Chapter 9 — The Sedan Chair That Doesn't Wait

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Xiao Linyan taught me to write, to read, to ride horses, and to draw a bow. Wherever he went, he brought me along. From that day forward, no one dared to whisper that I was a rustic country girl, unworthy of a refined household. To everyone we met, Xiao Linyan would praise his wife for her pure heart and quick wit. Because of his unwavering devotion, no one dared to bully me again. As for the blank imperial edict that the Emperor had once bestowed upon Shen Qing years ago, he still had not put it to use. Whenever the subject arose, my husband would put on the most sour expression, as if he had just downed an entire jar of vinegar.

"He still refuses to use it," he would grumble. "Does he truly intend to use it to force the Emperor to grant a marriage decree?"

For the past half-year, Shen Qing had continued to send letters to me. However, they all had to pass through Xiao Linyan’s hands first. He had taught me to read and recognize the characters, so the current Suoyue could finally understand what was written in them. Yet, I never glanced at a letter from Shen Qing a second time. Every time a new one arrived, Xiao Linyan would personally bring it to me, feigning complete indifference with his words:

"My lady, are you truly determined not to read it?"

I would crinkle my eyes and smile, saying, "Why don't you read it aloud for me, my husband?"

He would instantly grow sulky, his voice dripping with such jealousy that every syllable smelled of vinegar. When Shen Qing wrote that he missed me, Xiao Linyan would retort, "I see him at court every day, his face glowing, discussing marriage prospects with that old Minister. Does he look like a man who is missing anyone?"

When Shen Qing wrote that he regretted his actions, Xiao Linyan would scoff, "A gentleman is judged by his deeds, not his thoughts. He has no heart and no actions; he hasn't even a shred of sincerity, so how can he speak of regret?"

When Shen Qing touched upon the nostalgia of our childhood friendship, Xiao Linyan would angrily set the tea down for me, his voice bitter: "My husband cannot compare to the childhood bond, the acquaintanceship from our youth that the two of you shared."

"He says nothing wrong in his letters. It truly is a legendary tale."

"If you two could not end up together, it is truly a tragedy."

I could not help but laugh, reaching out to gently touch the tip of his nose.

"Have you forgotten, my husband?"

"In those years beneath the ancient locust tree, you were reading books while I played shuttlecock."

"Back then, I had not yet even met Shen Qing."

"We are the true childhood companions, having known each other since our youth."

"Are you jealous for no reason, my husband?"

"My husband?"

"Have you truly forgotten?"

Outside the window, birds sang and flowers perfumed the air. The two words "my husband" echoed clearly, striking his heart and making it tremble. His face turned deep crimson. He coughed twice, hurriedly reaching for a drink, only to choke and fall into a fit of coughing.

"Of course..."

"Of course, I have never forgotten..."

It was true. He was the one who had known Suoyue first. He was her childhood companion. It was just that those old memories were too distant, too brief, and yet too beautiful. They were so distant that he feared she had forgotten them. They were so brief that he feared they meant nothing to her. They were so beautiful that he dared only to bury them deep in his heart, keeping them hidden away all to himself. It turned out he was not the only one harboring such intentions. Fortunately, she also held those same feelings. I looked at Xiao Linyan’s reddened ears, nestled into his embrace, and asked with a mischievous smile:

"Then, from now on, you must write me many more letters."

"I shall only read the words you write yourself."

"That way, you won’t have to eat any more vinegar, will you?"

"I will."

In truth, when I look back now, I once harbored many questions. How was it that Xiao Linyan happened to meet me on the road just as I was returning, heartbroken after being scolded by Shen Qing? As an official of his standing in the capital, why did he suddenly return to the countryside so quietly? With such an excellent family background, why were the matchmakers so insistent on pairing him with me? And why, as a prominent court official, did news of his upcoming wedding to me spread for thousands of miles, yet Shen Qing remained entirely unaware? Of course, those questions no longer matter. It does not matter at all. As it turns out, on that day we reunited in the rain, the person in the carriage leaning against the window was not watching the rain; he was watching the night. Linyan listened to the rainfall and looked up to find Suoyue. It just so happened that the person he encountered was me. There was no moon in the sky, but that night, there was Suoyue. The person he was looking at was me. It turns out he had put so much thought into it. It does not matter. Whether he used schemes to marry me or not is of no consequence. As long as he is willing to pour his heart and soul into me, that is enough. As long as he gives me a life of devotion to one another, that is enough. As long as I love him, and he happens to love me in return, that is all that matters.

— The End —