Chapter 46

As the days entered May, the weather grew warmer.

Today, Lu Mizhi had just finished her lessons at the girls’ school and was now sitting on the soft couch, accompanying Shen Wei. It was unclear whether Shen Wei’s words from before had made an impact, but Lu Mizhi seemed to have become more cheerful than she used to be. Even Old Madam Xie occasionally remarked that Lu Mizhi seemed different from before.

“The teacher praised my琴 playing. Fourth Sister got upset and wanted to pull my hair, but this time I didn’t let her, and I even scolded her a bit…” Lu Mizhi seemed to recall something amusing, her eyes turning into crescent shapes as she smiled. She tilted her head slightly as she looked at Shen Wei and continued, “Mother doesn’t even know how Fourth Sister acts, it’s just like… it’s just like…”

Although she had been taught by Shen Wei, she was still a young lady raised in a noble family, and it was difficult for her to speak openly about certain matters. After a moment of thought, she changed her words and said, “She also said she would go and report me to Second Aunt.”

Hearing Lu Mizhi say this and noticing the persistent smile on her little face, Shen Wei smiled and handed her the peeled orange she had prepared earlier, then asked with interest, “So what did you say?”

Lu Mizhi took the orange from Shen Wei, first thanking her, then continued, “I said I wasn’t afraid. This was originally Fourth Sister’s fault, so even if Second Aunt scolds me, I would still say the same thing. Moreover…” She paused for a moment and then added, “Moreover, Second Aunt doesn’t have the intention to interfere in our matters anymore.”

It had been some time since Lu Qiyan left for Jiangxi…

Initially, Wang Shi had been ill, and although she had recovered, she still wore a constant unhappy expression. Seeing her in this state, Old Madam Xie had decided to excuse her from paying respects… Speaking of which, Shen Wei had not seen her for a while.

Although Wang Shi often acted recklessly, she did care for her two sons. However, sometimes, her excessive concern only made things worse.

Shen Wei, thinking about this, no longer wanted to discuss the matter. She saw that Lu Mizhi had finished eating the orange and offered her a small portion of the remaining one.

Lu Mizhi, seeing Shen Wei’s gesture, smiled and gently pushed her hand away, saying, “Mother, you should eat too…”

Shen Wei smiled at her words but did not say anything more. She simply agreed and began eating.

The room was filled with laughter and conversation when Yi Qin entered, holding a memorial. Shen Wei, noticing the memorial in her hand, did not move but instead asked, “Which family’s memorial is this?”

Since Lu Qihuai had gained favor with the emperor, the family had been receiving many memorials.

With Lu Qihuai holding an official position and being busy, these memorials naturally fell to Shen Wei. Whether it was an invitation to a flower-viewing banquet or to celebrate a joyous event, Shen Wei had grown tired of dealing with them and always found excuses to decline.

Despite this, the family still continued to receive these memorials.

Yi Qin, upon hearing the question, first bowed to Shen Wei and then smiled as she replied, “Today’s memorial is from Princess Changping of the Huo family.”

Princess Changping?

Shen Wei was stunned upon hearing this. Why would Huo Feiguany think of sending a memorial to her? But no matter the reason, Huo Feiguany had helped her before, and she did feel differently toward him. Thinking this, she wiped her hands with a handkerchief and then extended her hand to personally inspect the memorial.

Yi Qin, seeing this, quickly handed the memorial to her.

Shen Wei took the memorial, opened it, and saw that the writing was sparse, much like Huo Feiguany’s straightforward nature. However, upon reading the contents, Shen Wei couldn’t help but smile in amusement. If she had been eating at the time, she might have spit out her food.

Even so, Lu Mizhi noticed her reaction.

Looking up at Shen Wei, she asked with a hint of confusion, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Shen Wei smiled, lowering her eyes to look at Lu Mizhi. She closed the memorial and gently patted her head, saying, “It’s nothing. I just suddenly remembered… I seem to owe someone a meal.” She had indeed told Huo Feiguany that she would invite him for a meal, but he never seemed to confirm it, and then she got busy and forgot about it.

She hadn’t expected Huo Feiguany to send her a memorial as a reminder.

Shen Wei still found the content of the memorial amusing. It mentioned that Princess Changping was famously difficult to get along with, and all the noble ladies in Bianliang were afraid of her… but now, it seemed that Huo Feiguany had an unknown side to him.

How interesting.

Shen Wei thought about this and withdrew her hand from Lu Mizhi’s head, then turned to Yi Qin and asked, “Do you know of any good places in Bianliang for hosting a meal?”

Yi Qin, hearing the question, was momentarily stunned, but after a brief pause, she replied respectfully, “If you’re looking for a place to host guests, Tianxiang Lou in the eastern part of the city is a good choice. However, it is in a busy area, so it might be crowded and less private…” She continued, “If Madam is thinking of inviting Princess Changping, you could go to Jinjiang Lou in the western part of the city. It is a quieter place, usually only frequented by nobles and aristocrats.”

Jinjiang Lou?

Shen Wei recalled a description of Jinjiang Lou from a book. It was one of the most popular venues in Bianliang, not just for men but also for women. It catered to all sorts of needs, whether for entertainment or dining, and was highly sought after by the city’s elites.

Shen Wei was curious, though.

Jinjiang Lou had only appeared seven years ago, and no one knew who owned it or what kind of influence it had. All she knew was that since its opening, it had been incredibly popular, and anyone with status in Bianliang considered it a mark of distinction to be able to dine there.

Yi Qin, seeing Shen Wei’s changing expression, lowered her voice slightly and asked, “Madam, did I say something wrong?”

Shen Wei snapped back to her senses, smiled at Yi Qin’s concerned expression, and placed the memorial on the table. She then replied, “No, you spoke well…” After a pause, she added, “Let’s go with Jinjiang Lou. Please send someone quickly to reserve a private room there.”

Yi Qin, hearing her instructions, quickly responded, bowed, and left the room to carry out the task.

Shen Wei watched as Yi Qin left, her hand unconsciously tapping the surface of the desk. In truth, she had always had an idea in her mind, but had been struggling to put it into action. Although she had everything now, these things were never truly hers. If there was ever a chance for her to leave the Duke of Rong’s mansion, she at least needed to have some wealth to support herself.

If she could strike a business deal with the owner of Jinjiang Tower, that wealth would be easily obtained.

She had many skills, and even though Jinjiang Tower seemed perfect, there were always areas that could be improved. If she could leverage her own talents or knowledge as a bargaining chip, it was not without possibility. As Shen Wei thought of this, the hand that had been tapping the desk involuntarily relaxed a little.

Lu Mi Zhi, observing Shen Wei’s expression, reached out and tugged gently on her sleeve.

Shen Wei, noticing the gesture, lowered her head and looked at Lu Mi Zhi. She spoke in a soft voice, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Mi Zhi, hearing this, merely shook her head. In truth, she had felt that something was off with her mother earlier, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. So, she simply continued to hold onto Shen Wei’s sleeve and began talking about something lighthearted.

—-

A few days later.

The Jinjiang Tower was not as lively in the afternoon as it was in the evening. Shen Wei, wearing a veil and supported by Mo Qi, stepped down from the carriage. Upon seeing the four-story building in front of her, she couldn’t help but pause for a moment. When a servant came to greet her, she snapped out of her trance.

“The honored guest has arrived. Please come in…”

The servant smiled and bowed to her, half-bending his body as he led her inside. His demeanor was respectful, though not overly servile.

Shen Wei, observing his manners, nodded slightly. She didn’t speak but continued to be supported by Mo Qi as they entered. When Mo Qi mentioned their name, the servant smiled and led them to the second floor, adding, “Another distinguished guest has already arrived.”

She wasn’t too late, but to her surprise, Hu Feiguany had arrived before her.

However, Shen Wei didn’t comment on it. She simply continued up the stairs. The higher the floor, the higher the status of the guests. Shen Wei’s private room had been arranged on the third floor.

The servant led her to a room marked with the wooden sign “Tai Chang Yin.” He knocked gently on the door, and upon hearing a response from inside, he pushed the door open and made another bow to Shen Wei, saying, “Honored guest, please enter.” Afterward, he added, “There is a bell inside. If you have any requests, just pull the bell.”

Shen Wei nodded in acknowledgment, and when Mo Qi helped her inside, the door was closed behind them.

The room was not large, but it was elegantly decorated. From the vases on the shelves to the six-panel screen, every item in the room, including the table, chairs, lamp, and plates, had been carefully chosen. As Shen Wei passed the screen, she saw Hu Feiguany leaning against the window. Still wearing her crimson attire, she appeared relaxed and at ease. Without turning around, she spoke, “You’re here.”

Shen Wei had already removed her veil. She softly murmured, “Mmm.”

Looking around the room, Shen Wei noticed there was no one else besides Hu Feiguany, which suggested that the Princess of Changping didn’t like to have people attending her constantly. Shen Wei thought of this and turned her head to look at Mo Qi. Mo Qi understood and quietly withdrew after a respectful gesture.

Once the door closed again—

Hu Feiguany turned toward Shen Wei. A warm and comfortable expression, which hadn’t been evident earlier, appeared on her face as she said gently, “Come here.”

Shen Wei raised an eyebrow in response. Likely because Mo Qi had left the room, Shen Wei felt less restrained than usual. Hearing the invitation, she didn’t say anything but simply walked toward Hu Feiguany. When she reached her side, before she could speak, Hu Feiguany said, “Look outside.”

Outside?

Shen Wei looked outside, and because they were on a high floor, she could see most of Bianliang City. Even the distant imperial palace was visible. The towering palaces and ancient city walls, which normally seemed so grand, now appeared small and lost their usual majesty.

Further ahead, beyond the blue sky, a vast mountain range stretched out, though it was too distant to discern clearly. Despite the distance, the sight brought a rare sense of relief to Shen Wei.

Since coming to this world, she had always been cautious, afraid that others would notice something unusual. But today, without the presence of the familiar figures of her former life, she finally felt like she could be herself. Shen Wei closed her eyes, resting her hand on the window frame and tilting her head back to take a deep breath.

Hu Feiguany noticed Shen Wei’s actions and couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t speak, merely continued looking outside. After a while, she spoke again, “In a faraway border town, there is even bluer sky, broader grasslands, no complicated human emotions or endless schemes. There, you’ll only find young men and women who love to sing and drink.”

“On sunny days, you can ride horses under the clear blue sky.”

“And at night, you can sit on a high hill, drinking and watching the bright moon.”

Shen Wei listened to each word, slowly opening her eyes. She didn’t know why Hu Feiguany was telling her this, but she turned to look at her. The usually aloof and indifferent Hu Feiguany was now smiling brightly, her eyes full of unhidden joy.

Hu Feiguany continued talking about these things, and Shen Wei quietly listened.

After an unknown amount of time, Hu Feiguany stopped and turned her head to look at Shen Wei. Seeing her calm and composed as always, she smiled, “I don’t know why, but when I’m with you, I want to share these thoughts.” She paused for a moment and then added, “Do you think I’m strange? Giving up the wealth and glory of Bianliang City, and longing for a faraway place?”

Even though she usually couldn’t be bothered with those people, she was aware of what they said behind the flattering, humble faces—if they were being polite, they called her actions absurd; if they were being rude, it was a flood of vile and filthy words.

She knew all this, and because she knew, she was even more unwilling to pay attention to them. But today, for some reason, she had brought these things up, and even told them to a woman from the inner household.

Huo Feiguang didn’t know what Shen Wei would think. She just felt that Shen Wei was different.

There was no particular reason, she just felt it.

Shen Wei waited until Hu Feiguany stopped speaking before answering. Her voice was calm as usual, without the slightest change: “There’s nothing strange about it. Everyone’s choices are different. As long as you’re happy, that’s enough.” Her hand still rested on the window frame, and her gaze turned back toward the outside. She looked at the blue sky and white clouds, a slight smile on her face, before continuing: “Not all women’s ultimate destination in life is marriage.”

“If someone is happy, then marriage is not a bad thing.”

“But if they are not, there is no need to force themselves…” Shen Wei smiled and turned her head toward Hu Feiguany, noticing the confusion on her face. She added, “Your heart is broader than anyone else’s. The world cannot stop you. I believe that if you want to, you can always go back.”

This was the first time Hu Feiguany had heard such words.

Even though her actions were often absurd, and she disregarded what others thought, hearing Shen Wei’s words now made her slightly stunned. Did she know what she was saying? If others heard such words, not only the women in the inner household, but even the scholars would probably write several articles to reprimand her.

“You…”

Hu Feiguany’s throat was dry and hoarse, but her gaze didn’t waver. She just looked at Shen Wei and asked, “Who are you really?” She had sensed something was off about Shen Wei that day in the palace.

Before Shen Wei was married, she had met her a few times, and back then, she was no different from others.

But now—

This woman before her, aside from the face, had nothing resembling the Shen Wei she had known.

Who… was she?

Shen Wei tightened her grip on the window frame at the sound of Hu Feiguany’s question. However, after a moment, she relaxed her fingers. She still wore a gentle smile and softly said, “I’m Shen Wei. My name is Shen Wei.” She couldn’t tell Hu Feiguany about the strange and bizarre things that had happened, but she also didn’t want to deceive her. So, she introduced herself this way, though she wasn’t sure if Hu Feiguany would understand.

“Shen Wei?”

Hu Feiguany gently rolled the name around in her mouth. It was the same name, but it felt somehow different. Yet, she didn’t speak further. Regardless of who the person in front of her truly was, the words spoken today were meant solely for this person.

As she thought about it, the smile in her eyes deepened slightly.

—-

Inside the private room, food and wine had been laid out

Both women were enjoying the rare moment of cheer, so they had spent some time on the meal. By the time the hour of Shen arrived, the sky outside was starting to darken. Just then, a shadow appeared in the room, kneeling before Huo Feiguang with the words: “Princess, the Master requests your return.”

Huo Feiguang frowned slightly upon hearing this.

If there was no issue at home, her father would never call for her to return at this time. So, Huo Feiguang didn’t say much. She placed her wine cup on the table and looked at Shen Wei, saying, “Sorry…”

Before she could finish her sentence—

Shen Wei smiled and spoke first: “No worries. The time is about right. I should also head back. Since you have things to attend to, go ahead…” After this, she added, “There will be plenty of time later, we’ll meet again in the future.”

Huo Feiguang’s smile deepened upon hearing this. She didn’t speak but simply nodded, then rose to leave.

Shen Wei watched Huo Feiguang leave, her gaze drifting to the shadow that had disappeared. Could that be the rumored secret guard? She smiled but didn’t say anything, waiting for Mo Qi to enter. After her headgear was adjusted, she stepped out.

It was dusk, and there weren’t many people in the building.

However—

As Shen Wei noticed a figure in dark green, she paused briefly. But just for that instant, she resumed walking. As she passed the middle-aged man, she casually said to Mo Qi, “This place is good, but it’s not the best.”