It snowed all day again in Jiangling County. The heavy snowfall quickly covered up the tracks left by people coming and going, leaving only a vast, clean white field of snow.
Before night fully fell, the sky still held the last trace of daylight. The sixteen lotus-shaped lanterns in front of the vermilion gate hadn't yet been lit.
A snow-white carriage slowly approached from the snowy distance. The heavy snow blurred its outline, but the deep tracks left by the wheels were clearly visible on the ground.
As the carriage drew closer to the vermilion gate, it stopped in front of it. Up close, the carriage appeared even more luxurious.
Its sides were wrapped in silk, and the windows were covered with thin snow gauze. Looking closely, one could see another layer of snow-white curtains made from some kind of animal fur hanging inside the carriage, thick enough to block out the biting cold wind.
The outside was decorated in silver and gauze floated lightly. Even the two horses pulling the carriage were snow-colored, specially chosen to match the carriage.
Before the carriage had fully stopped, a pair of bells hanging from the front canopy swayed and let out a soft, echoing chime.
"Master, we've arrived."
After the carriage came to a halt, the servant moved a small ladder into place and waited nearby, rubbing his hands together.
"The snow is really heavy today."
"Is that so?" A cold voice like jade, distant like mountain winds, came from within the carriage.
A slender, pale hand reached out from behind the fur curtain at the door.
As the curtain was lifted slowly by that hand, the person inside was finally revealed.
Their features were finely carved, with deep, striking outlines. Eyes like dark jade or deep pools, with a calm and noble appearance. They wore a robe of snowy white silk, richly embroidered, making them seem almost like a celestial being, out of reach.
Young Master Alion looked up at the sky, watching the last bit of light vanish. Only then did the night fully descend.
He said, "Compared to last night's snowfall, this one seems weaker."
Just after stepping out of the carriage, the vermilion gate opened. The heavy wooden door let out a deep creaking sound.
Elder Lin walked out holding a red lantern. He looked up and saw Young Master Alion approaching, and quickly stepped forward.
He asked, "Master, why have you returned so early today?"
Young Master Alion stopped in front of him and said, "The pharmacy had nothing to do."
Noticing the lantern in Elder Lin's hand, he added, "It's cold. No need to light the lamps today."
After speaking, he headed toward the main gate.
The lotus lanterns were usually lit for when the master returned late. Since Young Master Alion had come back early today, there was no need to light them.
Elder Lin followed behind him with the lantern. After several turns, they arrived at Luoxue Residence.
They stepped into the courtyard and turned left toward the study. The main house stood directly ahead.
Once inside, Young Master Alion took off his thick cloak.
Elder Lin received it and hung it on the rack beside them. Then he turned back and shut the door.
Outside, the wind and snow had settled. The two of them remained in the study, quietly discussing something.
"You're saying this person left no trace at all?"
Young Master Alion sat at the desk, his expression unclear.
The study had no lamps lit. Only the window on Young Master Alion's left side was open, letting in a faint glow reflected from the snow in the courtyard. The light outlined one side of his face, revealing sharp features, while the other side remained hidden in the dark, making his expression appear even colder and more distant.
Elder Lin, no longer his usual kindly self, looked serious and said, "Master, although Zinara's identity is still unclear, based on his behavior and character, I don't believe he has ill intentions."
Young Master Alion replied, "Zinara. That's a nice name." It sounded like he was appreciating the name itself.
Elder Lin lowered his voice respectfully and asked cautiously, "Master, what do you intend to do with him?" Then added, "Perhaps it would be better to send him away, to avoid any trouble."
Young Master Alion's dark eyes moved slightly and looked over. He said, "You're speaking for him?"
Though it sounded like a question, it was more of a statement.
His slender fingers tapped on the desk again and again. The quiet study made the sound especially clear.
Elder Lin stayed silent.
After a long pause,
Young Master Alion said, "Since I picked him up, I never planned to let him go."
Then he added slowly, "But I didn't plan to kill him either."
He had just arrived in Jiangling County, and someone already came knocking. Normally, someone this suspicious would have been handed straight over to his subordinates.
As for Zinara,
Young Master Alion seemed to think of something. The corner of his lips curled with a faint smile, but his fairy-like face instantly turned cold.
If he really was sent by them, that would be interesting.
Young Master Alion ordered, "If nothing can be found, then forget it."
This meant he was letting the boy go for now.
Elder Lin cupped his hands. "Young Master, you're merciful."
"It's probably that person who's generous. A boy with that kind of appearance is rare."
He recalled how that person had curled up in the candlelight last night. Held in his arms, the boy had been so small that one long sleeve could cover him entirely.
If Young Master Alion really did have that kind of preference, he might have been utterly bewitched already.
But no matter how delicate the boy looked, he was still just a man. In these times, women were seen as precious, and with looks like that, if he were a girl, no one would willingly give him up.
Hearing who Young Master Alion was referring to, Elder Lin already guessed who he meant.
He sighed and said, "After all, she's still your mother. If she wanted to hide someone's whereabouts, it wouldn't be hard for her. But why send over someone so weak he can't even lift a finger?"
And the boy was unusually small too.
Elder Lin couldn't figure it out. Young Master Alion had never liked interacting with women, because of the madam. He always believed women were heartless and unfaithful. But after all these years, he'd never shown any interest in men either.
Young Master Alion chuckled lightly. "You know the letter she sent a few days ago." His tone was casual, as if bringing it up without much thought.
Elder Lin didn't dare read the letter without permission, but he could guess what it said. He looked at Young Master Alion with the eyes of an elder and sighed. The young master had already reached twenty, yet still wasn't engaged. He wondered what kind of heavenly beauty it would take to catch his eye.
It wasn't just the madam who was worried. He himself was even more anxious. Every time he thought of how Young Master Alion was already twenty and still unmarried, more of his hair turned white.
"You should read those letters."
Elder Lin looked away. He knew Young Master Alion had come to Jiangling County because the madam kept sending letters urging him to marry.
Young Master Alion continued, "I didn't want her to arrange things for me, so I wrote a letter saying," he paused before saying, "I like men."
L l like men
Elder Lin nearly choked on his breath.
Young Master Alion didn't seem to care and said, "It was just an excuse. But then a few days later, a pretty boy shows up at my door. Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"
Elder Lin calmed himself and offered, "Since you don't want to let him go, I'll have someone watch him. He won't be able to get close to you."
No wonder that kid asked about the young master's looks as soon as he arrived. So he had come prepared.
Even if Young Master Alion couldn't get married, Elder Lin wouldn't let someone sneak in under his nose and take advantage of him.