#190: As Before (1)

In the fourth month of the year, when flowers wither in the mortal world, time flows slowly in the secluded mountains, as if turning back the clock.

They were finally able to stay together in this place where no one would disturb them.

Qi Ying was a man accustomed to busyness. Shen Xiling often saw him handling official duties, and beyond his role as an official, he was also a nobleman from a prestigious family. When such a person found leisure, they could turn even the most mundane days into something elegant.

For instance, when he was in the mood, he would play grass-fighting games with her. This was originally a child’s game, commonly played by children in the streets. Their version involved physical combat—each finding a blade of grass and pulling against each other until one broke, which was rather dull. The literary version, however, was more refined. They would search for plants and flowers whose names formed poetic parallels—Bodhisattva Willow paired with Arhat Pine, Gold Cup Grass matched with Jade Hairpin Flower—adding much more charm to the game.

Sometimes, he would make kites for her. Spring was the best season for flying kites, and although it was already April, the passage of time in the mountains felt slower, as if half a season behind the plains below. Flying kites held little meaning, but making them was far more interesting. Shen Xiling rarely saw Qi Ying’s paintings before, likely because he had little free time. Now, with ample time, he would paint on the kites—a swallow, a puppy, or a beauty with a red mole between her eyebrows. Whatever he painted was simple yet vivid, leaving Shen Xiling in awe.

Of course, aside from these playful antics, most of the time they sat together under the loquat tree. She nestled close to him, listening to him recount stories of old acquaintances.

She naturally asked about his family first.

Her information network was extensive, and she had long heard that his father had suffered a stroke and his eldest brother intended to become a monk. To spare him worry, she hadn’t brought up those two, instead asking about others—Madam Yao, the third and fourth young masters, and his niece and nephew.

He told her everything was fine. Madam Yao’s health was still good, though years of caring for his father had aged her considerably. Qi Ning, who had caused a major scandal years ago, had undergone a complete personality change. He no longer sought attention and stayed at home, rarely venturing out, his spirit somewhat diminished. Hui’er and Tai’er were well cared for by their mother. Both boys had started attending school, though their tutor was no longer Master Wang, who had returned to his hometown.

The happiest story belonged to the fourth young master. In Shen Xiling’s memory, this young man was always cheerful and carefree, not particularly diligent in his studies. However, over the years, he had changed significantly. He had entered the imperial examinations and now held an official position as a fifth-rank junior official in charge of ancestral rites. He had also married, taking as his wife the daughter of a minor official from the Ning family, Miss Ning Lan. Though not from a prominent lineage, she was well-mannered and gentle, and their marriage was harmonious.

Speaking of this, it naturally led to a mention of Zhao Yao. She and Qi Le had exchanged betrothal papers, their union nearly sealed, but fate intervened. Seeing the troubles in the Qi family, the Zhaos refused to let their daughter marry into the household. Zhao Yao’s mother, Lady Zhao, even risked alienating her own family to break off the engagement. Zhao Yao herself was resolute, severing ties with Qi Le entirely. The following year, she married into the Zhongyong Marquis’s household, becoming the wife of the eldest son.

This eldest son of the Zhongyong Marquis wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. Before Qi Ying and Shen Xiling became committed, there was a time when they considered parting ways. At that time, Princess Xiao Zi Yu enthusiastically tried to arrange matches for Shen Xiling. She mentioned two candidates to Qi Ying—one was the seventh son of Duke Ying of Liang, who had contracted tuberculosis and was now deceased. The other was this eldest son of the Zhongyong Marquis, who was already thirty-four years old, widowed, and seeking a new wife. His household included several children.

Qi Ying, of course, would never have allowed Shen Xiling to marry into such a situation. Fate, however, had its twists, and Zhao Yao ended up becoming his second wife.

Though Madam Yao was also a second wife in the Qi household, Zhao Yao wasn’t as fortunate. The children of the Zhongyong Marquis were notoriously unruly and despised their new stepmother. They constantly stirred trouble in front of their father, making Zhao Yao’s life miserable. Moreover, the eldest son of the Zhongyong Marquis, being so much older, was far from the youthful prince charming Zhao Yao might have desired. Naturally, their relationship was strained, and it was said that Zhao Yao often cried and returned to her natal family, causing many scandals.

Such domestic trivialities shouldn’t have reached Qi Ying’s ears, but he had heard of them because Zhao Yao, unhappy in her marriage, attempted to return to Qi Le. Perhaps she hoped to enjoy both the prestige of her husband’s family and the romantic allure of a handsome young man like Qi Le.

Here lies Qi Le’s virtue. Though he had been deeply infatuated with his cousin Zhao Yao in his youth, even clashing with his second brother over her, after marriage he remained faithful to his wife, cutting all ties with past romances. When Zhao Yao approached him multiple times, he firmly rejected her and even informed his wife, Lady Ning, of the matter. Lady Ning, though from a modest background, was upright and dignified. Upon hearing this, she promptly paid a visit to the Zhongyong Marquis’s household and confronted Zhao Yao directly, delivering a clear and stern lecture.

Lady Ning’s intention was merely to make Zhao Yao stop pestering her husband and save face, not to escalate the issue. However, Zhao Yao’s stepchildren learned of the matter and immediately caused an uproar, reporting it to Zhao Yao’s husband and in-laws. Chaos ensued in the Zhongyong Marquis’s household, dragging the Zhao family into the mess.

The Zhao family cried, fought, beat, scolded, begged, and pleaded, but to no avail. In the end, Zhao Yao received a divorce letter clearly stating “expelled for unchastity,” utterly devastating her and her family.

Now, Zhao Yao was divorced, losing all dignity. Worse, her entire family was implicated. The whole city of Jiankang knew the Zhao family had raised an unfaithful daughter. How could her sisters avoid gossip in their marital homes? And how could her father and brothers escape public ridicule?

It was truly karma.

Shen Xiling was left speechless for a long while after hearing this tale. After a prolonged silence, she finally managed a remark: “The fourth young master truly exceeded my expectations. I once thought he would lose all sense of right and wrong for Miss Zhao. Turns out, when it came down to it, he was quite clear-headed.”

She praised him sincerely, then added, “His wife is truly fortunate to have such a devoted husband.”

The first comment was harmless, but the second struck a chord. Qi Ying glanced at her with an ambiguous smile, leaving Shen Xiling momentarily confused before realizing he was slightly displeased.

Indeed, when it came to devotion, how could Qi Le compare to his second brother? Qi Ying had never set his heart on anyone but her, and even after five years of her marriage to another, his feelings hadn’t wavered.

“Unshakable as a rock…” He had truly lived up to that.

Shen Xiling understood his meaning, her heart swelling with sweetness. Yet, precisely because of this, she teased him, saying, “Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think you’ve done better than the fourth young master? What if there were other women by your side these years? If you deliberately hid it from me, how would I know? It’s all up to you to say.”

These words…

Qi Ying couldn’t help but laugh at her audacity. Initially, he didn’t intend to argue with a young girl, but after a while, he grew annoyed enough to pinch her cheek again, saying, “Shen Wenwen, you’re truly ungrateful.”

This was the first time he called her “Shen Wenwen.” It wasn’t as intimate as calling her “Wenwen” nor as stern as calling her “Shen Xiling.” It struck a perfect balance, giving her a unique feeling of being cherished.

She giggled, pushing his hand away and rubbing her cheek, complaining, “Why do you always pinch my face…”

But Qi Ying had already grown lazy to respond.

She lay across his lap, coquettishly smiling and reaching up to pluck a loquat from the tree. In a soft voice, she offered, “I’ll peel a loquat for my second brother. Don’t be angry anymore.”

Her Wu dialect was sweet and flirtatious.

She began peeling the loquat on his lap, but soon pretended to tire and asked him to do it for her. Qi Ying knew this little girl was endlessly spoiled when it came to him, but he also knew she was always composed and proper in front of others. For years without him, she likely hadn’t acted this way often.

He willingly indulged her, kindly taking the loquat to peel for her. Even during this short moment, she couldn’t stay still, pestering him for news about the people of Fenghe Garden—Shu Pei, Feng Chang, Zi Jun, Liu Zi, and her Snowball.

Qi Ying chuckled, feeding her the peeled loquat and telling her everyone was fine. Snowball had even given birth to several kittens, some of which had already reproduced.

Hearing that her Snowball was still alive made Shen Xiling ecstatic. Snowball was ten years old now, ancient for a cat. She wondered if she’d get the chance to see her again.

Thinking about this initially saddened her, but learning that Snowball had many kittens renewed her hope, sweetening even the taste of the loquat in her mouth.

It was strange. A few days ago, when she first came to this remote mountain and ate loquats with him in the courtyard, she found them sour and bitter. But now, eating them fed by him, they tasted sweet. Clearly, it wasn’t the wind or the banners moving—it was her heart.

She smiled, continuing to nestle on his lap, nibbling on the sweet loquat he fed her.

When she finished, content and satisfied, she finally brought up the reason for his trip to Northern Wei.

She had always found it unreasonable for him to personally escort the princess for marriage. As the Left Chancellor of a nation, he wasn’t responsible for ceremonial matters. Why would he personally escort the bride? Coupled with the fire at the Buddha Bathing Festival and his current confinement, she was convinced that his trip north concealed some sinister plot.

Was the current Emperor of Liang planning to use the Wei Emperor’s hand to kill him? She doubted it. If Xiao Ziteng wanted him dead, he wouldn’t need to rely on the Wei Emperor—it would be too roundabout. Besides, she had heard rumors about the political situation in Liang. Xiao Ziteng relied on Qi Ying and wouldn’t let him die so easily.

Then who? What role did Gu Juhán play in this? Where had Bai Song gone? And what about the young Mr. Han?

And Qi Ying—he was clever and never one to sit idly by. What schemes had he devised?

Shen Xiling couldn’t figure it out, so she asked him. But his expression remained calm as he continued peeling loquats, refusing to discuss serious matters. No matter how she pestered him, he simply smiled faintly, treating her like a child.

This frustrated Shen Xiling immensely!

He was perfect in every way except for always treating her like a child, which she found deeply unsatisfying!

She was no longer a child and could share his burdens. Though her role might be limited in Jiangzuo, here in Shangjing, she had spent five years navigating the intricacies of the city. Surely, she could assist him somehow, even if only a little.

She repeatedly tried to convince him, but he refused to listen.