Chapter 62 Drinking Snow (Part Two) His feelings for her were more than friendship...

News from the imperial court always has its channels of dissemination. That night, the news that the Princess of Jiayang County would be bestowed the title of princess and sent to marry the Prince of Beili had already spread throughout the court.

Prince You had only one daughter, whom he doted on. Now, she was being married off to a distant land, where she would face foreign faces and the desert winds and sands every day. Many people felt sorry for Prince You's family.

Another piece of news, unknown to everyone except the imperial family and the Song family, was learned by chance by a palace maid serving the Empress when Xu Yueyuan entered the palace to meet His Highness.

The debt of gratitude remained unpaid, yet the benefactor was inexplicably added to the princess's dowry procession, thus leaving the Great Yan. This parting might be their last.

Wei Yi felt a heavy weight in her chest, as if the oppressive water from that day had once again covered her chest. She desperately wanted to do something, but she didn't know what she could do.

"Sister Weiyi, why are you here all alone?" The ladies-in-waiting had finished their tasks and were chatting together when they saw Weiyi standing alone to the side. One of the ladies-in-waiting with a round face came up and gently patted her.

Wei Yi flinched like a startled cat, turned around and saw Yun Zhi. She sighed slightly and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing... Why do kind-hearted people always have such bitter lives..."

The second half of the sentence was spoken very softly, almost like a murmur. Yunzhi listened carefully for a while and asked, "Who is Sister talking about?"

The selection of female historians in our dynasty is rigorous; they are all chosen through a series of examinations. Wei Yi was granted this position by an exception made by the Empress. Some pitied her family's decline, while others envied her exemption from the selection process, and thus treated her less warmly than others. Yun Zhi, observing her demeanor, believed she was still grieving over this matter.

Wei Yi pondered for a moment, then pulled the person to a spot a little further inside. She glanced at the window and whispered, "Yunzhi, what should we do if someone who has been kind to you suddenly encounters a calamity and is to be sent far away?"

At this moment, the only one who is "suddenly facing calamity and about to leave the country" is the Princess of Jiayang County.

Upon hearing this, Yunzhi's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised that she had such a connection with the county princess.

In this world, let alone a marriage alliance, the separation of the two cities is enough to cause sorrow. With Princess Jiayang gone, it's likely we'll never see her again. If Wei Yi wants to repay her debt of gratitude, should she ask His Majesty for help?

If even a noblewoman like the Princess of Jiayang couldn't change her fate, what could a lowly maid like them possibly change?

Yunzhi glanced at her and asked cautiously, "What kind of kindness is this?"

Wei Yi replied, "It is a debt of gratitude for being given a second chance at life."

Yunzhi put herself in her shoes and thought about it. The debt of gratitude for being reborn was too heavy. If it were her, she would not be able to relieve the benefactor's suffering, but could only serve her wholeheartedly.

Then she said, "Sister, would you be willing to ask Her Majesty the Empress to include you in the retinue of the marriage alliance? That way you can serve your benefactor."

Wei Yi had never thought of these words before. Hearing them now, she suddenly felt dizzy from the sunlight shining through the window. Even though the sunlight hadn't yet hit her face directly, she felt unsteady on her feet.

Yunzhi's hand came to her arm and helped her up: "Sister, is something wrong?"

Wei Yi slowly pulled up her sleeves, her face showing a hint of fatigue: "Perhaps I have a bit of heatstroke, but it's nothing."

Thinking back to what Yunzhi said, it was something she wouldn't even dare to imagine. Beili was rugged and wild; she had read about the way of life there in poems and literature, and it was incomparable to the Yan Dynasty, which was built on poetry, books, and etiquette.

Who can adapt to such a place? Who can stand there for long and inevitably die young?

Wei Yi was unwilling and dared not follow, but she truly felt sorrow for Miss Song. Miss Song was so young and delicate, how could she have to face such a tragic fate?

She was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, but in the end, all she could do was cry for Zhi Rou.

Song Congzhao repeatedly sought an audience with the emperor about this matter, but Zhi Rou was still unaware of it, only noticing that the people in her family were looking at her strangely.

For example, Xu Yueyuan, she went to pay her respects every morning and evening, and rarely missed a visit over the years. The person at the head of the table always had a haughty look in his eyes and would not even glance at her. But this time, when he looked at her repeatedly, there was an indescribable meaning in his expression.

When Zhi Rou and her aunt first arrived at the Song residence, Xu Yueyuan was filled with intense hatred. Having already missed out on a marriage with a nobleman, and being inferior to her younger sister, she had thought that her husband's loyalty and lack of concubines had already drawn envious glances from many. The resentment in her heart had long since been gradually erased.

Their arrival was like a soft knife stuck in her heart.

Xu Yueyuan had planned that once the old lady passed away, she would expose the misdeeds that Fourth Sister had accumulated over the years to the elders, and send her back to Luozhou or anywhere else to cultivate her character and get rid of her from her sight.

Now that this has happened, she actually feels a little sorry for Fourth Sister.

Although Fourth Sister had her shortcomings and a mischievous personality, she never needed anyone else to help her with the troubles she caused. She was able to resolve her own problems even when she was very young, and she never made any major mistakes in terms of family reputation.

Thinking back, when she was ill, Fourth Sister had encouraged Jin'er to cook soup for her and take care of her at her bedside.

Jin'er accidentally burned her finger, and she got very angry about it. The fourth girl stood there with pouting and red eyes. No matter how much she scolded her, she didn't shed a single tear, but she looked extremely aggrieved.

Xu Yueyuan's gaze lingered on Zhi Rou's face; the girl's bright brown eyes seemed to speak volumes.

Xu Yueyuan was probably reluctant to part with her. Why should such a beautiful young girl have to suffer in a place that is constantly at war and almost uncivilized? What exactly does Her Majesty the Empress mean?

"Go study, don't sit here anymore." Her face lost its luster, her eyes swept over Zhi Rou, and she said to Granny Liu, "Tell the cooks to make some lotus leaf soup for the young ladies. It's hot these days, don't let them catch a heatstroke."

Zhi Rou and Song Hanjin came out together. She stood under the eaves, glanced at the door for a moment, and shook her head.

"What's wrong?" Song Hanjin glanced at her lazily and went down the steps.

Zhi Rou frowned and said softly, "My mother has been watching me the whole time."

As if she had heard something amusing, Song Hanjin raised her lips slightly: "There are only a few of us in the house, who else can Mother go to see?"

Unable to explain, Zhi Rou glanced at Granny Liu again. Granny Liu looked at her with a strange expression. Had she done something wrong again?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but examine her actions over the past two months. She had complied with her father's wishes and had not visited the Ling residence since. These past few days, she had only been practicing riding with Wei Yuanzhan at the training ground, so there should be no mistake.

Song Hanjin walked slowly, and seeing that Zhirou still hadn't caught up, she turned and called to her. Zhirou responded, took off her boots, and followed. Song Hanjin looked at her for a moment and said, "Fourth sister, aren't you thinking too much?"

Zhi Rou didn't answer. She raised her hand and touched her left arm, which had been itchy for the past few days. She couldn't figure out why Xu Yueyuan's eyes had changed, so she simply ignored it. She just smiled slightly at Song Hanjin and shrugged, indicating that the matter was over.

Zhi Rou understood the reason six days later, in the afternoon.

Several boxes of gifts arrived from the palace, more numerous and grander than those previously sent to the Marquis of Yining's residence. Hearing that her eldest uncle had been promoted the day before, everyone offered their congratulations. Seeing this, Zhi Rou thought that some great joy had occurred.

Not long after this, Song Congzhao summoned Zhirou to his study.

The weather was fine, and the slanting rays of the setting sun cast a thin golden light across the floor tiles, forming a long, diamond-shaped pattern. Song Congzhao's chair was bathed in that light, his Taoist robe partially illuminated by the interplay of light and shadow.

He pointed to a round stool and told Zhi Rou to sit down. After a while, he finally spoke, "His Majesty has decreed that you accompany Princess Huai Xian to the border for a marriage alliance. You will depart next month."

His face was heavy, and his voice was weak, as if filled with deep shame. After speaking, he remained silent and looked at Zhi Rou.

Just like five years ago, the situation he had anticipated did not occur. Zhi Rou was very quiet, sitting there blankly or lost in thought, her beautiful face expressionless.

The shadows of the trees shifted, and the light entering the room gradually changed shape.

Zhi Rou finally spoke, asking, "If you go to the borderlands, will you come back?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she lifted her eyelashes. These words, coming from the mouth of a bright and intelligent child, were extremely endearing.

"Me alone?"

"Rou'er..." Song Congzhao's voice was slightly choked with emotion.

He clenched his fist, unable to utter a single word of comfort to his daughter whom he had spent five years with.

"Why?" Zhi Rou seemed to only then remember to ask him, and then she whispered, "Father..."

His voice trembled slightly, like an innocent child relying on his father.

She had never called him that.

Song Congzhao's heart pounded, and a hard lump rolled up in his throat, making it dry and painful. In a place where no one could see him, the corners of his eyes were already wet.

When we returned to Longyuexuan, it was pitch black.

Zhi Rou quickly entered the room, without lighting any lamps or inviting anyone in, and closed the door alone.

Xinghui already knew about the Emperor's decree regarding the Song family from those around her. She was worried about the Fourth Miss and did not eat anything all afternoon.

When Zhi Rou returned, she followed closely behind. When they reached the outside, she stopped and stood guard on the porch without saying a word.

Longyuexuan has very few servants. The fourth young lady is kind and gentle. Upon hearing the news, they all silently stood over, hoping to do something for their mistress.

The doorway was quiet, as if only the annoying wind was constantly rustling.

Xinghui heard it.

Aside from the sound of the wind, the sobbing hidden behind the door was from the Fourth Sister.

News of the Song family reached the Yining Marquis's residence in less than half a day.

A crescent moon hangs in the sky, like a dagger slicing open a gash, bestowing upon the world the long night it has strangled.

The change came suddenly. Wei Yuanzhan was still writing in his residence when he suddenly heard the news. The wolf-hair brush in his hand fell to the ground, and a clump of ink cut into the paper, spreading messily in all directions.

He seemed bewildered and disbelieving of such an absurd decree. After a long pause, he asked, "What did you say?"

Chang Huai couldn't bear to look at him, and felt sad for the Fourth Miss. She was in such a beautiful age, with a pure and kind nature. Her journey to Bei Li... the road she had to walk was fraught with danger.

Chang Huai lowered his eyelashes and replied, his voice so low that even he himself could hardly hear it.

Wei Yuanzhan paused for a long time, from initial surprise and doubt to panic, and now, he suddenly felt a strange pain spreading in his chest.

This was the first time at the age of sixteen that he realized his feelings for Song Zhirou—a complex and irreplaceable emotion, a fear of losing her, which was stronger than friendship.

That same night, he finally realized the words his father had once reprimanded him. He had been so arrogant and ignorant, thinking that everything he had under his control would never collapse. But the world is ever-changing, and he was so weak that he didn't even have the right to ask His Majesty a question in the palace.

He remained silent and made no move. Chang Huai raised his eyes and saw that Wei Yuanzhan's eyes were lowered, but his hand on the table was clenched into a fist.

He didn't act impulsively, but Changhuai felt a vague unease. For some reason, he had a feeling that the Fourth Miss's trip would bring about huge changes in the Marquis's mansion, but these changes were beyond his control.