promise

The summer evening breeze was cool yet gentle on his face. Lin Xu stared, mesmerized, at the slowly rising mist below and the brightly lit city walls in the distance, nestled among the intertwined branches.

This was the first time in his life that he had ever looked down over the entire city.

Smoke curled from the dilapidated houses, and the hustle and bustle of the city filled the air. Her usual surroundings were now laid bare before her. A strange feeling welled up inside her.

Dou Yanxun put his arm around her shoulder and looked down at the various corners of the city with her. He pointed to the shimmering river in the distance, "...This is the moat, and a little further east is our residence."

Lin Xu nodded. She watched as the dark blue boats that usually glide leisurely across the river now appeared no bigger than a fingernail… The crowds on the cobblestone path looked like tiny black dots…

She was so engrossed in watching him that it took her a long time to remember that he had been standing beside her without saying a word. She then turned around and looked at him with a smile.

Dou Yanxun is extremely handsome. When his eyebrows and eyes are relaxed, he exudes a calm demeanor that he doesn't usually have, and he has lost his usual casualness.

Upon closer reflection, ever since he entered officialdom, especially after becoming the magistrate of Laining County, his conduct has become much more stable than before.

Now, when others talk about him, they only think that this new county magistrate is young yet handsome. No one mentions the bad rumors about him from when he was still in the Dou family.

"...Why did you bring me here, my husband?"

In fact, Lin Xu had half a sentence left unsaid.

She wanted to ask him if he had brought her here specifically because it was her birthday.

He looked down at the myriad scenes of Laining, a gentle breeze ruffling a few strands of hair by his ear, his soft yet gentle voice dissolving into the thick night:

"...Actually, this isn't my first time in Laining."

Lin Xu noticed a faint, dark glint in his eyes.

"...The last time I went to Donglai Town, I stopped here in Laining along the way, so it wasn't my first time here."

Dou Yanxun paused for a long time, as if just mentioning this matter had almost exhausted all his strength, before slowly continuing:

“In the dead of winter in the second year of Yuanzhen, my mother and younger brother were washing clothes by the river when they were swept away by the rapid current. I was only six years old at the time, and I tried everything I could to save them, but I couldn’t. My younger brother was still an infant and couldn’t speak yet… I went back and asked the accountant in the mansion, and he told me that the river flowed from southwest to northeast. So I left the mansion before dawn and followed the river to Laining.”

Lin Xu listened and remained silent for a moment.

Although Laining is adjacent to Mujing City, it took them almost a whole day to travel by carriage. At that time, Dou Yanxun was only six years old. How could he have walked all the way to Laining alone? The mountain paths were treacherous, and one careless step could have led to his death.

How much suffering must he have endured back then?

She had never heard anyone mention these things. In particular, she had never heard Dou Yanxun mention the story of his mother's death when he was young.

In the past, her knowledge of Xia's death was merely pieced together from rumors.

Everyone said that Lady Xia was beautiful and gentle in life. Three of her ancestors had passed the imperial examinations, and although the family had gradually declined and its status was not high, they were still a respectable and virtuous family. Lady Xia quickly won Dou Huaisheng's favor after entering the Dou household, and even the servants in the mansion liked this gentle and kind concubine. It is said that Dou Yanxun's outstanding looks were eight-tenths inherited from his mother.

As long as Xia Shi was in the mansion, Bai Shi would be filled with dread and unable to sleep peacefully. Dou Yanxun also looked so much like Xia Shi, and with Bai Shi's intolerant nature, she must have hated that face every day.

Even... Lin Xu couldn't help but start to ponder.

The Bai family had controlled the Dou household for many years, and their servants were mostly loyal and devoted to her. That accountant was probably bribed and deliberately wanted Dou Yanxun to get into trouble…

Furthermore, it was the dead of winter, and even if Xia was not respected by the people in the mansion, why would she need to go to the river to wash clothes alone?

There are just too many suspicious points in this whole affair.

Her thoughts raced for a moment, and Dou Yanxun, as if knowing what she was thinking, casually remarked:

"It's all just the past. I used to be deeply resentful about the deaths of my mother and brother, but now I've come to terms with it. They're dead, so be it. It's better than living and suffering the hardships of life."

Lin Xu recalled the image of Dou Yanxun in his memory, silently carrying small stones amidst the swirling sandstorm. At that time, he must have just lost the Xia family and was then tricked into being sent to the northern frontier under the pretext that his fate was to bring misfortune to Dou Huaisheng.

The impoverished child of that year has now grown into a man of upright character and integrity. He has even become a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

"If my mother could know this from beyond the grave, she would be very pleased with my husband."

She too lost her mother at a young age, and knows what that feels like. Only time can ease all pain.

Her tone softened, and she reached her wrist up to his sleeve.

"...Those who have passed away are gone, but if my husband takes good care of himself and stays safe and healthy... I believe that will bring comfort to their spirits in heaven."

Dou Yanxun gripped Lin Xu's hand tightly. It was dusk, and the slowly setting sun bathed the entire city in a warm golden hue.

"Today is your birthday, Xuxu. There is one reason for bringing you here, but it's not just that. The people of this land depend on me for their livelihood. But that's far from enough..."

Lin Xu vaguely heard the sound of her own heartbeat suddenly accelerating.

He slowly turned around, and in his eyes, which he looked at her, was a maturity and tenderness he had never shown before. Even his peach blossom eyes seemed to be as clear as spring water.

"—On your birthday next year," his voice reached her ears along with the sound of the wind, like the soft whisper of pine trees.

"I will go to higher places, and I will take you to see a wider world. The mountain breeze and the sun and moon are my witnesses."

Lin Xu smiled slightly. It turned out that Dou Yanxun, who seemed unruly, was actually just as good as any poet or talented man when it came to sweet talk.

Standing beside him, she could clearly see the undisguised brilliance and ambition in his eyes.

Therefore... he was not satisfied with his current position and harbored even greater ambitions. And in this vast, deserted place, he openly displayed his ambitions before her.

She suddenly felt a strong urge to hug him. So she followed the gentle breeze and rushed into his arms.

Sensing that Dou Yanxun seemed surprised by her reaction, she froze for a moment, and her voice suddenly became much hoarse.

He leaned down and gently kissed her smooth forehead, brushing away the stray hairs that fluttered in the wind from her cheeks, and whispered:

"From now on, no one will dare to bully you if you stay by my side."

His voice was very soft, as if he were making a solemn promise.

Lin Xu couldn't help but chuckle. Was he referring to the difficulties Bai Shi caused during his time with the Dou family?

Bai was shrewd, but he always considered his reputation. Although he was sometimes harsh on her, he never went too far. She patted his back comfortingly, but he hugged her even tighter.

“Those people poisoned you; it was my fault as a husband. I will never do it again…”

Lin Xu's heart skipped a beat.

When did Dou Yanxun find out that she had been poisoned? He was busy every day at the time, and she hadn't investigated thoroughly, so she didn't want to make a fuss and only wanted to keep it a secret from everyone. Unexpectedly, he still found out...

She wanted to ask more questions. But his lips, brushing against the evening breeze, pressed against hers, silencing all her doubts.

Dou Yanxun's kissing skills were always excellent, and she quickly became lost in the entanglement of their lips and teeth. She could only hear the birds chirping in the mountains and the babbling of the streams, and everything seemed exceptionally hazy. She was not in the mortal world, but in a high pavilion, and everything gradually became indistinct...

The wind blowing on the mountaintop for a while had become quite chilly. When Dou Yanxun finally let go of her, Lin Xu realized that her hands had become rather cold. Dou Yanxun then gently pecked her pink cheek and tucked her hands into his sleeve to warm them with his body heat.

Lin Xu couldn't help but feel a little shy. They had just left the manor with several guards besides the coachman, but they all discreetly withdrew when they looked down the mountain. Now, seeing that it was getting late, the leading guard had reappeared under a tree not far away, signaling to them that it was time to go back.

Dou Yanxun didn't say anything, and carried her back to the carriage. They got off the carriage even faster than they had come. Lin Xu leaned on his broad shoulders, and perhaps because she was a little tired, she fell asleep without realizing it.

Dou Yanxun gently nudged her, saying, "Xuxu, we've arrived."

She opened her eyes groggily. Were we back at the manor so soon?

Lifting the curtain, one sees a scene of newly lit lanterns and bustling crowds everywhere. The carriage has stopped at the entrance of an alley in the heart of the inner city of Laining, where the aroma of fried snacks wafts through the air from street vendors.

Lin Xu couldn't help but sniff.

It smells so good...

Having grown accustomed to the refined meals of the inner quarters, the aroma of street food instantly whetted her appetite. Dou Yanxun looked down at her sudden awakening and couldn't help but smile.

Are you hungry?

Lin Xu nodded.

During the day, she was busy entertaining guests and ladies of high society, and only had a few cups of tea and a few pieces of pastry. Now, after a whole day, she was naturally starving. Besides, she hadn't eaten these street snacks in a long time.

Dou Yanxun lifted the curtain with his index finger, and a guard was already standing outside the carriage.

He casually instructed, "What kind of food are being sold over there?"

The guard glanced into the distance and whispered back, "Sir, there are sesame cakes, charcoal-roasted chicken, roast goose, braised rabbit heads, and grilled pork liver and mutton skewers, as well as sesame balls and fried cakes..."

As Lin Xu listened to the usually serious guard reciting the names of the dishes, she unconsciously swallowed. She was absolutely starving.

Dou Yanxun glanced at her, seemingly in a good mood, and said, "Then let's have a little of everything."

She couldn't possibly finish that much food... Lin Xu was thinking to herself when she heard Dou Yanxun pause and then ask the guard:

"Do you have any desserts? Do you sell red bean paste and osmanthus sugar cakes or candied fruits?"

The guard nodded and quickly bought everything, filling several large bags.

Lin Xu looked at the box of crystal-clear red bean and osmanthus sugar cakes. Golden osmanthus petals were sandwiched in the translucent sugar cakes, mixed with light purple red bean paste, and gave off a slightly sweet fragrance.

That was her favorite dessert when she was a child, and it was also the dessert that her mother was best at making when Liang Shuangyu was still alive.

Later, she stopped liking it and hadn't eaten it for many years. Every time she ate red bean and osmanthus sugar cake, it reminded her of her mother's gentle smile as she softly wiped the sugar residue off her face with a handkerchief.

For her, that was a very distant memory.

...But how did Dou Yanxun know this?