In the Taoranju residence of Qingyi Garden, a young boy gazes wistfully...

Seeing that Doctor Dong had already stepped into the inner room, Qin Weixi quickly slipped out and said to Tao Qingyun, "No thief, no thief."

Tao Qingyun glanced suspiciously into the inner room and asked, "Awake?" Then she turned to look at her, her brows furrowing slightly. "Seventh Sister, why are your cheeks so red? You've been keeping watch all night without letting go, and you haven't even put on any rouge!" As she spoke, she reached out to pinch her rosy cheeks.

A sudden hissing sound came from inside. Qin Weixi quickly dodged to the side, avoiding his outstretched hand, and glared at him, saying, "Third Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Tao Qingyun's eyes shone like stars: "Huh? Am I talking nonsense? The old fox is in pain. Come on, let's go see him." She looked up and saw that the girl who was just in front of her had slipped under the eaves and bumped right into Jiu Qu, who was rushing in.

Qin Weixi couldn't dodge in time and could only retreat, but Tao Qingyun quickly stepped forward to steady her. Seeing this, Jiuqu on the opposite side also widened his eyes and quickly took a step back, firmly assuming a horse stance. He cried out, "Miss, Miss, I don't want to be flogged!"

A whisper suddenly came from inside the room: "...Idiot!"

Upon hearing this, Jiuqu quickly bowed to Qin Weixi and slipped inside.

Tao Qingyun met her gaze with suspicion again: "Seventh Sister, why were you so reckless today?"

Qin Weixi turned around and looked at him. Seeing the cunning glint in his eyes, she smiled slightly and said, "Third Brother, you should sleep more." If you fall asleep, you won't know anything. If you fall asleep, this precocious and insightful Third Brother will know nothing.

Unexpectedly, Tao Qingyun suddenly curled her lips into a mischievous smile, blinked, and snorted, "Don't think I don't know about your third brother." With that, she proudly puffed out her chest, lifted her robe, and walked into the inner room.

Qin Weixi choked upon hearing this, and was about to go to Aunt Ruan's place to see if she could help out. She hadn't returned to the Luo residence last night and hadn't removed her makeup all night. She hadn't noticed it when she woke up, but now, standing in the sweltering heat of midsummer, she felt sticky all over, and the makeup on her face must be terrible. But she knew that her brother would definitely arrange for Pu Niang to come to the Marquis's residence.

Just as he was about to step out of the house, he heard Jiuqu's voice coming intermittently from the inner room: "...My lord, last night the drunken old man suddenly remembered something, and this morning before dawn he sent someone back with a letter. I went to see him. The old man said that years ago, he had lingered outside the Woxue Pavilion for a long time and saw a wealthy merchant from the south who often came to the capital to listen to operas. The merchant was a regular at the theater and always gave generous tips. Master Fang even personally saw him off. Because of Master Fang, the old man paid more attention to him."

"I dared not delay and hurriedly went to inquire about the wealthy merchant. He happened to be in the capital at the moment. He said that over the years he had loved listening to Ma Lianren of Woxue Pavilion sing opera, and had stayed in the capital for many days because of it. Once, when Ma Lianren was drunk, he inadvertently said that he was the son of Sun Cheng. Sun Cheng had always wanted to come to the capital, but he had only come once in his early years. After he died of illness, he came here to fulfill his father's wish and lived here for a long time. I saw that you, my lord, were still unconscious, so I reported this matter to Lord Luo. With Lord Luo's help, I hurriedly went with Songyang to check the household registration of Sun Cheng. Sure enough, there was indeed a Sun Cheng, who was from Yongzhou."

Sun Cheng, Sun Cheng, and Qin Weixi leaned on the door frame, looking up at the sky, lost in thought.

Soon, she heard a deep voice from inside: "You and Songyang are not allowed to leave the capital now. Send word that two people from each of the men searching for Zhuang Shijun and Li Mou should go to Yongzhou immediately. Also, send a message to Bitan immediately, asking him to go to Yongzhou as well."

"Yes!" Jiuqu accepted the order and was about to leave when she heard the person behind her say again, "There's no need to send a message to Bitan. The Jiangnan region is peaceful and prosperous, and it's not easy to regain what was lost. Let them live well. Go find Lao Zhong and have him find a suitable person to go to Yongzhou."

Qin Weixi turned to look. She couldn't see what was happening inside, but she knew the depth in the words of the person who spoke. Bitan, Axia. Their future days would surely be peaceful and happy, never to be separated again.

As she left the study, unsure of where to go, Pu Niang brought Feng Hua into the Marquis's residence. Upon seeing her completely unharmed, Pu Niang patted her chest and exclaimed, "Oh dear, you scared this old servant to death! Miss didn't return all night, and I didn't dare close my eyes until the young master sent Luo Yuan to say that Miss was alright. Only then could I finally sleep peacefully. Is the young Marquis alright now?"

"Doctor Dong has already applied medicine to him, and the imperial physicians have also come to examine him." Qin Weixi smiled faintly, leaning down slightly to allow Pu Niang to see him more clearly. Remembering the large wolfhound that had followed her at that time, she asked again, "Where is Zhou Feng?"

Pu Niang smiled and said, "She's eating and drinking well and is sleeping now. She just stayed up all night circling around Miss's bed in Tingyu Pavilion."

Feng Hua's eyes also reddened as she touched her hand, circled around her once, and then muttered, "Miss, really, why didn't you take me with you?"

Qin Weixi looked at her and smiled: "Little Fenghua..."

Feng Hua quickly stopped her, saying, "Stop, stop, stop, I understand." She pretended to be serious and said, "Miss, you mean to say that you also have to promise me this."

Feng Hua imitated her usual actions and expressions with great skill and precision, and her imitation was so lifelike that Qin Weixi couldn't help but chuckle. Pu Niang pretended to hit Feng Hua, but she quickly said, "Since Pu Niang is here, come and do my makeup."

Pu Niang quickly responded.

As they were talking, Aunt Ruan arrived with two strong guards from the Marquis's mansion. However, the two guards only stayed at a distance and did not come forward. Aunt Ruan said, "The Marquis has already given instructions for you to rest at Qingyi Garden. I have already prepared hot water for you as instructed by the Marquis. Go and wash up."

Qin Weixi's eyelids twitched upon hearing this. Qingyi Garden—how could its name be so similar to Qingliang Garden in the Qin family's old residence? Moreover, she clearly remembered that there was no such courtyard as Qingyi Garden in the Marquis's mansion when she was in the capital.

Aunt Ruan seemed to notice her hesitation and quickly said respectfully, "This Qingyi Garden was renovated by the servants after the Marquis returned to the manor. The courtyard faces south, and there are several grapevines in the yard. Moreover, because of the buildings' shade, it is warm in winter and cool in summer."

Feng Hua, standing to the side, asked doubtfully, "Was this prepared especially for my young lady?"

Qin Weixi glanced back at her, and Feng Hua immediately shut her mouth.

Aunt Ruan smiled and said, "The Marquis didn't say, but no one has lived there since it was built. Now that you're allowed to live there, that's fine."

Qin Weixi blinked, and before he could speak, Pu Niang smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, young marquis. Please lead the way, Madam Ruan."

As Aunt Ruan led her along, the further they went, the more she felt something was amiss. In her youth, she often visited the Jingning Marquis's residence and knew that the path they were on led to Taoran Residence, the bedroom where Chu Yening had lived since childhood.

The river shimmered, surrounded by lush greenery. As she stepped onto the wooden bridge spanning the river, she noticed that the small courtyard opposite Qingyi Garden was actually Taoranju. The two courtyards, encircled by the river and green trees and connected by a wooden bridge, seemed to be facing each other.

Qin Weixi: "..."

The three servants entered Qingyi Garden to help her wash and dress. Aunt Ruan returned, this time with a tray containing a light yellow summer dress that looked quite cool, and a small box containing unidentified items.

Feng Hua chuckled and said, "Oh dear, this young master is so thoughtful! This morning, Pu Niang and I were in such a hurry to visit Miss that we didn't bring any of your clothes. We were just thinking of going back to the Luo residence. And here they are!" As she spoke, Feng Hua picked up the clothes, held them in her hands, and looked at them. She exclaimed in surprise, "How come they look exactly like Miss's size..." Then she opened the small box and saw that it contained fragrant jasmine petals, meant for bathing.

"Oh!"

"Feng Hua!" Qin Weixi glanced at her quietly, signaling her to immediately fall silent.

Pu Niang listened with a smile, then took the tray from Aunt Ruan's hands: "Thank you, Madam Ruan. After I finish serving Miss, I'll go to the kitchen to help out."

Aunt Ruan smiled and said, "No need to trouble Mama Pu. These days I've only been taking care of the Marquis's medicine and preparing the decoctions. The food in the kitchen has been taken care of by palace maids and eunuchs sent down from the palace."

Palace maids, eunuchs...

Qin Weixi pondered to himself.

Pu Niang watched Aunt Ruan leave Qingyi Garden, then adjusted the water temperature in the bathtub and left Feng Hua outside to watch over it.

Qin Weixi looked up at Pu Niang and said, "Pu Niang, Feng Hua is being silly, why are you joining in the silliness?"

Pu Niang laughed heartily, "I wasn't being silly. I just thought the young master was already quite thoughtful, but I didn't expect the young marquis to be even more thoughtful. General Chu fought everywhere back then, leaving behind only his wife and young master." She sighed, her eyes glistening with tears, "However, the wife passed away only a few years after their marriage, leaving behind the young master. Back then, both the madam and your mother were heartbroken and wanted to take him into their own household to care for him. But the young master was frail and sickly, and the Luo family had to send imperial physicians and doctors in and out, so the madam was powerless to help. In the end, it was your mother who brought the young master back to the Qin family."

"During that time, I often accompanied Madam to the Qin family to visit the young master. Because General Chu was too busy to take care of him, the young master, who was as thin as a little monkey back then, suddenly gained a lot of weight, and his handsome face regained its rosy color. Only then did I learn that Madam Xiao had stopped attending banquets of noble ladies during that period, and had stayed at the manor to take care of the young master, making all kinds of food for him. I was very happy to see him spending all his time with your brother, Miss, and Madam was relieved."

Qin Weixi had already taken off her clothes and climbed into the warm bathtub. She had never heard anyone mention these things before. But she clearly remembered how happy her mother, brother, and father were during the years Chu Yening stayed at the Qin family's old house. At every meal, there would always be dishes that her brother, she, and Chu Yening liked, and the dining room would always be filled with laughter.

Once, his father joked about it: "We've watched Ye Ning grow up. You clever girls and boys call each other brother and sister, and even formed a sworn brotherhood in the Peach Grove. Ye Ning is practically a son to us."

Upon hearing this, the mother glared at the father, feigning anger: "More than half a son? Ye Ning and A Shuo are both our children. If A Zhi were alive, she would surely be happy."

The father laughed heartily: "My wife is right!"

But after that, for some reason, Chu Yening gradually moved back to the Chu residence. By then, he had grown into a young man, with a face like his aunt Chu, and he was becoming more and more handsome. Whenever he went to the palace for banquets, he would gradually be followed by several young daughters from noble families.

His mother couldn't dissuade him from moving back to the Chu residence, so she prepared meals for him every day and visited him. One day, she went to visit him with her brother. Her brother was sitting in Taoran Residence, and the usually dashing man had a rare look of worry on his face: "Yening, why don't you go home and live? We eat together, read and write together. Your younger sister, father, and mother are also looking forward to your return home."

At that time, Chu Yening was wearing a pigeon-blood red belted long robe, with a black veil and a pearl headband covering his head. The pearl on the headband was personally chosen by his mother on his birthday. The brocade robe that best suited him was also sewn by her own hand. He had grown into a handsome young man.

In Taoranju, the young boy gazed wistfully at her as she fiddled with the sword and inkstone in his room, only saying to his brother, "Ye Ning has her own plans." She had gradually forgotten these things as the years quietly marched by. Ten years was truly a long time.

She slowly lowered herself into the water, and after a short while, she emerged from the water. Her long, black hair was soaked through. She slowly opened her eyes, looked at the Qingyi Garden where she was now, and called out to the outside of the screen, "Puniang, change your clothes."