Chapter 42

“He sounds like the vicious dog you keep at home…”

“Xiao Jin, Xiao Jin!”

Si Jin had just stepped out of the Ministry of Justice gates when she heard Shen Xuzhi calling her.

Shen Xuzhi strode quickly toward Si Jin, pausing momentarily upon noticing her calm expression.

But she soon asked urgently, “Xiao Jin, how did it go?”

Si Jin sighed softly and took her hand. “Let’s talk in the carriage first.”

After both had boarded the carriage, Si Jin didn’t keep her in suspense and directly recounted what she had learned from meeting Xiao Rong at the Ministry of Justice – after all, this information had originally come from Shen Xuzhi.

Naturally, she omitted the part where she had scolded Xiao Rong and slapped him.

Shen Xuzhi listened to the whole story with her mouth slightly agape, unable to speak for a long while.

Only after another sigh from Si Jin did she finally move her lips: “This Xiao Chongyun is really too…”

Shen Xuzhi glanced at Si Jin.

Suddenly remembering something, she gasped sharply: “Even if you don’t tell him, he’ll definitely figure out I was the one who told you about this. After he gets out of prison – no, I mean after he’s released – will he seek revenge on me?”

“He won’t.”

Then Si Jin added quietly: “I’ll keep him in check.”

Shen Xuzhi’s previously tense expression broke into a chuckle at these words: “He sounds like the vicious dog you keep at home…”

She immediately stopped herself, covering her mouth.

Si Jin was momentarily stunned, then also laughed at the remark.

She hadn’t raised any vicious dog – the vicious dog had come following her eagerly on its own.

The previously heavy atmosphere in the carriage gradually eased.

Shen Xuzhi: “So now everything is resolved, right? The Si family matters, Xiao Chongyun’s situation – it seems like everything has suddenly become clear in the blink of an eye.”

Si Jin nodded gently.

“Over these past several months, I’ve been constantly worried and feeling guilty. After all, it was originally my idea for you to discuss pretending to be married with Xiao Chongyun.”

“If you had truly suffered humiliation or harm because of it, I wouldn’t have known how to make amends. Fortunately, your situation has improved now, and I can finally rest a little easier.”

“What remains urgent now is your lost memory. Your body seems fine, but there are no signs of your memory returning. I think we should seek famous physicians outside the capital, perhaps they could…”

“Actually, I’ve already remembered quite a lot,” Si Jin interrupted suddenly.

Shen Xuzhi stared: “Your memory has returned?!”

Si Jin shook her head: “It seems like all my past memories have returned to my mind, but when I think carefully, some scenes are missing pieces here and there, fragmented and disconnected.”

Si Jin had been showing signs of recovery for quite some time, but because the initial images were blurry and fragmented, she hadn’t realized they were returning memories.

But as time passed, more memories came back with increasing clarity.

Until she reunited with Shen Xuzhi.

It seemed she remembered everything, yet it also felt like her memory still wasn’t complete.

A large portion was missing from her past recollections.

Or rather, one person was missing.

“Xiao Jin, don’t worry or rush. Whatever the situation, recovering some memory is good progress. Let’s still have a physician examine you – I’ll take care of this matter. I’ll give the orders as soon as I return home today.”

“No, Xu Zhi.”

Si Jin pressed Shen Xuzhi’s hand down, gazing steadily at her.

When Shen Xuzhi met Si Jin’s gaze at that moment, her heart inexplicably skipped a beat, as if she had some premonition.

Soon, Si Jin spoke: “I plan to leave the capital.”

Shen Xuzhi’s eyes widened in surprise: “Last time you said you weren’t planning to run away.”

Si Jin’s eyes curved into a smile as she said cheerfully: “Not running away. I plan to go to Xiqiu with him.”

Shen Xuzhi’s previous worry about being retaliated against by Xiao Rong for leaking information turned out to be unnecessary.

The news of Si Yue’s assassination attempt quickly spread throughout the capital. Even if she hadn’t informed Si Jin back then, Si Jin would have learned about it from everywhere now.

However, Si Jin then thought that the news might have been deliberately released by Xiao Rong’s arrangements.

That day they had argued in the detention room at the Ministry of Justice where he was held. Although Xiao Rong had been scolded and slapped, Si Jin had also managed to speak her mind clearly to him.

Now that Xiao Rong knew there was no need to hide things from her, he probably wouldn’t hold back anymore.

Si Jin thought somewhat shyly that he probably wanted to get out quickly.

After making some casual inquiries, Si Jin learned that public opinion had already pushed the Si family into the spotlight. Things were developing exactly as Xiao Rong had said.

Her elder brother was transferred away, her parents left the capital, and she married into the Xiao family.

It seemed her family had long been working to distance themselves from the Si family.

Si Jin didn’t understand this well, and most of her recovered memories told her that she hadn’t been involved in planning this before losing her memory.

Currently, she couldn’t help much with this matter. After visiting Xiao Rong, she thought she could at least make his stay there more comfortable.

Si Jin arranged with the guards at the Ministry of Justice to send bedding and change of clothes to Xiao Rong.

Since they planned to go to Xiqiu later, they needed to prepare in advance.

Si Jin invited Shen Xuzhi to go shopping with her.

Shen Xuzhi was delighted: “When was the last time we went shopping together? It feels like so long ago. Oh, it was during the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival. You remember that, right?”

Just as Si Jin was about to nod, she suddenly froze.

She frowned slightly: “I remember, but…”

“What, what’s wrong?”

Shen Xuzhi thought she had asked something inappropriate.

“Wasn’t there a sudden accident that day? A shop caught fire, and we nearly got into danger?”

“Yes.” The fright from that time had long faded with time, and Shen Xuzhi mentioned it calmly. “But we were lucky – we met a girl from the shop who led us out through the side door of the storage room. None of us were injured, we were safe and sound. Only…”

Si Jin blinked and continued Shen Xuzhi’s sentence: “Only Chongyun rushed in later and was seriously injured in the fire.”

Shen Xuzhi nodded gently, observing Si Jin’s expression.

Si Jin slowly lowered her eyes.

Shen Xuzhi’s confirmation showed that this matter was largely consistent with what she knew.

But what she knew didn’t come from her own memories.

That was what Xiao Rong had told her before. He had even said they went to the lantern festival together, but that wasn’t true.

Si Jin recalled her experience attending the lantern festival with Shen Xuzhi – they watched performances, joined the crowds, went to accessory shops, and then the shop caught fire.

But she didn’t remember any traces of Xiao Rong appearing in her memories.

What happened after that?

She had no memories of what happened afterward either.

Precisely because of this, Si Jin never believed she had truly regained her memories.

So it turned out she had simply failed to recall Xiao Rong…

Shen Xuzhi’s return to the capital was specifically to resolve Si Jin’s predicament.

But since there was no longer any imminent crisis, she planned to continue her travels after Si Jin departed for Xiqiu.

Several days later, the two met again.

Si Jin asked, “Why don’t you wish to remain in the capital?”

“The capital holds no charm for me. Having seen it since childhood, I’ve long grown weary of it.”

“But the scenery beyond is different. Perhaps I haven’t ventured far enough yet, but everywhere carries the breeze of freedom. There are still countless landscapes I wish to behold.”

Si Jin listened in a daze, feeling a spark of yearning.

Her departure from Xiao Rong before losing her memory had been her only time leaving the capital, but she had taken remote paths and hurried onward without pause, never noticing the scenery along the way.

She suddenly remembered her recent dream of standing freely atop a mountain peak.

Time had indeed softened the memory of that exhaustion and soreness.

Hearing Shen Xuzhi describe such liberated vistas, Si Jin felt her heart stir with renewed anticipation.

Unaware of her thoughts, Shen Xuzhi waved a hand and laughed, “No need for envy. Your journey to Xiqiu will cover much ground with diverse scenery—plenty for you to admire.”

Si Jin nodded absently, her thoughts drifting.

“Though traveling with companions offers a different experience. When I traveled with my eldest brother before—he knew everything and could do anything—I never had to worry along the way. This time I plan to bring my second brother along. He’s easy to boss around; just tell him what you want done, and it’s even more convenient.”

Leaning closer to Si Jin, Shen Xuzhi added, “Since you’re bringing your fierce hound, he should be able to take good care of you, right?”

“Ah?” Si Jin snapped back to attention, then chuckled at the term “fierce hound.”

“He would… He’s actually quite good at taking care of people.”

The two chatted extensively about travel.

When parting, Shen Xuzhi seriously warned, “Don’t let Xiao Chongyun know I called him your fierce hound! Otherwise he might…”

“Anyway, he mustn’t find out.”

Before Si Jin could tease Shen Xuzhi about how she’d always gossiped about Xiao Rong behind his back yet remained afraid of his retaliation, her mind was already occupied by their earlier travel discussions.

That night, Si Jin dreamed again.

Clearer yet more fantastical than before.

She felt light as a swallow, swift-footed.

In barely the time it takes an incense stick to burn, she passed the viewing platform where she’d previously stopped.

Continuing upward, she reached the summit in the time needed to drink a cup of tea.

It was early spring now. Both along the climb and at the peak, the climate and scenery had transformed completely from her winter visit.

Warm spring blossoms greeted her, gentle breezes caressed her face, and birdsong filled her ears.

The mountaintop vista was about to unfold before her eyes.

Birdsong?

Si Jin groggily opened her eyes. The dream faded as Xiao Bai’s chirping sounded from the windowsill.

Morning sunlight streamed brightly, momentarily dazzling her eyes, but her thoughts were fully alert.

Donning her outer robe and slipping into her embroidered shoes, Si Jin stepped toward the window.

Spring morning light warmed her body.

Xiao Bai was tilting his head by the cage door, preening his feathers.

Si Jin poked with a finger: “What are you chirping about? You woke me from a beautiful dream.”

Her touch wasn’t heavy, yet it still made the little bird wobble momentarily.

Xiao Bai looked at her with a dazed expression, appearing utterly adorable.

After staring at each other for a long while, a sudden idea surfaced in Si Jin’s mind.

By mid-morning, a carriage slowly departed from the front gates of Xiao Fu, heading toward the city outskirts.

Seated inside the carriage, Si Jin had the white-feathered bird perched on her fingertip, swaying slightly with the coach’s jolts.

Holding Xiao Bai in her palm, she lifted the carriage curtain with her other hand and gazed at the clear, boundless sky, still unable to believe her own impulsiveness.

She murmured to herself, “I probably won’t even make it to the viewing platform below the mountainside today.”

Si Jin had returned to Qing Yun Mountain. The hardships and soreness she had mostly forgotten from her previous visit came flooding back as she saw the winding mountain path.

Originally, after her last trip, she thought if she were to come again, it would only be with Xiao Rong.

Just as Shen Xuzhi had said, having someone to order around and take care of her would make the journey much easier.

Seven days had already passed since she last saw Xiao Rong.

Counting from the initial period when she was unaware, Xiao Rong had been there for about ten days.

At first, he said he would return in a few days, but “a few days” could mean three to five days, seven to eight days, or even half a month to a full month.

Lately, it seemed things had reached a critical point. Specific details were unknown; she only learned from the reports of servants that Xiao Rong was doing well there.

Unable to wait any longer, Si Jin impulsively decided to come to Qing Yun Mountain herself.

She let out a self-mocking chuckle and raised the bird on her finger: “It looks like today, you’ll have to accompany me in his place.”

Unbeknownst to her, in the afternoon.

A steed galloped swiftly along the capital’s main road.

Pedestrians coming and going were startled and panicked by the reckless horse, scattering to avoid it.

The rider’s gaze was cold and fierce, his face full of menace.

Wherever the steed passed, it caused no small commotion.

Xiao Rong didn’t pause for a moment, charging straight toward the city gates.

Meanwhile, Si Jin was struggling up the mountain.

Her mind was filled with nothing but regret, regret, and more regret.

Just from chatting with a friend about the freedom of acting on a whim, and just because that scene appeared in her dreams, shamelessly tempting her—

How could she have succumbed to the temptation and taken this path again?

The facts proved that she truly wasn’t cut out for this.

And Xiao Bai, whom she had forcibly brought along, was even less capable of replacing Xiao Rong in accompanying her up the mountain or being at her beck and call.

Look at how happily it was fluttering its wings ahead. If it could talk, Si Jin worried it might turn around and mock her: “Why are you walking so slowly?”

Si Jin sighed again and was about to push herself to continue without stopping when the sound of hoofbeats suddenly came from the mountain path behind her.

This area wasn’t particularly high yet, and the path was relatively flat, still passable for horses. But further up, the mountain trail became steep and narrow, making it difficult for horses to pass, so almost all visitors to Qing Yun Mountain started on foot from the beginning.

So, why would there be hoofbeats now?

Si Jin stood still and soon saw a familiar face gradually appearing in the distance—it was one of the servants from the estate.

“Madam, Madam!”

The person shouted while galloping all the way.

The speed was so fast that Si Jin instinctively dodged to the side.

But fortunately, the person stopped steadily a few steps away and quickly dismounted.

“Why are you so flustered?”

“Madam, the master has left the Ministry of Justice today.”

It took Si Jin a moment to process this, then her eyes lit up: “He’s out today? Why wasn’t there any news before? Where is he now? Has he returned to the residence already?”

The servant shook his head repeatedly, his increasingly panicked expression making Si Jin sense something amiss.

“The master didn’t return to the residence. After leaving the Ministry of Justice, he rode directly toward the city gates, taking precisely the road leading to Qing Yun Mountain.”

Si Jin was taken aback: “Why is he coming to Qing Yun Mountain?”

The servant, who had been keeping his head lowered, couldn’t help but lift his gaze to give Si Jin a meaningful look.

Si Jin: “……?”

If he hasn’t returned to the residence, how did he know she had suddenly decided to come to Qing Yun Mountain today?

And what had he done to frighten the reporting servant into such a panicked state?

Si Jin slowly turned her head, her gaze falling upon Xiao Bai who had flown back to perch on her arm.

Surely Xiao Rong couldn’t think she was escaping with the little bird?