Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn

Chapter 124

Upon arriving in Luancheng, Shen Haoyu met with Mr. Qi. The scene was quite dramatic. After Shen Haoyu left with Mr. Qi, I pulled Jiang Ming aside and hurriedly asked, "Master, have you heard from anyone else in the past six months?"

Jiang Ming glanced at me without saying a word. I felt uneasy, but still asked, "Is there still no news?"

Jiang Ming nodded slightly, and after a long while said, "After defeating Xuan Yingguo, the emperor dispatched a large number of troops to search the mountains. The escape routes that had been planned before were searched back and forth no less than three times. A few who managed to escape were captured, and the rest, I'm afraid, are all..."

I had already guessed some of the outcome, but my heart sank little by little. Zinuo, Song Zhixuan, Lin Zhao, and other brothers who had gone through life and death together, were they really going to never see each other again?

"I thought no one would come back alive, but I unexpectedly ran into you and the young prince here. The news has already been sent to the prince, and he must be overjoyed." Jiang Ming tried to divert my attention by asking how Shen Haoyu and I had escaped. I told Jiang Ming in detail about Shen Haoyu's escape, but in my heart, I kept thinking, in such a place, after so long, could Zinuo and the others still be alive? The thought of Zinuo being injured while saving me and then swept away by the water—if even those in good health couldn't come back, what were Zinuo's chances? A chill ran through me…

After I finished speaking, Jiang Ming pondered and said, "It's fortunate that you ended up in the south. The north is still conducting strict checks. If you had gone there, it probably wouldn't have been so easy for you to come back." Perhaps, if this is fate.

However, Jiang Ming's words rekindled my hope: "Master, if we don't know for sure whether Zinuo and the others are no longer in this world, can we still believe that they are alive just like us?"

Jiang Ming glanced at me and said softly, "I hope so." His face betrayed his deep sorrow. He had raised all four of us under his tutelage; my pain was his pain too. The Emperor's continued search for us didn't necessarily mean he believed we were still alive; he simply didn't want to let go of even the slightest possibility. That Shen Haoyu and I escaped alive was already a miracle. Could we really expect them to be the same? Let's hold onto that hope; at least that way we won't feel utterly hopeless.

He thought he could spend more time with Jiang Ming, but the next day Mr. Qi had already arranged for people to escort Shen Haoyu north to Dongjun to meet with Prince Qing. He said goodbye to Jiang Ming with reluctance before setting off with Shen Haoyu.

After more than ten days of galloping, they finally arrived outside Longcheng in Dongjun, the main camp of Prince Qing. Even before entering the city, they could see a neatly arranged group of people standing outside. Leading the group was none other than Prince Qing, dressed in brocade robes and wearing a jade crown, seated atop a large black horse. The distance was too great to discern his expression. Beside him, Shen Haoyu had already cracked his whip and galloped towards Prince Qing.

Watching the others put on a show of long-awaited reunion and deep father-son affection, I rode slowly behind the procession. Upon returning to Prince Qing's residence in Longcheng, before I even entered the gate, the Princess Consort had already come out to greet me. Ignoring the presence of so many people, she embraced Shen Haoyu and burst into tears. Prince Qing, standing beside her, did not stop her, but simply watched quietly.

Yes, I thought we were separated forever, but now my son is back safe and sound. Who wouldn't be excited? When I first learned that Shen Tingxuan was the deceased Mu Shaoting, wasn't I the same? Besides, they were mother and son by blood. I quietly turned my head away to wipe away the tears from the corners of my eyes, feeling increasingly empty inside.

The courtyard arranged for Shen Haoyu is still called Qiufeng Garden. The layout and furnishings inside are almost identical to those in the capital. It seems that Prince Qing has been planning this for a long time. In order to avoid Shen Haoyu feeling uncomfortable after coming from the capital, he specially prepared a courtyard just like the one in the capital. He really loves his only son.

When they arrived at Qiufeng Garden, Yinyan was standing blankly at the entrance, with Yuying and the others standing beside her. Upon seeing Shen Haoyu, Yinyan broke down in tears. Shen Haoyu only said, "Come in, everyone. Don't stand at the entrance." The others busied themselves welcoming Shen Haoyu into the courtyard. Yuying gave a series of instructions, some to prepare water, some to serve food, and others to do what they needed to do. Yinyan quietly followed behind Shen Haoyu the whole time, without uttering a single word.

Shen Haoyu was fawned over and led to her room. I was also led to a room by a maid. The maid said, "Sister Yuying said that you can stay here for now. Someone will bring hot water for you to bathe in a little while. My name is Xiaolan. I'm outside. You can call me if you need anything."

I nodded gratefully and smiled at her, and she left the room. I sat down on the stool, leaned against the table for a while, and soon someone brought over water, filling a large bucket. Xiao Lan also came over with a small basket, sprinkled many flower petals into the water, tested the water temperature, and then said to me, "Miss, it's ready." She then pointed to a set of clothes laid out beside her and said, "This was prepared by Sister Yu Ying; please wear it first."

Xiaolan set up the screen and retreated outside the door again. After closing the door, she took off her clothes and stepped into the fragrant bathtub. The comfortable water temperature and rich aroma made her drowsy. Forcing herself to stay awake, she washed her hair and body, preparing to put on the clothes Yuying had prepared. But when she opened the box, she found it was a pink and blue palace dress. She clumsily tried to put it on for a long time but couldn't manage it properly.

Just as she was feeling down, there was a knock on the door: "Huai'en?" It was Yu Ying's voice. She ran to open the door wearing only her undergarments and complained to Yu Ying, "Sister Yu Ying, what kind of clothes did you give me? I can't even put them on properly."

Yu Ying laughed and said, "I knew you wouldn't know how to dress, so I came to help you."

I pouted and looked at Yu Ying. Yu Ying pushed me into the room and followed me in. She pulled me behind the screen and helped me put on my clothes.

"Why didn't you get a simpler outfit? This one is too complicated." With Yu Ying's help, he got dressed, but he was still somewhat dissatisfied.

Yu Ying didn't say anything, but pushed me in front of the mirror and said with a smile, "Take a look."

The person in the mirror had wet, black hair, which wasn't very long because she often got it cut. Her light blue palace dress was cinched high with a dark purple belt, which visually raised her waistline and made her legs look longer.

She raised her arms, revealing wide sleeves embroidered with numerous silver butterflies. She shifted her tightly bound waist, unable to suppress a frown: "Wearing this, how can you work? How can you move?"

Yu Ying glared at me: "When have you ever actually done any work? And you'll never do any work again."

He looked at Yu Ying with some confusion, only to hear Yu Ying say, "Master has already said that he will return your indenture to you."

Then it dawned on me that there seemed to be such a thing. But recalling the scene when we talked about it, all those people from that time are no longer here: Gan Lin, Zinuo, Song Zhixuan, Lin Zhao... and—Shen Zexuan. If I had the chance to meet him again in the future, what would it be like?

I gave a wry smile, then heard Yu Ying complain, "Your hair is always so short. You're not allowed to twist it like that anymore. I'll come back and comb it for you when it's dry. I have to go check on Master now." With that, she walked towards the door. I quickly asked, "Is Yin Yan alright?" I hadn't heard her say a word since I got back.

Yu Ying tugged at the corners of her mouth, a half-smile playing on her lips. "It's alright, I'm helping Master tidy up now." With that, she quickly walked away. I frowned slightly; after so long, I wondered what had happened between them.

I carefully dried my hair with a towel until it was half-dry before stopping. Stepping outside, a gentle breeze blew across the porch, carrying a slight chill, but it felt very comfortable.

Footsteps came from the wooden floor. Turning around, I saw Shen Haoyu. He had washed and dressed and regained his usual charm. He walked with great energy, his robes billowing and his hat and belt fluttering, exuding a dignified and imposing presence.

"Young Prince." She curtsied slightly, her belt fastened so tightly that her upper body felt stiff.

Shen Haoyu looked at me, a smile spreading across his lips: "It really is a bit strange." As he spoke, he took out a purple wooden box from his sleeve. "Here, I brought this with me. However, the bow is still being held by someone in the capital."

She reached out and took it, smiling at him. "Thank you."

"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?" Shen Haoyu tilted his head slightly, looking at the box in my hand.

As instructed, she opened the box. Inside lay the eight-treasure glass hairpin, a coming-of-age gift from Shen Tingxuan, as dazzling as ever. Beside it was a yellowed piece of paper. Upon opening it, she discovered it was the indenture from years ago, the small red handprint still clearly visible. She took out the indenture, closed the box, and presented it to Shen Haoyu: "Is Your Highness truly so determined?"

Shen Haoyu smiled and nodded: "From now on you are free, but I will not let you leave here yet."

I nodded in agreement with him: "Right now, I'm afraid I have nowhere else to go but here."

"Don't worry, as I said, I won't kick you out unless you want to." Shen Haoyu smiled smugly, then added, "I'll send someone over later to invite you to dinner."

I said "Oh," and Shen Haoyu said again, "You should ask Yuying to come over and help you comb your hair." Then he strode away.

Shen Haoyu's figure disappeared around the corner. I went back to my room and tore the indenture to shreds. I opened the box again, took out the wooden compartment, and all the ornaments underneath were still there. I smiled slightly and closed the box. This was my only possession.

Yu Ying arrived quickly and nimbly styled my hair into a flying fairy bun. She took a silver-gilt grass worm head from her dressing case and pinned it behind the bun, then took a glass flower hairpin and inserted it to the side, with a thin pearl chain attached below.

I pressed my hand down and said, "We don't need such expensive ornaments."

"These were all prepared at Master's request, so just wear them." Yu Ying took my hand away without further ado.

After finishing dressing up, I looked at the beautiful woman in palace attire in the mirror and felt like a complete stranger. My skin, which was originally rough and dark from sun and rain, was now covered up with makeup by Yu Ying, and my tired eyes and brows were made bright and lively. This was the first time I had ever worn makeup, and I was no longer myself.

Just then, someone outside called out, "Sister Yuying, the young prince says it's time to eat and asks you and Sister Huai'en to hurry over."

Yu Ying then pulled me up, checked me again, and walked towards Shen Haoyu's courtyard.

Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 108