◎Only then did Lan Shanjun notice the dust on his face, mud on his shoes, and stains all over his clothes, as if he hadn’t changed or washed them for several days.◎

When Lan Shanjun heard that Old Madam Shou had arrived, she was also shocked enough to stand up.

She knew the weight this old madam carried. To say nothing else, there was originally no Shou surname in the world. Because Old Madam Shou was always ill when she was young, His Majesty worried about her lifespan and specially bestowed upon her the surname Shou.

It was just a pity that this old madam would pass away three years from now. At that time, His Majesty would bury her with the rites of a Princess Imperial, having the Imperial Grand Prince and Princes Qi and Wei carry her coffin—a moment of great glory.

In her previous life, Lan Shanjun had never met this old madam, nor had she ever heard of her attending banquets.

Just then, Madam Zhu also came to summon Zhuyun to meet Old Madam Shou, so the two families proceeded together.

Zhu Shi felt helpless. Though she looked down on the Zhu family’s status, she also had to give Lan Shanjun face, so she could only walk alongside Madam Zhu—when had she ever walked side by side with the wife of such a minor official?

Fortunately, Madam Zhu didn’t try to curry favor. She was humble and courteous, understood boundaries and propriety, and smiled warmly throughout, which dissipated some of Zhu Shi’s frustration.

But everyone has their hierarchies. If Zhu Shi had them, naturally others did too. Before long, the group encountered the wife of Duke Qingguo. Zhu Shi had never gotten along with her, but with her own family in decline, she had no confidence when facing the other woman. At every banquet, she would avoid her from afar to spare herself the indignity.

Now suddenly meeting on this narrow path, the wife of Duke Qingguo indeed created difficulties. She made several disparaging sounds, looked at Zhu Shi, then at Lan Shanjun, and said with a smile: “So this is the daughter you brought back from Huailing.”

Her words carried implications: “I hear she makes excellent pork buns. Liniang, you are truly blessed.”

With one sentence, Zhu Shi’s complexion turned ugly.

She knew the other woman must have learned about Lan Shanjun’s pig butchering business in Huailing.

The wife of Duke Qingguo understood her all too well. Not content with merely poking at her sore spot, she continued smiling at Lan Shanjun: “Poor thing. Next time you visit my home, I have several… knives that I can give you.”

Having said this, without waiting for Lan Shanjun’s response, she simply laughed heartily a few times and left on her own.

Thus, with just two sentences, Zhu Shi’s face flushed between red and pale.

She knew the wife of Duke Qingguo wouldn’t spread this matter around, but just thinking about the way the other woman looked at her and Lan Shanjun made her chest heave with anger. Moreover, with the Zhu family mother and daughter present, she felt even more humiliated. She hurriedly pulled Lan Hui forward, her heart feeling as if it had dropped a thousand pounds, not even thinking to look back at Lan Shanjun.

Zhuyun looked at Zhu Shi, then at Lan Shanjun who continued walking beside her with steady breathing, and hesitated to speak. But Lan Shanjun smiled and asked, “What is it?”

Zhuyun shook her head. “Nothing.”

Though she didn’t know what had happened, from this scene she could sense that Shanjun’s situation wasn’t easy.

Lan Shanjun understood her meaning. Back then, she too hadn’t understood why Mother would be so sensitive about her past. Only gradually did she come to understand that Mother had her own dignity to protect.

People always had things they needed to guard. There was nothing wrong with that.

By that time, she had reached an age where she no longer minded such matters and hadn’t been hurt by them.

She smiled, not wanting to discuss this, and instead said: “It’s almost New Year. My family will surely be busy beforehand, so it wouldn’t be good for me to disturb your home. I can only arrange to visit after the new year.”

At this moment, Zhuyun found her quite pitiful and had no reason to refuse. “Write down whatever you want to eat in a letter. I can make quite a few Shuzhou dishes.”

Lan Shanjun said quietly: “Then I’ll also make you a steamer basket of pork and scallion buns—I truly make them quite well.”

Zhuyun nodded emphatically and kept holding her hand.

But when they arrived at the courtyard of the Old Madam of Marquis Boyuan, Zhu Shi joined up with the Fourth Madam and Third Young Madam. Lan Shanjun was led forward by them, while Zhuyun and Madam Zhu remained behind.

Madam Zhu, holding her daughter’s hand, sat to one side. She didn’t go forward to curry favor but just smiled warmly: “Our Yuanniang also has a friend now.”

Zhuyun’s face turned bright red. “Shanjun is also from Shuzhou.”

Madam Zhu: “I could tell.”

Zhuyun said shyly: “Mother, she’s a young lady from the Duke Zhenguo’s estate. I’ve invited her to our home—that should be all right, shouldn’t it?”

Madam Zhu put a piece of fruit in her mouth. “What could be wrong? It’s just making friends. As long as you’re happy.”

She teased: “When we return, we’ll instruct your father and brothers to be more diligent, so that our Yuanniang can befriend good friends without worry.”

…

On the other side, Old Madam Shou was saying to the Old Madam of Marquis Boyuan: “I’ve been continuously ill and couldn’t come to celebrate your birthday. But last night I dreamed of when we were young—you and your elder sister came to my home, and we made fruit wine together. You couldn’t hold your liquor and got drunk after one drink, then fell asleep in the bamboo grove.”

The Old Madam of Marquis Boyuan had been somewhat resentful that Old Madam Shou came to steal the spotlight, but hearing this, her anger immediately dissipated. She also began reminiscing: “Yes, back then we were still young ladies. Now we’re all white-haired.”

Old Madam Shou: “So after I woke up, I thought I should come see you and celebrate your birthday. I’ve also brought the wine you like. Would you like to have a cup today?”

Naturally she would.

The Old Madam of Marquis Boyuan’s eyes moistened. “Elder Sister Shou, thank you for still thinking of me.”

Old Madam Shou smiled: “Among the old generation, there are only a few of us left. If I don’t think of you, who should I think of?”

Then she looked around at the seated people. Her gaze paused on Lan Shanjun, then quickly moved away. She smiled: “I haven’t been out in so long, I hardly recognize anyone anymore.”

People came forward to pay their respects. Old Madam Shou helped them up one by one. Zhu Shi waited and waited. When it was about time, she immediately brought Lan Shanjun, Lan Hui, and the Third Young Madam forward. “Old Ancestor, these are my two daughters. This is my daughter-in-law.”

Old Madam Shou: “Ah, it’s Liniang.”

Zhu Shi was touched. “You still remember me.”

Old Madam Shou patted her hand. “You already have such grown daughters.”

She embraced Lan Shanjun. “This is your eldest daughter, isn’t she? She resembles your mother very much.”

Zhu Shi didn’t think they were alike. She was even a bit stunned and looked at Lan Shanjun’s features but didn’t see the resemblance. But it wouldn’t do to contradict her, so she smiled and said: “Yes, very much alike.”

Old Madam Shou praised further: “The spirit and bearing are most alike.”

She also praised Lan Hui: “She resembles you—one can tell at a glance she’s a talented woman well-versed in poetry and literature.”

There were still others waiting to pay their respects, so Zhu Shi couldn’t linger. She led her two daughters and daughter-in-law back to their seats, so excited she couldn’t calm down for a long time. She whispered: “Back in the day, what glory our family had… even entering the palace to see the Empress Dowager and Empress was an ordinary matter.”

But now it had been over ten years since they’d entered the palace. Even being asked a few extra questions by Old Madam Shou could make her heart surge with emotion.

What about the future? Would even receiving an invitation from the Marquis Boyuan’s residence become difficult?

Zhu Shi felt her heart grow both bitter and sour.

She and the wife of Duke Qingguo had once been equals who could debate in their boudoirs. Now when she saw her, she could only take a detour.

Thinking again of the wife of Duke Qingguo’s earlier mockery, her eyes reddened and she couldn’t help but shed tears. Both Lan Hui and the Third Young Madam tried to comfort her in low voices, but Lan Shanjun was thinking about what it meant when Old Madam Shou had embraced her earlier and gently patted her waist.

Was it her imagination?

She lowered her head in thought. When she looked up, she found Mother looking at her with displeasure. Lan Shanjun then spoke words of comfort: “No flower blooms for a hundred days. Our family has declined—does that mean her family can prosper forever?”

Zhu Shi: “…”

These words didn’t sound particularly comforting.

But this wasn’t the place to discuss such things. She wiped her tears and pulled Lan Shanjun close, looking her over from left to right. “Old Madam Shou said your spirit and bearing resemble your grandmother. How is it I can’t see it?”

After finishing the banquet and boarding the carriage, Zhu Shi pulled them all into one carriage and continued talking about Mother’s affairs from years past.

“She and Old Madam Shou were quite close friends. Back then, Old Madam Shou treated me extremely well too.”

The Third Young Madam and Lan Hui listened and nodded repeatedly, but Lan Shanjun waited with her heart suspended.

She still felt that Old Madam Shou’s pat on her waist had been intentional. It was just that there were too many people today, and she couldn’t go forward to speak with her. Old Madam Shou hadn’t shown any such intention during the banquet either.

So it could only be on the way home. If she had intended something, the answer would surely come on the road.

Sure enough, when the carriage passed through Willow Lane, the Shou residence’s carriage followed behind the Duke Zhenguo estate’s carriage. When the servant woman reported this, how could Zhu Shi dare proceed ahead? She immediately went to ask Old Madam Shou to go first.

Old Madam Shou took her hand. “Liniang, good child, it turns out we’re traveling the same way here. Today I saw many old friends and my heart is joyful. Having just run into you, I have so much I want to say. If you’re not in a hurry, would you bring the children to sit at my residence for a while?”

Zhu Shi’s face flushed red with excitement.

Tears fell involuntarily as she nodded emphatically. “Yes.”

These years, her heart had been so bitter. She wanted to talk about it with someone who knew the old circumstances.

So the carriage changed direction and headed to Old Madam Shou’s residence.

The Shou residence was built according to the regulations for a Princess Imperial’s estate. The courtyards, covered walkways, bridges, and other scenic features in the residence were said to have been personally drawn by His Majesty, who also had the Ministry of Works purchase rare stones from Jiangnan for the arrangement. It could truly be described as having scenery at every step.

Zhu Shi had come here as a child. Coming again now felt like being in another world. She said: “It seems as if nothing has ever changed.”

Old Madam Shou smiled: “I don’t like change.”

Then she glanced at Lan Shanjun from the corner of her eye and saw that she was quite composed. When she met her gaze, she even smiled at her, not the least bit flustered—clearly she had some understanding in her heart.

Old Madam Shou felt an additional layer of fondness for her.

When they reached the main hall and everyone sat by the braziers talking, they naturally spoke of the past and thus of Zhu Shi’s mother. Old Madam Shou couldn’t help but bring up Lan Shanjun: “Do you know how to use a blade?”

Lan Shanjun knew the main event had arrived. She rose and paid her respects, saying respectfully: “I do.”

Old Madam Shou: “Your grandmother also knew how to use a blade. I still have her blade here. If you know how to use it, I could give you the blade—it would be returning the item to its rightful owner.”

Before Lan Shanjun could speak, Zhu Shi had already expressed her gratitude with delight.

Old Madam Shou: “What’s there to thank? We’re all family.”

She took Lan Shanjun’s hand. “But there are several blades, and I can only give you one. Shanjun, follow my servant woman and select one.”

Seeing that she would be leaving alone with someone, Lan Shanjun began to feel uncertain and alarmed.

If this were before, in a residence like this, with Old Madam Shou extending an invitation, in order to gain her favor she would certainly have followed along.

No matter what kind of perilous feast this might be today, she would dare to venture forth and seize this opportunity.

But she had been quietly sent back to Huailing by the Song family… If someone were to send her away today, how would she save herself?

Lan Shanjun remained motionless for a long time, her body growing somewhat stiff.

She finally realized that being trapped in Huailing had become an incurable hidden affliction for her.

But Zhu Shi didn’t notice. She waved her hand happily. “Go on, go on. When an elder bestows something, one dare not refuse.”

Today she felt as if she were floating on clouds, in a drunken daze.

Old Madam Shou did notice. Though she didn’t like going out for social occasions, she enjoyed quietly gathering information about various estates, so she knew about Lan Shanjun’s background.

Her heart ached for her. She understood that a young girl who had drifted without support in her early years and already had such great vigilance had developed these habits through countless unavoidable circumstances.

She gently reassured her: “Don’t worry. Even if you don’t like any of them, it’s fine—just come back.”

Lan Shanjun looked at her once, slowly drew in a breath, made all necessary preparations, and only then nodded and followed her away.

She memorized the route all along the way. When the servant woman brought her to the entrance of the storage room, she didn’t immediately enter. The servant woman didn’t force her to enter, only smiled and said: “The blades are in the inner room. Miss Lan, please select one you like.”

Then she added: “It’s still early—there’s no rush to decide immediately. Take your time choosing. This old servant will wait for you outside.”

She turned and left. Lan Shanjun slowly moved her legs to enter.

She walked extremely slowly, but the other party was clearly quite anxious. Almost as soon as she entered, Yu Qingwu emerged from the room and stood in the brightly lit doorway, bowing deeply to her in a grand gesture of respect.

Seeing it was him, Lan Shanjun let out a long breath, but habitually stepped back through the doorway. The two were separated by the threshold—one inside the room, one outside—a clear division.

Yu Qingwu knew he had frightened her, so he clasped his hands together again and solemnly performed another bow toward her.

Only then did Lan Shanjun notice the dust on his face, mud on his shoes, and stains all over his clothes, as if he hadn’t changed or washed them for several days.

She straightened up and asked quietly: “I don’t know what matter Sir Yu asked Old Madam Shou to find me for.”

Yu Qingwu had dark circles under his eyes, his face haggard, as if the earlier bow had exhausted all his strength. He leaned slightly against the door and said: “Miss Lan, calling you here like this is truly discourteous, but it’s a matter of life and death…”

When he spoke the words “life and death,” his voice caught with emotion. He immediately swallowed that emotion down and asked: “I wonder if Miss remembers Su Xingzhou?”

Lan Shanjun thought carefully. In both lifetimes, she seemed never to have heard this name. She shook her head: “I don’t remember.”

Yu Qingwu: “Then does Miss remember that about ten years ago, a pair of siblings gave you a Three Character Classic at a bookshop?”

Lan Shanjun’s head shot up.

She narrowed her eyes. “How do you know about this?”

Yu Qingwu took a deep breath and didn’t mystify the matter but laid everything out: “That day at White Horse Temple, my elder brother recognized you. Five days ago, on the tenth day of the twelfth month, he disappeared.”

This statement made Lan Shanjun fall silent. She said: “You suspect the Duke Zhenguo’s estate and I did this?”

Yu Qingwu: “I did suspect whether the Duke Zhenguo’s estate wanted to kill to silence witnesses. But I immediately dismissed this notion.”

He said: “Your situation isn’t particularly well-concealed. The Duke Zhenguo’s estate has no such need.”

Lan Shanjun asked cautiously: “If that’s the case, then why are you looking for me today?”

Yu Qingwu: “For the four lamps you lit at White Horse Temple.”

Lan Shanjun’s hands slowly curled up, her eyes narrowing slightly: “Four lamps?”

Yu Qingwu: “Yes. On the third day after returning from White Horse Temple, my elder brother came to the estate in a panic, seeming to want to tell me something. But when I asked him, he said nothing.”

He had been suddenly called away by his teacher to meet a guest and was in a hurry to leave. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but looking back now, his elder brother must have already been in danger at that moment.

Yu Qingwu regretted it so much his intestines had turned green. He said: “So I investigated and discovered that after leaving my home that day, my elder brother secretly went to White Horse Temple.”

Lan Shanjun’s heart stopped. “White Horse Temple?”

Yu Qingwu: “Yes. He went to see those four eternal lamps you had worshipped before.”

He said: “I’ve thought it over repeatedly and estimate that he must have been looking at the name of your master.”

**[Author’s Note]**

①: The Shou surname does exist; this is my creative liberty here.