"What, lad, alone here?" The familiar voice and familiar figure stood beside Ye Xiu. Fan Zeng tugged at his clothes and sat down. "Why aren't you drinking and feasting with the others?"

"Oh, it is Lord," Ye Xiu started to rise to pay his respects, but Fan Zeng stopped him. "But surely, my Lord, you are also wandering about alone?"

Fan Zeng glanced at Ye Xiu, shaking his head wearily. "I am old now, I cannot drink much anymore, nor can I eat much. All I wish is that while I yet live, I do not fail the trust of Lord Xiang Liang, and that I may personally assist A'ji in unifying the realm."

Ye Xiu also fell silent, letting out a breath through his nose, a sound so heavy it was startling. Sometimes he truly felt profound sympathy for the old man sitting across from him—a lifetime of toil, for what? For a mere trust from Xiang Liang, and for an A'ji who would never heed his counsel.

"It is just the two of us here. Do you think A'ji can unify the realm?" Fan Zeng did not shy away from the question. In truth, every time he sought out Ye Xiu, it was not merely for conversation; he wanted to know the young man's thoughts.

Ye Xiu knew Fan Zeng was always testing him, yet facing such an elder, he couldn't help but voice the history he knew or the perspective he held. "In the Battle of Julu, Elder Brother Xiang indeed rose to fame in a single stroke. Now, all the warlords under Heaven look up to him; success and renown are just around the corner."

"Yes, just around the corner." Fan Zeng felt a touch of disappointment, for such words could be spoken by anyone these days.

"It is just that!" Ye Xiu suddenly hesitated.

"Just what?"

Ye Xiu picked up another stone and tossed it into the river. "Forgive my frankness, but King Huai of Chu was always a mere puppet. Now, the true power after that victory is entirely in Elder Brother Xiang's hands. And while the warlords of the realm outwardly support him, they harbor thoughts of rebellion in secret. Has my Lord noticed any change in Elder Brother Xiang these past few days?"

"Change?" Fan Zeng did have some inklings. "These past few days, A'ji has been indulging in drink and pleasure daily, and today he even commanded men to go and welcome Yu Ji."

"Welcome Yu Ji!" Hearing those two words, Ye Xiu couldn't remain entirely calm. Was Wan'er coming to the encampment? Thinking of it, had she been well all this time, she, whose damnable father Wang Long had abandoned his own daughter for the sake of the realm?

Fan Zeng was somewhat surprised by Ye Xiu's reaction, though he too felt a measure of anger at Yu Ji's impending arrival. "How can a woman be allowed to frequent a military stronghold? A'ji is truly reckless, yet I cannot stop him."

"Alas..." Ye Xiu bowed his head, listless. "Elder Brother Xiang is enjoying the spring breeze of fortune; naturally, he requires a fair lady for companionship. But spending his days drinking and listening to flatteries... I wonder if it is for his good or ill."

"I harbor that very same doubt, but A'ji nowadays seems not to heed even my own words." Fan Zeng looked genuinely distressed.

At that moment, flickers of torchlight suddenly appeared from the front of the camp, soon followed by several carriages and soldiers. Ye Xiu turned his head toward the sound and saw a figure descending from one of the carriages—a person clad in a long green gown, her hairstyle elegantly alluring, a vision of breathtaking beauty.

"Wan'er..." he whispered her name softly.

The carriages stopped at the entrance of the camp. Yu Ji also noticed Ye Xiu and Fan Zeng. With the assistance of her surrounding maids, she slowly approached and offered both of them a respectful bow.

Fan Zeng had never held much fondness for a mere courtesan like Yu Ji; he snorted once and departed. In contrast, the nearby Ye Xiu stared blankly at the present Yu Ji, unable to utter a word.

"You all stand down first. I need to speak with Elder Brother Ye." Yu Ji lightly waved her sleeve, dismissing those around her. Her eyes seemed misty; whenever she looked at Ye Xiu, she never knew what persona to adopt when speaking to him. "Elder Brother Ye, it has been well?"

"Oh, um." Ye Xiu's thoughts were stirred by Yu Ji's words, certain phrases lingering on his lips, yet he didn't know how to begin.

Yu Ji smiled gracefully and asked first, "Elder Brother Ye, you seem troubled. Is it concerning Yu Ji?"

"Yu Ji..." Ye Xiu found it truly difficult to address the woman before him as Yu Ji. He preferred to believe she was once Wan'er, the Wan'er who played the zither sweetly, refined and transcendent. "In truth, I wanted to tell you..."

"What!" Yu Ji's eyes flashed, her spirit vibrant.

Ye Xiu took a deep breath and let it out heavily. "In truth, Master is not yet dead."

"What! What did you say? Elder Brother Ye, say that again!" In her surprise, Yu Ji reached out to clutch the corner of Ye Xiu's robe, shaking him insistently. "Elder Brother Ye, say it again—Father is not dead? Is this true?"

"Yes, your father Wang Long is still alive, and quite well." Ye Xiu nodded firmly. He knew this news would be good for Yu Ji, yet he was uncertain if he should reveal the full story to her.

Once the news was confirmed, the anxiety on Yu Ji's face vanished instantly. She gave a small, somewhat embarrassed smile and withdrew her hand from Ye Xiu's clothing. "That is wonderful, Elder Brother Ye! I knew Father would be fine. Where is he now? Can I see him?"

Watching Yu Ji's joy, Ye Xiu couldn't help but smile faintly. In that moment, he made a decision: he would not tell Yu Ji the truth. "Master said he intends to revitalize the Ghost Valley Sect, and he has gone to some remote mountain to continue studying the profound arts of the Ghost Valley."

"Heh, I truly have no way with him." Yu Ji pursed her lips in a slight smile, her inner sorrow easing considerably.

"Right, you came to see General Xiang, didn't you? His tent is up ahead." Ye Xiu pointed out the direction. In truth, Ye Xiu missed Yu Ji quite a bit, but because of Wang Long, and because of his own circumstances, he still could not face her as he once did. Now, he just wished to leave her presence swiftly.

Yu Ji was also perceptive and had long seen through Ye Xiu's thoughts. "Elder Brother Ye, you have been fighting alongside General Xiang these days; has everything been well?"

"Heh, look at me, not missing an arm or a leg, eating well and sleeping soundly." Ye Xiu habitually spread his arms and bounced slightly, unrestrained.

"Hee hee." Yu Ji hadn't seen anyone act so endearing in front of her for a long time, so she couldn't help but cover her mouth with her sleeve and laugh continuously.

Ye Xiu felt a flush of embarrassment and scratched the back of his head, trying to find a topic of conversation but coming up blank. "Right, what do you think of the moon tonight? Is it beautiful?"

"This moon..." Yu Ji looked up, then shook her head. "The moon tonight is not full, how can it be called beautiful? It reminds me of that one night..."

"That one night?" Yu Ji mentioned it casually, never expecting to stir up Ye Xiu's memories. That night dated back several years, anchored forever in the pavilion of Yunmeng Mountain's Ghost Valley. That night, he had sung a song specifically for Wan'er, a song titled 'The Moon Represents My Heart.'

Yu Ji seemed to recall something too, but the more she remembered, the heavier her expression grew, for the concern Ye Xiu had shown and the pain Chen Jing had inflicted were intertwined experiences.