That night she slept deeply, as if soaking in warm water.

In her daze, she seemed to return to the warm dormitory of the Military Intelligence Department, living together with Xiao Shi, Mao’er, and the others. It had snowed heavily in the morning, and she was too lazy to get up. Xiao Shi would reach out with her ice-cold hands and gently pat her face to wake her up. She would frown and hide under the covers, and then that naughty girl Mao’er would throw open her blanket with a whoosh and stand beside her, laughing out loud. Min Rui would sit at the dressing table nearby, putting on makeup while calling for breakfast.

The sky was so blue back then, and they were all so young. Time was as vibrant as a fish freshly pulled from the sea, jumping and thrashing about.

The drowsiness finally receded bit by bit, and her face felt cool. She slowly opened her eyes to see him standing before her, refreshed and neat. Only his face looked unpleasant as he frowned and said, “Do you know what time it is?”

For a moment, she almost thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. Her mind wasn’t quite clear, and she stared at him, slightly furrowing her brow, looking very serious.

Her serious expression immediately made Zhuge Yue swallow his words. He turned to go elsewhere but felt his clothes tighten. Looking down, he saw a pale hand quietly clutching the corner of his robe, gripping it tightly, with the knuckles turning slightly white.

The memory of last night gradually returned, and her face suddenly turned red. She let go of his clothes and sat up, looking outside, only to be stunned, asking in surprise, “Why is it dark?”

Zhuge Yue looked at her with considerable annoyance, turning to light another candelabra.

She was still questioning him?

After they parted last night, he returned to the post house. Since he had come quietly, he didn’t stay at the official post house but at one of his private residences in this area. After returning, he stayed up all night waiting until the next morning, but despite waiting and waiting, there was no sign of her visiting. He defiantly thought I wouldn’t go looking for her, let’s see if she comes to find me. But until the sun tilted to the west, there was still no visitor at his door. Finally unable to bear it anymore, he went to her place alone without bringing any attendants. Pushing open the door, he found her sound asleep, which naturally angered him—how could he not be irritated after tossing and turning for a day and a night?

How could Chu Qiao know what he was thinking? She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and tucked away a few loose strands of hair at her forehead. Though she seemed a bit embarrassed, she still said stiffly, “What are you doing here?”

As soon as she spoke, the room fell into a brief silence. Chu Qiao knew she had said the wrong thing and lowered her head in silence.

It seemed that neither knew how to face such a drastically different relationship, nor how to respond.

The moonlight outside the window was extremely bright, spilling on the ground like mercury as if a layer of clear snow had fallen.

“What are you doing in Xianyang?” Zhuge Yue suddenly asked.

Chu Qiao was slightly stunned, and her heart immediately became a bit flustered. In these years, there had been very few things that could make her panic. Even when facing Da Xia’s blade, she could maintain her composure. Only when facing him did her calm seem to fly away, her heart feeling as if it contained an anxious rabbit?

“I…” Chu Qiao forcibly steadied herself, coughed, and pretended to be composed as she said, “I came to take care of some business.”

“Have you finished it?”

“Al-almost.”

“Then when will you leave?”

Chu Qiao had to continue, “In a day or two.”

“A day or two? Is that tomorrow or the day after?”

Chu Qiao felt somewhat angry and said in an unfriendly tone, “Tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

Zhuge Yue nodded, sat down at the table, and poured half a cup of cold tea. He didn’t drink it, but just gently swirled it in his hand.

Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow and glared at him, asking, “What about you?”

“Me? What about me?”

“What are you doing in Xianyang? When are you leaving?”

Zhuge Yue smiled faintly. Two years apart seemed to have trained this little fox to be even more cunning. He nodded imperceptibly and said, “I came to sightsee, but I’ll be staying for a few more days before leaving.”

Having said this, he stood up and was about to walk out, saying as he went, “Since you’re leaving tomorrow, I won’t disturb you. Rest well.”

“Hey!”

Chu Qiao was startled and quickly stood up, unconsciously calling out, “Stop.”

Zhuge Yue turned around and asked very calmly, “Is there anything else?”

He must be doing this on purpose!

Chu Qiao glared at him, her eyes like two black grapes. After a long while, she lowered her head slightly and said in a very small voice, “Actually, I’m not in a hurry to leave.”

As if afraid Zhuge Yue might misunderstand, she quickly added, “Anyway, there’s nothing urgent for me to return to at the moment.”

“Oh.” Zhuge Yue nodded meaningfully, picked up an outer robe nearby, and handed it to her, his expression showing a hint of a smile. “Hurry and get ready. Today is the Mid-Year Festival, even more lively than yesterday.”

Whether it was true or because her mood had changed, Chu Qiao indeed felt that today’s market was more bustling than yesterday.

Famous flowers bloomed in the wind, fine trees flourished toward prosperity, and the cool breeze from both sides of the lake carried lush, verdant moisture that refreshed the spirit. The street performances seemed much better than yesterday’s. They encountered a begging child on the road, and Chu Qiao, feeling generous, gave him ten gold coins. The little beggar held the money and stood dumbfounded—with this much money if an ordinary family used it sparingly, they could live comfortably for ten years.

Zhuge Yue commented sarcastically from the side, “Such generosity!”

Chu Qiao turned her head and glared at him, mocking, “The richer people are, the stingier they become. This young lady is in a good mood.”

Though he knew she was mocking and teasing him, Zhuge Yue felt pleased hearing it. In a good mood? Why the good mood? He cheerfully walked forward, then took out a banknote with the seal of the Chen Yue Money House printed on it, black ink on white paper: two hundred taels of gold.

“Stop being a beggar, buy an estate and be a landlord instead.”

With that, he walked away proudly under the shocked gazes of Chu Qiao and the little beggar.

Chu Qiao quickly caught up from behind, examining him suspiciously. Zhuge Yue glared at her and said, “What are you looking at?”

“I didn’t expect you to have a conscience after all. What, is your money becoming too heavy to hold?”

Zhuge Yue snorted, “There are many things you haven’t expected.”

After walking just a few steps, Chu Qiao’s stomach began to growl. It was no wonder—she hadn’t eaten anything all day.

Zhuge Yue seemed very familiar with Xianyang City and listed several taverns and restaurants like counting his family treasures. But Chu Qiao couldn’t move away from a noodle stall she smelled on the street.

Zhuge Yue was naturally unwilling, but before he could voice his objection, Chu Qiao had already sat down. The waiter came over attentively, and she ordered two bowls of scallion oil noodles, half a catty of beef, a plate of peanuts, and, following the waiter’s recommendation, a bottle of wine. Surprisingly, the wine had a very elegant name: “June Western Frost.”

Zhuge Yue looked at her curiously and asked, “Don’t you abstain from alcohol?”

Chu Qiao’s hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, then she smiled faintly and said, “Before, I was afraid drinking would interfere with business, but now I’m just an idle person, so I don’t have so many rules.”

Zhuge Yue frowned, reached out to take her cup away, and said in a deep voice, “Don’t drink.”

Chu Qiao didn’t insist, shrugged, and said softly, “Hypocrite.”

The waiter’s food came quickly. The wine indeed wasn’t good—just a sniff revealed it was yellow rice wine mixed with water, meant to deceive pretentious outsiders. The food was average too, but the noodles came in a very generous portion. Even as hungry as Chu Qiao was, she could only eat about half a bowl before she couldn’t swallow anymore.

They stood up to leave and saw a group of small beggars with painted faces staring eagerly at the remaining half bowl of noodles, almost drooling. Zhuge Yue turned back and tossed a silver coin to the shopkeeper, saying, “Give each of them a bowl.”

The shopkeeper quickly agreed with a smile. Chu Qiao eyed him suspiciously and asked after being fully satiated, “Addicted to playing Buddha?”

A boy of twelve or thirteen, seeing that they were well-dressed and generous, and seeming quite approachable, came up smiling and said to Zhuge Yue, “Great master, please reward me with a drink of wine.”

Zhuge Yue looked at the child with considerable interest, then turned and gave the shopkeeper some more money, saying, “Give him a jar and don’t dilute it with water. If he can’t finish it, then this meal doesn’t count as my treat. You can beat him up and then send him to the officials.”

The boy heard this and was overjoyed, going off happily.

Chu Qiao clicked her tongue and said, “How can such a small child drink a whole jar?”

“If you don’t let him try, he’ll never know what it is,” Zhuge Yue said faintly. “A lesson learned the hard way will help him be more cautious in the future.”

Chu Qiao was slightly stunned by his words, slowing her pace and falling behind him by a step. Zhuge Yue walked a couple of steps, and seeing she hadn’t caught up, turned back with a frown and said, “Come on, what are you thinking about?”

Chu Qiao snapped out of it and quickly took a couple of steps to catch up.

A lesson learned the hard way will help him be more cautious in the future.

But Zhuge Yue, how many hard lessons have you learned? Why are you still not cautious?

Lost in thought, her cheek suddenly felt a burning pain, followed by the crackle of firecrackers exploding right above Chu Qiao’s head. Startled, she was about to turn and look when she felt a powerful force surge from in front of her. Zhuge Yue grabbed her hand and, with a nimble movement, pulled her into his arms. Taking several steps back, his almond-shaped sharp eyes slightly upturned, filled with intense anger.

“Are you hurt?”

Chu Qiao looked up and saw it was a tavern setting off firecrackers from the second floor, not paying attention to whether anyone was walking below. Besides her, several others had suffered as innocent bystanders. Now many people were cursing below, but their voices were drowned out by the sound of firecrackers.

Zhuge Yue pulled down Chu Qiao’s hand covering her face and saw it was slightly red, with two spots that were redder. His expression became somewhat grim.

“It’s nothing, it doesn’t hurt.”

Chu Qiao was still not used to his gaze like this and tried to pull her hand from his grip, but he didn’t move an inch. His palm was a little warm, and she could vaguely feel the sharp lines and calluses.

“It’s fine,” she said awkwardly. “My face isn’t ruined.”

“A woman’s face is very important, yet you don’t care,” Zhuge Yue said coolly. Though his tone was harsh, the meaning was good, and Chu Qiao didn’t quibble with him. Unexpectedly, he then added, “But with your face, being ruined or not doesn’t matter much.”

Chu Qiao was stunned, not expecting his old bad habit to resurface after just three sentences. She retorted, “As if you’re so handsome.”

Zhuge Yue had a matter-of-fact expression as he turned and walked toward the shop owner. Chu Qiao was worried he might start a fight over such a small matter, but after standing there for a moment, he turned and came back. She went up to him and asked, “What did you go over there for?”

“To remember the name.”

Chu Qiao clicked her tongue, “You’re so vindictive!”

Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow, “What are you thinking? I smelled the strong wine aroma inside and plan to come back for a meal tomorrow.”

Chu Qiao was very depressed. It wasn’t like this before—why did she always end up at a disadvantage when talking to him now? She frowned as she followed behind him, not seeing the trace of smugness slowly rising at the corner of the man’s eyes in front of her.

The night breeze was clear and quiet. Merchants from both sides occasionally came forward to peddle their wares, and little flower-selling girls often ran over, full of praise for Chu Qiao’s beauty, persuading Zhuge Yue to buy flowers for his wife.

Zhuge Yue calmly accepted everyone’s misunderstanding, buying three flower baskets along the way, but giving them all to Chu Qiao to carry. He walked lightly in front, while Chu Qiao followed behind like a little maid, laden with packages large and small. Passing pedestrians couldn’t help but stare. Gradually, the little flower-selling girls stopped coming over—presumably, in this short time, she had fallen from the status of wife to that of an attendant. The surrounding discussions floated faintly into Chu Qiao’s ears:

“Look at that young master, he’s talented and handsome, even the maid he brings along is pretty and delicate!”

Chu Qiao frowned in annoyance. Did she look like a maid? More than ten years had passed—how was she still his maid?

The wind by the lakeshore was a bit strong. They walked along the embankment, a quiet place with few people. Their steps grew slower and slower, but neither spoke, as if unwilling to break this rare tranquility. From last night until now, neither had mentioned the events of the two years they were apart. Life had suddenly brought them together here, far from Da Xia, far from Yan Bei, without power struggles, without scheming against each other. Life here was peaceful, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, and even the air was unusually fresh. Their spirits relaxed, and neither wanted to mention things that would disturb their mood.

The clear wind rippled over the lake’s surface, and the moonlight was soft, like the ground covered with morning light and rosy clouds.

Unconsciously, they again walked to the foot of that thick old elm tree. Zhuge Yue’s steps involuntarily stopped, and he looked up at the broad canopy. The tumultuous years of wandering passed through his mind one by one—stumbling along, unexpectedly returning to this place.

Chu Qiao looked at him, seeing the man’s tall figure and handsome appearance. But his brow and eyes were no longer the cold and aloof ones of the past, replaced now with a composed, elegant demeanor, with traces of vicissitude showing in his eyes. Looking carefully, it was already noticeable.

Escaping from desperate situations after nine deaths and one life, being abandoned by his country and bearing an evil name, forced to enter dark places—in these two years, he had carved out such an enterprise. How could it be as easy as his casual remark, “I’m not dead yet”?

These days, she had gradually heard about the situation back then.

After she returned to Bian Tang with Li Ce, Da Xia sent seven letters to Bian Tang, demanding that Li Ce hand over Chu Qiao. Yan Xun had also aggressively deployed troops against Bian Tang, fighting several battles on the northwestern border. Finally, Wei Guang of the Wei family personally led the newly formed Southwestern Army to Bian Tang to pressure Li Ce. Although everyone knew that Da Xia wouldn’t dare engage in genuine military conflict with Bian Tang at that time, there was extreme dissatisfaction within Bian Tang toward Li Ce’s actions. Some even attempted to rush into the palace several times to hand over Chu Qiao, this “source of trouble.”

At that time, even if Li Ce could firmly protect Chu Qiao, he absolutely could not protect the Xiuli Army without openly breaking with Da Xia.

At this moment, the Qinghai King, located outside the Western Meng border, unexpectedly and suddenly raised Da Xia’s flag, sending emissaries with maps of eight thousand li to join the royal court. Only then did the world learn that the famous Qinghai King of Western Meng was Zhuge Yue, the fourth young master of the Zhuge family who had supposedly died in Yan Bei two years ago.

What followed was natural. Zhuge Yue returned to the imperial capital with strong military power and the support of the Zhuge family, overwhelming Wei Guang, taking his position as the First Elder, and becoming Da Xia’s Participating General and Grand Marshal, naturally suppressing the military strategy against Bian Tang.

She no longer wanted to imagine how much blood and storm was hidden beneath these brief street talks. They were both people who had waded through the bloody path of power and knew how deep those waters were. Even if the surface seemed calm, how many fierce waves surged beneath?

Dim lights covered the lake, bright as gold. Chu Qiao raised her head, her gaze carrying a trace of faint bitterness. She looked at Zhuge Yue and said solemnly, “I’ve heard that elm trees can communicate with spirits. The older trees that have weathered the years are especially efficacious. They say if you gift your cherished possessions, it can protect your loved ones’ safety. I wonder if it’s true.”

Zhuge Yue still stood quietly, saying nothing.

“Do you believe it?”

Chu Qiao asked softly.

Zhuge Yue’s long eyes slowly narrowed, and he said slowly, “No.”

Chu Qiao looked at him, the corner of her mouth turning up slightly in a smile that couldn’t be described as either joy or sorrow. He didn’t believe?

Slowly stretching out her hand, her long, fair palm gradually opened. Her eyes shone like stars, but her lips curled with a trace of pain as she asked softly, “Do you not believe?”

Zhuge Yue looked down and immediately saw the two translucent white jade pendants. Time seemed to pass through, suddenly pinning him to the spot.

“Zhuge Yue, I originally thought I would never have the chance.”

Chu Qiao smiled gently, her eyes curved, but with sparkling tears within them, her lips trembling slightly, “I thought I would never have the chance to repay your kindness in this life.”

The night was deep, and Zhuge Yue’s silhouette seemed so heavy, making it hard to breathe. His eyes looked directly at her, his pupils black and unfathomable. He said nothing, just staring straight at her as if trying to see through her to somewhere else.

Suddenly, Zhuge Yue sighed heavily, reached out to embrace her shoulders, and said quietly, “Who asked you to repay?”

Chu Qiao’s tears fell, and she obediently nestled in his arms, with many inexplicable feelings surrounding her heart. She pressed against his chest, where a familiar fragrance faintly drifted. Warm comfort spread throughout her body as she quietly closed her eyes. The night breeze blew over them, and in the distance was the joyful crowd. For the first time in her life, she felt that such joy was so close to her, close enough to touch, to breathe in, to feel the taste of happiness.

“Zhuge Yue,” Chu Qiao suddenly raised her head, smiling tearfully at him, “It’s good to be alive.”

Zhuge Yue felt a pain in his heart upon hearing this, but perhaps no one else in this world could understand the meaning of these four words better than they did. He gently lowered his head and kissed the side of her face, murmuring, “Yes, it’s good to be alive.”

In the distance was a field of glass-like lights. Xianyang City’s New Year was approaching, and this New Year, everything would be new.