Repeatedly broken branches

When Xiao Mu finally woke up, she was already on her way back. She didn't see Ling's figure. She lifted the curtain and asked Xu, "Where is the young master who was with me?"

Xu turned his head and said, "He said he had something to do, so we came back first. What's wrong, Miss?"

Xiao Mu shook her head and said, "It's alright, you can continue your journey."

She lowered the curtain. What was she expecting? It was just an ordinary, brief encounter. They weren't meant to be travelers; they had only walked together briefly. Yet, she felt so disappointed. Why was that?

She cannot mistake him for Yu Yanjing, absolutely not!

Back in Chaoyang, she received an invitation from the Xue family. It was from Zhou Tingxi; he was getting married again. Sure enough, their relationship of over ten years had been a joke all along. She had never believed Zhou Tingxi's words, never.

She didn't have time to go, but she had to observe proper etiquette. However, she wondered if Zhou Tingxi's new wife would throw away all her belongings. Probably not. She used to live in a red-lacquered building, and Zhou Tingxi's new wife couldn't possibly live there, since it was too remote. It was built by Zhou Tingxi for himself, with the purpose of keeping her from leaving the house. That woman probably wouldn't be treated like that.

Xiao Mu sent someone to deliver a pair of golden mandarin ducks. This was incredibly extravagant, as the mandarin ducks were made of pure gold without any impurities. The eyes of the mandarin ducks were adorned with emeralds unique to the Western Regions. Emeralds are very hard to find, and Xiao Mu only had a small piece, which he used to adorn his mandarin ducks. This was the rarest raw stone in Xiao Mu's shop.

This would also prevent others from saying that she was petty and looked down on Zhou Tingxi and his new wife.

Zhou Tingxi was far away in the desert, and he did not rush back to attend the wedding banquet. Xue Shi did not even inform him. She simply invited a few respected elders from the clan and hastily held the wedding banquet.

The new lady's name was Ouyang Meixi. She was the youngest daughter of Scholar Ouyang. She had been influenced by Scholar Ouyang since childhood and was quite learned. Moreover, she had studied the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as the Rules for Women and the Instructions for Women, from a young age and was taught how to be a good wife. Therefore, Madam Xue took a liking to her.

However, they did not act intimately. Although Xue Shi did not interact with her much on the surface, she sent tonics and pastries made of pearl powder to Mei Xi's room every day. This was genuine pearl powder, and Xue Shi herself had a jar of it, which she gave to Mei Xi as well.

Meixi has a gentle and mild temperament, and she is kind to her servants. She has never scolded them, so everyone is quite willing to accept this new lady.

After all, she was the general's woman.

"Jiao'er, stop doing this. The general isn't coming anyway. Sit down and rest for a while," Meixi said with a gentle smile, her gaze falling on Jiao'er, who was bending over to weed.

Jiao'er wiped her sweat, walked to Meixi's side, and blurted out, "The general is far away in the desert, how could he possibly come? Jiao'er is weeding so that Madam won't be bothered by it, nothing else. Alas, how could Master have married Madam here? Isn't this just living the life of a widow?"

Meixi frowned slightly, but her tone remained calm. "Jiao'er, don't say that. The general... he's just busy with official duties and can't come back. I understand." Her husband was the most spirited young man in the world. Even though she wasn't his first wife, just hearing the rumors about him made her imagine him as a spirited young general, brave and skilled in battle. She was already very content to have married such a man.

Jiao'er said helplessly, "But... everyone says the general can't forget Xia Shi... will he really treat Madam well... besides, the general didn't even know there was such a marriage, what should we do..." She looked at Meixi with worry.

Meixi sighed, "What can I do? I'm already married to him. I can accept anything. As long as my parents are well, my brother is safe and sound in court, and the general can come back soon, that will be enough for me."

……

Shen Ruoxuan asked Yu Yanjing, "Your Majesty, what did you gain from your trip to Luyang?"

"No." Yu Yanjing leaned lazily against the dragon throne, playing with the jade bracelet in his hand. The craftsmanship and technique were all made and strung by himself. Xiao Mu's bracelet was almost exactly the same as his. Could it be that there are other people in this world with the same eccentric personality as him who like this kind of cold-colored beads?

Shen Ruoxuan pointed to the sky and cursed the earth, "I really have committed a sin, Your Majesty, I beg you to hold a selection of concubines, I really can't stand those old men signing a petition begging you to take concubines, I'll be driven to my death by them sooner or later, Your Majesty!"

Yu Yanjing gritted his teeth and said, "If you dare to let me hold a talent show, I will betroth Shen Shanshan to you."

Shen Ruoxuan stared at Yu Yanjing in shock. What was he thinking? Shen Shanshan was his cousin. But if he was provoked, there was nothing he wouldn't do. Besides, it wasn't like there wasn't a precedent of marrying one's own cousin!

Shen Ruoxuan immediately shut her mouth.

Yu Yanjing's expression turned cold, and he sneered, "Tell me, is the woman I'm looking for right beside me?"

Xiao Mu's face flashed through his mind, but it vanished in an instant. She wasn't the person he was looking for. But did the person he was looking for even matter? How could he possibly find her? He had already gone to Jiuguang and Luyang. What else could he do? If she loved him, how could she have abandoned him?

Shen Ruoxuan smiled enigmatically. "How could that be? Even if she were there, why wouldn't she take the initiative to contact you?"

Yu Yanjing looked up, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. "Yes, she should not exist. I have forgotten her, how could she possibly still remember me?"

Summer has passed and autumn has arrived, and the air is getting cooler.

Xiao Mu stopped obsessively inquiring about Yu Yanjing's whereabouts; she just wanted to see him in person, clear things up, and return the bracelet and sword to him, so that they would be even.

She was already twenty-two years old. If she were an ordinary woman, she would have already had children by then, and would be a devoted wife and mother.

But she was like a small sailboat drifting on the sea, aimlessly stopping wherever she could.

Ling has also disappeared without a trace; perhaps it really was just a chance encounter.

No problem, no problem.

……

Ruan Cifeng's clinic still sees many patients as before, mostly ordinary people.

Ruan Cifeng was busy writing a prescription when he caught a glimpse of a man in fine brocade standing in front of him. He suddenly looked up and saw a man with beautifully shaped brows and phoenix eyes. His silky black hair was tied up with a brocade ribbon, which made his skin look as white as jade. He exuded an aura of inviolability and nobility, unlike ordinary people.

"I'm looking for Xiao Mu," Ling said calmly, with a slight smile. "Tell her my name is Ling, and she'll know."

Ruan Cifeng stood up and looked at the man named Ling again. He was extremely handsome, even women would be ashamed of their looks. He smiled and said, "Alright, I'll go to the teahouse to find her first. Young master, you can go to the clinic for a while. Mi'er, brew some tea for this young master!"

The girl named Mi'er was a helper that Xiao Mu hired to assist Ruan Cifeng. She was only sixteen years old, but her parents had already died and she had nowhere to go, so Xiao Mu asked her to come here to help, so that she could get a meal and also earn some money.

Mi'er invited Ling inside. Ling was a little shy and would steal glances at her every now and then. She couldn't help but sigh, "How can there be such a handsome man in the world?"

Mi'er brewed a pot of tea for Ling and then had to go busy drying herbs. Ling sat quietly alone in the clinic, drinking tea.

Before long, Ruan Cifeng and Xiao Mu walked over with brisk steps.

Xiao Mu was incredulous to see Ling again. Ling smiled and said, "Long time no see, Miss Xiao Mu."

Xiao Mu sat down and drank a cup of tea. She asked softly, "Why haven't you come to see me for months? Where have you been?"

"The Western Regions." It's true that he went to the Western Regions, but only to attend the wedding banquet of the Crown Prince of the Western Regions. Originally, Shen Ruoxuan was supposed to go, but Shen Ruoxuan's mother had just passed away, so he had to go alone. However, the trip was not without its gains.

He wandered around the Western Regions royal palace for a long time. On one wall hung several portraits, which should be portraits of deceased princesses or concubines from past dynasties.

Among them was one who looked seven or eight parts like Xiao Mu. He asked the prince of the Western Regions, "Which princess is this, the one who has passed away?"

The prince of the Western Regions had a sorrowful look in his eyes. "This is my elder sister, Princess Wei. After she married into the Chen Kingdom, she gave birth to a princess, He Yang. However, she passed away only five years later. I was only ten years old then. Alas..."

Ling patted the Crown Prince on the shoulder, seemingly lost in thought.

Perhaps Xiao Mu is Princess Heyang, and this Princess Wei is her mother. Therefore, Xiao Mu could not have grown up in the Western Regions. She grew up in Jiuguang. In other words, it is very possible that she is the woman he is looking for. But... why didn't they recognize each other?

We can't rush to acknowledge them. What if they're not related? How will they get along then?

Xiao Mu was filled with anxiety. What if Ling found out she wasn't from the Western Regions when she went there? What should she do then? Would he think she was a fraud?

"What are you going to the Western Regions for?" Xiao Mu asked, her eyes darting away, avoiding Ling's gaze.

"Visiting relatives."

Xiao Mu breathed a sigh of relief and asked in a gentle tone, "Who did you visit? I didn't expect you to have relatives in the Western Regions."

Ling took a sip of tea. "Just an old friend. What's wrong? Do you want to go back to visit your family too?" His gaze fell on Xiao Mu's face, his eyes flickering a few times before disappearing.

"No... I have no relatives left." Xiao Mu's tone was calm, showing no sadness whatsoever, as if she had long since let go of it. Indeed, she had let go of it. Did her half-sister count? She didn't have much affection for her sister, so it was better not to mention her.

Ling put down her teacup. "When we have time, I'll take you hunting in the Western Regions. There are deserts, antelopes, and wild rabbits there. How about I hunt a rabbit for you then?"

Xiao Mu replied with a smile, "Okay, but don't lie to me. You asked me to treat you to dinner last time, and then you disappeared for so long. Are you going to disappear for a long time again this time?" Her eyes flickered with anticipation.

Yu Yanjing even said he would bring her to Chaoyang, but he broke his promise. So she came by herself, and after several months, she still hadn't seen Yu Yanjing. Anyway, in this world, you shouldn't easily trust anyone. People are just saying things, why take them seriously? They're just making fun of you, and you're just accepting it reluctantly.

Ling raised her eyebrows slightly. "Why would I lie to you? I don't like lying, and besides, this isn't something that's impossible to accomplish."

Xiao Mu nodded, "That's right. I hope you won't lie to me. We're friends, aren't we?"

“Yes, we are friends,” Aya smiled.

They chatted briefly, and then Ling was about to leave. Xiao Mu stood at the door, watching Ling about to depart, and asked, "When can we see each other again?"

"daily."

Xiao Mu's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Every day? You come to see me every day?" Her eyes were full of expectation as she looked at Ling without any attempt to hide it.

Aya teased, "What? You want to travel around with me? You're not doing business anymore? I'll come find you whenever I have time. I know your shop address now, so you think I won't come? I'm leaving... I'll come again next time." Aya waved her hand and turned to leave.

Xiao Mu stood at the door for a long time, unsure of her feelings for Ling. Was it friendship? A confidante? Or something more?

……

"Help me investigate Xiao Mu's background." Yu Yanjing sat in the chair, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips. Mentioning Xiao Mu always made him chuckle, inadvertently touching the soft spot in his heart.

Shen Ruoxuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "You've finally come to your senses, and you've started to have a girl you like again? You're no longer fixated on the previous one?"

Yu Yanjing looked at him bitterly. "I can't remember the one from before, and I've forgotten her, but I always feel that Xiao Mu is her, but I still need to verify it!" His tone was filled with regret. Why did he lose such an important memory? Why was it the most tender memory in his heart?

He had consulted all the imperial physicians, but they were also at a loss, all believing that it was caused by a violent impact to the head after the avalanche.

Shen Ruoxuan stared in disbelief and said, "How is that possible? Isn't Miss Xiao Mu from the Western Regions? How could it be her?"

"Xiao Mu may be the daughter of Princess Wei of the Western Regions, who is also Princess Heyang of Chen Kingdom. They look about 70% alike, which surprised me at the time."

Shen Ruoxuan was taken aback. "Princess Heyang, Xia Yunzhi?"

The moment Yu Yanjing heard this name, his heart skipped a beat. This name was like a secret that had been sealed in his heart for many years. Once it was touched, it was as if the blood in his body was boiling.

An image of a girl kissing him flashed through his mind.

A sharp pain shot through him, and he winced, veins bulging on his forehead.

Shen Ruoxuan quickly stepped forward, wiped the sweat from his forehead with her sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, please don't think about it. I will investigate now, and if all goes well, I will be able to give you news this afternoon."

"Okay." Yu Yanjing gritted his teeth in pain.

……

Shen Ruoxuan arrived in a hurry after lunch and told Yu Yanjing.

Xiao Mu is indeed Princess Heyang Xia Yunzhi of Chen Kingdom. She was Zhou Tingxi's abandoned wife. After divorcing Zhou Tingxi, she came to Chaoyang Kingdom and opened a clinic, a teahouse, and a jewelry shop. The doctor of the clinic is the fifth prince of Linyue, and the manager of the teahouse is her former personal maid Xiao Shao.

Little Spoon, that name sounds familiar...

"You have me, and you have Little Spoon, we're best friends!"

"Yu Yanjing, what are you to me, really?"

"I miss you so much, Yu Yanjing. Why don't you come to find me? Why?"

His memories were fragmented and disjointed; only some profound words echoed in his ears, but he simply couldn't recall them.

However, he was almost certain in his heart that Xiao Mu was Xia Yunzhi, and Xia Yunzhi was the woman he was looking for in his dreams!

But he couldn't get close because he had forgotten everything between them, every little detail. How could he tell Xiao Mu that he couldn't remember any of it?

He couldn't bring himself to say it. How heartbroken would Xiao Mu be?