Luo Huaimeng shook her head and sighed. “That is the petty thinking of a small-minded person. She — a woman about to become a mother — was ruthless enough to try to harm another woman’s unborn child. Afterward, she showed not a trace of remorse, and on top of that, she projected her own sordid thoughts onto others.”

“Mother, perhaps what she did was actually right.”

Luo Huaimeng was puzzled. “Right?”

From everything she knew of Yan Qing, Yan Qing would never harm Qiu Cao and her child. Though she was shrewd and calculating, she had no interest in targeting a helpless woman and her infant.

“Mother, do you think the Marshal would have let Qiu Cao off?”

That question seemed to wake Luo Huaimeng as though from a dream. “The Marshal now despises Shi Guang to the bone. Even if the child Qiu Cao carries is Shi Guang’s own flesh and blood — Qiu Cao is only a concubine. The child she bears has no legitimate standing. So the Marshal would never acknowledge that child as the first grandchild of the Shi family. And beyond that, the Marshal has no desire to raise a tiger — he would not want a similar incident to happen again in the future. So he should not be willing to let that child survive.”

When the Marshal spoke of the first grandchild of the Shi family, he had never once mentioned this child. The Marshal could not have forgotten that Qiu Cao was also pregnant — he had deliberately excluded her.

“Qiu Cao has escaped, which may temporarily protect the child. But the outside world is in such turmoil — Shi Guang’s rebel soldiers are still scattered about causing trouble. Running out there at a time like this is actually far more dangerous than staying in the Shi Mansion. Given the Marshal’s current situation, he should have no energy to spare pursuing a concubine.” Yan Qing handed Luo Huaimeng the list she had just finished organizing.

“Mother, before Shi Ting leaves for the front, the Marshal intends to publicly announce your position as the official mistress of the household. I’ve put together a guest invitation list — please have a look.”

Luo Huaimeng gave it only a brief glance and said: “I understand the Marshal’s intentions, and I appreciate the gesture — but this is not the right moment for something so elaborate. The front lines are at war and need enormous funding. We women and children cannot help relieve that urgent need, and yet we would be squandering money. It really isn’t appropriate.”

“I share your feelings entirely, Mother. But the Marshal insists on proceeding this way.”

“As for the Marshal, I’ll go and persuade him — he’s quite amenable these days.”

Perhaps out of guilt toward Luo Huaimeng, and out of reliance on Shi Ting, the Marshal’s attitude toward Luo Huaimeng had returned to how it had been during the time she was most cherished.

“Mother, there is one more thing.” Yan Qing put away the list. “I’ve heard that Shi Yutong wants to go to the Baiyun Convent and take religious vows.”

“Can that actually be true?” Luo Huaimeng was astonished. “Is she playing some sort of trick again?”

Yan Qing shook her head. “Ever since Shi Yutong returned from the Baiyun Convent, she has seemed like a different person. I, like you, always assumed she was putting on an act — so I had someone keep a close eye on her. Since her return, except when appearances require it, she has barely left her room. I’m told she spends her time reciting and copying scriptures, and even her eating and dress have changed completely. Shi Yutong now eats entirely vegetarian.”

“I never would have thought — forced to make a trip to the Baiyun Convent as punishment, and it actually changed her character.”

Yan Qing too was filled with feeling. Thinking back on the Shi Yutong of old — imperious and domineering, ruthless and cruel — it was hard to imagine that one day she would embrace the Buddhist faith wholeheartedly and become a woman who did nothing but chant scriptures and recite prayers.

What Shi Yutong had experienced during her time at the Baiyun Convent, only she herself could know. Some people are born with an affinity for the Buddha — they simply haven’t had the chance to encounter it yet.

Still, for Shi Yutong, this might not be such a bad ending. She could no longer bear children, and her reputation in society had plummeted. With her background as a privileged young woman, she would likely spend the rest of her life alone.

Luo Huaimeng sighed. “If this is truly what she wants, then it’s not impossible to consider.”

“The Marshal will never agree to it,” Yan Qing said. “Shi Yutong is the Marshal’s daughter — how could the Marshal allow his own daughter to become a nun? Shi Yutong may not care about such things, but the Marshal cannot afford to lose face.”

“Now that you mention it, I had forgotten that point — you’re right.”

“Mother, if Shi Yutong brings this matter to the Marshal, he will certainly leave the decision to you.”

Luo Huaimeng considered for a moment. “Since the Marshal doesn’t want Shi Yutong to take vows, he won’t allow her to go to the Baiyun Convent. But if Shi Yutong is determined…”

“The old madam is a devout Buddhist who has long been engaged in quiet spiritual cultivation in the inner courtyard. What if, in the Marshal’s name, we had a prayer hall built on the unused land at the back of the inner courtyard? Once it’s finished, let Shi Yutong manage it. That way, it outwardly fulfills the Marshal’s reputation for filial piety, and at the same time resolves Shi Yutong’s situation.”

Luo Huaimeng immediately brightened. “That’s an excellent plan. If the Marshal brings it up, I’ll suggest it to him. By the way, what about Ling’ai…”

“Ling’ai and Shi Guang have already divorced. She is no longer a member of the Shi household.”

“What does she plan to do with herself from now on?”

“She said her goodbyes to me, and left with Hui Cun. She didn’t say much more than that.”

“Alas.” Luo Huaimeng said with sincere regret. “If Shi Guang hadn’t caused all this trouble, Ling’ai would have been a fine match — clever and capable, humble and diligent. What a pity.”

“Each person has their own fate. I believe Ling’ai already has a plan.”

“Do you think she and Zheng Yun could still…”

Yan Qing shook her head. “That depends on Ling’ai herself. And on fate.”

~

Ling’ai returned home, to the room she had known since childhood.

Ever since she had married, this room had been kept for her. Someone dusted it every day, and it remained almost exactly as she had left it.

“Look — it’s stayed just the way it was, ready to welcome you back at any moment.” Hui Cun couldn’t help but feel moved. “When your father missed you, he would come and sit here for a while. When you were small, you could never be apart from me for a single day. Whenever I had to go out and couldn’t bring you along, you’d hold a doll and refuse to sleep — you’d sit by the door and wait, and wait, and no one could persuade you otherwise.”

“I remember.” Ling’ai’s eyes grew moist. “I always ended up falling asleep by the door, and someone would carry me back to bed.”

“Later, when you grew up and became sensible, you still liked to sit by the door. Only you stopped falling asleep there.”

Ling’ai couldn’t hold back any longer. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Hui Cun, her voice breaking: “Father, I won’t make you worry anymore.”

“Foolish child — it’s Father’s fault.” Hui Cun sniffed. “Father didn’t protect you well. It’s Father who has caused you suffering.”

“Father, let’s not speak of that anymore.” Ling’ai forced out a small smile. “Look — I’m free now. No one can force me to do things I don’t want to do anymore. From now on, I can be with you often.”

Hui Cun looked at Ling’ai. She was smiling, yet the light had gone from her eyes — they were dim and dull.

Once, when he had spoken to her about a young man named Zheng Yun, her eyes had blazed with a radiance like sunlight.

But time had worn that light away, leaving her beautiful eyes stripped of the vitality they should have had.

Hui Cun said with aching tenderness: “Ai zi, what do you plan to do next?”

Ling’ai looked out the window at the row of poplar trees standing side by side.

Spring was nearly here. Soon those trees would be lush and leafy; after a long winter of silence, they would greet a new birth full of life and vigor.

And what about her?

“No matter what you do, Father will support you.” Hui Cun gently patted her shoulder. “If you still have feelings for that young man, Father will help you.”

Ling’ai shook her head. “Father, I am a woman who has already been married. I am no longer worthy of him.”

“What kind of foolish talk is that? How could you not be worthy of him? My daughter Hui Cun — others should only be grateful for the chance to reach up to her level.”

“Father, this is Xin Guo. The prejudices and demands placed on women here are nearly unreasonable and cruel. He himself may not care — but those around him will talk. His parents especially — how could they allow their accomplished son to marry a divorced woman, and one who was married to the Marshal’s own son at that?”

Ling’ai let out a bitter laugh. “Right now he is the Chief of the Military Police — a prominent figure in Shun Cheng. I’ve seen his name in the newspapers often. They say he grows more and more like Shi Ting in his prime. In the future, he will certainly not remain a mere Chief of Police — his prospects are limitless. By then, there will be better, more suitable women who will marry him.”

“Ai zi…”

“Father, there’s no need to try to persuade me. I know what I’m saying and what I’m doing.” Ling’ai said with quiet resignation. “The thread of fate between us was cut the moment I married Shi Guang. After that, our paths went separate ways — there is no longer any possibility between us.”

Hui Cun knew his daughter’s temperament well. Since she had spoken so plainly, it meant she had long since made up her mind in her heart. No matter how much he said, he could not change her decision.

“Ai zi, what do you plan to do next?” Hui Cun said with tender concern. “I can give up my work here for you. As long as you are happy, I can go anywhere with you.”

Hearing that, Ling’ai buried her face against Hui Cun’s chest. The moment she closed her eyes, tears began to fall.

“Thank you, Father.”

~

It was already the Start of Spring season in Shun Cheng, but the people on the streets were still wrapped in thick clothing. The early spring chill was not to be taken lightly.

After the internal strife in Shun Cheng came to an end, the work of the Military Police Department gradually returned to its usual rhythm. The main task now was maintaining order, and criminal cases were few and far between.

As the lanterns were beginning to light up the evening, the main hall on the ground floor of the Military Police Department was still illuminated.

“Chief, aren’t you leaving?” A junior officer knocked on Zheng Yun’s door.

Zheng Yun was working through a stack of documents. Without looking up, he said: “I’ll be done soon. You all go ahead. Take care on the way home.”

“Then we’ll head out first. Chief, please get some rest soon too.”

After the junior officer left, Zheng Yun was still at his desk. These days, he spent most of his time at the department, going home only to sleep.

The clock struck nine. The last document on Zheng Yun’s desk was finally done.

He set the finished documents to one side and stood up to stretch. While he had been working, he hadn’t felt tired at all — but the moment he moved, he realized his muscles had gone stiff.

He raised his eyes to the rack in the corner of the room, where a long spear stood upright. It had been a gift from a friend, and he had always meant to bring it home, but kept forgetting.

Zheng Yun walked over and took down the spear, then swung it through a few casual moves. The spear’s shadow flashed — and through the window, something outside also seemed to flash past.

“Who’s there?”