The next morning, a thin layer of daylight shone on the steps.

Inside the room there seemed to be some small sounds of movement.

Daoqin and Jianshu had long since had someone prepare all washing necessities and waited outside. Though they could hear, they still didn’t dare enter, only because they didn’t know whether Xie Wei had already woken and risen.

Until they heard him suddenly ask from inside: “What time is it?”

Jianshu replied: “A quarter past the hour of the dragon.”

Inside fell silent for a while, then said: “Come in.”

When Xie Wei opened his eyes early in the morning, he only felt the daylight shine through the window paper, everything before his eyes blurry. Raising his hand to his forehead, he sat up, only to discover he had actually slept all the way until broad daylight.

The cold candle was spent. Some residual warmth remained in the room.

Looking toward the corner, that Emei qin sat quietly on the qin table, as if no one had touched it.

When Jianshu and Daoqin entered, he had already risen. He only asked: “When did Ningning leave last night?”

Jianshu said: “Around the hour of the pig.”

Xie Wei fell silent again for a while. In the end, he didn’t say anything more, only changed clothes, washed up, and ate some porridge and rice.

With the Heavenly Doctrine rebellion quelled, after lingering in Tongzhou for two days handling all subsequent matters, they should depart for the capital. Unfortunately, yesterday at dusk came a heavy snow that piled everywhere. The people below reported that the official road from Tongzhou to the capital was buried by heavy snow and fallen rocks, still being cleared. It wouldn’t be passable in a day or two. Moreover, Zhang Zhe, Xiao Ye, and most of the surviving soldiers all had injuries. After hearing the reports from below, Xie Wei gave orders to first stay in Tongzhou for two days.

All the officials, great and small, had heard yesterday that people had come from the capital. Today they all took the opportunity to pay their respects.

Originally a quiet entrance to Shangqing Temple was now like flowing water of carriages and a dragon of horses—quite lively.

After Jiang Xuening slipped out from Xie Wei’s room last night, her original intention was to stop by to see Zhang Zhe. But passing by his door, she saw the lamp and candle extinguished, all pitch black. Thinking he had been rushing about exhaustedly for days, mentally and physically drained, and should properly sleep, she restrained herself and didn’t disturb him.

Upon waking the second day, she went to find him.

Zhang Zhe’s complexion was naturally somewhat better than yesterday. Only he was habitually taciturn and quiet. The two had already escaped danger and were no longer in the situation on the road where they could act expediently and depend on each other. Therefore, no matter how eloquent Jiang Xuening was, she didn’t know what to say to this stuffy gourd. Zhang Zhe also strictly observed propriety. Moreover, with the physician’s orders before him to rest well, Jiang Xuening couldn’t disturb him too much. She could only visit once in the morning and once in the evening.

How Zhang Zhe thought about it, she didn’t know.

She only felt extremely satisfied. She didn’t show any signs of missing home at all. All day long she was happy and cheerful, her smile constantly present. Everyone at Shangqing Temple who saw her felt comfortable.

Only heaven truly didn’t cooperate.

Tongzhou officials came noisily to pay respects for two days. Xie Wei also handled the aftermath of eliminating the Heavenly Doctrine. He even discussed matters with Xiao Yuan several times and was prepared to depart.

The year’s end was approaching.

If they traveled quickly, everyone should be able to return home before the festival.

Unexpectedly, on the third morning, heavy snow fell again. News came from the courier station that the mountain road that had collapsed before had collapsed again. The snow from previous days had melted and gathered into floods that washed it away. Still impassable.

Jiang Xuening sat by the window, hand supporting her chin. After hearing Xiaobao relay the message, she couldn’t help but say: “So we’ll spend New Year in Tongzhou?”

Xiaobao replaced her hot tea and said: “Judging from Teacher’s meaning, most likely.”

Jiang Xuening furrowed her brow.

Xiaobao said: “The Duke of Dingguo and his people can’t leave either. A few days ago he discussed with Teacher about setting up a grand banquet at a tavern on New Year’s Eve to reward the soldiers and comfort everyone’s homesick hearts. If you’re very homesick, you can also go join the excitement then.”

Homesick?

Jiang Xuening gave a light scoff.

She wasn’t homesick at all.

Other people celebrating New Year naturally had to go home.

A whole family sitting together in reunion. Even if there were usually some disputes and quarrels, on such a good day they all set them aside. Exchanging auspicious words with each other, setting off firecrackers, eating New Year cakes, staying up for the New Year—only hoping the coming year would be better. It was a rare warm day in the world.

But for her, it only seemed increasingly cold and lonely.

In the past with Wanniang at the country estate, those rough peasant households in the mountains mostly looked down on Wanniang’s origins. Though because they were after all from a wealthy family and all had things to ask of Wanniang, secretly they gave her plenty of cold looks.

Wanniang also disdained dealing with rough people.

Every New Year, while every household was lively and bustling, Wanniang brought her along but treated it no differently from ordinary days. Casually eating something, not even staying up for the New Year, they haphazardly went to bed.

When she was young, not knowing about this, she hadn’t felt anything wrong.

When she got a bit older and began playing with those children in the village, talking with them, she discovered that other families actually celebrated New Year.

One year she went back and asked Wanniang.

Wanniang didn’t acknowledge her at all.

Another New Year, she couldn’t help following other children to someone else’s house, eating a meal, setting off firecrackers. When she tried to slip home at night, pushing open the door, she discovered Wanniang who should have gone to sleep was sitting in the room, coldly watching her. She actually grabbed her and locked her outside the door.

Outside was dark and cold. She was terrified.

Raising her hand, she pounded the door with all her might, crying and asking Wanniang why she wouldn’t let her in.

Wanniang still didn’t acknowledge her.

When she cried herself tired, she leaned against the door and dozed off in a daze. The next morning she developed a fever. Only then did Wanniang take her to see a physician.

After that, Jiang Xuening never dared mention New Year again.

She was truly too frightened.

Later, returning to the Jiang manor, she did eat reunion dinners every festival. But it always seemed unrelated to her. Like seeing flowers through fog, watching the moon in water—separated by a layer, not quite real.

After all, she didn’t like Jiang Xuehui or Meng Shi.

Everyone ordinarily didn’t see each other, yet at New Year they had to mutually annoy one another. Could that be pleasant?

As for later arriving at the palace…

That was even more meaningless.

The New Year’s Eve imperial banquet—court officials above and below minded the propriety between ruler and subject. The consorts competed in beauty and elegance. Even though it was a happy day, everyone was calculating against each other. What meaning was there?

Moreover, not everyone in the court came to the New Year’s Eve banquet.

Some had positions too low and couldn’t come.

Some could come but chose not to.

For example, Xie Wei, who by then was already the current Grand Preceptor, claimed illness almost every year and never attended.

For example, that impervious Zhang Zhe, who always regarded the emperor’s grace as nothing, had submitted memorials apologizing, saying he needed to attend to his mother at home.

Therefore, Jiang Xuening had never seen Zhang Zhe on such festive occasions as New Year’s Eve…

Her finger rested on the ice-cold window sill. Jiang Xuening’s heart suddenly jumped. She turned to ask Xiaobao: “Where is Lord Zhang?”

Xiaobao froze: “What?”

Jiang Xuening suddenly felt somewhat nervous: “Lord Zhang also won’t return to the capital for New Year?”

Only then did Xiaobao understand what she was asking. He answered: “A few days ago, Lord Zhang had someone inquire about the snow accumulation and mountain collapses along the road. He mentioned wanting to brave the snow to return. But with the roads blocked, it’s already dangerous, not to mention he still has injuries. The physician said he needs several more days of recuperation. Teacher Xie didn’t agree, only saying that if Lord Zhang had an accident, no one could bear the responsibility.”

Zhang Zhe would also spend New Year in Tongzhou.

A warmth slowly surged from the bottom of her heart. Jiang Xuening’s fingers even trembled.

Xiaobao was puzzled: “Do you also want to go back?”

Who could have anticipated that Jiang Xuening seemed not to hear at all, not moving. After a long while, she actually turned directly and walked outside without even taking an umbrella.

Xiaobao was startled: “What are you doing?”

Jiang Xuening wanted to go out, but after walking several steps realized she didn’t know the roads in Tongzhou city. She turned back: “Does Tongzhou have good wine shops and taverns? How do I get there? Where are they?”

Xiaobao: “…”

Jiang Xuening’s originally listless face seemed to light up with a brilliant radiance. She actually smiled: “You take me.”

Xiaobao didn’t understand what she wanted to do.

But Young Master Jianshu had given instructions to take good care of and watch over Second Miss Jiang, not letting another incident like before happen.

He didn’t dare let Jiang Xuening wander the city alone.

Though full of doubts, he could only take the umbrella and accompany her.

The large taverns in the city hadn’t closed yet. Some good chefs would go help wealthy households prepare banquet tables for New Year. During festivals, the Jiang manor would invite the head chef from Deyue Pavilion to the manor to prepare a fine table.

Knowing about this, Jiang Xuening had Xiaobao lead the way.

Along the road, seeing shops still open selling mostly New Year goods, when she’d seen them a few days ago she hadn’t been very interested. This time she stopped to look carefully, even buying several red lanterns. She also bought a small brocade pouch embroidered with the character for “fortune,” a fine quality seal, then went to the money exchange to trade for a handful of gold and silver ingots cast in auspicious shapes like fortune melons and longevity fruits.

Xiaobao watched from the side, pondering that she seemed to be preparing to celebrate New Year for someone.

The two delayed on the road for a while before arriving at Sihai Pavilion, which made the best food in the city.

Asking the manager, they could indeed hire a chef.

Only the price was quite high.

Buying lanterns and fortune pouches didn’t cost much money, but the seal and gold and silver ingots were considerable. Jiang Xuening counted her remaining silver and frowned: “One hundred taels—where is it so expensive?”

The manager was quite amiable, explaining to her: “To tell you honestly, our pavilion’s osmanthus wine is famous. The usual price isn’t cheap, and this year we don’t have many jars left. Other chefs were already hired by other manors long ago. The one remaining is Master Xu, the head chef of our pavilion. He was originally prepared to go home to his wife, children, and warm kang. But with business arriving at the door, if the price is right, naturally we don’t refuse. If you can pay this price, I’ll help negotiate for you.”

One hundred taels to Jiang Xuening truly wasn’t much money.

In the past, she spent it without blinking.

She could see at a glance that this manager was taking the opportunity to raise prices, slaughtering a stranger. But over such a small amount of money, it wasn’t worth haggling with him.

Her eyes rolled and she said: “That’s fine. However, I don’t have that much silver on me. See this twenty taels remaining in my hand—I’ll give it to you as a deposit. For the rest, later you send someone to Shangqing Temple to collect it. I’m staying there, and the New Year’s Eve banquet will also be prepared there.”

The manager immediately looked at her with surprise.

It had spread throughout the city that something major had happened at Shangqing Temple. These days they’d seen government sedan chairs going in and out before the temple. Those now living at Shangqing Temple were definitely not ordinary people.

He immediately became respectful toward Jiang Xuening and quickly agreed.

Xiaobao watched, wanting to speak but stopping.

Leaving the tavern, Jiang Xuening asked him: “Why that expression?”

Xiaobao said: “Too expensive. Besides, where do you have that much money?”

You must know that Jiang Xuening’s current money was just the one hundred taels he’d given her earlier, which Teacher had instructed him to give. He didn’t have any extra on him either. But just now Jiang Xuening had agreed to that price in one breath. Simply…

In any case, Xiaobao felt it unreliable.

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening raised her eyebrows with a smile, rarely showing some pride: “No money? This young lady has plenty of money!”

She tucked away the seal, put all those gold and silver ingots into the fortune pouch—heavy and substantial—placed it in her sleeve to hide it well from others’ eyes, then returned to Shangqing Temple with light steps.

These past days, Xie Wei hadn’t called her to learn the qin.

Supposedly he was busy.

After all, too many Tongzhou officials came to pay respects. Presumably he couldn’t spare time to discipline her. Moreover, starting two days ago, this Teacher had claimed he was ill, caught a chill, and wouldn’t see outside guests.

Jiang Xuening pondered and knew this was an excuse.

Someone whose arrow force could pierce through a person’s shoulder—how could he be a weak scholar who fell ill every winter?

He probably just was too lazy to socialize with these Tongzhou officials.

As soon as she returned to Shangqing Temple, she unusually walked toward Xie Wei’s courtyard.

Jianshu had just come out carrying removed cold tea from inside. Seeing her was like seeing a ghost: “Why has Second Miss come?”

Jiang Xuening coughed, looking at the tightly closed door behind him, lowering her voice to ask: “Has Teacher gone to sleep?”

This manner was somewhat sneaky.

Jianshu hesitated, saying: “He’s gone to sleep. Do you want to see him?”

“No no no no…”

What a joke—Jiang Xuening didn’t want to actively seek death!

She raised her hand and pulled Jianshu to the side.

“I’ll just tell you.”

Jianshu saw her pale hand grabbing his sleeve. His eyelid jumped, several parts of cold air rising in his heart. He said: “You speak. Don’t get handsy.”

Such a petty grown man!

Jiang Xuening didn’t think deeply about it. Putting down her hand, she displayed an extremely benevolent expression: “Following your teacher out, you must have brought money, right? Just casually give me a thousand or eight hundred taels to use.”

Just casually give a thousand or eight hundred taels to use…

The corner of Jianshu’s mouth twitched: “You—”

Jiang Xuening said timely: “You know!”

Jianshu said: “Know what?”

Jiang Xuening knew that both Jianshu and Daoqin were Xie Wei’s confidants. They knew all about Xie Wei’s affairs. She put her hand on her hip: “Your teacher still owes me tens of thousands of taels of silver he hasn’t repaid. Me asking for a thousand or eight hundred taels isn’t excessive, right? I figure your teacher caught a chill and isn’t feeling well. It’s not good to disturb him. Just give it to me, and tell him later. That’s that.”

“…”

Jianshu was afraid that if he agreed, he’d be beaten to death by his own teacher later. But this person before him truly was somewhat special. He really didn’t dare not give it. It truly made him hesitate.

Jiang Xuening urged him: “Otherwise I really will go disturb your teacher!”

Looking at their usual attitude, they didn’t seem to dare casually disturb Xie Wei.

She felt she could smoothly obtain a sum of money belonging to herself.

But unexpectedly, Jianshu stared at her eerily for a long time, actually saying: “Then you go ahead.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

Is this still the Jianshu I know? Something seems off!

She froze.

But Jianshu turned back wanting to knock on the door, only saying: “I’ll announce you right now.”

Jiang Xuening shuddered, startled, quickly grabbing him: “Don’t! What are you doing!”

Just at this moment, the door that had been tightly closed creaked open.

Xie Wei stood behind the door in light robes and loose sash, his form tall and slender. His hand still rested on the doorframe, as if he’d just risen. Several strands of loose hair fell on his snow-white garment. Between his bearing was actually a trace of casualness rarely seen.

However, between his brows was a clear, cold intent.

His gaze fell on these two people at the door, then fell on Jiang Xuening’s hand still grabbing Jianshu’s arm.

Jiang Xuening didn’t feel it was anything.

But being looked at by this gaze, Jianshu’s back hairs all stood up. It was like walking once through the Palace of Hell. He quickly pulled his hand back and bowed: “Teacher, Second Miss Ning just now…”

Xie Wei said flatly: “I heard.”

Jiang Xuening’s back neck immediately went cold.

Looking up to size up Xie Wei—though his complexion was somewhat pale, it really didn’t look like he’d caught a chill and was too ill to come out and socialize. Suddenly her mind wandered, muttering in her heart: As expected, he was pretending.

Xie Wei looked at her: “Want money?”

Jiang Xuening had originally wanted to directly ask Jianshu. After all, it was fact that their teacher owed her money—no reason not to give it. Having them tell Xie Wei later, Xie Wei also wouldn’t be stingy enough to haggle with her about it.

Who could have thought he would actually come out…

She mumbled: “Yes, I wanted it. Hearing Teacher was sleeping, I didn’t dare disturb.”

Hearing he was sleeping?

Xie Wei knew this little liar didn’t have one true word in her mouth. Too lazy to expose her self-flattering little trick, he smiled and asked her: “You truly are thinking about that bit of money. Speak, what will you use it for?”

Jiang Xuening opened her mouth to speak, but before the words left her mouth, her cheeks flushed slightly red.

Xie Wei had originally been smiling. Seeing her attitude, the warmth in his eyes gradually dissipated. Though the smile arc at his lips still remained, it no longer had that refreshing spring breeze flavor from before. He actually saw through her: “For Zhang Zhe?”

That she liked Zhang Zhe wasn’t any secret with Xie Wei.

Jiang Xuening just now couldn’t speak only because she was embarrassed.

But since Xie Wei had already guessed, she became frank. Thinking Xie Wei knew anyway, she raised her head with eyes and brows smiling: “Still can’t hide it from Teacher. I thought Lord Zhang originally wanted to go home, but with heavy snow blocking the road he can’t leave. He has to stay in Tongzhou for New Year. I wanted to properly plan things and make it lively. Otherwise on New Year’s Eve not going out, all alone by himself…”

“…”

Xie Wei looked at her standing prettily under the eaves, her eyes and brows seemingly like tender flowers budding on branches with a kind of joy. Looking behind her, the snow in the courtyard that hadn’t been cleared yet was blindingly white.

In the bottom of his heart was the coldness of ten thousand bitter laughs.

But his words emerged still gentle: “You’ve thought quite thoroughly.”

Jiang Xuening took this as him praising her. Delighted, she said: “Then you agree?”

Xie Wei smiled softly and gently: “It’s your money. Naturally I should give it to you.”