Chapter 10. Chapter 10 slapped this image into his heart...

Dark clouds obscured the moon, and the rain had stopped sometime earlier. The wick in the yellow gauze lantern crackled twice. Qian Yingyi rarely saw Qian Lanting's expression change so quickly, and she quieted down for a moment, forgetting that she was going to cry.

Qian Qiyu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Grandpa...why not?"

The Yan family, while not particularly wealthy, was a scholarly family. As the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Yan Yu was known for his diligence and love for the people. His wife was the daughter of the prefectural magistrate of Yangzhou, and they raised their two children to be refined and cultured.

Why not choose such a good family?

Xu Jun was also not quite sure. Although she didn't know why her son had brought up Yan Sanlang for no reason, she often went out and, like other officials' wives, had a good impression of Yan Sanlang.

Seeing her father-in-law's sullen face, Xu Jun simply held Qian Yingyi and remained silent.

The water clock dripped softly in the room. Qian Lanting, his lips pressed together, glanced at the others with a detached expression, then picked up the half-finished cup of tea and took a sip. “Sit down. Since you’re all here today, there are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”

The family sat together again, and Xu Jun vaguely sensed that her father-in-law was about to say something, so she quickly pulled up her seat and closed the door tightly.

Qian Lanting beckoned Qian Qiyu forward with a meaningful look, "Grandpa didn't tell your parents to rush to Prince Rui's mansion to apologize. There's another reason behind this. Do you know it?"

Qian Qiyu shook his head in confusion, then suddenly turned his gaze to Qian Yingyi's face, and inexplicably remembered that she had covered her mouth when she left home that afternoon...

As if he had found an answer in a winding and complicated way, he looked surprised and tentatively asked, "Is it because Prince Rui was involved in the case of the rebellious prince many years ago, and our family is best off not having any involvement with the Prince's mansion?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Younian and Xu Jun immediately sat up straight.

Qian Lanting nodded, then casually leaned back in his chair. "That's exactly what I meant."

The room fell silent, save for the soft rustling of the charcoal stove. The pale yellow candlelight cast a shadow on Qian Lanting's face, making him appear unfathomable.

Qian Yingyi had never seen her grandfather look like this before, and she was stunned for a moment.

Qian Lanting said, "In our family, only I am on duty in the Six Ministries, another person is in the county government, and Yingyi's father is far away in the capital, so there are some things you don't know yet."

“Recently, there have been servants dressed as ordinary men waiting at the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites, as if they were waiting for someone. The servants were dressed plainly, and if I hadn’t gone to the Ministry of Rites to deliver an official document one day and seen the servant’s waist tag, I wouldn’t have known any of this.”

Qian Younian immediately understood and hurriedly asked, "Father, could it be a servant of the Yan family?"

Qian Lanting glanced at him, her eyes turning slightly cold. "Exactly. Yingtian Prefecture and the Six Ministries have always managed their own affairs. If there were instructions between superiors and subordinates, how could a servant be in charge of relaying them? Hmph, in my opinion, the Yan family's move is to win over officials, but we don't know exactly what they intend to do yet."

“But Grandpa, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. You said we should avoid talking about the Rui family, and then you mentioned the Yan family,” Qian Qiyu said, pursing his lips, his confusion showing again. “I don’t understand.”

Qian Younian pondered for a moment, then suddenly stood up, realizing his rudeness, and quickly sat back down. His expression gradually became serious as he looked at Qian Lanting, "Father, are you thinking about that case involving the Qin family from many years ago?"

Qian Yingyi was also only half-understanding, twisting her handkerchief in her hands and whispering, "Second Uncle, I don't understand either."

Qian Younian secretly observed the old man sipping his tea without speaking, clearly leaving the conversation to him. He could only smile kindly at Qian Yingyi and say, "Second Uncle was just guessing, so I'll tell you."

It turns out that ten years ago, a heartbreaking case occurred in the capital.

At that time, Prince Rui was still full of vigor and high spirits. Relying on the wealth of his fiefdom, he often looked down on others. However, he had one particular pleasure in life: he especially admired those who were intelligent, refined, and learned.

One year, when he returned to the capital, he learned that a scholar named Qin had won the imperial examination in the same year and entered the Hanlin Academy as an editor. Prince Rui was curious and followed him all the way to the Hanlin Academy, where he finally met the editor Qin.

It turns out that Qin, the compiler, was the eldest son of the Right Army Vice Commander. He had been well-versed in poetry and books since childhood, and his lifelong ambition was to serve his country.

Prince Rui grew increasingly fond of Editor Qin. After several conversations, the two realized they were kindred spirits and agreed to exchange two letters a month to discuss the remarkable article.

At this point, Qian Younian's mouth went dry, and Qian Qiyu quickly offered him a cup of tea, pressing him for details: "And then what happened?"

later......

Qian Younian had never served as an official in the capital. He heard this from his elder brother, Qian Jinnian. Even though he had never seen the editor Qin in person, he still felt a mixture of sighing and indignation when he mentioned it.

Later, another prince, Prince Heng, was unwilling to remain in his fiefdom for the rest of his life. He raised an army in rebellion and encouraged Prince Rui to join him in attacking the capital.

Although Prince Rui was extremely arrogant, he was still cautious in this matter. On the one hand, he remained firmly in Jinling, and on the other hand, he secretly sent his advisors to assist Prince Heng.

Fortunately, the loyal generals led by Qin Qingshan, the Right Army Vice Commander, made the likes of Prince Heng no threat, and the army was soon wiped out.

Prince Heng was unwilling to die alone, so he insisted on taking Prince Rui with him to see the Lord of the Underworld. When questioned by the Emperor, he implicated Prince Rui.

Prince Narui anticipated that Prince Heng would retaliate, and had already prepared a backup plan to prevent him.

Throughout the entire plot of treason, Prince Rui never showed his face, insisting that Prince Heng had bribed his advisors. Even though he held the imperial edict, he was well aware of the rule that treason was unforgivable, and thus devised another plan.

Fearing the emperor's distrust, Prince Rui turned his attention to the loyal general Qin Qingshan. Prince Rui claimed he knew nothing and asked how Prince Heng had bribed his advisors. He said it was through Qin Qingshan's eldest son, Qin Liran, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy.

He claimed that Qin Liran was a man of the Prince of Heng, and under the guise of exchanging letters with him, he secretly bribed his advisors.

The emperor was on the verge of losing his throne and was filled with suspicion when Prince Rui casually uttered a single sentence, turning Qin Qingshan from a meritorious official into a suspected traitor.

Whether Qin Liran was a member of Prince Heng's faction was irrelevant to the emperor, as the Embroidered Uniform Guard did indeed find evidence of Qin Liran's previous correspondence with Prince Rui in the Qin family's residence.

In this way, Prince Rui became an uninformed party in the entire treason case.

The Qin family, on the other hand, was reduced to ants on an iron pot.

The two children gasped. Qian Yingyi couldn't help but ask, "Just a casual remark, and you're convicted?"

Qian Younian shook his head and sighed, "After those letters were dug out and the handwriting was examined, they were indeed written by Editor Qin himself. It doesn't matter how he bribed Prince Rui's men anymore. The person sitting on the dragon throne is still the same."

"It's only a matter of a word to determine Qin's guilt."

Qian Younian continued, "Back then, I heard your father say that the Qin family only had two paths: either Qin Qingshan would sacrifice his own family to save the lives of the whole family, or the entire Qin family would die together."

Qian Yingyi left the capital at the age of ten and had little memory of the major cases that had occurred there before today. However, after Qian Younian's words reminded her, she remembered some other things. "Second Uncle, now that you mention it, I think I remember something. Doesn't the Qin family live on the main street behind Guanghua Temple? And don't they have a younger son?"

Qian Younian glanced at her sideways and forced a smile. "I don't know where the Qin family lives, but they do have a younger son. How do you remember that?"

Qian Yingyi lowered her eyes slightly and said softly, "One year in the first month of the lunar calendar, my mother took me to pay New Year's respects to her close friend. On the way, we saw Qin Erlang fighting with someone over a dog. I am most afraid of dogs, and I was afraid of him as well. Later, I think I heard my mother mention a few words about him, saying that he was the tyrant of that street and that he was always the one bullying others. So many years have passed, I don't remember very clearly, but I still remember this."

When this part was mentioned, Qian Yingyi's shock about the case lessened somewhat.

Thinking that the second son of the Qin family was only a few years younger than her, she felt a pang of sympathy for him, since they were the same age, and asked, "And then what happened?"

Qian Younian leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Qin Qingshan loves his son dearly, how could he bear to do something like killing his own son? That editor Qin has integrity and principles. Your father doesn’t know the details and the aftermath. He didn’t tell me.”

"All that is known is that Compiler Qin sacrificed his life to preserve his innocence, Qin Qingshan resigned from his position as Vice Commander of the Right Army, and the late emperor trusted the Qin family to some extent, giving Qin Qingshan a minor, insignificant post in the capital. In the end, the lives of the entire Qin family were saved."

"There's been no news about Qin Erlang, the one you mentioned. It seems he's gone against his family and had some unpleasantness. Later, there was news that he joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Qian Yingyi was used to writing supernatural tales, in which monsters always took people's lives easily.

Hearing this today, I felt a chill run down my spine, and suddenly realized that humans are more terrifying than monsters.

She was also indignant about this, saying, "How innocent is the Qin family? Lord Qin, as a loyal and virtuous minister, fought bravely on the battlefield, and was treated like this by the late emperor. How could he not feel disheartened?"

I listened to a story over and over, but the room remained quiet.

Qian Lanting had kept his eyes half-closed, and only now did he say, "The Qin family case was a wake-up call for the aristocratic families at the time. Back then, many people envied the harmonious relationship between the eldest son of the Qin family and the prince. After the Qin family fell, many people avoided them."

"The reason I brought this up is to remind you that, firstly, although Prince Rui escaped unscathed, he is a man of deep cunning. Our family should avoid getting involved with the Prince's mansion."

"Secondly, the Yan family is now secretly courting officials. Although we don't know what the Yan family is up to, things are unpredictable, and they might become the second Qin family in the future."

Qian Lanting glanced at Qian Yingyi, his expression softening slightly. "Although our family and the Yan family don't have much contact, living in the same land of Jinling, it's not easy to remain aloof. Some social obligations are unavoidable."

"It's fine to attend ordinary banquets and small gatherings, but if it's about getting married, then forget about it."

Today's topic was too dull. Qian Qiyu, who was usually jovial, was now serious and somewhat annoyed. "I should have known better than to fight with Yu Minsen so casually."

Seeing that he was reasonable, Qian Lanting deliberately eased the atmosphere by jokingly scolding him a couple of times and ordering him to quickly return to his room and write that self-criticism.

Qian Qiyu suddenly remembered this incident, hurriedly agreed, got up and went out, disappearing in a flash.

Qian Younian secretly observed the old man's expression and guessed that he must have something to say to his niece alone. After thinking for a moment, he pulled Xu Jun out as well.

“Grandpa,” Qian Yingyi, quick-witted, thought of the same thing as Qian Younian. She got up and moved another embroidered stool to sit in front of Qian Lanting and asked, “My brother just casually mentioned Yan Sanlang. Your reaction was so strong. The reason for this must be more than just what I just said, right?”

Qian Lanting chuckled, "You're getting more and more mischievous; you can't hide anything from your grandfather, not even the slightest thing."

Qian Yingyi smiled with her lips pursed, "Grandpa loves me the most. From childhood to adulthood, he has always been very anxious about anything related to me."

"It's good that you know," Qian Lanting said, seeing two tear streaks still on Qian Yingyi's face. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped them away for her, softening his tone. "Did you know that before the Qin family's misfortune, the eldest son of the Qin family was already engaged to a daughter of an official?"

Qian Yingyi shook her head blankly, "How could I know? If the Qin family is in trouble, wouldn't that young lady be..."

"She and the eldest son of the Qin family were in love, but she was forced to break off the engagement. Because of the engagement with the Qin family, no one dared to go to her house to discuss marriage again."

“Yingyi, you have been closest to your grandfather since you were little. Although your grandfather does not know what the Yan family is planning, he is not senile. Your grandfather only wants you to marry into a good family peacefully and stay away from all conspiracies and tricks.”

Qian Yingyi finally came to her senses and stared blankly at Qian Lanting.

She and Qian Qiyu agreed not to mention that she had seen Yan Ruheng that afternoon. She understood Qian Qiyu's intention in mentioning Yan Ruheng "accidentally."

Unexpectedly, her grandfather had thought so much about her based on just one sentence.

Qian Yingyi took a deep breath and couldn't help but kneel down in front of Qian Lanting, sobbing, "Grandpa, I won't get married. I want to stay with you for the rest of my life."

Qian Lanting patted her head and laughed, then suddenly changed the subject and asked, "Don't try to hide it from me. I know you must have met Yan Sanlang, that's why your brother said those things. Do you have feelings for Yan Sanlang?"

"...Grandpa!" Qian Yingyi, forgetting her tears, quickly wiped them away and turned her pretty little face to the side. "Why did we bring it up again!"

"Go ahead and tell Grandpa."

Qian Yingyi pondered this in secret. She couldn't say she liked him; she had only met Yan Ruheng twice. However, she was not opposed to seeing him again. She hesitated, unsure of how to answer.

Qian Lanting glanced at her, his eyes drooping, and knew exactly what was going on. He said bluntly, "You like looking at his appearance?"

That's true, Qian Yingyi nodded slightly.

Qian Lanting cupped her face and smiled with even more affection. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Grandpa isn't trying to stop you kids from playing together, but we still need to know our limits, do you understand?"

Qian Yingyi understood his meaning and obediently complied.

The grandfather and grandson talked for a while longer. Qian Lanting was exhausted. Remembering that a new guard had come to the house earlier, he said, "I had someone investigate the man named Lin Zheng who is by your side. What he said is true and he is innocent. Is that kid surnamed Wu still bothering you? If you take Lin Zheng out in the future, tell him to stop you."

After saying that, he waved to Qian Yingyi, telling her to go back to her Yunteng Pavilion and settle down as soon as possible.

When Qian Yingyi spun out of the flower hall, she didn't see the two maids, Xia Ling and Chun Tang. They must have gone back to Yun Teng Pavilion to prepare her toiletries. Strangely, Xiao Daimao was also not there. Only a guard with a blank expression was waiting for her.

She then remembered that when she entered the house earlier, she had wanted to ask Xu Jun to transfer him away from her side.

"What are you looking at?" Seeing him turn his head to look at her, Qian Yingyi raised her chin slightly, her thin shoulder brushing against his arm. "Aren't you coming?"

She went to Jiangning today, received a letter from her father when she returned home, and cried twice. She was quite tired after all.

We'll discuss the matter of transferring the guards with my second aunt tomorrow.

It was late at night, and the north wind howled through the covered walkway. The young lady and her guard walked one after the other under the walkway, with the guard carrying a lantern to lead the way.

After hearing the whole story, Qian Yingyi found herself preoccupied and felt a dull ache in her heart.

It was as if she felt sorry for the Qin family, as if she felt sorry for the young lady who was engaged to the eldest son of the Qin family, and even more as if she was melancholy about her own somewhat uncertain future.

Lost in thought, my steps slowed down unintentionally. Relying on my memory of walking, I stepped down two sections of the corridor and was walking forward when suddenly a burning hot hand struck my forehead.

Qian Yingyi snapped back to her senses in shock, looked up, and good heavens, how strange that she had been so confused that she almost bumped into the wall.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that a guard had shielded her.

"Is your mouth only for eating?" Qian Yingyi was repeatedly provoked in front of him, and feeling embarrassed, she deliberately snapped at him, "Why didn't you just remind me? Why did you have to block me with your hand?!"

Although she said that, her tone was not as fierce as before, and it gradually softened towards the end.

I don't know if it's because I cried for a while, but my eyes are always sore, and a tear falls as soon as I blink.

Qin Lizheng had never seen her cry. That night, when he was on duty and found her trapped in a nightmare, he simply patted her back to calm her down and tucked one of her arms back into the quilt.

He looked down at Qian Yingyi. There were still barely perceptible tear stains on her face, and a faint red ring floated under her eyelids. Her two wet eyelashes fluttered twice, as if in that moment when he was off guard, she had fanned this image into his heart.

Qin Lizheng slowly raised his hand, pressed his fingertips against her face, and wiped away the moisture. His dim eyes brightened because of the lantern. "Why are you crying, Miss?"

Qian Yingyi wasn't usually one to cry, but at this moment, thinking of the letter from the capital and the story her second uncle had told her, tears streamed down her face like beads from a broken string, falling hot onto Qin Lizheng's hand.

Perhaps because he had held her wrist earlier, Qian Yingyi wasn't as flustered this time. Instead, she resented the wall and cried bitterly, "It's all this wall's fault! Didn't you see I wanted to pass through here? Hit it for me!"

This is absurd. How can someone who doesn't look where they're going turn around and blame the wall for blocking their way?

But this time the guard was very obedient, clenching his fist and pounding it against the wall a few times.

A moment later, he turned around calmly, holding a lantern suspended on the wall, and asked, "The beating is over, Miss, have you vented your anger?"

Qian Yingyi stared blankly, her lips moving several times without uttering a word, only sensing that he was somewhat different now.

She knew perfectly well that she had previously made some unreasonable demands to test whether he was obedient and easy to manipulate, and he had always complied.

At this moment, he seemed unusually obedient.

A sense of absurdity welled up in Qian Yingyi's heart; she vaguely felt that he was somewhat different from before.

They were too obedient.

It seemed as if she was truly being bullied by a wall, and since she, as his master, had been wronged, he genuinely wanted to beat the wall to vent his anger for her.

A note from the author:

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Qin Lizheng's background has been explained.

I just realized I forgot to mention that Qian Yingyi is 18 years old and Qin Lizheng is 22. Qian Yingyi is 163cm tall and Qin Lizheng is 189cm tall.

Yes, as mentioned before, Qin Lizheng has excellent hearing; he was listening quietly.