Xiao Hong was still young and had a carefree personality. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she had said. However, Qi Yubai raised his long eyebrows slightly. Without a change in expression, he glanced at Xiao Hong, noticing her innocent demeanor, and asked, “Who taught you to say this?”
“Huh?”
Xiao Hong was momentarily stunned by Qi Yubai’s question. After coming back to her senses, she hesitantly answered, “Sister Ting Yun.”
She didn’t find anything wrong with her words at all. She even scratched her head, looking puzzled. “Master, was there something wrong with what I said?”
Sister Ting Yun had told her that she should let Master know about her mistress’s actions and that the mistress’s intentions shouldn’t be wasted. She thought that made perfect sense.
“Nothing.”
Qi Yubai turned his head slightly and glanced at Tianqing. After Tianqing took the food box from him, Qi Yubai looked back at Xiao Hong and said, “Thank you for making this trip. Just go back and tell her, ‘I understand.’ Tomorrow, I’ll have Yanhuan prepare some sweets from Songcui Zhai for you.”
“Really?”
Xiao Hong was at the age where she was both gluttonous and fond of sweets. Her favorite treat was the candies from Songcui Zhai, but unfortunately, they were expensive. Her monthly allowance was only so much—saving for half a year wouldn’t even buy her a decent amount. The small bag she had stashed under her pillow was a reward from her mistress the last time.
Now, hearing Qi Yubai say this, her eyes widened with excitement. Her round, clear eyes gleamed with innocence and delight. When she saw the gray-clothed man nod slightly, she immediately grinned so widely that her teeth disappeared. Overjoyed, she said, “Thank you, Master!” She then asked if he had any other instructions. Seeing him shake his head, she cheerfully hopped away.
Tianqing held the food box, watching the little maid’s departing figure. Lowering his voice, he asked Qi Yubai, “Did you find something wrong with what she said?”
“Not really.”
As Qi Yubai spoke, he glanced at the brightly lit residence next door. He simply knew that, given Lanyin’s temperament, she would never say such a thing. She always hid whatever she did, no matter how much effort she put in. Moreover, she had always been mindful of avoiding unnecessary implications in such matters. Forget admitting what she had done—she would likely go out of her way to instruct the maid delivering the items not to mention her.
It was just a little surprising that even a maid by her side would one day “comply in appearance but defy in intent.”
“Let’s go.”
He withdrew his gaze and stepped toward his own courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, Zhusheng was still kneeling on the ground. He was usually reckless and brash, but his loyalty to Qi Yubai was as clear as day. Knowing he had made a mistake today, even though no one was keeping watch, he still knelt upright. When he saw Qi Yubai enter, he quickly called out, “Master.”
His tone was respectful, without a trace of resentment.
“Mm.”
Qi Yubai didn’t immediately tell him to rise. Instead, he asked, “You’ve been kneeling for a long time—do you understand your mistake now?”
Zhusheng pressed his lips together and answered in a hoarse voice, “I shouldn’t have attacked Xiao Ye in front of so many people.”
He still didn’t regret making a move on Xiao Ye. Xiao Ye had dared to injure his master—there was no way he could have stood by and done nothing. But he did fear that his actions would implicate his master. If it was just his own life at stake, it wouldn’t matter. However, if he caused his master to be impeached because of it, then even if he died ten thousand times, he wouldn’t be able to atone for it!
If given another chance, he would make sure to pick a better time—perhaps shove a sack over Xiao Ye’s head before giving him a proper beating.
That way, it wouldn’t drag his master into the mess.
Qi Yubai rotated the prayer beads in his hand and said indifferently, “Is that all you figured out?”
Zhusheng was stunned for a moment, and even Tianqing behind him looked confused.
Qi Yubai gazed at Zhusheng’s youthful, bewildered face and let out a quiet sigh. “To protect me, the first requirement is that you stay alive. If Xiao Mingchuan hadn’t held back today, do you think you could have gained the upper hand against him?”
He stood still under the moonlight, rolling the prayer beads between his fingers. His refined features flickered between light and shadow. His expression was calm, and his voice was steady yet deep.
“In the future, before taking action, think of yourself first, then think of me.”
“I do not need a reckless man who seeks temporary satisfaction—only by living is there hope and a future.”
“If you understand, then withdraw and go back.”
After saying this, Qi Yubai turned and left.
—
Returning to his room, within just a few breaths, Tianqing also entered. He placed the food box on the table while Qi Yubai was washing his hands. Catching Tianqing’s hesitation from the corner of his eye, Qi Yubai wiped his hands and said calmly, “If you want to ask something, just ask.”
“Did you deliberately not dodge today?”
As soon as Tianqing spoke, he saw the man turn his head to look at him. Their eyes met—those deep black phoenix eyes locked onto him, making his back stiffen. His expression immediately tightened. He stubbornly refused to lower his head and instead persisted in looking directly at Qi Yubai, pursing his thin lips in disapproval. “You shouldn’t use your body as a wager just to deal with Xiao Ye.”
“I didn’t do it for him.”
Qi Yubai withdrew his gaze and continued drying his hands, his tone composed.
Tianqing was stunned. “Then what was it for?”
He had thought his master did this because he feared Miss Gu would go soft on Xiao Ye.
Was that not the case?
Qi Yubai, however, did not explain further. He washed the cloth in his hands, wrung it dry, and hung it back on the rack. Then, he walked to the table and opened the food box. Inside was a steaming bowl of black-boned chicken soup with red dates and goji berries, nourishing for the blood and vitality. Thinking of how Lanyin had personally washed her hands and made this soup for him, his calm gaze softened significantly in the quiet night.
Meeting Tianqing’s furrowed brows, he did not elaborate further. He simply said, “Take Zhusheng with you and get some rest.”
Recalling what his grandmother had said earlier, his lips pressed together briefly before he added, “Don’t worry, something like this won’t happen again.”
For his grandmother.
For Lanyin.
He would no longer allow himself to be in danger. Just as he had told Zhusheng earlier—only by living was there hope, was there a future. If he wished to protect them and ensure their peace for a lifetime, he had to first protect himself.
Tianqing was not one to press for answers. His only concern was Qi Yubai’s safety. Since his master had now given his word, he did not push further. He simply responded softly and turned to leave.
—
Tianqing and Zhusheng had already left.
The evening breeze gently rustled the trees in the courtyard, their leaves making soft, whispering sounds. Qi Yubai sat quietly in his room, lowering his gaze as he tasted the soup. In truth, he didn’t particularly like these kinds of medicinal broths, but because Lanyin had made it, he still finished it bit by bit.
When he was done, he placed the bowl back into the food box and called for someone to clean it up and return it to the Gu residence. He also instructed them to pass along a message—”It tasted very good.”
Once the servant acknowledged the order and left, Qi Yubai walked to the window.
The lights were still on in the neighboring house.
In the silence of the night, he stood there, quietly gazing into the distance.
Of course, this was not because of Xiao Mingchuan. Xiao Mingchuan was not worth him going to such lengths to harm himself. He had simply sensed her hesitation…
After so much effort in bringing her closer, how could he possibly allow her to retreat again?
That said, this incident seemed to have come with an unexpected benefit?
That was something Qi Yubai had not foreseen.
—
At the Gu Residence next door.
Lanyin was bathing.
Ting Yun estimated that Xiao Hong should have returned by now. She was eager to know how Lord Qi had reacted, but at the same time, she didn’t want to act too conspicuously and risk Lanyin noticing something. She glanced at Lanyin, who was resting in the bathtub with her eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the steam, and spoke softly, “Mistress, this servant will step out for a moment.”
Lanyin, feeling relaxed under the heat, didn’t even open her eyes. She simply murmured in acknowledgment, granting permission.
Ting Yun added more hot water for her and instructed Shi Yu to watch over things before leaving for the back quarters.
Unlike herself and Shi Yu, who shared a room, Xiao Hong slept in the servants’ dormitory. When Ting Yun arrived, the room was filled with chattering voices. The maids inside were talking enthusiastically, but when they saw Ting Yun enter, they immediately quieted down, stood properly, and greeted her, “Sister Ting Yun.”
“Carry on with your conversation. I’m just here to speak with Xiao Hong for a moment.”
Ting Yun smiled before turning her gaze to Xiao Hong, her voice gentle as she called out, “Xiao Hong, come outside for a bit.”
“Ah!”
Xiao Hong had also just returned not long ago and hadn’t even changed her clothes. Upon hearing Ting Yun’s words, she tightened her precious bag of candies and tucked it under her pillow. With the pine nut candy still in her mouth, she followed Ting Yun outside. When they reached the courtyard, she tilted her head, blinking her clear, bright eyes, and asked Ting Yun, “Sister, what’s wrong?”
Her voice sounded a bit muffled because she still had the candy in her mouth, reluctant to chew it.
Ting Yun didn’t scold her and instead smiled, “Why are you willing to eat candy now? Didn’t you used to have only one piece every three days? I remember you had some this morning.”
Xiao Hong, having received Qi Yubai’s assurance that she would soon have more candy, didn’t mind sparing a piece or two. She didn’t hide it either and, with crescent-moon-like eyes, told Ting Yun what Qi Yubai had said. After finishing, she noticed Ting Yun’s smile stiffen and asked in surprise, “Sister, what’s wrong?”
Ting Yun suppressed her pounding heart and didn’t answer. Instead, she lowered her voice and asked, “When you delivered the tonic earlier, did the master say anything else besides promising to prepare candy for you?”
Xiao Hong, being straightforward, recounted everything in detail. After finishing, she noticed Ting Yun’s thoughtful expression and muttered, “Sister, you’re so strange, and the master is strange too. It’s just a bowl of tonic—why do you have so many questions?”
Hearing her muttering, Ting Yun snapped out of her thoughts. Looking at the innocent face before her, she smiled and reached out to pat her head. “Alright, I understand. You can go rest now.”
Xiao Hong didn’t ask further and was about to leave with an “Oh” when Ting Yun suddenly called her back and whispered, “You mustn’t tell anyone what I discussed with you tonight.”
Her expression was serious now, and Xiao Hong felt a bit scared but also conflicted. She hesitated, “Not even the mistress?”
Ting Yun nodded and, meeting her troubled gaze, added, “I’ll find a chance to tell the mistress myself later.”
“Alright.”
Since Ting Yun was the mistress’s head maid, she surely wouldn’t harm her. Xiao Hong, being carefree by nature, agreed once she thought it through.
If it had been a more clever maid, suspicions would have been raised. But if Xiao Hong were that clever, Ting Yun wouldn’t have chosen her for this task in the first place. Until things were confirmed, she couldn’t risk the mistress’s reputation.
“Alright, go inside now,” Ting Yun said, her expression softening again.
Xiao Hong nodded, said, “Sister, you should rest early too,” and then skipped back inside. The bow on her head bounced with her movements. When she returned to her room, someone asked her where she had been. Having just promised Ting Yun, Xiao Hong naturally didn’t say much and mumbled a random excuse, which sufficed.