Lanyin never expected Qi Yubai to appear inside at this moment. Overwhelming embarrassment seized all her rationality—just thinking about how Qi Yubai had seen her in this state made it impossible for her to remain calm. The soft laughter behind her still seemed to linger in the air. With her face flushed, Lanyin hurriedly stepped out, only to run into Shi Yu coming from the opposite direction at the doorway.
Shi Yu, carrying a tray and panting slightly, walked up and said, “Mistress, I forgot to tell you—” Her words abruptly stopped when she noticed Lanyin’s flushed face. She glanced toward the room, lowered her voice, and asked, “You saw everything?”
“…Mm.”
Lanyin responded with great helplessness.
She had thought that since the household was filled with her personal maidservants, dressing like this wouldn’t matter. Who would have expected Qi Yubai to see her? It was often said that women adorned themselves for the ones they admired—Lanyin naturally shared the same sentiment. She had even planned to put on some makeup before heading out today, just in case she ran into Qi Yubai. But now… The thought made her feel even more embarrassed, and her face burned even hotter.
“I’m going back to my room first.”
After hastily saying this, she turned and headed toward her quarters.
Not long after, Ting Yun arrived with attendants to assist her in dressing and washing up. Now, only Ting Yun and Shi Yu knew about what had happened between her and Qi Yubai. Once Hongxing and the others withdrew, Lanyin held a hairpin in her hand and asked Ting Yun, “Why… did he come?”
Ting Yun had already learned the details from Shi Yu, so she answered softly, “The Old Madam heard from us that you’ve been going to the Qi residence for meals recently. So, she wanted to prepare a larger breakfast today as a return courtesy. Unexpectedly, the Qi family’s Old Madam and the Master arrived early. Not wanting to disturb your rest, they didn’t let us wake you. By the time you went over, the two Old Madams were strolling in the garden, and since the Master had nothing to do, he stayed there. I thought you would wake up later, so I went to take care of other matters.”
And so, the earlier scene had unfolded.
Lanyin felt helpless, but there was nothing she could say about it. Once Ting Yun finished dressing her, she carefully examined herself in the mirror to ensure everything was perfect before standing up. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something and took out a longevity thread from her pouch.
Ting Yun didn’t know where this longevity thread came from, but seeing how cautiously Lanyin tied it around her wrist, she quickly realized who had given it to her.
“The Master gave it to you?” Ting Yun asked in a hushed voice.
Lanyin didn’t deny it and softly hummed in agreement. This longevity thread had been in her possession for over ten days now. At first, she dared not even touch it, keeping her feelings hidden in that brocade box, thinking that by doing so, she could suppress her own desires. Later, she found she couldn’t hide them any longer and secretly took it out to hold in her hand, yet she still didn’t dare let anyone know it was a gift from Qi Yubai. But now… she could finally wear it openly.
Her fingertips gently brushed over the intricate and elegant cord wrapped around her wrist. The five-colored thread made her fair skin appear even more luminous.
She had thought she would never get the chance to wear it in her lifetime.
Yet within just ten short days, the relationship between her and Qi Yubai had undergone a complete transformation.
For a moment, Lanyin wasn’t sure what to feel. But in her heart, there was joy and contentment. After admiring the bracelet for a while longer, she finally smiled and said, “Let’s go.”
By the time she arrived, the two Old Madams had finished their walk and were seated together, chatting with smiles on their faces, mostly reminiscing about old times. As for Qi Yubai, he remained as he always did—quietly sitting on the side, pouring tea for them.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, before anyone could announce her arrival, Qi Yubai seemed to sense something and lifted his gaze.
He was seated right at the entrance, so the moment Lanyin stepped inside, she saw him. Their eyes met—Qi Yubai’s gaze carried a smile, while Lanyin, remembering what had happened that morning, blushed once again. She lowered her long, dark lashes, unable to meet his eyes out of embarrassment. Instead, she first greeted the two Old Madams, “Grandmother, Grandmother Qi.”
Only then did she, under Qi Yubai’s gaze, softly murmur two words, “…Brother.”
“Mm.”
Even without looking up, she could hear the amusement in Qi Yubai’s voice, as though he was savoring the way she addressed him as “brother.” For some reason, this made her even more flustered. Fortunately, her grandmother’s voice soon interrupted her thoughts.
“You’re up.”
The Old Madam Wang was unaware of what had happened earlier. Seeing Lanyin arrive, she simply assumed she had just woken up. “Your Grandmother Qi and your Qi family elder brother arrived early this morning.”
Lanyin also pretended as if she had just come over. She nodded lightly. “Ting Yun already told me.” As she walked closer, she added, “You should have had someone wake me earlier.”
It was improper to make one’s elders wait.
“You finally had a restful sleep, and it’s not like we had anything urgent,” said the Old Madam Qi with a smile.
Hearing this, Lanyin couldn’t help but glance at Qi Yubai. Today wasn’t a court session day, but he was dressed in his official robes, clearly heading to the yamen.
Qi Yubai, of course, knew what she was thinking. In a gentle voice, he reassured her, “It’s fine. The Court of Judicial Review has no pressing cases at the moment, and I… just happened to find a bit of leisure.”
Perhaps recalling her flustered state from earlier, his dark eyes glimmered with amusement, and even the end of his sentence carried traces of laughter.
Seeing the mirth in his gaze, Lanyin also thought of the scene from that morning. Her worry dissipated, but her ears turned red again.
She turned her head away, avoiding his eyes.
This silent exchange between the two went unnoticed by the two elderly ladies. After Lanyin sat down, the Old Madam Wang spoke to her, “Your Grandmother Qi and I were discussing picking a time to stroll around Bianjing. I’ve visited Bianjing a few times, but I’ve never had the chance to properly explore the city.”
She was a native of Jinling. When she was young, she had traveled across the country with the Old Master Wang for business and had been to Bianjing a few times. However, each time, she was occupied with trade and had little time for sightseeing. Even if she had taken a brief tour, that was decades ago. Later, after the Old Master Wang passed away, she grew older and no longer had the energy for long journeys. The only exception was the year Yinyin got married—she had been worried and came to Bianjing for a short stay. But at that time, the eldest grandson’s wife was about to give birth, and upon seeing that Yinyin and Xiao Ye were getting along well, she left after only a few days, without much time to explore the city.
Now, on one hand, she wished to reunite with an old friend; on the other, she wanted to take Lanyin out to relax.
However…
She glanced at the elegant young woman beside her. Sunlight cast a glow behind her, illuminating her gentle brows and slightly curved lips. There was no trace of the sorrow and exhaustion she had expected to see. In fact, at the corners of her eyes and brows… there was even a hint of—
Sweetness?
The Old Madam Wang frowned. Was her eyesight failing her? Had she misseen?
Unaware of her old friend’s thoughts, the Old Madam Qi seized the moment to continue, “I recall that in a couple of days, there will be a lantern festival in the city. Since Yu’er will be free that day, I was thinking we could go out and enjoy it together after dinner.”
She still didn’t know that the two had already gotten together, so she was naturally trying to create opportunities for them.
Lanyin understood but didn’t mind.
“I haven’t been to a lantern festival in a long time either,” she said with a smile, agreeing readily.
As they spoke, a cup of tea was placed in front of her—it was Qi Yubai who had poured it for her himself. Lanyin suppressed the sweetness rising in her heart and softly thanked him.
Qi Yubai naturally replied that there was no need. But just as he was about to look away, his gaze caught sight of something on her fair wrist… His pupils contracted slightly. Following that object, he lifted his eyes, meeting Lanyin’s gaze.
Lanyin seemed unaware at first, but upon noticing his line of sight and glancing at her own wrist, she realized what he was looking at. It was the bracelet—the longevity thread.
She instinctively wanted to hide it, but then she remembered—wasn’t wearing it precisely for Qi Yubai to see?
So she did nothing. Instead, she lowered her gaze and sipped her tea, though the tips of her ears quietly reddened.
Qi Yubai instantly understood—this was indeed the longevity thread he had given her.
Looking at Lanyin, his heart suddenly softened.
After finishing the meal, Lanyin originally intended to stay home and accompany her grandmother for the day. However, Shopkeeper Sun sent someone over, saying there were a few matters that required her attention. The Old Madam Wang didn’t insist on her staying and simply told her to go handle the business at the shop first.
Coincidentally, Qi Yubai also needed to head to the Court of Judicial Review, so the two of them left together.
Ting Yun led the way ahead, while Lanyin and Qi Yubai followed behind, keeping the same measured distance as before. Even if they were seen, no one would have anything to say about it.
Qi Yubai suddenly thought of something and said to Ting Yun, “Song Yan’s transfer document has been processed. It should arrive in a few days.”
Hearing this, Ting Yun, who had been walking ahead, suddenly turned back sharply. She had been planning to write a letter to Song Yan to ask when he would arrive. His previous letter had mentioned that he was already packing up, but the official document from the Court of Judicial Review had been delayed, and he still had some farmland in Caizhou to entrust to others for management, so his departure had been postponed. Now that she had received a definite answer, she was relieved and immediately expressed her gratitude to Qi Yubai.
After Qi Yubai told her it was unnecessary to thank him, he added, “The Court of Judicial Review has designated housing for its officials. I had someone apply for a couple’s residence for him in advance. It will be more convenient for you after you marry.”
Both Lanyin and Ting Yun were momentarily stunned by his words.
A while ago, when Lanyin learned that Song Yan would be coming to Bianjing for his new post, she had discussed with Ting Yun the idea of preparing a house for her. But Ting Yun had adamantly refused, saying she would handle it herself. Later, Lanyin had been too preoccupied with matters concerning Qi Yubai and had let it slip her mind. When she heard Qi Yubai mention it just now, she had been planning to send Danxi out later to find a suitable house and purchase it before Song Yan arrived—as part of Ting Yun’s dowry.
She hadn’t expected Qi Yubai to settle the matter before she even had the chance.
Uncertain if such an arrangement was truly standard practice at the Court of Judicial Review, Lanyin was still a little concerned. She looked up at him. “Would this trouble you too much?”
“It’s no trouble.” Unlike the usual cold demeanor he showed to others, Qi Yubai lowered his gaze upon hearing her question, his expression warm and gentle.
“It’s an existing regulation. Besides, most officials at the Court of Judicial Review are registered residents of Bianjing, so those houses are often left vacant. It’s just that the space isn’t large—only enough for temporary residence.”
“This is already more than enough.”
Ting Yun’s eyes welled with tears, and she could hardly resist bowing in gratitude.
She was genuinely grateful. For people like them, having a place to settle down in Bianjing was already a great blessing. How could they be picky about the size of the house? She knew her mistress cared for her and wouldn’t bear to see her and Song Yan struggling. But she also couldn’t take advantage of that affection and act entitled. Besides, now that their mistress had provided her with a residence, how would the other servants in the household view it? Human nature was insatiable—she feared that her mistress’s kindness to her would cause others to harbor resentment.
Qi Yubai disliked people bowing to him.
Fearing that she might displease him, Ting Yun held back and instead stood aside, wiping her tears.
Since she was assured that this arrangement wouldn’t cause trouble for Qi Yubai, Lanyin also set her worries aside. Seeing Ting Yun’s tear-streaked face, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Wipe your tears first.” After a brief pause, she suggested, “Why don’t you stay at the residence today?”
Hearing this, Ting Yun immediately shook her head. “I’m fine.” As she spoke, she hurriedly wiped away her tears with her handkerchief, afraid that Lanyin might actually leave her behind.
Seeing her reaction, Lanyin didn’t insist.
The three continued walking toward the exit. As they reached the moon gate, Qi Yubai suddenly said to Ting Yun, “Go ahead and wait for us at the front.”
He was speaking to Ting Yun, but she instinctively turned to Lanyin first. Only after Lanyin nodded did she bow slightly and walk ahead.
“What is it…” Lanyin thought Qi Yubai had something to tell her, but just as her lips parted and she uttered three words, she suddenly felt a firm grip on her wrist. A scorching heat spread from the contact, making her expression freeze in surprise. Just as she regained her senses and her cheeks flushed red, she was swiftly pulled into the wisteria trellis beside them.
Lanyin loved wisteria flowers.
She had fallen in love with them the first time she saw them blooming in the wild.
Her grandmother doted on her, allowing her to plant a whole grove of wisteria in her courtyard. Later, when she married into the Earl Manor, she had wanted to do the same, but somehow, word of it reached Madam Xiao. Madam Xiao felt that wisteria was too flamboyant and not prestigious enough, forbidding her from planting it. Lanyin had no choice but to suppress the thought.
After moving here recently, Dan Xi had learned of her fondness for wisteria from Shi Yu and had specially arranged for a large number of them to be transplanted. Not only did her courtyard have them, but they also adorned the outer courtyard.
At this moment, a cascade of wisteria was in full bloom right by the perimeter wall.
In May, wisteria blossomed in abundant clusters, their drooping flowers nearly concealing them from view.
Lanyin was pressed against the wall by Qi Yubai, the cascading flowers brushing against her cheek with a ticklish sensation, yet she had no free hand to brush them away. She didn’t understand what had gotten into Qi Yubai. Once she had steadied herself, she lifted her gaze to look at him.
Gone was his usual cold indifference when facing others. His dark eyes, now locked onto her, were filled with barely restrained desire.
The intensity of his gaze startled Lanyin, making her breath hitch. Before she could speak, her hands were already lifted above her head, firmly held by him. As he fixated on the longevity thread around her wrist, his breathing grew heavier. Holding onto her hands, he stared straight into her eyes.
“Gu Lanyin,” he said, his voice low and deep, “I want to kiss you.”
The words by her ear sounded like a request for permission, yet before she could respond, he surged forward with the force of an untamed beast breaking free from its cage. His kiss crashed onto her lips with an overwhelming intensity, before she even had time to react.
In that instant—
Shock, shyness… A flood of emotions seized Lanyin’s mind.
She stared blankly at Qi Yubai. By the time she snapped back to her senses, a deep blush had already bloomed across her cheeks. Though it wasn’t their first kiss, she was still unaccustomed to such intimacy, especially in broad daylight—this was certainly not the time for such things.
Perhaps sensing her distraction, Qi Yubai gave her lower lip a light bite as if punishing her.
The force wasn’t strong, but Lanyin, caught off guard, let out a soft whimper. The sound only made her blush even more, but the man kissing her seemed even more emboldened, his actions growing fiercer.
She knew she should struggle, should push him away. Though there weren’t many servants around, that didn’t mean no one would pass by. More importantly, her grandmother and Qi Grandmother were still inside.
She wasn’t worried about them knowing about her and Qi Yubai’s relationship—she had already prepared to tell them soon.
But she definitely didn’t want them to know they behaved like this in private.
It was far too shameful.
Yet, looking at Qi Yubai before her, thinking of the lonely life he had endured in his past lifetime, she found herself unable to push him away.
Gazing at his eyes—usually so composed, now burning with intensity—Lanyin finally let out a silent sigh, her heart filled with tenderness and acceptance.
She closed her eyes, allowing Qi Yubai to do as he pleased. And then… she parted her lips ever so slightly in tacit permission.
The moment he noticed her subtle invitation, the man who had been so passionate just moments ago suddenly stilled.
Even with her eyes closed, Lanyin could feel Qi Yubai watching her. Shyness overwhelmed her—she knew her own behavior was uncharacteristic. Just as she was about to close her lips again, he was faster—capturing them in another bite before she could retreat.
The warm summer breeze gently stirred the wisteria blossoms.
Through the cascading purple flowers, a glimpse of soft pink and pale yellow fabric could be seen, fluttering gently in the wind.
No one would have ever imagined that the two people who were always so composed and rational were now beneath the wisteria trellis, entangled in a lingering, fervent kiss.