After a long moment of silent contemplation, he lowered his gaze, concealing the greed hidden within his dark eyes. He spoke slowly, “Grandmother likes you very much. If you act like this, she will be happy.”
So that was the reason.
Lanyin nodded, though she still added, “But this really is too much trouble for you. Why don’t you head back? I can go out on my own.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the man glanced sideways at her. “Grandmother will ask.”
“Ah…”
Lanyin had not expected Grandmother Qi to be so meticulous, even about such a small matter. She frowned slightly, trying to think of another way, when she heard Qi Yubai speak again.
“No harm done. I need to walk off my meal anyway.”
“Walk off your meal?”
Lanyin looked at him, a little surprised by his words.
Qi Yubai met her gaze, his expression solemn, his tone as serious as ever. “Mm. If I don’t move after eating too much, I’ll get fat.”
The moment he finished speaking, Lanyin couldn’t hold back—she burst into laughter.
As soon as the sound escaped her lips, she realized what she had done. Instantly, her face turned bright red.
In all her years, she had rarely ever lost composure like this. Yet tonight, not only had she cried in front of him, but now he had also heard her laughter.
She must not have checked the almanac before going out today.
Otherwise, why would she keep embarrassing herself in front of him?
Pressing a handkerchief to her lips, her face flushed with embarrassment. Crying earlier could be explained away—Grandmother Qi had made sure of that—but now…
The blush spread from her face to her ears, and she was certain even her neck had turned red. Otherwise, why would it feel so hot?
But now was not the time to dwell on such things.
She was currently being watched by the man’s sharp, dark phoenix eyes.
Though he said nothing, Lanyin still felt like a child caught doing something wrong under his gaze. Flustered, she hurriedly explained, “I didn’t do it on purpose…”
She really hadn’t.
But who told him to say something like that?
A man with such an immortal-like presence speaking so seriously about such a thing—Lanyin wasn’t a saint. How could she possibly hold back?
Losing composure in front of him and laughing as if making fun of him left her both embarrassed and guilty. She didn’t dare meet Qi Yubai’s eyes, but she also feared that looking away would make her explanation seem insincere. Suppressing all those emotions, she lifted her gaze and told him, “You’re not fat. Not at all.”
Far from it.
Lanyin couldn’t help but recall the sight of him in his crimson court robes earlier that evening.
When she had approached him, the wide sleeves of his robe fluttered in the wind, and the fabric clung to his waist, outlining his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and those long legs.
Then, unbidden, she remembered what people had said about him at the banquet—
Master Qi isn’t much different from a military general.
Except that generals were often robust and imposing, while the man before her was lean yet powerful.
Realizing what she had just been thinking, Lanyin, already flushed, felt her cheeks grow even hotter.
Qi Yubai, however, assumed she was still embarrassed over her earlier laughter. Considerate as ever, he withdrew his gaze and said, “Mm, I understand. Let’s go.”
With that, he took the lead and stepped forward.
At this point, Lanyin naturally couldn’t insist on refusing his escort any further. Seeing Qi Yubai step forward, she quickly followed, feeling even more frustrated with herself for letting her thoughts wander. In the future, she really should avoid those banquet gatherings—otherwise, if she heard any more of those remarks, she might not even dare to look him in the eye.
The rest of the way was uneventful.
Neither of them spoke as they walked to the entrance. When Lanyin saw the familiar doorway ahead, she unconsciously let out a breath of relief.
“Thank you, my lord. You should head back now.” She stopped and turned to speak to Qi Yubai.
Qi Yubai nodded but did not leave immediately. Instead, he looked down at her and said, “Wait for me tomorrow.”
Knowing what he was referring to, Lanyin nodded. She never went back on her word once she had agreed to something. “Alright. Before I leave tomorrow, I’ll send someone to call for you.” After a brief pause, she hesitated and asked, “Are you sure it won’t be too much trouble for you?”
“It won’t.” Qi Yubai’s gaze was steady. “I happen to have nothing planned for tomorrow.”
Only then did Lanyin feel reassured. A faint smile curved her lips as she looked at him and softly said, “Then, I’ll be going.”
“Mm.”
Qi Yubai nodded.
Without saying anything more, Lanyin turned and, under his watchful gaze, led Ting Yun back home.
Qi Yubai remained standing at the doorway, watching her enter and waiting until the door closed behind her before turning back.
The moment he stepped into his room, he heard a rustling sound by the window.
Then, a “Meow.”
A plump orange cat padded toward him.
It was well-fed, its fur sleek and glossy, a clear sign of being well cared for.
Perhaps because it hadn’t seen Qi Yubai for some time, the cat trotted forward with an air of self-importance. Upon reaching him, it flopped onto the floor, belly up, lazily stretching out and letting out another soft “Meow.”
Qi Yubai lowered his gaze to look at it.
A moment later, he scooped up the orange cat and carried it over to the window. The cat shifted comfortably in his arms, finding the perfect position, while Qi Yubai absentmindedly rubbed its belly and looked toward the house next door.
“Do you think she still remembers you?”
—
The next morning.
Perhaps because she had something weighing on her mind, Lanyin had not slept well the previous night. When she didn’t sleep well, she was prone to dreaming, and so, last night, she had dreamt again—this time of her childhood.
Unlike the dream she had after drinking sweet rice wine, which had flowed seamlessly, last night’s dream had been fragmented and chaotic, flashing through various scenes and time periods.
“Did I have a pet cat when I was a child?” Sitting before the bronze mirror as Ting Yun combed her hair, Lanyin suddenly recalled the dream and couldn’t help but ask, “I remember… I think it was a little orange cat.”
This was something from so many years ago that Ting Yun struggled to recall. It wasn’t until Shi Yu entered the room with a curtain of rain trailing behind her that someone finally provided an answer.
“You did, my lady. But Third Miss was allergic to cat fur, so you had to give the little orange cat away.”
Shi Yu had always been fond of cats, so she remembered this incident clearly.
She recalled that it had been a rainy day when the young mistress suddenly returned home with a tiny orange kitten in her arms. The Old Madam, seeing her rare delight, had naturally allowed her to keep it and even had a proper little nest made for it. But unexpectedly, the very next day, when Third Miss came over to play, she suddenly suffered an asthma attack and fainted.
After the physician diagnosed her, they learned that she was allergic to cat fur.
No one had blamed the young mistress for it, but she had still felt immensely guilty.
She had already been living in the Wang family as a guest and had always been careful in everything she did. She never expected that an impulsive decision would nearly cause harm to someone else. Even though the Old Madam had comforted her, she had been dispirited for a long time.
So much so that, after that incident, she never dared to keep pets again—not even flowers or plants.
“I remember arranging for someone to take it away. I wonder if it ever found a good owner.” As Lanyin listened, her memories became clearer, and she murmured to herself.
After the incident with her third sister, the household had banned keeping cats. Lanyin had wanted to protect it, but she was powerless. Fearing it would be killed, she had no choice but to entrust a servant to take it outside the residence, hoping it would find a good owner.
“It has you remembering it, so surely it has lived a peaceful and fortunate life,” Ting Yun said, noticing Lanyin’s sadness.
“Even you have learned to say such comforting words now,” Lanyin glanced at her with a smile.
Ting Yun grinned, “If you still like cats, why not have someone buy one from the market?”
Shi Yu chimed in as well.
However, after a long silence, Lanyin shook her head. “No need.”
She no longer had the same kindness and care as she did in childhood, and she feared she wouldn’t be able to take good care of it.
After washing up, she remembered Qi Yubai’s instructions from the previous day and told Shi Yu to go to the Qi residence. But unexpectedly, Shi Yu hesitated awkwardly before mumbling, “I think I should let Song Yue go instead.”
“Why is that?” Lanyin was puzzled.
Shi Yu’s face flushed, and she remained silent, but Ting Yun, who understood the reason, laughed while placing food in Lanyin’s bowl. “Our little chili pepper is afraid of Master Qi. Didn’t you notice? These past few days, it’s always been me accompanying you to the Qi residence. Of course…” She sighed with some helplessness. “I’m afraid too.”
Lanyin was momentarily stunned.
“You all…”
She shook her head with a laugh. “He’s actually quite easy to talk to.”
But to her surprise, both maids remained silent. After a long pause, Ting Yun finally said, “You’ve never seemed afraid of Master Qi.”
Not only was she not afraid, but as an outsider watching from the sidelines, Ting Yun had noticed that her mistress was becoming more and more comfortable around Master Qi.
Lanyin pondered for a moment.
She did feel guilt, nervousness, and uncertainty around Qi Yubai—but fear? No, she had never feared him.
Perhaps it was because, deep down, she had always known he was a good person.
And the more time she spent with him, the more she realized that he was warm-blooded, flesh and bone—not the cold, emotionless man that the rumors had made him out to be.
“If you don’t want to go, then let Song Yue do it.” Seeing Shi Yu nod in agreement, Lanyin added, “If he hasn’t arrived yet, don’t rush him. It doesn’t matter when he comes.”
Once Shi Yu acknowledged the instruction and ran off, Lanyin turned her attention back to her meal.
But when she finished eating and stepped outside, Qi Yubai was already there.
Since he wasn’t attending court today nor heading to the Court of Judicial Review, he was dressed in his regular attire—a deep purple, round-collared robe embroidered with bamboo patterns. His hair was meticulously tied up, adorned with a simple black gauze cap, the two ribbons at its corners hanging neatly over his shoulders.
Upon seeing Lanyin approach, he nodded slightly and greeted her in a natural tone. “You’re here.”
Lanyin quickly stepped forward and paid her respects. “How long have you been waiting?” Then, she added, “Why didn’t you have someone inform me?”
“Not long.” Qi Yubai looked at her calmly. “Let’s go.”
Lanyin nodded. She had been about to ask how they were traveling when Qi Yubai preempted her.
“My carriage will follow behind yours. When we arrive at the Ministry of Revenue, I’ll wait outside. If you encounter any trouble, have your guard inform me.”
Lanyin had been slightly worried that Qi Yubai would accompany her inside the Ministry. She wasn’t concerned about gossip—having lived through her past life, she had long grown used to it—but she feared that she would once again affect his reputation.
So when she heard his arrangement, she felt relieved.
She nodded to him in thanks, then, under Qi Yubai’s gaze, let Ting Yun assist her as she stepped into the carriage.
The carriage swiftly made its way out of the alley. After half an hour, it finally came to a halt.
Outside, Song Yue’s voice sounded, “My lady, we’ve arrived.”
“Mm.”
Lanyin responded softly.
Ting Yun reached out, intending to place a veiled hat on her, but this time, Lanyin didn’t let her.
She took a deep breath, then lifted the curtain and stepped down from the carriage.
Looking at the Ministry of Revenue in the near distance, she suddenly felt her heartbeat pounding like a war drum.
But at that moment—
She felt a gaze upon her.
Turning her head, she saw a carriage parked a short distance away along the long street. The roof was draped in dark green brocade, and a pair of elegant hands were holding the edge of the silk curtain.
The familiar man stood there, watching her from afar.
He said nothing, but Lanyin could feel a quiet, gentle strength radiating from him.
That strength seemed to be telling her—
Gu Lanyin, do not be afraid. Go and take what belongs to you. Step forward toward the new life you desire.
Suddenly, all fear vanished.
Her heart no longer raced wildly.
Her lips were no longer tightly pressed together.
Across the crowd, across the long street, she smiled and nodded at him.
Then, under his watchful gaze, she stepped forward, walking steadily into the Ministry.