The winding path outside the city was blanketed in dust, with the morning breeze carrying a slight chill.
Meng Tinghui stopped before an abandoned old temple, bent down to sweep the thick dust off the steps, and sat down. She retrieved a book from her chest, leaning halfway against a grimy wooden pillar as she lowered her head to read.
The newly risen sun blazed crimson, climbing from the east to cast a scattering of warm light over her head, so comforting that she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Though the place was desolate, her heart felt at peace.
Faint echoes of temple bells and Buddhist chants seemed to drift to her ears, reminiscent of those many mornings years ago... Had it not been for the sudden imperial decree back then, she might have remained in the nunnery for life.
Yet, if not for that decree, she might never have met that person.
The margins of the book were densely scribbled with her hasty notes. The tiny characters now seemed to lull her to drowsiness. She casually gathered her robes and closed her eyes to rest.
Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats arose in the distance, growing louder before gradually fading to a halt.
She opened her eyes instinctively, peering ahead with curiosity. Who would ride out of the city so early to such a place?
Dozens of yards away, light dust swirled by the official road where a rider lingered at the crossroads, loosely holding the reins as if uncertain which path to take.
Squinting for a long moment, she suddenly jolted to her senses and sprang to her feet.
Him...
How could it be him?!
Her mind had no time to process the thought, but her legs instinctively carried her forward a few steps, her heels trembling weakly.
She had just been thinking of him, and now he truly appeared before her eyes!
The man happened to turn around, glancing in her direction. Spotting her, he hesitated briefly before nudging his horse's flank and galloping over.
The horse's black mane gleamed long and bright, shimmering with a metallic sheen in the sunlight that dazzled her eyes.
Before she could react, the horse halted right in front of her. In the next instant, the man dismounted and landed steadily before her.
"Young lady," his eyes sparkled as he spoke in a deep voice, "may I ask if the road to Qing Province is the one on the left?"
She stared blankly at the face before her—this face—
"Young lady?" the man's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
Snapping back to reality, her mind felt tangled with countless threads, all her usual wit vanishing. After a long pause, she finally replied, "...Let me see."
The man complied, stepping aside to make way.
She moved past him, taking a deep breath as she turned her back. Feeling her heart cool slightly and her mind clear, she pretended to examine the distant crossroads before turning back to him with a faint smile. "Might I ask why you're going to Qing Province, sir?"
Caught off guard by her question, his gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he answered, "To visit a distant relative."
She looked at him, knowing there was an eighty percent chance he was lying, yet still maintained her smile. "Since it's to visit a relative, then take the road on the right."
The man raised a skeptical eyebrow. "From your tone, it seems both roads lead to Qing Province?" When she nodded, he pressed further, "Why take the right one for visiting relatives? What's the difference between the two paths?"
Pressing her lips together, her eyes never leaving his face, she explained, "The left road is a shortcut, but it's narrow and treacherous. The right road is wider and smoother, though it detours through a long stretch of mountainous path. Since you're visiting relatives, I assume you're not in a hurry, so I suggested the right road."The man lifted his gaze toward the distant mountains, his brow slightly furrowed. After a moment, he murmured "Thank you, miss" and led his horse toward the left path.
Watching his retreating figure, she felt her heart thumping wildly.
Never had she imagined heaven would be so kind as to grant her this chance to speak with him at such length!
Yet she couldn't bear to see him walk away from her again like this, leaving without even revealing his name.
Since heaven had shown her such favor, how could she let this opportunity slip away again?
"Young master!"
She hurried forward several steps, calling out to stop him.
The man turned back. "Is there something else, miss?"
She stood still, clasping her hands before her, then asked softly: "Might I ask your family name, young master?"
Releasing the reins, he answered crisply: "He."
What a man of few words.
She committed it to memory, feigning surprise as she said: "Your surname is He? I had a childhood friend with that surname, though we lost contact years ago. You bear some resemblance to that friend of mine—might I ask what your given name is?"
He lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, then said: "My given name is 'Du'." Taking up the reins again, he added: "But my family isn't from Chongzhou, so I'm likely not the friend you remember."
He Du.
She repeated it silently, a glint of cunning flashing in her eyes.
If he had to think before giving his name, how credible could it be?
She had seen clearly the day before at Bofeng Tower—even that noble-looking man in blue robes had followed his commands. Surely he was no ordinary person.
Moreover, ten years ago...
He was clearly concealing his identity from her.
But if he was a man of such status, why would he travel alone to Qing Province?
She spoke again: "Since you're not from Chongzhou, you should know the road to Qing Province winds confusingly and it's easy to get lost. Wouldn't it be better to find someone to accompany you..."
He shook his head, his expression still distant: "That won't be necessary. I traveled through the Chaoan North Circuit area years ago and still remember the way. It's just that after ten years, many new official roads have appeared outside Chongzhou's northern walls. When I saw them earlier, I wasn't certain, which is why I needed to ask you."
She looked at him and nodded, but couldn't think of anything else to say that might keep him longer. She could only watch as he thanked her, turned, took the reins and mounted his horse.
As he raised his whip to depart, his hand paused. Instead, he turned the horse back toward her, looking down: "You seem somewhat familiar, miss."
Her whole body trembled.
Had he remembered? That rainy night ten years ago...
He studied her further. "We met yesterday at Bofeng Tower, didn't we?"
She lowered her lashes, her heart sinking, yet still she nodded.
Sitting upright in the saddle, he examined her seriously. "Since fate has brought us together again, might I ask your name?"
"Meng Tinghui."
She looked up at him, enunciating each character clearly.
"Meng Tinghui."
He repeated it, then turned slightly in the saddle. "I recall you're a student at Chongzhou Women's Academy. I hope you won't disappoint the Emperor's efforts in establishing these schools. Study well and take the examinations—perhaps if fate allows, we may meet again."
Seeing he truly meant to leave this time, she quickly added: "Since you say so, Young Master He, I presume your family is in the capital?"
Without turning back, he gave a slight nod.
His long arm raised the whip, bringing it down sharply on the horse's flank.
A rough whinny tore through the gentle breeze around them, yellow dust rising with the hoofbeats as he galloped straight into the distant official road.
OpenNovel