Chapter Sixty: This Time Next Year

Her eyes were deep and bright, her lips a rosy red. Xiao Yan’s gaze was dark and intense; though he didn’t know what she intended, he responded, “Yes, Miss.”

The winter days darkened early, and everywhere in the Duke Protector’s mansion red lanterns cast their soft, glowing light. When Shen Nanyuan arrived at the Old Madam’s courtyard, she saw that everyone else had already gathered.

Shen Jinyu immediately came over, smiling cheerfully, “Sister, hurry, I saved you some pastries.”

Madam Meng glanced away discreetly, her heart somewhat displeased. Her son was becoming ever closer to those she disliked, yet she could say nothing. Her heart felt as though gnawed by countless ants, unbearably uncomfortable. All she could do was maintain a smiling face and accompany them quietly. Here, she never had a turn to speak.

The Old Madam looked lovingly at her three grandchildren and beckoned them to sit. Shen Sinian leaned toward Shen Nanyuan, smiling, “Later tonight, there will be fireworks at the capital’s city gate. From the Duke Protector’s mansion, we’ll have the perfect view. Don’t forget to come outside and watch. Last year, I remember you fell asleep and missed them.”

Shen Nanyuan had heard from Jin Zhu that every year at this time, the capital set off fireworks—to drive away mountain spirits and plague, and to celebrate the arrival of the new year. That was why she had asked Xiao Yan to wait for her, wanting to watch the fireworks and keep vigil together.

It was the New Year, so the atmosphere during the evening meal was warm and joyful. After dinner, Shen Nanyuan stayed by the Old Madam’s side with Shen Sinian and Shen Jinyu, chatting and amusing her until she was delighted. Later, Shen Nanyuan returned to Shaohua Courtyard with Qing Ruo.

After her bath, Shen Nanyuan sent Qing Ruo off to rest. She listened carefully for silence outside, then quietly wrapped herself in a cloak, gently opened the door, and slipped away to the side room.

As expected, Xiao Yan was waiting for her, not yet asleep. The room was lit with candles. Before Shen Nanyuan could knock, he seemed to hear her footsteps and came out, his expression softened by the candlelight. “Miss.”

Shen Nanyuan handed him a sleeve warmer. “Come with me.”

She had already scouted out the route in Shaohua Courtyard, avoiding the servants and moving to the shadowed side of her room. “Let’s go up to the roof. Remember the ladder we used last time to climb over the wall? You’re nimble—move it over quickly while no one’s around.”

From the entire Duke Protector’s mansion, their vantage point would be the clearest.

And it was late now; most servants had already retired, so it was the perfect time to bring the ladder over.

Xiao Yan nodded at her words and obediently went to fetch it.

The roof was much colder than below. Shen Nanyuan climbed up cautiously, with Xiao Yan anxiously watching and reminding her, “Be careful.”

Seated steadily atop the roof, Shen Nanyuan relaxed. She lifted her eyes, and the view before her was the distant, lantern-lit capital, festooned with lights, prosperous and dazzling.

Xiao Yan followed, sitting beside her. His gaze traced hers, and his eyes gradually reflected the lantern-lit scene. “I’ve never looked at the capital like this before.”

Indeed, only from a height could one see so far. He’d never had the opportunity, nor the mood, to appreciate such things. Now, even his state of mind seemed transformed.

Xiao Yan turned his head, his gaze resting on Shen Nanyuan’s delicate face. The emotions in his heart seemed magnified tonight; he gripped the sleeve warmer a little tighter.

Shen Nanyuan asked, “Are you cold?”

The unexpected question made Xiao Yan pause in surprise. He shook his head with a soft, amused smile. “I’m not cold. Is Miss cold?”

“No, I just worried you weren’t dressed warmly enough.” She turned her head, and he could see the curve of her lips. “If you’re not cold, that’s good. Let’s keep vigil together and wait for the fireworks.”

Shen Nanyuan had deliberately chosen the thickest cloak to wear and given Xiao Yan a sleeve warmer; she had another in her hand, so she was not cold. She chatted with Xiao Yan, her words light and easy.

“Uncle Li made several dishes tonight.”

“Many—I didn’t count them all.”

“He made dumplings too, right? Before I went to Grandmother’s, I saw him busy in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there and didn’t get to eat them.”

Xiao Yan paused at her words. “If Miss wants, tomorrow I’ll ask Uncle Li to make them again.”

“If he does tomorrow,” Shen Nanyuan mused for a moment, then smiled, “I can help. Actually, my dumplings look very pretty!”

Before she came into this story, during New Year’s at home, it was always she who wrapped the dumplings, and even her mother praised her skill.

So, Shen Nanyuan was quite confident in this regard.

Xiao Yan looked at her, his brows and eyes softened with warmth. “Then tomorrow, I’ll surely have to see.”

Her clear and melodious voice sounded by his ear, and Xiao Yan smiled gently, looking into the distance at the capital, his gaze suddenly a little hazy.

He remembered the past.

In all those days, year after year, he never knew when the end would come, never knew if someday he would die here, never knew when such days would cease. For him, the New Year was merely a brief respite, nothing special.

All the years he spent in the Duke Protector’s mansion, he’d never seen fireworks, never eaten dumplings, never had anyone sit and talk with him like this. Since meeting her, everything seemed to have changed—as if in a dream.

It was so beautiful he often feared the dream might end.

Tonight, the moonlight was bright, casting silvery-grey threads over everything.

Her gentle voice came beside him. “Xiao Yan.”

He turned toward the sound, and in his sight, her brows arched gracefully, as if all the world’s loveliest things resided in her eyes. Xiao Yan even had the illusion that she saw only him, and he stared at her, momentarily lost.

“This time next year, we won’t know where life will take us,” Shen Nanyuan spoke with heartfelt sincerity, “but no matter what, we’re happy now, aren’t we?”

Next year, according to the plot of the original story, he should have returned to the palace. From this time onward, the Duke Protector’s mansion would, over the next two years, slowly descend into ruin.

So, she hoped that when he returned to the palace, he would remember tonight, and spare the Duke Protector’s mansion.

Xiao Yan could vaguely sense the unease in her eyes, though he did not know the reason. It was not the first time he had seen such uncertainty from her.

He met Shen Nanyuan’s gaze, his voice deep. “Next year at this time, will Miss keep vigil and watch the fireworks with me again?”

Perhaps his eyes were too bright. Shen Nanyuan lowered hers, avoiding his gaze, thought for a moment, then nodded. “I will.”