Once upon a time, Chen Ji thought that every step of the four thousand-mile journey was meaningless.

So, he returned the six golden melon seeds to Bai Li, returned the silver and title to the court, and returned the red cloth strips with 'year after year, age after age' written on them to the wind, but he forgot to return himself to himself.

But what he experienced in the past year was not meaningless, was it?

Chen Ji looked at the Sun, Moon, and Stars Flag fluttering in the wind, as the marriage procession slowly set off. For the first time in centuries, the Imperial Capital witnessed a groom and bride riding a horse together for their wedding, the groom without a big red flower on his chest, and the bride without a red veil on her head.

It was also the first time that the Imperial Escort attended a wedding for a bastard.

Suddenly, the strands of hair at the nape of Zhang Xia's neck drifted to his nose. He rubbed his nose and smiled, answering Zhang Xia, "Yes."

The procession left Fuyou Street, then onto Chang'an Street, and the number of people on both sides of the road grew, until it was crowded.

Everyone stood atop the accumulated snow in the heavy snowfall, silently watching the white pheasant tails on the Yulin Army, perfectly aligned. The young couple within the Yulin Army's protection were especially well-matched.

If someone were to write all this into a story, it might become famous in the Imperial Capital, and then spread to the north and south of the Yangtze River.

In the crowd, someone watched the majestic Yulin Army retreat into the distance, muttering softly, "A bastard stripped of his title, a notorious member of the Eunuch Party, why do they have so many people helping them?"

In the corner, a voice laughed and said, "Indeed, don't you find it strange? A bastard stripped of his title, how could Mr. Wang help arrange the marriage, how could the Yulin Army help clear the way, how could there be thirty-six bridal gifts sent? Why do so many people help?"

The onlookers turned to see a young Taoist with a messy topknot, sitting crookedly on a big Qing Niu, holding a Wordless Heavenly Scripture in hand, and smiling, "Because when he was in Luocheng City, he dared to go alone to calm the riot of refugees, because in Guyuan he fought bravely... Forget it, it's not clear to explain to ignorant people like you. Once I finish this new story in the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, the truth will naturally come out."

A woman recognized him: "You... you are Daoist Master Zhang Li from Huangshan, the one who wrote the Four Dreams of Bianliang!"

Zhang Li smiled and gestured at her through the air with his fingers: "Sharp eyes."

The woman pursued further, "Is Daoist Master Zhang Li writing a new storybook? Will the new storybook still include the story of Li Changge?"

Zhang Li shook his head: "Not writing it anymore, this time it's a new story, a very long one."

The woman asked again, "What's the new storybook called?"

"Qing..." Zhang Li pondered for a while, and then chuckled: "Haven't thought of it yet, let me think a bit more."

With that, he patted the neck of the big Qing Niu: "Let's go."

Someone by the roadside asked curiously, "Daoist Master, where are you going?"

Zhang Li laughed heartily: "Of course, I'm going to Chen Ji's wedding banquet. I've heard the spread at Bianyifang Restaurant is exquisite, and their cellar-stored Stone Frozen Spring is extraordinary. Usually, it's too expensive to go on my own, but today someone is treating, so I definitely have to join in the fun."

A man muttered softly: "Isn't it said that those who practice Taoism shouldn't eat meat or drink wine?"

Zhang Li shook his head: "Just a half-understanding, knowing only part but not the whole. Those abstaining from meat and wine are from the Quanzhen sect. My Huangshan Dao Court traces back to the founder Zhang Daoling of the Zhengyi Sect. We can't eat oxen, dogs, snakeheads, or geese, but we can eat everything else... I'm done talking to you, I'm off to the feast!"

The big Qing Niu took a few steps, and Zhang Li turned back to tease: "Aren't you going?"

The passerby replied sullenly: "We weren't invited..."

Zhang Li laughed heartily and rode the big Qing Niu into the wind and snow. From the wind and snow came the lyrics, "Once said, the four thousand-mile road is dust and dirt, all gone down the east stream. Who would've thought, in three hundred and sixty days of blood and tears, all turned into red silk."

"Returned the golden melon seeds to Feng Yue, returned the Seal to the crown, but left oneself forgotten on the barren hill."

"Who knows, human feelings are as thin as paper, yet sometimes they cannot be broken, fate is like a chessboard, yet you make moves with causes you cannot unravel. This is called: what was lost, was returned to heaven and earth. What was gained, captured the human heart."

...

...

Inside Bianyifang Restaurant, more than ten staff were busy preparing, some wiping tables, others setting chairs, and still others serving dishes. The kitchen was bustling, with four large stoves burning simultaneously.

In front of Bianyifang Restaurant, the Yulin Army dismounted one after another, turning back to smile at Chen Ji and Zhang Xia, making both of them a bit embarrassed.

Qi Zhenzhuo suddenly teased, "It's the first time I've seen Master embarrassed."

Chen Ji shot him a glare.

Qi Zhenzhuo was unfazed: "In the past, if you glared at me like that, I would've been worried, but today I'm not afraid. A glare won't work."

The Yulin Army burst into laughter, and Duobao joined in the commotion, "My lord, how come your ears are red? Haven't you already wed at Chongli Pass?"

Chen Ji hurriedly replied: "Go inside first to get out of the wind and snow, have a drink to warm up, we'll be in shortly."

"Even the lord bows his head and gives in at times!" The Yulin Army laughed heartily, leading their horses to the stables and entering one by one.

After they went into Bianyifang, only then did Chen Ji breathe a sigh of relief.

Zhang Xia turned to him: "What are you waiting for?"

Chen Ji thought for a moment: "Waiting for Brother Pao and Er Dao, I'll only feel at ease drinking once I see they're safe and sound."

Zhang Xia nodded.

The two stood shoulder to shoulder under the eaves, the heavy snow falling before them, watching the desolate world together. Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, his right hand's fingers rubbing the seam of his clothes, then braced himself to reach out toward Zhang Xia's left hand.

But at this moment, a couple braved the snow and approached. They came before Chen Ji and handed over a red wallet, with the words "wedding gift" on it, and inside was a silver ingot.

The man explained: "We came in a hurry, it wasn't easy to find a red wallet."

Chen Ji was stunned; it was none other than Zhou Chong's parents who had arrived.

The man patted the snow off Chen Ji's shoulder: "I heard today is your wedding day, my wife and I are here to join in the festivities. We've heard about your deeds, don't mind the rumors. You brought Zhou Chong back from Anding Gate and then went to Yizong to send them off, we know who you really are."

Chen Ji looked down at the red wallet: "Thank you."

The man smiled and went into Bianyifang Restaurant, feeling momentarily lost among the full house of Yulin Army. Qi Zhenzhuo recognized the man, hurriedly stood up and greeted, "Uncle, Aunt..."

The man was silent for a moment: "Everyone is well… please sit, no need for formalities."

Next were Zhou Li's parents, Liu Ping's parents… almost half of the parents of the fallen Yulin soldiers had come upon hearing the news.

At the end of Chessboard Street, Jiao Tu and Yun Yang arrived together clad in black. Jiao Tu stood still in front of Chen Ji, looked around at Chen Ji and Zhang Xia, covered her mouth, and laughed charmingly: "I thought I had a chance, but Second Miss Zhang intercepted, even though I was the one who met Mr. Chen first."

Yun Yang, face darkened, said, "When you first met him, you were trying to kill him." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Jiao Tu rolled her eyes: "Why mention those trivial old matters? I am now Mr. Chen's most loyal subordinate!"

She took out two gold ingots from her sleeve, putting one each into Zhang Xia and Chen Ji's hands: "May you live happily together for a hundred years, I'm off to drink."

Jiao Tu lifted the cotton curtain of Bianyifang and slipped into the main hall. As the curtain fell back, Chen Ji faintly heard Jiao Tu exclaim inside: "So many heroes here, come, who wants a toast with me?"

Yun Yang suppressed his anger and said: "Sit quietly, today is Chen Ji's wedding, not yours!"

Jiao Tu asked puzzlingly: "Then do you want to drink a toast with me?"

Yun Yang said nothing more.

Jiao Tu scoffed.

Everyone arrived: Jin Zhu, Heavenly Horse, Jiao Tu, Yun Yang.

Standing before Bianyifang, Chen Ji quietly watched the snow falling. He exhaled a breath of white air, which was immediately scattered by the snow.

Zhang Xia softly asked: "What are you thinking?"

Chen Ji was silent for a long time, then turned to gaze at Zhang Xia: "I'm wondering, since so many zodiac animals have come, will Bai Long come too... do you think he will?"

The world suddenly quieted, and the snow began to fall gently.

Zhang Xia reached out from under the eaves to catch the snowflakes outside: "Who knows."

The next moment, a figure in white robes walked against the wind and snow from the end of Chessboard Street, the wide white robe fluttered diagonally. Beside him, a short small figure wearing a brand-new wooden monkey mask.

Chen Ji was stunned.

Bai Long and Treasure Monkey arrived together, Bai Long stood before Bianyifang and took a red wallet from his sleeve, handing it to Zhang Xia: "Congratulations, may you live happily together for a hundred years."

Zhang Xia smiled brightly, "Thank you, Lord Bai Long, would you like to come in for a drink?"

Bai Long turned to leave: "No, thanks. The Imperial decree of dismissal for the Yulin Army's absence from duty must be being written now. I'll stall them for you for a bit, so they don't have to leave for Guyuan before finishing their celebratory drinks."

Chen Ji watched Bai Long's departing figure and bowed: "Thank you, Lord Bai Long."

Bai Long and Treasure Monkey headed north, passing through Chengtian Gate. Chen Ji noticed Bai Long seemed to hold Treasure Monkey's hand in the snow, like holding a child's hand, and the two figures, one big and one small, became engulfed by the snowstorm.

He turned to Zhang Xia, puzzled: "Treasure Monkey…"

Zhang Xia weighed the heavy wallet in her hand and said with a smile: "Lord Bai Long's gift was quite generous."

A carriage arrived and halted in front of Bianyifang.

The carriage curtain lifted, and Brother Pao and Er Dao jumped out.

Chen Ji looked Brother Pao up and down: "Are you alright?"

Brother Pao chuckled: "The Ning Dynasty is indeed more dangerous than our homeland, but I'm fine. Good people don't live long; troublemakers last a thousand years. Today, let's not rush to talk about these, drinking is more important."

With that, Brother Pao led Er Dao into Bianyifang.

Zhang Xia peeked through the gap in the cotton curtain: "All three floors are full, let's go in too."

Chen Ji nodded, as he was about to enter, he noticed opposite Bianyifang a carriage pulled up with a burly man sitting in the driver's seat.

Mountain Bull.

The man looked at Chen Ji but didn't seem inclined to greet him.

Chen Ji nodded at him, then entered Bianyifang with Zhang Xia.

Mountain Bull leaned on the carriage, quietly asking: "Master, would you like to go in for a drink? It looks quite lively."

Inside the carriage, the Prime Minister laughed disdainfully: "Do I look like someone who would attend a wedding feast?"

Mountain Bull thought about it, grunted: "Master, I'd like a drink."

The Prime Minister laughed: "Go ahead, ask the hosts for a jug of wine."

Mountain Bull agreed, braving the snow across Chessboard Street, bent down to lift the curtain and went inside, silencing Bianyifang momentarily. Everyone watched as he walked casually to the counter, picked up a wine jar and left.

Back at the carriage, he broke the seal, tilted his head back for a big gulp, and passed the wine jar inside.

The Prime Minister was silent for a long time, eventually taking the wine jar, chuckling: "The last bit of chivalry in the world? Let's go back to the palace, His Majesty is waiting."

Mountain Bull cracked the whip, the carriage swayed through the snowstorm, heading towards the Imperial Palace Gate.