Bai Long brushed the snow off the stone bench with his hand and sat down: "Tomorrow is the day of your marriage contract with the Qi family."

Chen Ji was somewhat dazed.

It turned out that tomorrow was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and he had been detained in the Imperial Supervision Office for so long. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Bai Long continued: "The Qi family has been spreading rumors lately; first, accusing you of being heartless, making Third Miss Qi weep bitterly every day. Second, they're broadcasting the laws regarding breach of marriage contracts, likely planning to have you exiled to Lingnan once you break the contract."

Chen Ji bit into a bun: "What does this have to do with whether I can leave or not?"

Bai Long looked up at him: "Chen Lizun and Zhang Zhuo have always wanted to submit a memorial on your behalf, but not now. They both know you won't marry Third Miss Qi, so instead of letting you be exiled to Lingnan, they decided to let you endure in the Imperial Supervision Office until the marriage contract passes. They plan to plead for you in the palace the day after tomorrow."

Chen Ji chuckled: "So that's the plan. It's a good one indeed."

Bai Long changed the subject: "But it's not that simple. I heard that this morning, officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting outside the Meridian Gate, submitting a memorial, suggesting your prison break was understandable and asking Your Majesty for lenience."

"The Ministry of Rites?" Chen Ji touched his stubble: "The Qi Family?"

Bai Long nodded, saying indifferently: "Quite a few officials from the Ministry of Rites have come, probably intending for His Majesty to release you today to fulfill the marriage contract. You should prepare early; if they happen to release you today, what will you do tomorrow?"

Chen Ji lowered his head, eating the bun: "All these days, no one pleaded for me. Being such a good lonely minister used as Daozi, His Majesty will not let me go. I don't believe the Qi family can send me to Lingnan with just a marriage contract."

Bai Long glanced at him: "Do you truly not care at all for Third Miss Qi? If you ask me, Third Miss Qi is deeply in love, and there's no harm in marrying her."

Chen Ji shook his head, about to say something, but footsteps interrupted from outside.

The courtyard gate was flung open, sending snow swirling into the air.

Changxiu led four Jiefan Guards into the small courtyard. Seeing Bai Long, he feigned surprise: "So, Lord Bai Long is here too."

Bai Long nodded slightly.

Chen Ji's gaze fell on the ochre scroll in Changxiu's hand; the Imperial Decree had arrived.

Changxiu smiled broadly: "Marquis Wu Xiang, receive the decree!"

Chen Ji, his hair disheveled, prostrated in the snow: "This humble servant, Chen Ji, receives the decree."

Changxiu unfurled the scroll, began to read word by word, loud and clear: "By the Order of the Emperor: Marquis Wu Xiang, Chen Ji, as a noble, disregarded the law, broke into the inner prison, and helped a felon escape. Such actions show contempt for national law, leaving no room for pardon. However, considering his past bravery in saving the sovereign at Guyuan, his commendable loyalty and courage; his effective training of troops in the Yulin Army; and his efforts in founding reports for the convenience of the people in the Imperial Capital—his merits outweigh the offenses, it is hard to bear to punish him."

"Therefore, the title of Marquis Wu Xiang is hereby revoked. From now on, you are to reform and abide by the law, not failing the grace of the court's leniency. You are to be released from imprisonment immediately."

"This is announced both at home and abroad for all to know."

Stripped of title.

Chen Ji would now return to being a commoner.

Changxiu looked down at Chen Ji, smiling: "Mr. Chen, give thanks."

Chen Ji responded loudly: "This commoner Chen Ji, humbly thanks His Majesty's grace."

Changxiu rolled up the decree and handed it to a Jiefan Guard behind him. He sniffed the air amid snow and wind: "Lamb buns?"

Chen Ji slowly got up, brushed the snow off himself: "Master Changxiu has a keen nose."

Changxiu smiled: "Alright, Mr. Chen, hurry home. You've been in the Imperial Supervision Office for nearly two months; you must be eager to return home. I won't delay you any longer."

Chen Ji casually said: "I am now just a commoner, not Mr. Chen anymore."

Changxiu waved his hand: "No matter, no matter. With your abilities, reinstatement is just a matter of time, no need for me to keep changing your title."

Chen Ji turned to Bai Long, who waved a sleeve: "Go home."

He nodded, about to go inside to pack, when Bai Long suddenly said: "Leave everything here; there's nothing of value. Consider it all left in the past."

Chen Ji paused, then smiled broadly: "Indeed. Farewell, everyone."

With that, he strode out of the small courtyard, trekking through the snow on the long pathway. The walls on either side were high, the snow covering the tops white against the gray sky, like an endless alley.

Chen Ji walked quickly, his boots crunching in the new snow. Reaching the end of the pathway, the black lacquered gate stood open.

He paused at the threshold, glancing back.

The corridor was deep, snow falling all around, obscuring which courtyard he had come from and how far he'd walked.

He stepped over the threshold.

The wind hit him head-on, snowflakes stinging his face. He squinted, taking a deep breath.

Cold, but pure.

He stood at the gate, holding that breath in his lungs for a long time before slowly exhaling. The white mist dispersed in front of him, merging with the snow.

Chen Ji began walking slowly at first, then quickened his pace.

The wind blew down his collar, but he didn't flinch. His hair scattered, blown across his face; he brushed it aside with his hand.

Turning onto Chang'an Street.

The street was wider, snow flying sideways, stinging his face.

All the shops along Chang'an Street were closed, with wine flags frozen stiff, hanging motionless under the eaves. A street vendor huddled in a corner, a tarp over his wares, snow weighing it down white.

Passing by the Meridian Gate.

The Meridian Gate, a striking red against the snowy ground.

The glazed tiles on the gate tower were covered in white, with only a sliver of yellow showing under the eaves.

A few Jiefan Guards stood in the doorway, sheltering from the wind. Seeing him run by, they paused in confusion. Chen Ji didn't look at them, running past the Meridian Gate.