“Mistress!”
Ting Yun frowned, wanting to argue, but Lanyin didn’t give her the chance. She looked at Ting Yun and said, “I know he and Grandmother Qi wouldn’t look down on me for having been married before. They are the kindest people in the world to me, aside from my grandmother. If I married Qi Yubai, they would surely treasure me like a precious gem. But I…” She let out a bitter, hoarse laugh. “I can’t get past the hurdle in my own heart. I’ve been married before, and my divorce was the talk of the town. Even now, I’m probably still being judged and gossiped about at someone’s dinner table. And worse, I might not even be able to have children.”
The last few words were spoken very softly.
She gazed out the window, her voice as faint as the breeze outside. “Qi Yubai has a spotless reputation. He should walk his bright and righteous path, admired and respected by all, not be dragged into gossip and judgment because of me.”
In her past life, she had already tarnished his reputation and ruined his future. How could she let him suffer the same fate again in this life?
Lanyin had only just realized that truly loving someone could make a person feel so utterly unworthy. His affection filled her with both joy and sorrow—joy that the person she loved also loved her, and sorrow that she hadn’t met him at the best time in her life.
Since waking up, Lanyin had never regretted anything. But now, she couldn’t help but wonder—since the heavens had given her a second chance at life, why didn’t they let her return to the time before she married Xiao Ye, so she could be with Qi Yubai, clean and untainted?
But then she thought—
If she had truly returned to before her marriage to Xiao Ye, she and Qi Yubai would likely have remained mere passersby, never crossing paths. In the end, it would have been nothing more than a foolish wish.
“Master…”
Ting Yun’s eyes were red with sorrow. She felt heartache for Lanyin. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn’t find the words.
The study, with its wide-open windows, suddenly fell into silence. Outside, the larks, unaware of human suffering, continued chirping merrily.
A long time passed before Lanyin finally wiped the tears from her face, erasing even the traces of them, as if she had never cried, as if she had never felt anything at all. When she opened her eyes again, the previous fragility and despair were gone. She had returned to being the rational and proud Gu Lanyin of the past. She bent down and personally helped Ting Yun up. Seeing the tears still welling in her maid’s eyes, Lanyin held a handkerchief and gently wiped them away. Then, under Ting Yun’s gaze, her voice softened.
“I know you mean well, but I’m fine as I am now.”
“A person’s life isn’t only good if they end up with someone. Having you all by my side is already good enough.”
“Master…” Ting Yun’s lips trembled, unwilling to accept this. She had followed Lanyin since childhood—how could she not see that her master was merely forcing a smile?
Lanyin smiled, cutting off her words. “Go and prepare my things. You will stay here these next few days and watch over the household. The daily soups and late-night meals for the Qi Residence must not be neglected. Also, pass a message to Old Madam Qi for me. If…” She pressed her lips together, hesitated briefly, and then continued, “If Qi Yubai asks, do not tell him what happened today. And don’t let him know that I like him. Just tell him I’m busy and that I’ll return once everything is settled.”
She hoped that by then, she could face him as calmly as before.
Ting Yun saw the determination in her master’s eyes. After a moment of silence, she finally lowered her gaze and replied in a hoarse voice, “Understood.”
Lanyin watched as she left. Only after Ting Yun had gone far did she suddenly feel as if all the strength had been drained from her body. She slumped back into the chair, her mind still echoing with Ting Yun’s words from earlier—
“Lord Qi likes you. He truly likes you.”
Those words gnawed at her soul. On this blazing summer day, she felt as if she were freezing, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.
—
The morning court session had ended.
But Qi Yubai did not leave immediately. He walked alongside his mentor, Grand Chancellor Pang.
The road was nearly empty. Chancellor Pang turned his head to look at the young man beside him. Dressed in a crimson official robe, Qi Yubai’s tall and lean frame exuded quiet strength. The jade tablet in his hand was held with steady, powerful fingers. The older man’s deep voice broke the silence.
“You’ve truly made up your mind?”
“Mm.”
Qi Yubai lowered his gaze. “I have.”
At his words, Grand Chancellor Pang’s expression grew complex. There was both joy and concern in his eyes. He studied the young man and said gravely, “Jingyuan, you must understand—this path is not easy. Grand Marshal Du’s influence runs deep in the Great Zhou. Even His Majesty has to tread carefully around him at times. I am already caught in this storm with no way out, but you still have a choice.”
Had Qi Yubai not been his student, he would have been delighted by his decision.
After all, Qi Yubai was regarded as a model by many aspiring scholars from humble backgrounds. Moreover, his past achievements in flood control had earned him the deep trust and admiration of the people. His support would greatly strengthen their cause in bringing down Grand Marshal Du. It was precisely for this reason that Chancellor Pang had long sought to bring him into the Political Affairs Hall.
But Qi Yubai was also his most cherished student.
Having no son of his own, he had always regarded Qi Yubai as both a disciple and a son. How could he, knowing full well the dangers ahead, willingly push him into this maelstrom? For years, each time Qi Yubai refused to join him, he had secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
For the sake of justice, he had wanted to draw Qi Yubai in.
But as a teacher, as an elder, he had hoped Qi Yubai would stay out of it.
Qi Yubai, of course, understood his mentor’s conflicting emotions.
But he understood all too well.
“If the world is to have peace, Grand Marshal Du must die.” His voice was calm, indifferent.
This was something he had already realized in his past life. However, back then, after Lanyin’s death, he had chosen to leave and never again faced the treacherous court of Bianjing. But now, if he wanted to protect those he held dear, even if there was a mountain of blades and a sea of fire ahead, he had no choice but to move forward. Otherwise, if Grand Marshal Du were allowed to seize control of the court, the entire nation would inevitably fall into chaos.
Catching sight of the complicated expression on his teacher’s face, Qi Yubai spoke in a gentle voice to reassure him, “Teacher, you need not worry. There are many others like me in this world. As long as they exist, the skies of Great Zhou will clear once more.”
“The skies will clear…”
Chancellor Pang murmured to himself. After a brief pause, he let go of his worries. He said nothing more, only raising his hand to pat Qi Yubai’s shoulder. As they approached the palace gates, he finally spoke again, “This sudden change in you—is it because of that Miss Gu?”
Qi Yubai did not deny it.
Lanyin was indeed part of the reason. If not for his grandmother and Lanyin, he would not have chosen to enter this struggle at this time.
Seeing this, Chancellor Pang chuckled, though whether it was out of sentimentality or something else, it was unclear. “I never realized that you, Jingyuan, were also a man of deep affection.”
Qi Yubai did not ask whom the word “also” referred to. Instead, he simply supported his teacher and continued walking toward the palace gates. As they neared the entrance, he spotted a familiar figure.
—Xiao Ye.
Chancellor Pang followed his gaze and saw Xiao Ye as well. The once-renowned Commander of the Palace Guards had now become the lowest-ranked sentry in the palace’s garrison. He turned to Qi Yubai and remarked, “His current superior was once his subordinate. That man is arrogant and ruthless, and since the imperial guards no longer require training, he simply cast Xiao Ye out to the city gates as a mere sentry.” With a sigh, he shook his head. “With the heir of the Cheng Manor in his hands, I fear Xiao Ye will suffer greatly in the days to come.”
He had once been an old acquaintance of the previous Lord Cheng, Xiao Ye’s grandfather. When Xiao Ye was just a child, he had even held him in his arms.
Seeing Xiao Ye reduced to such a state stirred some feelings in him, but that was all—just passing sentiment.
Qi Yubai, however, felt neither mockery nor sympathy for Xiao Ye’s downfall. He merely cast a calm glance at him before withdrawing his gaze and continuing forward with his teacher. As they brushed past each other, Qi Yubai noticed Xiao Ye’s hand clenching into a tight fist, but he paid it no mind and walked on.
…
That night.
Qi Yubai returned home, expecting Lanyin to already be there. However, even as dinner was served, she still hadn’t arrived. Just as he was about to send someone to check on her at the Gu residence, he heard his grandmother say, “I forgot to tell you. Yinyin said she’s busy with the shop and won’t be coming over tonight.”
Qi Yubai didn’t say much in response to this.
It was normal for Lanyin to have her own affairs to attend to. He didn’t want her to change the path she had chosen for anyone, not even for him.
But after four days of this, Qi Yubai began to sense that something was wrong.
For these four days, soups and late-night snacks were delivered without fail, but the person herself was nowhere to be seen. Every time he sent someone to ask, the answer was always, “The shop is busy, the mistress can’t get away.” This kind of response might fool his grandmother, but Qi Yubai didn’t believe that Lanyin had been busy with the shop all this time.
She was clearly avoiding him.
But why?
Qi Yubai couldn’t understand. That day when he was injured, she had clearly changed her mind, so why was she suddenly distancing herself again?
“Which of her two maids is at the residence?” Qi Yubai asked Tianqing that night after dinner, as they left Songzhi Garden. Looking at the neighboring Gu residence, which seemed dimmer than usual due to the mistress’s absence, he fell silent for a moment, his fingers idly turning his prayer beads. “Bring her here.”
“Yes, sir!”
Tianqing was efficient, and within a quarter of an hour, he had brought Ting Yun over. At that time, Qi Yubai was standing in the courtyard, surrounded by layers of green leaves and bathed in the cold moonlight. His tall figure stood out amidst the scenery. He was still turning his prayer beads, his gaze fixed on the neighboring residence. When Ting Yun greeted him, he finally spoke, “What’s going on?”
Ting Yun had already been uneasy when Tianqing came to fetch her, and now, hearing this question, she grew even more flustered. She didn’t dare to look up, keeping her head bowed as she replied in as calm a tone as possible, “This servant doesn’t know what the master is referring to.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt the man, who had been standing with his back to her, turn around. Even without looking up, she could sense his gaze on her.
Under the piercing gaze of those phoenix eyes, which were as deep and cold as a winter pond, even someone as composed as Ting Yun couldn’t help but tremble. She expected Qi Yubai to press her further, but after a moment of silence, he instead asked, “She knows?”
Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.
“What else did she say?” he continued.
“Master…”
Ting Yun had been instructed by Lanyin not to reveal anything, but under the weight of those dark, penetrating eyes, her resolve wavered. Thinking of the loneliness in her mistress’s eyes when she had left the Qi residence, Ting Yun clenched her teeth and finally spilled everything. After finishing, she looked at Qi Yubai, who seemed momentarily stunned, and couldn’t help but tear up. “The mistress is afraid of holding you back. Even though she likes you, she refuses to let you know. She said that if she stays away from you, she’ll get over it in a few days.”
“She will be able to guard her own feelings, and you will be able to forget her and find another virtuous wife.” Her voice carried both grievance and sorrow.
Qi Yubai hadn’t expected this to be the reason.
He had thought Lanyin was avoiding him because she had realized his feelings for her and couldn’t accept them. He never imagined… His fingers, gripping the prayer beads, trembled slightly, while his once-calm heart burned hot.
He could almost hear the bubbling sounds rising from the depths of his chest.
It was an emotion he had never experienced before. Reserved by nature and having lived two lifetimes, he had long forgotten what it felt like to be truly moved. Yet at this moment, he could clearly feel how fast his heart was pounding, like a clueless young man experiencing love for the first time. It was as if a tiny figure inside him was running and leaping in excitement, making even the hem of his robes quiver with his emotions…
He didn’t know how much time had passed before he finally spoke in a hoarse voice, “I understand. You may go.”
Seeing Ting Yun looking at him expectantly, he lowered his gaze and solemnly promised, “Rest assured. It’s only her. There will never be anyone else.”
“I will never fail her in this lifetime.”
At these words, Ting Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief. A moment ago, her eyes had been red with unshed tears, but now they were filled with laughter. She broke into a smile, though remembering Lanyin, she frowned again. “But Master…”
Qi Yubai said, “Leave her to me.”
Though just four simple words, they carried an undeniable certainty.
Ting Yun immediately felt relieved. She said nothing more, only bowed gracefully before turning to leave. But before she stepped out, she seemed to recall something and added, “Tomorrow is the shop’s opening. Master will be at the store on Shili Street.”
Qi Yubai gave a slight nod, and she finally departed.
As soon as she left, Qi Yubai turned and strode toward Songzhi Courtyard. His pace was fast—faster than usual. By the time he arrived, the man who usually walked with unhurried composure was slightly out of breath. The maids at the door were startled, yet he remained outwardly composed, merely taking a brief moment to steady his breathing before lifting the curtain and stepping inside under their astonished gazes.
Inside, Old Madam Qi was having her attendants help her choose an outfit for the next day. She rarely left the residence, but tomorrow was the grand opening of her future granddaughter-in-law’s shop, and she naturally wanted to dress up for the occasion. Seeing Qi Yubai enter, she smiled and said, “Perfect timing. Help me choose which outfit would be best for tomorrow.”
Qi Yubai walked over, composed himself, and carefully selected an outfit for her. When Old Madam Qi nodded in satisfaction, he said, “Tomorrow, I will accompany you.”
“Hmm?”
Old Madam Qi looked at him in surprise. “Aren’t you very busy these days?”
“It’s fine. I have time.”
Now that he had finally confirmed his little hedgehog’s feelings, no matter how busy he was, he had to go find her. Otherwise, who knew how long she would keep hiding from him? If he wasn’t afraid that showing up now would cause her to lose sleep and be too exhausted tomorrow, he would have already ridden off to see her.
Just thinking about the fact that Lanyin also liked him made Qi Yubai feel as if something inside him had softened, melting completely.
In the dim light, the corners of his lips lifted into a slight smile, his expression openly joyful.
Old Madam Qi naturally noticed. She was a little surprised. “What has made you so happy?”
Qi Yubai didn’t answer, but neither did he hide his delight. Rolling the prayer beads between his fingers, he simply said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”