Zhou Weizhao was waiting for Song Chuyi outside the city. In the early winter of the north, it was already very cold. A thin yer of ice had formed on the ke, and the trees around were bare. Occasionally, a wild rabbit would dash through the birch forest like a gust of wind. Ye Jingchuan had just drawn his bow to shoot when Zhou Weizhao stopped him.

  "She's not running fast—it's a pregnant mother rabbit." Zhou Weizhao held back his bow, shaking his head. "Depleting the ke to catch fish, or burning the forest to hunt—it's all unwise, as Master says."

  Ah, his master again. Ye Jingchuan gave him a gre, reluctantly putting his arrow back into the quiver. Usually, he wasn't this obedient and certainly didn't hold Celestial Master Zhang in such high regard. This time, however, he was willing to defer simply because one of Celestial Master Zhang's words had changed Song Chuyi's fate.

  It was respect for Song Chuyi, not obedience to Celestial Master Zhang, he thought, feeling much better with this reasoning.

  Not far away, the sound of wheels approached, and soon a rather ordinary-looking carriage pulled up near them. Qingying helped Song Chuyi out of the carriage, her scarlet satin cloak with a fur-lined colr standing out brilliantly.

  In the bleak, barren winter ndscape, her red outfit made her appear like a walking flower, instantly lighting up the desote surroundings.

  Ye Jingchuan nearly grinned from ear to ear, striding toward Song Chuyi to greet her. He couldn't resist asking, "Are Ma Wangkun and the others with you? I'll take you back ter and stop by to get some writing sheets from Yan'er."

  Qingying looked at him, then at Zhou Weizhao, feeling a sudden headache. Both young men were perfectly fine, but her dy had no interest in either of them and seemed entirely unaware of their affections.

  True to form, Song Chuyi frowned slightly and shook her head. "Yan'er isn't home; he's out meeting his cssmates. I still have to stop by Aunt's house, switch to the family carriage, and then head back. So, we won't be going the same way."

  Ye Jingchuan stopped in his tracks, feeling frustrated and defeated, watching as Song Chuyi brushed past him to approach Zhou Weizhao. For the first time in his life, he felt just how heavy the word like could be—it weighed on him, pressing down, and even though his pride was wounded, he still couldn't give up.

  Song Chuyi stopped in front of Zhou Weizhao, softly thanking him before sighing and asking, "Your Highness, did you find out about me contacting Commander Lai?"

  As she spoke, her usually clear eyes were concealed under her long, curling shes, hiding her emotions from view. But Zhou Weizhao knew this was a sign of unease—because she'd used his knowledge of the Emperor's pn to visit Celestial Master Zhang at Qingxu Temple, turning it against Xu Liang and Jia Yingxin to clear Lai Chenglong's obstacles.

  Zhou Weizhao nodded calmly. "I heard about it from Jiang Hong. Once Lai Chenglong fully takes control, he's set to be appointed Commander. He's bound to feel some pride and be more visible. It didn't take much thought to deduce that the one who could provide him with such a pn, and even acquire the defense map, would be none other than you."

  His voice was as calm and gentle as ever. Song Chuyi, looking up, met his ink-bck gaze and then gnced away, murmuring, "Aren't you angry, Your Highness? You've already helped me so much, yet here I am, taking advantage of our retionship..."

  Zhou Weizhao looked at her in confusion. He, the one being used, didn't feel any anger or resentment, yet Song Chuyi seemed even more troubled than he was. He shook his head sincerely. "Why would I be angry? If I'm willing to tell you of my master's whereabouts, then naturally, I should accept the consequences of any leaks. If you had indeed used this information against me, it would only show my ck of judgment. If anyone should be bmed, it would be me—why would I resent you?"

  Ye Jingchuan stood to the side with a complicated expression, opening his mouth several times, not knowing where to begin. It was as if they were speaking in a completely different nguage from him. It reminded him of when he first arrived in Fujian, listening to the locals speak in Min dialect, not understanding a single word. That same sense of helplessness welled up again

  Song Chuyi had never experienced such wholehearted trust, and it left her feeling overwhelmed. A flurry of thoughts filled her mind, but before she could grasp any of them, she squashed them back down.

  Standing by the ke, her hands red from the cold, she raised her face to Zhou Weizhao, as if making a solemn vow. "Your Highness, I owe you so much. But if there's anything I can do to help you, I'll do it with all my heart."

  A man will give his life for a true confidant, she thought. As long as Zhou Weizhao didn't truly ask her to die, she would do everything in her power to aid him—to make sure he lived a long, fulfilling life.

  _____

  Zhou Weiqi, unaware of the depths of her intentions, was meanwhile preoccupied, helping his aunt to her feet. Although he had always been close to his mother, seeing Lady Fan so desperately kneeling without regard for her dignity softened his heart. After all, they were family... his aunt had been kind to him since childhood, as had his cousins.

  So, when his aunt begged him for the sake of her daughter's future, he found himself unable to refuse.

  Yet when he mentioned the matter to Consort Fan upon returning to the pace, she reacted like an enraged lioness, nothing like her usual zy, gentle self. She ughed coldly several times, her gaze icy as she gnced over him, spitting out, "Don't involve yourself in this."

  Zhou Weiqi was baffled by her anger. In his view, his aunt was as good as family, and his cousins were both trustworthy. But his mother seemed determined to push them away as though they were enemies.

  Hesitating, he tried again to persuade her. "It's really not such a big deal. I could just ask Grandmother..."

  Consort Fan's face darkened in rage. "Ask your grandmother?! She's no one important—does she deserve for you to trouble your grandmother over this? Have you lost your mind?"

  She radiated hostility, a clear warning. Nanny Fang shivered slightly, giving Zhou Weiqi a subtle signal to let it go.

  Completely lost as to the source of his mother's anger, Zhou Weiqi stood there in silence, confused. His aunt's family had always devoted themselves to supporting the Eastern Pace, and yet his mother treated them with hidden scorn and barely concealed hostility. Now she wouldn't even lift a finger to do them a small favor, content to watch Han Yueheng head off as a companion in marriage.

  He gazed at Consort Fan, stunned, unable to say another word.