Three in the morning, Helian Fortress.

Helian Fortress was built with a rare white brick and stone. The outer walls were five zhang high, with inner walls three zhang high. The ground was also paved with white stone bricks. A plaque with blue background and red characters hung above the gate beam, boldly inscribed with three vigorous characters: “Helian Fortress.”

Before arriving here, Yusang had thought that since Helian Fortress made its fortune forging weapons, the master of the house should be a burly man. But when she reached the main gate, what she saw was a middle-aged man in dark scholarly robes.

“Is this the steward?” Yusang asked Zi Feng in a low voice.

“Brother Helian, it’s been too long.” Zi Feng’s greeting negated Yusang’s guess. He then dismounted and smiled as he went forward to exchange pleasantries with the man standing at the gate.

Before long, Zi Feng was already talking enthusiastically with Helian Yun, the master of Helian Fortress, as if they regretted not meeting sooner. Zi Feng then turned and gestured toward Yusang to introduce her to Helian Yun, saying, “This is Yusang, my betrothed from childhood who has not yet passed through the gates.”

“Miss Yusang, greetings. I am Helian Yun.” Helian Yun cupped his hands in salute, then gestured behind him, “Yu’er, come out to meet our honored guests.”

A figure in azure emerged from the crowd behind. Looking carefully, it was precisely the pretty woman who had been teased by Zi Feng earlier outside the city. She had now changed into a dress similar to court women’s attire, still primarily azure but with a skirt that fluttered like butterfly wings, the long dress trailing on the ground. Her hair, which had only been bound with silk ribbons before, was now arranged in a beautiful flowing cloud bun, adorned with two pink begonia jade hairpins. Her long hair draped over her shoulders—her appearance truly rivaled national beauty.

“Helian Yu greets you both.” Helian Yu stepped forward with a charming smile to pay her respects, neither coy nor lacking in proper decorum.

Yusang returned the greeting. Seeing Zi Feng staring at Helian Yu’s face as if lost in thought, she secretly poked him under her sleeve. Only then did Zi Feng seem to come to his senses, cupping his hands in return, “Miss Helian, I was quite presumptuous outside the city earlier. I hope Miss won’t take offense.”

“You are your elder brother’s honored guest—how could I blame you?” Helian Yu replied, but without saying whether she did or didn’t, instead maintaining a smile that was hard to fathom.

Zi Feng lightly opened his paper fan and fanned slowly. “Miss Helian is truly interesting.”

“You’re not uninteresting either, young master.” Helian Yu countered without yielding an inch.

Zi Feng looked at Helian Yu with a full smile, seeming to treat everyone around them like sand in the yellow desert. Yusang couldn’t bear to watch anymore and coughed lightly, “We’ll be imposing on Master Helian. Thank you in advance.”

“Please rest tonight, both of you. It so happens that my future brother-in-law also returned to the fortress today. Tomorrow we’ll hold a banquet in the fortress to welcome you both together.”

“Thank you, Master.” Yusang smiled her thanks. As she entered the main gate with Helian and walked up the steps, she discovered no one beside her. Turning to look, she found Zi Feng staring at Helian Yu’s retreating figure in a daze. Helplessly slapping her forehead, she flicked a small stone from her sleeve that hit his hand, finally making him come to his senses and follow.

“You’ve lived for several thousand years anyway—you could be someone’s grandfather for several lifetimes. I’m embarrassed for you. Besides, didn’t you hear? She already has a designated husband. You have no chance.” Yusang mocked Zi Feng in a lowered voice.

“Vulgar.” Zi Feng lightly tapped Yusang’s forehead with his fan, “I always feel there’s something unusual about Miss Helian, but I can’t tell what’s wrong.”

“Such a beauty is naturally unusual. Just admit you’re lustful—I won’t laugh at you.” Yusang teased playfully in a low voice, earning an eye roll from Zi Feng, who then ignored her.

After days of traveling in the desert, Yusang was truly tired. After being settled in Helian Fortress, she quickly went to sleep. This sleep was unusually deep without dreams, lasting until noon the next day when she was awakened by a maid from the fortress, who said that in half an hour it would be time for the welcoming banquet and asked her to get up and prepare.

Yusang put on a set of moon-white dress sent by the maid, then was led by someone to the front hall of Helian Fortress. Passing by a courtyard gate, she happened to meet Zi Feng coming from the other direction. Seeing him massaging his neck, Yusang teased, “Don’t tell me you just woke up too.”

Zi Feng glared at her, then waved at the accompanying maids, “You may go about your business. We’ll be in the front hall shortly.”

After the maids withdrew, Zi Feng looked around, then led Yusang toward the front hall while saying quietly, “I’ve already examined Helian Fortress thoroughly but found nothing suspicious that’s being enshrined.”

“Perhaps it’s been hidden away, or perhaps this soul artifact hasn’t been discovered to be extraordinary and is still gathering dust somewhere.” Yusang speculated, though she felt uncertain and confused in her heart.

While chatting casually, the two had already reached Helian Fortress’s front hall. The hall was already arranged with long tables and seating. Helian Yun stood in the center, with Helian Yu standing at the right side of the middle seat, directing servants in placing dining utensils.

Seeing Zi Feng and Yusang enter the hall, Helian Yun smiled and came forward to greet them. After courtesies, they took their seats. Helian Yu signaled for the servants to step aside, and brightly dressed young maids entered carrying sumptuous delicacies to serve at the table.

“Master, the son-in-law has arrived,” a servant came in to report. Helian Yun stood up and smiled as he left the main seat to welcome the guest at the door.

Yusang’s gaze followed Helian Yun toward the door, curiously wondering what kind of man such a great beauty as Helian Yu would marry, and whether he was as handsome as Zi Feng. As the sunlight at the doorway was blocked and shifted, a young man dressed in white brocade with vermillion deep robes and hair bound with a jade hairpin stepped into the hall. His appearance was refined and handsome, his bearing outstanding, with an naturally noble air.

“Clang.” The ivory jade chopsticks in Yusang’s hand fell onto the table. She looked at the person entering with hands behind his back, her eyes slightly widening as she sat stunned in her seat.

“This is our Helian Fortress’s future son-in-law. Everyone calls him Master Sang of the Northern Prefecture.” Helian Yun smiled as he brought Master Sang before Yusang and Zi Feng for introductions.

Zi Feng’s hand gripped tightly to a glass wine cup as he sat there stunned, looking up at the man before him. In the half year since they’d seen each other, he seemed to have lost some weight, but everything else appeared unchanged from yesterday. It was him, Yan Qige.

When she had left without saying goodbye, she wondered if he had looked for her, if he had worried about her. Now seeing him again, would he demand to know why, or ask if she had been well? How should she explain, how should she respond? Yusang’s thoughts were in chaotic turmoil, but just as she hadn’t yet figured out how to face this reunion after several months, Yan Qige had already courteously but distantly cupped his hands toward her in salute, saying, “Miss, greetings.”

Yusang slightly parted her lips but couldn’t speak. Seeing her like this, Yan Qige couldn’t help but frown slightly, “Miss?”

“Yusang didn’t sleep well last night and is distracted.” Zi Feng, beside her, took over the conversation and naturally cupped his hands toward Yan Qige in salute.

Yan Qige returned Zi Feng’s salute and paid no more attention to Yusang. He then turned to smile slightly at Helian Yu and sat down across from them with her.