Fourteen, fourteen.

He had grown up, yet sometimes, like in his childhood, he would still act coquettishly toward her—urging her to rest more and not overwork herself, to eat a bit more, and to… marry later.

While others advised her to consider marriage sooner, he went against the tide. Because of his unusual request, the weight of the “lifelong matter” pressing on Yue Zhi’s heart suddenly felt much lighter.

She smiled gently, raised her hand, and softly stroked the top of his head.

Jokingly, she replied, “A truly good man is hard to find. If I were to marry him, you’d better have a bright future ahead—otherwise, who would want to marry me?”

“I promise you, I will.”

The boy said earnestly. Yue Zhi nodded with a smile but did not take this too perfect promise to heart.

After all, she had yet to meet a worthy man; marrying later was no hardship.

What she did not know was that after she nodded in agreement to this promise, Pei Heng spent the entire night contemplating his future.

On that quiet summer night, bright moonlight spilled into the east wing room. The boy sat by the window, gazing sideways at the ever-growing bookshelves now filled to the brim, and the wooden sword hanging on the wall, long untouched and gathering dust.

A crown prince must be benevolent and wise, well-versed in knowledge and etiquette, to win the love of the people and the support of officials, enabling a smooth succession to the throne.

A condemned criminal, doomed forever, must master the law and remain meek and uncontentious to eke out a semblance of peace in the cracks of life.

But those were the hopes of the emperor and empress, the best expectations Yue Zhi had for him—they were not what he truly desired.

What he wanted was…

The same moonlight shone on Yue Zhi’s windowsill. Since they had begun sleeping apart, Pei Heng had learned the difference between men and women and no longer entered her room at night.

He could only, bathed in moonlight, faintly imagine her sleeping form—a face rosy and soft in slumber.

He was still startled at the thought that had he not arrived in time, Yue Zhi might have lost her life. The injury to her eyes was also his fault—his lapse in vigilance, having lived too long a peaceful life under her protection, forgetting that the Northern lands were a chaotic place of exile.

He wanted to spare her from hardship, to free her from worry, to give her the best things in the world—whether gold and jewels, splendid flowers and brocade, or a husband of her choosing…

To achieve this, merely studying to become a clerk was not enough.

The boy’s expression grew firm; his wandering gaze fell upon the timeworn wooden sword. At last, he made up his mind.

*

At dawn, Yue Zhi awoke and rose, carrying the bedding out to dry in the courtyard.

From the kitchen came the familiar sounds of bustling activity. She watered the vegetables in the garden and swept away fallen leaves in the yard before entering the kitchen, where she half-expected to have stepped into a restaurant’s back kitchen.

Scallion-flavored steamed buns, braised pork with preserved vegetables, sticky rice ribs… The boy stood by the stove, frying last winter’s cured meat sliced into translucent thin pieces, cooking them together with mountain mushrooms. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of sizzling oil.

Yue Zhi asked in puzzlement, “Is someone coming to visit today? Why cook so many dishes?”

Hearing her voice, Pei Heng turned and motioned for her to step back so the smoke wouldn’t irritate her eyes.

“I’m going on a long trip—short is three to five days, long is ten. I prepared these dishes for you. You just need to heat some vegetables and steam them; no need to chop anything. It’ll save you a lot of trouble.”

“You’re going on a long trip?” Yue Zhi felt a flutter of unease. “Where to? When did you decide? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Pei Heng was always obedient. In the past, when Yue Zhi wanted to tell him where she kept her savings, he wouldn’t listen. Every day he only studied and practiced martial arts; he never mingled with outsiders. How could he suddenly be leaving on a journey?

The boy scooped out dishes and stir-fried shredded meat with oil from the pot, adding sliced water bamboo to stew.

He fanned the smoke off himself and stepped out from the kitchen, speaking calmly, “I want to visit Yanjing city. There will surely be many taking the civil service exams this year. I want to familiarize myself with the environment so I won’t be caught off guard during the test.”

*

Hearing this, Yue Zhi exhaled in relief. As long as it wasn’t somewhere dangerous, she was at ease.

She reached up to smooth his temple hair and murmured, “You’re still young. Yanjing is full of all sorts of people. It’s better to have a companion when you travel. I’m not busy these days; why don’t I go with you?”

Pei Heng shook his head, “I’m not a child anymore.”

In this desolate borderland, fifteen was old enough to support a household. When teaching in Yuxi village, matchmakers had already come proposing on his behalf.

Only Yue Zhi, watching him grow, always thought of him as a child.

Seeing his firm resolve, she did not insist further.

After quietly finishing breakfast, she went inside and returned, pressing several silver ingots into his hand.

“Take more silver with you outside; it’ll be more convenient.” She also handed him a pouch filled with small silver coins. “I should’ve gotten you a weapon for self-defense earlier, but it’s too late now. When you get to Yanjing, remember to buy a handy weapon at the blacksmith’s. Don’t let mountain bandits or petty thieves target you and harm you.”

Taking the silver, Pei Heng felt a pang of bitterness.

“You only worry about my safety outside and don’t care whether I’m settled at home.”

“The villagers know me well. Even if some ill-intentioned man tries to bother me, the neighbors will stand up for me. I’m not afraid.”

Yue Zhi sighed softly, looking at the youth who had grown taller and straighter. Though he had lived in the countryside all these years, he no longer resembled a villager in the slightest. He bore more and more resemblance to his father…

She had never seen the emperor’s face, but she knew those who held high office and were not bound to one place were born with wings to soar, with a commanding presence and abilities that inspired awe. The gap between them and ordinary folk like her only widened with time.

How could a small courtyard hold him back?

He was going to Yanjing to see a different world; when he returned, he would be a different person inside.

“I know you’re knowledgeable and prudent, but whatever you do, you must keep yourself safe. Don’t get hurt, and don’t scrimp on food and drink. There’s no shortage of silver at home; spend as you need.”

Though she had no parents, she remembered the caring words of her godmother and sworn brother when they parted. Now it was her turn as an elder to send Pei Heng off on his journey.

She took a gold lock from her bosom, braided a red cord, and fastened it around his neck.

“This was the farewell gift you gave me the year we left the capital. I never wore it all these years. Now it will accompany you, protecting you.”

The parting gift she once thought she’d never see again now hung around his neck.

Since birth, he had received countless gifts and could no longer recall which official or royal relative had given this small gold lock.

But now he clearly saw it was these slender, gentle hands before him that fastened it, her clear eyes filled with anxious hope and concern, shimmering as if on the verge of tears.

He tucked the gold lock deep inside his clothes, bowed his fuzzy head to rest on her shoulder, and whispered reassurance, “I’m not not coming back.”

“I promised you I’d make something of myself, live well, and marry a fine family. Rest assured, before I fulfill that promise, I’ll take good care of myself.”

She spoke as if she were extracting a promise from him.

Yue Zhi wiped away her tears and laughed, wrapping her arms around his back and stroking him gently. “It’s good you can hear me. Now get up; I’ll help you pack.”

*

The sun rose high in a cloudless sky. It was the hottest time of the year, and the fields under the scorching sun held not a soul.

Yue Zhi stood beneath a tree at the village entrance, watching the blue figure carrying a pack walk away. He turned several times to wave in her direction, telling her to return home soon, yet she could not move.

The boy who once seemed so far from her had lived by her side for six years. Now he was going far away again.

He was so smart; once he seized the chance, he could easily establish himself in Yanjing city.

But she was only an embroiderer—there was little she could do to help him.

Yue Zhi brooded for days, unable to share her worries with the Wang siblings, keeping them bottled up until the He family’s carriage took her into the city. Meeting Miss He, she finally poured out her heart.

Master He was a wealthy merchant; though their home was not large, it was adorned like a poem. Miss He’s boudoir was exquisite and elegant, the incense burning in the censer fragrant with a hint of Eastern Palace agarwood.

“Men must go out and make their way. You’ve been both sister and mother these years; he’s your only kin. Naturally, you worry.”

He Zhiyan was a sheltered young lady, two years younger than Yue Zhi, but her speech and manner were more composed and mature.

Yue Zhi sat opposite her, dressed plainly but with the demeanor of a guest, not a mere embroiderer.

“I only know embroidery and sewing; even at fifty, that’s all I’ll ever do. But he knows everything. He will rise sooner or later, perhaps to some high post far away, and I’ll be left alone at home.”

The maid poured tea for them, and Yue Zhi thanked her, sipping to moisten her throat.

“That he’s capable is a good thing. When he’s settled in the city, it’ll be easier to bring you over.”

“How can that be? He’ll have to marry.” Yue Zhi lowered her head. “Don’t laugh at me. Before the family fell apart, they already arranged a fiancée for him. That girl has a terrible temper, barely grown up and already trying to claim him, even wanting to drive me out of the house.”

He Zhiyan shook her head. “For your parents to arrange such a fiancée, they must have been foolish.”

Yue Zhi sighed. “Though that engagement fell through, I still feel it’s never right to come between a couple, even if it’s Pei Heng’s family. If I lived there, I’d always be a guest under someone else’s roof…”

“Why don’t you buy a house of your own?”

The maid casually mentioned it, and He Zhiyan eagerly agreed.

“You’re afraid of being too far from him and lacking care, yet uneasy living in his house. Better to buy a small home in Yanjing, close enough to your brother, and you can come chat with me when you’re free.”

After consideration, Yue Zhi thought it a fine idea and immediately asked He Zhiyan about the price of houses in Yanjing.

“A house like mine costs over a thousand taels. You only need a small one-room home with an entrance and exit. Two hundred taels will buy a very decent place.”

Yue Zhi had saved for many years and could afford two hundred taels.

“Miss He, please keep an eye out for houses for sale in the city. When I come next time, I’ll bring you a pomegranate-embroidered skirt I made myself.”

“Sure,” He Zhiyan happily agreed.

Back in Wangshan village, Yue Zhi embroidered the pomegranate skirt while pondering how to handle their belongings if she and Pei Heng both moved to Yanjing.

Her worries soon faded, and ten days passed quickly.

Outside the wall came the steady clatter of horse hooves, stopping firmly at her doorstep.

Yue Zhi put down her embroidery basket and ran out, peering through the door crack to see the familiar blue edge of a garment. She eagerly opened the door and smiled knowingly when she saw Pei Heng’s safe return.

He rode a horse, accompanied by a girl about his age.

The girl’s clothes were tattered, her face bruised. She sobbed, leaning against Pei Heng. Her frail face looked vaguely familiar…