Chapter 51: You Are Everywhere

Update Time: June 20, 2013

In truth, Lianyue had no idea how to answer the question, and could only fall silent. Fortunately, Yue Shiruo merely sighed, showing no real intention of revisiting old memories.

Yue Lingjun had other matters to discuss with his aunt, and with only the three of them present, it was the perfect opportunity. Shiruo understood his intention, swiftly dismissed the servants from the hall, and even Zizhu, discerning as ever, quietly excused herself.

Only then did Yue Lingjun speak. “Aunt, I have a letter from my father. He instructed me to deliver it to you in person.”

With that, he retrieved a letter from his robes and handed it to her.

Lianyue pouted slightly; she’d suspected as much. When Father had summoned her elder brother to the study the night before their departure, there must have been other matters to discuss. Even she hadn’t known about this letter. Lianyue watched intently as her aunt broke the seal—her expression growing increasingly grim until, by the end, her eyes blazed with fury and her hand clenched the letter so tightly it crumpled. With a cold snort, Shiruo spat, “Truly venomous! Do they think our Yue family is so easily bullied? This time to Nanping, I’m going with you both—I’d like to see who’s bold enough to try their luck!”

The last words were uttered with such force that even Lianyue felt a shiver of fear. She had never imagined her gentle aunt could be so commanding in her anger. Her father had always said her temperament was much like her aunt's, which was why Shiruo doted on her, but until now, Lianyue's impression of her aunt was wholly loving and gentle. The only time she’d heard of her aunt losing her temper was second-hand. Today, she finally witnessed it firsthand. But so it should be for a woman of the Yue family: a kindness repaid a thousandfold, an injury met with swift retribution.

Lianyue suddenly felt much closer to her aunt and grew even more curious about the letter’s contents. Unfortunately, the letter was now so crumpled it was illegible.

“Yue’er, fetch the flame from beneath the candlestick for your aunt,” said Shiruo.

Glancing around, Lianyue quickly found the flame, brought it over, and at her aunt’s signal, lit it. Shiruo held the letter close to the flame, watching as it burned—slowly at first, then faster—and only when the fire nearly touched her hand did she toss it into the teacup before her.

As Lianyue watched the letter burn to ashes, her curiosity deepened. Surely her brother knew what it had said. She looked at her aunt, whose imposing air had now faded, and asked, “Aunt, are you really coming with us?”

“Would I lie to you?” Shiruo replied, resuming her usual gentle tone. “The Empress Dowager’s sixtieth birthday is mid-next month, and as is customary, all officials must attend to offer their congratulations. You can ask your brother—did your father mention this before you left?”

Lianyue now felt genuinely aggrieved. Never mind the letter, but why was so much being kept from her? Her lips pursed high, she fixed Yue Lingjun with a look that clearly said, “What else are you hiding from me?”

Lingjun, caught between amusement and exasperation, hurried to explain, “It’s not a big deal, and I didn’t mean to hide it from you. We’ve been traveling in haste these few days and I just hadn’t had the chance to tell you.”

A birthday for the Empress Dowager was, in his eyes, a triviality barely worth mentioning, and neither woman felt this was at all strange. Were a fourth person present, they might have been astounded.

With that, Lianyue let it go, and the three resumed their casual conversation. Shiruo asked after everything from Grandmother’s health to the gatekeepers—thorough and meticulous. Had Lingjun not been managing the household affairs for several years, he and Lianyue might have been stumped by her questions; as it was, there were still some queries even Lingjun couldn’t answer.

Fortunately, just as the two were breaking into a cold sweat under her scrutiny, a maid who had been sent away knocked gently at the door and announced, “Madam, Master and the Lord of Heluo are on their way here.”

Shiruo frowned slightly. “Why would he come today?” she muttered, but despite her puzzlement, she rose to neaten her attire and called, “Come, let’s go and greet them.”

As the three stepped out of the hall, they saw Qiao Zhi approaching with a middle-aged man in ornate robes. Qin Che stood a half-step behind the man, and a few attendants trailed behind them.

Lianyue could only sigh inwardly at the ever-present Qiao Zhi, wondering why he seemed to be everywhere.

The middle-aged man was, naturally, her uncle Qin Shilei—stern and upright to a fault, his square face unsoftened even as he conversed with the Lord of Heluo.

As for her cousin Qin Che, Lianyue simply ignored him—she found even a glance at him stifling.

When they were about five paces away, Qiao Zhi abandoned his companions and sidled up to Lianyue with a devilish grin. “Little sister Lianyue, did you miss me?”

Lianyue’s lips twitched, and she resolved to ignore him entirely. Undeterred, Qiao Zhi reached out toward her, but before he could touch her, Qin Shilei’s voice cut sharply through the air.

“Your Highness, please watch your words and actions!”

Lianyue saw Qiao Zhi’s barely suppressed irritation and silently praised her uncle’s strength—he could match Yu Wen Lingxi in awe-inspiring authority.

She paused. Why did Lingxi cross her mind now? Oh, right, it was seeing Qiao Zhi. The two used to be inseparable—why hadn’t she seen him lately? She almost laughed at herself; Yu Wen Lingxi should be at the Yu Wen estate, not here. She really was overthinking things.

Shiruo stepped between Lianyue and Qiao Zhi, her gaze wary and her tone full of warning, “Your Highness, don’t set your heart on Lianyue. She is already promised in marriage. If you care nothing for your reputation, at least do not implicate others!”

“Shiruo, mind your manners,” Qin Shilei’s voice sounded again.

Lianyue pouted, genuinely feeling sorry for her aunt, wondering how she’d endured her uncle’s rigid ways all these years.

No wonder Shiruo was so guarded with Qiao Zhi; everyone knew the sixth prince of the Ni Shang Empire was as renowned for his charm and valor as he was notorious for his exploits in the pleasure districts. The Carefree Prince had become famous for his extravagant spending and frequent brawls. Fortunately, he avoided respectable women—though flirtation and accepting willing advances were another matter. Heaven knows how many hearts he’d broken. He was titled Lord of Heluo precisely because he’d entangled himself with the prime minister’s daughter, then refused to marry her.

In exasperation, the Emperor sent him away, placing him under Qin Shilei’s jurisdiction, even issuing a decree that Lord Qin was to supervise Qiao Zhi’s behavior closely and punish any defiance as a crime against the throne.

At first, Qiao Zhi was nonchalant, carrying on as before, but after repeated lectures from the ever-serious Qin Shilei, he began to avoid him by going hunting, enjoying a rare respite. That Qiao Zhi chose to visit today was unprecedented in recent years.

Thus, Shiruo’s suspicion upon hearing his arrival was warranted, and seeing him behave so brazenly with her niece, she could hardly be expected to be cordial. Still, knowing she’d spoken too bluntly, she offered a curtsey. “If I have misspoken, Your Highness, I beg your pardon,” she said, her tone cooling as she continued, “We have family matters to attend to today. Your Highness must have important affairs—please do not let us detain you.”

Qiao Zhi, however, feigned deafness, lips curling in a smile. “If it’s family business, then all the more reason for me to stay. We’re all family here, no need to stand on ceremony. Besides, I have nothing pressing today.”

Behind Shiruo, Lianyue pictured their expressions: Qiao Zhi’s shamelessness was legendary, but her aunt’s protectiveness filled her with warmth.

“Enough, let’s take this inside,” Qin Shilei declared, putting an end to the matter.

Though Shiruo was displeased, she would not undermine her husband’s authority before others. After shooting a warning look at Qiao Zhi, she finally stepped aside.

Qiao Zhi was seated in the place of honor, with the others taking their seats below.

Yue Lingjun briefly explained the reason for their journey south. The hall fell silent for a moment. Qin Shilei offered only some advice for the road and made no comment on the actual mission. Qiao Zhi sat quietly, sipping tea, saying nothing.

Clearly, everyone present was aware of the strangeness of the situation, awaiting Lianyue to unravel the mystery.

After a few casual inquiries, Qin Shilei did not linger, soon leaving to handle official business.

Qiao Zhi, thick-skinned as ever, remained, his gaze on Lianyue making her increasingly uneasy. She glared at him several times, but it had no effect; finally, she gave up and ignored him.

His insolence made Shiruo even more displeased. She repeatedly hinted that he should leave.

“Your Highness, the tea is cold,” Shiruo said.

“Then bring another cup. It’s quite good; I’d like a few more,” Qiao Zhi replied.

“It’s getting late, Your Highness.”

Qiao Zhi glanced at the doorway. “The sun’s still high; it’s early yet.”

“Is Your Highness not tired?”

“Not at all. Do I look tired to you?”

“Well, I’m a little weary,” Shiruo said.

“Then please rest. I’ll chat with Lianyue a bit longer.”

“Lianyue is tired as well.”

“She doesn’t look it.”

Lianyue’s composure was nearly spent. Seeing her aunt’s face darken further, she silently prayed for Qiao Zhi, then yawned and let her eyelids droop with fatigue. “Aunt, I really am tired. I won’t disturb you any longer today.”

Shiruo, of course, agreed, “Rest early, and come again when you’re refreshed.”

Since she was pretending, she’d see it through. Lianyue nodded sleepily, rose, and bid farewell with Yue Lingjun.

“I’m tired too. Let’s go together,” Qiao Zhi chimed in, standing and mimicking Lianyue’s yawn, as though he’d never contradicted himself.

Lianyue thought her aunt must be suffering internal injury by now. She glanced sidelong at her silent cousin, intending to proceed with her plan.

“Cousin, would you mind seeing us off?” Yue Lingjun, as if reading her mind, addressed Qin Che.

“Of course,” Qin Che replied without hesitation.