After finishing eating, the two of them walked in the Peach Grove.

The Tabby Cat followed behind them, sometimes looking at the peaches on the trees, and sometimes trying to listen in on Chen Changsheng and that girl talking.

“Changsheng…”

“Huh?”

“When did we meet?”

Miss Aqing looked at Chen Changsheng. She seemed a bit unable to remember clearly.

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, “I arrived in Qingshan City in the eleventh year of Xinglong. That’s when I met Miss Aqing.”

Miss Aqing calculated and said, “Counting the years you were away, it’s been twenty years.”

After hearing this, Chen Changsheng paused for a moment. Unexpectedly, he felt the time had flown by like a blink, but it also seemed like not much had changed.

“It’s been so long.” Miss Aqing kicked a stone on the ground and said, “Back then, I couldn’t even reach your shoulder. Later when we saw each other again, I was only half a head shorter. After that, I stopped growing. Now I’m over thirty and look much plainer, but you, Changsheng, haven’t changed at all.”

Chen Changsheng said, “If it bothers you to look at, I could use magic to make myself look older.”

“That wouldn’t work,” Miss Aqing said. “Older people don’t look handsome anymore. If you stay the same forever, I can remember you always. What if I don’t recognize you the next time we meet?”

“Alright then.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Miss Aqing chattered on and on.

It was just like the Tabby Cat’s muttering. She talked about the past, things that happened over the last ten-plus years, and things that stayed the same or were different now compared to before.

There was always endless talk to share.

The Peach Grove was so big that walking around it once took a very, very long time.

Over the years, Miss Aqing often tried to recall what Chen Changsheng looked like in her memory. Now seeing him unchanged, it gave her a strange sense of comfort.

It was a very special feeling.

At least, that’s what Miss Aqing thought.

The Tabby Cat following behind found it odd. In its heart, it thought, ‘Good Human Chen isn’t usually this talkative.’

It didn’t feel like asking. It thought the peaches still looked prettiest; when it left soon, it better take two big ones away.

Chen Changsheng suddenly asked, “By the way, Miss Aqing, do you know how Ping An and Ruyi are doing?”

“The two of them.”

Miss Aqing responded and said, “When they were little, they were very naughty. As they grew up, they changed. You didn’t see, right after you left, Ping An went to school. Somehow he got picked on. After that, he went home, grabbed a Wooden Sword, and went to find the person. He almost beat them up badly. Back then, Sanniang needed money to pay them off; she came to me to borrow some, and that settled it.”

“He beat them really badly?”

“The person Ping An hit got their palm pierced by the sword. The healers in Qingshan City couldn’t fix it. Luckily, I learned some medical skills back then, or it would have ended up at the government office.”

Miss Aqing said, “Afterwards, there wasn’t much trouble. Ping An probably just couldn’t hold back his strength the first time. I guess no one at school dared to mess with him then.”

“By the way, should Ping An be about to have his coming-of-age ceremony?” Chen Changsheng asked.

“Next year.”

Miss Aqing said, “But you probably won’t see Ping An this time. He took exams at fourteen; he ranked first in all three levels: county, province, and academy. Later, Master Shen recommended him to go study in Shangjing. It’s been years since he came back.”

“Really, he got top in all three?” “Ping An had that talent at fourteen, and with martial arts to back him up, he’s sure to do well ahead.”

Chen Changsheng said, “Ping An really makes an effort. What about Ruyi?”

Miss Aqing nodded, then said, “Ruyi’s doing alright too. She joined the Embroidery Workshop at twelve. The Proprietor liked her, so starting at fifteen, she took charge of all the big and small things in the workshop. She kept it running neatly, so her life is pretty good now.”

She smiled and said, “That young lady can be fierce when she’s angry; the girls in the Embroidery Workshop all fear her.”

Chen Changsheng heard this and couldn’t help but laugh. He said, “Yes, that’s really Ruyi’s way.”

Back in the day, Ping An was scared of her too.

Chen Changsheng asked, “Counting back, I left when Ruyi was nine. Now she should be twenty-one, right? She must be way past the marrying age by now.”

“This girl sets her sights high. She said she wants someone better than Ping An.”

Miss Aqing shook her head helplessly and said, “Top in three levels? Where can one find such a person? In the last several decades, Qingshan City only had Ping An do that. Chances are, she just doesn’t want to marry at all.”

“That fits her nature.”

“Why else would she be named Ruyi? She always has to have her way.”

Miss Aqing said, “Also, another thing happened before. It caused a fuss for ages. Ping An and Ruyi even moved to my place out of anger and stayed a few days.”

Chen Changsheng asked, “Did Sanniang find someone new?”

Miss Aqing nodded and said, “Yes, I’ve met the person. He’s just an ordinary, decent man. His first partner passed away during the wars long ago, and his elders died too, leaving him alone. He helped Sanniang a lot back then. Later when things got better, Sanniang slowly accepted him.”

“Only Ping An and Ruyi weren’t happy.”

Miss Aqing laughed and said, “At that time, they even compared you to that man, saying he fell short here and there. It really made me chuckle.”

“Those two kids,” Chen Changsheng smiled weakly. Really out of line.

Miss Aqing said, “But eventually they came around.”

“That man treated Ping An and Ruyi well. He was even better to Sanniang. Seeing things over time, slowly they stopped resisting so much.”

Miss Aqing sighed and said, “Ping An and Ruyi are grown now. Ruyi’s busy with embroidery workshop work and often doesn’t come home for days. Ping An went off to Shangjing. After all, Sanniang needs someone by her side. Back in their childhood days, Sanniang went through so much hardship for Ping An and Ruyi.”

“It’s all been pushed through by now,” Chen Changsheng said.

“Mm-hmm.”

Miss Aqing kept walking forward. Without realizing it, they had circled the whole Peach Grove.

The two reached the front of the house again.

Knowing she had no good reason to make Chen Changsheng stay longer, Miss Aqing said, “I’ll give you some wine to take and drink.”

“Thank you, Miss Aqing.”

Miss Aqing brought out the wine. She remembered when they first met, Dad gave Changsheng peach blossom wine. Later every time Chen Changsheng visited, she let him take some away.

Chen Changsheng held the wine and then said, “When I find the time, I will come back to eat peaches.”

Miss Aqing smiled and said, “It’s a deal.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Chen Changsheng nodded, then said goodbye. He left with the Tabby Cat, walking back toward Qingshan City.

Miss Aqing stood by the roadside watching. Like in the past, she watched as Chen Changsheng slowly walked further away.

Until the figure of the Green-Robed Gentleman vanished from view. She stayed standing there a long time.

Miss Aqing gave a sigh. She turned around and saw a Daoist Priest approaching from not far off.

Seeing her, the Daoist Priest bowed first.

The Daoist then asked right away, “Miss, might a special guest have visited this place earlier?”

“No. Priest, please sit down first.”