Zhangsun Shi counted on her fingers and said, “Go tell Jiang Caiping that in a few days it will be Prince Huai’s birth anniversary. Please ask her to stay in the city for several more days, and return to Honghua Commandery after we’ve completed the memorial service for Prince Huai.”

“Yes, this servant will go immediately.” With this response, Wenlan hurried off in pursuit. Just as she reached the mansion gate, she finally caught up with Jiang Caiping. Before Wenlan could speak, the latter already said with a cold expression, “You needn’t say more. I will not stay, unless the Princess Consort plans to detain me by force.”

Wenlan calmed her breathing, which had become somewhat rapid from running, and said, “The Princess Consort said that in a few days it will be Prince Huai’s birth anniversary. Now that Prince Huai’s tomb has been moved to Chang’an, she hopes Miss will wait until after Prince Huai’s birth anniversary before departing.”

“Birth anniversary?” Half the reason Jiang Caiping was willing to come to Chang’an was to pay respects to Li Xuanba here. In the past, when the tomb had not yet been relocated, every death anniversary, Qingming Festival, and Double Ninth Festival, she would go to Li Xuanba’s grave to pay her respects.

“That’s right, Miss, you…” Before Wenlan could continue, Jiang Caiping already said coldly, “I will naturally wait to pay respects to Third Young Master before leaving, but I will not stay in this Prince’s mansion.”

Zhuofeng shook his head watching from the side. This Miss Jiang truly had quite a temper. Though Wenlan was also displeased, her temperament had always been excellent, so she didn’t lose her temper with her. Lowering her eyes, she said, “This servant understands Miss’s meaning. However, the imperial mausoleum is a sacred place that ordinary people cannot enter freely, so please tell us where you’ll be staying, so we can come fetch Miss when Prince Huai’s birth anniversary arrives.”

Jiang Caiping was startled. She hadn’t thought of this point before. After pondering for a moment, she said, “When entering the city, I saw a Bafang Inn. I’ll stay there. You can come find me when the time comes.”

“This servant has noted it down. Miss, please go carefully.” Only after Jiang Caiping had gone far did Wenlan straighten up. Zhuofeng complained beside her, “This little woman from Honghua Commandery is truly infuriating. If I were the Princess Consort, I wouldn’t want to deal with her at all.”

Wenlan sighed, “She could have been a loving couple with Prince Huai, but suddenly they were separated by death. She’s lived as a widow all these years, so her personality is inevitably somewhat withdrawn. We should be understanding. You shouldn’t always be so unforgiving.”

Hearing this, Zhuofeng immediately said aggrievedly, “How unfair! How have I been unforgiving? From entering Laiyi Hall until now, it’s clearly been that Miss Jiang who’s been aggressive all along. How can Sister Wenlan blame me instead? So unfair.”

Wenlan laughed, “Alright, alright, what I said just now was wrong. I apologize to you, isn’t that enough?”

“That’s more like it.” After Zhuofeng spoke, Wenlan said, “In a while, go to Bafang Inn and see which room Miss Jiang is staying in, so we can know what to expect.”

Though Zhuofeng was unwilling, she could distinguish between important and trivial matters. She nodded, “I understand, Sister Wenlan can rest assured.”

Now, after Jiang Caiping left the Qin Prince’s mansion, relying on her limited memory, she headed toward Bafang Inn. However, Chang’an was extremely large, and this being her first time here, after turning this way and that, she inevitably lost her way and couldn’t find Bafang Inn no matter what. Just as she was about to ask for directions, an exquisite carriage stopped in front of her. The curtain was slightly lifted by a slender, pale hand, and a hesitant woman’s voice came from inside the carriage, “Caiping, is that you?”

“You are…” Jiang Caiping stared at the slightly opened curtain, wanting to see clearly the person inside. This voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t immediately recall who it was.

“It really is you.” With these words, the curtain opened a bit more, finally allowing Jiang Caiping to see clearly the appearance of the person in the carriage. “Is it you?”

The person in the carriage was indeed Jirong. She said joyfully, “I thought I was seeing things earlier, but it really is you. But… why have you come to Chang’an?” Before Jiang Caiping could speak, she was already beckoning, “It’s freezing cold outside, quickly get in the carriage.”

Jiang Caiping hesitated for a moment, then declined, “I’m used to enduring hardship, it doesn’t matter.” When they were both dancers in Honghua Commandery, she and Jirong had had quite a few conflicts. Though five years had passed, she hadn’t forgotten completely.

Jirong’s smile dimmed, and she said in a low voice, “So many years have passed, and you still remember the old matters?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Jiang Caiping answered distantly. Jirong sighed deeply and said, “Back then I was influenced by Chunxiu and made things difficult for you and the others. Looking back now, I truly regret doing such things for personal gain. These years I haven’t stopped thinking about making amends, but with the world still unsettled and wars raging everywhere, I haven’t gone to find you. By the way, have you been well these years?”

“Thank you for your concern, I’ve been well in all respects.” Saying this, she added, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go first.”

“Caiping.” Jirong called out to her, “We’ve finally met with such difficulty, won’t you even say a few more words to me?” Seeing her silence, just as she was about to say more, a speck of reddish-white fell before her eyes, followed by more reddish-white specks. Liyu said softly beside her, “It’s snowing.”

Jirong caught a snowflake in her palm and said with emotion, “Yes, it’s snowing. Speaking of which, this should be the first snow since Imperial Father ascended the throne.”

“Imperial Father?” Jiang Caiping looked at Jirong in surprise. Liyu answered for her, “My mistress is His Highness the Crown Prince’s secondary consort, so naturally she can call His Majesty Imperial Father.”

“Eastern Palace secondary consort…” Jiang Caiping slowly repeated this phrase, then laughed coldly, “Congratulations to Your Ladyship for achieving your wish and no longer having to live that impoverished life.”

Jirong shook her head, “Caiping, must you always speak with such barbs?” Seeing her silence, she looked up at the sky where snowflakes continued to fall and said, “Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

“No need.” Coldly dropping these words, Jiang Caiping turned and left without looking back. Regarding Yunyi, she naturally had unresolved feelings, but she had no good impression of Jirong either.

Jirong called out behind her, “It was Imperial Consort Yang who summoned you here, wasn’t it?”

Jiang Caiping’s steps halted, but she didn’t turn around as she said, “Whether it was or wasn’t has nothing to do with Your Ladyship.”

Before she could take another step, Jirong said again, “But what about you? Would you like to know the full story behind that incident from years ago?”

Jiang Caiping turned around in confusion, “She harmed Third Young Master to protect her secret. This matter has long been clear, why…”

“The one she harmed was hardly just Third Young Master alone, but outsiders don’t know this. If it weren’t for the Crown Prince and I having good fortune, we would have already met the same fate as Prince Huai long ago.”

Jiang Caiping said in surprise, “She harmed you?”

“What, you think I’m talking nonsense?” Jirong lowered her head and smiled, “With my current status, there’s absolutely no need for me to deceive you with such lies.” Seeing hesitation appear on Jiang Caiping’s face, she extended her hand, “Let’s talk as we walk.”