Chapter 133: Old Names And Surnames

Walking from the back mountain to the front, Jiang Xuening saw the devastation—collapsed rocks, bodies everywhere, and dismembered limbs. Even though she had died once in her previous life, the sight still made her heart race.

Xiao Bao, guessing she was frightened by the bloodshed, walked slightly ahead of her, shielding her from the worst of it as they passed through the back courtyard wall.

Shangqing Temple, though occupied by the Tianjiao Sect, still retained its original layout. The front was the temple, and the back housed the monks’ quarters. Now, with no real monks left, many rooms were empty.

Xiao Bao prepared a room for Jiang Xuening, saying, “The master instructed that you rest here for now. It seems the master and Lord Zhang have more to discuss, and the Duke’s son is also seriously injured, so we might be staying here for a few days.”

He even brought a pot of tea.

Later, he spoke to someone outside and brought in two sets of new clothes. “These were bought in town. Young Master Jian Shu said they aren’t as fashionable as those in the capital, but they should suffice for now.”

Jiang Xuening was still wearing the cloak Xie Wei had draped over her, lined with snow mink fur, warm against her body.

She glanced at the clothes—one set in light blue, the other in pale purple. Though not as finely made as those in the capital, they were elegant and suitable, showing care in their selection. But since they came from Xie Wei’s people, they felt strange to her.

Feeling uneasy, she couldn’t smile and said to Xiao Bao, “So you work for Master Xie.”

Xiao Bao replied, “Without an insider, the master wouldn’t dare take such risks.”

He spoke with a stern face, unlike the cheerful boy who had called her “sister” just days ago. He didn’t even look at her, seeming displeased.

Jiang Xuening remembered the morning.

The boy had drugged her food, helping her leave the Tianjiao Sect’s sight under the pretense of seeking medical treatment, instructing her to hide in an inn across the street. But she didn’t want to return. Discovering the Yongding Pharmacy ruse, she went to the prefectural office, risking her life.

None of this was in Xie Wei’s plan.

That’s why he was so angry.

The boy, tasked with saving her, would likely be punished if Xie Wei didn’t find her at the inn.

Jiang Xuening, not heartless, felt guilty for causing trouble, but the false Yongding Pharmacy story made her suspicious of Xie Wei’s intentions.

After all, she never saw Xie Wei as a good person.

Despite her many thoughts, she remained silent.

Xiao Bao finished preparing everything, half-closed the window, brought water for washing, and lit a stove before saying, “I’ll be nearby. Call me if you need anything.”

He left, closing the door.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t rest. Closing her eyes, she saw Zhang Zhe and Xie Wei’s faces, making her heart pound. She took off the cloak and placed it beside the neatly folded clothes. The pristine white satin, untouched by blood or dirt, seemed as aloof and cold as its owner.

Xie Wei…

What could he be discussing with Zhang Zhe?

Unable to sit still, Jiang Xuening stood under the eaves, looking towards the back mountain.

The courtyard was filled with ancient pines.

A long path led from the back mountain gate, now guarded by many soldiers. She could see anyone passing by from her vantage point.

She waited for a long time but didn’t see Zhang Zhe.

Her heart hung in suspense.

After nearly half an hour, she saw the soldiers guarding the path look towards the back and bow slightly, as if greeting someone.

Jiang Xuening’s heart skipped a beat.

Finally, she saw that familiar figure emerge from the back mountain. His wounds were hastily bandaged, but his dark blue robe was soaked with blood, and his face was pale from blood loss.

He’s okay.

He’s okay!

Seeing him safe and sound, Jiang Xuening felt her heart swell with relief. She couldn’t help but rush towards him, “Lord Zhang!”

Zhang Zhe’s expression was as lifeless as wood.

Overjoyed to see him, she didn’t notice this small detail. A smile bloomed on her lips, “It’s so good that you’re okay…”

So good.

Before she could finish, her eyelids grew heavy, and she struggled to keep them open. Her body swayed and she fainted backward.

Zhang Zhe, startled, reacted quickly and caught her.

The girl’s slender waist was barely a handful, her face pale and thin from exhaustion. Her eyelids fluttered closed, and her delicate eyebrows relaxed.

She looked as if she had fallen asleep.

Xiao Bao, watching from the eaves, was startled when Jiang Xuening fainted and rushed to help.

But seeing Zhang Zhe catch her, he stopped.

From a distance, he saw Xie Wei standing quietly, watching but not approaching. Zhang Zhe’s expression changed several times before settling into cold silence. He carried the unconscious Jiang Xuening past Xiao Bao and gently placed her on the bed, carefully tucking her in.

---

Finally, it began to snow.

The sky over Tongzhou was filled with dark clouds, and the wind howled. By midday, it grew colder, and by evening, heavy snow began to fall. The snowflakes quickly covered the city in white, and the pines on the low mountain of Shangqing Temple were laden with snow, looking like a winter wonderland.

If Xiao Dingfei remembered correctly, this was Xie Wei’s least favorite weather.

Jinling, in the south, rarely saw snow.

But occasionally, it did.

One year, a cold front moved south, and a night wind rattled the windows. In the morning, the garden was covered in snow. Scholars in Jinling were excited, planning to enjoy the snow.

Some playboys invited him too.

At that time, Xie Wei had not yet taken the imperial exams but was already famous in Jinling. Xiao Dingfei, feeling like a useless ornament, thought it better to invite Xie Wei, who rarely joined such gatherings.

But when he arrived, he found the gates closed.

The servants were busy sweeping the snow.

Xiao Dingfei found it strange, “The snow hasn’t stopped and will continue for a while. Isn’t it pointless to sweep now, only for it to pile up again?”

The people in Du Jun’s household were quiet.

No one answered him.

But Jian Shu, carrying a bowl of medicine, paused and said, “Young Master Dingfei, the master is not going out today. Please return.”

Xiao Dingfei was puzzled, “Is he ill?”

Jian Shu replied, “He caught a cold.”

Xiao Dingfei felt uninterested and shrugged, about to leave. But just as he turned, he caught a glimpse of a thick, opaque black curtain inside the room when Jian Shu opened the door to bring in the medicine. In the daylight, he could faintly see the glow of candles inside.

His heart skipped a beat.

The door quickly closed.

Xiao Dingfei felt a strange sense of unease but, curious, he considered his position in the sect and decided not to ask questions or linger.

Outside, the servants continued sweeping the snow.

Suppressing his doubts, he hurried away to join the men in enjoying the snow.

Years later, the memory of that scene still occasionally surfaced, leaving a huge mystery in his mind.

Today, with such a significant event, Xie Wei’s arrow had clearly been meant for him.

But seeing the heavy snow at Shangqing Temple, Xiao Dingfei felt that Xie Wei probably wouldn’t come.

At least not during the day.

Sure enough, it wasn’t until dusk, when the entire temple was shrouded in darkness, that a dim lantern illuminated the freshly swept path leading to his room.

Jian Shu and Dao Qin accompanied him.

One held the lantern, the other an umbrella.

Reaching the steps, they hung the lantern, closed the umbrella, and opened the door, greeting him politely, “Young Master Dingfei.”

Xiao Dingfei was already lying in bed.

The room was warm from the stove.

He wore only a white inner garment. The arrow that had pierced his shoulder had been removed, the wound treated with high-quality medicine, and the bleeding had stopped. The doctor had advised him to rest and avoid movement.

Xie Wei entered shortly after.

His face was calm, his gaze deep. Dressed in white, with a wooden hairpin, he looked like a true recluse.

Jian Shu closed the door behind him.

The bright candlelight on the window paper dispelled some of the reflected snowlight, making his face appear even more serene.

Xie Wei said, “Your legs are quite good.”

Xiao Dingfei laughed lazily, “But not as fast as your arrow.”

Xie Wei didn’t laugh, “Too bad my aim wasn’t good enough to take your head.”

Xiao Dingfei knew Xie Wei wanted to kill him. Staring at him, he half-joked, “Who says I still have a use for you? I know you hate me the most.”

Xie Wei placed a hand on the table, silent.

Xiao Dingfei’s expression turned serious, “Who says I bear the name you hate the most?”

Over the years, each time he heard it, his hatred deepened, layer upon layer, never to be resolved.

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