Chapter 13

Emperor Jingli feigned deep thought for a moment before saying, “He Qing, I understand what you’ve said. I agree with you.”

When Wang Tingyang first entered officialdom, he was assigned as a county magistrate in a remote county of Xichuan Prefecture. The reason He Yanzhou sought to have him transferred back to the capital was entirely due to the article he wrote last year titled "On the Relationship Between Landlords and Grain Production." This piece profoundly analyzed the root causes of exploitation suffered by the peasantry and proposed concrete measures to maximize grain output and ensure all the people had enough to eat.

He Yanzhou wanted to accomplish something meaningful for the people, but there was simply no support to be gained from the court or the emperor. Hence, he could only do his utmost to elevate those who were genuinely useful to the common folk.

Despite the situation, the tripartite power struggle led by Emperor Jingli remained unchanged. Each of the three harbored their own intentions, and Zhu Yuqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, secretly pleased, knowing that He Yanzhou still dared not act against him.

He Yanzhou maintained his integrity and righteousness throughout. He never stooped to contend with Zhu Yuqing; instead, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the people from his position.

Today, when Prime Minister Qin Xiangyi saw He Yanzhou off duty, he appeared as a young man clad in a faintly glowing crimson robe, spirited and radiant enough to rival the blazing sun. His eyebrows and eyes were bright and clear, guarding his purity and kindness amidst the opulent and intricate imperial palace. Qin Xiangyi thought he truly deserved the phrase “a lone brilliance unmatched.”

He looked at her gently, waiting for her to come by his side to walk together. That expression was something she felt she would never forget in her lifetime.

Qin Xiangyi lowered her gaze, a tingling, somewhat uneasy feeling rising in her heart. She raised her hand again, lightly placing it over her chest.

She began to feel a bit envious of Ling’er.

“Lord He seems to be in very good spirits today.”

Without looking at him, she crossed her hands over her abdomen and walked while staring at the ground.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of He Yanzhou’s lips. When he lowered his eyes to look at her, his expression was cautious and shy, yet almost pleading for approval.

“Auntie, I did a good deed today. Though the results are not yet visible, I dare not claim credit. Still, I hope things will truly improve.”

His tone fluctuated—from initial excitement to uncertainty midway, and finally to hopeful anticipation.

Qin Xiangyi breathed softly, unable to find the words to describe He Yanzhou’s goodness. Often, she envied the skilled craftsmen of the world. Her heart almost leapt out for him.

She could only say nothing and do nothing. She had to exert all her strength to maintain inner calm. She could not afford to lose composure.

“He Yanzhou.”

He stopped speaking and looked at her in surprise. Her head reached just above his shoulder—she was quite tall among women.

This was the first time she had called him by name, and suddenly He Yanzhou found himself at a loss for words. Her voice was soft and melodious, and it unsettled him.

“Auntie, what’s wrong? Have I said too much? I’m sorry. I should only speak after success.”

He felt he had been prematurely excited over something not yet accomplished.

But upon seeing her, he couldn’t wait to speak. If she could praise him even once, he would be deeply satisfied.

Qin Xiangyi pursed her lips and said, “No, you’re very good. You truly did well. I like hearing you speak like this and I’m sincerely happy for you, but...”

“But what?” He asked anxiously and nervously.

Qin Xiangyi said, “As a woman, I too feel immense sorrow for those suffering peasants, yet I can do nothing. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

She looked straight into his eyes as she spoke, her words utterly sincere.

She could neither withhold her affirmation nor dampen his spirits.

Though her heart pounded like thunder, she felt she should no longer keep company with him.

She was truly no good person; she seemed to have done nothing to deserve He Yanzhou.

But rather than coldly sever their companionship within the palace, extinguishing his passionate heart, she chose to remain his aunt, enduring his flattery and devotion.

Though her conscience troubled her, especially after she had once genuinely been moved.

She was no teenage girl; she clearly understood why her heart had suddenly drummed so loud. She could not deceive herself and felt ashamed for being twenty-six years old.

He Yanzhou took a deep breath, and seeing the smile bloom on his face, she quietly inhaled as well. In that instant, it was like precious jade shattering—radiant as dawn.

Qin Xiangyi reined in her brows, transforming back into a solemn, aloof Guanyin-like figure. When expressionless, no matter how respectful He Yanzhou was, it was never too much.

Yet he never felt she was ignoring him; he only thought she was naturally such a person—one standing beyond heaven and earth, untouched by a speck of dust.

Later, they retraced their route back to the General’s Residence. Qin Xiangyi stopped some distance from the entrance.

Still seated in her sedan chair, she said, “Lord He, please go ahead.”

He rode his horse up to her window, insisting on waiting for her to lift the curtain and say a word, at least to catch a glimpse of her.

Qin Xiangyi reached out and parted the curtain just enough to reveal half her face. She raised her eyes to meet his.

He nodded to her before leaving.

He spoke little today, agreeing to whatever she wished.

Qin Xiangyi watched his departing figure, her emotions tangled.

Qiansong reached out to help her down from the sedan.

“Miss.”

He hesitated, unable to speak his thoughts.

The young lady must maintain dignity and handle Lord He with propriety.

But Qiansong thought, “Miss, Lord He might lose control for you. Is it possible to choose another path?”

Back at the General’s Residence, Qin Xiangyi sensed something amiss; the atmosphere was unpleasant.

Sure enough, she saw someone she least wished to encounter in the Spring Fragrance Hall.

All her family surrounded him, warmly smiling at him.

“Pei Qingji, what are you doing at my home?”

The man in grey cloth sitting next to the matriarch slowly turned his head and stood up; he was slender and had grown even thinner since their separation.

“Xiangyi, you’re back.”

Old Madam Jiang pulled Qin Xiangyi close, scolding, “You child, Qingji came here with good intentions. Why speak like that?”

Qin Xiangyi’s gaze fixed on Pei Qingji, all her energy focused on controlling her trembling fingers. Her carefully maintained image of untainted nobility was on the verge of collapse. Just then, Mistress Qi grasped her hand, pressing her down beside Pei Qingji’s seat.

Old Madam Jiang said, “Qingji came to wish me a happy birthday. Honestly, it’s your sister-in-law’s fault for not sending an invitation to the Pei family.”

Mistress Qi smiled apologetically, “My fault, my fault. Isn’t my brother-in-law truly filial? He’s been thinking of you all along. Though he didn’t receive an invitation, he came early to wish you well.”

Pei Qingji wore a faint smile and gazed gently at Qin Xiangyi, like a devoted gentleman.

Qin Xiangyi’s heart plummeted into an ice cellar. She could only focus all her strength on freezing herself, staying silent and motionless—ignorant and unaware was best.

Old Madam Jiang looked at Pei Qingji with increasing satisfaction and regret.

“You’re a good boy. It’s my fault for not raising my daughter well. Xiangyi is just too headstrong.”

In ordinary families, no one would demand a separation over a single disagreement.

In this, Old Madam Jiang remained somewhat dissatisfied with her daughter.

Pei Qingji spoke gently, “I was also at fault before. Old Madam need not say such things. If, if Xiangyi is willing to forgive me...”

“Forgive? Of course she will!” Without waiting for him to finish, Old Madam Jiang cut in.

If she could, she would arrange the wedding immediately and have Qin Xiangyi married back to him.

At this moment, Pei Qingji met Qin Xiangyi’s eyes—his tender gaze met her icy one, a warning from her.

Pei Qingji seemed fearless in the face of her warning. In this game, she never had a choice.

But she had a stubborn resolve to shatter like jade rather than settle for anything less.

Pei Qingji said, “Old Madam, if Xiangyi won’t forgive me, then forget it. I came today to wish you a happy birthday. I won’t come to your formal birthday celebration.”

Old Madam Jiang reached out as if to grab him, “No, no, you must come. You’re family.”

Pei Qingji declined decisively. After his departure, Old Madam Jiang vented all her grievances on Qin Xiangyi.

“Look at you. Since he came, it means he still cares. Why stay so stiff? He’s willing to apologize. Go along with him and be the Lady of the Imperial Merchant House again, isn’t that better?”

Mistress Qi joined in, lecturing, “If you don’t go back with him, do you plan to remain an old maid at home forever? You think you’re a noble daughter of the General’s Residence, but besides him, who else would want you?”

It seemed that within Qin Xiangyi’s realm of choice, Pei Qingji was the very best.

Especially when they said, “With your current sullied reputation, only Master Pei would not disdain you.”

A husband should always be the original spouse; a woman cannot serve two masters.

Now, Qin’s family was eager to reunite Qin Xiangyi and Pei Qingji, especially after Pei Qingji’s visit to the Qin residence, which leaked subtle hints.

Qin Xiangyi remained silent, seemingly shutting out all outside noise. Her mother and sister-in-law’s words buzzed in her ears. She feared that if she stayed any longer, she would lose even a shred of dignity.

She rose from her seat and walked straight out.

Old Madam Jiang and Mistress Qi watched her go, fuming.

“Mother-in-law, see how she is? We’re only doing this for her own good, and she’s ungrateful. Did I say anything wrong?”

Old Madam Jiang shook her head. Mistress Qi’s words were harsh but true. Though reluctant to speak so harshly of her daughter, Old Madam Jiang’s goal was to have Qin Xiangyi marry back soon. Harsh words were acceptable if effective. Once Xiangyi regained her rightful status as Lady of the Imperial Merchant House, no one would dare speak so to her.

Qin Xiangyi walked from the back hall to the front courtyard of the General’s Residence. Just then, in an empty corridor, Pei Qingji blocked her path.