Chapter 9

“Uh, ah?”

Qin Yuling couldn’t believe her ears—was her aunt actually praising her?

“You must be quite happy being with him, right?”

Qin Yuling replied, “Yeah, I am. He comes to find me every day, brings money and jewelry, and… his kissing isn’t bad either.”

Qin Xiangyi didn’t give her time to savor the moment nor concern herself with how a young lady might judge kissing skills. She spoke plainly, “But deep down, you know He Yanzhou is your true match.”

The playful expression on Qin Yuling’s face faded as she calmed down, finally understanding her aunt’s true intention.

“Aunt, these matters are none of your concern.”

It was one thing to share a woman’s private thoughts, but to control her? No way.

Having herself endured a failed marriage, Qin Yuling had no intention of heeding her aunt’s advice.

Qin Xiangyi sighed deeply. She had been reluctant to discuss these issues with Yuling precisely because of how delicate they were.

Yet now, driven by personal feelings, she said, “Ling’er, whoever you choose, you must be decisive. This back-and-forth could end in nothing. The He family is about to formally propose. Tell me honestly—who do you lean toward?”

She wouldn’t influence her choice, but she needed to absolve herself from blame later.

Taking a deep breath, despite having just shared a kiss with Tang Ming’an, Qin Yuling kept her reason clear. “Aunt, I’ll follow the family’s arrangement. If the He family proposes first, then I’ll marry He Yanzhou.”

Qin Xiangyi couldn’t quite express what she felt inside but was generally relieved. From her less-than-perfect perspective, He Yanzhou was far superior to Tang Ming’an.

“Good. Since that’s settled, I won’t mention your involvement with Tang Ming’an to anyone. Ling’er, please take care of yourself. Don’t ruin a good hand.”

Between Ling’er and He Yanzhou, she chose to stand by Ling’er, even if keeping this secret meant betraying the sincere young gentleman who guarded her every day.

Qin Yuling looked intently at her aunt. No matter what her mother said, this was still the woman who had been by her side since childhood.

Her aunt had been kind to her back then, buying her candies and making her jeweled hairpins.

“Aunt, please don’t tell anyone about me, alright?”

She studied her aunt’s features carefully. Compared to her childhood, they had softened considerably, but she still trusted that her aunt wouldn’t do anything harmful.

The moon was at its fullest and brightest. Qin Xiangyi said coldly, “I won’t.”

He Yanzhou emerged from his grandfather’s study. Today had already brought tragedy with Tian Siyuan’s death, and now the emperor had sent Zhuo Yuquan to oversee disaster relief. Everyone knew which faction Zhuo Yuquan belonged to; the empty treasury was closely tied to their corruption.

Now, this man was openly diverting national resources for relief efforts. How much would reach the people, and how much would fall into the pockets of the Zhu faction was obvious.

Yet the credit for this relief effort would fall on them, making this mission a double-edged sword.

Still, there was good news: as long as the fields received rain and the land was allowed to rest, the people’s lives would improve.

As he stepped out of his grandfather’s study, he looked up at the moon. The Mid-Autumn moon was cold and perfectly round.

Suddenly remembering something, he called his attendant over. “Huaiyu, what time is it now?”

Huaiyu replied, “Young Master, it is exactly the third quarter of the midnight hour.”

Exactly the third quarter of midnight—the time his aunt had mentioned when the moon was the largest and roundest.

“Has Mother gone to sleep? I heard she’s had insomnia lately.”

Huaiyu answered, “Young Master, I just checked. Madam went to bed early today after drinking a cup of warm wine.”

He Yanzhou nodded. “Good.”

He paced over to a cassia tree and sat down beneath it, neither looking up at the moon nor down in thought. His mind was full of plans: how to protect the people’s interests as best as he could amid an emperor lost to wine and women and the vast corruption of the Zhu faction entrenched in court.

He was the family’s pride, the eldest grandson carefully raised by the Grand Tutor. Gentle and courteous by nature, he was the embodiment of the ideal scholar-gentleman.

He possessed all the virtues: kindness, filial piety, humility, virtue, and a keen, perceptive heart.

“Huaiyu, have Tian Siyuan’s family arrived in the capital?”

“Master, arrangements have been made. They will arrive tomorrow.”

“Put aside tomorrow’s official duties. I want to personally attend to Tian’s family.”

Huaiyu frowned, reluctant to see his master burdened. “Master, this is a difficult time for the family. Would it not be better to wait until after the funeral, when their hearts have calmed, before offering comfort? That would be more appreciated.”

Having just lost their pillar, Tian’s family was overwhelmed by grief. A visit now would only expose them to raw emotion.

He Yanzhou said calmly, “Huaiyu, you are just an attendant. I won’t explain my ways to you, but you must understand—I have my own path.”

Huaiyu lowered his gaze. As a mere servant, he could not comprehend his master’s intentions.

The next morning, Qin Xiangyi arrived at the palace gates with Qian Song in a sedan chair. He Yanzhou was already waiting.

They exchanged a glance, their unspoken understanding clear.

He turned and respectfully bowed to her. “Aunt.”

Qin Xiangyi kneeled in return. “Lord He.”

From a distance, the scene of these two exchanging bows before the palace gates was a picture of exquisite elegance. Even those unfamiliar with court etiquette would recognize it as the epitome of proper ceremonial conduct.

After speaking with Qin Yuling the night before, Qin Xiangyi knew the marriage stood a much better chance of succeeding. Now, uttering “aunt” came naturally.

This young gentleman from the He family escorted her in and out of the palace daily, and she accepted his attentions with a bold face.

Having accepted Ling’er’s trust, Qin Xiangyi was determined to keep Ling’er’s involvement with Master Tang a secret from He Yanzhou.

In his mind, the aunt of a potential bride was hardly worth such elaborate courtesy.

But because it was Qin Xiangyi, he felt compelled to show it.

He had seen her walking alone with Qian Song along this palace path. Her graceful evasions were etched deeply in his memory. Unexplainably, he wished to accompany her every day.

“Aunt, I saw the moon at the third quarter of midnight.”

“Hm?”

Qin Xiangyi was momentarily caught off guard, realizing this was the phrase she had said to him before leaving yesterday. Thinking back, her mood then had been unusually good.

But did she see the moon at that hour last night?

She seemed to be talking to Ling’er at the time.

About what? Oh, about her matters with Master Tang.

Under the sincere and eager gaze of the young He gentleman, Qin Xiangyi’s cheeks flushed faintly. There was no other reason—she truly felt shy before him.

Her eyes met He Yanzhou’s again as he told her he had seen the moon at that hour, almost as if seeking her approval.

He lowered his gaze to watch the faint blush on her cheeks and earlobes. His pale, serene face suddenly became vivid.

She still wore a hairpin in her hair—a silver-edged pin set with translucent green jadeite. Though not particularly exquisite or expensive, the jadeite’s clarity and rare green hue made it stand out subtly.

Her earlobes were adorned with matching teardrop-shaped jadeite earrings, delicate and perfectly sized.

He noticed she had changed into another palace gown from the Chamber of Treasures. Though each gown was identical, he could discern the color of the underskirt tightly tracing her neck.

Not a single thread was loose nor a speck of dirt sullied her garments, not even at the hems.

Her entire ensemble was effortlessly elegant—unassuming yet unforgettable.

As he spoke to her, his head bowed ever lower. He felt he should honor her more, pay her even greater respect.

Qin Xiangyi glanced casually at him. His manners were impeccable, but today he wore an extra jade ornament at his waist, with colorful beads forming tassels that rested against his robe’s hem—the “Forbidden Step.”

This accessory was designed so that its movement made no loud or chaotic noise, controlling the rhythm of one’s steps. For someone like He Yanzhou, whose etiquette was flawless, it was less a restraint and more a display of refined poise.

Qin Xiangyi gave it little thought. A gentleman of noble birth naturally favored wearing the Forbidden Step.

But each wearer revealed their own flaws through it. In He Yanzhou’s case, his grace was truly rare.

Unable to help herself, Qin Xiangyi looked him over twice more. His every step was a delight to behold.

Seeing her notice the jade at his waist, He Yanzhou strode with even greater confidence, showcasing his flawless gait. The tassels swayed gracefully with measured ease.

A faint smile curved Qin Xiangyi’s lips as she lowered her gaze.

He was indeed an exceptional gentleman, enough to stir the heart of a divorced woman like herself.

As for Ling’er… never mind. For now, it was enough that he was willing to protect her.

At the Chamber of Treasures, they exchanged brief farewells. He Yanzhou had more affairs to attend and would return by late morning.

“Aunt, if I’m not back when your duties end, please wait a while. The Duke of Ruiguo was summoned into the palace early by the Empress Dowager. Don’t wander alone if you have no business.”

Grateful for his care and assistance, Qin Xiangyi bowed again deeply. Yet He Yanzhou declined her courtesy and stepped back several paces. She didn’t know how to thank him properly.

All she could say was, “Lord He, you truly are a good man.” She looked at him intently, her eyes full of emotion.

She must watch over Ling’er carefully. She must prevent her from ever doing anything to disappoint He Yanzhou again.