze darkened. He took out her letter to her brother from his chest. He knew how obsessed this made him, but anything related to her—knowing more was always good.

He looked coldly at the wax seal on the envelope and tore it open.

Suzhen finally fell asleep embracing her parents’ tombstones with tears covering her face. Though she had feared ghosts and monsters since childhood, how could she fear her own parents’ graves?

What she feared was… Lian Yu.

Each time she saw him, her heart sank another level. Today’s encounter, she… but how could they be together again?

Now, supporting her bitter eyes, she opened them to wakefulness. The sky was full of darkness with the Milky Way visible above.

Hungry, she slowly got up, wanting to go out to buy something to eat. She didn’t have much silver and had been economical all the way. Her dry rations were finished, and she had to go out now—

The osmanthus tree seemed to move slightly.

Her heart tensed and her hair stood on end. She called out low: “Who’s there?”

The grape arbor now also seemed to move.

“People you got killed, Li Huaisu, Magistrate Li!” From behind the tree, a voice came with sinister undertones.

Terrifyingly eerie.

Her scalp tingled and she trembled all over.

Just then, multiple shadows descended from the sky, hair flowing, all dressed in red. One of them held a dagger with a special totem on the handle—a vicious, evil wolf head. She couldn’t be mistaken.

This dagger had once pierced her body.

Chapters 29 and 30 together.