Chapter 113: A Bond Sealed (1)

Qi Yin could never fully articulate the emotions that surged through him the moment he pushed open the door and took in the scene before him.

What kind of man was Lord Qi? A figure of unparalleled composure, he had overseen the Chancellary for years, accustomed to witnessing life-and-death struggles between nations. In the blink of an eye, he could decide the fate of tens of thousands, remaining calm even in the direst situations.

But when he saw what was happening inside that room, all the composure he had cultivated over the years vanished in an instant.

It was as if someone had touched his most sensitive spot. For the first time in his life, he experienced the full force of blinding rage.

Qing Zhu and Bai Song were by Qi Yin’s side; they had followed him throughout the night until they finally located this southeastern residence.

Initially, the young master had returned to Fenghe Garden to look for Shen Xiling. But when they arrived, she was nowhere to be found. They questioned a servant and learned that earlier that day, Song Haotang had delivered the news of Manager Feng’s suicide, prompting Shen Xiling to leave immediately to handle the matter.

Though none of them knew who Manager Feng was, the news filled them with an ominous foreboding. On their way out of Fenghe Garden, they encountered Liu Zi halfway. Drenched from the storm, he drove his carriage frantically, and upon seeing the young master, his face lit up with relief. He quickly informed them that Shen Xiling was confronting Yang Dong, the head of the Textile Guild, alone at the southeastern residence.

The moment the young master heard this, his expression darkened. Without uttering a word, he turned his horse toward the southeastern residence. The icy chill in his demeanor was something none of them had ever witnessed before.

This steward’s modest residence was extravagantly luxurious, heavily guarded along the way. Even Qi Yin was obstructed by the servants, who claimed their master would see no one tonight.

Bai Song knew the young master was anxious, so he stopped holding back. Forcibly breaking into the southeastern residence, he knocked down several servants attempting to block their path, following the young master until they reached the hall called “Yi Jiu Tang.”

Kicking open the tightly shut door, the sight inside made both Bai Song and Qing Zhu’s faces pale. They simultaneously felt the shift in the young master’s aura—an unprecedented coldness and ferocity that sent chills down their spines.

Yang Dong, hearing the commotion, turned around. Initially irritated at being interrupted, his expression changed to sheer terror when he realized who the intruder was.

In Jiangzuo, there was no one who hadn’t heard of the illustrious Second Young Master Qi. Legends described him as a divine aristocrat. Now, turning back, they saw him framed by the raging storm behind him, exuding an almost palpable aura of death and menace.

Yang Dong was utterly petrified. Trembling with fear, he stumbled off the sitting bed and fell to his knees, staring at Qi Yin in abject terror. His lips moved, but no words came out; his face was ashen.

“Second Young Master Qi! This, this...”

Before he could finish, he watched as Qi Yin strode past him without so much as a glance, heading straight for the young girl on the sitting bed. Without hesitation, Qi Yin scooped her into his arms.

Qi Yin had ridden here in such haste that he hadn’t even bothered with a raincoat. By now, he was completely drenched. Normally, he would have been cautious not to pass the dampness onto Shen Xiling, but at that moment, he couldn’t care less. He held her tightly, quickly examining her from head to toe. Seeing the obvious red marks around her right wrist and her disheveled clothing, he shuddered to think what might have happened if he had arrived just moments later...

He didn’t dare continue that thought.

Qi Yin suppressed the torrent of emotions surging within him. Swiftly, he adjusted her clothes and pulled her securely into his embrace, calling her softly, “Wenwen? Wenwen?”

He called her name twice, but the girl showed no response. Her eyes were vacant, as if she were still stunned from the trauma, her expression blank—just like the first time he met her three years ago, when she sat slumped in the snow at the city gates.

His heart clenched painfully.

Qi Yin closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, they were filled with icy, murderous intent.

Suddenly, Qing Zhu’s vision blurred for a moment. A flash of steel—a sword—appeared in Qi Yin’s hand. With lightning speed, he drew Bai Song’s sword and pressed it firmly against Yang Dong’s neck!

The young master intended to kill.

Seeing this, Yang Dong was stricken with terror. He knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy. Amidst the thunder, he beheld the legendary noble and elegant Second Young Master Qi, now wielding a sword with a cold gaze that regarded him as if he were already dead. It was then that Yang Dong recalled the rumors about him.

“A gentleman in appearance, but a demon in heart”—indeed, he was truly a ruthless, masked devil.

Qing Zhu, realizing the young master was serious about killing Yang Dong, was shocked. Despite the impropriety, he rushed forward to intervene, shouting, “Master, please reconsider! This cannot be done!”

The young master was a powerful minister who decided the fates of thousands with a mere word. Killing a lowly Yang Dong today—or even a fourth-rank military officer like Jiang Yong three years ago—was nothing to him.

But Yang Dong and Jiang Yong were different.

Killing Jiang Yong had been a necessity dictated by circumstances, a sacrifice for the greater good. However, Yang Dong was not an official; he was a commoner. If the current Chancellor of the Chancellary were to kill him with a single stroke of his sword, how would the public react? If the young master killed for personal reasons, wouldn’t opportunists seize upon this as leverage? Moreover, Yang Dong was under the protection of the Fu family, with countless ties behind him. Killing him would invite numerous complications, potentially bringing disaster upon themselves.

Qing Zhu was furious at Yang Dong’s actions, but for the young master’s sake, he had to intervene. Thus, he steeled himself and stepped in front of Yang Dong.

Qi Yin’s expression remained cold, radiating an air of death. He glanced at Qing Zhu with his phoenix-like eyes, their icy depths instilling fear.

Without moving the sword, he said in a chilling voice, “Move aside.”

Just two words, yet they carried the weight of an overwhelming authority that struck fear into the hearts of those who heard them.

Yang Dong was paralyzed with fear, while Qing Zhu almost buckled under the pressure. Just then, he heard Bai Song say, “Master, the young lady...”

That vague sentence immediately diverted Qi Yin’s attention.

He hurriedly turned to check on his girl, shifting the sword away from Yang Dong’s neck. Qing Zhu felt the oppressive tension lift instantly, experiencing a sense of narrowly escaping calamity.

As he calmed his nerves, he glanced at Bai Song, who was also looking at him. The two exchanged nods.

Meanwhile, Qi Yin turned back to Shen Xiling. The girl had started to come to her senses, beginning to feel fear. Whether from fright or cold, her body trembled slightly.

Qi Yin’s heart ached. Setting the sword aside, he gently half-embraced her, smoothing her hair and calling her softly, “Wenwen?”

Shen Xiling looked at him with empty eyes, as if finally recognizing him. Her eyes welled up with grievance and fear. She clung tightly to the front of his robe, tears streaming down her face as she murmured, “...Master?”

Seeing her finally regain consciousness brought him some relief. He responded immediately, “Yes, it’s me. I’m here.”

Hearing his words, her tears flowed even more freely, her sobs growing louder, reminiscent of every time she had been bullied as a child. Upon seeing him, she began to express her grievances. Clutching his robe tightly, her voice broken and trembling, she whispered, “I... I want to go home...”

His heart nearly shattered at her words.

Qi Yin gently grasped her trembling hand that clutched his robe, speaking deeply to her, “Alright.”

“I’ll take you home.”

With that, he scooped her up into his arms.

Just as easily and naturally as he had done when she was a child.

Yang Dong collapsed on the ground. The sweat induced by the Wushi Powder had turned cold, leaving him weak and unable to stand. He could only watch helplessly as the Second Young Master Qi carried the girl away.

As Qi Yin passed by him, his steps did not falter, but he cast a swift glance downward.

His phoenix eyes were like ink, deep and unfathomable.

Soon after, he stepped out of the room and left, leaving behind a scene of chaos. Yet Yang Dong remained frozen, trapped in the gaze of the Second Young Master Qi, trembling with fear, unable to rise for a long time.

He knew… this wasn’t the end.

The rain poured relentlessly, continuing through the night.

By the time they returned to Fenghe Garden, it was nearing the end of the hour of Hai.

The servants followed closely behind their master. Qing Zhu, standing nearest, heard the young master instruct tersely, “Prepare hot water,” before rushing into the house with Shen Xiling in his arms. Qing Zhu noticed that the young master entered Huaijin Courtyard.

All the servants saw this. Shui Pei and Feng Chang exchanged glances, unsure whether the young master had intentionally chosen this courtyard or had mistakenly entered it in haste. Before they could whisper to each other, Qing Zhu, with a stern expression, reprimanded them, “What are you looking at? Go fetch a clean set of your young mistress’s clothes and have someone bring hot water. Do you want her to catch a cold?”

Upon hearing this, Shui Pei and Feng Chang exchanged a glance, bowed their heads in agreement, and immediately went to make arrangements.

Fenghe Garden always kept hot water ready. Before long, a group of maids arrived with hot water. Feng Chang also brought a fresh set of clothes. Qing Zhu confirmed everything, then led the group into Huaijin Courtyard, whispering a request to enter at the door.

The young master personally opened the door. Inside, the room was brightly lit, and the underfloor heating system was still burning, dispelling the spring chill.

Neither Qing Zhu nor the maids had ever seen a woman in the young master’s quarters. Knowing that Shen Xiling was in the inner room, they kept their heads bowed, working swiftly and quietly. Once finished, they immediately withdrew.

When Qi Yin personally closed the door and returned to the inner chamber, he saw Shen Xiling curled up in the corner of his bed, wrapped tightly in his blanket, lost in silent contemplation.

Her eyes were once again vacant, as if she were in a daze.

Seeing her like this tore at Qi Yin’s heart, causing his brows to furrow in distress.

He hadn’t intended to disturb her at this moment, but she had been caught in the rain tonight, and her clothes were still wet. Her delicate constitution couldn’t withstand such strain, so she needed to bathe and warm up before resting.

After much deliberation, he gently sat on the edge of the bed, coaxing her to bathe.

But before he could sit down, she suddenly startled, her face paling as she stared at him. Her entire body tensed, and she quickly retreated further into the corner, looking panicked.

Seeing this, Qi Yin realized she was still traumatized. Blaming himself for not considering this, he quickly stood up and moved farther away, saying softly, “Wenwen… it’s me.”

His girl stared at him for a long time, as if trying to confirm whether the person before her was truly him. Seeing her so frightened, Qi Yin’s heart overflowed with tenderness. He didn’t rush her, standing at a respectful distance, waiting patiently for her to regain her composure. Only when she relaxed and her expression softened did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

But before he could fully relax, Shen Xiling began to cry.