I rubbed my eyes, confirming I wasn’t mistaken. This familiar person was Duan Chang, the young master I had a romantic encounter with when I was sixteen. After some reflection, it seemed that after our peaceful parting, he had ultimately recognized his true orientation and returned to the ordinary path of marriage and children.
I felt somewhat emotional. If he had recognized this earlier before knowing me, perhaps the woman sitting beside him holding their child would have been me. However, no matter how I imagined it, I couldn’t picture such a scene. I could only say that marriage fate was indeed mysterious. Looking back now, I felt this was just a side branch on my tree – unable to bloom or bear fruit.
An Jin was still moving forward in the queue, occasionally looking back to check if I was still in the same place. I felt deeply reassured.
Duan Chang’s family finished their wontons, paid, and happened to walk towards my direction. I wanted to lower my head and pretend not to see, but our eyes met directly. He looked slightly surprised, said something to his wife, and then walked towards me.
His wife stood in place, offering me a friendly smile, which I returned with a nod. Duan Chang sat beside me and said casually, “Long time no see.”
After some small talk, I learned that he had indeed married soon after our separation, to a well-born official’s daughter. His wife was virtuous, skilled at playing the qin, and they quickly became inseparable, having a beloved daughter and living quite contentedly.
He knew I had married An Jin and praised his youthful achievements and extraordinary demeanor. I modestly said, “He’s just somewhat good-looking.” Duan Chang repeatedly waved his hand, insisting I was being too modest. “Never in Qi State’s history has an official been promoted to the second rank within three years of entering the court. An is truly a once-in-a-century talent.” He then looked at me with slight sympathy. “Being his wife must not be easy.”
I, however, felt it was quite easy.
We chatted for a while longer, and then he stood to leave. I glanced at his wife and daughter waiting nearby and couldn’t help but advise him, “Now that you have a lovely child and beautiful wife, please don’t go to Linglong House anymore.”
