Chapter 222

Spring in Cangzhou is rainy, and the mountains are much colder than the human world. While the peach blossoms and willows outside have begun to fade, the vibrant spring flowers in Fanxin Valley are in full bloom.

Outside the courtyard, rain fell incessantly, shrouding the sky and earth in a curtain of water. No birds were seen in the valley, and no one else moved about; the surroundings were eerily quiet amidst the clamor of the rain. Yin Qiu, wrapped in Gongzi Fan's cloak, leaned against a wooden chair under the eaves, watching the rain. Gongzi Fan sat beside her, holding a needle and thread and scissors, sewing clothes for her.

Yin Qiu came without bringing anything with her. The clothes she had changed out of a couple of days ago had been washed and hadn't dried due to the rain. She had just taken a bath and realized she had no clean clothes to wear. It wasn't convenient for her to ask her disciples to bring her new clothes in the rain, so Gongzi Fan had to temporarily take one of his own sets, hoping that Yin Qiu could wear it after the change of clothes.

The lighting was poor on a rainy day, and the room was a bit stuffy, so the two of them sat on the veranda. Gongzi Fan set up a small wooden table and lit a few lamps. Yin Qiu sat for a while and started to feel sleepy, yawning as she asked, "Is it ready yet? How much longer?"

“It’ll be done soon,” Gongzi Fan said, burying his head in his work and mending by the lamplight. “Just wait a little longer.”

Seeing his skillful movements and how he did needlework better than she did, Yin Qiu couldn't help but laugh and say, "You can grow flowers, cook, and thread a needle. How come you can do everything?"

The dim candlelight illuminated Gongzi Fan's well-defined face, revealing a refined and elegant demeanor. He cut off the excess fabric, examining it carefully, and said, "We can't expect others to do everything for us. We should learn to do what we can ourselves. That way, even if we're alone, we can still live a good life."

“Our master said, ‘A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen,’” Yin Qiu teased deliberately. “It seems you don’t want to be a gentleman.”

“Whether someone is a gentleman or not has never been determined by such things, and this saying is not used in this way,” said Gongzi Fan. “A gentleman also needs to eat and wear clothes. Where does the food come from? Who makes the clothes? It is good to have close relatives to take good care of you, but you cannot take it for granted, much less use it to be arrogant. The so-called ‘a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen’ is just a high-sounding excuse from some lazy people. Your teacher is misleading students. Tell Man Jiangxue to kick him out.”

Yin Qiu knew exactly what those words meant, but he was curious to hear how the man would respond. He burst into laughter and said, "If our teacher heard you scolding him like that, his beard would be crooked with anger."

“I am not a gentleman, just an ordinary person,” Gongzi Fan laughed, covering Yin Qiu’s head with the tailored clothes. “Go try on the clothes that this ordinary person altered for you and see if they fit.”

The clothes were clearly washed and very clean, yet Yin Qiu still smelled a familiar medicinal scent. As she pulled the clothes off her head, Gongzi Fan had already gone into the kitchen to start a fire and cook dinner. Yin Qiu returned to her room and changed. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, she saw that the wide black robe had been altered into a long gown that fit her figure perfectly, with a cross-collar, arrow-sleeved cuffs, a jade belt at her waist, and a flowing, wrinkle-free skirt—exquisitely neat and tidy. Being men's clothing, it inevitably lacked some of the feminine grace but possessed a youthful spirit. However, on Yin Qiu, it made her look radiant and exceptionally beautiful.

Smoke gradually rose from the kitchen, and the steam rose from the chimney into the gentle breeze and drizzle. As Gongzi Fan finished steaming the rice and was about to leave with the wooden bucket, a tall figure, as straight as a green bamboo, stood in the corridor, his face covered by a silver mask.

"Does it look like me?" Yin Qiu spun around and asked with a grin, "From now on, Gongzi Fan is me, and who are you?"

“I don’t know this person you’re talking about either,” said Gongzi Fan. “Nobody is worth mentioning. Why don’t you pretend to be someone else, like a famous martial arts master? That would be more impressive than Gongzi Fan.”

“I don’t know any great heroes, I only know Young Master Fan,” Yin Qiu asked as he saw him put on a raincoat and a bamboo hat and head towards the well. “What’s in your bucket?”

Gongzi Fan squatted down by the well and said, "It's a yellow croaker. I'll cook it for you."

Yin Qiu asked, "How do we do it?"

"Whatever you say," said Gongzi Fan. "Do you prefer it steamed or braised?"

Yin Qiu thought for a moment and said, "Either is fine. My martial aunt loves to eat fish, and I usually eat sweet and sour fish with her."

“Then sweet and sour,” Gongzi Fan said, taking out a small knife and starting to scrape the fish scales. “If you’re hungry, eat some pastries first. I’ll try to be quick.”

Yin Qiu said "Oh" and sat quietly on the wooden chair watching him prepare the fish. After the fish was gutted and cleaned, Gongzi Fan returned to the kitchen. However, he was too fast, and while everything else was prepared, the rice in the pot was not yet cooked. Gongzi Fan had no choice but to say to Yin Qiu, "Where are your clothes? Bring them here and I'll wash them for you."

Yin Qiu ran back to her room and took out her clothes. These past few days, she had been sparring with Shen Wang almost every day, and in the heat of the moment, she had forgotten everything else, so the hem of her skirt was covered in mud and quite dirty. Gongzi Fan patted the dust off, then took some soap powder and squatted down by the well to wash Yin Qiu's clothes.

Yin Qiu looked at him for a while, the smell of medicine still lingering in her nostrils. Suddenly, she had an idea, grabbed an umbrella, and went down the steps, saying, "I'm going into the woods for a bit. I'll be right back."

Gongzi Fan wanted to call her back, but Yin Qiu used her lightness skill to fly away without giving him a chance to speak. Fortunately, Yin Qiu did return not long after, walking carefully with her skirt tucked in, her boots soaked.

"You just changed your clothes, did you get them dirty again?" Gongzi Fan said. "The ones you're holding aren't even clean yet, but you're running pretty fast."

Yin Qiu pretended not to hear, shook the petals she had gathered in the hem of her skirt into the wooden basin, pursed her lips and said, "It's such a pity that such beautiful flowers have been destroyed by the wind and rain. I'll collect them, dry them, and then mix them with some medicinal herbs to make a sachet."

Gongzi Fan wrung out the water, hung the clothes in the corridor, and asked, "Is this for Man Jiangxue?"

Yin Qiu turned to look at him, gave an ambiguous "hmm," and said, "More or less, I do have a martial uncle too..."

After the clothes were washed, Gongzi Fan went to the kitchen to cook. Yin Qiu spread flower petals in a sieve and placed it by the stove to dry the steam. Gongzi Fan set up the pot, poured in the oil, and waited for it to heat up before putting the fish in. He then said to Yin Qiu, "Go play outside. There's too much smoke in here, don't let it bother you."

Yin Qiu obediently responded and returned to the corridor to sit down and wait. About half an hour later, various aromas gradually wafted from the kitchen. Gongzi Fan called out from inside, and Yin Qiu very conscientiously took out bowls and chopsticks, and brought all the prepared dishes to the table. The two of them did not go inside, but ate a comfortable dinner chatting and laughing under the eaves.

Soon, darkness fell, a light rain drizzled, and a gentle breeze blew. Yin Qiu, having eaten her fill, offered to wash the dishes, but Gongzi Fan declined, giving her a bowl of dessert—a bowl of mung bean soup that had been prepared earlier. As Yin Qiu finished the soup, Gongzi Fan had already washed the dishes. The two sat side-by-side, chatting casually while gazing at the misty night view.

Later, Yin Qiu hung lanterns under the eaves, but after sitting for a short while, she began to doze off again. Gongzi Fan escorted her back to her room, and after Yin Qiu lay down on the couch and covered herself with a blanket, Gongzi Fan picked out a local miscellaneous book from the bookshelf and read it to her. Only after Yin Qiu had completely fallen asleep did Gongzi Fan fall silent. He stayed by Yin Qiu's side for a while before returning to his own room.

A cool evening breeze blew, dripping raindrops pattered from the eaves, and withered petals and leaves littered the windowsill. Gongzi Fan sat quietly in his room for a while, then brewed and drank his medicine before falling asleep. As midnight approached, Chen Wang arrived with an umbrella. Glancing at Yin Qiu's room, he saw no light and assumed she was already asleep. He lowered his voice and asked, "The day we agreed upon with the master is almost here. Did your godfather and Miss Yin speak to him?"

Gongzi Fan paused for a moment, then replied, "Not yet."

"Let's explain as soon as possible," Shen Wang sighed. "You know the Master's style; he never goes back on his word. He's leaving the day after tomorrow, and no one can keep him for a few more days. My godfather will be going with the Master sooner or later, so let's inform Miss Yin in advance so she can be mentally prepared and avoid being heartbroken on the day of parting, right?"

Gongzi Fan looked out the window, where Yin Qiu's clothes were hanging.

“Since my godfather is leaving, I cannot go with him. I must stay in the valley to take care of my younger siblings,” Shen Wang said. “Even with the master here, you can’t be without someone by your side. I’ll have my third junior brother accompany you. Tomorrow, you can find an excuse to take Miss Yin to another place to play, so we can come and pack our things. A young novice monk came to deliver a message earlier, saying that the master has already prepared a boat and will be setting sail southwest from Pingyang River at dawn the day after tomorrow. If you don’t say anything by tomorrow, you’ll miss your chance.”

Gongzi Fan listened quietly, and after a long while, he finally managed a smile, tinged with bitterness, and said, "I thought Xiao Qiu had just arrived, but I didn't expect that the half-month period would already be coming to an end."

Shen Wang looked reluctant and could only comfort him, saying, "A temporary separation can bring more time together, so it's worth it. Godfather must prioritize his health. You may appear fine on the surface, but you are already exhausted inside. Besides the Master, I can't think of anyone else who can cure you. Just as the Master said, after you and Miss Yin recognize each other and settle down in this mundane world, you can travel to the vast land and explore the mountains and rivers. This will be more beneficial to your recovery. Miss Yin is understanding; she will understand you."

Gongzi Fan remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "I understand. You may leave."

Shen Wang nodded slightly, quietly pushed open the door and left the secluded courtyard. Gongzi Fan pondered for a long time. He wanted to go and see Yin Qiu again, but even though he had already walked to the door, he couldn't push it open. He stood silently outside Yin Qiu's room until midnight before going back. He didn't sleep a wink all night and couldn't sleep at all.

The rain stopped the next day, and the sky brightened. Yin Qiu woke up to the clear chirping of birds. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Gongzi Fan sitting by the bed, softly calling her, "Xiao Qiu."

Yin Qiu was startled and sat up, rubbing her eyes: "Why are you up so early?"

“I’ve made breakfast. Go wash up quickly,” said Gongzi Fan. “After you eat, I’ll take you to meet your grandparents.”

Yin Qiu paused in rubbing her eyes and asked, "Grandpa and Grandma?"

“It’s a cenotaph,” Gongzi Fan handed her the clothes. “After being here for so many days, it’s time to pay our respects to them.”

Yin Qiu's lingering sleepiness vanished. She immediately put on her clothes, got out of bed, ran to the well to fetch water to wash her face and rinse her mouth, and then returned to her room to comb her hair. Gongzi Fan followed her the whole time, doing everything with her, but he didn't say a word, just watching her from the side. Yin Qiu didn't find it strange. After tidying up, she set up a small wooden table in the courtyard as usual, ate some light porridge and side dishes, and this time Yin Qiu refused to let Gongzi Fan wash the dishes. She quickly took over the housework, and Gongzi Fan still followed her, watching her.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Yin Qiu touched her face and asked, "Is there something dirty on my face that I haven't washed off?"

Gongzi Fan shook his head and said nothing more, ordering her, "Go and bring out the joss paper and incense from the room."

Yin Qiu went into the room, retrieved her things, and when she came out, she met Gongzi Fan's meaningful gaze again. Yin Qiu, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, said, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Gongzi Fan shook his head again.

“Something’s not right with you,” Yin Qiu leaned closer to Gongzi Fan, frowning as she scrutinized him. “You’re definitely hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

Gongzi Fan moved his lips, but in the end he just patted Yin Qiu's head, lifted his leg and said, "Let's go."

Yin Qiu stared at his back with a puzzled look in her eyes, then strode to catch up with Gongzi Fan, still unwilling to give up, and asked, "You really have nothing to say to me?"

“Yes, there is,” Gongzi Fan laughed, taking Yin Qiu’s hand. “Seeing how well you’ve grown up and how beautiful you are, I’m happy.”

“That’s all thanks to you and Mother,” Yin Qiu tilted her head and looked at him. “Is that all?”

“Yes,” Gongzi Fan said calmly, “only this.”

Yin Qiu said, "I don't believe it," she said firmly, "You're definitely not trying to say that. What is it then?"

Gongzi Fan chuckled: "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you, so I won't say anything more."

Yin Qiu scrutinized him for a while. Although she was certain that Gongzi Fan must have something else on his mind, she didn't press him further since he wouldn't say. She muttered, "Then you can praise me a few more times, right? Girls love to hear people say they're pretty."

Hearing this, Gongzi Fan was both amused and exasperated, so he praised her a few more times. Yin Qiu beamed with joy and was in a great mood the whole way. She ran around ahead, picking many flowers and chasing butterflies for a while. When they arrived at their destination and saw two cenotaphs standing deep in the apricot grove, Yin Qiu finally became serious and stopped her antics.

“It’s called a cenotaph, but there’s nothing inside,” Gongzi Fan said, adding some soil to the mound. “I left Ruyi Gate in a hurry and didn’t have time to take anything with me, so this is just an empty mound.”

Yin Qiu lit incense and candles, burned all the paper money she had brought, and knelt on the ground, kowtowing several times. She looked around and saw the apricot blossoms fluttering in the air, a serene and unique scene, and couldn't help but sigh, "This place is really nice. Why didn't you build one for my mother too?"

Gongzi Fan was silent for a moment before replying, "I didn't know whether she was alive or dead before, and even after I found out, I still couldn't accept it."

The erection of a cenotaph signifies that Shen Mandong has truly passed away; it is proof that there is no longer any room for self-deception.

Hearing him say that, Yin Qiu's eyes darkened slightly, but then she smiled faintly: "How can we not even have a grave? Let's stand it together with our grandparents, so they can keep each other company. When we come to pay our respects, it will be a family reunion."

After saying this, she walked to the side, knelt down, and began digging in the yellow mud with her bare hands. Just as Gongzi Fan was about to tell her she didn't need to do this, Yin Qiu stood up before he could speak and said, "My grandparents didn't leave anything behind, so do you still have any of my mother's things?"

Gongzi Fan said, "Originally, there was a purple jade pendant, which was given to me and your mother by Manzhen on the day of our wedding. It had a dragon and a phoenix. But when I asked Wang'er to take the pendant to see Manzhen, she smashed it. Now there is nothing left."

"What about the letter my mother wrote to you?" Yin Qiu said, "You ask when I will return, but there is no set date; the autumn rain in Bashan swells the pond at night."

“That won’t do. If it rains, the writing will smudge,” said Gongzi Fan. “I can’t bear to do that.”

Yin Qiu thought for a moment, then suddenly her eyes lit up. She got up and said, “I have some. I have the Buddhist beads that she gave to the sect leader. They were made by my mother. So, can they be considered hers? Wait here. I put them in my room when I was washing my face. I’ll go get them now.”

Seeing that she was about to leave after saying this, Gongzi Fan frowned slightly and subconsciously called out, "Xiao Qiu—"

Yin Qiu paused, turned around, and asked, "What?"

Gongzi Fan hesitated, unable to bring himself to tell her not to go back. In the end, he waved his hand helplessly and said, "...It's nothing, go ahead."

Yin Qiu was suspicious, feeling that Gongzi Fan seemed a bit strange today, but she didn't ask any questions at the moment. She used her lightness skill to hurry back the way she came. Before she even entered the courtyard, she saw many figures coming and going. When she went over to take a look, she found that Shen Wang was leading his disciples to pack something.

"What are you all busy with?" Yin Qiu poked her head into the study and asked Shen Wang.

The disciples were all busy with their work and no one noticed that she had returned. When Shen Wang saw Yin Qiu, he was taken aback and stammered, "Um... I wasn't busy with anything, just cleaning up my godfather's room."

Yin Qiu glanced around and raised an eyebrow: "Then why pack so many clothes?"

Chen Wang was in a real bind, and tried his best to lie frankly, saying, "After spring comes, there are some clothes that my godfather can no longer wear, so they need to be sealed and stored away."

“But these are all spring clothes,” Yin Qiu opened the box and looked inside. “And these cloaks, he wears them every day. If you put these things away, what will he use to change into?”

“This…” Shen Wang stammered, unable to continue the story.

Yin Qiu stared intently at him, then noticed the other disciples avoiding her gaze, seemingly unwilling to speak to her, each appearing to be trying their best to hide their unease. As Yin Qiu watched, her expression involuntarily darkened.

Chen Wang said, "Miss Yin..."

"Is he leaving?" Yin Qiu suddenly asked. "Where is he going?"

Chen Wang looked troubled, unsure how to answer.

“Tell me, it’s okay,” Yin Qiu said. “I just want to know where he’s going.”

Having said all that, there was no way to hide it anymore, so Shen Wang had no choice but to tell the truth: "This is something that your godfather should have told you directly, but since you don't know yet, I suppose it's difficult for your godfather to say it." As he spoke, he gestured for his disciples to move all the things out. "You should have already heard who saved your godfather back then. That master loved to travel all over the world. Whenever he went to a place, he would stay for no more than half a month before leaving. This time, he made an exception for your godfather and stayed for these extra days. In addition, he had important business to attend to in the south, so he had to leave. If it weren't for the fact that you still needed to recognize your godfather, he should have left with him long ago."

Yin Qiu said, "Can't he go his own way and come back after he's done his business?"

“The Master’s whereabouts are unpredictable, he travels wherever he pleases,” Shen Wang said. “Once he sets off, he wanders aimlessly, not even knowing where he will settle down. Besides, monks have never had a fixed place to return to. The last time he returned to Cangzhou was eight years ago, and no one knows when he will return next. Furthermore, he wants to take his adoptive father with him so that his adoptive father can travel the world with him and cultivate on foot. That is also a way to heal his illness. Otherwise, how could the Master not have healed his adoptive father’s old injuries after he stayed in the valley for so many years? It is precisely because his adoptive father stays here every day, seeing things and thinking of people, that his worries have not diminished, and he has become ill from overwork. That is why the Master wants him to change his environment and his state of mind. Miss Yin, this may not be a bad thing for the adoptive father. I heard that the Master of Mingyue Tower has already set off alone on horseback to wander the world, most likely to start over in another place. This is the same reason why the adoptive father is leaving today.”

"How long will it take them to leave?" Yin Qiu asked. "Will they be able to return only after their injuries have fully healed?"

“I don’t know either,” Shen Wang said. “I expect that it won’t be long before your godfather comes back to see you.”

The spring breeze was slightly cool, and it felt a bit colder than the past few days. Yin Qiu stood there for a while, then lowered her eyes and said, "Alright, I understand."

She went back to her room to retrieve the sandalwood prayer beads, then carried a hoe from the yard. She walked slowly, pausing frequently, often lost in thought. When she reached the apricot grove, she saw Gongzi Fan's back in the distance. Yin Qiu's eyes reddened, and she hid, shedding a few tears. After a long while, she composed herself, smiled to herself, and leaped towards Gongzi Fan.

"Look, I've brought it." Yin Qiu handed the Buddhist beads to Gongzi Fan and began digging a hole with deft hands and feet.

“I’ll do it,” said Gongzi Fan. “You wait over there, don’t tire yourself out.”

Yin Qiu had her back to him and refused to let go: "You are a patient and cannot do this kind of rough work. I will do it."

Gongzi Fan said, "I'm not that sick. You should have taken an extra hoe. If your grandparents and Mandong saw this, they might come to me in my dreams and scold me."

“Then just yell at them,” Yin Qiu said. “If you’re thick-skinned, just let it go in one ear and out the other, and they won’t be able to do anything about it.”

Gongzi Fan couldn't see her face, but he could sense that Yin Qiu wasn't as happy as before after her trip. Gongzi Fan stared at her, his heart feeling like it had been doused with hot oil, sizzling and burning, leaving him a bloody mess, too painful to speak.

Holding back her tears, Yin Qiu kept her back to Gongzi Fan. She quickly dug a hole, put the Buddhist beads in, and then used a hoe to cover it with soil. Gongzi Fan gazed at her and said, "Xiao Qiu, I have something to tell you."

Yin Qiu busied herself, afraid of being idle. Hearing this, she grinned at Gongzi Fan and said, "I also have something to tell you." She filled in the small hole, squatted down, and patted it flat with her hands. "I want to eat fish for lunch. The fish last night was delicious, but it wasn't sweet enough. Could you put less vinegar in it later?"

When Gongzi Fan saw that her eyes were still red, he felt as if another spoonful of hot oil had been poured over his heart. He said softly, "We've finished eating the fish, we need to go fishing in the river."

“Then take me fishing,” Yin Qiu stood up and said, counting on her fingers. “When we get back, we’ll pick a piece of wood and carve a monument. You carve the words, and I’ll do the ink. Then we’ll go fishing by the river, have lunch, take a nap, and go stargazing in the evening. How about that?”

Gongzi Fan said, "Xiao Qiu..."

"It's decided!" Yin Qiu brushed the dirt off her hands, shouldered her hoe, and started running. "First come, first served! No need to wash the dishes! Come and catch me!"

Gongzi Fan's throat tightened as he watched Yin Qiu's skipping figure for a long while before he finally said, "Slow down, don't fall. Aren't you going to wait for me, your patient?"

Yin Qiu stopped ahead, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and then turned around and said, "Then you'd better hurry up."

Following her advice, Gongzi Fan quickened his pace. The two returned to the courtyard, rested for a while, and drank some tea. Yin Qiu couldn't sit still, so she ran to the woodshed and found a wooden plank, just the right size. Gongzi Fan, holding a carving knife, carved the words "Tomb of My Beloved Wife, Mandong" in large characters. Yin Qiu then picked up a brush, colored it, and placed it by the door to let the ink dry naturally. After finishing this, Yin Qiu grabbed a fishing rod and bait, and without delay, pushed Gongzi Fan to the small bridge by the river to fish. The two sat there all afternoon. Gongzi Fan caught quite a bit, but Yin Qiu caught nothing, spending all her time daydreaming.

"They're all yours," Gongzi Fan said with a smile, pouring the fish he had caught into Yin Qiu's basket. "Once they're in your basket, they're all yours."

Yin Qiu accepted it without a second thought, and said smugly, "I was the one who caught them, so you won't be able to catch a single one."

As night fell, the two, who hadn't eaten lunch, returned to their secluded courtyard with their fish baskets. Gongzi Fan, as he had done the day before, squatted by the well, cleaning the fish scales and innards, while Yin Qiu ate her candy wrapped in oil paper. She then rested for half an hour in the corridor, leaning against a chair. When she awoke, the food was already on the table, and Yin Qiu ate what was served. Afterward, she washed the dishes, still wanting to see the stars, so she took her lantern and went up the mountain with Gongzi Fan along the Heavenly Ladder.

The night sky after the rain was cloudless, still filled with dazzling stars, like a dream. Yin Qiu was still wearing the dress that Gongzi Fan had altered for her; the two were dressed alike, their features identical, and they nestled together in perfect harmony. After a busy day, burdened by worries, Yin Qiu was exhausted, both physically and mentally. On her way back after looking at the stars, she was so sleepy that she could barely keep her eyes open, stumbling and nearly falling several times on the stone steps.

Gongzi Fan held her tightly, walking very slowly. Once they reached the bottom of the heavenly ladder, he threw down the lantern, picked up Yin Qiu, and carried her back to their room. Yin Qiu fell asleep almost immediately upon touching the pillow, sleeping soundly. Gongzi Fan wiped her face and washed her hands, and as before, watched over her by the bed for a while before returning to his own room to sleep.

The next day, the sound of rushing water came from the courtyard. It was quite a commotion. Young Master Fan was awakened by the noise. When he got up, he saw that it was still dark outside and there was still a long time before dawn. Yin Qiu had woken up at some point and was washing rice and vegetables by the well.

Gongzi Fan felt a mix of emotions. He didn't even light the lamp, just sat motionless in the dimly lit room waiting. Sure enough, after finishing everything, Yin Qiu knocked on the door and called out, "It's getting late, come out and eat."

Gongzi Fan felt as if his heart was being torn apart, but he couldn't show it. He could only respond in a normal tone and then leave after a short while.

Yin Qiu cooked porridge, prepared a few light side dishes, and also brewed the medicine that Gongzi Fan needed. The two ate their last meal in silence. Yin Qiu then took out a cloak and draped it over Gongzi Fan, saying, "The ink has dried. Let's erect this wooden tablet for my mother."

Gongzi Fan nodded, holding the wooden tablet in his arms, and took Yin Qiu's hand with his free hand. When they arrived at the apricot blossom grove, Yin Qiu placed the wooden tablet in front of the grave mound, carefully burned paper money, lit incense and candles, and kowtowed several times.

The morning wind was strong, ruffling their clothes and black hair. Yin Qiu clasped her hands together and stood silently before Shen Mandong's grave for a while. Gongzi Fan asked, "What did you say to your mother?"

Yin Qiu opened her eyes and smiled: "I asked her to pray that you get better soon."

Gongzi Fan then followed her example and silently mourned. Yin Qiu also asked, "What did you say to my mother again?"

Gongzi Fan said, "I asked her to bless you with peace and good fortune throughout your life."

Yin Qiu said happily, "Thank you for your kind words." After saying that, she took Gongzi Fan's hand and hurried back. Looking at the sky, she said, "We have to hurry. We can't be late for our appointment. It's better to arrive early than to keep people waiting."

A thousand words welled up in his heart, yet he didn't know how to speak, or even where to begin. Gongzi Fan remained silent the entire way, his gaze fixed on Yin Qiu. The two crossed the secluded courtyard and descended the small bridge, where Shen Wang and his disciples were already waiting.

Seeing this, the disciples all looked reluctant to part, but none of them tried to stop him. Shen Wang mounted his horse, glanced at Yin Qiu and Gongzi Fan with a complicated expression, and also didn't know what to say.

Yin Qiu helped Gongzi Fan into the carriage, then followed and sat down beside him. Shen Wang made a hand gesture from outside, and the carriage immediately began to move, slowly heading towards the gate of Fanxin Valley.

The curtains fluttered, carrying the fragrance of pear and apricot blossoms in the spring breeze, yet unable to dispel the medicinal odor inside the carriage. Yin Qiu leaned against Gongzi Fan's chest, quietly gazing at the canyon and mountain path outside the curtains, her face unusually calm. Gongzi Fan held her, wanting to say something, but finding it difficult to speak. Only when the carriage reached a smooth, wide road, and a rushing river appeared at the horizon, did Yin Qiu seem to suddenly snap out of her reverie. She took a sachet from her sleeve and handed it to Gongzi Fan, saying, "This is for you."

The sachet was small and exquisite, embroidered with fiery red maple leaves, and three familiar names were embroidered on the back. Holding the sachet, Gongzi Fan was momentarily overwhelmed with turmoil, his mouth feeling bitter. He sighed, touched Yin Qiu's hand, which was covered in needle marks, and asked, "Didn't you sleep a wink last night?"

"I'm asleep," Yin Qiu said. "I got up early and rushed to finish this."

Gongzi Fan gazed at her intently.

"Remember to come back to see me," Yin Qiu forced a smile and said in a light tone, "Don't leave and then never want to come back."

“No,” Gongzi Fan said, “I will be back soon, and the first person I will come to see when I return is you.”

Yin Qiu said happily, "Then you have to keep your word. If you dare to lie to me, I will never talk to you again."

Gongzi Fan hummed in agreement, his voice gentle as he said, "I'm not lying to you."

The carriage stopped swaying and came to a stop on the riverbank in the early spring breeze.

Shen Wang reined in his horse and stood still, hesitating not to lift the curtain. Yin Qiu lifted the curtain herself, and only after Gongzi Fan landed first did she jump down from the carriage.

The river flowed mightily, and a damp, chilly morning mist filled the air. A small boat was moored on the bank not far away, and a monk sat cross-legged at the bow, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. Gongzi Fan exchanged a glance with him from afar, and the monk silently went into the cabin. The disciples carried the luggage onto the boat and, quite discreetly, went to stand elsewhere with Shen Wang.

Looking at the ship, Yin Qiu suddenly calmed down. She took a step back, released Gongzi Fan's hand, and said softly, "Go, it's time to get going."

Gongzi Fan turned to look at her.

Their clothes billowed in the air. Gongzi Fan still held the sachet in his hand. He smiled at Yin Qiu and said gently, "Go back and get a good night's sleep. Whenever you want to go back to Yunhua Palace, have them send you."

Yin Qiu nodded: "I know, don't worry about me."

Gongzi Fan stared at her for a long time, then turned away and said, "Then I'll be going."

Yin Qiu gave him a forced smile, and neither of them spoke again.

The next moment, the person in front of her slowly turned around and walked step by step toward the riverbank. The cold wind brushed across the river and then brushed against the hem of Gongzi Fan's clothes, carrying that familiar medicinal fragrance to Yin Qiu's face.

Looking at Gongzi Fan's retreating figure, she finally felt a lump in her throat and her eyes well up with tears. She subconsciously took a few steps forward.

"Father," Yin Qiu suddenly called out in a low voice.

Her voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible in the raging and rapid river wind, but Gongzi Fan seemed to hear it and suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and everyone's figures suddenly faded away under the gray sky. Only the sound of the wind continued to howl endlessly, lingering between the two people who were not far apart.

His hands, hanging limply at his sides, trembled uncontrollably. Gongzi Fan stood there like a statue, stunned for a very long time. After a long, deathly silence, he stiffly turned his head.

Yin Qiu's eyes were red, and she burst into tears the moment Gongzi Fan turned around. She mustered her courage, her voice trembling, and once again called out with all her might, "Father!"

Gongzi Fan's heart pounded like a drum, and his palms instantly broke out in a layer of sweat. He opened his mouth, but choked up and couldn't utter a single syllable. He could only open his arms and walk unsteadily toward Yin Qiu. Yin Qiu, with tears streaming down her face, also took a step as Gongzi Fan walked toward her.

She ran with all her might and rushed straight into Gongzi Fan's arms. At this moment, the father and daughter finally recognized each other and hugged each other tightly.

The gloomy clouds dispersed, the sky brightened, and even the wind seemed to soften. Gongzi Fan tightened his arms around Yin Qiu, holding her tightly in his embrace, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but mostly overwhelming joy.

"Xiao Qiu..." For the first time in many years, Gongzi Fan shed tears, his voice hoarse, "You've suffered so much. It's your father's fault for not protecting you..."

Yin Qiu cried her heart out, looking up at him and asking, "When are you coming back? Will you leave me again...?"

“No, Father has never abandoned you,” Gongzi Fan looked down at Yin Qiu, forcing back his tears, and said softly, “I promise you, next time I come back I won’t go anywhere else, I’ll just stay with you, okay?”

Yin Qiu looked at him longingly and sobbed, "But I can't bear to part with you. I want you to go, but I don't want you to go either."

“I know,” Gongzi Fan said, “I know all of this, and I can’t bear to part with you either.”

"father……"

"I'll cook for you when I get back, and I'll take you to see the stars," Gongzi Fan said with a smile, wiping away Yin Qiu's tears. "We'll also go see your aunt together. Be a good girl and wait for me, okay?"

Yin Qiu said, "Okay, okay..."

"Then stop crying," said Gongzi Fan. "Before you leave, give me a smile."

“I can’t laugh,” Yin Qiu said blankly. “I can’t laugh at all right now.”

Gongzi Fan said, "Then when I come back, come pick me up and smile at me again."

Yin Qiu nodded vigorously: "Then you must come back."

"Father keeps his word and will never break it," Gongzi Fan kissed her forehead. "Be good, okay?"

Yin Qiu sobbed, "I know, I will..."

"Stop your crying and wasting time, you two!" The monk who had entered the cabin suddenly came out upon hearing the commotion outside and shouted, "It's not like it's a matter of life and death, you'll see each other again in the future! You two are really father and daughter, why are you both so long-winded and whining! If you really care about your father, just let him go. Once he recovers from his illness, he can stay with you every day. If he stays too long, you'll find him annoying!"

“I won’t find my father annoying,” Yin Qiu said, first looking at the monk and then at Gongzi Fan. “I won’t find you annoying either.”

Gongzi Fan chuckled lightly: "You're a good child, of course you won't dislike your father."

Yin Qiu suppressed her grief and tried to stop her tears before saying with red eyes, "Then you should go. Remember to write to me when you get there, and take good care of yourself."

"I will, and you must take good care of yourself too." Gongzi Fan gently stroked her face, and after a long while, he reluctantly let go of Yin Qiu. He wiped away Yin Qiu's tears, looked at her for a while, and then suddenly raised his head as if sensing something, glancing in the direction behind Yin Qiu.

"Stop dawdling! If you don't come soon, I'm leaving!" The monk, growing impatient, urged repeatedly, "If you don't release your father soon, I'll make him shave his head and become a monk!"

Yin Qiu was a little angry and said loudly, "My father would never become a monk, don't talk nonsense!"

“I’m not making this up!” the monk said. “He did have that thought back then, you can ask him if you don’t believe me!”

“If my father becomes a monk like you, I’ll make trouble for you!” Yin Qiu said. “You’re not allowed to kidnap him!”

To everyone's surprise, the two of them were actually bickering from afar. Gongzi Fan laughed as he listened, patted Yin Qiu's head to comfort him, and said with a smile, "Alright, don't argue with your father's savior. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can see each other again."

Yin Qiu pursed her lips, reluctantly took a step back, and said in a soft voice, "Alright then, be careful on your journey." Then, she added with concern, "You're not really going to become a monk, are you?"

Gongzi Fan said, "I don't care about being a monk, I just want to be your father."

Upon hearing this, Yin Qiu finally broke into a smile through his tears: "That's good." He then added, "But if you really want to become a monk, that's fine too. I told you I don't mind. Even if you become a monk, you'll still be my father."

Gongzi Fan said, "That's natural."

The two looked at each other for a moment, then Yin Qiu hugged him again and said, "Then you can go now, I won't bother you anymore."

Gongzi Fan smiled slightly, shook the sachet in his hand, and walked backwards towards the riverbank. The monk rolled his eyes at this sight, grumbling as he returned to his cabin. Only after Gongzi Fan boarded the boat did Shen Wang and his disciples fly over one after another, waving goodbye to him.

"Godfather, come back soon and make sure you recover from your injuries. Don't just remember to write to Miss Yin; we should write to you too!"

The river rippled gently, its waters stretching endlessly. The boatman, using his pole, slowly propelled the small boat into the distance through the lingering morning mist. Gongzi Fan stood at the bow, scanning each face before finally looking at Yin Qiu and making a face at her.

Yin Qiu waved her arms continuously, watching Gongzi Fan's figure gradually blur into a halo in the fog until the small boat completely disappeared from sight. Only then did Yin Qiu slowly stop moving and fall silent with a sense of loss.

“Miss Yin, your godfather promised you that he will come back as soon as possible,” Shen Wang comforted you. “Don’t be too sad. Come back with us. We are also your godfather’s children, and your brothers and sisters. We will take good care of you in his place.”

With tears still glistening in her eyes and indescribable emotions still churning within her, Yin Qiu let out a long breath, raised her eyes to gaze at the empty river, and said in a hoarse voice, "I want to be alone for a while. Please wait for me."

Knowing that she was still not calm and needed time to process it, Shen Wang nodded in agreement and immediately led his disciples into the forest, giving Yin Qiu a peaceful atmosphere.

Hearing the footsteps behind her gradually fade away until they disappeared without a trace, Yin Qiu stood there silently for a while, her eyes reddening once again.

Memories of their time together over the years flooded her mind, from their initial acquaintance to their growing familiarity, and finally to their recognition of each other. It had taken her and Gongzi Fan almost seven years.

How many seven-year periods does one have in a lifetime? When the next seven years arrive, will her father still be by her side?

She finally... gained another family member.

She had only spent a few days together when her father passed away again, seriously injured and with no end in sight. Could he recover and spend many more seven-year periods with her?

Tears soaked her clothes, dripping continuously. The more Yin Qiu thought about it, the more distressed she became. She squatted alone by the river, weeping silently. She didn't know how much time had passed when she suddenly heard a very faint sound, as if someone was walking towards her. Yin Qiu opened her teary eyes and glimpsed a figure reflected in the water. She buried her head again and mumbled, "...Didn't I tell you to wait for me? I'll come find you later."

"Who are you looking for?" a gentle, spring-like voice asked.

Hearing that familiar voice, Yin Qiu was startled and quickly raised her eyelashes to look up. Under the gradually brightening sky, she saw a person dressed in a snow-white dress, with hair as black as ink. The smiling face was as white and fair as cold jade, and the eyes that were cast at her sparkled with starlight, clear and bright.

Upon seeing that face clearly, Yin Qiu's eyes widened, her heart filled with both surprise and joy. But when she opened her mouth, she burst into tears, crying even harder.

"Uncle-Master... Uncle-Master!"

With his arms outstretched, Man Jiangxue embraced her tightly. A delicate fragrance wafted over, masking some of the lingering medicinal scent on her clothes, making the aroma soft and soothing.

Yin Qiu was greatly surprised and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She just stared blankly at Man Jiangxue and asked in a daze, "Why did Martial Uncle come?"

Man Jiangxue smiled gently, kissed away the tears on Yin Qiu's face, looked into her eyes and whispered, "I've come to take you home."