Chapter 226
Chapter 226
Yan Zhengchu kept watch over Xia Ximo’s “body.” It was nearly dark before Ren Fengjue and Yu Lang finally returned to the Zhong residence.
After the Soul-Ferrying Lantern had been set down for a short while, Xia Ximo’s soul returned to its place, and she slowly awoke.
But her soul had been away from her body too long, and she had used too much soul power. Inevitably, she felt weak upon waking.
Ren Fengjue might have spoken of “knowing his limits,” but his eyes had never left Xia Ximo.
At the slightest sign that anything was amiss, he immediately came forward to ask.
“Do you… need my help?”
It had happened often enough that he was quite experienced by now…
Xia Ximo had barely nodded before he reached out and lifted her straight into his arms.
Yu Lang and Yan Zhengchu exchanged a glance, then turned away with an unspoken understanding, pretending they had seen nothing.
Ren Fengjue paused briefly. “I will take Miss Xia back to her room. We should all turn in early tonight.”
With that, he strode away, carrying her in his arms.
As soon as his footsteps receded, Yu Lang and Yan Zhengchu braced themselves against opposite sides of the doorframe and peered out.
They watched until the two figures disappeared at the far end of the corridor before slowly looking away.
“Looks like they have made up,” Yu Lang said.
“It would seem so.”
…
That night, not long after Yu Lang had fallen soundly asleep, he found himself back in the strangely familiar garden.
Bewildered and surprised, he saw a woman’s figure standing in the hazy outline of the waterside pavilion.
It was Wen Yu.
Yu Lang started. His first instinct was to run.
But the moment he turned, a pulling force whisked him straight to Wen Yu.
“Why run when you see me?”
With her hands behind her back, Wen Yu watched him with a slight frown.
Looking at her face still made Yu Lang nervous. Helplessly, he asked, “Miss Wen, surely you have not… come into my dreams again?”
“Is it not obvious?” Wen Yu asked with a smile. “I kept thinking of you, Young Master Yu, and could not resist coming to see you in your dreams.”
Yu Lang hurriedly waved his hands. “Please do not. You are a ghost and I am alive. We belong to different worlds. Have mercy on me!”
Wen Yu gave a mischievous smile.
“No.”
“…”
Suddenly she reached out, lightly tugged the edge of his robe, and asked, “Can you play Go?”
Though he did not understand what she intended, Yu Lang answered honestly. “A little. I am no expert.”
“Then play a game with me,” Wen Yu said.
Before Yu Lang could react, the scene before him changed, and he was back in her bedchamber.
Yet compared with its eerie atmosphere that day, it felt much more comfortable now.
A Go table stood on an embroidered couch beside the window.
Through the carved latticework, he could see a garden filled with the colors of spring.
Though he knew he was dreaming, Yu Lang still felt this was not quite proper and stood beside the couch for a little while.
Wen Yu half reclined against it, her body turned to one side. Looking back at him, she said, “Why are you just standing there? Sit down.”
Only then did Yu Lang obey and sit opposite her, though he dared look at nothing but the board…
He watched her fair hand, smooth as cream, pick up a black stone and set it gently on the board.
Only then did he slowly place a white stone.
Back and forth, advancing and retreating.
Little by little, the board filled with stones.
A light breeze stirred beyond the window, bringing faint floral scents and birdsong.
Before he knew it, the game was over. Wen Yu had actually beaten him.
Yu Lang stared blankly at the board, unable for a moment to see exactly where he had gone wrong.
As he pondered it, he felt a pair of intent eyes studying him from across the table.
He looked up and met her gaze.
Wen Yu smiled, serene and gentle. “Young Master Yu, thank you for speaking up for me,” she said sincerely.
Yu Lang grew awkward instead. “There is no need to be so polite, Miss Wen…”
But Wen Yu asked, “You said that if you loved someone, you would marry her even if she had been divorced eight times.”
“Did you… mean it?”
“…”
Yu Lang scratched his head helplessly. “Perhaps we should not take that too literally? You would hardly find someone like that in real life…”
“I do not care.” A smile lingered on Wen Yu’s lips. “In any case, I will remember it.”
“…”
Could she please not remember that sort of thing?
Yu Lang was about to say something to salvage the situation when a knock suddenly sounded in his ears.
The Illusionary Realm before him vanished, and he startled awake in bed.
It was already light outside. Axia had knocked several times without hearing an answer from Yu Lang and pushed the door open.
Only when he saw Yu Lang sit up did he breathe a sigh of relief. “Young Master Yu, it is time for breakfast.”
Yu Lang answered, then lay back down. For some reason, he felt a wistful sense of loss…
*
They stayed at the Zhong residence for two more days.
During that time, Ren Fengjue assigned the task of investigating the names on the list to the Shadow Guard, while Yan Zhengchu managed to trace Bai Qingshuang’s whereabouts.
The compass indicated that they should leave Beiding County and continue north. Beyond Mount Yuebei lay Liangzhou City.
Liangzhou City, also called Beiliang City, was where Jiang Ting, the Marquis of Zhenbei, was stationed.
Bai Qingshuang’s faint trail pointed there.
Though Ren Fengjue had served at court for several years and was the Son of Marquis Renxuan, he had never met the Marquis of Zhenbei.
He knew only that there had long been a saying at court: “Renxuan in civil affairs, Zhenbei in war.”
It was also said that although four marquises had earned their titles for helping found the dynasty, only these two truly lived up to them.
Ren Fengjue had heard many accounts of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s deeds and had always respected this elder of his father’s generation.
Now that every clue pointed toward Liangzhou, he knew it was time to pay the Marquis of Zhenbei a visit.
Having decided, Ren Fengjue immediately took his leave of Zhong Dingyan.
Without hesitation, Zhong Dingyan prepared ample dry provisions and warm clothing for them, and gave them two fine, sturdy horses as well.
He personally escorted them out of Beiding County. Standing at the city gate, he seemed to want to say something but held back.
Yan Zhengchu could guess that Zhong Yi must be on his mind and promised to send word as soon as there was any news.
Somewhat reassured, Zhong Dingyan immediately bowed to them.
Since Xia Ximo still had a few matters to attend to, the carriage waited a little longer at the gate.
Before long, snowflakes began drifting down from the sky.
Some people were talking quietly beside the gate. Yu Lang’s hearing was keen, and though he was sitting in the carriage, he heard every word.
They were discussing the falling-out between the Wen Family and the Fu Family.
After Wen Yan had brought people to the Fu Family residence to make a scene, Fu Yuan had lost all dignity, and his household had descended into utter chaos.
A rumor from the Fu Family’s servants claimed that early that morning, the young mistress, Zuihuan, had produced a dagger from somewhere and chased after Young Master Fu without letting up.
Who would have thought a couple married barely a month would already be at each other’s throats?
The speaker finished with a contemptuous spit. “Serves him right!”
Hearing this, Yu Lang chimed in, “It certainly does!”
As he spoke, he felt both a measure of satisfaction and a touch of melancholy.
Wen Yu had not entered his dreams again. Presumably, she had already gone on to be reincarnated?