Lanyin was not surprised by her arrival. In fact, one could even say that ever since she had learned from Madam Xiao that she had come to Bianjing, she had been waiting for this day. She knew very well why Wang had come to Bianjing—not merely out of concern for her precious daughter. Most likely, she was also here to vent her daughter’s grievances on her behalf. However… Lanyin glanced behind her. There was only a single carriage, surrounded by servants and attendants, yet Gu Qing was nowhere to be seen.
So, she had come to find her as soon as she arrived in Bianjing? Lanyin suddenly found it somewhat amusing. It seemed Wang’s resentment toward her was truly deep. Otherwise, why would she come storming over to interrogate her before even taking the time to see her own precious daughter?
Compared to Lanyin’s composed demeanor, the expressions of Shi Yu and the others around her changed the moment they saw that familiar figure. It was a level of vigilance they had not even displayed in front of Madam Xiao.
After all, Madam Xiao was just an outsider, whereas Wang’s identity was different. She was the Marchioness of Changxing, the legitimate daughter of the Wang family, and—most importantly—she was Lanyin’s mother.
There were many things they could do when facing Madam Xiao, but they could not do the same to Wang.
Etiquette and propriety bound them.
Unlike the panic of Shi Yu and the others, there was no extra emotion on Lanyin’s face.
She had long ceased to let her emotions fluctuate because of her mother’s moods. The ripples in her heart at this moment were only related to Qi Yubai. She least wanted him to see her like this. But it seemed there was nothing she could do. She could not pretend or hide the wretchedness of her life. This was the kind of family she came from.
Her grandmother did not concern herself with household matters. She spent her days chanting scriptures and confining herself in her room. Her mother did not love her. Her father was far away at Yanmen Pass. To him, the country and its people were far more important than their small family.
Since the age of six, she had no home.
A sense of desolation suddenly spread through Lanyin’s heart. To the past her, this was nothing. Without expectations, there would be no disappointment or sadness. Long ago, in her past life, when she had been blocked at the door and forbidden from returning home, she had already abandoned any hope in them. That was why, after this divorce, aside from her grandmother, she had told no one.
But after falling in love with Qi Yubai, she had somehow become much more fragile. She desperately wished that, in his eyes, her life was beautiful—
And not—
So pitiful that even her own mother despised her.
Beneath her sleeves, her fingers clenched tightly, digging painfully into her flesh and bones. Yet despite the pain, she still harbored a sliver of hope as she pursed her red lips and glanced in Qi Yubai’s direction.
And then she saw that familiar figure walking toward her.
He was indeed frowning, just as she had imagined. But it was not because of her. His dark eyes had been locked onto Wang from beginning to end. Because he was displeased, even his aura carried a hint of cold sharpness.
It was rare to see such an intimidating presence from Qi Yubai. Most of the time, he was calm and composed. Even when he was angry with her, he had never been willing to show such an imposing side.
Let alone toward an unrelated outsider.
Yet seeing Qi Yubai like this, the turbulent waves in Lanyin’s heart unexpectedly settled. It was as if she had suddenly found her refuge, and a sense of tranquility washed over her entire being.
Qi Yubai’s love had become her greatest weakness, making her unconsciously afraid of many things. But at the same time, his love had also become her most invincible armor. From now on, as long as he loved her, she would never fear anyone or anything again.
A sudden weight lifted from her heart, and a faint smile graced her once-tense face.
Retracting her gaze, she noticed Shi Yu’s pale face under the moonlight. Lanyin gently patted the back of her hand, her voice soft and composed. “Let’s get off the carriage first.”
Her steady composure brought Shi Yu back to her senses.
Though she was still somewhat nervous, she was no longer as flustered as before. She stepped down from the carriage first, then carefully helped Lanyin alight.
Almost the moment Lanyin found her footing, Wang stormed toward her. She raised her arm in fury, seemingly intending to strike Lanyin’s face. But before Lanyin even needed to do anything, the people behind and beside her had already stepped forward, blocking the distance between them.
Wang was blocked a few steps away, completely unable to approach Lanyin.
This unexpected situation made her expression change drastically. She had lived for more than half her life and had never suffered a loss at anyone’s hands. Now, as she looked at the group of people before her with solemn expressions, shielding Lanyin, who stood behind them with a composed face, her expression fluctuated between pale and flushed. Her almond-shaped eyes, which resembled Lanyin’s but carried a harsher edge, glared fiercely at Song Yue and the others as she shouted in anger, “You dare to stop me?!”
“Someone, come!”
She barked coldly, “Drag these people away!”
The attendants behind her exchanged glances, all showing hesitation. Even Su Mama, who had accompanied her, quickly stepped forward to whisper a few words of advice. But at this moment, Wang’s heart was filled with rage—how could she possibly listen?
To her, Lanyin was her daughter. She could discipline her however she pleased!
Who dared to stop her?
Thinking of how Lanyin used to silently listen to her teachings in the past and comparing that to the scene before her now, Wang became even more furious.
She looked through the people blocking her and met Lanyin’s calm almond eyes. Her voice turned cold as she said, “You’ve grown bold now, haven’t you? You dare to let your servants stop me? Fine! I want to see if they truly dare to lay a hand on me!”
With that, she ignored Song Yue and the others and strode forward.
Naturally, Song Yue and the others did not dare to actually lay hands on her. Their faces turned unsightly, and as they watched Wang draw closer and closer, they were at a complete loss as to what to do.
Just then, a cold male voice sounded from behind them.
“So this is the Marchioness of Changxing. Hearing of you does not compare to seeing you in person—Qi has truly been enlightened today.”
Lanyin also heard the voice.
She had never heard him speak with such biting sarcasm before. Unable to help herself, she turned around and saw Qi Yubai walking toward her. In the span of a single breath, he was already by her side. His wide sleeves draped over her hands, and without anyone noticing, he took hold of her hand, his long, powerful fingers gently wrapping around hers within his burning-hot palm as if to soothe her.
He did not look at her.
But warmth suddenly surged in Lanyin’s heart.
The coldness brought by Wang’s arrival seemed to vanish in an instant. Not only did she not resist, but she also reversed her grip, holding onto his hand in return. Then, she withdrew her gaze and looked toward Wang.
Under the moonlight, her eyes were tranquil, devoid of the gloom and sorrow that used to surface whenever she faced Wang. She simply stood there, quietly watching her.
But at this moment, Wang was no longer looking at her.
She was staring at Qi Yubai.
“Who are you?”
After all, Wang had been the Marchioness of Changxing for over twenty years. No matter how irrational she could be within her own family, she still retained some level of composure when dealing with outsiders.
Temporarily suppressing her anger, Wang fixed her gaze on Qi Yubai. The young man before her radiated an imposing aura, and when his dark, stormy eyes locked onto her, they seemed to carry an unseen tempest, sending a wave of unease through her. For a moment, she even felt the urge to take a step back under his gaze.
But the instant that thought arose, Wang’s expression changed.
She was nearly forty years old and had lived a life of smooth sailing—aside from the misfortune of losing her youngest daughter, everything else had always gone her way. Though the Wang family had many heirs, she was their only daughter, doted on by her parents and indulged by her brothers. After marrying into the Changxing Marquis Manor, her mother-in-law, who spent her days chanting scriptures, had handed over all household affairs to her from the moment she stepped through the door, never imposing any restrictions on her. Even her sister-in-law was a gentle and yielding person.
In short, she had never suffered at anyone’s hands.
Even her husband, though he had resented her in the past for what she had done to Lanyin, had never spoken harshly to her. Yet now, she was actually being thrown into disarray by an unfamiliar young man. How could Wang possibly tolerate that?
Her face immediately darkened, and as she looked at him standing side by side with Lanyin—clearly close—her fury only deepened.
Wang’s expression darkened as something crossed her mind. She turned to Lanyin and accused, “Who is he? What is your relationship with him? Did you insist on divorcing Xiao Ye because of him?”
Three questions in a row, each sharper than the last. Not only did Song Yue and the others tense up, but even Lanyin and Qi Yubai’s expressions darkened.
Qi Yubai’s phoenix eyes turned cold, his lips pressed into a thin line, and an icy glint appeared in his gaze. Just as he was about to speak, Lanyin tightened her grip on his hand. Understanding that she wanted to face Wang herself, Qi Yubai furrowed his brows and looked down at her, only to see her gazing back at him with calm reassurance in her eyes.
Her silent message soothed the lingering anger in Qi Yubai’s heart. Though he was still displeased, he said nothing more. Instead, he let go of her hand, respecting her decision.
His understanding warmed Lanyin’s heart, as if granting her newfound strength. Facing Wang once more, her expression regained its calm.
“Step back,” she ordered.
Shi Yu was unwilling, still gripping her arm with pale fingers. But when Lanyin lightly patted the back of her hand with a reassuring smile, she reluctantly released her grip. She withdrew to the side, and Song Yue and the others also moved aside, though they remained vigilant, wary of Wang’s actions.
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Lanyin took a step forward, directly facing Wang.
As soon as her full face was revealed, Su Mama, who stood beside Wang, immediately curtsied and greeted her, “Eldest Miss.”
Her tone was respectful, showing clear deference to Lanyin.
Hearing her voice, Lanyin turned toward her.
Su Mama was an old servant of the Wang family. Back when Gu Qing had gone missing and Wang had abandoned Lanyin on the streets, it was Su Mama who had first sensed that something was wrong. She had questioned the maids accompanying Wang and swiftly led others out to search, ultimately retrieving Lanyin. Otherwise… Lanyin had no idea where she might have ended up.
All these years, whenever Wang reprimanded her, Su Mama had always tried to mediate.
Because of this, Lanyin had always held a degree of respect for her. Now, hearing her greeting, she gave a gentle nod and called out, “Su Mama.”
However, the warmth in her expression faded significantly when she turned to Wang. She neither bowed nor addressed her as “Mother.” Instead, she simply met Wang’s gaze with calm detachment and replied to her earlier question.
“Do you truly not know why I sought a divorce?”
Her composed demeanor and direct words made Wang’s face turn even uglier.
For a moment, Wang didn’t even acknowledge her question or consider the humiliation Gu Qing had suffered because of her. Instead, she seethed with rage and lashed out at Lanyin, “Since when did you forget to address me as your mother when you see me?”
Lanyin hadn’t expected those to be Wang’s first words. She had thought she would immediately refute her claim, defend Gu Qing, or argue on her behalf. But it didn’t matter what Wang said—it was all the same to her.
Looking at the furious Wang, Lanyin met her gaze with indifference. “I assumed you didn’t like hearing me call you that.”
“Gu—Lan—Yin!”
Wang’s voice trembled with fury, as if something had deeply stung her.
Suddenly, she raised her hand again.
This time, Song Yue and the others were positioned too far away, and Qi Yubai stood a few steps behind Lanyin. Wang’s movement was too swift—by the time they registered what was happening and tried to intervene, it was already too late.
“Madam—!”
Su Mama gasped in alarm and reached out to stop her, but she was no match for Wang’s speed.
Just as everyone thought Wang’s slap would land on Lanyin’s face, Lanyin’s hand shot up and caught her wrist mid-air.
In Wang’s stunned gaze, disbelief flickered—she had never imagined that the daughter who had always obeyed her without question would dare to resist her.
Lanyin’s expression was cold as she looked at her and, in a steady voice, said, “I am no longer the Gu Lanyin you once could beat and scold at will.”
She then forcefully flung Wang’s hand away.
Wang stumbled back a few steps, her face filled with shock. Su Mama hurriedly supported her arm, but Wang still looked as if she couldn’t believe what had just happened.
From behind, Qi Yubai’s voice rang out, carrying unmistakable concern.
“Are you alright?”
Lanyin turned around. The moment she saw that familiar face, the lingering hostility in her heart seemed to be smoothed over by an invisible hand. Her entire demeanor softened, becoming gentle and calm.
“I’m fine,” she said.
Had Wang been rational at this moment, she would have noticed the stark difference between Lanyin’s demeanor toward Qi Yubai compared to herself. But at present, she was completely blinded by shock and fury. Her reason and composure had utterly vanished. Pushing aside Su Mama’s supporting hands, she once again charged toward Lanyin, her voice dripping with anger.
“Gu Lanyin, you really have grown wings and hardened your bones!”
As she spoke, she lifted her hand once more.
This time, Lanyin was still facing away from her and did not see Wang’s actions.
But Qi Yubai saw everything clearly. His brows furrowed as he raised his hand, about to deflect Wang’s strike.
However, at that moment, the sound of galloping hooves echoed in the distance. A startled neigh split the air, followed by a sharp, authoritative voice ringing out from afar.
“Insolent! What do you think you are doing?!”
The voice struck the air like a hammer.