Chapter 104: Unwilling to Let Go (2)

Among the twelve divisions of the Privy Council, Zhu Wei, the official in charge of oversight, replied upon hearing the inquiry: “Master, Zhengning is still handling matters in Linchuan Prefecture. I heard he was delayed by some minor issues and has yet to return to Jiankang.”

Within the twelve divisions of the Privy Council, when it came to seniority and status, Xu Zhengning and Zhu Wei stood out as the most prominent figures. One oversaw confidential missions, while the other handled supervision. They had known each other and worked together for nearly two decades, not only collaborating seamlessly in official matters but also maintaining a close personal friendship.

Zhu Wei was slightly older than Xu Zhengning. Tall with a fair complexion and an ever-present smile on his lips, he was famously known as the “Smiling Tiger” in court. Although his role in oversight might seem similar to that of the Censorate, his jurisdiction was far broader. Particularly in covert investigations into treason, once someone caught Zhu Wei’s attention, they often bypassed the need for formal trials and went straight to the executioner’s block.

After Zhu Wei reminded him, Qi Ying recalled that before the New Year, he had assigned Xu Zhengning to investigate the unrest and uprisings across various counties, aiming to root out spies from Gao Wei who were stirring trouble. This task was undoubtedly challenging, and Xu Zhengning must have faced difficulties, which explained why he hadn’t returned yet.

Qi Ying nodded at Zhu Wei and didn’t inquire further about Xu Zhengning, instead turning to discuss military affairs with the other eleven division heads.

This year, Gao Wei had been unusually quiet—not because they didn’t want to fight, but because their treasury was empty, leaving them unable to wage war.

Though Gao Wei boasted strong troops and sturdy horses, they were not prosperous. Years of southern invasions had left their people suffering immensely, with internal unrest far exceeding that of Great Liang. Their domestic politics were a chaotic mess. Moreover, discord between their generals and ministers, coupled with corrupt governance, left them struggling just to manage internal crises. This provided Great Liang with a rare opportunity to catch its breath.

However, this situation did not bring Qi Ying a sense of security; rather, it added to his unease.

If Gao Wei could not resolve its internal issues and refused to accept the collapse of its dynasty, it would inevitably attempt to shift its contradictions outward. At that point, initiating another round of warfare would become their best option: after all, once an external enemy appeared, Gao Wei’s citizens would unite against Great Liang, forgetting how broken their own nation and government truly were.

What worried Qi Ying even more was that if Gao Wei’s situation worsened, the Gu and Zou factions might reconcile. If the rift between their generals and ministers disappeared, whether Great Liang could continue to resist Gao Wei’s iron hooves would become uncertain.

This was a difficult game of strategy.

The eleven division heads reported on their respective jurisdictions, and Qi Ying listened attentively, lost in deep thought.

The meeting concluded at the third quarter of the afternoon hour, and by the time Qi Ying returned to his office, it was nearly the fifth quarter of the day. By then, he still hadn’t eaten lunch.

Qingzhu carefully carried a food box into the room and placed it gently on the master’s desk. He bowed respectfully beside him and tentatively said, “Master, please have your meal first. It’s nearly the fifth quarter.”

At that moment, Qi Ying was engrossed in reading a document. Without looking up, he waved his hand dismissively, signaling Qingzhu to leave.

Qingzhu understood his master’s meaning well and knew there was no point in trying to persuade him. However…

Qingzhu pursed his lips and stole a glance at his master, hesitantly saying, “Master… this was sent by Miss Fang. She asked me to wait until you’ve finished eating so I can return the food box to her. This…”

As soon as these words were spoken, Qi Ying’s gaze shifted from the document to the food box on the desk. His brows furrowed slightly as he asked, “Did she deliver it herself?”

“Yes,” Qingzhu replied, bowing low. “She’s still waiting outside.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying seemed momentarily surprised. Slowly, he set down the document in his hands and hesitated for a moment before opening the food box.

Sticky rice lotus root, stir-fried red cabbage, yam and black chicken soup—all dishes designed to nourish the stomach.

They were made by her own hands, carrying a familiar fragrance.

He fell silent.

Qingzhu was unsure of his master’s intentions. His silence left him feeling uneasy. Unable to help himself, he glanced up at his master’s face. Though Qi Ying’s expression remained calm, revealing nothing, his eyes betrayed a hint of complexity, making it even harder to gauge his thoughts.

After waiting anxiously for some time, Qingzhu watched as his master closed the lid of the food box again.

It was prepared by Shen Xiling, yet he showed no intention of eating it.

Qingzhu grew increasingly apprehensive. Then, seeing his master rise to his feet, he heard him ask in a slightly detached tone, “Where is she?”

Shen Xiling was waiting in a carriage parked in the back alley behind the Privy Council offices, accompanied by Shui Pei and Liu Zi.

She had decided on New Year’s Eve to take the initiative and come to see him. However, after much deliberation, she realized that the main household was too complicated, and barging in recklessly might cause trouble for him. Thus, she patiently waited until his rest period ended and he returned to the office before coming to find him.

The Privy Council was a place of great authority, and she dared not enter, fearing it would interfere with his duties. Instead, she stayed hidden in the back alley, inside her carriage, sending him a food box. She hoped that after tasting her cooking, he would realize how neglected she had felt lately and agree to come out and see her.

Getting the food box inside wasn’t easy. She begged Qingzhu for quite some time.

Although Qingzhu was young, he had a strong temperament. After accumulating numerous favors owed to him for guiding her, he finally relented and agreed to deliver the food box. But even by the fifth quarter of the day, Qi Ying had not emerged to see her, nor had Qingzhu returned with any message.

Shui Pei couldn’t bear to see her mistress waiting so long. Fearing she might be hurt, she tried to persuade her in the carriage, urging her to return to Fengheyuan early.

Shui Pei said, “Perhaps Master has been extremely busy with official duties recently and hasn’t had time to spare. Why don’t we go back for now? Once he’s done with this busy period, we’ll surely get to see him.”

Shen Xiling knew Shui Pei’s words made sense. She also understood that if Qi Ying was determined not to see her, there was no way she could force the issue. Lingering here like this wouldn’t solve anything—it would only tire her out unnecessarily.

But she didn’t want to leave.

It had been two months since she last saw him. Since following him three years ago, they had never been apart for such a long time.

She couldn’t bear it anymore.

Forcing herself to remain composed, Shen Xiling smiled faintly at Shui Pei and shook her head. “Let’s wait a little longer… just a little while more.”

Shui Pei gazed at her mistress’s forced smile and sighed inwardly, thinking: What are we waiting for? If Master continues to avoid seeing her, does she intend to keep waiting indefinitely like this?

Sighing quietly, Shui Pei was about to persuade her again when suddenly, Liu Zi’s excited voice came from outside the carriage.

“Master!” he called out.

As soon as Liu Zi’s voice reached them, Shui Pei noticed her mistress’s eyes light up. Those previously dim and lifeless orbs now shone brightly, radiating beauty so intense that even she, another woman, found it hard to look directly.

She shared in her joy, giving her a knowing glance before stepping out of the carriage herself to greet the master, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

The master didn’t respond but silently climbed into the carriage.

Watching the curtain fall behind him, Shui Pei felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding. She sensed that today’s meeting… might not unfold as smoothly as her mistress had hoped.

Inside the carriage, Shen Xiling finally saw Qi Ying.

After two months apart, he hadn’t changed much—still handsome and dignified. The only difference, perhaps, was that he seemed colder, which Shen Xiling attributed to their prolonged separation. She believed things would improve once they exchanged a few words.

He sat on the opposite side of the carriage, neither too near nor too far. As soon as he settled, he casually asked, “Why have you come?”

His tone carried no reproach but also no trace of joy, causing Shen Xiling’s heart to tighten slightly, followed by a faint wave of disappointment.

She had secretly hoped… that he would show at least a hint of surprise or happiness.

Clearly, he hadn’t.

Shen Xiling pursed her lips, trying to suppress her disappointment, and managed a faint smile. “I was out checking on business today and happened to pass by, so I thought I’d drop in…”

This was, of course, a lie. She had come specifically and had waited at the entrance for a full two hours.

Qi Ying could tell her words weren’t true, but he gave no reaction, merely nodding slightly.

Shen Xiling glanced at him, thought for a moment, and then asked, “Have you had lunch yet? Was it to your liking?”

By the time she finished speaking, she already felt a strain in her heart.

In the past, though he rarely spoke, he always looked at her with gentle, approving eyes, encouraging her to speak. Each time, it made her feel comfortable and delighted. But today, that look was gone, making him appear stern and distant, leaving her feeling lost.

She heard him say, “Not yet. I got held up earlier.”

With that, he fell silent again.

The strain in Shen Xiling’s heart became even more pronounced. Still, she didn’t give up and continued to search for something to say. “Oh, then… is the food cold? If it’s cold, you shouldn’t eat it—it’s bad for your health. Yilou is nearby—I can have something fresh prepared and sent over?”

This time, his response was even shorter. “No need.”

Shen Xiling’s heart, which had been brimming with hope upon arriving, felt like it had been pricked by a thin needle, slowly deflating.

She lowered her head, unsure of what else to say.

He had never made her feel so awkward or helpless before. He had always taken care of her, making her feel cherished and protected.

Thus, she lacked the ability to handle the current situation.

Qi Ying glanced at her, paused briefly, and asked, “Did you come here today for something specific?”

Perhaps her business had run into some difficulty, and she needed his help.

This question seemed to carry a faint trace of concern for her. Shen Xiling’s heart softened, and her eyes grew warm, tears threatening to spill over.

She knew crying right now would make her look terrible, and she didn’t want that. So, with great effort, she suppressed her emotions, lifted her gaze, and smiled. “No, I just… came to see you.”

I just wanted to see you.

I miss you so much.

She didn’t voice these words aloud, but her eyes, which always spoke for her, conveyed everything unspoken—ambiguous, tender, and yearning.

It was the look he was most familiar with—a gaze that hinted at words left unsaid.

He seemed momentarily startled, then averted his eyes, saying, “Mm, in the future, if there’s nothing important, refrain from coming here. The office is different from other places.”

His words were cold, causing Shen Xiling to shrink back slightly.

Unsure how to respond, she could only lower her eyes and nod faintly.

Qi Ying glanced at her, paused again, and said, “Since there’s nothing urgent, I’ll take my leave now. You should head back soon as well.”

He seemed genuinely busy, and as soon as he finished speaking, he prepared to rise and depart, catching Shen Xiling off guard.

Unable to hold back, she instinctively reached out and grabbed his sleeve, blurting out anxiously, “When will you return to Fengheyuan?”

When will things go back to the way they used to be?

Qi Ying turned his head to look at her, glancing at her slender fingers clutching his sleeve. Feeling his gaze, Shen Xiling’s fingers inexplicably loosened their grip.

She was stunned by her own reaction, frozen for a long moment. Dazed, she looked at her hand, then at him, her expression seeming hollow.

At that moment, something flickered in his eyes—or perhaps it didn’t. It was impossible to tell. Little Master Qi had always been enigmatic; unless he chose to reveal himself, perhaps no one in this world could truly understand him.

He looked down at her, his expression softening ever so slightly—not obviously, but just a bit—as he said, “I won’t be able to return for a while. I’ll mostly be at the office or the main house. I’ll go back after some time.”