Peace Order

"Osmanthus sugar—honeyed strips of osmanthus sugar—"

"Poria Cake sun-dried and steam-baked thrice, beneath a gauze-covered basket—"

On the streets of Guan Yi City, people came and went, bustling and lively as ever.

After Xue Shuangtao left the Xue Mansion, she finally stopped after a long while, feeling a slight stifling in her heart. Despite the splendid spring scenery before her and the lively crowd brimming with joy, she felt a sense of melancholia.

She understood more clearly what Li Guanyi had said.

Many things are beyond good and evil, they inherently exist.

The little schemes turning over in the minds of the Xue Family, even though Xue Shuangtao had suspected them beforehand, when they truly emerged on this day, she was still greatly shocked.

Some things feel entirely different when anticipated and when they actually occur.

Even though she made a decision, it left her with an indescribable vexation.

"Truly, it leaves one feeling stifled..."

She lifted her gaze, watching the common folk around her engaged in their lives, each with their own business.

Today, Guan Yi City, still basking in springtime, was made even livelier by the ceremonial customs for Emperor Qin’s betrothal, with people’s faces alight with joy, the topic at hand being the imperial marriage.

Yet Xue Shuangtao felt a sense of detachment.

As if what people discussed had nothing to do with her.

After today’s events, she saw things more clearly.

Yes, what the people yearn and hope for is the marriage between the founding emperor of the Great Qin and the eldest lady of the Xue Family, with hundreds of years in Guan Yi City—a significant event, beyond that, it’s an aspiration—

Such a grand affair can serve as a symbol.

A symbol marking the end of past chaos.

A symbol heralding the beginning of a new Golden Age, akin to fireworks on a festive occasion, bearing similar significance.

The opening of a new era.

With the marriage of the Emperor and Empress, comes joy for the entire realm.

Such a marriage isn’t merely about the two individuals, nor just about their families, but about the entire realm—a responsibility.

"A responsibility?"

Xue Shuangtao placed her hands behind her back, her slender fingers lightly tapping her spine.

Peace in the world, the union of Emperor and Empress.

It’s the duty of the Long Wind Tower Master and the Great Qin Emperor.

To convey a sense of "stability" to the world, in these times, maintaining public sentiment in this manner is indeed a crucial government affair.

The Long Wind Tower Master understands the significance of such matters rationally, yet there’s still a sense of loss in her heart, something long hoped for turned into a routine duty, but even so, does that mean there’s no desire for it to happen?

With today’s commotion by the Xue Family added to it all.

All these things piled in her heart, truly causing a sense of vexation.

So she strolled idly, avoiding the bustling crowds, wandering aimlessly, and gradually, the voices around her grew quieter. Xue Shuangtao enjoyed this solitude until suddenly, hearing laughter, her steps paused slightly.

Looking up, she saw a tall tree, its trunk straight and sturdy, leaves rustling in the wind.

A few children were playing around the tree, and a particularly mischievous little girl had climbed up this rather tall tree, loudly bragging to her playmates below.

The faces of the playmates below showed either fear or admiration.

Telling the child to come down.

Xue Shuangtao stood not far off watching the scene, suddenly filled with nostalgia.

In her youth, Li Guanyi and she would run off, she too wanted to do the things a Xue Family’s eldest lady shouldn’t or couldn’t do. She attempted to climb a tree, but because of a smooth thin layer of rain that day, she slipped, and though she landed, she twisted her ankle.

In the end, it was that fellow who carried her back to the Xue Mansion.

The expressions on her grandfather and brother’s faces that day, Xue Shuangtao still remembered vividly, and now recalling it brought a faint smile.

"Ah, careful!!!"

A sudden cry was heard.

It was the little girl who had climbed the tree earlier, stepping on air, causing panic among her friends below. The child’s face went pale as she began to fall. Initially climbing up was fueled by children’s bravery, heedless of the consequences, but climbing down was different.

Seeing the high ground below, her vision swayed with fear.

Soon as she stepped on air, her limbs turned limp and weak, losing strength.

She fell downward.

Her playmates instinctively surged forward, but too late. Just when she thought she’d fall miserably, suddenly she felt a gentle breeze brush by.

Then gentle hands caught her.

The downward momentum abruptly ceased.

Opening her eyes, she saw a very beautiful elder sister supporting her, gliding like a bamboo leaf in the air, landing gracefully. The child hadn’t quite reacted when Xue Shuangtao released her, smiling: "Are you alright?"

Only then did the little girl come to her senses, "No, no!"

Then her eyes sparkled brightly, saying:

"Big sister, are you an immortal?!"

Xue Shuangtao said, "Just a little Martial practice, that’s all. But, don’t do such dangerous things again in the future. It was lucky I was here today, otherwise if you fell hard, you might injure your bones."

Her tone became stern.

The little girl’s face showed great embarrassment.

The other playmates also obediently admitted their fault, prompting Xue Shuangtao to soften her expression, saying, "Alright then, just remember not to do such things next time. Go on home, your families might be worried."