The forest feels different as they move through it, less threatening now, though no less vast. From this height, the ground seems farther away, the shadows less oppressive, as if distance alone has softened their edges.

Shen Ling remains quiet for most of the walk, her earlier fear settling into something calmer, more reflective.

Thinking about his admonition earlier she explains“I usually don’t come this far,”  her voice almost apologetic. “I just… didn’t notice.”

“You shouldn’t come alone.” 

She nods faintly. “…I understand.”

Shen Ling quietly accepts that he is right but she really has no one to come with her. I will just be more careful next time.

By the time they reach the old general’s estate, the trees have thinned, and the open courtyard greets them with stillness.

The guards step aside without question. But after he walks through the gates they stare at each other with puzzled expressions. The pretty little girl in theYoung General’s arms is the one who climbs the wall?! 

Inside, General Jiang finishes pouring tea then  his gaze shifting from his grandson to the girl in his arms, pausing briefly.

He drily remarks.“You brought someone back.” 

Shen Ling stiffens slightly. I asked him three times to take me to the manor! I didn’t want to come here. Old Man! He insisted!

“I’m sorry,” she says immediately, her voice small but clear. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Jiang Ye sets her down carefully on a nearby bench.

“She injured her ankle,” 

The hermit nearby leans forward at once, his attention sharpening. He wishes he had a bowl of melon seeds. 

“Let me see.”

Shen Ling hesitates only briefly before nodding. “Alright.”

His hands are steady as he examines her ankle, his touch firm but not unkind. She flinches slightly when he presses along the joint. “Here.”

She bites her lower lip to stifle a pained scream.“Ye yeah.” She spits out through clenched teeth.” 

He nods, then adjusts it with a quick, practiced motion.

Another burst of pain…then relief.

Shen Ling blinks, surprised.“It doesn’t hurt as much now.”

“It will heal,” the hermit replies matter of factly.

She lowers her gaze again. “…Thank you.”

General Jiang watches her for a moment longer and has a bad premonition. When has his grandson ever shown a look of worry on his face about a girl? And he personally carried her! His hidden guard   Seven always accompanies him… must have been nearby; he could have brought the girl back and Ye continued hunting that elusive white fox he wanted so badly.

“I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

He lies,“You didn’t,” 

Inwardly cursing, Little beauty,  I think you have caused big trouble from the looks of my grandson. His eyes haven’t left you since he carried you in and set you down like a damn precious treasure! I can’t have you complicate matters. His wedding to Shen Roulan must take place. 

The certainty in his tone allows her shoulders to relax, if only slightly.

The courtyard settles into a quiet calm once more, but this time Shen Ling remains within it, seated carefully, hands folded in her lap, her presence no longer that of a passerby.

She glances up briefly.

Her gaze meets Jiang Ye’s for a fleeting moment.

Then she looks away again, just as quickly.

“…Thank you,” she says once more, barely above a whisper.

 It is time for the evening meal.

She stayed because the old white haired man said she couldn’t put weight on it for a few hours. Afraid Jiang Ye  really would  carry her back to the manor which he threatened when she didn’t want to stay.

Dinner is simple, warm, and unpretentious, and though she begins the meal with careful restraint, she gradually finds herself easing into the quiet rhythm. No one here scrutinizes her. No one expects anything beyond her presence.

Across from her, Jiang Ye remains composed, his attention seemingly distant as though he had something on his mind.

He is lost in thought recalling their first meeting at the banquet. 

He had at first been curious about Shen Roulan’s younger sister; they seemed hesitant to invite to the engagement banquet so he glanced around the room then saw her in the back.  She was nothing like she imagined, Shen Roulan in a moment of frustration had called her unkept and unruly.

 But Shen Ling resembled a  beautifully crafted porcelain doll. Her skin white as snow contrasting her heart shaped pink lips. Her round amber eyes framed with long dark eyelashes. He found himself unexpectedly glancing back there a few times…

.The pretty quiet girl seated at the edge of everything…overlooked by everyone…but he had uncharacteristically noticed every detail about her. The way her eyes sparkled as she took a bite of pastry. Then she would lick the cream from her lips with a look of pure satisfaction. She continued until the plate was almost bare except for a few crumbs. 

Then he felt her eyes locked on him…admiring but the way most girls in the capital gazed at him more like pure appreciation. He is well aware he is handsome and considered dashing. But then when he met her eyes she shyly lowered her head sipping tea.  He really wanted to tease her.

And now, seeing her here…quietly eating happily…observing occasionally but not letting it interfere with her meal he wants to laugh. 

He has never met a girl who doesn’t want to rise up, grasp onto powerful figures, impress…ingratiate… she truly is special. I wonder what she is thinking right now? Probably how the meat falls off the bone from her expression  as she sucks on a spare rib.

Shen Ling, unaware of the depth of his thoughts, keeps her gaze lowered more often than not but suddenly feels his intense gaze on her face. Remembering the banquet she quickly takes her napkin and wipes her lips then furtively looks up to see his expression.

Their eyes meet.

She looks away almost immediately, a faint warmth rising to her cheeks.

He doesn’t say anything but puts another spare rib in her bowl.

“...” Is he mocking me?

She waves her hand as he is about to put another one in her bowl. “Thank you but I can’t eat another bite.” As she wistfully stares at the tender rib glistening with a smokey red sauce that has been cooked to perfection.

He really wants to burst out laughing at her expression, her mouth says no, but her eyes say I really want to eat it.

 

Little liar…so cute.

When the evening deepens and lanterns begin to glow softly around the courtyard, she rises carefully.

“I think I can return now.” 

“I’ll walk you back,” Jiang Ye says at once.

She looks up, surprised.

“You don’t have to.”

“It is dark and you injured your ankle. It’s what I should do.”

A brief pause.“Alright,”

 The walk back is slower, measured by her careful steps and his steady support.

"You remembered me from the engagement banquet?”  Ling quietly asks after walking halfway to the manor.

 It was obvious the way he teased her at the table.  The expression was exact the same as when he handed her the handkerchief.

“Yes.” .

Her fingers tighten slightly against her sleeve. “I..I have your handkerchief, I will return it to you.”

“No need,”

At the entrance to her manor, she stops.“Thank you.”

 Shen Ling doesn’t say what is in her heart, for saving me…for carrying me back and walking me home. Most of all for remembering me… Although I don’t want to think about that world you are the only one who has shown me kindness time and again.

 ”“Rest your ankle,” 

“I will.”

A quiet pause lingers between them before she turns and walks inside,