Madam Xiao’s coughing grew more and more violent, yet the only person by her side was Jinglan, who worried over her.
The sky was clear, and the air was crisp, yet Madam Xiao was overcome with sorrow.
…
It was unclear how much time had passed since Madam Xiao had left, but Xiao Ye still lay on the bed with his eyes tightly shut.
He was not asleep, yet he refused to open his eyes.
His mind echoed with his mother’s words:
“You and Lanyin are already separated.”
“You’re wasting away at home, but do you know what she is doing?”
“Go outside and see for yourself—listen to how people talk about you two now.”
His eyeballs shifted restlessly beneath his tightly shut eyelids, and his hands, resting at his sides, slowly clenched into fists.
With a sudden whoosh, Xiao Ye abruptly sat up in bed. His head was lowered as he panted heavily.
A long silence followed.
At last, Xiao Ye got up.
He walked to the bronze mirror—it was the first time in days that he had looked at his own reflection.
Even though the servants had attended to him daily, the deep-seated weariness in his bones was unmistakable, making him frown instantly.
He stared for a long time.
Then, he called for someone to come in.
After personally washing up and dressing himself in a fresh set of robes, he stepped out of his room.
He didn’t let Zhou An follow him. He only had him pass a message to his mother.
As for Gu Qing… from beginning to end, he never mentioned her, nor did he send anyone to deal with her.
With a dark expression, he simply strode out.
So much time had passed.
The entrance of Chengbo Manor was no longer as crowded as before, but there were still a few idle bystanders who had come to pry for news.
When they suddenly caught sight of Xiao Ye, they were momentarily stunned.
The very people who had once gossiped so freely about him and the Chengbo Manor now found themselves speechless when they met his cold, ominous gaze. They instinctively stepped aside in silence.
Xiao Ye paid them no mind.
He mounted his Bichong horse and rode straight out of the alley.
—
Duke of Lu’s Residence.
Xiao Siyu and Tu Yici had been waiting at the entrance for some time.
The moment Xiao Siyu spotted Lanyin’s carriage from afar, she could no longer contain her excitement.
She quickly let go of Tu Yici’s hand and, amid his reminder to “slow down,” hurried down the stone steps.
The moment the carriage stopped, a bright smile lit up her face.
A “Sister-in-law” nearly slipped from her lips, but she caught herself just in time and swallowed the words back.
Seeing Shi Yu help Lanyin step out of the carriage, she also went forward to support her, calling out, “Elder Sister.”
It was an old form of address.
Although she had always treated Lanyin as her sister-in-law since childhood, Lanyin was strict about propriety and had only allowed her to call her “Elder Sister” before marriage.
Back then, she had always gotten it wrong.
Lanyin never scolded her, only looked at her helplessly.
But Xiao Siyu would simply cling to her arm and act coquettishly, saying, “Elder Sister, hurry and marry my brother! I really don’t want to call you that anymore—‘Sister-in-law’ sounds so much closer and more affectionate.”
She never thought that after all this time, she would be calling her that again.
Naturally, there was some helplessness in her heart, but Xiao Siyu knew very well that there was no possibility between her brother and Lanyin anymore.
Perhaps, in the past, there had been a sliver of hope.
But the moment her brother uttered those words in the Daqing Hall, the last remaining possibility between them was completely extinguished by his own hands.
Her form of address just now, however, made Shi Yu—who had been keeping a tight expression—look a little better. When greeting Xiao Siyu this time, her tone also became much gentler.
“Second Miss,” she called.
Xiao Siyu responded with a smile.
Tu Yici also walked over, standing beside Xiao Siyu as he greeted Lanyin.
Lanyin nodded in response.
Xiao Siyu was impatient about standing outside for too long, so she linked arms with Lanyin and said, “The sun is too harsh out here. Let’s go inside first. I’ve prepared a lot of food for you, and Lin’er happens to be awake right now.”
As she spoke, she was about to lead Lanyin inside, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of another carriage pulling up.
When she recognized the familiar carriage and the driver, she immediately knew that Qi Yubai had arrived.
As the hostess, Xiao Siyu naturally couldn’t just leave like this. She initially thought of letting Lanyin go inside first, but since they would be dining together later anyway, they would inevitably meet.
After some thought, she leaned toward Lanyin and whispered, “It’s Lord Qi.”
Thinking that Lanyin had never interacted with Qi Yubai before, Xiao Siyu continued before Lanyin could even respond, “People say he’s cold and distant, difficult to approach, but that’s not really true. You’ll know when you interact with him.”
She had never visited Lanyin’s new residence and was unaware that she and Qi Yubai were neighbors. Even if she had known, she wouldn’t have expected that the two of them now saw each other every day.
Tu Yici, however, was well aware of this.
Seeing his wife still in the dark, he found it amusing but said nothing.
Once the carriage came to a complete stop, he simply turned to Xiao Siyu and Lanyin and said, “I’ll go greet Senior Brother,” before walking forward.
“Let’s go over too.”
Xiao Siyu held Lanyin’s hand and followed after Tu Yici.
Just as they arrived, Qi Yubai happened to step down from his carriage.
Xiao Siyu greeted him with a smile. “Senior Brother!”
Because of Tu Yici, she had always called Qi Yubai that.
Qi Yubai acknowledged her with a nod.
Xiao Siyu was about to introduce Lanyin to him when she suddenly noticed that Qi Yubai and Lanyin had already exchanged nods.
Lanyin also smiled and greeted him in a natural tone, “My lord.”
Their familiarity with each other was clear—it was obviously not their first meeting.
Xiao Siyu was visibly surprised.
Lanyin didn’t hide anything and simply explained how she and Qi Yubai knew each other.
“…What a coincidence,” Xiao Siyu said in disbelief even after hearing the full story.
Lanyin also found it quite the coincidence.
“Alright, the sun is too harsh. You two should head inside first. Senior Brother and I have some official matters to handle in the study,” Tu Yici interjected.
Xiao Siyu snapped out of her thoughts.
She no longer dwelled on Lanyin and Qi Yubai’s connection—after all, the world was vast, and strange coincidences happened all the time.
She nodded, then took Lanyin’s hand. “Elder Sister, let’s go in first.”
After greeting Qi Yubai once more, she led Lanyin inside.
As they walked away, Tu Yici smirked and glanced at the man beside him.
“Everyone’s gone, and you’re still looking?”
Seeing Qi Yubai’s gaze lingering on Gu Lanyin’s departing figure, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Before Qi Yubai could say anything, Zhusheng spoke up first.
“Our master can look if he wants. What does it have to do with you?”
“Oh?” Tu Yici raised an eyebrow as if just now noticing him.
“So, our little Zhusheng is back? Your elder brother was asking about you the other day. Tell me, where did you run off to this time?”
Zhusheng had suffered losses at Tu Yici’s hands more than once and had already learned his lesson. Now, he lifted his chin and crossed his arms before spitting out, “None of your damn business!”
“Hey, you little brat—”
Tu Yici, realizing he wouldn’t be able to win this argument, turned to look at Zhusheng’s master instead. “Hey, old Qi, you’re just going to let him talk like that?”
Qi Yubai glanced at him but didn’t respond. He merely dusted off his robe lightly before stepping forward toward the Duke of Lu’s residence. Zhusheng hurriedly followed, and as he passed by Tu Yici, he let out a heavy huff, clearly still holding a grudge over being tricked by him before.
“Tch, so I’m just the one getting picked on, huh?”
Tu Yici watched the departing master and servant with a laugh, shaking his head. However, he wasn’t the least bit upset. With his hands clasped behind his back, he followed them into the manor.
…
After meeting with the Duchess of Lu, Lanyin went to Xiao Siyu’s room.
Sure enough, Lin’er was still awake.
He lay on the luohan bed, dressed in a small set of clothes, while a maid entertained him with a rattle drum.
The moment Xiao Siyu saw her son, her heart softened. The once-lively woman now spoke in a gentler voice as she held the baby and turned to Lanyin, saying, “Lin’er, look who’s here to see you?”
But how could a baby this young remember anyone?
Being held in Xiao Siyu’s arms, he merely glanced at Lanyin before reaching out again for the rattle drum.
Lanyin didn’t mind at all.
Standing beside them, she watched the child’s innocent play, her expression softening considerably.
She still remembered that in her past life, the year she left this world, Lin’er had been nearly three years old. He had followed Xiao Siyu and Tu Yici to visit her, using his chubby little hands to wipe her tears while saying, “Auntie, don’t cry. Lin’er will blow on it, and Auntie won’t feel sad anymore.”
Her heart had melted into a puddle.
Lanyin couldn’t help but reach out her hands. “Auntie wants a hug, okay?”
Perhaps her voice was too gentle, for the little child actually looked at her for a moment, as if trying to recall whether he had seen her before.
Then, seeing Lanyin’s outstretched hands—an action he was quite familiar with—he hesitated briefly before reaching out toward her as well.
Seeing him extend his hands, Lanyin’s eyes curved into crescents with joy.
She happily lifted him into her arms with movements both practiced and gentle.
Xiao Siyu had initially been worried that her son would fuss and cry.
Even though he was still small, he was particularly picky about who could hold him. Other than herself and Tu Yici, only his wet nurse could carry him. Even Xiao Siyu’s mother-in-law, the Duchess of Lu, had to wait for him to be in a good mood before he would “graciously” allow her to hold him for a moment.
And even then, it would only last for a short while—any longer, and he would immediately start crying.
Yet unexpectedly, he remained in Lanyin’s arms for quite some time without a single complaint.
He even started playing with Lanyin’s fingers, babbling away in delight, clearly enjoying himself.
Xiao Siyu watched in astonishment, both surprised and pleased.
Her initial worries faded away as she simply stood to the side, watching the two interact.
Lin’er truly seemed to like Lanyin.
Ever since she had picked him up, he had refused to let anyone else hold him.
So when Qi Yubai arrived, this was the scene he saw—
Lanyin, dressed in a long robe embroidered with magnolia flowers over a matching bodice and skirt, was sitting on the luohan bed, holding Lin’er in her arms.
She sat with the baby in front of a set of eight open redwood lattice windows, through which the summer scenery outside was fully visible. Warm, early summer sunlight streamed into the room.
The view was stunning.
Behind Lanyin stood several apricot trees, their blossoms swaying gently in the breeze. The petals rustled as they fell, creating a delicate, fleeting rain of flowers.
Seated indoors, Lanyin had her head slightly lowered.
The sunlight illuminated her slender, fair neck, making it appear as if it were glowing. The magnolia hairpin in her hair reflected the light, shimmering brilliantly.
One of her arms held Lin’er securely, while the other grasped a cloth tiger toy, gently coaxing him in a soft voice.
Lanyin had not noticed anyone entering.
Naturally, she also hadn’t noticed the way Qi Yubai’s gaze had softened as he looked at her.
“You’ve finished your discussion?”
It wasn’t until she heard Xiao Siyu’s voice that Lanyin realized they had arrived. She looked up and saw Qi Yubai standing by the curtain. As usual, she smiled and greeted him, “My lord.”
Tu Yici responded to Xiao Siyu with a smile, “It’s all taken care of.” Then, catching a glimpse of the man beside him, a thought crossed his mind, and he grinned as he said to Qi Yubai, “Senior Brother, why don’t you hold Lin’er too? See if he still remembers you.”
Xiao Siyu’s first instinct upon hearing this was to stop him.
The last time Senior Brother had held Lin’er was when he was just born, too young to be aware of anything. But now, Lin’er was at the age where he was especially fussy, and she worried that Qi Yubai might not be able to handle this little troublemaker of hers.
But then another thought came to her—maybe if Senior Brother held Lin’er a few more times, he would finally be willing to get married?
Her close friends had been urging her about this matter so many times she had lost count.
So in the end, she did not stop him.
“My lord, would you like to hold him?” Sitting on the luohan bed, Lanyin smiled as she asked Qi Yubai.
Qi Yubai hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded and walked toward her.
Lanyin smiled and carefully passed Lin’er to him. As she did, she guided him on how to hold the child. “Rest your elbow under Lin’er’s head and neck—yes, just like that. This hand can support his legs. He likes having someone play with him, so you should hold something in your hand.”
Lin’er had just been transferred from one embrace to another.
His big, round eyes, dark as black grapes, blinked drowsily. But as soon as he noticed that this new embrace wasn’t as soft as the last, and that the familiar face standing before him wasn’t holding him close, his little mouth began to quiver with grievance.
Qi Yubai happened to be lowering his head and immediately saw these subtle changes.
His clear, dark eyes met Lin’er’s black-and-white, innocent gaze.
Qi Yubai, who had never lost in a stare-down with anyone before, suddenly stiffened.
His entire body tensed up as he stared at Lin’er. He watched as the baby’s lips trembled downward, his eyes growing misty with tears, looking utterly wronged…
Qi Yubai had lived through two lifetimes, yet he had never had much contact with children.
This unfamiliar experience left him utterly at a loss.
Just as he didn’t know what to do, the sound of a rattle drum suddenly rang through the room.
Lanyin stood in front of him, skillfully shaking the small rattle drum in her hands.
The familiar sound instantly captured Lin’er’s attention.
A moment ago, he had been on the verge of bursting into tears, but now his eyes brightened, and he eagerly reached out, wanting to play with Lanyin.
Seeing that Lin’er was successfully soothed, Lanyin turned to Qi Yubai with a smile.
“Don’t worry, my lord. Babies are easy to coax. If he starts crying, just soothe him gently, and he’ll be fine.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her apricot eyes met Qi Yubai’s deep, slightly puzzled phoenix eyes.
Thinking of his naturally cold and aloof personality, she paused briefly.
Then, all of a sudden, a rich smile bloomed in her eyes.
Had she… perhaps made things a little too difficult for him?