Chapter 33 Chapter 33 Planning
Qin Jingyao's heart suddenly tightened, but he continued to smile at her. The smile in his eyes froze for a moment, barely perceptible. This girl never played by the rules. Now her eyebrows curved, her eyes, always clear and revealing, unable to hide their thoughts, were now hidden by the shadows cast by her thick lashes, making him unable to read them for a moment.
Was she just saying it casually, testing him with ulterior motives, or was she just lying to him?
"Nong Nong asked this, but what did I do wrong that made you feel cheated?"
Lan Nongnong's expression shifted slightly, as if she'd remembered something, but she didn't immediately respond. The smile on her lips faded slightly, and a subtle shift of emotion flickered in her eyes. Though only a tiny hint of emotion was revealed, it was enough to send Qin Jingyao's heart racing.
He quickly recalled their past interactions, carefully considering her personality, and soon he had a good grasp of her situation. With this confidence in his mind, his demeanor grew more relaxed, his brows lowered, his eyes drooping, his voice meditative, as if he were genuinely hiding something from her.
Lan Nongnong sat up straight upon seeing this, her smile completely fading. Her lips pursed tightly, her eyes ablaze with shock, pain, and indignation, a scorching light. The moments of waiting seemed long and torturous, yet he seemed lost in thought, unwilling to reconsider his thoughts or speak.
She'd only mentioned it casually, but then she remembered he hadn't discussed marriage since breaking off the engagement. A thought struck her, and she considered deceiving him. Who knew he'd react like this? Was he really hiding something from her? How could she possibly resist?!
"Yao Jing, did you really lie to me about something?!"
Her eyes locked with his. "I'm just an orphan here, from a humble family. I have some savings, but you come from a wealthy family, so you're definitely not here for money. You once said you were engaged to a woman, but since then, there's been no further talk of marriage. Could it be... that you're still obsessed with that relationship?"
She became more and more anxious as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes, but every word she said was as sharp as a knife: "You talked about love with me and were so close to me. Could it be that from the beginning, you were just deceiving me emotionally?!"
Lan Nongnong felt a sharp, dull pain in her chest, nearly suffocating her. She breathed hard, her eyes burning with tears. Her voice trembled, yet she gritted her teeth and stared into his eyes, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in his expression.
A huge weight lifted from his heart, and Qin Jingyao decided to call it a day. Seeing her trying so hard to hold back tears, refusing to show even a hint of vulnerability, his heart suddenly softened. Amidst a feeling of pity, a smile barely suppressed crossed his eyes.
He still gently held her injured hand with one hand, raised his other hand, put three fingers together, looked into her eyes calmly and solemnly, and said, "Nong Nong's words are really unfair to me. I swear to heaven here, if I ever show affection to a woman other than you, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death.
The ancients always revered the gods and spirits of heaven and earth and never swore an oath lightly, let alone such a harsh and solemn oath. Even in later times, such a curse would seem too heavy.
Lan Nongnong's tears were still welling up in her eyes, but she hurriedly raised her hand to cover his lips. "Even if you really are hiding something from me, just explain it to me. If it's not serious, just laugh it off. If it really crosses my bottom line, then at worst we can just part ways amicably. How can you make a vow casually?"
In her heart, she actually believed him. The intimacy and tacit understanding between the two of them in their daily interactions could not be faked. How could those subtle tenderness and unintentional protection be erased by unfounded suspicion?
The suspicion and shock she'd felt just now were merely a momentary complication, instantly dispelled by his clear, open gaze. Yet, she remained unforgiving, pursing her lips in feigned annoyance, "If you have a clear conscience, why did you remain silent just now? You were clearly deliberately trying to irritate me!"
Just as the soft, slightly fragrant fingertips on her lips were about to move away, Qin Jingyao grabbed them firmly. He exerted force with his knuckles, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged slightly. He was much taller than her, and now his eyes were lowered, his gaze was heavy, and his voice was slow and heavy: "It's good to meet, and it's good to part?
As he finished speaking, the usual smile vanished completely. His handsome face, like that of a fallen immortal, lost its expression, revealing a distant, indifferent, and unattainable coldness. His deep pupils stared at her silently, emitting a faint, palpitating sense of oppression.
Lan Nongnong felt an inexplicable panic surge through her heart, a shudder rising from her back and rapidly spreading throughout her body. She was momentarily dazed by this inexplicable chill. When she regained her composure, she saw his face remained unchanged, his expression unchanged, but the cold, oppressive feeling that had permeated his eyes had vanished without a trace. It was as if the chilling coldness she had felt just then had been an illusion.
She didn't think much about it at the moment, but instead felt a little guilty because her angry words had caused him to question her so forcefully. But deep down in her heart, a sweet feeling that was hard to ignore surged up. Wasn't his nervousness due to his concern for her?
She quickly put aside the trembling she had just experienced and stopped dwelling on the confrontation. Suddenly, the clouds and rain cleared up. She stood up and pulled him aside, saying excitedly, "Eating at the opera house is really a dampener. Let's go somewhere else. I was so angry just now, and I want something cold. Let's go!"
She didn't ask any more questions, so Qin Jingyao followed her wishes and stopped talking. He stood up calmly as she wished, and did not forget to take the veil from the screen stand and put it on her carefully.
The veil hung down, as thin as smoke. Although one could see things, it dimly concealed the subtle expressions in the eyes of others.
Ruifeng's eyes were narrow and cold, and should have appeared indifferent and distant, but now they clearly reflected an undisguised predatory intent. An almost overbearing possessiveness and an egotistical desire that would never tolerate betrayal intertwined into an impenetrable web. As he descended the stairs, step by step, it silently enveloped the still unaware woman.
That night, the most skilled ear-piercing woman in Longshuo City was quietly led into the house through a side door.
*
Outside Yuqing City, Qingyun Temple,
The air is filled with the fragrance of Buddhist incense, birds are singing, cicadas are chirping, the sound of wooden fish is harmonizing with the low chanting of scriptures, and the leaves in the forest are rustling, creating a unique and peaceful tranquility.
About ten days ago, a wealthy family in Yuqing City, who wished to remain anonymous, sent someone to the nunnery and donated a generous sum of money, requesting that the nunnery observe a period of retreat and spiritual practice on their behalf. Just before this, the nunnery had received a letter confirming that Nongnong had arrived safely in Longshuo. With that, the nunnery temporarily relented and, at his request, closed its doors.
Unexpectedly, the door of the nunnery opened again, and in addition to the many items she sent from Longshuo, there was also a shocking piece of news, which was expected upon closer thought.
"...This donor is saying that Nong Nong and your master Qiu Ri are about to get engaged?"
"Do we need to leave for Beijing right now?"
Qingluo smiled, showing courtesy even to monks. She bowed slightly and spoke softly, "In reply to the masters, Miss Lan has always regarded you as her closest relatives and elders. For such a major event as an engagement, she originally wanted to come back to welcome you to the capital in person. However, my master felt sorry for her long journey and couldn't bear to see her endure the hardship, so he sent us here to escort her."
After saying this, she pulled out a letter from her sleeve and presented it with both hands. "The young lady is concerned about you, so I wrote this letter personally, asking us to pass it on. Please take a look, Masters."
Yun'an and the others exchanged a glance, then stepped forward to take the letter and present it to the abbot of Qingfeng Temple. They suppressed their anxiety, lowered their eyes, and gently twirled their prayer beads between their fingers, waiting silently.
The handwriting is neat and beautiful, and the connecting strokes have a playful curve that is unique to her personality.
After confirming that the handwriting was correct, the abbot of Qingfeng Temple felt a little relieved.
Looking at the content, she first recounts her daily trivialities and interesting stories in the capital, with a light and casual tone, like a casual conversation. Then she tells the story of her deep love with Mr. Yao, and their promise of a lifelong relationship, stating her determination to marry him.
The letter also said that she had no relatives or friends here, and she only regarded the aunts in the nunnery as her closest relatives. As this was an important matter of marriage, she dared not hide it and acted on her own, so she begged the aunts to act as her parents and go to Longshuo to complete the ceremony.
At the end, he specifically explained that he was still recovering from his previous trip due to fatigue, so he asked someone to pick him up. He asked him not to be offended and to come.
In the letter, she still covered every detail, was frank, intimate and generous, and her writing was as vivid and real as the several letters she had sent back before.
After reading it, the abbot turned his eyes to another letter. The handwriting on the letter was clear and sharp, and the words "Please Invite" were written neatly on the envelope.
After about a cup of tea, the headmistress of Qingfeng Temple slowly raised her head. The others who had been patiently waiting around her all looked up at her, their eyes filled with anxiety and worry.
She nodded slightly, first soothing everyone with her gaze, then chanted a Buddhist prayer with them. Then she looked up at the maid who had been waiting respectfully beside her. She spoke in a calm, unhurried voice, "Thank you, benefactor. I'm aware of this matter, but as nuns, we have our own rules and regulations, so it's a bit inconvenient to act. I hope you'll allow us a moment to consider it before making any further plans."
She didn't say this out of reluctance, but because if she were to travel far, the affairs of the nunnery would need to be properly arranged. Moreover, they were different from real monks after all, with their special status, and they had to be cautious in their actions.
Although Nong Nong was not particular about small matters, the Yao family was prominent and might have some grudges against her. Therefore, even if she wanted to go, she had to be very careful and not let anyone find fault with her and look down on her.
Qingluo seemed to have anticipated their concerns. She accepted an arm-length crimson sandalwood brocade box, intricately carved with flourishing floral patterns, from the attendant beside her. She held it firmly in both hands, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. "Master, you are well aware that your masters may be in difficulty, so you have specially instructed me to present this gift. Whatever happens to the contents of this box is up to the young lady and the masters. I will never take any liberty to do anything else."
"The master also specifically instructed me to tell you that Miss Lan is intelligent and charming. The master is honored to meet her and will treat her sincerely and cherish her. All matters in the mansion have been arranged, so there is no need to worry. Please go with peace of mind, masters."
Such a comprehensive and appropriate arrangement really makes people feel relieved and there is nothing to complain about.
The abbot of Qingfeng Temple didn't know what was in the brocade box. He just nodded slightly and motioned Yun'an to come forward and take it.
Qingluo then withdrew her hands and continued in a gentle voice, "Young Master and Miss are deeply in love. My previous departure was due to unavoidable circumstances. Since returning to the capital, Young Master has immediately begun preparing for their engagement. When Miss suddenly arrived in Longshuo, Young Master immediately went to Yongning Temple and had the abbot compare her horoscopes. He calculated that the end of the eighth month of the lunar calendar would be the most auspicious date for discussing the marriage and setting the engagement."
She paused, a look of apology on her face. "I had hoped to come earlier, but the masters were closing the nunnery for a fast, so I didn't dare disturb them. I've come so hastily today, and I'm afraid I'll have to trouble the masters to make a quick decision. The carriage is ready outside the nunnery, and I'll be waiting in the carriage at the foot of the mountain. Once the masters give their approval, we can leave immediately."
After she finished speaking, she bowed and took her leave.
After Qingluo left, everyone in the nunnery returned to the back hall. At a gentle gesture from Abbot Qingfeng, Yun'an opened the brocade box. As the contents were taken out one by one, everyone's gazes gradually revealed astonishment.
Yun Ting was the youngest and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "How... why are there so many?!"
The mansions within Longshuo City ranged from as large as ten acres to the smallest with five courtyards, totaling six in total. There were shops within the city, farms outside, and hundreds of acres of fertile land. And that was just the property deeds; the endless jewels, antiques, and silks on the wedding list were not even included.
No wonder everyone was so shocked. The value of the deeds that almost covered the entire desk was far beyond what anyone knew or heard. What was even more shocking was that the names of all these fields, houses, shops, and manors were all written with the three words "Lan Nongnong" without exception.
The most thoughtful and even astonishing one is a Buddhist temple covering an area of ten acres in the suburbs of Beijing.
Although neither of them stated it explicitly in their letters, the purpose of this temple is obvious and no further explanation is needed.
Land prices in Longshuo were sky-high, and even a small house or a narrow shop was beyond the reach of ordinary people's lifetime dreams. And now, such a lavish undertaking was merely for an engagement ceremony. What a horrifying sight it would be when the actual wedding took place.
This clearly shows how devotedly and respectfully Mr. Yao treats Nong Nong. It is even more rare that he can treat the person she respects as his own family member and be so considerate to her.
There was a moment of silence in the hall, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
After a long while, the head of Qingfeng Temple finally spoke slowly, a hint of barely perceptible relief in his tone: "What Mr. Yao said is true, and his intentions are good. It seems that all we need to do is go ahead with peace of mind."
Everyone just recovered from their shock and breathed a sigh of relief, sighing, "Nong Nong is such a lovely person, kind and intelligent, insightful and sensible. She deserves such a good match."
"This Young Master Yao is a wealthy man, but he's quite a bit older than Nongnong. Merchants are accustomed to scheming and are often cunning, while Nongnong is relatively inexperienced and pure-hearted. With such a good match between these two, it's hard to predict whether the future will be a happy or a sad one..."
"Love is like drinking water; only the person who drinks it knows whether it's hot or cold. Since Nong Nong is willing to marry him, why should we worry about it and cause ourselves unnecessary trouble? It will only make Nong Nong more worried."
"That's exactly what's going on. Furthermore, even if the Yao family were incredibly wealthy, the amount of private property they gave to Nong Nong would be astronomical. Their actions alone are incredibly rare, and they demonstrate their sincerity."
Another person chimed in, "On the contrary, we must carefully consider this. When Nong Nong gets married, this dowry must not be underestimated. Even if it can't compare to the Yao family's betrothal gift, we must do our best to raise it. We must not let Nong Nong down, so that she can have a stable position in her husband's family and have someone to rely on in the future."
Qingfeng nodded in agreement. Love between men and women, even the friendship between husband and wife, even if it begins with pleasure, ultimately hinges on profit. Having these assets at her disposal was a blessing.
After all, the two of them are deeply in love and have pledged their love to each other, but I hope that she can live the rest of her life like today, peaceful and smooth, without any regrets.
"Nong Nong considers us as her closest relatives and respects us as elders. As for this important event in her life, we feel obligated to do our utmost to take care of her."
"Yun'an, Yunming,"
The two of them were secretly delighted, but they maintained a forced composure. The other two who hadn't been named, though trying their best to appear calm, could hardly conceal their disappointment.
"Amitabha, but please let the abbot give his instructions."
"Since we've been delayed for so long, you two should go back and pack your bags and follow the donor to the capital. Remember, you're only going here to be her support. You must carefully guide her, so that her mind is as clear as a mirror, she doesn't forget her true nature, and she can act calmly according to her heart. In all things, she should be the most important, not us."
"yes."
*
The Red Di tribe submitted a petition in February requesting permission to enter the capital to apologize, but their request was not granted until April. Due to their special status, they set out from Canglang Mountain and were subject to strict inspections in every city they passed through. The journey of over 2,000 miles took them over three months, and they finally arrived in the capital on July 18th.
On that day, Lan Nongnong was dragging Qin Jingyao to the top of the Falling Sun Peak to watch the sunset, and they returned home under the stars, so they happened to miss the scene of the Red Di tribe entering the capital.
Because the Red Di were escorting a prisoner, they were all housed in the imperial palace and guarded by soldiers. Although they were officially treated as guests, they were actually under house arrest. They were not allowed to roam freely in the capital until the emperor's will was clear.
Therefore, Lan Nongnong only heard sporadic stories from other people about how huge those foreigners were, how arrogant they looked, how many carriages and horses they brought, and how magnificent horses and herds of cattle and sheep they presented as tribute.
Although she felt a little regretful that she couldn't see it with her own eyes, the loss was far less than the fact that due to the influx of foreigners into Beijing, Qin Jingyao's family business suddenly became doubly busy. She was even hurriedly called away by the servants that night, and she was no longer able to accompany him, which made her feel unhappy.
"...Miss, you are alone in the capital, so please be careful in everything you do. Fang Jiu will stay in the capital to take care of the affairs for you. If you need anything, please tell him to do it. We will take our leave now and will personally deliver the young lady's instructions to you."
Wu An and his companions parked their horses and cars outside the city and bowed to her in farewell.
Lan Nongnong hurriedly returned the greetings to each of them, a bright smile on her face. "Thank you all, brothers and master, for your hard work and protection all the way to the capital. This is just a small gift, just to ask for good luck, I hope you won't refuse. The journey is long and difficult, I just hope that your journey back will be as smooth as it was when you came here, and that you arrive home safely!"
After saying this, she immediately pulled out six red envelopes from her sleeve and handed them to each person one by one. Her attitude was firm, and because of the gender barrier, they could not push or shove, so they could only bow slightly and take them with both hands.
Because of her sincere tone, or perhaps because of the unexpected joy, the already gentle smiles on their faces seemed even more heartfelt and enthusiastic.
"In that case, we will shamelessly accept it. Thank you for your generous reward, young lady. I appreciate your kind words, and please take care of yourself, young lady!"
The summer heat was scorching, and the heat was sweltering. Biyu held up a silk umbrella with refreshing colors and patterns of azure grass and bamboo, creating a cool shade. To cool down, she also held a teapot-sized, lotus-shaped ice jar in her hand.
Wisps of cold smoke continuously emanated from it, penetrating the skin. The master and servant stood under the umbrella, feeling only the coolness and freshness, not the slightest hint of the scorching heat.
The journey was long and it was inconvenient to stay for long, so Lan Nongnong waved goodbye to everyone.
Although I have been spending less and less time with them since I met Yao Jing again, at this moment, as I watched his figure gradually walking away until it became blurred, I felt a sense of loneliness and panic inexplicably.
Perhaps it was because they had been traveling together for a long time and had found common ground, and they were from the same city as her, so they could be considered fellow townspeople. Or perhaps it was from this moment that she truly began to be alone in a foreign land.
"Young lady, please don't be sad. The young master is attentive to you and takes great care of you. He would not want you to feel the slightest bit of sadness. The weather is getting hotter, and you have been standing here for a long time. The young master specifically warned you not to get too hot or tired. Besides, the shopkeepers of Langhuan Pavilion and Tiangong Pavilion have agreed to come to your house today to present treasures and tailor clothes for you. Calculating the time, they should be here by now."
"What?"
Lan Nongnong was stunned when she heard this, but since she knew someone was waiting, she couldn't stay any longer. She turned and walked towards the carriage, but couldn't help asking, "How come I didn't know about this?"
Biyu seemed to have anticipated this. With one hand, she held the silk umbrella steady for her, and with the other, she carried the lotus ice jar. She followed briskly behind her, her voice still soft, "I think the master saw that you hadn't chosen many items in the storeroom, and thought they wouldn't suit your taste, so he arranged today's event specifically to give you a surprise. It's my fault for being so talkative and telling you in advance."
Qin Jingyao knew her personality well: soft-hearted and soft-spoken, she disliked tedious tasks. If he simply asked her to go out and choose, she would probably refuse. But if he presented her with both the person and the item, her considerate nature would not let her wait in vain.
All expenses are readily available, which naturally saves you the trouble of going out.
From that day on, all the famous shops in Longshuo City, whether they were selling jewelry, silks and satins, rare curiosities, unique calligraphy and paintings, from the store's treasures to the finest works in the market, all rare and exquisite items, were continuously sent to the mansion.
For several days, Lan Nongnong was immersed in this dazzling scene of wealth and was unable to step out of the mansion.
She refused repeatedly and asked him not to send anyone to her house again, but he had such righteous reasons that she had no way to refute.
For example, leaving Yuqing alone, he would feel extremely guilty. She came thousands of miles to find him, but he was too busy with work to be with her all the time. He could only make up for it with these mundane things.
He also said that if she insisted on refusing, or the items she chose were not the number he had set, it would mean that she was unwilling to forgive his debt, and he would never be able to feel at ease and concentrate on his work.
Having said that, Lan Nongnong had no choice but to accept. She gritted her teeth and spent a considerable sum of money. Although no one had told her the exact amount, she could already guess from the sheer quantity and quality of the items left behind and the constant stream of items being delivered that it was an astronomical sum she could never earn in her lifetime.
When he finally nodded in satisfaction, the house, which had been bustling with activity for days, finally returned to its peaceful state. Lan Nongnong also breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had survived a disaster.
Her lover was so willing, even generous and compelling, to spend money for her, which made her feel sweet. But at the same time, his display of wealth and her situation of receiving money without being able to give back also made her feel pressured and burdened.
*
It's hard to prevent gossip from spreading. Qin Jingyao never deliberately tried to hide his tracks; he only needed to deceive one person.
As soon as they left the Pear Garden that day, news spread like wildfire throughout the capital's mansions. General Qin had brought a strange woman to the Pear Garden to watch an opera. Although no one had seen her true appearance, her figure, demeanor, and clothing clearly showed that she was not the general's wife.
Previously, General Qin was obsessed with a Jade Purity woman, and now he's seen condescending to accompany a woman to the Pear Garden to watch an opera. This exiled immortal, who has never shown any sympathy for mortal love, seems to be completely uncontrollable once he's moved, and his actions are completely unconcerned, completely unlike his usual style.
For a time, the noble families in the capital were all speculating about the woman's true identity, and they were all eager to make a move. Many women could not hold back and directly sent their names to the Grand Marshal's residence. Some visited in person, some hosted banquets, some asked questions directly, and some used sharp words to inquire about her. All of these actions were indirect attempts to find out the woman's true intentions, and even the Grand Marshal's current attitude.
Mrs. Xu Wenya, the Grand Marshal's wife, though of humble origins, her mother's family being only of the sixth rank, possessed a gentle and docile disposition, well-educated and sensible, and possessed a measured and balanced demeanor in her dealings with others. Whether the visitor was genuinely seeking comfort or harboring ulterior motives, she easily dispelled them with her gentle and smiling response.
*
Taiwei Mansion, Yuxiu Hall,
The exquisite invitation to flower appreciation was carelessly tossed aside by a pair of pampered hands. The maid, Rumei, nimbly bent over to pick it up, strode lightly to the desk, and carefully placed it down. Meanwhile, in the left corner of the desk, a pile of similar invitations had already piled up, nearly half a palm high.
It was late at night, and although the hall was brightly lit, it was utterly silent. A burst of hurried footsteps approached quickly from outside the door, suddenly breaking the silence with a startling abruptness.
"Greetings, Madam. There is a letter from home."
"Show it up."
Rumei took the unopened letter, bowed her head, and handed it over with both hands.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the subtle rustling of the unfurling letter, which made the room even quieter. A moment later, the light, regular breathing suddenly stopped, and then became rapid and heavy. Then, a loud rustling sound suddenly broke the silence. It was the harsh sound of paper being violently clenched and roughly crumpled.
The maids standing in the room all held their breath and lowered their heads, not daring to make the slightest sound.
"Today is the thirteenth day, isn't it?"
A gentle, soft female voice, half asking, half sighing, drifted through the silent hall. Empress Rumei subconsciously tensed, holding her breath, and softly replied, "Madam, it's the thirteenth day."
"Yes, it's the 13th."
"Your Excellency is in the capital, but has not returned home for thirteen days. Even if he returns, how can I have the right to make decisions on my own..."
Xu Wenya looked out the door and sighed softly, a hint of self-mockery flickering across her gentle features. Suddenly, she whispered, "Are you sure the Hibiscus Jade is truly gone?"
"...Reply to Madam,"
The maidservant's voice became even lower, "Today, I asked Steward Guo to open the storeroom to look for something. I accidentally glanced at the red sandalwood table where the Hibiscus Jade was stored. There is nothing there now.
“…”
"That Hibiscus Jade was given by the Empress. I asked Her Majesty for it before but was unable to obtain it. Now it seems to be very much to her liking, so I gave it to her just now."
"I hope Her Majesty will consider your kindness and not blame me."
The room was completely silent, no one answered. Xu Wenya seemed oblivious, as if she had just mentioned it casually. Turning to the maid who had delivered the letter, she gently instructed, "Report the truth to your family. A married woman must obey her husband. Whatever your husband wishes, it is not my place to ask. I can only listen."
After the maid bowed and left, she slowly stretched out her arms and stood up with the help of the maids on both sides. She said calmly, "Since my lord is not coming back, please help me change my clothes."
All the maids in the room responded in a low voice, knelt down and saluted, then quietly stepped forward and served according to the routine.
*
The news had already spread throughout the capital, so naturally the palace knew it even earlier. The royal couple had always been worried about his offspring, and now, seeing him so concerned about a woman, was a rare sight, and they were naturally relieved.
Empress Guo waited and waited, but for days on end, no one came to ask for her instructions. Unable to contain herself any longer, she summoned the woman into the palace during the lunch break, dispensed with all the formalities, and asked directly, "Where is the woman from? What is her character?"
Before she could answer, she sighed softly and waved her hand, "Never mind. Since you like her, family background is irrelevant. Just when do you plan to welcome her into the house? If you need to mention her status, your aunt can arrange it for you."
Qin Jingyao sat down, his posture erect and composed. Hearing this, he slowly drank the tribute tea in his hand, then raised his head and bowed, smiling as he replied, "Thank you for your concern, aunt. I've already made arrangements for this matter, so there's no need to bother you. She's still young, with a straightforward and kind nature, cheerful and lively, but a little unstable. It would be bad if we rushed things at this point."
It was a good thing that he did not avoid talking about it, but when Empress Guo heard that she was young and her temperament was not yet determined, she couldn't help but frown.
She was young, her body still young, and she was afraid she would have trouble having children. Furthermore, her temperament was still young, so she was bound to act recklessly, causing more trouble. Logically, a woman with such a temperament would not be of her liking.
Yet, as he spoke, his brow relaxed, his eyes etched with smiles, revealing a rare gentleness. With his proud and aloof temperament, he was willing to condescend to accompany someone to the opera. If he didn't deeply enjoy it, why would he bother to do so?
She shook her head and sighed quietly. "Well, as long as he truly loves her, it doesn't matter if she's younger. As for her character and body, she can slowly take care of them later."
"Okay, Auntie won't interfere."
Empress Guo smiled helplessly, but her tone still held a hint of concern. "It's just that women are ultimately best suited to be gentle and docile. Since her temperament is still uncertain, I'll have the Education Department send a nurse out of the palace with you to give her some guidance. This will not only help her recover physically, but also teach her some principles of social interaction. You're busy with official duties, so wouldn't it be more appropriate to have someone dedicated to handling these trivial matters?"
She was stubborn and would throw a tantrum if he said something inappropriate. If a palace maid were sent to discipline her, she would probably become rebellious and cause chaos.
Moreover, in his eyes, her lively and lively personality was the best. Even if she needed to be taught or corrected, it had to be done by him personally, and no one else would be allowed to interfere.
"Aunt, thank you for your concern. If you can give me some prescriptions to nourish my body, I will be very grateful. As for the nanny, there is no need for you."
He was a man of his own will, and the pressure on him to marry her had only forced him to give in, choosing a woman of little talent, beauty, or reputation. Empress Guo always felt guilty about this, and therefore dared not force him to do anything, fearing that pushing him too far would cause trouble again.
It was a rare opportunity for him to accept some health-preserving prescriptions, so Empress Guo stopped trying to persuade him. After everyone left, she summoned her maid and ordered her to open her private vault. Not only did she personally select various health-preserving secrets and prepare rare medicinal herbs, she also sent people to the Imperial Hospital to obtain many nourishing prescriptions and medicinal food recipes.
All the items filled the entire carriage, and then he ordered them to be sent out of the palace as soon as possible.
*
In the evening, the carriage slowly drove into the mansion.
After Qin Jingyao finished reading the documents on his desk and wrote his reply, he casually took out a jade bead the size of a mung bean from the sandalwood box on the table, put the box into his sleeve, and skillfully twisted the jade bead with his fingertips. A faint light flashed in his eyes, and a smile passed across his lips. Then he stood up and got off the carriage.
As soon as he settled down and raised his eyes, his brows knitted together, and his face darkened. He stood on the steps, looking around. The servants in the courtyard all bowed their heads, but the only one missing was the figure who usually greeted him with a smile whenever he returned.
Though he hadn't spoken, his aura was as sharp as a knife. Biyu, bracing herself against that visceral gaze, bent forward, feeling her back instantly soaked in sweat. Her voice was strained, like a fully drawn bowstring.
"Go back to college--"
As soon as she said this, she realized she had made a big mistake. She fell heavily to her knees with a thud, and cold sweat instantly dripped down her forehead.
"My lord, the young lady did not leave the house today. She simply stayed in her room after breakfast, and instructed the servants not to disturb her. I saw her when I brought her lunch, but she seemed to have no appetite. She only took a few bites before having her food removed. She has not yet left her room. I am incompetent and have not been able to find out why she is unhappy. Please punish me, sir!"
Qin Jingyao's heart suddenly sank, and he glanced at him coldly. His gaze was as heavy as a thousand-pound mountain, revealing a terrifying ruthlessness.
Behind him, Jiang Ting was also intimidated by this aura, holding his breath and bowing deeply. The maids and servants in the courtyard all knelt and apologized, but he didn't even glance at them. He strode straight into her courtyard, his voice as cold as ice: "Who visited the mansion yesterday, and what did she hear?"
Biyu ignored the throbbing pain in her knees and quickly stood up to catch up, reporting urgently, "My lord, only the shopkeepers of Zhixia Manor, Baoqin Tower, and Wanbaoxuan were here yesterday. I gave them strict instructions beforehand and have been by your side the entire time. All we talked about was the merchandise, and nothing inappropriate was said. I guarantee with my life that no unwarranted information was ever passed to your ears!"
Qin Jingyao stood tall and straight, his steps swift as the wind, leaving the path clear and dust-free wherever he passed. In just a few moments, he had reached her bedroom. As he stepped through the Moon Gate, he issued a cold command without turning his head, "Everyone, retreat outside the courtyard and receive your punishment."
"yes."
"Everyone, retreat outside the courtyard and receive your punishment."
The servants who had been waiting in the courtyard filed out in an instant, their steps light and silent. The corners of their dark green robes drew a cold arc in the air, and the courtyard door slowly closed.
*
The days are long in summer and the weather is sunny for several consecutive days. The sky is still bright until dinner time.
Qin Jingyao walked slowly toward the closed house. The setting sun cast a long shadow behind him, making his figure appear even taller. Light filtered through the edges of his silhouette, but couldn't reach his bottomless eyes, which seemed to be filled with an indissoluble thick ink, so heavy it made one's heart ache.
He is a man of cold, unfeeling, and unappreciative disposition, never scrupling to achieve his goals. Since assuming power, he has overturned political power, eradicated factional strife, maintained national security, and eradicated dissidents. He is a man of the world, accustomed to the ups and downs of the world. The life and death, honor and disgrace of countless people depend on his whims.
At the pinnacle of power, life is the most precious thing. Uneasy conscience, anxiety, and guilt—these ordinary emotions—have never been of concern to him.
Even at this moment, he thought of that one special woman.
She was eccentric, sincere and passionate, and her actions were often unexpected, which made him gradually deceive her body and mind. When she was cute and obedient, he would unconsciously indulge her.
He was happy because of her, worried because of her, and angry because of her.
She was acting so abnormally today, perhaps because she had discovered his deception.
But his heart remained calm, without any sign of panic.
The moment he pushed the door open with his palm, the coldness that had seeped out of his eyes gradually receded like a tide, quietly disappearing into the deep darkness.
He hadn't grown tired of being with her in this state of concealing her identity. If she was willing to figure everything out and remain the same as before, he would naturally be happy to continue this companionship. If she insisted on breaking through this illusion—
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