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Rong Shu adjusted her cloak and shook her head. "I don't know why she would appear here either."

Lin Qingyue had clearly wanted to say something earlier, but what could it have been?

In her previous life, when the Rong family faced trouble, she had come to add insult to injury. Later, Mother Zhang slapped her hard, and she clutched her face, staring fiercely at Rong Shu and Mother Zhang.

Rong Shu still remembered that look in her eyes.

It was a mix of madness and resentment.

Rong Shu's heart skipped a beat as a fleeting thought crossed her mind.

"Miss, quickly return to your room," Mother Zhang urged, seeing her standing motionless in the snow. "Staying out here any longer will surely invite illness."

Rong Shu nodded and glanced at Mother Zhang and Yingyue. "You two should also go rest."

Mother Zhang waved for Yingyue to return to the eastern chamber while she followed Rong Shu into the bedroom.

"Serving you has always kept me on edge," Mother Zhang sighed. "Whenever you have something on your mind, you can't sleep. I won't ask you about it; instead, I'll just sing you a little tune. Try to get some rest, Miss."

When Rong Shu couldn't sleep, she cherished listening to Mother Zhang hum lullabies the most.

She had spent nine years in Yangzhou, and during that time, Mother Zhang was the one who stayed by her side.

Arriving in Yangzhou as a mere four-year-old girl, she would often cry out for "Mother" at night. No amount of soothing from Mother Zhang could stop her tears. Eventually, with no other options, Mother Zhang would climb onto the bed, embrace the little girl, and sing folk songs while patting her back.

Rong Shu's eyebrows curved gently, and she hugged her crescent moon pillow, moving closer and saying, "Mother, come to the bed to keep me company."

Mother Zhang climbed onto the bed, lightly patting Rong Shu's back while softly humming a lullaby.

Rong Shu had grown up falling asleep to this melody and drifted off into slumber in a daze.

When she woke up the next day, the snow outside had already stopped.

Budding willow branches reached out, intertwined with the spring colors, stretching across the eaves.

Gu Changjin had gone to the Ministry of Justice early in the morning, while Heng Ping and Chang Ji didn't follow. They remained in Willow Lane to bid farewell to Rong Shu.

As the intricately carved golden and jade carriage vanished from the alley's entrance, Chang Ji lowered his voice and said, "To be honest, Lady and Master... they really do complement each other."

Madam has an aura that matches that of the Master.

It was difficult for Chang Ji to articulate exactly what kind of trait it was.

One could only describe it as an exceptionally rare quality that drew people's attention involuntarily.

"Heng Ping, do you think the Master treats Madam—"

"Stop." Heng Ping interrupted coldly, his gaze turning slightly frosty. "Affairs of the heart cannot be forced. If the Master doesn't favor Madam, it's for the best that they divorce."

Chang Ji's brow twitched. He slapped his own mouth and said, "That's true. Ever since the wedding, the Master's temperament has grown darker each day. It's better they separate so we won't have to live in constant fear."

On the other side of the wall, under a weeping willow tree, Nanny An and Lin Qingyue stood silently, having been there for who knew how long.

With red-rimmed eyes, Lin Qingyue had her hand tightly held by Nanny An.

"You sneaked into Songsi Courtyard yesterday! Do you think I didn't know? !" Nanny An tugged harshly on Lin Qingyue's wrist. "Go back obediently! Don't even think about leaving until you've memorized that poisonous scripture ten or eight times!"

"Nanny An, Miss Lin, why are you two here?" Chang Ji stepped through the gate with a smile. "Are you also here to see Madam off?"

Lin Qingyue glanced at Heng Ping behind him and quietly averted her gaze.

Nanny An's face was cold as she declared, "From now on, there's no such thing as Young Lady here."

With that, she forcibly dragged Lin Qingyue away.

Chang Ji watched their departing figures, gradually furrowing his brow.

That night, when Gu Changjin returned from his duties at the Ministry of Punishments, Chang Ji recounted the morning's events in detail.

"Master, it seems Nanny An came to take Miss Lin back, and for some reason, Miss Lin also rushed over early in the morning," Chang Ji said, glancing at Heng Ping as he continued, "Hey, Heng Ping, tell me, haven't you done something to Miss Lin recently? I noticed her eyes were red."

Heng Ping frowned unhappily and sparingly replied, "None."

He had been avoiding Lin Qingyue all day; how could he have had the chance to provoke her?

Lin Qingyue had grown up by Nanny An's side since she was young. In fact, they, along with Wen Xi, had all grown up together.

But only Chang Ji and Heng Ping were well aware that both Lin Qingyue and Wen Xi belonged to Liuhao Hall, not to their own side.

Gu Changjin removed his official hat and sipped a cold cup of tea. "Madam—"

He paused and corrected himself, "Miss Rong, when did you arrive at Minglu Yard?"

Chang Ji replied, "Miss Rong left at four in the morning and arrived at Minglu Yard around four in the afternoon."

Gu Changjin furrowed his brow. "Was the journey difficult today?" The trip from Wutong Lane to Minglu Yard should take no more than three hours on horseback. Leaving at dawn, she should have arrived by noon. Why was it delayed until the late afternoon?

"Miss Rong went to the famous breakfast stall on Changan Avenue after leaving Wutong Lane to wait in line for their renowned soup dumplings. Then, upon exiting the city gates, she detoured to the western outskirts to purchase some land. It's said that she then leisurely made her way to Mount Minglu, enjoying the spring scenery along the way."

Halfway through his explanation, Chang Ji sensed something amiss.

After the divorce, Madam had gone to enjoy delicious soup dumplings, inspect her new land purchases, and take a spring stroll with great enthusiasm.

Why did it seem as if she was exceptionally delighted about the separation?

It was as if she felt free as a bird soaring in the sky or a fish leaping in the vast sea, enjoying boundless freedom.

In contrast, his master...

Chang Ji mustered the courage to steal a glance at Gu Changjin. Although his expression remained as indifferent as before, Chang Ji could sense his master's subtle discontent.

Gu Changjin was not oblivious to Chang Ji's gaze, but he simply lacked the energy or the inclination to acknowledge it.

"Both of you may leave now."

After they departed, Gu Changjin slowly sipped the cold tea in his cup and gradually changed out of his official robes. He sat down at his desk, dipped his brush into the ink, and began composing a document with deliberate slowness.

As night deepened.

The man continued writing until his wrist ached to the point where he could no longer hold the pen. He then set it aside, leaned his head back against the chair, and closed his eyes.