“Ye’er even dares to defend her. I think he’s been utterly bewitched by that wretched woman!”
Her curses were accompanied by the sound of porcelain smashing. Through the thick brocade curtain, every word reached Xiao Ye’s ears.
His already expressionless face grew even colder. He stood outside the door in silence for a long moment, his face dark and stormy. In the end, he said nothing, simply flicking his sleeve and leaving.
“Young Marquis?”
Yanhuan had just returned from outside carrying a bowl of medicine. Seeing Xiao Ye striding away with an icy expression, she instinctively called out to him. However, he neither stopped nor responded, continuing to walk away in large strides.
“What happened?”
After watching him leave, Yanhuan frowned and turned to the maids at the door.
The maids dared not conceal the truth and whispered, “The lady was cursing the former young madam, and the young marquis happened to overhear.”
Before they even finished speaking, another string of increasingly vicious curses erupted from inside. The maids’ faces paled slightly, and they shrank back, shoulders hunched, too frightened to say another word.
Yanhuan sighed at the sight, but she didn’t comment further. Taking a deep breath, she lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
—
After leaving his mother’s courtyard, Xiao Ye didn’t know where to go.
Once, when Lanyin was still here, the Chengbo Manor had been filled with joy and laughter. Now, the entire household was gripped with fear, each person struggling just to fend for themselves. Though it was the height of summer, the place felt as bleak as autumn and winter.
The manor was still full of people, yet deep down, he felt an overwhelming loneliness.
He wanted to go to Lanyin’s courtyard, the only place that still resembled the past. Though many of her belongings were gone, when he had nowhere else to go, he often spent time there. But now, every time he stepped into that space, he would recall the sight of Lanyin pointing her sword at him that day. He didn’t dare to go anymore.
Wandering aimlessly, he unexpectedly found himself in a somewhat unfamiliar courtyard.
Stepping inside, he heard voices from within and only then remembered—it was Lady Xu’s residence.
Ever since she had conceived a child, he had not set foot in this place. He was about to turn and leave when he suddenly saw Lianxin, Lady Xu’s maid, carrying a box as she stepped out.
Their eyes met abruptly.
Lianxin jumped in fright. “Y-Y-Young Marquis?”
Her voice was flustered, her face filled with disbelief. As if realizing something, she quickly hid the box behind her back.
Xiao Ye hadn’t thought much of it at first, but seeing her sneaky demeanor, he couldn’t help but frown. “What are you holding?”
“N-nothing…”
Lianxin’s voice trembled with panic.
Xiao Ye’s brows furrowed even deeper at her reaction. Just as he was about to step forward, Lady Xu appeared. She had come out after hearing the commotion and was surprised to see Xiao Ye in her courtyard.
Had this been a year ago, she might have happily clung to him. But now, after a brief moment of surprise, she lowered her gaze, her expression calm as she approached him. “Young Marquis.”
Seeing Lianxin’s guilty look, she did not try to hide anything and instead admitted openly, “I heard that Sister Gu’s shop opened today, so I had her bring a gift over.”
As she spoke, she discreetly observed Xiao Ye from the corner of her eye. Seeing his tightly furrowed brows suddenly ease in realization, she continued, “If the Young Marquis dislikes it, then I won’t send it.”
Xiao Ye didn’t respond.
After a long silence, he suddenly lowered his gaze and said in a hoarse voice, “Go ahead.”
He was speaking to Lianxin.
Lianxin glanced at Lady Xu, and only when she saw her nod did she bow and take her leave.
Once she was gone, Lady Xu did not invite Xiao Ye inside. She simply stood quietly with her hands folded in front of her.
“I remember you didn’t get along with her before,” Xiao Ye said, his voice rasping slightly.
Lady Xu responded indifferently, “People change.”
“Yes… people change.” Xiao Ye murmured softly. He didn’t know what he was thinking, but as he looked at the woman before him, who stood silently with her head bowed, he suddenly said, “You’ve changed a lot, too.”
Perhaps realizing that Lady Xu had no intention of welcoming him, he fell silent for a moment before deciding to leave.
Just as he turned to go, her voice came from behind him. “Does the Young Marquis still remember my name?”
Xiao Ye’s steps halted.
In that moment, it was as if he suddenly understood many things—understood why the people around him had all changed.
He turned back to look at Lady Xu, and in the depths of his memory, he saw a young girl tugging at his sleeve, her sweet voice calling out, “Cousin, my name is Chengbi, Xu Chengbi.”
Now, the grown woman stood before him, her expression uncertain. He saw her hands clench nervously, saw the fleeting hope in her gaze, as if she was waiting for something.
He was silent for a moment.
Then, he shook his head. “I don’t remember.”
He watched as the light in Lady Xu’s eyes faded in an instant. A moment later, she curved her lips into a smile, as if she had finally come to terms with something.
Xiao Ye withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at her. He left behind only one sentence—”I will speak to my mother about handing the household accounts over to you.”
Then, without another glance, he turned and walked away.
—
The sun dipped toward the western horizon.
After a busy day, Jinxiu Hall finally quieted down.
Behind the counter, Shopkeeper Sun was using an abacus to tally the day’s earnings. A group of attendants and shop assistants watched him nervously, eyes filled with anticipation.
Shi Yu stood behind Lanyin, clenching her fists, holding her breath as she watched Shopkeeper Sun work.
Finally, the abacus made a distinct “clack” as it stopped.
Shopkeeper Sun withdrew his hand. Immediately, the crowd surged forward eagerly. “Manager, how much did we make today?”
But Shopkeeper Sun didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned to look at Lanyin.
Lanyin remained seated in her chair, surrounded by an air of nervous anticipation from those around her. However, she remained composed, holding her teacup and sipping slowly. It wasn’t until she sensed Shopkeeper Sun’s gaze that she finally lifted her eyes. Seeing the excitement in his expression, she smiled, setting the cup down beside her. Smoothing the folds on her lap, she finally spoke in a soft, gentle voice.
“How is it?”
Shopkeeper Sun, a man who had seen his fair share of life’s ups and downs, found himself with reddened eyes. After reporting the net earnings for the day, he unexpectedly choked up.
He was one of Old Madam Wang’s people. Over the years, the silk shop’s business had been declining, and as the manager, he bore undeniable responsibility. He had once believed that the shop was doomed to close, yet the owner’s ingenious strategy had miraculously revived them all.
Now, he no longer had to worry about returning to Jinling in shame.
Seeing him like this, Lanyin sighed in exasperation. She motioned for Shi Yu to pour a cup of tea, then personally rose to hand it to him.
Shopkeeper Sun was flustered and immediately waved his hands, his voice anxious. “How could I let you do such a thing?”
“It’s just a cup of tea.” Lanyin smiled before continuing with concern, “The shop will rely on you to oversee things in the future, so you mustn’t overwork yourself.”
As she spoke, she turned to the attendants and shop assistants behind her. “The same goes for all of you. Each of you is an irreplaceable part of Jinxiu Hall. Even if I, as the owner, am absent, Jinxiu Hall cannot do without you.”
Her words stirred deep emotions in the crowd.
Lanyin then had Shi Yu bring over the prepared red envelopes, handing them out one by one herself. Amidst their heartfelt thanks, she smiled and told them to go have their meal.
Turning back to Shopkeeper Sun, she said, “There is something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Shopkeeper Sun immediately responded, “Please, speak.”
She gestured for him to sit beside her. Once he did, she continued, “We originally hired dozens of embroidery women, but clearly, that is not enough. I must trouble you to find more. If there aren’t enough in the city, then look outside the city. Their craftsmanship is just as good.”
Shopkeeper Sun hadn’t expected them to think alike, and he chuckled. “I was just about to bring this up myself. Don’t worry, I will take care of it.”
Lanyin trusted his abilities, so she wasn’t concerned. Instead, she brought up another matter. “The courtyard behind the shop currently houses dozens of embroidery women. For now, it’s sufficient, but if more arrive, it won’t be enough. I also don’t want them living uncomfortably. Tomorrow, I will have Danxi rent another house for them. Their wages will remain the same as before, and for those who have their own housing, we will provide an additional stipend. As for the shop assistants, they work just as hard, so be sure to treat them fairly. We don’t want any unnecessary disputes caused by resentment.”
Shopkeeper Sun agreed to everything, nodding solemnly.
Lanyin then added her final instruction. “Jinxiu Hall’s business is just beginning to flourish. We don’t need to concern ourselves with anything else, but we must ensure quality. You must personally oversee this. If a single piece is subpar, we’d rather take a loss than send it out.”
Her tone was serious.
Shopkeeper Sun, understanding the gravity of the matter, nodded resolutely. “Rest assured. I will personally inspect every piece that comes in. Nothing unqualified will leave Jinxiu Hall.”
Having said all she needed to say, Lanyin did not linger. She gracefully stood, adjusting her sleeves.
“Won’t you stay for dinner?” Shopkeeper Sun asked, rising as well. “It’s already late. Who knows when you’ll get to eat if you go home now? You might as well dine here.”
But Lanyin only smiled and shook her head. “No need.”
She missed Qi Yubai. She didn’t want to waste any more time here.
Seeing her insistence, Shopkeeper Sun didn’t push further. Instead, he escorted her outside. By now, the sky had darkened, and the street lamps of the city had been lit. The long street was aglow with lantern light. He watched as Lanyin was helped into the carriage, only turning back toward the shop after it had departed into the distance.
—
On the journey home, the closer she got, the more restless Lanyin felt.
She sat restlessly, torn between her eagerness to see Qi Yubai and the memories of his bold actions when they were together. Especially that parting remark he had left before leaving today… Her face grew even redder, and her heart pounded faster.
It wasn’t until she heard Shi Yu stifling a giggle beside her that she snapped out of her thoughts.
Even though Shi Yu quickly covered her mouth to suppress the sound, Lanyin had already heard it.
Knowing exactly what had amused her, Lanyin’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red. But she couldn’t say anything, so she could only clear her throat softly. Lifting the carriage curtain, she let the cool night breeze wash over her, hoping to calm her racing heart.
Thus, she traveled all the way back to Tianshui Alley.
As the carriage neared home, she was just about to let the curtain fall when she caught sight of a familiar figure standing at the entrance of the Qi residence.
That person was dressed the same as he had been in the morning, hands clasped behind his back, standing under the warm glow of the lanterns. Hearing the sound of the carriage approaching, he turned toward it.
Even though they were still some distance apart, Lanyin could clearly see the way his once-serene expression softened into a faint smile upon seeing her.
She hadn’t expected Qi Yubai to be waiting for her at the door.
For a moment, she was completely stunned.
Once she regained her senses, all the unease and nervousness she had felt throughout the journey vanished. The moment the carriage stopped, she immediately reached for the curtain, eager to step out and go to him.
But before she could disembark, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly echoed behind her, followed by a sharp, familiar voice ringing in the night—
“Gu Lanyin!”
She turned her head.
Her mother, Madam Wang, was striding toward her, fury written all over her face.