The cicadas' incessant chirping filled the midsummer air.
Petals from the osmanthus tree in the courtyard drifted down with the breeze, while sunlight filtered through the window gauze, casting swaying shadows of branches across the room.
A young man lying on the bed furrowed his brows slightly, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the glaring light. When he opened them, his gaze met a pale blue brocade canopy, from which hung two embroidered sachets depicting bamboo forests and mountain streams.
For a moment, he seemed dazed—then abruptly sat up.
A sharp pain shot through his shoulder, making him hiss as he instinctively clutched his left side. A glance downward revealed streaks of crimson blood seeping through his white sleeping robe.
He froze.
"Third Master, you're awake?" A servant hurriedly pushed the door open.
The young man stared at the newcomer, struck by an odd sense of familiarity and strangeness.
"Third Master? Your injury hasn’t fully healed—you mustn’t move recklessly! You’ll reopen the wound," Fusheng fretted.
His expression remained stiff, lips parting slightly. "Where... is this?"
Fusheng paled in alarm. "Third Master, don’t scare me like this! How could you forget me after waking from your illness? I’m Fusheng!"
"Perhaps it’s because we’ve just returned to the capital from Youzhou, and you’re still adjusting? A month ago, the Great General led reinforcements to Cangzhou. You commanded a hundred cavalrymen to infiltrate the enemy camp, broke their defenses, and helped the Great General repel the Western Xia army, saving Cangzhou. The Emperor summoned the Great General back to the capital for rewards, so we returned yesterday."
"But you took an arrow—nearly a fatal hit—and have been unconscious for a month. Maybe you’re just disoriented from arriving in the capital."
His dark eyes flickered as fragmented memories—both familiar and foreign—flooded his mind.
Sneaking into the enemy camp at night, setting fire to their provisions, disrupting their defenses, coordinating with his father to crush the Western Xia forces that had arrogantly occupied Cangzhou.
He was He Siyu, son of the Great General who guarded the borders.
Fusheng knelt by the bed, face ashen. "Third Master, was your long coma filled with nightmares? Don’t frighten me like this!"
He Siyu mechanically lifted his hand, studying the calluses on his fingers and palms, slowly reconciling with this body.
This was his body, his life. He was the third son of the He family, with two elder brothers. A month ago, he had fought alongside his father to defeat the Western Xia army in a glorious victory!
But what of the modern world he remembered?
A dream?
No—it couldn’t be!
"Where is my wife?!" He Siyu suddenly demanded.
Fusheng gaped. "Huh?"
He Siyu grabbed his collar. "I said, where is my wife?!"
Fusheng stammered, "Third Master, you... you’re not married. How could you have a wife?"
A deafening buzz filled He Siyu’s head.
Fusheng, fearing to agitate him further, cautiously added, "Old Madam He has been discussing your marriage prospects lately. If you wish to wed, this year would be perfect to select a noble lady in Yanjing. An early marriage would ease her worries."
He Siyu’s face hardened, chest heaving.
He wasn’t married yet.
Then where was Nan Sangning? What had happened to her?!
"Is there a family named Nan in Yanjing?!" he pressed urgently.
Fusheng quickly racked his brain before shaking his head. "None that I know of. After the Great General returned victorious, officials of all ranks sent gifts. The General had them all declined but kept a record. I’ve seen the ledger at Steward Wang’s place—no one with the surname Nan."
The name was uncommon, and Fusheng, being sharp, was certain.
He Siyu’s gaze blanked for three seconds. None?
Then where was she?
"A-Yu! You’re awake?"
Hurried footsteps approached as Old Madam He entered first, supported by a noblewoman. Behind them trailed two young men and their wives.
Old Madam He rushed to the bedside. "You’ve finally woken! You nearly scared your grandmother to death!"
He Siyu’s eyes swept over their faces—all familiar.
His gaze lingered on the noblewoman beside the old madam. "Mother..."
Madam He clasped his hands tightly. "A-Yu, you remember me? When I heard you’d lost your memory, I rushed here in panic. I knew—how could you forget anything?"
His chest tightened as conflicting memories clashed in his mind.
Guo Yulan, his mother, had died in a carriage accident five years ago in that other life. Yet here, she was alive and well.
He stared at her hands gripping his, heart pounding.
Old Madam He nodded in relief. "A-Yu has always been the cleverest. He must’ve just been disoriented upon waking. Now he’s clear-headed!"
He Xingzhou and He Jinxing chimed in, "You’ve been unconscious for a month—Father, Mother, and Grandmother were beside themselves with worry. Father went to the palace early today. He’ll be overjoyed when he returns."
He Siyu’s eyes shifted stiffly to the two young women behind them—his brothers’ wives, according to his memories.
His elder brothers were already married.
Everything about the He family seemed both the same and yet... not.
"Enough, enough! You’re overwhelming A-Yu with all this chatter. He’s just woken and needs rest!" Old Madam He chided.
"We were just too happy," Madam He admitted, beaming.
She patted He Siyu’s hand. "A-Yu, focus on recovering. Now that we’re in the capital, the Emperor has assigned the royal physicians to tend to you. You’ll be well in no time."
He Siyu met her eyes, suppressing a pang of sorrow. "Yes."
"Our family’s return to the capital won’t be peaceful—gifts and invitations are pouring in. Your mother can hardly keep up," Old Madam He remarked.
He Jinxing interjected, "Isn’t the Xie Mansion hosting a banquet tomorrow?"
Madam He nodded. "Indeed. Given the Xie family’s involvement, not only will I attend, but your father will too."
He Xingzhou’s expression darkened. "How dare the Xies flaunt their wealth now? I’d wager they aided the Third Prince in embezzling military funds! When Cangzhou fell, countless innocent lives were lost!"
"The Xie family’s roots run deep. Without solid evidence, we mustn’t speak carelessly," Madam He cautioned.
"Precisely because there’s no proof, Father must engage with them. If evidence surfaces, the Xies won’t escape justice!"
He Siyu massaged his temples, indifferent to their discussion.
Then Old Madam He casually asked, "What’s the occasion for the Xie family’s banquet?"
Madam He smiled. "It’s the birthday celebration for their eldest daughter, Xie Sangning—renowned as Yanjing’s most accomplished noble lady. Proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she’s the epitome of grace and erudition."
He Siyu’s hand stilled mid-motion.
His head snapped up. "Xie Sangning?!"
