The legitimate daughter was reborn, and the emperor’s little Jiaojiao went crazy.

Chapter 1113 Extra: Song Shenzhi and Nanyan (3)

Missing someone is a silent, pervasive disease.

It is not like the severe pain of a sword or knife, but just like the moisture in a cold night, which slowly penetrates the skin and soaks into the bone marrow.

During the day, Song Shenzhi might be able to suppress his surging thoughts with the help of a book or a game of chess.

But every time when it was late at night and everything was silent, that familiar figure, that clear voice, and those smiling eyes would surge in like a tide, completely drowning him.

As his injury had not yet healed, Song Shenzhi went to see Lord Qiu to ask for permission to return to service.

He didn't want to recuperate anymore. Maybe staying busy could help him get rid of those delusions.

Lord Qiu looked at Song Shenzhi meaningfully, and slowly pulled out a document with a large cinnabar seal from his desk. "You risked your life to save me, your loyalty and bravery are commendable. I have reported the facts to the emperor."

He opened the document, his expression solemn, and announced in a deep voice, "I have received the Imperial Decree: Song Shenzhi's righteousness and courage are commendable, and he is granted special mercy! His entire family's past crimes must be pardoned, his criminal record removed, his status restored to civilian status, and he will be allowed to become a good person. You shall respect this."

After the announcement, he handed the document forward and said, "This is the pardon certificate with the seal of the Ministry of Justice. Please accept it."

Song Shenzhi took the document and fell to the ground stiffly.

After a long moment, he finally uttered a choked sob that sounded like both laughter and tears, and slammed his forehead heavily on the cold blue bricks. "I...I am a sinner...Thank...Thank you, sir, for your grace! Thank you, the court, for your grace!"

The word "common people" carried a strange, otherworldly air. It meant that he could marry on his own, take the imperial examinations, and his descendants would not be of low status.

The Song family regained their light.

Qiu Zhiyan lowered his eyes as he looked at the figure lying on the ground. His voice was inarticulate, "The pardon has been issued. You are now innocent. Are you willing to serve as my advisor?"

Song Shenzhi pressed his forehead against the cold blue bricks, his back was stiff, and he even held his breath.

After a few breaths, he finally managed a hoarse but remarkably clear response from his throat, each word sounding as if ripped from his heart, "Your Excellency's grace in giving me a new life will be forever unforgettable to me!"

He kowtowed heavily, his shoulders trembling slightly. "Not to mention Master, even if it means holding the whip and stirrup for you, I am willing to serve you for life, without any second thoughts."

Qiu Zhiyan smiled as he personally stepped forward to help Song Shenzhi up, saying softly, "Get up! You can take on the duties of a legal advisor. The clerks will take care of the daily paperwork."

He pulled out a private seal from his sleeve and handed it over, speaking earnestly, "The quiet room in the back garden of the government office has been tidied up, with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone provided. You can study at any time. I'm waiting for you to pass the imperial examination and serve with me in the court to support the country!"

Another month passed, and Song Shenzhi returned home from the government office.

During this month, he and the Song family acted as usual, and did not go around spreading the news that they had been acquitted.

But on this day, Song Shenzhi heard that Nan Yan would return from Liang State, so he waited at the door of the inn.

When dusk fell, the geese still hadn't returned. When the moon rose above the willows, the geese still hadn't returned.

Song Shenzhi was not in a hurry. He lifted his robe and sat down on the cold steps, like a third stone lion standing silently in the dark night.

He thought a lot and questioned his inner self.

When he was down and out, he admired Miss Nan Yan. Was it a love from the bottom of his heart?

Or is it a drowning person who has no choice but to grab the driftwood within reach in desperation, mistaking gratitude for love?

Or was it because she had once, without reservation, entered his desolate heart, and planted a vine called "Southern Goose" on the ruins. From then on, it took deep root, entwined itself with his bones, and no longer tolerated other flowers and plants?

A deeper, colder thought quietly emerged: If he could one day pass the imperial examination, revive the family and restore the former glory and prestige of the Song family...

By then, would Song Shenzhi, blinded by power and prosperity, develop other delusions that even he couldn't imagine at the moment?

Would he betray such a good girl like Nan Yan?

Song Shenzhi thought about it for a long time, thought about a lot, and even deduced various possibilities.

Until a dusty carriage rolled across the silent cobblestone road and stopped in front of the inn.

The car curtain opened, and Nan Yan stepped out of the car, covered in the cool night dew.

The moment she looked up, she saw the figure standing quietly on the steps. The moonlight was like water, outlining his thin and tall outline.

She was slightly startled, paused, and a hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in her eyes.

On the contrary, Song Shenzhi took a step forward calmly the moment their eyes met.

The moonlight fell on him, washing away the fatigue from the day's paperwork, leaving only the elegant demeanor unique to scholars.

There was a gentle smile on the corner of his lips, and his voice was low and clear, "Miss Nanyan, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Wait for me?" Nan Yan's voice trembled with uncertainty, and her fingers tightened the laces of her cloak.

Song Shenzhi took another step forward and bowed to her solemnly, "I just came here specifically to ask you, young lady..." Suddenly he got stuck.

You can't just ask, "Can I teach you calligraphy every day?" So you change the question and say, "I'm hungry..."

Nan Yan was stunned and blinked. Looking at his slightly embarrassed expression, she couldn't help but smile from the bottom of her heart. "Then, come with me and I'll make you a bowl of noodles?"

The smile on Song Shenzhi's face stretched in the night, "Okay."

Nan Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing, turned around and led him to the kitchen of the inn.

Soon, two bowls of steaming green onion noodles were placed on the small table.

A bowl piled high with distinct noodles and a golden poached egg perched atop. Green chopped green onions dotted the bowl, creating a fragrant aroma. It was for Song Shenzhi.

The other bowl was smaller and was eaten by Nan Yan herself.

Song Shenzhi sat upright at the table, holding the chopsticks slowly and steadily.

He ate very quietly, chewing his food slowly and carefully, without any slurping or chewing sounds, only the occasional clink of the bowl and chopsticks.

It is a kind of elegance engraved in the bones, and even in such a simple meal, it reveals good upbringing.

He ate very seriously, scooping up even the last bit of soup with a spoon to ensure nothing was wasted.

Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, he took out a plain cotton handkerchief and carefully wiped the corners of his mouth, his movements gentle and thoughtful.

The candlelight illuminated his slender fingers. His fingernails might still bear traces of ink from his daily routine, but the crevices between his nails were spotless, without a trace of dirt.

Song Shenzhi was a man who paid meticulous attention to even the smallest details. Therefore, every word he spoke was gentle and, in the quiet night, seemed especially sincere and reliable. "Miss Nanyan, I'd like to plant a peony in the courtyard. Is that okay?"

"Ah?" Nan Yan put down her chopsticks and wiped the corner of her mouth carefully.

Song Shenzhi looked deeply into her eyes, a faint but gentle smile on his lips, his voice deeper, "All I ask is to watch the peonies in the courtyard bloom and fade with you year after year."

A blush crept onto Nanyan's cheeks, like a newly blossomed peony stained with morning dew. She lowered her eyes, her voice soft as a sigh, yet tinged with an unconcealable sweetness, "Then wait until you've actually planted the peonies before we talk."