From the past until now, Jiang Li had always extremely disliked the matter of parting. Back when she was in Tong County, bidding farewell to her father and brothers upon marriage had made her very sad. Now it was even more heartbreaking than back then, because she knew the danger Ji Heng was going to face. This was not a battle easily won. Yin Zhan had put forth the resolve of mutual destruction, years of painstaking effort all for the arrival of this day.

The Empress Dowager was even willing to let Prince Cheng deal with Emperor Hongxiao, allowing Prince Cheng and Emperor Hongxiao to wear down each other’s strength. Had Ji Heng not intervened, the Yin family would have found it effortlessly easy to reap the benefits of being the fisherman.

Jiang Li was still worried about Ji Heng’s injuries. She said, “Can’t you go a bit later?”

“Yin Zhili will make his move very soon,” Ji Heng said with a smile. “We cannot let someone else seize the initiative.”

Jiang Li fell silent. Yin Zhili had already become another person. Yin Zhan’s death, his true origins, Yin Zhiqing’s death—one after another would subject him to tremendous shocks. An ordinary person would collapse under such circumstances. Jiang Li actually believed that Yin Zhili would not collapse, but he was definitely no longer the Yin Zhili of before. When he decided to use her to threaten Ji Heng, the Yin Zhili of the past who could not bear to see war harm the common people had already vanished without a trace.

She thought of Yin Zhiqing again. Yin Zhiqing had blocked Yin Zhili’s blade for Ji Heng—she wondered if she was still alive now. Jiang Li rather hoped Yin Zhiqing could recover. Yin Zhiqing had not done anything wrong; in some respects, being born into the Yin family was her greatest mistake.

Ji Heng had already finished donning his armor. This was completely different from his past languid and graceful appearance. Perhaps Ji Heng greatly resembled Yu Hongye, but in his bones, he was exactly the same as Ji Minghan. Jiang Li had never met Ji Minghan, but just by looking at Ji Heng’s current appearance, she could roughly imagine what kind of magnificent bearing the Golden Wuwei General of those days had possessed.

He patted Jiang Li’s shoulder and said, “What are you standing there in a daze for? Let’s go.”

Ji Heng seemed to have completely recovered, but Jiang Li had bandaged him last night—those wounds were truly too deep, far too deep. It was simply impossible for them to heal in such a short time.

“If you cannot hold on, don’t force yourself,” Jiang Li said seriously. “Ji Heng, nothing is more hopeful than being able to survive. Only by staying alive is everything possible.”

“Little girl,” he narrowed his eyes, “haven’t you always been selfless and impartial? How have you become selfish today?”

Jiang Li reached out to embrace him, saying softly, “I’m just afraid of losing you.”

In this lifetime, she had lost family members, but fortunately she had regained what was lost. But Heaven would not favor her again and again. Many people, once lost, were lost forever, never to return. Like Ji Minghan, like Yu Hongye, and like Old General Ji.

People could be strong, could be composed, but as long as they were mortal, none would be so calm as to remain unmoved when facing the possibility of losing their beloved.

The smile on Ji Heng’s face faded. Being held by Jiang Li, he seemed to be able to feel the unease in her heart. He sighed and said, “Trust me, Ali.”

Zhao Ke was outside the cave. He walked in and said, “My lord, the carriages and horses are all prepared.”

Jiang Li released her hold. Ji Heng said, “Let’s go, I’ll see you off.”

Ji Heng had to remain in Qingzhou, while Jiang Li had to return to Yanjing City. Yin Zhili had been able to capture Jiang Li once, so naturally he could capture her a second time. On the battlefield, Ji Heng might not always be able to protect Jiang Li, and moreover, swords and blades had no eyes. Jiang Li did not know martial arts—if she were injured, she would only become a burden to Ji Heng.

Jiang Li understood this principle well, so despite her worry and reluctance, she still agreed with Ji Heng’s decision. Ji Heng selected several dozen men to escort Jiang Li back to the capital. Taking the waterway, they would not easily be detected.

However, the road of farewell seemed especially short, as if they had not walked long before reaching the wharf.

The vessel was docked at the shore. The waters of the Long River had all frozen over, but those of the Yongding River had not. Passenger ships drifted back and forth on the great river. Heaven and earth seemed about to merge into one—it was especially magnificent. Jiang Li wore the fox fur cloak Ji Heng had given her and raised her eyes to look at him.

She was reluctant to take the step onto the ship for a long time, which made Ji Heng laugh. He said, “I never noticed before—you’re quite clingy, aren’t you?” His tone was teasing, as if joking, but Jiang Li could not smile at all. She was accustomed to maintaining a smiling demeanor and often used smiles to conceal her inner emotions. But today, no matter what, she could not force out a smile. She even felt a sense of indifference—if she truly could not smile, then she would not smile.

Jiang Li stood on tiptoe, placed both hands on Ji Heng’s face, closed her eyes, and gently kissed his lips.

Even if others said she was shameless and scandalous, she accepted it. She simply did not want to have regrets. She released her hands, but in the next moment, Ji Heng cradled the back of her head, pulled her toward him, and deepened the kiss.

In the snow-filled sky, the young man kissed the petite young woman. He kissed deeply and passionately, resolutely yet tenderly, just like his contradictory heart, carrying a careful and reverent devotion. Jiang Li tilted her head back to receive this kiss, only feeling warmth in her eyes, as if tears were about to fall.

The guards turned around, not watching this lingering farewell kiss. The solitary boat on the river remained quietly moored. The parting couple at the wharf seemed more indescribable than all the theatrical scenes she had ever watched.

After a very, very long time, Ji Heng finally released his hold. Jiang Li did not look at him again. She turned around, lifted her skirt, and boarded the ship.

The guards followed onto the ship. Zhao Ke and Wen Ji remained by Ji Heng’s side—they were Ji Heng’s right and left arms, and this time they would go to the battlefield together with Ji Heng. Even these two men felt their hearts ache witnessing this parting, let alone Ji Heng.

Jiang Li stood at the bow. The ship slowly moved forward. Through the wind and snow, Ji Heng stood upright with heroic bearing. That touch of brilliant red was especially vivid against the ice and snow, as if it would dominate her memory so tyrannically, never fading. Jiang Li suddenly recalled that spring night in her dream. The spring breeze swept through the lively crowd, and he had stopped at her wall. She was still a married woman then, and he had just despaired to the point of death over his father’s passing. It was merely by chance that on that swing with a single theatrical performance, they had formed their first connection.

No one knew when this war would cease. Jiang Li hoped she could reunite with him on a spring night. In spring, when all things come to life anew, he would reappear to continue writing the story that had remained unfinished since long, long ago.

The ship gradually grew more and more distant, and the snow fell heavier and heavier. Soon, that red color became just a red dot. Jiang Li stared at that spot without blinking, until the wind and snow completely covered his figure, and there was no longer any trace of Ji Heng before her. Only the broad river remained, reminding them that they were now separated.

May their reunion not be far off, may they see each other for a long time to come.

From Qingzhou to Yanjing, the waterway took about twenty days. When Jiang Li returned to Yanjing City, Ji Heng must have informed the people at the Duke’s manor in advance. Ye Mingyu and the others were not currently living at the Ye manor but had all moved into the Duke’s manor. Therefore, after Jiang Li returned to Yanjing City, she went first to the Duke’s manor.

White lanterns hung outside the Duke’s manor. During the days when Jiang Li was away, Old General Ji had been laid to rest. Originally, as the only grandson of the Duke’s manor, Ji Heng had not worn mourning for Old General Ji. If it had been according to Ji Heng’s temperament in the past, the people of the city would probably all say that Ji Heng was indeed an unfilial bastard. But this time, surprisingly, they did not. The reason was that the Prince of Xia Commandery had rebelled in Qingzhou, and Ji Heng had led the Golden Wuwei Army to suppress the rebellion. Toward heroes, the common people were always especially tolerant. Although this hero’s reputation in the past had not been good, and he might not necessarily achieve military merit, by acting this way, he gave himself a reason for not being able to return to the capital in time to observe filial piety.

After so many years, only Ji Heng and Old General Ji remained in the Duke’s manor. Ji Heng’s temperament was volatile and unpredictable—he did not befriend others. Old General Ji had long since left the court, so the household was desolate. After this once-valiant general passed away, there were surprisingly very few people who came to pay their respects. The Duke’s manor had always had few members. With white lanterns and mourning characters hanging at the entrance, it only made people feel a coldness that penetrated to the bone, making one’s heart ache.

When Jiang Li returned to the Duke’s manor, everyone was very shocked.

Ji Heng had truly had Ye Mingyu move everyone into the Duke’s manor. When Jiang Li entered the courtyard, she even saw Ye Mingyu and Xiao Hong bickering. Precisely because there were so many people, the desolate atmosphere of the Duke’s manor was somewhat diluted at last. Xue Zhao was the first to notice Jiang Li and called out, “Sister!”

Only then did everyone discover that Jiang Li had returned.

Situ Jiuyue, who was holding a mortar for grinding medicinal herbs, also walked over. Everyone gathered around. Xue Zhao said, “Sister, brother-in-law wrote saying you would return in the next few days, and you’ve truly returned in the next few days!”

Ye Mingyu was too lazy to correct Xue Zhao’s mistaken form of address. He only thought that this young fellow probably wanted to claim kinship with Jiang Li. He looked Jiang Li up and down: “How are you, Ali? You’re not injured, are you?”

Jiang Li shook her head. Xue Huaiyuan said in a deep voice, “Ali, you were too impulsive this time. You should not have taken such risks, using yourself to save us. If something had happened to you, how could we have lived with ourselves?”

He called her “Ali.” Ye Mingyu wondered to himself how Xue Huaiyuan and Jiang Li had also become so close. But now was not the time to pursue this matter. Moreover, what Xue Huaiyuan said was correct, so he nodded in agreement and said, “Exactly. Ali, if that Yin Zhili truly wanted to do something, we would have played along with him. How could we let you, a young girl, come save us?”

Jiang Li said, “Teacher Xue, Azhao, Uncle, Cousin, Miss Jiuyue, and Haitang—are you all alright? Did Yin Zhili make things difficult for you? The Ye family’s servants were all killed, and there’s Haitang’s finger…”

Haitang drew her hand back slightly and said, “It’s really nothing. In the past, even my face was ruined—what’s one finger? They knew that Miss Jiang is softhearted, which is why they did this, just to make Miss Jiang act rashly out of concern. I’m the one who implicated Miss Jiang.”

“Why say such things? If not for me, the Yin family would not have abducted you all,” Jiang Li replied, then asked, “What exactly happened that day? I only know that Yin Zhili captured you all, but I don’t know what you went through.”

Ye Mingyu sighed and said, “The incident happened suddenly—none of us expected…”

It turned out that on the night before Jiang Li went to the Ye manor and discovered something had happened there, someone had infiltrated the Ye manor and abducted Ye Mingyu and the others. Those people were different from ordinary martial world assassins—they were more like soldiers from military camps. Even Ye Mingyu had fallen into their trap. When they woke up, they had already left the city gates. They did not know where they were, but it should not have been far from Yanjing City. They heard those people repeatedly say “Commandery Prince,” and guessed that the mastermind behind it all was perhaps Yin Zhan. It was at that time that Haitang was dragged out and had a finger cut off.

Xue Huaiyuan was after all more clever. He quickly deduced that these people had abducted them, and their purpose was probably not simple—it was to threaten someone. The person who was simultaneously closely connected to the Xue father and son and the Ye uncle and nephew seemed to be only Jiang Li.

“Teacher Xue guessed that they might want to exchange us for you and originally wanted to try to stop it. But after a few days, we were knocked unconscious and dumped at the Yanjing city gates. Kong Liu, Officer Kong of the cavalry squad, discovered us and brought us back,” Ye Shijie explained.

When Jiang Li heard Kong Liu’s name, she realized that Kong Liu’s appearance was probably not coincidental but had been arranged by Ji Heng in advance. Xue Zhao said, “Later, Officer Kong came and said that brother-in-law had given advance notice that the Ye manor was no longer safe, and told us to move into the Duke’s manor. That’s when we learned that Old General Ji had passed away.”

Xue Zhao’s voice also became somewhat dim. Ye Shijie frowned and asked, “Cousin, what’s going on? What is the relationship between the Duke of Su and the Yin family? The Yin family suddenly rebelled—did you already know something about it?”

Jiang Li had a close relationship with Ji Heng, so to say she knew nothing would probably be impossible. But Jiang Li was unwilling to display Ji Heng’s past to others. It was too dark, and too cruel for Ji Heng. She did not want others to look at Ji Heng with sympathetic eyes.

Xue Huaiyuan seemed able to understand what was in Jiang Li’s heart and said, “Miss Jiang is after all just a young woman. These matters are of great importance. The Duke of Su may not necessarily tell her about them. The more she knows, the more dangerous it becomes. Presumably, to protect her, the Duke of Su would not say much.”

Ye Shijie looked at Jiang Li. Seeing that she appeared unwilling to say more, he understood somewhat. Regarding matters she did not wish to divulge, this cousin of his had always been stubborn—no one could shake her decisions.

“I think it would be best for Sister to return to the manor to rest first,” Xue Zhao said, looking at Jiang Li’s complexion. “As for future matters, the days are long—it’s not too late to discuss them slowly.”

Xue Zhao was helping her out of this situation. Xue Huaiyuan also said accordingly, “That’s right. Lord Jiang is also waiting in the manor for Miss Jiang to return. Once Miss Jiang goes back, Lord Jiang can also set his mind at ease.”

Although Ye Mingyu also had many questions to ask Jiang Li, those matters were not important. What he cared about was still Jiang Li’s health and safety. Since Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao had both spoken thus, and Jiang Li did not appear to be in good spirits, he said, “That’s true… Ali, then go back to the manor and rest first. Tomorrow I’ll come to the manor to see you. There are guards arranged at the Duke’s manor, so you don’t need to worry about us. Although the Duke of Su is… well, but toward you, he’s been treating you fairly well. I won’t say anything more.”

Ye Mingyu had always felt that Ji Heng’s appearance was too striking, which was not a good thing. Moreover, the rumors about Ji Heng in the streets were really not too favorable. But time and again, it was Ji Heng who had rescued Jiang Li. Furthermore, Ji Heng had no blood relation with their Ye family—why would he let them live in the Duke’s manor? To have merchants whom officials avoided like the plague move into one’s own manor—if not for Jiang Li’s sake, given Ji Heng’s pride, why would he do this? Men understood men best. By doing this, Ji Heng was simply showing his love for the house and all its crows. To have such feelings for Jiang Li was truly quite rare. At least compared to Jiang Li’s previous betrothal to the Marquis Ningyuan manor, it was incomparably better. Add to that the fact that Ji Heng had personally led troops to war, which showed he was a true man, not just a pretty boy who only knew how to look beautiful.

By the time she returned from the Ye manor and arrived back at the Jiang family, it was already evening. Jiang Li had not notified anyone in advance about returning to Yanjing City. When Ji Heng’s personal guards escorted Jiang Li back to the Jiang manor, the gatekeeper was startled to see it was Jiang Li and hastily went to notify the master and old madam.

For a time, Wanfeng Hall became crowded.

Lu Shi was as enthusiastic as ever. Her usual shrewdness now showed a few traces of genuine worry as she looked Jiang Li up and down and said, “Xiao Li, where have you been? And… where did you return from?” She looked confused, clearly Jiang Yuanping had not told her about Jiang Li’s news.

Old Madam Jiang was quite calm. Regarding Jiang Li’s sudden return, she only showed a bit of excitement before quickly composing herself. She did not ask Jiang Li much—only whether she had been injured, and after that asked nothing more. Jiang Li guessed that Old Madam Jiang probably knew something. Setting aside the grievances between the Ji family and Yin family, at the very least Old Madam Jiang should know where Jiang Li had been these past days and why she had disappeared. Jiang Jingrui wanted to ask more, but was interrupted by Jiang Yuanbai. Jiang Yuanbai looked at Jiang Li and said, “Come with me.”

Every time it was this same phrase. Jiang Li had long grown accustomed to it and followed Jiang Yuanbai back to the study. Jiang Yuanbai asked, “Do you know that what you did this time was far too impulsive! For the sake of the Ye family, you actually went out to be used as a bargaining chip yourself. By doing this, where does that leave the Jiang family?”

“I apologize, Father,” Jiang Li replied. “The situation was urgent at the time—I truly did not think that much.”

“Even if you had thought of it, you would still have done the same thing,” Jiang Yuanbai said with a cold snort. “You have always been closer to the Ye family and the Xue father and son than to the Jiang family.”

Jiang Li had nothing to say. In all fairness, what Jiang Yuanbai said was completely correct. But all hearts were made of flesh. Ye Mingyu treated her as his own daughter, and Xue Huaiyuan was her biological father. People had degrees of closeness and distance. Even though Jiang Li was not someone who remembered beatings but forgot the food given, some things the Jiang family did inevitably chilled one’s heart. She would not harm the Jiang family, but to always put the Jiang family first—she truly could not do it. Perhaps it was because she was inherently selfish in her bones.

Seeing Jiang Li’s appearance, Jiang Yuanbai found himself at a loss for words. Jiang Li knew full well her mistakes but would not change—this stubborn temperament, he did not know whom she took after. In any case, not him, and even less Ye Zhenzhen.

“Let me ask you—has Ji Heng ever told you about the past connections between the Ji family and Yin family?”

Jiang Li’s heart jumped, but her face remained calm. With lowered eyes, she replied, “No.”

“Really?” Jiang Yuanbai looked at her suspiciously.

“Really.”

How strange—when Jiang Li lied to Ji Heng, she always revealed her true feelings and felt very uncomfortable. But when lying to Jiang Yuanbai, it was as if she had mastered the art completely, without a second thought. Jiang Yuanbai sighed and said, “Never mind, none of this matters anymore.”

His sigh was long and drawn out, but Jiang Li detected something unusual in his words and asked, “Father, has something happened?”

“With Yin Zhan’s rebellion, it’s no different from roasting me over a fire. Previously he associated closely with me, coming to the Jiang family several times. I imagine His Majesty knows this well. His Majesty allowed him to do this with me and did not warn me—clearly he had already made his plans to deal with the Jiang family as well. That he has not spoken plainly now is only because, for the sake of our years of ruler-minister relationship and teacher-student bond, he is giving the Jiang family some face. If I shamelessly play dumb, I cannot blame His Majesty for being ruthless and unrighteous.” He turned his head and shook it, saying, “The Jiang family can no longer remain at court.”

Jiang Li said nothing. Actually, she had seen through this matter long ago. Emperor Hongxiao probably never intended from the start to let the Jiang family remain at court forever. When Prince Cheng was still around, keeping the Jiang family could provide balance. Now that Prince Cheng had disappeared, keeping the Jiang family served no benefit. It was not because Jiang Yuanbai harbored treasonous intentions or anything like that, but because most of the civil officials at court currently had been Jiang Yuanbai’s students. For Emperor Hongxiao, this was not a good thing.

The art of emperorship—it was Jiang Yuanbai, when he was still the Grand Tutor, who had taught it to Emperor Hongxiao. He should understand this better than anyone, but unfortunately, those within the situation were inevitably confused by the scenery before their eyes. Jiang Yuanbai’s official position was too high, too smooth. To painfully part with it made him all the more reluctant. What should have been done many years ago had been delayed for so many years.

The integrity of Old Lord Jiang from those days no longer remained in the Jiang family, so the Jiang family’s decline was only a matter of time. Now that Jiang Yuanbai could mend the fold after the sheep were lost, it was not necessarily a bad thing. If he properly cultivated the younger generation, like Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou, the Jiang family might yet have a time of renewed prosperity.

It all depended on individual choices.

“Xiao Li,” Jiang Yuanbai said, “after I resign from office, you will no longer be the Chief Minister’s daughter. As for the betrothal between you and Ji Heng…”

“His Majesty has spoken with golden words—how could there be any reason to go against them?” Jiang Li interrupted what Jiang Yuanbai had not finished saying.

Jiang Yuanbai stared at her, as if understanding her thoughts in an instant. He slowly opened his mouth and said, “It seems you like him very much.”

“That’s correct,” Jiang Li replied candidly. She said, “I like him very much.”

“What if he dies on the battlefield?” Jiang Yuanbai frowned. “You must know, he has never been to a battlefield. But Yin Zhili is Yin Zhan’s son, trained from childhood in the art of victory. If he loses, His Majesty’s betrothal can also not count.”

“Father is mistaken,” Jiang Li raised her eyes to look at Jiang Yuanbai. Her voice was clear and bright. For an instant, Jiang Yuanbai seemed to see the look in Jiang Li’s eyes from a year ago when she had been brought back to Yanjing City from Qingcheng Mountain—after eight years, when she had appeared before him. Jiang Yuanbai was surprised by the determination in this daughter’s brow and eyes. Beneath her gentleness lay deep stubbornness. Her voice was also gentle, yet like an oath, heavy and unshakeable.

She said, “Ji Heng may die, but he will not lose. If he returns alive, I will marry him. If he cannot return, I will bind up my hair and remain a widow for him my entire life. However,” the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, as if with a hint of a smile. Suddenly Jiang Yuanbai’s vision blurred—he felt that at this moment, Jiang Li’s smile was remarkably similar to Ji Heng’s. She said, “He promised me he would definitely return.”