At first, Lu Boting did not notice Lanyin, but upon hearing Lu Sheng mention something behind him, he paused and turned his gaze in her direction.
Lanyin, on the other hand, had already noticed his arrival.
Being stared at did not bother her. Seeing Ting Yun and Shan Xi tense up beside her, their bodies instinctively on guard, Lanyin smiled. She said nothing but lifted her foot and walked toward him.
When she neared, she performed a formal curtsy and greeted him warmly, “Lord Lu.”
Having been accustomed to hearing her call him “Uncle Lu,” this was the first time she addressed him in this way. Lu Boting knew she was deliberately maintaining distance after leaving the Chengbo Residence. His gaze toward her became somewhat complicated…
He had been reprimanded by the emperor. If he said he didn’t resent Lanyin at all, that would be a lie.
If Lanyin hadn’t insisted on the divorce, things wouldn’t have escalated to the point where even the emperor got involved. He wouldn’t have been impeached and publicly punished.
But… what could he blame her for?
She had only made the choice she wanted.
If blame was to be placed, it should be on himself, on Xiao Ye… Lu Boting had served as an official for many years. Though he was not known for having a particularly broad heart, he was also not a petty man. He was not so small-minded as to blame his current predicament on Lanyin.
Moreover, Lanyin’s attitude toward him remained the same. She had not treated him coldly or reproached him for his actions. He sighed inwardly, suppressing the complexity in his gaze, and when he spoke to her, his voice unconsciously softened. “Is everything settled?”
“Yes,” Lanyin replied warmly. “The officials were very helpful, and everything has been taken care of.”
Lu Boting nodded and then told her, “I heard that you have also acquired a residence. It won’t be easy for a woman like you to live in Bianjing alone. If you ever need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to send someone to find me.”
Afraid that she would refuse, he added, “I have drunk your tea before. Even without the Xiao family, you still have every right to call me ‘Uncle.’”
This was something Lanyin had not expected.
She was somewhat surprised but also grateful. However, deep down, she did not truly take this kindness to heart… It was a good thing when others were willing to offer help, but she could not shamelessly cling to others for support.
Everyone had their own hardships.
So Lanyin merely smiled at him and responded warmly, “Thank you, Uncle Lu. I will remember that.”
Lu Boting thought she had accepted his offer and did not say anything more. He continued forward, surrounded by his attendants.
Lanyin stood to the side to let them pass. After he left, she led her people outside.
As soon as they stepped out, she saw Tianqing and Song Yue standing together. Both had anxious expressions as they gazed toward the Ministry of Revenue. The moment they spotted Lanyin and her group emerging, they visibly relaxed.
“Why aren’t you with your Master?”
Lanyin approached Tianqing and couldn’t help but ask. As she spoke, her gaze drifted to the familiar carriage parked under a willow tree not far away. The street was bustling with traffic and noise, yet the carriage under the willow tree remained so quiet that it seemed as though no one was inside.
“Master was worried when you didn’t come out for a long time, so he sent me to check on you,” Tianqing said, finally letting out a breath of relief. “If you had taken any longer, Brother Song Yue and I would have gone in to find you.”
“I was delayed for a bit. I didn’t mean to worry him. Please go back and let him know that I’m fine.”
Tianqing nodded and was about to leave when Lanyin hesitated for a moment and suddenly called out to him, “Forget it, I’ll go with you.”
She instructed Ting Yun to wait for her in the carriage and then followed Tianqing toward the Bianshui River.
A warm breeze brushed past, making the willows sway gently.
Tianqing stepped forward and addressed the man inside the carriage, “Master.”
“Hmm.”
The curtain inside remained unmoved, and a deep male voice responded from within.
But then, the moment Tianqing added—
“Miss is here.”
The carriage curtain was suddenly lifted.
Lanyin had originally thought that Qi Yubai would not reveal himself. She had not expected him to pull back the curtain so suddenly. The movement was so abrupt that she instinctively looked up at the source of the sound.
Her gaze met the dark, piercing phoenix eyes of the man inside the carriage.
She saw Qi Yubai looking at her, seemingly surprised that she had come over in person, or perhaps worried that something had happened to her. His deep, dark eyes swept over her, as if checking whether she was unharmed. Only after his gaze roamed over her did he finally let it settle on her face.
He asked, “Is it done?”
His voice was still low and deep, just like the earlier indifferent “Hmm,” yet this time, there was a distinct softness to it.
He did not ask any unnecessary questions—just whether it was done.
But hearing it, Lanyin felt a warmth spread through her heart.
She nodded and answered in a gentle voice, “It’s done.”
After a moment of thought, she told him everything that had happened inside—the matter of transferring her household registration, as well as her encounter with Lu Boting. She recounted everything in detail.
Clearly, she had never had the habit of reporting her affairs to others.
Yet for some reason, under Qi Yubai’s deep and silent gaze, she found herself unconsciously wanting to tell him everything that had happened today.
But Qi Yubai did not merely nod or respond with a simple “I understand.”
After listening to her, he looked at Lanyin and said, “Lu Boting is not a petty man. Even though he was punished this time, he will not blame you for it. His words were sincere—you don’t need to worry.”
Lanyin was just about to nod when she heard the man add, “But if you need anything, you don’t have to go to him. Just come to me.”
Lanyin was momentarily stunned, her words suddenly catching in her throat.
She looked up at Qi Yubai, only to see his expression calm, as if he had merely said something perfectly ordinary.
Seeing him like this, Lanyin couldn’t help but recall what Grandmother Qi had told her yesterday…
Had Grandmother Qi spoken to him again?
Lanyin had intended to apologize, but when her gaze met the deep, serious look in the man’s eyes, she could tell—he truly meant what he said.
It wasn’t just because of some instruction; he genuinely thought this way.
Realizing this, the expression in Lanyin’s eyes softened even more.
She no longer refused Qi Yubai like she had in the past. Instead, under his gaze, she gently nodded and replied in a soft voice, “I understand. If I need anything, I won’t be polite with you, my lord.”
It was the first time she had ever said such words to Qi Yubai of her own accord.
Qi Yubai naturally noticed the change in her attitude. His deep, dark eyes seemed to be tinged with a faint warmth.
“What is my lord planning to do now?”
Qi Yubai heard her question but did not answer. Instead, he asked, “What do you want to do?”
“Me?”
Lanyin thought for a moment. “I plan to go home first.”
She wanted to say that if he had other matters to attend to, she could return by herself. After all, everything had already been taken care of.
But before she could say anything, the man did not give her the chance.
Seated inside the carriage, his gaze lowered slightly as he said to her, “Then let’s go home.”
“Let’s go,” he said, looking at Lanyin. “I will follow you.”
The warm summer breeze brushed against her face.
Lanyin looked at Qi Yubai standing before her and suddenly felt that she should have brought Ting Yun along so she could see for herself—see that she had not been lying. He was not cold, nor was he harsh.
He… was a very, very good person.
“Alright.”
Lanyin softly responded, then bowed to Qi Yubai before turning to walk ahead.
As the carriage set off and moved forward, she couldn’t help but lift the curtain to look back.
On the bustling official road, the man’s dark green carriage followed steadily behind hers—neither too close nor too far, at just the right distance. Even if others saw, they wouldn’t think anything of it.
Ting Yun noticed as well. She couldn’t help but remark, “Lord Qi is quite thoughtful.”
Now that their mistress had just divorced, it was inevitable that some people would be keeping an eye on her. Yet Lord Qi chose to protect her in this way—ensuring her safety without ruining her reputation.
Ting Yun felt that while Lord Qi appeared cold, his heart was indeed, as their mistress had said, warm.
“Mm, he is very thoughtful,” Lanyin said with a smile.
Ting Yun looked at the smile on her mistress’s face and thought about how she interacted with Lord Qi. Her heart stirred slightly.
Although her mistress had clearly stated that she would never marry again, how could she bear to let her spend the rest of her life alone?
If her mistress could be with Lord Qi… Forget whether Lord Qi was a loving person—just the fact that his grandmother was Old Madam Qi…
That was their own old madam’s dearest friend.
With her looking after their mistress, she would never be mistreated again.
“What are you thinking about?”
Lanyin had just let go of the curtain and turned her head, only to see Ting Yun staring blankly in her direction, lost in thought.
Hearing her mistress’s voice, Ting Yun snapped out of it.
Of course, she wouldn’t bring up her thoughts at this moment.
She knew her mistress’s temperament well—having just escaped one cage, the last thing she wanted to think about was matters of the heart.
Right now, the only reason she could interact with Lord Qi so naturally was because she wasn’t even considering such things.
If she were to bring it up now, not only would her mistress stop interacting so comfortably, but she might even start avoiding him altogether.
“Nothing.”
Ting Yun shook her head and casually came up with a reason, saying to Lanyin, “I was just thinking that since today is such a good day, once we get home, we should have the kitchen prepare a fine meal and have a proper celebration.”
Lanyin didn’t particularly enjoy lively gatherings, but she was happy to see them in good spirits, so she smiled and nodded. Thinking about how the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, she added, “Remember to prepare some red-sealed money with Shi Yu later. The festival is coming soon, so make sure to give everyone some auspicious money. The shopkeepers and attendants at the store, as well as the people on the estate, shouldn’t be left out.”
“Got it!”
Ting Yun responded with a cheerful smile.
The carriage finally stopped at the entrance of their residence. Ting Yun helped Lanyin down.
Lanyin had originally planned to wait for Qi Yubai’s carriage to stop so she could say a word to him before going inside. However, before she could even turn to check where Qi Yubai’s carriage was, she noticed another familiar carriage parked right in front of her home.
It was made of the finest ebony wood, even the curtains hanging from its top were the currently popular Shu brocade, adorned with intricate patterns that exuded the elegance and prestige of an aristocratic family.
Ting Yun had just been smiling while discussing what dishes to prepare for lunch, but the moment she caught sight of that carriage, her expression changed. The hand supporting Lanyin tightened slightly. “Master…”
The rumors about the Xiao family—she had heard plenty along the way.
She feared that Madam Xiao had come seeking revenge.
Lanyin’s expression, however, remained unchanged. She recognized it as Madam Xiao’s carriage but was not particularly concerned. She and Xiao Ye were no longer connected, and she had no reason to fear trouble from the Xiao family. Besides, based on what she knew about Madam Xiao, she was not the type of person who would trouble a former daughter-in-law at a time like this.
Even if she was displeased, she wouldn’t show it outright.
Just as Lanyin was about to reassure Ting Yun, a voice came from behind her.
“What’s going on?”
The voice came from directly behind her.
Lanyin turned and saw Qi Yubai standing just one step away from her. The moment she turned around, the distance between them became even smaller.
Aside from the familiar, refreshing scent of ebony and sandalwood on him, she could even clearly hear his breathing.
Being so close, her heart unexpectedly skipped a beat. Her heartbeat quickened, and before she even realized it herself, she instinctively took a step back.
Once she had put some distance between them, Lanyin regained her composure. She then looked at the man and, lowering her voice, said, “It’s the Madam of Chengbo Residence.”
Qi Yubai naturally noticed her slight retreat, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, when he heard “Madam of Chengbo Residence,” his brows furrowed slightly.
Lanyin knew what he was worried about. She smiled and reassured him, “My lord, don’t worry. It’s nothing.”
Even if he was concerned, he couldn’t accompany her inside.
Qi Yubai pressed his lips together and looked at her in silence for a moment before saying, “If anything happens, send someone to inform me at once.”
After a brief pause, he added, “My grandmother and I will come.”
“Alright.”
Lanyin’s brows curved into a smile. She nodded at him under his gaze.
Only when he said, “Go on,” did she turn and walk into the residence.
“Master.”
Lanyin’s figure had already disappeared inside, but Qi Yubai remained standing there.
Tianqing couldn’t help but call out to him.
Only then did Qi Yubai withdraw his gaze, but he did not forget to instruct, “Keep an eye on what happens inside. Report to me immediately if anything arises.”
“Yes, sir.”