Chapter 1173: A Perfectly Fine Person, How Could She Just...

Thinking back on the past inevitably brought its share of regrets.

In truth, Ruyi felt she had no real need to make this trip. She was old now.

She was no longer Ruyi the Spear Immortal who had once flaunted her martial might across the jianghu.

Her age was catching up to her; even wielding her spear felt a bit strenuous. That sense of her strength failing her will was what finally drove the realization home: she truly was old.

Looking at the wrinkles reflected on the surface of the lake, her face weathered by wind and time, she found the reality both visceral and incredibly hard to believe.

It seemed she had never once considered the reality of her own aging.

She drifted in and out of a daze.

Time spared no one. Perhaps that was why she felt so restless, inexplicably traveling all the way to Shangjing just to chase down the regrets of her youth.

Fortunately, she was never alone on the road. In the past, she had Lihua, and now she had that silly girl, Blockhead Dong. Having someone by her side made everything better.

The journey stretched over a thousand li and took another two or three months.

Returning to Shangjing City, she found the same bustling prosperity as before.

Over the past few centuries, the city had experienced only brief moments of chaos. Once the turmoil passed, it always quickly recovered its splendor, as expected of a city under the protection of imperial power.

After arriving in Shangjing City, Ruyi took Dong Chiyu to a certain residence.

Yan Nantian had gifted her this estate years ago. It wasn't particularly large or imposing, mostly because she hadn't actually wanted anything from him back then. Yan Nantian had simply insisted on setting it aside for her, saying she might need a place to stay whenever she came to Shangjing.

Now, it came in handy.

The estate was regularly maintained by an old steward who used to be a palace eunuch from the previous dynasty. Ruyi could easily guess that the man was likely one of Yan Nantian's planted agents in the court who had since retired to this idle post.

The eunuch had a sharp eye. The moment he opened the doors and saw his visitors, he recognized her instantly.

He immediately dropped to his knees. "This servant greets the commandery princess!"

Both Ruyi and Dong Chiyu were somewhat surprised. It was their first time visiting the estate, yet this eunuch recognized her right away.

Hearing his voice, Lihua said, "Eh, you're a eunuch!"

The eunuch looked up and smiled, completely unfazed by the talking cat. "To answer the immortal feline, this servant indeed hails from the palace. His Majesty granted me a sinecure, permitting me to live outside."

"Get up," Ruyi said. "Speaking of which, what is your name, and how did you recognize me at a glance?"

"The commandery princess may simply call me Xiao Suizi, with the 'sui' from a head of grain," the eunuch answered. "His Majesty assigned me to act as the steward of this estate. Years ago, I caught a glimpse of the commandery princess from within a crowd. Your heroic bearing was something this servant could never forget."

It was a very pleasing answer, striking exactly the right chord with Ruyi.

Ruyi laughed. "As expected of someone out of the palace, you certainly have a way with words."

Xiao Suizi smiled. "This servant speaks only from the bottom of his heart."

"Please, come inside, commandery princess. Everything in the estate is spotless; there is no need for any further tidying."

Led by Xiao Suizi, the group stepped into the estate.

The residence really wasn't very large. It was only half the size of a typical official's mansion, but even that was quite impressive.

"Stop calling yourself a servant," Ruyi said as they walked. "Since Yan Nantian let you leave the palace, I imagine you are no longer of servant status. What is your name now?"

Xiao Suizi replied respectfully, "To answer the commandery princess, this servant was fortunate enough to be bestowed a name by Her Majesty the Empress. She granted me the characters 'Suihe.' My original surname is Bai, so I am called Bai Suihe."

"Bai Suihe... a century of peace... Suihe..."

Ruyi nodded slightly. "It's a good name. From now on, you need not refer to yourself as a servant anymore. Yan Nantian gave me this estate, and you are its steward. Steward Bai, you may address me as..."

She paused for a moment. "Address me as Master."

Steward Bai blanked for a second before catching on, nodding with a smile. "Yes, Master."

Steward Bai was the only person in the estate. Mainly because Ruyi had never lived there, there weren't any other servants.

He suggested buying a few servants, but Ruyi refused, saying she wouldn't be staying for long, making extra hands unnecessary.

Additionally, she had Steward Bai look into Xiao Nianyi to see where she was living now. It had been a long time since they last met, and Ruyi missed her.

Steward Bai was someone from the palace to begin with. For a palace eunuch to be able to leave meant his status was completely different; for people like them, this was tantamount to a heavenly reward.

Because of this, Steward Bai also had a wide network of connections throughout Shangjing City.

He asked around in the morning and found her by the afternoon.

Ever since Tong Nianyi arrived in Shangjing City, she had been staying at the Minister's Residence.

Following his older sister's instructions, Tang Shijing took special care of Tong Nianyi. With his status, no one dared to bully her either.

Upon finding this out, Steward Bai reported back to Ruyi. "Master, the young lady has been found, but it will be difficult to simply invite her over. I'm afraid you will have to make the trip personally."

"Where is she?"

"At the Minister's Residence. The estate of Lord Tang, the Minister of Revenue."

Ruyi paused in surprise before falling into thought. "Tang Shijing?"

Steward Bai nodded. "Precisely."

Ruyi waved a hand. "Forget it, then. I'll make the trip myself later."

"Then should I inform Lord Tang that you have arrived in Shangjing, Master?" Steward Bai asked.

"No need. It's too much of a hassle."

"Understood."

Seeing that Xiao Nianyi had someone to rely on, Ruyi was no longer in such a rush. She decided to go see a few old friends first instead.

Back in those years, she had quite liked seeking leisure in the brothels. She stopped going after being lectured by Uncle Chen, but she had still befriended a few sisters there during that time.

Upon arriving at the establishment, Ruyi stepped through the doors.

The madam didn't recognize her. After so many years, the people had been completely replaced.

"Oh my, dear guest, are you..."

Seeing the madam's odd expression, Ruyi cut to the chase. "I'm looking for someone. Is Sister Chunxiu still here?"

The madam stared blankly for a moment. "Do you mean Madam Chun?"

Ruyi nodded. "Back then, this entire establishment was hers."

The madam gaped at her, somewhat puzzled. "You didn't know? Madam Chunxiu has been gone since the year before last..."

"Gone? Where to? She..."

Ruyi blanked for a moment and turned to look. The madam's expression turned somber as she nodded. "Madam Chunxiu passed away from an illness. There was no cure."

"I see..."

Ruyi's heart skipped a beat. For a long while, she couldn't process the words.

She looked at the madam, wanting to say something, but the words caught in her throat, refusing to come out.

In a daze, Ruyi stumbled back out the doors.

Looking back at the building, a deep sense of bewilderment washed over her.

How was it that, in just the blink of an eye...

It felt like barely any time had passed at all, yet she was already gone...

A perfectly fine person... how could she just be gone?