Chapter 25: Taking Her In (3)

Shen Xiling lowered her head, but she could see the shadow of Qi Ying drawing closer and closer. Her palms were sweating, and her heart was filled with apprehension until she heard Qi Ying ask her, “Are you feeling better?”

His words were brief, betraying no emotion, leaving Shen Xiling unsure whether he was expressing concern or reproaching her for her earlier timidity. She pursed her lips, slowly raised her head, mustered up the courage to glance at Qi Ying, and seeing his calm demeanor without any trace of coldness, she relaxed slightly and respectfully replied, “Thanks to your care, I am much better.”

Qi Ying nodded, glanced at Shen Xiling again, and said indifferently, “I have some matters to attend to during the day. Later, we shall talk.”

Shen Xiling didn’t know what Qi Ying meant by “talk.” She guessed that since he saw her health improving, he intended to let her leave Fenghe Garden. This was only natural, and Shen Xiling had already prepared herself for it. Upon hearing this, she calmly nodded and obediently answered, “Yes.”

Qi Ying gave a faint “Mm” and turned to leave. After walking a few steps, he turned back, frowned slightly, and asked, “Didn’t I assign someone to take care of you? Why are you wandering around alone?”

Shen Xiling hadn’t expected Qi Ying to say this, as if he was quite concerned about her. Recalling Xiao Ziteng’s earlier remarks about Yixiang, she pursed her lips and replied, “I wanted to walk around alone. It’s quieter that way.”

Qi Ying frowned and said, “Before you fully recover, you still need someone to accompany you. Don’t do this again next time.”

Hearing this, Shen Xiling was momentarily stunned, feeling somewhat strange. She couldn’t help but think that Qi Ying’s words implied she would be staying at Fenghe Garden for a while longer. Feeling somewhat bewildered, she didn’t respond immediately. Qi Ying thought she disliked being accompanied and was opposing his arrangement, so his tone became more severe as he said, “This is how it will be arranged. Do not be willful.”

Shen Xiling was unexpectedly scolded again and felt a bit dazed. When she came to her senses, she realized Qi Ying misunderstood her, but knowing it was partly her fault for being distracted earlier, she refrained from explaining further. Instead, she lowered her head and softly responded with another “Yes.”

Though young, Shen Xiling already possessed strikingly beautiful features, hinting at her future beauty as an adult. Her soft and gentle voice saying “Yes,” coupled with her submissive and well-behaved demeanor, made it difficult for Qi Ying to maintain a stern expression. His countenance softened slightly as he asked, “Do you remember the way back?”

Shen Xiling initially didn’t want to trouble Qi Ying and considered pretending to remember, but fearing she might get lost and cause even more inconvenience, she ultimately lowered her eyes, blushed slightly, and shook her head. She heard Qi Ying sigh and say, “Follow me then.”

Qi Ying turned and walked along the stone path, and Shen Xiling looked up at his retreating figure. She vaguely recalled the first time she met him when he stepped out of the carriage. At that time, she thought it was just a fleeting encounter, never expecting there would be several more meetings afterward. Lost in thought, she momentarily froze. Noticing she wasn’t following, Qi Ying stopped and turned back, seeing the little girl standing there with a dazed expression. He gestured for her to come over and said, “Come.”

As if waking from a dream, Shen Xiling saw Qi Ying, dressed in white, standing under the plum tree looking back at her. Unable to describe her emotions at that moment, she quickly caught up.

Fenghe Garden was vast, with numerous servants. Following behind Qi Ying, Shen Xiling passed through layers of flowers and trees. Along the way, they encountered many servants who bowed to Qi Ying and secretly observed Shen Xiling, whispering among themselves after they passed. Shen Xiling felt somewhat uncomfortable, but having faced even more blatant scrutiny and gossip when accompanying her mother to the pawnshop, she had grown somewhat accustomed to it. Pretending not to see or hear anything, she silently followed Qi Ying.

After walking for a while, they finally reached the courtyard where Shen Xiling had previously stayed. Qi Ying stopped at the gate and turned to ask her, “Can you go in by yourself?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiling immediately nodded, “Yes... Thank you, Master.”

Their movements at the gate startled Yixiang, who was resting in the courtyard. She hurriedly ran out and, seeing Qi Ying, was greatly surprised and quickly bowed.

Qi Ying glanced at Yixiang and indifferently instructed, “Until she recovers, follow her wherever she goes and take good care of her.”

Yixiang was very flustered and bowed her head, replying affirmatively. Qi Ying then turned to Shen Xiling and said, “Rest first. I will send Qingzhu to fetch you later.”

Shen Xiling obediently nodded. Qi Ying gave her another indifferent glance and turned to leave.

Fenghe Garden was built against the Qingji Mountain, with the entire mountain scenery forming its backyard. The backyard had a mountain spring, cascading down with the terrain and converging into a stream on the flat land. In spring, cherry trees on both sides of the stream bloomed, creating a scene of falling petals—a serene and picturesque spot.

Before Qingji Mountain became the private residence of Young Master Qi, it was a sacred site for poets’ gatherings in spring, known for the poetic tradition of floating wine cups along the winding stream. Due to the fame of these gatherings, they had become a cultural tradition for literati in Jiankang and the entire Jiangnan region. Unwilling to interrupt this tradition, Qi Ying designated a separate area within the garden for these gatherings, allowing literati to assemble on the mountain during the poetry season. During regular times, this place served as an excellent venue for gatherings of noble families and friends, where servants would lay out small tables and cushions on fragrant grass, and everyone would sit on the ground—a setting that perfectly captured the elegance of Jiangnan and was highly admired.

When Qi Ying arrived at the backyard, the other guests had already seated themselves and begun drinking. Seeing him arrive, Xiao Ziteng joked with the others, “I told you there was something going on between him and that little girl, otherwise why would he be so late? They must have talked a lot!”

A man in a dark blue robe laughed and chimed in, “Second Brother has indeed reached the age to marry, but I heard from the Prince that the girl hasn’t yet come of age. Isn’t that too early?”

“It doesn’t matter,” another man holding a small golden goblet chuckled, leaning his arm on the table. “Even though she hasn’t come of age, she is at the tender age of budding youth. If Second Brother likes her, keeping her around isn’t a problem.”

The man in the dark blue robe was Han Feiyu, the eldest son of the Han family, with the courtesy name Boyan. The man holding the small golden goblet was his younger brother from the same mother, Han Feichi, with the courtesy name Zhongyang. Earlier, when Xiao Ziteng deceived Shen Xiling, he falsely used the name of the Han family’s second son, Han Feichi.

The Han family had always been on good terms with the Qi family. The two eldest sons of the Han family, one twenty years old and the other eighteen, were similar in age to Qi Jingchen and had close ties since childhood. Han Feiyu had already passed the provincial examination last year and would soon take the metropolitan examination, making him the most valued heir of this generation in the Han family. On the other hand, Han Feichi was more carefree; with his older brother taking charge, he paid little attention to studying and the imperial examinations, causing great headaches for their father, the current head of the Han family, Han Shousong.

After the two brothers finished their banter, another man in a flowing blue robe sitting at the other end laughed, “You two shouldn’t talk nonsense. Given Jingchen’s character, how could this be the case?”

This man had a refined appearance and the dignified air of a gentleman. He was Fu Zhuo, the eldest son of the Fu family, currently serving as a censor. This young master was four years older than Qi Ying and also had a close relationship with Qi Yun. They were fellow disciples, and he was known for his prudence and kindness. Before Qi Ying gained fame at the age of thirteen by passing the imperial exams and becoming a top scholar, this young master was the most promising among the four great families of this generation.

Amidst everyone’s teasing, Qi Ying took his seat. Qingzhu served him tea and then stood respectfully behind him. Qi Ying picked up the teacup, sipped the tea, and said indifferently, “It’s just a little girl I picked up. Is it really worth all this speculation?”

Han Feiyu laughed loudly and said, “Whether she was picked up or not isn’t important. But the Prince mentioned that she is extremely pretty, which naturally makes us curious.”

Xiao Ziteng twirled a blade of grass between his fingers and lazily said, “Indeed, she is very pretty. Where did you pick her up from? Next time, I’ll pick one up too.”

Everyone burst into laughter again. Qi Ying tried to change the subject, but Han Feichi brought it back up. He sat slouched against the table and said, “Picking up a girl is a small matter, but if Princess finds out, it might cause a big commotion. That would be interesting.”

Xiao Ziteng laughed and said, “I just told Jingchen earlier today. Today, Ziyu also said she wanted to come with me, but I told her Rong was busy and couldn’t come. It wouldn’t be convenient for her to be the only girl at the gathering, so she decided against it.”

Xiao Ziteng looked at Qi Ying with a mischievous smile and said, “If she had come today, she might have caused a scene with you.”

They were referring to Princess Liuyu of the Liang dynasty. Princess Liuyu was sixteen this year, Xiao Ziteng’s younger sister, and her mother was the current royal concubine from the Han family, making her the emperor’s most beloved daughter. Qi Ying had been Xiao Ziteng’s study companion in his youth and thus knew Princess Liuyu since childhood. As they grew older, the princess developed feelings for Qi Ying. Last year, upon coming of age, she requested to the emperor to make Qi Ying her husband, but the timing was unfortunate as it coincided with a major war against the Wei kingdom. The Liang army suffered a devastating defeat at Shicheng, and the matter was put on hold.

Precisely because of last year’s major defeat, the military and political power structure of the Liang dynasty underwent significant changes. Not only did the Secretariat undergo personnel changes, but there were also many shifts within the military ranks. Recently, the fall of the Shen family added to the turmoil. Although the Liang dynasty appeared peaceful and clear on the surface, it was actually in a state of unrest. According to the rules of the Liang dynasty, after marrying a princess, the husband would no longer be given substantial official duties. Given the current critical period requiring capable individuals, the emperor relied heavily on Qi Ying to defend against foreign threats and could not afford to bury his talents by making him an imperial son-in-law. Therefore, despite Princess Liuyu’s persistent pleas, the emperor had not issued a marriage decree.

Because of this, the relationship between Princess Liuyu and Qi Ying had become delicate. Everyone knew that their marriage was impossible, but they also knew of the princess’s feelings for Qi Jingchen. What exactly their current relationship was remained unclear. However, one thing was certain: if Qi Ying got too close to any woman, Princess Liuyu would definitely not tolerate it.

Despite Xiao Ziteng’s teasing, Qi Ying’s face betrayed no emotion as he asked, “How is the Third Prince recently?”

The emperor had seven sons. The eldest died young, and the second was initially named crown prince. He married the daughter of the Shen family as his crown princess but later became embroiled in the Shen family’s corruption scandal. He was deposed and imprisoned in the ancestral office. Now, the position of crown prince was vacant, and both the third and fourth princes were candidates for succession. Although the third prince’s maternal family was not as prominent as the fourth prince’s, he was known for his intelligence and was highly trusted by the emperor. The fourth prince, on the other hand, was carefree and seemed uninterested in the position of crown prince. It was rumored that the third prince, Prince Xiao Zihuan, was entrusted by the emperor to handle the aftermath of the Shen family case and was extremely busy. There were whispers in the court that the emperor intended to appoint Xiao Zihuan as the crown prince.

Xiao Ziteng didn’t pay much attention to these matters. Drinking a cup of wine, he casually said, “What could possibly be wrong? Just busy. Today, I invited him to join us, but he was too busy to come.”

Although spoken casually, Xiao Ziteng’s words stirred subtle ripples in the hearts of those present.

Prince Xiao Zihuan, who usually mingled well with the noble sons like the fourth prince, now found himself in a delicate situation. The emperor’s move to eliminate the Shen family, with the assistance of three powerful families, signaled his intention to shake the foundations of the aristocracy. By having the third prince handle the aftermath of the Shen family case, was the emperor hoping that the third prince would inherit his will and continue to weaken the aristocracy once he ascended the throne? And today, was Prince Xiao Zihuan’s absence from the Fenghe Garden gathering truly due to his busyness, or was he starting to distance himself from the aristocratic circle?

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying’s expression didn’t change, and he simply responded indifferently. However, Fu Zhuo’s gaze deepened, and Han Feiyu’s eyes flickered slightly. Only Han Feichi continued drinking and admiring the plum blossoms, seemingly oblivious to these subtle undertones.

Xiao Ziteng probably didn’t find anything unusual either. Laughing, he said to Qi Ying, “Jingchen, you’d better think carefully about how to deal with me today, lest I tell my sister what I’ve seen—shall I remind you of that brush washer from last time?”

Qi Jingchen smiled and shook his head. Beside him, Han Feiyu chuckled and said, “How broad-minded of you, Your Highness, to deceive even your own sister over a mere brush washer?”

Xiao Ziteng burst into laughter, still sporting his fox-like grin. The men exchanged jests and raised their cups, beginning to enjoy a rare and peaceful feast on this unusually warm winter day.

Ever since seeing Young Master Qi personally escort Shen Xiling back, Yixiang had been uneasy.

On one hand, she was speculating about the relationship between Shen Xiling and the young master, and on the other, she was worried that Shen Xiling had reported her. She deliberated and decided that she needed to ingratiate herself with the little girl. Fortunately, the medicine for the day had been prepared, so she diligently presented it to Shen Xiling, even placing a small dish of candied fruit beside it. She said to Shen Xiling, who was reclining on the bed, “Good girl, drink this medicine quickly and recover soon.”

Although Yixiang tried to conceal her fawning, Shen Xiling noticed it. Though young, she had seen enough of human nature from accompanying her mother to understand worldly affairs. Though she understood clearly, she harbored no resentment or intention to embarrass anyone. She gently thanked Yixiang and then drank the medicine.

After drinking the medicine, Yixiang still lingered around, unwilling to leave. Shen Xiling realized she wanted to get closer but found the silence awkward, so she said to Yixiang, “Sister, you’ve been busy for half a day. You should rest. I’m almost recovered.”

Yixiang replied, “How can I rest? I’m not tired. I’ll stay here and keep you company.”

Shen Xiling thought for a moment, smiled at Yixiang, and said, “Then, if it’s not too much trouble, could you find the clothes I wore when I arrived?”

After falling ill, Shen Xiling had been changed into different clothes, and upon waking, she discovered her original clothes were missing.

Yixiang responded, “Oh, that dress? Wait a moment, I’ll go get it for you.”

Shen Xiling thanked her, and Yixiang hurriedly left the room. Not long after, she returned with Shen Xiling’s dress in hand and handed it to her, asking with a smile, “Is this the one?”

Shen Xiling took the dress, and suddenly, the bitter memories came flooding back—the weakening breaths of her mother during their journey north to Langya, the cold words from her mother’s relatives, and the nameless gravestone before her father’s tomb in the small courtyard. Shen Xiling’s heart tightened, and she felt short of breath.

Seeing her complexion turn pale, Yixiang was startled, fearing she would be blamed if anything happened. She anxiously asked, “Little girl, what’s wrong with you?”

Coming back to her senses, Shen Xiling forced a smile at Yixiang and shook her head to indicate she was fine.

Yixiang continued to look at her with concern and asked, “Why all of a sudden did you think to look for this dress? Are the clothes you’re wearing uncomfortable?”

Shen Xiling’s original outfit was a simple robe brought by the wandering swordsman during their escape from prison. It was far less comfortable than what she was currently wearing. However, Shen Xiling thought that after meeting Qi Ying today, she would be leaving Fenghe Garden, and it wouldn’t be right to take their clothes with her. She preferred to change back sooner. But Shen Xiling didn’t wish to explain too much to Yixiang, so she simply smiled and replied, “Sister worries too much. Everything here is wonderful, and I’m very grateful.”

Yixiang thought this little girl, despite her young age, lacked the liveliness typical of children. Silent and often melancholic, apart from her pretty face, she was quite unlikable. Not knowing what else to say to Shen Xiling, and seeing that she didn’t seem inclined to talk much, Yixiang gave her a few parting words of care and then excused herself.

By the time the lamps were lit, Qingzhu arrived.

He was a rather thin youth, about the same age as Shen Xiling but taller by more than half a head. Though young, it was evident that the servants of Fenghe Garden held him in high regard. Yixiang, who was much older, spoke to him with considerable respect.

Qingzhu merely gave a faint response to the servants’ flattery, his face devoid of expression as he came to fetch Shen Xiling. By then, she had already changed back into her own clothes and emerged from the inner room. Qingzhu gave her a quick once-over, showing no reaction, and simply said, “Follow me.”

Shen Xiling followed Qingzhu through winding paths, and as expected, they arrived at Wangshi Hall.

At the entrance of Wangshi Hall, Shen Xiling saw Bai Song again. He stood by the door with his sword, nodding slightly when he saw her. Shen Xiling had much to say to him, such as inquiring about his injuries or expressing her gratitude. But just as she opened her mouth, Qingzhu pushed open the door of Wangshi Hall and gestured for her to enter, saying, “Go in.”

Helpless, Shen Xiling glanced at Bai Song. He was usually a very aloof person, but at that moment, Shen Xiling thought she might be imagining things—she felt Bai Song’s expression was gentle, almost encouraging, making her feel even more grateful. Qingzhu was already showing signs of impatience, so Shen Xiling didn’t dare delay any longer. She nodded at Bai Song and walked up the steps, entering Wangshi Hall.

The Forgetfulness Room was just as it had been the last time she came. The four walls were lined with towering bookshelves, and the room was bright and warm. Qi Ying was still seated where he had sat before, piles of documents still covering the table as he continued to pore over official papers with his head bowed.

Shen Xiling’s entrance startled him. He raised his eyes to glance at her, set down the document he was reading, and gestured for her to come closer. Shen Xiling pursed her lips and walked over, only to hear Qi Ying ask, “Have you had dinner yet?”

Shen Xiling hadn’t expected him to ask this, and her heart tightened a little. Without thinking too much, she answered truthfully, “Not yet…”

Qi Ying nodded and said, “Then let’s eat together.”

Shen Xiling was taken aback. In the moment she hesitated, Qi Ying had already ordered dinner to be brought in. He also instructed Qingzhu to add a seat for her, placing it to his left. The maidservants who served the dishes kept their heads bowed and didn’t dare look up too much. Even when Qingzhu entered to arrange the seating, he showed no particular expression. Yet, Shen Xiling couldn’t help but feel uneasy, like needles pricking her back, until everyone had left the room, which finally eased her discomfort somewhat.

Qi Ying told Shen Xiling, “Help yourself,” and then began eating first. Shen Xiling originally had no intention of dining with Qi Ying, feeling that it would be highly inappropriate. However, refusing to eat now would seem even more impolite. After some deliberation, she reluctantly picked up her chopsticks and quietly started eating.

Shen Xiling didn’t know much about the expenses of noble families, but she found Qi Ying’s meal somewhat surprising.

The Qi family was known for its extravagant lifestyle, and Qi Ying, being such an influential figure, was expected to dine on rare delicacies with extremely formal and elaborate etiquette. To her surprise, it was quite the opposite. His meals were very simple. This one consisted of merely a bowl of vegetable soup and two small dishes, all common fare that could be found on the tables of ordinary households and not particularly luxurious. As he ate, he continued to review the documents he had set aside earlier, occasionally picking up a brush to annotate something, his brow furrowing and relaxing intermittently.

Shen Xiling ate small bites, stealing glances at Qi Ying from time to time. She noticed that he only put away the document after finishing reading it and then ate properly. He ate neither too fast nor too slow, his movements very elegant. Despite the simplicity of his food, watching him eat made one mistakenly believe he was dining on some incredibly precious delicacy. Shen Xiling vaguely recalled her father—though he had always been very modest when spending time with her and her mother, his innate elegance and nobility were unmistakable, much like how Qi Ying appeared now.

Shen Xiling had a small appetite and felt full after a few bites. But seeing that Qi Ying hadn’t finished eating, she continued holding her chopsticks without putting them down. Only when Qi Ying set his chopsticks down did she follow suit. The servants entered to clear the tableware, and at this point, Qi Ying finally got to the main topic. He said to Shen Xiling, “I called you here today to discuss your future. Do you have any plans for yourself?”

The Forgetfulness Room was brightly lit by candles, making Qi Ying’s features appear even clearer. Shen Xiling’s heart tightened again, but fortunately, she had anticipated this question today and had prepared herself. After calming her thoughts, she stood up from her seat and slowly bowed, saying, “Since the day I escaped from prison, I have relied entirely on your care, Master, causing you much trouble. I truly don’t know how to repay your kindness, nor do I dare to trouble you further. I can leave Fenghe Garden today, and if there is anything you need me to do in the future, I will do my utmost without hesitation.”

After speaking, Shen Xiling bowed again, then knelt on the ground with her head lowered, waiting for Qi Ying’s response.

Qi Ying gazed at her kneeling figure, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table as his mind wandered elsewhere.

He recalled the first day of the lunar month when he had accompanied his father and elder brother into the palace to offer New Year’s greetings. Upon returning home and entering his study shortly afterward, a servant came to inform him that an old man wished to see him. They couldn’t drive the old man away, and he had handed the servant a note, saying that once Young Master Qi saw it, he would naturally agree to meet him.

At that time, Qi Ying frowned as he unfolded the note, seeing only one line written on it: “A poisoned bird shot down by the riverside.”

“Shen.”

The servant who had delivered the message saw the second young master narrow his eyes as he stared at the note, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he surprisingly ordered the old man to be brought in and dismissed everyone else to speak with him privately.

The old man had an ordinary appearance, his clothes somewhat tattered. Yet, upon seeing Qi Ying, he neither groveled nor acted arrogantly. He took a small wooden box from his chest and presented it to Qi Ying. Qi Ying examined it for a moment, opened the box, and found inside a thick stack of land deeds and banknotes, including red deeds to several salt and tea estates. The amount was so staggering that even someone from a noble family like Qi Ying was taken aback—it seemed that this single small wooden box contained enough wealth to buy the entire city of Jiankang.

Qi Ying slightly furrowed his brows as he looked at the old man and said, “This is…?”

The old man bowed to Qi Ying and respectfully replied, “Please forgive me for intruding so abruptly, Master. I am a former retainer of Chancellor Shen. By his orders, I must deliver this to you.”

Qi Ying closed the box and pushed it back toward the old man, saying, “You must be mistaken. When I visited Chancellor Shen at the Ministry of Justice, he already had someone deliver a wooden box to me. This box must belong to someone else.”

What Qi Ying said was true. A few days after visiting Shen Qian at the Ministry of Justice’s prison, an old subordinate of Shen Qian had delivered another wooden box containing land deeds and banknotes. However, the amount was far less impressive than what was in the current box, and it lacked the red deeds to the salt and tea estates. Qi Ying wasn’t a greedy person and initially didn’t intend to accept the box, but since Shen Qian insisted while in prison, he couldn’t refuse and accepted it. Now, another wooden box had been delivered, ten times the value of the previous one, which was astonishing.

Seeing how calmly Qi Ying pushed the box filled with immense wealth back, the old man’s eyes briefly flashed with admiration. He bowed deeply again and said, “Master, you may not know, but the first box was meant to thank you for escorting Lady Shen and Miss Shen north to Langya. Chancellor Shen held great affection for Lady Shen and Miss Shen, planning extensively for them. He foresaw potential issues with Lady Shen’s maternal family and thus prepared another box. He entrusted me to present this box if Lady Shen and Miss Shen returned to Jiankang and received your kindness again.”

Qi Ying was silent.

He hadn’t expected Shen Qian to harbor such deep feelings for his concubine and illegitimate daughter, planning so meticulously for them. Though he had long known that the Shen family controlled Jiangnan’s financial arteries, he hadn’t anticipated Shen Qian’s ability to retain such a staggering fortune despite the Shen family’s downfall. Reflecting on it now, Shen Qian’s old subordinates likely followed Shen Xiling covertly; otherwise, the timing wouldn’t have been so precise. Last night, he had just returned to Fenghe Garden to pull Shen Xiling back from the brink of death, and the next day, this box arrived on his desk.

If he hadn’t visited Shen Xiling last night or hadn’t kept her at Fenghe Garden previously, this box probably wouldn’t have reached him—what did this mean? Was it a test left by Shen Qian?

Qi Ying felt a bit displeased and asked, “What does Chancellor Shen mean by this?”

The old man replied, “Lady Shen and Miss Shen were Chancellor Shen’s lifelong concerns. Now that Lady Shen has passed away, we can only hope for Miss Shen’s safety and well-being.”

Qi Ying frowned and asked, “Does Chancellor Shen intend to use this money to persuade me to take in his daughter?”

“No,” the old man replied, “If Lord Shen had intended that, he would have presented this box from the start. Why wait until now?”

Indeed. Shen Qian clearly didn’t want to buy stability for his beloved daughter with this vast fortune, understanding that wealth-purchased peace wouldn’t last. Ultimately, Shen Qian didn’t fully trust Qi Ying either, which was why he instructed his old subordinates to wait until Qi Ying genuinely felt compassion for Shen Xiling before presenting the box.

Understanding worldly affairs profoundly, Shen Qian was no ordinary man.

Qi Ying remained silent for a moment, then asked, “Since Chancellor Shen had the foresight to leave behind such wealth, why didn’t he directly hand it over to his beloved daughter? Wouldn’t that be safer?”

The old man smiled with a weathered expression, his eyes reflecting clarity and insight. He replied, “Worldly wealth cannot be safeguarded without power. Miss Shen is now merely a lone orphan; wealth would be a hazard rather than a blessing for her. Chancellor Shen once predicted that Young Master Qi possesses integrity. He was willing to bet on you becoming the most powerful person in Jiangnan in the future—the kind of person who could protect Miss Shen for life.”

Qi Ying was silent, then gave a faint smile and countered, “What if Chancellor Shen bet wrong?”

The old man responded, “Then we accept the consequences of the bet.”

Qi Ying asked again, “What if I hadn’t kept her at Fenghe Garden that night? What then?”

The old man looked at the wooden box on the table and calmly said, “It would simply be burned, and the fortune lost.”

Qi Ying closed his eyes and sighed deeply, feeling as though a great weight pressed on his heart. For the first time, he began to seriously contemplate the person that was Shen Qian.

Initially, he thought Chancellor Shen was merely an incompetent and weak individual. Within noble families, corruption was rampant. Among the Qi, Shen, Fu, and Han families, which could claim purity? Especially the Shen family’s descendants, who were the most dissolute. Ultimately, it was a failure of the patriarch’s discipline—a case of inadequate virtue harming others and oneself. However, that brief encounter at the Ministry of Justice’s prison made Qi Ying realize that Shen Qian had profound insights. He understood the current situation of Great Liang clearly, whereas others—including his own father, Qi Zhang—were likely still dreaming.

Shen Qian not only saw the situation clearly but also understood Qi Jingchen. Not only did he understand, but he dared to place a bet on him. Had such a person devoted all his efforts to court politics, the Shen family would not have ended up destroyed and mocked by the world. Yet, he chose not to, focusing entirely on his wife and daughter.

Thinking of this, Qi Ying lowered his gaze to Shen Xiling, who knelt before him.

Shen Qian had raised her well. Though she hadn’t been nurtured in a noble household, her manners were impeccable. More importantly, her temperament was commendable—she knew propriety, understood human relations, didn’t obsess over trivial matters, and harbored no wild ambitions. She was excellent. If she weren’t so good, he wouldn’t have felt pity for her.

In the prolonged silence, Qi Ying remained speechless, and Shen Xiling, head bowed, wondered what he was thinking. The silence made her uneasy, but she didn’t dare look up to read his expression, enduring it silently. After an indeterminate amount of time, his hand appeared in her narrow field of vision—long, clean, and angular—and she heard him say, “Stand up and speak.”

Qi Ying’s tone was gentle, tinged with a sigh. Shen Xiling pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, placed her hand in his palm, and rose with his assistance. Under the candlelight, his features appeared exceptionally handsome and noble.

Qi Ying glanced at Shen Xiling, seeing her silently staring at him like a docile cat, evoking an involuntary sense of affection. He sighed again and said, “If you leave here, what are your plans? You can no longer return to the small courtyard where you lived with your father. Have you considered that?”

Shen Xiling was startled, then suddenly realized.

...She hadn’t thought of that.

She had planned to return to the small courtyard after leaving Fenghe Garden, but Qi Ying’s words reminded her that it was impossible. Though she didn’t know how Qi Ying managed to help her and her mother escape from prison, she understood that she was now a fugitive. Returning to that courtyard would be tantamount to revealing her identity and walking straight into a trap.

Seeing her bewildered expression, Qi Ying discerned that she hadn’t considered this. After a moment of silence, he asked Shen Xiling, “If you can’t return there, what do you plan to do?”

What to do?

Shen Xiling pondered. Both her parents had passed away, her paternal clan had fallen, and her maternal relatives were indifferent. Suddenly, she felt that despite the vastness of the world, there was nowhere for her to belong. Silently lowering her head, her eyes reflected confusion.

At that moment, she heard Qi Ying say, “Would you be willing to return to Langya?”

Shen Xiling bit her lip, suddenly recalling her aunt and uncle’s ridicule and humiliation of her mother. Her fingers clenched tightly.

“Or…” Qi Ying’s voice carried a hint of hesitation, “…would you prefer to stay here?”

Shen Xiling abruptly lifted her head to look at Qi Ying.

Qi Ying’s expression was somewhat uncomfortable, the first time Shen Xiling had seen such a look on his face. He coughed lightly and continued, “The Shen family’s case hasn’t concluded yet. Even when it does, once people discover you’re Chancellor Shen’s daughter, danger will loom over you at any moment. If you don’t wish to go to Langya and prefer to stay in Jiankang, you will lose your freedom. You must never stray too far from me and only stay where I allow. If that’s the case, are you still willing to stay here?”

Shen Xiling was dazed, her mind blank. All she saw were Qi Ying’s deep phoenix eyes, which seemed to hold vast, unending mountains, broad and steadfast. In that moment, she felt an unfamiliar sense of tranquility and heard herself reply, “I’m willing.”

Shen Xiling’s nose suddenly stung. “...I’m willing.”

Qi Ying saw her eyes redden, yet she struggled to hold back her tears. His growing affection for her resurfaced, leaving him somewhat puzzled.

For a moment, he vaguely felt manipulated by Chancellor Shen. Initially, he thought it was just a casual act of kindness, but now it seemed like he might end up responsible for the man’s daughter for life—an irreversible commitment. Though inclined to comfort the girl, Qi Ying, renowned throughout Jiangnan, lacked talent in consoling others. Seeing her reddened eyes, he didn’t know what to say. After much deliberation, he patted her shoulder like an elder and simply said, “Mm, then stay.”

Outside the Forgetfulness Room, the bright moon hung high. Bai Song leaned against the railing below the steps, suddenly smiling, catching Qingzhu’s attention. He couldn’t help but look at Bai Song and ask, “What are you smiling about?”

Bai Song shrugged. Qingzhu noticed his twitching ear and sneered, “Your hearing is extraordinary, but you don’t have to eavesdrop on every word the master says, do you?”

Bai Song cast a sidelong glance at Qingzhu and said nothing. Qingzhu snorted coldly and added, “Judging by your expression, it seems the master has allowed her to stay. Why do you admire her so much?”

Bai Song, hugging his sword, looked up at the moon and replied, “Isn’t doing a good deed every day enough?”

Qingzhu sneered again, dismissing Bai Song’s words with disdain. He continued, “We both know the master’s nature—aloof and unyielding. Though he has somehow developed compassion for the girl, it won’t last long. Can you really admire her forever?”

Bai Song’s ears twitched again, as if he heard something from inside the room. He shrugged and said, “Time will tell. Let’s see how things unfold for her.”

Author’s note: Shen Qian: I’ll pay more to get an advantage! Qi Ying: ? Father-in-law, there’s no need. Bai Song: I’d like to invest too! Qi Ying: ? Well, that’s…

PS: There should be another update today. Angel reviews help boost productivity (you know what I mean, right?)