And so, exchanging letters became the thing Xin Jiuwei looked forward to most in her life. Every three to five days, a letterbox with the character "Xun" printed on it would be delivered to the Xin residence. Xiao Xun's letters were sometimes long and sometimes short, and the contents were varied: interesting things in the capital, things he saw along the way, greetings to the Xin family, and sometimes even some novel little trinkets—a packet of rare tea, a few newly published poetry collections, or a fashionable embroidery pattern.
Xin Jiuwei would always reply to her letters carefully, describing the current situation at home, the health of her maternal grandparents, her brother's progress, and the operation of the Xin family business. She never directly expressed her longing, but her words were filled with concern.
One afternoon in mid-February, Xin Jiuwei was in her embroidery room studying newly arrived Suzhou embroidery patterns with Xin Kui when they suddenly heard a commotion outside. A moment later, Xin Yunzhou rushed in excitedly, waving a letter: "Sister! Good news from the border! That scoundrel Qi Huaiyu suffered a defeat and has been demoted and transferred back to the capital!"
Xin Jiuwei's embroidery needle trembled, nearly pricking her finger. She took the letter and read it carefully; it was indeed a message from her father's colleague in the Ministry of War. Qi Huaiyu, as the military governor, had misjudged the situation, leading to his troops being ambushed and suffering heavy losses. He had been dismissed from his post and summoned back to the capital for questioning.
"Serves him right!" Xin Yunzhou said with satisfaction. "That ingrate has finally met his end!"
Xin Jiuwei folded the letter, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Qi Huaiyu, who had been so powerful and influential in her past life, causing her family's ruin, had fallen to such a state in this life. She let out a long sigh, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Brother, don't mention this in front of Grandfather," she whispered. "The old man is getting on in years; he's easily agitated by this kind of news."
Xin Yunzhou nodded in agreement, then enthusiastically talked about his recent improvement in martial arts, saying that he would definitely impress Xiao Xun when he returned. Xin Jiuwei listened to her brother's rambling with a smile, but in her heart, she was thinking that she should write this news in her next letter; Xiao Xun would surely be very happy.
In the stillness of the night, Xin Jiuwei was writing a letter alone in her study. Outside the window, spring rain pattered softly on the newly sprouted plum branches. She briefly recounted Qi Huaiyu's situation and then wrote about the recent events at home:
"...My maternal grandmother has been in very good spirits lately. She and my older sister, along with Xin Kui, embroidered a 'Pine and Crane Longevity' painting, saying it was a gift for Father's birthday. My older brother is exceptionally diligent, practicing martial arts during the day and studying at night; Father often remarked that he seemed like a completely different person. Xin Kui's embroidery has already gained some fame in Yingzhou, and many wealthy families have placed orders..."
She paused here, hesitated for a moment, and finally added a sentence:
"The spring breeze is getting warmer, and the plum branches in the garden are turning green again, awaiting your return."
Before the ink was dry, a slight noise came from outside the window. Xin Jiuwei looked up alertly and saw a familiar figure reflected in the window paper. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly got up and opened the window.
In the night rain, Xiao Xun stood outside the window, wearing a raincoat, water still dripping from his hair, but his eyes were full of smiles: "Wei'er, I'm back."
Xin Jiuwei stood there, stunned, the letter in her hand fluttering to the ground. She blinked, wondering if she was hallucinating from missing him so much.
"What, don't you recognize me?" Xiao Xun chuckled and waved his hand in front of her eyes.
The icy rain splashed on her face, and Xin Jiuwei was finally convinced she wasn't dreaming. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out, finally escaping with a soft sigh: "Didn't they say it would take at least two months..."
"Things went smoothly, so I came back early." Xiao Xun's eyes were full of tenderness. "And... I missed you."
These simple and straightforward words made Xin Jiuwei's ears burn. She quickly stepped aside: "Come in quickly, it's raining heavily outside."
Xiao Xun nimbly climbed through the window, bringing in a blast of damp, chilly air. Xin Jiuwei then noticed his clothes were half-wet and quickly fetched a dry cloth, handing it to him: "Why didn't you just come in through the main door openly?"
"It's too late, and I don't want to disturb the people in the manor." Xiao Xun took the cloth to dry his hair. "Besides..." He paused, a sly glint in his eyes, "I want to see you first."
Xin Jiuwei felt a warmth in her heart and turned to find a set of Xin Yunzhou's clean clothes in the closet: "Change into these first, don't catch a cold."
Xiao Xun took the clothes and suddenly pulled her into his arms. Xin Jiuwei was caught off guard, her cheek pressed against his damp clothes, the coolness carrying a familiar warmth. His heartbeat came through his chest, steady and strong.
"Wei'er, I miss you so much." He whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin.
Xin Jiuwei froze for a moment, then relaxed and gently hugged him back: "...Me too."
Those three simple words made Xiao Xun tighten his arms around them. The two embraced quietly, the sound of rain outside the window becoming the best accompaniment.
After a long while, Xiao Xun finally let go of her hand, took the clothes, and went behind the screen to change. Xin Jiuwei picked up the fallen letter, somewhat annoyed that the ink had smudged and the writing was illegible.
"Are you writing me a letter?" Xiao Xun came out after changing his clothes and saw her frowning at the letter.
Xin Jiuwei nodded and handed him the letter: "It's a pity it's wet."
Xiao Xun took it and looked at it, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes: "'Waiting only for your return'... It seems I've come back at just the right time."
Xin Jiuwei blushed and snatched the letter back: "Who told you to read it!"
Xiao Xun chuckled softly, offering no argument, and instead took out a small wooden box from his robes: "For you."
The box was opened, revealing an exquisite silver hairpin. The hairpin head was shaped like a plum blossom bud, with tiny rubies adorning the stamen, which shimmered in the candlelight.
"I saw this when I was passing through Jiangnan, and I thought it suited you," Xiao Xun said softly. "Shall I help you put it on?"
Xin Jiuwei nodded and turned away. Xiao Xun carefully inserted the hairpin into her hair bun, his fingers gently brushing through her hair, bringing a slight shiver.
"Is it pretty?" she asked softly.
Xiao Xun turned her shoulder and examined her closely: "Absolutely beautiful."
In the candlelight, the two looked at each other, speechless for a moment. The rain outside the window gradually subsided, leaving only the sound of dripping water from the eaves, drip-drip-drip, like the footsteps of time.
"Have you...had dinner yet?" Xin Jiuwei broke the silence first.
Xiao Xun shook his head: "I was in a hurry to get back, so I only ate some dry rations on the way."
"I'll go to the kitchen and see what else we have to eat," Xin Jiuwei said, turning to leave.
"Don't bother," Xiao Xun said, pulling her back. "I'm not hungry."
"That won't do!" Xin Jiuwei frowned, "You've traveled such a long way..."
Finally, the two quietly went to the kitchen and found some leftover snacks and a pot of warm osmanthus wine. Xin Jiuwei then started a fire and cooked a bowl of noodles. Although it was simple, Xiao Xun ate it with great relish.
"It's even more delicious than the imperial cuisine in the palace," he praised sincerely.
Xin Jiuwei smiled, pursing her lips: "You're just good at sweet-talking."
After a simple late-night snack, the two quietly returned to the study. Xiao Xun recounted in detail the situation in the capital: how he successfully completed the task assigned by his father, how he secretly investigated Qi Huaiyu's crimes, and how he took the opportunity to weaken the power of the Prince of Ruyang's mansion.
"Xue Yingxue's marriage is probably going to fall through," Xiao Xun sneered. "The heir of the Prince of Ruyang was recently exposed for illegally seizing farmland. The Emperor was furious and punished him by confining him to his quarters for three years. If Xue Yingxue is smart, she should find another way out."
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