After Zhang Feihu left, Meng Qianqian sat on the steps for a long time, watching as the golden morning light illuminated every leaf on the begonia tree.
Meanwhile, Zhang Feihu, after departing, also gazed at the gradually brightening sky for a long time.
His mind kept replaying Meng Qianqian's words:
"Just because the court decides the narrative, does that make it true?"
"Xiaojiu, what is it that you want to do?"
"The truth, justice!"
"Even if I have to cut open every charred and rotting corpse, I will uncover the truth of that year."
The truth.
Xiaojiu, do you know what the truth sometimes entails?
The truth wrested from peril, from fire and blade—can you really withstand it?
...
The Old Madam slept until she naturally woke up, opening her eyes to the sound of Meng Qianqian practicing archery in the courtyard. She was overjoyed.
Zhao Si came to escort her back to the Lu Family.
