In the twilight, Yu He straightened her back and softly instructed those around her, “That’s enough for today. Everyone go rest and prepare for dinner.”

The workers put away their tools, chatting and laughing with relaxed expressions. The younger children started playing boisterously. Yu He watched them with a smile and added, “The mistress says you’ve all worked hard these days. She especially had a pig and a sheep slaughtered for everyone to enjoy. Tonight, there will be wine to drink and meat to eat.”

The crowd cheered in unison, expressing their gratitude before leaving to wash up for the feast. As she watched them depart, Yu He silently walked over to Gardener Li, who was still busy working and sat down on the ground next to the large black dog.

Gardener Li glanced at her before silently returning to his work. The dog affectionately nuzzled against Yu He. She grasped its thick, smooth fur and leaned against it gently, looking up at the sky.

The dusk deepened, turning the sky a deep blue without a single cloud. It resembled the most beautiful silk, with the sunset’s afterglow dyeing the horizon like exquisite gold-threaded brocade. A faint crescent moon hung in the sky, and an early-rising star twinkled mischievously. Everything was so peaceful and beautiful. Yet Yu He felt an inexplicable sadness. Though she had long grown accustomed to such beautiful scenes, the more she looked, the more beautiful and sorrowful it became. She knew that person would likely never return.

She wasn’t young anymore, truly. Although only twenty, she was already considered an old maid. Her family hoped she would marry soon and live the life expected of women. There were suitors of similar age and looks who wanted to marry her—the female manager of Fang Yuan, the most trusted person, skilled in growing peonies. Though a bit old, marrying her would be advantageous. Who wouldn’t want that? But she didn’t want to settle. Why should she devote herself to a man she didn’t care for and who didn’t care for her? Why bear children and age prematurely? If it wasn’t for that person, she would rather live freely in Fang Yuan, doing what she enjoyed without enduring anyone’s frustrations.

“No matter how much the mistress pampers you, you’re still just a slave. You can’t reach the heavens,” Madam Feng had scolded her angrily. The words were harsh but true. Yu He smiled bitterly. Perhaps from spending so much time with Mudan, seeing how she never compromised herself, Yu He had followed suit and forgotten she was just a slave. She was still a slave, while that person was no longer anyone’s slave, having been freed long ago. He had probably forgotten about her.

The thought that he might have forgotten her didn’t cause Yu He’s heart to ache or feel upset. She merely let out an inaudible sigh. The first time she had this thought, it was heart-wrenching. The second time still hurt, but less intensely. By the third, fourth, and fifth times, it was no longer painful, just bittersweet. Now, it only elicited a habitual sigh. Why was it so difficult to find contentment?

But who in this world doesn’t face difficulties? Even those born to nobility and privilege have their struggles. For her, the fact that Mudan allowed her freedom and dignity, refusing to mistreat her, was already more than many could hope for. What more could she ask for? Yu He smiled faintly, the melancholy in her heart gradually dispersing.

She didn’t need to constantly dwell on a man who had made her wait for years. If he were alive and cared for her, he would have found a way to send word or let her know he was safe. If he didn’t bother to do so, it meant he had forgotten her, so why should she cling to his memory? If he had died… the thought of Gui possibly being dead finally brought some pain to Yu He’s heart. But she forced herself to think: if he were dead, her longing for him would be futile.

Lost in thought, she didn’t hear Tao calling her name twice. The dog turned its head and gently licked her hand. The warm, moist, slightly rough tongue startled her awake, and she finally heard Tao’s delayed call: “Sister? Dinner’s ready.”

Tao was holding a large food box filled with fragrant dishes prepared specially for Yu He and Gardener Li. Yu He smiled and casually stood up, heading to the well to fetch water. “I was lost in thought and didn’t notice.”

Whether he was dead or alive no longer mattered. She needed to live for herself. Mudan had said it before: life is short, just a few fleeting decades. One must find joy for oneself, not live solely for others.

Remembering Jiang Changyang’s frustrated expression as he held their child while Mudan said those words, how he wanted to speak but held back, Yu He laughed out loud. Even the usually heavy well pulley seemed lighter.

Tao watched her, finding it unsettling how she went from being lost in thought to laughing for no apparent reason. She quickly set the food box on the stone table and hurried over to help: “Sister, let me.”

Yu He saw Tao’s hesitant look and knew what she was thinking, but didn’t bother explaining. She smiled and watched Tao pour the clear well water into the wooden basin, then called Gardener Li over to wash up for dinner.

With the meal laid out, Yu He invited Tao, who was busy feeding the dog: “Haven’t eaten yet? Come join us.”

Tao smiled shyly, glancing cautiously at Gardener Li. Seeing no particular expression on his dark face, she washed her hands and sat down next to Yu He, quietly eating without a word. Yu He and Gardener Li’s meal was better than the others, with an additional chicken dish and a plate of stir-fried lamb liver. Yu He first picked out a good piece of chicken for Gardener Li, then gave Tao a large portion of lamb liver, chattering: “Eat more…”

Suddenly her voice trailed off. Her lips were still frozen in the shape of her last words, but her gaze was fixed on the figure standing at the entrance of the seedling garden, unable to look away.

The dog barked loudly, abandoning its half-eaten food to dash over, rubbing against the newcomer and whimpering. The man smiled slightly, bending down to hug the dog’s large head and giving it a vigorous rub. His eyes, however, were boldly fixed on Yu He. It was Gui, who had disappeared for nearly three years.

He looked quite different from before. His back was straight, he had grown a small mustache, and he wore a light blue fine silk round-collar robe with slits at the hips. On his head was a new black gauze headband, and on his feet were elaborately made boots. An intricately crafted sachet and jade pendant hung from his waist. He looked like someone of some status and wealth now.

Gardener Li’s eyes brightened, and he smiled at the newcomer, moving aside to make room. Tao’s face was full of joy and disbelief. She quickly stood up to fetch more bowls and chopsticks, chattering excitedly: “It’s you, Manager Gui! What a surprise! Haven’t eaten yet? You’re in luck, we have some delicious food.”

Yu He only paused for a moment before regaining her composure. She looked at Gui approaching her with a calm expression and smiled faintly: “When did you return? Why didn’t you have someone announce your arrival? You gave me quite a start.”

Gui sat down next to Gardener Li and chuckled softly: “I’m familiar with the place, no need to disturb everyone’s meal.” He showed no awareness of being a guest, casually accepting the bowl and chopsticks Tao offered, and began eating. He smiled and picked up a tender piece of mutton for Gardener Li: “The elderly have trouble chewing, eat this.” Then he chatted with Tao: “Tao, you’ve grown taller. I just saw Shun too, he’s grown up as well. Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, time flies…”

Yu He suddenly felt very angry, her temper flaring, but she also felt her anger was unreasonable. She lowered her head and viciously shoveled a mouthful of rice into her mouth, chewing and swallowing forcefully. She had told herself that when she saw him again, she wouldn’t get angry. She should have maintained her calm demeanor and spoken to him casually, treating him indifferently. But now she was furious and indignant, which was truly annoying.

Tao, oblivious to Yu He’s mood, curiously chatted with Gui: “Thanks to the master and mistress’s blessings, we’ve all been doing well. Manager Gui, where did you go? Why were you gone for so many years? Everyone has mentioned you several times. Have you been well?”

Yu He held back repeatedly but finally said acidly: “Tao, he’s not our household’s manager anymore. We should call him Master Gui now.” Her gaze finally openly scanned Gui up and down, a sarcastic smile appearing on her lips. “No need to ask. Dressed so well, he must be doing well. He must have made his fortune.”

Gui smiled slightly, lowering his eyes without confirming or denying.

Tao immediately sensed the tension and laughed awkwardly: “I think there was something I needed to help with with the kitchen. I’ll go check. Sister, just leave the dishes when you’re done. I’ll come back to clean up later.” She hurried away, glancing back at Gui as she left.

Gardener Li remained unmoved, silently eating his meal. Gui also continued eating calmly. Yu He felt awkward and wanted to put down her chopsticks and leave, but then angrily thought: Why should she leave just because he arrived? She was eating her meal, why couldn’t she finish it properly? If anyone should leave, it should be him! So she directed all her resentment towards the food in front of her, abandoning all etiquette and eating rapidly. She first picked out all the best pieces and put them on Gardener Li’s plate, warmly encouraging him: “Foster father, please eat. Eat more, you’ve worked hard all day.”

Then she picked out all the good food for herself, eating bowl after bowl, far exceeding her usual amount. Still feeling hungry, she didn’t forget to smile and urge Gui: “Master Gui, please eat. Don’t mind if it’s not to your liking.” As she spoke, she fiercely snatched away a piece of mutton that Gui’s chopsticks were approaching.

Gui quietly put down his bowl and chopsticks, silently watching her eat.