Chapter 135: Lovers' Bridge
When He Yan returned, Xiao Jue had not yet come back. She said to Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao, "Today was truly my willfulness. I fear my husband will blame me for running around without guards, so let's not mention our outing today to him."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao nodded.
"You may go now." She collapsed onto the couch. "I'll rest for a while."
The two maids withdrew from the inner room. He Yan lay on the couch, her mind heavy with worries. Liu Buwang might be in Jiyang City, but how could she find him? Had she known this earlier, she should have arranged a specific meeting place with Liu Buwang when they parted. A teahouse whose name she didn't even know was too careless.
Even if she found Liu Buwang, what would she say? The current He Yan was no longer the same person as before. Rebirth in another's body—such a thing sounded absurd even to her.
Yet, she still longed to see Liu Buwang. After all, in her previous life, he was one of the few who had given her genuine warmth, both as a teacher and a friend. The reason the Flying Goose General could become the Flying Goose General was precisely because Liu Buwang had taught her all his skills.
Thinking of the Flying Goose General inevitably led her thoughts to He Rufei. She wondered how He Rufei was doing now and whether her former subordinates had noticed anything amiss. Xu Zhiheng... must have already married He Xinying. A proper young lady of the He family, a true noblewoman.
An inexplicable restlessness rose in He Yan's heart. She hugged the quilt and rolled to the inner side against the wall, facing it with a sullen expression.
A voice sounded from behind her. "What are you reflecting on here?"
He Yan turned her head. "Young Master?"
She scrambled to sit up. "You're back!"
Xiao Jue glanced at her as he removed his outer robe. "Have you gone mad from boredom?"
"It really is boring here." She sat on the couch, looking up at Xiao Jue. "So, did you find any leads on Chai Anxi today?"
"No."
"How could you not find any?" He Yan asked in surprise. "Was the information wrong?"
"He's dead."
He Yan froze.
"A fire burned him to death. Not even his bones remain."
He Yan frowned. "That doesn't make sense. Why would he die just now, and by burning? No traces left at all—it must be a lie."
Xiao Jue's lips curved slightly. "Quite the experienced liar, aren't you?"
"I'm just perceptive." He Yan crossed her legs and analyzed for him. "Could this person have received some tip-off in advance? But you always handle matters discreetly, Young Master. Outsiders shouldn't know we've come to Jiyang. Besides, Jiyang is easy to leave but hard to enter. If he truly wanted to hide from someone, Jiyang would be the best choice. He probably wouldn't want to leave."
Xiao Jue picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, lazily saying, "Go on."
"Then he must be hiding, waiting for the right moment to do something big." He Yan continued. "The best time to fish in troubled waters is when the water is murkiest. When is Jiyang's water murkiest? That would be during the Water God Festival. Everyone has been talking about it these days—it's Jiyang's biggest festival. Such a grand occasion would be the perfect time for chaos, with all conditions favorable."
Xiao Jue chuckled, his tone neither praising nor mocking. "Miss He is truly a master strategist."
"I wouldn't go that far." He Yan waved modestly. "I'm still far behind you, Young Master."Xiao Jue glanced at her, and for some reason, his previously somewhat gloomy mood lightened considerably. He shook his head and scoffed, "Flattery."
"It's only natural for a wife to flatter her husband," He Yan deliberately said to annoy him.
Annoy him a few more times, and he'd probably get used to it. Xiao Jue looked at her with a half-smile. "Before calling yourself 'wife,' take a look at your own posture. Even a husband wouldn't sit like that."
He Yan lowered her head, retracted her crossed legs, and coughed lightly. "Forgot, forgot."
"I think you're the one who's confused," he sneered. "Are you a man or a woman?"
"It's not that I don't want to be a woman," He Yan muttered. "But someone has to treat me like one first."
Xiao Jue was taken aback and looked up at her. The girl had already rolled herself up in the blanket and retreated to the corner of the bed, carefree and cheerful, seemingly unaware that her words carried a faint trace of disappointment.
But someone had noticed it.
...
On the fourth day of mid-spring, spring was at its peak. Green fields lingered under the moonlight, and clear skies were dotted with scattered clouds.
On the day of the spring equinox, the entire city of Jiyang was celebrating the Water God Festival.
Early in the morning, He Yan lay on the bed, waking up to a slight pain in her abdomen. She reached down to touch it, startled, and quickly got up. Without informing Xiao Jue, she secretly took a menstrual cloth from her bag and headed to the privy.
With everything that had been happening in Jiyang lately, she had almost forgotten. Calculating the days, her period should have arrived.
If there was one thing that troubled He Yan most in the military camp, both in her past and present life, it was her period. There were always a few inconvenient days when she had to carefully avoid others' attention. In her past life, it wasn't too bad—her constitution was robust, so she didn't feel much discomfort. But now, as the pampered Miss He, her periods were somewhat painful. In the military camp, she had gritted her teeth and endured it. Now, after a long break from daily training, her body had grown lazy, and the discomfort immediately became noticeable.
After changing her menstrual cloth and leaving the privy, He Yan couldn't help but sigh. Of all days, why did it have to come today, during the Water God Festival? It was nothing but trouble.
She returned to the room listlessly. Cui Jiao brought over a bowl of chilled cheese and fresh goat's milk. The Cui family's meals were truly delicious, and He Yan loved these snacks. But today, she touched her stomach and shook her head. "I won't have any."
Xiao Jue glanced at her in surprise.
He Yan sighed and went to the inner room to pour herself some tea. Xiao Jue stared at her back, puzzled, and asked Hong Qiao, "What's wrong with her?"
Hong Qiao shook her head. "I don't know. She's been like this since returning from the privy."
"You don't even know that?" Lin Shuanghe, who had just walked in from outside, leaned close to Xiao Jue and whispered, "Her period came. When a girl is on her period, you have to take care of her. Don't let her overexert herself, don't let her carry heavy things, and don't let her eat anything cold or icy. She might also be in a bad mood and could snap at you."
As soon as he finished speaking, He Yan's voice came from inside the room. "Cui Jiao, never mind. Bring that bowl of goat's milk over. I thought about it, and I still want it."
Xiao Jue: "..."
He said to Cui Jiao, "Take it away. Don't give it to her."
Cui Jiao hesitated, but between the gentle lady and the cold young master, she chose to listen to the young master. She carried the bowl of goat's milk out.He Yan sat on the bed for a while, but there was no movement. When she walked out, she saw Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe, but there were no snacks on the table, so she asked, "Where is Cui Jiao?"
"We’re going out soon, so hurry up and get ready," Xiao Jue said. "Don’t keep us waiting too long."
He Yan asked, "Right now?"
"Yes," Lin Shuanghe replied with a smile. "Magistrate Cui and his party are already waiting in the main hall."
He Yan dared not delay any longer.
The Water God Festival was a traditional festival in Jiyang. Every year during the spring equinox, various performances would take place on the central canal in the city. For men, it was fine as they were, but women had to style their hair in the local Jiyang fashion.
Hong Qiao, who lived near Jiyang, was skilled at hairstyling. In no time, she had braided He Yan’s hair into the style of a Jiyang maiden. A delicate braid circled her forehead, woven into the long hair at the back of her head. It was exquisitely done, with only a red rose hairpin tucked into her right temple. She wore a bright red long skirt that cinched her waist perfectly, paired with black boots embroidered with small flowers. She looked lively and adorable, with bright eyes and white teeth—truly resembling a girl from Jiyang.
When He Yan walked out of the room, Lin Shuanghe’s eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Our lady is truly too beautiful. She looks good in anything."
"You flatter me," He Yan replied modestly, following Xiao Jue and the others to the main hall. As Lin Shuanghe had said, Cui Yuezhi and his concubines were already waiting.
"Huanqing is here," Cui Yuezhi stood up and said with a smile. "With Yuyan dressed like this today, anyone who didn’t know would think she grew up in Jiyang. Don’t you all agree?"
The concubines obediently agreed.
"It’s getting late, so let’s set off," Cui Yuezhi announced.
In Jiyang today, carriages couldn’t be used because the streets were packed with people. It would be too inconvenient. The group walked to the canal on foot.
The canal ran through the center of the city, encircling Jiyang from the outside. He Yan thought the Water God Festival in Jiyang had similarities to the Dragon Boat Festival in the Central Plains. On every river in the city, wherever there was water, there were beautifully decorated boats. On the boats were rowers dressed in red clothes and black headscarves, singing as they paddled, likely Jiyang folk songs, creating a lively atmosphere. Girls by the river sang along with them, making the scene even more festive.
"The Water God Festival in Jiyang is also a festival for young men and women to express their love," the concubine surnamed Wei explained to He Yan. "Besides worshipping the Water God, there are many activities for lovers. I heard Miss Yuyan and our young master are newlyweds. You should join in the fun."
He Yan replied, "...That’s not necessary."
Cui Yuezhi overheard their conversation and laughed heartily. "That’s right, that’s right. I remember Jiyang’s famous Lovers’ Bridge. You two should walk across it. According to Jiyang legend, lovers who cross the Lovers’ Bridge during the Water God Festival will never part for a lifetime."
He Yan whispered to Xiao Jue, "Did you hear that? Never part for a lifetime."
Xiao Jue glanced at her and sneered slightly, "How terrifying."
He Yan: "..."After all, they were not truly husband and wife. Words like "never parting for a lifetime" felt less like a blessing and more like a curse. Unfortunately, Cui Yuezhi seemed to have endless concern for his nephew's family affairs. As they walked not far from the canal, he said, "Look, this is the Lovers' Bridge."
He Yan followed the direction he pointed and saw a bridge about seventy or eighty feet above the canal, its ends embedded into the high stone cliffs on either side.
This bridge was a suspension bridge. It swayed gently, and the bridge itself was extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one and a half people to pass through. If two people were to cross, they would have to stand very close together. The bridge deck was made of wooden planks, but the gaps between the planks were large, making it easy to slip and fall if one wasn't careful.
Just looking at such a suspension bridge was enough to send shivers down one's spine. If one were to walk on it, the rushing river would be right beneath, and the height alone would likely terrify the faint-hearted.
"This is Jiyang's 'Lovers' Bridge,'" Cui Yuezhi said with pride. "Only those with great courage and deep love for each other dare to cross this bridge. If they succeed, the water god will bless the lovers, and they will never part for a lifetime." At this point, he patted his chest and added, "I've crossed it four times!"
He Yan glanced at the four concubines behind him but said nothing, though she was inwardly puzzled. Would the water god truly grant blessings for crossing such a bridge multiple times, or would it feel offended? Moreover, the idea of never parting with several people for a lifetime sounded rather disrespectful.
If she were to cross it, she would only do so once in her lifetime, and only with one person.
Thinking this, she realized she was overthinking things. What did this have to do with her? In this lifetime, she likely wouldn't have such an opportunity.
"This is a rare chance. Huanqing, Yuyan, why don't you two give it a try?"
He Yan: "?"
"Is Yuyan afraid of heights?" Cui Yuezhi chuckled. "Don't worry. Even if you fall, there are people nearby who will catch you. You know, thousands of lovers cross the Lovers' Bridge every year, but only a handful make it across. If it were truly dangerous, they wouldn't allow people to cross. Crossing the bridge is all about courage and love." Though he seemed rough around the edges, he spoke with surprising tenderness on this matter. "Love gives you courage, and courage born of love makes you invincible."
He Yan thought to herself, but there was no love between Xiao Jue and her. Where would courage come from?
Aunt Wei chimed in with a smile, "That's right, Miss Yuyan. Didn't you say that Young Master Huanqing dotes on you and grants your every wish? Since he cares for you so much, he will surely protect you and help you cross the bridge safely."
Their discussion grew so lively that some in the surrounding crowd overheard them. He Yan and Xiao Jue were both exceptionally good-looking, and the onlookers began to cheer them on with good intentions: "Young master, why not cross the bridge with the young lady?"
"Cross the Lovers' Bridge, and you'll stay together forever, loving each other till your hair turns white."
"Go on! With your perfect match, the water god will surely bless you!"
He Yan found herself surrounded by the crowd, listening to their cheers and feeling utterly helpless. To make matters worse, Lin Shuanghe, who loved stirring up trouble, joined in with a laugh, "Exactly! Since we're already here, why not cross the bridge and show them? The young master from Huzhou is also very brave!"Cui Yuezhi patted Xiao Jue’s shoulder. “Moreover, the princess most admires couples whose love is as strong as gold. If you two can cross the Lovers’ Bridge, it will bring many conveniences when I take you to meet Her Highness the Princess in the palace.”
Princess Meng Ji, Mu Hongjin. He Yan was taken aback, then saw Xiao Jue frown slightly and say, “Alright.”
He Yan: “…Young Master?”
Surely they weren’t really going to cross this so-called Lovers’ Bridge!
She wasn’t afraid of heights, nor of the Water God, nor of crossing bridges. But when these three things were combined, along with Xiao Jue, it sounded utterly spine-chilling!
Utterly absurd.
Xiao Jue glanced at her sideways and said calmly, “Scared?”
“It’s not that I’m scared,” He Yan whispered. “I’m afraid it might tarnish your reputation.”
His gaze was indifferent, his tone steady. “It’s been tarnished so many times already. One more won’t make a difference.”
He Yan: “…?”
Through a series of mishaps, she found herself being pushed along with Xiao Jue to the entrance of the Lovers’ Bridge.
When they reached the entrance and looked, she realized the bridge was even narrower than it appeared from below. The gaps between the planks were especially wide, almost requiring them to hop across to complete the journey. Walking alone would have been manageable, but with two people, they would have to press extremely close together. Naturally, they couldn’t use qinggong here either. They could only strive to maintain their balance, rely on their mutual understanding, and add a bit of luck to make it across.
After observing, He Yan inwardly grumbled. For those with martial arts skills, it might be manageable. But imagine a frail scholar escorting a delicate young lady across this bridge—they’d surely fall. Although people below would catch them, preventing any mishaps, the shock alone would be enough, and it would be an ill omen, inviting unnecessary misfortune. The Water God’s conditions were far too harsh.
Cui Yuezhi and the others did not come up, only watching them from the shore below the bridge. Lin Shuanghe shouted loudly, “Young Master, Madam, the Water God will surely bless you!”
Chi Wu remained silent, whispering to Fei Nu, “Our young master is sacrificing far too much this time.”
If it were all a pretense, it would be fine—just a wasted effort. But if the Water God were real… it was too terrifying. Two men bound together for life? Their young master had no interest in such affairs. If their master were still alive, he’d probably rise from his grave in fury. Thinking of this, Chi Wu felt the plan was increasingly inappropriate and could only pray silently in his heart: A temporary measure, just a temporary measure. Water God, please be magnanimous and don’t take it seriously.
He Yan stared at the narrow bridge surface, troubled, and asked Xiao Jue, “How should we cross? One at a time?”
“Do you think we can cross one at a time?” Xiao Jue retorted.
He Yan glanced down at the onlookers on the shore and sighed helplessly. “Probably not.”
Xiao Jue extended his hand and said, “Hold onto me.”
The hand emerging from his sleeve was exceptionally slender and well-defined. He Yan hesitated for a moment, not taking his hand but gripping his wrist instead. Seeing that Xiao Jue showed no reaction, she felt slightly reassured and repeatedly encouraged herself inwardly: It’s just a local custom for the festival, not a real romantic affair. No need to overthink it. Just cross the bridge quickly.
“Let’s go,” Xiao Jue said as he stepped forward.
Together, the two of them walked onto the bridge.As soon as they stepped onto the bridge, the suspension bridge began to sway and tremble, nearly throwing them off. The wooden planks were too narrow to allow two people to walk side by side. The only way was to face each other closely, but Xiao Jue and He Yan could never bring themselves to do that. Therefore, He Yan had to walk slightly ahead, with Xiao Jue following behind, using his hands to shield her sides. They kept some distance between them, yet it ended up looking as though Xiao Jue was holding her in his arms as they moved forward together.
At such close proximity, He Yan felt somewhat uneasy. If she lifted her head even slightly, her forehead would almost touch Xiao Jue’s chin. She had no choice but to stare straight ahead, pretending nothing was amiss, and said, “Commander, this bridge is swaying so much it’s hard to take even a single step. Why don’t we use qinggong? Or maybe pretend we can’t walk and just fall? Someone will catch us anyway.”
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jue replied, “Step on my boots and hold on tight.”
He Yan was taken aback. “That… wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”
“Hurry up.”
Since he had said so, He Yan couldn’t keep refusing. Besides, for two people crossing this Lovers’ Bridge, this method was indeed much simpler.
But… stepping on his boots—where should she put her hands? If she placed them on his waist… that would seem too intimate. Yet, if she held onto his wrists as before, it wouldn’t be stable enough. After some thought, He Yan reached out and gripped his shoulders, barely managing to maintain her balance.
“Hold on tight,” Xiao Jue said. As he spoke, he grasped the two ropes of the suspension bridge with both hands and slowly moved forward.
In the past, others had come up with different methods—such as a man carrying his beloved girl across the bridge. But stepping on the other’s boots, with one person walking the path for two, was a first. It could be seen as clever and touching, yet in terms of intimacy, it also seemed restrained.
The crowd below the bridge found it somewhat puzzling but didn’t dwell on it too deeply. They simply assumed that the young master and lady from Huzhou weren’t as open-minded as those from Jiyang and preferred not to engage in overly intimate gestures in public, which was why they acted this way.
But to their companions, it looked entirely different.
Chi Wu immediately gasped in shock, looking at He Yan as if she had tainted his master. He muttered resentfully, “How could this be? This brat is taking all the advantages!”
Who was taking advantage of whom? He Yan on the bridge felt like crying. The suspension bridge was extremely unsteady, swaying violently with every step Xiao Jue took. Though his steps were steady and his expression calm and unruffled, He Yan’s heart raced. When they reached the middle of the bridge, the plank beneath Xiao Jue’s foot seemed unstable. As he stepped down, his body tilted, nearly causing him to fall.
He Yan was startled and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. When she came to her senses, both of them froze.
They were very close—if his lips moved just a fraction more, they would touch the corner of He Yan’s mouth. He Yan’s gaze lifted and met his long, autumn-water-like eyes. At that moment, those eyes were deep and unfathomable, like a bottomless pool rippling with layers of waves. The handsome young man’s thin lips were pressed tightly together, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, and for a moment, he seemed about to say something. But after a brief pause, he gently turned his head away.
He Yan was extremely embarrassed.
She whispered, “Sorry.”
Xiao Jue did not reply.He Yan dared not look at his face, feeling inexplicably awkward in the atmosphere. She could only hope the bridge would end soon. On the other end, the crowd watching the excitement craned their necks in anticipation. Xiao Jue steadied his pace and continued forward. Seeing the suspension bridge nearing its end, He Yan felt a surge of joy and let out a long, relieved sigh, thinking to herself, This is even more torturous than daily training on the Martial Arts Field.
As soon as Xiao Jue reached the end of the bridge, He Yan eagerly exclaimed, "We're here! We're here!" and tried to step back to put some distance between them. Little did she know, the suspension bridge was old and poorly maintained, already unstable. With her step backward, the wooden plank behind her flipped over, and her foot landed on empty air.
Xiao Jue scolded in a low voice, "Be careful!"
He casually grabbed her and pulled her towards himself. He Yan followed the momentum and stumbled forward, feeling herself fall into a warm embrace. Instinctively, she steadied herself and looked up. It would have been fine if she hadn’t moved, but as she did, the other person seemed to be looking down at her as well. Then, something soft and light as a feather brushed past her forehead—lingering for just a moment before pulling away.
She froze in place.
This trope is so old that even I feel awkward about it…
(End of Chapter)
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