“Whеn will уоu start wearing уоur hair in a рropеr stуlе?” Fu Yunхi’s gаzе lingered оn Han Yan’s hair. She had lоng sinсe сomе оf аgе, so whу did shе stubbоrnlу kеeр wearing her hаir in thоse twin buns? Wаs it still a protеst against him fоr ruining her cоming-оf-аgе сеrеmony thаt dаy?
Наn Yаn let оut a sоft lаugh and loоkеd at him. “Whеn you reсover soоn аnd mаrry mе, then I can wеаr а marriеd wоmаn’s hаirstуlе.”
Fu Yunxi wаs tаken аbaсk for a mоment, nоtiсing thе sudden firmnеss аnd sеriоusness in Han Yаn’s eyes.
She said, “Мarry me.”
Fоr a long whilе, no оnе spоke. After a moment, Fu Yunxi smiled faintly. “I am about to die.”
“I know,” Han Yan replied, looking at him. “If I don’t marry you now, there won’t be another chance.” She smiled lightly. “I still want to know what it feels like to be the Xuan Qing Prince Consort.”
Fu Yunxi watched her silently, the faint smile at the corner of his lips fading away. In truth, he had no idea what to say.
After a long pause, he let out a soft sigh, yet there seemed to be a hint of laughter hidden within that sigh. He said, “Once the cold poison is cured, we’ll get married.”
Han Yan shot him a glare but replied, “Alright.”
In life, it is rare to find someone you love who also loves you in return. Being reborn was already a blessing from Heaven. Being cautious and calculating every step was one thing, but more importantly, it was about living a life entirely different from the past. In her previous life, she had never been loved, but this life was different.
As for how Fu Yunxi’s life ended in her previous life, Han Yan never found out. But since he hadn’t married Irina, the course of events would be entirely different now.
Han Yan leaned in and gently kissed the corner of his lips. “After the cold poison is cured, let’s go visit my grandfather.”
Yet both of them knew that this promise was uncertain whether it could ever be fulfilled.
Two years later.
The spring scenery in the Jiangnan water towns was always exceptionally beautiful, with gentle breezes, drooping willows, and the sweet chirping of orioles everywhere. As far as the eye could see, there was an intoxicating expanse of greenery.
On the riverbank, at the end of the willow-lined path, many visitors were admiring the flowers and flying kites.
Among the crowd, a man and a woman stood out the most. Both possessed exceptional looks. The man wore snow-white robes, his dark hair streaked with strands of silver, yet it did not seem off-putting. His strikingly handsome face, paired with those silver strands, gave him an air of otherworldly grace. His expression was cool and detached, softening only when he looked at the woman beside him.
The woman appeared to be around eighteen, her features merely delicate and refined, yet she carried an unattainable nobility, mixed with a touch of the sharp, free-spirited aura of someone from the martial world. This blend of qualities, though her appearance was not considered peerlessly beautiful, still made it impossible for others to look away. The woman’s abdomen was slightly rounded, and she rested a hand on it, as if she were with child. Walking among the crowd, these two seemed like a match made in Heaven, perfectly suited for each other.
These two were none other than Fu Yunxi and Han Yan.
“The scenery in Jiangnan is truly much better than in the capital,” Han Yan remarked. “We can stay here a while longer before heading to Tang Fortress. There’s no rush.” They were on their way to Tang Fortress, enjoying the sights along the journey, their spirits unusually high.
“Take care of your health first,” Fu Yunxi raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Han Yan’s abdomen.Han Yan felt a slight blush of embarrassment. It had only been three months, yet this man was already constantly on edge, fussing over her every little move. But then she smiled again—she too was eager to meet the little one in her belly soon.
Two years had passed since Tang Sheng and Imperial Physician Wu had collaborated to develop a medicine that could suppress the cold poison. After all, the Tang Sect was not a medical-focused school, and even with their combined efforts, they could only temporarily restrain the toxicity within Fu Yunxi. The cold poison might still flare up again—how many years would it take? Five? Ten? No one could say.
In any case, Han Yan and Fu Yunxi had married.
It was half a year after their wedding that they finally consummated their marriage. During those six months, Fu Yunxi’s health had steadily improved, until by the end, there was no sign of any ailment at all. Only his once jet-black hair had turned somewhat gray during the treatment. Tang Sheng explained that this was a side effect of forcing the poison out. Fortunately, neither Han Yan nor Fu Yunxi minded.
Zhuo Qi had come to see Han Yan a few times, but each time, Fu Yunxi had sent him away. Han Yan didn’t know what had transpired between the two men—likely some kind of rivalry. Zhuo Qi, of course, gained no advantage from it. Later, he returned to the Western Rong with Irina, as they had their own grand affairs to attend to. Zhuo Qi was an ambitious man by nature and would not stay in the Great Dynasty for the sake of a woman. Han Yan could only offer him a silent apology in her heart, after all, she had deceived him into cooperating to help Fu Yunxi obtain evidence of the Empress Dowager’s treason.
But all these events were now distant memories.
She smiled at Fu Yunxi and said, “What’s there to fear? You’re so capable, and he won’t be any less.”
Fu Yunxi gave a faint smile and carefully took her hand, leading her into the crowd.
In this world, there will always be someone meant for you. No matter how much hardship or sorrow you endure, you will always be someone’s beloved. Time is too fleeting—why not cherish what is before you? As for the future, why worry?
After all, the spring scenery was boundless, and it was yet another fine, sunny day.
The cold poison in Fu Yunxi’s body had not flared up for about half a year.
Imperial Physician Wu marveled at this, considering it nothing short of a miracle. And indeed, it was. Fu Yunxi had been afflicted with a double dose of the cold poison in his youth—a particularly virulent strain that made a cure exceedingly difficult. Moreover, Fu Yunxi had later been on the brink of death, his condition critical.
Who could have guessed that Han Yan would manage to find Tang Sheng midway? Though Tang Sheng was not skilled in medicine, he was a master of poisons, and his exceptional insights provided Imperial Physician Wu with invaluable assistance. Together, they managed to control Fu Yunxi’s condition.
Once the cold poison ceased to flare up, Han Yan took the initiative to discuss marriage with Fu Yunxi. In this matter, she showed none of the bashfulness expected of a woman, instead acting with great determination. Everyone knew that Fu Yunxi, burdened by his illness, was reluctant to hold Han Yan back, which was why she was so persistent. Yet when Fu Yunxi agreed without hesitation, it took everyone by surprise. But upon reflection, it was entirely in keeping with his character, and they soon understood.
This day was Han Yan’s wedding day.Fu Yunxi followed the betrothal etiquette of noble families, with betrothal gifts and everything else in abundance, a level of immense wealth beyond imagination. Many young women secluded in their chambers had their hearts broken into pieces. Perhaps to compensate for not taking good care of his granddaughter over the years, Tang Sheng also provided a lavish dowry, rivaling even that of imperial relatives.
As maids accompanying the bride, Ji Lan and Shu Hong naturally had to go along. However, over the past six months, these two had grown close to Fu Yunxi’s shadow guards, Mufeng and Muyan. Ji Lan, lively by nature, matched well with the equally spirited Mufeng, while the calm Shu Hong paired perfectly with the steady Muyan—truly a match made in heaven. Han Yan began to ponder when she could arrange the weddings for these two maids as well.
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