Chengbo Manor.
Xiao Ye returned from duty.
It was another pitch-black night. There were no stars or moon in the sky today, and the ink-blue sky was just like his current mood—gloomy and oppressive. It had been more than half a month since he last saw Lanyin, and the rumors outside were growing more and more numerous. Perhaps it was due to his status, or maybe it was because the situation in the manor was not yet fully clear, but the censors had yet to submit a memorial against him. Even so, Xiao Ye could clearly feel that the gazes of the court officials upon him these past few days were becoming more frequent, whispers abounding— even within the Imperial Guards’ camp.
He had not been in the position of Commander of the Hall of Presence for long, and not everyone in the Imperial Guards’ camp looked upon him favorably. Just today, several of his subordinates had informed him that someone was already investigating the affairs of his manor. If he did not handle things properly soon, it was only a matter of time before someone submitted a joint memorial against him.
Uncle Lu had not said anything.
But Xiao Ye knew that if this matter was not resolved soon, it would not be just him who would be implicated.
Exhausted.
Yet Xiao Ye did not know what he should do. Gu Qing was still in the manor. Even if he found Lanyin, what could he say to her? Hope that she would be magnanimous enough to allow Gu Qing to remain in the manor? If it had been before she left for the estate, perhaps Xiao Ye might have still entertained such a hope. But now… He let out a scoff.
He did not know whether it was self-mockery or something else.
How could he still fail to understand Lanyin’s decisiveness now?
There were times when Xiao Ye even wondered— even if he drove Gu Qing away, would she ever return? The thought of this possibility suddenly made his heart clench, as if a blunt knife was digging into the flesh of his chest, a dense, spreading pain seeping into his organs, until even his limbs and bones began to ache.
He clenched his teeth, his face turning deathly pale, unconsciously gripping the reins tighter.
It was only when his horse neighed in pain, letting out a sharp, distressed cry, that Xiao Ye snapped back to reality. Seeing the horse’s forelegs already raised, he immediately loosened his grip and, as if to soothe it, patted the head of the jade-green steed. Only after it gradually calmed did Xiao Ye continue forward. By the time he arrived at the manor, aside from his somewhat pallid complexion, there was no visible trace of abnormality.
Dismounting, he casually tossed the reins to the gatekeeper’s servant before walking alone into the manor with his sword in hand.
The courtyard was brightly lit as if it were daytime, and every servant who passed by greeted him respectfully. Yet Xiao Ye did not respond. He simply walked forward with a grim face, devoid of emotion, until a familiar voice called out—
“Young Master!”
It was Steward Xu.
Xiao Ye lifted his gaze, his face still expressionless, though he did halt his steps. He waited until the old man, panting and breathless, reached him before he spoke indifferently, “Uncle Xu, what is it?”
“Madam, Madam sent word for you today!”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ye did not react at first. He assumed it was a message from his mother, and he could already guess what she would say. Suppressing the irritation in his heart, he was about to ask what the message was, but when he saw the gleam in Steward Xu’s eyes, Xiao Ye suddenly froze. His hand unconsciously tightened, pressing the intricate carvings on his sword’s hilt into his palm. It hurt, but he did not release his grip. Instead, his voice came out hoarse as he asked, “You mean… Lanyin?”
Seeing his face full of disbelief, Steward Xu’s eyes curved into a smile, his expression growing even more cheerful.
“Of course, it’s the Young Madam!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, his arm was gripped tightly by the young man— the same young man who had been cold, indifferent, and unresponsive just moments ago. Now, he clutched Steward Xu’s arm tightly, his voice tense and urgent as he asked, “She, she said what?”
Such urgency—
For a moment, Steward Xu was reminded of when the young master was a child— the first time he received praise from his teacher. Upon returning home, his face had been full of anticipation, eagerly waiting for the Lord and Madam to commend him.
And now, he seemed even more expectant than back then.
Seeing the barely concealed surprise and joy on the young man’s face, Steward Xu did not even mind the pain in his arm from being gripped so tightly. Instead, he simply smiled and said to Xiao Ye, “This morning, Ting Yun delivered a message. Madam requests to meet you at Qingfeng Pavilion at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) two days from now.”
The distant lantern light cast a glow upon Xiao Ye.
Visibly, his expression grew more and more excited. He rarely showed such emotions. Since childhood, he had been taught under strict family discipline that, as the heir, he must conduct himself with restraint, must not act recklessly, and must certainly not indulge in pleasures.
But now—
He felt as though he had come back to life.
For over ten days, he had been like a walking corpse, but in this moment, all the darkness that had clung to him completely dissipated. Slowly, the corners of his brows and eyes lifted into a smile. He had always been a solemn and reserved man, rarely showing his emotions. But now, he could no longer hide it— nor did he want to.
He was truly happy.
His heart thumped wildly, mirroring the joy surging through him.
Xiao Ye could not even recall the last time he had felt this happy. Was it when the emperor personally bestowed upon him the title of Commander? He thought about it for a moment— but back then, he had been calm. Everything he had achieved was the result of his own efforts and diligence; it was only natural, and there had been nothing worth celebrating.
Unable to recall, he no longer bothered to think about it.
All he knew was that, at this moment, he was happy— because Lanyin had not given up on him. She was still willing to give him a chance.
At that thought, Xiao Ye suddenly felt a bit annoyed— why did he have to wait for two more days? He was eager to find Lanyin right away, to see her as soon as possible. But then he remembered that two days later was his scheduled rest day. Realizing that Lanyin still remembered, his expression suddenly softened immensely. He suppressed the impulse to send someone out to locate her immediately.
After all, he had already endured over ten days without seeing her. Waiting two more days was nothing. There was no need to risk making Lanyin unhappy over this.
Xiao Ye’s heart suddenly felt warm.
Lately, he had worn a perpetually gloomy expression, to the point that even Steward Xu had been hesitant to speak to him. But now, seeing the never-before-seen tenderness on the young master’s face, Steward Xu finally felt relieved and began advising him earnestly, “When you see Madam, remember to say more kind words to her. Young ladies all like hearing sweet words. You mustn’t act as cold and stiff toward her as you usually do.”
Xiao Ye had long regretted his past actions.
Hearing these words now, he naturally nodded. Gripping his sword, his lowered eyes, illuminated by the distant lantern light, carried a rare tenderness. “From now on, I will treat her well.”
These past days, he had been reflecting on the years he spent with Lanyin.
Since childhood, he had known that Lanyin would be his future wife. The first time his parents took him to Lin’an to visit the Marquis of Changxing’s residence, he had been filled with anticipation for the Lanyin he had never met. Back then, Lanyin had been bright and passionate, fond of wearing red, with the jingle of pearls and jade always accompanying her movements. Wherever she was, there was always more laughter than in any other place.
Compared to the quiet and delicate Gu Qing, he had liked Lanyin more at that time.
He had been drawn to the fiery spirit in her that set her apart from other women, even longing to be with her as soon as possible. He thought, although their marriage had been arranged from birth, Lanyin’s nature would surely bring a touch of brilliance to his otherwise barren life.
Later, Lanyin had accompanied the Marquis of Changxing and his wife to visit the Earl Manor.
Back then, he did his best as a host, just like how Lanyin used to take him out to play when he visited Lin’an. He also took Lanyin to many places. He liked Lanyin— liked her smile, liked the way she curved her brows and called him “Brother Ye” with a bright gaze. But those days, in the eyes of others, became something for them to mock and use against him.
When he returned to the academy, many people brought up his relationship with Lanyin.
Youth always seemed to come with pride and self-respect. At that age, nothing was more embarrassing for a boy than being the subject of such gossip. And so, the excitement and enthusiasm he once had for Lanyin slowly faded, as if by avoiding contact, he could also avoid being talked about.
At that time, he and Lanyin had an agreement to write each other a letter every month. But after that incident, he unilaterally broke their agreement. Lanyin, however, still wrote to him every month without fail, never asking for an explanation— just stubbornly and foolishly insisting on keeping their promise.
Until she was six years old—
That was when he learned from his parents what had happened to the Marquis’s household.
At that time, he was truly worried about Lanyin. He even wanted to rush to Lin’an to see her, but he was still too young and had no way to do so. He thought about writing her a letter, but just as he picked up the brush, his academy classmates came to visit his home. Unwilling to let them find out, he hastily tore the paper apart— along with the letter Lanyin had sent him that day, which he ripped to shreds right in front of them.
Afterward—
He regretted it.
He wanted to piece Lanyin’s letter back together, to know what she had written. But the paper was scattered in too many fragments, impossible to restore. In the end, he could only write her a letter with unease, telling her not to be too sad.
A month later, he received her reply.
In that letter, Lanyin no longer filled pages with her lively accounts of the past month’s experiences. There was only a single line:
“Thank you for your concern, Brother Xiao. I am well. Do not worry.”
At the time, he found it strange, but he didn’t think much of it. He assumed it was because of what had happened in her family. After that, however, he never received another letter from Lanyin.
He thought about writing to ask her why, but it felt inappropriate.
He figured that if something was wrong, she would naturally tell him. And so, he left it at that. As time passed and he grew older, he became aware of the social propriety between men and women, and it became even less appropriate for him to write to her. He did, however, inquire about her well-being and even visited Jinling to see her.
But the once-bright and passionate girl from his memories had become silent and reserved.
She no longer called him “Brother Ye”— instead, she addressed him as Brother Xiao.
Xiao Ye did not know how to describe the feeling of seeing Lanyin again after growing up. He only felt that the girl who had once brought him warmth and vitality seemed to have become someone else. She possessed impeccable manners, but she was no different from the noble ladies of Bianjing— constrained by rules and etiquette, admired by others yet distant at the same time.
When he first went to see her, he had been excited. But when he left, all he felt was disappointment.
The next time they met was years later.
At the Marquis of Changxing’s residence in Lin’an.
She had been brought back to the Marquis’s household, while he, concerned that Gu Qing would feel uneasy after returning home, temporarily stayed at the residence as well.
At that time, Lanyin had come to see him. She had learned about his past with Gu Qing and had come to give him a choice. She said,
“If Brother Xiao finds this difficult, you may annul the engagement. Or, if you wish, you may marry my younger sister instead. After all, the original arrangement only stated that the Xiao and Gu families would be joined— it never specified who the bride must be.”
He had known that was the best choice.
It was the best outcome for all three of them. Yet for some reason, he still chose Lanyin.
…
Xiao Ye knew he was not a good husband.
Since he had chosen Lanyin back then, he should have treated her well— not married Lanyin while still worrying about Gu Qing.
Indeed, he had never betrayed Lanyin physically, nor had he ever intended to marry Gu Qing after marrying Lanyin. But thinking back on these three years of marriage with Lanyin, he realized just how gravely mistaken he had been.
He should not have, after completing their wedding vows before heaven and earth, after promising her in front of family and friends that he would treat her well, abandoned his wife time and time again just because he received letters from Gu Qing, learned of her unease and fear, and rushed to Lin’an to see her.