Chapter 141 (Revised)

Chapter 141 (Revised)

◎The Dao Sect is the mountain gate I can no longer return to, and the Xie clan is the homeland I can no longer reach.◎

Hearing the words "welcome home," Luo Wanqing was stunned.

It wasn't until Xie Heng stepped out of the carriage that she vaguely realized what he had just said.

He said welcome home.

For some reason, the thought of "home" brought a wave of bitterness to her throat.

Her home was long gone.

The Luo family mansion was in Li Guiyu's hands, her father was forced to his death by Li Guiyu, and her family members were nowhere to be found. She was now called Liu Xiniang.

Liu Xiniang, rootless and without a place to call her own, was merely a vengeful spirit come to life when Zhang Jiuran called her by that name.

She was now Liu Xiniang...

But when she met Cui Guanlan, she found a home again.

In an instant, Luo Wanqing felt her eyes sting, but she quickly suppressed the emotion, telling herself it was inexplicable. She instructed the coachman to prepare another carriage at the alley entrance, then took a small bottle from the table. After confirming it was the antidote for the sedative, she administered it to Zhang Yiran and Qinglu.

Zhang Yiran woke up groggily and asked, "Why... why did I fall asleep again?"

"You didn't sleep."

Qinglu got up, covering her forehead, and looked at Luo Wanqing. "Why did Lord Xie use the sedative?"

"There are some things I need to discuss privately. I'll first take Ji Qing to the Supervision Division. Then you two can get off and switch to another carriage."

Luo Wanqing explained briefly, and Qinglu and Zhang Yiran, understanding the situation, did not ask further. Luo Wanqing carried Ji Qing out of the carriage, leaped into the Supervision Division through the back door, and quickly made her way to the White Tiger Department, directly entering Bai Li's office.

At this hour, Bai Li usually worked on the second floor of the White Tiger Department. Upon entering, Luo Wanqing saw her, and Bai Li was slightly surprised. Luo Wanqing placed Ji Qing down and said, "Master, this person is crucial to my next case. Could you please keep an eye on him?"

Bai Li glanced at the person on the ground, nodded, and then looked at Luo Wanqing. "When did you arrive? What are you planning to do now?"

"I still have some matters to attend to. We can chat another day."

Luo Wanqing thanked Bai Li and left, returning to the carriage with Zhang Yiran and Qinglu. They quickly walked to the end of the alley and boarded the new carriage, heading to the Zhang residence.

On the carriage, Luo Wanqing briefly explained the arrangements to Zhang Yiran: Ji Qing would be placed under the Supervision Division's custody, and she would handle the case from there. Before filing the case, Zhang Yiran might be under surveillance. She would look after Zhang Yiran with Qinglu until the Supervision Division's personnel arrived, then she would go back.

After giving these instructions, they arrived at the Zhang residence. Luo Wanqing had Qinglu check the surroundings for safety before bringing Zhang Yiran inside. Zhang Yiran explained their purpose to his mother, who then settled them in.

Luo Wanqing washed up and rested briefly. When she woke up later that night, it was already dark. She had dinner with the Zhang family and returned to her room to meditate. Suddenly, she heard rustling outside. Before she could react, Qinglu shouted, "Who's there?!"

"It's us."

The voices of Fang Zhi, Fangyuan, and Fang Shun rang out together. Fangyuan excitedly said, "Lady, don't attack! Is Lady Xiniang here?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately stood up and went outside, where she saw the three brothers, their eyes shining with joy. "Lady Xiniang!"

"How are you all?"

Luo Wanqing smiled and bowed, and upon seeing that they knew each other, Qinglu sheathed her sword. The three brothers approached eagerly, with Fangyuan looking her up and down. "After a few months, Lady Xiniang looks even more formidable!"

"Your eyes are a ruler?" Fang Zhi glanced at him and then said, "We've heard the news. It's said that Lady Xiniang defeated Ji Ruifang?"

Fang Zhi looked at Luo Wanqing, who felt a bit embarrassed and changed the subject. "Are you here to relieve us?"

"That's right."

Fang Shun responded, smiling at Zhang Yiran as he entered. "We're familiar, Lord Zhang."

Zhang Yiran recognized them and hurriedly bowed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Luo Wanqing heard Fang Shun say, "The Supervision Division's carriage is outside, saying they came to pick up the Lady. If Lady Xiniang has any business, she can leave now; we'll take care of everything here."

Hearing the word "carriage," Luo Wanqing's heart skipped a beat, knowing it was Xie Heng's arrangement. She suppressed her anticipation, put on a cloak, bid everyone farewell, and stepped outside, her steps becoming lighter.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw the carriage nearby. It was simple yet exquisitely decorated with a white plum blossom hanging from it. Luo Wanqing recognized Xie Heng's style immediately. After confirming her identity with the coachman, she climbed into the carriage. Inside, it was empty except for snacks and tea prepared by Xie Heng, along with a few books to pass the time.

Luo Wanqing sat down and glanced around, feeling the carriage start moving without her needing to speak. The coachman seemed to know the destination.

This feeling intrigued her. She looked at the snacks on the table and picked up a piece of jujube cake, savoring its sweet and fragrant taste. She ate a couple more pieces while drinking tea and opened one of the books. She discovered that these "miscellaneous books" contained secret rumors from various families, which reminded her of her role as a Si Shi. Interested in the information, she spent her time reading and eating the snacks.

Soon, the coachman announced, "Lady, we've arrived."

Luo Wanqing thanked him and stepped out of the carriage, realizing they had reached a large estate on the outskirts of East Capital, with a sign reading "Plum Garden."

Servants were waiting at the entrance. As soon as she stepped out, they greeted her, one offering water to wash her hands, another handing her a hand warmer, and another replacing her cloak. Finally, a servant holding a lantern spoke respectfully, "Lady, please follow me."

These servants moved efficiently, clearly trained in a noble household. They led Luo Wanqing into the inner courtyard silently and orderly. They escorted her to a room, where they served her a bath, dressed her, and then led her deeper into the estate.

They dressed her in a plain white snow robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns, draped with a fox fur cloak, and adorned her hair with a golden hairpin, making her look quite elegant.

Following them to the back garden, she discovered a vast plum orchard in full bloom, with a small pavilion at the front. Xie Heng was sitting on the veranda, weaving something.

His attire matched hers, a white robe with golden patterns, though the styles differed slightly between male and female versions. Seeing Xie Heng, the group bowed. "Young Master."

Xie Heng, upon hearing this, lifted his gaze and looked over, his eyes sweeping across Luo Wanqing's face before nodding and saying, "Go down first."

The others bowed and withdrew. Luo Wanqing unfastened her fox fur and hung it on the corridor, then walked to Xie Heng's side.

Xie Heng was brewing wine in front of him, its fragrance filling the air. Luo Wanqing sat opposite the wine stove and curiously asked, "What are you making, Young Master?"

"Since you want to know, why don't you come and see?"

Xie Heng continued weaving without moving.

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and understood his meaning. She stepped around and sat behind him, leaning over to observe what he was working on: "Can you tell me now, Young Master?"

Xie Heng remained still and silent. After a moment, Luo Wanqing tentatively leaned forward, resting her chin on Xie Heng's shoulder, and softly called again, "Young Master?"

"It's a lantern."

Xie Heng finally spoke, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. Luo Wanqing knew she had guessed correctly as he patiently explained, "The Imperial Astronomer said there will be snow tonight. I plan to take you to admire the plum blossoms later and wanted to make a lantern to light our way."

"Aren't there ready-made lanterns?" Luo Wanqing wondered, "Why make one yourself?"

"Because my mother said that the light to guide your path must be made by yourself to see clearly," Xie Heng said, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "Every New Year, my mother would lead the family in making a lantern each."

"But it's not New Year now," Luo Wanqing said, puzzled. "Why are you making a lantern, Young Master?"

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned to look at her.

She was very close, just an arm's length away, her eyes clear and lively, like a wild deer he had seen in the mountains.

Xie Heng thought for a moment, then reached out to pull Luo Wanqing into his embrace, letting her lie against his legs.

Luo Wanqing lay back, looking up at him. His wide sleeves covered her, shielding her from the cold wind.

He continued weaving the lantern, speaking softly, "Time is a human construct. If no one defines it, how would you know which day it is?"

"So?" Luo Wanqing played with the tassel hanging from his chest. Xie Heng's eyes lowered, looking at the woman in his arms, and he couldn't help but smile, "When you're here, it's my New Year."

Luo Wanqing was taken aback. Seeing her expression, Xie Heng chuckled softly and continued weaving the lantern.

Luo Wanqing lay in his arms, taking a while to process what he said. She suppressed her heartbeat and looked up at him, feigning calmness, "If it's only New Year when I'm here, how did you spend your New Year this year?"

"I handled official duties during the day and wrote you a letter before bed, just like any other day."

"There was no..."

Luo Wanqing hesitated, unsure if she should say it, playing with the tassel on his chest, "No visiting..."

"No."

Xie Heng already knew what she was thinking—that he shouldn't be alone on New Year's Day.

He calmly explained, "Visiting him would not be good for either of us."

Luo Wanqing fell silent. After a while, she asked, "Do you miss him?"

Xie Heng paused in his weaving. After a long moment, he said, "Back then, he gave me a choice—to return to Dao Sect and never interfere with court affairs, and the Xie family would protect me. But I chose the second path. From that day on, I ceased to be his son and could no longer enter the Xie family home."

As he spoke, he took the already painted lantern paper and attached it to the frame. Then, he placed a candle inside, lit it, and the lantern glowed.

Xie Heng held the lantern aloft, and Luo Wanqing turned her head to admire it with him.

The lantern slowly spun in the wind, illuminating the painted landscape. However, Luo Wanqing soon realized that the painting was not of a landscape but of a woman's face.

This woman was familiar to Luo Wanqing. She turned her gaze to the young man who had gone to great lengths to paint her face.

His features were always cold, like frost-covered snow, yet distinct and vivid, giving him a striking beauty that was almost aggressive, sharp and intimidating.

But under the warm yellow light, his features were bathed in a soft glow. Amidst the cold night and chilly wind, he alone radiated warmth, making this gentleness and brightness seem uniquely hers.

Luo Wanqing gazed at him, but Xie Heng was looking at the lantern, speaking softly, "Dao Sect is the mountain gate I can never return to, and the Xie family is the homeland I cannot go back to. Xiniang..."

Xie Heng called her name but didn't continue, only staring quietly into the distant darkness.

Luo Wanqing waited for him to speak, but after a long while, he simply turned back and smiled at her, "It's snowing."