The evening breeze gently brushed the stray hairs on Lanyin’s forehead.
Looking at the figure in front of her who had remained tall and straight from beginning to end without turning around, Lanyin smiled and tucked the stray hairs behind her ear. She quite liked interacting with Qi Yubai this way—maintaining a certain distance, neither too distant nor too close, both knowing how to give the other an out.
Just like how they addressed each other.
They seemed to tacitly know what the other needed. Usually, when outside, one would address the other as “Miss Gu” and the other as “Lord Qi.” But in front of Qi’s grandmother, she would call him “brother.” As for Qi Yubai, he… Lanyin’s expression suddenly paused. Had Qi Yubai ever called her “little sister”?
Lanyin couldn’t quite remember for a moment.
She glanced at Qi Yubai but didn’t ask. After all, it wasn’t a big deal. She just felt that if they could always maintain this kind of interaction, perhaps the inexplicable nervousness she felt whenever she encountered him would gradually diminish.
Thinking of this, a faint smile couldn’t help but rise in Lanyin’s eyes.
When they reached the door and it was time to say goodbye, Lanyin asked, “What time does Lord Qi usually rest at night?” Perhaps because of the previous inquiries, or perhaps because of the dinner they had shared that evening, Lanyin’s expression became much more composed when she asked this.
She even dared to meet his gaze.
Qi Yubai knew she wanted to ask what time would be best to send someone with supper, so he mentioned a time. Although he greedily cherished her kindness and efforts, he ultimately couldn’t bear to let her overexert herself. With his hands clasped behind his back, twirling prayer beads, he lowered his thin eyelids and looked at Lanyin, saying, “Actually, you don’t need to trouble yourself so much. There are cooks at home, and if I’m really hungry, I can just ask them.”
Lanyin, however, smiled, “I also have a habit of eating something at night. Since I’ll be making it anyway, it’s no trouble.”
She deliberately ignored the surprised look Shi Yu gave her and simply said to Qi Yubai, “Then I’ll send someone to bring supper to you every day at Hai hour (9 PM – 11 PM) from now on. As for tonight…” She was about to say she would have someone prepare it, but the man in front of her said, “Not tonight, I plan to read for a while and then go to sleep.”
Lanyin didn’t say much more, just nodded and agreed.
With the matter settled, Lanyin had no intention of lingering. She nodded in farewell to Qi Yubai and led Shi Yu to the neighboring house, not noticing that Qi Yubai was still standing behind her, watching. The man stood at the door with his hands clasped behind his back, the light falling on his face as if casting a gentle hue over fine jade. He stood in the dark night, gazing at her departing figure, unnoticed by anyone. As he looked at Lanyin, a soft glow rippled in his eyes.
…
The next day.
By the time Shan Xi returned from the Ministry of Revenue, it was already evening.
At that time, Lanyin was in the study pondering matters related to the clothing shop. Hearing Ting Yun’s report, she had him come directly to the study. Seeing Shan Xi’s dejected and clearly aggrieved appearance as he entered, Lanyin knew his trip must have been fruitless. She put down the wolf-hair brush in her hand, took the handkerchief handed to her by Ting Yun, and after letting Shan Xi rise, she sat down in her chair and asked, “How did it go?”
Shan Xi presented the deed stamped with the official seal of the Ministry of Revenue to Ting Yun, then replied to Lanyin, “The matter of the house is settled, but your divorce document… there’s still no news from the Ministry of Revenue.”
Feeling that he hadn’t handled the matter well, he lowered his head, full of self-reproach, “I waited at the Ministry of Revenue all day. At first, they wouldn’t pay any attention to me, just saying they were too busy and told me to come back another day. Later, a clerk took pity on me and quietly gave me a hint, saying… saying that the Shizi never submitted the divorce document to the Ministry of Revenue, and the people at the Ministry didn’t dare to press for it, so it’s been delayed.”
Having already known about this, Lanyin only frowned slightly upon hearing it, without showing much emotion.
Seeing Shan Xi’s look of self-reproach, however, Lanyin comforted him, “This isn’t your fault. With someone holding it back, even if you had stayed there without leaving, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
The Minister of Revenue, Lu Boting, is an old acquaintance of the Xiao family and an elder who watched Xiao Ye grow up.
The prolonged lack of resolution in her and Xiao Ye’s affairs is likely due in no small part to the efforts of Minister Lu. But why bother? It’s clear that she and Xiao Ye can no longer continue together. Even without the events of her past life, when she proposed the divorce, she had no intention of turning back. A broken mirror is hard to mend, and spilt water is even harder to retrieve. Moreover, even if the mirror could be mended and the water retrieved, the cracks would still remain in each other’s hearts. Rather than always remembering these things and causing discomfort for both, wouldn’t it be better to part ways sooner rather than later?
Besides, they already have the documents in place. Even if it’s being delayed now, there will eventually be a conclusion. Rather than ending up in a situation that’s unseemly for both sides, it would be better to part ways now with dignity.
She pondered how best to handle this matter. To be honest, she still hoped not to make the situation too ugly. She and Xiao Ye simply didn’t get along emotionally. Moreover, even though she was dissatisfied with Xiao Ye’s conduct, the rest of the Xiao family was innocent. She truly didn’t want their failed marriage to cause others to suffer from outsiders’ gossip.
“Master, Uncle Chen is here.”
Suddenly, Shi Yu’s voice came from outside.
“Uncle Chen?”
Lanyin was startled, her mind suddenly recalling what Lady Xu had said yesterday. After a moment’s thought, she understood Chen Fu’s purpose for coming. She invited him in and had Shan Xi leave first. Lanyin had always been very accommodating to the old servants and retainers around her, especially Chen Fu, who had watched her grow up. He was of similar age to her grandmother and was also her grandmother’s confidant. She had Ting Yun prepare tea.
When Chen Fu was led in by Shi Yu, before he could offer his greetings, Lanyin smiled and said to him, “Uncle Chen, there’s no need for formalities. It’s not easy for you to come and go, please sit and speak.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Chen Fu still clasped his hands towards Lanyin before sitting down.
He had actually wanted to come yesterday, but the night before, his son and daughter-in-law, fearing that Xiao Ye would later blame Tao’er, had worried all night, and he had been kept up as well. Yesterday morning, Tao’er suddenly developed a high fever, which didn’t subside until this afternoon. After two days of turmoil, Chen Fu was utterly exhausted, making him look very disheveled today. Originally, his son didn’t want him to come, but Chen Fu was afraid that others wouldn’t be able to explain clearly and that the master wouldn’t know the full situation, which could lead to being at a disadvantage. So, he had someone prepare a carriage and made the trip himself.
However, he was at a loss as to where to start. Finally, Lanyin spoke first, “Has Xiao Ye gone to the estate?”
“How did you know?” Chen Fu was stunned.
Lanyin didn’t hide it from him, “Auntie Xu came by yesterday and told me about the events of the night before last, but I still don’t know the specifics.” Seeing Chen Fu’s grim expression, she paused, then placed the tea lid back on the cup and held it in her hands, lowering her voice, “What exactly happened the night before last?”
Chen Fu then recounted the events of that night to her in detail.
Lanyin sat behind the desk, the window behind her gradually opening to reveal the splendid scenery of the courtyard. Earlier, Shi Yu had mentioned that the swing had been set up, and now was the season for wisteria to bloom. Clusters of purple flowers swayed in the wind, the swing rocking back and forth, with birds chirping as they perched on it.
It was already dusk.
The sun was setting, and the unlit room was somewhat dim. Lanyin lowered her head, making it hard to see her expression. Seeing her silent, Chen Fu couldn’t help but feel anxious, “Master…”
But as soon as he uttered a word, Lanyin spoke, “I understand the situation now, it’s okay, I will handle it.”
“But Tao’er…”
After the way they treated Xiao Ye that day, Chen Fu couldn’t help but worry that Xiao Ye might retaliate. He only had this one grandson, and Tao’er was still young—he couldn’t withstand any trouble.
“Don’t worry, Xiao Mingchuan wouldn’t go so far as to harm a child.” Lanyin said this without a hint of hesitation. Seeing the lingering worry on Chen Fu’s aged face, she added with a comforting smile, “Rest assured, I won’t let anything happen to Tao’er.”
Only then did Chen Fu relax, though he still said to Lanyin, “If the young master Xiao really intends to make an issue out of Tao’er’s matter, please don’t lower yourself to protect us. This old servant has lived long enough and isn’t afraid of being troubled by others. If the young master Xiao harbors any resentment, let this old servant bear it.”
He was worried that Lanyin might lower herself to Xiao Ye for their sake.
Lanyin naturally understood the underlying meaning of his words. Feeling a warmth in her heart, her expression softened, “Don’t worry, I understand.” She comforted him and then said, “It’s late, and the mountain roads are difficult to travel at night. Uncle Chen, why not stay at the manor for the night?”
Chen Fu, concerned for his grandson, declined to stay.
Lanyin didn’t press further and had Song Yue arrange for someone to escort the old man back.
After Chen Fu left, Lanyin’s expression cooled. Ting Yun and Shi Yu exchanged glances, and finally, Shi Yu spoke up, “What exactly does the young master Xiao want to do?” Ever since she realized the situation her mistress was in, she no longer wished to associate her with the Xiao family. Speaking of Xiao Ye now, her face was full of impatience.
“He can’t resolve the issues with the second young lady, so why bother provoking you again?” Shi Yu said irritably.
Moreover, now that he knows to seek out the mistress, where was he all this time? It’s been over ten days, and only now does he think to come looking for the mistress. It’s fortunate that the mistress no longer harbors any feelings for him, or she might have been infuriated by his actions.
Lanyin also didn’t know what Xiao Ye was trying to achieve. She had originally thought that her departure would remove any obstacles for him and Gu Qing, allowing everyone to go their separate ways without interfering with each other. But now it seems… without her, these two aren’t progressing as smoothly as they did in her previous life.
But why?
Was it because her sudden departure made Xiao Ye feel he had lost face? Or did he feel that by not facilitating their relationship and instead leaving them to face public scorn because of her departure, they couldn’t be together as they wished? Or perhaps, now that the manor is in disarray without her care, he couldn’t stand it anymore and finally deigned to come looking for her?
But whatever the reason, she wouldn’t change her mind because of Xiao Ye’s change in attitude or behavior.
After a moment of silence, Lanyin spoke, “Send someone to the Xiao family with a message that I need to speak with Xiao Mingchuan.” She thought for a moment, remembering that three days later would be Xiao Ye’s day off, and said, “Ask him to meet me at the Qingfeng Pavilion at Xu hour (7-9 PM) three days from now.”
“Mistress…”
Shi Yu frowned upon hearing this. She didn’t want her to meet with Xiao Ye and was about to advise against it, but Ting Yun, who knew that Lanyin always had her own plans and reasons for her actions, held Shi Yu’s arm and, after agreeing with Lanyin, went out to make the arrangements.