The matter of Xie Wei’s injury truly caused quite a stir within Xinzhou City.

Fortunately, it occurred on the city gate tower, so there weren’t many eyewitnesses. The few who saw the whole story had been given secret gag orders and didn’t dare spread it around. Thus, the gossip related to that “Second Miss Ning” was known only to a very small handful of people.

Most assumed an assassin had come.

Moreover, within just a couple of days, the rumors had grown vivid and detailed. Beyond the broad daylight assault, they were saying things like scaling walls and injuring people with plucked leaves. Some even swore with conviction that this must be because the Tartars had been defeated in battle and couldn’t release their pent-up fury, so they specially sent someone to assassinate Master Xie Shaoshi to vent their deep hatred.

“That’s why they’re called Tartars! Though they knelt and begged us for peace negotiations, they’re still unwilling in their hearts. General Yan is highly skilled in martial arts and constantly in the military camp—a tough target. They calculated left and right that they couldn’t afford to provoke him, so wouldn’t Master Shaoshi be easier to deal with? A palace examination third-place scholar, but just a frail scholar—how could he withstand an assassin? But heaven protects him, has eyes, and wouldn’t let anything happen to him. It’ll be much harder for them to succeed in the future!”

…

In the tea shed below the city gate tower, several idle tea drinkers chatted away, practically spraying spittle. The speakers gestured animatedly while the listeners paid rapt attention.

Frail scholar?

Sitting in a corner of the tea shed, Jiang Xuening listened and only smiled silently in derision.

Back when suppressing the Heavenly Doctrine in Tongzhou, the scene of Xie Ju’an shooting an arrow from afar through Xiao Dingfei’s shoulder was still vivid in her mind. If someone called him a “frail scholar,” Xiao Dingfei, who’d suffered at his hands, would probably be the first to jump up and smash that person’s dog head.

But after all, this so-called “assassination” of Xie Wei was something she herself had done. She wouldn’t go out to explain anything, only casually lifted the teapot beside her, poured herself half a cup of tea, then looked diagonally across.

She’d been at the marketplace these past days.

Originally just strolling idly, but Xinzhou City was only so big—she always ended up walking to the area below the city gate tower. The blacksmith shop that Xie Wei had forcibly dragged her to look down upon from atop the city tower that day was right nearby.

Perhaps because it was nearing the start of spring, and soon the fields would be busy, there seemed to be quite a bit of business forging farming tools. The shop was quite bustling.

The master craftsman with a grizzled beard was frowning as he spoke to his young apprentice below.

First pointing at the furnace, then pointing at the firebox.

Blacksmith Zhou was one of the few old blacksmiths in Xinzhou City. After all, the town wasn’t large, and whenever the common people needed something, they came to find him. People from far and near all knew him.

Just no one could recall his specific given name.

The only memorable thing was that this person was getting on in years and his surname was Zhou, so for convenience, everyone called him “Blacksmith Zhou,” or respectfully addressed him as “Master Zhou.”

The blacksmith shop’s work was forging iron, also a business, but relied on those two words: “trust and righteousness.”

Any plowshare forged in his shop that couldn’t turn soil when taken back, or that was shoddily made or underweight, could be brought back to him. In all these years, there had been almost no flaws—he could be counted as second to none in this trade in Xinzhou City.

So Blacksmith Zhou had quite good relations with people nearby.

Like the server from the adjacent tea shop, who from time to time would bring them tea and water.

After all, it was hot in the blacksmith shop—even in the dead of winter they’d sweat, and without drinking more, they really couldn’t endure.

However, today when the server ran another trip to brew several pots of tea and carry them over, Blacksmith Zhou’s gaze couldn’t help but fall on that young lady sitting in the corner of the tea shop.

The snow-white collar and cuffs of her immortal-style dress were trimmed with a circle of dark blue cloud patterns, covered outside with a thin layer of primrose-colored crepe. Without much makeup at all, her appearance was like a lotus emerging from clear waves, looking even more beautiful than the gold-plated bodhisattvas in the temple.

If he remembered correctly, this young lady had been sitting there for two days now, hadn’t she?

If you said she had some business, sitting there she never entered the blacksmith shop; if you said she had no business, these past afternoons, whenever he came out, he could always see her gazing toward those red-hot furnace fires.

However, generally by dusk, she would leave.

The next afternoon she’d come as usual, sometimes earlier, sometimes later.

Not just Blacksmith Zhou—many of the young and robust workers and apprentices in the shop had also noticed, but the young lady was too beautiful. They only dared occasionally steal a glance, discussing privately, but not one person dared approach to strike up conversation.

Today’s sun was gradually slanting as well.

The several apricot trees planted beside the blacksmith shop had already formed buds, and even a scattered few had bloomed on the branches. The pink-white petals were tinged with the evening colors cast from the horizon, making them quite beautiful.

There were fewer pedestrians in the marketplace.

The chatting tea drinkers in the tea shop soon mostly left as well.

That young lady should be leaving too.

Blacksmith Zhou thought absently, drank his tea, then rolled up his sleeves to tie them tightly at his arms. He lifted out a sword blank that had been burning red in the charcoal fire, raised his hammer, and forcefully struck it blow by blow.

Only when every part had been hammered evenly and he’d lifted it to test its weight did he stop to wipe his sweat and rest briefly.

As a result, unexpectedly, when he raised his head, he actually saw that young lady had at some point walked to the side of that early-blooming apricot tree.

Blacksmith Zhou couldn’t help but be surprised. Though he clearly didn’t know her, at this moment he instinctively said, “Spring comes late in the north, but the blacksmith shop constantly emits heat, so these flowers and trees often bloom earlier than elsewhere—it’s like this every year.”

Jiang Xuening was slightly startled: “Is that so?”

Blacksmith Zhou said, “I’ve noticed the young lady seems to have been sitting outside for several days, just watching the ironwork in the shop but not entering. Have you encountered some difficulty?”

Difficulty?

Not really.

She was just trying to quietly sort through her own thoughts. Whenever she walked to this place, before she knew it, she’d sit for an entire afternoon.

Jiang Xuening gently shook her head: “Thank you for your concern, but there’s no difficulty. Just going out for a walk. Seeing this blacksmith shop always bustling with activity, the hammering clanging away, watching you hammer this sword for several days without seeing it finished—I watched too long without noticing.”

Blacksmith Zhou glanced at the sword blank and smiled.

He stroked the beard on his chin, and speaking of his old trade, took on several points of vigorous spirit, saying, “Hundred-refined steel, you see. Originally ore comes from the mountains, smelted once—that’s just pig iron. It must be heated red like this and hammered thousands of times, removing impurities to obtain purity, both strong and resilient, able to cut through hair and jade. Moreover, hundred-refined steel—that’s from the old days. Now we smelt molten iron. For casting superior implements, one needs ‘ten thousand forgings.’ If it can be done in ten days to half a month, that’s already little.”

Hundred-refined steel, ten-thousand-forged sword.

Jiang Xuening’s gaze fell on the tall furnace for smelting molten iron behind Blacksmith Zhou, her eyes flowing with light, only saying, “Truly not easy.”

Blacksmith Zhou smiled: “How could it be easy?”

As he spoke, he bent down and forcefully pulled the bellows below. The fire in the furnace immediately grew much stronger.

Without lifting his head, he said, “Even living people face three calamities and five tribulations—how can a sword be exempt?”

Listening, Jiang Xuening lifted her lightly lowered eyelids, only looking toward those branches blooming with pink petals.

After finishing his work, Blacksmith Zhou stood up and saw this. He couldn’t help saying, “If the young lady likes it, just pluck a branch.”

Jiang Xuening stood without moving.

Blacksmith Zhou’s eyes then showed several points of the peaceful benevolence that only comes with age, only saying, “My little granddaughter sees these apricots bloom early every year and always breaks off two branches to take home and play with. It’s no problem.”

Jiang Xuening did rather love these early-blooming apricot blossoms. Hearing Blacksmith Zhou say this, she smiled, rose slightly on her tiptoes, and only plucked a small branch from the side, barely longer than a palm, then lowered her head and bowed: “Thank you, Master.”

More than ten apricot blossoms formed three clusters on the branch.

Many had already bloomed, while some still shyly contained their buds. Held by her slender, fair fingers, it was quite beautiful.

Blacksmith Zhou beamed with delight, waving his hands repeatedly: “Unworthy, unworthy—it’s just a branch of flowers.”

Speaking, he glanced at the setting sun outside and pointed at the sky: “It’s getting late. Isn’t the young lady going home? No matter how big a matter is, how big can it really be? Go home, sleep, and the next day it’ll be better.”

Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes and smiled, not saying much more.

The hour was indeed not early. She estimated she should return, so she bid farewell to Blacksmith Zhou.

The slanting sun set in the west, the marketplace empty and quiet.

Jiang Xuening walked far away.

Blacksmith Zhou watched from under the tile shed for a while, only seeing this young lady had at some point clasped her hands behind her back and strolled away, the apricot blossoms hanging loosely between her fingers, actually seeming to have a kind of peaceful and transparent acceptance of circumstances.

When Jiang Xuening returned to the General’s Manor, she happened to encounter several fine horses galloping from the side gate, kicking up some dust. However, the lead rider seemed to see her and actually reined in his horse at the manor gate.

Yan Lin sat high on his horse.

He wore black riding clothes, appearing quite open and neat. However, when looking at Jiang Xuening, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he had many things to say. But he was no longer the youth who spoke carelessly in former days, so he fell silent for a moment.

These days she wandered outside all day, rarely encountering the people living in the manor. Not to mention Yan Lin left early and returned late, often at the military camp—naturally there were even fewer chances to meet.

Yan Lin was probably also pondering Xie Wei’s injury.

Jiang Xuening seemed to see through his silence and smiled first, opening the conversation: “Going to the military camp again?”

Yan Lin was not an outsider.

Though he hadn’t witnessed what happened on the city gate tower that day, he knew the general situation. Seeing her now acting as if nothing had happened, the words he had—he found it hard to speak them.

Hesitating to speak for a long while.

He felt other words were useless and only said to her: “Ningning, I stand on your side.”

Jiang Xuening was slightly surprised, then after a moment smiled, but didn’t take his words as a joke. Instead, she seriously replied: “Alright.”

Only then did Yan Lin spur his horse onward again.

The others quickly followed.

Those horses soon disappeared at the end of the street.

Only then did Jiang Xuening enter the manor. However, walking halfway, seeing a cold and quiet corridor, she stopped for a long while before ultimately still following this corridor forward.

The courtyard in the secluded area had few people attending it.

She entered the courtyard and paused under the eaves. Jian Shu, who had just come out of the room carrying an empty medicine bowl, saw her at a glance and immediately froze.

At this time, the door hadn’t yet been closed.

From inside the door, one could see outside.

Perhaps discerning some clue from Jian Shu’s frozen form and expression, the person inside paused, then actually called out toward the window: “Not coming in?”

Jiang Xuening heard his voice, knowing these words were directed at her, yet said, “No need. Today I only came to ask about Zhou Yinzhi’s matter—how is the investigation going?”

Xie Wei spoke through the window: “No news yet.”

Jiang Xuening lightly lowered her eyelids, suppressing the irritation rising in her heart, saying, “I’m always uneasy about this person. After thinking it over, leaving him to move about in Xinzhou is a disaster. Better to act decisively—first arrest and confine him to prevent him from causing trouble. In the future, once things are investigated clearly, if he’s innocent, then release him.”

Xie Wei coughed lightly: “You’re not afraid he’ll hold a grudge?”

Jiang Xuening said, “What grudge can a fence-sitter have? He’s very tactful—it won’t come to that.”

So Xie Wei said, “Then I’ll have Dao Qin handle it.”

Jiang Xuening nodded, stood for another moment, and thinking there was nothing else, turned to leave.

But Xie Wei suddenly asked, “Will you come tomorrow too?”

Jiang Xuening paused again, lowered her eyes to glance at the small apricot branch between her fingers, saying, “Tomorrow I need to see Fangying and Ren Weizhi off as they leave Xinzhou. I’ll be busy—another day.”

So Xie Wei said, “Then another day.”

Jiang Xuening heard his voice was no different from usual, only this courtyard unavoidably floated with several points of the clear bitter smell of medicinal herbs, making one’s nose and tongue feel slightly astringent.

So her thoughts turned, recalling that day again.

She slowly turned the apricot blossom once, saying, “Perhaps you spoke correctly—I’m no different from the mediocre and common people of this world. However, with the same rice comes a hundred different people. Some people, when they like someone, must scheme by every means to be with that person. But there are also people who, when they like someone, perhaps only wish for the other’s peace and contentment, not necessarily requiring a result. These two kinds of people have no distinction of superiority. Zhang Zhe to me was charcoal in snow, a lamp in darkness, a boat across desperate straits. Even though it will become ‘once held affection,’ I’m still unwilling to hear anyone damage him with even fragments of words. Xie Ju’an, from now on, don’t mention him again—is that alright?”

Jian Shu stood quietly at the door, not daring to move rashly.

Inside the room was utterly quiet.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t see what expression the person inside wore. After a long silence passed, she finally heard a low, calm voice from inside: “Alright.”

She also couldn’t discern what sort of mood she was in at this moment.

The draft through the hall blew, the pink petals trembling lightly.

Jiang Xuening gently raised her hand, and before taking steps to leave, silently placed this small branch of apricot blossoms on the windowsill.

Jian Shu couldn’t help but be startled.

After Jiang Xuening left, he first set down the lacquered tray holding the medicine bowl beside him, took the branch of apricot blossoms from the windowsill, returned inside the room, and presented it to Xie Wei.

He leaned on the soft couch by the window.

Zhou Qihuang’s medical skills were undoubtedly exquisite. With several days of recuperation, the wound already showed signs of gradual healing. Apart from his pale complexion and being somewhat thinner, he looked not much different from usual.

Jian Shu said in a small voice, “Miss Ning just placed it on the windowsill.”

Xie Wei reached out to receive it.

The broken stem of the small apricot branch still bore fresh folding marks. The newly blooming pink-white petals, in this northern land where late winter neared but early spring had not yet arrived, had a kind of particular delicate tenderness, even something unbelievable.

Where did apricot blossoms bloom so early?

In that moment, gazing at the pink blossoms on the branch, he only felt his heart seemed to melt along with them, with a kind of trance as if in a dream after having one’s wishes fulfilled. However, the smile at the corner of his lips ultimately added several points of deep, tranquil, peaceful, and warm meaning.

His gaze flowing, Xie Ju’an looked toward the door.

The setting sun sank in the west, the surroundings solemn and quiet.

Jian Shu didn’t dare disturb him. After quite a while, only after he withdrew his gaze did Jian Shu softly ask, “What the young lady just mentioned—should this subordinate have Dao Qin handle it?”

Xie Wei nodded.

Jian Shu bowed and was about to withdraw, but halfway through retreating, he seemed to remember something and stopped, appearing to hesitate.

So Xie Wei looked at him.

After hesitating a moment, Jian Shu asked, “Miss Ning’s meaning was to capture him alive and confine him to prevent trouble. But if…”

Xie Wei’s eyebrow lifted slightly. The gaze that had fallen on that small branch of apricot blossoms didn’t rise even half a degree. Completely unconcerned about any Zhou Yinzhi, he only said indifferently, “Then capture a dead one.”