Li Gu called out sharply, “Yongning!”

Xie Yuzhang snapped back to herself.

Li Gu fixed his gaze on her and said, “You have already come back. You are already in Yunjing.”

Li Weifeng said, “Yongning, don’t be afraid — Old Jiang has been beating the Ashina clan to a routed mess.”

Xie Yuzhang exhaled a long breath. “You’re right. I was just…”

She raised her head. “Marquis Jiang is exceptionally valiant — I admire him greatly. However, Dielitele must be guarded against. Though he has submitted for now, his ambitions are not dead. Before he left, he told me that one day he would bring his forces all the way to Yunjing, and when that time came, he would seize me and have me dance for him alone.”

Li Weifeng set his fists at his waist. “To hell with that!”

In this very moment that called for nothing but cursing, Li Gu asked instead, “Did you dance on the steppe?”

Li Weifeng shot him a sidelong glance.

Xie Yuzhang’s mind raced and she answered honestly, “No. I had made a promise to Silifou to dance one piece for him, but in the end he never came back — he died.”

Li Weifeng’s expression shifted slightly, and he could barely suppress the urge to say something. Li Gu raised his hand and pressed it onto his shoulder.

Xie Yuzhang’s gaze passed over Li Gu’s hand resting on Li Weifeng’s shoulder. She had no idea what the two of them were playing at.

After letting Xie Yuzhang depart, Li Gu took Li Weifeng along to Li Zhenzhen’s quarters.

Li Weifeng grumbled, “Why didn’t you tell her?”

Li Gu’s expression was blank. “Tell her what?”

Li Weifeng said, “You’re still pretending. Back then, why did you suddenly ride all the way to Mobei? You were going along just fine — why would you go to assassinate the old man? You went, and just happened to find him — what, did the heavens whisper his location to you?”

He continued, “You can fool everyone else, but you can’t fool me. I already felt something was off back then. Later, when everything had settled, I grabbed that barbarian chief by the throat and squeezed it out of him — you had gone there to bring Yongning back. The assassination of the old man was pure chance along the way.”

Li Gu said, “So what would you have me say to her?”

Li Weifeng said, “Tell her you went to bring her back! At least let her know what you did for her.”

The Emperor’s footsteps stopped.

“Seventh Brother.” He stared at the ground. “You want me to tell her that in that moment, I abandoned her? You want me to tell her that she was married twice — first to father, then to son — because I killed the old man? Is that what you mean?”

Li Weifeng was struck silent. After a long pause, he said, “That’s not how you reckon it.”

But the Emperor said nothing more and simply walked forward.

Li Weifeng followed behind him, still scratching his head and muttering under his breath, “That’s not how you reckon it…”

When they arrived at Li Zhenzhen’s palace, Li Zhenzhen complained, “That Yongning — what a mouth she has.”

Both men had already composed their expressions back to normal. Li Weifeng was as cheerful as ever, grinning as he asked, “Oh? What did she say?”

Li Zhenzhen said, “I wanted Yongning to enter the palace as well — to keep me and my sisters company.”

Li Gu had just taken a teacup from a palace attendant’s hands and was raising it to his lips. Hearing this, he paused.

Li Weifeng burst out laughing. “You said it right to her face?! That’s very much like Eldest Sister! Ha — what did Yongning say?”

Li Zhenzhen was still brooding. “She just talked and talked and talked until she’d given me a thorough scolding.”

Li Weifeng roared with laughter.

When his laughter subsided, he pressed for details on what Xie Yuzhang had said. Li Zhenzhen relayed the gist of it. Li Weifeng clicked his tongue in admiration. “She has a whole system for it.”

Li Zhenzhen found a kindred spirit in him. “It was suffocating — I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. And you — stop laughing!”

These two, together, were like they used to be back when the old patriarch of Hexi was still alive.

Li Gu sighed inwardly. He set down his cup, dismissed the palace attendants, and said to Li Zhenzhen, “Eldest Sister, leave this matter alone.”

Li Zhenzhen had brought it up mainly to gauge Li Gu’s reaction. Yet Li Eleven was a person she had never been able to see through — she couldn’t tell whether he truly didn’t want her to interfere or if it was something else.

But the way Li Zhenzhen saw it, no matter how proper a man appeared on the surface, his heart was not always such a straightforward thing.

Take Huo Jiu, for instance — in her presence, he hadn’t dared so much as steal a glance at her favorite maid. Yet the moment he gained some standing — well, he hadn’t even fully gained it yet — he rushed eagerly off to keep that maidservant for his own pleasure.

Huo Jiu died. The maidservant tried to return to Li Zhenzhen’s side; Li Zhenzhen refused to take her back. She had kowtowed several times outside Li Zhenzhen’s main hall before going home and hanging herself.

Her life ended at the age of sixteen.

Li Zhenzhen said, “But you have entrusted the inner palace to me — how can I not concern myself with it?”

Li Gu said, “Eldest Sister, managing the inner palace is quite enough. She is not a person of the inner palace — do not make things difficult for her.”

Li Zhenzhen turned to Li Weifeng and said, “And just like that I’ve become the villain making trouble for others. Do you have any idea how hard my position is?”

Li Weifeng was in high spirits now, having tossed aside the earlier discomfort. He stirred the pot cheerfully, “Exactly, exactly — some people just don’t know good intentions.”

Li Gu cast him a glance. “Shall I issue a decree for you?” — one sending him to Xie Family Village.

Li Weifeng immediately fell into line.

Li Zhenzhen, not knowing what game the two of them were playing, turned to ask Li Weifeng instead, “The palace spring banquet is coming up in a few days — will Zhang Shi be attending?”

“How could she not?” Li Weifeng gave a short, derisive laugh. “She needs to let others see how well she’s doing.”

Li Zhenzhen said, “I have never made things difficult for her.” When facing a defeated opponent, one naturally had to present an air of magnanimity.

Li Weifeng said, “Just ignore her — she won’t dare make a scene in public. And if she does dare to act up, the Zhang Family will be the first to deal with her.”

Li Gu stated plainly, “Eldest Sister has always done very well.”

For men, as long as women could maintain appearances on the surface, whatever went on at home amounted to small matters — easily overlooked.

The third day of the third month that Xie Yuzhang had so eagerly anticipated finally arrived. This was indeed one of the grandest festivals of the four seasons. The young women had all dressed themselves in their spring finery, riding out of the city in carriages in great numbers, gathering in the countryside to feast, play, and enjoy the coming of spring.

On this day, daughters could also boldly admire the young gentlemen. Young couples would even venture out together, which no one found the least bit improper — it was the sort of sight that brought smiles to all who witnessed it.

Of all the festivals throughout the year, this was the one that made people feel most keenly the blooming youth and vibrant life force of young women.

In the Princess’s residence, from Xie Yuzhang down to Jia You to little Yaya, everyone had changed into bright, vivid spring clothes.

Yaya saw the horse and clapped her hands with delight. “Ride big horse! Ride big horse!”

Xie Yuzhang had actually intended to take Jia You riding, but Jia You shrank back in fear. Knowing she could not rush him, Xie Yuzhang let Jia You take the carriage instead and brought little Yaya up into the saddle with her.

Wanxiu also mounted her horse with little Niuiu. The attendants all mounted as well. Of all the women of the Princess’s residence who had come out today, save for the coarser maidservants following on foot, Jia You was the only one who went by carriage.

Yaya and Niuiu had both been born on the steppe. From the moment they could walk, they had played on horseback. Sitting tall on the great horses, they showed not the slightest fear — they were positively proud and full of spirit.

But they were still small, and they rarely went out. The houses, shops, and passersby lining the road constantly drew from them wide-eyed exclamations of wonder and amazement, which made everyone else laugh. The attendants laughed the entire way.

As the procession moved along, the people of the Princess’s residence were admiring the scenery, but their party was itself a beautiful sight to the eyes of others.

Noble young women from Yunjing had long been fond of riding out on horseback to enjoy themselves, and one or two attendants might follow on horseback as well, accompanying them in kicking around a ball. But a princess whose attendants were all accomplished riders — that was something no one had ever seen before.

The guards riding before and behind the procession carried an air of fierce, battle-hardened valor. They were noticeably different from the pampered household guards of ordinary noble families — they had something of the bearing of the Emperor’s own troops.

And indeed, the Emperor’s personal forces had their roots in the Flying Tiger Army.

When Xie Yuzhang had still been Princess Baohua, she would spend the Shangsi Festival going out together with her cousins from the Yang Family. Now they had all married, and among the Yang Family’s generation, only two remained — both under twelve years of age, still just learning to walk when Xie Yuzhang left for her marriage alliance.

Today, Xie Yuzhang had naturally made plans with Lin Fei.

She went to the Lin residence first to collect her. Lin Third Aunt stood at the gate to see them off. “I entrust her to Your Highness.”

Xie Yuzhang smiled. “Third Aunt, put your mind completely at ease.”

Lin Third Aunt smiled back. “I couldn’t be more at ease.”

Lin Fei traveled simply, bringing only two maidservants — and neither of them knew how to ride.

Xie Yuzhang had prepared a carriage for them in advance, saving the Lin Family the effort and expense of arranging one. Lin Fei told her two maidservants, “Just don’t wander off and get lost.”

She herself swung up onto a horse and blended seamlessly into the company of the Princess’s residence women.

The maidservants sat inside the carriage, gazing enviously at the older sisters of the Princess’s residence, each of them so skilled on horseback. And their own mistress rode with just as much ease and mastery.

The early spring flowers had already bloomed. Outside the city, the countryside was entirely green, sweeping away the bleakness of winter. Grass grew lush and orioles flitted through the air; travelers and revelers filled the roads.

Xie Yuzhang asked, “Third Elder Brother and the others aren’t coming out to enjoy the day?”

Lin Fei said, “They have come out. But Elder Brother wants to bring Ninth and Tenth along to meet some people. I’ve heard that His Majesty wishes to reestablish the Academy of Scholarly Refinement, and they expect to take in several dozen students. Families have all put forward their young sons and nephews. It’s the perfect time for Ninth and Tenth to make more friends and broaden their experience.”

Xie Yuzhang asked, “Do Ninth and Tenth want to enter the Academy?”

Lin Fei laughed. “They don’t, not at all — you needn’t go running favors on their behalf.”

She continued, “It’s really just the Emperor’s way of bestowing grace upon the children of distinguished and high-ranking families. If someone truly wanted to study seriously, that place would be no good for it. Elder Brother only worries that if they do nothing but read books, they’ll become too bookish and unworldly — he wants to take them out to meet more people.”

“There is, however, someone else,” Lin Fei said. “Elder Brother and I have talked it over — you might consider recommending him to His Majesty.”

Xie Yuzhang’s interest was immediately caught. “Oh? Who is it?”

Lin Fei said, “He is the current teacher of Ninth and Tenth. You’ll never guess — it’s the former Master Mo from Chéngjǐng Academy right here in Yunjing.”

A look of sudden recognition appeared on Xie Yuzhang’s face.

Lin Fei knew at once that Xie Yuzhang, in her “previous life,” must have known something of this person.

Indeed, Xie Yuzhang said, “It shouldn’t be me who brings him forward — it should be your elder brother. I can’t steal that credit from him.”

Lin Fei said, “And just when would that happen?”

Xie Yuzhang thought back. “I can’t quite recall clearly. I only remember you mentioning it once — it was probably six or seven years from now.”

Lin Fei said, “So you want Master Mo to wait that much longer?”

Xie Yuzhang said, “But then Elder Brother’s credit for recommending him would be lost.”

“It’s hardly a major credit,” Lin Fei said. “Elder Brother doesn’t yet carry enough weight — when it comes to speaking before the Emperor, it still has to be you. Chéngjǐng Academy was burned to the ground, and Master Mo’s dearest wish is to see it rebuilt. But His Majesty rose as a military man and doesn’t place much emphasis on scholarship. Even now, reestablishing the Academy of Scholarly Refinement isn’t genuinely for the sake of learning. Master Mo has been teaching under a false name, biding his time and watching. Hearing that His Majesty opened the Academy of Scholarly Refinement first, he can’t help but feel somewhat disheartened.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “He is simply too preoccupied right now. The Chuluo front is still being fought, and the south bank of the river has not yet been recovered — things must be done one at a time.”

She thought for a moment, then said, “Very well — I’ll go speak to him about it. I think he will listen. In his later years, when he had a free hand, he did accomplish all of these things.”

Talking as they went, the two of them arrived at Qujiang, just outside the southern gate of Yunjing.

This had always been one of the finest places for Shangsi Festival outings, and the crowds here were thick.

Every noble household, naturally, had their servants come in advance to claim a spot. The Princess’s residence had also sent people early to stake out a place. By the time Xie Yuzhang and the others arrived, felt mats had already been spread, low tables arranged, and incense lit. Fresh fruits had been washed and arranged in jade bowls; fresh fish had been sliced into translucent, paper-thin slivers of fish carpaccio and laid out on crystal platters — a sight lovely enough to take one’s breath away.

The ground beneath was carpeted in lush green grass. Niuiu and Yaya, thinking themselves back on the steppe, let out joyful whoops and immediately made to throw themselves down and roll. Niuiu managed to go off with the guards, but Yaya was scooped up around the waist by Wanxiu and brought back. “Now sit still — this isn’t the steppe anymore. A young girl has to behave like a young girl.”

Yaya watched her brother being lifted up by the guards, perched happily on their shoulders, and couldn’t help but feel deeply aggrieved.

Her little mouth pouted out.

Jia You took the small knife from his belt, cut open a piece of fruit, and brought a slice to her little lips.

At this time of early spring, the fruits available in the markets were still mostly those forced to ripen in heated greenhouses — precious and rarely tasted. Yaya opened her mouth and bit down, and just like that, her grievance dissolved. There was also warm, sweetened herbal drink that had been brought out, and tray after tray of pastries and snacks was laid before them. There was nothing left to feel aggrieved about; her face broke into a smile of pure delight.

The attendants played at pitch-pot and drum-passing flower games, then blindfolded each other and played at catching, the sound of laughter never ceasing.

These attendants were the ones Xie Yuzhang had selected from among the daughters of Zhao people, after the older women in her service had all married. In terms of learning and beauty, they were admittedly not the equal of the group Xie Yuzhang had originally brought from Zhaoxia Palace. But these young women had the advantage of having grown up on the steppe — from the moment they were chosen, they had trained with the princess in riding and archery and had even experienced the fires of war. There was no air of frailty about them; they carried themselves with a spirited boldness.

Along the riverbank, many noble families began to arrive one after another. Xie Yuzhang spotted several of the Yang Family sisters and they exchanged greetings back and forth.

These sisters had all married by now, most of them coming together with their husbands or their husbands’ sisters-in-law. Half a day of pleasantries later, she had seen quite a number of people.

“It is also time for you to return to your rightful place,” Lin Fei said.

Since she had returned to Yunjing, how could she not re-enter the upper circles of society?

If one spoke of eight years ago, when Xie Yuzhang had first been reborn, she might well have longed to find a corner to hide in and live out her days unnoticed. But the Xie Yuzhang of today harbored no such wish.

“I have returned. And you?” she asked. “The Noble Consort is holding a spring banquet in the palace, and she made a point of mentioning you to me. Will you go?”

Lin Fei smiled warmly. “I’ll go. Why ever not?”

“Many people want to see me,” she said, tilting her face up toward the spring light. “Then let them see — and let them see what kind of woman our Lin Family produces.”

Xie Yuzhang laughed. The spring sunlight fell across her face, warm and comfortable.

Beyond the edge of the felt mats, however, a young woman of gentle and graceful bearing had been watching for a long while. After some hesitation, she brought her maidservant over and asked, “Fei Niang? Are you Fei Niang?”

Both Lin Fei and Xie Yuzhang looked over at the sound.

Lin Fei studied her for a moment, then stood. “Elder Sister Lang.”

The woman’s eyes grew red-rimmed. “It really is you.”

Lin Fei walked over and spoke with her.

Xie Yuzhang did not go over to intrude; she watched from a distance as the woman pressed a handkerchief to her eyes, while Lin Fei spoke to her in a soft, consoling voice. Not far away, a man stood with a child, a nurse and servants waiting patiently nearby.

When the two parted, the woman walked off with her husband.

Xie Yuzhang said, “She looks a little familiar.”

Lin Fei said, “You would have seen her before. Elder Sister Lang was once betrothed to my Third Elder Brother.”

Xie Yuzhang recognized her then. “So that’s who she is.”

“Elder Brother and I have thought of her from time to time,” Lin Fei said. “He says she seems to be doing well. Looking at her color today, she does seem to be doing well.”

Fate, however, is fickle. The Lin Family had been ruined in a single night. Lin Third, who had gone out traveling and studying and was supposed to return in a year or two to marry, became a wanted fugitive overnight with no one knowing his whereabouts. His betrothed, in the end, had married someone else.

Xie Yuzhang sighed. “As long as everyone is doing well — that’s what matters.”

Yet although the place was open and wide, the sheer number of revelers meant there was a constant ebb and flow of people passing by. Lin Fei had barely seen off the familiar face when someone else approached.

But this time, the guards stepped forward to intercept — for the one approaching was a young man.

He was not very old, appearing to be somewhere around eighteen or nineteen, just at the age of adulthood. His lips were red and his teeth white; his looks were handsome.

Seeing Xie Yuzhang look his way, he broke into a dazzling smile. His eyes were the shape of peach blossoms, and their corners carried an air of easy charm.

“My apologies for the intrusion. I have no intention of being presumptuous before a great beauty.” He swept his sleeve aside and made an elegant bow. Still smiling at Xie Yuzhang, he said, “I am Deng Jiu of Liangzhou. Finding myself filled with delight at the sight of such a beauty, I have taken the liberty of offering this portrait of a beauty to the Princess, for her amusement.”

He bent down and placed a rolled paper on the ground before him, then straightened and gave one more bow. His sleeves floated gracefully as he turned and departed.

The guards were all rough men, and their leader Yuanjin was a man of the northern tribes — he had not the faintest idea what the young man had just done. Everyone exchanged blank glances.

After a long moment, Xie Yuzhang let out a sudden burst of laughter.

Lin Fei normally had excellent self-control and had been holding back quite well. But once Xie Yuzhang started, she could no longer contain herself — she raised her sleeve to hide her face and burst out laughing too.