When they arrived at Maozhu County, autumn was already in full swing.
Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning rested at an inn for the night. The next day, they sent their two guards to purchase some gifts, and all four of them headed to Cui Shan's theater troupe.
Liu Ming'an still remembered his old friend. When they parted in Qushui City last year, he had promised to visit when he had the chance. Now that they were passing through, how could he not stop by?
They found their way to the residence following their memory. Before they even got close, they could hear Cui Shan's powerful voice berating someone from afar.
"What kind of singing is that? Huh? What are you singing? And your hand position—what's that about? Is this how your master taught you? If you want to make a living here, do it properly. I don't keep people without talent..."
Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised. Last year during their journey together, Cui Shan had been a gentle old man. They hadn't expected him to be so imposing when training his students.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ning said, "Well, in opera, one minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage. You have to live up to the audience's expectations and maintain your reputation. The fundamentals must be solid."
"True, strict teachers produce outstanding students," Liu Ming'an agreed, then stepped forward to knock on the door.
The scolding inside ceased at the sound. After a moment, they heard footsteps approaching.
The door was opened by Little Li, who handled errands for the troupe—the same one who had guided them to find Old Yang the blind man last year.
"Young Master Liu? Miss Jiang?" Little Li was quite surprised to see them.
Cui Shan glanced toward the door and hurried over: "What are you shouting about? This is Princess Hening and the Prince Consort!" He was about to kneel, lifting his robe.
The people behind him, who had been going about their business, rushed to the door when they heard this, also preparing to kneel in greeting.
Liu Ming'an quickly caught hold of Cui Shan, keeping him firmly in place: "Uncle Cui, there's no need for that. Don't stand on ceremony—I'm just here to visit you..."
Jiang Ning also quickly spoke up: "Please, no need to kneel!"
Seeing their reaction, Cui Shan realized they were still the same as before, so he didn't insist. Following Liu Ming'an's lead, he stood up and turned to Little Li: "What are you standing there for? Quickly go make tea for the Princess and Prince Consort."
Little Li darted off to the kitchen. Liu Ming'an walked into the courtyard with Cui Shan, smiling: "Uncle Cui, please don't keep calling us Princess and Prince Consort. Just call me Ming'an like before."
"Hahaha... you kid!" Cui Shan didn't stand on ceremony anymore, patting Liu Ming'an's shoulder with a hearty laugh. "You became the top scholar and Prince Consort, yet you're still as modest as ever, without any airs!"
Jiang Ning directed Qi Feng and Chen Hao to set down the items they were carrying on the table: "Uncle Cui, these are some things we bought for your troupe, just a small token."
"Ah, young Miss Jiang is still so thoughtful with proper etiquette!" Cui Shan completely set aside the barriers of status and began chatting with the two young people, his heart filled with joy at reuniting with old friends.
Seeing how approachable these two distinguished guests were, the other troupe members also relaxed. After all, they had spent half a month together before, so they were old acquaintances. Without waiting for Cui Shan's instructions, they had already started bringing out snacks and fruits to serve their guests.
"Would you two stay for a meal? I can go prepare some dishes?" the martial female role actor of the troupe suggested with a smile.
Jiang Ning nodded in thanks, then heard Cui Shan say with some emotion: "Ah, I knew you would return to Lingshan Town in glory, but I didn't expect you'd remember this old man and come specially to see me!"
"Uncle Cui, you took such good care of us on the way to Qushui City last year. I won't forget that kindness," Liu Ming'an said sincerely as he poured tea for him.
"What kindness? It was nothing," Cui Shan waved his hand dismissively.
Liu Ming'an smiled, and Cui Shan continued: "Your timing is quite good. If you had come a few days later, we would have been on our way to Qushui City."
"Don't worry, Uncle Cui. I remembered when you usually go to Qushui City each year, so we made sure to come before then."
"Hahaha... I see, Ming'an, how thoughtful of you!"
The two continued their conversation, with Jiang Ning occasionally joining in, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
After everyone had enjoyed a lively meal together, when it was time to say goodbye, Cui Shan walked Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning to the door.
"Ming'an, when I heard you became the top scholar and Prince Consort, I was so happy—as happy as if my own son had achieved such success!"
Cui Shan had had some wine during the meal, so his speech was a bit loose, but his words came straight from the heart.
"I know that after this journey, you'll probably settle down peacefully in the capital. There are many noble people in the capital, and I'm just a theater troupe manager who doesn't understand all the twists and turns of those wealthy households. I just hope you and Miss Jiang can live peacefully and safely."
Liu Ming'an nodded: "Uncle Cui, though we'll be far apart, please take care of yourself!"
"Of course! Don't worry!" Cui Shan patted Liu Ming'an's shoulder once more before returning to the courtyard.
Afterward, their carriage continued southwest, briefly stopping at Wine Selling Town where they rested at an inn for one night before continuing their journey the next day. Traveling at a steady pace, they finally reached Lingshan Town in early November.
When the stone marker bearing the words "Lingshan Town" appeared before them, growing closer, Jiang Ning suddenly felt a wanderer's homecoming emotion in her heart.
Even she couldn't explain clearly where this feeling came from. After all, she had only stayed in this place for just over two months, had lived in the capital much longer, and had no one here she particularly missed. Yet this small town gave her a sense of familiarity.
Later, when Jiang Ning thought about it carefully, perhaps it was because Lingshan Town was the first place she had stayed after coming to this world, like the first sky a newborn bird sees when it opens its eyes—profoundly meaningful.
It was here that she became Jiang Ning, met Liu Ming'an, and transformed from a mere killing blade into a person.
Lingshan Town was the birthplace of "Jiang Ning" as an identity.
"Ning, remember we still have a home here?" Liu Ming'an looked at the streets that remained exactly as he remembered them, feeling quite emotional about this place where he had lived for nineteen years.
"Of course I remember. It cost thirty taels of silver back then—enough to buy ten of me."
Liu Ming'an immediately poked her cheek with a laugh: "Don't make such comparisons. You're priceless."
The carriage dropped them off at their courtyard house on North Street, then Qi Feng and Chen Hao drove off to find an inn to stay at.
"Why is there so much dust here?" Jiang Ning asked in confusion after getting off the carriage.
Liu Ming'an was also puzzled. This alley should have had few visitors, and even after being untended for over a year, there should only be fallen leaves, not dust. Moreover, there were small wooden sticks stuck all along the wall crevices.
"Well, I'll sweep it up with a broom later," Liu Ming'an said, deciding not to dwell on it.
When they had left, Liu Ming'an had wrapped the key in oiled paper and hidden it in a brick crevice outside the main door. He reached over to feel for it—it was still there, though it proved useless as the lock had rusted and would need to be broken.
Since it was his own door he was breaking, Liu Ming'an felt no guilt. However, after just a few loud bangs, a male voice called out impatiently behind them: "What are you two doing? Trying to steal something in broad daylight?"
They turned around in surprise to find a familiar face.
"Brother Fang Cheng?"
It was the clerk from the Hundred Knowledges Tower who had taken them from Lingshan Town to Wine Selling Town.
Fang Cheng's jaw dropped when he recognized them: "Young Master Liu?"
He immediately slapped his forehead: "Ah! No, Top Scholar! No, wait—Prince Consort!"
As Fang Cheng belatedly tried to kneel in greeting, Liu Ming'an quickly stopped him: "Brother, there's no need for ceremony. We're here quietly, please don't spread the word."
Fang Cheng looked at Liu Ming'an, then at Jiang Ning, and nodded.
Having met a familiar face, Liu Ming'an was in no hurry to enter anymore. He pointed at the courtyard Fang Cheng had come from: "Is that your home? What a coincidence that it's right next to our courtyard—quite close to the Hundred Knowledges Tower."
Fang Cheng grinned: "Prince Consort, I just bought this courtyard this June. I don't work at the Hundred Knowledges Tower anymore."
"Oh? Then how do you make a living now?" Liu Ming'an asked casually.
"I actually have to thank the Princess for her guidance," Fang Cheng bowed to Jiang Ning. "Remember when we were traveling to Wine Selling Town? I offered you all some braised beef that my wife made. Princess, you mentioned it was delicious and suggested that we could consider selling it at a stall. That's what got me thinking."
Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, recalling that moment. Though she had only made the comment in passing, it was Fang Cheng's own merit that he had managed to turn it into a successful business.
"Later, when my wife became pregnant, I could only spend seven or eight days at home each month while working at the Hundred Knowledges Tower. I didn't want to continue that way, so I tried my hand at selling beef. To my surprise, it worked really well. I earned much more than I did as a waiter, so we moved from the village to the town."
As he spoke, Fang Cheng bowed again to Jiang Ning with gratitude.
"You don't need to thank me. This is all due to your own capabilities," Jiang Ning said coolly, then looked at the ash-covered ground and asked, "Brother Fang Cheng, do you know why there's so much ash outside our courtyard?"
"Oh, Princess, you might not be aware, but ever since the Prince Consort became the top scholar in the imperial examinations and married you, the news spread to Lingshan Town. Those scholars now look up to the Prince Consort as their role model, and your courtyard has practically become their temple of learning. All this ash is from the incense they burn when they come to pay their respects."
Liu Ming'an was speechless, finally understanding what those small wooden sticks in the wall cracks were.
Jiang Ning was also rendered silent by this news. She never imagined that one day her home would become something akin to a "historic site" for admirers.
