After slaying Lord Nightbone, Master Qingsong did not linger. After mentioning the matter of the Profound Yin Divine Mirror to Lu Zheng, he soared into the clouds and vanished from sight.
Lu Zheng had originally planned to divide the spoils with Daoist Mingzhang, but the latter waved him off. “Enough. You go back too. Your master does not lack your trifles. In future, remember to bring more Huadiao wine. It is pleasant to drink without causing headaches, far more comfortable than Wuliangye.”
Thus, before leaving, Lu Zheng placed another twenty jars of wine in the temple’s rear storeroom.
…
Flying straight to Taohua Flat, he saw Shen Ying in a fluttering pink skirt. She stood on a small hillock not far from the Peach Blossom Shrine, quietly watching the constant stream of people coming and going.
Now that spring had revived and the weather grew warmer, visitors increased. The incense at the Peach Blossom Shrine once again flourished vigorously.
“Madam!”
“Lu Lang?”
Shen Ying turned abruptly. Her jade-like face carried a charming expression. Surprise flashed in her peach-blossom eyes. The smile blooming on her lips outshone the countless budding peach blossoms around her.
Lu Zheng’s heart warmed. After descending from the clouds, he directly embraced Shen Ying.
“Mmm…”
After a long while, Shen Ying breathed lightly from her fragrant mouth. Their eyes met as she spoke with a smile. “Why has Lu Lang come at this hour today? Did you not eat in the county?”
“I missed the peach blossom steamed buns of Peach Blossom Manor. Are there any?” Lu Zheng laughed.
A smile curved Shen Ying’s lips. “Plenty to go around.”
The two walked back hand in hand, fingers intertwined. Lu Zheng asked, “Madam seemed lost in thought earlier. Is something troubling you?”
Shen Ying’s gaze shifted. She looked at Lu Zheng touched, about to shake her head, but felt the large hand holding hers tighten slightly.
Thus, she narrowed her eyes, savouring his concern. “There was something earlier, but now there is none.”
“How so?” Lu Zheng asked.
Shen Ying did not answer directly. Instead, she asked, “Lu Lang has been away from your hometown for several years now. With a thousand years of cultivation, are you still not allowed to return?”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered. He understood why Shen Ying had been moved earlier.
“I am your husband, and Qingyan is your sister,” Lu Zheng said. “Old Liu and his wife treat you as half a daughter. During festivals, they always send new clothes.”
“I know,” Shen Ying smiled. “It was just a fleeting feeling.”
Shen Ying had just returned from the Dragon Palace, where she felt Ao Qian’s family warmth. She thought of Liu Qingyan’s family of four enjoying harmony. With Lu Zheng absent just then, seeing common folk at the Peach Blossom Shrine praying for family prosperity stirred her momentarily.
But once Lu Zheng appeared, she bloomed like a peach blossom in full glory.
“This is my oversight. I should accompany you back to your hometown for a visit,” Lu Zheng said.
Shen Ying shook her head. “My parents passed away long ago. The family fortunes declined. I have long cut ties with relatives. There are no lingering attachments.”
“As for my hometown…”
At this, a softness flashed in Shen Ying’s eyes.
Who could ever forget their hometown?
In truth, Shen Ying’s hometown was in Huangli County, Yao Prefecture, neighbouring Yi Prefecture but further southeast, bordering Yinan Circuit.
Yet after escaping her cage, Shen Ying had never returned to look. For some reason, perhaps… she dared not…
Lu Zheng intertwined their hands and gently squeezed. “I will go with you.”
Shen Ying turned back. Her eyes rippled like water. She nodded softly, replying with just one word.
“Good!”
…
Back at Peach Blossom Manor, Shen Ying had Xiaocui serve food. She and Lu Zheng shared lunch.
After eating their fill, she pulled Lu Zheng into the master bedroom in the rear courtyard, set up a sound-isolating formation, and did not emerge for half a day.
…
“These are Spirit-Nourishing Pills refined by Qingyan. One bottle each for me and Qingyan. These two bottles are yours.”
Only when Shen Ying was utterly spent did Lu Zheng have the chance to bring out the pills.
That day, Liu Qingyan had given him the medicine, but before coming to Taohua Flat, Yuan Jing had called him away. Only now did he continue the earlier matter.
Shen Ying did not stand on ceremony. She extended her jade hand, accepted the porcelain bottles, casually opened one, and inhaled deeply.
“Little Sister Qingyan’s pill-refining technique has grown ever more refined.”
Lu Zheng nodded and teased, “When the opportunity arises, I will take you both to Wan Song Mountain so Qingyan can acknowledge a senior brother.”
Shen Ying cooperated seamlessly and burst into laughter. “Never mind Qingyan. Just you, Lu Lang. Do you dare call Senior Wan Song your brother?”
“I dare not!” Lu Zheng answered honestly.
Shen Ying could not help chuckling. After thinking, she asked, “When shall we go? Do we need to prepare anything?”
“No need. Senior Wan Song requires nothing. Hmm… let us pack two jin of Qingqi Spiritual Tea,” Lu Zheng considered and said.
“That day, Senior Wan Song broke through in cultivation and said he would enter seclusion for a year. Now more than two years have passed. It should be fine.”
Lu Zheng continued, “First, I will go with you to visit your hometown. Then return to fetch Qingyan and visit Senior Wan Song together at Wan Song Mountain. On the way back, we can stop by Dingfeng Mountain.”
“All as my husband arranges.” Shen Ying’s eyes were soft as water. She glanced at the sky outside. Her jade hand gently climbed up again. “It grows late. Let this wife attend to my husband’s rest.”
Lu Zheng: ???
…
Early the next morning, Lu Zheng and Shen Ying returned to Tonglin County. They mentioned the matter to Liu Qingyan. Then Old Huang drove the carriage. The two sat inside, preparing to travel the official road to Huangli County in Yao Prefecture.
Returning home required the proper attitude.
Shen Ying had originally intended to fly back for a quick look, but Lu Zheng insisted on the carriage, saying it held more ceremony.
In truth, Shen Ying knew Lu Zheng wished to spend more time with her. Deeply touched, she was even more tenderly affectionate along the way, letting Lu Zheng enjoy the boundless delights of her gentle homeland.
…
The carriage was fine, the road excellent.
Thus, in just three days, the carriage reached eighteen li outside Huangli County.
“Young Master, Madam.” Old Huang spotted the county boundary marker and turned to inform those inside. “We are almost at Huangli County.”
Lu Zheng lifted the door curtain. Shen Ying looked out from the carriage and saw the stone tablet on the left side of the road inscribed with the characters “Huangli”.
“We have arrived,” Lu Zheng nodded.
“We have arrived.” Shen Ying’s gaze grew distant as she looked towards the faintly visible county town ahead.
Old Huang flicked the reins. The two horses quickened pace, trotting all the way towards Huangli County town.
The eighteen li of official road passed in a flash.
As the carriage passed through the city gate, Shen Ying lifted the window curtain. Her eyes fell on a weathered notch in the corner of the gate.
“Thirty years, and it has not changed at all.”
Seeing Shen Ying’s sentiment, Lu Zheng blinked and said, “Oh yes, thirty years have passed. If you had not mentioned it, I would not have realised.”
Shen Ying, “…”
Having grasped Lu Zheng’s meaning, Shen Ying felt a sudden urge to hit him. What should she do?
Lu Zheng quietly leaned close to her ear. “Let alone thirty years. Even after three thousand or thirty thousand years, you will still be this beautiful.”
Shen Ying’s eyes curved. A light smile lifted her lips.
