“Master, next door is the residence of Vice Minister Qi of the Court of Judicial Review.” Shan Xi, being clever, noticed that Lanyin had been staring at the neighboring door plaque and whispered to provide an explanation.
“What a coincidence?”
Shi Yu was somewhat surprised.
Lanyin was also somewhat dazed; she hadn’t expected such a coincidence.
“Yesterday, when I was brought here by that real estate agent named Ruan, I was really startled. But this house is indeed nice. I followed the agent to several places, and this house best meets your requirements,” Shan Xi said, pausing for a moment. “If you don’t like it, I can have someone look for another house?”
“No need.”
Lanyin shook her head, “Let’s go in and take a look first. If it’s not suitable, we can discuss it later.” As she spoke, she withdrew her gaze.
Though surprised, she considered it a matter of fate and didn’t dwell on it further.
Shan Xi responded with an “Aye” and led the way, with Lanyin and Shi Yu following behind. The real estate agent, Ruan Dong, was also present. Seeing the entourage enter, he quickly clasped his hands in greeting, showing good manners by keeping his eyes downcast and not looking up. He guided Lanyin’s group while introducing the details of the house.
The two-courtyard house wasn’t large, but for Lanyin at present, it was sufficient.
“Our house not only has all the essential features but is also newly decorated. The previous owner was wealthy and had the best craftsmen in the city renovate it. Look at these carved beams and red pillars, all made from top-quality materials. And the layout of the courtyard, the hanging flower gate and the covered walkway—though it’s a two-courtyard house, its layout could easily be considered a small three-courtyard house.”
“I see that Madam is a respectable person and likely has no shortage of servants,” Ruan Dong said with a smile, guiding them. “When you move in later, the front rooms can be for the male servants and attendants. These side rooms can accommodate guests without feeling crowded. Beyond the hall is the main house. Look, it even comes with a small garden. Reading books and tending to flowers here every day would be a life even the gods would envy. There’s also an open space here that can be connected to running water. You could dig a pond to raise a few carp and plant some lotus flowers if you wish.”
“But why is the owner selling this house?” Lanyin asked him.
Ruan Dong replied, “You can rest assured, the house is clean. The owner was reluctant to sell, but his business has expanded to Sichuan, and his daughter has also married there. The elderly couple couldn’t bear to leave their daughter alone there, fearing she might be bullied, so they decided to move the entire family there. Before leaving, they specifically instructed me to find a good owner for this house.”
“I see.”
Lanyin nodded, showing little emotion on her face. She simply said “Wait a moment” to Ruan Dong and walked aside to call Shan Xi, instructing him, “The house is nice. Go and check if the situation of this house is as he described. If there are no issues, you can decide on it.”
Hearing this, Shan Xi understood that the master was entrusting him with this task entirely. With the master currently in need of capable people, if he handled this task well, wouldn’t the master value him more? The dimples on his cheeks deepened as he said, “Master, rest assured, I will handle this well.”
Lanyin said no more and prepared to leave first.
Dan Xi wanted to escort her out, but Lanyin did not allow it. She only told him to continue negotiating with others and then walked outside with Shi Yu. Shi Yu had been holding back her words the whole way, and now she could finally speak. Knowing that her mistress liked this residence, she also smiled brightly and said, “This residence looks really nice. What I like most is the little garden in front of the main house. You have always liked flowers. Later, I’ll call people in to tidy it up properly and set up a swing for you. Then, you can swing and read books there, just like when we were in Jinling.”
Lanyin found it amusing. “I’m already grown.”
Hearing this, Shi Yu pouted unhappily. “You’re only twenty, the perfect age. Why do you make it sound like you’re seventy or eighty?”
“Alright, alright,” Lanyin said helplessly, but her brows and eyes softened with a smile. “We’ll set it up when we move in.”
“Alright!”
Shi Yu laughed again. As she walked, she kept looking around, not holding back her praise. “This time, that boy Dan Xi really did a good job.”
“It’s just that…” She glanced at the neighboring residence, recalling that this was the mansion of Lord Qi, and couldn’t help but mutter, “This is too much of a coincidence.” The person who had taken shelter from the rain in their home just the other day was now about to become their neighbor.
Lanyin also found it a coincidence.
But the world was always full of coincidences—just like how no one would have thought that the person who saved Xiao Ye back then would turn out to be the younger sister who had been taken by human traffickers when she was five.
Lanyin did not dwell on it. She only glanced at a peach blossom branch extending from the white courtyard wall next door. After a brief moment of daze, she withdrew her gaze and instructed Shi Yu, “Later, when we pass by a few shops, have them bring over this month’s account books. I’ll take a look over the next few days.”
Shi Yu responded.
When they reached outside, Song Yue stepped forward to ask, “Mistress, are we heading back?”
“Yes, go towards East Main Street. Stop by a few shops along the way,” Lanyin said, raising a hand to rest on Shi Yu’s arm as she prepared to step into the carriage. Just then, she heard the sound of carriage wheels approaching from not far away.
The street in Tianshui Alley was not very wide.
Fearing they would block the approaching carriage’s way, Lanyin retracted her foot from the stirrup and said to Song Yue, “Let them pass first.”
Song Yue responded and led the horse aside, intending to wait for the carriage behind them to pass before they left. Unexpectedly, the carriage behind them stopped right beside them. Shi Yu instinctively stepped in front of Lanyin, while Song Yue glanced to the side.
That one glance left him stunned.
“Tianqing, brother?” He called out.
Tianqing had just jumped down from the carriage. Hearing this voice, he turned his head. Seeing Song Yue, he was even more surprised than the latter. “Song Yue, brother?” After the initial surprise, he cupped his hands with a smile. “What are you doing here, Brother Song Yue?”
As he spoke, he glanced behind him.
The maid who had delivered tea the day before was standing in front of a woman. The woman had her head lowered, revealing only a glimpse of her orange dress and a white jade hairpin at her temple. Tianqing did not look closely. Instead, he turned back and said something to the person inside the carriage. A moment later, he respectfully bowed toward Lanyin but said nothing more.
Shi Yu quietly relayed this to Lanyin.
Lanyin nodded, understanding that Qi Yubai did not want to damage her reputation.
But it was unnecessary.
Women were not subjected to such harsh restrictions these days.
Although the current emperor was physically weak, he had opened trade markets and welcomed talented individuals. Compared to the late emperor’s reign, the Great Zhou was now economically prosperous and flourishing. As a result, women were no longer treated as harshly as before. Lanyin did not know how things were elsewhere, but in Bianjing, there were women’s academies and female merchants, and even divorce and remarriage were not uncommon.
However, thinking of Qi Yubai’s stern and upright nature, Lanyin did not say anything. Instead, an inexplicable thought arose in her heart.
Why would someone as rigid and traditional as Qi Yubai have saved her in such circumstances in her past life? Did he not know what kind of trouble that could bring him? Even if he was an official serving the people, it was truly unnecessary for him to go to such lengths for a woman he did not even know.
Lanyin felt that if their roles were reversed, she could never have acted to such an extent; at most, she would have sent her own people to assist.
This was something Lanyin had never pondered deeply before, but now she harbored doubts in her heart. However, she kept them buried deep inside, not revealing them on the surface.
“Yesterday, I saw the real estate agent moving around next door, and I wondered who was buying the house. So, it turns out to be Song Yue’s master,” Tianqing said with a smile. “Please relay to Song Yue and his master that if there’s anything they need, they can feel free to send someone to ask for assistance.”
“This…”
Song Yue still hesitated.
But Lanyin spoke up, “Thank you,” though she took it merely as a polite remark and didn’t take it to heart.
“Madam, you’re too kind,” Tianqing hurriedly replied.
During their conversation, not a single word came from the green-canopied carriage, remaining as quiet as if no one was inside.
“It’s getting late, Madam, please go ahead. The road looks narrow, but it’s actually quite wide; walking side by side is also possible.”
Hearing Tianqing’s words, Lanyin did not linger. She simply nodded slightly towards the silent carriage and, supported by Shi Yu, boarded her own carriage.
Song Yue and Tianqing clasped their hands in a salute, then jumped onto their carriage. Soon, the carriage turned around and moved forward. Watching the departing carriage, Tianqing said to the carriage behind, “Master, Miss Gu has left.”
“Hmm.”
Qi Yubai’s voice came from inside.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Qi Yubai stepped down from the carriage using the horse stool. He stood beside the carriage, watching the distant figure of the departing carriage. As the sunset glow lingered and the carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, he continued to gaze afar, his fingers unconsciously caressing the smooth surface of the Buddhist beads.
When Shan Xi came out, this was the scene he encountered.
In the not-so-wide alley, a young man in a crimson official robe and a black gauze hat stood with his back turned. His posture was as straight and noble as a pine tree, and even from behind, his extraordinary demeanor was evident. Wondering what he was looking at, Shan Xi couldn’t help but look forward and saw his own carriage…
Huh?
His own carriage?
So, this Vice Minister Qi was watching their carriage?
Shan Xi was somewhat stunned.
“Master.”
A low voice came from beside him, and Qi Yubai turned his head to look back.
His gaze was dark and cool. When their eyes met, Shan Xi felt as if his little heart had stopped beating. Fortunately, soon after, the man in the crimson official robe, amidst Ruan Dong’s respectful greetings, was surrounded and stepped into the neighboring courtyard.
“That scared me to death.”
Watching the man leave, Shan Xi didn’t exhale until he was completely out of sight. Glancing at Ruan Dong beside him, who seemed unaffected, he felt both surprised and somewhat inadequate, couldn’t help but mutter, “Aren’t you afraid of this official?”
Ruan Dong was momentarily stunned, then realized how he had appeared.
He wasn’t in a hurry, just resumed his usual demeanor of someone well-versed in dealing with all sorts of people, and smiled, “People like us are used to dealing with officials, and this Vice Minister Qi isn’t as terrifying as the rumors say. You really don’t need to be afraid of him; he won’t do anything to you.”
His last sentence carried an implied meaning.
But Shan Xi didn’t catch the underlying message. He just patted his little heart and said, “I hope so.” Otherwise, living next door, seeing each other frequently, he didn’t want to be scared to death every day.
…
Lanyin returned to the villa very late.
Dinner had been ready for a long time, kept warm in the kitchen. Ting Yun, who had been waiting for them all day, was quite restless. Hearing of their return, she immediately went out to greet them. Seeing Lanyin returning from afar, she quickly had someone serve the meal and asked Lanyin, “Why are you back so late?”
Walking inside, she personally wrung out a clean hot towel for Lanyin to wipe her hands.
“We stopped by a few shops on the way back,” Lanyin smiled.
Ting Yun nodded and asked, “How’s the house?”
“It’s fantastic!”
Shi Yu answered.
She was thrilled talking about the house, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she described the situation of the house to Ting Yun, “Although it’s a two-courtyard house, it almost feels like a small three-courtyard one, with plenty of rooms. I toured every room today. When we move there, you and I will live in the rear side room on the east, close to the master’s room. I know you like sunlight, so the bed by the window is yours.”
“What about us? What about us!”
Hong Xing and Lu Fu also chimed in.
Shi Yu laughed, “You’re not left out. I’ve already picked out a spot for you; you’ll live next to us.”
The maids laughed together, crowding around Shi Yu to inquire more about the house. Lanyin let them chatter, walking aside to pick up the account books she brought from the shops to review the situation, until she heard—
“Huh? Why did Ting Yun leave?”
Lanyin’s action of flipping through the account books paused. She looked up, sighed softly at the sight of Ting Yun’s lonely departing figure. How could she not know that Ting Yun was reluctant to leave her? In her past life, it had taken a lot of coaxing before Ting Yun was willing to leave her side.
But in her past life, to Ting Yun, she was the Heir Consort, a woman of noble status with plenty of servants attending to her. Even if she was reluctant, she would not have been worried. However, now that she had left the Earl Manor, what her future would be like was unclear even to herself—so how could Ting Yun possibly not worry?
If Song Yan were just an ordinary scholar, she could bring him to her side and support him with money. Whether he pursued scholarly success or wanted to do something else in the future, she could lend him a hand. But Song Yan was a petty official in Caizhou. Though his rank was not high, he was still a government employee.
Lanyin asked herself if she had the standing to help someone secure an official position in Bianjing.
Because of this—
She never told Ting Yun to stay. She could only try her best to put her at ease.
“I’ve noticed that Sister Ting Yun hasn’t looked well these past few days. This afternoon, I saw her sitting at the table, holding a brush as if she was about to write a letter.”
Hearing these words from Hong Xing, Lanyin furrowed her brows. She pressed her fingers together in contemplation, and after dinner that night, she sent Shi Yu and the others away, leaving only Ting Yun behind. She had her sit beside her, just like when they were young, holding her hand and asking, “What happened just now?”
“…Nothing, Mistress.” Ting Yun lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
“Do you want to stay with me?”
As soon as the words left her lips, Lanyin saw the once downcast and dispirited person beside her suddenly lift her head, her voice trembling with excitement as she asked, “Mistress, are you really willing to keep me?”
“Of course, I am.” Lanyin smiled. “But what about Song Yan?”
“He…”
The joy on Ting Yun’s face stiffened. She bit her lips tightly, and her eyelashes lowered.
“In the past, when Song Yan wrote to you, you were the happiest. He has waited for you for so many years, and now that you are finally about to reach a happy conclusion, can you truly bear to give him up? To give up this relationship?” Seeing the hesitation and struggle on her face, Lanyin smiled and continued holding her hand, gently patting it. “Finding someone you like who also likes you is not easy. Don’t ruin your own good marriage for my sake.”
“In the future, if you want to meet someone like Song Yan again, it won’t be easy.”
“Then I just won’t marry!” Ting Yun bit her lips and declared.
It was rare for Lanyin to see her acting so childishly, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s such foolish talk. You are perfectly fine—why wouldn’t you marry?”
Ting Yun said nothing, only biting her lip and lowering her head, twisting her fingers together so tightly that they turned pale.
Lanyin understood the turmoil in her heart, so she didn’t say anything more. She simply pried her fingers free, then gently stroked the back of her hand and said in a soft voice, “You don’t have to stand night watch tonight. Go back and rest well. Tomorrow, write a letter to Song Yan and tell him you’ll be waiting for him.”
This time, Ting Yun remained silent, and Lanyin knew she had made up her mind. Just as she was about to let her go rest, she heard her ask, “What about you, Mistress? Will you marry again in the future?”
Under the warm, orange glow of the candlelight—
Lanyin met Ting Yun’s stubborn gaze. She was momentarily dazed before lowering her head with a faint smile.
“…Probably not.”
Her voice was light and indifferent, like the intangible wind outside the window.
She had already experienced one failed marriage. How could she possibly have the courage to go through it again?
She believed that good marriages existed—like Ting Yun and Song Yan, like Siyu and Yici, like her grandmother and grandfather…
But she did not believe she would encounter one herself.