Chapter 56: Returning (2)

The Forget Room was brightly lit.

Shen Xiling sat once again in Qi Yin’s chair. Under the bright lamp, he was carefully applying medicine to the wounds on her face.

Qi Yin observed her porcelain-like skin marred by several glaring scratches. Some of the shallower ones had already begun to scab, while a deeper gash still looked slightly bloody. His brows furrowed.

Recalling the contents of Qi Yun’s letter, he continued applying the ointment and asked with a frown, “Did Zhao Yao hurt you?”

The ointment was cool, and Qi Yin’s fingers even cooler. Yet when they touched Shen Xiling’s face, it felt as though her cheeks were burning.

She didn’t dare look at him. Though she had missed him deeply since his departure from Jiankang, now that he was back and tending to her wounds just inches away, she found herself unable to meet his gaze.

She mumbled a vague response, her head instinctively lowering further. Qi Yin gently lifted her chin and reproached her, “Don’t lower your head—I can’t see properly.”

After being scolded, Shen Xiling reluctantly raised her face, her eyelids half-closed, avoiding his eyes as much as possible.

At this moment, she heard him ask, “Why did she bully you?”

This question caught Shen Xiling off guard.

She hadn’t expected Qi Yin to phrase it this way. By asking “why she bullied you,” it seemed he had already firmly concluded that Zhao Yao was at fault, not her. This surprised Shen Xiling greatly. After all, Zhao Yao was his cousin, someone he had watched grow up—he should naturally trust her more…

Fighting back the joy welling up inside her, fearing she might misunderstand, she cautiously asked, “Master… do you think it was her who bullied me?”

Qi Yin, who had been looking down while applying the ointment, glanced up at her upon hearing this. A faint, almost teasing smile appeared in his eyes as he countered, “Or was it you who bullied her?”

Shen Xiling was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by his words.

Qi Yin chuckled softly, sighed, and said, “If only you knew how to bully others—you wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.”

So he truly believed her.

Shen Xiling felt a surge of happiness, but strangely, his trust also deepened her sense of grievance, reddening her eyes. Seeing that she was about to cry again, Qi Yin grew exasperated yet couldn’t bring himself to scold her. Instead, he coaxed her gently, “Can you stop crying for now? The medicine has just been applied.”

After hearing this, the young girl sniffled repeatedly, mumbling an uncertain “Alright” before managing to hold back her tears. To his amusement, she actually stopped crying. He reached out with his clean hand to pat her hair affectionately and praised her, “Good girl.”

Shen Xiling felt a bit shy, pursing her lips awkwardly as she let him continue treating her wounds. Then she heard him ask again, “Why did she bully you?”

He had already asked twice, clearly siding with her. Shen Xiling felt reassured and decided to tell him the truth. She recounted how Zhao Yao had pulled her into cheating, resulting in both of them being punished by Master Wang. She also explained that Zhao Yao had misunderstood her intentions, believing she had deliberately exposed their scheme to get her in trouble.

As Shen Xiling spoke, she carefully observed Qi Yin’s expression, unsure how he would react. She feared he might reprimand her for cheating, but to her surprise, he didn’t dwell on that at all. Instead, he simply asked, “Did Master Wang hit you?”

Shen Xiling blinked, confused. “Huh?”

Qi Yin repeated his question, and she finally understood, nodding hesitantly.

By then, Qi Yin had finished applying the ointment to her face. He set the medicine aside and wiped his hands with a cloth, asking casually, “He hit your palm? Let me see.”

Shen Xiling blinked again, slowly extending her left hand after he finished drying his.

The injury was several days old, but it still looked horrifying—bruises mixed with bloodstains, her entire palm swollen.

Qi Yin’s brows furrowed again. He thought grimly, I’ve only been away from Jiankang for a few days—how did she end up so battered?

After a brief silence, he chastised her, “You were taking your own exam. Why did you help her cheat?”

Shen Xiling already knew she was wrong, so she lowered her head without responding, adopting a contrite demeanor.

Qi Yin glanced at her, silently sighing, and asked, “Did he only hit your left hand? Was your right hand struck?”

Shen Xiling looked up at him and shook her head vigorously.

But her overly quick denial made Qi Yin suspicious. He noticed that she had kept her right hand tightly clenched all evening, leading him to suspect there might be hidden injuries. Now, she seemed determined to hide it. He gave her a scrutinizing look.

Easily intimidated, Shen Xiling immediately revealed a guilty expression. Still, she stubbornly tried to conceal her right hand behind her back, stammering, “R-Really, my right hand wasn’t hit…”

It was obvious to Qi Yin that something was amiss. Realizing he wouldn’t get through to her, he adopted a stern expression, his voice serious as he called her name, “Wenwen.”

His emotionless demeanor was genuinely intimidating. Unable to bear it, Shen Xiling hesitated for a moment before reluctantly extending her right hand toward him.

Her small fist trembled slightly. Qi Yin took her tiny hand and glanced at her again. Shen Xiling pursed her lips, her face flushing red as she slowly opened her palm.

Qi Yin looked down and saw her delicate, unblemished skin—no wounds. However, nestled in her palm was a clump of broken grass.

He raised an eyebrow, examining it closely, and realized it vaguely retained its original shape.

… It was the little grasshopper he had woven for her.

Qi Yin was startled. He hadn’t expected her to be clutching this ruined object.

“You…” he began, but as he looked up, he saw the girl’s trembling lips and tear-filled eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at him, her voice soft and broken, “I… I broke it…”

Her tone was filled with regret, sorrow, and guilt. And yet, it was just a simple grasshopper—a trifle, really—but she had held onto it so dearly, refusing to discard it even in its damaged state.

She cherished it so much, it was clear she hadn’t destroyed it carelessly. Likely, Zhao Yao or Grandmother Qi was responsible. Despite knowing it wasn’t entirely her fault, she still looked at him with guilt shining in her tearful eyes.

Qi Yin had already pitied her deeply, but that flicker of remorse in her eyes tugged at his heartstrings even more. Seeing her cry again, it felt as if his heart was being squeezed. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, comforting her, “It wasn’t your fault. Why are you crying?”

Nestled in Qi Yin’s embrace, surrounded by the scent of sweet spikenard, Shen Xiling had never felt so wronged in her life.

The little grasshopper he had painstakingly woven for her—the first birthday gift he’d ever given her—had been ruined by Zhao Yao just hours after arriving in her hands.

Before being taken to Grandmother Qi’s Rongrui Hall, Shen Xiling had secretly tucked the crushed grasshopper into her palm. Over the past few days, she had tried to restore it, but some parts were beyond repair. Still, unwilling to part with it, she kept it close, cradling it in her hand until now.

Had Qi Yin not discovered it, she might not have felt so aggrieved. But now that he had found it and was comforting her, her emotions spilled over. Tears flowed freely, and the more he consoled her, the harder she cried, clinging to his sleeve and refusing to calm down.

Though baffled by her subtle mindset, Qi Yin realized that consoling her only made things worse. Eventually, he sighed helplessly and asked, “What will it take for you to stop crying? Would it help if I wove you another one?”

Still nestled in his arms, Shen Xiling paused her sobs upon hearing this. She looked up at him, sniffling, her eyes unconsciously brightening, though her face remained flushed. Her voice was hoarse as she asked timidly, “…Really?”

Amusement flickered in Qi Yin’s phoenix eyes. He sighed inwardly, marveling at how childlike she was. Just moments ago, she had been sobbing inconsolably, but now she was instantly cheered by his promise.

With a gentle expression, he wiped away her tears and said, “Yes, really. I can also weave a grass rabbit. How about trading the rabbit for your grasshopper?”

“No!” Shen Xiling immediately shook her head, tightening her grip on his robe. Her tone was resolute. “I want that same grasshopper.”

She paused, then added thoughtfully, “And then you can add a rabbit.”

Her bargaining was utterly adorable, coaxing another chuckle from Qi Yin. His features softened as he agreed, “Alright, I’ll add a rabbit—but you must stop crying. If you cry any more, there won’t be any gifts.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiling blinked, then obediently wiped her own tears without needing further coaxing. She was so compliant and endearing.

Qi Yin smiled faintly. Noticing that some of the ointment had smudged during her crying fit, he retrieved the medicine box and reapplied it. As he worked, he asked, “Why did Grandmother punish you?”

All evening, Shen Xiling had silently prayed he wouldn’t bring this up. But deep down, she knew it was unavoidable. Sure enough, he asked. Panic surged within her. Her lips pressed tightly together, her hands clenched into fists. Qi Yin noticed her rigid posture and frowned, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Xiling glanced at him, struggling to find the words. After a long silence, she muttered hesitantly, “…Can I not tell you?”

Qi Yin raised an eyebrow.

He could see her reluctance and even a hint of fear in her eyes. Frowning, he was about to press further when the girl hurriedly blurted out, “I didn’t do anything wrong! I didn’t hurt anyone! I just… just…”

She trailed off, lowering her head.

Shen Xiling’s fingers twisted together, her heart filled with unease. What would she say if Qi Yin pressed her further? Should she confess that she had secretly kept his coat? That she had slept wrapped in it that night? That Grandmother Qi had scolded her for harboring improper thoughts?

Even she didn’t fully understand the cause and effect of it all. Though she felt ashamed, her young mind was still too naive to articulate her feelings to Qi Yin.

Lost in her turmoil, she was startled when Qi Yin said simply, “Alright.”

Shen Xiling looked up at him, surprised. His expression was casual, his handsome phoenix eyes lowered, seemingly uninterested in pursuing the matter further.

His easy acceptance made her skeptical. She couldn’t help but ask, “Master… aren’t you going to ask me anymore?”

Qi Yin glanced at her and countered, “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to talk about it?”

Shen Xiling hesitated, then nodded. He responded indifferently, “Then don’t talk about it.”

His nonchalant demeanor gave her hope. Perhaps he wasn’t particularly interested in the matter. After some thought, she tentatively asked, “Could you… not ask others about it either?”

Qi Yin looked at her, and Shen Xiling shrank back, inwardly berating herself for her careless words, which would only invite suspicion. To her surprise, he simply studied her for a moment before nodding curtly, replying with a single word, “Alright.”

His straightforwardness left her stunned, unsure how to respond.

Her bewildered expression carried a hint of childish innocence. Qi Yin’s gaze softened as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, telling her, “I won’t ask anyone else, so don’t be afraid.”

So don’t be afraid.

Shen Xiling gazed at him, feeling as though his eyes were filled with boundless light and generosity, far surpassing anyone she had ever met. For the first time, she felt a profound sense of peace and security.

She believed him. If he said he wouldn’t ask, then he truly wouldn’t.

And so, she wasn’t afraid anymore. She nodded at him.

Qi Yin smiled faintly and moved on to another question. “After Grandmother expelled you, how did you end up at Fenghe Garden?”

This part of the story was thanks to Lady Yao.

That day in the Rongrui Hall, Lady Yao had tried her best to protect Shen Xiling, but she couldn’t stand against Grandmother Qi’s authority. Later, Grandmother Qi ordered her attendants to take Shen Xiling to the accounts office to collect a sum of silver before sending her off in a carriage, claiming she would be sent back to Bajun.

Shen Xiling had been shocked. She had thought the matriarch only intended to expel her from the Qi household, but she hadn’t expected to be sent all the way to Bajun. She wasn’t truly Fang Yun—Bajun wasn’t her hometown. If she were sent there, she would be completely out of her depth, utterly lost and helpless.

Terrified and panicked, she watched as the carriage prepared to leave Jiankang. Just as it was about to depart, someone intercepted it. The person turned out to be an attendant from the Qi household whom Shen Xiling had seen by Lady Yao’s side before—a kind-looking woman. The attendant took her to Fenghe Garden and relayed a message from Lady Yao: she was to stay hidden there until Qi Yin returned, and they would decide what to do after his return.

This was how she had been saved.

Shen Xiling recounted the entire sequence of events to Qi Yin. He didn’t seem particularly surprised, likely having already guessed that her presence at Fenghe Garden was due to his mother’s intervention. After listening to her explanation and finishing applying the ointment, he tidied up briefly and told her, “I understand. It’s late now—you should go rest.”

Shen Xiling blinked, nodded, and glanced at Qi Yin.

He looked exhausted, covered in the dust of travel, yet he had spent the entire night tending to her. Though he had just told her to rest, she could see that he had no intention of resting himself. After some thought, she asked, “What about you, Master?”

Qi Yin closed the lid of the medicine box, put it away, and casually replied, “I still have some matters to attend to—you go ahead.”

After speaking, he glanced up at Shen Xiling and saw her gazing at him with wide, anxious eyes. Assuming she was still worried about the situation with the Qi family, he gently smoothed her hair and reassured her, “You don’t need to worry about this matter—I’ll handle it. Rest well tonight, and I’ll speak with you in a few days.”

In truth, Shen Xiling hadn’t meant to bring that up. She simply… didn’t want to leave him.

During these two days alone in Fenghe Garden, she hadn’t been able to sleep a wink. Every time she closed her eyes, the scene of that day in the Rongrui Hall replayed in her mind. She couldn’t even bear being alone, constantly hoping for his return. Eventually, unable to resist, she ran to the entrance of the Forget Room, waiting for him in the hope of seeing him sooner.

Now that he was back, she finally felt like she had found refuge. She didn’t want to leave him at all.

But she couldn’t say this to him. All she could do was nod silently, then rise and walk toward the door.

When Shen Xiling reached the doorway and opened the door, the night rain outside continued to fall without pause. She turned back to look at Qi Yin, who was now seated under the lamplight, head bowed as he pored over documents. Sensing her gaze, he looked up and saw her still standing there. He asked, “What is it?”

Shen Xiling hesitated, biting her lip. She stood by the door, gripping the frame, and asked softly, “…Can I stay here tonight?”

She lowered her head, her fingers twisting together nervously, as she added, “I won’t disturb you—I’ll just stay quietly over here…”

Qi Yin looked at her. Beyond the open door behind her, the sound of the drizzling rain filled the air. She stood alone in the dim glow of the lamplight, looking especially small and lonely.

She must be so afraid.

The two of them remained silent for a long while. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Shen Xiling heard Qi Yin say, “Alright, you can stay.”

At his words, Shen Xiling lifted her head. She saw Qi Yin’s gentle, warm expression, the soft lamplight casting a comforting glow around him, making the space feel bright and inviting.

Unconsciously, the corners of Shen Xiling’s lips curled upward into a smile. She immediately closed the door and hurried back to his side.

Qi Yin chuckled softly, watching her. “You can entertain yourself. If you get bored, you can pick a book to read. If you get tired, you can go back to sleep on your own.”

Her eyes sparkled brightly as she nodded obediently.

He was very busy. After giving her these instructions, he turned his attention back to his work, leaving her to her own devices. Shen Xiling was well-behaved, sitting quietly nearby without disturbing him. She chose a chair not too close, not too far away, and settled down.

At first, she was a bit stiff, afraid to make any noise that might distract him. But after a while, she noticed that Qi Yin was fully absorbed in his work, unaffected by his surroundings. Gradually, she grew more relaxed.

With nothing else to do, she quietly tiptoed over to his bookshelves.

She had long admired the towering shelves lining the walls of the Forget Room, always curious about what kinds of books Qi Yin read. Tonight, she finally had the chance to explore them. Quietly flipping through the volumes, she discovered that he had an extensive and diverse collection—classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary anthologies, all neatly arranged.

As Shen Xiling browsed, she stumbled upon an illustrated gazetteer—a type of book she had always loved. Deciding this would be perfect, she carried it back to her seat and began flipping through its pages.

At first, she sat upright, but as time passed, she grew tired and gradually relaxed her posture. Sneaking a glance at Qi Yin, she noticed he wasn’t paying attention to her. Emboldened, she curled up entirely in the chair, resembling a contented cat coiled with its tail tucked in, comfortable and at ease.

Sometimes she read, sometimes she stole glances at Qi Yin. Each time she saw him bent over his work under the lamplight, the sense of unease and disorientation she had felt during his absence slowly faded away.

She began to feel genuinely at peace. Gradually, drowsiness crept over her.

Eventually, she drifted off to sleep, curled up in the chair.