Just as they were talking, someone abruptly started pounding on the door, and the Seventh Prince’s laugh immediately followed, “These two people are taking their sweet time going to the loo. Are they trying to kill the rest of us by making us wait for the loo?” 

Ning Yi opened the door and said with a grin: “Official Wei is very drunk. He is throwing up right now.” 

“If that’s the case,” Second Prince who also came along with the group said, “Let’s call it, let’s call it, we still have to go to the palace tomorrow morning.” 

Ning Yi and Feng Zhi Wei exchanged a glance. Her eyes lit up when she saw Gu Nan Yi behind Second Prince, an overjoyed Feng Zhi Wei ran over, grabbed Gu Nan Yi’s sleeve, and yelled none too clearly “Brother Gu, let’s have another drink!” 

Everyone laughed. Behind his veil, Gu Nan Yi’s eyes seemed to light up as well since it was rare for Feng Zhi Wei to voluntarily get so close to someone. However, Gu Nan Yi immediately felt Feng Zhi Wei secretly writing a few words in his palm. 

He was surprised but immediately snapped back to attention. After casting a longing glance at Feng Zhi Wei’s hand on his arms, Gu Nan Yi reluctantly throw off her hands, picked up Gu Zhi Xiao, strode towards the latrine, and slammed the door close. 

Everyone looked at each other blankly. They all know that Guardsman Gu is an exceptional fighter with an eccentric personality and it is best to not provoke him. With no one dare to use the same loo as Gu Nan Yi, everyone had no choice but to return back to the feast. By this time, the feast is winding down so the Second and Seventh Prince suggested it’s time to go home. 

Ning Yi glanced over at Feng Zhi Wei and was about to figure out a way to take her back home with him when Feng Zhi Wei suddenly charged toward Second Prince and yelled “No! I heard Your Highness is unparalleled when it comes to drinking games, I want to have the honor of seeing it today!” 

All the princes were taken aback. Ning Yi frowned, uncertain of what Feng Zhi Wei is planning– no matter what, there is no possible way for her to keep all the princes here the whole night. Even if she could, the danger would still exist the next day, so what’s the point? 

Second Prince looked a bit uneasy. Stopped by Feng Zhi Wei who was completely “drunk’ and obsessed with wanting to see the world-famous drinking game. Backed into a corner, Second Prince had no choice but to play a few rounds of drinking game but he looked distracted the whole time. 

While they were playing, Gu Nan Yi came back from the latrine and sat back down in the same seat but Feng Zhi Wei didn’t look in his direction at all, completely focused on playing the drinking game. Ning Yi found an excuse to walk closer to Gu Nan Yi and could discern a vague burnt smell on him. 

The indoor lanterns are lit, blue and white pastel-colored porcelain lamps in the shape of begonias. In the faint traces of smoke, a seemingly drunk Feng Zhi Wei, with her youthful face but sparkling misty eyes and a half smile would cause anyone to remark “Even if heartless, still seductive” sort of poetry. 

Second Prince was originally feeling impatient and wanted to leave, but looking at the lovely youth in front of him, somehow he could feel a fluttering inside. He doesn’t have broken sleeves tendencies but people are born with an instinctive appreciation and indulgence for beautiful things so he ended up staying.

However, Second Prince only stayed for a while before he stood up resolutely and said with a smile, “I suddenly remembered my brother-in-law is coming to see me tonight to give the the harvest report. I will drink with everyone next time.” 

He is the oldest of the princes so even Ning Yi has to defer to him sometimes in public and couldn’t force him to stay. Feng Zhi Wei stood up shakily to send Second Prince off but he took her hand and said “I think you are quite drunk, it would best for you to go home soon as well. You are going to become the main examiner soon, so it wouldn’t look good for you to party all night here. Once the spring exams are done, then I will personally invite you to my place to party for three days straight!” 

 “…that…would be good…” Feng Zhi Wei didn’t pull away but allowed him to take her hand as they walked all the way out. Gu Nan Yi stared at the two clasped hands. If his glaze was a sword then Second Prince’s hand would have been chopped into a million pieces by now. But for some reason, he stayed put. 

Someone suddenly chuckled by his side, “Brother Gu has sure softened considerably. I thought for sure Brother Gu would go and cut him down.” 

Gu Nan Yi didn’t turn around, the veil on his face fluttering slightly. After a bit he finally replied, “If I want to stay by her side, then I can’t do whatever I want. This truth, is something I finally came to understand in Pucheng City.” 

Ning Yi was shaken and fell silent. For the first time, he finally turned his head and took a good look at Gu Nan Yi. 

Not bothering to meet his gaze at all, Gu Nan Yi’s gaze is stubbornly following Feng Zhi Wei. 

“She was doomed to walk on a dangerous tightrope all her life, turning this world upside down, the road she walks, is not one most can follow…let alone…you,” Ning said languidly after a while, “Brother Gu, do you think you can?” 

Gu Nan Yi remained silent, holding his Gu Zhi Xiao, following Feng Zhi Wei until they are almost to the door. Just when Ning Yi thought he would not answer his question, Gu Nan Yi abruptly stopped, turned his head, met Ning Yi’s gaze, and said clearly, “The me before, couldn’t. But now, I can change, if she needs it, anything is fine with me.” 

Anything is fine.

For her, he can start looking beyond the now. For her, he can step into a new world. For her, he can let go of his unbreakable rules. For her, he can learn to make concessions, to compromise. 

In the face of powerful and deep emotions, all icy stubbornness can be broken. 

Ning Yi fell silent. 

Leaning against a tree, his posture is also like that of a lonely tree, lonely in the March spring breeze. 

In the distance, Feng Zhi Wei and Second Prince finally parted. Feng Zhi Wei immediately turned around, her gaze searching the crowd.

Gu Nan Yi who had fallen behind immediately started to head toward her. 

Before he left, he suddenly turned and glanced over at Ning Yi. 

“For her, Gu Nan Yi can stop being Gu Nan Yi.” He said calmly, “Can Ning Yi, not be Ning Yi?” 

Ning Yi’s hand trembled. 

Seeming as if he had no idea what he said had the power of a giant boulder, powerful enough to smash thousands of troops, Gu Nan Yi turned around with indifference to go catch up to Feng Zhi Wei, leaving Ning Yi’s shadow far behind. 

The moonlight shone on the willow branches. In the shadow of the flowers, crowds of festive people are laughing and saying their goodbyes. No one could tell the smiling person, the one right in the middle of the crowd, might be smiling but the shadow is one of loneliness. 

He was pale in the pale moonlight, because of the slight pain brought on by that question. He pressed a hand to his heart.

The purest question from the most innocent person. Because the words were unpolished, it had a blinding sharpness. 

Ning Yi…can stop being Ning Yi?

The red lanterns spun in the wind. The red light spread across, shining on the willow tree, but there was no one there. 

Yet, there was a sigh that scattered in the midnight spring breeze. 

“…I can…” 

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