On the tenth day of the sixth month, the Imperial Envoy and his retinue prepared to return to the capital. The officials of Yangzhou City, who had been terrified out of their wits, finally began to recover from the recent atmosphere of ruthless suppression upon hearing this news.
When Zhou Yuangui emerged from the City Lord’s Mansion, he stole a glance at Pei Xuzhu’s expression and couldn’t help shaking his head inwardly.
The Emperor had already issued an order for the newly appointed prefect to proceed to Yangzhou City. Pei Xuzhu would soon be heading to the capital to report on his official duties.
The fact that the new prefect was assuming office before Pei Xuzhu had been formally relieved of his post clearly indicated the Emperor’s dissatisfaction with Pei Xuzhu’s handling of the Jiangnan case.
Feng Wenyu remained completely unaware of court affairs, and she was currently suffering greatly.
She was trapped in a nightmare, struggling desperately but unable to wake up. Endless white snow filled the sky, freezing her until her whole body trembled. Lying in the snow, she could no longer distinguish whether her shivering was from cold or pain.
Someone was calling her name. Icy tears fell on her face. With great difficulty, she opened her eyes and, summoning all her strength, finally managed to see clearly the person holding her. She called out in confusion:
“Gu Yushi…”
Her voice trembled, making the face before her grow even paler, as if about to dissolve into the vast whiteness of the snow.
He leaned down, continuously kissing her forehead and cheeks, whispering:
“…I’m here, I’m here.”
He didn’t realize that his entire body was shaking—his hands trembling, his voice quivering. Tears fell on her face, mingling together until it was impossible to tell whose they were.
This was the first time Feng Wenyu had seen Gu Yushi cry like this. The grief and self-blame in his eyes sent chills throughout her body, while the continuous pain from her lower abdomen made her vaguely aware of something—
She seemed to be pregnant.
When she remembered this, she finally understood where the pain was coming from.
Suddenly, a suffocating feeling overwhelmed her, making it almost impossible to breathe. She was crying and shouting something, clutching tightly to Gu Yushi’s sleeve. Feng Wenyu strained to listen and finally made out what she was screaming.
She wept, “It hurts… Gu Yushi, it hurts so much…”
Feng Wenyu faintly knew this was a dream, yet it felt as if she were truly there. A sharp, stabbing pain in her heart made her experience that sensation of being utterly devastated as if it were real.
She struggled to murmur:
“No… don’t…”
Don’t do this to her.
This was a nightmare—she needed to wake up!
Jinshu’s anxious cries sounded in her ears: “Miss! What’s wrong with you?! Please wake up!”
The moment the voice reached her, the dream shattered completely. Feng Wenyu opened her eyes in a daze, the lingering emotions from the dream leaving her momentarily confused. She saw Jinshu heave a sigh of relief and slump to the ground, but she didn’t understand why. Her voice came out hoarse:
“…What happened?”
Jinshu, still terrified from the scare, said, “You kept crying out in pain, and no matter how much I called you, you wouldn’t wake up.”
Pain?
Upon hearing this word, Feng Wenyu instinctively touched her chest, where a residual ache seemed to remain. The next moment, as if sensing something, she raised her hand to touch the corner of her eye—and suddenly froze in place.
—Had she been crying?
Feng Wenyu suddenly felt a shiver of horror and dread. Was that really just a dream?
Feng Wenyu’s hand rested unconsciously on her lower abdomen. She didn’t notice how alarmingly pale her lips and complexion were, nor how her dark hair was soaked with cold sweat. Though it was summer, she looked as if she had just been pulled out of water.
Jinshu wiped her face, not daring to take the matter lightly:
“Miss, what exactly did you dream about?”
Feng Wenyu turned her head away, avoiding the question.
The dream had been too coherent and vivid—so vivid that Feng Wenyu could no longer dismiss it as just a dream.
She instinctively recalled the dream. The biggest difference between reality and the dream was that it all started when she and Gu Yushi broke off their engagement.
So, had Gu Yushi had the same dream?
What had he dreamed that made him choose to end the engagement?
Feng Wenyu realized she needed to know more. At this moment, pride no longer mattered. She abruptly sat up:
“Jinshu, has the Imperial Envoy’s party set off yet?”
Jinshu was puzzled but quickly replied, “They probably haven’t yet.”
Feng Wenyu threw on her outer robe and got out of bed, her voice strained as she ordered, “Prepare the carriage. I’m going to the City Lord’s Mansion!”
Jinshu couldn’t hide her astonishment. “Miss?”
Feng Wenyu merely washed her face, not even bothering to do her hair or makeup, and hurried out. As she reached the front courtyard, she ran into Zhou Chibai in the covered corridor. Seeing her haste, he instinctively called out to her:
“Cousin, where are you going?”
Feng Wenyu forced a faint smile. “I’m going to the City Lord’s Mansion. I have something to ask the Imperial Envoy.”
With that, she tried to brush past him, but Zhou Chibai hurriedly stopped her. Anxious for answers, Feng Wenyu frowned, her delicate brows knitting together. “Why are you stopping me, Cousin?”
Zhou Chibai said, “The Imperial Envoy’s party set sail an hour ago.”
Feng Wenyu looked up in shock. “What?”
Zhou Chibai gazed at her with concern:
“Cousin, what did you need from the Imperial Envoy?”
Feng Wenyu fell silent at once. Had she missed her chance?
After a long pause, she forced a slight smile and said:
“It’s nothing.”
Sensing Zhou Chibai’s worry, she sniffled, took a deep breath, and smiled at him. “Really, it’s nothing.”
In her sleeve, her hand involuntarily clenched the handkerchief.
After a while, Feng Wenyu collected herself. Indifferently, she thought, if she missed it, then she missed it. After all, the dreams kept recurring. Even without Gu Yushi, she would eventually find the answers.
She glanced toward the mansion’s entrance, paused for a moment, then turned and left without hesitation.
A gentle breeze swept by, scattering the lingering traces of air, as if no one had ever been there.
When Feng Wenyu received the letter from Jingcheng, Examiner Fang, the chief official for the Provincial Examination, had also arrived in Yangzhou City.
Feng Wenzhou and Feng Wenyu read the letter together. Feng Wenzhou instinctively glanced at his sister, sensing her prolonged melancholy lately—it seemed to have started after the Imperial Envoy’s party returned to the capital.
Feng Wenzhou lowered his head, the scroll in his hand gripped so tightly his knuckles turned white:
“Little Sister, you should go back first with the people from Jingcheng. There’s no need to wait for me.”
Feng Wenyu frowned instinctively, not hesitating in the slightest. “No!”
“When Eldest Brother took the Provincial Examination, Father, Mother, and Eldest Sister were all by his side. Now that Father and Mother are gone, if I leave too, who will congratulate you when the exam results come out?”
Feng Wenyu pouted, “The Provincial Examination is so important—how could I leave you alone in Yangzhou? It would feel so empty.”
Although their uncle was also family, there was inevitably some distance between them.
Feng Wenyu couldn’t bring herself to abandon Feng Wenzhou. They had come to Yangzhou City together, and of course, they would return together.
Feng Wenzhou tried hard to suppress his emotions, but a trace of delight was still visible in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he said, “But Father specifically sent a letter.”
Feng Wenyu let out a light hum, revealing a rare touch of willfulness:
“I don’t care about him.”
She said seriously to Feng Wenzhou, “You focus on preparing for the exam. I will definitely wait for you.”
Feng Wenzhou swallowed all his words of persuasion. After a long pause, he replied in a muffled voice:
“Alright.”
In a place no one noticed, Feng Wenzhou lifted his gaze to look at his younger sister’s profile, concealing the faint worry in his eyes.
What exactly was troubling his sister?
He felt a pang of helplessness and sadness—he still couldn’t do anything to help her.
With the Provincial Examination just three days away, Yangzhou City seemed to have forgotten the fear brought by the Imperial Envoy. Pleasure boats on the lake were once again brightly lit all night long, and talented scholars and beautiful ladies frequently appeared in this land.
Jiangnan had always been a hub of literary culture, and no one could guarantee they would take the top spot.
Feng Wenyu had no mind to dwell on dreams. In her eyes, nothing was more important than her second brother’s Provincial Examination.
She was even more nervous than the examinee himself. On the day of the exam, she woke up before dawn. Not just her—the entire Zhou Residence was stirred.
After Zhou Chiyu was taken away by Gu Yushi, the old lady fell ill from the shock. But with Zhou Chibai and Lu Shi frequently visiting her, she gradually recovered. On this day, she also got up to see Feng Wenzhou off.
Feng Wenyu handed him a food box: “I’ve prepared items that are easy to inspect. I’ll wait outside for you—just focus on your exam.”
The Provincial Examination lasted nine days, divided into three sessions, each spanning three days.
Feng Wenyu had heard her elder brother describe the conditions in the Examination Booths—they were hardly fit for human habitation. Many candidates emerged from the exam having nearly lost half their lives.
Though Feng Wenzhou had initially been calm, the grave expressions of those around him made him tense. He pursed his lips quietly:
“Don’t wait outside for me. I’ll come find you as soon as I’m out.”
Feng Wenyu didn’t argue with him at that moment. She escorted him to the examination hall, watched him enter, and then touched her chest, exclaiming, “Jinshu, why am I so nervous?”
Jinshu chuckled:
“Young lady, your concern has made you anxious.”
Feng Wenyu knew Feng Wenzhou would be in the exam for at least three days and had no intention of waiting outside the entire time. Just as she was about to call for the carriage to return to the residence, she heard the sound of a startled horse outside. Curious, she lifted the Brocade Curtain. When she saw the young man on horseback, her eyes widened in surprise. The next moment, she swiftly let the curtain fall.
But it was too late.
Feng Wenyu heard the hoofbeats drawing closer until someone knocked on the carriage. A clear voice, carried by the wind, reached her ears:
“Feng Wenyu, is that you?”
Feng Wenyu covered her ears, wishing she could pretend not to hear. But the visitor clearly treated the carriage like a door, knocking persistently as if he wouldn’t stop until she showed herself.
Jinshu coughed lightly. She had guessed the identity of the visitor but still asked in disbelief:
“Is it the Yan Family’s Young Master?”
Why would the Yan Family’s Young Master appear in Yangzhou City?
Feng Wenyu curled her lips. Before the newcomer could call out again, she irritably lifted the brocade curtain: “Yan Yunhe, have you lost your mind?”
What kind of man would so shamelessly knock on a woman’s carriage?
Feng Wenyu admitted that the term “shameless” was deliberately harsh.
But Yan Yunhe had brought it upon himself.
Leisurely cloud-wandering crane? What a waste of that name.
Feng Wenyu secretly rolled her eyes. The newcomer didn’t mind being scolded at all. He raised his lips and deliberately mocked: “I heard you got jilted?”
Feng Wenyu’s face instantly turned cold:
“If you don’t know how to speak, then shut up. No one will think you’re mute.”
Yan Yunhe sat high on his horse, clearly able to look down on her, but he leaned in close to Feng Wenyu in his usual irreverent manner. He grinned: “Feng Wenyu, why do you always speak to me with such sharpness? If you directed this fieriness at Gu Yushi, would he dare mention breaking off the engagement?”
After saying this, he scoffed lightly:
“Then again, you’re always gentle and accommodating with others. That’s why Gu Yushi dared to bully you.”
Can’t even stand up for yourself when being bullied—you’ve been foolish since childhood.
Left and right, it was all about Gu Yushi. Not a single word was pleasant to her ears.
Feng Wenyu glared at him irritably: “Did you come specifically to mock me?”
Yan Yunhe’s eyes darkened for a moment, but he quickly smiled and defended himself:
“Don’t slander a good person. I was about to return to Jingcheng when I heard you were in Yangzhou City. I deliberately took this detour just to comfort you.”
Comfort?
Feng Wenyu snorted: “No thanks.”
She didn’t want to deal with Yan Yunhe. Whenever she encountered him, it never boded well. She said impatiently: “Move aside.”
Yan Yunhe folded his hands behind his head and casually urged his horse to shift aside, making way for the carriage. Then he nudged his horse to follow at a leisurely pace.
When they arrived at the Zhou Residence, Feng Wenyu had just stepped down from the carriage when she saw him following behind. She was instantly speechless:
“Why are you following me?”
Yan Yunhe looked incredulous, putting on an expression of her being heartless: “I came all this way for you. Aren’t you going to take me in?”
Feng Wenyu laughed in anger, thinking he was utterly unreasonable:
“Who asked you to come?”
“Has the Duke’s Residence run out of money for you to stay at an inn?!”
Yan Yunhe shrugged: “To get here quickly, I came empty-handed with nothing.”
He tried to claim the moral high ground: “Feng Wenyu, we grew up together after all. You wouldn’t be so cruel, would you?”
Feng Wenyu cursed inwardly—she must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to have grown up with him.
She had no choice but to bring him into the Zhou Residence. Under her aunt’s questioning gaze, she forced a smile:
“This is the heir of the Duke’s Residence. He says he’d like to stay here for a few days.”
Lu Shi understood and showed some respect: “So it’s the young master of the Duke’s Residence.”
Yan Yunhe waved his hand, appearing completely unpretentious:
“Auntie, please don’t stand on ceremony. I’ve been good friends with Ah Zhou since we were young. I came this time to seek him out. I’d be grateful if you could spare a courtyard for me to rest.”
He smiled cheerfully, not mentioning Feng Wenyu at all, as if he had truly come for Feng Wenzhou.
Feng Wenyu secretly pursed her lips. Fortunately, her second brother wasn’t here, or he’d probably be furious upon hearing Yan Yunhe’s words.
These two had been at odds since childhood. Yan Yunhe truly had the audacity to speak such words—utterly shameless.
Lu Shi maintained a constant smile: “Young Master jest. You and A-Zhou are close friends, practically family. Staying at our residence for a few days could never be considered an imposition.”
Hearing this, Yan Yunhe shot Feng Wenyu a triumphant eyebrow raise in a moment no one else noticed.
Feng Wenyu couldn’t be bothered to respond.
She had long grown accustomed to Yan Yunhe pushing his advantage through his status. Under normal circumstances, no one would ever embarrass him.
After leaving the main courtyard, Feng Wenyu warned Yan Yunhe: “Second Brother is fully devoted to his examinations now. Don’t you dare disturb him.”
Yan Yunhe rarely found himself speechless because of her:
“Who’s the one provoking whom every single time? Can you stop twisting the truth so blatantly?”
They had all grown up together, yet she was the most biased of them all.
Feng Wenyu paid no heed to his words. She sniffed lightly: “Just remember—don’t provoke him, that’s all.”
Yan Yunhe nodded dismissively:
“Yes, yes. I won’t retaliate if hit, nor answer back if scolded. Satisfied, my lady?”
The address “my lady” flushed Feng Wenyu’s cheeks with embarrassment. She snapped irritably: “You’ll say any shameless thing! Why hasn’t the Duke beaten you to death yet!”
Yan Yunhe replied breezily:
“He only has one precious son like me. How could he bear to kill me?”
He tilted his head, his sword-like eyebrows sharp as stars, and let his gaze rest on Feng Wenyu as if casually asking: “Besides, if I were truly beaten to death, wouldn’t A-Yu feel heartbroken?”
Feng Wenyu lifted her chin, unable to conceal her disdain:
“Who would waste heartache on you?”
Yan Yunhe seemed to pause briefly, or perhaps not, remaining as irreverent as ever. He chuckled softly: “A-Yu is truly cruel.”
Feng Wenyu had heard this till her ears calloused. Ignoring him completely, she turned and walked away.
She headed toward the rear courtyard. Yan Yunhe didn’t follow, merely watching her retreating figure as the smile faded gradually from his face. When a servant approached to guide him, he resumed his usual cheerful demeanor:
“Let’s go.”
He toyed with the pouch in his hand, then after a long moment, let out a soft laugh, the corners of his lips lifting imperceptibly.
Meanwhile, in Wen Shi Courtyard, Jinshu carefully measured her words as she asked: “Why has Yan Family’s Young Master come to Yangzhou City?”
Feng Wenyu didn’t even look up:
“He’s always acted on whims. Who knows?”
Jinshu glanced at her, hesitating to speak further. In the end, she could only silently mourn for Yan Family’s Young Master in her heart.