The diplomatic mission departed from Nanzhou Province and continued into Zhongzhou.
Unlike the mountainous terrain surrounding the capital, Zhongzhou was a vast land of fertile plains and flourishing farmland. By the time dusk settled across the horizon, it became clear that the caravan would not reach the next county before nightfall. As a result, the Fifth Princess ordered the expedition to halt and establish a temporary camp in a grassy clearing.
Within an hour, rows of tents had been erected. For security and convenience, they were arranged in a large circular formation, leaving a broad open area in the center to serve as a communal gathering ground.
Princess Mo Yueyao had always possessed an open and straightforward temperament. Seeing that everyone had spent the past two days confined to carriages, she issued a decree for a bonfire banquet that evening, allowing the members of the delegation to relax and get acquainted.
The temperature in the wilderness dropped sharply after sunset. The massive bonfire at the center of the camp provided welcome warmth against the mountain chill.
Under a sky glittering with autumn stars, Princess Mo Yueyao, Prince Mo Xuan, Grand Preceptor Xiao Ruochen, the noble daughters, and the imperial physicians gathered around the fire. Servants busied themselves roasting game and preparing dinner, while soldiers formed smaller circles nearby whenever they were not on patrol.
Though it lacked the elegance of a palace banquet, the atmosphere carried a unique charm. The stiffness and restraint among the young nobles gradually faded, replaced by easy laughter and conversation.
Qin Man sat beside the Princess, thoroughly enjoying her first true camping experience since arriving in this ancient world.
The only thing she found unpleasant was her seating arrangement.
Xiao Ruochen sat on her right.
Mo Xuan sat on her left.
She could clearly feel both men’s gazes drifting toward her from time to time, making her skin crawl with discomfort.
For the first time since leaving the capital, the twenty noble daughters had removed their veils. Looking around the circle, Qin Man couldn’t help admiring the natural beauty of Nantang’s women. The region’s climate seemed to produce girls with fair, flawless skin and bright, expressive eyes.
Murong Xue sat beside Xiao Ruochen in a peach-colored dress. Her elegant features glowed in the firelight, and her gaze repeatedly lingered on the Grand Preceptor, her affection impossible to conceal.
Meanwhile, Qin Man had long abandoned the habit of covering her scarred face. After traveling together for half a month, everyone in the caravan had become accustomed to the dark mark on her cheek.
As dinner began, servants circulated with cups of local fruit wine.
The wine was famous for being mild and difficult to become drunk on.
Having rarely touched alcohol in her previous life, Qin Man hesitated at first. However, the sweet fragrance was irresistible. She took a sip and found the flavor pleasantly fruity and smooth.
The Kingdom of Nantang was unusually progressive. Women could study, conduct business, and travel freely. Combined with the youthful composition of the diplomatic delegation, the atmosphere soon became lively.
Before long, one of the young nobles suggested a traditional game.
A musician would play a tune while a silk flower ball was passed around the circle. When the music stopped, whoever held the ball would be required to perform a talent in the center. That person could also nominate someone else to join them.
The game immediately received enthusiastic approval.
The music began.
The flower ball flew rapidly from hand to hand.
Suddenly, the tune stopped.
The ball landed in the lap of a graceful noblewoman.
Smiling calmly, she rose and introduced herself as Lin Yue before stepping into the center. Amid cheers from the crowd, she performed an elegant classical dance.
Her movements were fluid and breathtaking, earning thunderous applause.
Qin Man glanced toward Xiao Ruochen.
As expected, his expression remained as cold as ever, showing no reaction whatsoever.
She then looked toward Mo Xuan.
The prince lazily swirled his wine cup. His peach blossom eyes appeared slightly intoxicated as he watched the performance with a charming smile, openly voicing his appreciation.
When Qin Man shifted her gaze again, she noticed Murong Xue.
Although the beauty appeared to be watching the dancer, her attention was actually fixed entirely on Xiao Ruochen.
The game continued.
The ball passed through countless hands while laughter echoed across the field.
By now, Qin Man had finished two cups of fruit wine.
Unfortunately, her alcohol tolerance was pitiful.
A pleasant warmth spread through her body.
Then, without warning, vivid images exploded inside her mind.
A small girl chasing after a boy dressed in crimson riding clothes.
The boy laughing as he taught her how to fly a paper kite.
The girl growing into a young maiden.
A sudden illness.
A terrible black scar appearing on half her face.
The crushing despair that followed.
The girl was unmistakably the original Qin Muxi.
Years of lonely exile in the countryside.
Years of longing.
Through every season, her heart had remained attached to a single memory.
A single person.
“Brother Mo Xuan…”
The words slipped from Qin Man’s lips before she could stop them.
Her voice was soft.
Yet Mo Xuan sat directly beside her.
With his sharp hearing, he caught every syllable.
His head snapped toward her.
Shock.
Joy.
Disbelief.
An overwhelming tenderness.
All of it appeared in his eyes at once.
For a moment, he did not even dare move.
He was afraid that if he did, the moment would shatter like a dream.
Every detail of this exchange was observed by Xiao Ruochen.
His expression did not change.
Only the hand holding his wine cup tightened slightly.
Then, despite having barely touched alcohol all evening, he raised the cup and drained it in a single swallow.
“Miss, you’ve clearly had too much to drink,” Su Li whispered anxiously. “Would you like to return to the tent and rest?”
At that moment, a cool gust of mountain wind swept through the camp.
The chill cleared Qin Man’s head.
Instantly, she understood what had happened.
The wine had weakened the barriers between her consciousness and the lingering emotions of the original Qin Muxi.
The memories.
The longing.
The love.
None of them belonged to her.
They belonged to the girl who had once inhabited this body.
Qin Muxi had truly loved Mo Xuan.
Deeply.
Desperately.
The facial scar had destroyed her confidence and convinced her she no longer deserved to stand beside him.
For years she had suffered alone.
A complicated ache settled in Qin Man’s chest.
Muxi…
I don’t belong in this world.
My goal is to return to my own era.
How am I supposed to face the man you loved so much?
Just then, a burst of cheering shattered her thoughts.
Qin Man looked up.
The flower ball had landed in Princess Mo Yueyao’s lap.
“Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
The crowd erupted into applause.
Laughing, the Princess rose to her feet.
“This Princess is in an excellent mood tonight,” she declared. “I shall perform a sword dance for everyone. However, every dance requires music. I need someone skilled enough to accompany me on the zither.”
At once, countless voices shouted the same name.
“Grand Preceptor Xiao!”
Across the capital, Xiao Ruochen’s zither skills were considered unmatched.
“Grand Preceptor Xiao,” the Princess said with a grin, “I must trouble you to provide the music.”
“As Your Highness commands.”
A zither was quickly brought forward.
The moment Xiao Ruochen’s fingers touched the strings, magnificent music flowed through the night.
At the same time, Mo Yueyao drew her sword.
Silver light flashed beneath the stars.
Her movements were bold and powerful, like a soaring dragon.
The soldiers erupted into cheers.
Yet Qin Man noticed something strange.
Beneath the lively melody was a hidden undercurrent of sorrow.
The person playing seemed burdened by something dark and heavy.
When the performance ended, the Princess remained energized.
After pulling two noble ladies into the center to continue entertaining the crowd, she approached Qin Man with a mischievous smile.
“Muxi, your performance at the imperial banquet amazed everyone. Why don’t you dance for us tonight?”
“Your Highness,” Qin Man replied helplessly, “the fruit wine has completely ruined my balance.”
Then she glanced toward Murong Xue.
A playful thought crossed her mind.
“In that case, why not invite Lady Murong to perform a duet with Grand Preceptor Xiao? Her zither skills are renowned throughout the capital. I’m sure everyone would be captivated.”
Since you’re so hopelessly in love with him, she thought, consider this my contribution.
Murong Xue’s heart nearly burst with delight.
She immediately ordered her attendants to bring her zither.
Soon, a beautiful duet echoed beneath the stars.
Qin Man nodded approvingly and happily resumed drinking her wine.
She never noticed the terrifying darkness gathering in Xiao Ruochen’s eyes.
After the duet ended, the game resumed.
The music played.
The ball passed around the circle.
Then the tune stopped.
Gasps immediately erupted from the crowd.
The flower ball had landed in Prince Mo Xuan’s lap.
“The Prince!”
“We request a performance from the Prince!”
Mo Xuan rose to his feet.
Tonight, he seemed unusually focused.
Holding the silk ball, he crossed the clearing and stopped directly in front of Qin Man.
The moment his shadow fell over her, every alarm bell in Qin Man’s mind began ringing.
Please don’t pick me.
Anyone else is fine.
Literally anyone.
“I wonder,” Mo Xuan said gently, “whether Miss Qin would honor this Prince by accompanying my performance on the zither.”
Of course.
There was no escaping the plot.
Qin Man inwardly groaned.
She opened her mouth, intending to use her intoxication as an excuse.
But before she could speak, a powerful surge of emotion from the original Qin Muxi swept through her.
“As you wish… Brother Mo Xuan.”
The words left her lips automatically.
The entire circle fell silent.
Mo Xuan’s heart trembled violently.
That familiar form of address.
The one he had not heard in years.
In that instant, it felt as though fate itself had confirmed that the girl he remembered was truly before him.
Across the fire, the temperature around Xiao Ruochen seemed to drop several degrees.
His gaze locked onto Qin Man.
Cold.
Intense.
Dangerous.
Most of those present had only witnessed Qin Man’s dance at the imperial banquet. Very few knew anything about her musical abilities.
Encouraged by the prince’s request, the crowd immediately began chanting.
“Miss Qin!”
“Miss Qin!”
“We request Miss Qin!”
Realizing there was no longer any way to refuse, Qin Man sighed.
Turning toward her maid, she said,
“Su Li, bring me my zither.”