Chapter 17
Qin Xiangyi always had a flood of words she wanted to say, but now she found herself utterly speechless.
She thought she had already done her utmost for Qin Yuling.
In this world, there were so few things she truly cared about anymore. Since He Yanzhou did not want her interference, then she would simply stay out of it.
After the banquet dispersed, Qin Xiangyi watched Qin Yuling approaching her, biting her lip tightly without uttering a single word.
She had no idea what He Yanzhou’s plans were. At this point, no matter how the two families handled things, dignity would be lost.
Yet Qin Xiangyi was self-aware enough to know that even if she were not a member of the Qin family, He Yanzhou would still ensure the Qin family retained some semblance of honor in dealing with this matter.
In the end, there was nothing for her to worry about.
He Yanzhou was an exceptionally prudent man. Besides, Qin Yuling was not even formally betrothed to him; the two shared almost no feelings at all.
As for notions like a man’s dignity, Qin Xiangyi knew well that He Yanzhou cared nothing for such things.
Then, one day while on duty at the palace, she encountered He Yanzhou again, waiting for her at the palace gate.
The emotions swelling in Qin Xiangyi’s heart defied description; invisible fireworks exploded within her chest, yet her face remained expressionless, cold to the extreme.
“Lord He.”
He Yanzhou observed her approach with measured steps and bowed. He returned her bow with formal courtesy, moving his lips but not addressing her by name today.
Finally, he lowered his head and said simply, “Let’s go.”
For He Yanzhou, this was a rare breach of etiquette.
He did not address her as “aunt,” nor did he call her “Lady Qin” as he usually did.
Qin Xiangyi did not hold these matters against him, but she had made up her mind to treat him with a bit more sincerity.
She took a deep breath. The air after September had grown even colder; the chill invigorated her lungs, sharpening her composure.
Yet she had to admit, seeing him again today at the palace gate brought her great joy.
“Lord He, I truly appreciate you waiting here for me today. To be honest, having you accompany me recently has given me much peace of mind as I move through the palace.”
Whether or not she hoped he would continue being her support in the palace, at least to He Yanzhou she would speak honestly.
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared at the corner of He Yanzhou’s lips. At his waist hung the jade ornament she had crafted by hand—the “Forbidden Step.” He had once held it in his palm, studying the lifelike carving of the Three Friends of Winter. He marveled how such delicate, slender wrists could produce something so exquisitely detailed.
“Then from now on, I shall wait for you every day, escorting you in and out of the palace. Let’s consider it an agreement between us—our friendship is worth that, isn’t it?”
His tone rose, clearly pleased by her affirmation.
Qin Xiangyi nodded. “Yes.”
No longer discussing titles of aunt or not, and setting aside Qin Yuling, she acknowledged that their friendship was pure and untainted.
Qin Xiangyi felt that the faint, unusual feelings she occasionally harbored for him were her own personal matter.
She was skilled at concealing all emotions, so she believed she could maintain this relationship with him just as he wished.
Seeing his smiling face, she felt at ease.
She would simply treat him as a well-behaved junior family member—whatever he wished, she would comply.
“Thank you, Lord He. I was really afraid you wouldn’t want to escort me anymore.”
He Yanzhou was momentarily taken aback, and from that moment on, the smile lingering on his lips never faded.
“Just call me Yanzhou. Don’t call me Lord He anymore.”
Qin Xiangyi did not want to refuse, so she nodded slightly and called him, “Yanzhou.”
When she spoke his name, she looked directly at him, her eyes calm and serene, presenting the purest expression she could muster.
He Yanzhou met her gaze for just a moment before lowering his head. “Then how should I address you?”
Qin Xiangyi replied, “If we no longer have the bond through Yuling, does that mean I am no longer your aunt?”
He Yanzhou felt that her gaze always regarded him as an elder would a junior. Those eyes were so kind that if he looked at her for even another moment, he would feel increasingly foolish, unsure why he felt so guilty.
“Aunt,” he said. “If it’s to be, then you shall always be Aunt.”
He respected her as his aunt, and it had nothing to do with Qin Yuling.
He Yanzhou produced a small bottle of medicine from his sleeve. “Aunt, may I see the wound on your palm again?”
This time, he did not seize her wrist directly but took on the demeanor of a polite gentleman.
Standing at a careful distance, he respectfully asked permission to examine her palm.
Qin Xiangyi could not refuse him, though she had yet to decide how to explain herself. Fortunately, He Yanzhou did not press further.
He simply twisted open the bottle and sprinkled some medicinal powder onto her palm.
He never touched her even slightly throughout.
Qin Xiangyi placed both hands outstretched before him; now she looked more like a child.
Her palms were snow-white, her fingers slender and long, her fingertips like scallions, tinged with a faint blush.
He Yanzhou suddenly felt the jade ornament at his waist grow heavy and his thigh tingle with a delicate, ticklish sensation.
Every bead and every carved detail was painstakingly crafted by this pair of hands.
Carefully finishing the application of the powder, he looked up and asked, “Aunt, does it hurt?”
Qin Xiangyi withdrew her hands and focused all her attention on her palm. The area sprinkled with powder tingled slightly and felt cool.
If he had not asked, she would not have felt any pain at all.
But since he did, she nodded softly and said gently, “It seems to hurt a little, Yanzhou.”
Her hands folded at her abdomen in the posture appropriate to a palace maid, but now, because of the powder, her palms curled faintly, resembling a small squirrel searching for food.
Yet her posture remained upright and dignified, which He Yanzhou found quite charming.
While he treated her with utmost respect, fearful of offending her, he suddenly saw her as an incredibly approachable woman.
Just one sentence from her unsettled him, prompting a new suggestion.
“Aunt, why don’t I take you to the Imperial Hospital now? It’s my fault for being clumsy.”
Though he did not seem anxious, He Yanzhou had many ways of taking care of someone thoroughly and respectfully.
Applying powder was not enough; now he wanted to bring her to the hospital. Qin Xiangyi pondered how the He family must have raised him—whenever he wished, he could take care of someone impeccably.
Moreover, he possessed a heart more delicate than any girl’s.
If he truly had a beloved wife, she was sure that wife could never complain about him.
Qin Xiangyi shook her head. “No need. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
A thousand words condensed into that one sentence. If she explained more, he would surely escalate the matter.
He only took these measures because she said it hurt. Since it no longer did, there was nothing more to do.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Department of Imperial Treasures. Since accompanying He Yanzhou, Qin Xiangyi had never found the journey so easy. She felt deeply grateful to him.
Only the secret thoughts that occasionally surfaced in her heart made her feel ashamed.
Unbeknownst to her, as He Yanzhou turned away from the Department, he paused in his steps for the first time, pondering some unspeakably absurd thoughts.
Qin Xiangyi entered the Department of Imperial Treasures. There was no urgent matter. She had only one particularly tedious task assigned by Xiao Sizhen.
Just as she was about to pick up the chisel, she noticed the medicinal powder on her palm had not yet fully absorbed and reluctantly put down the tool.
In the past, such a minor injury would not have bothered her, and she certainly would not have bothered applying any powder.
But recalling He Yanzhou’s careful, gentle application of the medicine, she sighed repeatedly in her heart. She did not want to disappoint his kindness; she also wanted to cherish herself.
Qin Xiangyi simply kept her hands open, leaning against the windowsill, quietly waiting.
Xiao Sizhen did not rush her but rarely saw her so at ease.
“Oh, your hand is injured. You should rest then.”
Xiao Sizhen sat beside her. Not long ago, unexpectedly, he had seen He Yanzhou escorting Qin Xiangyi through the window.
“Xiangyi, if I were you, I’d just take him away from your niece. The engagement hasn’t been finalized, anyway.”
Xiao Sizhen believed that women like them, struggling to survive in this world, should be a little selfish, think more of themselves, and grasp any lifeline they could find without letting go.
Qin Xiangyi was already someone the world would not tolerate. Why bother worrying so much?
“They are already over,” Qin Xiangyi said coldly, staring out the window. Autumn was sticky and drizzling; her words came casually, like a breeze passing Xiao Sizhen’s ear, and it took her a moment to react.
“Wait, you say they’re already over? Then what’s left to discuss?”
If Qin Xiangyi could truly win over He Yanzhou, all current difficulties would dissolve.
Most importantly, in Xiao Sizhen’s eyes, winning He Yanzhou would be nearly effortless.
Qin Xiangyi did not rush to refute. Instead, she calmly considered.
“Even if he were willing, what about his family? He Yanzhou’s marriage is a matter for the entire clan to decide—it is not his alone to command.”
In Xiao Sizhen’s mind, the logic was completely different.
“Xiangyi, a woman’s happiness is important too, even if it doesn’t work out in the end. Playing with him, watching him break and suffer for you—that’s one of life’s great pleasures.”
Qin Xiangyi replied, “Xiao Sizhen, if that’s how you see it, then you must know that he and I are doomed not to be. Our union is forbidden by the world. Even if it were to happen, it could only ever be something hidden away in the shadows. I am not willing to take it that far.”