The spring snow continued falling tirelessly, growing heavier with each passing moment, even carrying a hint of returning cold. The mountains were enveloped in a blurry white blanket, with biting winds chilling to the bone and pine trees adorned with frosty blossoms.
Though the calendar marked the beginning of spring, true warmth remained distant. During breaks from Buddhist prayers, the Yu family admired the mountain scenery, marveling at the vibrant green hues visible beneath the ice and frost.
The monks had all changed into thick gray cotton robes, silently sweeping the accumulated snow in the courtyard, repeating their monotonous daily routine.
Yu Ye and Yu Yan had just caught up after completing their studies. Anxious about the approaching Late Spring Strategy Examination, Yu Ye had brought a thick stack of books to the temple.
He Shi brushed snow from Yu Ye’s shoulders while ignoring Yan Ge’er, her voice mixing reproach with concern: “Why must you climb the mountain in this storm, child? If you twist your ankle or catch cold, how will you take the exam? You’ll worry your mother to death.”
Yu Ye replied: “It’s already spring, so it’s not that cold. The snowflakes are soft and will melt as soon as the sun appears.”
He Shi scolded: “That doesn’t mean you should take risks.”
A nearby guide chimed in: “Indeed, young master. Though the snowflakes are soft, avalanche danger is high. The steep mountain slopes make falling rocks and snow accumulation no joking matter. Moreover, slippery footing is dangerous with these bottomless cliffs.”
Yu Ye smiled apologetically: “I come with sincere devotion to Buddha, wishing to pray for grandmother’s swift recovery.”
In truth, he had heard that Xie Tanwei, the chief examiner for the Late Spring Strategy Examination, was staying at Fa Hui Temple and hoped to find opportunity to curry favor. Even a few words leaked by his brother-in-law could bring him endless benefits.
While He Shi fussed over Yu Ye, Yu Yan stood neglected nearby, damp snowmelt trickling down his face. Being just a child, no one wiped him dry or paid him any attention.
Tian Qin approached and offered a warm brocade handkerchief. Yan Ge’er swallowed his tears, choking out: “Third sister.”
She sighed helplessly, ruffling his chubby head in silent comfort – in this family, only they two siblings were truly close.
Yan Ge’er tried to take out his homework book containing the love notes Tutor Xu had been passing to Tian Qin for days.
Tian Qin quickly stopped him, her eyes warily scanning He Shi, Yu Ye, Yu Yuan and others. Being discovered would mean disaster.
Yu Yuan called Yu Ye and Yu Yan over to quiz them on their studies. Yu Ye declared confidently that he would undoubtedly succeed in the upcoming Policy Examination.
Yu Yuan snorted: “Look at your careless attitude – overly arrogant. You’re not even as diligent as Yan Ge’er.”
Yu Ye retorted dismissively: “Yan Ge’er was slow to begin with, and that pedantic poor tutor has made him even more obsolete.”
Yu Yuan scolded: “Nonsense! Character matters most, not nobility. Though Tutor Xu comes from modest means, he possesses integrity and studies earnestly – he seems more promising than you.”
“Tutor Xu is also taking the Policy Examination this time. Let’s see which of you performs better.”
Yu Ye sneered contemptuously, knowing his father was currently building the Yu family’s influence by cultivating connections, and that his praise for the poor scholar reflected confidence in the latter’s examination success.
How could a poverty-stricken scholar who merely memorized the Four Books and Five Classics possibly succeed, when even he, the widely-read young master, couldn’t guarantee victory?
Yu Ye muttered under his breath: “I heard brother-in-law is meditating at Fa Hui Temple. I wonder if there might be chance to pay my respects.”
Yu Yuan quickly pulled Yu Ye aside and whispered mysteriously, “Your Brother-in-law is at Fa Hui Temple. Keep it quiet and seek advice discreetly. If outsiders find out and accuse us of cheating, we’ll be in serious trouble.”
Tian Qin had been eavesdropping nearby. Yu Ye was going to consult Xie Tanwei, the chief examiner.
What should she do?
Xu Junzheng already had slim chances of winning. If Yu Ye visited Xie Tanwei, their last glimmer of hope would be extinguished.
Anxious, she pulled Yan Ge’er to a secluded Xiangfang (Side room). “Quick, show me your homework notebook.”
Yan Ge’er obediently handed it over. Tian Qin’s delicate fingers swiftly flipped through the previous articles—Xu Junzheng had indeed sent a message.
He first expressed gratitude for Tian Qin’s gifts of books and ink over the days, acknowledging her great kindness in supporting his studies, which he felt unable to repay.
He inquired tenderly about her well-being, cautioning that the mountain paths were slippery and cold, urging her not to wear just a single layer and to avoid chapping her face and hands.
Moreover, he subtly asked when she would return, conveying deep concern and longing. He remembered her promise to marry him if he achieved scholarly honors and had been striving tirelessly toward that goal.
He solemnly vowed to pass the Late Spring Strategy Examination, living up to her expectations—a pledge to her and a vow of their commitment.
Next were his critiques of Yan Ge’er’s essays and reflections on the essence of Confucianism, abstruse and profound in content, clearly not intended for Tian Qin but written freely as scholarly notes.
Despite Xu Junzheng burning the midnight oil in relentless study, several questions remained unresolved:
If ancient rulers Yao and Shun were Confucian sage-kings who brought great order, why did things eventually decline to the tyranny of Jie and Zhou?
Why were Yao and Shun relatively idle while the Duke of Zhou was exceedingly busy, though all were sages?
Is Confucianism’s advocacy of returning to antiquity correct? Does it hold practical significance?
…
These profound questions were crucial for Xu Junzheng; solving them would directly impact his performance in the strategy examination.
He sought not grand theories or universally applicable answers but concrete governance solutions.
His perspective was too limited, and despite days and nights of intense contemplation, he could not arrive at satisfactory conclusions.
Tian Qin felt dizzy reading them and equally helpless. The renowned Sage Teacher Xie Tanwei was within reach, yet she could not ask him.
Her relationship with Xie Tanwei had completely soured, frozen like ice, colder than that between strangers.
More critically, Yu Ye planned to secretly visit Xie Tanwei. While Xu Junzheng struggled with these questions, Yu Ye might grasp them. Yu Ye’s victory seemed almost certain.
Gritting her teeth, Tian Qin approached Yu Ye again.
Yu Ye, arrogant and condescending, chastised her for overstepping by asking such abstract questions, insisting women should focus on embroidery, feminine arts, and virtues instead of state affairs.
Finally, he offered a series of seemingly profound answers—precisely the “universally applicable” grand theories Xu Junzheng had dismissed.
Tian Qin cursed inwardly, feeling she had wasted her time. Clearly, Yu Ye’s knowledge was superficial; he likely hadn’t even clarified these issues for himself.
The only person who could provide answers pointed to Xie Tanwei.
Yet Xie Tanwei never appeared.
He seemed truly secluded in the ancient mountain temple, devising examination questions—detached, aloof, and isolated from the outside world. Even the temple monks found it difficult to see him.
Xianqiu occasionally brought him vegetarian meals and pastries, staying only briefly before leaving—a privilege reserved for his closest wife.
Tian Qin had received generous gifts from her brother-in-law just days before, only to be abruptly neglected in recent days. Ku Ju and others watched with a certain schadenfreude, waiting for her to be sent back by the Xie family.
He Shi, feeling uneasy, quietly asked Xianqiu, “What exactly is your husband planning? Does he want Tian Qin or not?”
Xianqiu replied with a hint of helplessness, “Mother, you know how aloof my husband is, devoted entirely to his studies. He initially said either Ku Ju or Tian Qin would do, leaving the decision to me. Though I chose Tian Qin, it doesn’t mean he’s particularly close to her.”
He Shi nodded slowly.
“In his heart… he ultimately cares for you the most.”
Xianqiu’s cheeks flushed faintly.
Tian Qin, clutching Yan Ge’er’s homework booklet, dozed off in the xiangfang. The bright snowlight was softened by the window paper into a hazy glow. In her drowsy state, she drifted back to her previous life—
She was nestled in Xie Tanwei’s embrace, leaning against him in an intimate tangle. He held a book scroll, his husky voice like misty vapor, his chin resting in the crook of her neck as his gentle breath fell upon her, tickling faintly.
She clutched her skirt nervously, “Brother-in-law…”
He nipped her earlobe in punishment, “Still calling me brother-in-law?”
She tried to escape, but he entangled her even more persistently, tossing aside his book with a weary hand before pressing her down with gentle yet firm dominance.
“Brother-in-law, don’t… sister will be back soon.”
He hummed, the sound swallowed in his throat, “So what?”
She was his concubine—a proper concubine with betrothal gifts exchanged and documents signed. They were meant to be together openly.
“I want a daughter. Give me another daughter,” his words drifted slowly, ethereally by her ear, a commanding insistence.
She shook her head desperately, tears welling up, “No more, Tian’er doesn’t want anymore. Brother-in-law should find someone else…”
He gripped her waist, making her feel as fragile as porcelain about to shatter, “Be good, Tian’er. You must bear one.”
Tian Qin kept shaking her head, her anxious depression breaking through the dream, threatening to drag her into a vortex and tear her apart mercilessly.
Until a soft, sticky little hand tugged at her clothes, abruptly pulling her back to reality, crying, “Third sister, third sister, what’s wrong? Wake up quickly, Yan’er is scared…”
Only then did Tian Qin snap her eyes open.
Another nightmare.
Lately, her spirit had been fragile, and she dreamed of him almost every time she closed her eyes.
Yan Ge’er looked at her with innocent worry, thinking her sweating, muttering, and convulsing meant she was ill.
Feeling ashamed, Tian Qin swallowed and, finally free from the dark clouds of her nightmare, reached out to pick up Yan Ge’er.
“Third sister is fine, just had a dream.”
Yan Ge’er reached out with his small hand to wipe the tears from her cheek. Tian Qin, amused, broke into a smile, and the siblings hugged each other tightly.
Just as they were about to talk, Zhao Lu rushed over in a panic: “Miss, young master, the snow is too heavy—the mountain will be sealed off. The master says we must pack immediately and descend the mountain.”
Tian Qin was stunned, only then noticing that the snow outside had surpassed the usual spring snowfall, evolving into an uncontrollable disaster.
Heavy snow sealing the mountain could easily cost lives.
This was serious.
Knee-deep snow in spring was a once-in-a-century occurrence. One of the Yu family’s carriages had broken down, leaving two. They squeezed in, prioritizing the nobles for the return trip.
He Shi and Yu Yuan took one carriage, squeezing in little Yu Yan. After bidding farewell to Xie Tanwei, Xianqiu rode in another carriage with her younger brother Yu Ye, squeezing in Ku Ju and Yao Yiniang.
That left Tian Qin behind.
Truly, there was no more room.
He Shi called out to Tian Qin, “You stay and take the last carriage. The wheel is only partially broken; it will be repaired soon.”
Xianqiu also reluctantly patted Tian Qin, “Third Sister, if you’re scared, I’ll stay and keep you company.”
Yu Ye urged, “Hurry up, hurry up. This icy, snowy place is no spot for chitchat. The snow is falling heavier and heavier.”
Tian Qin stood in the vast white snow as if abandoned, but there was nothing she could do. By the time the last carriage was hastily repaired, the mountain path had become so obscured by wind and snow that visibility was nearly zero.
Much time had already been delayed. Tian Qin boarded with Wan Cui and Zhao Lu, but halfway along the journey, a small avalanche occurred ahead on the mountain path. A torrent of snow and ice directly swept away their carriage.
Trembling with cold, Tian Qin and her two maids were helplessly buried in the icy wilderness.
Their body heat rapidly faded, and no one from the Yu family returned to offer aid.
Having been reborn, she never expected to die here.
Just as despair set in, a figure on horseback emerged from the distance, its outline gradually sharpening through the blizzard—it was Brother-in-law.
Author’s Note: