chapter 56

"I'm back, Lord Yue."

At the beginning of November, the first snow fell in the Spiritual Domain, and Zhan Yunwei finally returned to Fenhe County.

She and Zhan Shujing had put on their winter coats and taken the modified appearance pills. They didn't seem to be any different from before.

Over the past two months, they had traveled from the Yulou Cottage to Changya Mountain, then from Changya Mountain to Zhiqiu Pavilion. Zhan Shujing had felt the deep malice of this world.

—They were simply too poor.

Having been the son of a prominent immortal family for more than twenty years, Zhan Shujing had finally understood what it meant to be stumped by a single coin.

They couldn't afford the Xuanwu carriage, nor could they dare to fly with swords across the empire. Even the spiritual fruits they ate on the road were earned by Zhan Yunwei using the Soul Purifying Jade Medallion.

As everyone knew, sword cultivators were poor, but Zhan Shujing had never realized just how hard it was to make money as a sword cultivator. He couldn't exactly perform a sword show for others to earn a living.

Zhan Yunwei's Soul Purifying Jade Medallion could be sold for a good price, but the immortal sects never sold their medallions to officials or nobles. They only sold them at a slightly lower price to ordinary citizens, occasionally giving them to the poor.

For the first time, Zhan Shujing realized that without the support of a sect, he could barely take care of a Spirit Master.

He turned to look at Zhan Yunwei, who seemed to have lost a bit of weight recently, her porcelain-white face a little thinner than before.

Thinking of the reason she had rushed back to Fenhe County, Zhan Shujing's expression grew darker. "Stop looking at that, do you really think that bastard would care about something like a birthday gift?"

Zhan Yunwei ignored him, taking two sugar figurines from a vendor, handing one to Zhan Shujing and taking a bite from the other.

The sweetness hit her taste buds as she looked at the snow falling over Fenhe County. At least they had made it in time.

Zhan Shujing hadn't expected her to give him one. He stared at the sugar figurine in his hand. The things at the stall weren't without merit—at least this sugar figurine was more delicate and handsome than the others.

It wasn't until they sat in a teahouse to avoid the wind and snow that Zhan Shujing finally ate the sugar figurine.

"Zhao Yuanwai has been preparing his birthday gift early, and he's really going all out. He's even planning to send a family heirloom blood agate."

Someone laughed and said, "What's that? I heard Lord Sheng is even thinking of sending his beautiful daughter to the Che Tian Mansion."

Zhan Shujing glanced at Zhan Yunwei.

He had heard, but what good could that person be? He probably had already forgotten all about her.

Zhan Yunwei rested her chin on her hand, her mind drifting back to the day Yue Zhiheng had gone to his death in her past life.

That day, too, had been filled with snow, and she had overheard people gossiping about Yue Zhiheng.

But this time was different. No matter what the world thought of him, she trusted her own feelings about him.

Because of Yue Zhiheng's position in the empire, the entire empire and Fenhe County knew that his birthday was in just a couple of days.

Yue Zhiheng had always seemed like a sycophantic official, just as he'd said: since he had worked so hard to acquire power, he might as well live like a person above others.

Zhan Yunwei had heard that, every year on his birthday, the Yue family would receive enough gifts to fill an entire warehouse.

But she knew this year would be different.

Thinking of what was going to happen in the imperial court, she sighed softly in her heart.

Sure enough, the next day, something big happened in the empire.

The Spiritual Emperor had been in seclusion for several months, but woke up yesterday, and the Imperial Astrologers had predicted a "great calamity." The Spiritual Emperor was furious and, in his rage, not only blamed the Spirit Masters who had chosen to stay in the empire but also chastised several imperial officials in the grand hall.

Yue Zhiheng and Fang Huai were among those scolded.

The Fang family was punished for their inability to repair the protective barrier.

Meanwhile, the immortal sect still existed, Pei Yujing hadn't been executed, and the Divine Sword had been transformed. All of these were reasons for the Spiritual Emperor to dislike Yue Zhiheng.

"Useless!"

Yue Zhiheng was struck in the forehead with a blow. He didn't avoid it, nor could he.

When he lifted his head again, blood was dripping from his forehead, blurring half of his face. The ministers in the hall fell silent, afraid to make a sound.

This was a clear signal: everyone began to speculate if Yue Zhiheng had already lost the favor of the emperor.

The last person to lose the emperor's favor was Dongfang Jibai, and his bones had already decayed.

In the past, after court sessions, many people would engage with Yue Zhiheng, flattering him, but today, the palace was empty. Yue Zhiheng walked alone in the empire's snow, with others avoiding him.

The attendants held an umbrella for the First Prince, who smiled faintly.

"He's fallen to this point too."

The First Prince knew very well that the Spiritual Emperor could tolerate treacherous officials, but he couldn't stand incompetence.

As long as Pei Yujing wasn't dead, Yue Zhiheng would find it difficult to regain the emperor's favor.

The news spread quickly. On the day of Yue Zhiheng's birthday, even Fenhe County had caught wind of the rumors.

Zhan Shujing was a little surprised. This should be the first time in six years that Yue Zhiheng had lost his power. The most immediate consequence was that many ministers and nobles, who had originally prepared birthday gifts, did not send them.

These people were the best at reading the situation, and they began silently distancing themselves from Yue Zhiheng. Some even speculated in private about when the Che Tian Mansion would have a new head.

Zhan Yunwei raised her eyes, looking at the Yue family's gates. In the past, the gates of the Yue family would be bustling with visitors, but today, they were empty.

The butler had a worried expression, leading people to sweep the snow in front of the manor. Zhan Shujing said, "Don't look anymore. The situation has changed. The Spiritual Emperor has gone mad. Now even Spirit Masters are no longer welcome. If you go to see him, it's too dangerous."

Those immortal sect Spirit Masters who had voluntarily stayed in the empire had also tasted the bitter fruit over the past two days.

To show their stance, these nobles had begun distancing themselves from their once-protected Dao companions, even demoting them to servants for amusement.

Zhan Shujing felt a bit regretful, wondering if they regretted their decisions.

In the current situation, if Zhan Yunwei were to get involved with the Yue family again, the risk was too great. Zhan Shujing hoped she would know when to retreat and suggested she go with him to find the old members of Changya Mountain, waiting for the Mountain Master's return.

Zhan Yunwei walked with him deep into the alley. Just as Zhan Shujing thought she had come to terms with everything and was prepared to let Yue Zhiheng rot within the empire, Zhan Yunwei took out the spiritual stones from her arms, giving him more than half and keeping only a small portion for herself.

"You were right, Brother. The empire is indeed becoming more dangerous. You should leave."

Zhan Shujing gritted his teeth. "Zhan Yunwei, have you ever considered that if he continues to serve the empire, and the Yue family refuses to break away, what will you do then?"

Zhan Yunwei replied, "If that day comes, I will leave."

In the face of absolute righteousness, love and hate seemed insignificant. If one day she had to pick up her sword and point it at Yue Zhiheng, and if she were to become the foundation for a prosperous world, she would die a thousand times without regret. But she didn't want to give up on him without even trying, without knowing the truth.

Zhan Shujing watched her walk into the heavy snow. While everyone was avoiding the Yue family, she was using her last remaining money to pick out a birthday gift for Yue Zhiheng and Yue Qingluo.

Zhan Shujing followed her all the way.

Perhaps because she was short on funds, the things the young woman bought weren't very expensive. She even bought a packet of pastries that Yue Qingluo liked to eat.

He watched for a long time, realizing there was no point in following her anymore.

Though Zhan Shujing had been trying to tell Zhan Yunwei over the past few days that Yue Zhiheng, surrounded by luxury, would never care about anything she gave him, he knew in his heart that, in the midst of this endless snowstorm, the fact that she was willing to go against the world to appear before Yue Zhiheng was already the best gift she could give him.

Even if she brought nothing, it would be enough to make that man's heart stir again and again.

Though the Yue family had received very few birthday gifts, it wasn't entirely without any. For example, Lord Sheng of Fenhe County still had plans to cling to power and had sent his daughter into the Xuanwu carriage.

Zhan Yunwei originally planned to blend in among the gifts, but when she raised her eyes, she noticed something wasn't right with the Xuanwu carriage.

She extended her spiritual sense. The wind and snow howled, and Zhan Yunwei looked down from her elevated position at the person in front of her.

This "Miss Sheng" was not only a man but also a spiritual cultivator with six meridians. He was someone from the First Prince's faction, originally planning to assassinate Yue Zhiheng today, but it seemed his mission had failed.

A moment later, Zhan Yunwei climbed into his Xuanwu carriage. Now, there was no need to fabricate an identity.

The convoy finally stopped in front of the Yue family's gates.

Today, it wasn't Shen Ye's shift, but a somewhat unfamiliar guard from Che Tian Mansion. The guards had already become accustomed to handling the gifts.

When they realized there was a living person in the Xuanwu carriage, the guard's expression remained indifferent.

"Take them to the storeroom, and wait for the master to return for further instructions."

He stepped forward and knocked on the side of the Xuanwu carriage. "Miss, extend your hand."

Zhan Yunwei, her face hidden under the veil, saw him take out the familiar Spirit-binding Bracelet. She couldn't help but feel a headache.

She had known it wouldn't be that easy, but she couldn't allow them to put the Spirit-binding Bracelet on her.

So when the guard tried to fasten it, she released her spiritual energy and used her Spirit-controlling Technique to interfere. Zhan Yunwei was now highly skilled with the Spirit-controlling Technique, and the guard, momentarily confused, thought he had successfully put it on.

Zhan Yunwei withdrew her hand, casting a glance at the loosely fastened bracelet.

She thought that if the assassin really intended to kill Yue Zhiheng, it wouldn't be easy for them. She didn't know whether the assassin had any backup plans, but she couldn't help but smile when she imagined what would happen if they had indeed been forced to wear the Spirit-binding Bracelet and then encountered Yue Zhiheng's return.

The sky gradually darkened, and in the dimly lit storeroom, Yue Zhiheng still hadn't returned.

He was still on duty in the empire. Originally, today was his birthday, a day he should have rested, but having angered the Spiritual Emperor, he could only be extra cautious.

She didn't know how long she had been waiting; she was nearly dozing off in the Xuanwu carriage when she overheard some servants discussing outside.

"With such heavy snow and wind tonight, will the Young Master return?"

"I don't know. He'll probably stay at Che Tian Mansion."

Everyone knew the situation. Because of the Spiritual Emperor's attitude, this birthday was bound to be quiet and low-key, and the butler didn't dare to hang up a single red lantern.

Even if he braved the snow to return, it wouldn't make any difference. It was better to stay at Che Tian Mansion.

Chen Ye looked at the heavy snow outside Che Tian Mansion and asked Yue Zhiheng, "Master, will you return to the Yue family tonight?"

Yue Zhiheng's expression was indifferent. "I won't be going back. Tell my sister not to wait for me."

Chen Ye hesitated for a moment. "What should we do with the gifts at the manor? I heard that someone sent a woman to you."

Yue Zhiheng didn't even raise his head as he walked toward the weapon forging room. "Leave the gifts. As for the living person, kick them out of the manor."

He didn't follow a principle of being virtuous, and the imperial officials wouldn't tolerate a virtuous official.

As for sending people, that was even more absurd. Since he was twenty, he had received all kinds of gifts, from dancers to male companions, and even assassins.

In the years when he most needed to secure his position, he had killed many of them. In recent years, these people had finally learned to restrain themselves.

Chen Ye said, "Understood."

Yue Zhiheng walked slowly toward the forging room. Chen Ye wanted to follow and hold an umbrella for him, but Yue Zhiheng raised his hand to stop him.

The night wind howled. Since the winter began this year, it had gotten colder day by day.

The goose-feather snow danced in the sky, brightening the silent night.

He gazed toward Fenhe County for a long while before finally retracting his gaze.

Zhan Yunwei had thought that not being able to wait for Yue Zhiheng would be the worst thing, but it turned out there was something even worse.

Her clothes were thin. Spirit Masters were already more sensitive to the cold than spiritual cultivators, and the Yue family had recently renovated their formation. Lord Yue's abilities were difficult to defend against. Now, disguised as the powerless Miss Sheng, she dared not use her spiritual power to warm herself.

It was almost midnight, and today was nearly over. Earlier, a few of the Che Tian Mansion guards had coldly come to ask her to leave the manor.

"But it's already so late. Where am I supposed to go?"

The guard's expression was as cold as their master's heart. "By the master's orders, you should return to where you came from."

"..."

Moments later, Zhan Yunwei was pushed out of the manor.

Fenhe County had yet to freeze, and the cold in the air was biting. In the distance, beyond the Yue family mansion, black-armored guards were patrolling.

Zhan Yunwei, wearing embroidered shoes, dared not reveal her spiritual power in front of them. She could only trudge through the snow, stepping one foot deep and the other shallow.

After a long while, once she was out of their sight, she sat down beneath the eaves of a building. Zhan Yunwei swiftly pulled off her head covering, using her spiritual energy to warm herself and then clearing the snow out of her shoes.

She waited for half the night, then endured the cold of the snow for quite a while longer. The pastries in her arms had long since cooled, and she couldn't help but feel a little disheartened.

Zhan Yunwei never imagined that Yue Zhiheng would not return for his birthday.

She wrapped herself in her spiritual energy in the snow, like the only warm light in the dark night. With the city under curfew, even finding an inn to stay at was difficult at this time.

As she pondered where to go, a faint sound rang out from the sky.

It was a very soft sound, but she heard it.

Zhan Yunwei looked up and saw the familiar blue-faced Ghost Crane.

She didn't expect that in the heavy snowfall, Yue Zhiheng would return to Fenhe County before the midnight hour.

Perhaps her gaze had been too obvious. The man on the Ghost Crane looked down and met her eyes.

His expression was indifferent, and he wore a dark blue cloak. He wasn't wearing a mask today.

Zhan Yunwei stared at him for a long while, then realized that, after taking the transformation pill, she still had the face of Miss Sheng.

There was a distance of several yards between them, and the snowstorm acted as a barrier.

After a long pause, just as she had almost given up hope, the Ghost Crane spun around and landed not far from her.

They were now separated by about seven or eight paces.

From their parting in the secret realm back in July to now, early November, from autumn to winter, Zhan Yunwei once again saw him.

She was sitting under the eaves, sheltering from the snow, dressed in a red gown, one shoe still not worn. With her veil discarded, her hair was a bit messy.

She rarely felt embarrassed, but now, her mind kept replaying Zhan Shujing's words. He had said Yue Zhiheng was cold-hearted and unfeeling, and might have already forgotten her.

She thought of what Yue Zhiheng had said about his feelings for her being only three-tenths. Could he even recognize her?

But Yue Zhiheng seemed to have changed a little.

He appeared even more gaunt than when she last saw him in the secret realm. A wound on his forehead, caused by the Spiritual Emperor, had not been tended to—no one, not even he himself, could treat the injury.

Zhan Yunwei watched as Yue Zhiheng slowly walked toward her, the snow quickly settling on his shoulders.

She had already withdrawn her spiritual power used for warmth when she noticed the Ghost Crane. Her heart pounded in her chest, unsure whether Yue Zhiheng had recognized her.

She didn't know what she should say to him first.

Should she explain why she was wearing Miss Sheng's face? Should she tell him that she had retrieved her life jade? Or should she simply wish him a happy birthday, since midnight was approaching?

However, before she could say anything, he suddenly pulled her into his arms. The thick cloak blocked the cold of the snow, and in that instant, the world seemed peaceful.

She could hear his rapid heartbeat, each thud seeming to carry months of delayed pain.

She also heard his hoarse voice, calling out a name he had never spoken before.

"Yangyang."

All the cold of the night, the waiting, in that moment, seemed to transform into something else.

She buried her cold face in his chest, her voice tinged with a smile.

"It's me."

"I'm back, Lord Yue."