The group arrived at the Commandery Prince’s mansion. The guards, startled by Xia Jingshi’s unexpected arrival, rushed to announce him. Ignoring Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran, who followed close behind, Xia Jingshi strode swiftly through the garden. His steps were sure, his path familiar—after all, this was the residence he had once bestowed upon Yi Xiao. She had changed nothing, not a single wall, not even a tile.
In his mind, Yi Xiao had always been wild and radiant—brilliant as the sun on the battlefield, fierce as a beast freed from its cage. Her blunt honesty often sparked conflict among the generals, which was why he had kept her close. Yet the last time he saw her—four years ago—she had been lying wounded by an arrow, eyes filled with pain. That haunted expression, and the silent figure Xiao Weiran once described standing alone beneath the sky, felt like a stranger to him.
A ripple of pain spread through his chest, subtle yet deep, as if a stone had disturbed the still waters of his heart. Four years had passed, and still, those eyes remained carved into his memory.
He froze.
Yi Xiao was half-lying on a chaise lounge, her damp hair spilling like silk across her shoulders. The loose robe she wore revealed the soft curve of her bare feet, delicate as petals. Before he could steady his thoughts, she rose gracefully and walked toward him. Her every step carried the faint fragrance of bathwater and warmth—each breath laced with disarming allure.
“Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”
Xia Jingshi responded evenly, “Mm,” though he instinctively took half a step back, nearly bumping into a brocade stool.
Yi Xiao’s lips curved faintly. “So you know to come back?” she said, voice edged with mockery. “It’s been quite some time since we last met. Why is Your Highness still so cold? Could it be that you resent I didn’t die at the bottom of that cliff?”
He gave a soft, indifferent smile. “If we were to throw you into a wolf pack, you’d be the last one standing. That’s something I’ve always known.”
“Such a unique welcome, hmm?”
Xueying, who had been eavesdropping inside, finally stepped out, her eyes bold and fiery. “Your looks are barely passable, but your inner self is utterly lacking—Yi Xiao, you have no taste.”
Ning Fei’s face darkened. He stood abruptly, voice sharp. “How can you call yourself a well-bred lady? You eavesdrop, then speak so rudely! Do you know who you’re talking about?”
Xueying’s eyes flashed. “My father taught me to treat people as they deserve. I behave like a lady before true gentlemen. As for people like you, I owe no politeness. And this man—” she pointed at Xia Jingshi—“he’s the one who forced Yi Xiao to jump off that cliff four years ago. I don’t care what status he has. In death, we all turn to mud—what makes him different from you or me?!”
Ning Fei’s mouth twitched, unable to respond. He glared helplessly.
Xia Jingshi’s calm gaze fell on her. “Who is this?”
Xiao Weiran quickly bowed. “Your Highness, this is the only daughter of Master Ling Yuguang, Miss Ling Xueying.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Xia Jingshi’s face. “So it’s Elder Brother Ling’s beloved daughter.”
“Hey!” Xueying immediately shot back, “Who’s your elder brother? Don’t get familiar with me!”
He chuckled softly. “I’ve no desire to argue with you. Ask your father—he’ll confirm it. By seniority, you should be my niece.”
Xueying’s face turned crimson. “I don’t believe it! I’ll write to Father right now!” She stamped her foot, lifted her skirts, and stormed out.
As the echo of her steps faded, Ning Fei let out a long breath of relief. “Your Highness is indeed clever. If I’d known claiming to be her elder could chase her off, I would have—”
But Xia Jingshi’s brow furrowed. His gaze returned to Yi Xiao. “What I said is true. But why was I unaware that Yi Xiao was with Elder Brother’s daughter?”
Yi Xiao smiled faintly, her tone laced with irony. “No wonder Uncle Ling always told me to learn to let go. So even he knew of Your Highness’s fickleness.”
Her words struck deep. Xia Jingshi’s breath stilled. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, almost fragile. “Does hurting me with your words make you happy?”
The question caught her off guard. Her face paled, eyes flickering.
He continued softly, “Saying such things—doesn’t it hurt you, too?”
For a heartbeat, the silence thickened. Then Yi Xiao’s composure returned. “The heart that could feel pain died four years ago, buried with the old Yi Xiao. What remains now—whatever pain it endures—will, like smoke after a laugh, simply vanish.”
“Vanish like smoke?” Xia Jingshi murmured, his gaze lifting toward the window. Dusk had settled. The golden sunlight, sharp as a blade, cut into the room. Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran had long since withdrawn, leaving only the two of them.
He turned, picked up the silver bow resting on the table. “Since you’re no longer the Yi Xiao of before, why did you come back?”
Yi Xiao met his gaze. “I came back, naturally, for you.” Her lips curved, a quiet defiance in her smile. “I want to know—after four years, if I confessed my feelings again, would you still reject me?”
Xia Jingshi’s eyes darkened. “What if I still reject you?”
She looked at him steadily, her voice clear, resolute. “Then I’ll return to Pingling. We’ll part ways, never meet again. I’ll marry a man who cherishes me, love him, bear his children. One day, I might mention you to him—call you a mistake from my youth, a fleeting joke. I’ll forget you completely, Your Highness. Is that what you wish to hear?”
Each word struck him like a blow. His heart faltered, yet his lips whispered calmly, “Indeed, that’s right.”
This is for the best.
Yes… the best.
But the thought tasted bitter.
Unexpectedly, Yi Xiao didn’t argue. Her tone was as cool as his. “Very well. I’ll pack my things and leave. That silver bow was your gift; I’ll return it today.”
Xia Jingshi gritted his teeth, forcing a smile to mask the ache within. “Won’t you… stay a few more days?”
Yi Xiao didn’t turn around. “Would staying a few more days change your mind?”
He said nothing.
Her luggage was small—a single bundle. As she passed him, she paused. “Your Highness,” she asked softly, “can you tell Yi Xiao—these four years, have you ever missed me, even a little?”
His heart trembled violently. He bit his tongue to hold back the truth. At last, he spoke with forced composure. “Since it’s Xueying’s first time in Luocheng, if you’re not in a hurry, please accompany her on my behalf.”
The words felt hollow even as they left his mouth. He lowered his gaze and left quickly, as though fleeing.
Yi Xiao sighed, sitting beside Xueying, who still lay sprawled across the couch. “Won’t you feel chest pain lying like this for so long?”
“Have you set your heart on him?” Xueying muttered weakly. She had been sulking for two hours since receiving her father’s reply.
Even a fool could see it—Xia Jingshi was keeping Yi Xiao at arm’s length. Though he asked Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran to show her around, it was clear he wished to avoid her. Her father’s reply had only made things worse. He confirmed that Xia Jingshi truly was his close friend—older, respectable. If Yi Xiao were to marry him, Xueying would have to call her “Aunt.”
How dreadful.
“Yi Xiao,” she said, pouting, “let’s just go back to Pingling. Young Master Lu is kind, rich too. If—”
She stopped mid-sentence when someone entered. Her eyes lit up. “Why is it you again?!”
Ning Fei’s face turned dark. “I don’t want this either!”
“Don’t want what?” came a voice from behind.
Ning Fei froze—he’d forgotten Xia Jingshi was right there. “Nothing, Your Highness. I’ll take Miss Ling out now.” Without hesitation, he strode forward, scooped Xueying up, and grumbled, “Let’s go. I’m taking you shopping.”
Before Xueying could struggle, she had already been carried out by him.
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