When He Yan returned, Xiao Jue had not yet come back. She said to Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao, “Today was purely my willfulness. I fear my husband might blame me for wandering around without guards, so let’s not mention our outing to him.”

Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao nodded.

“You may go now.” She collapsed onto the couch, “I’ll rest for a while.”

After the two maids left the inner chamber, He Yan lay on the couch, lost in thought. Liu Buwang might be in Jiyang City, but how could she find him? Had she known this would happen, she should have arranged a specific meeting place with Liu Buwang when they parted. A teahouse whose name she didn’t even know was rather careless.

Even if she found Liu Buwang, what would she say? The current He Yan was no longer the same person as before. Returning to life in another’s body – even she found such a thing absurd.

However, she still wanted to see Liu Buwang. After all, during her previous life, he was one of the few people who had given her genuine warmth. Both teacher and friend, Flying Swan General became who she was precisely because Liu Buwang had imparted all his skills to her.

Thinking of Flying Swan General inevitably led to thoughts of He Rufei. She wondered how He Rufei was doing now, and whether her former subordinates had noticed anything amiss. Xu Zhiheng… must have already married He Xinying by now – the legitimate Young Lady He, a true noble lady.

He Yan felt inexplicably irritated. She rolled over with her blanket to face the wall, sulking.

A voice sounded behind her: “What are you contemplating while facing the wall?”

He Yan turned her head, “Young Master?”

She sat up quickly, “You’re back!”

Xiao Jue glanced at her and removed his outer garment, saying, “Have you gone mad from boredom?”

“It is boring here.” She sat on the couch, looking up at Xiao Jue, and asked, “How did it go? Did you find any trace of Chai Anxi today?”

“No.”

“How could you not find anything?” He Yan asked curiously, “Was the intelligence wrong?”

“Dead.”

He Yan was stunned.

“Burned to death, not even bones remained.”

He Yan frowned, “That’s not right. Why would he die at this particular time, and by fire no less, leaving no traces behind? This must be a lie, right?”

Xiao Jue’s lips curved slightly, “You seem quite experienced with liars.”

“I’m just being perceptive,” He Yan sat cross-legged, analyzing for him, “Could this person have received some warning? But Young Master, you always handle matters discreetly, outsiders shouldn’t have known we were coming to Jiyang. Besides, Jiyang is easy to enter but difficult to leave. If he truly wanted to hide from someone, Jiyang would be the best choice – he shouldn’t want to leave.”

Xiao Jue took a sip of tea from the table and said lazily, “Continue.”

“Then he must be hiding, waiting for the right moment to make a big move,” He Yan said. “The best time to fish in troubled waters is when the waters are most turbulent. When is Jiyang most chaotic? During the Water God Festival, of course. Everyone’s talking about the Water God Festival – it’s Jiyang’s biggest festival. Such a grand occasion would be perfect for causing trouble, with timing, location, and people all aligned.”

Xiao Jue let out a laugh, his tone neither praising nor harsh, “Young Lady He is truly calculating.”

“I wouldn’t say calculating,” He Yan modestly waved her hand, “I’m still far behind Young Master.”

Xiao Jue glanced at her, and for some reason, his previously gloomy mood lightened somewhat. He shook his head and sneered, “Flattery.”

“It’s only natural for a wife to flatter her husband,” He Yan deliberately teased him.

After being teased several times, he had grown accustomed to it. Xiao Jue looked at her with an ambiguous smile, “Before calling yourself a wife, please mind your sitting posture. The way you sit isn’t even proper for a husband.”

He Yan looked down, tucked in her crossed legs, and coughed lightly, “I forgot.”

“I see you’re quite confused yourself,” he sneered, “whether you’re male or female.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to be feminine,” He Yan mumbled, “but someone needs to treat me like a woman first.”

Xiao Jue froze for a moment and looked up at her. The young woman had already rolled back to the corner of the couch with her blanket, laughing carefreely, seemingly unaware that her previous words carried a faint trace of loneliness.

But someone had caught it.

…

On the fourth day of mid-spring, spring’s beauty was at its peak. The green fields basked under the wandering moon, while scattered clouds drifted across the clear sky.

The day of the Spring Equinox was Jiyang City’s celebrated Water God Festival.

Early in the morning, He Yan was lying on the couch when she awoke feeling some pain in her abdomen. She touched it, startled, and quickly got up. Without informing Xiao Jue, she secretly took out her menstrual cloth from her bundle and headed to the bathroom.

During these days in Jiyang City, with events happening one after another, she had almost forgotten that it was time for her monthly cycle.

Speaking of past and present lives, He Yan’s biggest headache in the military camp had been dealing with menstruation. There were always those few inconvenient days when she had to carefully avoid others’ attention. In her previous life, it wasn’t so bad – perhaps because her constitution was naturally strong, she didn’t feel much discomfort. But the current Young Lady He had been raised delicately, and her periods were somewhat painful. Back in the military camp, she could only endure it, but now, having not trained for a long time, her body had grown less resilient, and she immediately felt the discomfort.

He Yan changed her menstrual clothes and came out of the bathroom, sighing inwardly. Of all times, it had to come during the Water God Festival – what terrible timing.

She returned to the room listlessly. Cui Jiao brought over a bowl of iced dairy fresh sheep’s milk. Though the Cui family’s food was delicious and He Yan usually enjoyed these snacks, today she touched her stomach and shook her head, saying, “I won’t have it.”

Xiao Jue gave her a surprised look.

He Yan sighed and went to the inner room to pour herself some tea. Xiao Jue stared at her retreating figure, puzzled, and asked Hong Qiao, “What’s wrong with her?”

Hong Qiao shook her head, “I don’t know, Madam has been like this since returning from the bathroom.”

“How can you not know this,” Lin Shuanghe, who had just walked in from outside, approached Xiao Jue and whispered, “It’s her monthly period. During a girl’s menstruation, you need to take care of her, don’t let her get tired, don’t let her lift heavy things, and don’t let her eat cold foods. Her mood might be unstable, and she might get angry with you.”

Just as he finished speaking, they heard He Yan call from the room, “Cui Jiao, never mind, bring that bowl of sheep’s milk here. I’ve changed my mind, I want to eat it after all.”

Xiao Jue: “…”

He told Cui Jiao, “Take it away. Don’t give it to her.”

Cui Jiao was somewhat troubled, but between the gentle madam and the cold young master, she chose to obey the young master’s words and carried the bowl of sheep’s milk away.

He Yan sat on the couch for a while, and when nothing happened, she came out to find Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe there, with no snacks on the table. She asked, “Where did Cui Jiao go?”

“We’re heading out soon, hurry and get ready,” Xiao Jue said. “Don’t keep everyone waiting.”

He Yan asked, “Now?”

“Yes,” Lin Shuanghe smiled and answered, “Official Cui and the others are already in the main hall.”

He Yan didn’t dare delay any longer.

The Water God Festival was Jiyang’s traditional festival. Every Spring Equinox, various performances would take place on the canal in the city center. It was fine for men, but women had to style their hair in the Jiyang fashion.

Hong Qiao, who lived near Jiyang, was skilled at hairstyling. In no time, she had styled He Yan’s hair in the manner of Jiyang maidens. A thin braid circled her forehead, weaving into the long hair at the back, creating an exquisite look. Only a red rose hairpin was inserted at her right temple, and she wore a bright red dress that accentuated her waist beautifully. On her feet were black boots embroidered with small flowers, making her appear lively and lovely. She truly looked like a maiden from Jiyang City.

When He Yan walked out of the room, Lin Shuanghe’s eyes lit up, saying, “Our madam is truly beautiful, looking good in anything she wears.”

“You’re too kind,” He Yan responded modestly, following Xiao Jue and the others to the main hall. As Lin Shuanghe had said, Cui Yuezhi and his concubines were already waiting.

“Huanqing is here,” Cui Yuezhi stood up, smiling, “Today, Yuyan’s attire truly makes her look like a maiden who grew up in our Jiyang. Don’t you all agree?”

The concubines all agreed obediently.

“It’s getting late, shall we set out?” Cui Yuezhi called out.

In Jiyang today, carriages couldn’t be used because citizens had all come out, making the streets shoulder-to-shoulder with people. Riding in carriages would be inconvenient. So the group walked to the canal.

The canal ran through the city center and circled Jiyang’s exterior. He Yan thought that Jiyang’s Water God Festival shared similarities with the Dragon Boat Festival of the Central Plains. On all the waterways throughout the city, large and small, there were beautifully decorated boats. On the boats were rowers wearing red clothes and black scarves, singing, and rowing, presumably singing Jiyang folk songs. It was quite lively. Young women on the riverbank sang along with them, creating a festive atmosphere.

“Our Jiyang’s Water God Festival is also a time for young men and women to find love,” explained the concubine surnamed Wei to He Yan. “Besides worshiping the Water God, there are many festival activities prepared for lovers. I heard Young Lady Yuyan and our young master are newly married, you should go enjoy the festivities.”

He Yan: “…That won’t be necessary.”

Their conversation was overheard by Cui Yuezhi, who laughed heartily, “Not bad, not bad. I remember our Jiyang has a famous Lovers’ Bridge, you two should go there. According to Jiyang legend, couples who cross the Lovers’ Bridge during the Water God Festival will never be separated for life.”

He Yan whispered to Xiao Jue, “Did you hear that? Never separated for life.”

Xiao Jue’s gaze fell on her face, and he smiled coldly, “How terrifying.”

He Yan: “…”

After all, they weren’t truly husband and wife, so these words about “never being separated for life” seemed less like a blessing and more like a curse. Unfortunately, Cui Yuezhi seemed to have endless interest in his nephew’s domestic affairs. When they neared the canal, he said, “Look, that’s the Lovers’ Bridge.”

He Yan looked in the direction he pointed and saw a bridge about seventy or eighty feet high above the canal, with both ends disappearing into tall stone cliffs on either side.

This bridge was a suspension bridge. It swayed gently, extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one and a half people to pass. For two people to cross, they would need to stay very close together. The bridge surface was made of wooden planks, but the gaps between the planks were quite large – one wrong step and you could fall through.

Just looking at such a suspension bridge made people feel nervous. If you walked on it, the rushing river waters would be right below, and the height was considerable – those afraid of heights might wet themselves from fear.

“This is our Jiyang’s ‘Lovers’ Bridge,'” Cui Yuezhi said proudly. “Only those with enough courage and deep mutual love dare to cross this bridge. If they make it across, the Water God will bless the lovers, and they will never be separated for life.” At this point, he patted his chest and added, “I’ve crossed it four times!”

He Yan looked at the four concubines behind him without commenting, but inwardly she was puzzled. Would the Water God bless people who crossed multiple times, or would it feel offended? Besides, staying together for life with several people sounded rather disrespectful.

If she were to cross it, she would do so only once, and only with one person.

Thinking this far, she felt she was overthinking things – what did it matter to her? In this life, she probably wouldn’t have such an opportunity anyway.

“This is a rare opportunity. Huanqing, Yuyan, you should go cross it too.”

He Yan: “?”

“Is Yuyan afraid of heights?” Cui Yuezhi smiled, “Don’t worry, even if you fall, there are people specifically assigned to catch you. You should know that thousands of couples attempt to cross the Lovers’ Bridge each year, but very few make it across. If it were truly dangerous, they wouldn’t allow people to cross anymore. Crossing the bridge tests both courage and love.” Despite his usually rough demeanor, he spoke with unusual sensitivity about this matter, “Love gives you courage, and courage born from love makes you invincible.”

He Yan thought to herself, but there was no love between her and Xiao Jue, so where would the courage come from?

Concubine Wei smiled and chimed in, “Yes, Young Lady Yuyan, didn’t you say Young Master Huanqing dotes on you and gives in to your every wish? Since he loves you so much, he’ll surely protect you and help you cross the bridge safely together.”

Their enthusiastic discussion was overheard by the surrounding crowd. Since both He Yan and Xiao Jue were striking in appearance, onlookers began to call out encouragingly: “Young Master, cross it with the young lady!”

“Cross the Lovers’ Bridge for a long and happy life together!”

“Go on! You make such a handsome couple, the Water God will surely bless you!”

He Yan found herself surrounded by the crowd, listening to their encouragement with great helplessness. To make matters worse, Lin Shuanghe, ever the troublemaker, joined in laughing, “That’s right, since we’re here, cross the bridge and show them that our young master from Huzhou is also very brave!”

Cui Yuezhi patted Xiao Jue’s shoulder, “Moreover, Princess Wang particularly favors couples with steadfast love. If you can cross the Lovers’ Bridge, it will be advantageous when I take you to meet Her Highness at the palace.”

Princess Mu Hongjin of Mengji – He Yan froze, then saw Xiao Jue slightly furrow his brow and say, “Fine.”

He Yan: “…Young Master?”

They weren’t going to cross this ridiculous Lovers’ Bridge, were they?

She wasn’t afraid of heights, nor of the Water God, nor even of crossing bridges, but when these three elements combined with Xiao Jue, why did it sound so spine-chilling?

It was completely absurd.

Xiao Jue turned his head to look at her and said coolly, “Scared?”

“It’s not that I’m scared,” He Yan whispered, “I’m worried about damaging your reputation.”

His gaze remained calm, his tone steady: “It’s been damaged so many times already, once more won’t make a difference.”

He Yan: “…?”

Through this twist of fate, she found herself pushed along with Xiao Jue to the bridge’s entrance.

Standing at the bridge’s head, they discovered it was even narrower than it appeared from below, with particularly large gaps between the wooden planks – one would almost need to jump to complete the crossing. While it might be manageable for one person, two people would need to press extremely close together. Naturally, they couldn’t use lightness skills here, so they would have to maintain their balance through sheer effort, relying on mutual understanding and a bit of luck to make it across.

After surveying the bridge, He Yan internally complained that while it might be fine for those with martial arts skills, imagine a weak scholar trying to cross with a gentle young lady – they’d surely fall. Although there were people below to catch them, preventing any accidents, the shock would still be traumatic, and it seemed like a bad omen, deliberately bringing misfortune upon oneself. The Water God’s conditions seemed excessively harsh.

Cui Yuezhi and the others remained below, watching them from the shore. Lin Shuanghe called out loudly, “Young Master, Madam, the Water God will surely bless you!”

Chi Wu silently said to Fei Nu, “Young Master is really making a huge sacrifice this time.”

If it were fake, it wouldn’t matter – just a meaningless crossing. But if the Water God was real… it would be terrifying – two men bound together for life? Their young master had no interest in men; the old master would probably rise from his grave in anger. Thinking of this, he felt increasingly uneasy about the situation and could only pray silently: This is just a temporary measure, Great Water God, please be magnanimous and don’t take it seriously.

He Yan looked at the narrow bridge surface with difficulty and asked Xiao Jue, “How should we cross? One at a time?”

“Do you think we can cross one at a time?” Xiao Jue asked in return.

He Yan looked down at the crowd of onlookers on the shore and reluctantly said, “Probably not.”

Xiao Jue then extended his hand and said, “Hold onto me.”

His hand emerging from his sleeve was particularly long and distinct. He Yan hesitated for a moment, but instead of taking his hand, she gripped his wrist. Seeing that Xiao Jue had no reaction, she felt slightly more at ease, repeatedly encouraging herself: This is just following local customs for a festival, they weren’t real lovers, no need to overthink it, just get across the bridge quickly.

“Let’s go,” Xiao Jue started walking forward.

The two stepped onto the bridge together.

As soon as they stepped on, the suspension bridge began swaying and trembling, almost threatening to throw them off. The wooden planks could hardly support two people walking side by side. The only option would be to walk face-to-face, but that was impossible for Xiao Jue and He Yan. Therefore, He Yan had to walk slightly ahead, with Xiao Jue behind her, his hand protecting her side, offset slightly, though this made it look as if Xiao Jue was holding her in his arms as they walked forward together.

At such close proximity, He Yan felt uncomfortable – just lifting her head slightly would almost bring her forehead into contact with Xiao Jue’s chin. She could only look straight ahead, pretending to be casual as she said, “Commander, this bridge is swaying terribly, it’s hard to take even one step. Should we use lightness skills? Or pretend we can’t make it and just fall? There are people to catch us anyway.”

After a moment’s silence, Xiao Jue said, “Step on my boots and hold tight.”

He Yan froze: “That’s… that’s not appropriate, is it?”

“Hurry up.”

Since he had insisted, He Yan couldn’t keep refusing, and besides, for two people crossing this Lovers’ Bridge, this method was indeed much simpler.

However… if she were to step on his boots, where should she put her hands? Placing them on his waist would seem rather intimate, but holding his wrist as before would be too unstable. After some thought, He Yan reached out and gripped his shoulders, barely maintaining her balance.

“Hold tight,” Xiao Jue said, and as he spoke, his hands held the bridge’s ropes as he slowly walked forward.

In the past, others had tried different methods, such as men carrying their beloved ladies on their backs to cross the bridge, but having one person step on another’s boots, letting one person walk for two – this was a first. It was clever, certainly, and looked touching, yet while intimate, it also showed restraint.

The crowd below found it somewhat puzzling but didn’t think too deeply about it, assuming that the young master and lady from Huzhou were simply more conservative than those from Jiyang, not wanting to show excessive intimacy in public.

However, their companions saw it quite differently.

Chi Wu immediately drew in a sharp breath, looking at He Yan as if she had defiled their master, saying hatefully, “How could this be, that little one is taking all the advantage!”

Who was taking advantage of whom? He Yan on the bridge was also close to tears. The suspension bridge was extremely unstable, swaying heavily with each of Xiao Jue’s steps. Although his steps were steady and his expression remained calm without any ripples, He Yan’s heart was racing. When they reached the middle, the wooden plank under Xiao Jue’s foot seemed somewhat unstable, and when he stepped down, his body tilted, almost falling.

He Yan was startled and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. When she came to her senses, they both froze for a moment.

The distance between them was very close – his lips were just a fraction away from touching the corner of her mouth. He Yan looked up and met his autumn-water-like eyes, which were now deep and unfathomable like a bottomless pond, rippling with waves. The handsome young man’s thin lips were pressed together, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. For a moment, it seemed he wanted to say something, but after a brief moment, he gently turned his head away.

He Yan felt extremely embarrassed.

She said softly, “Sorry.”

Xiao Jue didn’t respond.

He Yan didn’t dare look at his face, feeling the atmosphere grow awkward, and could only hope the bridge crossing would end quickly. At the other end of the bridge, the crowd was eagerly waiting. Xiao Jue steadied his steps and continued forward. As He Yan saw they were nearly at the end of the suspension bridge, her heart lifted, and she finally let out a long breath, thinking silently that this was even more torturous than daily training at the martial arts ground.

When Xiao Jue reached the end of the bridge, He Yan eagerly said, “We’re here, we’re here!” and wanted to take a step back to create some distance between herself and Xiao Jue. However, the suspension bridge was old and unstable, and when she stepped back, the wooden plank behind her flipped up, causing her foot to slip into space.

Xiao Jue reprimanded in a low voice, “Be careful!”

He grabbed her and pulled her toward himself. He Yan followed the force and fell forward, feeling herself fall into a warm embrace. She instinctively tried to steady herself and looked up, but the movement caused him to look down at the same time, and something soft and light as a feather brushed across her forehead, barely there for an instant before it was gone.

She froze in place.