Chapter 88: Signs (3)

Qi Ying noticed her subtle pout and felt a mix of exasperation and amusement. With the young girl staring at him like that, he couldn’t focus on reviewing official documents anyway, so he stood up and walked over to her.

He looked down at her, his phoenix-like eyes carrying a faint smile, and asked, “Are you sulking with me just because of one dinner?”

Over the past three years, Shen Xiling had grown much taller. She was quite tall for a girl, but standing before him, she still appeared petite, now entirely enveloped in his shadow, as if completely wrapped by him.

She looked at her shadow, entirely covered by his, and felt a complex mix of emotions—some sweetness and joy, but also a tinge of loss and melancholy.

She glanced at him and softly said, “Master knows I’m not upset about that…”

Qi Ying certainly knew.

She seemed preoccupied today, clearly harboring something on her mind. He simply didn’t want to ask directly, to avoid appearing too intrusive.

Now that she mentioned it, asking wouldn’t seem too abrupt, so he inquired, “Hmm, then what is it?”

Shen Xiling’s slender fingers silently intertwined. After a long silence, as if choosing her words carefully, Qi Ying didn’t rush her, merely watching her patiently. Finally, she said, “Today, I met a small fabric shop owner who previously aligned with me. We’ve been doing white cotton weaving business together…”

Qi Ying nodded, prompting, “What about him?”

Shen Xiling pursed her lips and said, “Today, Mr. Song came to find me, saying this shopkeeper’s store was vandalized by people from the Weaving Guild…”

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying furrowed his brows, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

Shen Xiling noticed his expression.

Just as he could discern every nuance of her thoughts, she understood him better than others. Though he was a man of depth, and despite her limited experience, she still had an inkling: he hadn’t expected the Weaving Guild to target a shopkeeper associated with her. Moreover, he seemed to blame himself for not preemptively handling this matter, thus letting her encounter this trouble.

Shen Xiling thus realized Manager Feng was right; she… indeed had backing.

This oversight was partly her fault. She had naively thought that since he hadn’t visibly helped her, he hadn’t interfered in her business at all. She hadn’t considered that over three years, she had never dealt with the Weaving Guild. Without his covert protection, how could she have avoided such nuisances?

She had been too naive.

Qi Ying noticed her current silence and downcast demeanor, and connecting it with her earlier probing words, understood her intention in speaking with him tonight.

After a moment’s contemplation, he found himself somewhat unsure of her current thoughts.

In her three years in business, though he hadn’t overtly intervened, he had indeed been shielding her—protecting her from the Weaving Guild, thugs, unscrupulous merchants, and brokers.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but he felt she was too young and pure-hearted. The filth in the business world sometimes rivaled that of politics, especially in Jiangnan, where commerce and politics were deeply intertwined. Without his protection, no matter how clever or quick-witted she was, she would inevitably succumb to the pressures of power.

He didn’t want her to learn these harsh truths too soon. At least while he was around, she didn’t need to.

His mind was made up, but her words were tricky to respond to. Though he knew she had discerned his covert assistance, her thoughts remained ambiguous.

If someone else were speaking to him, Lord Qi might have resorted to diplomatic jargon, skillfully deflecting the conversation with vague remarks. But the person before him was Shen Xiling, and he didn’t intend to evade her with roundabout words—he had always favored her, treating her differently from others.

Qi Ying thought for a moment, then said, “I did intervene with the guild before. If it made you uncomfortable, I can apologize.”

His words were clear and sincere, catching Shen Xiling off guard—she had expected him to dodge her earlier statement or deceive her, not respond so straightforwardly.

For a moment, she didn’t know what to say, her fingers intertwining tighter, mumbling, “Master was protecting me; why apologize…”

Qi Ying chuckled, glancing at her increasingly tense fingers, and said, “If it made you uncomfortable, I must apologize.”

His words softened her heart.

She wasn’t truly uncomfortable. She knew he meant well. Rather than discomfort, she cherished his care, his concern, his attentiveness, and the special way he treated her.

She just… felt a bit down.

She had thought everything she achieved in these three years was the result of her own efforts, only to realize it was still due to his support. She wasn’t vain, nor did she enjoy showing off, but she hoped to excel more, to feel more worthy of him—at least not rely entirely on him.

But she couldn’t express these feelings directly to him. Lowering her head, after a long pause, she finally muttered, “I really wasn’t uncomfortable, just… just felt useless…”

After her halting explanation, she heard his low chuckle—a deep, pleasant sound. Looking up, she saw his features filled with tenderness.

She knew many praised Lord Qi’s intelligence and countless maidens secretly admired his handsomeness, but she was certain none had seen him like this.

Her master was unparalleled, and only she truly understood what that meant.

His gaze made her slightly dizzy. She heard him gently chide her with “Nonsense,” adding, “You’ve done very well.”

Shen Xiling blushed again.

A gentle Lord Qi was captivating. Even after three years with him, Shen Xiling couldn’t resist. A strong urge to be close to him arose—she wanted to nestle into his arms.

But last night’s intimacy in Wang Garden had irretrievably faded with the moonlight. He was no longer tipsy. Though she still enjoyed his favor, she knew it wasn’t appropriate to cross boundaries—if she ventured too far, he would subtly push her back.

They both understood: an invisible barrier stood between them. It had briefly opened last night but had since reestablished itself, unbreakable.

Shen Xiling carefully suppressed her urge to be close to him, blinking at him with a small smile, teasing, “Master always knows how to comfort people…”

Her expression carried a hint of playful reproach, even her tone a small hook, tugging at his heartstrings. Unaware of how endearing she was, she left a lasting impression on the man before her.

Qi Ying watched her, feeling a slight wavering within.

Though sober tonight and not freshly returned, he still felt that strange sensation from last night, subtly taking root in his heart, gradually moving from a hidden corner into prominence.

He had always regarded her as a child, now grown up but still a child.

He must not entertain any improper thoughts.

He must not allow such notions to arise.

Silently calming the ripples caused by her playful reproach, he saw her reach out and gently tug his sleeve, saying, “What’s done is done. Dwelling on it is pointless. This time, I want to handle this issue myself. Please don’t help me—alright?”

Her delicate fingers lightly grasped his sleeve, as if simultaneously clutching his heart.

Qi Ying sighed, allowing her to pull his sleeve, asking, “Can you handle it alone?”

Shen Xiling smiled, her eyes bright and lively, replying, “I don’t know, but I’ll try. Maybe I can?”

Eager to attempt, she displayed a charming ambition, quite different from her formerly quiet and fragile self.

He liked seeing her like this—happy and radiant.

The guild waters ran deep, especially involving the Fu family, making things complicated. He wasn’t entirely at ease letting her handle it alone, but she seemed keen to try. Not wanting to dampen her spirits, he agreed. She was right—he should intervene less and gradually let go. This was a good opportunity. In his view, it wasn’t a major issue. Even if she failed, he would still protect her.

Qi Ying nodded, saying, “Alright, this time I won’t interfere.”

Hearing this, she cheered up, but didn’t release his sleeve, gently shaking it instead. With a lovely look, she said, “But you can’t completely ignore me. If I can’t resolve this, Master must have my back.”

She was even more adept at being coquettish than Xuétuán.

Qi Ying couldn’t help but tease her, “With such ambition, why would you need me to cover for you?”

The young girl beamed brilliantly, replying, “Who wants to quarrel with money? If I have to pay silver, I’d rather give up my ambition.”

Qi Ying chuckled, gently chiding, “When you were younger, you read books. Now you’re only obsessed with money. Is this how I taught you?”

Shen Xiling laughed until her eyes curved, quipping, “I’m not obsessed with money—I do read books too.”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow, smirking at her, then scanned the bookshelf, randomly pulling out a copy of Spring and Autumn Annals and handing it to her, half-jokingly saying, “Read it quickly. I’ll quiz you in a couple of days.”

Shen Xiling’s face fell slightly.

She genuinely disliked reading these serious, rigid books. She could memorize them, but they didn’t flow naturally, and she found them uninteresting.

She couldn’t help but softly complain, “Why quiz me again? Tomorrow, you’re checking my riding skills. Can’t you check something I’m good at—like arithmetic?”

Qi Ying’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Already seated back at his desk reviewing official documents, he indulged her complaints for a while before relenting, saying, “Alright, if your riding skills pass tomorrow, I won’t quiz you on Spring and Autumn Annals.”

Shen Xiling thought to herself, That’s practically the same as not saying anything. Her riding skills would never pass. Wouldn’t it be better the other way around—if she could recite Spring and Autumn Annals, could she skip the riding test?

She persisted in questioning him, but he ignored her. Undeterred, she continued softly questioning, filling the Forgetfulness Room with laughter.

Truly endearing.

Author’s Note: Couple’s performance art: How to maintain single status while being extremely flirtatious—next chapter, let’s go on a date~