Lanterns are lit for ten miles, and their bright lights illuminate the beautiful night.

The river water gurgles under the railing, and the light snow falls silently on people.

The cloak blocked all the wind and snow, and the man's lips, with a slight warmth, fell on her lips. Just like the bowl of sesame dumplings she had just eaten, there was a soft and sweet taste between her lips and teeth.

He Yan could hear his own heartbeat, in the snow, fresh and powerful, one after another. His robes were still cold from the wind and snow, but his posture was gentle as if he was treating the only treasure in his life.

As if to preserve the moment forever.

There is no one who will not be moved by the person in front of him.

When their lips parted, He Yan actually felt a little nostalgic. She raised her head and looked at him. Xiao Jue lowered his eyes and helped her tidy up her hair that had just been messed up by the wind.

With his ears already red like a cooked shrimp, He Yan whispered: "...Xiao Jue, you are not angry anymore, are you?"

Xiao Jue sighed silently.

"Xu Zhiheng... that's the past." He Yan thought for a moment, looked at him seriously and said, "If the past makes you unhappy, I apologize. I don't know what other girls do when they are with the people they like. I have been a man for much longer than a woman. Xiao Jue, I will treat you very well. I will find a way to give you what you like and I will help you get rid of what you hate. If someone bullies you, I will definitely stand up for you. I will not deceive you or hurt you... Is this okay?"

In fact, when she thought about it now, even when she was with Xu Zhiheng, she actually didn't treat him like other women would treat their lovers. This was certainly because Xu Zhiheng was not a good man, but she herself didn't know how to treat someone she liked.

When I was young in the He family, I learned very little about the principles of "love", and because I longed for the mercy of my biological parents, I deliberately tried to please them. Even though I later went to the battlefield, this humility was well hidden, but the things engraved in my bones are like bones buried under the wind and sand, and they will still be exposed when the wind blows.

As a general, she learned to be humble and decisive. She could take care of people, but she couldn't handle the more intimate relationships with people. Those vague feelings made her wonder whether what she did was right or wrong.

Xiao Jue fixed his eyes on her. The girl was holding a bright red candied haws in her hand. She looked up at him with a look that was full of sincerity and a little uncertain and cautious.

I thought he was a liar who could tell lies easily, but now it seems that there is no such liar in the world. When he meets someone, he will expose his true heart so nakedly that others can see it clearly. There are so many people in the world, no matter whether they are men or women, who will hide their true feelings and test them in every way, just because they don’t want others to find out their true feelings. They always feel that they will lose if they speak out. Only this person in front of him is frank and clear, without any skills or means, he speaks out directly, just like beating the old master to death with random punches, making him feel moved for no reason.

I only have feelings for her.

But...how could Xu Zhiheng have the heart to harm such a person, someone who clearly gave himself sincerely?

He was not angry about He Yan's past, but more of a regret, probably because of his own mistakes and his anger at Xu Zhiheng. Just like the doe he let go in the mountains when he was young, its wet eyes stared at him, filled with trust and joy, but Xu Zhiheng threw this trust away and cut it off with a single blow.

The better He Yan was, the angrier he became towards Xu Zhiheng deep in his heart.

Seeing that Xiao Jue was silent for a long time, He Yan thought that he was still angry. After thinking for a while, he said dejectedly: "Maybe you have a better idea. I don't know how to play the piano, chess, calligraphy or painting. You don't want me to learn it. I won't be able to learn it even if I try. I can help you move stones and chop wood..."

Before she could finish her words, Xiao Jue embraced her.

"You are you. You don't need to do anything for me."

He Yan's head was resting against his chin, and he couldn't lift his head up, so he couldn't see his expression.

"But……"

"I don't like singing and dancing prostitutes, and I don't need a servant to accompany me. No one dares to bully me. I won't touch things I don't like, and I buy things I like myself." Xiao Jue lowered his head and smiled.

"But... then I'll just be a decoration, right?"

"I don't like you because I want to be ordered around by others," his voice fell, as if it was far away, yet very close, "Do whatever you want to do, not for me."

"You really... don't ask anything of me?" He Yan asked.

There has to be one thing, such as abiding by the law, respecting the elderly and loving the young, otherwise she can do anything. Is it okay for her to have an affair?

Xiao Jue let go of her hand, looked at the crowd in the distance, smiled, and looked down at her: "Not without reason."

"What is it?"

"If I keep looking at you," he reached out and grabbed He Yan's hand. The girl's hand was only half the size of his, and it fell into her palm like a small treasure. "He Yan, you should keep looking at me too."

He Yan looked at him in a daze.

"Miss He, don't you understand what I said?" He raised his eyebrows slightly, a warm arc at the corner of his lips, the lanterns were reflected in his long eyes, thousands of postures, myriad colors, but his eyes were obviously the brightest one.

Time seems to have stopped at this moment. In the distance, someone is setting off fireworks. Thousands of bright lights fall into the night sky. It is a perfect night of lights.

He Yan lowered her head to hide the flash of emotion in her eyes, and held his hand with her backhand. She raised her head and said with a smile, "Today is your birthday. I agree to everything you say."

"Happy birthday, Xiao Jue," she said.

I will always watch over you, she answered silently in her heart.

…

When I returned, He Yunsheng and He Sui had already arrived home.

Qingmei had already told the truth, saying that today was Xiao Jue's birthday and He Yan had gone to the night market with Xiao Jue. He Sui didn't say anything, but He Yunsheng was very unhappy. In just one stick of incense, he had walked back and forth in the room several times.

When He Yan and Xiao Jue returned, he looked at their clasped hands with an even uglier expression.

He Sui asked, "I heard that today is Huai Jin's birthday, so can we have dinner now? How about having a bowl of longevity noodles here before leaving?"

"We've already eaten." He Yan said, "Just now when we were visiting the night market."

"You're empty-handed..." He Sui noticed that Xiao Jue had nothing on him, and looked at He Yan suspiciously, "Yan Yan, you didn't prepare a birthday gift for Huai Jin, did you? This child," He Sui said with a smile, "has been spoiled by my coquettish habits, and doesn't understand these social customs. Huai Jin, don't take it to heart. I'll let her give it to you another day."

"No, Yanyan has already sent it." Xiao Jue said.

He Yan thought of the scene at the night market just now, her face slightly reddened, and she did not say anything for a while. He Sui did not hear any hidden meaning, and although he did not understand, he did not ask any more questions. However, He Yunsheng looked between He Yan and Xiao Jue warily, as if thinking about something.

"It's getting late, you should go back first." He Yan said, "If there's anything, I'll let Chi Wu come find you."

Xiao Jue nodded, said goodbye to He Sui and He Yunsheng, and then left the He family.

After Xiao Jue left, He Yunsheng dragged He Yan into the inner room, closed the door as soon as he entered, and asked bluntly: "Hey, He Yan, you went out with him, didn't he take advantage of you?"

"What advantage are you taking?" He Yan tapped his head. "You are so young, how can you be so thoughtful? Where did you learn this? Besides, Xiao Jue and I are standing together, so who is taking advantage?"

He Yunsheng glanced at her and said, "Do you think I have the time to care about you?"

He Yan saw that he looked worried, so he sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. "Is this why you look so sad?"

"No," He Yunsheng sighed, "Today I heard from several friends in the academy that it seems that the Wutuo people will soon enter the capital."

He Yan paused while drinking tea, "Who told you that?"

"It's spread everywhere. The emperor doesn't want to fight, and the court doesn't want to fight either. I heard that the Wutuo people came to the capital to ask for peace, so this war will probably not happen."

He Yan looked at his expression and asked, "Do you want to fight?"

"Of course I don't want that!" He Yunsheng answered without thinking, "But if the Wutuo people were really willing to make peace, they wouldn't have caused so much trouble in Jiyang and Rundu Huayuan before. Originally, we have the upper hand now, why are we giving way to the Wutuo people?" After all, he was young and energetic, and frowned and said, "If it were me, I would seize this opportunity to beat the Wutuo people back to their hometown and make them never dare to set foot in Wei forever!"

Although children usually act childishly and impulsively, they also have some temper.

"Why are you looking at me?" He Yunsheng asked, "Aren't you an official now? Do you know what the situation is like outside?"

"It's not much different from what you know." He Yan didn't want to hide it from him.

"Tsk," He Yunsheng waved his hands, "I really don't know what the officials in the court are thinking."

He Yan's heart was heavy. Not to mention the hatred between her and the He family and Xu Zhiheng, the feud between Xiao Jue and Xu Jingfu, the current disputes between the parties in the court were not easy to resolve. As Xu Jingfu's power grew, the conflict between the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince would become more and more acute. The Crown Prince was not worthy of his position. If the Crown Prince really inherited the throne in the future, it would be a disaster for the people of Wei. But if the Fourth Prince was to... then, the future of Shuojing City would inevitably be a bloody storm.

…

The Chu residence is also filled with harmony tonight.

Chu Linfeng was entertaining guests at home. These days, the Chu family was preparing for Chu Zhao's marriage. Since she was Xu Jingfu's daughter, she had everything she used and bought. The marriage was handled by Mrs. Chu, but Xu Pingting sent her personal maid Mo Tai to often ask about the Chu family's preparations for the marriage. Even if Mrs. Chu wanted to do something, she could only give up because she was being watched.

A marriage would consume most of the Chu family's storehouse. Xu Pingting wanted to be the most glamorously married daughter in Shuojing City in the past ten years. She was the apple of Xu Jingfu's eye, and everyone had no choice but to support her.

Mrs. Chu naturally hated this marriage, and her three sons were also jealous. The only one who was most happy about it was probably Shi Jinbo Chu Linfeng.

At the banquet, Chu Linfeng patted Chu Zhao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "In another month, Miss Xu will marry into our Chu family. I, Chu Linfeng, never thought that I would marry into the Xu family. You are indeed my son, Chu Linfeng. You are amazing!"

In Chu Linfeng's opinion, pleasing a woman is something to be proud of. Little did he know that this pride would be particularly dazzling in Mrs. Chu's eyes.

If Mrs. Chu still had some affection for Chu Linfeng when she first got married, this kind of affection had already been wiped out when Chu Linfeng carried his concubine from room to room in the house. She knew that her appearance was ordinary and would not please Chu Linfeng, so she did not expect anything else. She just wanted to secure her position as the mistress of the house.

She has done a good job over the years. Chu Linfeng has nothing but a beautiful face. If it weren't for the old lady supporting Shi Jinbo's mansion, I'm afraid the Chu family would have been ruined by Chu Linfeng. He loves beauties and is sympathetic to them, but once his interests are really touched, he will hide behind the old lady and refuse to pay a penny more.

A cold-hearted and cowardly man who thinks he is a hypocritical gentleman with deep feelings and loyalty.

The blood of the men in the Chu family might be ruthless, including her own three sons, except Chu Zhao... Mrs. Chu's gaze fell on the young man beside Chu Linfeng.

Chu Zhao inherited all the advantages of Chu Linfeng and Ye Runmei. He was gentle and a bit naive. This fragility could make people let down their guard and easily win the favor of others. Xu Pingting had been arrogant since she was a child, but she had never said anything harsh to Chu Zhao.

But Chu Zhao is an outlier, and is by no means as harmless as he appears.

When Chu Zhao was brought back, Mrs. Chu didn't want him to live to grow up, but she didn't touch him for the sake of the old lady's face. At that time, the child in front of her also fawned on her knees, begging for mercy like a dog, and then... he quickly found Xu Jingfu as a backer, and from then on he saved his life.

Mrs. Chu couldn't find any evidence against him, and unknowingly, the entire Chu family had to act according to Chu Zhao's wishes. She was unwilling to let everything she had be taken away by an adulterer, so she designed to use Ying Xiang to sow discord between Chu Zhao and Xu Pingting. But Mrs. Chu didn't expect Chu Zhao to be so cruel that he not only gave Ying Xiang to the prince without saying a word, but also personally sent her to the prince's mansion in a carriage.

There was no barrier between him and Xu Pingting.

Mrs. Chu felt chilled. A man who could manipulate her emotions at will and play with people's hearts, yet had a heart as cold as even his father's. He stabbed the person so gently, but the person who was stabbed was reluctant to complain. How horrible was that?

As she was thinking, Chu Zhao seemed to notice her gaze and looked over, his eyes full of smiles, as always. Mrs. Chu's heart trembled, she lowered her head, and avoided Chu Zhao's gaze.

"Zi Lan, is there anything else you need me to prepare for you?" Chu Linfeng asked Chu Zhaodao with a smile. As he grew older and indulged in lust, his handsome appearance was no longer there, but his smiling face showed some concern from a loving father.

"What has he prepared?" Young Master Chu couldn't help but sneer, "The house is almost emptied for his wedding. Do we have to sell the house to let him get married?"

Chu Linfeng glanced at his eldest son unhappily, and said in a dissatisfied tone, "If you can marry the prime minister's daughter, I will be willing to sell my house!"

Young Master Chu stopped talking.

Their three sons were not as pretty as Chu Zhao, nor as talented as Chu Zhao, and none of them were prime ministers, so how could they marry the prime minister's daughter? Chu Linfeng had been partial to Chu Zhao since he was a child, and now that Chu Zhao was rising rapidly and was in good fortune, I was afraid that Chu Linfeng would be even more obedient to Chu Zhao in the future.

"There's nothing to prepare." Chu Zhao said calmly, "It's already very good."

"That's Miss Xu, the daughter of the Prime Minister," Chu Linfeng, who was a little drunk, admonished him, "Don't be disrespectful. She has finally taken a liking to you... You must seize the opportunity!"

Mrs. Chu looked at the scene in front of her and sneered in her heart. From what she heard, she was afraid that the madam of Yihong Courtyard would teach her daughter to catch a generous patron. Chu Linfeng had relied on women to become famous all his life. Now, he was teaching his son to do the same. If anyone told others, he would be the laughing stock of the whole Shuojing.

"I think your father is drunk," Mrs. Chu didn't want to watch any more, so she stood up and said, "Zilan, help your father go back to the house to rest. I have a headache, so I'll go sit in the inner room for a while." After that, she stood up and left the table without caring about Chu Linfeng's expression. The matter was done, and she couldn't do anything now, but it was better to not see it.

Seeing this, the other three sons of the Chu family also stood up. They didn't want to see Chu Zhao and Chu Linfeng perform a scene of loving father and filial son here, so they left one after another. For a moment, the banquet that was lively just now was in a mess, and everyone left and the tea was cold.

"Hey, why are you all leaving?" Chu Linfeng said with a big tongue: "Come back!"

No one paid any attention to him.

Chu Zhaohui helped Chu Linfeng to stand up, called Xiaoshi around to clean up the residual banquet, and helped Chu Linfeng back to the house.

Chu Linfeng had not slept in Madam Chu's room for many years. He took turns sleeping in the courtyard of the 19th concubine. But today Chu Zhao did not help him go to the concubine's room, but went to the study instead.

He was not a gentleman who loved books. The study was just a decoration for Chu Linfeng. There was even a couch inside. According to the servants, it was for Chu Linfeng to have sex with maids and concubines in broad daylight. Chu Zhao had always turned a blind eye to his father's absurd behavior. The servants stayed outside the door. He helped Chu Linfeng to the couch and Chu Linfeng lay down.

He seemed very happy today, his face was flushed, he was already drunk, with a strong smell of alcohol, but he still held Chu Zhao's hand and told him his joy, "Zilan, you really make dad proud! Dad has four sons, three of them... are not good enough, dad still likes you the most. Dad took you to meet friends and attend social events since you were young, because I knew that one day you would become dad's pride. Look... now you are getting married, I am really... really happy."

Chu Zhao sat beside the couch and looked at him silently.

"You are the luckiest among the young people in the Chu family... With the care of the Prime Minister, you will only get better and better... Good luck is not something that everyone can encounter."

The young man smiled sarcastically. Good luck? Is he lucky? If you don't know who your biological father is, your biological mother was sold to a brothel, and you live in fear every day, it is good luck. If you personally watched your biological mother being strangled to death by a maid sent by your family, it is good luck. If you live under the same roof with the murderer of your mother and don't know whether you will live to see the next day, it is good luck. If you can't even control your life, you can only be a dog under the seat of a big man, live like a puppet, and can't even have the woman you like, it is good luck...

The good luck in this world only belongs to him, Chu Zilan.

"Father," he heard his own voice, "do you remember my mother?"

Chu Linfeng burped and said drunkenly: "Your mother... who is your mother?" After that, he turned over again, facing the wall, and fell into a deep sleep.

Chu Zhao looked at his face, and after a while, he smiled self-deprecatingly, stood up and walked out of the study.

The waiter asked him if he wanted hot tea, but he shook his head and refused.

He walked slowly. When he was a child, he thought the Chu family was really big, and there might be sinister murder lurking in every corner. Now that he has grown up, he walks around and feels that it is just like that.

The winter in Shuojing City was as cold as ever. Just like when he first came to the Chu family and saw that handsome man, he had a little hope in his heart, but was extinguished by his subsequent neglect and indifference.

It seemed as cold as it is now, but he no longer shivered like he did when he was a child. It was not because the winter had become warmer, but because he had long been accustomed to the cold.

Everyone gets used to it.

Chu Zhao walked back to his room and closed the door. Inside, a maid who looked unfamiliar came forward and said with a smile, "The wedding invitations have been sent out, Fourth Young Master."

He waved his hand and replied gently, "Thank you for your help."

The maid smiled happily and left, leaving him alone in the room.

The Xu family wanted to arrange the marriage before the New Year, which seemed to be hasty, but everyone knew that Chu Zhaochi had long wanted to marry Xu Pingting, and everything about the marriage had already been arranged. Just like when he was a child and became a disciple of Xu Jingfu, from that moment on, his fate was already destined not to belong to him.

The red flames from the heater in the room seemed to give him a false sense of warmth. Suddenly, he remembered that one spring day, someone had spent eight copper coins to give him a brown sugar basket with his name on it.

He suddenly missed the flower basket.

A servant came in and interrupted his thoughts, whispering, "Fourth Master, the person that Prime Minister Xu is looking for from the Mingshui battle has not been found yet, and he has become anxious recently."

Chu Zhao's eyes moved away from the burning stove and he spoke slowly, "Don't think too much. Those two people must have fallen into Xiao Huaijin's hands."

"Miss Ying Xiang has also sent a message that the Crown Prince is very fond of her and is quite dissatisfied with Prime Minister Xu."

"People who think they have won will naturally feel resentful towards those who are meddling in their affairs." Chu Zhao smiled. "Xiao Huaijin has returned to the capital. The crown prince and the Wutuo people have already formed a private alliance. The Xu family is almost done for."

"Congratulations, Fourth Young Master," the servant said happily, "Fourth Young Master, your wish will soon come true. After this, you will naturally get whatever you want."

"What I want?" He was stunned for a moment, and then he said, "What I want already belongs to someone else."