Shangqing Temple was a Taoist temple, and Taoist temples naturally stored Taoist scriptures.

The Scripture Repository originally served as a library for books.

However, having been abandoned for so long and occupied by the Heavenly Teachings for quite some time, no one bothered with those dilapidated scriptures. Most had been seized and burned in stoves. Now it happened to be cleared out for Jiang Xuening to set up her New Year’s Eve feast.

A small two-story building.

The upper floor was even somewhat decrepit.

The feast was set up downstairs.

A stove fire had already been lit in the room, with a pot of Huadiao wine warming. A round table in the center was already laden with excellent hot dishes. Since Xiao Dingfei had intruded to disrupt things, this meal had become a proper New Year’s Eve dinner. Jiang Xuening simply told Xiaobao not to leave but to stay and eat together.

Xiaobao looked at her with surprise but, thinking it over, didn’t refuse.

Xiao Dingfei had met Xiaobao in the Heavenly Teachings. At this moment he snorted through his nose, muttering a few words to himself.

Jiang Xuening didn’t catch it: “What did you say?”

She was removing the crane cloak she wore outside, setting it on a chair to the side, while Zhang Zhe was collecting umbrellas outside.

Xiao Dingfei leaned toward her, his voice thin as a mosquito’s buzz: “You should really thank me.”

Jiang Xuening raised an eyebrow, looking at him.

Xiao Dingfei cast a meaningful glance, half-smiling, toward Zhang Zhe who was just turning to enter. The meaning couldn’t be clearer.

Jiang Xuening instinctively also looked toward Zhang Zhe.

Earlier on the road, Xiao Dingfei originally hadn’t retaliated against her, but when they reached Zhang Zhe’s door, he had uncharacteristically grabbed a handful of snow to throw at her. She couldn’t see it, but Zhang Zhe could.

Her gaze flickered slightly—she understood.

Xiao Dingfei’s meaning was: he had done it deliberately just now.

Xiao Dingfei had long discovered this young lady was ice-sharp and quick-witted, understanding at the slightest hint. He raised his eyebrows smugly, grinning: “How about it?”

Jiang Xuening thought for a moment, then smiled: “I’ll cover for you once we’re in the capital.”

That was exactly what Xiao Dingfei wanted to hear. His face immediately lit up with delight. Without saying more, as Zhang Zhe entered, he stepped back, stretched thoroughly without a bone in his body, and collapsed into a chair by the round table. Actually picking up chopsticks, he began eating: “To get this meal, I deliberately didn’t eat lunch to keep my stomach empty. Let me taste how well this cook prepares food first!”

That posture showed no breeding whatsoever—accustomed to being arrogant outside, without a shred of propriety or restraint.

Xiaobao immediately showed an expression beyond words.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Xuening felt it was genuine. In her previous life, what she enjoyed most was sitting together with Xiao Dingfei to feast heartily—all that “no talking while eating or sleeping” was complete nonsense.

She never expected to encounter him again in this life.

She truly had no strong aversion, simply saying: “Let’s all be casual then.”

After all, they were just people in Tongzhou—several individuals with varying depths of acquaintance and vastly different statuses sitting together for a New Year’s Eve dinner. They weren’t aristocratic families from the capital, much less the strictly regulated imperial palace. There was really no need to be overly particular.

Jiang Xuening sat right beside Zhang Zhe.

That pot of Huadiao had long been warmed. When Xiaobao lifted it, she took it over and first filled cups for all four people, raising her cup: “Everyone here could be considered stranded in Tongzhou, trapped by wind and snow. Though we met by chance, it’s still fate. Who knows, we might even become close friends in the future. Auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year—I’ll toast first!”

Xiao Dingfei was especially supportive: “Well said!”

Xiaobao silently rolled his eyes at him.

Zhang Zhe looked up, meeting Jiang Xuening’s bright eyes under the dim lamplight. He picked up the small cup of wine before him and, in the end, gently clinked it with hers. Then he saw her face bloom with a smile as she raised her cup and drank along with everyone.

Huadiao wine should be drunk warm. The rich wine flavor was like a mellow warm current melting in the throat, moistening down to the lungs, making one’s whole body slowly warm up, actually dispelling some of the chill they’d picked up outside.

Zhang Zhe was habitually taciturn and didn’t speak much.

But Xiao Dingfei was naturally familiar with everyone. Knowing that before long he’d be going to the capital and, barring any accidents, would likely become Duke Dingguo’s heir, his attitude toward everyone was unprecedentedly good. Between the lines, he kept asking about the layout of those aristocratic families in the capital, clearly already preparing for his entry into the capital.

Jiang Xuening knew this scoundrel would definitely be the bane of the Xiao clan. She couldn’t wait for this person to thrive like a fish in water in the capital, wanting to see what expressions the Xiao family would have upon meeting Xiao Dingfei. Of course, she spoke freely and exhaustively, thoroughly exposing all the secrets of the capital’s aristocratic families to Xiao Dingfei.

After all, she’d been Empress in her previous life, hadn’t she?

Sitting in such a high position, she could see quite a lot. Though she had no use for it herself now, she could bring it out for others to use.

Xiao Dingfei listened with continuous nods, already treating Jiang Xuening like a brother.

With him present, this meal was neither cold nor awkward.

Even Xiaobao, after hearing too much of his flattery, couldn’t help but interject to jab at him.

Xiao Dingfei didn’t mind.

After all, he knew Xiaobao was Xie Wei’s person, and besides, others jabbing at him didn’t cost him any flesh. He treated it like wind past his ears—blown past and gone.

Zhang Zhe had poor alcohol tolerance and rarely drank normally.

That day when they suppressed the Heavenly Teachings, forced by circumstances he’d drunk three large bowls. Inside he was dizzy and disoriented, only he didn’t let anyone see it. Later, when struck in the shoulder by a blade, the pain sobered him up no matter how drunk he’d been.

Now he accompanied them drinking several cups.

He flushed easily when drinking.

That cold, austere face already showed a faint blush, rarely softening from its usual rigidity. The wine’s warmth permeated that cool austerity. Under the candlelight, his features were upright and proper, his face like polished jade.

When Jiang Xuening picked up food to eat, she inadvertently glanced up once and felt her heart leap in alarm. She didn’t quite dare look again, even forgetting the conversation she’d originally planned to strike up with him.

She picked up a cup of wine and stood, saying: “This cup I must toast to Official Zhang.”

The table suddenly quieted.

Zhang Zhe was completely unlike Xiao Dingfei—a person who practiced self-discipline and propriety. He immediately took up his wine cup and stood as well.

In this small room, the two stood facing each other.

A strange smile hung on Xiao Dingfei’s face.

Jiang Xuening paid no attention to others, only looking at Zhang Zhe, saying with unusual seriousness: “On this dangerous journey to Tongzhou, along the way I relied greatly on Official’s assistance to remain safe. Today at this table there is only this thin cup of wine to express my gratitude. I hope Official won’t disdain it.”

Zhang Zhe said: “I should also thank Second Miss.”

Though he had protected Jiang Xuening at first, later in that chaotic situation of flashing blades and swords, without Jiang Xuening bringing soldiers from the prefecture office, he would likely have perished by the sword.

Only this couldn’t be said directly.

After all, it involved that Xie Shaoshi—who knew if he’d been intentional or not.

That day when Jiang Xuening brought people to rescue him, she was harshly questioned by him about why she’d returned, inevitably feeling somewhat wronged. Now she never expected Zhang Zhe would say such words to her.

He knew, he remembered.

She didn’t know if it was the several cups of scalding Huadiao she’d drunk earlier, or if the slight moisture in her eyes was hotter. She hurriedly tilted her head back as if to cover it, draining the wine in her cup.

Zhang Zhe watched her silently, also raising his cup to drink completely.

Xiao Dingfei teased from the side: “Aiya, hearing you two speak so deeply of gratitude and sincere feelings, those who know would say you’re eating New Year’s Eve dinner. Those who don’t might think you two are performing wedding bows!”

This person’s speech always had no filter.

Jiang Xuening frowned: “If you don’t speak, no one will take you for a mute.”

Xiao Dingfei said: “Haha, quickly sit down, sit down! Come come come, I’ll pour wine for you all. Just eating and drinking like this is boring—how about we play a drinking game?”

As he spoke, he actually did pour wine for everyone.

After Zhang Zhe sat down, he felt somewhat dazed.

In the quiet night, the distant sound of firecrackers could be heard.

He looked toward the window.

The Scripture Repository was built among the mountains. Outside were mud paths and mountain shadows, ancient pines piled with snow. Fluttering snow fell from above, creating a particularly profound and quiet atmosphere of conversing by the fire on a snowy night.

Only…

No matter how beautiful the snow, it would eventually melt.

Xiao Dingfei had already started a drinking game despite Xiaobao’s objections. After one round, it should have been Zhang Zhe’s turn, but when he looked toward Zhang Zhe, he saw this Official Zhang sitting quietly at the table, silently gazing out the window.

He called out once, and only then did Zhang Zhe turn his gaze back.

Xiao Dingfei was also quite skilled at reading expressions. He smiled and said: “On such a rare auspicious occasion, yet Official Zhang seems distracted, as if something weighs on your mind?”

Jiang Xuening also looked toward Zhang Zhe.

But Zhang Zhe lowered his gaze, slowly saying: “With the snow-filled night so cold, the capital must be the same. My mother lives alone in the old residence. Yet Zhang is now trapped in Tongzhou, unable to return home to serve her. I feel guilty and somewhat worried.”

Xiao Dingfei immediately exclaimed “ah,” somewhat surprised.

Zhang Zhe’s mother…

Under the dim lamplight, in the wine cup Jiang Xuening’s hand rested upon, the liquid suddenly began to ripple, shattering a cup full of light and shadow. Her complexion seemed to pale somewhat, losing some color.

The room suddenly became very quiet.

Later Xiao Dingfei laughed again, breaking the somber atmosphere, saying several auspicious phrases to Zhang Zhe, raising his cup to toast from afar, wishing Mother Zhang in the capital good health and smooth sailing in all things.

But Jiang Xuening became distracted.

Even what was said afterward, what drinking games were played, she forgot. What floated through her mind were scenes from her previous life.

In the palace at night, she pulled at Zhang Zhe’s sleeve, begging him to help her; in Kunning Palace, upon suddenly hearing of the failed plot, he was framed by Zhou Yinzhi and others and thrown into prison; then came that first snow season, when tragic news came from Zhang Zhe’s home…

That elderly woman—Jiang Xuening had never met her.

But one could imagine that from such humble origins and straitened circumstances, to have raised such a thoroughly upright son, she must have been both a loving mother and a strict mother, a respectable good person.

She wondered, in her previous life when Zhang Zhe learned of the tragic news in prison and recalled all the causes, did he hate her?

Those days, she had spent tormented by fear and guilt.

In the end, death was actually a release.

Now suddenly hearing Zhang Zhe mention his mother again, all Jiang Xuening’s regrets from her previous life seemed to burst forth as if punctured, making her feel her own baseness.

How fortunate.

Everything could begin again.

She couldn’t help but feel grateful for heaven’s grace. Yet no matter how she tried to force a smile, throughout this round of drinking, this meal, she ultimately ate without truly tasting anything.

When the feast ended and they were about to leave, as they reached the door, Xiao Dingfei—not knowing if he’d detected something—looked at her for a moment and said in a low voice: “Why is Second Miss also so distracted?”

Jiang Xuening didn’t answer.

Xiao Dingfei felt that everyone he knew, new and old, were all somewhat affected. He snorted lightly: “You’re too lazy to say, and this young master is too lazy to hear! I’ll just tell you—at the Tongzhou dock at midnight, people are setting off fireworks. The whole city’s common folk go out to watch.”

After saying this, he laughed “heh,” turned and headed outside.

They’d come together, so naturally they returned together.

On the way back, passing Xie Wei’s small courtyard, Jianshu’s figure couldn’t be seen. That dwelling was still pitch black.

Xiao Dingfei pulled Xiaobao aside saying he had something to ask, taking a different path first.

Jiang Xuening knew this person was again creating opportunities for her, hinting she should invite Zhang Zhe to go watch the fireworks at the dock together. But with matters weighing on her heart, when it came to this critical moment, she had myriad hesitations and fears.

That surging courage seemed completely extinguished.

Until she bid Zhang Zhe farewell, she still couldn’t speak the words she’d prepared.

She walked alone back to her own dwelling.

The steps were already covered with a thick layer of snow.

Jiang Xuening walked up and raised her hand to push the door.

But that doorframe had long been frozen ice-cold. At one touch, it was shockingly cold, immediately clearing her originally muddled head—

What was she doing?

What was there to hesitate about?

Wasn’t the whole point of living again to make up for the regrets of her previous life, to avoid repeating those mistakes?

Since she wanted it, then pursue it, seek it—being shy and hesitant wasn’t her style at all!

The blessing pouch she’d prepared earlier but not given out had been hidden in her sleeve. Inside were some auspicious gold and silver ingots shaped like melons and fruits. Jiang Xuening took it out, clearly feeling the thin sheet of paper packed inside.

My heart turns toward the bright moon.

Her chest immediately burned hot. With this moment’s decision firmly made, she didn’t even push the door open. Instead, she swiftly retraced her steps, treading on the tracks in the covered walkway not yet buried by snow, heading toward Zhang Zhe’s residence.

The cold wind scraped painfully across her face.

She felt nothing at all.

But when she reached Zhang Zhe’s dwelling, inside it was also pitch black—no lights, no sounds.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

The round trip hadn’t taken long—had Zhang Zhe already gone to sleep?

She hesitated a moment, then still reached out to knock gently on the door: “Has Official Zhang retired for the night?”

No human voice answered from within.

Only the dark window lattice and the sound of wind blowing through the snow-covered pines in the courtyard responded to her.

After a moment, Jiang Xuening knocked gently once more: “Is Official Zhang there?”

Inside the door remained silent.

She thought perhaps Zhang Zhe, with his injury and poor alcohol tolerance, had gone to sleep? Or perhaps he wasn’t in the room—someone had pulled him to join the others in rewarding the soldiers.

But her heart suddenly felt hollow.

Eyes lowering, she looked at the embroidered pouch clutched in her palm, only thinking herself a coward—earlier hesitating and wavering, so that now she didn’t even have the opportunity to confess her feelings in person.

But having made the decision, she had no regrets.

Jiang Xuening thought for a moment, then gently tied this pouch embroidered with the character for “blessing” onto the small copper door knocker on the left side, hoping he would see it tomorrow morning. Then she smiled slightly, forcibly suppressing her anxious heart, gazing at the door for a while before turning to leave.

Three lines of footprints extended through the courtyard’s accumulated snow.

That snow had accumulated thickly on the branches, pressing them down so they rustled and fell.

In the ink-blue night sky, suddenly a sharp whistle pierced the air.

From the direction of the dock on the other side of the city, brilliant beautiful fireworks rose into the sky, exploding with a bang, bursting into bright flickering splendor.

Zhang Zhe sat leaning against the door, legs bent, on the ice-cold ground. He listened as the footsteps outside the door grew distant, then vanished. Outside the half-open window, the light of the fireworks shone in, spreading across his coldly outlined face, falling into his deep dark eyes, reflecting only the ash that remained after everything had burned away.