Chapter 69: The Flower-Viewing Gathering (5)

Sixth Princess Xiao Ziyu had already been seething with anger over Fu Rong’s betrayal. Now, to discover that Qi Ying—her beloved Jingchen Gege—had taken in another girl and allowed her to reside in Fenghe Garden was the final straw. To make matters worse, this girl dared to mock her with her defiant gaze?

Xiao Ziyu’s fury reached its peak, and she laughed bitterly, no longer interested in exchanging words with Shen Xiqing. She wanted nothing more than to tear apart that infuriating face. Without hesitation, she barked an order to her attendants: “Drag her up and slap her!”

Shui Pei was horrified. How could the Sixth Princess be so unreasonable, ordering a beating without even hearing their side of the story? Desperate to protect her mistress, Shui Pei shielded Shen Xiqing with her body and repeatedly kowtowed to Xiao Ziyu, pleading, “Your Highness, please calm your wrath! It was my fault for offending you. Punish me instead, Your Highness, punish me!”

Her frantic pleas only irritated Xiao Ziyu further. Too impatient to even address Shui Pei, she waved her hand dismissively. Two palace maids immediately stepped forward, grabbing Shui Pei by both arms. Despite her struggles, Shui Pei was no match for their strength and was forcibly dragged aside. Another pair of maids then moved to seize Shen Xiqing.

By now, Shen Xiqing was no stranger to such absurd scenes.

Though young, this was far from the first time she had been unjustly attacked without warning. After enduring similar treatment from Lady Fang, Zhao Yao, and the Qi matriarch, she found herself strangely devoid of fear. She understood that no matter how angry, frightened, or wronged she felt, these incidents would keep recurring. No matter how carefully she lived her life, there would always be people who sought to hurt her.

It was all rather tiresome.

With a hint of weariness, she closed her eyes.

When one’s sight is blocked, other senses become heightened. Shen Xiqing heard the sharp whistle of air as one of the palace maids raised her hand to strike. The sound reminded her of the day Zhao Yao stormed into her room to hit her, and she braced herself for the impending pain. Though somewhat accustomed to such treatment, she still feared it. Just as the blow was about to land, she heard hurried footsteps approaching, followed by the faint scent of sweet flag incense.

Her heart, which had been submerged in darkness, suddenly leapt with hope.

She opened her eyes and saw him standing before her. His beautiful phoenix-like eyes were lowered, reminiscent of the first time she saw him stepping out of a fragrant carriage on a snowy night. Back then, his gaze had been distant and cold. But now, it was filled with concern and reassurance.

Tears welled up in Shen Xiqing’s eyes. She often felt this way—though she tried not to dwell on her grievances, seeing him always made her feel vulnerable.

She noticed his gaze shift to the two maids beside her, his expression icy and stern.

Though she knew Qi Ying could be aloof and strict, his recent warmth toward her had softened her perception of him. Seeing him like this now sent a chill through her heart, let alone the two trembling maids, who immediately released her and retreated, heads bowed.

Qi Ying turned his attention back to Shen Xiqing, gently pulling her to her feet. He examined her closely, his brows furrowed. “Did they hit you?”

Shen Xiqing looked up at him, her emotions swirling.

As a child, when she and her mother were mistreated by Lady Fang, she had silently hoped her father would come to their rescue. She imagined him bursting through the gate, shielding them from harm. But he never came.

Later, similar hopes were dashed repeatedly. For instance, when she was a child cooking in the kitchen, her small hands once failed to hold a pot steady, spilling scalding water onto her arm. In that moment, she had hoped someone—her mother or anyone—would miraculously appear to stop it. But no one did. Her arm was burned, though not severely since the water wasn’t boiling.

These were minor incidents, but over time, they shaped her worldview. She began to see herself as unlucky, believing that no one would ever come to her aid when misfortune struck. She learned to face adversity alone, dealing with every hardship by herself.

Thus, during the ordeal in Rongrui Hall days earlier, she hadn’t expected anyone to save her. When Qi Le pleaded for Zhao Yao but not for her, she accepted it as natural. She believed she was meant to endure everything alone.

Similarly, when the princess barged in to punish her, she had resigned herself to the beating. Even as she was restrained by the maids, she prepared herself mentally, planning how to tend to her wounds afterward.

But this time… he came.

Qi Ying came.

He arrived just in time, sparing her any injury. Now, he stood protectively before her, asking with such certainty whether she had been harmed.

Shen Xiqing’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions. She didn’t know what expression she wore, but she softly shook her head and replied, “No.”

Qi Ying seemed unconvinced and scrutinized her again. Finding no visible injuries, his brows relaxed slightly. After a pause, he murmured, “Don’t be afraid.”

His voice was low and gentle, his features softening. Shen Xiqing felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

Of course, she wasn’t afraid—not anymore. With him here, what was there to fear?

She nodded quietly, meeting his gaze.

Qi Ying gave her a reassuring look before turning to Xiao Ziyu. After a brief silence, he glanced at Shen Xiqing and said, “Wait here for a moment. I’ll return shortly.”

With that, he approached Xiao Ziyu.

For reasons unknown, Shen Xiqing felt her heart tighten as if gripped by an unseen hand.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ziyu was faring no better.

How difficult was it for her to see Qi Ying under normal circumstances? She had to rely on invitations to banquets or beg her fourth brother to take her out of the palace. Even then, she often waited anxiously outside the imperial study for him to finish meeting with the Emperor. Yet today, simply by coming to discipline the girl hidden in his private residence, he appeared without delay, rushing to her side.

She watched him hurry to protect that girl, speaking to her in a tone so patient and tender—a kindness Xiao Ziyu had never received from him. Her heart burned with jealousy, the pain far exceeding the shock of Fu Rong’s betrayal.

She felt tears welling up, wanting to cry.

She watched Qi Ying walk toward her, his brows knitted, his expression stern. He said, “Let’s talk outside.”

His tone was cold, vastly different from how he had spoken to the girl moments ago.

Xiao Ziyu sneered, feeling reckless and defiant. “Why should we go outside? Are you afraid of scaring her?”

Her voice trembled with emotion, but Qi Ying remained calm. He glanced at her briefly, then turned and walked out without another word, certain she would follow.

His confidence infuriated Xiao Ziyu. Though she initially resisted, her resolve crumbled within moments. Grinding her teeth, her eyes red, she chased after him.

“You’re really something, Qi Jingchen!” she muttered under her breath.

After they left, Xiao Ziyu’s attendants also departed. Shui Pei, feeling as though she’d survived a catastrophe, scrambled to her feet and checked if Shen Xiqing was injured. Before she could ask more than a few questions, Zi Jun and Feng Chang poked their heads into the courtyard, their faces streaked with tears. They rushed in, hugging Shen Xiqing and Shui Pei, sobbing uncontrollably.

Zi Jun cried while apologizing profusely to Shen Xiqing, confessing how she and Feng Chang had snuck into the flower-viewing gathering, only to be spotted by Fu Rong. Hearing this, Shui Pei grew furious, her face flushing red, and wished she could box their ears.

But Shen Xiqing paid no heed to any of it.

She merely stared blankly in the direction Qi Ying and Xiao Ziyu had gone, her mind replaying their departure over and over. She couldn’t stop imagining what they might say or do next.

She wanted to stop thinking about it, but she couldn’t. Her heart felt twisted, a strange, aching sensation overwhelming her.

At that moment, she didn’t yet realize that this emotion… was called jealousy.

The garden of Fenghe was lush with blooming flowers, their fragrance filling the air. The vibrant blossoms complemented the beauty of the flower-viewing gathering on the rear mountain.

Xiao Ziyu caught up with Qi Ying amidst the floral splendor. Grabbing his arm, she vented her frustration: “Didn’t you come here for me? Why are you walking so fast? Are you avoiding me again? Or are you angry?”

She had come ready to confront him in a fit of rage, but upon seeing him turn and walk away, she instinctively chased after him, her eyes red-rimmed, worried he might be upset. What started as righteous indignation now seemed weak and pitiable.

Qi Ying turned to face her, noting her flushed cheeks and labored breathing. After a pause, he said, “I’m not angry.”

Xiao Ziyu’s peach-blossom eyes reddened further as she gazed at him. “If you’re not angry, why did you leave?”

Qi Ying remained silent. Xiao Ziyu bit her lip, her voice urgent: “You’ve hidden someone here, and I haven’t even gotten angry yet. Why are you angry first?”

Qi Ying frowned. “I haven’t hidden anyone. I already told you, she’s the daughter of Minister Fang Yudai.”

Xiao Ziyu suspected the girl was the same Fang Yun Qi Ying had mentioned before, but her anger refused to subside. “That doesn’t matter! Whoever she is, why is she living in your private residence? How can you explain being alone with her?”

She clenched her jaw, staring at him. “Send her away.”

Qi Ying stood with his hands clasped behind his back, not hesitating for a moment. “Impossible.”

His firm refusal pushed Xiao Ziyu to the brink of collapse. Her anger flared anew, and she shouted, “Why is it impossible? Do you have to keep her by your side? Have you thought about what others will say? If you’re grateful to her, I can petition the Emperor to grant her a reward. Is that not enough? Or do you simply want to keep her here because you—”

Her tirade was cut short by Qi Ying.

Frowning slightly, he countered, “This is my personal matter. Why does Your Highness insist on interfering?”

________________________________________

Author’s Note: You don’t need to be jealous—he has only ever liked you. (Happy Double Festival once again!)