When we dismounted and entered the village, it was just past ten in the morning. The area had likely endured a lingering night rain; the clear sky was warm and translucent, and the scent of vegetation was fresh and sweet, swirling around our noses and cheeks—a cool breeze without a hint of chill. This small village was nestled against the mountains and bordered by water. One could catch glimpses of Yuzhou-style grey-tiled eaves, curved like crescent moons hooking toward the sky—a symbol of a wealthy family’s ancestral hall. The cottages of ordinary farmers were scattered along the winding mountain slopes amidst a forest of deep red and pale yellow maples; from a distance, they looked like chestnuts strewn across the hills. Red leaves floated upon the stream, carving a soft, charming silver-white curve through the heart of the mountain as it flowed down in a quiet gurgle. Everything here was so gentle and slow; even the chirping of the birds was low, and one could only faintly hear the snatches of a woman’s song, likely sung by the young maidens raising silkworms and reeling silk: "How thick the leaves we gather, snagging and tearing our purple silk skirts..."
Yuzhou had produced fine brocades and satins since ancient times. Ordinary mulberry silkworms grow in the spring and summer. Due to Yuzhou’s unique climate, by the time the cocoons spun by the spring silkworms have been transformed into rolls of fine silk and the fierce summer sun has been extinguished like a bright lamp by the autumn wind, a type of golden-brown silkworm wakes upon the sleeping beds laid with soft cotton by the young maidens. They eat the most ordinary of autumn leaves, regardless of the variety, eating leisurely until the camellias on Mianshan bloom like clouds before spinning full, large cocoons. These golden cocoons are plucked by the hands of women, just as the Goddess of Flowers might clip away entire camellia blossoms before departing the mortal realm. These cocoons possess an inherent luster, as brilliant as morning clouds. The Yuzhou Golden Silk woven from them is not only the fabric of choice for the wealthiest elite but also a rare material for refining spiritual artifacts. Furthermore, these golden silkworms can only survive within the borders of Yuzhou; their rarity makes the price of Golden Silk remain perpetually high.
The villagers walked along the rugged mountain paths. Encountering us outsiders, they were not entirely without wariness, measuring us with their eyes and nodding reservedly to the two young masters leading the way to show respect. However, many of the women were already well-acquainted with Zhu Yixin; they greeted her with smiles and came forward to take our arms.
One woman, who looked capable at a glance, took Zhu Yixin’s hand, her eyes bright as she pointed at me and asked, "Is this Xin-niang’s sister?"
"Indeed! She’s even prettier than I described, isn't she?" Zhu Yixin smiled triumphantly.
We had learned from the letters that Fourth Brother and Fifth Sister were staying at the Village Chief’s house during this trip. This woman was the Village Chief’s wife. Under her guidance, our group made its way in a grand procession toward a small courtyard halfway up the mountain.
As we reached the courtyard gate, the girls and young wives who had accompanied us—hoping for a few more glimpses of the people from beyond the mountains—were shooed away by the Village Chief’s wife. They left chattering and reluctant, frequently casting their gazes toward Wei Qingming and Qiao Songlin, their words and thoughts lingering at the gate: "Another handsome one has come, what is to be done?" "What do you mean, 'what is to be done'? They’re both taken; you can’t pick even one..."
The Village Chief’s wife dispersed the crowd with a mix of threats and jests. At that moment, a young girl emerged from the inner rooms, having heard the commotion. She offered a respectful greeting and called out softly, "Auntie Li." Her head was slightly lowered as if she were too embarrassed to look at us. Her gaze swept over our faces as light and quick as a bird before she timidly withdrew it. When she saw Wei Qingming, she froze for a moment, her face flushing instantly. She stared at her, looking as though she wanted to speak but didn't know how.
Auntie Li was sharp and quickly introduced everyone. "A-Li, don't just stand there. These two who arrived today are also from the capital; I told you about them yesterday."
"Yes, I... I remember." A-Li’s face grew even redder as she hastily bowed. "Greetings to Master Wei and Madam Wei. My name is Xia Li. Right now, Master Li... Master Li is... at home..."
Qiansui You’s alias here was Li Dai, and he was staying with a family of physicians named Xia. The elderly couple’s son and daughter-in-law traveled year-round, leaving their only daughter to accompany the elders. Li Dai had lived here for many years and shared a close, harmonious relationship with them. Being only fifteen or sixteen, A-Li had mumbled a tiny "my" before the word "home," as if she only realized how embarrassing that sounded while explaining it to others.
Wei Qingming bowed politely. "Miss Xia, I must trouble you to take us to see Master Li."
A-Li gave a soft "mm" and turned slightly, her head still lowered as she gestured for us to follow her inside. "His health is poor, and he cannot see. Please do not speak suddenly and startle him."
Zhu Yixin and I instinctively gripped each other's hands, looking at Wei Qingming with tension. Upon hearing those words, she also froze for a fleeting second. A flicker of sharp, dark glint inexplicably rose in her eyes, though it was quickly suppressed. She replied with her usual gentle "Very well," though the end of the word sank into a low, unreadable tone.
A-Li led us into the inner courtyard. It was a simple yet tasteful home, with lush trees and flowers arranged in layers of varying heights. Bright yellows and rich greens overlapped, interspersed with red leaves, creating a very picturesque scene. Because the climate here lagged behind the world outside the mountains, the persimmons were late to fruit, swaying slowly on the branches; they had only ripened a few days ago and still carried a hint of green. Old Man Xia was extending a long bamboo pole to drive away the greedy birds pecking at the fruit. Seeing us visitors from afar, he smiled composedly and said, "Rare guests, rare guests. Dai-ge'er is in the study. Please, do not be formal; just let A-Li take you there."
"He went straight to the study after waking? He hasn't even taken his medicine yet," A-Li replied casually.
"Then take it to him yourself." Just then, Grandma Xia emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray with a bowl of medicinal soup and three porcelain bottles of pills. Seeing us, she greeted us with the same calm, warm hospitality. Lord Wei offered a refined greeting and exchanged a look with me: judging by the Xia family’s bearing, they were certainly no ordinary farming household.
A-Li gave an affirmative "aye," took the medicine, and walked off with her head down, seemingly focused only on delivering the medicine and forgetting the large group of us behind her.
Zhu Yixin shook her head with a smile, gave me a look, and whispered, "We won't go further inside."
The two of them indeed turned to chat with the elderly Xia couple, full of praise for the local scenery. I tugged on the sleeve of Lord Wei, who was still standing there, and led her to follow A-Li.
Though it didn't show on Wei Qingming’s face, I could feel her tension. Her body was stiff, and her hand holding mine was rigid. I leaned against her, worriedly squeezing her arm, and asked softly, "Are you afraid it isn't him?"
"I am also a bit afraid that it truly is him," she said faintly, her eyelashes drooping slightly. "So, he is blind. Perhaps that is for the best."
My heart constricted with pity, but I teased her on purpose. "Why? If he could see, would you turn back into a thirteen-year-old to meet him?"
Lord Wei glanced at me sideways and joked back, "Does A-Zhi like how I looked back then so much?"
I had intended to scoff at her, but instead, I hugged her arm and said with a smile, "I like you as you were and as you are! I only regret that we didn't meet many years sooner."
With this banter, both of us relaxed considerably, and the faint, invisible distance that had lingered between us dissipated. A-Li had already walked some distance ahead. We saw her pass through a screen of green bamboo and push open the door to the study. As she stepped inside, she said softly, "Brother Li, I’ve brought your medicine."
An indistinct response came from within.
A-Li wore the skirt commonly worn by local girls. The material was simple, but its beauty lay in the way it narrowed slightly from the calf to the ankle, with the hem forming layers of fan-shaped pleats. From a distance, when she stood still, it looked like a morning glory blooming shyly toward the ground; when she walked, it moved with a light ripple, like wave upon wave. After her jade-green figure slipped into the study and vanished, a series of sounds drifted out: the light clatter of the medicine bowl and bottles being placed on the table, the soft sound of footsteps amidst the rustle of skirts, the latch of the window being pulled back. With a "creak," a gap three fingers wide was propped open, followed by a "clack" as it was secured with a stay-pole. A cool, moist breeze slid through the crack. I saw A-Li’s pale red sash flash by the window before she moved away. Everything was so practiced, so light, and filled with an innocent tenderness.
A porcelain spoon stirred the medicinal soup, clinking rhythmically against the side of the bowl with a lonely, crisp sound. As A-Li personally fed Li Dai his medicine, she chattered away. "The medicine was brewed a bit stronger today; is it too bitter? How long did you sleep last night? How many times did you wake? Oh? You’ve started a new draft? The people from Misty Rain Pavilion came to press you a few days ago; you must finish that old book quickly." Misty Rain Pavilion was currently one of the most popular publishing houses in the southern provinces, specializing in poignant tales of scholars and beauties.
Paper rustled as pages were turned. Li Dai answered every question gently. Finally, he said, "It couldn't be helped. I woke once during the hour of the Tiger, then slept fitfully until the hour of the Rabbit. I couldn't really fall back asleep, so I simply got up to write. I think perhaps the Holy Mother of Enlightened Law won't let me sleep." Though his voice was gentle, his tone was extremely raspy, as if his throat had been scorched by smoke and fire.
"Again? I'll have Grandpa beat her."
"Mm, Grandpa is still trapped on the mountain, did you forget?"
"Oh, then I'll just have to call Martial Uncle..."
The more they spoke, the more focused they became. Grandpa and Martial Uncle became omnipotent, seemingly the greatest masters under heaven. As fans of Qiansui You, we knew immediately: they were discussing the sequel to the newly published first volume of the novel *The Boundless Ethereal*. The Master Li in that room was undoubtedly Qiansui You himself. Though Lord Wei hadn't read the story, she understood after hearing a few lines and turned to give me a knowing smile.
A-Li rested her chin in her hands. "I really hope that in the end, Zishu doesn't return to the Divine Realm." Zishu was the female lead of the book—the sole protagonist.
"Why?"
"Do you
