When Xiao Fengchun returned home, he brought special gifts for her and her younger sister: two Ivory Longswords seized from the Barbarian Race.

Although they were merely decorative, Xiao Wan’er was still overjoyed.

It was the first time she had ever received a gift in the shape of a weapon.

She still remembered her father’s exact words of comfort: "It doesn’t matter that you can’t practice Martial Arts. It’s the heart that counts."

Xiao Wan’er hadn’t understood back then, but she understood now—her father wanted her to be strong.

To remain calm in the face of trouble, to be righteous and unyielding.

In that regard, she admitted she fell short of her younger sister.

After all, Xiao Jinghong had left Shu State at a very young age to follow her master, practice Martial Arts, and travel the world.

But as for where exactly she went or what she did, Xiao Wan’er knew very little.

She only knew that her younger sister was incredibly talented in Martial Arts and possessed a high level of cultivation.

As she thought of this, a melancholic expression inevitably clouded Xiao Wan’er’s face.

Now, her parents had fallen on the battlefield. Her younger sister had been forced into the army and was constantly away on duty, unable to even return home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Catching her altered expression from the corner of his eye, Chen Yi guessed it had to do with her family. He simply smiled and said:

"Big Sister, why don’t you try one?"

Snapping back to the present, Xiao Wan’er met Chen Yi’s gaze, and a faint smile finally touched her lips.

"Alright."

"When young, it has four legs. When grown, it has two. When old..."

As Xiao Wan’er listened to the riddle, she thought to herself:

’I ask for nothing else. I only hope my younger sister is safe.’

...

「Southwest of Shu State, Wumeng Mountain.」

The Mountain Race people who lived here were also subjects of Great Wei, but their Mid-Autumn Festival customs differed greatly from those in the various states of the Central Plains.

In addition to worshipping the moon and honoring their ancestors, the Mid-Autumn Festival was also the best time of year for the young men and women of the Mountain Race to get engaged.

Bonfires would be lit and dances would begin.

Through song and dance, a man and a woman might just become family.

Early in the morning, men and women were scattered throughout the Mountain Race’s village, making their own preparations.

They had to wear their finest clothes.

They had to prepare creative gifts.

They also needed to practice their mountain folk songs and love songs.

So, from time to time, a song or two would echo through the mountains, drawing a few teasing remarks from those who knew the singer.

"Brother Da Di, those lyrics are all wrong! The girl of your dreams won’t be impressed."

"Get lost! Your singing is what’s terrible..."

Meanwhile, the young women of the Mountain Race were also busy getting ready.

They adorned themselves with family heirlooms—jewelry of gold, silver, and priceless gems that had been stored away for special occasions.

The glittering array, combined with their lovely faces, created a unique and captivating beauty.

Xiao Jinghong arrived just after lunch, when the bustle in the village had died down considerably.

Not that she would have paid any mind to the noise, even if there had been any.

After surveying her surroundings, Xiao Jinghong proceeded as usual to the aged bamboo house in the center of the village. Standing outside, she bowed and cupped her fist.

"Junior Jinghong, requesting an audience with Granny Shan."

She did not use her official title, instead presenting herself as a junior of the Jianghu out of respect for Granny Shan’s Martial Arts Cultivation.

Just then, a raspy, elderly voice came from within the bamboo house. "Jinghong, you’ve arrived? Come in."

The door opened.

Xiao Jinghong acknowledged with a "Yes." As she straightened up, she caught sight of a man in a short blue tunic hurrying over, likely having heard of her arrival. She gave him a brief nod of greeting before entering the bamboo house.

The door closed behind her.

The man outside stared at where her figure had vanished, sighing with a sorrowful expression.

"The children of the Wei Family... in the end, they are different from us of the Mountain Race."

"Forget it..."

He departed with a forlorn air.

His footsteps faded into the distance.

Xiao Jinghong had heard all of this, of course, but her expression remained completely untroubled. She calmly sat down across from Granny Shan.

She removed her half-armor mask, setting it aside. The movement revealed a world-toppling beauty, unadorned by any powder or paint. She looked at Granny Shan and spoke:

"This junior came in a hurry and did not prepare a festival gift. I hope Granny will forgive the oversight."

Granny Shan was gaunt and frail. Seated at the table, she was a full head shorter than the perfectly postured Xiao Jinghong.

She wore a black hemp robe, and a necklace woven from tortoise shells and wolf fangs hung on her chest. A gentle smile graced her deeply wrinkled face.

"Jinghong, you have done our Mountain Race a great service. There is no need for such pleasantries."

"Besides, you are burdened with military duties and must also oversee the Wu Mountain Mutual Market. For you to find the time to visit an old woman like me... it already makes me very happy."

Though she spoke her words slowly, her voice was still resonant and full of vigor.

Not at all like that of a typical old woman.

Of course, Xiao Jinghong never considered her an ordinary old woman to begin with.

After a few more pleasantries, she asked, though she already knew the answer, "Has Guanli already left the tribe?"

Granny Shan nodded with a smile. "That girl can never sit still. She was only here a few days before she was clamoring to go to the city."

"She has a good heart, though. She even remembered to bring some things back with her."

Seeing that her expression was normal, Xiao Jinghong said gravely, "Granny, you must have heard about what happened a few days ago, so I won’t beat around the bush."

"Did Guanli happen to mention anything to you about that letter?"

Granny Shan seemed to have anticipated the question. "I’ve heard a little," she replied.

"That girl can’t hide what’s on her mind. She’s been restless ever since she returned. I imagine she’s worried you’ll reprimand her."

Xiao Jinghong shook her head slightly. "This junior only wishes to know the truth of the matter. I won’t make things difficult for her."

Granny Shan clearly believed her, chuckling as she said, "I don’t know many of the specifics myself."

"But I do know that girl Guanli has matured a great deal since going down the mountain this time. She’s not as mischievous as she used to be."

"She must have met someone out there who earned her respect."

’Respect?’

The image of a frail, scholarly man subconsciously surfaced in Xiao Jinghong’s mind.

’Husband?’

Before she could dwell on it, Granny Shan continued, "However, that girl probably doesn’t know much about the letter either."