Chapter 22: New Year's Eve (3)

Setting off firecrackers was always the children’s favorite activity. The bright red fireworks hung on trees, crackling loudly and echoing through the air. The children were both frightened and excited, clapping their hands joyfully.

Zhao Yao didn’t particularly enjoy setting off firecrackers, but she had come because her second brother was there. She planned to pretend to be scared when the fireworks went off and hide behind him—if she could even grab his hand, it would be perfect. However, just as she was devising this plan, before the fireworks began, Qi Le came over to talk to her. While responding to him, she was gradually pushed further away from Qi Ying by the other children. By the time the firecrackers exploded, she hadn’t even managed to get close to Qi Ying. Even worse, while she wasn’t afraid at all, Qi Le panicked and pulled her behind him instead, accidentally knocking off the flower pin in her hair, which infuriated her.

Zhao Yao remained upset even when everyone returned to the house to stay up late for the vigil. Qi Le knew he had offended his younger sister and felt a bit guilty. Holding the damaged flower pin in his hand, he awkwardly apologized: “Dear sister, please don’t be angry. I’ll replace this pin for you tomorrow—or maybe ten? Ten is fine too!”

Zhao Yao glared at him, thinking that it wasn’t about the broken pin—it was the missed opportunity to get closer to her second brother. How could Qi Le possibly compensate for that! Growing increasingly frustrated, she was about to scold him when Madam Qi entered the room, supported by Yao Shi.

The room wasn’t lit with lamps—only a few candles burned. Though many relatives had come, those who lived farther away stayed in other rooms to keep vigil. In this room, there were only close family members, no more than ten people in total.

Madam Qi was elderly and had been in poor health in recent years. Normally, she should have rested early, but tonight, feeling well and in high spirits, she decided to stay up with the younger generation.

Madam Qi took Hui’er from Qi Yun. The little girl was already sleepy, half-closing her eyes and nodding off, looking absolutely adorable. Filled with affection, the matriarch held her for a while before handing her back to Han Ruohui, Qi Yun’s wife, saying, “Go and put the child to sleep first. Look at how pitiful she looks.”

Han accepted the child, obediently agreeing, and after exchanging a glance with Qi Yun, left with Hui’er.

Madam Qi looked around the room, spotted Qi Ying sitting in a corner, and beckoned him over: “Jingchen, come sit next to your grandmother.”

Qi Ying stood up and walked over as instructed. Seeing the matriarch in good spirits, Qi Zhang and Yao Shi didn’t dare disturb her, exchanging a glance before making space for Qi Ying. The matriarch pulled him down to sit beside her.

With a sentimental expression, the matriarch held her grandson’s hand and said, “Time truly flies. It feels like Jingyuan was just a child yesterday, yet now he has a child of his own.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Patting Qi Ying’s hand, the matriarch continued, “After your eldest brother, it will be your turn—Jingchen, it’s time for you to settle down.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yao instinctively glanced at her mother, Zhao Qi Shi, then subtly straightened her posture. Beside her, Qi Le muttered in confusion, “Why are you sitting so straight?” earning another glare from Zhao Yao.

Qi Ying showed no particular reaction to the suggestion, calmly nodding and replying, “I leave everything to the elders’ decision.”

The matriarch was pleased, pondered for a moment, then earnestly said, “I’m not being biased, but the Fu family does have several daughters suitable for you. Among them, Rong’er stands out the most. In terms of appearance and character, she is top-tier. You grew up together, so the bond runs deep. I think after the New Year, you two can spend more time together…”

At this point, Zhao Yao’s expression changed, and Zhao Qi Shi also frowned slightly, calculating in her mind: Rong’er? Was the matriarch referring to Fu Rong, the legitimate daughter of the Fu family? Since the matriarch herself was from the Fu family, Fu Rong would technically be her great-niece. Did the matriarch intend to marry her to Qi Ying?

Zhao Qi Shi’s heart sank. If so, what did that mean for Yao’er…

Qi Ying listened silently. The matriarch sighed again and said, “Actually, if the Shen family hadn’t fallen into misfortune, I had considered marrying their daughter to you. But who could have predicted…”

This remark stirred emotions among those present, each lost in their own thoughts, filled with sighs and melancholy: the Shen family had once been immensely wealthy, rivaling the Qi family in prosperity. Yet, in the blink of an eye, they were reduced to nothing. Most of the male descendants were executed, and the women and children were exiled to the frontier. The downfall of a century-old noble family was indeed heartbreaking.

Qi Ying’s phoenix-like eyes lowered, perhaps recalling someone or something, as a flicker of emotion crossed his face before quickly returning to calmness. He remained silent. Qi Zhang noticed his mother’s sentimentality, knowing she was thinking of the Shen family’s matriarch, who had passed away from a heart attack upon hearing the news of the Shen family’s fall. They had been lifelong friends, and the matriarch had grieved deeply at the time.

Qi Zhang comforted his mother, saying, “These are things of the past. From now on, our Qi family will tread steadily. Mother, please don’t worry anymore.”

Despite these words, the matriarch continued to sigh and shed tears. She reproached herself for bringing gloominess to the New Year’s celebration, but the tears wouldn’t stop, eventually making it hard for her to breathe. The room descended into chaos. Qi Zhang and Yao Shi rushed to her sides, while Qi Yun hastily called for servants to fetch a doctor. Concerned for his mother’s health, Qi Zhang decided not to adhere strictly to the tradition of staying up late. After instructing Qi Yun to handle the situation, he and Yao Shi helped the matriarch retreat to an inner room.

Qi Yun entertained the relatives in the room but remained worried about his grandmother. Left waiting anxiously, the servant sent earlier to fetch a doctor still hadn’t returned. Just then, Qi Ying approached him and said, “It might be difficult to find a doctor on New Year’s Eve. Brother, let me go instead.”

Qi Yun initially shook his head, but after Qi Ying persuaded him, saying, “Grandmother’s health is important. I’ll just make a quick trip,” he hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Then hurry back and be careful on the road.”

Qi Ying nodded and turned to leave. Passing through the courtyard, he noticed Bai Song still standing in the same spot, his brow faintly pale, with a thin layer of frost forming. Bai Song saw Qi Ying approaching and momentarily didn’t know how to react. As Qi Ying walked past him, he tossed a remark over his shoulder: “Aren’t you coming?”

Bai Song was startled. In the blink of an eye, Qi Ying had already walked far ahead. Only then did Bai Song snap out of it and follow limpingly.

Exiting the mansion gates, Qi Ying had a servant bring out two horses. They mounted swiftly, and the steeds galloped into the night, illuminated by countless lanterns and the sound of fireworks, heading toward Qingji Mountain.

________________________________________

Fenghe Garden.

The night was desolate, and snow still piled in the garden.

In Shen Xiling’s room, the candlelight flickered, casting a pale glow on her sickly face. The doctor who had arrived earlier hadn’t left yet, though far beyond the agreed hour with Bai Song. Liu Zi refused to let him leave, and now the doctor sat dejectedly on the threshold of the room, utterly resigned.

He had already accepted his fate, realizing he probably wouldn’t return home to celebrate the New Year with his family tonight. Resigned, he brewed another dose of medicine, still steaming, and carefully fed it to Shen Xiling using a small spoon. Unfortunately, the outcome remained unchanged—whatever amount he fed her, she vomited back out.

The doctor sighed, muttering to himself: “What a tragic fate for such a young child. Perhaps some internal turmoil or unresolved grief is consuming her…”

Midway through his mutterings, he heard Liu Zi’s surprised exclamation of “Master!” followed by footsteps entering the room. Turning around, the doctor saw Qi Ying and Bai Song, covered in dust from their journey. Unaware that this man with phoenix-like eyes was the renowned Qi Jingchen, the doctor merely recognized him as someone in charge and set the medicine bowl aside to bow respectfully. Qi Ying gestured for him to rise and immediately directed his gaze toward Shen Xiling lying on the bed, asking, “How is her condition?”

The doctor hesitated for a moment, gauging Qi Ying’s unreadable expression, then replied truthfully: “Cold has invaded her body, and her illness is severe, likely exacerbated by excessive worry and fatigue. Her life is currently sustained by ginseng. If we can get her to take the medicine, she might survive; otherwise…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Behind Qi Ying and the doctor, Bai Song couldn’t see Shen Xiling or Qi Ying’s expression after hearing the prognosis. All he could discern was the stern line of Qi Ying’s profile, unable to fathom his intentions. A brief silence enveloped the room. After a moment, Bai Song heard Qi Ying say to the doctor: “Thank you. I understand.”

The doctor bowed again. Qi Ying asked, “Would you be willing to visit the Qi residence again tonight? Despite the inconvenience, the Qi family will express its gratitude generously.”

The doctor was stunned. The Qi family was an esteemed household—ordinarily, someone of his status wouldn’t even have the chance to enter unless circumstances were exceptional, such as tonight’s New Year’s Eve. This was an unexpected blessing; how could he refuse? He immediately bowed deeply, repeatedly assuring compliance.

Qi Ying nodded politely, saying, “Thank you for your efforts.” Then, turning to Bai Song, he instructed: “Escort the doctor back.”

Bai Song was taken aback, glancing between Shen Xiling on the bed and Qi Ying, before silently nodding and leaving the room with the doctor. Outside, Liu Zi watched as Master Qi personally picked up the medicine bowl, sat on Shen Xiling’s bedside, and looked over at him. Liu Zi trembled slightly, quickly lowering his head as he heard the master’s command: “It’s getting cold in here. Change the charcoal basin for her.”

Liu Zi immediately complied, retreating with his head bowed. As he closed the door, he vaguely saw Master Qi pulling the orphan into his arms. He dared not look further and softly shut the door.

On the bed, Qi Ying propped Shen Xiling up, letting her lean against him. Holding the medicine bowl, he wrapped his arms around her from behind. Feeling her frailty in his embrace, Qi Ying realized how shockingly thin she was—her delicate wrists seemed like they might snap under the slightest pressure. Her breathing was shallow, as if it might cease at any moment.

Holding her, Qi Ying suddenly thought of his younger siblings, like Yao’er and Hui’er. They were girls too, but unlike Shen Xiling, they had grown up sheltered by their parents, never experiencing hardship. No matter where or when, they always had their parents and older brothers shielding them from storms. Shen Xiling, however, was different. She was his father’s illegitimate daughter, never having enjoyed wealth or peace. Now, both her parents were gone, and she had braved a thousand-mile journey alone to bury them together, fulfilling their lifelong wish. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, and the Qi children were enjoying plays in the reception hall and fireworks in the courtyard, but she lay alone in a strange courtyard without a single relative by her side.

He noticed the frostbite on her hands and the thin calluses formed from labor—hands accustomed to hard work. He recalled handing Zhao Yao her red envelope earlier. When she reached out to take it, her hands were adorned with rouge, smooth and unblemished. But Shen Xiling… hers were like this.

Qi Ying sighed, lowering his gaze. With a spoon, he carefully brought the medicine to her lips, murmuring softly: “Come, drink the medicine.”

Shen Xiling’s brows furrowed in pain, as if trapped in a nightmare.