Chapter 8 — Leaving the Capital, Zhaowei

He had voluntarily relinquished his prestigious post as the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, choosing instead to journey far away to the bleak northern frontiers and garrison the remote borders. That desolate land was gripped by a perennial, bone-chilling frost, where the howling gales and stinging sands sliced across the skin like blades. Pei Yanzhuo, who had once lived a life of pampered luxury amidst silk and brocade was now forced to don heavy armor day after day to keep watch through the bitter nights, feeding on the freezing wind and drinking the falling snow. Yet, none of these hardships concerned us any longer.

Upon our arrival in Yunzhou, Pei Yanzhuo's secondary mother was already waiting by the city gates. The moment she laid eyes on us, tears of pure joy welled up and spilled over her cheeks. Shen Qingyan gently pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders, drawing it close against the chill, and whispered softly in a voice meant only for me, "From this day onward, this place is our home."

I raised my gaze to take in the landscape stretching out before us. In the distance, the verdant mountains stood like strokes of dark ink against the sky, while the gentle waters of spring curved gracefully around the ancient city walls like a protective embrace. I reached out to clasp his hand firmly within my own, a quiet, serene smile touching my lips.

"Agreed."

From that moment on, the years flowed by, one after another, in a steady, unbroken rhythm. Together, we watched the warm glow of the evening lanterns cast their flickering light. Together, we walked side by side through every storm and every rain.