Zhao Huanxi lowered his head to look at Xu Nian’an, whom he had pinned against the door. She wasn’t as tall as him, and with him blocking her like this, the light couldn’t reach her face. Yet, she still appeared fair and radiant, like the flower Queen of the Night blossoming in the dark night.

He raised his left hand, gently cupping her soft, smooth cheek, and said in a low voice as he gazed at her, “Dong Jiejie, please don’t ever wrong yourself because of me, okay? You’re so wonderful. Marrying the kind of person like me… I only want to do everything I can to make sure you smile with joy for the rest of your life.”

“What kind of person are you, exactly?” Xu Nian’an asked him.

“Someone who wasn’t good enough for you from the start. Even if I’ve improved, I’ll never be good enough when compared to you,” Zhao Huanxi said, lowering his long eyelashes with a trace of melancholy in his expression.

Xu Nian’an wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and gently rubbed her nose against his as she let out a soft laugh. “Don’t be silly. If you weren’t good, how could I possibly like you? To me, you’re the most adorable, kind-hearted, handsome, and ambitious little fox spirit.”

Zhao Huanxi couldn’t help but laugh, leaning in to give her a light kiss on the lips.

Hanging onto his neck, Xu Nian’an tilted her little face upward and pouted her rosy lips. “I want more.”

Zhao Huanxi felt sweetness welling up in his heart, so overwhelming it was almost unbearable. Just as he was about to kiss her again, Xiaowei’s voice suddenly called out from outside, “San Yé, San Nainai! Rong Wu Yé from next door is asking if you are still coming to practice martial arts tonight!”

Xu Nian’an nestled her face against his chest, unable to stop laughing.

Zhao Huanxi sighed helplessly, turning his head to respond to the voice outside, “I’m coming right away.” Then he lifted Xu Nian’an’s face and planted a firm kiss on her, murmuring softly, “I’m off to practice martial arts. When I’m back, I’ll kiss you again.”

Xu Nian’an’s cheeks flushed as she raised a hand to punch his shoulder and pushed him away. “Go already!”

By the time Zhao Huanxi returned, Xu Nian’an was already in bed. In the end, he didn’t kiss her again, worried he might have to get up in the middle of the night to change his underclothes. Instead, he placed a freshly picked plum blossom by her pillow.

The next morning, when the two got up, they saw the world outside wrapped in silver. It had snowed quietly during the night.

Before heading out, Xu Nian’an took out Zhao Huanxi’s silver-edged, wide-collared cloak and draped it over his shoulders. “The roads will be slippery now that it’s snowed. Don’t ride your horse today, take the carriage to the academy instead,” she said.

“En!” Zhao Huanxi nodded.

After fastening the cloak for him, Xu Nian’an pinched his still rosy cheeks from his early morning martial arts practice and teased with a laugh, “Now you really look like a little fox spirit!”

“A little fox spirit always keeps his promises,” Zhao Huanxi said, pulling Xu Nian’an into his arms. Bending down, he leaned in and made up for the kiss he owed her from last night.

After seeing Zhao Huanxi off, Xu Nian’an made her way to Jiaxiang House. Inside Yin Furen’s room, Zhao Jiazhen was present, along with Qin Shi and Wei Shi, who had come to pay their respects.

Yin Furen, having spent two months recuperating, was in high spirits. With Zhao Mingkun sent away and Zhao Jiazhen returning after her divorce, she felt both her mood and health had greatly improved. A few days earlier, she had even begun managing household matters again.

After Xu Nian’an greeted Yin Furen, Zhao Jiazhen stood up and said, “Dimei, let’s go to Plum Ridge and pick some plum blossoms to arrange in vases!”

Noticing that while Yin Furen appeared calm and unbothered, while the expressions of Qin Shi and Wei Shi seemed uneasy, Xu Nian’an guessed something was amiss. She agreed and left the room with Zhao Jiazhen.

Outside, fine snow was still falling. The two didn’t bother with umbrellas, simply pulling their fur collars snug and donning the hoods that matched their cloaks. Carrying hand warmers, they walked side by side toward Zhilan Garden, with the maids following behind.

Zhao Jiazhen knew that Xu Nian’an was curious. She leaned over and whispered as they walked, “Mother received a letter from my father early this morning. Father said it’s cold over there and asked Mother to send him winter clothes. He also mentioned that Du Yiniang isn’t acclimating well and has fallen ill, so he requested a large supply of nourishing medicinal herbs.

“Mother is formidable nowadays. She couldn’t avoid handling Father’s winter clothes, but as for Du Yiniang? Like she’d care about her! When Qin Shi*8 and Wei **Shi came to pay their respects, Mother slammed the letter in front of them and told them to prepare the items for their dear mother-in-law. Qin Shi and Wei Shi retorted that Mother is their legitimate mother-in-law, to which Mother responded with a cold smile. Then Qin Shi said the expenses for Du Yiniang should come from the residence’s treasury, and Mother replied that since Du Yiniang was sent to the lower manors by Zufu, how would she know if Du Yiniang is even still part of our Guogong household? Perhaps Qin Shi should go ask Zufu herself? That’s what they were discussing when you arrived.”

Zhao Jiazhen started laughing uncontrollably once she finished speaking.

Xu Nian’an couldn’t help but chuckle as well and remarked, “Mother has truly become a commanding matriarch now.”

“I know. One reason is Father’s absence, but the main reason is that Huanxi has given her confidence. Her entire life’s hopes are pinned on him. If Huanxi thrives, so does she, and vice versa,” Zhao Jiazhen said with a sigh.

Just as Xu Nian’an was about to reply, an unfamiliar woman’s voice suddenly called out from behind them, “San Guniang, San Nainai.”

The two turned to see Concubine Shen standing behind the maids, holding Zhao Jiarong by the hand. When she noticed them looking, Concubine Shen led Zhao Jiarong forward. Without any hesitation, even in front of the maids, she dropped to her knees with a thud and tearfully pleaded, “San Guniang, San Nainai, I beg you, please save Jiarong.”

In case you have forgotten, Concubine Shen is one of Zhao Mingkun’s concubines.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiazhen quickly waved for the maids to step back and give them some space.

Xu Nian’an bent down to help Concubine Shen up and said gently, “Yiniang, Wu Mei, whatever it is, let’s talk it over calmly. We’re all family—there’s no need to kneel so hastily.”

Concubine Shen wiped her tear-streaked face with a handkerchief, then pushed Zhao Jiarong in front of Zhao Jiazhen. With her brows furrowed, she said, “San Guniang, I know it’s very presumptuous of me to come begging you like this, but we mother and daughter are truly at our wits’ end. The husband that Laoyé has arranged for Jiarong… he’s the kind of man who could beat someone to death. We understand our station and have never dared to dream of a grand marriage. But at the very least, we want to ensure her safety. San Guniang, I beg you, please save Jiarong. If you can save her, we mother and daughter will work ourselves to the bone for the rest of our lives to repay your great kindness.” As she spoke, she made to kneel again.

Zhao Jiazhen quickly held her by the arm to stop her, glancing at Zhao Jiarong, who stood silently weeping to the side. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Wu Mei’s matter. Leave it to me.”

Concubine Shen seemed taken aback by Zhao Jiazhen’s swift agreement and stood frozen for a moment. When she regained her composure, she was overwhelmed with both surprise and gratitude, pulling Zhao Jiarong forward and saying, “Quick, quick, kneel and thank your San Jie!”

Zhao Jiarong stepped forward, ready to kneel, but was stopped by Zhao Jiazhen.

Zhao Jiazhen said gently, “You should go back now. Don’t let anyone notice anything unusual. If Zhao Huanchao or Zhao Huanyang or anyone from that branch sees, it could cause trouble.”

Concubine Shen and her daughter repeatedly thanked Zhao Jiazhen before supporting each other as they left.

Xu Nian’an watched the two women walk away, then remarked, “Shen Yiniang is quite a clever woman.”

Zhao Jiazhen turned around and continued walking with her toward the plum grove. As they walked, she said, “She’s also a pitiable one. When Father was still at home, she never dared overstep. After he left, she didn’t want to ask Mother for help, fearing it would reopen old wounds. After all, I was married off in the same way. Now that I’ve returned from my divorce, aside from you all, the ones happiest about it are probably her and her daughter.”

“Yes, she must have assumed you could empathize, knowing how much you’ve suffered,” Xu Nian’an said.

Zhao Jiazhen looked ahead, exhaled deeply, and replied, “Over the years, they’ve been honest and well-behaved, never causing Mother any trouble. For that reason alone, if I can help, I will. A woman who marries the wrong person truly ruins her whole life. There are few who, like me, can divorce. If it weren’t for Mother’s genuine love for me and the understanding of the elders in our family, I might not have survived in the Ding Guogong Residence.”

Xu Nian’an reached out to reach her arm and asked, “Since the divorce, has anyone been disrespectful to you when you go out?”

Zhao Jiazhen shook her head and said, “At most, people just look at me from afar and whisper among themselves. But some of my regular customers at the gold shop congratulated me for escaping from that misery. When you really think about it, how many women out there marry and don’t regret it? And of those who do regret it, how many can actually leave? Women like Dimei, who marry into someone like my foolish little brother, are truly rare.”

Xu Nian’an laughed and teased, “Then, if San Jie marries again, just marry another younger man. You can shape him however you like.”

Zhao Jiazhen burst out laughing, “Forget it, I don’t have the patience like you do.”

Xu Nian’an then asked, “So, if San Jie were to marry again, what kind of man would you want?”

Zhao Jiazhen didn’t hesitate, speaking frankly, “If I could remain unmarried, I’d be happy to stay by my mother’s side for the rest of my life and serve her. But I know that’s not possible. If I must marry again, the first requirement is that he can’t be overly passionate. A concubine is acceptable, but no more than two, and he must not frequent places like the Towers of Qin and Pavillions of Chu.The second requirement is that he must be a man with responsibility, someone reliable and clear-headed, definitely not like my father. If he meets these two conditions, I wouldn’t mind if he’s a little older. After all, I’ve already divorced, I can’t be as picky as I was before I was married.”

Xu Nian’an felt a bit saddened hearing this. For someone as beautiful, kind, and graceful as Zhao Jiazhen, why should she have to settle for less once divorced? But she refrained from voicing her opinion, understanding the harsh realities of the world. Even men who take second wives (after the first legitimate wife died) often have to lower their standards, let alone women who remarry after a divorce.

The two of them didn’t discuss troubling matters and happily went to the Plum Ridge to cut several branches of plum blossoms. When they returned to Jiaxiang House with their maids, they were surprised to see two young men at Yin Furen’s place.

One was Yin Luochen, whom Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an both recognized, while the other was a young man who appeared slightly older than Yin Luochen. He wore a silver-grey robe with a winter jasmine pattern, his features delicate and handsome. His complexion was slightly pale, his eyes full of melancholy, and the corners of his eyes showed a faint redness, giving off a fragile, almost tearful aura, as if he had just cried or was about to.

As introduced by Yin Furen, this young man was Yin Luochen’s Biao Xiong on his mother’s side, named Fu Yunjin, who had just turned twenty this year.

Xu Nian’an followed Yin Luochen in calling him “Biao Ge” and likewise, Fu Yunjin followed Yin Luochen and called Zhao Jiazhen “Biao Jie” as well.

Since Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an had arrived, Yin Furen instructed the maid to take Yin Luochen and Fu Yunjin to the guest room to rest, saying that dinner would be served at her place.

After they left, Zhao Jiazhen asked Yin Furen, “Is he…?”

Yin Furen nodded, “The lady died in the Ninth Month from complications during childbirth. It’s such a pity, it was her first child, and neither the mother nor the baby survived. After completing the Double Seven, your Jiumu wrote to me, saying to have this child come to the capital to study for two years, to change the environment and the mood.”

七七 - the 49-day mourning period after a person’s death, in which a memorial ceremony is held on each seventh day, until the 49th day which brings the period to an end.

Such a tragic incident made Xu Nian’an and Zhao Jiazhen both feel sorrowful and empathetic, so they didn’t say much.

Yin Furen looked at the plum blossoms they had brought back and became interested in arranging the flowers. The three of them chatted and laughed as they trimmed the branches, filling several vases with plum blossoms of various sizes.

When it was time for the Imperial Academy ten-day break, Zhi’er suddenly ran back to say that Zhao Huanxi would be dining out with his classmates tonight and wouldn’t be coming home for dinner.

When Yin Furen heard this, she became displeased and said, “Letting him have a ten-day break is one thing, but now he’s not even coming home for dinner after school. He’s becoming more and more unruly!”

Xu Nian’an said, “It wasn’t like this before. There must be something going on today. If we send someone to call him back now, it will be embarrassing for him in front of his classmates. It’s better to have Zhiyi and Zhi’er keep an eye on him, and once he’s done eating, they can bring him back. After he gets home, we can ask him what happened.”

Zhao Jiazhen, laughing, said to Yin Furen, “Everyone says you’re spoiling Huanxi, but it seems you’ve married someone who spoils him even more.”

Xu Nian’an’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Yin Furen didn’t want to contradict her in front of her daughter, so she instructed Zhi’er, “Make sure to keep an eye on San Yé. As soon as he finishes his meal, bring him back. Don’t let him go off causing trouble elsewhere.”

Zhi’er responded promptly, and went out amidst the wind and snow.