Xie Yuzhang’s heart clenched tight.

“Listen to what?” she asked.

Yang Huaishen said only, “Go in.” Then he turned and walked away with large strides.

Xie Yuzhang stood in the courtyard, staring at that room door for a long while before she finally made herself walk over.

Lin Fei was sitting on the edge of a couch. Perhaps because of the long journey on the road, her face was somewhat thinner than before, her jaw pointed, which stirred the heart with pity.

Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, she raised her eyes, and seeing Xie Yuzhang, she broke into a smile.

“Zhuzhu, I’m back,” she said.

Xie Yuzhang stood in place and looked at her blankly for a good while, then slowly walked over, and slowly raised one hand — that hand hovered suspended in the air.

Lin Fei smiled and took her hand, gently pressing it against her own abdomen: “Don’t be afraid. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Lin Fei had long known that Xie Yuzhang had always been frightened by a pregnant woman’s belly.

Lin Fei’s abdomen was rounded, unmistakably the appearance of someone with child.

By the size of it, four or five months along — counting the months, it was impossible for this child to be Yang Huaishen’s.

Xie Yuzhang’s tears fell.

“Get rid of it!” she said through her tears. “Get rid of this child, and act as though it never happened. A’Fei, don’t be afraid — you have me and Second Elder Brother. Don’t be afraid!”

“Zhuzhu, I’m not afraid,” Lin Fei said, pressing her hand gently, and spoke in a slow, measured voice. “It’s only that I don’t want to remove the child. I want to give birth to him.”

Xie Yuzhang went still, and after a long while, asked, “…Why?”

Lin Fei braced herself with one hand at her lower back and slowly sat herself down, one hand gently resting on her abdomen, and said, “Naturally because I am his mother. Zhuzhu, this is my child — I love him.”

There was a radiance on Lin Fei’s face — a radiance Xie Yuzhang had once seen on Deng Wan’s face.

That was when Deng Wan had had the Second Prince. She had loved Li Gu, and had borne a son for the man she loved; her face had been filled with the radiance of happiness.

In two lifetimes, Xie Yuzhang had never imagined she would see this kind of radiance on Lin Fei’s face.

She was in a daze for a long while, then asked, “The child’s father is…?”

Lin Fei acknowledged it: “It is Gao Dalang — the one I was once engaged to, the very person who abducted me.”

Xie Yuzhang’s tears fell again: “He forced you, didn’t he?”

“No,” Lin Fei said. “Zhuzhu, what happened between him and me — it’s not what you’re imagining.”

Xie Yuzhang asked, “You love him, don’t you?”

Lin Fei was silent for a long while and did not answer.

Xie Yuzhang’s tears of joy fell, and she said, “He must be a truly exceptional person, isn’t he?”

That was why Lin Fei had fallen for him. Because at her very core Lin Fei was profoundly proud; she was so clever, so outstanding, that she had never once looked favorably upon any man, had never loved any man in her life.

She had married Yang Huaishen, and Xie Yuzhang had never dared ask whether she had truly, genuinely liked him.

No matter how one looked at it, Yang Huaishen was the best choice Lin Fei could have made. He came from a distinguished family, was young and handsome, sensitive and cultivated, and had already achieved great things. Before marrying Lin Fei, even without a noble title yet, he had been universally acknowledged as the most eligible bachelor in Yunjing.

But Lin Fei gave a scornful laugh and said, “Not at all. He doesn’t even begin to compare to your Second Elder Brother. He is… nothing but a simpleton.”

Xie Yuzhang could not comprehend it: “Then… why?”

Lin Fei would love the child in her womb only because she loved that child’s father.

She had not loved Wuwei, and so had cast his children aside like worn-out shoes.

Lin Fei let out a soft sigh.

“Zhuzhu, you know how highly I think of myself. I always assumed that a man would need to excel in both learning and martial arts, to be perfect in every way, before I could possibly come to like him,” she said quietly. “But it turns out that’s not how it works, Zhuzhu. Liking someone has very little to do with whether they are outstanding or remarkable. Even if they are a simpleton, once you’ve come to like them you’ve simply come to like them — there’s no reason for it.”

Xie Yuzhang wanted to ask more.

But Lin Fei said, “Zhuzhu, what happened between him and me — don’t ask anymore.”

That simpleton — she had told him, “The reason I was engaged to you is because my birth, learning, and character are all a match for yours. Had the times not changed so violently, I would have been your proper wife. If you humiliate me, you humiliate yourself.” And that simpleton — he had truly not forced her.

Only the Gao Clan of Xinzhou had lived in comfortable isolation in one corner of the land for so long, for too long; this simpleton’s life had been too smooth-sailing, never ground down by the hardships of the world, and in terms of temperament he was actually far less mature and steady than Yang Huaishen.

But everyone around Lin Fei was mature and steady. All the people she admired were like that — including her elder brother, her husband, her close friend, and even the Emperor; all of these people were clever, composed, resolute, and possessed of tremendous willpower.

Yet all these people also shared one common deficiency: none of them had the warmth that burned constantly within the simpleton’s body.

Including herself — she too lacked it. They had all been ground down by the world and long since had that warmth worn away. They all only did what should be done and what was right; they were never impulsive or willful, and always tried to make the best choice.

The simpleton was not like this. The simpleton acted rashly, and often did foolish things. For instance, when she jumped into the river, any sensible person should have steered the boat away from range immediately.

The simpleton jumped in instead and fished her back out. Afterward on the boat, when she had coughed up all the water, he sat wrapped in a blanket, eyes bright, grinning as he said: “I simply refuse to let you die.”

Yet Lin Fei knew perfectly well that this warm, foolish simpleton had a limited lifespan. The Da Mu Emperor would one day bring his cavalry crashing through the south, crashing through Xinzhou, and wipe the Gao family name from the rolls of the great clans.

He knew none of this. Xinzhou was his family’s domain, and in the future it would be his. He thought he had all the time in the world; arrogant and self-assured, he declared: “I’ll make you fall for me sooner or later.”

Truly idiotic beyond measure. How could she possibly fall for him?

Lin Fei watched that simpleton with cold eyes, watching him live each day, one day fewer remaining.

In this lifetime… Lin Fei finally allowed herself one moment of willfulness.

The Da Mu Emperor had finally come, and so had her husband. Her husband, on the battlefield, personally struck down that simpleton.

When she learned of it, all she felt was that her mouth was filled to the brim with a bitter, astringent taste.

Yet all of this was not something to be shared with outsiders. Except for the two of them, everyone else was an outsider.

Including Xie Yuzhang.

Lin Fei had her own love. She carried her love’s child within her, loved that child, and wanted to bring that child into the world.

She was not even willing to speak of her time with that man and share it with Xie Yuzhang.

“I won’t ask,” Xie Yuzhang said, tears of joy streaming down her face. “I won’t ask. This is your matter — keep it in your own heart.”

Xie Yuzhang understood that this was deeply unfair to Yang Huaishen. But weighed against her remorse toward Second Elder Brother, at this moment her entire heart was flooded with joy.

Having lived two lifetimes, she and Lin Fei had finally and completely separated into their own selves — they no longer needed to mix their blood and tears indistinguishably together.

That leap into the heart of the Si River — the Lin Fei who had given her whole life to another and abandoned herself had died. The Lin Fei standing before her now was a Lin Fei who lived for herself.

There was truly nothing in this world that could make Xie Yuzhang happier than this.

Lin Fei rested her hand on her abdomen and said gravely, “Zhuzhu, I have only one worry. The Emperor wiped out the Gao Clan to the last member. I worry that if this child is a boy, the Emperor may not permit him to live…”

“He won’t, he won’t,” Xie Yuzhang said. “The Xie Family Village is still standing, isn’t it — and the people of the former Xiaoyao Marquisate are all living well. Don’t be afraid. I’ll go and ask him. I’ll go plead for the child.”

Look — Lin Fei would no longer offer unconditional devotion to her alone. She would now turn to her and ask for help on her own behalf.

The two of them, now, were each complete in themselves — both capable of living for their own sake.

Xie Yuzhang’s tears fell again, for she was at this moment truly glad — truly happy.

When Xie Yuzhang saw Yang Huaishen again, there was expectation in Yang Huaishen’s eyes. Only then did Xie Yuzhang’s emotions fully settle, and she recognized that what she took as cause for joy was absolutely not a source of joy or happiness to Yang Huaishen.

She lowered her head in remorse: “Second Elder Brother, I’m sorry…”

Yang Huaishen’s complexion turned ashen.

“How could she do this to me! How could she treat me this way!” he murmured.

Xie Yuzhang had nothing to say.

There was never a way to have everything in this world. She could look after Lin Fei, but she could not look after Second Elder Brother.

Lin Zi came and took Lin Fei away that same day.

Xie Yuzhang had no time to concern herself with the fact that today was the first day of Li Gu’s return to the capital. She left the Earl of Guangping’s Residence and went directly into the palace.

Li Gu was understandably very busy. Xie Yuzhang waited for him in the rear hall.

Li Gu took advantage of a gap between receiving two groups of officials and came hurrying over, stealing a moment to see her, and asked, “Is something urgent?”

Upon seeing him, Xie Yuzhang suddenly broke into laughter: “How on earth have you gotten so dark?”

“The sun in the south is strong,” Li Gu said. “Don’t laugh.”

But seeing Xie Yuzhang laugh with such delight, he could not help laughing himself.

“The Gao Clan has been wiped out, and Lin Shi has been brought back,” he said lightly. “Everything I promised you has been done.”

He said, “Only Lin Shi… well, he was spectacularly drunk several times along the road back. Do try to talk some sense into her.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “I won’t. Her heart is no longer with Second Elder Brother. What would be the point in forcing her to stay?”

The circumstances on the road, Li Gu knew more clearly than she did. What had once seemed a perfectly matched pair — golden boy and jade girl, of complementary birth and character, the envy of all who saw them — had come to this. It was truly a cause for sighing.

“Your Majesty.” Xie Yuzhang dipped into a formal bow. “I have one matter to request of you.”

Li Gu inclined his head and said, “You would never call me ‘Your Majesty’ unless you had something to ask.”

Xie Yuzhang was a little sheepish.

Li Gu said, “Go ahead.”

Xie Yuzhang said, “Lin Shi carries Gao Dalang’s child.”

Li Gu understood immediately. He said, “You think I cannot tolerate a mere child?”

“Of course not.” Xie Yuzhang drew herself up with great dignity. “Your Majesty is Heaven’s chosen, magnanimous and broad of heart, truly…”

“Xie Yuzhang!”

“Ahem!” Xie Yuzhang said, “Then does that mean Your Majesty agrees?”

Li Gu said, “We agree.”

The joy Xie Yuzhang felt today was so full it was nearly overflowing — this was truly the happiest day she had known since her rebirth. Her sense of fulfillment was beyond words.

Her eyes curved with her smile. She suddenly leaned over, stood on tiptoe, and pressed a quick kiss to Li Gu’s cheek.

“My thanks to Your Majesty!” She gave a careless, hasty curtsy and then ran off. “This subject takes her leave!”

Li Gu stood there frozen for a long moment, before the corners of his mouth slowly curved upward.

Xie Yuzhang was long gone.

Xie Yuzhang came out of the palace and went without pause to the Lin Residence.

Lin Zi was in the midst of speaking with Lin Fei.

“Have you truly decided?” he asked.

Lin Fei nodded. “Yes. Only I’ve caused my elder brother more trouble. I’ve thought it over — I’ll move far away from Yunjing and find a place where no one knows me to live my life. I’ll try not to let the reputations of the Lin Family and the Yang Family suffer.”

“What foolishness is this,” said the elegant young man, tucking his sleeves. “You are my sister. You go nowhere — you live right here.”

Lin Fei’s eyes reddened slightly. She wiped them and said, “Only Second Brother Yang…”

Lin Zi let out a soft sigh and said, “I’ll go speak with him. Don’t worry about it.”

Lin Fei was silent for a moment, then said, “I am the one who wronged him.”

Yet in matters of the heart, it is difficult to speak of right and wrong.

Xie Yuzhang arrived and told the siblings, “The Emperor has given his word. Go ahead and give birth without worry.”

Lin Zi said with evident pleasure, “The Emperor has a true breadth of spirit.”

Though he also never flinched from killing, when the time came.

The next day, Lin Zi went to speak with Yang Huaishen.

Yang Huaishen had spent a night collecting himself, and said, “Let her give birth. Once the child is born, send it away. Then the two of us will carry on with our lives together.”

Lin Zi had not expected Yang Huaishen to be willing to step back this far. Everything he had been prepared to say, he pressed back down for the time being, and went back to relay Yang Huaishen’s words to Lin Fei first.

Lin Fei sighed and said, “I should be the one to speak with him.”

So Yang Huaishen was invited to the Lin Residence, and husband and wife faced each other once more.

“I understand your intentions, and I am moved by them — you are truly a man of feeling and integrity,” Lin Fei said. “But I do not have this fortune, and our fated bond is too shallow. Since I have made the decision to bring this child into the world, I have not intended to go on occupying your person, or the position of the Earl of Guangping’s mistress. Second Brother, it is I who have wronged you. You may hate me or berate me — do not suffer this quietly. A man as fine as you truly deserves to be matched with a fine wife. Between us — let our fated bond end here.”

Yang Huaishen stared at the bluestone floor for a long while, then raised his eyes and asked, “In what way was he better than me?”

“He was inferior to you in every respect,” Lin Fei said. “Only meeting him — perhaps that was my appointed trial in life.”

Yang Huaishen looked at her for a long while, then turned and walked away with large strides.

Within a few days, the mistress of the Earl of Guangping, who had been recuperating from illness for some time, submitted a petition to dissolve the marriage on grounds of serious illness, to avoid burdening the Earl. The Earl’s parents pleaded bitterly to retain her; the mistress of the Earl of Guangping would not waver in her resolve.

In the end, both sides signed a document of amicable separation.

When the people of Yunjing heard of it, they praised Lin Shi for her sense of propriety, and praised the Yang Family for their magnanimity. Neither the Lin Family’s nor the Yang Family’s reputation suffered any damage.

Only the matter of Lin Fei giving birth still required a discreet location. Xie Yuzhang thought the Luo Garden on the western mountain would do perfectly, and went to mention it to Lin Zi. But Lin Zi smiled and said, “Your Highness need not trouble yourself — I have already found a place for her outside the city.”

Lin Fei had an elder brother; she had family. If she wished to be willful, her elder brother would shield her and let her be willful. There was truly no need for Xie Yuzhang to interfere.

Xie Yuzhang was at ease: “Look at me, so used to managing things for her that I can’t help reaching in. Third Elder Brother, please don’t fault me.”

Lin Zi asked, “Your Highness is truly happy about this?”

“Happy, of course,” Xie Yuzhang said. “A’Fei can finally do what she truly wishes to do — isn’t that something to be happy about?”

Lin Zi laughed — radiantly, brilliantly so.

“Your Highness is right. Just thinking of it is cause for delight,” he said.