Chapter 8

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Qin Xiangyi stepped out from the Treasure Department, her gaze fixed directly on He Yanzhou.

There was no denying that standing beneath the green paper umbrella, he appeared as dignified as the morning glow, as majestic as a solitary pine on a cliff.

Qin Xiangyi’s smile was strikingly radiant. Her usually cold and indifferent face was now overlaid with a dazzling brilliance that struck He Yanzhou’s heart with a fierce tremor.

He Yanzhou was smiling too—everyone was smiling.

Hadn’t they noticed? It was raining.

The rain wasn’t heavy, just enough to moisten the long-dry earth.

Under the eaves of the Treasure Department, Qin Xiangyi’s eyes sparkled with surprise and clarity. She first reached out her hand to catch the raindrops—the cool, refreshing sensation as they landed on her palm. Just as she leaned out from under the eaves, the green paper umbrella was tilted over her head.

Qian Song followed closely behind her. He Yanzhou handed her a second umbrella he carried with him.

Qian Song, carrying a box, took the umbrella and thanked him.

Qin Xiangyi stepped under He Yanzhou’s umbrella and said, “Lord He, thank you.”

The gentle patter of rain against the umbrella was like sweet nectar. The drought had made the air exceptionally clear, and as the rain fell, mist rose from the ground, while the coolness infused their senses and refreshed their spirits.

They walked side by side under one umbrella, with Qian Song trailing behind under another. Qian Song noticed the umbrella tilted entirely toward the young lady’s side, He Yanzhou’s left shoulder gradually dampened.

He Yanzhou said, “To hold the umbrella for you, my lady, and walk alongside you for a while—this is my honor.”

Qin Xiangyi turned her head slightly to meet his gaze. He happened to lower his eyes at the same moment, his eyes pure and gentle.

To He Yanzhou, whatever burdens he bore just moments ago in the Hall of Supreme Harmony vanished the instant he arrived at the Treasure Department, felt the raindrops on his skin, and saw her radiant smile.

Quiet and serene as Qin Xiangyi was, even her heart could not help but beat fiercely when He Yanzhou offered her his umbrella, coinciding with the arrival of the long-awaited rain.

Along the palace road, rows of red lanterns blurred into circles of crimson mist through the rain curtain. The sky darkened suddenly. Besides the sound of raindrops hitting the ground, the only other noise was the gentle rustle of their clothes as they walked.

Noticing the umbrella’s steep tilt, Qin Xiangyi leaned slowly toward He Yanzhou. Their robes mingled like flowing clouds, brushing lightly against each other as they walked.

Both were exceedingly proper in manners, yet on this Mid-Autumn Festival evening, their lips curved into smiles, hearts lightened—unaware as they were of the rain splashing on their hems.

He Yanzhou said, “Lady, now that it’s rained, the weather will surely turn colder. I hope you’ll drink some ginger soup when you return, to ward off damp chill and avoid catching cold.”

Qin Xiangyi looked at him intently and replied, “You as well.”

The rain came suddenly, and He Yanzhou’s steps naturally quickened. At the moment the rain began, he must have had many joyful tidings to share, but now, walking beside her, he could only share his full-hearted happiness with her.

Yet, before speaking, he carefully weighed every word to avoid offending her.

“Lady.”

Qin Xiangyi turned her head, waiting for him to speak.

He Yanzhou took a deep breath, his grip on the umbrella handle firm and steady, his bearing as steadfast as a pine or cypress. He said softly, “It’s truly wonderful.”

Though he spoke almost nothing, Qin Xiangyi’s lips curved into a smile once more.

“Yes, truly wonderful.”

Her smile was faint yet exquisite. He caught the brightest moment of her joy—the slight lift at the corner of her eyes, the graceful arch of her brows. His heart thudded violently, momentarily unsure if this rain was the cause of his joy or if it had already reached such heights.

This rain was indeed enough to make anyone cheer and leap with happiness. For two such reserved and proper souls, their barely contained joy, trembling fingertips, and hearts pounding near bursting were as restrained as they could be.

Yet, by chance, under this rain, walking side by side, they shared their happiness with one another.

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In the blink of an eye, they had reached the palace gate. He Yanzhou told her, “It’s raining, and I still have some matters to attend to inside the palace. I’m sorry, Lady, I cannot escort you home.”

Looking into his eyes, hearing him say it was raining and he had duties to fulfill without further explanation, Qin Xiangyi understood completely.

Just as yesterday, when he said there was a fire and he had to return to the Yongning Hall.

Though busy, he had accompanied her on these two journeys out of the palace in full.

Before she boarded the sedan chair, Qin Xiangyi turned back—perhaps still in a somewhat joyful mood—and said, “Lord He, I heard that at three quarters past midnight tonight, the moon will be at its fullest and highest. Don’t forget to look.”

It was quite remarkable—whether it was the fire or the rain, both had occurred just before he saw her and after he decided to seek her out.

No matter fire or rain, he was determined to accompany her through this journey.

He Yanzhou nodded and watched as she entered the sedan.

After she left, he strode swiftly toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony, his robe billowing high. Those familiar with him would know he was no longer concerned with decorum; he was moving at his fastest pace.

Qin Xiangyi sat in the sedan, arriving on the bustling streets of Qingjing City. Everyone’s faces were radiant with smiles. This Mid-Autumn Festival was destined to be peaceful, joyful, and happy.

Thinking so, she found no reason not to smile. Qian Song saw the rare warmth on her face and felt happy.

“Miss, since you married out, there has not been a single good day. I wish to see you smile more.”

The warmth on Qin Xiangyi’s face faded to neutral. “If not one day has brought happiness, why should I smile more?”

Qian Song frowned. “Miss, fetch some osmanthus wine from the tavern. Life will improve; at least it’s better than a year ago.”

Qin Xiangyi’s return from her ex-husband’s household to the General’s Mansion hadn’t been easy. When she first came back to her family home, she faced opposition and misunderstanding. Lady Jiang had tried several times to send her back to the Pei family.

Everyone wore smiling faces. The tavern owner said, “Miss, you’ve come just in time. We have only one pot of osmanthus wine left today. A family drinking wine together while admiring the moon—that’s true beauty.”

That night, the General’s Mansion was indeed filled with family gathered together.

Even Qi Shi refrained from her usual sarcastic remarks, and her mother clasped her hand, urging, “Let’s have a good meal together. Forget the past.”

Qin Xiangyi wore a faint smile as the family shared a modest Mid-Autumn feast.

Three nieces sat in a row, each strikingly beautiful, wearing golden osmanthus-shaped hairpins. Aside from the little nephew who clung to Qi Shi’s lap, the scene was rather pleasant.

Unconsciously, Qin Xiangyi’s eyes glimmered with joy—the family’s younger generation was quite good-looking, each niece more delicate than the last.

It was not a bad thing for girls to be beautiful, but there was one point: the husband must be carefully chosen.

Qin Xiangyi thought He Yanzhou was truly a fine man. Her niece Ling’er should seize the chance.

If not, she might find an opportunity to advise Ling’er.

Then again, perhaps not. Her judgment hadn’t been good before—marrying such a man—and maybe Tang Ming’an was better than He Yanzhou after all. If so, her sister-in-law would blame her again.

Marriage matters for the three nieces were extremely sensitive topics for her. A slight misstep could cause her to be blamed.

Yet, until now, no family had ever criticized any of the three nieces for her sake. Xi’er and Yan’er were still young, and no one claimed she was the reason they couldn’t marry.

In any case, about Ling’er’s marriage, she resolved to neither intervene nor discuss.

At midnight, Qin Xiangyi reclined on a lounge chair in the Spring Clear Courtyard, sipping osmanthus wine while admiring the moon. From afar, she appeared simply as a leisurely, indulgent woman.

Even she did not realize that her mood had slightly lightened—partly due to the long-awaited rain, partly from her acquaintance with He Yanzhou in the palace.

In her private thoughts, she considered He Yanzhou a very reliable man. She sincerely hoped his marriage with Ling’er would succeed, so she could continue bearing the title of his aunt and comfortably enjoy his protection.

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There was no denying that He Yanzhou’s protection eased her heart greatly. At least when walking in the palace with Qian Song, she no longer had to be so fearful and cautious.

At this thought, Qin Xiangyi suddenly sat up from the lounge chair, startling Qian Song.

“Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Qian Song, did Ling’er go out again just now?”

“The young lady has been out for two quarters of an hour. Why do you ask now?”

The night was dark and windy, bathed in moonlight; bamboo shadows flickered—a perfect jade-like dewy Mid-Autumn night.

Qin Yuling was half-lying in Tang Ming’an’s arms. After a tender moment, the young master’s affectionate yet reckless actions stirred her feelings, making her lean even more softly against him.

Nestled by the wall, whispering sweet nothings and holding hands.

“Brother Ming’an, from now on I want to watch the Mid-Autumn moon with you every year.”

Tang Ming’an held her close, replying, “My darling, anything you wish.”

They exchanged vows and promises, reluctant to part, until the moon reached its zenith. Only then did the lovers separate.

Qin Yuling’s face flushed a rosy pink. Those kisses and touches made her feel as if she were floating on air. Not to mention the small gifts the young master always brought, filling her heart completely.

As she walked back, she savored and anticipated Tang Ming’an’s proposal.

“Ahem.”

Qin Yuling shivered and looked up to find Qin Xiangyi standing at the doorway, illuminated by moonlight like a goddess. Especially the mole between her brows, as if ready to pass judgment on the world.

Qin Yuling, aware of her guilty conscience, was startled.

“Aunt, what are you doing here?”

Qin Xiangyi’s voice was cold and solemn: “Waiting for you.”

Qin Yuling’s eyes began to dart nervously. “Aunt, I’m going to rest now. You… you should sleep early too.”

Qin Xiangyi was not inclined to waste words and directly asked, “You and Tang Ming’an haven’t done anything improper, have you?”

Qin Yuling panicked completely, about to protest, but Qin Xiangyi added, “Aside from kissing, that doesn’t count.”

Qin Yuling’s head spun. That doesn’t count—then what does?

It seemed her aunt had no intention of pursuing the matter further.

“A-Aunt, nothing else happened.”

Qin Yuling knew clearly that if anything more had occurred, Tang Ming’an would be even less likely to marry her.

Qin Xiangyi sighed with relief. To her, this meant no harm was done—just mutual affection between man and woman. Quite acceptable.

“You did well.”