Chapter 204: Returning to Their Rightful Owner

The night deepened, a cool breeze blew in through the half-open window into the main hall, sweeping away the lingering clamor and wine scent from the banquet.

After the banquet dispersed, only the Xie family's servants remained in the main hall to clean up, while Xie Lin still sat alone in the hall.

He held a cup in one hand and rested the other on his brow, his delicate eyebrows lowered, his gaze through the wine not knowing what he was thinking.

The candlelight flickered beside him, stretching his shadow long across the floor littered with debris, revealing a hint of desolation.

Seeing him seated motionless for a long time, the servant thought he was drunk, bent over and whispered softly: "My lord, let me help you back to your chambers to rest."

Just as he reached out, Xie Lin waved his hand and said: "No need, I'm not drunk."

The servant froze for a moment, seeing his clear expression, not looking drunk, and dared not urge further, silently withdrawing.

Only the old steward who had watched Xie Lin grow up understood his thoughts; he sighed, stepped forward and advised: "My lord, I know you can't let go, but Fourth Miss Shen is already married; you need to move on. There are plenty of good girls in the world, you still have plenty of time ahead, and you will surely meet someone better."

Xie Lin tugged at the corner of his mouth, trying to smile, but it looked worse than crying: "I will never meet someone better."

The steward, at a loss for words, sighed: "Back then, you and Fourth Miss Shen were mutually affectionate, well-matched in status, but......"

Saying this, the steward also felt regret; if it weren't for the Eldest Son causing those disasters, plunging the Marquis's residence into imminent peril, the Young Marquis would not have had to grit his teeth and go to the Jurchen Kingdom for a marriage alliance.

Had it not been for that forced departure, the Young Marquis and Fourth Miss Shen should have been living happily together; how could they now meet only to be polite and distant?

The steward couldn't help but say: "If Fourth Miss Shen waited a little longer, waited for your return, who knows......"

Xie Lin poured and drank by himself.

"Gong Shu, I don't blame her, nor anyone else. Going to the Jurchen Kingdom for the marriage alliance was my own choice. The road ahead is vast, the time of return uncertain—on what grounds could I demand she wait for me? She was meant to have a better destination."

"...... I fear she also resents me in her heart."

The steward comforted: "Fourth Miss Shen is understanding; she will surely comprehend the Heir Apparent's feelings."

Xie Lin, however, slowly shook his head, the light in his eyes dimming bit by bit, as if sinking into the boundless night.

"If she does not resent me, then before I went to the Jurchen Kingdom, I wanted to see her one last time; she clearly agreed, yet she never appeared, not even giving me a word of farewell."

The candlelight flickered, making the red in his eyes even more evident; Xie Lin softly repeated once more: "She surely resents me."

After his words fell, he slowly drew from his bosom a wooden tag tied with a red cord.

This was a marriage omen slip he had obtained long ago at Cold Mountain Temple, its surface smoothed from handling, inscribed with 'Heaven-made match,' and he had kept it close to his person.

He gently placed the wooden tag beside the candle's flame, watching the fire lick its edges bit by bit, watching it be drawn into the flame and turn to ash little by little.

"'To have met is already the best omen; why insist on everything being perfect?' Xie Lin murmured."

Gong Shu stood aside, recalling how the Young Marquis, after obtaining this slip, had been delighted to show it to him, as if just yesterday. His heart felt a pang, but he dared not speak further, only able to stay silently by his side.

Only after the ashes had completely cooled did Xie Lin slowly turn and give orders:

"Gong Shu, I have already petitioned His Majesty to garrison at Thoroughfare Prefecture; the things in my quarters, please help me pack them properly, no need to bring too much, just keep it simple. Tomorrow I will visit the temple to see my mother, then depart the capital."

Gong Shu said reluctantly: "The Heir Apparent has just returned; why not stay a few more days? The Marquis...... also misses you very much."

Xie Lin waved his hand, said nothing, then walked away with his hands behind his back, his figure gradually fading into the night.

The next day the weather cleared; Shen Shuangning accompanied her mother to a temple in the capital suburbs to pray for blessings.

Xiao Jingyuan had matters to attend to and did not come along, but he sent Qing Yun and Qing Feng to escort her.

Shen Shuangning knelt before the Buddha, took the incense offered by the monk, closed her eyes, raised the incense to her forehead with both hands, and prayed devoutly.

Her silhouette stood amidst the curling smoke, her plain-colored dress accentuating her slender figure, her hair adorned with only a simple jade hairpin.

When Xie Lin arrived and saw her back, he could hardly believe he would encounter her here, standing frozen at the doorway until someone behind spoke, at which point he suddenly came to his senses.

"Hey, are you going or not? If not, get out of the way."

Xie Lin hastily stepped aside; when he lifted his gaze again, he saw Shen Shuangning already being helped to her feet by the maid beside her.

Seeing her about to head back with her mother, Xie Lin instinctively hid among the coming and going worshippers.

Shen Shuangning did not notice his presence, quietly speaking with her mother.

Xie Lin watched the mother and daughter depart, his fingertips unconsciously clutching his sleeve cuff, not daring to step forward.

Madame Liu suddenly said: "I just seemed to have seen that Xie Lin boy."

Shen Shuangning blinked, turned her head and glanced a few times, but aside from the varied worshippers, she did not see Xie Lin's figure.

"Mother, you're mistaken."

"Perhaps."

After walking a few steps, Madame Liu still couldn't hold back, speaking with a tone of deliberation:

"I heard he is about to go to Thoroughfare Prefecture; Xie Lin is a responsible good boy, but for now...... you and Xiao Jingyuan are already married, I see the worthy son-in-law treats you with great care, wishing to keep you hidden; Xie Lin's departure is also good, so he won't constantly dwell on past matters and feel uneasy."

Shen Shuangning supported Madame Liu, letting out a soft 'hmm'.

Madame Liu patted her daughter's hand: "You two just live your lives well; that's more important than anything. Future matters, we'll talk about them later."

Mother and daughter slowly walked down the stone steps, discussing the marriage of Elder Brother Shen Xiuci.

Shen Xiuci was about to marry Su Ran.

These two—one too proud to speak, the other too insecure to confess—have at last pierced the window paper, and are about to come to fruition.

As they neared the mountain base, they saw not far off a tall, slender figure standing there, somewhat uneasy.

Shen Shuangning's steps faltered slightly.

Xie Lin still couldn't help coming to find her.

Madame Liu followed her daughter's gaze, then patted her shoulder: "Someone's come to see you; now's the chance to speak openly."

Shen Shuangning hesitated a moment, then stepped forward; Ah Heng followed behind.

Xie Lin gazed at the woman before him, his eyes welling with uncontainable ripples.

Shen Shuangning, however, was quite calm, looking up and asking: "Young Marquis, what business do you have with me?"

Xie Lin withdrew from his brief reverie, his Adam's apple giving a slight roll; he smiled, looked at her clear eyes, and said softly: "There's nothing urgent; today I am returning to Thoroughfare Prefecture, I wanted to return something to you—having just seen you, I had Gong Shu fetch it."

Having said that, he turned and took from Gong Shu's hands a long, heavy wooden box, seeming to draw a deep breath before slowly presenting it to Shen Shuangning.

Shen Shuangning was all too familiar with the thing in his hands.

This is last year's gift to him; inside lies a sword of extraordinary significance, the Same-boat Sword.

"Don't refuse." Xie Lin said, "Actually, the person who saved you that night was not me, but Ayuan. This sword is what you gave me to thank me for saving your life; I already feel ashamed to accept it, and after thinking about it these past days, I ultimately feel I should not keep it."

Now that the object has returned to its rightful owner, I can finally be completely at ease.

Shen Shuangning looked at his eyes, replied with an "Okay," and had Aheng take it over.

The Liu clan, Qingyun, Qingfeng, and others were watching not far away; as the two spoke, they did not deliberately avoid people, and even each other's attendants stood beside them.

Xie Lin: "How have you been these past days?"

Although he had already pieced together her recent situation from others' idle chatter, he still wanted to hear it from her own mouth.

Shen Shuangning smiled and said, "I'm doing well. And you, how are you in the Jurchen State?"

Xie Lin replied, "I'm doing well too."

The only bad thing is not being able to see you; my longing has become an illness.