Chapter One

My head is spinning...

Shi Lingyao pressed her forehead and opened her eyes, only to be greeted by a tree laden with vibrant, dewy peach blossoms.

Peach blossoms.

Yes, she remembered. Before setting out, she had mentioned to Yuanfang, her maid, that she wanted to visit the back mountain of the Great Mercy Temple to see the peach blossoms.

At that time, Yuanfang had said:

“In the balmy days of early spring, the peach blossoms on the back mountain of the Great Mercy Temple are in full bloom—surely a beautiful sight. Madam, why not wait until your lord returns and ask him to accompany you?”

What a lovely image—husband and wife strolling arm in arm.

Shi Lingyao recalled how she had laughed outright at that, stifling the loneliness in her heart beneath Yuanfang’s puzzled gaze, and replied breezily, “Why should I need him? I’ll go myself. No one to restrain me, and I can enjoy my freedom.”

How could a busy man like Xie Zhongwei possibly have the leisure to accompany her to see peach blossoms? She could almost picture the way he would frown at her, no doubt about to say something about how she ought to stay at home and not wander about.

Just thinking about it was enough to dampen her spirits.

Lost in thought, Shi Lingyao didn’t notice Yuanfang anxiously signaling to her, her eyes nearly twitching from the effort. Still, Shi Lingyao remained oblivious.

Yuanfang was close to panic—how unfortunate that her lord happened to hear madam’s petulant words!

A cool, faint fragrance brushed past Shi Lingyao’s face, pulling her back to herself.

The very man she’d just imagined coldly refusing her was now standing before her.

Handsome and dignified, with features as refined and serene as a deity.

What a peerlessly elegant appearance.

Sensing the chill in his gaze, Shi Lingyao regretted her earlier stubborn words. Remembering Yuanfang’s suggestion, she steeled herself. At worst, she’d be refused again—she’d grown used to it by now.

“Husband,” she began hesitantly, “I wonder if you have any time today. I’d like to go see the peach blossoms on the back mountain of the Great Mercy Temple. Could you…” Will you come with me?

Seated, she looked up at Xie Zhongwei, who was standing. He lowered his eyes, and from her radiant, delicate face, he could easily discern her fervent hope.

She was so slender—even now, as a mother of twins, her frame was so slight that it often made him frown.

“Spring is still cold and damp—not suitable for outings.” Xie Zhongwei’s tone was cool. “You mustn’t go. Stay at home.”

He would have Old Doctor Bai come and check her pulse later.

Shi Lingyao hung her head, dejected. After a moment, Yuanfang whispered, “Madam, the lord has already left.”

Shi Lingyao slumped across the table, her voice muffled: “He might as well not have come at all...”

She immediately regretted it, annoyed with herself for expecting anything different from a man like Xie Zhongwei, and for putting herself forward yet again.

Why did she even ask? As if he would ever be interested in strolling among peach blossoms with her.

Seeing her mistress shrink in on herself, looking even more fragile and pitiful, Yuanfang felt a wave of sympathy and was about to comfort her when Shi Lingyao suddenly straightened up and told her to prepare the carriage.

Yuanfang was taken aback. “What?”

Shi Lingyao enunciated each word: “I am going to see the peach blossoms. Today. No matter what.”

Who cares if he comes!

Yuanfang wanted to dissuade her, but the determined set of her mistress’s delicate face left no room for persuasion. She nodded and went to make the arrangements.

Shi Lingyao’s wish was granted; she sat in the carriage bound for the Great Mercy Temple.

As she remembered all this, she rubbed her aching head, recalling the horse’s frantic whinny, the lurching carriage.

She couldn’t help clutching her chest as she remembered the panic and despair of that moment, her brows still shadowed with fear.

The carriage had hurtled straight toward a cliff. She had fought to stop it, but it was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a cart.

After that... what happened next?

Shi Lingyao frowned, thinking hard, but her mind was a muddled paste, as if it had been violently stirred. She couldn’t recall anything useful.

A breeze stirred, making her shiver—and, inexplicably, she thought of Xie Zhongwei again.

Early spring’s chill was indeed biting.

It was only then, coming to her senses, that Shi Lingyao realized she was still sitting on the ground. She quickly stood, brushed the dust from her clothes, and looked around in confusion.

Where was Yuanfang?

The scenery was unfamiliar. Rolling hills stretched away, lush and green, but an uneasy silence pervaded the air.

Only behind her, the peach tree’s leaves and blossoms rustled in the wind.

Hugging her arms, Shi Lingyao walked to a nearby stream.

The flowing water reflected back the image of a beautiful woman, brows furrowed with worry.

Shi Lingyao examined her reflection carefully—she had all her limbs, her jewelry and clothing were intact, nothing like someone who had fallen off a cliff.

A chill ran through her.

Had she become a ghost?

If she were gone, would Xie Zhongwei grieve?

It struck her that the first person she thought of—was Xie Zhongwei.

Biting her lip, Shi Lingyao was furious at her own weakness.

“Miss, are you alright?”

Peach Blossom, with a basket on her back, had been watching for some time. She saw the lovely stranger acting strangely by the water, sometimes smiling, sometimes on the verge of tears. Though her dress was a bit old-fashioned, her clothes and jewelry were all of the finest quality. Peach Blossom suspected she belonged to some wealthy family and had gotten lost.

After a moment of hesitation, Peach Blossom approached to inquire after her.

Shi Lingyao was so startled by the greeting that she nearly tumbled into the stream. She turned to see a young woman looking at her with concern, and pointed at herself. “You... you can see me?”

Peach Blossom was now certain—the beauty before her really was a bit touched in the head.

Seeing Peach Blossom nod, Shi Lingyao patted her muddled head.

How foolish—ghosts have no reflection. If she were truly dead, how could she see herself in the water?

Uncertain of what had happened to her, though her feet stood firm on solid ground, her heart and soul felt adrift. The unease made her anxious. Looking at Peach Blossom, she said gently, “I was out with my family, wandered off while playing, and ended up here. May I know your name?”

Peach Blossom introduced herself and asked, “Did you come here especially to see the peach blossoms, miss? Our Shanshui Village is quite remote—only that peach tree is worth seeing. Lately, many have come just for it, praying for luck in love.”

Shanshui Village? But shouldn’t she be near the cliff behind the Great Mercy Temple?

Shi Lingyao grew even more confused. “Shanshui Village—where is this? Is it far from Bianjing?”

Peach Blossom, patient and kind, explained.

Poor thing—how could her family be so careless, letting such a beautiful, addled girl wander off alone?

“Shanshui Village is a fair distance from Bianjing,” Peach Blossom said. “I once went with my husband—it took us about two hours on foot to reach the city gate. With a donkey cart, it’s faster.”

Shi Lingyao’s heart sank. That far, and she didn’t know the way—she’d likely get lost in the wilderness.

That would be truly hopeless.

She pressed her lips together, slipped the gold lotus bangle from her wrist, and handed it to Peach Blossom. “Could I trouble you to arrange for me to be sent back to Bianjing?”

Peach Blossom’s heart raced at such generosity.

Though she had hoped for a reward, seeing the clarity in Shi Lingyao’s eyes made her feel awkward about accepting.

Shi Lingyao did not press her, simply gazing at her quietly.

Blushing, Peach Blossom accepted the bangle. “This is far too precious. Once you’re home, just give me a little silver as a token.”

Seeing her agree, Shi Lingyao relaxed, smiling playfully. “How could I possibly? You’ve helped me—I ought to thank you properly. It’s only right you accept so generous a gift.”

Her tone was light, and Peach Blossom couldn’t help but smile too. “Call me Sister Peach Blossom, or Doggie’s Mother, if you like.”

Shi Lingyao nodded and called her Sister Peach Blossom, introducing herself as Miss Shi.

Peach Blossom led her toward her home. “It’s late today. We don’t have a donkey cart at home—we’ll have to rent one from Uncle at the village entrance. Why not stay at my house tonight? Don’t worry, at dawn my husband can take you to Bianjing.”

Shi Lingyao nodded her thanks.

“Where do you live in Bianjing, Miss Shi?” Peach Blossom then remembered something important. “Do you have your pass token with you? The guards at the city gate won’t let anyone in without checking it.”

Seeing Shi Lingyao hesitate, Peach Blossom assumed she simply didn’t know—her family must always have handled such things for her—so she explained further. “Miss Shi, you might not know, but this rule was issued in the seventeenth year of the Xianqing era, and it’s been enforced for four years. Now, everyone entering Bianjing must undergo inspection.”

Xianqing... seventeenth year? And it’s been four years since?

That would make this the twenty-first year of Xianqing.

But—

Shi Lingyao was bewildered. “Isn’t it the eleventh year of Xianqing?”

She remembered it clearly. In the ninth year of Xianqing, Empress Dowager Deng died, and to avoid the period of national mourning, she and Xie Zhongwei had married the following month. By year’s end, she was pregnant, and the next year she gave birth to twins. When she set out to see the peach blossoms, their second birthday was just days away.

She had even told Yuanfang, with great excitement, that she had prepared gifts for her children.

Many were afraid to give twins different gifts for fear of favoritism, but her children had different temperaments and likes, so she had taken pains to choose two distinct gifts.

But now she was being told it was the twenty-first year of Xianqing.

Peach Blossom looked at her with pity and shook her head. “Miss Shi, you’re confused. In the twentieth year, His Majesty pardoned the realm and distributed rice in the city. My husband went to Bianjing for that and brought back half a sack of rice. How could I remember wrong?”

Her certainty left Shi Lingyao even more lost.

So...

She had appeared in the spring—ten years later?