Vol. 2 - Chapter 27 - Departure

“Boom…”

A low rumble echoed across the sky.

Daming groggily opened his eyes and glanced outside the window.

The sky was still dark, and the wind howled through the courtyard.

A damp breeze swept in through the half-open window.

A flash of lightning tore through the black sky, shattering the darkness and illuminating the yard like daylight.

It was going to rain.

That thought crossed Daming’s mind as he got out of bed, closed the window, and climbed back under the covers.

He hadn’t slept long when the crow of a rooster echoed across Yuhang County.

Daming got up as usual and pushed open the window to look outside.

Dawn was just beginning to break.

A fine mist of rain drifted down from the sky. The ground of the orphanage glistened with moisture, and several shallow puddles had already formed in the sunken parts of the yard.

Rain fell into the puddles, sending ripples outward in quiet rings.

A wet breeze passed through, and Daming pulled his clothes tighter around him.

He stared out the window, a strange sense of unease stirring in his chest.

Dressed and wearing his straw hat, Daming left his room quietly and slipped out of the orphanage.

He went running outside the city every morning, rain or shine, as part of his daily routine.

It had already been two years since he’d started.

As Daming ran out of the courtyard, he had no idea that Chen Ye was standing by the window, watching his retreating figure with a thoughtful gaze.

Chen Ye summoned the system panel.

A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.

[Ding!]

[Host, your early rise in the wind and rain has allowed you to sense subtle changes in the Dao. You’ve gained insight.]

[Ding!]

[From the rain's omen, you’ve observed shifts in the fortunes of the orphanage’s residents:]

Xiaofu: Auspicious, no incidents today.

Chen Daming: Poor, caught in the net of affection, to suffer the pain of parting.

Sun Sheng: Average, drunk and asleep.

Xiao Lian: Average, weary and overworked.

Chen Ye closed the astrological fortune for the day.

He looked at the overcast sky, the swelling storm clouds, and the slanting drizzle.

Last night, after Daming returned soaked to the bone, Chen Ye had checked his recent condition.

Just as he’d suspected.

That Princess Jiangzhu had shown up again.

She’d even given Daming a tiger tooth pendant and treated him to pastries.

Chen Ye felt a headache coming on.

Among all the children in the orphanage, Daming was his favorite.

Simple and honest, quiet by nature, but with a kind and pure heart.

Chen Ye never expected greatness from him—just hoped that he’d one day marry Zhang Wan’er, rely on his strength to support a family, and live a happy, peaceful life, like still waters.

But now—so much for still waters.

A girl capable of catching Daming’s eye was certainly beautiful.

Giving him gifts, treating him to pastries, spending an entire afternoon sitting by the river…

To someone as innocent as Daming, all of it must have struck like a tidal wave.

Honestly, even Chen Ye, if he were twelve again, wouldn’t have been able to resist.

There was no need to read his fortune.

Daming had clearly fallen.

Chen Ye rubbed his temples.

He was starting to realize—none of the children in the orphanage were easy to handle.

That Princess of the Dawu… there were secrets of succession wrapped around her.

If Daming got dragged too deep…

Chen Ye’s gaze turned contemplative.

Between her and Zhang Wan’er, he still preferred Wan’er.

But the future…

…

“Huff… huff…”

Daming ran along the forest path south of the city. The gentle rain pattered on his straw hat, dripping slowly from its brim.

His yellow-brown clothes, already old, were soaked through with rain.

But Daming ran on as if he didn’t feel a thing, keeping his pace steady—four steps to an inhale, four steps to an exhale.

He ran from the southern gate of the city to the far end of the forest, and then back again.

That was his daily training.

He loved the feeling of freedom while running, and the quiet satisfaction that came with physical exhaustion.

Every time he finished, Daming would feel a genuine gratitude for all things.

It didn’t take long for him to reach the other end of the forest.

Beyond the trees, a road led south toward Shaoxing Prefecture.

Daming paused to catch his breath, then turned to run back.

But he had only taken a few steps when he saw several luxurious carriages making their way down the forest road.

Riding around them were guards mounted on tall horses.

They wore straw hats, their eyes cold and sharp, and weapons hung at their waists.

As Daming passed by, a few of the guards glanced at him.

Seeing no martial strength in him, they looked away disinterestedly.

Daming gave a sheepish grin and kept his distance.

He knew these people were rich and powerful. If he offended them, he might get cursed at—or worse.

He ran far around the convoy, only turning back once it had passed.

And then he froze.

At the tail end of the procession, there was a figure in a purple robe and a straw hat.

Something about that outfit struck Daming as familiar.

He felt like he’d seen it somewhere before.

But he couldn’t quite place it.

After a moment of puzzled thought, he shook his head and resumed his run.

Back at the orphanage, Daming helped Chen Ye and the maids cook, serve food, and wash dishes.

He did a few more chores, and soon enough, it was midday.

The sky had cleared slightly, though it still looked gloomy.

The fresh scent of post-rain earth hung in the air.

Because of the rain, Daming didn’t go out to chop firewood.

Instead, he went into the kitchen and found a strip of cured meat hanging to dry.

He picked it up, then walked into the main hall.

His voice was a little hesitant as he said, “Dad…”

“I… I have a friend…”

“She gave me something, and I want to return the favor.”

Chen Ye looked at him calmly, a faint smile on his lips. “Go ahead.”

Daming’s eyes lit up. He gave a silly grin.

“Mm!”

He nodded vigorously.

In high spirits, Daming carried the cured meat and left the orphanage.

He moved quickly, almost at a run.

The puddles that had collected on the stone-paved road splashed noisily under Daming’s feet, water spraying in all directions.

It didn’t take long before he arrived at Yudai Alley in Yuhang County.

At the entrance of the alley, Daming came to a sudden stop.

That was when it hit him—he only knew that Xiuxiu lived in Yudai Alley, but he had no idea which household she belonged to.

He stood there dazed for a moment, scratching his head, clearly at a loss.

Just then, the gates of a nearby residence creaked open, and a servant in blue stepped outside.

Daming’s eyes lit up. He hurried over.

The servant blinked in surprise as a large figure suddenly blocked his view.

Startled, he instinctively looked up and saw a broad-shouldered man towering over him.

The servant stiffened for a moment.

“Brother, do you know where Xiuxiu lives?” came a slightly slow, honest voice.

The servant looked up at Daming’s guileless face and felt his initial tension ease.

Sizing him up and noting his simple attire, the servant could tell Daming was of low status. But instead of acting haughty, the servant thought for a moment and asked kindly, “You mean Miss Zheng Xiuxiu, daughter of Governor Zheng?”

Daming blinked, scratching his head again. “I only know her name is Xiuxiu,” he said with a sheepish grin.

The servant nodded. “Then that must be her.”

“There’s only one young lady named Xiuxiu in all of Yudai Alley.”

“She must be the one you’re looking for.”

He pointed toward a grand residence at the mouth of the alley, its doors painted red with golden studs.

“That’s the Zheng residence.”

His eyes then drifted to the cured meat Daming held.

Smiling, the servant teased, “Old Madam Zheng loves doing good deeds. I bet you’re here to return a favor with that meat, huh?”

“But unfortunately, you’re too late.”

Daming’s grin faded instantly.

His voice wavered with confusion. “T-too late?”

The servant gestured toward the Zheng residence.

“This morning, the Zheng family left by carriage.”

“Governor Zheng of Jingzhou had planned to bring them home before the new year.”

“You didn’t know?”

A trace of surprise appeared on the servant’s face.

Daming stood frozen. The piece of cured meat slipped from his hand and hit the ground with a dull thud.

His expression went blank. He mumbled under his breath, “G-gone?”

Then, as if a string had been pulled in his mind, Daming suddenly remembered the purple-robed figure he saw earlier during his morning run.

That person—wasn’t he the same middle-aged man who always accompanied Xiuxiu?

As the memory came into focus, Daming’s face turned ashen.