The Golden Hairpin

He could almost picture her, riding alone on Nafusha across countless rivers and mountains, galloping desperately toward the capital amidst the heavy autumn blossoms and falling leaves.

Wang Yun did not come to the Huang family.

The next day, the Huang family received a verbal message from his attendants, saying he was tied up with affairs and unable to attend the previously arranged meeting, and hoped for their understanding.

"Judging by his intention, today was supposed to be for discussing the marriage arrangements. It was said that several elders from the Wang family would also come..." Huang Yong, Huang Zixiao's uncle, had also gathered the elders of their clan, eagerly awaiting Wang Yun's arrival. But when he didn't show up, they were left bewildered and anxious.

"Could it be... the Wang family is having second thoughts about this marriage?"

"That can't be. Just yesterday, Young Master Wang sent someone to discuss the ceremony details, planning how to properly bring my niece to the capital for the wedding..."

"Even when rumors spread that the fiancée had killed her relatives and fled, the Wang family never expressed any objection to the marriage. Now that the truth has come to light, there's even less reason for any change."

Several clan elders all agreed that Huang Zixiao's marriage into the Wang family was still secure, with no possibility of a reversal.

Just as everyone was about to disperse due to Wang Yun's absence, someone rushed in from outside, holding a letter: "Master, a letter for the Sixth Miss."

Among her cousins, Huang Zixiao was ranked sixth. Huang Yong immediately perked up: "Is it from the Wang family's young master?"

"No," the gatekeeper shook his head. "It's from Prince Kui."

Everyone exchanged glances, only then remembering that Huang Zixiao had previously served as a young eunuch by Prince Kui's side.

"But... she's now a young lady of our family. Why would Prince Kui write to her?" They were deeply puzzled. When they took the letter and looked at it, the envelope read:

Matters concerning the release and retention in Shu of Prince Kui's eunuch Yang Chonggu. For Huang Zixiao to receive and archive.

"The Prince Kui's household is indeed meticulous in their affairs. Even though she's now restored to her female identity, leaving the prince's service still requires proper procedure." They spoke, not daring to open the letter from Prince Kui's household, and quickly ordered it to be delivered to Huang Zixiao.

"Prince Kui's eunuch, released and retained in Shu?"

Huang Zixiao examined the letter, then opened it and pulled out the paper inside. The moment she unfolded it, she saw three words at the top—

Annulment Document.

Silently, she folded the letter again, saw the messenger out, closed the door, then opened the annulment document and read it once more.

Wang Yun of Langya, betrothed in youth to Huang Zixiao of Chengdu. As the two have grown older, separated by vast distances, and their hearts have grown apart, this document is hereby established to annul the engagement. Henceforth, each may marry as they wish, with no further disputes.

Huang Zixiao sat dazed by the window, staring at the name "Wang Yun of Langya." She then picked up the envelope again, looking at Li Shubai's handwriting on it.

Last night, he had made her a promise, and now he had truly helped her annul the engagement.

From this moment on, she and Wang Yun were bound by no further fate.

She folded the annulment document and slipped it back into the envelope. Her fingers brushed against something inside. She tilted the envelope, letting its contents spill into her palm.

Two crimson, glistening red beans, threaded together by a slender golden wire. She turned them over in her hand, watching as they slid along the wire, sometimes apart, sometimes close, like two dewdrops slipping on a flower's stamen.She held the two red beans in her hand, leaning against the small table by the window, resting her cheek lightly on her elbow. In her ears, she seemed to hear Li Shubai's voice again, saying, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

Outside the window, the autumn garden was filled with countless yellow leaves fluttering down in a gentle dance.

Leaning by the window, she listened to the distant and nearby sounds of the wind, the rustling of falling leaves, and the chirping of small birds hopping on the branches, tightening her grip on the red beans in her hand.

Zhou Ziqin lived every day with boundless enthusiasm.

If there was a case, he would investigate it; if not, he would stroll the streets, keeping an eye out for petty thieves or anything that disrupted the city's order. His main target for rectification was that unruly street vendor, Second Girl.

Though he had previously been tricked by Huang Zixiao and ended up choking on water, his robust constitution ensured that today was yet another lively and energetic day for him. As usual, he went to check on Second Girl, exchanged a few words with her, and then, feeling thoroughly satisfied, turned around—only to see Huang Zixiao standing by the roadside, holding a bag of oranges and watching them with an amused smile.

Seeing her radiant smile under the sunlight, Zhou Ziqin inexplicably felt his face grow slightly warm. He sidled up to Huang Zixiao, took an orange from her, and began peeling it as he asked, "What brings you here today?"

"It's autumn, and my skin's been a bit dry, so I came to buy some face cream and hand balm," she replied.

Zhou Ziqin immediately perked up. "Don't buy any! I'll make some for you! The ones sold outside use ox marrow as a base, but I'll use deer marrow—no greasy smell. Plus, I've developed a special formula, extracting the essence of angelica, lily magnolia, clove, and peach blossoms to blend into it. It’ll definitely leave your skin fragrant, soft, and supple. I’ll bring it to you in a day or two!"

Huang Zixiao nodded with a smile. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you in advance."

Zhou Ziqin then glanced back at Second Girl, hesitating slightly.

"You might as well make some extra. Second Girl must also worry about chapped skin, coming out so early every day. You could prepare some hand balm too. And—" Huang Zixiao looked at Second Girl and added with a smile, "If you give her something, she’ll surely warm up to you. She might even listen to you more in the future, don’t you think?"

"That makes sense. I’ll make some for her too. I wonder what scent she likes and what would suit her best..."

"She likes osmanthus, and her constitution leans slightly toward dryness and heat. You could add more wax gourd seeds and reduce the angelica and peach blossoms a little." She glanced at Second Girl again and said, "She has no parents and several younger siblings to care for. Don’t use a porcelain jar—opt for a lacquered one instead. Since children have delicate skin, add some mink oil. She’ll definitely share it with them."

Zhou Ziqin was astonished. "You know her?"

"No, I’m just making an educated guess based on her appearance," she replied.

"How accurate can that be..." Zhou Ziqin muttered.

"Then let me take a guess too," a voice chimed in from behind. Without turning around, Huang Zixiao already knew who it was, and a faint smile unconsciously curved her lips.

Zhou Ziqin spun around in delight. "Your Highness can read faces too?"

Li Shubai was dressed in a deep blue lotus-patterned silk robe. Though seemingly plain, the faint suanni motifs woven into the fabric shimmered subtly with his movements, complementing his refined and handsome features, making him stand out even more strikingly. Those nearby couldn’t help stealing glances at him, though none dared to meet his gaze directly.

Zhang Xingying followed faithfully behind him, smiling as he clasped his hands in greeting toward Zhou Ziqin.

Zhou Ziqin grabbed Li Shubai eagerly. "Quick, take a guess! Let’s see if you’re even better than Chonggu!"Li Shubai glanced at the second girl and remarked casually, "She must have been born in spring. Her father was a butcher, and her mother's family raised silkworms. Judging by her features, her parents died early, and her eldest brother passed away young, leaving her with two younger brothers and a sister. She was once engaged, but the betrothal was called off because the groom's family was also struggling—they couldn’t afford to support her three younger siblings after marriage. So she took up her father’s old trade and has been selling mutton on this street for over four years, even managing to send her brothers to private school, where they’ve been doing quite well."

Zhou Ziqin’s mouth fell open in awe as he stared at Li Shubai. "Th-that detailed? Your Highness’s skill in physiognomy is truly extraordinary!"

The corner of Li Shubai’s lips curled slightly into a faint smile. "Most importantly, her forehead is bright, and her eyebrows glow with vitality. I’m certain that within a few days, unexpected joy will come her way."

Zhou Ziqin eyed the girl’s brows skeptically, muttering to himself, "Really…?"

Li Shubai and Huang Zixiang exchanged an amused glance, but before they could say anything, a commotion erupted nearby. Three or four well-dressed servants escorted a portly, well-fed man over. The moment the man spotted the second girl selling mutton on the street, his jowls quivered, and he rushed forward, grabbing her sleeve despite the grease on the butcher’s block. "Y-you’re Er Ya, aren’t you?"

The girl blinked in surprise. "And you are…?"

"I’m your fourth uncle! Your grandfather was my cousin! Back when your father was little, your grandfather brought him to my house to help with a ceremony—I met him once! You look just like your father did as a child!"

"Oh… Fourth Uncle." The girl’s expression clearly conveyed, Your memory is impressive, and so is your eyesight.

Unfazed, the uncle pulled out a family register he carried with him, flipping to a page and pointing. "See here? Your great-grandfather, Liu Liangshang, moved to Chengdu to work as a butcher after the family split. He had a son, Liu Jiahu—that’s your father, right? Now look here—" His finger traced a long line past countless unfamiliar names before stopping at one. "Liu Xiying—that’s me! By lineage, I’m your fourth uncle, no doubt about it!"

The girl was bewildered, unsure what this distant uncle suddenly appearing wanted. She could only say, "Uncle, forgive my ignorance for not recognizing you."

"Ah, relatives drift apart—it happens, no matter!" Liu Xiying snatched the butcher’s knife from her hand and tossed it onto the block. "Er Ya, your fourth uncle is now the Granary Officer of Mianzhou. How can I let my niece sell mutton on the streets? Come home with me at once! I’ll adopt you, hold a grand ceremony to officially add you to the family register, and from then on, you’ll be my daughter, Liu Xiying’s girl!"

The girl blinked, still processing this, when a servant pulled up a blue-canopied carriage behind them, urging her to get in.

"Wait—I still have to sell today’s meat," she protested, picking up the knife again. Liu Xiying immediately called out, "Take the meat with us—straight to our kitchen! Do you like mutton?""I don't mind. I eat whatever doesn't sell." The second daughter said as she tied up the mutton with a straw rope and tossed it to them. "Fourth Uncle, consider this a gift for our first meeting. I need to go home now—I still have to cook for my younger siblings."

"Don't be like that, Er Ya. Come to my house..."

"Enough. A mutton seller like me, visiting your home? Besides, I have siblings to take care of."

"Bring them along too..."

Zhou Ziqin watched this comedy unfold, his jaw nearly dropping. He turned to look at Li Shubai, who remained as calm as ever, and almost knelt in worship. "Your Highness, you're a god! Truly foreseeing everything!"

Huang Zixia teased from the side, "Everyone has a well-off relative, don't they?"

"But the odds of a relative coming to visit a distant cousin like this are so slim. How did Second Daughter manage to run into him?"

Huang Zixia smiled and glanced up at Li Shubai, who returned her smile and whispered in her ear, "Liu Xiying overheard a rumor that his distant cousin, Second Daughter, once helped the Prince of Kui when he was in danger on the outskirts of Chengdu. After secretly confirming it at Dun Chun Pavilion, he couldn't wait to come."

Watching Zhou Ziqin rush off to gather more details, Huang Zixia couldn't help but chuckle. "The Prince of Kui is such a kind soul."

Li Shubai gazed at her for a long moment before saying quietly, "I just don’t want another opponent."

She was slightly puzzled, unsure where Zhou Ziqin might become his rival, but seeing him already walking away, she waved at Zhou Ziqin and hurried after him.

After Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather grew colder. Leaves fell one by one on the deserted roadside, piling yellow under their feet, rustling with each step. Chengdu, always shrouded in mist with little sunlight, seemed even more desolate under the overcast sky, accentuated by the fallen leaves.

She heard Li Shubai's voice, soft and slow by her ear: "I spoke with Wang Yun last night."

She lowered her head without responding. After all, Wang Yun was still her fiancé. If the two of them were to be together, they couldn’t avoid him. Yet the complicated dynamics between the three of them made the situation awkward and hard to navigate.

When she remained silent, Li Shubai added quietly, "Did you receive the letter I had delivered to you?"

Huang Zixia nodded slightly and murmured, "This matter is still unfair to the Wang family."

Li Shubai replied, "I know. So I’ll return to the capital soon to settle some unfinished business. A lot might happen, and it might take a while, but I will come back."

"Mm, I'll wait for you." Her voice was faint, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush, but her gaze held no doubt as she looked at him.

Li Shubai stared down at her, seeing her pale skin glowing faintly pink in the hazy autumn light, indescribably delicate and enchanting. A ripple passed through his chest, warm blood flooding every inch of his skin, making every vein from his heart to his fingertips pulse in an instant—a fleeting daze.

As if bewitched by the burning rush in his chest, he suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.Huang Zixiao was suddenly pulled into his embrace, her body trembling slightly in surprise. She placed her hands between them, intending to push him away, but the moment her fingers touched his chest, all her strength seemed to drain away.

She caught sight of the two red beans strung together with golden thread on her wrist. As she raised her hand, they slid down to her elbow, the two beans gently rolling and touching each other.

Dazed and bewildered, she slowly lowered her hands within his tightening embrace, allowing him to hold her as if the two of them could now stay pressed together, never to part again.

He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply the faint, crisp, and distant fragrance that clung to her, his consciousness melting into blankness like spring snow.

At some point, her hands had lightly returned his embrace. Her face pressed against his chest, listening to the rapid beats of their hearts, she felt her cheeks burn with warmth.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally released her and whispered, "No matter what news you hear, don’t be afraid, don’t worry. Just wait for me to return safely."

Huang Zixiao’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she nodded silently, sensing something keenly. Though her emotions were in turmoil, she couldn’t help but ask, "What’s going to happen?"

A tender smile touched his lips as he gazed deeply at her and murmured, "Nothing. I just worry you’ll grow bored waiting and forget about me."

Huang Zixiao couldn’t resist raising her hand to lightly smack his shoulder. "Nonsense."

He chuckled and caught her hand, silently watching her. His fingers slowly slid down from her wrist, intertwining with hers until their fingers were laced together.

The two crimson red beans lightly brushed against their wrists.

Neither spoke another word, only walking hand in hand through the fallen leaves, slowly moving forward along the deserted autumn path toward an unknown future.

Zhou Ziqin was a man of action.

The very next day, he arrived with the face cream. Besides the largest bottle for Huang Zixiao, he had prepared over a dozen smaller ones for her to distribute among her sisters, and even sent one to Miwu.

Huang Zixiao dabbed a bit onto her palm, warming it before applying it to her hand.

Zhou Ziqin caught sight of the two red beans strung with golden thread on her snow-white wrist, the vivid crimson beads standing out starkly against her skin. For a moment, he was utterly entranced, unable to tear his gaze away from her hand.

Huang Zixiao tugged her sleeve down and turned away to rub the cream in, asking, "Does Second Miss prefer osmanthus fragrance?"

Zhou Ziqin snapped out of his daze and replied somewhat dejectedly, "She didn’t come out today. I asked someone for her address, but... but I’m too embarrassed to deliver it to her home..."

Huang Zixiao, with her back to him, couldn’t help but lower her head and smile. She really wanted to ask—since when did you ever feel embarrassed?

"Oh, right, Chonggu—about that case from Mid-Autumn Festival, it’s been closed. I discussed it with my father. There’s no precedent for a female constable, but we’d like to hire you as a special external female investigator. You’d help us solve cases, and the yamen would pay you a monthly stipend. What do you think?"

"Not a chance!" Before Huang Zixiao could respond, someone burst in through the door in a fluster, loudly cutting him off.The person who entered was Huang Zixiao's aunt. Huang Zixiao stood up to greet her and, noticing her furious expression, respectfully asked, "What brings you here, Auntie?"

Glaring at Zhou Ziqin, she huffed and sat down with a flick of her sleeve. "My dear niece, how dare I give you orders? The Huang family's reputation, built over generations, has been utterly disgraced by you. Do we elders even have a say anymore?"

Huang Zixiao pretended not to understand and stood waiting for her to continue.

"You're a young lady, yet you spend all your time mingling with constables and yamen runners. Before, it was to help your father, and everyone respected you as the magistrate's daughter, so we let it slide. But now your parents have passed, and you're the Wang family's betrothed. Shouldn't you just stay quietly at home waiting for them to come and marry you? Why must you keep wading into those murky waters? Now... rumors are spreading that the Wang family's young master has returned to the capital to discuss breaking off the engagement with his parents!"

"Who spread this news?" Huang Zixiao wondered. It must be Li Shubai—how ruthless of him to cut off Wang Yun's retreat to prevent him from changing his mind.

Unaware of the truth, Zhou Ziqin jumped up. "What? What? That scoundrel Wang Yun dares to break off the engagement? He's going back to the capital to call off your betrothal? Just wait till I catch up with him and beat his face to a pulp!"

"And who's the real culprit if not Constable Zhou here?" Her aunt glared at him angrily. "The Wang family didn't mention breaking the engagement even when my niece was wanted by the authorities. Now that her name has been cleared, why would they suddenly do this? Isn't it because of you, young constable Zhou, dragging my niece into your detective work? She's a proper young lady, yet you keep taking her to deal with corpses and bloody cases—what future husband would tolerate that?"

Zhou Ziqin naturally wouldn't back down and immediately retorted, "Auntie, you don't understand! When Young Master Wang was in the capital, he admired—er, Huang Zixiao the most! Her meticulous mind and brilliant detective skills. Wang Yun even helped us investigate crime scenes—how could he possibly break off the engagement because of this? It must be a baseless rumor!"

"Hmph... But Young Master Wang has indeed left Chengdu—that's a fact! He visited the Huang family several times before, carefully arranging matters for my niece. And now? The day before yesterday, he was supposed to come personally to discuss wedding arrangements, but he canceled at the last minute. Now he's returned to the capital without even informing the Huang family—what does that tell you?"

Zhou Ziqin stubbornly insisted, "Of course it's because Wang Yun couldn't bear the sorrow of parting! He was afraid he wouldn't be able to leave Huang Zixiao, so he had to steel himself and avoid a tearful goodbye. That's why he left without a word!"

Huang Zixiao's aunt was just an ordinary woman, and Zhou Ziqin's talent for sophistry had been unmatched back in Chang'an—how could she possibly win against him? She could only let out an angry snort, turn, and leave, tossing back, "Niece, if this engagement really is broken off, the clan will have to ask you to be more careful in the future."

Zhou Ziqin stuck out his tongue at her retreating back, then turned to Huang Zixiao. "Ignore her! I used to freeload meals at the Imperial Guards all the time—I know Wang Yun's temperament like the back of my hand. A gentle, kind man like him would never break off the engagement! Besides, his fiancée is you—even if I let him off, Prince Kui would surely stand up for you and never let him get away with it!"

Huang Zixiao could only smile wryly. "Ziqin, thank you for the face cream and hand salve. Someday I'll help you solve a big case to repay you.""Most importantly, teach me how to handle cases. I feel that although my autopsy skills are unparalleled in the world, I still fall short when it comes to deducing the details of a case—it's beyond my abilities," he scratched his head and sighed in frustration. "Of course, it would be even better to have the face-reading skills of Prince Kui. Just by looking at someone on the street, you'd know what they did, where and when, and what crimes they committed... All you'd need to do is keep an eye on them..."

Huang Zixiao couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, you can have him teach you more in the future."

"Teach what? Prince Kui has already left. He departed early this morning—didn't he tell you?"

A faint blush rose to Huang Zixiao's cheeks. "He mentioned it."

Zhou Ziqin didn't seem to notice, his face falling as he remembered something else. Leaning in, he whispered, "Oh, right! Before leaving, Second Brother Zhang asked me to look into Cuicui's whereabouts in Chengdu. Do you think she might come here?"

Huang Zixiao pondered for a moment. "It's hard to say. Maybe one day she'll find her way here."

"Yeah, the world is vast. She could go anywhere—or nowhere," Zhou Ziqin said, peering outside to ensure no one was around before lowering his voice further. "When I went to see him, Second Brother Zhang was packing. Prince Kui's return to the capital is being escorted by the military governors of Dongchuan and Xichuan, and some of his former personal guards have rejoined him. It should be foolproof. But Second Brother Zhang seemed deeply troubled, his mind elsewhere."

Huang Zixiao hummed in acknowledgment, recalling how Li Shubai had bid her farewell the day before. He had said, "No matter what news you hear, don't be afraid or worry. Just wait calmly for my return."

She lowered her gaze, slowly twisting the agate bracelet on her wrist. After a long pause, she asked, "What did Second Brother Zhang say?"

"He didn't dare speak at first, but I kept pressing him relentlessly..."

Zhou Ziqin's persistence was something even Huang Zixiao couldn't withstand, let alone Zhang Xingying, who finally stammered out: "Red circle..."

When Zhou Ziqin repeated those two words, a chill shot up Huang Zixiao's spine, piercing her mind. She urgently asked, "Which character?"

Zhou Ziqin looked bewildered. "What do you mean, which character?"

Realizing her reaction had been too strong—Zhou Ziqin likely knew nothing about this—Huang Zixiao forced herself to calm down, keeping her voice steady. "I meant, aside from those two words, did Second Brother Zhang say anything else?"

Zhou Ziqin shook his head. "No. He only said those two words before stopping himself, regretting having spoken. I begged him to explain, but he pleaded with me instead, saying he'd once been dismissed from the prince's guard for violating regulations. If I didn't want him sent back to drying herbs in the medicine hall, I should drop it. What else could I do after that?"

Huang Zixiao fell silent, nodding after a long while but saying nothing.

Zhou Ziqin pressed her. "Do you also know what this 'red circle' is? What did you mean by 'which character'? Are you keeping something from me again?"

Huang Zixiao sighed. "Ziqin, some things are better left unknown."

"Knowing everything is fine, and knowing nothing is fine too. But knowing just half is the worst!" Zhou Ziqin whined, gazing at her pitifully. "Chonggu, just tell me a little? Just a tiny bit..."

"What's worse than knowing half is knowing just a tiny bit," Huang Zixiao refused mercilessly. "Ziqin, getting involved in certain matters brings no good."

"But if you already know, doesn't that mean you're involved too? I don't care! Good brothers share everything—we stand together!"Huang Ziyao slowly shook her head and said, "Yes, I was already caught up in it. Now that the storm has arrived, he pushed me away... But in truth, how could I possibly extricate myself now?"

Zhou Ziqin looked at her in bewilderment, unable to comprehend her words.

Yet Huang Ziyao turned to him with a faint smile and asked, "Can you get into the Dun Chun Pavilion?"

Even someone as quick-witted as Zhou Ziqin was taken aback by her sudden shift in topic. He opened his mouth, hesitated for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Yes."

"Take me in. I want to see the place where Prince Kui once stayed."

Zhou Ziqin's lips twitched involuntarily. "Chong Gu, you're being ridiculous! Back when you were his little attendant, you were in Prince Kui's residence every day. It's not like you've never seen where he lived."

Huang Ziyao had no choice but to say, "Fine, then take me to see what the temporary palace looks like."

"That's no problem. I'll get you a set of official robes. Let's go."

Zhou Ziqin had a wide network of connections and had become familiar with everyone in Chengdu within just a few months. The guards at the entrance of Dun Chun Pavilion called out as soon as they saw him, "Constable Zhou, back again? Didn't you just come this morning to see Prince Kui off?"

"Lost something. I'm here to look for it," he said, waving casually as he led Huang Ziyao inside without batting an eye. Dressed in a constable's uniform, Huang Ziyao drew little attention, with only a few teasing remarks like, "This young lad looks quite delicate."

When Huang Ziyao reached the Chun Hua Hall, she saw verdant pines and cypresses shading the grand building behind them. She paced back and forth on the green bricks in front of the hall for a long while before asking, "Who attended to Prince Kui when he was here?"

A gardener nearby replied, "After the scattered guards from Prince Kui's entourage returned, most of them were the ones serving him."

Huang Ziyao pressed further, "Did anyone stay behind?"

"There was one guard who suffered injuries to his bones and could no longer follow Prince Kui. Since he happened to be from Shu, Prince Kui arranged with the governor for him to stay and assist here. He’s already been added to the pavilion’s registry."

Huang Ziyao nodded, inquired about the man’s whereabouts, and went to see him. He was a spirited man in his twenties whom she had met before—people called him Tian Wu. Now, however, his right arm was missing, rendering him unfit for military service.

"Eunuch Yang," he naturally recognized Huang Ziyao and greeted her.

Huang Ziyao returned the courtesy and casually asked, "Where is the item His Highness left for me?"

He froze, stammering, "Wh-what item?"

"The one he left with you before departing, instructing you to deliver it to me later," Huang Ziyao said calmly, her gaze steady.

Tian Wu hesitated, his mouth opening and closing. "That...?"

Zhou Ziqin, listening to their exchange, was utterly lost and gave up trying to understand, opting to crack melon seeds nearby instead.

"But His Highness said the letter wasn’t to be given to Eunuch Yang until this time next year," Tian Wu scratched his head in confusion. "Why do you want it now? Did His Highness tell you about it?"

Huang Ziyao replied without a flicker of emotion, "Yes. His Highness said if there was an urgent matter, I could take a look at the letter he left for me in advance."

Tian Wu shook his head. "But His Highness specifically said next year at this time.""This morning when I went to see the Prince off, an urgent matter arose. Now that he has returned to the capital, he must be facing grave dangers. So he told me there was a letter left with you, originally intended to be given to me later. But given the current crisis, he said I could open it early if needed."

Hearing this, Zhou Ziqin froze with a melon seed in his hand: "Chonggu, you... went to see the Prince off?"

"Yes, earlier than you." She turned and gave him a "shut up" look.

Zhou Ziqin immediately buried his head in cracking melon seeds, not daring to make another sound.

Seeing her resolute expression and calm eyes that showed no pretense, Tian Wu could only say: "Very well, Eunuch Yang please wait a moment."

He went back to his room and soon returned with a letter sealed with wax, handing it to her: "This is the one."

The envelope bore no writing. Huang Ziguang took it and thanked Tian Wu: "Thank you, Brother Tian Wu." She immediately turned to leave, opening the letter as she walked.

"To Ziguang:

By the time you read this, I must already be dead.

The storms of the court spare no one. For years I've toiled with utmost care, treading on thin ice, yet there comes a time when all collapses beyond recovery. The sun sets over the western hills, the royal fortune wanes—this is beyond my power to save, yet some fear I might destroy it. With my humble self, even exhausting all efforts cannot withstand the vast heavens and earth, nor the torrents of court and country.

This journey to death is something I've anticipated for over a decade. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Rather than clinging to a furtive existence, better to face the awakening from this fleeting dream. In life I had no attachments, only wishing to solve the mysteries surrounding me—then death would hold no regrets. But that late spring day when we met by chance, step by step since then, I've come to forget myself. Ziguang, you are my greatest mistake in life, and also my greatest fortune.

The Langya Wang family is no safe harbor—after me, their downfall should follow. Now that you're free from Wang Yun, with your discerning eye you'll surely find another good match, achieving happiness and fulfillment..."

Before Huang Ziguang could finish reading, a wave of darkness surged before her eyes. Li Shubai's elegant handwriting blurred in her vision like dissipating mist. She stood there dumbfounded, legs weak, leaning against the tall cypress tree behind her.

"...Chonggu?"

She heard Zhou Ziqin's voice, anxious and close to her ear.

She hastily folded the letter. Her vision was too dark to see, so she stuffed the letter into her robe and called out blankly: "Ziqin..."

"Ah? I'm here," Zhou Ziqin quickly responded.

"I... feel a bit dizzy," she said, finally regaining some composure. Leaning against the wall, she slowly walked to the railing and sat down against a pillar, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Just low energy, I'll be fine soon."

Zhou Ziqin patted his head and hurried to a nearby pavilion, returning with two sesame candies from a dish: "With Prince Kui gone, you shouldn't forget to carry candies with you."

"I'm not that fragile... I haven't been following him... on those relentless marches lately," she said, taking a candy and slowly eating it. Then she sat silently under the eaves for a long time.

The evergreen pines before her, their twisting branches turned into coiling dragons and snakes, their lush foliage into dark, ominous shadows. This meticulously maintained garden regressed into a century-desolate detached palace.

It was as if she suddenly understood the true terror of court politics.

Zhou Ziqin watched her worriedly: "Chonggu, are you alright?""It's nothing... really nothing," she bent her knees, resting her face in the crook of her elbow, quietly leaning against them for a moment before asking, "Zi Qin, could you accompany me to my parents' graves?"

Autumn grass grew thin upon Huang Shijun's tomb. As long as there was soil, tenacious grass would sprout ceaselessly through the seasons, waiting for the day people might neglect it, granting it a chance to flourish.

Zhou Ziqin bowed before the grave, sincerely praying, "Father and Mother of Miss Huang, elder brother, grandmother, uncle... I sincerely apologize for disturbing you last time! At least in the end, Miss Huang helped catch the true culprit, and I contributed a little effort..."

Huang Zixiang ignored him, kneeling directly before the grave, staring blankly at the epitaph carved upon it. Her name was already inscribed there—

Filial Daughter, Huang Zixiang

Once a harmonious and joyful family, now only she remained.

Her gaze drifted past the graves before her, settling upon an inconspicuous small burial mound behind. A stone tablet stood before it, bearing the words—

Tomb of Yu Xuan

Nothing else.

A desolate mound of earth buried the first person she had ever loved in this world. No one knew of his once-elegant demeanor, nor the stories of his past. Even fewer knew how he had transformed her youthful days into the most beautiful dream the world could offer.

But now, the dream had shattered, and she had bid him farewell forever. Before her lay an arduous path. Li Shubai hoped she would wait in place, awaiting his triumphant return through thorns and brambles. Yet she knew she could not idly await fate's decree.

Life is fraught with countless storms. The tempests of court could overturn the world. But if, in the most trying times, she could not stand shoulder to shoulder with that person to weather the storm, then what meaning was there in having lived at all? How could that be considered fulfillment?

Biting her lower lip, she bowed deeply before her family's graves, knocking her head three times with solemn reverence.

She remained silent, uttering not a word. Zhou Ziqin, who accompanied her, was at a loss, watching her with confusion, unable to comprehend why her eyes had suddenly brimmed with tears.

The mountains stretched vast and indistinct, the road ahead endless, step after weary step. Li Shubai journeyed toward an unknown destination, his thoughts growing increasingly restless the closer he drew to the capital.

The little fish in the glass vessel seemed exhausted from the long journey, lying motionless at the bottom for long stretches. He tapped lightly on the glass, but it only flicked its tail weakly, indifferent to his presence.

The light filtering through the carriage curtains grew warmer. Along the way, red and yellow leaves drifted down in abundance. Occasionally, he lifted the curtain, and a small red leaf fluttered onto him. Picking it up, he recalled the day they parted on that desolate path in Chengdu Prefecture—how a red leaf had similarly landed in her hair.

She surely hadn’t noticed that when he embraced her, he had secretly plucked that leaf from her hair and clasped it in his palm.

He opened the book on the table, placing the leaf that had fallen upon him beside the one already pressed between its pages. The two red leaves lay side by side, appearing inseparable.What is she doing now? On this autumn afternoon, is she deep in slumber by the small window, perhaps lost in a beautiful dream unfolding before her?

He thought to himself, a smile unconsciously curving his lips. He wondered if, after some time passed and she realized he wouldn’t return, and when she thought of how he had even ruined her marriage with the Wang family, she might resent him in her heart.

Day after day of travel, the scenery outside the window gradually grew familiar. The rolling hills of the capital’s outskirts seemed grander than those elsewhere. Amidst the layered peaks, the eight rivers encircled Chang’an, the blue mountains and clear waters guarding the most prosperous city in the world, the heart of the Great Tang Dynasty where millions turned their gaze.

After a night’s rest at a villa outside the city, the armies of Dongchuan and Xichuan remained encamped beyond the walls, while Prince Kui’s carriage entered Chang’an at sunrise.

At the sight of the familiar procession, officials and citizens alike spread the news—Prince Kui had returned to the capital!

The ministers were especially moved, some even shedding tears as if they could already see the towering piles of official documents vanishing before their eyes.

Thus, before his carriage even reached Yongjia Lane, countless people were already waiting outside the prince’s residence. The moment the familiar chime of golden bells rang out, cheers erupted as everyone surged forward to greet Prince Kui. Li Yonghe, the Minister of Works, pushed through the crowd, nearly in tears: “Your Highness, you’ve finally returned! His Majesty wishes to construct one hundred and twenty pagodas in the suburbs to welcome the Buddha’s relics from Famen Temple. Your Highness, please instruct us—how should we proceed?”

Cui Chunzhan shoved him aside urgently: “Your Highness, the case of Jingzhao Yin Wen Zhang accepting bribes has been transferred to the Dali Temple for trial. In Your Highness’s view—”

“The Ministry of Revenue’s tax records for this year, please review them, Your Highness—”

Amidst the clamor, Li Shubai finally stepped down from the carriage. Tall by nature, his sweeping gaze made each person feel seen, and the crowd quickly quieted, eagerly extending their documents toward him.

He did not reach out to take them, merely signaling his attendants to part the crowd as he walked toward the residence’s entrance. “This prince will first bathe and change. You may wait in the hall—”

Mid-sentence, he stopped at the gate, suddenly frozen.

No one knew what Prince Kui had seen, but he stood there motionless, his words trailing off unfinished. Those behind him craned their necks, trying to glimpse what inside could have stunned the famously unflappable prince.

Li Shubai snapped out of his daze. Stepping inside, he turned to address the crowd below the steps: “Today, I am weary. All of you, please return. We will discuss matters tomorrow.”

“Your Highness, lives are at stake! Wen Zhang’s case—”

“Your Highness, one hundred and twenty pagodas! The Ministry of Works is at its wits’ end—”

“Your Highness, please just take a look—”

Li Shubai ignored them all, ordering the gates shut behind him.

Standing on the steps inside, he gazed at the slender figure before the screen wall.

Huang Zizao wore a soft yellow dress, her hair tied in a simple bun adorned only with the hairpin he had given her.She stood before the pink-white screen wall, her slightly pale face adorned with a faint smile. In her gaze fixed upon him were the brightest pair of stars in the world, reflected in his silhouette, illuminating everything before him with sudden, radiant brilliance.

Step by step, he slowly descended the stairs, walking toward her.

And she stood in the wind, her yellow robe fluttering, dark hair lightly swaying. When she smiled, the stars in her eyes gently trembled.

The emotions swirling in his chest grew chaotic, his breath uneven. The blood in his heart surged wildly, alternating between cold and heat—he couldn’t tell if it was joy or sorrow.

He stopped two steps away from her and asked, "Why did you come?"

She looked up at him and said, "Your procession was so grand, with constant welcomes and feasts along the way—you were much slower than me. I arrived two days ago and have already rested."

He didn’t let her divert the topic. "Didn’t I tell you to wait for me peacefully in Chengdu?"

"How could I wait? Until next autumn, and then wait for your final letter?" She took a long breath, her smile still lingering, though her lips trembled slightly, her voice strained. "Though I knew that if you had a plan, you would return safely… but my patience isn’t very good. And compared to waiting without certainty, I prefer to hold onto what I can grasp—only what’s in my hands feels secure."

Her smile was stubborn and radiant. The last slanting rays of autumn sunlight fell upon her face, making the whole world seem hazy and dreamlike. Her golden visage made Li Shubai momentarily avert his gaze, his eyes stinging slightly.

He could almost see her—alone, riding Nafusha across countless rivers and mountains, charging recklessly through the autumn leaves and chrysanthemums toward the capital.

His throat tightened as if suddenly choked. He couldn’t speak, only raising a hand to gently touch her face, as if touching a dream—unbelievable, as if lost in mist.

His usually cool and detached voice finally wavered and trembled: "Do you know… how dangerous the current situation is for me?"

He ordered someone to bring the Nine Palaces Box he carried with him. From it, he retrieved the talisman he had examined repeatedly on his journey and handed it to her.

The thick, slightly yellowed paper bore eerie patterns. On it, the six characters—"widower, disabled, orphaned, solitary, crippled, ill"—were all circled in crimson, like blood. Beneath these six characters, the red hue seeped and extended, forming faint, ghostly patterns that revealed one final word:

Death.

Huang Zixiang stared at the faintly emerging character, barely discernible yet striking against the ominous background.

After a long moment, she lifted her head to face him, still smiling faintly.

She raised her hand and clasped his, just as he had once held hers, intertwining her fingers with his intimately. Bathed in the golden sunset, she tightened her grip and offered him a tender smile: "I told you—I’ll always be by your side."The turbulent tide of blood in his chest finally burst its banks. No longer having the strength to push her away, he held her tightly in his embrace with a force that bordered on roughness. She could feel his body trembling, his breath rapid and erratic, as helpless as a youth who still knew nothing of the world. She wanted to mock this man who always wore a cold expression, but before her lips could part or the corners of her mouth could lift, scalding tears had already welled up in his arms.

She pressed her face against his chest, quietly letting the tears be absorbed by the fine silk of his robes.

In the deep autumn of Chang'an, the golden slanting sunlight bathed the Kuiwang Manor where chrysanthemums bloomed in full splendor, and the scent of medicinal herbs enveloped all the pavilions.

This moment of peace and tranquility might very well be their last day together.