Qi Mingyue was taken aback: "Brother Xiuyan, is this why you came?"

Yao Xiuyan nodded: "I didn't want to bother you, so I secretly sent people to protect you. But after the welcoming banquet that day, I found things were more complicated than I had imagined." He looked at Qi Mingyue, "That Bai Lian'er is no simple character."

Qi Mingyue was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I know."

"You know?" Yao Xiuyan raised an eyebrow. "Then do you know that she has ties with several prominent families in Yingzhou, and even with certain people in the capital?"

Qi Mingyue suddenly looked up: "The capital?"

Yao Xiuyan took out a letter from his sleeve: "This is what I found in her maid's room. Take a look."

Qi Mingyue took the letter and examined it closely by the moonlight. The handwriting was unfamiliar, but the letter inquired about Qi Mingyue's situation in Yingzhou, paying particular attention to her relationship with Xie Ansu. The letter ended without a signature, only with a strange emblem.

“This is…” Qi Mingyue frowned.

Yao Xiuyan sneered: "This is the private seal of the Yongchang Marquis's residence."

Qi Mingyue's hand trembled, and the letter fluttered to the ground. The Yongchang Marquis's Mansion and the Duke of Ying's Mansion had always been at odds, and the latter were also her father's political enemies in the court.

"Why...why are they asking about me?"

Yao Xiuyan picked up the letter: "I'm afraid it's not aimed at you, but at Uncle Qi." His gaze turned cold. "Your engagement with me is known throughout the court and the public. If something happens to you in Yingzhou, or if there are any scandalous rumors, not only will the Qi family lose face, but the Duke of Ying's mansion will also be implicated."

Qi Mingyue felt a chill run down her spine. She had initially thought it was just a petty squabble between girls, but she never expected it to involve a power struggle within the imperial court.

"That Bai Lian'er..."

“She’s just a pawn.” Yao Xiu’s tone was indifferent. “I’ve found out that her brother works in the Yongchang Marquis’s mansion, and that’s probably why she was being used.” He looked at Qi Mingyue. “Don’t worry, I’ve made all the arrangements. She will ‘die’ in three days and won’t be a problem for you anymore.”

Qi Mingyue was shocked: "Brother Xiuyan wants to take her life?"

Yao Xiuyan raised an eyebrow: "What? She harmed you like that, and you're still pleading for her?"

Qi Mingyue shook her head: "Although she has made mistakes, they don't warrant death. Besides..." she said softly, "If Brother Xiuyan is truly like that, how is he any different from those other people?"

Yao Xiuyan gazed at her for a long time, then suddenly smiled: "Mingyue is still so kind-hearted." He sighed, "Very well, it's as you wish. However, she may be spared the death penalty, but she cannot escape punishment. Three days later, she will leave Yingzhou due to 'serious illness' and never return."

Qi Mingyue knew this was the best outcome, and nodded gently: "Thank you, Brother Xiuyan."

After a moment of silence, Yao Xiuyan suddenly asked, "Mingyue, tell me the truth, would you marry me?"

Qi Mingyue was taken aback when he suddenly asked that question.

Yao Xiuyan chuckled lightly: "No need to answer now. I'll be returning to the capital in three days, you can think about it at your leisure." He spoke earnestly, "Whatever the answer, I respect your choice. The gates of the Duke of Ying's mansion will always be open for you."

Qi Mingyue felt a little flustered and whispered, "Why...why did Brother Xiuyan suddenly bring this up?"

Yao Xiuyan gazed at the distant moonlight, his tone distant: "Three years on the frontier, witnessing countless deaths, I've come to realize that some things shouldn't be hesitated over." He turned his gaze back, his eyes filled with a rare tenderness, "Mingyue, I know your heart isn't set on staying in the inner chambers. If you're willing to marry me, I promise you a lifetime of freedom, and I'll never bind you with those cumbersome formalities."

These words were spoken with such sincerity that Qi Mingyue was deeply moved. In her memory, Yao Xiuyan was still that unruly young man; she never expected him to say such things now.

"I... need time to think about it."

Yao Xiuyan nodded: "Okay. I'll wait for your reply."

When the two returned to the flower hall, the banquet was nearing its end. Bai Lian'er had left the table sometime earlier, reportedly having suddenly fallen ill and been helped home.

Xie Ansu looked at Qi Mingyue with concern upon her return. Qi Mingyue shook her head slightly, indicating that nothing was wrong.

After the banquet, Xie An escorted Qi Mingyue back to the academy. Halfway there, he suddenly asked, "Mingyue and the Crown Prince... are you hiding something from me?"

Qi Mingyue was silent for a moment, then said softly, "An Su, there are some things it's better not to know."

Xie Ansu frowned: "Is it related to those rumors? Could it be that someone really wants to harm you?"

Qi Mingyue looked at him with apology in her eyes: "An Su, you are a gentleman and should not get involved in these troubles. I will tell you everything after the storm has passed."

Xie Ansu wanted to ask more, but the carriage had already arrived at the school gate. Qi Mingyue curtsied and said, "Thank you for seeing me off, Ansu. It's late, please go back and rest."

Watching her departing figure, Xie Ansu felt inexplicably uneasy. He had a feeling that something would be different after tonight.

Three days later, Yao Xiuyan set off back to the capital. Bai Lian'er indeed suddenly fell seriously ill and was taken back to the countryside by her family to recuperate. She never appeared in Yingzhou again.

The academy gradually returned to calm, but only Qi Mingyue knew that this turmoil was far from over. She stood by the window of Tingxue Studio, gazing in the direction of the capital, clutching a jade ring tightly in her hand.

It was sent by someone on Yao Xiuyan's behalf before his departure, with a note attached: "The three-year agreement, awaiting your news."

Outside the window, an autumn wind suddenly rises, blowing down a tree full of pear blossoms.

After Bai Lian'er left, Yingzhou Academy seemed to have returned to calm, like a pond that had been calmed by spring. As autumn deepened, the pear trees in the courtyard bore green fruit, and the lotus leaves in the pond turned yellow, adding a touch of desolation.

Qi Mingyue's life seemed to have returned to how it was when she first arrived. She attended classes and read books every day, discussed academic matters with Xie Ansu, and spent her leisure time sitting alone in Tingxue Studio practicing calligraphy and playing the zither. However, a careful observer could notice a subtle but significant gravity in her expression.

That afternoon, Xie Ansu brought a newly acquired antique inkstone: "Mingyue, please take a look. This She inkstone has a delicate texture and makes a metallic sound when tapped. It is a rare and fine piece."

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