Seeing she had no reaction and had clearly fallen asleep, looking at her serene sleeping face, like an ice flower in full bloom, never withering, Xiao Jin was mesmerized and smiled softly. The palace was never short of beautiful women, but none had ever touched his heart like this. Perhaps this was truly destined.
Gently picking up Bing Zhi, he knew she had worried about him for days. Xiao Jin had a belly full of words but didn’t want to wake her. He softly closed the courtyard door, only wishing to quietly guard her face for a lifetime, undisturbed.
“Jin!” Bing Zhi woke up from her dream, calling out in a panic. How had she fallen asleep?
“I’m here.” Xiao Jin was originally reading at the desk; though saying he was reading was an overstatement – he had only skimmed a few pages. It seemed that with Bing Zhi around, he couldn’t concentrate on anything.
“What’s wrong? A nightmare? Is it that dream again?”
Xiao Jin had once talked with Xia Ruo Yao on Haishi Island and learned from her that Bing Zhi had been having nightmares since childhood, always waking up in shock after dreaming about her royal uncle being sentenced to death.
“Jin, you’re still here? I thought you might have secretly left while I was asleep…”
“It was about my royal uncle…” Xiao Jin didn’t want to mention it, but since Bing Zhi asked, he could only speak vaguely.
Bing Zhi laughed lightly, “I stopped having that nightmare long ago. Do you know who was the first person to appear in my dream and help me chase away the nightmare?”
“Who?” Although Xiao Jin was eager for this answer, he still tried to control his emotions, helping Bing Zhi put on her outer garment while asking casually.
Bing Zhi smiled softly, holding Xiao Jin’s hand, “It was you! When you saved me, I dreamed of you standing under the plum tree, smiling at me. After that, I never had that nightmare again. It’s because I suddenly remembered this dream that I wanted to come back and take a look.” Now thinking about it, dreams were actually more honest than people, Bing Zhi thought, feeling fortunate that she understood this not too late.
“Fortunately we have this dream, otherwise we might have missed more time.” Xiao Jin showed no surprise, but his laughing intent was evident, reaching his eyes, “Are you hungry? I bought your favorite cloud slice cake.”
“Jin…” Bing Zhi was touched, crying tears of joy, “After experiencing so much, it was all worth it… all worth it…”
Xiao Jin wiped away Bing Zhi’s tears, also feeling emotional, “I’m only grateful that heaven has favored me, ultimately bringing you back to my side.” Saying this, Xiao Jin gently embraced Bing Zhi, somehow feeling more at ease only by holding her.
“Jin, there’s something I…” Bing Zhi hesitated after a while.
Xiao Jin heard the difficulty in her tone and asked, “What’s wrong? What is it?”
“Before we leave the Central Plains, I want to find Yun Qi. I hope he can forgive me and see things clearly. But… you don’t mind, right?” Bing Zhi looked up and asked.
Xiao Jin laughed softly and shook his head, “If I minded, how could I be worthy of you? However, he found me not long ago and left a letter for me to give to you.”
Xiao Jin took an envelope from his chest and continued, “Bing Zhi, before reading this letter, I hope you’re mentally prepared. Yun Qi just learned about this matter and has never intentionally hidden anything from you. In any case, take a look.
Chapter Thirteen: Fate’s Mistake (2)
When Yun Qi gave the letter to Xiao Jin that day, Xiao Jin didn’t read it carefully, but later discovered there was actually another piece of paper tucked inside, meant for himself, essentially about Bing Zhi’s background.
Bing Zhi raised an eyebrow in confusion, taking the letter, and was startled to see “Divorce Letter” written boldly on the envelope! “So, Yun Qi had already written this for me. I actually asked him for it in person!” Bing Zhi’s hand trembled, almost dropping the letter.
“Bing Zhi, don’t blame yourself too much. Read the letter first,” Xiao Jin, though not fully understanding the situation, tried to distract her and encourage her to read.
Bing Zhi nodded silently and opened the letter…
Xiao Jin interrupted Bing Zhi’s words, sternly saying: “You cannot ride a horse! Especially now in winter! You absolutely must not ride a horse and be exposed to the wind, or the cold will backfire and be even more life-threatening!” He had long known Bing Zhi would have such an idea but had already prepared a horse-drawn carriage.
“Jin, but I’m afraid we won’t make it in time!” Bing Zhi saw Xiao Jin’s resolute attitude, understanding there was little room for negotiation, yet still wanting to persuade him.
Xiao Jin softened his expression, embracing Bing Zhi’s shoulders and gently saying: “Actually, the carriage will take at most five days to arrive. Moreover, if he is determined to leave, our rushing ahead would be futile.”
“Yes, we’ll do our best and leave it to fate. If my brother really wants to go, I cannot stop him.” Bing Zhi recalled Xiao Jin’s risky quest for medicine and sighed helplessly.
Outside the courtyard, a carriage was waiting, which was not something an ordinary family would own.
“Master, are we ready to depart?” A young man in blue clothing approached Xiao Jin and bowed slightly.
Xiao Jin nodded at him, then helped Bing Zhi into the carriage. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.” Bing Zhi allowed him to guide her into the carriage.
“Giddy up!” The young man in blue called out, cracking the whip.
“Why does he call you master?” Bing Zhi asked.
Xiao Jin smiled: “They are children from poor families whose parents cannot afford to raise them. I selected those with potential, arranged them in a large courtyard, and hired some teachers to teach them.
Who would have thought they would only be willing to call me master? In truth, I only guide them when I have time.
Old Li heard someone knocking on the door early in the morning, using inner force, so even though separated by several rooms, he could still hear it clearly. Not wanting to be negligent, Old Li walked quickly to the door, arriving before anyone else.
“Ah, it’s Miss! Miss is back!” Old Li opened the door and was surprised to see Bing Zhi, who had been away for nearly half a month. He couldn’t help but be overjoyed and shouted inside, “Someone, quickly notify the Madam!”
Old Li had followed Yun Yi for many years and was an old servant in the palace, as well as a trusted confidant of the Yun family. Xun Luo Xia felt there was no need to hide from him, so she had told him Bing Zhi’s identity. Therefore, he now called her Miss instead of Young Madam.
“Are you well?” Bing Zhi asked, surprised by his joy, offering a slight smile.
“Good! Good! The Madam misses you very much. Quickly come with this old servant to see her!” Old Li said, inviting Bing Zhi inside. Only then did he notice the person behind her and exclaimed, “You’re not… how are you, you’re not White…”
“It’s just a title. Why care so much?” Xiao Jin said with a calm smile. “Let’s go see the Madam.”
“
Old Li was an old hand at this and naturally understood Xiao Jin’s implied meaning. He stopped and gestured to lead the way: “This way.”
“Rou’er, you’re finally back!” Xun Luo Xia threw down her embroidery and rushed out, seeing Bing Zhi approaching.
Bing Zhi was not usually emotional, but she had experienced separation, life, and death. Now knowing the woman before her was her long-lost birth mother, how could she not be excited? “Mother!”
The mother and daughter embraced, their eyes filled with tears. This was a connection that no one could deny.
“Let’s sit inside and talk,” Xiao Jin patiently stood nearby, waiting for their emotions to settle before speaking.
“Yes, Mother, it’s cold. Let’s go inside,” Bing Zhi quickly helped Xun Luo Xia inside.
In the room, the fire burned brightly.
