Chapter 46 Qian Peng's Jewelry Stand Has Become a Spirit

Around noon, Cui Ying was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window.

The rain from last night has long since dissipated, replaced by the warm, dry feeling characteristic of late summer and early autumn midday.

Her head was spinning. Smelling the faint scent of pears lingering inside the curtains, she vaguely remembered playing drinking games with Xiao Shu and the others in the Mandarin Duck Pavilion last night and drinking quite a bit. Then Xiao Qiyu appeared and seemed to be advising her to stop drinking. After that, she couldn't remember anything else.

"How did I get back last night?" She couldn't open her eyes, but subconsciously felt that Xiao Qiyu must be in the room, so asking was perfectly reasonable.

"I dragged it back."

The boy's voice was indifferent and calm, accompanied by the crisp sound of scrolls being turned: "I'll grab your ankles, face down, and drag you all the way from the Mandarin Duck Pavilion to the Qiyun Pavilion."

"Inhuman." Cui Ying cursed him, stretched, opened her eyes wide, and looked in the direction of the sound.

The sun shines warmly, and the windows are bright and clean.

Xiao Qiyu sat behind his desk, holding an ancient book. His tall figure was bathed in the midday sunlight streaming in through the window, which cast a soft, hazy glow on his profile, making his features exquisitely handsome.

Looking at his excessively handsome face, Cui Ying blinked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Suddenly, she said mysteriously, "Hey, you know what? I had a dream."

Xiao Qiyu didn't even lift his eyelashes, completely ignoring her.

Cui Ying's voice became even more mysterious: "I dreamed about you."

Xiao Qiyu finally lifted his eyelids, his indifferent gaze sweeping over her face.

Cui Ying looked at him with a serious expression and said, slowly and deliberately, "I dreamt that you turned into a dog."

Xiao Qiyu: "..."

"And you even went crazy and wanted to eat shit. I told you not to, but you insisted on eating it, and I couldn't stop you." Cui Ying looked like she had just escaped a disaster, patting her chest repeatedly as if she had been quite frightened.

Xiao Qiyu: "..."

Xiao Qiyu: "Inhuman."

He admired no one more than Cui Ying for being able to spout nonsense without batting an eye.

As the two were staring at each other, a maidservant came from outside the door and said, "Young Master, someone has arrived. They say that the Third Master requests your presence in the front study and wants you to go there as soon as possible."

"Third Brother?" A hint of confusion flashed in Xiao Qiyu's eyes, then he replied, "I know, I'll go right away."

Cui Ying was about to turn her head and continue sleeping when she suddenly remembered how badly Xiao Qiyu had been beaten up last time. Her heart tightened for no reason, and she blurted out, "I'm going too!"

Xiao Qiyu glanced at her, his tone indifferent: "What are you going to do?"

Cui Ying rushed behind the screen and quickly changed her clothes, not even needing a maid: "I want to! I have long legs, I can go wherever I want!"

Before she finished speaking, she had already changed her clothes and even used a hairpin to tie her hair into a simple bun. Like a rabbit, she darted over to Xiao Qiyu's side in a few quick steps, blinking her eyes and saying, "Alright, we can set off now."

But Xiao Qiyu didn't move.

He looked at her disheveled hair and the embroidered shoes she had put on backwards in her haste, and seemed to want to say something, but after a pause, he chose to remain silent. Instead, he simply grabbed her arm, led her to the dressing mirror, pressed her down onto the bench, picked up a rhinoceros horn comb, and tidied her hair. Then he bent down, took off her shoes that were on backwards, and carefully put them back on her delicate, snow-white feet.

"What are you doing?" It was the first time Cui Ying had a man help her put on her shoes, and she felt a surge of heat rush to her ears, making her extremely awkward. Her brows furrowed tightly.

Xiao Qiyu's grip was firm and unwavering. Even as she struggled, he finished putting on her shoes and looked up at her coldly: "Your unkempt and slovenly appearance is enough for me to see. Don't let anyone else see it."

Cui Ying scoffed, her tone sarcastic: "I thought it was something else, but it turns out you think I'm embarrassing you. Fine, fine, you're the neatest one, okay?"

Xiao Qiyu: "Good to know."

After putting on their shoes and heading out, the two of them continued their banter from Qiyun Pavilion all the way to the front courtyard, until they reached Xiao Heng's study door, where they finally stopped, leaving only a silent exchange of glances between them.

As the door opened, Xiao Qiyu entered the study and said to the young man behind the desk, "Third Brother, you wanted to see me."

Xiao Heng was reading a letter he had just received, unaware of its contents. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and he looked displeased. When he looked up, he first saw Xiao Qiyu, and then noticed Cui Ying beside Xiao Qiyu. His expression softened considerably, and he smiled and said, "You've come, but why did you bring a tail with you?"

"Tail" Cui Ying immediately said, "You all talk. I just came out for a walk to clear my head. If it's inconvenient, I'll go out now."

Xiao Heng put down the letter: "It's alright, we're all family."

Cui Ying then stood obediently beside Xiao Qiyu, waiting for Xiao Heng to discuss matters.

Individually, both she and Xiao Qiyu possessed a dignified and composed demeanor befitting a member of a prominent family. Moreover, Xiao Qiyu was mature beyond his years, so no one would treat them like children. Yet, when the two of them stood together, honestly staring at people with their eyes wide open, a clear childlike innocence emanated from them, making them appear so dazed that it was almost comical.

Xiao Heng felt like an old scholar in the academy, with two students who had just caused trouble standing in front of him, holding their breath and waiting for his judgment.

"What are you two standing there for?" Xiao Heng was so angry he almost laughed, and most of his frustration dissipated. "Sit down."

Cui Ying then came to her senses and sat down with Xiao Qiyu on the armchairs on either side of the desk.

The servant entered silently to serve tea, and wisps of steam rose from the tea leaves.

Xiao Heng picked up the teacup, his fingertips tracing the warm rim of the cup. He turned his gaze to Xiao Qiyu, his tone losing its usual composure: "You applied for the martial arts examination?"

Xiao Qiyu nodded and readily admitted, "Yes."

This was not a secret to begin with, and he had no intention of hiding it from anyone.

Xiao Heng gently stirred the surface of the tea with the snow-white porcelain tea lid, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Wouldn't it be better to rest at home for a while? Are you so eager to find a job?"

Xiao Qiyu said, "I am still young, and it is the time for me to make achievements and establish my career. I should not waste my time."

Xiao Heng looked up at him, a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "I only said I wouldn't let you go back to the Vermilion Bird Gate, but I didn't say I'd keep you locked up at home for life. Within the Six Ministries, you can go wherever you want, it's all negotiable. It's much safer than you competing with others for that life of bloodshed."

With just this one sentence, Xiao Qiyu grasped the implied meaning. His eyes flashed slightly, and he asked directly, "Third Brother doesn't want me to take the martial arts exam?"

Xiao Heng took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and tapped his knuckles lightly on the smooth tabletop twice: "Among our grandchildren, Grandmother loves you the most. She is getting old and has a lot to think about. Last time I caused you to get injured, she was so worried that she couldn't sleep for several days. I also reflected a lot on this and regretted teaching you martial arts at a young age and letting you get exposed to fighting and killing too early."

He paused for a moment, then spoke again, his tone much more subdued: "In my opinion, you'd be better off finding a clerical job within one of the Six Ministries. You wouldn't have to work in the sun and wind, and all you'd do is write a few words every morning and evening. I think that would be quite good."

Xiao Qiyu suppressed the rise and fall of his chest and uttered three simple words: "Can't do it."

Xiao Heng laughed and said, "What's wrong with being a civil official? My Xiao family has never produced a civil official before. I think you can give it a try. I remember you have excellent grades in the past. Even if you take the imperial examination, you can definitely pass it."

Xiao Qiyu: "I can't do it."

Xiao Heng: "You are young and the youngest in your family. Everyone will take care of everything for you. You don't need to have any lofty ambitions. Isn't it good to be a wealthy and leisurely person? Your family doesn't need you to earn any merit."

Xiao Qiyu: "I can't do it."

Xiao Heng: "..."

Xiao Heng: "That's all you have to say?"

Xiao Qiyu's tone was resolute, his eyes gleaming: "I really can't do it."

Xiao Heng's eyes darkened completely, and his voice was filled with coldness: "Fine, then go take the exam. I won't stop you. You'd better come back as the top martial arts scholar. Our family is counting on you to bring glory to our family."

The atmosphere suddenly turned icy, as if frozen by invisible ice, so cold you could hear a pin drop.

Cui Ying felt a little breathless.

She glanced furtively at Xiao Qiyu, then at Xiao Heng, sensing that Xiao Qiyu wouldn't be able to take a beating anytime soon, and unable to bear the eerie silence, she decided to slip away quietly.

However, just as she was about to get up, Xiao Qiyu suddenly asked from behind her head, "Where are you going?"

Cui Ying turned her head and forced a smile, her eyes full of sincerity: "I don't think there's anything for me to do here. You and Third Brother continue talking, I'm going out for a walk."

Xiao Qiyu suddenly hardened his tone, leaving no room for argument: "You're not allowed to leave, you're staying right here."

Cui Ying retorted, "Then what am I doing here?"

Unable to utter the words "stay with me," Xiao Qiyu stubbornly held her hand.

Cui Ying panicked immediately, tried to shake him off twice, but couldn't break free. She then glared fiercely at Xiao Qiyu: "Are you going to let go or not?"

Xiao Qiyu remained silent, but the pressure on his hands only increased.

Cui Ying thought to herself, "I can't handle you anymore!" and lowered her head to bite!

The previously cold and tense atmosphere suddenly turned into chaos.

Xiao Heng, disregarding his anger, strode between the two, grabbed Xiao Qiyu's arm with one hand and protected Cui Ying with the other, scolding in a low voice, both amused and annoyed: "Nonsense, how old are you two? Can't you talk things out properly? Seventh brother, let go of her hand and stop pulling on Third sister. Third sister, let go of her mouth and stop biting him. Be good, be good."

At this moment, a servant announced from outside the door: "Sir, Censor Qian Peng requests an audience and is waiting outside."

The helplessness on Xiao Heng's face was instantly replaced by icy anger, and he let out a cold laugh: "I haven't even caused him any trouble yet, and he's already delivered himself to my door? Fine, let him in."

Turning back to look at the young couple, Xiao Heng put on a gentle expression, as if looking at two three-year-old children: "I rarely have time to come back, not to watch you two quarrel. This is none of your business. Go back now, and don't cause any more trouble when you get back."

Xiao Heng's gaze fell on Xiao Qiyu, and his tone was complicated: "Seventh Brother, you should go back and think about it carefully. A leisurely and respectable job is something others would beg for, but I only need your word. As the only son of the fifth branch, your safety and well-being are more important than anything else."

Xiao Qiyu gave a soft "hmm" and said nothing more. He then grabbed Cui Ying's wrist and strode out of the study.

The two walked under the veranda, the afternoon sun's rays feeling like thorns on their backs.

Cui Ying observed Xiao Qiyu's gloomy face and, recalling Xiao Heng's words, cautiously asked, "Are you still going to the provincial examination in October?"

Xiao Qiyu countered, "Why not go?"

Cui Ying immediately understood.

Although she also felt that a leisurely and peaceful life was not bad, she knew Xiao Qiyu's ambitions, and she would inevitably feel regret if he could not realize them.

Cui Ying raised his hand and patted Xiao Qiyu's chest without ceremony, his boundless pride like a mountain king patting his underling: "Not bad, not bad, this rebellious spirit of yours does have a bit of my flair."

Xiao Qiyu was stunned.

He thought Cui Ying would persuade him to listen, but to his surprise, she supported him in continuing his military examination.

As if cleansed by a clear spring, Xiao Qiyu felt an indescribable comfort, and all his worries vanished.

It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter at all, as long as Cui Ying is on my side, that's enough. That's what he thought to himself.

The sunlight cast dappled shadows, and the golden vines climbing under the eaves were in full bloom. Cui Ying casually picked up a drooping, tender yellow flower and played with it between her fingers. Just as she was about to ask him how to deal with the old lady, she was suddenly caught by a strong, sweet scent mixed with perfume and incense.

Looking up, I saw a young man walking towards me, fanning himself. He was dressed in a purple silk robe with wide sleeves, a gold and jade belt around his waist, and adorned with countless ornaments. He was so magnificent that he looked like a jewelry stand come to life.

Upon seeing Cui Ying and Xiao Qiyu, the young man made way for them, a warm smile on his face. He nodded respectfully, and when he smiled, a pair of swollen, purplish eye bags appeared under his eyes, and many lines burst out at the corners of his eyes, resembling the tail of a goldfish.

After passing by the young man, Cui Ying pondered the name "Qian Peng" for a moment, then whispered, "Is he Third Sister-in-law's brother?"

The pair of bracelets that Qian Qiuchan gave her, which she had taken from a dead man, were obtained from this man.

Xiao Qiyu hummed in response, his tone calm and even, but his eyes turned cold: "He's not a good person."

Cui Ying asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

Xiao Qiyu glanced at her sideways: "Men understand men best."

Even though it was only for a moment, he could clearly feel it.

The way Qian Peng looked at Cui Ying was disgusting.