Chapter 42: with translation of chapter title

It's really hard to imagine that just a few days' difference could turn Ting State and the Lan manor from deathly stillness into vibrant vitality.

I rested my chin on my hand, watching the endless stream of people outside the window, busy with no leisure yet seemingly tireless. I inwardly admired how Wei Lingfeng managed to secretly transport so many troops and equipment to the battlefield without the Yin State people noticing.

But actually, upon deeper thought it's not strange; after all, they came prepared—perhaps these troops, the secret routes, etc., were already laid out, just waiting for the right moment.

"Miss, Minister Wen sent someone to say he wants to see you."

Chancellor Wen

On the way I unexpectedly ran into someone——Lan Jianxia. I gave a wry smile inside, feeling as if I were being handed posthumous matters to settle, one after another placed before me to resolve.

His face was visibly more haggard than before; his originally gentle, handsome features now bore a touch of vicissitude, making him look lacking in vitality yet far more mature than before.

Wen Ce

He nodded, uttering a few words: "Fourth sister, congratulations."

I smiled, thanked him, and was about to leave when I heard him say again: "Before, I failed her; she lived a life of too much suffering. I hope you… can take her place and live happily."

I startled, realizing he already knew I wasn't the true Lan Yingruo. The next second I gave a faint smile, without hesitation saying: "I will definitely live happily, but absolutely not as a replacement for anyone."

I pushed the door open and found only two people inside: Wen Ce and the guard who had been with him last time.

"Minister Wen, what's the matter?" I walked over and sat down before him.

Wen Ce spoke gently and respectfully: "It's nothing major. The emperor ordered me to hand this to Miss Lan." As he spoke, he placed a piece of crystal-clear white jade before me.

I let out an "ah" and, somewhat embarrassed, laughed: "Sorry, I forgot after sealing it that day."

Wen Ce smiled kindly and continued: "The wedding is set for three months from now; we'll send someone to deliver the attire promptly, and at that time some palace attendant ladies will accompany you to teach basic etiquette. As for the troops escorting the wedding, they will be led by General Xuan."

My face fell instantly: "No way? Basic etiquette? Escort troops? Minister Wen, may I ask—how long does it take from Ting State to your Qi State's imperial palace?"

Lan Jianyun

"Good heavens!" I couldn't help but groan, "A month of wind and rain? Can I back out of not marrying? …Cough! Never mind." I felt not only Wen Ce's mouth twitching, but the whole house filled with killing intent.

"During these two months, the emperor will secretly send people to protect Miss Lan's safety; if any mishap occurs, please don't be too startled, Miss Lan."

Talk of secret protection is nothing but covert surveillance. I complained inwardly, but didn't dare show it, lightly saying: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Wen Ce nodded, rose to see me off, and said formulaically: "Take care, Miss."

Master Liu

Lan Yingruo

Thus add:

However, the crisp sound of impact and shattering never came; I opened my eyes, which had shut instinctively, and couldn't help secretly rejoicing that Wen Ce's guard managed to catch him in time.

I smiled at him, said "Thank you," and was about to take the jade from his palm when I suddenly paused.

"Miss Lan?" Wen Ce called out, puzzled.

I snapped back to attention, quickly took the jade in my hand, but instead of stepping back I moved closer and whispered to the guard's ear: "Wei Lingfeng, next time you disguise yourself, remember not to forget those hands of yours—they're too conspicuous."

The light in the room was dim, and Wen Ce, being far away, couldn't see clearly, but I could clearly see that the hand holding the white jade was actually a bit more crystalline than the jade itself.

Wei Lingfeng, having been seen through by me, was not the slightest bit annoyed; on his ordinary face appeared a dazzling smile, and he calmly said: "I'll remember that next time."

I gave a faint smile, slipped the jade into my bosom, waved my hand, and turned to leave.

Two months later.

"Miss, don't dawdle any longer—General Xuan has been waiting outside the Lan residence."

"Oh." I replied lazily, and with Xinhui's support I walked out of the room. Wuye, Xinluo, and Xiaoyin were already waiting in the outer chamber, and outside the door the clamor was almost enough to overturn the heavens.

Wuye stared at me for a moment, his eyes full of astonishment. I couldn't help smiling—indeed, a woman's beauty is seventy percent due to her attire.

"Miss, you look so beautiful!" Xinluo exclaimed, then happily clung to my side, only to be shoved away by Xinhui, who scolded: "Do you have any idea how much time I spent helping our dear Miss get into these wedding garments? You'd better not wrinkle them!"

"It's no big deal, just a hug…" Seeing Xinhui's resentful glance directed at me, I hastily kept my mouth shut.

All I heard was her continuing to nag: "Miss, I don't know what you're thinking, refusing to let those palace maids serve you to the death. It's killing me…"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! My grandaunt, my eldest miss, you've done the most—agree?" I hurriedly bowed in apology, "You said the time is almost up, didn't you? If we don't go out now, those people outside will surely tear down the house and charge in."

Those palace maids all had a strictly businesslike attitude; from the moment they taught etiquette it was abundantly clear, so I had no interest in letting them toy with my body.

"Ah!" Xinhui exclaimed, "I completely forgot—it's all your fault, Miss! Let's hurry out!"

Firecrackers blared nonstop in my ears, the people around me all wore smiling faces, left and right shouting "Congratulations" and "May you stay together for a hundred years." I couldn't even be bothered to force a smile, and I strode straight through the crowd of strangers to the gate of the Lan residence.

Xuanti today actually dressed the part, with nearly a hundred guards trailing behind him, and I heard they were merely a tiny fraction of the wedding escort troops. I broke out in a cold sweat—I felt less like I was getting married and more like I was being escorted to an enemy state as a hostage.

It was rare for him to have waited this long without showing any impatience; he remained respectful, saying: "Your Ladyship, please board the carriage. Your Ladyship's family are already waiting at the ford to see you off."

I nodded, cradling Xiaoyin in my arms, and with extraordinary nonchalance leapt onto the luxurious flower carriage that made one's head spin, drawing a chorus of dissatisfied eye-rolls from the attending palace maids. Sigh! I couldn't help a quiet laugh—it's almost been a month, and they still haven't gotten used to it?

While in the carriage I was busy playing with Xiaoyin, feeling as if not much time had passed, when Xuanti outside spoke in a low voice: "Your Ladyship, we've reached the ford; please disembark."

I answered, lifted the curtain and was about to jump down, but seeing the palace maids on the verge of fainting from anger, I wisely gave Xinhui's hand a light support before landing gracefully.

Sure enough, Lan Junqing, Li Yuer, Lan Jianxia, Lan Jianyun, Lan Yingyue, and Liu Jinhong, among others, were already waiting beneath the newly built pavilion beside the ford.

I looked at the structure, which resembled a pavilion, but seeing the sacrificial implements for the heavenly rite neatly arranged inside, I guessed it was a temporary ancestral hall.

Lan Junqing's eyes were red as he approached me, apparently intending to take my hand and then utter some sentimental lines like "Take care, daughter" and "Father has no choice."

Fortunately, I was quick-eyed and quick-handed, stepping back a pace, while Xinhui promptly shoved whatever she was holding into his bosom; otherwise I truly wouldn't know how many goosebumps I'd have gotten.

Lan Junqing somewhat embarrassedly accepted the "ding" that Xinhui handed over—apparently a custom of the Ting state, whereby the bride must personally hand it to her parents to wish them peace and joy; it looks somewhat like a ding, but I didn't catch its specific name and promptly forgot it.

He wore a smile on his face, but I didn't miss the anger and contempt in his eyes.

In the end, I didn't hear a word he said, merely gazing at that flower boat and thinking: Wei Lingfeng really knows how to squander a fortune! Just look—those fist-sized pearls adorning the boat's exterior alone would be enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for a lifetime, let alone the lavish interior. Is he afraid people won't know he's marrying an empress? Truly strange.

Next came the heavenly sacrifice—chanting the prayer text, offering livestock, setting off firecrackers—all of which tossed me about until I was dizzy.

Fortunately, when Lan Junqing tried to make me kneel to worship ancestors, Xuanti coldly stepped in and stopped him, saying that since I had already become the empress of the Qi state, I need not kneel to anyone except the King of Qi.

I secretly smiled at him in gratitude; he felt a bit embarrassed, almost reaching to ruffle my hair, but he came to his senses in time and quickly assumed a poker face again.

At last, the lengthy heavenly sacrifice ceremony ended, and Xuanti respectfully invited me aboard the boat.

I was about to set off when a cry of "Fourth Sister" and "Yingruo" stopped me; I turned to see the two men before me and smiled faintly: "Second Brother, Master Liu, Yingruo doesn't want to miss the hour, so I must board now."

Their complexions were just as worn as when they'd just returned from battle; I couldn't be bothered to probe their gazes, for whether it was guilt or obsession, it had nothing to do with me.

There's no resentment to speak of, let alone hatred; I merely feel that the two boys who once argued with me and shared poetry and games have long died in my heart. The two loyal, patriotic gentlemen standing before me now are nothing more than strangers to me.

"Fourth Sister!" Lan Yingyue grabbed my hand as she came up, sobbing, "I know you married over because of me. I'm sorry, please forgive Jin Hong. I…"

"Fine. I don't blame him." I pulled my hand away, responded calmly, glanced at Jin Hong, and he indeed looked guilty.

I glanced at Xin Hui with some blame; she stuck out her tongue, her head shaking like a rattle drum, and finally, somewhat timidly, she glanced toward Wu Ye.

I looked at Wu Ye's indifferent expression, surprised. It wasn't Xin Hui who leaked it but Wu Ye? Good kid, outwardly cold and clear, inside… hey! Really can't tell.

Lan Yingyue looked at my withdrawn hand with some loss; after a while she murmured, "Fourth Sister, from now on we'll be separated by heaven and earth, you really won't say anything more?"

I stared at her swollen eyes for a long time; she also kept gazing at me. Thinking of the older sister locked in the west tower who still didn't forget to tie the swing, she was actually just a girl longing for happiness, right?

Finally, I let out a faint sigh and said to Xuan Tian, "May I ask, General Xuan, is there a jade zither on board?"

Xuan Tian nodded and quickly ordered someone to fetch it.

I was speechless; indeed, that guy Wei Lingfeng had really prepared everything, like a mobile luxury mansion, even a top‑tier one.

The zither was brought over; Xuan Tian was about to help me prepare a stand and stool, but I indicated I didn't need it and took the zither.

I casually plucked it lightly, and pleasant notes sounded. Qi Ran could naturally tell the zither's grade, whereas I could only tell whether the sound was pleasant or unpleasant.

Ignoring everyone's astonished looks, I lifted my skirt and sat down on the ground.

My gaze swept over everyone staring at me; my ten fingers plucked lightly, and beautiful music flowed from my fingertips.

After the opening melody, I sang softly:

Each time I remained strong in hesitation and loneliness.

Each time, even if I was hurt, I didn't flash tears.

I know I have always had a pair of invisible wings.

Carrying me to fly over despair.

Not thinking about them having a beautiful sun.

I see that even the daily sunset changes.

I know I have always had a pair of invisible wings.

Carrying me to fly, giving me hope.

I finally saw all dreams blossom.

The young song of pursuit is loud and clear.

I finally soared, gazing intently without fear.

Wherever there is wind, I will fly as far as possible.

That day, the sea breeze gently brushed, and everyone's robes fluttered.

But everyone thereafter only remembered the dressed‑up girl's faint smile, her joy‑neutral song, and the festive attire with its tangled black hair fluttering in the wind.

On the vast yet dim coastline, gazing at that drifting red garment about to fly, everyone wanted to seize that brilliant light, but in the end no one could reach out.

It was only then that Jin Hong truly realized that this flash of scarlet that made everyone stop and stare would finally ride the wind and fly away, never to return.

The pleasant times he had ignored, yet already etched in his heart, also faded with this song, a lifetime… of regret.

Scarlet clothing, black hair; clear song ringing bright. The water shimmered, as if in a dream.

Everyone knows that in this lifetime no second person could, like the girl before them, on this noisy yet quiet coast, deeply engrave that dazzling scene into everyone's heart.

My ten fingers plucked lightly; my eyes, holding a faint smile, swept over everyone present. Each figure entered my vision, then faded before reaching the depths, just like the several months of joy and sorrow.

Here I have been happy, also sad; I have laughed, also wept.

Here there are many memories, deep and shallow; some fade slowly, some are etched deep in the heart.

But now, as I am about to leave, I have no reluctance, yet I want to say: no matter what, thank you for letting me grow, for letting me become strong, for letting me… be able to fly better…

The melody shifted, I withdrew my gaze and continued singing:

Not thinking about them having a beautiful sun.

I see that even the daily sunset changes.

I know I have always had a pair of invisible wings.

Carrying me to fly, giving me hope.

I finally saw all dreams blossom.

The young song of pursuit is loud and clear.

I finally soared, gazing intently without fear.

Wherever there is wind, I will fly as far as possible.

The invisible wings let dreams last longer than heaven.

Leave a wish for oneself to imagine.

Farewell, Shore State.

Farewell, everyone of the Blue Family.

Farewell, these lingering joys and sorrows.

If possible, I will never again set foot on this land that bears endless conflict…

The melody finally faded away.

I gathered the notes in the wind, put away the zither, held Xiao Yin, and softly said to Xuan Tian, Wu Ye, Xin Hui, and Xin Luo: "Let's go."

(End of chapter)