Chapter 2785: Returning Amidst Wind and Snow

Chapter 29: Wind and Snow Return

The young man held a piece of paper, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. It was a letter from the capital.

Although he was young, his position was high, and he needed to deal with affairs from the capital every day. The old man in the study didn’t like dealing with matters of the imperial court, so all these things fell to him.

Reading the letter, he rubbed the space between his eyebrows. For young people his age, this was something he rarely had to do, as it would leave wrinkles.

The sound of the wind and snow outside grew heavier. It seemed winter was approaching.

Putting down the letter, he took out a small bottle from his sleeve. He poured a bit of liquid into his hand and rubbed it on his face, then took a deep breath, feeling the cold air sting his lungs.

A crisp voice came from outside the room.

"Young Master?"

The young man said calmly, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and a young woman entered, holding a basin of hot water. Her face was slightly red from the cold wind, but she was very clean and tidy.

She poured the hot water into a washbasin on the table, then carefully took the used washbasin and went out.

From beginning to end, her head was slightly lowered, not daring to look at the young man.

The young man looked at his reflection in the washbasin. His face was very clean, and there was a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

His teacher always said he was very like his father, and that this was a good thing, but also not a good thing.

His father was an admirable person, but he also carried a heavy burden.

He washed his face, then wiped it with a towel. Standing by the window, he looked out at the falling snow.

The snow was getting heavier. He could see the outlines of the trees and houses in the distance, but everything was blurred by the wind and snow.

He opened the window and extended his hand, letting the snowflakes fall onto his palm. They were very cold, but they quickly melted into water.

He felt a slight chill.

Perhaps it was indeed time to go back.

The young man thought to himself.

After a moment of silence, he said to the air, "Prepare the carriage."

A figure appeared behind him.

"Young Master, is it really necessary?"

"It is necessary," the young man said. "It is time to go back."

The figure hesitated, then disappeared.

The young man stood by the window for a while longer, then closed the window. The wind and snow were relentless, and the room felt much warmer.

He walked to the desk and picked up the letter he had just read. He read it again, his expression calm.

After a long time, he finally put down the letter.

He looked at the calligraphy brush on the desk, picked it up, and dipped it in ink. He wrote two words on a blank piece of paper.

Wind and snow.

Then, he put down the brush and stood up.

He walked out of the room and into the corridor. The snow was falling outside, and the air was cold.

He walked towards the study. The old man was probably still there, buried in books.

He pushed open the door to the study.

The old man was indeed in the study, reading a book. The room was warm and quiet.

The old man looked up when he heard the door open.

"You're here," he said. "What is it?"

"Teacher," the young man said, "I want to go back to the capital."

The old man put down his book and looked at him.

"Now?" he asked.

"Yes," the young man said. "Now."

The old man was silent for a moment.

"The wind and snow are heavy," he said. "It will be a difficult journey."

"I know," the young man said.

The old man looked at him for a long time, then sighed.

"Very well," he said. "If you have decided, then go."

"Thank you, Teacher," the young man said.

"Be careful on the way," the old man said.

"I will," the young man said.

He bowed to the old man, then turned and left the study.

Outside, the snow was still falling heavily. The carriage was already waiting.

He got into the carriage. The carriage driver was a middle-aged man with a weathered face.

"To the capital," the young man said.

The carriage driver nodded and flicked the reins. The carriage started to move, slowly at first, then picking up speed.

The young man looked out of the window. The world outside was a blur of white.

He was going back to the capital.

Back to that place filled with power struggles and complicated relationships.

He felt a sense of weariness, but also a sense of determination.

He had to go back.

Because that was his responsibility.

The carriage moved through the wind and snow, leaving behind the quiet study and the old man who had taught him everything he knew.

The journey was long and arduous. The wind howled, and the snow continued to fall.

But the young man remained calm and determined.

He knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face it.

He was going back to the capital.

And he was going to do what he had to do.