On the seventh day after the funeral, the Pei family held the memorial rites at Cien Temple. After spending the night there, they returned to the city the following day.
A fierce snowstorm had struck the mountains the previous night, bringing bone-chilling cold. Having endured the long vigil, everyone was exhausted and dispersed to rest upon their return.
Pei You'an and Jiafu returned to their quarters. Servants brought hot water for them to wash up and change clothes. They had barely lain down when another servant arrived to report that the caretaker left at the temple had urgently sent word back. The message stated that an ancient hundred-year-old locust tree near the Ancestral Hall, where the Pei family's ancestral Lotus Platform was enshrined, had become hollowed out by insects and termites. Its gnarled branches sprawled across half the courtyard. During the previous night's snowstorm and strong mountain winds, the tree had begun to tilt. The caretaker feared that if another heavy snowfall came that night, the top-heavy tree might collapse—a disaster waiting to happen. Given its proximity to the ancestral Lotus Platform, he dared not act without authorization and had hurriedly sent for instructions.
Pei You'an told Jiafu to rest while he rose and sent someone to consult Pei Quan.
Pei Quan had just lain down when the servant disturbed him. Upon hearing about the potential hazard at the temple's Ancestral Hall and Pei You'an's request for discussion, he hurriedly prepared to get up. But Second Madam grabbed his arm and said coldly, "It hasn't actually collapsed yet—why panic? Doesn't he have someone holding the ancestral Iron Certificate given by Old Madam? Whoever holds it should deal with it. Do you think the sky won't brighten without you? It's freezing outside, snow is about to fall again, and the road is long. Your health is already weak—weren't you just complaining about swollen, painful knees making it hard to walk? Stay in bed. I'll reply for you."
Before her passing, Old Madam had given the Iron Certificate to the second nephew of the eldest branch. Though she had allotted more land and wealth to the second branch during the family division to compensate, Pei Quan had secretly hoped for the Iron Certificate. Knowing his hopes were dashed, he felt deeply disappointed and resentful of his mother's favoritism. Moreover, after years of struggle to reach his current position, Old Madam's death had forced him into mourning leave. Given his seniority, he couldn't be exempted. By the time the three-year mourning period ended, the political landscape would be unrecognizable. One setback after another had left him in low spirits. Hesitating at Second Madam's words, he saw she had already left, so he slowly lay back down.
Pei You'an waited briefly, but instead of Pei Quan, Second Madam arrived. Apologetically, she said, "You'an, what unfortunate timing. Your uncle suffered all night in the cold, and his old ailment flared up this morning—his knees are painfully swollen. He just applied medicinal patches. If you don’t mind Xiuzhi getting in the way, perhaps I could send him to assist you?"
Pei You'an declined, asking her to relay his wishes for his uncle to rest and recover. He then hurried out with Pei Xiuzhi, who had come upon hearing the news, along with a third uncle from the clan and several stewards. As they were mounting their horses, a maidservant from Zhou Jiao'e's household rushed out, saying Zhou Jiao'e was feeling unwell and urgently seeking the second young master.
Not long after the funeral, Zhou Jiao'e had been diagnosed with pregnancy. These days, she was indulging in all sorts of cravings, treated with utmost care, and had naturally stayed home to rest yesterday.
Pei Xiuzhi scolded the maidservant, "Why come to me instead of summoning a physician? I have urgent matters!"
The maidservant bowed meekly and turned to leave, but Pei You'an said, "Your wife's health comes first. I can handle the matter—you should return."Pei Xiuzhi made a few excuses but ultimately had no choice but to agree. He turned back and entered the inner chamber, where he saw Zhou Jiao'e reclining against the headboard, holding a warming pouch in her arms. Chestnuts roasted over the stove fire lay nearby, with maidservants busily peeling them. She smiled at him, prompting him to frown. "Didn't you say you weren’t feeling well?"
Zhou Jiao'e dismissed the maids and chuckled. "The wind outside cuts like knives. Since someone else is already going from your side, why must you follow? Who are you trying to impress? Come here quickly and rub my back for me. Ah, my back—it aches so much I can’t sit or lie down properly. It’s like half my life is already gone..."
Pei Xiuzhi truly couldn’t muster any affection for her. His expression darkened as he turned to leave, but behind him, Zhou Jiao'e’s willow-thin eyebrows shot up in anger. She grabbed a handful of empty chestnut shells and hurled them at his back, shouting, "Here I am, offering warmth to your cold indifference, and you repay kindness with ingratitude! If you dare take one step out of this room, just you wait! Is it because Uncle Zhou’s misfortunes have displeased His Majesty that you now disregard Her Majesty the Empress too?"
She sneered. "Ever since I married you, you’ve been nitpicking and glaring at me. Don’t think I don’t know—you’re still pining for that woman in the other courtyard, aren’t you? Keep dreaming! Take a good look in the mirror and see what a pathetic wretch you are! Only someone like me would stick by you, loving you despite your flaws, and yet you treat me like dirt! Push me too far, and we’ll both suffer—don’t expect any peace!"
Pei Xiuzhi’s face burned with humiliation, and he froze where he stood. Zhou Jiao'e, having vented her anger, wiped her tears with a handkerchief. Moments later, Madam Xin’s cough sounded from outside. Suppressing his resentment, Pei Xiuzhi forced himself to soften his expression and went over to soothe her, dutifully rubbing her back and massaging her legs.
...
Not long after Pei You'an was summoned away, snow began to fall again—first lightly like willow catkins, then gradually thickening into heavy goose-feather flakes.
Despite the warmth of the room, Jiafu couldn’t sleep.
By mid-afternoon, barely past the second quarter of the Hour of the Monkey, the sky had darkened as if dusk were approaching. A maid lifted the door curtain as Tanxiang entered, carrying a bowl of food. Setting it down, she blew into her hands for warmth and said, "Madam, the gatekeeper just sent word—Third Uncle slipped on the mountain and has been brought back. The master won’t return for dinner, and if he’s delayed, he won’t be able to come down tonight. He’ll return tomorrow morning instead and asks that you close the gates early and not wait for him."
Listening to the howling north wind outside, Jiafu thought of how he had left unprepared for an overnight stay, wearing only an outer cloak. The snowy ground was wet and muddy—by nightfall, his boots would surely be soaked through. If he truly had to spend the night alone in the mountains, even if the temple had guest quarters, on such a bitterly cold night, what if the bedding was too thin...?Jiafu couldn't rest easy. She immediately had someone fetch a woolen quilt and bundled it together with Pei You'an's clothes, along with thick shoes and socks. Initially, she intended to send a servant boy to deliver them, but the thought of him alone in the cold, snowy mountains made her change her mind—she wanted to accompany him. She instructed Tanxiang, Liu Momo, and a few others to dress warmly and prepare bedding for overnight stay. She then summoned the steward, arranged for servants, and had a carriage prepared before setting off toward the temple outside the city.
The road was deserted, and they braved the wind and snow, finally reaching the foot of the mountain just before nightfall. Holding up Bright Horn Lanterns, they supported each other as they slowly ascended. A nimble-footed servant had already rushed ahead to announce their arrival.
Before Jiafu even reached the temple gate, Pei You'an hurried out to meet her. He escorted her inside and settled her in the quarters reserved for noblewomen visiting for worship. Once inside, he ordered a brazier to be lit for warmth. Seeing the snow clinging to her cloak, the frost dusting her lashes, and the tip of her nose red from the cold, he gently brushed off the snow and chided softly, "Who goes out in weather like this? Didn’t I tell you to close up early and not wait for me? Not only did you not listen, but you even came all this way yourself. The snow is deep—what if you had slipped?"
The passing of his grandmother must have been a profound sorrow for Pei You'an. Over the past half-month, he had exhausted himself, yet he had never shown a trace of grief in front of her.
If anything, he had become even more tender and attentive, as if afraid she might feel sorrow, treating her like a little one who needed his care.
The frost on her lashes melted into tiny droplets. Jiafu blinked and said, "I was careful. I heard that Sixth Uncle accidentally injured his leg and returned early, leaving you alone on the mountain..."
She trailed off, watching him uneasily.
Pei You'an paused, then smiled. He led her to sit by the couch and noticed the mud and snow caked on the toes of her deerskin boots. As the snow began to melt, he bent down himself to remove them.
Jiafu instinctively pulled her foot back, but Pei You'an had already taken hold of it. He removed one boot, then the other, massaging her numb toes through the socks before lifting her feet onto the couch. He called for Tanxiang to bring the woolen quilt to cover her legs and placed a small warming brazier, brought by the guest monk, into her arms. "Rest here for now," he said. "Tonight, we must fell the tree to prevent any accidents, but it’s quite large, so it’ll take some effort. I’ll go now and return later to have dinner with you."
With that, he turned and instructed Tanxiang and the others to take good care of Jiafu before leaving in haste.
By the first watch, when he returned, the room was already warm. The monks brought vegetarian meals, and after eating, he left again. It wasn’t until the hour of the boar that he finally came back, announcing that the tree had been safely felled and the previously stored Lotus Tablets had all been returned to their places. All that remained was to drag the tree away the next morning.
Though they were husband and wife, staying together in the temple was improper. After finishing his tasks for the night, Pei You'an came to check on Jiafu, urged her to sleep, and then left for his own quarters in a separate courtyard, divided by a mountain wall. Earlier, Jiafu had gone there herself to remake his bed.
The snow gradually stopped. Tanxiang, Liu Momo, and the others sharing the room with Jiafu had long since fallen asleep.The mountain temple in the dead of night, though adorned with worldly riches and royal prestige by day, now lay in utter silence, reverting to its original state of serene tranquility.
Jiafu lay with her eyes closed, listening to Liu Momo's uneven snores, her thoughts lingering on Pei You'an just a wall away. She tossed and turned restlessly.
She had a feeling that he, too, was unable to find peaceful sleep tonight.
Unable to resist any longer, she quietly rose from her bed, dressed, and opened the door. Stepping into the ankle-deep snow, she left the courtyard and made her way to Pei You'an's dwelling.
The window panes were dark; no light shone from within.
Jiafu stepped onto the veranda and hesitated at the door when suddenly Pei You'an's voice came from inside: "Come in."
Though she had tread lightly, the snow had still crunched faintly underfoot. He must have recognized her presence long ago.
With a soft acknowledgment, Jiafu pushed open the slightly ajar door. Pei You'an stood by the window, draped in his outer robe, the shutters open. He turned his face toward her at the entrance.
Enveloped in darkness, his figure blended into the night, save for the snowlight outside that illuminated half of his deeply shadowed profile.
His gaze rested on her, silent and tender.
Jiafu walked to his side. He touched her small hands, already chilled by the cold. "So lightly dressed! Why aren't you asleep?"
"You're not asleep either," Jiafu murmured in her own defense.
He smiled faintly. "I was just about to retire. You should sleep too."
Jiafu remained silent.
Pei You'an studied her for a moment in the snowlight, then grasped her shoulders and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. His voice was soft, reassuring. "Don’t worry about me. I’m fine."
With that, he removed his cloak and draped its warmth over her shoulders. Then, holding her close, he guided her toward the door.
Nothing escaped his notice—not even her emotions.
Tonight, she had braved the snow and wind to come here, intending to keep him company. Yet in the end, it was he who comforted her.
Touched but inexplicably wistful, Jiafu refused to move. She stood her ground, clutching his sleeves with a hint of childish stubbornness.
Pei You'an chuckled and shook his head in mild resignation.
He added silver charcoal to the dwindling fire. Once the flames grew strong again, he placed a teapot atop the stove and settled into a chair nearby, gesturing for Jiafu to join him.
She went to his side. He lifted her onto his lap, wrapping her in his robe as they squeezed together into the single chair.
The warm glow of the fire flickered quietly in the dark night. Gradually, the teapot began to emit a soft, pleasant bubbling sound.
The stillness of the mountain temple was profoundly peaceful.
Leaning into his embrace, Jiafu closed her eyes and slowly drifted into drowsiness. Some time later, she felt herself being gently lifted.
She opened her eyes and looked up at Pei You'an, who was about to lay her down on the bed. Looping her arms around his neck, she whispered, "Cousin, I want to pay respects to your aunt. Will you come with me?"
...
Bundled in layers of clothing, Jiafu walked hand in hand with Pei You'an toward the secluded courtyard deep within Cien Temple's rear cloisters, leaving their attendants behind.The night sky cleared, gradually revealing a crescent moon that cast the entire mountain temple in a silvery glow. The surroundings were hushed, with only the faint crunching sound of snow beneath their feet as they walked.
They slowly approached a place usually shunned by others when Pei You'an suddenly halted.
Ahead lay a fork in the path, with a narrow trail branching off leading to the rear mountain gate.
Snow had been falling intermittently for days, accumulating to half a foot in depth. Yet now, on that side path, two sets of footprints were clearly visible, their tracks uncovered by fresh snow, stretching all the way to the courtyard ahead.
This meant that tonight—perhaps mere moments ago—someone had already arrived there before them.
Who could it be, venturing out in such treacherous weather when the heavy snow had nearly sealed off the mountain, coming to this now nearly abandoned place where the former Yuan empress had spent the final days of her life, in the dead of night?
Jiafu's heart gave a sudden thump, and a name immediately came to mind.
She stole a glance at the man beside her.
Pei You'an's brow furrowed slightly before he continued leading Jiafu forward.
They drew closer and closer to the closed gate.
The footprints in the snow were unmistakable, leading straight to that door.
Pei You'an strode directly to the entrance and pushed against it.
The door wasn't locked from the outside, yet it wouldn't budge, as if barred from within.
His frown deepened as he pushed again, but the door remained shut.
His expression darkened. After a brief pause, he pulled Jiafu behind him and slowly drew the sword from his waist.
The blade gleamed against the snow, flashing with a piercing, icy brilliance under the moonlight.
Pointing the tip toward the door's seam, he said coldly, "I am Pei You'an. I know you're behind this door. This is forbidden ground. Who dares trespass here? Show yourself now, or my sword knows no mercy!"
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