On New Year's Eve
, inside the library, Xie Xiangsi leaned against the windowsill, gazing at the bare branches of the chinaberry tree outside, watching the white snowflakes fall. She sighed softly, "Suddenly, like a spring breeze overnight, thousands of pear trees bloom. But when spring arrives, the pear blossoms are in bloom, and my daylilies are already cold."
A soft laugh suddenly came from behind her. Xie Xiangsi
paused, turning her head.
She saw Zhou Yanzhi had entered the library sometime earlier and was now standing not far behind her. Seeing her look over, Zhou Yanzhi strolled forward, leaned against the window, and smiled, "Cousin, what dish are you cooking?"
Xie Xiangsi didn't answer, but instead asked, "Where's Qingshu?"
If Zhou Yanzhi had come in, Qingshu should have spoken.
Hearing this, Zhou Yanzhi clicked his tongue, reached out to catch a snowflake falling from the window, and said indifferently, "I told her to leave."
Xie Xiangsi nodded, pushed herself up, took a few steps back, lowered her eyes, and bowed to Zhou Yanzhi. "Since cousin has come to the library, he must have something to discuss. I won't disturb your enjoyment any longer."
Without waiting for Zhou Yanzhi's reply, Xie Xiangsi turned to leave.
But before she had taken two steps, two heavy knocks came from behind her. Xie Xiangsi paused, but didn't turn around, pretending not to hear. As she took another step forward, Zhou Yanzhi finally couldn't help but speak.
"Cousin."
His tone was somewhat helpless.
This time, she couldn't pretend not to hear.
Xie Xiangsi turned around, raising her eyes to meet Zhou Yanzhi's gaze, and said indifferently, "Cousin, is there anything else?"
Sensing the deliberate distance in her tone, Zhou Yanzhi chuckled, raising an eyebrow and saying, "Cousin clearly made a calming medicine packet, why didn't you give me one?"
Xie Xiangsi: "..."
Without thinking, Xie Xiangsi replied, "I've already given them all away."
Zhou Yanzhi understood, and said "Oh."
So she could give so much to her mother, but couldn't bear to share even one with him.
Inwardly cursing, but not showing it on his face, Zhou Yanzhi continued, "Then why have you been deliberately avoiding me lately?"
Xie Xiangsi blinked: "...I haven't been avoiding you."
"Lying," Zhou Yanzhi said.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, and Xie Xiangsi retorted, "No."
Zhou Yanzhi raised an eyebrow.
Little liar, lying again.
Leaning lazily against the wall with his arms crossed, Zhou Yanzhi said, "Cousin should know what the Dali Temple does. Lying to me isn't a wise decision."
Xie Xiangsi's expression remained unchanged. She looked up at Zhou Yanzhi's probing gaze and retorted, "So, cousin, you want to send me to the Dali Temple for interrogation again?"
In an instant, the atmosphere in the library plummeted.
Even Zhou Yanzhi, with his good temper, was provoked. Moreover, his already bad temper made him feel deeply frustrated.
When did he say he was going to send her to the Dali Temple again?
His initial intention in coming to the library was simply to talk to Xie Xiangsi and get her to stop avoiding him, but now that intention was impossible.
So…
the two of them occupied separate corners of the library, looking at each other in silence.
The snow outside seemed to be affected by the inexplicably solemn atmosphere, falling even more heavily. For a moment, pure white snowflakes danced in the air, and the cold wind howled fiercely.
Fine frosty snowflakes, blown by the wind, drifted into the pavilion, settling on Zhou Yanzhi, who stood blocking the window, turning half of his dark hair snow-white. After a long silence, Zhou Yanzhi's eyelashes trembled, and he spoke first, ending the silent confrontation.
"Cousin, I had no intention of delving into this, but as the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, I must ask one more question: why are you so obsessed with the Yangqu case?"
The night he mistakenly entered her room, they talked about Yangqu; the two of them had also parted on bad terms a few days ago, and that was also about Yangqu.
Yangqu, Yangqu—what was it about that place that held her so dear?!
Thinking of this, Zhou Yanzhi paused, his dark eyes fixed on Xie Xiangsi.
"Or rather, why are you so obsessed with the Xiao family case, cousin?"
Xie Xiangsi's heart sank.
Sure enough, Zhou Yanzhi had become suspicious.
But… so what?
It was all just his suspicion.
"What do you mean by this, cousin?" Xie Xiangsi took a step back, feigning panic, and whispered, "Xiangsi is indeed very curious about the Xiao family case. However, as Xiangsi has said before, she has been interested in criminal investigation since childhood, so with such a big case, she naturally wants to find out the truth."
After all, her obsession with the Xiao family case during this period was indeed suspicious, and Zhou Yanzhi was not stupid; he could naturally sense that something was wrong.
Xie Xiangsi continued, "I know I shouldn't aspire to be like you, cousin, but I don't want to live such a mediocre life. The Xiao family case is extremely complex. If it can be solved, I'm willing to give my life for it."
Zhou Yanzhi didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward and looked at Xie Xiangsi with a probing gaze, his eyes deep. "Cousin, I hate being lied to. You should think carefully before you speak."
Xie Xiangsi's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she pursed her lips, saying, "Everything I say is true. If you don't believe me, cousin, you can send someone to investigate and see if I'm connected to the Xiao family case." The
person connected to the Xiao family case was Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan was long dead. Now, standing before him was Xie Xiangsi. If he wanted to investigate, he could investigate Xie Xiangsi thoroughly. He was afraid he wouldn't find anything.
After a while, despite feeling that Xie Xiangsi's words were full of nonsense, Zhou Yanzhi softened his tone. "I'm sorry, I was being paranoid."
Xie Xiangsi didn't reply, which was a silent expression of her dissatisfaction with his words today.
Seeing her silence, Zhou Yanzhi knew he was indeed in the wrong today, but Xie Xiangsi's unusual behavior made him inexplicably suspicious.
Rubbing his temples, Zhou Yanzhi tried to change the subject, "You're a bit like someone."
Sensing his unusual emotion, Xie Xiangsi couldn't help but ask, "Like who?"
"Xiao Yan, a woman from the Xiao family."
Xie Xiangsi was startled.
She hadn't expected to hear the name "Xiao Yan" from Zhou Yanzhi, and was momentarily taken aback.
Giving Xie Xiangsi a deep look, Zhou Yanzhi turned to look out the window at the snow-covered ground, sighing, "Your personality is similar to hers, outwardly gentle but inwardly resilient. However, her gentleness is only for her family; your gentleness is like a protective shell, for everyone."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Yanzhi described her this way. Xie Xiangsi's eyes flickered, and she asked curiously, "Are you close to her?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yanzhi chuckled.
"No."
Xie Xiangsi: "..." If it's not
good, why bring it up?
Brushing the snowflakes off the windowsill, Zhou Yanzhi continued, "But it's not too bad."
Xie Xiangsi was speechless
. But then again
, after thinking for a moment, Xie Xiangsi asked a question she had always wanted to know, "I heard that this young lady committed suicide. What about her body?"
"I don't know." Zhou Yanzhi turned around and said, "I was away on business that month. I heard she was stolen, and no one knows where she is."
Xie Xiangsi: "?!"
Stolen? Who's so despicable as to steal even a corpse?
Sharing the same thought, Zhou Yanzhi rubbed his temples, his tone more helpless than ever before, "Although she's usually flamboyant, she's never been malicious. She shouldn't suffer this humiliation. If we can find out the truth, we should find her no matter what and let her rest in peace."
For once, Xie Xiangsi was silent. After a long while, she silently said in her heart,
"Thank you, Zhou Yanzhi."
…
Since that day at the library, Zhou Yanzhi had been busy again, and she hadn't seen him for several days. Xie Xiangsi spent her days either paying her respects to her aunt or staying at the library, quite content with her freedom.
Since Zhou Yanzhi wouldn't take her to Yangqu, she would go by herself.
At worst, she could just stay at some dilapidated temple when she returned to the capital.
The only problem to solve right now is figuring out how to leave the capital under Zhou Yanzhi's nose.
Fortunately, New Year's Eve is approaching.
New Year's Eve in the capital is more lively than elsewhere. In the past few days, the city has been decorated with lanterns and streamers, and even children are pestering their parents to chase after the candy vendors, begging for sweets.
On New Year's Eve, the court will temporarily lift the curfew, and the city will be teeming with people. With a little nimbleness, one can sneak out.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Jie Xiangsi decisively chooses to leave the city on that day.
Finally, New Year's Eve arrived. Zhou Yanzhi returned from the Dali Temple. After a lively dinner at the Prince An's residence, seeing that it was still early, Aunt Xie pulled Xie Xiangsi aside and said, "When your father was in the capital, you were still young and didn't get to experience New Year's Eve properly. Today, the curfew in the capital has been lifted, and it's very lively outside. There are Nuo dances and dragon and lion dances. Why don't you have your cousin take you out for a stroll later, and then come back to stay up all night?"
Being able to go out and leave the city was something Xie Xiangsi was naturally eager to do, but if Zhou Yanzhi came with her, the plan would probably be difficult to carry out.
With a slightly shy blink, Jie Xiangsi feigned agreement but actually declined, "If you, cousin, were to accompany me, I would be more than happy, but I don't know if it would bother you."
In her heart, however, she thought: Xiao Yan had never seen Zhou Yanzhi on New Year's Eve before, and she was certain he had no interest
in going out for leisure. If nothing unexpected happened, he would definitely refuse her firmly. That would be best; she could go out on her own and then leave the city! But Zhou Yanzhi nodded seriously, "How could I? I'm also busy with official duties, and going out for leisure would be a good way to relax."
Jie Xiangsi: "..."
Huh?!
Where did you go on New Year's Eve before?!
Seeing him agree, Aunt Jie was a little surprised. She was prepared to force Zhou Yanzhi to go out.
However, seeing her son finally willing to go out for a stroll, Aunt Jie was very happy. There were many unmarried girls on New Year's Eve; perhaps Zhou Yanzhi's destiny lay tonight!
Her daily prayers hadn't been in vain; they had indeed worked.
So, under Aunt Xie's approving gaze, Xie Xiangsi, heavy-hearted, followed Zhou Yanzhi into the street.
The street was crowded, and Xie Xiangsi, distracted, was quickly jostled and bumped by the throng. After being bumped by passersby again, Zhou Yanzhi finally couldn't bear it any longer.
He pulled her in front of him, shielding her with one hand and leaning down to ask, "Why are you standing there so blankly?"
Fireworks were going off in the street, their dazzling displays drowning out Zhou Yanzhi's voice. Xie Xiangsi only felt a warm breath on her ear.
She felt uneasy.
Gently avoiding Zhou Yanzhi, Xie Xiangsi took two steps to the side, creating some distance between them. She looked up and met his lowered gaze. "Cousin, what did you say? The fireworks were too loud, I didn't hear you."
Hearing this, Zhou Yanzhi smiled. "It's nothing, just asking if you wanted to buy something."
Xie Xiangsi shook her head. She was currently focused on how to avoid Zhou Yanzhi and leave the city; she had no interest in buying anything.
Zhou Yanzhi looked at her for a while, then nodded without saying anything, looking somewhat disappointed.
He knew that Xie Xiangsi had been planning to leave the city for the past few days, but he hadn't expected her obsession with Yangqu to be so deep. If the situation in Yangqu weren't so unclear, he would have been willing to take her with him. But now, things were in turmoil there, and most of the officials sent by the court had disappeared without a trace.
Under these circumstances, he dared not let Xie Xiangsi risk her life with him.
Suddenly, Xie Xiangsi seemed to remember something. Staring into Zhou Yanzhi's eyes, she smiled, "I didn't bring any money with me. If I see something I like, will you buy it for me, cousin?"
Although Zhou Yanzhi didn't understand why she had changed her mind, he nodded earnestly, "Yes."
A firework exploded in the night sky. Xie Xiangsi smiled, her eyes crinkling with laughter, sparks flying in her dark pupils, which instantly resembled fluorescein in the night.
Pointing to a lantern stall surrounded by people not far away, Xie Xiangsi smiled, "Then I want that fox lantern."
Zhou Yanzhi turned his head in the direction she pointed and immediately saw the fox lantern on the top shelf. He subtly raised an eyebrow.
Generally, the lanterns on the top shelf weren't for sale; if you wanted one, you had to solve a riddle. The person who answered correctly could take the lantern.
Naturally, the riddles wouldn't be easy. They
were not only time-consuming but also required effort.
Jie Xiangsi's plan was exactly that: she would send Zhou Yanzhi to fetch the lanterns while she slipped away.
Seeing Zhou Yanzhi hesitate, Jie Xiangsi decided to add fuel to the fire, casually saying, "Someone as outstanding as you, cousin, would be afraid of riddles?"
This tactic worked.
Zhou Yanzhi turned and gave her a deep look, but hesitated, as if he was worried. Seeing this, Jie Xiangsi made a vow, her tone serious and earnest, "Cousin, rest assured, Xiangsi hereby swears that she will stay where she is and not go anywhere, and will never break her vow." Seeing her
exceptionally sincere expression, Zhou Yanzhi chuckled, nodded slightly, and said "Okay," before striding towards the stall. As
he disappeared into the crowd, Jie Xiangsi's lips curled into a smile, and she too vanished, running frantically towards the city gate.
It was Jie Xiangsi who made the vow; what did it have to do with Xiao Yan?