Chapter 55: Returning (1)

Qi Yin received a letter from his elder brother, Qi Yun, while on his way back south.

It was quite coincidental. When Qi Yun had sent someone to deliver the letter, Qi Yin had already set out on his journey south. By then, although Gu Juhán’s troops hadn’t fully retreated, their withdrawal had become inevitable.

Originally, Qi Yin had planned to return to Jiankang only after the Wei army had withdrawn. However, when news of Jiang Yong’s assassination reached Han Shouye, his reaction was intense—spreading faster than anticipated. Knowing Han’s volatile temperament and inability to keep matters under control, Qi Yin carefully considered the situation and decided it would be best to personally address the matter with him to prevent further complications. Thus, he left Xu Zhengning in Shicheng to oversee subsequent developments and departed earlier than planned.

On the way south, he encountered a servant sent by Qi Yun and received the letter.

That day was February 26th.

The sky was drizzling lightly that day. Though spring rain is precious, traveling in the rain is still inconvenient, especially with overcast skies throughout the day. The servant who delivered the letter wore a straw raincoat. Despite being cautious, the letter still absorbed some moisture.

Qingzhu personally received the letter and brought it into the carriage. He knew that his master frequently corresponded with the eldest master. Usually, these letters contained either reminders for the second master to take care of his health or updates about family affairs—nothing particularly urgent.

However, this time seemed different. Qingzhu watched as his master quickly scanned the letter. His previously calm expression suddenly darkened, and a flicker of concern crossed his eyes.

Qingzhu rarely saw such an expression on Qi Yin’s face, especially in recent years. Seeing it now made him uneasy. After a moment of silence, he cautiously asked, “Master… Has something happened at home?”

He noticed Qi Yin’s furrowed brows, his features appearing cold and stern. Without answering, Qi Yin simply instructed, “Go tell Baisong to hurry back to Jiankang.”

They arrived in Jiankang past midnight. The city gates were already closed, and the guards initially didn’t recognize the carriage as belonging to Master Qi Yin of the Left Chancellor’s residence, refusing entry. It was only after Baisong presented a token from the Privy Council that they were allowed in.

Recent rains had turned the roads muddy, even within Jiankang’s borders. The night rain was desolate, and the spring chill lingered.

There were hardly any commoners on the streets. Baisong whipped the horses, driving the carriage swiftly back to the Qi residence.

The gatekeeper, roused from sleep in the middle of the night, was quite annoyed. Groggily stepping out to investigate, he saw Qingzhu, a servant of the second master, standing there. Instantly more awake, he rubbed his eyes just as the second master strode through the gate and hurried inside.

Qi Yin went directly to Qi Yun.

It was late, and everyone in the household had already retired. Qi Yun was asleep but was informed by a servant that the second master had returned and was waiting outside.

Qi Yun was initially skeptical. Wrapping himself in his robe, he stepped out of his room and indeed saw Jingchen standing under the corridor, looking travel-worn, his outer coat damp from the night rain.

Qi Yun was astonished. As he tied his robe, he asked, “Jingchen? You’re back? Didn’t you say you’d return two days later?”

After exchanging greetings with his elder brother, Qi Yin replied quickly, “Yes, there were some official matters to attend to, so I returned early.”

Qi Yun acknowledged this with a nod. Just as he finished tying his robe, Qi Yin added, “I received your letter on the way. It mentioned that Wenwen had an incident—where is she now?”

Qi Yun was taken aback. He hadn’t expected his younger brother to urgently wake him up in the middle of the night just to inquire about Miss Fang.

In his letter, Qi Yun had already summarized the events: Miss Fang had quarreled with Yao’er, leading to a commotion. Grandmother subsequently expelled her from the estate. Qi Yun wasn’t particularly concerned about the matter. His understanding of the situation came mostly from his wife’s recounting, so he wasn’t clear on the details. Thus, his letter hadn’t mentioned Zhao Yao’s cheating incident or Qi Yin’s coat. Naturally, he also didn’t know where Miss Fang had gone after being expelled.

Though Qi Yun knew little, his mind was racing. He had been skeptical of his wife’s speculations but now, seeing his younger brother’s furrowed brows, couldn’t help but suspect something between him and Miss Fang.

Qi Yun wanted to probe further, but seeing Qi Yin’s expression, realized it wasn’t the right time. He simply replied, “I don’t know much about it either; I’ve already told you everything in the letter. She left the estate the afternoon before yesterday—I don’t know where she went.”

At this response, Qi Yin’s brows furrowed even deeper. After a brief silence, he asked, “How did Mother react?”

Qi Yun sighed and answered, “I was at the office that day and didn’t witness it. According to your sister-in-law, Mother intended to protect Miss Fang, but Grandmother’s temper was unyielding, and she scolded Mother as well, preventing her from shielding the girl.”

Qi Yin nodded, though his frown remained. Qi Yun patted his shoulder and said, “You’ve just returned. Go rest tonight. Although Miss Fang has left the estate, I heard Grandmother arranged for her to receive a sum of money, so she should be fine. If you’re still worried, ask Mother tomorrow morning.”

Qi Yin glanced at Qi Yun, then looked out at the night rain dripping from the eaves. Turning back, he said, “Alright, Brother, rest. I’ll go now.”

Though he agreed, his demeanor didn’t suggest he was going to rest. Qi Yun, knowing his younger brother well, noticed this and quickly stopped him, asking, “What are you planning to do? Are you really going out to look for her at this hour?”

Qi Yin remained silent, causing Qi Yun to grow anxious. Grabbing his arm, he said, “How can you search now? Jiankang is vast—where would you even begin? Wait until morning—it’s just one night.”

Though Qi Yun said this, he held back half of his thought. Their grandmother’s nature was to act decisively. Miss Fang might not even be in Jiankang anymore. However, he didn’t dare voice this suspicion to Qi Yin, fearing it would upset him further.

Qi Yin was already exhausted. Every day in Shicheng had been grueling, and the recent journey had been taxing. He was physically and mentally drained. He knew Qi Yun was right, but thinking of Shen Xiling—a delicate and sensitive girl now expelled from the estate—he worried. Where could she go, alone and vulnerable? She was beautiful, and what if…

He couldn’t rest easy.

After a moment of silence, Qi Yin made his decision. Turning to Qi Yun, he said, “It’s fine. I’ll go check again.”

Before Qi Yun could stop him, Qi Yin turned and hurried into the night rain. Qi Yun stood there, a mix of emotions swirling in his heart. Watching his brother’s retreating figure, he couldn’t help but wonder: Could it be that Jingchen truly…

Qi Yun stood there uncertainly for a while, then sighed deeply and returned indoors.

Qi Yin instructed Baisong to bring some men from the estate to search the inns of Jiankang. He personally visited several places, inquiring with the innkeepers, but found no trace of Shen Xiling.

Later, he thought of the small courtyard where her parents had lived.

This wasn’t Qi Yin’s first visit to this courtyard. Last time, he had helped Shen Xiling bury her father and arranged for the house, which had been in disarray, to be tidied up. At that time, he thought he’d never return, yet less than three months later, here he was again.

The courtyard, now neglected, showed signs of decay. Weeds had grown, and the bamboo planted by Shen’s father lay scattered, seemingly beyond saving.

Qi Yin arrived in the rain. Entering the house, he looked around and saw a layer of dust covering the furniture—clearly, no one had lived here for a long time.

Shen Xiling wasn’t here.

Qingzhu followed Qi Yin closely. Seeing his worried and weary expression, he cautiously advised, “Master… perhaps we should return for now? Baisong is leading the search, and we might have news by morning… You’ve been working tirelessly for months—rest first.”

Qi Yin didn’t respond. Standing tall under the eaves, he listened to the sound of the night rain and observed the furnishings inside. Realizing this was where she grew up, he felt an indescribable emotion. Raising his head, he saw two lonely graves beside the withered bamboo—her deceased parents.

Her father had solemnly entrusted her to him, and now, he had lost the girl. Perhaps she had even suffered indignities.

Qi Yin felt increasingly suffocated.

He stood silently, deep in thought. Suddenly, an idea struck him. Turning to Qingzhu, he said hurriedly, “Back to Fenghe Garden.”

The night rain continued, the stone steps of Qingji Mountain slippery. Qi Yin returned near midnight.

Upon arrival, he immediately went to the courtyard where Shen Xiling had once stayed, but the room was empty. Qingzhu followed anxiously, unsure how to console his master further.

As Qi Yin exited her room, he felt the biting cold of the night and suddenly recalled the scene of her recovering from illness, curled up asleep at the door of the Forget Room during a harsh winter day. A strange thought occurred to him. After a moment’s contemplation, he headed toward the Forget Room.

To his surprise, he finally found her at the entrance of the Forget Room.

The young girl was curled up in the corner of the railing, just like last time. This time, however, she wasn’t asleep. She sat hugging her knees, her gaze vacant, head lowered, seemingly staring at nothing.

He watched her. At that moment, Shen Xiling raised her head and saw Qi Yin.

She saw him standing under the eaves, the endless night rain behind him. He looked travel-worn, as if he had just arrived from afar, carrying the chill and dust of the journey. His handsome phoenix eyes were lowered, gazing at her, leaving her heart utterly silent.

Her father had loved reading Buddhist scriptures and had introduced her to them as a child. She remembered how much he admired a line from the Ren Wang Sutra: “In a snap of the fingers, there are sixty moments; in each moment, nine hundred births and deaths,” describing an enlightenment of prajñā. She had never understood its meaning, and she still didn’t. Yet, at that moment, seeing Qi Yin standing there, the phrase came to mind. That instant felt like countless births and deaths, etching itself deeply into her heart forever.

In that fleeting moment, a surge of emotions overwhelmed her.

When Zhao Yao had beaten her, she hadn’t cried. When Grandmother Qi publicly reprimanded her, she hadn’t cried. Even when expelled from the Qi estate with an uncertain future, she still hadn’t shed a tear. Not only had she not cried, but she hadn’t even felt wronged—only a profound calm, as if all the suffering was justified, as if others’ malice was only natural, and she was meant to endure it.

But now, Qi Yin was here, standing before her, and an overwhelming sense of grievance and sorrow flooded her heart. Before she realized it, tears streamed down her face.

The night was dim, and Qi Yin initially didn’t notice Shen Xiling crying. Seeing her neglecting her health again, curled up at his door on such a cold night, a flicker of anger rose in his chest. Stern-faced, he was about to scold her when he saw the young girl suddenly rise, leaning on the railing, and rush toward him. By the time he realized it, she had thrown herself into his arms.

Hugging him tightly, she sobbed uncontrollably.

The night rain persisted, falling softly on the eaves of the Forget Room. The cries of the girl in his arms were filled with panic and grievance, as if her sorrow had reached its peak, stirring the tranquil waters of Qi Yin’s heart into chaos.

He sighed, slowly wrapping his arms around her, and said, “It’s alright now … I’m here.”

His hand gently patted her back.

“… I’ve returned.”