“What did you say?”
Looking at the trembling steward before him, Xiao Ye held the still scorching roasted sweet potato in his hand, his face full of disbelief.
Steward Xu, hearing his astonished tone, couldn’t help but feel bitter inside.
He had heard about what had happened in the flower hall today. The young madam, who had never argued with the heir, actually… well, calling it an argument wouldn’t be quite right.
The young madam had always been gentle and dignified, never even speaking harshly to them, the servants. From what the attendants who had served in the flower hall reported, “The young madam mentioned leaving, and the heir, with a somber face, told her to do as she pleased before walking away.”
Looking at the heir’s current reaction, it was evident that he had never expected the young madam to actually leave.
Indeed.
If the madam were not truly gone from the estate, who would believe it?
For three years since she married into the Earl Manor, the young madam had been diligent and conscientious. In those three years, she had dutifully cared for her in-laws and managed the household. Even when the Earl Manor faced its most difficult times, she had never once left.
When the Lord was suffering in prison, the young madam had stayed by his side to care for him, while the heir was busy outside trying to pull connections. If not for the young madam, the Earl Manor might have already fallen apart.
Steward Xu had been in the Earl Manor for decades and had practically watched Xiao Ye grow up.
There were some words that others dared not say, but he had the standing to do so. Now, seeing Xiao Ye’s darkened expression, his tightly pressed thin lips, and the mix of shock and anger on his face, Steward Xu sighed and spoke earnestly, “Young Master, this time, you have truly hurt the young madam’s heart.”
“For three years, the young madam has been your wife. Apart from the difficulties with childbirth, what fault can you find in her? This time, disregarding her dignity, you brought Madam Fang home and even planned for her to stay long-term. Have you ever considered the young madam’s feelings?”
Xiao Ye’s expression darkened. “…I just wanted to help her.”
“Her husband is dead, and her younger brother-in-law…” Speaking of Fang Huaiye, Xiao Ye’s face flashed with anger and disgust. Out of consideration for Gu Qing’s reputation, he refrained from saying more and only stated, “They are sisters. Now that Qing’er is in trouble, why shouldn’t her elder sister show some understanding and take care of her?” His tone still carried blame.
He truly couldn’t understand how such a trivial matter had caused Gu Lanyin to leave home.
Even if she were acting out of temper, she had gone too far this time! Xiao Ye felt a surge of irritation, and his voice unconsciously carried some reproach. “Qing’er was away from home since childhood and is already sensitive by nature. If she acts like this now, how will Qing’er feel about staying in this household in the future?”
Steward Xu suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
Looking at the tall, imposing man with sword-like brows and bright eyes before him, Steward Xu felt a deep sense of helplessness.
He finally understood why the young madam had left so resolutely today.
Her own husband disregarded her dignity and wholeheartedly defended an outsider. If this continued, how could she possibly maintain her place in this household?
But he still cared for Xiao Ye. Having watched him grow up, no matter how helpless he felt, he softened his tone and spoke earnestly, “Madam Fang has her maiden family to support her in times of trouble. Moreover, the young madam wasn’t wrong—gossip is a powerful thing. Madam Fang is a married woman; if she stays in the manor for too long, what will others think?”
Xiao Ye said nothing, but his expression showed signs of wavering.
Seeing that he was at least listening, Steward Xu felt slightly relieved and pressed on, “The young madam sold all her properties in the city to help support our Earl Manor back then. This season, the countryside is especially cold, and with her weak health…”
“She is already in poor health, yet she insists on making a scene! And those maids by her side are just as reckless!” Xiao Ye was indeed anxious upon hearing these words.
At the mention of Lanyin’s past efforts in supporting the household, the irritation in his heart completely dissipated. Though his face remained somewhat unsightly, he still said, “The city gates are already closed for the night. At first light tomorrow, I will go to the outskirts and bring her back.”
“Ah!”
Steward Xu finally felt relief, and the deep lines of worry on his face smoothed out. He smiled and said, “The young madam will surely be happy to know that you’re coming for her.”
Such was the way of a married couple, after all.
Give an out and speak softly, no natter how big the anger, it will dissipate.
Fortunately, he had hidden that divorce letter in advance. Tomorrow, he would send someone to inform the madam ahead of time and have that thing torn up—otherwise, the heir would surely be furious. “You must remember to temper your temper. After all, the madam is still young, you mustn’t anger her again.”
Xiao Ye shot him a sidelong glance. “Nagging.”
Yet there was no trace of displeasure on his face, and he even agreed lightly, “I know, I’ll coax her properly tomorrow.”
Just as he was about to hand over the roasted sweet potato he never liked, a soft female voice called from the distance.
“Ah Ye.”
Xiao Ye turned toward the voice and saw a woman standing by the redwood corridor pillar not far away.
She was still dressed as she had been earlier today—a white dress flowing in the spring evening breeze, her black hair fluttering alongside it. She stood there, one hand resting against the red pillar, as delicate as a willow swaying in the wind, frail and helpless. The white silk flower pinned into the dark bun atop her head trembled slightly in the night wind. Her face was pale, nearly translucent, with only her eyes tinged red.
She looked at him now, her gaze blurred with tears.
“The wind is so strong—why did you come out?”
Xiao Ye’s expression shifted slightly upon seeing her. He strode toward her at once, frowning when he noticed her light clothing. “Why are you wearing so little? Where are your servants? Didn’t they think to bring you a cloak?”
As he spoke, he casually unfastened his own cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
Gu Qing looked at his furrowed brows, filled with restrained anger, and quickly whispered, “I knew you had returned, so I rushed out to see you. Ah Ye, don’t be mad.”
“How could I be mad at you?”
Xiao Ye sighed softly, looking at her cautious and timid demeanor.
Sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder—was it right or wrong to have brought Gu Qing back with him back then? If she had remained that carefree girl from the countryside, untouched by the hardships of the world, would she have avoided all these tribulations?
Back then, while on an official assignment, he was ambushed and fell off a cliff, only to be rescued by Gu Qing and her adoptive parents.
When he woke up, he had lost all his memories.
He couldn’t remember his name, nor what he had been doing. Gu Qing had kept him at her home, taking care of his daily needs. She told him that if he could not find his way back, he should simply stay.
And so, he stayed.
Gu Qing was kind and innocent. During the time he lost his memory, she had embraced all his brokenness with her gentleness and smiles. At the time, he hadn’t known he was already engaged. Though he never crossed the line with her, he had also never pushed away her closeness and dependence.
Later, his people—along with those sent by the Gu family—finally found him.
By then, Gu Qing’s adoptive parents had already passed away. He couldn’t bear to leave her alone, so he brought her back with him, intending to care for her.
But he hadn’t expected that among the Gu family’s search party, someone recognized her—she was, in fact, the long-lost second daughter of the Marquis Manor.
Gu Qing returned to the Marquis Manor.
Yet she was like a little rabbit from the wilderness suddenly thrown into a gilded cage, completely unaccustomed to or comfortable with it. She had pleaded with him for help, but bound by duty and promise, he had ultimately chosen Lanyin.
She had become what she was today, and he could not deny his responsibility in it.
Carefully, he adjusted the cloak on her shoulders.
Xiao Ye’s voice was extremely gentle, as though afraid to startle her, his tone even softer than usual. “If something happens, just send someone to call me. You don’t have to run out like this. Your health is weak—don’t tire yourself out.”
Gu Qing responded with a soft “Mm.”
Thinking of Lanyin’s departure, her slender, white fingers clenched tightly around the cloak as she spoke with an anxious, fearful tone, “Ah Ye, Sister is gone. She…”
“Don’t worry. As soon as the city gates open tomorrow, I’ll go find her.”
Xiao Ye had long since sorted out his thoughts. This time, Lanyin was angry with him only because she thought he still harbored feelings for Qing’er. As long as he explained his true intentions to her, she would surely understand. By then, Lanyin would return, and Qing’er would not have to leave either. In the future, once Qing’er completely severed ties with the Fang family, if she did not wish to marry, he would arrange a household for her so she could live worry-free for the rest of her life. If she did wish to marry, he would personally choose a good match for her, ensuring she never suffered again.
But all his plans were shattered by Gu Qing’s next words.
“Will Sister come back?” Gu Qing looked up in surprise. “She already divorced you this time and even took all the servants and her dowry with her…”
“Madam Fang!”
Steward Xu’s face turned pale.
Especially upon seeing Xiao Ye’s stunned expression, his heart grew even more chaotic. Just as he was about to explain, he heard the heir mutter, “Divorce?” He clearly hadn’t processed the words. “What divorce?”
Gu Qing only realized Xiao Ye had been unaware when she saw Steward Xu’s reaction.
Her small face turned pale, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Xiao Ye had no attention left for her. He turned to Steward Xu and asked in a deep voice, “What does Qing’er mean? What divorce? Without me, how could she…” Seeing Steward Xu hesitate as if struggling for words, Xiao Ye’s expression changed. He suddenly strode toward the inner courtyard.
All the way to Zhilan Pavilion.
Stopping in his tracks at the sight of the empty courtyard, his expression darkened further as he stepped inside.
He knew where Lanyin had placed that divorce letter.
A year ago.
The Earl Manor had faced disaster.
Fearing he would implicate Lanyin, he had written a divorce letter.
But at that time, Lanyin had said—
“What does the heir take me for? Does the heir truly think Lanyin is someone who can share wealth and honor but not hardship?”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“I know, but I refuse.”
In his memory, the woman in red, her hair coiled in an elaborate updo, had held his hand beneath the glow of the lanterns.
“You are my husband, the one I wish to spend my life with. Besides, does the heir truly have so little confidence in himself? You are a dignified man—are you really afraid of causing your wife hardship?”
She had smiled at him beneath the lanterns.
She had told him, “Hardship is only temporary. I believe in my husband—one day, he will soar above the clouds.”
At the time, he had been trapped with no way out, drowning in despair with no hope for the future. But Lanyin’s words had swept away the fog before his eyes and given him the strength to rise again.
And so, that divorce letter had been left untouched.
That night, he had held Lanyin in his arms and did not allow her to destroy the letter. He had told her, “Keep it. One day, when I earn you a noble title, I will personally tear it up.”
“Lanyin, I will treat you well.”
“Alright.”
The echoes of the past still lingered in his ears.
But the place where the divorce letter should have been—was empty.
“Your Lordship…”
A voice sounded from behind him.
“Your Lordship…”
Xiao Ye braced both hands against the table, suppressing his rage as he asked in a deep voice, “Where is it?”
“Young Master…”
Steward Xu wanted to dissuade him.
But Xiao Ye abruptly turned around. “Give it to me.”
Gu Qing ran all the way over, panting, and the first thing she saw was Xiao Ye’s expression, as cold as ice.
She had never seen him like this before.
Her breath hitched.
She stood by the door, gripping the frame, too afraid to step inside. She watched as Steward Xu handed the divorce letter to Xiao Ye. She watched as the veins on his forehead bulged. She watched as he lifted his hand, seemingly about to tear the letter apart—only to turn and slam his palm onto the table instead.
The force was tremendous.
Everything on the table trembled violently, some objects even falling to the ground.
The man hunched over, head lowered, breathing heavily like an enraged beast. No one knew how long it took before he finally spoke.
“If she wants to leave so badly, then she’d better never come back!”
He clenched the divorce letter in his fist, his face twisted with both fury and grievance, like an abandoned child.
He turned, wanting to leave this place. But at that moment, he noticed that his other hand was still holding a roasted sweet potato.
Too much time had passed.
It had long since gone cold.
He thought of his anticipation when he first brought it back. His expression shifted several times before he finally gritted his teeth and hurled the sweet potato aside.
It hit the ground and split apart.
The fragrance had already long faded.
Without another word, he strode out.
Gu Qing saw him emerge, her voice trembling as she called out, “Ah Ye…”
She reached out to him.
But the man who had once never ignored her, no matter the circumstances, walked past her this time as if he neither heard nor saw her.
His face was dark.
He never once stopped.
Gu Qing watched him leave, her own face draining of color, her body swaying unsteadily.
—
With the mistress gone, the Xiao household fell into complete disorder, the peace of the past now utterly shattered.
Meanwhile, in the eastern outskirts, at the manor, all was calm and tranquil.
Lanyin slept soundly.
It had been a long time since she had seen the elders of the estate, and the joy of their reunion led her to have a few cups of the manor’s signature osmanthus wine that night.
Though it was not the season for osmanthus, the wine remained rich and fragrant.
And so, she slept sweetly.
Having left behind that place of turmoil, having escaped the grinding agony of her past life, Lanyin had never felt such happiness before.
She no longer cared about what the future might bring.
All that mattered was now.
She was happy.
And that was enough.
“Has the mistress fallen asleep?” Shi Yu asked as she saw Ting Yun step out.
Ting Yun nodded. “She’s sleeping very soundly.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “…This is the first time I’ve ever seen her sleep so peacefully.”
They all said the Second Miss had a turbulent fate—born as the daughter of a marquis, yet abducted as a child…
But when had the mistress ever had it easy?
After the Second Miss disappeared, the Madam turned her resentment toward the Eldest Miss, blaming her day after day. The once carefree mistress grew increasingly silent. Though she was sent to Jinling at the age of six to be cared for by the Old Madam, she was still a guest in another’s home. No matter how large the Wang family estate was, there were always places beyond the Old Madam’s reach.
Finally, she had managed to marry into the Earl Manor, believing she had found someone to rely on—only to realize that true rest was even further beyond her grasp.
The servants below her took advantage of her youth.
The mistress had to firmly establish herself and take control of the household affairs. She could not afford to let her guard down. Others saw her as formidable, but how could they possibly know that every bit of her composure had been painstakingly cultivated through countless nights of effort?
“Shi Yu, just how much pain must Mistress have endured in the past,” Ting Yun murmured, “for her to finally be able to sleep so peacefully in such an unfamiliar place?”
Shi Yu said nothing.
She only pressed a hand over her mouth, eyes red, crying silently.
Half-asleep, Gu Lanyin seemed to hear their voices, but she did not want to wake.
It had been too long since she last had a good night’s sleep.
Her face nuzzled against the silk pillow embroidered with begonia flowers. She rubbed against it gently and drifted deeper into slumber.
She dreamed.
In her dream, flames filled the sky.
Once she had made up her mind, she had no more fear of life or death. As Shi Yu and the others cried out for her, she simply sat in her chair, tea cup in hand, watching as the fire crept toward her feet—with a faint smile still lingering at the corners of her lips.
Death was not suffering for her. It was liberation.
Dreaming of her own death was no nightmare. It was the start of a new life.
She listened to the cries around her and watched as she was consumed by the fire.
Just as she was about to surrender herself completely to sleep, she suddenly heard a voice—
“Gu Lanyin!”
The voice pierced through the shouts of Shi Yu and Song Yue.
It was a voice filled with both fury and devastation.
Gu Lanyin hesitated.
Who was calling her?