Lantern lights stretched for miles, their brilliant glow adorning the night. Below the railings, the river flowed gently, and snow fell silently upon people.

The cloak blocked all wind and snow as the man’s lips, carrying a subtle warmth, met hers. Like the sesame rice balls they had just eaten, their lips shared a tender sweetness.

He Yuan heard her heartbeat, vibrant and strong in the snowy landscape, beating steadily. Though his robes still carried the cold of wind and snow, his manner was as gentle as if handling life’s only treasure.

As if wanting to preserve the moment forever.

Who wouldn’t be moved by the person before them?

When their lips parted, He Yuan felt a trace of reluctance. She looked up at him as Xiao Jue lowered his gaze, fixing her hair that had been disheveled by the wind.

Her ears had turned as red as ripe shrimp as she softly asked, “…Xiao Jue, are you not angry anymore?”

Xiao Jue silently sighed.

“Xu Zhiheng… that’s in the past,” He Yuan thought carefully before looking at him earnestly. “If past matters make you unhappy, I apologize. I don’t know what other young ladies do with the ones they like. I spent far more time being a man than being a woman. Xiao Jue, I will treat you well. Whatever you like, I’ll find ways to give you. Whatever you hate, I’ll help drive away. If anyone bullies you, I’ll stand up for you. I won’t deceive or hurt you… is that acceptable?”

Thinking about it now, even when she was with Xu Zhiheng back then, she hadn’t treated him as other women treated their lovers. While this was partly because Xu Zhiheng wasn’t a good man to begin with, she didn’t know how to treat someone she liked.

In her youth with the He family, she received very few lessons about “love,” and because she yearned for her birth parents’ affection, she deliberately tried to please others. Even though she later went to the battlefield and this hint of humility was well hidden, things etched into one’s bones were like white bones buried under windblown sand – when the wind blew, they would still be exposed.

As a general, she learned about managing subordinates and being decisive. She knew how to take care of people but not how to handle more intimate relationships. Those vague feelings left her unsure whether what she did was right or wrong.

Xiao Jue fixed his gaze on her. The girl still held bright red candied haws in her hand, looking up at him with sincere eyes, full of genuineness and a touch of uncertain cautiousness.

He had thought she was a liar who could spin tales easily, but looking at her now, how could there be such a deceiver in the world who would bare their true heart so nakedly when meeting someone, letting others see everything? In this world, so many people, whether men or women, in matters of love, use hundreds of concealments and thousands of probing attempts, just unwilling to let others discover their true hearts, always feeling that speaking out meant losing. Only the person before him was open and clear, without any technique, without any schemes, speaking straightforwardly, charging forward like wild punches defeating a master, making his heart flutter without reason.

His heart fluttered only for her.

But… for someone like this, who offered their true heart, how could Xu Zhiheng bear to hurt her so cruelly?

He wasn’t angry about He Yuan’s past out of jealousy; his frustration came more from regret over his own missed opportunities and anger toward Xu Zhiheng. Like the doe he had let go in the mountains in his youth, its wet eyes had gazed at him, full of trust and joy, yet Xu Zhiheng had discarded that trust like trash, severing it with one cut.

The better He Yuan was, the more his inner fury toward Xu Zhiheng grew.

Seeing Xiao Jue remain silent, He Yuan thought he was still angry and said dejectedly after some thought, “Or if you have better ideas – I can’t do the four arts, and don’t ask me to learn them, I won’t succeed even if I try. I can help you move stones and chop firewood though…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Jue embraced her.

“You are you. You don’t need to do anything for me.”

He Yuan’s head rested against his chin, unable to look up and see his expression.

“But…”

“I don’t like singing girls, nor do I need personal servants. No one dares bully me, I won’t touch things I dislike, and I buy what I like myself,” Xiao Jue lowered his head and smiled.

“But… wouldn’t that make me just a decoration?”

“I don’t like you because I want someone to serve me,” his voice fell, seeming both distant and close, “Do what you want to do, not for my sake.”

“You really… don’t want anything from me?” He Yuan asked.

There must be something, such as obeying the law or respecting elders and loving the young. Otherwise, if she could do anything, could she even have affairs?

Xiao Jue released her, looked at the crowd in the distance, smiled, and gazed down at her: “There is one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If I keep looking at you,” he reached out and grabbed He Yuan’s hand, which was only half the size of his, resting in his palm like a delicate treasure, “He Yuan, you just keep looking at me too.”

He Yuan stared at him blankly.

“Does Young Lady He not understand even this?” He raised his eyebrows slightly, his lips curving into a warm smile. The lantern light reflected in his long eyes, showing a thousand poses and myriad colors, yet his eyes were the brightest light of all.

Time seemed to freeze in this moment. In the distance, someone set off fireworks, countless brilliant lights falling into the night sky. This was a perfect lantern night.

He Yuan lowered her head, hiding the moisture that flashed in her eyes, and gripped his hand back, looking up with a smile, “Today is your birthday, I’ll agree to whatever you say.”

“Xiao Jue, happy birthday,” she said.

I will always look at you, she answered silently in her heart.

…

When they returned, He Yunsheng and He Sui had already arrived home.

Qingmei had already told the truth, saying that today was Xiao Jue’s birthday and He Yuan had gone with him to the night market. He Sui didn’t say anything, but He Yunsheng was very unhappy, pacing back and forth in the room several times in just the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

When He Yuan and Xiao Jue returned and He Yunsheng saw their clasped hands, his expression grew even worse.

He Sui asked, “I heard today is Huaijin’s birthday. Have you eaten? Why not stay for a bowl of longevity noodles before leaving?”

“We’ve already eaten,” He Yuan said, “Just now at the night market.”

“You came empty-handed…” He Sui noticed Xiao Jue wasn’t carrying anything and looked suspiciously at He Yuan, “Yanyan, you didn’t prepare a birthday gift for Huaijin, did you? This child,” He Sui smiled, “has been spoiled by me and doesn’t quite understand these social niceties. Huaijin, don’t take it to heart. I’ll have her make it up to you another day.”

“No need, Yanyan has already given me a gift,” Xiao Jue said.

He Yuan recalled the scene at the night market earlier and blushed slightly, remaining silent. He Sui didn’t catch the underlying meaning and though puzzled, didn’t ask further. He Yunsheng, however, scanned between He Yuan and Xiao Jue vigilantly, lost in thought.

“It’s getting late, you should head back,” He Yuan said. “If anything comes up, I’ll send Chi Wu to find you.”

Xiao Jue nodded, bid farewell to He Sui and He Yunsheng, then left the He residence.

After Xiao Jue left, He Yunsheng dragged He Yuan into the inner room, closed the door as soon as they entered, and demanded, “Hey, He Yuan, when you went out with him, he didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”

“What advantage?” He Yuan knocked his head, “You’re so young, where did you learn such thoughts? Besides, between Xiao Jue and me standing together, who would be taking advantage of whom?”

He Yunsheng looked at her, “You think I’m meddling for no reason.”

Seeing his worried expression, He Yuan sat down and poured herself a cup of tea, “You’re so worried just because of this?”

“No,” He Yunsheng sighed, “Today I heard from some friends at the academy that the Wutuo people are about to enter the capital.”

He Yuan paused while drinking her tea, “Who did you hear this from?”

“It’s spreading everywhere. The Emperor doesn’t want war, the court doesn’t want war, and I heard the Wutuo people are coming to the capital to sue for peace. The war probably won’t happen.”

He Yuan observed his expression, “Do you hope for war?”

“Of course not!” He Yunsheng answered without thinking, “But if the Wutuo people were truly willing to sue for peace, they wouldn’t have caused so much trouble in Jiyang and Rundu Huayuan before. Originally we had the upper hand now, why are we giving way to the Wutuo people?” Being young and passionate, he frowned, “If it were me, I’d seize this opportunity to drive the Wutuo people back home, make them never dare set foot in Great Wei again!”

Though the child was usually immature and impulsive, he showed some spirit.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He Yunsheng asked, “Aren’t you an official now? Do you know what the situation is outside?”

“It’s not much different from what you know,” He Yuan didn’t try to hide it.

“Hmph,” He Yunsheng waved his hand, “I don’t know what those court officials are thinking.”

He Yuan also felt heavy-hearted. Setting aside her grudges with the He family and Xu Zhiheng, and the conflict between Xiao Jue and Xu Jingfu, just the current factional disputes in court weren’t easily resolved. As Xu Jingfu’s power grew, the conflict between the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince would become increasingly sharp. The Crown Prince’s virtue didn’t match his position; if he inherited the throne in the future, it would be a disaster for Great Wei’s people. But if the Fourth Prince were to… then the future capital of Shuojing would surely face another bloody storm.

…

The Chu mansion was also filled with joy tonight.

Chu Linfeng was hosting guests at home. These days, the entire Chu household had been preparing for Chu Zhao’s marriage. Being the daughter of Xu Jingfu, everything used and arranged had to be the finest. The wedding matters were handled by Lady Chu, but Xu Pingting had sent her maid Mo Tai to frequently inquire about the Chu family’s wedding preparations. Even if Lady Chu wanted to play any tricks, being watched, she could only give up.

One wedding would deplete half of the Chu family’s treasury. Xu Pingting demanded to be the most grandly married bride in Shuojing City in the past decade. As Xu Jingfu’s precious pearl, everyone could only comply.

In this marriage arrangement, Lady Chu naturally harbored intense hatred, and Lady Chu’s three sons watched with envy. Perhaps only the Marquis of Shijin, Chu Linfeng, was truly happy about it.

Flushed with wine, Chu Linfeng patted Chu Zhao’s shoulder at the banquet and laughed, “In another month, Miss Xu will enter our Chu family’s gates. I, Chu Linfeng, never imagined I would become in-laws with the Xu family. As expected of my son, extraordinary!”

Pleasing women was something Chu Linfeng took great pride in. Little did he know that this pride appeared particularly offensive in Lady Chu’s eyes.

Regarding her feelings for Chu Linfeng, Lady Chu might have held some affection when she first married into the family, but this sentiment had long been worn away as Chu Linfeng continuously brought concubines into the household. She knew her looks were ordinary and couldn’t win Chu Linfeng’s favor, so she didn’t hope for more, only wanting to secure her position as the primary mistress of the household.

Over the years, she had done well. Besides his good looks, Chu Linfeng had no capabilities. If not for the Old Madam supporting the Marquis’s household back then, the Chu family would likely have been ruined by Chu Linfeng already. He loved beautiful women and showed them tenderness, but once his interests were truly threatened, he would hide behind the Old Madam, unwilling to sacrifice even the slightest bit more.

He was merely a hypocrite – cold and weak, yet still believing himself to be deeply affectionate and righteous.

Perhaps the blood of Chu family men carried this fickleness, including her three sons. Only Chu Zhao… Lady Chu’s gaze fell on the young man beside Chu Linfeng.

Chu Zhao’s appearance inherited all the advantages of both Chu Linfeng and Ye Runmei, being gentle while carrying a hint of innocent vulnerability. This vulnerability greatly lowered others’ guard against him, naturally making it easy to gain people’s favor. Though Xu Pingting had been spoiled and domineering since childhood, she had never spoken harshly to Chu Zhao.

But Chu Zhao was different, far from as harmless as he appeared on the surface.

When Chu Zhao was first brought to the family, Lady Chu hadn’t intended to let him live to adulthood, only temporarily sparing him out of respect for the Old Madam. At that time, this child had also sought favor at her knee, begging like a dog, and then… quickly found support in Xu Jingfu, thus preserving his life.

Lady Chu couldn’t find any fault with him, and unknowingly, the entire Chu family had to act according to Chu Zhao’s wishes. Unwilling to let everything be taken by an illegitimate child, she had schemed to use Ying Xiang to drive a wedge between Chu Zhao and Xu Pingting. However, Lady Chu hadn’t expected Chu Zhao to be so heartless, not only silently giving Ying Xiang to the Crown Prince but personally delivering her to the Crown Prince’s residence by carriage.

There was no barrier between him and Xu Pingting.

Lady Chu felt chilled. A man who could manipulate his emotions at will, toy with people’s hearts, yet possess a colder heart than even his father, delivering such a gentle stab that the victim couldn’t even bear to complain – how terrifying was that?

As she was thinking, Chu Zhao seemed to notice her gaze and looked over, his eyes full of smiles, as always. Lady Chu trembled inwardly and lowered her head, avoiding Chu Zhao’s gaze.

“Zilan, is there anything else you need Father to prepare?” Chu Linfeng asked Chu Zhao with a smile. As he aged and frequently indulged in pleasure, his handsome appearance had long since faded, though his smiling demeanor now showed some fatherly care.

“What more does he need to be prepared?” The eldest young master Chu couldn’t help but mock, “The family’s almost been emptied for his marriage. Are we going to sell the mansion to marry him off?”

Chu Linfeng cast a displeased glance at his eldest son, his tone equally dissatisfied, “If you could marry the Prime Minister’s daughter, I’d be willing to sell the mansion too!”

The eldest young master fell silent.

Among the three sons, none matched Chu Zhao’s delicate looks or outstanding literary talent, nor did they have a Prime Minister as their teacher – how could they marry the Prime Minister’s daughter? Chu Linfeng had always been biased, and now that Chu Zhao was rising rapidly and at the peak of his fortune, Chu Linfeng would surely become even more indulgent towards him.

“Nothing else needs to be prepared,” Chu Zhao said quietly. “Everything is already fine.”

“That’s the Prime Minister’s daughter, Miss Xu,” Chu Linfeng, somewhat drunk, lectured him. “You must not neglect her. It wasn’t easy for her to fancy you… you must hold onto her!”

Lady Chu watched the scene before her and laughed coldly inside. Listen to how he speaks – probably even a brothel madam instructing her girls to hold onto generous patrons wouldn’t advise them this way. Chu Linfeng had built his reputation through women his whole life, and now he was teaching his son the same. If word got out, they’d be the laughingstock of all Shuojing.

“I see your father is drunk,” Lady Chu, not wanting to watch anymore, stood up and said, “Zilan, help your father back to rest. I have a headache and will go sit in the inner room for a while.” With that, she left the banquet, regardless of Chu Linfeng’s expression. What’s done is done; she couldn’t do anything now, but at least she wouldn’t have to watch.

Seeing this, the other three young masters of the Chu family also stood up. They didn’t want to watch this display of father-son affection between Chu Zhao and Chu Linfeng, and all left. In an instant, the previously lively banquet became a mess of cold tea and departed guests.

“Ah, why did everyone leave?” Chu Linfeng slurred. “Come back!”

No one responded to him.

Chu Zhao supported Chu Linfeng as he stood, called servants to clean up the remains of the feast, and helped Chu Linfeng back to his room.

In recent years, Chu Linfeng had long stopped sleeping in Lady Chu’s room, instead rotating between the chambers of his nineteen concubines. Today, however, Chu Zhao didn’t take him to any concubine’s room but to the study.

He was never a scholarly gentleman, and the study was merely for show to Chu Linfeng. There was even a soft couch inside, which servants said was for Chu Linfeng’s daytime trysts with maids and concubines. Chu Zhao had always turned a blind eye to his father’s improprieties. The servants remained outside as he helped Chu Linfeng onto the couch, where Chu Linfeng lay down.

He seemed particularly happy today, his face flushed red with drunkenness and reeking of alcohol, yet still holding Chu Zhao’s hand to express his joy, “Zilan, you’ve made your father proud! I have four sons, but those three… they’re no good. You’re still my favorite. Since you were small, I’ve taken you to meet friends and attend social gatherings, because I knew one day you would become my pride. Look… now you’re getting married, I’m just… just overjoyed.”

Chu Zhao sat beside the couch, silently watching him.

“Among the Chu family’s younger generation, you have the best luck… with the Prime Minister’s support in the future, you’ll only get better and better… good luck isn’t something everyone can encounter.”

The young man smiled sarcastically. Good luck! Was he lucky? If being lucky meant not knowing who his birth father was, his birth mother being sold to a brothel, living each day in constant fear; if being lucky meant personally watching his birth mother being strangled to death by servants sent by the family; if being lucky meant living under the same roof as his mother’s murderers, not knowing if he would live to see tomorrow; if being lucky meant having no control over his own life, being forced to be a dog at the feet of powerful people, living like a puppet, unable to have even the woman he loved…

Then of all the good luck in the world, he, Chu Zilan, alone possessed this fortune.

“Father,” he heard his voice, “do you remember my mother?”

Chu Linfeng hiccupped drunkenly and mumbled, “Your mother… who was your mother?” Then he turned to face the wall and fell into a deep sleep.

Chu Zhao looked at his face for a while, then smiled self-mockingly and stood up, walking out of the study.

A servant asked if he wanted hot tea, but he declined with a shake of his head.

He walked slowly. As a child, he had thought the Chu residence was huge, with deadly threats potentially lurking in every corner. Now that he had grown up, walking through it again, he realized it wasn’t much after all.

The winter in Shuojing City was as cold as ever. Just like when he first came to the Chu family and saw that handsome man, a tiny spark of hope had risen in his heart, only to be extinguished by the subsequent indifference and neglect.

It seemed as cold now as it was then, but now he no longer shivered as he did as a child – not because the winter had grown warmer, but because he had long since grown accustomed to the cold.

Everyone would get used to it eventually.

Chu Zhao returned to his room and closed the door. Inside, an unfamiliar maid stepped forward with a smile, “The wedding invitations have all been sent out, Fourth Young Master.”

He waved his hand and responded gently, “Thank you for your trouble.”

The maid’s face lit up with joy as she withdrew, leaving him alone in the room.

The Xu family wanted to hold the wedding before the new year. Though it seemed rushed, everyone knew that Chu Zhao would eventually marry Xu Pingting – everything about the marriage had long been arranged. Just as when he became Xu Jingfu’s disciple as a child, from that moment on, his fate was destined to not be his own.

The brazier in the room cast a red glow, creating an illusion of warmth. Suddenly, he remembered how on a spring day, someone had spent eight copper coins to give him a red sugar basket with his name on it.

He suddenly missed that basket very much.

A servant entered, interrupting his thoughts, and whispered, “Fourth Young Master, the people from the Battle of Mingshui that Prime Minister Xu is looking for still haven’t been found. He’s starting to get anxious lately.”

Chu Zhao’s gaze moved away from the burning brazier, and he spoke unhurriedly, “Don’t overthink it. Those two people must have already fallen into Xiao Huaijin’s hands.”

“Word has also come from Miss Ying Xiang that the Crown Prince dotes on her greatly now and is quite dissatisfied with Prime Minister Xu.”

“Those who think victory is in their grasp naturally harbor many grievances against those who try to direct them,” Chu Zhao smiled. “Xiao Huaijin has returned to the capital, and the Crown Prince has already secretly allied with the Wutuo people. The Xu family’s time is almost up.”

“Congratulations, Fourth Young Master,” the servant said happily. “Fourth Young Master will soon have his wishes fulfilled. After this, whatever you want will naturally be yours.”

“What do I want?” He paused, then after a long while said, “What I want already belongs to someone else.”