After leaving Jianjia Village, the group headed northwest. Under the clear sky, a stretch of undulating dark-green shadows appeared in that direction—the mountains, and the direction of Qin Yi’s home.
In this world that Jian Jia traversed, the plains were wealthier than the mountains. In the past, young men from nearby villages who couldn’t afford to marry would go into the mountains to find a wife, while it was rare to see young women marrying into the mountains.
Without the blare of suona horns, the bridal procession passing through one village after another drew little attention. Only the occasional passerby would pause, glance at Jian Jia’s face, then at the dowry wrapped in red cloth, their expressions hard to read.
Jian Jia paid no mind to these looks of pity or mockery. Once she left Jianjia Village, the wide-open sky and vast earth lifted her spirits.
But her lightness was short-lived. A sudden, inexplicable ache filled her chest. Looking around, she realized the cause—the procession was approaching Xujia Village.
Xujia Village was the largest settlement nearby and the stronghold of the Xu family, a prominent local clan with a long line of scholars and examination candidates. The Xus valued learning deeply, and long ago had pooled their resources to establish a family school comparable to an official academy.
Though it was called a family school, students from surrounding areas could enroll after paying a modest fee. The original owner of the body Jian Jia now occupied had studied in the Xu family’s girls’ academy for several years, where she had met the man who had stolen her heart, Xu Lingsheng.
To pursue Xu Lingsheng, the original owner had acted foolishly at times, eventually being advised by her tutor to return home. Even though the original owner’s consciousness had dissipated, revisiting the place brought back that sharp, lingering ache in Jian Jia’s chest.
When the bridal procession passed through Xujia Village, it was the students’ break time. The girls rested in the inner courtyard, while the boys could relax in the flower garden by the school entrance.
In the garden stood an antique-style pavilion, where four or five students sat and stood, chatting animatedly. Jian Jia’s gaze was inevitably drawn to one student with his back to her. He wore a dark-blue robe and a scholar’s cap, his slender neck exposed.
Even from just a back view, Jian Jia was certain he was Xu Lingsheng, the man who had once captivated the original owner’s heart.
Xu Lingsheng was a key scholar of the Xu family, already a xiucai before reaching adulthood. The original story described him not by appearance, but by his refined, dignified demeanor and his devoted, restrained love for the female protagonist Liu Siyao.
The first time the original owner had met him was during a sudden rainstorm. Unable to return home, she had encountered Xu Lingsheng while sheltering from the rain. He lent her his oil-paper umbrella, returning home himself in the downpour. That umbrella, warm with his touch, had opened the original owner’s heart and left her utterly smitten.
Jian Jia turned her gaze away without expression. Whatever the original owner had done for Xu Lingsheng, she now wanted nothing to do with him. She didn’t recall most of the novel’s plot, but she remembered the ending: the original owner’s obsession led to her downfall, angering Xu Lingsheng, who ultimately allowed her demise through the male lead.
Now that she occupied the original owner’s body, she would no longer interfere between Xu Lingsheng and Liu Siyao, nor did she wish for any more chaos.
The flower garden lay directly along the bridal procession’s route, and the unusual group had naturally drawn attention. Even if Jian Jia averted her gaze, some recognized her. Someone shouted, “Look! Isn’t that Jian Jia? What’s she doing here?”
Another called out to Xu Lingsheng by name: “Lingsheng, look, isn’t that Jian Jia?”
Hearing her name, Xu Lingsheng’s smile faded, a trace of annoyance appearing in his eyes. Jian Jia had obsessed over him for years, ignoring polite refusals and harsh words alike, creating a considerable nuisance. While she could disregard shame, he still needed dignity.
Noticing the chatter, Qin Yi slowed his pace, his lips tight: “Shall we stop and say a few words?”
Everyone froze, eyes fixed on Jian Jia, some worried, some gloating, all eager to see her reaction.
Jian Jia’s expression remained calm: “I don’t know him, not acquainted, no need to stop.” Her voice was soft but resolute, carrying clearly to all watching.
Those three words stunned the students eager for her humiliation and even shocked the villagers carrying the dowry. Xu Lingsheng paused, glancing at Jian Jia.
Someone drew a breath: “Well….”
Everyone in Jianjia Village and Xujia Village knew how infatuated she had been. As the only daughter of doting parents, Jian Jia had been indulged, growing headstrong and unrestrained. She often visited Xujia Village, forcing gifts on Xu Lingsheng, waiting hours outside the school just to see him.
Now, with Xu Lingsheng before her, all she needed was to speak, and he could not have ignored her. But hearing the words “I don’t know him,” she effectively closed that chapter.
A student in the pavilion voiced confusion: “What’s happening? Has Jian Jia changed?”
Others laughed: “You don’t get it. This is playing hard to get.” Having witnessed her relentless pursuit before, they doubted she had truly changed. Jian Jia’s new approach impressed them, showing a touch of novelty.
Hearing the students’ chatter, Jian Jia quietly told Qin Yi: “Let’s go.”
Qin Yi looked at her deeply, then decisively turned to lead the horse onward.
Just as the procession moved away, one of Xu Lingsheng’s classmates remembered something, leaning close: “Didn’t you say there was something you needed to return to her?”
Jian Jia’s previous method of pursuing Xu Lingsheng had been simple but forceful, giving him gifts constantly—from food to daily items. For ordinary students, this would have conquered them, but Xu Lingsheng, a standout in the region, had eyes set on higher ambitions.
Last time, Jian Jia had slipped a huge package into his arms unexpectedly. Xu Lingsheng had placed it in a cabinet without opening it, and would have forgotten entirely if not reminded by a classmate.
Frowning, Xu Lingsheng tidied his clothes and spoke coldly: “Miss Jian, please wait. You left something at the school; kindly take it with you.”
In the past, the original owner would have lit up at his words. Today, he only saw Jian Jia’s poised back and neatly pinned hair, the plain hairpin reflecting soft sunlight.
Seeing the bridal procession, Xu Lingsheng furrowed his brow. Had Jian Jia married? This was sudden; he had not heard of it before.
The horse stopped, but Jian Jia did not turn. She had agreed to retrieve the package. Even if she could not use it now, she could keep it for later.
Her marriage had nothing to do with Xu Lingsheng. Seeing her consent, Xu Lingsheng politely said: “Thank you for waiting. I shall return shortly,” then walked toward the courtyard.
Returning with the package, he encountered a tall, burly man outside the pavilion stretching out his hand: “Give it to me.”
Xu Lingsheng examined him and handed over the package: “All of Miss Jian’s items are here. Please check for anything missing.”
Qin Yi glanced at the bundle. Though not exquisite, the embroidery showed care. It confirmed the rumors—his “wife” had once been infatuated with the scholar before him.
Raising his head slightly, Qin Yi’s dark hair shifted across his brow, his gaze sweeping Xu Lingsheng. Despite his simple cloth attire, his presence contrasted sharply with the scholar. If Xu Lingsheng was gentle water, Qin Yi was a deadly blade.
Feeling a subtle pressure, Xu Lingsheng frowned. The hunter took the package calmly and said “Thank you,” returning to Jian Jia’s side.
Jian Jia casually placed the bundle in the cloth saddlebag: “Let’s go.”
The horse’s hooves clattered again as the small procession proceeded along the village path.
“Congratulations!”
Suddenly, Xu Lingsheng heard cheers from behind. Puzzled, he looked back to see the students in the pavilion winking and gesturing.
Xu Lingsheng frowned: “For what?”
The students chimed together: “Jian Jia will no longer pester you; she’s married!” “The one who took your package is her husband!” “Lingsheng, you finally see clear skies after the storm.”
Xu Lingsheng had already realized she had married, but had not expected her husband to be the imposing man who took the package. Could Jian Jia, so spirited, really get along with him?
The thought passed, but he dismissed it. With marriage arranged by parents, it was settled; worrying now was pointless. Besides, who was he to interfere?
His gaze lingered on Jian Jia’s slender back. It was the first time he watched her leave; before, he had always been the one to walk away.
Each departure had her reluctant gaze fixed on him. Occasionally, when he looked back, he saw her eyes light up.
This time, she did not turn.
Xu Lingsheng exhaled, feeling an unprecedented lightness, glad she would not trouble him. Yet he could not look away, watching her bridal procession disappear.
Even as the group neared the edge of Xujia Village, Jian Jia had not looked back.
Lowering his eyelids, a strange mix of melancholy and surprise touched him. Perhaps this was their last meeting. Would she truly never look back?
Shaking off the thought, he muttered softly: “Very well, very well.”
The twenty-odd miles of mountain paths were no easy journey. The further northwest they went, the rougher the terrain. Luckily, the peasants were strong and, after a few rests, they reached their destination near noon.
Qin Yi’s home was in the Wild Boar Ravine, Xiaoshi Village, known as the poorest village in the region. The “village” had only five households, scattered across the hills. Qin Yi’s home was deep within, behind broken courtyard walls halfway up the mountain.
Before entering, Jian Jia felt dazed, what sort of person could grow such lush thatch in this courtyard?
From behind, the villagers of Jianjia Village called out: “Jia’er, we’re heading back. You, you live well with Hunter Qin!” “Yes, yes, a hundred years of harmony, may you have children soon!”
Before leaving, Third Uncle had instructed them on two things: first, to speak little along the way, as Jia’er had been sold by her step-siblings and might feel upset; second, after delivering the gifts, return immediately—mountain families spared nothing to marry a bride, and for a good meal, they could eat at Jian Xiaoqiang’s home back in the village.
Now, with the gifts delivered and Qin Yi’s poverty apparent, no one lingered. After exchanging a few words with Jian Jia, the villagers carried their burdens, tore off the red cloth, and left without looking back.