The small path outside the city wound and twisted, covered in dust, with a cool morning breeze.

Meng Tinghui stopped in front of an abandoned old temple. She bent down to sweep away the thick dust from the steps, then sat down and pulled out a book from her chest. Leaning against a dirty wooden pillar, she lowered her head and began to read.

The newly risen morning sun was brazenly red, climbing from the east and scattering fragmented warm light onto her head, making her involuntarily sigh with comfort.

This place was desolate, yet her heart was at peace.

In her ears, she seemed to hear the sounds of bell-ringing and Buddhist chanting, just like those mornings from many years ago… If not for that imperial edict years ago, perhaps she would have spent her entire life in the nunnery.

But if not for that edict, she might never have met that person in her lifetime.

The spaces between the pages were filled with her scrawled notes. The tiny characters now seemed to make her drowsy, and she casually wrapped her clothes around herself and closed her eyes to rest.

In the distance, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly rang out, gradually growing louder, then slowly coming to a stop.

She opened her eyes, curiously looking ahead. She wondered who would ride out of the city so early and come to such a place.

Several dozen paces away, light dust rose along the official road. A rider was hesitating at the intersection, holding the reins loosely, seemingly uncertain which path to take.

She squinted at him for a long while, then suddenly startled, immediately standing up.

Him…

How could it be him?!

Her mind had no time to think, but her legs instinctively ran forward a few steps, her heels feeling weak.

Just moments ago she had been thinking of him, and now he appeared before her eyes!

The man happened to turn around and look in her direction. Seeing her, he hesitated slightly, then kicked his horse’s belly and rode toward her.

The horse’s black mane gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight with a metallic luster, making her feel dazzled.

Before she could react, the horse stopped in front of her, and in the next instant, the man swung himself down and stood steadily before her.

“Miss,” his eyes were bright, his voice deep, “may I ask, is the road to Qingzhou the one on the left?”

She stared blankly at the face before her, this face—

“Miss?” The man’s voice became somewhat hesitant.

She came back to her senses, feeling as if countless threads were tangled in her heart. Her usual cleverness had completely vanished. After a long moment, she finally answered: “…Let me see.”

The man obliged, stepping aside.

She moved past him, and as she turned her back, she took a deep breath, feeling her heart cool and her mind clear. Only then did she pretend to look at the distant intersection before turning back to him with a smile: “May I ask what the gentleman is going to Qingzhou for?”

The man hadn’t expected her question. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he answered: “To visit a distant relative.”

She looked at him, knowing he was likely lying to her, but still smiled and said: “If you’re visiting a relative, then take the road on the right.”

The man raised an eyebrow slightly. “From your tone, Miss, it seems both roads lead to Qingzhou?” Seeing her nod, he asked further: “Why should I take the right road if I’m visiting relatives? What’s the difference between these two roads?”

She pressed her lips together, her gaze never leaving his face: “The left road, though a shortcut, is narrow and dangerous; the right road, though wide and flat, takes a long detour around the mountains. Since you’re visiting relatives, I assume you’re not in a hurry, so I suggested the road on the right.”

The man looked up toward the distant mountains, frowning slightly. After a moment, he said a soft “Thank you, Miss,” and then led his horse toward the left road.

She watched his retreating figure, her heart pounding.

She hadn’t imagined that heaven would be so kind to her, giving her the chance to speak so many words with him!

But she didn’t want him to leave her behind again like this, without even leaving a name.

Since heaven had been so kind to her, how could she miss this opportunity again?

“Sir!”

She ran forward quickly, calling out to him.

The man turned back. “What else, Miss?”

She stood still, hands clasped in front, and asked softly: “May I ask your surname?”

The man released the reins and answered briskly: “He.”

Truly a man of few words.

She committed it to memory in her heart, then feigned surprise: “Your surname is He? I had a childhood friend with the surname He, though we lost contact many years ago. You somewhat resemble that friend of mine. May I ask your given name?”

The man lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, then said: “A single character, ‘Du’.” Then he took the reins again and added: “But my family isn’t from Chongzhou, so I’m probably not your old friend.”

He Du.

She silently repeated the name, though a flash of cleverness passed through her eyes.

Having to think before giving his name—how could such a name be trustworthy?

The day before in Bofeng Tower, she had seen clearly that the noble-looking man in blue robes took orders from him. He must certainly be no ordinary person.

Moreover, ten years ago…

He was trying to conceal his identity from her.

But why would a noble person like him travel alone to Qingzhou?

So she continued: “Since you’re not from Chongzhou, you should know that the roads to Qingzhou are winding and easy to get lost on. Perhaps you should find someone to accompany you…”

The man shook his head, his expression still distant: “That won’t be necessary. I visited the North Chao’an Road area many years ago and still remember the way. It’s just that after ten years, there are many more official roads outside the north gate of Chongzhou, and seeing them just now, I couldn’t immediately be certain, which is why I asked you.”

She looked at him and nodded slightly, but couldn’t think of anything else to say that would keep him longer. She could only watch him thank her, turn around, hold the reins, and mount his horse.

As he was about to raise his whip, his hand paused. He turned his horse back and looked down at her: “You look somewhat familiar.”

Her whole body trembled.

Had he remembered? That rainy night ten years ago…

He looked at her again. “We met yesterday at Bofeng Tower, didn’t we?”

She lowered her eyelashes, her heart deflating, but still nodded.

He sat straight on his horse, examining her carefully. “Since we’ve met by such chance, may I ask your name?”

“Meng Tinghui.”

She looked up at him, pronouncing each syllable distinctly.

“Meng Tinghui.”

He repeated it once, then turned slightly. “I remember you’re a student at the women’s academy in Chongzhou. I hope you won’t disappoint Her Majesty’s intentions in establishing the academies. Study well for the examinations, and perhaps in the future, we’ll have the chance to meet again.”

Seeing that he was truly about to leave this time, she hurriedly added: “Since Mr. He speaks this way, I assume your home is in the capital?”

He didn’t turn back, only nodded slightly.

His long arm raised the whip, then brought it down on the horse’s rump.

A harsh neigh cut through the gentle breeze around them. Yellow dust rose with the hoofbeats, stretching to the distant official road.