Chapter Eighteen: A Place for Just the Two of Them

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Lu Xuanheng remained silent, glancing at the tombstone in front of the simple earthen grave. “Choose a feng shui spot and relocate your mother’s grave.”

Jiang You’an hadn’t expected him to say that. At the time, she had no money, and given the special circumstances, she couldn’t afford a grand funeral for her parents—only a modest earthen grave, which only she would come to visit.

“But my father still carries the stigma of a crime. If we relocate the graves and give them a grand burial, won’t people criticize us?”

Lu Xuanheng looked at her. “I said relocate your mother’s grave; your father doesn’t even have a body…”

“That’s why I made a symbolic tomb for him, so they could be buried together. If we relocate the graves, they should be together.”

Lu Xuanheng fell silent, staring at Jiang You’an as if she were foolish.

Disliking the look, Jiang You’an’s expression darkened. “If it’s not possible, then fine. Once my father’s name is cleared, I will give them a proper burial myself.”

Lu Xuanheng frowned. “I’ve told you before, your father is not innocent. The charge of leaking the defense plans is proven. Your stubbornness…”

“Shut up!”

Jiang You’an glanced at the tombstone, then turned back with a scowl, clenching her fists tightly. “I know what all of you think of him, but I believe my father wouldn’t do such a thing. One day, I will clear his name.”

Lu Xuanheng didn’t want to argue and sighed instead.

When Jiang You’an’s father leaked the secret military defense diagrams, the border war was critical. It was Lu Xuanheng who went to support the frontlines. He saved the battle, earned merit, but also witnessed countless soldiers’ bodies.

Jiang You’an always believed her father was wronged, but the evidence was conclusive.

He understood her pain at losing her father, but he pitied the innocent soldiers even more. In his heart, Jiang You’an’s father was undoubtedly a criminal.

He wouldn’t speak of this in front of her, choosing patience and silence instead.

Jiang You’an didn’t bother arguing further and began packing to leave.

Lu Xuanheng called out to her, “Come with me to a place.”

Jiang You’an frowned but was lifted onto his horse before she could protest.

Lu Xuanheng’s long legs swung up, encircling her around the waist. With a flick of the reins, they galloped away.

The autumn orchids and bamboo were left far behind; only the two of them rode together through the wild hills.

Jiang You’an was jolted so much she felt nauseous. She brushed aside her messy hair and asked, “Where are you taking me?”

Lu Xuanheng held her close, whispering behind her ear, “To a place where no one else is.”

The cold wind whipped against Jiang You’an’s face, chilling her ears nearly numb. She curled up, wrapping herself tightly in Lu Xuanheng’s cloak.

Seeing her huddled like a frightened rabbit, he couldn’t help but smile, drawing her closer to warm her against his chest.

Their horse carried them to Mount Canghong. Halfway up, the path ended, so he tied the horse to a tree and led Jiang You’an up the mountain steps.

After climbing for a while, she complained of sore feet.

Lu Xuanheng snorted, “You’re just being delicate and won’t admit it.”

“You’re the one who brought me to this godforsaken place.”

He bent down and lifted Jiang You’an onto his back.

After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a courtyard.

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Surprised to find such a secluded place with a courtyard, Jiang You’an stepped down, curiously looking around. She was soon captivated by the scenery halfway up the mountain.

Lu Xuanheng used a key to unlock the door and pulled her inside.

The courtyard was neither large nor small, with three sections. The decor was elegant, preserving the mountain’s natural beauty. Remarkably, the bathhouse in the back connected to a natural hot spring—truly a hidden paradise.

The two stood inside, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in clouds.

“Do you like it here?”

Jiang You’an took a deep breath of fresh air and sincerely replied, “Yes.”

Lu Xuanheng handed her the key. “This will be yours from now on. If you ever feel unhappy at the Lu estate, come here to relax.”

Jiang You’an held the key, puzzled by his meaning.

He had found her a real earthly paradise to live in?

Seeing her suspicious look, Lu Xuanheng awkwardly replied, “You were just complaining about your aching back and waist. Go soak in the hot spring.”

Jiang You’an thought about it and suddenly understood.

He must find it inconvenient to secretly meet her at the Lu estate, so he specially arranged this secluded spot for his own convenience.

Noticing her disdainful expression, he smiled and tapped her forehead. “What are you thinking? I just want you to relax.”

Jiang You’an sensed he was hiding something mischievous and watched him warily.

“I’ll get some food ready for you; you go ahead.”

Relieved, Jiang You’an went to soak for an hour, feeling completely refreshed when she came out, only to find no sign of Lu Xuanheng.

After searching, she found him indeed in the kitchen cooking.

Without servants to help, they had to do everything themselves. Jiang You’an, not skilled in cooking, watched him with surprise as he worked skillfully.

When Lu Xuanheng served four dishes and a soup before her, she felt shy but silently praised the delicious food as she ate.

“You can cook?”

“Back at the border, conditions were poor. I had to cook for myself.”

Lu Xuanheng snorted, “You think everyone’s born as a delicate lady who never touches a kitchen tool?”

Jiang You’an frowned, feeling she shouldn’t talk to him.

After their hearty meal, they strolled in the forest behind the house.

Every household in the city was preparing for the New Year, bustling with noise, but here, snow blanketed everything, and only the wind and crunching footsteps broke the silence.

Walking here, Jiang You’an momentarily forgot her troubles.

She stood under a tree and shook its branches hard, letting snow fall all over herself.

The startled birds flew away, and Lu Xuanheng pulled out a slingshot, aiming stones at them.

Jiang You’an teased, “What did the birds ever do to you?”

“Just shooting for fun.”

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Jiang You’an scolded, “You weren’t this mean when you were a child.”

Lu Xuanheng was stunned, lowered his head, and smiled faintly. “You still remember what I was like as a child?”

Jiang You’an recalled their first meeting: eleven- or twelve-year-old Lu Xuanheng, thin and small, led by Lady Zhao, his black eyes staring at her—looking so easy to bully.

She had indeed bullied him severely, but he was always good-natured, never angry. Thinking back, he was far better then than now, when just looking at him annoyed her.

She didn’t answer, quietly walking behind him and slipping a snowball into the back of his collar.

“Jiang You’an!”

Lu Xuanheng gasped and reached to catch her.

She slipped, leaning back, and Lu Xuanheng caught her, rolling together into the snow.

He tried to retaliate, scooping up snow to shove down her collar, but she screamed, “Ouch, I hit my head! It hurts!”

He stopped immediately. Jiang You’an grinned mischievously and threw snow in his face.

“You little fox!”

Lu Xuanheng laughed and tickled her, while she laughed and dodged.

After some time playing, both were exhausted, lying in the snow, gazing at the pure, clear sky.

Jiang You’an sighed, “It’s really beautiful.”

Lu Xuanheng found her hand and held it. “No one else will know about this place. Even if I marry the princess, I can still come here with you.”

Jiang You’an’s expression froze. She stared at him for a moment, her drifting thoughts returning. Calmly, she said, “Let’s go down. The New Year’s Eve dinner is waiting.”

Lu Xuanheng agreed, “Next time we come, I’ll bring more things.”

But Jiang You’an thought to herself, she would never come here again.

They descended the mountain, meeting with the autumn orchids and bamboo, then parted ways to return to the Lu estate.

At dusk, Lady Zhao was urging the servants to prepare the New Year’s feast, somewhat annoyed. “Why hasn’t Xuanheng returned yet?”

Madam Wang replied, “Someone has already been sent to the military camp to fetch him.”

Just then, the messenger returned. “He wasn’t at the camp. The deputy general said the young master left right after roll call this morning.”

Lady Zhao was baffled. “Then where has he been all day?”

Anxiously pacing in the front hall, she suddenly saw Jiang You’an enter through the side gate and head to her room.

Lady Zhao ignored her. After a short while, Lu Xuanheng returned leisurely.

Suspicious, Lady Zhao wondered if the two had gone out together since they came back one after the other.

Growing increasingly uneasy, she hurried toward the Moon Embracing Pavilion to find Lu Xuanheng.