81: Chapter 81 The Finale

When Chen Xuan carried three jars of wine into the manor, the sun was already setting in the west.

He set the wine down in the corner of the courtyard, loosened his collar with a casual motion, and let out a sigh.

Having just returned from the imperial palace, his feet felt like they were treading on cotton—not from exhaustion, but from the relief in his heart.

He knew what he had said, and he understood that once those words were out, they could not be taken back.

But so what? For the first time in the twenty-two years he, Chen Xuan, had lived, he felt his spine standing truly straight.

He was just about to go inside to wash his face when he suddenly heard a soft sound outside the door.

He looked up and saw four figures standing shoulder-to-shoulder outside the threshold.

Leng Shuang was dressed in white, standing with her hands tucked into her sleeves. Her gaze fell on his face; she didn't speak, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Zhao Hongling stood beside her with one hand on her hip, her eyes bright as if lit by fire: "Did you really turn down the Empress's marriage proposal?"

Dugu Xue smoothed her sleeves, smiling faintly: "The news spread quickly; I heard about it the moment I reached the city gate."

Liu Ruyan did not speak; she merely stepped forward gently, folded up the paper umbrella in her hand, and revealed a gentle, graceful face: "We came to see if you were still alive."

Chen Xuan grinned and raised a hand to scratch the back of his head: "What, would you only be happy if I were dead?"

"If you had really entered the palace, I would have been the first to burn incense and pray," Zhao Hongling huffed, stepping inside with her boots thumping against the floor. "With all those rules and etiquette to face every day, I'd like to see how you'd manage to hop around!"

Leng Shuang followed her in, her footsteps as light as falling snow.

She walked to the stone table in the courtyard, her fingertips lightly brushing the dust off the surface, and said softly: "If you entered the palace, you would no longer be a person of the Jianghu."

"The Jianghu?" Chen Xuan pulled up a stool, sat down, and crossed his legs. "Ever since the day I underwent Transmigration, I never had any intention of becoming a big shot."

"When I saved you, I didn't know you were an expert; when I helped Hongling, I didn't know her father was a high official; sparring with Lady Xue was purely because it was enjoyable; and listening to Ruyan dance... sigh, that music was truly beautiful."

He paused, smiled, and spread his hands: "If I were the type to bow to power, I would have knelt down eight hundred years ago."

Liu Ruyan lowered her head and smiled to herself, then turned to the stove to boil water for tea.

Zhao Hongling plopped down on the seat opposite him, tilting her head to stare at him: "So what do you plan to do now? Do you think the Empress will let you off that easily?"

"She won't," Dugu Xue said, sitting down slowly. "But she won't force you either. She only let you go because she holds you in high regard."

Chen Xuan nodded, saying nothing more.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, save for the wind passing through the copper bells under the eaves, creating a soft, tinkling sound.

The setting sun shone on the stone table, casting the shadows of the five people, stretching them out long.

Leng Shuang suddenly spoke: "You rejected her because of us?"

The question was asked softly, yet it felt like a stone thrown into water. The other three looked at him in unison.

Chen Xuan rubbed his chin and smiled: "To tell you the truth—at the very beginning, I really didn't think that much. I just didn't want to be arranged, and I didn't want my whole life to be decided by an imperial decree. But later..."

He looked up, glancing at each of them: "I thought of you."

He pointed to Zhao Hongling: "You smashed my teapot and called me a lazy bones, but every time I was injured, you were more anxious than anyone else."

He looked at Leng Shuang: "You are a woman of few words, but when you suffered from Qi Deviation during your training at night, it was I who carried you back. You refuse to admit it, but I know."

He turned to Dugu Xue: "You fought me three times in the snows of the Northern Territory, and in the last match, you collapsed onto my shoulder. You claimed it was 'just sparring,' but in reality, you were sweating from the pain."

Finally, he looked at Liu Ruyan: "The night you finished dancing, you cried for half the night backstage. You thought no one knew, but I heard you."

The four of them didn't move, just listening quietly.

"I am no Saint," Chen Xuan's voice lowered. "I am afraid of trouble too, and I'm afraid of not being able to bear the responsibility. But all of you have wormed your way into my heart; how could I possibly hide from that?"

He grinned, "I, Chen Xuan, can do without official rank, money, or fame, but I cannot do without the genuine sincerity you have all shown me."

Zhao Hongling's eyes grew a bit warm, and she turned her head, pretending to cough. Leng Shuang lowered her gaze, her fingers gently pinching her palm. Dugu Xue picked up an empty teacup, slowly turning the rim. Liu Ruyan stood with her back to them, adding water to the pot, her hand steady without a tremor.

"So?" Zhao Hongling suddenly turned back. "Are you saying you want all four of us?"

"What a thing to say." Chen Xuan rolled his eyes. "I'm not running a shop hiring staff. Matters of the heart are about heart-to-heart connections. Whether you are willing to be with me is not for me to decide; but whether I am willing to fail you is something I must be clear about myself."

Leng Shuang looked up at him, her voice very soft: "So, are you clear now?"

Chen Xuan stood up, walked to the middle of the courtyard, and looked up at the sky. Twilight was closing in, and the first star had just appeared.

"I used to think I was just a slacker, and after Transmigration, I only wanted to drift through life," he said slowly. "But now, I dare not be lazy. Each of you deserves to be treated well. I don't want to use 'fate' as an excuse anymore, nor do I want to play dumb."

He turned around, his gaze calm: "I have decided—to walk this path properly, without fleeing, without failing you, and without wavering."

The four women were all silent.

After a long while, Zhao Hongling stood up, kicked over the small stool, rushed in front of him, and slapped his shoulder: "You should have done this long ago! What are you waiting for? Tomorrow, I will have my father cancel that marriage proposal; whoever wants to marry can go ahead!"

Leng Shuang rose and walked to his side. She didn't speak, merely gently gripping one of his hands. Her hand was cool, but her grip was tight.

Dugu Xue stood up and smiled slightly: "The winds and snow are fierce in the Northern Territory, but there is always a place to take shelter from the cold. If you ever wish to go, come find me anytime."

Liu Ruyan walked over carrying the teapot, filled his bowl with tea, and said softly: "In the future, if you are tired, remember to come back and listen to my music."

Chen Xuan looked at them, suddenly feeling a warmth in his chest and a lump in his throat. He grinned and wiped his face: "Alright, alright, you all make it sound like I'm about to head to the execution ground."

The sky had turned completely dark.

The four of them left one by one. Leng Shuang looked back as she departed, her figure disappearing into the night. Zhao Hongling hummed a little tune, stepping out with a light gait. Dugu Xue rode away on horseback, the sound of hooves fading into the distance. Liu Ruyan left in a carriage; before the curtain was lowered, she nodded gently toward him.

Chen Xuan stood alone in the courtyard, the wind blowing his robes until they rustled. He looked down at his hands, then looked up at the sky.

The Milky Way filled the sky, and the moonlight was like water.

He turned back to the room, his footsteps steady, his gaze firm. He pushed open the door, lit the oil lamp, sat at the table, and reached out to rub his chin, remaining still for a long time.

Outside the window, a leaf fell silently, landing on the roof tiles with a faint sound...