Chapter 11

It’s her?

Xie Qingya was hidden behind the curtain.

When he saw the figure walking in, his eyes flickered slightly.

He couldn’t tell if it was within his expectations or a surprise.

Through a sliver of light, Xie Qingya silently watched as Xu Duanyi drew closer and closer.

Xu Duanyi did not know Xie Qingya was also there.

She had asked the monks in the temple and learned that Xie Qingya had never visited before.

Xu Duanyi simply assumed that Xie Qingya was unwilling to face the loss of his loved ones. Naturally, she did not expect, nor had she ever considered, that he would be there now.

As usual, she placed the Sutra for the Deceased on the Buddha altar. Then, taking three incense sticks from a side box, she lit them and offered them in reverence.

The altar was impeccably clean.

The flowers, fruits, and cakes were all fresh.

Xu Duanyi did not find it strange; she only thought the temple monks were diligent.

Kneeling on the prayer cushion, she closed her eyes and silently offered her prayers. Yet, she did not speak a word aloud.

What was there to say?

That she was about to marry Xie Qingya?

But this marriage had too many hidden strings behind it. What the future held was uncertain. All she could promise was to do her best to protect Xie Qingya and his family.

How long did Xu Duanyi kneel?

For as long as Xie Qingya watched her from behind.

The day they met on the long street, most of her face had been hidden beneath her hood.

Now, he could see her clearly—unobscured and unmistakably her.

Compared to their encounter during the Mid-Autumn Festival, her features, without the veil of night and lantern lights, were more distinct now.

The timid and reserved girl of the past had grown into a composed and graceful young woman.

She no longer seemed to need anyone’s protection and appeared to be living well.

Xie Qingya’s deep eyes remained hidden in the shadows, and his hand, clenched behind his back, tightened once again.

His gaze remained fixed on Xu Duanyi, lips pressed into a thin line, the light in his eyes almost merging into the surrounding darkness.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps outside broke the stillness, startling both of them.

Hearing the approaching steps, Xu Duanyi opened her eyes and turned her head.

The monk who had guided her earlier appeared at the doorway, his expression hurried.

Perplexed, she asked, “Master, what is it?”

The guide monk glanced into the hall.

Seeing no one else inside, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He had just learned that the distinguished guest had left the abbot’s room and, fearing they would run into each other, rushed over in a panic.

Fortunately, they hadn’t.

“The vegetarian meal is nearly ready,” the monk said, regaining his composure. “The weather is cold, and the food will cool quickly. Princess, it might be best to return now.”

Xu Duanyi, perceptive as ever, noticed his subtle change in demeanor.

A thought flickered in her mind.

“Princess?”

Hearing his call again, she collected herself and nodded.

“Thank you, Master. I’ll head back now.” She took the hand warmer placed on the ground and left.

Once outside, she dismissed the monk’s offer to accompany her and walked alone toward the meditation hall.

The guide monk lowered his head as she walked away.

Just as he was about to shut the door, he saw a tall figure emerge from behind the curtain.

Startled, he glanced around to ensure no one else was present before hurriedly stepping inside, bowing low.

“My lord,” he whispered.

Xie Qingya responded with a soft “Mm.”

Without sparing the monk a glance, he moved to the altar and picked up the Sutra for the Deceased.

The handwriting was familiar.

Xie Qingya recalled similar sutras from years past.

Back then, he had assumed they were placed there by the temple monks.

But now…

“She offered these in the past as well?”

The monk dared not hide the truth and quickly replied, “Yes. Every year, when the princess comes to pay respects to the Marchioness, she also offers prayers for you and the others.”

Xie Qingya’s brows furrowed.

His voice was calm but inscrutable as he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“She—she asked us not to.” The monk hesitated. “Since the princess only ever came to pray and did nothing else, I thought…” His voice trailed off, growing quieter.

“Enough.”

Xie Qingya shifted his gaze.

The monk exhaled a breath of relief, only to see his master’s eyes fixed intently on the sutras. Misinterpreting his silence as displeasure, the monk asked cautiously, “Shall I take these away?”

He waited for a long time before hearing the reply.

“No need. Leave them.”

Xie Qingya placed the sutras back on the altar.

—–

In the meditation hall, Shiyu and Xu Duanyi ate together.

Shiyu was enjoying her meal and quickly finished a full bowl of rice. Just as she reached for a second serving, she noticed her mistress sitting still, barely touching her food.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Shiyu asked. “Is the food not to your liking?”

Xu Duanyi, hearing her voice, returned to the present.

“No.”

She lowered her gaze and picked up her chopsticks.

“Shiyu…”

“Hmm?”

Shiyu paused, bowl in hand, waiting expectantly.

Xu Duanyi hesitated, but after a moment, she merely said, “Let’s leave after we finish.”

“Of course!”

Shyu agreed without a second thought.

After finishing their meal, Xu Duanyi led Shiyu away from the temple.

Before boarding the carriage, she glanced back one last time, but only for a fleeting moment.

Without a word, she stepped into the carriage, and they departed.

At this moment…

In another meditation room, Chang Feng entered with the latest news. Bowing respectfully to the person standing by the window, he reported, “Master, the Princess has left the mountain.”

Xie Qingya had already seen her earlier.

She passed through clusters of plum trees with her personal maid, unaware that he was watching her from just a few feet away.

“I understand.”

—-

After descending from Huang’en Temple, Xu Duanyi stayed at home for a few more days.

Winter Aunt, feeling sorry for her, made delicious meals daily to lift her spirits.

However, Xu Duanyi remained worried about her aunt’s health. So, after only three days, she prepared to return to the palace.

Just before leaving, Baozhu came to visit, inviting her out for a stroll.

Baozhu’s engagement to Liu Xun had already been arranged, though the news wasn’t announced. The date was set for April next year, about half a month after Xu Duanyi’s marriage to Xie Qingya.

It is said that joy brings a radiant spirit, and Baozhu, having her wishes fulfilled, was now brimming with happiness.

Xu Duanyi, thinking about her aunt’s fondness for Chen’s purple perilla candied treats—perfect for stimulating her appetite during winter—agreed to go out and buy some for her.

The two sisters rode a carriage to Xianyi Fang in the bustling eastern district of the city.

Xianyi Fang was the busiest market area, filled with countless shops.

Xu Duanyi wasn’t particularly fond of shopping, so after visiting a few clothing and cosmetics shops with Baozhu, she went to Chen’s shop to sit and wait for her.

“Go check if Baozhu is ready,” she said. “If she is, let her know we’ll return to the palace soon.”

The shopkeeper had already packed the candied treats, and Xu Duanyi, after sipping half a cup of tea, estimated enough time had passed and decided to tell Baozhu before leaving.

“Yes, Miss!”

Shiyu, eager to avoid more time around the cousin, happily went to fetch her.

Xu Duanyi continued waiting.

After a while, only Shiyu returned.

“Where’s Baozhu?” Xu Duanyi asked.

Shiyu’s face was filled with excitement. “She’s outside arguing with someone!”

“What?” Xu Duanyi frowned.

“How could she be quarreling? With whom?” She rose to leave, surprised that anyone would dare confront Baozhu in the heart of the capital.

Shiyu picked up their packages and added with a smirk, “It’s the Prince of Southern An!” She didn’t care much for Baozhu but disliked the charmingly notorious prince even more.

Despite being engaged, he still behaved scandalously. Truly despicable!

Their mistress was kind and forbade them from speaking ill of him, so if Baozhu stood up for her, it was a welcome change.

Shiyu secretly wished the engagement would be broken.

But she didn’t notice how Xu Duanyi paused when she heard “Prince of Southern An”—then quickened her steps.

“Wait for me, Miss!” Shiyu called.

By the time she noticed, Xu Duanyi had already stepped outside.

Baozhu was indeed arguing with Xie Qingya, or rather, she was berating him one-sidedly.

It had been a coincidence.

After finishing her shopping and deciding to surprise Xu Duanyi with a set of hairpins as an apology gift, Baozhu had unexpectedly encountered Xie Qingya.

Though her elder brother had forgiven her, his affection wasn’t the same as before. She knew he blamed her for Xu Duanyi’s plight. Hoping to free her cousin from this marriage, she confronted Xie Qingya, demanding he break off the engagement.

This wasn’t her first attempt.

But Xie Qingya, ever the rogue, refused.

“You think you’re worthy? My cousin is far beyond your reach! Break the engagement, or…” she threatened, voice sharp with disdain, “it’ll be worse than just being banned from pleasure houses!”

Xie Qingya finally seemed to realize something.

“So that’s why no one drinks with me anymore—because of you!”

“Baozhu, aren’t you meddling too much?” His tone was annoyed. “It’s none of your business if I visit courtesans!”

Baozhu, never having been spoken to so rudely, was momentarily stunned. She pointed at him, stammering, “You—you uncouth scoundrel!”

Instead of getting angry, Xie Qingya laughed.

He looked her up and down, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“If you really want me to break the engagement, fine.”

The surrounding crowd murmured with interest.

He stood with his back to Chen’s shop, unaware that Xu Duanyi had nearly reached them—and that his next words would cause her to stop abruptly.

“Since I’m already betrothed,” he drawled, “and you don’t want your cousin to marry me, why don’t you take her place? I’m not picky.”

Baozhu’s temper flared. “Xie Qingya, you bastard! I’ll kill you!”

She grabbed the sword from her attendant’s waist and attempted to slash at Xie Qingya.

Xie Qingya, unimpressed by her clumsy skills, was just about to dust off his sleeves and walk away.

The command from the eldest son of the Xiao family forbade him from entering any pleasure house, conveniently sparing him from keeping up appearances. He figured he could return home early for a rest.

But unexpectedly, a familiar female voice suddenly came from behind—

“Baozhu, stop!”

The gentle tone startled him.

The smile that had been on Xie Qingya’s face instantly froze, and even the motion of dusting his clothes came to an abrupt halt.

He heard footsteps approaching from behind, drawing nearer with each second.

He watched as Xiao Baozhu abruptly dropped the long sword and ran toward the person behind her. “Cousin, look at him!”

Xie Qingya stood stiffly, too afraid to turn around. Even the expression on his face grew unnaturally rigid in that moment.