Many things afterward

Dan Hong lowered her head to take Sui Zhixu's pulse and whispered, "No one can stop the Imperial Preceptor's decision."

Sui Zhixu rubbed her temples. "I want to go out."

“He is not a court official, the emperor’s man, the imperial tutor’s man, or even one of the many students of the Shan Hai Academy who will all enter the court in the future. Why choose him among so many people? He is too pampered. How can we let him go to Yue alone?”

"The young head of the monastery also went."

Sui Zhixu lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath them. Her pupils moved slowly, her brows furrowing slightly. "I understand. Where are Mother and the others?"

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Li rushed into the room and hugged her, touching her from head to cheek, her voice panicked, "You're finally awake! If you hadn't woken up, A-Nian would have been terrified. You were unconscious for three whole days! Three days! It scared me to death. Quick! Let A-Nian see you."

"I'm fine." Sui Zhixu turned around and put her arm around Jiang Li's waist.

"With Dan Hong here, there's nothing to worry about."

"How could I not be worried! Wen Ke brought you back and told me you were pregnant. Ah Niang was terrified. I'm going to chop Fan Lingzhang up, you beast!"

“A-niang.”

As Xu called her softly, Wen Ke sneered, saying sarcastically, "The pregnancy isn't stable in the first three months yet~"

Jiang Li was furious. "You beast! I'll chop him up the moment he comes back tomorrow, and you're not allowed to protect him!"

"I won't protect her, I won't protect her..."

Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately.

I'm sorry, Little Hibiscus.

She'll try to appease Ah Niang once she's calmed down; you'll just have to live with Ah Niang's resentment for now.

Wen Ke: "An excuse."

"Don't even think about pleading for him later!"

Sui Zhixu: "..."

She doesn't care anymore, okay?

She needs to get up.

As soon as Xu Gang finished washing up, more and more people came in, including Sui He, Cong Lan, Puyang Kai, Pei Qinglian, and members of the royal family.

The small room instantly gathered important and powerful figures from half of Chang'an.

"Don't worry, everyone, I'm fine. I'm sorry to have worried you."

She blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, a smile appearing in her eyes. However, Sui He's face turned cold for the first time. She secretly tugged at Cong Lan's sleeve, giving him a look. Cong Lan understood and took a step back.

“You left without a word, and I’ve been worried about you ever since. How is your health now, Junior Sister?” Puyang Kai stepped forward, his gaze gentle and concerned.

"It's nothing." Sui Zhixu opened her arms. "I wasn't injured. I'm probably just a little tired."

The light green clothes were simple and plain, without any patterns or unique styles.

Puyang Kai vaguely sensed that something was wrong. "Junior Sister has made a great contribution this time. From now on, trivial matters will not bother you. You can rest in peace."

He carefully observed Sui Zhixu's expression and noticed a fleeting moment of annoyance in her eyes. He was puzzled, and there seemed to be some regret and sadness in her annoyance.

Junior sister dislikes Xi Yushao so much, it shouldn't be towards him. Could something else have happened during the Lantern Festival?

Chaos broke out in the streets of Chang'an. Sima Xian in the palace blocked the news. They could only learn from the people under the Imperial Tutor that the Imperial Tutor and his junior sister had exposed Sima Xian and Xi Yushao's affair in public. After that, the Imperial Guard attacked, and Gu Qingyi was among those who participated in the attack.

Puyang Kai glanced at Jiang Li out of the corner of his eye. Jiang Niangzi was originally one of Sima Xian's subordinates. His junior sister was familiar with her, and perhaps she also had a connection with Gu Niangzi.

"Junior sister, there is no need to worry about the situation in Chang'an. Although the Prince of Wei and the Sima family have imposed a blockade, the people of Chang'an are bound to be in a state of panic."

"I understand, thank you for your help."

Sui Zhixu and Sui He smiled faintly, "My trip went quite smoothly. I'm sorry to have troubled you, Mother. This is the order from the head of the Sui family. Please keep it safe, Mother."

“What’s yours is yours.” Sui He took her hand, stepped forward and whispered in her ear, “If you don’t want to see them, then you don’t have to. I’ll have your father find an excuse to get them out.”

Sure enough, when Sui Zhixu looked up and scanned the room, she realized that the royal family had left sometime earlier. She hadn't noticed, or perhaps she didn't care.

"Thank you, Mother."

Sui He glanced at her up and down, then caught a glimpse of Pei Qinglian and the others out of the corner of his eye. "I'll head out first. You ladies always have things to say, so take your time chatting."

As she spoke, she pulled Jiang Li away as well.

"What are you doing? You go your own way, why are you taking me with you!"

Jiang Li's resistance was futile. She hadn't expected that Sui He, who looked so gentle and weak, would have such a strong grip.

"Why are you getting involved? Do you even think you can get involved?"

"What do you mean?"

"What you think you mean is what you mean."

"Sui He! How dare you call me old?"

"I didn't say that."

"You just now clearly..."

Jiang Li and Sui He grabbed each other and walked out, arguing and making a scene, neither willing to give in.

Pei Qinglian, taking advantage of being taller than Sui Zhixu, spun him around several times.

Sui Zhixu: "..."

She asked, "What are you doing?"

"Could it be that the pregnancy was threatened? Otherwise, why would you suddenly faint?"

"Perhaps." Sui Zhixu sighed slightly. "Ayan beat the Dengwen Drum to seek justice for the children of Chang'an who were sacrificed."

Cui Wan: "The petition drum? Who is she suing?"

"Xi Yushao." As Sui Zhixu spoke, she felt a cool sensation on her wrist. She lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on her wrist, but she couldn't see anything. Was it just her imagination?

Xi Yushao's experience was unusual; after his death, he transformed into something neither human nor ghost and entered her dreams, making it hard for her not to have doubts.

"My entry into Chang'an this time is due to Yue Ling. Her junior brother, He Miao, was the last disciple of the former national teacher. He later practiced evil arts and defected to Yue Shan, and was therefore expelled from Yue Shan. He later submitted to Sima Xian and continued to cause trouble, using evil arts to kill people. In the matter of the child, Xi Yu Shao was involved and acted as He Miao's henchman. He had to be eliminated."

Xu rambled on haphazardly, but it was mostly accurate.

Cui Wan said nothing, her heart shattered into pieces. The man she fell in love with at first sight first sought refuge with the remnants of the previous dynasty, then practiced evil magic. The moment she learned this, Cui Wan wondered if she had misheard, but it was the truth.

How could a perfectly good person turn out to be so rotten?

When flowers are in full bloom, they are beautiful and attractive to everyone. But when they wither and become infested with maggots, they make one feel nauseous and disgusted.

When her sister-in-law, the princess, was giving birth, she had never felt so panicked and tense. She couldn't even imagine what would happen to them after the palace gates were breached, whether they would die or become prisoners.

She didn't know.

She was useless; all she could do was pray for her sister-in-law, the princess, over and over again at the door.

"Don't worry, I'm not that foolish. I was lucky enough to stay in the palace and escape with them, but my parents are still in Chang'an..."

"The situation is urgent, and I cannot rescue Ayan."

As Xu lowered his head, Pei Qinglian placed her hands on their shoulders. "There's no need to blame yourself. The arrival of the Imperial Preceptor and the Immortal of Yueshan will be seen by all the people of Chang'an. The people of Chang'an are in a state of crisis. In addition, Xi Yushao is dead, and the Sima family can't take care of Ayan."

“That makes sense. Junior sister, you don’t need to take it to heart. You’ve already done enough.” Puyang Kai’s smile was somewhat unnatural, stiff on his face.

Sui Zhixu nodded. No matter what, Xi Yushao is just a spirit now and doesn't pose much of a threat. They can deal with it when Yueling comes back.

At least this time it was she who did it, not her senior brother.

She will do her best to save everyone's lives.

"I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. Danhong, please take good care of your junior sister."

After saying this, Puyang Kai hurriedly left. Wen Ke snorted coldly, leaned against Sui Zhixu's bed, and concealed his merits and fame. Yet another one.

Sui Zhixu kicked Wen Ke, "Get off my bed."

Wen Ke was shocked: "Why?"

"The dust on you is almost falling onto my bed."

"Oh, I can't hear you."

The group chatted for a while, but in the end, only Wen Ke stayed in bed and refused to leave.

"You went to Chang'an because of me?"

Wen Ke casually replied, "I just happened to be passing by."

Sui Zhixu sat in the chair, watching Wen Ke lying on the bed with her legs crossed, looking quite content.

"I woke up in Miao territory and you were gone. Where did you go? Could you have passed through Chang'an?"

Don't flatter yourself.

"How could there be no guards at the city gate, allowing you to easily lead me through?"

Wen Ke was speechless.

"What's wrong, can't speak?" Sui Zhixu gently lifted the teapot, and the brown tea was poured into the teacup, making a crisp sound, like the tinkling of a mountain spring.

First, bring your nose close to the rim of the cup and inhale slightly, then hold it up to her. "It smells wonderful, it's top-quality Yangxian tea. Would you like some? Tell me properly."

The woman removed her original face, and the unfamiliar face always made her hallucinate the past.

"What's there to say?" Wen Ke turned her head away. "Don't you think you're starting to sound more and more like Fan Zirong?"

"Really?" She touched her face. "I don't think so."

"Glib-tongued and unserious."

"That's so cute."

Wen Ke laughed in anger, "Shameless."

As the wind blew her hair up, she abruptly turned to look at the window, but it was nowhere to be seen. She frowned and asked, "Is the window open?"

"No, even though it's January, it's still winter. You want to open the window? You'll freeze to death." Wen Ke strode down opposite Sui Zhixu, snatched her tea, and drank it down in one gulp.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! It's burning hot!"

"Drinking like a cow."

“You’re so refined, yet I still had to carry you out of the city.”

Wen Ke returned the teacup to her, while Sui Zhixu glanced at it with disdain.

"Take it away, I won't drink what you've already drunk."

Wen Ke rolled up her sleeves. "Back when we were escaping for our lives, we couldn't even afford a cup of water, let alone a piece of bread."

"What do you mean by 'gnawed'? You didn't look that pathetic."

"Isn't that just biting? That pancake must have been dead for ages, it's so hard it's practically dead. Biting is an understatement. It'll break your teeth."

The two looked at each other and chuckled.

Realizing what had happened, the two awkwardly turned their heads away, looking around.

“I was originally looking for A-Ning’s biological father. He’s dead. I heard that he went mad and ran away on a snowy night, and the local people found his body the next morning.”

Cao Chunfeng is dead?

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The mist in her indifferent eyes dissipated, revealing her astonishment.

Ruolan's voice came into her ears again, "It's unusually cold this year, my wife should wear more clothes."

How did he die?

“I asked his neighbors, and they said he had no other children. His relatives had all passed away, and he only had an elderly and insane older sister. His sister had married the wrong man, who had left behind a daughter of her ex-husband, and she had been tortured to death. She was filled with remorse and went mad. Her husband’s family kept her locked in the house all day, barely providing her with food and drink, and preventing her from having any contact with the outside world. So I took it upon myself to buy a coffin for him to be buried in peace. It’s just a pity that I couldn’t bury him with A-Ning, because Chang’an is too far from Miao territory.”

"Yeah, it's too far."

Countless things in this world are too heartless, too helpless. It seems it shouldn't be this way, it's not just this way, yet it can only be this way.

"I'm going out for some fresh air."

The tea had cooled down a bit, so Wen Ke took another sip, as if she could savor its flavor.

As Sui Zhixu walked out of the courtyard and turned the corner, he met Puyang Kai.

"Senior brother?"

"Ah, junior sister." Puyang Kai bowed and greeted her, his green robe fluttering slightly in the wind, the bamboo leaf stitches on the cuffs were fine and lifelike.

"I was just thinking about some things." He smiled faintly, his gaze falling on her abdomen. "Junior Sister, are you really sure you want to spend your life with Master Fan? Marriage and having children are major life events. You should have gone through the proper rites and formalities, a grand wedding with eight bearers carrying you in a sedan chair. Junior Sister, you've been too reckless, and Master Fan is even more foolish! How could he be with you...you..."

Pu Yangkai's ears turned red with anger. He turned away from her, refusing to look at her, and said, "He got you pregnant out of wedlock. His character is questionable. You should think carefully. If you want this child, our Sui family can afford to raise one. You're still a baby. If you don't want it, let him be reborn somewhere else. In short, you should get rid of Fan Zirong as soon as possible."

"Senior brother, you've been troubled for half a day, is it because of these thoughts?"

Puyang Kai was furious at Fan Lingzhang's lack of ambition. He turned around angrily and saw that Sui Zhixu looked puzzled and had a blank expression. He became even more annoyed with Fan Lingzhang.

He has absolutely no respect for you!

He roared, then realized he had lost his temper, "Sorry, I lost my temper."

"Junior sister, he is truly not a good man!"

Puyang Kai suddenly felt a chill down his back, as if a gust of wind had blown by. He was so angry that he didn't care about such things and just thought it was an ordinary breeze.

"It's hard to explain my situation with him in just a day or two, senior brother. Don't worry, I won't mistreat myself. This child has truly surprised me, at this time of year..."

Sui Zhixu pursed her lips, "But the Sui family needs the next generation of heirs to continue leading the family."

"But he..."

"I just hope my senior brother lives well."

Pu Yangkai's eyelashes trembled. "Junior sister, we are not talking about the same thing."

"I know what my senior brother means."

As the wind blew, it lifted the stray hairs from Sui Zhixu's temples, which drifted into Puyang Kai's eyes.

In the distance, the bamboo branches trembled slightly, shaking off the snow that had been pressing down on them. The snow fell onto the thick snowdrifts on the ground, adding a soft rustling sound.

Puyang Kai's heart was being struck; it was like jade being repeatedly carved, each cut landing on it.

"I hope you can live well and not die because of me. You should carry on Aye's aspirations and fulfill your own ambitions."

Sui Zhixu looked at the bamboo forest in the distance. "Every disciple of Shan Hai Academy writes down their aspirations when they enroll and when they leave. I have seen what my senior brother wrote."

To be precise, it should be the previous life.

"Your ambition is to bear the weight of the world and be ranked among the Three Dukes. You will not reach adulthood and become the top scholar in the imperial examination. There are only a handful of people like you throughout the ages. One day you will be recorded in history. Your life's ups and downs, your rise and fall, your praise and criticism will be considered in the same context as the rise and fall of the world and the well-being of the people, not me."

"But the world is vast and talented people will emerge in great numbers. There may be others who will follow in my footsteps. I may not be able to do it, but there will be others who will carry on my aspirations and go forth with me. My junior sister understands my feelings, and I hope even more that I can understand what my junior sister thinks and what she feels. I want to stand with you in the wind and snow, and even if I fail, I will die with honor."

"The common people are more important than me." Sui Zhixu met his eyes. "I will not let you die because of me. You should walk the path you were meant to walk. You don't care about fame and fortune. You should think more about the country and the people."

"Senior brother, you entered the Immortal Clan when you were young. Do you remember your life back then? There were many people like that. Bitter cold and scorching heat could take their lives, as could natural disasters and man-made calamities. There were too many. The Immortal Clan couldn't save them all, the Sui family couldn't save them all, and even the Emperor, who sits high in the hall, couldn't save them all. The well-being of the people under heaven needs more people who speak out for the people. I believe that you can do it, senior brother. I hope that you can be my companion on this journey."

Puyang Kai recalled his childhood when he studied with his teacher. He was the youngest in the class, and his senior classmates always took extra care of him. However, the teacher treated everyone equally, regardless of gender. When the wheat was ripe, he would throw them all out to harvest the wheat so that they could experience the hardships of life.

After harvesting, new crops are planted. In fact, the teacher might complain that he, a young man, does far less work than his senior sister, even though he is taller than her.

Floods and droughts have halved the harvest of ordinary people. While the wheat harvest is the teachers' responsibility, they will not really go hungry, but ordinary people will not.

Famine and the destruction of families were the norm for them.

Or perhaps seeing this scene was the teacher's true purpose.

Puyang Kaichao followed Xu Zuoyi and said, "I have been fortunate enough to enter the Immortal Abode since I entered it. The original purpose of the Immortal Abode was to help the homeless. I came from the Immortal Abode and have been deeply taught by my teacher. I should have petitioned for the people and carried on my teacher's aspirations. However, I was constrained by personal feelings and was fortunate to receive your teachings."

“…There’s no need to be so formal.” Sui Zhixu stepped aside to avoid Puyang Kai’s deep bow; she was about to cross a generation.

"Senior brother, go find Father."

"Yes, junior sister, take good care of yourself."

Seeing him leave, Su Zhixu breathed a long sigh of relief, finally managing to get away with it.

She was already having a headache just thinking about having to fool her mother and father. Her father was one thing, but her mother was fine. The problem was that her mother wouldn't let her off the hook.

Little Hibiscus should just die; being beaten to death by Ah Niang is the best fate for her.

She can't save her; she can't even save herself.

She would only secretly use her internal energy to protect herself when Ah Niang made a move.

Yes, that's right!

Wen Ke leaned against the door frame, nodding repeatedly at her, "Impressive, impressive."

Sui Zhixu: "Get lost."

—

That night, when Xu dreamt of Xi Yushao again, she knew that it was him during the day.

“Puyang is right, he is not a good man.”

Su Zhixu decisively knocked down his tombstone and slept soundly through the night.

One day, two days, three days...

For half a month now, Sui Zhixu has been dreaming about him every day, babbling incoherently.

She was exhausted.

"Can't you just enter the cycle of reincarnation yourself?"

"No, it's pointless."

"Okay." Sui Zhixu fell asleep immediately, sprawled out in front of Xi Yushao's tombstone.

"Why are you sleeping?" Shouldn't she kick his grave or dig up his tomb?

"Please, I was already sleeping."

Xi Yushao transformed into a black shadow and entangled himself with it, but was kicked away by Sui Zhixu.

Again, kick again.

Sui Zhixu: "..."

She sat up.

"Your maternal age should be back by now. Have her send you away immediately!"

Sui Zhixu couldn't take it anymore. She had said that she wasn't crazy, so why was she digging up other people's graves every day? She deserved it! She deserved it!

She kicked the tombstone, kicking it hard several times.

"brute!"

During the day, Sui Zhixu, with heavy dark circles under her eyes, woke up and was half-dead as Dan Hong did her hair and makeup.

She couldn't hear a word she said; she was completely lost in thought.

"Um?"

"This servant says that Young Master Fan and the others have returned!"

"Come back, come back... Huh? Who's coming back?"

"...Young Master Fan."

Sui Zhixu's eyes lit up. "Really? Quick, comb my hair faster, no, make it look nicer, and cover up under my eyes."

Yes, yes, yes.

There was still no news from Gu Qingyi, and Sui Zhixu's heart remained unsettled, while he was constantly being harassed by others.

She tried sleeping with Jiang Li, but she still dreamt about him. Jiang Li tried countless times to go to Chang'an to find out information, but to no avail.

Whether Gu Qingyi is dead or alive is completely unknown.

As the door creaked open, Danhong pushed it open, and she was still asking her how she looked. Danhong praised her tirelessly, and as soon as she lifted her foot, she looked up and met a pair of smiling eyes.

He stood under the eaves, his figure, clad in lotus leaf green, fresh and beautiful. Upon closer inspection, one could see that his brocade robe was open at the collar, and a jade belt cinched his waist, highlighting his slender figure. He smiled, a warm and flamboyant laugh, holding a jug of wine in his hand, which he waved to show her.

"I'm back!"

She glanced down at her own clothes, which were also lotus leaf green. Perhaps it was a meeting of minds?

Her heart skipped a beat. She waved for someone to come over, and Fan Lingzhang rushed over in a flash, his voice as loud as a gong, "A-Ling!"

As he got closer, he stopped in front of her, looking at her with bright eyes, and put his arm around her waist, nuzzling his chin on her shoulder.

I miss you so much~

"I miss you as well."

He raised his hand, swirled the wine, and clicked his tongue. "What a pity, I can only drink this by myself."

Sui Zhixu raised an eyebrow, "Did you see A-Nian when you came?"

"Jiang Niangzi? No, what's wrong?"

Sui Zhixu smiled and said, "Aniang said she'd chop you up."

She gestured with her hand, indicating its immense power.

Fan Lingzhang pouted and buried his head in Sui Zhixu's neck. "Then I'm doomed. Will A-Ling save me?"

"Um?"

"Ah Ling, save me~ Hibiscus is only ugly in the head."

"It's okay, just put it in a vase."

"Oh, I was wrong, I shouldn't have joked." Fan Lingzhang handed the wine to Dan Hong, telling her to take it away quickly, as it was bad luck.

Sui Zhixu turned his head around and held his chin in her hand, "Why have you gotten fatter?"

"No way! I've clearly lost weight. I'll drink the strongest liquor and ride a horse that can travel a thousand miles a day. I'll rush back day and night. Look at me, heavens have mercy, my face is all rough from the wind."

When Fan Lingzhang met Sui Zhixu's smiling eyes, he knew she was doing it on purpose.

"I miss you so much, I really miss you."

As she pressed her forehead against his, a hint of vulnerability showed in her expression.

"Why did you run off without a word? You didn't even tell me..."

Their noses crossed, and Fan Lingzhang watched as her tears fell silently, momentarily panicking.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was wrong, Ah Ling."

He reached out to wipe away her tears, then tilted his head slightly to kiss her eyes. Her peach blossom eyes were misty with tears as she looked up into his.

"Don't cry. It's all my fault. If you're unhappy, you can hit me or scold me. If that doesn't work, you can have Jiang Niangzi chop me up. I won't complain. But don't be unhappy alone. I was inconsiderate and got you pregnant. I haven't been by your side these past few months, leaving you to face all this alone. I won't leave again."

"Since you like fine wine, I thought I'd bring you some wine from Yue Kingdom. We can drink it together after you're ten months pregnant. I absolutely had no intention of keeping it for myself! It was my lack of tact that led to this inappropriate joke."

Sui Zhixu shook her head, "Not this..."

"What is it? It's okay, I'm here, you can speak slowly."

Fan Lingzhang pulled her into his arms, and as Xu recalled the moment the silver needle pierced Gu Qingyi's heart, and Gu Qingyi's indifferent eyes, she couldn't bear it.

"I think I killed my teacher..." She gripped his collar tightly. "I can't find any news about her. I don't know if she's alive or dead. I think I really did kill her by accident. I shouldn't have used the umbrella. I haven't used it in a long time. I was too arrogant and thought I could control it..."

She didn't want to dream about Xi Yushao at all. Every time, every night, it would remind her of that day, over and over again, endlessly.

She even wondered why, if Gu Qingyi really was dead, she wouldn't come into her dream.

"Zirong... what should I do?"