Chapter 77

The next morning.

Yiling opened her eyes, glanced around, and suddenly sat up in shock.

How did she fall asleep?

She rubbed her forehead in frustration, looking around, but she could no longer see Xie Hengzhi’s figure.

Just like the previous days, there were only traces of him having spent the night on the bed.

Last night, her mind was in chaos, and there were still many things she wanted to ask Xie Hengzhi to clarify.

But it seemed like he was especially busy, and Yiling waited for him for a long time but still couldn’t see him. Eventually, she couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep.

“Has the master left?”

Mallow walked in, and Yiling asked.

“No,” Mallow replied. “It seems the master isn’t going to the palace today. He’s in the study.”

Yiling murmured a low “oh” and stared absentmindedly at the bed where he had slept.

It had been an entire night, and recalling what happened last night, Yiling still felt it was unbelievable.

Moreover, it turned out that it was Xie Hengzhi who saved Cui Zongheng’s life.

If Xie Hengzhi hadn’t said it himself, Yiling would have had a hard time connecting the two of them in such a relationship.

Also, it seemed that Xue Shengan had a very close personal relationship with Xie Hengzhi.

Even in a dream, Yiling wouldn’t dare imagine such things.

A layer of shock and curiosity lingered in her heart as she stepped out of her bedroom and looked toward the study.

The door and windows were tightly shut, and the place was silent with no movement.

However, Li Chun and Dao Yu were guarding outside, and there were no other servants around.

It looked like Cui Zongheng and Xue Shengan had probably arrived again.

But Yiling had no direct connection with these two men, and she couldn’t ask Xie Hengzhi any more questions.

So Yiling waved at Dao Yu.

Dao Yu immediately walked over and asked, “Do you have any instructions, Madam?”

Yiling gestured for her to enter the room, and after closing the door, she quietly asked, “Did those two men come again last night?”

Dao Yu didn’t speak, but her silence was confirmation.

Yiling asked again, “Are they working for the master now?”

“Yes.”

Dao Yu answered simply and directly, with no intention to hide anything, but she wasn’t willing to elaborate further.

Yiling knew that was enough.

As for why Xie Hengzhi had saved Cui Zongheng, and when he and Xue Shengan had become acquainted, Yiling was curious but knew it had nothing to do with her, so there was no need to ask further.

Yiling nodded and motioned for Dao Yu to leave.

The room became quiet again, and Mama Cao and Mallow sent in the breakfast.

Yiling sat alone by the window, gazing in the direction of the study, sighing silently.

When she first encountered the deaths of Cui Zongheng and Xue Shengan leaving the capital, Yiling had been quite upset for a long time, feeling as if her life had no hope.

Now that she saw them appear safe and sound, after the shock settled, Yiling found that only a faint feeling of nostalgia remained in her heart.

Perhaps it was because, at that time, she had been forced by the circumstances to get engaged to them, and there was no deep affection between them.

Now, for these two men, she didn’t have any other emotions.

It was Xie Hengzhi who intrigued her.

She had initially thought that his hands were stained with the blood of countless people.

But in the end… He wasn’t as bloodthirsty as she had imagined.

Yiling looked up at the maids filing in and blinked, her expression a little dazed.

It had already been more than half a year, and it seemed she had never seen Xie Hengzhi casually take anyone’s life, nor had he ever beaten or scolded the servants in the household.

—
Meanwhile, in the study.

“The rumors have already been spread.”

Cui Zongheng sat lazily on the couch, quite pleased with his work. “The people in the palace are always idle. Within three days, the Empress is sure to lose a good night’s sleep.”

Xie Hengzhi, sitting behind the desk, merely hummed in response, “Be careful.”

“I’ll handle it; don’t worry, my Lord,” Cui Zongheng replied, turning to mock Xue Shengan, but then noticed that Xue Shengan looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept all night.

“I’m the one handling the work at night,” Cui Zongheng stood up and teasingly scanned Xue Shengan. “Why does it look like Lord Xue is the busiest one?”

Xue Shengan ignored Cui Zongheng and walked straight toward Xie Hengzhi, cupping his fists.

“If the master has no further instructions, I shall take my leave.”

Xie Hengzhi glanced at him and asked, “Do you have something to do today?”

Xue Shengan sighed and said, “Today is the birthday of my late wife. I want to go pay respects and offer some incense money for her.”

Xie Hengzhi: “…”

Cui Zongheng, overhearing this, sneered, “It’s just the living comforting themselves. The dead can’t receive it, so what’s the point of burning incense?”

“You haven’t died; how do you know they can’t receive it?”

Xue Shengan raised an eyebrow and said seriously, “As a husband, it’s my responsibility. I can’t let her be bullied down there.”

“Oh, I see.”

Cui Zongheng put on a fake look of admiration: “Lord Xue is really responsible, but it’s a pity…”

Xue Shengan: “A pity for what?”

Cui Zongheng: “A pity you got the date wrong.”

Xue Shengan: “?”

Xue Shengan’s expression froze for a moment, and he instinctively turned to look at Xie Hengzhi.

“Why are you looking at the master?” Cui Zongheng’s tone was sharp and mocking. “Even you, as a husband, can’t remember, so do you think the master will?”

He stepped forward and said slowly, “Lord Xue, you got it wrong. Your wife’s birthday isn’t today; it’s tomorow!”

Xie Hengzhi: “…”

Idiot.

It’s the day after tomorrow.

—
The spring in the capital is always rainy.

When it rains, it lasts for days, drizzling continuously for several days.

That morning, the rain was falling again outside the window.

Mama Cao brought in the breakfast and, noticing Yiling’s tired appearance, asked, “Madam, did you not sleep well last night?”

“Mm.”

Yiling replied, “There was thunder last night, and I woke up twice.”

“The spring thunder comes suddenly, and the rain has increased. It’s been like this lately.”

Mama Cao had already started planning to prepare some soothing medicinal food for the night when she heard Yiling ask, “What day is it today?”

“Seventh of March.”

Mama Cao turned and saw Yiling’s surprised expression, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Yiling froze for a moment before shaking her head and saying, “Nothing.”

These days, her life had truly been filled with surprises.

After rushing back from Songyuan County, weary and exhausted, she encountered Mrs. Shang. After Mrs. Shang left, she ran into the matter involving the Crown Prince, and then she met Cui Zongheng, who had “come back from the dead.”

She had been living in constant fear, so there was no time to remember the date.

Naturally, she also forgot… that today was her birthday.

The rain outside seemed to suddenly soak into her heart, and Yiling felt as if her entire body had become damp.

She stood up and walked towards the dining table.

A lavish breakfast was laid out, all her favorites.

But unfortunately, on a day that was supposed to be for her, she could not openly eat a bowl of longevity noodles, only able to sigh in resignation.

Just then, Mama Cao went out, and Mallow came in to attend to her.

Yiling turned back and looked at her, suddenly saying, “Mallow, could you help me prepare some Kong Ming lanterns?”

Although she couldn’t celebrate her birthday openly, she couldn’t miss the chance to release lanterns and make a wish.

Mallow didn’t ask why; he just nodded and turned to prepare.

Only then did Yiling pick up her chopsticks.

Just as she was about to grab a steaming crystal dumpling, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Yiling looked up and saw Xie Hengzhi pushing open the door.

He had not gone to the palace today.

Xie Hengzhi silently sat down, picked up a bowl, and leisurely began drinking soy milk.

After only a few sips, a maid came in.

She placed a bowl in front of Xie Hengzhi.

“My Lord, your noodles.”

Noodles?

Yiling looked up and saw a large bowl of plain noodles sprinkled with dried shrimp.

Xie Hengzhi simply gave a grunt and picked up his chopsticks without looking at Yiling.

He stirred the hot noodles slowly, then picked up a small bowl and carefully transferred the noodles into it.

The entire time, he didn’t glance at Yiling.

How pretentious.

Yiling silently muttered to herself, about to continue eating her crystal dumplings, when she saw him push most of the noodles toward her.

Yiling: “What’s this supposed to mean?”

Xie Hengzhi: “I’m not hungry; I can’t finish it.”

Yiling: “If you can’t eat it, why make so much?”

As she spoke, she saw Xie Hengzhi frown and reach for the bowl as if to take it back, so Yiling immediately raised her hand to stop him.

“Don’t waste it.”

Yiling didn’t raise her head again.

She didn’t realize that Xie Hengzhi had been watching her, eating the entire bowl of “longevity noodles” carefully and gratefully, one bite at a time.

In the evening.

When the sky darkened and the rain stopped, Yiling went out of the manor with Mallow and her guards.

In previous years, she had always released Kong Ming lanterns at Liqin Garden for her birthday. 

Although things were different this year, she still subconsciously instructed the coachman to go to Liqin Garden.

However, the coachman said, “Madam, I’ve heard that today the Queen’s maternal aunt is hosting a banquet at Liqin Garden, and it has been surrounded early. We may not be able to get in.”

The Queen’s maternal aunt…

Although Yiling felt somewhat disappointed, she couldn’t force her way in.

“Alright then.”

She hesitated, wondering where to go instead, when the coachman suggested, “Why not go to Lijiang?”

After all, it was just about releasing a Kong Ming lantern, so it didn’t really matter where they went.

Yiling agreed.

However, Lijiang was quiet even during the day, and by night, it was eerily still.

Before they reached the river, they were passing through a dark forest, and just the sound of the wind made Mallow uneasy.

“Madam, the Lantern Festival has already passed. Is it still effective to release Kong Ming lanterns now?”

“It’s actually better to do it after the Lantern Festival,” Yiling said casually, trying to reassure Mallow. “So many people release lanterns during the Lantern Festival; how could Heaven remember all of them? But today, I’m the only one. Heaven will definitely remember my wish.”

Mallow: “…Alright then.”

As they spoke, the carriage stopped.

Since it was already dark and there was no one around, even though the guards were holding lanterns to lead the way, Mallow felt nervous and hesitated to get off the carriage.

Seeing this, Yiling regretted not thinking of another place to go earlier.

On a day like her birthday, coming to such a lonely place didn’t quite seem appropriate.

Who wouldn’t want to have a lively celebration for their birthday?

But, since they were already here…

Yiling straightened her clothes but didn’t wait for Mallow to help her down.

“Mallow?”

She leaned out and saw Mallow standing dazedly by the carriage, her face illuminated by flickering lights.

Yiling also sensed something and looked up.

Under the dense, ink-like night sky, the Lijiang River seemed to be embedded with brilliant stars. 

The trees along the river were dotted with shining lanterns, and colorful ribbons and silk hung in the air. In the glowing light, lotus-shaped river lanterns slowly drifted along the peaceful river. 

Even the wind passing through the trees sounded like the movement of a starry river.

Mallow finally snapped out of her daze and helped Yiling down from the carriage.

The two of them walked a few steps forward and saw the calm river water lined with short, round lanterns, as if guarding against anyone stepping into the water at night.

Looking along the river, the brilliant lights stretched endlessly in both directions, without a clear beginning or end.

It seemed as though the Milky Way itself had been laid before Yiling’s eyes.

“Madam, it’s so beautiful here!” Mallow couldn’t help but look around excitedly. “I didn’t expect that even though we missed the Lantern Festival, we could still see such beautiful lanterns!”

As she spoke, she quickly ran back to the carriage to bring the Kong Ming lantern.

“Hurry, Madam, let’s release the lantern!” She smiled, her eyes squinting with joy. “It’s so bright here; the wish will definitely come true!”

She lit the wick of the Kong Ming lantern with a fire starter and handed it to Yiling.

Yiling took the lantern but was still lost in thought.

At that moment, fireworks suddenly erupted across the river, brilliant and dazzling, lighting up the entire night sky with loud bursts.

Mallow couldn’t help but exclaim in wonder, her face breaking into a smile as she pointed at the fireworks and shouted, “Madam! Look, look, look! There are fireworks tonight!”

Seeing the riverbank lit up like a lantern festival had already surprised Yiling.

Now, with the colorful fireworks rising into the sky, a subtle thought appeared in her mind.

She looked around and saw that the guards were not surprised, standing quietly by the side as if they had known this would happen all along.

The answer was becoming clear.

Yiling’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

The Kong Ming lantern in her hand had filled with hot air and was ready to fly with just a slight release.

But at that moment, she turned her head.

Sure enough, under a sturdy tree, she saw Xie Hengzhi standing there.

He had his arms crossed, looking as if he hadn’t expected Yiling to turn around.

For a moment he froze, his gaze lingering.

Only when he saw Yiling staring at him did he start walking toward her.

The instant he moved, Yiling quickly turned her head away.

A moment later, she could see from the corner of her eye that Xie Hengzhi had stood beside her, just a fist’s distance away.

The fireworks were still rising, each burst more splendid than the last.

Though Yiling’s eyes were fixed on the fireworks, she had no interest in admiring them.

To others, today was just an ordinary day.

Only Yiling knew that today was her birthday.

So why was Xie Hengzhi doing all of this?

Did he know…?

“Why are you doing this?” She looked at Xie Hengzhi, her voice trembling slightly. “For no reason at all.”

After a long pause, Xie Hengzhi finally spoke, “You didn’t get to see the Lantern Festival lights this year. Aren’t you still upset about it? This morning, you even had Mallow look for a Kong Ming lantern.”

He tilted his head to look at Yiling and smiled lightly. “So today, I’m making up for the lantern festival.”

In the reflection of the fireworks, his face flickered in the light and shadow.

Only the brightness in his eyes, dancing with the fireworks, unsettled her.

So that was it.

But this reason didn’t seem much better than what she had imagined.

After a long gaze, Yiling suddenly turned her face away, raising the Kong Ming lantern to shield herself, her eyes tightly shut.

But the wind kept blowing at her dress, making it impossible for her to calm down and make her wish.

The sounds of fireworks continued to ring in her ears, and Yiling’s hand, holding the lantern, trembled lightly.

Hadn’t she already agreed to be in a nominal marriage? Why was he teasing her again?

And why wouldn’t this wind stop, making her heart chaotic?

The more irritated Yiling felt, the stronger the wind became.

The Kong Ming lantern, now full of hot air, seemed eager to rise, and as Yiling was momentarily distracted, it slipped from her hand.

She opened her eyes just in time to see the lantern unexpectedly flying into the night sky.

It felt as though she, like the lantern, was drifting off in an unknown direction.

“What did you wish for?”

Hearing Xie Hengzhi’s voice, Yiling suddenly snapped back to her senses, her voice cold and tinged with a subtle panic. “You’re not a Bodhisattva. What’s the use in telling you?”

Xie Hengzhi smiled softly.

“Your wish, telling me, is more useful than telling a Bodhisattva.”

It sounded casual, but his tone was serious.

Is that so?

Yiling knew Xie Hengzhi was watching her, but she kept her gaze on the almost invisible Kong Ming lantern.

“My wish is the same as everyone else’s,” her voice was calm, though her heart was in turmoil. “I just want to live a peaceful and happy life.”

After a long silence, Xie Hengzhi didn’t respond, just watching Yiling intently.

Her gaze remained bright, even under the vibrant light of the fireworks.

Another burst of fireworks rose into the air, and in the dazzling glow, Xie Hengzhi turned his face away, his voice low. “You will.”