Xie Zheng did not answer her directly. After finishing the final annotation on the title page, he set down his brush and said, “I’ve added notes to all the difficult and obscure parts in these books. If you read them yourself, you should still be able to understand them.”

When Fan Changyu heard that, what was there left not to understand?

He had promised to teach her how to read, but he probably would not be able to fulfill that promise anymore. That was why he had carefully annotated every single book before leaving them to her.

For a brief moment, her heart felt strangely empty, though she could not quite explain the feeling.

But he was neither family nor kin to her. Their fake marriage arrangement had only been a mutually beneficial exchange from the start, and neither owed the other anything. Besides, during all this time, he had helped her greatly.

Fan Changyu forcibly suppressed that strange feeling in her heart and said, “There’s nothing I particularly want. I already have everything I should have. The pork shop’s business is thriving, and the braised meat has become quite popular too. Now there’s a steady source of income. Once spring comes, I can even raise pigs in the pigsty out in the countryside…”

As she spoke of her future plans, she suddenly remembered that Yan Zheng was about to leave. He likely would not be able to take part in the pig-raising venture anymore. She could not help glancing up at him, only to find that he seemed to be listening to her seriously. His expression was calm and gentle, and an indescribable sadness suddenly rose in her heart.

She thought perhaps it was because, during her hardest times, the two of them had supported each other through everything. That was why hearing that he was leaving made her feel so unaccustomed to it.

She said, “Tomorrow I’ll go to the bank and exchange the silver you left with me into banknotes. It’ll be more convenient for you to carry on the road.”

Xie Zheng’s handsome brows furrowed slightly. “If I gave it to you, then it’s yours.”

Fan Changyu replied, “There are countless places that require money when you’re traveling. Besides, you still have to rebuild the escort agency. Without silver on you, are you planning to survive on the northwest wind? And anyway, I can’t accept such a large sum for nothing. Keeping your money makes me uneasy.”

Forty taels of silver was no small amount. Temporarily leaving it with her was one thing, but after he left, if he still insisted on leaving the money behind, Fan Changyu truly could not accept it with peace of mind.

Including the six taels they had split from selling braised meat at Yixiang Tower yesterday, the total amount he had left with her came to forty-six taels. Fan Changyu planned to add another four taels to round it up to fifty, exchange it all into banknotes for him, and then give him some copper coins separately for travel expenses and meals along the way.

That way, she would no longer owe him anything.

Xie Zheng pressed his lips together a little tighter as he looked at her. “Wasn’t it supposed to be money for buying candy?”

Meeting his gaze directly, Fan Changyu’s eyes were bright and clear, without the slightest trace of impurity. “If you come back in the future and still want candy, I can buy it for you again.”

She smiled faintly, sounding teasing yet also oddly earnest. “Otherwise, if you meet some girl out there and want her to buy candy for you, what will you do if you don’t even have money?”

Xie Zheng’s lips tightened even further, and the last trace of gentleness around him disappeared completely.

Fan Changyu seemed not to notice at all. She yawned and said, “It’s getting late. You should rest early.”

Even after Fan Changyu had returned to her room, Xie Zheng still sat alone at the table. After a long while, he finally closed his eyes.

Other than her, there would never be anyone else willing to buy candy for him again.

He did not know whether he would even return alive from this journey. Some words simply could not be spoken aloud.

He Jingyuan had traced the investigation into the missing two hundred thousand dan of grain to Zhao Xun, and Zhao Xun had in turn passed the grain to his former subordinates. Although He Jingyuan had not uncovered concrete evidence, he could still infer certain things from the scattered clues.

Wei Xuan was acting outrageously, and with He Jingyuan’s abilities—especially while stationed in Jizhou Prefecture—it would not have been difficult for him to stop Wei Xuan. Yet he had not done so, clearly intending to force him to reveal himself along with the two hundred thousand dan of grain by using the suffering of the common people as leverage.

To the Wei faction, the suffering of the people and the condemnation of the masses clearly meant nothing compared to taking his life.

Back then, in order to eliminate him, the Wei faction had planted spies beside him who deliberately fed false military intelligence. The eight thousand soldiers who had followed him into battle had all been abandoned on the battlefield of Chongzhou…

This blood debt piled high like mountains of corpses had yet to be repaid. As long as Wei Yan and his son had not seen his corpse with their own eyes, how could they possibly sleep peacefully?

He could not promise her that he would return alive. Though she appeared broad-minded and carefree, she was actually a person with strong principles. She would never allow herself to have unclear entanglements with him, which was why she refused so firmly to accept his money.

Only by owing each other nothing would there be no lingering attachments.

He thought, fine then. If they owed each other nothing, then so be it. She was merely a butcher’s daughter—what was so special about her?

He rose and walked toward his room. As he passed beneath the eaves, snowflakes drifted onto his brow. The melted chill seeped into his bones, eroding even the last trace of pride in his heart.

His hand rested lightly against the wooden door, yet for a long time he could not bring himself to push it open. Lowering his head, he shut his eyes heavily, hiding the wretchedness of this moment.

How could she not be wonderful?

Everything about her was wonderful.

—

The courtyard lay deep and silent, snow blanketing the bamboo branches.

Zhao Xun stepped quickly across the snow-covered courtyard and entered the warm chamber. The room blazed brightly with candlelight. Beyond the crescent-shaped moon gate carved with intricate hollow patterns stood a pair of gilded mountain-shaped censers fashioned like mythical suanni beasts. Thin streams of bluish smoke curled upward from the perforated lids.

Farther inside, before a soft couch, hung a half curtain of golden gauze. The man reclining upon the couch could not be seen clearly, though the hem of his robe draping over the edge was woven with gold and embroidered magnificently.

Zhao Xun did not dare look further. Bowing respectfully, he said, “Master, as instructed, news of Wei Xuan’s forced grain requisition has already spread widely throughout the capital. The scholars are now all condemning the Wei faction, and Grand Tutor Li has openly challenged Wei Yan in court.”

A low table stood on the couch beside a tea set. The man lifted a cup with one hand. His fingers were long yet deathly pale, thin as withered bones. He gave a soft laugh. “Well done.”

Then he asked, “What about the Marquis of Wu’an?”

Recalling his last meeting with Xie Zheng, Zhao Xun broke into a thin layer of sweat and forced himself to answer, “The Marquis of Wu’an instructed this subordinate to inform He Jingyuan about Wei Xuan crossing provincial borders to seize grain. Presumably, he wants He Jingyuan to stop Wei Xuan’s grain requisition.”

The man behind the gauze curtain chuckled softly, though it was unclear whether he was mocking the situation or genuinely amused. “A traitor like Wei Yan actually managed to raise a nephew who sympathizes with the suffering of the people?”

After taking a light sip of tea, he set the cup down. “No wonder Wei Yan fears him so much. Under the guise of purchasing grain, he managed to uncover over ten of your contact points across Tai and Ji Provinces. And during the delivery, he deliberately left clues for He Jingyuan to find. One could say that was his gift in return to the Marquis of Wu’an. After all… if no further scandals arise over grain requisition in Jizhou Prefecture, then the stage we’ve built in the capital will have no actors left to perform upon it.”

Zhao Xun said worriedly, “If the Marquis of Wu’an discovers that we were the ones who intentionally left traces for He Jingyuan…”

The man behind the curtain sounded unconcerned. “What is there to fear? It wasn’t we who forced Wei Xuan to seize grain at knifepoint. If this repeatedly causes the Wei faction to lose the people’s support while also allowing us to watch Wei Yan’s former two blades clash against each other, why not enjoy the spectacle? Besides, this can also be considered doing the Marquis of Wu’an a favor. The deeper the people’s hatred toward the Wei faction grows, the more popular support he’ll gain when he eventually steps forward to reclaim the northwest.”

Zhao Xun praised, “Your wisdom is unparalleled, my lord.”

Then, after some hesitation, he cautiously added, “The Marquis of Wu’an wishes to meet with you personally. What are your thoughts on this?”

Not a single word of the arrogant things Xie Zheng had said that day dared pass Zhao Xun’s lips.

The man behind the gauze curtain pondered for a moment before saying, “The time is not right yet. Let him and Wei Yan continue fighting like snipe and clam. Ideally, both sides should emerge badly wounded.”

Hearing the clear implication that the man only intended to use Xie Zheng, Zhao Xun hesitated before saying, “But the Marquis of Wu’an is, after all, General Xie’s orphaned son…”

The man’s gaze instantly turned cold. “A wolf cub personally raised by Wei Yan will never be some pure and virtuous soul. Military authority is always safer in one’s own hands than in another’s.”

Though the weather outside was bitterly cold, sweat continued to pour down Zhao Xun’s back in waves. Bowing deeply, he said, “This subordinate understands.”

—

Another household where the lights remained lit throughout the night was the He residence.

Dozens of soldiers under Wei Xuan’s command surrounded the estate, preventing anyone inside from leaving freely.

Even the side gates and courtyard walls were patrolled continuously.

In the darkness of night, arrows suddenly shot toward the soldiers stationed at the entrance like a torrential storm. The troops instantly fell into chaos, scrambling for cover.

“Enemy attack!”

“Quickly report to the general!”

“Kill—!”

A squad of Jizhou Prefecture soldiers wielding sabers and halberds charged out from the darkness, catching Wei Xuan’s troops completely off guard. It did not take long before they gained the upper hand.

The leader of the Jizhou soldiers was none other than Zheng Wenchang. Raising his saber high, he shouted, “Follow me inside and rescue the lord!”

As one of He Jingyuan’s trusted generals, he was extremely familiar with the layout of the He residence. He quickly led his men to the study.

He Jingyuan sat behind his desk with a bamboo scroll spread before him, seemingly reading by candlelight. Seeing Zheng Wenchang and the others burst into the residence with weapons drawn, his expression changed slightly.

“Why have you come?”

Zheng Wenchang dropped to one knee and clasped his fists. “This subordinate has brought men to help you escape your predicament, my lord. Wei Xuan has gone far beyond all reason! Why not write a letter to the capital and report this matter to the Chancellor? Let us see how much longer Wei Xuan can remain so arrogant!”

After hearing their purpose, He Jingyuan frowned deeply and let out a long sigh.

“Foolishness!”

Zheng Wenchang looked bewildered. “What does my lord mean by that?”

But He Jingyuan said no more. Rising to pace around the study for a while, he finally ordered, “Take your men and leave immediately.”

Zheng Wenchang stared in shock. “Then what about you, my lord?”

He Jingyuan replied, “Wei Xuan does not dare do anything to me. I have my own reasons for handling matters this way. Return and await orders.”

Zheng Wenchang and the other generals exchanged confused glances, but out of respect and obedience toward He Jingyuan, they still clasped their fists and answered, “Understood.”

Just as they were about to leave, He Jingyuan hesitated briefly before adding, “If you encounter soldiers under Wei Xuan oppressing innocent civilians during the grain requisition, interfere where you can. But do not let bloodshed occur.”

Though the generals were puzzled, they still accepted the order without question.

Only Zheng Wenchang, the last to leave, could not help asking before stepping out, “Why must my lord fear that Wei Xuan?”

With his hands clasped behind his back, He Jingyuan gazed at the plaque hanging above the desk that read “Virtue Fragrances Afar” and sighed softly.

“It is not fear of him. Ask no more questions. Just do as I say.”

Zheng Wenchang could only suppress his confusion and withdraw respectfully.

Meanwhile, He Jingyuan continued staring at the plaque for a very long time.

It did not matter if he himself was burdened with endless sins. What truly mattered was whether the people of Great Yin would one day be forced to struggle for survival amid the flames of war.

When the Son of Heaven grew angry, millions of corpses would fall.

The conflicts of those in power only ever brought suffering to the common people at the bottom.

If the two hundred thousand dan of grain purchased by that merchant surnamed Zhao truly had ended up in that person’s hands, then this test would reveal whether he had inherited Wei Yan’s ruthless nature—stopping at nothing to achieve his goals—or whether he still retained compassion for the common people of the realm.

If it was the latter, then perhaps, once that person returned, it would finally be time to tell him what he knew about the Battle of Jinzhou sixteen years ago.

But if it was the former, then He Jingyuan would carry that secret with him into the grave.

Hatred alone, without even the slightest compassion for the people of the world, would only ignite even more wars after learning the truth.

And it would be the common people who suffered most.