Everything remains, yet all has changed; nothing is as it once was.

In early May, Xu Guiyi boarded a steamship personally arranged by Xu Yan, joining the imperial envoy as they traveled northward along the Yuan River toward the imperial capital.

The entire Xu household came to see her off. Amidst the crowd, Xu Xiwei held her hand at the very front. “Sister, your departure is so sudden. Seventh Sister is still in Jingzhou—even if she rushed back the moment she heard, it would be too late.”

“I’ve left something for her. When she returns, please give it to her for me,” Xu Guiyi replied gently.

“Sister, Guangling is the capital, not like our Luan Prefecture. You must be careful in everything you do,” Xu Xiwei said, her concern for Xu Guiyi sometimes more like that of an elder sister.

“Yes, Yi’er, you’ll be alone out there. Please take good care of yourself,” added Lady Hua, following closely behind, her tone full of concern.

Though not her birth mother, Lady Hua loved her dearly for Xu Yan’s sake, cherishing his beloved eldest daughter as her own. Over the years, though Xu Guiyi had not been especially close to Lady Hua, she had always respected her deeply.

“I will be cautious in all things while I’m away. Please take care of yourselves as well, and don’t overexert,” Xu Guiyi said softly.

“Oh, Second Sister-in-law, you needn’t worry! Third Miss is destined for greatness—she’ll surely prosper in the future. There’s nothing to fear,” interjected Lady Jiang, who seemed happiest of all at Xu Guiyi’s journey north.

Lady Hua turned aside, ignoring her, only holding Xu Guiyi’s arm more tightly.

Lady Jiang, undeterred, changed her tune and continued, “Third Girl, if you get homesick, remember to send a letter. The old lady and your Third Uncle have been talking about how much they’ll miss you.”

Xu Guiyi laughed coldly to herself, but replied calmly, “Thank you, Third Uncle and Aunt, for your concern.”

She then stepped aside, taking her father’s hand as the entire second branch of the family gathered together. “Grandmother is getting on in years. Now that I can’t be by her side to fulfill my duty, I hope you and Mother will look after her for me,” she said earnestly.

“We’ll be sure to care for the old lady. Don’t worry about things at home; as long as you’re well, we’ll be at ease,” Lady Hua replied, her eyes growing misty again.

“With me here, all is well at home. Do not fret, my daughter,” said her father, the steadfast and resolute governor, his eyes suddenly reddening.

Xu Guiyi slowly knelt. “Your unfilial daughter bids farewell today. I pray that you both remain safe and well, and that everything goes smoothly in the days to come.” As she finished, a tear fell silently to the earth.

“My good child, get up, get up,” Lady Hua cried, unable to hold back her tears, reaching out to help her up.

That day, Xu Guiyi bowed three times: first, for the kindness and guidance of her parents; second, for the love and care of her family; third, for the beautiful rivers and mountains of her homeland in Jiangdong.

Standing on the deck, Xu Guiyi watched her loved ones grow smaller and smaller on the shore, her heart full of longing.

She recalled the night before her departure, when her father had spoken helplessly: “Yi’er, why, after six years, have you still decided to return to that place? What is it you’re after?”

She had not answered, for she knew that no matter what she said, the wound she had caused Xu Yan could not be undone.

What was she after?

She wasn’t sure herself, for those things belonged to the future.

What she did know was how deeply she would miss the Xu family and those who truly loved her.

But she could only choose to leave, journeying north to the imperial capital—

—to return to that place.

May was a fine month, the scenery clear both north and south. After drifting on the Yuan River for four nights, Xu Guiyi was deeply moved by the beauty along the way—sea and sky merging, white egrets flying in unison, vast misty waves, and blue mountains shrouded in haze. The world was so wide; her heart, too, swayed with it. Compared to this, the petty intrigues and rivalries of the inner courtyard seemed nothing but the trivial squabbles of small-minded women.

Yet no matter how beautiful the scenery, one could not lose oneself.

Soon she would land in Guangling, the imperial capital of the Great Yi, a land of dragon veins. But beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven, how could there be a shortage of schemes and power struggles, of shifting intrigues and hidden dangers?

“Miss, look—there’s Guangling ahead! How grand and imposing, truly worthy of being the capital,” said Xiyue, usually so composed, now unable to hide her excitement at the sight of such a prosperous city.

“Xiyue, do you like it here?” Xu Guiyi asked.

“I do! Don’t you, Miss? Look how beautiful Guangling is!” Xiyue was still caught up in joy, oblivious to the undertone in her mistress’s question.

Xu Guiyi smiled lightly and nodded, then turned her gaze back to the approaching city, her brows knitted, her hands and feet cold.

After six years, she had truly returned.

Guangling was still as prosperous as ever. Its people continued to enjoy a peaceful and flourishing era, unchanged in any way.

The people said it was all thanks to the diligence and compassion of the current emperor, whose efforts had brought peace and prosperity to the nation.

Standing at the prow of the ship, Xu Guiyi saw the dock up ahead, where a welcoming party was already gathering. Two rows of well-trained guards awaited the imperial envoy. Behind them, a group of servants clustered around a young gentleman in fine robes—clearly someone from the Guangling branch of the Xu family, come to receive her.

“Guiyi, greetings, elder brother,” she said, lowering herself into a graceful bow, her manner calm and dignified, her voice steady and unyielding.

The young gentleman’s eyes flashed with surprise, swiftly masked as he laughed heartily. “Third Sister, no need for such formality! I’ve been waiting for you for some time.”

Xu Guiyi straightened, facing the unfamiliar man before her without flinching. This was Xu Chengzhen, the legitimate eldest grandson of the Xu family and current heir to the title of Lord of Grace. The main branch had inherited the noble rank and lived in Guangling for years, so their children rarely interacted with those of Jiangdong. Xu Guiyi, who had not grown up in the family, was even less acquainted with them.

Still, the Xu family valued kinship highly. Xu Yan and his elder brother had always been close. When it was decided she would enter the palace selection, Xu Yan had written to his brother, asking him to watch over his eldest daughter.

Such earnest devotion was truly touching.

After bidding farewell to the imperial envoy, brother and sister rode together to the Lord of Grace’s mansion—Xu Chengzhen on horseback, Xu Guiyi and Xiyue in the carriage.

Inside, Xiyue no longer looked as joyful as she had on the ship; now, she seemed nervous.

“Are you nervous? Meeting Uncle’s family for the first time?” Xu Guiyi asked.

Xiyue nodded furiously. “Very nervous, Miss—almost scared, to tell the truth.”

Xu Guiyi smiled reassuringly, patting her head to calm her.

But how could one not be nervous? However steady Xiyue usually was, she was only a sixteen-year-old girl—and that was back in the Xu residence in Luan Prefecture. Now they were in Guangling, surrounded by nobility and power, preparing to settle into a new home. Some anxiety was inevitable.

Though Xu Guiyi appeared composed, her inner turmoil matched Xiyue’s. She, too, felt fear, worry, even a chill of dread and loneliness.

“Don’t be afraid. Your mistress will take care of everything,” Xu Guiyi said softly.

Reassured by her words and the steady light in her mistress’s eyes, Xiyue’s anxiety eased. Suddenly, the grand and splendid Guangling no longer seemed as welcoming as before—she found herself missing the gentle elegance of Jiangdong instead.

The carriage stopped—the Lord of Grace’s mansion had been reached.

With Xiyue’s support, Xu Guiyi alighted to find a crowd waiting by the gate. She hurried forward, barely pausing to distinguish faces, and bowed to the middle-aged man who resembled her father, her voice clear as a spring: “Niece greets Uncle.”

She bowed again to the elegantly dressed lady beside him. “Niece greets Aunt.”

Before Lord Xu could help her up, Lady Xue was already there. “Good child, don’t stand on ceremony. Let me and your uncle take a good look at you. Ah, truly, the mountains and waters of your home have raised a rare beauty—no one like you for a thousand miles.”

Xu Guiyi had heard from her stepmother that Lady Xue, born to a family of imperial merchants, was renowned for her lively and sociable nature—today, she saw it for herself.

“Aunt, you flatter me. I dare not accept such praise,” Xu Guiyi replied modestly, her demeanor gentle and proper.

“Ah!” Lord Xu, now past fifty, patted his wife’s shoulder. “Step aside, step aside. Is she my niece or yours? I haven’t even had a good look, and you’ve said all the nice things already.”

Lady Xue’s eyes sparkled as she retorted, “I won’t step aside! As the lady of the Xu family, all its children are mine as well.” Xu Guiyi smiled softly, her expression unreadable, while Xu Chengzhen looked on with weary amusement.

“Ah!” Lord Xu sighed deeply, then turned to his niece. “Yi’er, are you tired? Did you get seasick?”

“Not at all, Uncle. The journey was pleasant. Please don’t worry,” Xu Guiyi replied, now able to clearly see Lord Xu’s gentle, composed features—so different from Xu Yan’s sternness.

Perhaps it was true that sons resembled their fathers; Xu Chengzhen, too, was refined and courteous.

“All right, Father, Mother, let’s let Third Sister rest. She’s been at sea for days, and though she says she’s fine, she must be tired,” Xu Chengzhen interjected just in time.

“I was just carried away with excitement. Come, let’s go in. The courtyard is ready, the servants are waiting—just for you,” Lady Xue said cheerily.

“Thank you, Aunt.” Xu Guiyi’s hand remained tightly held by Lady Xue, while her other hand clutched her embroidered handkerchief, a little awkward and ill at ease.

“I’m so glad you’ve come to Guangling. Since your elder sisters married, the house has been quiet. From now on, while you’re here, treat it as your own home—don’t be reserved. Whatever you need, ask me. Wherever you want to go, let your cousin take you. Don’t hold back,” Lady Xue said warmly, chattering all the way as they walked.

Lord Xu and his son’s wife followed quietly behind, listening, unable to get a word in.

The courtyard was spacious and bright, and the servants—twelve of them, just for Xu Guiyi—were efficient and attentive. Lady Xue, raised amidst wealth and status, had never lacked for grandeur, and she brought this sense of ceremony to her husband’s household as well.

The servants swiftly unpacked Xu Guiyi’s belongings, setting everything in its place. After a light meal, a bath was prepared, fresh clothes laid out, and the bed made, all in readiness for her to rest.

Every detail was thoughtful, every gesture full of care.