Chapter 10

Her heart was truly heavy with guilt.

After He Yanzhou left, she returned to her seat. Master Artisan Xiao leaned lazily against her table, her alluring eyes sweeping over her from head to toe.

"Master Artisan Qin, I must say, with your poise and presence, I fully believe you could have him wrapped around your finger."

Master Artisan Xiao reached out to touch Qin Xiangyi’s waist. "Look at this slender, graceful waist. Listen to me: next time, don't button your collar up so tightly. Just by swaying your waist a little as you walk, there wouldn't be a single man who wouldn't bow down at your feet."

Qin Xiangyi cast a gaze as indifferent as an ancient well toward Master Artisan Xiao. Xiao stared at her, feeling inexplicably as if she were being judged. With that beauty mark between her brows and her gaze, she looked every bit like a Bodhisattva—captivating and soul-stirring, making one feel inferior in her presence.

Master Artisan Xiao withdrew her eyes and hand, knowing she disliked such topics, and said no more. She patted her shoulder. "Let’s get to work."

Qin Xiangyi quickly organized the tasks for the day in her mind. As long as no imperial concubine summoned her, she only needed to cast the gold base for the bracelet Master Artisan Xiao requested; the rest of her time would be plentiful.

For some reason, she recalled He Yanzhou’s face, which had seemed to be begging for a reward. What had she said to him afterward? She seemed to have said nothing, for she had broken her promise. She had not looked up at the moon at three-quarters past midnight, and she had nothing to say to him.

In hindsight, Qin Xiangyi began to grasp the situation. Thinking of the jade ornament that had suddenly appeared at his waist today, the young man's intentions were laid bare before her.

Since that was the case, she would satisfy him further. She would craft a *jinbu* (waist pendant) for him today, wanting him to wear it every day, to fully display the poised bearing he had so painstakingly cultivated since childhood, which he was so proud of.

In her mind, a jade ornament hanging with nine slender silk tassels began to take shape, long enough to reach the hem of his robe when worn at the waist.

After He Yanzhou left the Artisan's Chamber, Huaiyu informed him that Tian Siyuan's family had arrived in the capital.

Tian Siyuan had died yesterday as a condemned official. Being wrapped in a straw mat was all he received, and the Emperor would certainly not allow the funeral to be held with any grandeur. The family could only sneak into the capital, quietly claim his body, and hold a small, private funeral.

He Yanzhou had taken full responsibility for the manpower and funds required for this. Tian Siyuan’s death had been meaningful.

But he had died just before the rain finally came. When they moved Tian Siyuan’s body from the mass grave, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.

The death of a disgraced official was not permitted to evoke sorrow in anyone; in a sense, the arrival of this rain only served to exacerbate the evidence of the Deputy Director of the Imperial Observatory's crimes.

The punishment of the months-long drought was ultimately borne by Tian Siyuan alone.

While settling the Tian family, He Yanzhou saw someone on the street: Pei Qingji.

He did not know this man personally, perhaps having seen him at a banquet somewhere, but he later learned that this man was Qin Xiangyi’s ex-husband. When the He family investigated the Qin family, they had incidentally dug up everything about Pei Qingji.

He Yanzhou should not have concerned himself with such matters, but with the image of "Auntie Qin" in his mind, he could not help but be curious about what kind of man her ex-husband was.

Although the Pei family held no formal official posts, they were imperial merchants appointed by the throne. Their family status was not bad—far from matching He Yanzhou’s circle, but they were people of standing, if nothing else, at least they were wealthy.

Pei Qingji, who had just finished inspecting his shop, truly appeared to be a man of talent and grace.

He Yanzhou shook his head, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. If the He family hadn't investigated him thoroughly, even he might have been deceived by that gentle and scholarly exterior.

Pei Qingji was handsome and lean. Despite his immense wealth, he preferred to wear simple cloth garments. He was known in the city as a "sentimental gentleman," and since his divorce from his former wife, he had been despondent, having yet to remarry.

He Yanzhou sat in his sedan chair and studied Pei Qingji’s features for a while. No wonder the common folk called him a sentimental gentleman; his eyes truly held a depth of affection.

He Yanzhou lowered his gaze, his thoughts complicated. So, this was the kind of man she could love. He could not stop himself from wondering what she had liked about Pei Qingji.

***

Qin Xiangyi meticulously selected beads and jade plaques from her jewelry box. The intrinsic value of these items was not high, but once carved by her hands, they would surely be priceless.

Holding the jade plaque, she pondered what pattern to carve. If one were gifting a junior, the choice of pattern required extra care. Like the words Master Artisan Xiao had spoken, she did not want to be misunderstood by anyone again.

In that case, she would carve the "Three Friends of Winter" (pine, bamboo, and plum) upon it; it matched the integrity that He Yanzhou carried with him.

Master Artisan Xiao’s eyes grew sore just watching; that was the work of Master Artisan Qin’s own hands.

Master Artisan Xiao leaned against the window, appreciating all of Qin Xiangyi’s movements from a short distance.

When Qin Xiangyi worked, she was always completely focused. The charm of a beauty did not lie in when she displayed her allure, but precisely when she was earnestly doing her own work.

Master Artisan Liu, seeing that Xiao was mesmerized, began to chat. "Master Artisan Qin is truly blessed with such beauty. Using her beauty to serve others is indeed the best way for her to remarry. Why must she insist on acting so rigid and uninteresting?"

Master Artisan Xiao sighed. She knew Liu meant well; for a woman to live comfortably, using one’s beauty was indeed a shortcut. But, "She is different. She has suffered because of her beauty and her figure."

He Yanzhou was indeed late today; his affairs could not be settled so quickly.

When the time for the end of the shift arrived, the others in the Artisan's Chamber left for home one after another. Before long, only Qin Xiangyi remained.

Because he had told her to wait, she had not been in a hurry to leave.

It was just as well; the *jinbu* for him was not yet finished. The chamber was quiet, and as she stayed alone, her heart reached a state of extreme tranquility. The drizzle had fallen all day, and the crisp sound of raindrops hitting the eaves echoed from time to time. Qin Xiangyi enjoyed such moments.

Qiansong remained quietly by her side, pouring tea, burning incense, and after a while, bringing a lamp to her side.

The days grew dark earlier and earlier. A dim lamp in the chamber cast a glow beside her as she buried her head in threading the tassels together.

A strand of hair fell across her cheek, but she did not notice. Her focused brows and eyes were bathed in the warm yellow light of the candle.

By the time He Yanzhou finished settling the Tian family, it was pitch dark. He took a fast horse and galloped toward the palace.

Although he held no expectations that she would still be waiting, making her wait was a promise he had made.

He dismounted and walked quickly to the Artisan's Chamber. Seeing the light still on inside, he was just about to say, "Forgive me, I am late."

But before the words could escape, he saw a scene that made him fall silent.

The wind that rushed in as he opened the door caused the sole candle flame to sway gently, making the light and shadow upon her flicker as well. What a vision of cloud-like hair and misty temples, of a graceful head and moth-like brows.

She seemed to know he had arrived, but she did not look up. She continued her work, her voice very gentle, made softer still by the flickering warm yellow candlelight. She said, "You’re here. Wait just a moment longer; I’m almost finished."

The voice was so soft, it was as if she were coaxing a child.

Even Qin Xiangyi herself did not realize that in this pitch-black night, lit only by a single warm candle, she had spoken such a gentle sentence.

The air was permeated with the scent of sandalwood. When Qin Xiangyi worked alone, she liked to burn it; it helped her concentrate.

To all of He Yanzhou’s senses, this scent was an antidote, sobering him, making him feel all the more that the person before him was untouchable.

"There, it’s done. Just in time for you to try it on."

***

Qin Xiangyi examined the piece in her hands, very satisfied.

She extended her hand and beckoned to He Yanzhou casually, her fingertips fluttering in a way that made him dizzy.

Since stepping into the room, his brain had stopped functioning, becoming sluggish and dull.

He felt overwhelmed. "This... is this made for me?"

Qin Xiangyi nodded. "Yes, Lord He. You have helped me so many times; I am deeply grateful and made a little something for you."

Seeing that he hesitated to approach, Qin Xiangyi tugged him toward her from her chair.

There was a hook on the top of the *jinbu*; it only needed to be hooked onto his belt.

Qin Xiangyi felt nothing improper about these physical movements; everything happened quickly, without any transgression.

But in He Yanzhou’s eyes, that moment seemed to be infinitely prolonged. She had tugged his arm—though it was only for a second—and hooked the jade ornament onto his waist, not even brushing against his body in the slightest.

He Yanzhou opened his mouth, then stepped back half a pace. He felt he had lost his composure in front of her.

What should he do now?

Bow, express gratitude.

He was grateful the light of the night was dim; otherwise, his loss of composure and his reddening earlobes would have been laid bare.

The darkness hid it all. Although he said nothing and his actions were incredibly tense—nothing like his usual self—she seemed completely unaware.

Qin Xiangyi admired the piece she had crafted, now hanging on him, for a long while. She rested her chin on her hand and nodded slightly. "Not bad, very good. Lord He, I hope you like it."

He Yanzhou took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down before answering. "I like it very much. Thank you, Auntie."

Qin Xiangyi then rose from her chair and quickly tidied the clutter on the table. "Then let us go, Lord He. Forgive me for keeping you waiting."

He Yanzhou lowered his head. No, it was he who should be apologizing for arriving late.

Qin Xiangyi walked out of the Artisan's Chamber and turned slightly to look at him, signaling for him to walk beside her. This was how they walked every day.

He Yanzhou tightened his jaw, feigning composure.

Yet, the *jinbu* Qin Xiangyi had gifted him was extremely intricate; even the slightest loss of composure would immediately be revealed. For instance, the beads tangling together, or the chaotic, crisp sound they made.

He Yanzhou steadied his posture, forcing himself to return to his most natural state before lifting his head and walking out.

Wearing the *jinbu* she had given him, Qin Xiangyi could not help but look at him a few more times, and the more she looked, the more satisfied she became.

He Yanzhou felt as though her eyes held the stars, though she rarely met his gaze. When she looked at him, it was more like she was admiring a perfect work of art, and he was merely the perfect hanger for it.

He Yanzhou said to her, "Auntie, today I can finally see you home." There was nothing else—no fires, no rain.

Qin Xiangyi paused. Her thoughts had not yet shifted away from the *jinbu* at his waist. She moved her gaze from his waist to his face and said with a faint smile, "Where would I have a home?"