Chapter 138: A Fortunate Escape

Shangqing Temple is a Taoist temple, naturally housing Taoist scriptures. The Daozang building was originally used for storing books. However, it had been abandoned for a long time and occupied by the Tianjiao sect. 

Most of the scriptures had been taken and burned for fuel. Now, it was cleared out for Jiang Xuening to set up the New Year’s Eve feast.

The small building had two floors, with the upper floor somewhat dilapidated. The feast was set up on the ground floor. A fire was already burning inside, warming a pot of Huadiao wine. 

A round table in the center was laden with hot dishes. With Xiao Dingfei joining in, the meal became a true New Year’s Eve dinner. Jiang Xuening decided to have Xiao Bao stay and join them.

Xiao Bao looked at her in surprise but didn’t refuse. Xiao Dingfei, who had met Xiao Bao in the Tianjiao sect, snorted and muttered something under his breath. 

Jiang Xuening didn’t catch it, “What did you say?”

She was taking off her crane cloak and placing it on a chair while Zhang Zhe was outside putting away the umbrella. Xiao Dingfei leaned in and whispered, “You should thank me.”

Jiang Xuening raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Xiao Dingfei glanced at Zhang Zhe, who was just about to enter, making his meaning clear. Jiang Xuening instinctively looked at Zhang Zhe as well. 

Earlier, Xiao Dingfei had thrown snow at her in front of Zhang Zhe’s door, knowing she couldn’t see it but Zhang Zhe could. She realized Xiao Dingfei had done it on purpose.

Xiao Dingfei, seeing her quick understanding, smiled smugly, “How about that?”

Jiang Xuening smiled back, “I’ll cover for you when we get to the capital.”

That’s exactly what Xiao Dingfei wanted to hear. He beamed and, without further ado, stretched lazily and slumped into a chair by the round table, picking up chopsticks to start eating. “I skipped lunch to save room for this meal. Let me try the chef’s cooking first!”

His behavior was unrefined, showing no manners or restraint. Xiao Bao looked at him with a complicated expression. Jiang Xuening, seeing this, felt it was genuine. 

In her previous life, she had enjoyed feasting with Xiao Dingfei, disregarding all etiquette. She didn’t mind now and said, “Let’s be casual.”

After all, they were in Tongzhou, a group of people with varying relationships and statuses sharing a New Year’s Eve meal. It wasn’t like the strict households of the capital or the rigid palace. There was no need for excessive formality.

Jiang Xuening sat next to Zhang Zhe. 

The pot of Huadiao wine was already warm. 

Xiao Bao handed it to her, and she filled four cups, raising hers, “We are all stranded in Tongzhou, surrounded by snow. Even if we met by chance, it’s fate. Who knows, we might become close friends. A good omen for a prosperous year, let’s drink to that!”

Xiao Dingfei enthusiastically responded, “Well said!”

Xiao Bao rolled his eyes at him. Zhang Zhe looked up, meeting Jiang Xuening’s bright eyes in the dim light. He raised his small cup and lightly clinked it with hers, seeing her face light up with a smile. They all drank together.

The warm Huadiao wine, rich and flavorful, spread a comforting warmth through their bodies, dispelling the cold from outside. Zhang Zhe, usually quiet, didn’t say much. 

Xiao Dingfei, on the other hand, was very sociable. Knowing he would soon go to the capital and likely become the Duke’s heir, he was unusually friendly, asking about the prominent families in the capital, preparing for his arrival.

Jiang Xuening, knowing Xiao Dingfei would be a thorn in the side of the Xiao family, eagerly shared all she knew about the capital’s elite, hoping to see their reactions when they met him. 

After all, she had been the empress in her previous life, with a high vantage point and plenty of information. Though she didn’t need it now, she could share it with others.

Xiao Dingfei listened attentively, treating Jiang Xuening like a brother. With her around, the meal was neither cold nor awkward.

Even Xiao Bao sometimes couldn’t help but interject sarcastically after hearing too much of Xiao Dingfei’s flattery. Xiao Dingfei didn’t mind, knowing Xiao Bao was Xie Wei’s man. Besides, a few sarcastic remarks wouldn’t hurt him; he just let them pass.

Zhang Zhe wasn’t a heavy drinker and rarely drank. 

During the siege of the Tianjiao sect, he had to drink three large bowls due to the situation, which made him dizzy, though he didn’t show it. Later, he was slashed on the shoulder, and the pain sobered him up quickly. Now, he had already had several cups.

He was prone to flushing when drinking. His usually stern and aloof face had a slight blush, softening his usual rigidity. The alcohol and the warm light made his features appear even more handsome and refined. 

Jiang Xuening, glancing at him while eating, felt her heart race and didn’t dare look again, forgetting what she had wanted to say to him.

She stood up with a cup of wine, “I want to toast to Lord Zhang.”

The table fell silent. Unlike Xiao Dingfei, Zhang Zhe was a disciplined and courteous person. He stood up with his cup. In the small room, the two stood facing each other. Xiao Dingfei had a strange smile on his face.

Jiang Xuening ignored everyone else and looked at Zhang Zhe seriously, “We faced many dangers on our way to Tongzhou. Without your help, I wouldn’t have made it safely. Today, I only have this cup of wine to express my gratitude. I hope you don’t mind.”

Zhang Zhe replied, “I should be the one thanking you, Second Miss.”

Although he had protected Jiang Xuening, in the chaos of the battle, without her bringing the government soldiers, he might have perished. However, he couldn’t say this directly, especially with Xie Wei’s ambiguous involvement.

Jiang Xuening had felt wronged when Zhang Zhe had harshly questioned her for returning with help. She hadn’t expected him to acknowledge her efforts now. He knew, he remembered. Whether it was the warmth of the wine or her slightly teary eyes, she quickly drank her cup to hide her emotions.

Zhang Zhe silently watched her and drank his cup as well. 

Xiao Dingfei teased, “Oh, look at you two, so deep in gratitude and affection. Anyone who didn’t know better might think you’re getting married!”

Xiao Dingfei’s words were always unrestrained. Jiang Xuening frowned, “No one will think you’re mute if you don’t speak.”

Xiao Dingfei laughed, “Alright, alright, sit down. Let’s have a drinking game to liven things up!”

He started pouring wine for everyone. After sitting down, Zhang Zhe seemed a bit dazed. In the quiet night, the distant sound of firecrackers could be heard. He looked out the window. The Daozang building was nestled in the mountains, with snowy paths and ancient pines covered in snow. The falling snow created a serene and secluded atmosphere.

But… no matter how beautiful the snow, it would eventually melt. Xiao Dingfei, ignoring Xiao Bao’s objections, started the drinking game. When it was Zhang Zhe’s turn, he was staring out the window. Xiao Dingfei called his name, bringing him back to reality.

Xiao Dingfei, perceptive as ever, smiled, “It’s a rare festive occasion, but Lord Zhang seems preoccupied. Is something on your mind?”

Jiang Xuening also looked at Zhang Zhe. 

Zhang Zhe lowered his gaze and slowly said, “The snowy night is cold, and it must be the same in the capital. My mother is alone in the old house, and I am stuck in Tongzhou, unable to return home to serve her. I feel guilty and worried.”

Xiao Dingfei was surprised, “Ah, I didn’t expect that.”

Zhang Zhe’s mother… Under the dim light, the wine in Jiang Xuening’s cup suddenly shook, scattering the light. Her face seemed to pale, losing some of its color. 

The room fell silent. Xiao Dingfei broke the silence with a laugh, saying several auspicious words to Zhang Zhe, raising his cup to wish Zhang’s mother good health and happiness in the capital.

Jiang Xuening became absent-minded. She couldn’t remember what was said or what drinking games were played afterward. Her mind was filled with memories from her past life. 

The night in the palace, when she pulled Zhang Zhe’s sleeve, begging for his help; the Kunning Palace, where she heard of his wrongful imprisonment; and the news of his mother’s death during the first snowfall…

She had never met the elderly woman, but she imagined that someone who raised such a righteous son must have been a kind and strict mother, a respectable person. 

She wondered if Zhang Zhe had hated her when he heard the tragic news in prison, recalling all the events that led to it. Those days, she had been tormented by fear and guilt, and her death had been a release.

Now, hearing Zhang Zhe mention his mother again, Jiang Xuening’s guilt from her past life surged up, making her feel despicable. She felt fortunate that everything had started anew. She was grateful for the second chance, but no matter how hard she tried to smile, the meal and the wine tasted bland.

As the feast ended and they were about to leave, Xiao Dingfei seemed to notice something and whispered, “Second Miss, why do you seem so distracted?”

Jiang Xuening didn’t answer. 

Xiao Dingfei, finding everyone a bit pretentious, snorted, “If you don’t want to talk, I don’t want to listen. Just so you know, there will be fireworks at the Tongzhou dock at midnight. The whole town will be out to watch.”

With that, he laughed and walked out. 

The group left together. Passing by Xie Wei’s small courtyard, they saw no sign of Jian Shu, and the house was still dark. Xiao Dingfei pulled Xiao Bao aside to ask him something, taking a different path.

Jiang Xuening knew he was giving her an opportunity to invite Zhang Zhe to watch the fireworks. But with her mind preoccupied, she hesitated and felt a surge of fear. Her courage seemed to have been extinguished. When she finally said goodbye to Zhang Zhe, she couldn’t say what she had prepared.

She walked back to her room alone. The steps were covered in a thick layer of snow. As she reached out to push the door, the cold frame jolted her awake. 

What was she doing? What was there to hesitate about?

Living a second life is about making up for the regrets of the past and avoiding the same mistakes. If you want something, go after it; if you seek something, pursue it. Hesitation is not her style!

The pouch she had prepared but not yet given was hidden in her sleeve, filled with auspicious gold and silver ingots shaped like melons and fruits. 

Jiang Xuening took it out, feeling the thin piece of paper inside.

“My heart is like the moon.”

Her chest felt warm, and with her resolve firm, she didn’t even push the door but quickly retraced her steps, following the path not yet covered by snow, heading towards Zhang Zhe’s residence. The cold wind stung her face, but she didn’t feel it.

When she reached Zhang Zhe’s house, it was dark inside, with no lights or sounds. Jiang Xuening was momentarily stunned. Had Zhang Zhe already gone to bed? 

She hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked on the door, “Lord Zhang, are you asleep?”

There was no response, only the dark window lattice and the sound of wind blowing through the snow-covered pines in the courtyard. 

After a moment, she knocked again, “Is Lord Zhang there?”

The silence continued. 

She thought perhaps Zhang Zhe, injured and with a low alcohol tolerance, had gone to bed or was out with others rewarding the soldiers. 

Her heart felt empty. 

She looked at the pouch in her hand, feeling regret for her earlier hesitation, which had cost her the chance to express her feelings directly.

But her resolve remained. 

Jiang Xuening gently tied the pouch, embroidered with the character for “fortune,” to the small copper door knocker, hoping he would see it in the morning. She smiled, suppressing her anxiety, and after a moment of looking at the door, turned to leave.

Three sets of footprints extended through the snow in the courtyard. 

The snow on the branches fell with a rustle. 

In the dark blue night sky, a sudden whistle sounded. From the direction of the dock outside the city, brilliant fireworks rose into the sky, exploding with a bright flash.

Zhang Zhe leaned against the door, sitting on the cold ground with his legs bent, listening as the footsteps outside faded away. The light from the fireworks outside the half-open window illuminated his cold, defined face and fell into his dark eyes, reflecting only the ashes left after the fire had burned out.

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