Seeing the man stepping out of the carriage, Lady Xu’s expression froze for a moment, clearly stunned.
She hadn’t expected that the man who had once made her feel inexplicably flustered with just a single glance on the mountain path would appear here. More surprisingly, this man’s attendant seemed to be quite familiar with Lanyin… Observing the man’s attire, Lady Xu’s heart stirred slightly. Without showing any reaction, she subtly glanced at the adjacent residence behind her. When her gaze fell upon the plaque with the words “Qi Residence” inscribed on it, she immediately understood who this young man dressed in the official robes of a fourth-rank officer was.
Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Qi Yubai.
She hadn’t expected to meet him here, let alone that he lived right next door to Lanyin.
Lady Xu was somewhat surprised, and her emotions felt rather complicated.
Lanyin had just finished greeting Qi Yubai. When she turned back and saw Lady Xu’s dazed expression, she lowered her voice and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She was asking Lady Xu.
Lady Xu shook her head. “…Nothing.”
It must be a coincidence, she thought.
She kept the thought to herself and said nothing more to Lanyin. Watching as the official strode indifferently towards his residence, she noticed that—aside from pausing briefly to nod when Lanyin greeted him—he showed no other reaction at all. Compared to his overly enthusiastic attendant, he was so aloof that it seemed as if he hadn’t even noticed Lanyin’s presence. Just as the rumors suggested, this Lord Qi was indifferent to both women and human relations alike, truly living up to the title of an unattainable flower on a high mountain.
Like jade upon a distant peak—admirable, revered, yet impossible to approach.
Yet, as she watched his departing figure, Lady Xu couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She didn’t know why, but every time she saw this man, despite him doing absolutely nothing, she always felt an inexplicable tension rise within her.
That innate sense of pressure was something she had never experienced, not even in the presence of Xiao Ye.
She then noticed that Lanyin’s expression also seemed slightly unusual. Assuming that she too had been overwhelmed by the man’s aura, Lady Xu was both surprised and relieved—at least she wasn’t the only one. If even the normally fearless Lanyin was affected by this man, then her own reaction was entirely reasonable.
“I’m leaving.”
She bid farewell to Lanyin and, with Lianxin’s support, stepped into the carriage. Just before departing, she lifted the curtain and deliberately cautioned Lanyin, “Be careful around the Shizi. If anything happens…”
Lady Xu suddenly paused.
She had little influence and, aside from passing along some insignificant information, truly didn’t know what else she could do. Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a glimpse of crimson robes in the distance, and she hesitated. Her heart stirred slightly, and her voice lowered.
“I heard that, although this Lord Qi appears cold, he is actually a genuine and upright official. Now that you live next door to him, if Xiao Mingchuan truly intends to harm you, you could consider seeking his help.”
Lanyin saw the concern on her face, unmasked and genuine. Pulled back from the emotions stirred by seeing Qi Yubai, she smiled and agreed.
After exchanging a few more words of farewell, she watched as the carriage departed. Just as she was about to return to her residence, her gaze landed on a red-clad figure standing in front of the Qi Residence’s entrance.
He stood beneath the eaves, his back turned to her. She didn’t know what Tianqing had said to him, but he tilted his head slightly—and looked in her direction.
The man had an upright posture, standing there like an unyielding orchid thriving in the courtyard, eternally unfaltering.
The wind lifted the hem of his robes, yet he remained as composed as ever. He was as still as the pine trees in a temple, as unwavering as the cold firs upon a high mountain.
He said nothing.
Yet, as their gazes met, as she stared into the depths of his jet-black eyes—as dark as a deep, silent abyss— for just a moment, an unfamiliar panic seized Lanyin.
For a fleeting instant, she wanted to avert her gaze.
But she held firm.
She suppressed the rapid pounding of her heart.
She lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, yet her steps carried her toward him.
Though Qi Yubai had yet to speak, she somehow felt that he had something to say to her. Thus, she kept her gaze lowered and walked all the way to him. From beginning to end, her eyes remained fixed on the cloud-and-wild-goose embroidery on his official robes, as if avoiding his eyes would ease the nervousness in her heart.
“Does Lord Qi have something to say to me?”
She asked Qi Yubai.
“Mm.”
The man’s voice remained indifferent, just like the expression he presented to others.
But only Tianqing, who knew his temperament and secrets well, was aware of how tightly he was pressing his fingers against the prayer beads in his hand. The veins on the back of his hand bulged slightly, and his long fingers, clutching the beads, were already turning red. His grip was too firm, as if, without such force, he would be unable to contain the emotions surging within him.
“Grandmother likes you very much.”
Qi Yubai lowered his gaze to look at Gu Lanyin as he spoke. As if recalling that he had come with a request, he furrowed his brows slightly and softened his tone a little. He was never one to speak quickly, nor was he one for unnecessary words, but at this moment, facing Lanyin, he did his best to make his voice sound a little less distant.
“If Miss Gu has the time, would it be too much trouble for you to visit the residence more often and accompany my grandmother?”
So it was about this.
Lanyin silently let out a breath of relief.
Even if Qi Yubai hadn’t mentioned it today, she had already intended to do so. Recalling last night, when Ting Yun had returned with news, describing his interactions with Qi Yubai’s grandmother, she thought of the contrast between his demeanor in public and in private. For some reason, that thought put her more at ease. The corners of her lips lifted slightly—not a bright smile, but a quiet and serene one that was uniquely hers.
She kept her head lowered and gently agreed.
Qi Yubai was already a head taller than her, and now, standing two steps above on the long staircase, when he looked down, his eyes immediately fell upon the stretch of her fair and delicate neck, exposed due to her bowed head.
Like the finest silk, it stirred an impulse to reach out and touch…
Qi Yubai’s fingers pressed down harder, forcefully restraining his movement. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly in silent restraint. When he finally spoke, he realized that his voice had grown unexpectedly hoarse.
Hoarse, and somewhat amused.
Years of self-discipline had never erased his desires. The appearance of restraint and asceticism he usually maintained was only because the person who stirred him was not standing before him.
Qi Yubai wondered—if they continued like this, seeing each other day after day, could he truly wait until the moon came running to him?
He feared that before that day arrived, he would have already frightened her away.
Yet, as he looked at the woman before him, her head bowed in quiet compliance, a certain suppressed mischievousness flickered in his heart.
He… wanted to bully her a little.
If Lanyin or Ting Yun were to raise their heads at this moment, they would surely notice the faint upward curve of his lips.
But neither master nor servant lifted their gaze.
As for the Qi family servants, they all stood behind Qi Yubai and naturally could not witness this scene.
“Thank you.”
Qi Yubai lowered his thin eyelids, suppressing the dark thoughts that had begun to surface within him. He forced them back down into the depths of his heart.
By the time anyone looked at him again, he had already resumed his usual cold and detached demeanor. With a simple word of thanks, he intended to turn and leave.
But before he could take a step, a voice called from behind him.
“My lord, please wait.”
Qi Yubai halted his steps, seemingly surprised that Lanyin had called out to him. He turned slightly, his gaze landing on her, while his fingertips remained pressed against the prayer beads, his thumb silently tracing over their smooth surface. He did not speak, waiting for Lanyin to say what she wished to say.
Since she had already called out to him, Lanyin lifted her previously lowered eyes. Meeting his gaze once again, she found that—perhaps due to their earlier conversation—the nervousness she once felt toward him, born from guilt, had lessened somewhat.
“May I ask what Lord Qi likes?” she asked.
She saw a fleeting moment of daze in the man’s expression, his fingers even pausing in their movement over the prayer beads. Only then did Lanyin belatedly realize that her words were rather ambiguous. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, and she dared not meet his eyes again, lowering her gaze as she hurriedly explained, “Madam Qi has invited me to dine at the residence, and I have little to offer in return. The only thing of note is that a few of the chefs in my household are quite skilled.”
“My lord’s official duties are taxing. If you do not mind, I can take charge of your evening meals in the future. This way… I can feel more at ease.”
Perhaps due to nervousness, she had unconsciously quickened her speech. By the time she finished speaking, she was slightly out of breath, still not daring to meet Qi Yubai’s gaze. She didn’t know what he would think, but in her heart, she hoped he would accept. That way, she could at least alleviate some of the guilt she felt toward him.
But then she thought—given Qi Yubai’s temperament, he would likely refuse.
That thought dampened her spirits.
If he truly refused, she would have to think of another way.
But what could she possibly offer him? In terms of status, he was a powerful figure in the court, a trusted confidant of the emperor, while she was merely a woman who had just gone through a divorce and had nothing to her name. Even though her father was the Marquis of Changxin, his influence did not reach far enough, and she could not rely on the Gu family’s position.
Could she give him money like in her previous life?
But giving him money for no reason… Qi Yubai would probably think she had gone mad.
As Lanyin pondered how else she could make amends, she suddenly heard Qi Yubai’s response.
“In that case, I shall trouble Miss Gu.”
He agreed.
This was beyond her expectations.
Stunned, she abruptly lifted her head, her wide apricot eyes locking onto his deep and serene phoenix eyes once more. This time, perhaps because of her sheer surprise, she didn’t look away.
Lanyin met his gaze, with people both before and behind them.
The wind tousled the strands of hair on her forehead, yet she failed to notice the fleeting tenderness hidden deep within Qi Yubai’s eyes as he looked at her.
She simply listened as he listed a few of his favored dishes, ones that were suitable for evening meals.
As soon as he started speaking, she memorized them—she had always had an excellent memory, and hearing them once was enough. Yet Qi Yubai only named a few, barely enough to count on one hand, before stopping. When she waited for him to continue and he did not, she couldn’t help but ask, “That’s all?”
“Mm.”
Seeing him nod in acknowledgment, Lanyin frowned slightly. That was too little.
“Does my lord have any dietary restrictions?” she thought for a moment before asking.
Qi Yubai looked at her and replied, “I eat everything. I have no restrictions.”
Lanyin had never encountered someone so indifferent about food before. Even she had certain dislikes—preferences that hadn’t changed despite experiencing two lifetimes. But thinking about Qi Yubai’s past, she realized that, compared to what she had endured in her previous life, he had likely suffered even more.
That thought softened her heart.
She didn’t ask further, simply nodding in response. “I understand.”
She planned to return and have someone take note of his preferences before instructing the kitchen. Just as she was about to bid him farewell, she heard him say, “Meals are served at the residence daily at the fourth quarter of the You Hour (6:45 PM – 7:00 PM).”
The phrase “at the residence” caught her off guard for a moment, and she didn’t immediately react.
When she came back to her senses, she looked at the man before her, his expression as calm and detached as ever. The words at the tip of her tongue remained unspoken. She simply nodded and replied, “Alright, I will come on time.”
Qi Yubai understood her nature and knew what she currently thought of him. Seeing her agreement, he said no more. With a slight nod, he turned and walked toward the residence under her gaze.
Lanyin watched his departing figure and visibly let out a breath of relief.
Ting Yun, noticing her reaction, couldn’t help but find it amusing. As they walked back, she lowered her voice in jest, “I never thought even Master would be like others, a little afraid of Lord Qi. But to be fair, Lord Qi’s presence is truly formidable. It’s rare to see such a young official exude such an aura—he almost seems like…” She paused, searching for the right words. After a moment, she continued, “someone who has been maneuvering through the imperial court for decades.”
Lanyin didn’t dwell on the comment.
Seeing that Ting Yun assumed she was afraid of Qi Yubai, she didn’t bother explaining. Instead, she instructed, “Inform the kitchen of Lord Qi’s preferences. From now on, send his meal over at the designated time.” Then, she added, “Avoid foods that are too hard or difficult to digest at night.”
Ting Yun acknowledged the instructions.
Upon their return home, Lanyin recalled what Lady Xu had said earlier. After steadying her thoughts, she summoned Dan Xi.
Hong Xing answered with a quick acknowledgment and left. Not long after, just as Ting Yun and the others had finished lighting the lamps in the room, Dan Xi arrived. After paying his respects, he heard Lanyin ask, “Has the deed to this residence been registered with the Ministry of Revenue?”
Dan Xi looked hesitant. “There are too many people at the Ministry. I’ve been queuing for days and still haven’t gotten a turn. I planned to go early tomorrow morning to wait.”
It had always been this way.
With connections, everything was easy. Without status, even the simplest matters became difficult.
Lanyin didn’t seem upset and merely instructed, “While you’re there, also inquire about the status of my divorce. If it’s already processed, collect the official receipt.”
“Yes.”
With no further instructions, she dismissed him.
Ting Yun remained by her side. As she poured tea for Lanyin, she softly remarked, “From what I gather, Concubine Xu suspects the Shizi has no real intention of divorcing you. I fear your trip to the Ministry may be in vain.”
“The documents are all in order. Even if he wants to delay, there’s only so much he can do.”
Still, Lanyin found it laughable.
In her past life, he had thrown her out with a dismissal letter, unwilling to listen to any explanation. Now, he was hesitating to let her go.
What was the point?
She didn’t dwell on the matter further. Taking a sip of tea, she remembered her promise to Qi Yubai and asked Ting Yun, “What time is it?”
Ting Yun understood her intent and glanced at the nearby clock. “Two quarters before the fourth quarter of the You Hour.”
There was still time.
Lanyin sighed in relief. She went inside to change into a fresh set of clothes, then had someone prepare some fruit before heading to the Qi residence with Shi Yu.
It seemed Madam Qi had already given instructions, for Lanyin encountered no obstacles along the way. No one even requested an announcement; upon seeing her arrival, the servants simply smiled and led her inside.
As they neared Songzhi Courtyard, Lanyin suddenly heard a greeting ahead—“Young Master.”
The Qi family consisted only of a grandmother and grandson, so naturally, the title referred to Qi Yubai.
Though she had anticipated that dining at the Qi residence would mean frequent encounters with him—and they had only just met earlier—Lanyin still couldn’t help but feel a trace of unease.
Just then, she saw him approaching from the covered walkway not far ahead.
His usual crimson official robes had been exchanged for a simple gray daoist robe. Every time she had seen him before, he had been dressed in his formal attire, appearing disciplined and unattainable. But now, in such plain clothing, he looked far more relaxed. The hair that was usually hidden beneath his black gauze official’s hat had been let down and secured with nothing but a simple wooden hairpin.
She had never seen Qi Yubai like this before.
For a moment, Lanyin didn’t know why, but she found herself momentarily dazed. It wasn’t until those pitch-black phoenix eyes landed on her that she suddenly snapped back to reality.
“…My lord.” She lowered her gaze and greeted him.
“Mm.”
Qi Yubai remained as distant and impersonal as ever, treating her no differently just because she was now a guest in his home.
In fact, the moment he acknowledged her with a simple hum, he withdrew his gaze and prepared to continue forward.
Lanyin watched his retreating figure, but rather than feeling slighted, she actually felt relieved. Just as she was about to follow the servant leading her, someone behind her suddenly called out—
“Sun An, someone outside is looking for you!”
Sun An was the young servant who had been guiding her.
He seemed surprised and turned back, likely realizing it was someone from his family looking for him. A trace of worry appeared on his face.
“Go ahead.”
How could Lanyin not notice the anxiety between his brows? Smiling, she reassured him, “It’s not much further, I can find my way myself.”
“How can that be?” Sun An frowned. “It’s still quite a distance. What if you get lost?” As his gaze swept across the courtyard, he suddenly brightened upon spotting his young master nearby. “Wait here a moment!” With that, he quickly ran toward Qi Yubai.
Lanyin didn’t even have time to stop him—she could only watch helplessly as Sun An rushed up to Qi Yubai’s side.
Seeing the man pause mid-step and turn to look in her direction, how could Lanyin not guess what Sun An had just said?
Her temple throbbed slightly, filled with silent exasperation. And sure enough, the next moment, Sun An came trotting back with a wide grin.
“Miss Gu, you should go with our young master.”
Lanyin felt a headache coming on.
But he had meant well—how could she blame him? If there was anyone to blame, it was herself for harboring unnecessary anxieties instead of treating this matter with indifference.
She sighed lightly in her heart but kept her expression neutral. With a quiet “Alright”, she followed Sun An’s gaze and walked toward Qi Yubai, who was waiting under the covered walkway.
He was waiting for her, yet he was not looking at her.
Lanyin carried her slightly fast-beating heart with her as she approached. When she was just a few steps behind him, she stopped and lowered her gaze to the gray robe he was wearing. She hesitated briefly before softly calling out—
“My lord.”
“Mm.”
Qi Yubai did not turn around, nor did he look at her. He simply said in his usual indifferent tone, “Let’s go.”
With that, he started walking.
Oddly enough, Lanyin, who had been feeling tense just moments ago, suddenly felt a sense of relief.
She followed him forward, recalling how, in the past, when she had gone out with Xiao Ye, his strides were always large enough that she had to take nearly two steps for every one of his. She had mentally prepared herself for something similar now—afraid she would be left behind—but to her surprise, Qi Yubai’s pace was slow, steady.
From the moment they started walking to the moment they arrived at Songzhi Courtyard, the distance between them remained exactly the same.
Lanyin wasn’t sure whether this was simply Qi Yubai’s natural pace or whether he was deliberately accommodating her… But regardless of the reason, she felt grateful.
Upon entering the courtyard, they received bows from the maids before stepping inside.
Inside, Madam Qi was speaking, her tone slightly impatient—
“Why aren’t they here yet? Go tell someone to hurry them along.”
Just as she finished speaking, Madam Wei, the old stewardess by her side, chuckled and said something in response.
Following her words, Madam Qi instinctively turned her head—
And in that instant, she saw the two figures, one ahead, one behind, quietly stepping through the doorway.
For a fleeting moment, she felt as though she was witnessing the very scene she had envisioned a thousand times over.