Day Ten.
Shen Changyin woke early in the morning. Her mood was growing worse and worse. She dug her nails into her palm, almost drawing blood.
Even though she knew Xie Yu was safe, even though she knew Xie Yu wouldn't leave her, even though she knew Xie Yu would come back—she still felt her heart sinking without end.
By afternoon, thin streaks of blood had finally appeared in her palm.
She looked up at the sky, forcing herself to stay in control.
She must not mobilize spies on a large scale to search.
She must not casually send people to inquire.
She must not try to control.
Little Xie doesn't like that. Little Xie doesn't like it.
She did her best not to do those things.
It wasn't until dusk that Old Jin came to the door. "My lady, the Third Princess asked me to bring you over."
Shen Changyin immediately stood up from her stool and let out a long breath.
That ceremony—she still didn't know what it was, but she was about to find out.
She boarded the carriage. Old Jin drove in front. The carriage passed through countless streets and alleys before finally stopping.
It was already evening. The sun had tilted westward, leaving only its final afterglow.
Shen Changyin stood at the crossroads, staring at the familiar scene before her.
This was the largest commercial street in the capital. Countless lanterns had already been lit, and everything shone brightly.
The wide road was paved with neat bluish stone slabs. Along the entire street stood dark reddish-brown wooden buildings, pale yellow lanterns swaying in the chilly spring wind.
Taoist temples, taverns, Buddhist monasteries—every building that had once burned beneath the cold blue sky had now been restored.
The summer evening breeze brushed past. The wind lifted and stretched and swayed the hem of Shen Changyin's white skirt and her hair.
This was the crossroads where she and Xie Yu had first met.
They had a good beginning. Then Shen Changyin revealed her identity. From then on, there was only power, coercion, escape, pursuit, forced political marriage—everything she had taken from Xie Yu through calculation and force.
Shen Changyin didn't know why she had been brought here. She didn't see Xie Yu anywhere.
She was just about to turn and ask Old Jin when she realized the carriage and Old Jin were gone. In the place where the carriage had stood, Xie Yu stood quietly in a red outfit.
Just like that night, she looked as though she had just climbed out from somewhere, faint dust still clinging to her palms.
Xie Yu stood at the same spot where she had observed Shen Changyin that night. Seeing Shen Changyin turn back, she stepped forward a few paces.
Shen Changyin looked puzzled. "Little Xie…"
Xie Yu smiled at her. "Nice to meet you. My name is Xie Yu."
Shen Changyin fell silent at once and closed her mouth.
She didn't know what was happening, but it seemed like a reenactment of the night they first met.
After hesitating, she said, "My name is Shen Changyin."
Xie Yu walked forward. "I just escaped from the palace. I don't want to be the Third Princess anymore. I want to be an ordinary citizen, an ordinary heroine. Even a constable would do."
Shen Changyin followed her steps, unsure what to say.
Xie Yu smiled. "I don't know if this might offend you, but I really want to get to know you."
Shen Changyin blinked slowly and said with difficulty, "I also really want to get to know you."
Then she quickly added, "I'm the leader of a rebel army. I'm leading troops to attack the capital. My goal is to force the empress to negotiate with me and grant me more power."
People passed back and forth along the street. Suddenly, Shen Changyin spotted a hawthorn candy stall.
It was early summer—why was someone still selling candied hawthorn?
The vendor skillfully coated the skewers with syrup, dipped them into ice water until the sugar hardened crisp, and then smilingly handed Xie Yu two skewers.
Xie Yu gave one to Shen Changyin. "Did I ever tell you? I think you're an incredible rebel leader. Being able to secretly march so many troops like that—I honestly admire you. It makes me really want to meet you."
Shen Changyin took the skewer, her throat tight.
She had said it.
That night, Xie Yu had said it.
She nodded and smiled. "Now that you've met me—are you disappointed?"
Xie Yu looked at her. "I'm pleasantly surprised."
They walked and chatted, like two real strangers meeting for the first time—friendly, calm, without deception, only cautious sincerity.
"Oh, it seems you've arrived."
Xie Yu stopped and glanced to Shen Changyin's side.
Shen Changyin turned as well. They had reached her official residence.
Old Jin and Zhu Ting stood there holding documents, waiting for her.
"Well then, that's it for today? I hope we'll meet again next time." Xie Yu smiled at her.
Shen Changyin nodded instinctively.
Xie Yu walked forward. Old Jin and Zhu Ting surrounded Shen Changyin with the documents, asking her to review them.
As Shen Changyin read, she looked up at Xie Yu's retreating figure, watching the sunset cast a layer of orange along the edges of her red clothing.
"My lady, read this part." Old Jin pointed at a section in the document.
Shen Changyin lowered her head instinctively. After she finished reading and looked up again, the figure was gone. The street was empty.
A sudden sense of loss filled her heart.
Old Jin and Zhu Ting closed the documents and revealed the carriage parked behind them. "My lady, you've worked hard today. Please return to the residence and rest."
Shen Changyin roughly understood now—Old Jin and Zhu Ting were working together with Xie Yu.
She boarded the carriage. The curtains were drawn tightly, and inside it was dim, as if it were already night.
The carriage rattled along. After about one street's distance, someone lifted the curtain.
Shen Changyin's vision brightened—like dawn had come, as if a whole day had passed. She stepped down and found herself back on that same street.
But now it was even livelier. More people, more noise. Everyone wore festive smiles.
Among the countless faces, she saw Xie Yu at a glance.
Xie Yu had changed into a light blue outfit. She stood by the street buying sour plum drink.
Suddenly she turned, saw her, her eyes lit up. She smiled in surprise and waved at her.
Shen Changyin suddenly understood.
This was their second meeting.
Just now had been the first.
On that first night—if she hadn't used lies, military force, and power—she and Xie Yu would have had that kind of ordinary, simple first meeting.
And without using those things, they would still have had a second meeting.
At the second meeting, Xie Yu would smile and wave at her.
Xie Yu had originally bought only one cup of sour plum drink. Now she turned and said something to the vendor, then walked toward her carrying two bamboo cups.
"Out strolling too?"
Shen Changyin nodded and jumped down from the carriage. Her steps were even light.
"There's a circus performance today. Want to go watch?"
Xie Yu handed her the drink.
Shen Changyin took it and nodded. "Sure."
She didn't know what Xie Yu ultimately intended to do—but she was full of anticipation.
The two of them squeezed through the crowd and reached the front row of the circus.
Shen Changyin realized it was the same troupe she had seen during Flower Moon Festival.
The performers dazzled the audience with one breathtaking act after another. Waves of cheers erupted from the crowd.
The performers scattered flower petals from the stage, creating a rain of petals. Many people couldn't help reaching out to catch them. Xie Yu and Shen Changyin looked at each other and saw that both of their heads were covered in petals.
The crowd pressed them close together. When they looked at each other, their faces were very near. After a brief glance, they tacitly turned back to watch the performance.
The crowd grew denser, more and more packed. Their shoulders bumped. Their little fingers brushed.
Once. Twice. Three times.
On the third brush, their little fingers hooked gently together.
In the noisy, chaotic, enormous crowd, no one would care about two hooked fingers. No one would disturb them.
They stayed linked like that until the performance ended. By the time it dispersed, night had already fallen.
This time, Xie Yu took the initiative. "I've rented a small courtyard. I live there now. It's not far from here. Will you walk me back?"
Shen Changyin nodded.
The moon rose low in the sky. They walked along the road. The surroundings gradually grew quiet, until only their two shadows remained.
Their footsteps slowly fell into the same rhythm. The ends of their shadows gradually overlapped.
Xie Yu asked, "So, are you used to living in the capital? Is work going smoothly?"
Shen Changyin nodded. "Very smoothly. None of them are as smart as I am. What about you? Have you figured out how to be a heroine?"
Xie Yu thought for a moment. "The neighbor's cat can climb trees, but she can't get down. She's gotten stuck three times already. I've rescued her every time."
Shen Changyin said sincerely, "That's impressive."
Xie Yu smiled and nodded at her. "But I've realized that whether it's neighbors or so-called colleagues, there are a lot of strange people."
Shen Changyin nodded earnestly. "Yes. I recently got rid of one colleague. But she deserved it…"
They chatted slowly about the most ordinary, trivial topics. It was light, easy, joyful.
The corners of Shen Changyin's lips lifted unconsciously. Her steps were light.
"All right, I'm here."
Xie Yu stopped beside a small courtyard and released their hooked little fingers. "So…"
Shen Changyin looked at the courtyard and said instinctively, "Are you sure? Did you take a wrong turn?"
Xie Yu laughed. "I'm sure. This is where I live."
Shen Changyin pressed her lips together. "…Oh."
Xie Yu hesitated. "Um…"
Shen Changyin immediately looked up. "What?"
Xie Yu pointed at the bamboo cup in her hand. "The sour plum drink. Have you finished it? I can throw it away for you."
"Oh, that." Shen Changyin handed it to her. "Thank you."
Xie Yu nodded. "So… will we see each other again?"
Shen Changyin didn't understand.
Xie Yu turned and entered the courtyard, closing the door behind her.
Shen Changyin was left alone again, staring at the dark, tightly shut door.
After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly stepped forward and knocked on it with her knuckles.
The door opened immediately. Xie Yu stood behind it and complained, "You made me wait so long."
Shen Changyin said, "Sorry. I should have come to invite you sooner."
Xie Yu asked, "This is our third meeting. What are you taking me to do?"
Shen Changyin replied, "I don't know. I just want to be with you. Is there anything you want to do?"
Xie Yu thought for a moment. "I heard that along the river in the eastern part of the city, they're setting lanterns afloat tonight. It'll be lively. Do you want to go?"
Shen Changyin nodded firmly.
As if perfectly on cue, a carriage appeared at the end of the street. The two of them got in and sat side by side.
Inside, it was dark but spacious. No one squeezed them.
In the darkness, Shen Changyin's hand moved gently until she found Xie Yu's hand and held it. She never let go.
They stepped down from the carriage still holding hands. It was indeed lively. Along the riverbank, vendors were everywhere selling floating lanterns.
As soon as they entered the crowd, Shen Changyin was bumped. The purse at her waist was stolen.
Xie Yu immediately gave chase. Within a few dozen meters, she caught the thief and tossed the purse back to Shen Changyin.
"Stop stealing. Get lost."
The thief—a girl who looked like a teenage girl—climbed up from the ground. She deliberately took a careful look at Shen Changyin's face before running off through the crowd to join Jiang Fang, who was waiting by the river.
"Let's go," Xie Yu said, returning to Shen Changyin's side. "There's a riddle-guessing stall up ahead."
They walked to the lantern riddle stall. Suddenly Shen Changyin understood. She stepped forward to participate.
She won the most exquisite, most beautiful pair of white lotus lanterns for the two of them.
Xie Yu stood below the stage applauding her, clapping until her hands turned red.
Shen Changyin actually felt a hint of embarrassment. She pressed her lips into a small smile and quickly stepped down.
They went to the riverbank to release the lanterns. Everyone had to write down a wish on a slip of paper.
Xie Yu finished writing first and set her lantern afloat.
"What did you write?" she asked.
Shen Changyin didn't answer. Instead, she asked, "What did you write?"
Xie Yu paused. "I wrote that I hope you're single, without any romantic ties."
Shen Changyin nodded. "Then you wasted a wish."
"Because I truly am alone. There's no need to wish for that."
Xie Yu laughed. "You still haven't answered me. What's your wish?"
Shen Changyin placed her lantern into the water. "A secret."
For a moment, Xie Yu drifted out of the scene, wondering if this was Shen Changyin getting back at her for keeping the proposal ceremony secret a few days ago.
Shen Changyin stood up again. "Shall we take a walk along the river?"
Xie Yu nodded.
But she still couldn't stop thinking—what had Shen Changyin written inside her lantern?
Shen Changyin would never tell her that she had written: May Little Xie be safe and joyful.
They walked along the riverbank and soon came upon small boats offering rides.
They boarded one and sat at the bow, letting the boatwoman row.
The boat drifted slowly, floating alongside the lanterns.
The river's surface was filled with thousands upon thousands of lanterns, bright and glowing, like a river made entirely of flowers.
Above them stretched a sky full of countless stars.
They drifted for a while until a bridge appeared ahead.
The boat entered the archway beneath it, and darkness fell before their eyes.
In the darkness, Shen Changyin felt a soft touch upon her lips.
A kiss as light as a dragonfly skimming water.
She kissed back.
When they emerged from beneath the bridge, the world gradually brightened again.
Shen Changyin knew this signified that time had moved forward once more.
First meeting.
Holding hands.
Third meeting.
A kiss.
Establishing a relationship.
She wanted to know—what came next?
Her heart pounded endlessly.
The boat continued drifting forward. Gradually, the houses along both sides grew sparse. The crowds thinned.
They floated amid mountains and water.
Until they reached a small dock, where the boatwoman brought them ashore.
After only a few steps, they saw a courtyard.
A familiar courtyard—the one Shen Changyin had not entered that day.
At this moment, the real story and the timeline Xie Yu had carefully crafted for tonight converged in this courtyard.
Xie Yu stood at the entrance, the tightly closed gate behind her. She took a deep breath.
"I've been thinking," she said to Shen Changyin, "I want to live with you for a very, very long time."
Shen Changyin immediately realized what she was about to say. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
Xie Yu continued, "From the first time we met, I thought you were beautiful."
"Even before we met, I thought you were incredible."
"I'm afraid you might think you have to keep watching me at all times… that you must have absolute power… that you need to rely on external things to keep me by your side."
"But that's not the truth. The truth is, you don't need lies, power, or control. I will come to your side—no matter what kind of story brings us together. Even if it's the most ordinary one, like tonight."
"Our last engagement was written in an imperial decree by someone we both disliked. It doesn't really count. So I want to do it again."
For the first time that night, Xie Yu grew nervous. "Shen Changyin, I want to make a marriage vow with you."
She swallowed, and before Shen Changyin could answer, she pushed open the gate behind her.
The courtyard was still in disarray.
"But I also need to tell you something. I'm not like you—I can't do everything well. This place is proof of my failed attempt to propose to you. I fail often. I'm not ambitious. My mind is chaotic. I always think strange things."
She rambled behind her.
Shen Changyin walked into the courtyard, observing everything.
From the remaining traces, she could tell what Xie Yu had once intended to do for her—perhaps a stand for placing a token of love, perhaps the crooked willow tree Old Jin had mentioned, perhaps the stove she had planned to use to cook for her.
"So if you can accept that you do everything well, while I do everything—even these two rings—badly…"
A voice came from behind her.
Shen Changyin turned around.
Xie Yu was kneeling on one knee, holding out two thin silver rings set with slightly crooked, roughly polished diamonds. She looked up at her with anxious hope.
"Will you marry me?"
—
Author's Note:
Reminder:
1- Shen likes going to that crooked willow tree because in her previous life, that was where Xie's grave was. Shen buried Xie's ashes there—and later died there herself.
2- This chapter is essentially Xie showing Shen that Shen doesn't need to do so much to win her. She doesn't need to do anything at all to win her.
3- The next two chapters begin explaining the timeline. I'm going to collect every single piece of foreshadowing!
4- I wrote twenty thousand characters in one day… my soul has ascended to heaven.
—
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