Yun Xi’s shoulder wound wasn’t serious. Not long after being helped to rest, she woke up.

Fang Furan asked anxiously beside her, “A’Ting, how are you feeling?”

Yun Xi struggled to sit up, shaking her head slightly. “Sister, I’m fine.”

Her wound had just been bandaged, and a bowl of steaming medicine sat on the small table by the bed.

Fang Furan frowned. “You only went out for a walk — how did you end up wounded like this?”

She picked up the bowl of medicine, spooned some out, blew on it to cool it, and said, “Drink this first.”

Yun Xi obediently drank the medicine. Looking around, she realized this was likely a quiet chamber near Kunyu Garden. It was now the hour of xu-zheng, and the banquet hadn’t yet ended — faint sounds of music still drifted from not far away.

Remembering what had happened earlier by the lake in the camphor grove, she asked, “Sister, how is the Third Young Master?”

Before Fang Furan could answer, the door creaked open. It was Nanny Qin, who attended the Grand Empress Dowager.

Seeing Yun Xi awake, she said in surprise, “You’re already awake, my dear?” and bowed slightly. “The Grand Empress Dowager, hearing that Young Miss Yun was injured protecting the Third Young Master, specially sent this old servant to look after you.”

Nanny Qin had served the Grand Empress Dowager since her youth. When the Empress Dowager had passed away early, it was Nanny Qin who helped the Grand Empress Dowager raise Emperor Zhaoyuan together — so although she was technically a servant, her standing within the palace grounds was considerable indeed.

Yun Xi hardly dared accept such an honor, and immediately moved to get up from the bed to return the courtesy. “My wound isn’t serious. I already feel much better after taking the medicine. Thank you for your trouble, Nanny.”

“No need for such formality,” Nanny Qin said quickly, stepping forward to support her, smiling. “This old servant already asked the imperial physician about your condition. Though the wound didn’t hit anything vital, you were injured while protecting the Third Young Master — and counting your finding him before, you’ve now saved the Third Young Master’s life twice.”

She helped Yun Xi sit at the edge of the bed. “Everyone in this palace knows the Third Young Master of Prince Cong’s household is the very apple of the Grand Empress Dowager’s eye. She’s terribly grateful to you now — just at the banquet, she was saying that once the Third Young Master marries next year, she intends to set aside a place of honor especially for you, so the Third Young Master can properly thank you.”

Hearing this, Yun Xi paused. “The Third Young Master is getting married?”

“Indeed,” Nanny Qin said.

She glanced around the room — only a single charcoal brazier was burning. Though the day had been fine, night had fallen, and the cold wind seeping in made the room chilly.

She stepped outside and instructed the palace servants to bring two more red-lacquered charcoal braziers, along with hand warmers and woolen blankets, hot water, and small refreshments. Once everything was arranged, she continued where she’d left off, “Funny thing, really — earlier at the banquet, His Majesty wanted to take advantage of the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday to double the joy, and proposed granting a marriage between the Third Young Master and the Yu family’s second daughter. But who would have thought — the Third Young Master actually declined.”

“Everyone at the banquet was quite taken aback. For the Third Young Master to decline like that, right in front of everyone — wasn’t that putting His Majesty in an awkward position? And more than that, wasn’t it practically defying an imperial decree? Prince Yun then asked the Third Young Master whether he already had someone in his heart, which was why he wanted to decline the match. Can you guess what the Third Young Master said?”

Yun Xi lowered her eyes and listened, saying nothing.

“The Third Young Master said no, only that after being attacked so many times in a row, he had no heart for such worldly matters at the moment,” Nanny Qin said with a smile. “You know, this Yu family’s Ling girl and the Third Young Master really do share a bond of childhood friendship — there was also a fifth young master from the Zhou Hongguang family, the three of them used to play together constantly as children. This old servant still remembers, back when the Grand Empress Dowager’s health was still robust, she would take them to Mingyin Temple every single year.”

“The Grand Empress Dowager said that the Third Young Master has been through quite a lot this past year, and his temperament has settled considerably. She thinks he deserves some time to ease into things, and that’s only right. But then again, His Majesty’s word is as good as gold, and this matter has already gotten off to a good start — the formal betrothal procedures, the matchmaking, will likely proceed gradually once spring arrives. The Grand Empress Dowager, feeling for the Third Young Master, has kept Miss Ling residing long-term in the palace. Even if the Third Young Master doesn’t seem particularly fond of her yet, with her frequently visiting Ci’en Palace, the childhood bond between them can be rekindled, and with enough time spent together, deep affection is sure to grow between them. Before coming here, the Grand Empress Dowager even mentioned that once His Majesty formally grants the marriage next year, the guest list will be personally drawn up by us here at Ci’en Palace — and you, my dear, will be the very first name on it.”

As Nanny Qin spoke, she carefully added fresh charcoal to the newly delivered hand warmer. By the time the charcoal was in place, she had finished speaking as well.

She handed the warmer to Yun Xi and asked kindly, “Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat, my dear?”

Yun Xi said, “Thank you for your trouble, Nanny. I’m not hungry yet.”

“All right. If you get hungry later, just let someone at the door know. The chefs from the longevity kitchen are all here at Yanfu Palace today — this old servant will have them whip up something delicious for you, however you like.” As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward the window, and seeming to suddenly recall the hour, she chided herself, “Oh, listen to me rambling on and on — I’ve lingered here far too long. Fortunately it’s the Grand Empress Dowager’s birthday, so I doubt she’ll mind, but I wouldn’t want to disturb your rest. Do get some sleep, my dear — this old servant won’t trouble you any further. His Majesty has specially instructed the Junior Prince of Nan’an from the Capital Garrison Office to escort you home first thing tomorrow morning.”

With that, Nanny Qin waved off Yun Xi’s attempt to see her out, and closed the door behind her as she walked away.

Once Nanny Qin had left, the smile slowly faded from Yun Xi’s face.

She set the hand warmer aside and lowered her eyes, watching the crisscrossing shadows the window lattice cast across the back of her hand. After a while, she picked up a dagger from the small table beside her.

Fang Furan recognized this dagger — it was the one Yun Luo had given Yun Xi before his final campaign.

Perhaps because the handle was slippery, it was wrapped round and round with bandage cloth. The cloth was worn with age, but very clean — Yun Xi must have washed it often.

“A’Ting.” Fang Furan called softly.

Unable to bear seeing her like this, she said gently, “That Yu Ling from the Yu family only recently moved back to Jinling. She and the Third Young Master haven’t seen each other in years, and as Nanny Qin said, the Third Young Master doesn’t seem particularly fond of her. But even if the Third Young Master doesn’t want this match, even if he’s declined it for now, he can’t keep defying His Majesty and the Grand Empress Dowager outright.”

“He’s a member of the imperial family. His marriage was never his to decide on his own — do you understand that?”

Yun Xi lowered her eyes and nodded silently.

How could she not understand?

She even understood exactly why Nanny Qin had come to say all this to her today — likely under instruction from the Grand Empress Dowager, or perhaps Emperor Zhaoyuan himself.

The imperial family always liked to handle things without leaving any loose ends.

They had probably noticed how close she’d grown to the Third Young Master lately, and worried that having saved him several times, feelings might have developed between them — which was why they’d decided to sever the connection from both ends.

She knew he was a prince’s son, and the last person he should marry was the daughter of a military family.

Yun Xi said dully, “Sister, once the Third Young Master’s marriage is settled, will he and I grow distant from each other?”

Before Fang Furan could answer, she continued, “Actually, that day at the Imperial Guard Bureau, he came to bring me a hand warmer. I thought, perhaps I meant something a little different to him. But later I found out he’d only come to find me because Prince Cong had instructed him to.”

Her fleeting joys and sorrows, in the end, amounted to nothing but drawing water in a bamboo basket.

“Actually, I already suspected as much,” she said. “The Third Young Master has already come of age — he can’t go without a consort forever. It’s a good thing that His Majesty wants to grant him a marriage, to name him heir.”

As for herself?

She had originally meant to help him find the “noble one” who’d tried to harm him.

But looking at today’s events, he had figured out where Mao Jiu was hiding within Yanfu Palace before she did, and had hidden guards there before she’d even thought to. In terms of strategy, she couldn’t match him; in terms of martial skill, he was a prince’s son with no shortage of people to protect him — he hardly needed her either.

Perhaps he had never really needed her at all.

Never mind, then. Let it be.

After all, her life before Cheng Chang had gotten along just fine without him in it — surely it could again.

Yun Xi gave a faint smile. “Actually, the moment I saw that Yu Ling today, I had an inkling the Grand Empress Dowager meant to arrange a match between her and the Third Young Master.”

“I’d already made up my mind about it, really. The Third Young Master will settle permanently in Jinling one day, while I’m bound sooner or later to go guard the northern frontier like my father and brother before me. We were always going to end up worlds apart. Now that his marriage is settled, I won’t intrude on his life any further.”

She kept saying “actually,” as if everything had already been foreseen and accepted by her all along.

But in truth, it was only because she harbored a hope she shouldn’t have that she kept comforting herself with these “actually”s.

“A’Ting.” Fang Furan reached out and took Yun Xi’s hand. “Don’t be sad.”

Yun Xi shook her head slightly. “Sister, I’m not sad.”

She let out a breath, lay back on the bed, and pulled the blanket over herself. “It’s late, sister. Go get some rest, so you don’t wear yourself out on top of everything else.”

Fang Furan looked at her once more, knowing that nothing she said now would help. She sighed silently and blew out the lamp on the table.

“Sister.”

Just as Fang Furan reached the doorway, she heard Yun Xi speak again.

“I really do envy that woman. She gets to stay by the Third Young Master’s side forever.”

Fang Furan turned to look, but the room was pitch dark, and she couldn’t make out anything at all.

Yun Xi’s voice was muffled and a little choked. “Sister, you once told me that carrying someone unattainable in your heart is a bitter thing.”

Over time, one comes to understand this feeling all too well.

She hadn’t believed it before. She’d thought it was her good fortune to have fallen for the Third Young Master.

But now she understood.

This feeling was silent, yet gripping.

Like building a tower in a wasteland with your own hands, only to watch it collapse before your eyes, crumbling into shards of blue tile — enduring the crashing waves, the crushing of bone and spirit, without leaving even a wisp of smoke behind.

Sunk in the darkness, Yun Xi smacked her lips softly and said, “Yes, it’s a bit bitter.”

———*—

As the banquet drew to a close, the group first escorted the Grand Empress Dowager to Qionghua Pavilion, staying to talk with her a while longer until she retired to rest, before finally returning to their own quarters.

Cheng Chang summoned a palace attendant to ask the time, and hearing it was the hour of hai-zheng, bowed to Prince Cong and said, “Father, Mother, please rest first. Mingying has something to attend to — I’m going out for a walk.”

“Mingying,” Prince Cong said, “where are you going?”

Cheng Chang didn’t answer.

The Princess Consort of Prince Cong glanced around, then stepped closer. “Are you going to look for that Yun girl from the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor’s household? Your father has told you time and again, both directly and indirectly, not to grow too close to her — why won’t you listen?”

She paused, then lowered her voice. “And besides, don’t you understand what your imperial uncle meant tonight? Our Huining Hall is right next to your imperial uncle’s Yiqing Hall — how could he not know your every move?”

Cheng Chang hesitated for a moment, about to explain, when he looked up to see Nanny Qin from the Grand Empress Dowager’s side leading Yu Ling over toward them.

Nanny Qin said with a smile, “The Grand Empress Dowager, concerned that the Third Young Master might not have fully enjoyed himself at tonight’s banquet, thought that since it’s not too late yet, she’d have Miss Ling accompany him on a walk around the grounds.”

With that, Yu Ling bowed to Cheng Chang. “Third Young Master.”

Cheng Chang nodded. “Let’s go.” He walked ahead toward Kunyu Garden.

The banquet at Kunyu Garden was winding down, with palace attendants and patrolling guards everywhere. Given the earlier assassination attempt, security at Yanfu Palace tonight was especially tight — the Palace Guard and Imperial Guard Bureau were stationed around Kunyu Garden and Yiqing Hall, with troops from the Capital Garrison Office posted even further out.

Cheng Chang reached a small pavilion and stopped, turning back to Yu Ling. “I have something to attend to. You—”

“Is the Third Young Master going to visit Miss Yun Xi of the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor’s household?” Yu Ling said before he could finish.

She glanced around, as if noting that the nearby guards dared not approach, and lowered her voice further. “Go ahead, Third Young Master. I’ll wait for you right here at the pavilion.”

Cheng Chang was somewhat surprised, but didn’t ask how she’d guessed his intention — after all, having been summoned into the palace by Emperor Zhaoyuan and kept constantly by the Grand Empress Dowager’s side, she was bound to understand the sovereign’s mind well enough.

Cheng Chang called over some men from the Palace Guard, instructing them to protect Yu Ling’s safety, then set off alone along the stone path outside the pavilion, heading deeper into the rock garden within Kunyu Garden.

The snow lay thick in the rock garden. Cheng Chang walked to an open clearing and stopped.

He seemed to be waiting for someone, standing there in thoughtful silence.

Before long, from behind a nearby rockery, a figure emerged, holding a wine jug and thoroughly drunk. He squinted, studying the newcomer carefully, and seemed rather surprised. “Oh, Third Young Master — what are you doing out here alone in the dead of night?”

It was none other than Wei Jie.

Cheng Chang said, “Wasn’t it you who arranged to meet me here, Lord Wei?”

Calling it an “arrangement” wasn’t entirely accurate.

Tonight had, after all, been Cheng Chang’s own effort to confront the “noble one” — yet Wei Jie had come along, not only helping him dispose of Mao Jiu’s body, but also joining him in staging an elaborate deception before Emperor Zhaoyuan, turning the tables to make it look as though he himself had been the one attacked.

Cheng Chang had never had any prior dealings with Wei Jie, so he certainly didn’t take this unprompted help for granted.

Wei Jie was Commander of the Imperial Guard Bureau, a close guard of the Emperor, privy to far too many of the imperial family’s secrets. If he was helping him, he surely wanted something in return.

The reason Cheng Chang had followed him all the way here was that this rock garden was guarded solely by the Imperial Guard Bureau’s own men — Wei Jie had likely already stationed his own people here, making it the most convenient place to speak freely.

Wei Jie laughed. “Listen to you, Third Young Master. I’m just a rough sort from the common ranks — how could I dare trouble you to come all this way?”

“If Lord Wei has nothing else to say,” Cheng Chang said, “then I’ll be on my way.”

With that, he turned to head out of the rock garden.

“Hey now, don’t just walk off like that.” Wei Jie stepped back two paces, blocking Cheng Chang’s path. “Let’s have a chat?”

“About what?”

“The heart-to-heart kind,” Wei Jie said with a smile. He thought for a moment, a mischievous glint flashing in his drunken eyes. “How about this — you and I each share a secret. You go first.”

Cheng Chang nodded.

Then he said, “I’ve lost my memory.”

Wei Jie: “…”

Though somewhat surprised, he’d already suspected as much beforehand.

But as far as secrets went, this was certainly a genuine one.

“That’s cheating — getting off far too easy,” Wei Jie said.

Though he said this, he didn’t seem to mind in the least, and instead grew smug. “Now watch this.”

“I think the third and fourth princes are both worthless. I despise them.”

Cheng Chang: “…”

“So—” Wei Jie fixed his gaze on Cheng Chang, the smile in his eyes never fading, impossible to tell whether he was still drunk or not, and said slowly and deliberately, “I want to help put you on the throne.”