In the fourth month of Shuo Capital, the weather gradually turned warmer.

By the riverbank, young children were flying kites, pulling the strings far, competing to see whose kite would fly higher. Their laughter traveled beyond the shore, causing passersby to stop and watch.

Near the city gate, several carriages were parked, seemingly for travelers departing the capital with relatives coming to see them off. Directly facing the carriages, a young man wearing a long robe was chattering endlessly. Listening carefully, it was all: “The journey is long, you must be extremely careful on your trip. Yao dislikes bumpy rides the most. When holding her, remember to wrap her in a blanket…”

“He Yunsheng,” the woman across from him couldn’t help but interrupt, “if you keep talking like this, we won’t be able to leave until nightfall.”

“Exactly,” the woman standing beside He Yunsheng glared at him reproachfully before looking at He Yan. “Sister, don’t worry about going to Ji Yang. Yunsheng and I will take good care of things at home.”

He Yan nodded and had Xiao Yao, who was being held by Xiao Jue in the carriage, wave to He Yunsheng and Song Taotao. Xiao Yao called out in her childish voice, “Uncle, Auntie, goodbye.”

“Be good on the journey,” He Yunsheng approached Xiao Yao and pinched her chubby little face, revealing a smile. “When you return, Uncle will buy you candy.”

Xiao Yao bit her finger and smiled at him.

“Alright, you two head back now,” Xiao Jue said. “We’re leaving.”

The carriage curtain was lowered, and they headed toward the city gates.

Time had passed quickly. It had been seven years since the battle with the Wutuo people.

Seven years was enough time for a boy to grow into a man who could hold up the sky. He Yunsheng was no longer the inexperienced youth who once sold Danei cakes on the streets with He Yan. Over these years, with his outstanding martial skills and diligence, he had fortunately caught Emperor Zhaogang’s eye. Step by step, steadily advancing, he had now become the Deputy Commander of the Five Battalions.

His official position had risen, and others viewed him as proud and aloof. But only He Yan knew that He Yunsheng still had the same overly worrying nature as before. With such a disposition, it was a wonder that Song Taotao had taken a liking to him.

Song Taotao had married He Yunsheng four years ago.

Her marriage to He Yunsheng was truly unexpected for He Yan. After all, Song Taotao had originally been engaged to Cheng Lisu. But back then, neither Song Taotao nor Cheng Lisu had developed any romantic feelings for each other, and even after several years, nothing had changed. Eventually, the Song and Cheng families dissolved the engagement. There shouldn’t have been any issue with this, but unexpectedly, as soon as the engagement was canceled, Song Taotao ran to the He family’s door and boldly confessed her love for He Yunsheng, shocking everyone.

Master Song, being a scholar, nearly fainted upon hearing this news. Madam Song felt Song Taotao’s actions were too improper. The only one who supported Song Taotao was, surprisingly, her former fiancé, Cheng Lisu.

Cheng Lisu secretly went to the Song family’s door and encouraged her: “Well done, Miss Song, you’ve finally done something I admire. Don’t mind what others say. My brother He is one of the most talented young men in Shuo Capital. Once this opportunity passes, it won’t come again. Don’t give up because of others’ gossip. Rest assured, I, your former fiancé,” he patted his chest proudly, “will help you fulfill your wishes!”

While he encouraged Song Taotao on one side, he also went to persuade He Yunsheng on the other. He Yan once witnessed Cheng Lisu trying to convince He Yunsheng: “Uncle He, my former fiancée, although willful, affected, fierce as a tiger, and generally worthless, is fairly decent-looking. Her family is also wealthy, and more importantly, she is deeply in love with you. Why not try getting to know her? Perhaps as you spend time together, feelings will develop?”

He Yunsheng looked at him coldly: “Why don’t you try yourself?”

“Well,” Cheng Lisu answered sincerely, “a gentleman should help others succeed.”

He Yan, who accidentally overheard the entire conversation, thought to herself that Cheng Lisu was truly a troublemaker who feared the world wasn’t chaotic enough.

Initially, He Yunsheng didn’t like Song Taotao either. He Yan considered herself quite knowledgeable about her brother. According to his own words, he preferred girls as gentle and lovable as Xia Chengxiu or Bai Rongwei. At first, Song Taotao clung to him persistently, but his heart remained firm as iron, unmoved. Later, Song Taotao stopped visiting the He household. He Yunsheng held out for a long time, but eventually approached He Yan one day, hesitating for a while before asking her to help him propose to the Song family.

He Yan was speechless.

From being Xiao Jue’s niece-in-law to becoming her sister-in-law, Song Taotao’s status had changed significantly. He Yan didn’t care what outsiders said, but she marveled at how truly unpredictable fate was. Who would have known that, in the very beginning, Song Taotao was originally her own “fiancée”?

Young people’s affairs were unpredictable. Let them figure things out themselves. At least the blessing remained within the family.

Besides, men were generally hypocrites.

As for the “matchmaker” Cheng Lisu, he remained single to this day. His family, having experienced the previous affair with Song Taotao, didn’t dare arrange another engagement carelessly. But Cheng Lisu himself didn’t seem concerned about it. Every day, he busied himself visiting friends, playing with cats and dogs, still the same “useless young master” as before. The Cheng family initially hoped he would become more ambitious, but eventually gave up trying to manage him.

In this world, having a carefree heart was itself a kind of happiness.

The carriage bumped along. Xiao Yao nestled in Xiao Jue’s arms, staring wide-eyed at the scenery outside the carriage, neither crying nor fussing, her eyes full of curiosity. He Yan snapped her fingers, and Xiao Yao suddenly turned her head, staring unblinkingly at He Yan with moist eyes. He Yan laughed out loud.

Xiao Jue: “…”

He smiled wryly: “Is this how a mother behaves?”

“It’s a long journey,” He Yan replied nonchalantly. “If I don’t find some amusement for myself, how boring would that be?”

Xiao Yao was almost three years old now. When she was born, Lin Shuanghe had called over both his father and grandfather to wait outside the Xiao family home in case of emergencies. Fortunately, Xiao Yao’s birth was smooth, without He Yan suffering too much. The little one was also well-behaved. Her temperament was neither as lively as He Yan’s nor as calm as Xiao Jue’s. He Yan felt she was a bit silly, like a little fool. Give her a grasshopper, and she would happily entertain herself all day, making her easy to care for.

It was precisely for this reason that He Yan decided to bring Xiao Yao along on this trip to Ji Yang.

The journey to Ji Yang with Xiao Jue was to attend Mu Xiaolou’s wedding celebration.

Years ago, when they first rescued Mu Xiaolou from villains in Ji Yang, she was just an eleven-year-old girl. Now she had grown into a young woman. Moreover, Mu Hongjin had passed the position of Queen to her. This time, Mu Xiaolou was marrying Wang Fu, and Mu Hongjin had sent an invitation to He Yan and her husband, hoping they could come to Ji Yang to personally attend the ceremony if they were free.

Ever since the Wutuo people were defeated, the Great Wei had been peaceful. Besides drilling troops, there weren’t many other daily duties. So He Yan and Xiao Jue requested leave from Emperor Zhaogang and brought Xiao Yao on a trip to Ji Yang. He Yan thought that if Liu Buwang were still alive, he would have wanted to see Mu Hongjin’s granddaughter entering a new phase of life. Since Liu Buwang was gone, she would watch on his behalf.

Besides, she also missed her friends in Ji Yang.

As the carriage traveled outside the city, someone was selling peaches by the roadside. The carriage in front stopped, and He Yan heard Lin Shuanghe’s voice: “Hey, Sister He, it’s a long journey. Let’s buy some peaches to eat!”

The driver stopped the carriage, and He Yan got out. Lin Shuanghe was standing in front of a peach vendor, carefully selecting fresh peaches from the bamboo basket. The sight made He Yan want to laugh.

Leaning against the carriage, she said: “Didn’t you say you don’t eat food from street vendors?”

Lin Shuanghe pretended not to hear her and changed the subject. “These peaches look good. Let’s buy some for Yao to try.”

Seven years had passed, and Lin Shuanghe had transformed from a dashing young man in white to a dashing man in white who was seven years older. Looking at his appearance alone, there wasn’t much difference. His penchant for luxury had never changed. However, after the great battle with Wutuo seven years ago and returning to Shuo Capital, he had been depressed for half a year. Later, he opened a medical clinic in Shuo Capital. The Lin family had many clinics, but his was uniquely different. It didn’t treat patients but taught medical skills. Doctors in Shuo Capital who were passionate about medical arts often went to his clinic to study together. Over the years, they had developed many new, wonderful prescriptions. Lin Shuanghe’s reputation now, though not comparable to Lin Qingtan’s, had gradually surpassed Lin Mu’s.

While he had achieved much in medicine, his marriage remained a headache for the Lin family. Although Cheng Lisu also refused to marry, he was at least a bit younger than Lin Shuanghe. Lin Shuanghe was even Cheng Lisu’s “uncle.” His peers, such as Xiao Jue, already had children running around, while he remained alone.

But to say he was lonely and pitiful would be far from accurate. All the women in the capital were his “sisters,” and his clinic was bustling every day. Perhaps he hadn’t met a woman who truly captured his heart, so he didn’t force the matter.

He Yan walked to Lin Shuanghe’s side and joined him in selecting peaches. The peach skin was fresh and pink, looking sweet. She picked a few and sighed: “It would be nice if Qingmei were here. Qingmei is the best at picking these fruits.”

“No, thanks,” Lin Shuanghe replied without thinking. “One Xiao Huaiqin is enough. Do you want me to watch the master and servant duo raise children together?” He then covered his forehead with his hand, “I never imagined before that some men, after becoming fathers, would behave like this.”

After Xiao Jue had Xiao Yao, whenever they were out, he always held her without letting go, and he was also extremely indulgent with her on ordinary days. This was acceptable enough, as Xiao Yao had a gentle temperament and was relatively easy to care for. But Chiyu’s troublesome little boy was different, causing mischief all day, extremely naughty, often making Qingmei chase him around the courtyard with a stick, creating chaos every time. Yet Chiyu would still protect the boy, saying, “The child is still young and doesn’t know better. Don’t be so fierce. Put down the stick and let’s talk this through.”

The result of such situations usually ended with Qingmei beating both of them.

Sometimes, He Yan would watch in amazement. She hadn’t expected that the once constantly crying, fragile maid could now be so formidable.

Qingmei married Chiyu in the third year after the Wutuo battle.

Although He Yan often teased Qingmei before, she never truly took it to heart. Whom Qingmei liked and wanted to marry ultimately depended on Qingmei’s feelings. However, the two of them were destined for each other. Their mutual affection naturally led to their union.

For this trip to Ji Yang, He Yan had initially planned to have Qingmei and Chiyu come along. However, at this critical juncture, they discovered Qingmei was pregnant and unsuitable for long-distance travel. So He Yan told Qingmei to rest well at home, with Chiyu accompanying her.

He Yan picked a few peaches. After Lin Shuanghe paid, she washed the peaches thoroughly in the clear water from the vendor’s wooden bucket and returned to her carriage.

“Here,” she handed the peaches to Xiao Jue. “Try them.”

Xiao Jue took the peach, peeled it, cut a small piece, and fed it to Xiao Yao. After eating a tiny bit, Xiao Yao became excited and said in her childish voice: “More—”

He Yan: “…”

Sometimes she felt that she and Xiao Jue had reversed their parental roles. She taught Xiao Yao to walk and even taught her to hold small stones, planning to teach her martial arts when she was a bit older. Meanwhile, Xiao Jue took care of all the details, such as… what Xiao Yao ate, wore, played with…

The patience he displayed in raising a child was comparable to that of Xia Chengxiu.

Xia Chengxiu…

Yan Muxia was now seven years old. He looked very much like Yan He and was also relatively tall among his peers. Although his father had already passed away when he was born, fortunately, the Yan family members and Yan He’s friends gave him enough care, preventing him from developing any inferiority or resentment. He was very lively and competitive. When his archery and horsemanship teacher said his riding skills needed improvement, he practiced rigorously for three whole months until he achieved first place in the assessment.

The last time He Yan saw Yan Muxia, the young boy held a long sword and arrogantly said to Xiao Jue: “Marshal Xiao, in a few years, you will surely be defeated by this young master!”

Watching from the side, He Yan couldn’t help but laugh. Yan Muxia glanced at her and snorted: “What are you laughing at? That includes you too!”

He Yan thought this little boy with his high ponytail, silver robe, and long spear looked exactly like Yan He from years ago.

Xia Chengxiu smiled and said: “He’s just like that. I’ve told him many times, but he won’t change. Don’t mind him.”

“No, he’s adorable,” He Yan also smiled. “Muxia is very much like Brother Yan.”

Xia Chengxiu lowered her head. “Yes, everyone says so.”

He Yan felt that Yan Muxia’s temperament couldn’t be better. At least his lively and spirited nature brought Xia Chengxiu much comfort.

Besides taking care of Yan Muxia, Xia Chengxiu also helped at the academy. A few years ago, a new women’s academy called Yongxu Hall was established in Shuo Capital, founded by Madam Wei, the wife of Xianchang Hall’s headmaster Wei Xuanzhang. Emperor Zhaogang approved it. Now that the court had female generals like the Marquis of Wu’an, maybe in many years to come, after Yongxu Hall cultivated a batch of talented and ambitious girls, who knew if there might be female officials?

Though progress was slow, things were gradually improving.

He Xinying also helped at Yongxu Hall. After Wei Xuanzhang’s death, He Xinying accompanied Madam Wei daily and developed a deep relationship with her. Madam Wei took her as a goddaughter. She taught zither at Yongxu Hall, and spending each day with young girls made her increasingly open-minded and magnanimous. Regarding past matters, she was no longer as obsessed as before.

He Yan also often visited her and heard that a young teacher who taught abacus at Yongxu Hall privately admired He Xinying very much. He Yan had someone investigate the teacher’s background and found he was a forthright and honorable person. However, what He Xinying thought in her heart was something only she could answer.

There was still plenty of time; no need to rush things.

After eating peaches, Xiao Yao fell asleep on Xiao Jue. He Yan asked softly, “Are you tired? Would you like me to hold her for a while?”

Xiao Jue shook his head. “I’m not tired.”

Looking at Xiao Yao hanging on him, He Yan marveled to herself that this was indeed her child—able to eat and sleep well, exceptionally easy to raise.

She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. Along the way, at the end of the river, the embankments were green, the sun warm, and the breeze gentle. As she gazed at the scenery, a lazy drowsiness came over her.

Leaning on Xiao Jue’s shoulder, before she knew it, she fell asleep just like the little girl in Xiao Jue’s arms.

……

Ji Yang City, seven years later, looked no different from seven years ago.

At the city gate, Cui Yuezhi, having received the news, had arrived early in the morning.

When He Yan’s group alighted from the carriage, the first people they saw were Cui Yuezhi and his four concubines. Cui Yuezhi still looked the same—round and plump, honest and unrefined, just a bit older. First Concubine and Fourth Concubine each held a child in their arms—Cui Yan and Cui Yingying, Cui Yuezhi’s son and daughter, born to First Concubine and Fourth Concubine, respectively. Second Concubine was still as charming and beautiful as before, while Third Concubine would cough weakly after taking just a few steps, not having changed much either.

He Yan walked up to them and pinched Cui Yingying’s cheek, which was as soft as Xiao Yao’s, and smiled, “Lord Cui, is this…?”

“Yan’er and Yingying,” Cui Yuezhi said proudly. “What do you think? Everyone says they both increasingly resemble Marshal Xiao. I think they do look a bit like him.”

He Yan: “…”

Although she acknowledged that Cui Yan and Cui Yingying were good-looking and clear-featured, not much resembling Cui Yuezhi, they certainly weren’t related to Xiao Jue in any way!

Cui Yuezhi spotted Xiao Yao in Xiao Jue’s arms, and his eyes brightened. “Oh my, this must be Yao! She’s so adorable. She and our Yan’er would make a perfect match. Why don’t we…”

Xiao Jue blocked his approaching hand and gave him a cold glance, saying flatly, “Cui Yuezhi.”

Second Concubine quickly took Cui Yuezhi’s arm and smiled, “My lord is just joking. Miss Xiao is still so young…”

Xiao Yao looked at Cui Yuezhi in confusion, then at Xiao Jue, and finally reached out to He Yan: “Mother—”

He Yan took her, and Lin Shuanghe stepped forward with a light cough. “This is not the place to talk. Lord Cui, let’s go to your residence first.”

Cui Yuezhi’s mansion was large. For this visit to Ji Yang, they would stay at the Cui residence as they had last time. However, during their previous visit, He Yan and Xiao Jue had still been in a purely professional superior-subordinate relationship. Now, revisiting the old place, they were husband and wife with a little one in tow—truly, life was unpredictable.

He Yan carried Xiao Yao at the back of the group and curiously looked at Cui Yuezhi beside her, asking in a low voice, “Since First Concubine and Fourth Concubine have already borne children for Lord Cui, why are they still his concubines? Doesn’t this make young Master Cui and Miss Cui illegitimate children?”

She had originally thought that since Cui Yuezhi only had four concubines, perhaps he would eventually take a wife. But after so many years, he hadn’t married, and his concubines had even borne him children. This left He Yan somewhat confused.

“Madame He doesn’t know,” Cui Yuezhi smiled. “Our customs in Ji Yang are different from those in the Central Plains. Once a Ji Yang woman marries, she rarely remarries. If her husband’s family meets with misfortune and she becomes a widow, she must remain so for life. As a patrol captain, I never knew when I might lose my life in my early years, and taking a wife would be doing her a disservice. Concubines are different—even if I died, they could find their way. Who knew I’d be so fortunate to live well all these years? I’ve grown accustomed to the four of them. If I were to elevate one to be my official wife, how could there be any peace in the household? This arrangement works well,” Cui Yuezhi sighed. “I treat them all equally—each is my greatest love! With all children being illegitimate, there’s no distinction of status!”

He Yan was speechless. She could only think that Cui Yuezhi, a man who had crossed the Lovers’ Bridge four times, had a peculiar perspective on things, yet somehow his reasoning made sense.

Upon arriving at the Cui residence, a middle-aged steward came to greet them. Lin Shuanghe asked, “Where is Zhong Fu?” He remembered that during their last visit to the Cui residence, the steward was an elderly servant with graying hair.

“Zhong Fu passed away a year ago,” Cui Yuezhi said. “He was old and died in his sleep. This is Zhong Fu’s son, Zhong Gui.”

He Yan felt a sense of disorientation. It seemed only now did she truly feel that seven years had passed. No matter how similar Ji Yang was to before, it was no longer the same place it was seven years ago.

Cui Yuezhi had ordered the courtyard to be cleaned before their arrival. After He Yan and the others had settled their belongings, Xiao Yao had fallen asleep. He Yan placed her on the bed, covered her with a blanket, and looked around the room. Suddenly, she remembered how years ago in this very room, she had examined the erotic paintings Cui Yuezhi had carefully arranged for them on this same bed.

Xiao Jue glanced at her, seeing He Yan standing by the bed with a thoughtful smile, and raised an eyebrow. “Miss He, are you disappointed that Cui Yuezhi didn’t place any paintings here this time?”

He Yan came back to her senses and shook her head. “How could I be? After all, Yao is here. Lord Cui understands propriety.”

She indeed showed a slightly regretful expression, as if not quite satisfied. Xiao Jue found it both irritating and amusing.

Although Xiao Yao was nearly three years old, He Yan’s shamelessness grew by the day. Perhaps it was because she spent her days training recruits at the drill grounds, being around young men all day, that she had become increasingly bold and increasingly uninhibited.

Seeing that Xiao Yao was sleeping soundly, she said softly, “I’m a bit hungry. Let’s have a maid watch over Yao while we go eat something.”

Xiao Jue nodded.

The food at the Cui residence was as exquisite as ever. During the meal, He Yan brought up Mu Xiaolou’s fiancé, Wang Fu.

Cui Yuezhi said, “The Qin family’s eldest son. I’ve seen him—handsome and skilled. Previously, when the young princess snuck out to play and encountered trouble, it was Young Master Qin who saved her. The young princess has good taste. In Ji Yang City, handsome men like Young Master Qin are rare!”

Cui Yuezhi’s assessment of people generally started with their appearance.

However, He Yan also knew that this Young Master Qin indeed had no issues. She had instructed Bai Xian to investigate him. A few years ago, Luan Ying had been injured during a mission and couldn’t travel extensively. Coincidentally, Bai Xian had grown up and taken over Luan Ying’s work. He was lively and completed his tasks excellently. He was also very fond of He Yan, especially admiring her embroidery. Every so often, he would ask He Yan for a piece, and at one point, because he asked too frequently, he even displeased Xiao Jue, who found an opportunity to send him away on a mission to a more distant place.

Although He Yan didn’t particularly enjoy needlework, finding someone in this world who appreciated her wasn’t easy. Especially since Bai Xian always sincerely praised her needlework as “exquisite,” she tried her best to fulfill each of his requests.

The information Bai Xian gathered showed that this Young Master Qin was an honorable man, worthy of entrusting one’s life to.

Although in Xiao Jue’s view, He Yan was worrying unnecessarily—after all, with Mu Xiaolou getting married, Mu Hongjin would have thoroughly investigated Young Master Qin’s background long ago. But He Yan felt that since Mu Xiaolou was the granddaughter of Liu Buwang’s love, she should do her utmost, both emotionally and rationally.

“At tomorrow’s wedding banquet, you’ll see what he looks like,” Cui Yuezhi said, then sighed a bit. “The young princess has grown up now, decisive and resolute, just like the princess from years ago. We old men have aged too. In the future, it will be the young people’s world.”

Second Concubine said coquettishly, “My lord isn’t old; he’s dignified and steady.”

He Yan: “…”

What a fine example of “dignified and steady.”

After the meal, they chatted for a while, and Xiao Yao woke up. First Concubine instructed the kitchen to prepare food suitable for children. He Yan and Xiao Jue fed Xiao Yao, and after she was full, they played with her.

As darkness fell, Fourth Concubine knocked on the door. He Yan went out and heard Fourth Concubine say, “Miss He, I’m going to the water market to buy red silk for tomorrow’s wedding gift. Would you like to come along and pick some? Ji Yang’s red silk is quite different from the Central Plains’…”

He Yan turned to ask Xiao Jue, “Do you want to come too?”

“There will be too many people; it’s not convenient for Yao.” After a pause, Xiao Jue said, “You go ahead. I’ll come find you after I’ve put her to sleep.”

Xiao Yao always needed someone to coax her to sleep. Initially, it was He Yan who did this, until one day when Xiao Jue overheard her telling Xiao Yao a bedtime story: a female knight who cut off a bandit’s head with one slash, and the head rolled over to the female knight… Xiao Yao blinked her eyes, listening with great interest.

After that, Xiao Jue never let He Yan put Xiao Yao to sleep again.

He Yan said to Fourth Concubine, “Alright, let’s go ahead.”

Fourth Concubine smiled, “Good.”

……

Ji Yang’s water market was still bustling.

Although the Water God Festival had passed, the various merchants had not left. In recent years, Ji Yang’s internal travel restrictions have been relaxed somewhat compared to before. Many merchants came to Ji Yang to do business, making the water market even more prosperous. Goods from the Western Regions to Jiangnan could all be found.

Fourth Concubine, the youngest and about the same age as He Yan, explained as they walked, “The city is different from before. Don’t you think it’s much livelier than before, Lady He?”

He Yan sighed, “Indeed it is.”

On the river, lights illuminated the various boats, brightening the banks as if it were day. Vendors energetically hawked their wares. He Yan strolled along, occasionally stopping when she saw interesting items, buying them to bring back for Xiao Yao to play with.

She was no longer the impoverished young soldier she once was. She now had a salary, and the military rewards from the battle seven years ago had filled her courtyard with gifts. Over the years, although her purse wasn’t exactly bulging, it was no longer as flat as a thin pancake as it had been before.

As the two walked among the crowd, Ji Yang’s young men couldn’t help but glance repeatedly at He Yan.

Noticing their gazes, she asked Fourth Concubine, “Is there something on my face?”

Fourth Concubine giggled and explained, “No, Lady He. They’re looking at you because you’re beautiful, and they admire you.”

He Yan covered her mouth with her hand and coughed lightly, “…You flatter me.”

Fourth Concubine smiled without speaking. The men of Ji Yang couldn’t distinguish between the hairstyles of Central Plains’ married women and maidens; they only saw this young woman with bright and handsome features, refreshing as a gentle breeze, and naturally developed admiration. After all, everyone appreciates beauty. But it was strange how Madam Xiao had aged—seven years had passed, yet time had left no signs of aging on her. Looking at her appearance, there wasn’t much difference from years ago, yet there was something different. Perhaps a hint of gentleness had been added to her spirited features.

This touch of gentleness blended perfectly with her cheerfulness, and as she walked through the crowd, she was like a shining pearl, difficult to ignore.

He Yan saw people gathered ahead. Walking forward a few steps, she saw a vendor sitting in front of an iron pot, skillfully scooping up brown sugar from within, drawing patterns on a white stone slab. She immediately exclaimed happily, “It’s sugar figurines!”

“Aren’t there sugar figurines in Shuo Capital?” Fourth Concubine was puzzled by her excitement.

“There are, but not as beautifully made as by the masters here in Ji Yang, and the varieties aren’t as numerous,” He Yan smiled. “Since we’re here, I might as well buy one and bring it back for Yao later.”

She said to Fourth Concubine, “There are too many people. Wait for me here. I’ll be back after I buy it.”

Fourth Concubine wanted to say something, but He Yan had already pushed through the crowd toward the sugar figurine vendor.

He Yan squeezed to the front, took out a string of copper coins, and said, “Young man, I want a large tiger, please make it fierce-looking.”

“Certainly—”

The vendor was skilled; in just a moment, a fierce-looking tiger was stuck on a bamboo stick. He Yan handed over the money and took the sugar figurine, looking quite satisfied.

Earlier, Qingmei had made a cloth tiger for Xiao Yao, which she loved dearly, carrying it while eating and sleeping. Later, that cloth tiger was accidentally dropped into a fire basin and burned. Xiao Yao cried for half a day. Qingmei hadn’t finished making a new one before He Yan and the others had to set off for Ji Yang.

Since Xiao Yao loved tigers so much, seeing this sugar tiger would surely make her happy.

With the sugar tiger in hand, He Yan squeezed out of the crowd and was about to leave when suddenly, she heard someone call her name from behind, with a hint of hesitation and uncertainty: “…A’He?”

He Yan turned around and saw a man in blue robes standing not far from her, his expression surprised and complex.

“Fourth… Young Master Chu?”