Chapter 172 Intimate and Domineering Wife and Charming Husband.
When Yue Yining and Xie Qingyu came out of the Zhou residence, the sun was already slightly setting in the west.
Although a strategy had been decided after a half-day discussion with Zhou Congyi and several key figures of the Qingliu faction, the air was still thick with the impending storm.
The two had just boarded the carriage and were not even settled in when a man dressed as an ordinary servant quietly approached the window and whispered a few words.
Yue Yining remained expressionless, only nodding slightly to indicate that she understood. After the man left, the carriage slowly started moving.
“The people in the palace just sent word,” Yue Yining said, looking at Xie Qingyu beside her, “His Majesty summoned Master again today. After Master left, the Emperor issued another order to increase the number of patrols around the Wenxuan Division and the residences of Lord Cui and Lord Zhou.”
While they claim to be increasing the number of guards, it's actually a form of disguised surveillance.
Xie Qingyu, with a clear understanding, said softly, "Just as you predicted."
Yue Yining: "Yes. My master understands me, but I understand her well enough too."
Qiu Wuzhu's choice to start with the Wenxuan (a type of literary selection) was exactly what Yue Yining had anticipated.
Although she could not know what Qiu Wuzhu said to the emperor, the emperor's subsequent actions confirmed her guess.
The scene of her discussion with Zhou Congyi, Cui Yan and others flashed through Yue Yining's mind. She carefully deduced the various aspects of Qiu Wuzhu's possible attack and roughly decided on several countermeasures.
First, the core is firmly guarded. All officials involved in setting the final exam questions will move into the examination hall, guarded by the Imperial Guards, starting today, completely isolated from the outside world. The printing blocks and storage place for the exam questions are secured with three keys, each held by the chief examiner Cui Yan, the deputy chief examiner Zhou Congyi, and a highly respected Prince Zongzheng. The keys can only be opened when all three are present.
Second, a thorough investigation of the surrounding personnel was conducted. Shen Liude and Qiu Yuebai were in charge of re-examining the backgrounds of all officials, errand boys, and even menial workers involved in the selection process, especially those who might be associated with powerful families, remnants of humble backgrounds, or those with bad records. All of them were temporarily transferred from key positions.
Third, they would remain calm and observe. Before Qiu Wuzhu made his move, they would never provoke any trouble, and ensuring the smooth progress of the literary selection was their top priority.
“We have done everything we could,” Yue Yining said. “Now, it’s up to Master to make her move.”
Xie Qingyu grasped her hand: "We'll deal with whatever comes our way, whether it's soldiers or water."
The willows lining both sides of the street sway gently, their golden threads trailing behind them, and the tender catkins drift past the clothes of passersby.
When the carriage arrived at the Xie residence, Yue Yining bid a brief farewell to Xie Qingyu. Before leaving, Xie Qingyu gently kissed her forehead.
Although the guards and maids in front of the Xie residence all lowered their heads and dared not look them in the eye, they were not the only two present. Yue Yining felt a little hot-faced and coughed to cover it up. "...Alright, you should go back now."
"Go to bed early and don't stay up late reading documents; it's too hard on your eyes and mind," Xie Qingyu said gently. "I'll be free tomorrow and will come over again. You can leave some chores for me to handle."
Yue Yining smiled and said, "Yes, I'll wait for you at home."
Xie Mansion, Qiufang Courtyard.
In early spring, the air is warm and inviting. Sunlight filters through the sparse bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns of soft gold and green on the window frames. Outside the long corridor, flowering trees bloom like clouds, and the sky is bright and clear.
Contrary to her usual behavior, Xie Yunying ordered a soft couch and a small table to be set up under the crabapple tree in the courtyard, with tea and some snacks on the table.
Today, a distinguished guest has come to her courtyard.
Xie Yunying was holding a book, but she couldn't concentrate on a single word. Classical Chinese was like a sleeping pill to her. She didn't dare to yawn too obviously, so she could only lift the book up slightly to cover half of her face when she felt the urge.
The person opposite was also sitting quietly, with the occasional soft sound of pages turning.
Xie Yunying pretended to be engrossed in her book, occasionally stealing a glance at it.
Yuan Nanjie sat in a wheelchair, a thin velvet blanket covering his knees, a book in his hand. The swaying flower branches in the courtyard drooped low, adorning the green tile wall behind him. Today he was dressed in a moon-blue casual robe, his face still somewhat pale, but he appeared more gentle and refined than usual.
She intended to glance at him briefly and then look away, but a rare white-winged butterfly flew down from the treetop, fluttered down, and landed on his shoulder, where it remained motionless.
He was unusually quiet, as if he hadn't noticed a butterfly perched on him.
Flowers in full bloom, a beauty as lovely as jade. He was dressed entirely in light, sparse colors, except for his lips, which resembled a cherry dipped in water, bright red and aloof, tempting one to make a mistake.
Xie Yunying stared intently, unaware that a thin blush was slowly rising on the tips of Yuan Nanjie's ears.
Her gaze was so intense that it was impossible to ignore. Yuan Nanjie could no longer pretend to be indifferent. He could only look up at her while pressing the pages of his book, and his thin lips parted slightly: "Second Miss, is there something you want to say to me?"
Xie Yunying then snapped out of her daze and hurriedly said, "Ah! No, no, I saw a butterfly on your shoulder..."
Yuan Nanjie paused, and Xie Yunying's gaze suddenly drifted to the side, then she looked regretful: "...It just flew away."
Seeing the girl who clearly didn't want the butterfly to leave him, the blush on Yuan Nanjie's earlobes faded, replaced by a faint smile at the corner of his eyes: "It's my fault. I disturbed it by speaking just now."
"No, it's fine if it flies away; it's bound to leave eventually."
Even though she said those words herself, Xie Yunying was stunned for a moment after she finished speaking.
Seeing Yuan Nanjie across from her lower his head to read again, Xie Yunying rubbed the pages of her book and mentally called out to the system: "System, how long has Xie Zhi been dead?"
System: "Reporting to the host, Xie Zhi's funeral was held last April, less than a year ago."
Xie Yunying sighed, and the system asked, somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Xie Yunying said quietly, "If he hadn't died, I wouldn't have had to observe three years of mourning. If it weren't for this mourning period restricting me, I probably could have persuaded Yuan Nanjie this year and married him. Why would I have had to stay in this ancient world without cell phones and the internet for so long?"
System: "..." It seems its host is quite resentful about not being able to use a mobile phone.
"Are you so sure, Master, that Yuan Nanjie is willing to marry you?"
Xie Yunying: "Of course, he told me he liked me!" Although he only said he "liked me a little," how can that not count as liking me?
“If it were before, let alone inviting him to the Xie residence, he would have refused to even come to my door in person. But now, he’s willing to sit in my courtyard and spend time alone with me. If I just put in a little more effort in the next six months and break through his defenses, hehehe…” Xie Yunying’s abacus beads clicked loudly as she chuckled mischievously, “That little old-fashioned guy is a piece of cake, isn’t he?”
The system was filled with awe: "Host is wise!"
Since Xie Qingyu and Yue Yining grew closer, Xie Qingyu became increasingly busy and hardly concerned herself with the affairs of the household. Xie Yunying was happy to enjoy her leisure and often found excuses to invite Yuan Nanjie to the mansion. Sometimes it was to appreciate her newly acquired calligraphy and paintings, sometimes to admire the newly blooming flowers in the mansion, and sometimes, like today, simply to read books and drink tea together.
At first, Yuan Nanjie would refuse before agreeing, but now he always goes along with her arrangements.
Xie Yunying could naturally sense the change in Yuan Nanjie's attitude towards her.
The butterfly that flew away just now seemed to have taken half of her heart with it. She felt as if a piece of her heart was missing, empty and desolate, giving rise to some indescribable melancholy and confusion.
...After she completes her mission, what will happen to Yuan Nanjie, who was left here alone?
Yuan Nanjie naturally had no idea what she was thinking. The air was filled with a faint fragrance of grass and trees and the scent of books. It was so quiet that only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind could be heard. The girl in front of him was obviously not interested in books. She was just making up a lame excuse to keep him here. He caught her stealing glances every now and then.
But Yuan Nanjie felt calm and at peace, much more so than when he was alone.
To spend his days leisurely reading books, idly wasting the precious spring days, and doing nothing was a strange and luxurious experience for him.
In his past life, he possessed all the world's rarest treasures and was revered by thousands, yet he could not find a moment of peace or respite.
He was like a taut string stretched to its limit. No one cared whether he was in pain or tired; they only cared whether he could continue to produce beautiful music and play magnificent and pleasing melodies.
Life's depth is compressed to nothing more than numb repetition; even adorned with dazzling gold and silver jewels, it remains as thin as a cicada's wing in its sorrow.
Therefore, he gradually lost interest in living such a life.
"Yuan Nanjie".
Someone called his name softly, and Yuan Nanjie came back to his senses. A maid in a pink dress stood opposite him and curtsied. Beside her was Xie Yunying, who had put down her book and was staring at him with bright, sparkling eyes.
She seemed quite excited: "Last night I had the kitchen staff make some flower soup and put it in the ice cellar. They said it's frozen now. There are magnolia, apricot, peach blossom... I didn't know what flavor you like, so I had them prepare several different kinds of petals. Which one do you like? I'll have them bring a portion to the yard."
Under her undisguised gaze, his heart, hard as iron, suddenly softened.
Being given a chance to be reborn might be Heaven's compensation to him; while Xie Yunying's existence is a gift he shouldn't have received.
He had once been determined to die, stubbornly clinging to his fate. It was she who saved him, pulling him out of the abyss bit by bit, never letting go of his hand. She selflessly warmed and protected him, yet also domineeringly commanded and forced him.
Yet he harbored no resentment. It was because of her that he gradually developed the expectation and desire to live.
This was the first time in his two lifetimes that he had fallen for a woman.
"Either is fine," Yuan Nanjie said gently. "Pick whichever you like."
"Ah..." Xie Yunying had actually guessed that he was very likely to say that, so she wasn't too surprised. She simply turned around and said to the maid, "Then bring them all over."
After the maid in the pink dress had walked away, Xie Yunying looked at the book in his hand and asked, "Do you like this volume of 'Strange Tales of Mountains and Rivers' very much?"
She noticed how focused he was on reading, and Xie Yunying thought to herself that if he liked it, she would give the book to him.
A faint smile unconsciously curved the corners of Yuan Nanjie's lips: "Yes, the author's account is vivid, the observations are interesting, and the scope is quite broad."
In the real world, Xie Yunying is a female college student who loves to travel. Having come to ancient times, she really wants to go out and have some fun, but she is always trapped in Yanjing City because of her mission.
Listening to Yuan Nanjie recount the contents of the travelogue in the book, Xie Yunying felt a little envious. "That's wonderful. I also wish I had the opportunity to leave Yanjing and travel the world."
There was a hint of sincerity in those words, and Yuan Nanjie heard it clearly, but he stiffened slightly.
He couldn't help but lower his eyes, looking at his powerless legs covered by the blanket. The little warmth that had just risen in his heart was instantly pierced by the cold reality.
From the very beginning, she was overflowing with passion and devoted to him alone, and he gradually fell for her during those days, unable to resist being attracted to her.
But he never considered that he might not be the right match for her.
He is no longer the Crown Prince, but merely the eldest son of a declining noble family. He is not only infamous, but also confined to a wheelchair and physically disabled.
Xie Yunying is the eldest daughter of the Xie family, and the Xie family of Yanjing is a prominent and distinguished family even among aristocratic families. She is beautiful and kind, and treats people with sincerity and without pretense. Her occasional willfulness and recklessness are more charming and endearing. It is conceivable that if other men approached her and got to know her, they would fall in love with her just like he did, simply because she is a rare and wonderful person.
He already loves her, and if she marries him, he will do everything in his power to protect her for the rest of her life.
But what about her? Will she always like him like this?
He was nothing but a crippled body. Even if he possessed a wealth of knowledge and could enter the court as an official, providing her with riches and honors and ensuring her a life free from want, how could he possibly give her happiness? She longed to travel to famous mountains and rivers, but he was unable to walk. In their youth, they could still express their love and tolerate each other for a while, but if they spent more time together and he became more like other people, she would inevitably regret it.
Even if she still loves him, he will only be a burden to her when he grows old.
Thinking of this, a long-dormant voice in his heart awoke once again, and endless despair and self-abandonment overwhelmed him once more.
She deserves someone better, a healthy man who can truly walk alongside her and see the world's wonders, not him.
He loves her, and that means he wants her to be happy.
Even if that happiness isn't given by him.
Xie Yunying didn't know what Yuan Nanjie was thinking, but she sensitively noticed that his mood had dropped, like a flower that had suddenly withered.
Xie Yunying was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously glanced at the flower soup that had just been placed on the table. He hadn't even tasted it yet, or did he actually not like the smell of the flower soup?
She hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and asked him, "What's wrong?"
"Is it because you don't like these things? If you don't like them, just tell me and I'll have them taken away."
“…It’s nothing.” Yuan Nanjie raised his head and said softly, “It’s not that I dislike it, there’s no need to trouble yourself.”
Xie Yunying's smile froze for a moment.
Xie Yunying: "System, what's wrong with him? Why do I feel like he's suicidal again?"
Weren't you just laughing? How come you suddenly went from sunny to cloudy? A man's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea!
System: "I don't know either, host."
Xie Yunying was a little discouraged. She felt depressed and stopped talking.
Yuan Nanjie noticed the way she was staring at him, and could only suppress the sadness in his heart, looking at her gently: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I wanted to ask you that too," Xie Yunying said angrily. "You're clearly in a bad mood, but when I ask you, you say you're fine. You're not honest with me at all, and I don't like that!"
Seeing her like this, Yuan Nanjie felt even more helpless. She was almost childlike, how could she know the complexities of his thoughts? He didn't tell her because he felt he shouldn't tell her these things in the first place.
Yuan Nanjie didn't say anything, but Xie Yunying couldn't sit still any longer.
He was momentarily stunned, but she stood up and was in front of him in just a few steps.
All he could see was her startled crimson skirt fluttering in the breeze. A faint, warm fragrance wafted by as she straddled his lap, her hands gripping the armrests of the wheelchair, looking down at him intently.
Although there was no one else under the crabapple tree, the maids of Qiufang Courtyard were still standing in various places in the garden, and they could see the two entangled together with just a glance.
Yuan Nanjie's face immediately turned red, and he hurriedly said, "Second Miss! You, you come down first...!"
"No." Xie Yunying had no other choice but to resort to the same old trick, using her previous domineering kiss to force him to submit. She narrowed her eyes dangerously, "Are you going to talk or not? If you don't, I'll kiss you right here."
Yuan Nanjie couldn't bring himself to say it. He had nowhere to retreat, his upper body pressed tightly against the back of the wheelchair, yet even so, there was no way to escape. Seeing that he was still hesitating, Xie Yunying simply leaned down, cupped his face, and kissed his lips.
When she kissed him, Xie Yunying suddenly realized that this seemed to be the first time she had ever kissed his lips.
This guy is very tight-lipped, but his lips are much softer than I imagined.
Xie Yunying's face flushed, but a strange pleasure welled up inside her, prompting her to stick out her tongue and carefully probe inside. It was her first time doing this, and Yuan Nanjie trembled, suddenly gripping her arm tightly, his hot palms pressed firmly against her skin, yet he didn't push her away.
She didn't know what she was doing, she just felt reluctant to leave, so she gently licked his lips and felt his trembling.
Crabapple blossoms fell softly, leaving red marks on a patch of green grass.
When Xie Yunying released him, Yuan Nanjie was almost out of breath. His flushed face was full of shame and embarrassment, like a virtuous gentleman forced to spend a night of passion. Besides feeling ashamed, there was also a hint of unspeakable, secret pleasure.
Xie Yunying noticed this and felt happy. She smiled and asked him, "You like it this way, don't you?"
Yuan Nanjie's heart was still trembling uncontrollably. Faced with her questioning, he struggled to retort, "No, no, I don't like it..."
"Really?" Xie Yunying suddenly asked, "Then you don't like me either?"
Yuan Nanjie, who had been struggling slightly, suddenly stopped. He knew that his reaction had betrayed his feelings, and his face turned as red as if it were about to bleed.
Xie Yunying naturally got the answer to the question from his hesitation. She smiled and leaned in to hug his waist, nestling herself in his arms.
"I knew you liked it, otherwise why didn't you push me away just now when you could have?"
Xie Yunying's words were relentless, almost tearing Yuan Nanjie's thoughts bare. Her words, filled with propriety and shame, made him unable to lift his head. But the person in his arms was so warm, and he couldn't bear to refute her harshly and push her away.
“…That can’t be done, it can’t be done like that.” Yuan Nanjie said in a low voice, his face still red. “It’s really inappropriate for Miss Xie and me to do such intimate things.”
“What’s wrong with that? Is it that you don’t like me, or that I don’t like you? Since we like each other, it’s only natural that we should do this kind of thing. Why be so reserved?” Xie Yunying said. “It’s just a kiss, not like we’re having sex.”
Xie Yunying uttered wild words, and Yuan Nanjie could not bear it any longer and closed his eyes. His intermittent breaths were so hot that they felt like he was about to catch fire, and even his neck was red.
"Stop talking." Seeing that Xie Yunying was about to continue, Yuan Nanjie quickly reached out and covered her lips. He did this subconsciously, but then realized he shouldn't have done it and quickly let go, his earlobes turning red. "...Second Miss Xie, you are still young and don't understand the weight of these words. In the future, you must never say these things in front of other men."
Xie Yunying was speechless.
Xie Yunying: "I'm already fifteen years old. In ancient times, I could get married and have children at this age. What nonsense is he talking about?"
system:"......."
Having just been forced to witness a system riddled with pixelation, I have nothing more to say.
Yuan Nanjie's thoughts were still in a mess, but Xie Yunying suddenly reached out and hugged him, clinging to him again.
"Are you feeling much better now?" Xie Yunying looked at him. "Hmm? Isn't that right?"
Yuan Nanjie was taken aback, and Xie Yunying continued, "Although I don't know what you're hesitating about or what you're worried about, I know you like me, and I like you too, and that's enough. If there's anything you can't tell me, then maybe I do too."
Even the closest of people have their own secrets, but that doesn't stop me from liking you, and only liking you.
"If you're ever in a bad mood, I'll still kiss you like this, because by kissing and holding you like this, you'll understand that I really love you."
After Xie Yunying finished speaking, the two embraced quietly for a moment. She felt Yuan Nanjie also reach out and hug her, his chin gently pressing against her soft face. Because they were so close, she could clearly hear the soft sounds he made in his throat from being so touched.
Xie Yunying didn't say anything, but simply reached out and patted his back, while Yuan Nanjie tightened his arms around her.
His hesitation vanished.
The scene under the crabapple tree was captured by a keen observer.
In a corner of the garden, a maid in yellow, who appeared to be pruning flowers, was secretly watching Miss Xie and the eldest son of the Yuan family not far away, using the flowers and trees as cover.
Her expression gradually turned strange. While the two were embracing and whispering, oblivious to everything else, she quietly put down her flower shears and quickly left Qiufang Courtyard along the shadows of the veranda.
She passed through several moon gates, turned into a path, and headed towards another courtyard.
The scenery gradually became orderly and solemn. She entered the courtyard. The maids and servants who passed by her walked slowly and silently. They occasionally exchanged words, but only in very low whispers. Everyone was doing their job and had no expression, like wooden puppets.
This is the courtyard where Xie Yueshuang, the eldest daughter of the Xie family, lives, called Yangmei Courtyard.
In stark contrast to the relaxed atmosphere of Xie Yunying's Qiufang Courtyard, everything in Yangmei Courtyard was orderly and exuded a sense of self-discipline and restraint. Even the birds hanging under the eaves were unusually quiet, neither chirping nor singing, as if they knew that this young lady disliked noise.
The maid in yellow, familiar with the place, arrived outside the main room. She whispered a few words to the personal maid guarding the door, and only after receiving permission did she tiptoe into the room.
The room was filled with the fragrance of books and decorated in an elegant style. Xie Yueshuang was sitting upright at the desk by the window, holding a pen in one hand, practicing calligraphy. She had an outstanding temperament, calm eyes and brows, and slightly pursed lips.
Hearing the announcement from outside, she looked up at the yellow-clad maid who had entered, and said in a voice as clear as a kite: "They've arrived."
Xie Yueshuang didn't even leave the courtyard today. She finished her lunch hastily and went back to her room to read and practice calligraphy.
She understood better than anyone that, given her background and circumstances, if she wanted to have a place in the Xie family and earn freedom and respect, she could only rely on her own talent and hard work to rise to the top.
This year's selection of essays is a crucial step in her life, one that she cannot afford to miss.
The maid knelt at the lower end, lowered her voice, and reported in detail what she had seen and heard in Qiufang Courtyard.
Xie Yueshuang's expression remained unchanged, but as the maid narrated, the tips of her fingers holding the pen gradually turned white. With her eyelashes lowered and her gaze still on the pages of the book, she was completely unaware that a drop of ink had fallen from the tip of the pen, spreading a thick stain on the rice paper.
Xie Yueshuang only slowly came to her senses after the maid finished reporting.
She looked at the glaring ink stain on the paper, her brow furrowed slightly, and slowly placed the pen on the pen holder.
"...Go down. Keep an eye on Qiufang Courtyard." Xie Yueshuang's voice was cold, unlike her gentle demeanor in public.
"Yes." The maid dared not say more and respectfully withdrew.
Xie Yueshuang's personal maid, who had been standing silently by her side, finally looked at her and called out with a hint of worry, "Miss..."
Xie Yueshuang did not respond immediately. She stared at the blot of ink spreading on the Xuan paper, the black and white so distinct it was almost blinding.
A complex and indescribable emotion surged within her.
Was it pleasurable? Of course, it was. Xie Yunying's self-degradation, her dissolute behavior, and her constant focus on love were tantamount to self-destruction. Watching her walk step by step toward self-destruction, Xie Yueshuang felt a secret sense of satisfaction.
But after the initial euphoria, a deeper sense of resentment and bitterness washed over him.
On what grounds?
Xie Yueshuang was exceptionally talented and virtuous, well-educated and courteous, yet she could never truly gain the approval of her elder brother, the head of the family, nor could he give her important responsibilities. Xie Yunying, on the other hand, was an ignorant and willful good-for-nothing who, simply because she was born into a good family, did not need to fight for anything to receive Xie Qingyu's favor and everything that Xie Yueshuang could not obtain despite her best efforts.
She longed to enter officialdom through the civil service examination and studied diligently since childhood. In the past year, she had never slackened in the slightest. Throughout her life, she presented herself with a humble and gentle facade, walking each step as if on thin ice. Xie Yunying, on the other hand, could easily squander her innate good fortune and live a carefree and unrestrained life. Even though she was now in love with a cripple from a declining family, Xie Qingyu still treated her as before, never disappointed or distant from her.
Every single incident is so unjust.
Xie Yueshuang finally spoke, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness, "If this matter gets out, my Xie family daughter will lose all face."
Jinshu knew her young mistress's inner turmoil and whispered to comfort her, "Second Miss has always been like this, why should you take it to heart? Your most important task right now is to prepare for the imperial examination. Once you pass the exam and are granted an official position, you will have a bright future ahead of you, and you will be worlds apart from her."
These words struck a chord with Xie Yueshuang, yet they also felt like a needle gently pricking her heart.
Yes, she had no choice but to rely on herself. Xie Yueshuang took a deep breath, trying to suppress the resentment in her heart. She picked up another book, crumpled up the ink-stained paper and threw it aside, as if she wanted to discard the troubling emotions along with it.
She had just been concentrating for a moment when a maid announced from outside the door that someone had delivered a letter specifically for the young lady.
With the anthology selection approaching, any unnecessary social interactions should have been declined long ago. How could someone be so tactless as to come knocking on my door? Xie Yueshuang frowned even more, her tone becoming impatient: "Who sent this? Don't they know I'm going to be studying behind closed doors these days and won't be receiving any guests?"
The maid who delivered the letter answered tremblingly, "Reporting to Miss, the messenger said that the letter must be delivered to you. I... I saw that the seal on the letter seems to be the palace stamp."
"The palace?" Xie Yueshuang's heart skipped a beat. "Bring it here quickly!"
She took the letter from the maid; its texture was excellent, made of precious gold-flecked paper, and the seal indeed bore an unmistakable imperial seal.
She quickly opened the letter and read it at a glance.
The letter was brief, inviting her to meet the next day to discuss the details.
These few lines of text were earth-shattering.
Xie Yueshuang's face first showed fear and trembling, followed by disbelief, and then a moment of disorientation.
After reading the letter, Xie Yueshuang's fingers were trembling uncontrollably. An unprecedentedly strong premonition overwhelmed her, and she could no longer distinguish whether she was filled with fear or a faint excitement.
Her gaze, which had been wandering for a long time, finally focused, and she glanced at the signature at the end of the letter—
There is no bamboo in autumn.
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Author's note: Moving forward with the plot...
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