Though Fu Xuesong was quite handy, making some personnel adjustments was a trivial matter. You Yuji was not keen on anyone playing mournful tunes in the courtyard on such a cold winter day.
She always had a lot of compassion for Si Que.
Whatever he desired, she always did her best to fulfill.
You Yuji was always efficient and straightforward in handling matters. After making this remark, she said no more and changed the topic, speaking to Si Que about the music.
“Was the piece you just played also a new composition? It’s a pity that the ‘Collected Sounds’ isn’t at hand.”
“Hmm.” Si Que responded casually. He walked over and sat down beside You Yuji, naturally taking the hairpin from her hand, then held her hand, playfully squeezing and rubbing it.
You Yuji tried to pull her hand back but was unsuccessful.
“Sister’s hands are truly beautiful,” Si Que said as he bent down and kissed the back of You Yuji’s hand.
“Is Madam busy?” Lady Jing inquired from outside the door.
You Yuji pushed Si Que’s hand away and sat a bit more upright before responding, “Come in.”
Si Que looked at his now empty palm, feeling a bit disinterested.
With permission granted, Lady Jing entered the room, quickly glancing at Si Que before facing You Yuji respectfully, “Madam, Prince Kangjing has arrived at the residence, inquiring about the gift for the East Empress Dowager.”
You Yuji frowned and said, “Does he want me to receive him?”
“The young princess is still in her boudoir and it’s inconvenient for her. The princess consort has been unwell for days, so only Madam can receive him.”
The day after tomorrow was the East Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration. According to protocol, You Yuji was supposed to dress in formal palace attire and attend the banquet. However, she had long ceased considering herself part of the Jinnan Prince’s Residence and didn’t want to bother with such matters. She had already informed the princess consort, claiming that she caught a cold while night-walking by the Lianshui River and would not be attending the banquet.
As for the gift, it had been entrusted to Chen Lingyan. You Yuji had heard that Chen Lingyan had prepared a birthday painting but hadn’t inquired further.
“Is the heir not in the residence either?” You Yuji asked.
Lady Jing shook her head.
As for the Jinnan Prince, he was naturally not in the residence, spending his days outside drinking tea, playing chess, teasing birds, and fishing with friends.
Only then did You Yuji instruct Lady Jing to open the doors and windows of the flower hall and decided to meet Prince Kangjing there instead of going to the front yard. While Lady Jing went to invite Prince Kangjing, You Yuji asked a few questions about Chen Lingyan’s painting to prepare herself.
Qi Mingcheng followed the steward of the prince’s residence into the courtyard where the moonlight reflected off the flowering trees. Entering the flower hall, he noticed Si Que and hesitated for a moment, one foot still on the threshold.
This… was indeed an unexpected pleasure.
You Yuji sat gracefully in the round chair, not standing up to greet him but merely inviting Qi Mingcheng to take a seat.
Qi Mingcheng glanced again at Si Que, who was sitting under the distant window, wiping the strings of the zither, before withdrawing his gaze and sitting down on the chair. He spoke, “The East Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is approaching. I have come today to inquire about the gifts from each residence to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day.”
The program for the gifts had long been submitted. You Yuji didn’t quite understand why Qi Mingcheng had to come personally. She didn’t ask much and simply said, “Lingyan has prepared a birthday painting that she drew herself. Would you like to inspect it personally, Prince?”
“No need.” Qi Mingcheng’s gaze lightly swept over You Yuji. “It’s enough to know there’s no mistake.”
You Yuji was even more puzzled about Qi Mingcheng’s personal visit.
She lowered her eyes, gently stirring a floating tea leaf on the surface of her tea with the lid of the cup.
Qi Mingcheng’s gaze fell on You Yuji’s hand.
Such fair and delicate fingers—if held tightly, they would easily turn red. Not only would her delicate hands blush, but this charming woman before him would also gaze at him with reddened eyes, enchanting his soul.
His gaze was too blatant, and You Yuji felt it. She paused her stirring of the tea leaf and placed the tea cup on the table.
The sound of the tea cup hitting the table brought Qi Mingcheng back to his senses. He suppressed the desire in his eyes and looked away. As he shifted his gaze, it naturally fell on Princess Que under the window.
When You Yuji looked up, she saw Qi Mingcheng looking at Si Que. Following his gaze, she spoke with a slightly deeper voice, “Is there anything else, Prince?”
“I have a couple of words I’d like to say to the heir’s wife alone, if that is convenient,” Qi Mingcheng said with a smile.
“I’m afraid there’s no need for that,” You Yuji replied.
Qi Mingcheng slowly licked his teeth and said, “A few days ago, I accidentally found a madwoman. This madwoman had the face of a seventy- or eighty-year-old crone but insisted she was not yet twenty. Heir’s wife, don’t you find that ridiculous?”
You Yuji looked at Qi Mingcheng’s smiling face and suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
So, Yi Yuhuan, whom she had been unable to find, had fallen into Qi Mingcheng’s hands!
She stared at Qi Mingcheng without speaking for a moment.
Under the window, Si Que finished wiping the last zither string with You Yuji’s light purple silk handkerchief. He raised his eyes and looked at Qi Mingcheng with an expressionless face.
“Just two words,” Qi Mingcheng said, resting his hand on the back of the chair and sitting in a more relaxed posture.
After a moment, You Yuji finally spoke, “Everyone, leave.”
This was the Jinnan Prince’s Residence; You Yuji was not worried about what Qi Mingcheng might do. As for whether speaking to him alone would stir up gossip, she didn’t care much. After all, there were already plenty of rumors about her in this residence and in the capital.
The servants in the flower hall gradually exited, all waiting in the courtyard.
When You Yuji turned her gaze to Si Que, he was already standing up with his zither in hand. Instead of leaving the flower hall, he went into a small adjoining room.
This small room was not well soundproofed.
You Yuji coldly stared at Qi Mingcheng.
“I heard that last time, Young Master An tried to trade a concubine for a horse, but it didn’t work out because the contracts for those concubines were in your hands. You refused to release them,” Qi Mingcheng said with a playful smile. “Trading concubines is a common practice. With so many concubines by Young Master An’s side, sending one away is not a big deal.”
Qi Mingcheng paused here, but You Yuji did not respond.
After waiting for a while and not getting the anxious inquiry he expected from You Yuji, Qi Mingcheng felt bored and continued, “The reason you refuse to release the concubines is that you believe their value exceeds that of a fine horse. But what if you could trade one concubine for the secret of your affair with the leader of the Poison Pavilion? Would it be worth it?”
“Presumptuous! This is the Jinnan Prince’s Residence. How dare you speak nonsense!” You Yuji’s face turned cold.
Qi Mingcheng only smiled more broadly.
“Whether you have an affair with the leader of the Poison Pavilion, I cannot say for sure. But it is a fact that you two were seen riding a horse together in a close and intimate manner. It is also a fact that the leader of the Poison Pavilion avenged you by poisoning the innocent Yi family girl. And it is a fact that His Majesty intends to eliminate the Poison Pavilion,” Qi Mingcheng said, leaning slightly towards You Yuji with his arm resting on a small table.
“Your husband is gravely ill, and your younger brother is still a child. You wouldn’t want to be taken away and tortured in prison, would you? Your delicate skin and tender flesh wouldn’t endure such a place.”
You Yuji slowly calmed down from her anger. She spoke calmly, “Did the prince go to such lengths merely to obtain one of the heir’s concubines?”
Qi Mingcheng didn’t reply, instead looking towards the small room.
Only then did You Yuji realize that the concubine Qi Mingcheng wanted was Si Que!
“I also know that Chen Anzhi is very fond of this concubine. I am not making things difficult for you; I just hope that at an appropriate time, you can provide an opportunity for me to be alone with him,” Qi Mingcheng said.
Qi Mingcheng knew that this Princess Que was Chen Anzhi’s favorite. It would be difficult to take her away by force. If he couldn’t take her, at least he could have a taste.
The door of the small room beside the flower hall was closed, and Si Que couldn’t see Qi Mingcheng’s gaze. However, hearing their conversation, he could guess that Qi Mingcheng was referring to him.
Si Que stopped flipping through You Yuji’s book. He lifted his expressionless face and looked towards the door.
A moment later, he pulled the corners of his mouth into a strange smile on his cold, handsome face.
When not in front of You Yuji, he didn’t need to wear that smiling mask.
He was always expressionless. If he smiled, it meant he had thought of something bloody and fun.
“Think it over, Madam.” Qi Mingcheng didn’t say more. He stood up and strode out, feeling pleased.
There was no mistress in the world, no matter how kind and benevolent, who truly treated concubines well. Trading concubines was common practice; they were just objects. He was confident that You Yuji would sacrifice the pure and untouched Princess Que to protect herself.
Qi Mingcheng left the flower hall, taking his subordinates with him. He glanced at the prince’s servants in the courtyard, feeling another wave of satisfaction.
He had deliberately arranged to speak with You Yuji alone today, knowing that the servants of the Jinnan Prince’s Residence would report this to Chen Anzhi. Given Chen Anzhi’s suspicious nature, he would undoubtedly overthink the situation, suspecting some unsavory relationship between You Yuji and Qi Mingcheng. Chen Anzhi would inevitably cause himself unnecessary distress.
Qi Mingcheng congratulated himself on this clever scheme, killing two birds with one stone.
The servants standing in the courtyard exchanged furtive glances, puzzled by the actions of Prince Kangjing.
Lady Jing quickly entered the flower hall. Seeing You Yuji’s expression, she immediately realized that You Yuji was genuinely angry.
“Madam, what happened?” she asked in a low voice as she hurried to You Yuji’s side.
You Yuji didn’t respond immediately. She remained motionless and silent for a long time before finally speaking, “Go to the princess consort and inform her that my cold has recovered. I will attend the birthday banquet the day after tomorrow and present the gift with Lingyan.”
Lady Jing didn’t know why You Yuji had suddenly changed her mind. Not daring to ask, she simply acknowledged and quickly turned to carry out the order.
Listening to Lady Jing’s receding footsteps, You Yuji recalled what Qi Mingcheng had just said.
The leader of the Poison Pavilion.
Since that day, You Yuji had hardly thought of him.
Today, when Qi Mingcheng brought him up, that tall, black-clad figure, along with that unforgettable blood-red terrifying mask, suddenly appeared in her mind.
He was someone who instinctively evoked fear.
Yet, due to some unexpected events, there was now an additional layer of awkwardness in her fear of the leader of the Poison Pavilion.
After a long while, You Yuji turned her gaze towards the small adjoining room of the flower hall.
She often stayed in that small room and knew well that it wasn’t soundproof. Qi Mingcheng hadn’t lowered his voice intentionally, so Si Que should have heard everything.
You Yuji stood up and walked to the small room, gently pushing the door open.
Si Que sat on the narrow bed under the window, head lowered. The daylight seeped through the window paper, casting light on him.
“Ah Que,” You Yuji walked towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Si Que slowly lifted his face, his long eyelashes rising to reveal a pair of slightly red eyes.
“Ah Que…” You Yuji felt a sudden pang in her heart.
She knew this feeling was called heartache.
“Sister, why do they all treat me this way?” Si Que looked at You Yuji with his slightly red eyes. “Am I so useless that you despise me…?”
He raised his hand and tightly embraced You Yuji’s waist, burying his face in her front.
“No, no…” You Yuji’s hand slid from his shoulder down to gently pat his back. She soothed him with the most tender voice, “It’s okay, don’t be afraid. With me here, no one can bully you.”
“Sister is so good to me.” Si Que, his face buried in You Yuji’s front, spoke in a muffled voice, tinged with fragility.
You Yuji patted Si Que’s back gently, her heart aching as she tried to comfort him. She couldn’t bear to see him with his eyes reddened from distress.
What she didn’t know was that, buried in her embrace, Si Que was subtly curling his lips into a smile.
It was a smile she had never seen before, his most malevolent smile.
