Chapter 37

More than an hour after Xie Hengzhi left, Yiling had already recovered from her despair and faced the reality.

It was just a few days of unconsciousness. Compared to the month of suffering she had endured before, it wasn’t much.

Once her condition improved, she was sure Xie Hengzhi wouldn’t have it easy!

Speaking of this condition…

While pacing back and forth in the room, Yiling suddenly stopped in her tracks.

When would this end?

She couldn’t possibly be trapped by these strange, supernatural occurrences for her entire life, could she?

The sky outside was overcast, and it looked like it might snow soon.

Yiling called Mallow inside and asked her to send someone to Jing’an Temple to inform Master Huiming that she wished to find a suitable time to visit.

“Jing’an Temple?” Mallow nodded. “I’ll arrange it right away.”

After walking a few steps out, Mallow turned back and said, “Madam, the master is just away on business. Don’t frown so. He will be back soon.”

“If you really miss the master, you can write him a letter. The guards here are fast, and it’ll reach him quickly. It’ll be more useful than praying to gods or seeking blessings!”

Yiling: “…”

Which eye of hers had made it obvious that she was missing Xie Hengzhi?

These words only fueled Yiling’s already growing irritation, but before she could lash out, Mama Cao entered with a plate of red date cakes, sparing Mallow from the wrath.

“Why are you talking so much all the time? Hurry up and go do your work.”

Once Mallow left, Mama Cao set down the red date cakes and quietly observed Yiling’s expression.

“Madam, the weather is very cold today. It might snow tonight. Should we have a doctor come to the house and wait?”

“No need.”

Yiling replied weakly.

What use was calling a doctor? If doctors could cure her, she wouldn’t have to seek Master Huiming’s help.

Xie Hengzhi was so heartless, and she couldn’t chase after him.

With no solution in sight, all she could do was sit and wait for fate.

The clouds outside grew lower and thicker, as though they might press down on the roof.

The little kitten wasn’t playing outside anymore and had lazily hidden inside, licking its fur.

The windows and doors were tightly shut, and no wind could seep in.

Yiling stood by the charcoal stove, holding her hands out to warm them, staring intently at the burning coals. Anyone could tell she was deep in thought, struggling with worry.

As soon as she heard footsteps outside, she quickly turned around.

It was Mallow.

Yiling sighed, slowly turning back with a defeated expression.

“Has the person sent to Jing’an Temple returned?”

“Yes,” Mallow replied. “Master Huiming has been in seclusion for some time. We don’t know when he will emerge.”

Hearing this, Yiling’s heart sank further.

Xie Hengzhi was gone without a trace, and now Master Huiming was in seclusion. Was she doomed to remain unconscious for days on end?

What if she fell into sleep she couldn’t wake up from?

As the sky darkened, Yiling anxiously paced around the charcoal stove again.

She furrowed her brow, staring at the charcoal fire for a while, silently reassuring herself.

It’ll be fine. She had woken up after sleeping through so many previous episodes, so this time wouldn’t be any worse.

Moreover, Xie Hengzhi would be back in three or five days, so this time would be nothing compared to that month of living death.

After rubbing her cold hands together, she asked, “What happened to the thief caught today? Have they been interrogated?”

“I don’t know,” Mallow shook her head. “It seems they weren’t kept in the mansion but were taken elsewhere.”

She had happened to witness the scene of the prisoner being escorted. “The man was beaten so badly that he was covered in blood, his face so swollen you couldn’t see his eyes.”

As Mallow described the scene, Yiling’s heart began to race.

She had guessed correctly.

If it were just an ordinary thief, Xie Hengzhi wouldn’t have been so harsh, considering even the dancer who accidentally injured him hadn’t been punished severely.

So the man caught today must be someone significant.

Maybe the princess Yu’an hadn’t given up yet, or perhaps Xie Hengzhi’s political enemies had something to do with it.

Her previously calm emotions began to stir again.

Yiling thought for a moment and concluded that without Xie Hengzhi, the Xie household was indeed not safe.

If someone tried to harm her while she was unconscious, wouldn’t she be completely helpless?

In the warm room, Mallow watched Yiling pace back and forth, almost making her dizzy.

Unable to bear it any longer, she asked, “Madam, what exactly are you worried about?”

Yiling glanced at her and suddenly said, “Bring me paper and ink.”

Mallow immediately went to fetch it.

When Yiling took the brush to write, she smiled and said, “Are you writing a letter to the gentleman, madam?”

Yiling: “…”

Yes, the letter needed to be written, but somehow, when it came from Mallow’s mouth, it felt different.

She made a stroke with the brush but then suddenly felt it was inappropriate.

Her handwriting was completely different from that of the Shang family, and if Xie Hengzhi recognized it, it would not be good.

So, she abruptly handed the brush to Mallow.

“You write.”

Mallow pointed at her own nose and said, “Me??”

“Yes, it’s you.”

Yiling pressed the brush into her hand, speaking seriously, “Just tell him I’m seriously ill and to hurry back.”

Mallow mumbled as she started writing.

Before sealing the letter, she hesitated and asked, “Madam, it looks like it will snow tonight. Who knows when it will reach the gentleman?”

“Just send it first.”

Yiling glanced at the sky outside and sighed heavily.

If she had known it would come to this, she would have apologized to Xie Hengzhi a couple of days ago.

Then he certainly wouldn’t have left in such anger. Even if he didn’t take her with him, he probably would’ve returned early.

Now, it was too late. He left angry, and who knew if the letter would even be useful?

“It’s so cold.”

After nightfall, Yiling murmured, “As expected, it’s starting again.”

Mallow helped her bathe and get into bed, her body already beginning to break into a cold sweat.

Yiling knew she couldn’t escape this calamity, so she asked Mallow to leave a lamp burning.

Perhaps… Xie Hengzhi would have a change of heart and come back halfway?

At the time of Shen, the entire Daluo Mountain froze as if water had turned to ice, the cold unbearable.

When Li Chun opened the door, the snowstorm howled, nearly blowing out the candle flame.

“Master, the snow outside is so heavy!”

He rubbed his hands, blowing on them and stamping his feet to shake off the snow.

Xie Hengzhi did not respond, focusing intently on the ancient Gu Ling Treasure Sutra on the desk.

To protect the country and its people and to ward off disasters, every year’s Luo Tian Great Ceremony was presided over by the emperor. Both the inner and outer sanctuaries were held with great solemnity.

The ritual followed the “Lingbao Natural Zhai” as its base, using the “Shangqing Lingbao, Lingjiao Jidu Golden Book” as the standard format. Flags, swords, bows, and arrows were all arranged in an orderly fashion, and every detail in the opening and closing of the gates had to be perfectly executed.

Xie Hengzhi had long been familiar with these scriptures, and after inspecting the altar, he would cross-reference them to ensure everything was in order.

“How is it?”

Li Chun came up beside Xie Hengzhi, asking, “Is there a problem?”

The candle flickered with the sound of Li Chun’s voice. Xie Hengzhi’s gaze alternated between light and dark, his expression unreadable as he shook his head.

Li Chun immediately relaxed.

“I thought I saw you staring at these scriptures for so long, thinking something went wrong.”

There was no error, of course.

The Luo Tian Great Ceremony was so important, and the officials on Daluo Mountain worked under constant pressure. No one dared be careless.

But since the emperor was far away in the capital and couldn’t supervise in person, he had to send Xie Hengzhi to reassure him.

Li Chun noticed that Xie Hengzhi was focused on the scriptures but didn’t notice that he hadn’t turned a page in a long time.

Because his mind wasn’t on these scriptures at all.

Outside, the wind and snow raged, and the capital was likely covered in ice and snow, the world sealed in cold silence.

Once the noise outside faded, he would think of Yiling’s tearful face before he left.

He wasn’t sure if it was because of the cold, but Xie Hengzhi started to wonder how much of Yiling’s words could be believed.

In the past, he always thought Yiling was just babbling nonsense.

The room remained quiet for a long time, the only sound being the howling wind outside.

Then the candle flame flickered with a loud pop, and Xie Hengzhi snapped out of his thoughts.

He shook his head and closed the scriptures.

“Master, are you resting now?”

Li Chun turned to leave. “Shall I bring some hot water?”

“No need.”

Xie Hengzhi stopped him. “It’s too late. Don’t bother.”

Li Chun nodded and withdrew.

Xie Hengzhi also removed his outer garment, preparing to make do for the night.

Before long, Li Chun returned.

“Is there something else?”

Xie Hengzhi asked.

Li Chun looked surprised and handed him a letter.

“There’s a letter from the Mansion.”

Xie Hengzhi’s eyes flickered slightly as he took the letter.

A letter at this time of night. Li Chun was curious whether something urgent had happened at the Mansion.

But when Xie Hengzhi opened the letter, glanced at it, and said nothing, even his expression hidden in the shadows, Li Chun couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“Master, is there something urgent at the Mansion?”

Xie Hengzhi didn’t answer, merely sneering, “Go rest.”

It didn’t seem like anything major, so Li Chun suppressed his curiosity and turned to leave.

Unfortunately, this night was destined to be an unsettled one.

As soon as Li Chun stepped outside, a man hurriedly ran over, anxiously saying, “Master! Master! The five-colored cloth shelter collapsed under the snow!”

Before Li Chun could react, Xie Hengzhi, hearing the news, had already put on his outer coat and stepped out.

The snow fell heavily, and the wind howled.

Xie Hengzhi hurried out without closing the door. The letter on the desk was blown up by the wind and fluttered to the ground.

The next morning.

When Yiling opened her eyes, she was filled with disbelief.

She rolled her eyes and moved her fingers beneath the blankets, then carefully sat up.

She actually… didn’t faint?

She raised her hand and wiped her forehead.

It was still somewhat warm, but not as hot as she had imagined.

What was going on?

She distinctly remembered tossing and turning in bed last night, unable to sleep because she felt so unwell—when had she fallen asleep so suddenly?

Could it be that her condition… had healed without medication?

At just that moment, Mama Cao entered quietly. When she saw Yiling had woken up, she was somewhat surprised.

“Madam, you’re awake?”

She then went to check Yiling’s forehead, feeling her arm, and seeing that she was fine, she sighed with relief and patted her chest.

“Thank goodness, thank goodness! When I saw you last night, I thought you’d never wake up this morning!”

After saying this, she quickly instructed someone to come in and help Yiling get washed and dressed.

After a flurry of activity, Yiling felt unusually weak but otherwise felt like her usual self.

“Quick, go fetch the doctor to take a look.”

Yiling, looking at her hands and feet moving freely, still couldn’t quite believe it.

“Right away, right away!”

Mama Cao answered repeatedly but first brought Yiling her usual medicine.

After seeing her take it, Mama Cao smiled and said, “Madam, it snowed heavily last night. Would you like to go out and have a look?”

Really?

Yiling glanced at the window, where the light filtering in was bright and clear, showing the scene of a heavy snowfall.

However, she felt weak and tired now. How could she go out in this cold?

Besides, heavy snow like this happened every year in the capital, so she wasn’t particularly surprised.

“I won’t go out.”

Yiling stayed in the warm room, getting up to walk around for a while and then returning to bed.

She still felt weak, but it didn’t seem as bad as before, when she would faint after just one night with Xie Hengzhi.

Did this mean that, with time, she might eventually recover completely?

Yi Ling’s thoughts began to stir as she asked, “Where is the doctor? Why hasn’t he come yet?”

Mama Cao replied, “The snow is thick on the road, so he might be delayed for a while.”

“True…”

Yiling nodded, suddenly remembering something. She immediately asked, “Did the letter arrive yesterday?”

“The guard is quick and efficient. He pushed his horse hard and delivered it last night.”

Upon hearing this, Yiling didn’t speak but felt an inexplicable sense of worry in her heart.

If Xie Hengzhi received the letter and rushed back only to find her perfectly fine, how would she explain it?

Never mind, with this heavy snow, he wouldn’t be able to return.

After a moment’s thought, Yiling reasoned that with such a heavy snow last night, the roads in the capital would be slippery and difficult to traverse, and the guard likely suffered in the cold.

“Give him some extra silver,” Yiling said. “The back-and-forth tonight must have been tough.”

Mama Cao nodded in agreement.

Yiling looked around again, feeling an unexplainable sense of unease.

“Where is Mallow? Why isn’t she here?”

“She went to buy some golden pastry for you.”

Mama Cao said, “She was worried the store would close due to the snow and that you wouldn’t be able to get it, so she went early to buy more.”

“It’s not something I must eat.”

Yiling’s heart softened at the thought of the cold weather and muttered, “She must just be craving it herself.”

Mama Cao smiled and said nothing.

Before long, Mallow returned with a large bundle of golden pastry.

Before she even stepped inside, Yiling heard her voice and quickly went to the door.

“You’re out in this cold weather buying things? Aren’t you afraid of freezing?”

“I wasn’t cold. I rode in a carriage,” Mallow replied, her nose red from the chill. “But the soldiers outside, they had to endure the cold.”

Yiling raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

Why did she mention the soldiers?

“General Ling is leading a group of soldiers to the North Camp of Qiuqiu today.”

Mallow placed the golden pastry down, quickly rubbing her hands to warm them. “A lot of people were outside the city to see them off. I even saw Young Master Yiyun.”

At the mention of Yiyun, Yiling’s gaze immediately froze.

“He went to see someone off?”

The trouble Yiyun had caused last time wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Yishangshu would probably lock him up for a year or two for his actions.

It was unfortunate, but at least it would keep Yiyun safe.

But how could he be out sending someone off so soon?

“It wasn’t Yiyun sending someone off.” Mallow waved her hand. “He’s part of the group, too. I saw Madam Yi sending him off. She was crying, and her maids had to help her back.”

“He?!”

Yiling was shocked but not entirely unable to believe it.

After thinking for a moment, she realized whose idea this must have been.

When Yiyun was beaten by Xie Hengzhi and thrown back to the manor, Yishangshu must have found out what Yiyun had done.

Yiling had thought Yishangshu would just punish Yiyun again and lock him up, but she didn’t expect him to be so decisive—sending Yiyun straight to the border military camp.

The North Camp of Qiuqiu was a dangerous place, bordering the northern barbarians. It was desolate and cold, with frequent skirmishes during the year-end, resulting in many deaths.

And the general there, General Ling, was known for his iron discipline—he would not show any mercy, even to a nobleman’s son.

It didn’t matter who Yiyun was; once he entered his camp, he would be treated like any other soldier, risking his life every day.

Yishangshu was willing to do this, showing just how much he feared Yiyun becoming an obstacle in his career.

He would rather let his son suffer than let his reputation be stained in front of Xie Hengzhi.

After a moment of reflection, Yiling suddenly said urgently, “Prepare the carriage; I need to go out!”

Yiyun had originally been destined to live an indulgent but comfortable life.

However, after repeatedly offending Xie Hengzhi, he was sent to the North Camp of Qiuqiu. All of this started because of Yiling.

At first, she never expected things to develop this way.

Right now, her life was uncertain, and Yiyun was also about to head to the border, with no clear idea of the path ahead.

But no matter what, she didn’t want to drag Yiyun down with her anymore.

The carriage moved quickly. After leaving the city gate, they still couldn’t see any signs of the military.

Under Yiling’s urging, the coachman lashed the horses a few more times, and finally, through the heavy snow, they spotted the tail of the army.

General Ling was known for his strict discipline, and the soldiers marched orderly through the snow.

He rode at the front, his figure unseen, while Yiyun, a low-ranking infantryman carrying his bundle, walked at the back of the line, standing out in contrast.

Yi Ling opened the small window of the carriage and called out Yiyun’s name again and again in the dimming twilight.

Finally, when the carriage was only ten paces away from the end of the line, Yiyun turned his head.

Seeing it was the Xie family’s carriage, he froze, his slightly gaunt face showing a hint of confusion.

When Yiling dismounted and hurried to catch up, he saw her anxious expression and immediately took a cautious step back.

“Don’t be afraid.”

While catching her breath, Yiling said, “I have a few things to say to you.”

Before she could continue, Yiyun quickly interjected, “I never meant to kill you!”

Yiling nodded. “I know.”

At that moment, the officer ahead of them noticed Yiyun had stopped marching to speak to someone. He quickly shouted, “Hey! What are you doing?”

When he saw the Xie family’s carriage, he immediately fell silent and continued walking, glancing back several times.

Yiling knew this wasn’t the time for a long conversation.

“Enduring the harsh cold at the border, you must take care of yourself. Don’t be lazy exercise more and strengthen your body.” She paused before giving the most important advice. “And never think about opposing Xie Hengzhi again. Always put yourself first.”

Hearing these words from Yiling felt like a weasel wishing the chicken a happy new year.

No matter how hard Yiyun tried to understand, he couldn’t fathom why this woman would say such things. After a moment of confusion and doubt, only resentment and anger remained in his heart.

He knew the harsh conditions at the border, and it was all thanks to Xie Hengzhi.

“Don’t think that just because you send me to that place, you’ll be safe!” After almost no sleep the night before, Yi Yun’s eyes were red with blood. He gritted his teeth and said, “My sister died mysteriously. I will seek justice for her, and you and your husband better wait for it!”

What a stubborn mule!

The wind and snow outside the city were intense, stinging the eyes.

Yiling closed her eyes and sighed lightly, unsure of how to speak.

At that moment, Yiyun had already fallen behind.

He had suffered a lot in General Ling’s camp these past few days. Fearing further delay would lead to more trouble, he didn’t want to listen to Yiling’s strange words any longer. He turned and ran to catch up with the army.

Seeing him run, Yiling had no choice but to call out, “Your sister isn’t dead!”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was carried to Yiyun’s ears by the cold wind.

He thought he had misheard. His steps slowed, and he anxiously looked back at Yiling.

“She’s not dead. I’ve seen her!”

Fearing he wouldn’t believe her, Yiling spoke again. “At the corner of Xinjie Road, there’s a big candy seller, then you’ll see a red-tiled house. After that, cross the river, and you’ll find Grandma Zhang. She eats sunflower seed shells, and past that, there’s the Six-Faced Buddha. Do you remember?”

Hearing this rhyme, Yiyun froze, unmoving.

About twenty years ago, when Yishangshu was transferred to Zhuyue Mansion, the siblings were born and raised in that small town.

At that time, Yiyun couldn’t remember the way home, so Yiling made up this rhyme to help him.

It was their secret. If not for his sister telling her directly, this woman would never have known the rhyme.

The wind grew stronger, and Yiyun’s feet felt like they were weighed down by lead.

Until the officer, unable to wait any longer, turned around to pull him along.

“If you don’t catch up, you’ll be punished!”

Yiyun still wouldn’t move, so the officer had to drag him along.

The officer marched quickly, pulling Yiyun who was frequently looking back, walking in a hurry.

Yi Ling ran a few more steps in the snow, shouting after him, “You have to stay alive. When the time is right, she’ll meet you!”

The wind was so strong, it was unclear if he heard her.

The thick snow blurred her vision. All she could see was Yiyun stumbling forward, his tall, noble figure not matching with the soldiers. Struggling against the wind and snow, he had a hard time keeping up with their pace.

His armor and pack seemed to weigh him down.

Yiling watched his back, unable to stop herself from wiping the mist from her eyes.

When Yiyun’s figure finally disappeared into the snowstorm, Yiling felt dizzy from the wind.

She staggered back a couple of steps, almost losing her balance.

Just as she wondered why no one had come to help her, she looked back and saw Mallow and the guards standing perfectly still, like statues, unmoving.

Nearby, it seemed as though even the wind had stopped. The only sound was the snow falling.

Yiling:?

What a strange atmosphere.

She immediately became alert, scanning the scene carefully through the heavy snow.

Then, she saw Xie Hengzhi not far behind her, riding a tall horse, looking down at her from above.

His cloak had not yet shaken off the snow, and he appeared travel-worn.

Their eyes met, and Yiling’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know how to explain. Before she could say anything, Xie Hengzhi’s gaze left her speechless.