Chapter 31

Before Xu Duanyi could say anything further,

Xie Changning suddenly stood up. She kept her head lowered, and her voice, already somewhat timid, became even more stammering due to her haste: “S-sister-in-law, I-I’m going back first. I-I’m hungry.”

Just then, Shiyu was already outside holding a lantern, waiting.

Xie Changning hurriedly bowed slightly to Xu Duanyi and repeated, “S-sister-in-law, I-I’m going back first…” Then, clutching the chess manual tightly, she rushed out.

She moved so quickly.

Before Xu Duanyi could even rise to see her off, Changning was already out the door.

All Xu Duanyi could do was call after her, “Shiyu, make sure someone escorts Changning home.”

She had noticed earlier that Fuqu hadn’t accompanied Changning today.

A response from Shiyu came from outside.

Xu Duanyi supported herself on the tea table and followed outside.

By the time she reached the doorway, Changning had already been escorted away by one of the maids holding a lantern from the courtyard.

The lantern under the eaves cast its light on Xu Duanyi, who stood watching Xie Changning’s departing figure, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

“Why did you ask her that just now?”

Bixi, walking beside her, noticed her frowning and couldn’t help but inquire.

Shiyu, also standing nearby, was confused and asked with a puzzled expression, “What did she ask?”

Xu Duanyi didn’t respond immediately.

There were still several maids in the courtyard, all assigned to her by her aunt. With so many eyes around, it wasn’t the time to talk freely.

Once Changning’s figure had completely disappeared from sight, Xu Duanyi retracted her gaze. “Have the meal prepared. I’m hungry.”

She then returned inside without further explanation.

Bixi gave the instructions for the evening meal, while Shiyu followed Xu Duanyi back inside.

Seated once more on her couch, Xu Duanyi asked Shiyu, “Have you noticed anything strange about the people who came with us from the palace in the last couple of days?”

Her aunt had assigned many attendants to her service, including personal maids and external guards.

After giving it some thought, Xu Duanyi concluded that the outsiders wouldn’t pose much of a threat. It was too difficult for them to uncover the truth about Xie Qingya. The most dangerous individuals were likely those closest to her, working as her personal servants.

She trusted Bixi and Shiyu implicitly—not just because they had grown up with her, loyal through and through—but also because her aunt deliberately kept them uninvolved in certain matters. Whenever Cao Da arrived with sensitive information, her aunt always found a way to send Xu Duanyi away.

If someone suspicious existed, they would be close enough to observe her daily life but distant enough not to attract her attention.

“No, nothing unusual.”

Shiyu shook her head. “I’ve been keeping watch. They’ve all been behaving themselves, and I haven’t noticed anything amiss.”

She paused for a moment, hesitating before raising her eyes to look at Xu Duanyi. “But, miss, those people were chosen by the Empress Dowager herself. Do you really think they’d harm you?”

“No.” Xu Duanyi’s response was swift and decisive.

She sat quietly in the warm glow of the candlelight. The soft light illuminated her face like finely polished jade, while her hand unconsciously clenched into a loose fist.

She wasn’t worried about herself.

She feared that they would harm Xie Qingya, or that they might undermine the Nanan Prince’s household.

The glances from Aunt Danfeng today, coupled with her aunt’s recent actions, had left Xu Duanyi deeply unsettled.

She didn’t want there to be a traitor.

But if there was one, she had to deal with them quickly before they caused trouble for Xie Qingya.

Shiyu might be slow-witted in some ways, but growing up in the palace meant she’d witnessed enough intrigue to understand the stakes.

When she saw her mistress’ tightly pressed lips and somber demeanor, she stopped asking questions and instead murmured softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on them. If there’s anything suspicious, I’ll report it immediately.”

Hearing this, Xu Duanyi relaxed a bit. She nodded in approval.

“But, miss…” Shiyu hesitated. “If there really is such a person, what do you intend to do?”

This time, Xu Duanyi was silent for a long time before replying, “Let’s watch for now.”

Shiyu accepted the order.

After a brief pause, her lips moved as if she had more to say, but she hesitated, ultimately choosing to remain silent.

It was obvious what troubled her.

Xu Duanyi could easily guess her thoughts.

If Xie Qingya’s identity was a pretense, his relationship with her aunt would be inherently fraught. When that time came, what would she do?

The day the imperial marriage decree arrived, her heart had been filled with conflict.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, but she didn’t allow herself to be consumed by it for long.

“Grind some ink for me,” she instructed Shiyu. “I need to write to Aunt Dong.”

Shiyu was surprised. “You’re writing to my mother?”

Xu Duanyi nodded.

She remained convinced something was wrong with Changning and planned to investigate. However, both Bixi and Shiyu had their hands full with other responsibilities, and she didn’t trust the newer servants enough to send them on a mission of such importance.

Aunt Deng could send someone reliable.

Someone taught by Aunt Deng would be trustworthy, and there would be no fear of them being influenced by her aunt.

When Bixi returned, she overheard this plan and, understanding her mistress’ reasoning, joined in offering suggestions without further questioning.

“There is a girl named Xiuyu in the household, who was trained by Madam Deng.”

“I’ve met her a few times before. She’s clever and bright, with a clean background. I remember she’s an orphan, originally taken in by Madam Deng.”

“Indeed.”

Shiyu let out a small exclamation and spoke up, “She’s quite good. My mother always compares me to Bixi whenever she talks about her.” As she said this, a bit of discontentment flickered across her face, her lips pouting in annoyance.

The previously subdued atmosphere grew lighter after Shiyu’s words.

Bixi chuckled and began teasing Shiyu, while Xu Duanyi, though silent, had a trace of a smile in her eyes. She spoke warmly, “Then let Madam Deng send Xiuyu over.”

This was a matter better done sooner rather than later.

Since the evening meal had yet to be served, Bixi and Shi Yu went aside to grind ink. After Xu Duanyi finished writing her letter, Shiyu took it and headed out to deliver it to the gatekeeper, instructing them to send it to the Duke of Wu’an’s residence at once. Her intention was to ensure her mother prepared everything without delay to avoid holding up her master’s business.

—-

Elsewhere.

Xie Changning, accompanied by a maid, left Lingfeng Pavilion.

The further she walked, the more her tension and anxiety began to dissipate.

She truly hadn’t expected her sister-in-law to ask such a question.

Could it be that something about her had been exposed? But after frowning and pondering for a long while, Xie Changning couldn’t think of anything that would have given her away. Perhaps it had been just a casual inquiry.

Yet her reaction earlier had been too pronounced. She couldn’t help but worry whether her sister-in-law might grow suspicious.

Xie Changning, sensitive by nature, furrowed her brows even deeper. But soon, she calmed herself down.

Maybe it had been a passing question, and there was no need to overthink it.

After all, those people no longer bullied her as they used to.

With that thought, her mood lightened considerably.

She was still a child, after all. Emotions came quickly and faded just as fast.

Looking down at the chess manual in her hand, the corners of Xie Changning’s lips curled into a soft smile.

Her sister-in-law was truly kind.

She liked her sister-in-law very much!

Initially planning to return to her residence at Huajian Pavilion immediately, she figured her third brother would likely join her for dinner soon.

When he arrived, she intended to deliberately let him see the book.

Surely, he wouldn’t be able to resist reading it!

Pleased with her scheme, Xie Changning quickened her steps until she spotted a familiar persimmon tree.

That marked the location of her second brother’s study.

Her thoughts shifted, and she decided not to return to Huajian Cottage just yet.

“I… I have something to do. You… you may return,” Xie Changning told the maid carrying the lantern.

“This…”

The maid had been instructed to escort her back, so she hesitated.

Xie Changning, gentle and kind to the servants, especially since this was her sister-in-law’s maid, took the time to explain.

“I… I’m going to see my second brother. He… he will send someone to take me back,” she said, pointing to the courtyard ahead. “It’s… it’s just there.”

The maid followed her gesture and glanced forward.

Xie Changning, oblivious to the fleeting flicker in her eyes, spoke innocently, “Tell my sister-in-law… not… not to worry about me.”

“Well, then, I shall return,” the maid finally conceded, lowering her head when Xie Changning looked her way, careful not to betray any expression.

“The road is dark. Please take this lantern,” the maid offered, handing it over.

“Are… are you sure? Won’t it be inconvenient without it?” Xie Changning hesitated, worried about her.

The maid smiled. “It’s no trouble. But if you don’t take it, Her Highness will blame me for not looking after you properly.”

With that reassurance, Xie Changning no longer hesitated.

“All right.”

She took the lantern, holding the chess manual with one arm while lifting the lantern with the other. Her heart lightened, she walked happily toward the study.

The maid remained standing, watching her figure disappear.

Or perhaps… watching her walk toward the study.

Sensing something, Xie Changning glanced back and saw the maid still there.

Startled by the sudden turn, the maid’s gaze collided briefly with Xie Changning’s clear eyes. Flustered, she quickly lowered her head, bowed, and left.

Xie Changning watched her go, feeling that something about her behavior had been strange.

But she didn’t dwell on it.

Soon, she resumed her steps, the matter forgotten.

—–

Xie Qingya was unaware that Xie Changning was heading toward his study.

He was speaking with Mei Xuezhen.

It was the first time they had met since his wedding.

Already anticipating Mei Xuezhen’s visit, Xie Qingya had instructed his steward to prepare wine and dishes.

He was feeling restless and sought to drink.

Dinner hadn’t yet arrived.

Seated opposite Mei Xuezhen, they talked about the day’s events at the palace.

“So Cao Da disciplined a junior eunuch?” Xie Qingya’s brow furrowed at the mention of post-palace gossip.

“Yes.”

Mei Xuezhen did not hide anything: “I heard it was because he offended the Grand Princess Jia Shun.”

“So, what exactly happened when you entered the palace today?” He had come not only to check on Xie Qingya’s current state, worried that encountering Cao Da in the palace might cause bottled-up frustrations, harming him further, but also for another reason.

Today, Xiao Guizi had gathered information. News spread that Cao Da had suddenly dealt with someone who had served him for many years. Both he and the emperor found it peculiar and had people investigate thoroughly, concluding that…

That eunuch, for some unknown reason, had offended the Grand Princess Jia Shun, which led to his being sent to the Department of Penal Affairs.

When Mei Xuezhen left the palace, he heard that the eunuch was barely alive and likely wouldn’t last a few days.

“She…”

Xie Qingya frowned in thought but couldn’t recall anything.

With Xu Duanyi’s good-natured temperament, even after how he had treated her, she had never shown anger.

What could that eunuch have done to upset her?

Offend her?

Impossible.

Not just a eunuch—even Cao Da himself acted respectfully toward Xu Duanyi and wouldn’t dare provoke her easily. That eunuch must have been either exceedingly bold or out of his mind to offend her.

So, what had happened during the brief time they were apart that he didn’t know about?

Xie Qingya pondered deeply, his brows furrowing.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and his mouth moved faster than his brain. He abruptly looked up and asked Mei Xuezhen, “Is the eunuch who was punished the one with a mole on his chin?”

Mei Xuezhen, having investigated beforehand, nodded immediately. “Yes.”

Noting Xie Qingya’s change in expression, Mei Xuezhen asked, “Do you know what happened?”

Xie Qingya remained silent, but his hand on the table clenched involuntarily.

He thought he understood.

But could it really be as he imagined?

Would Xu Duanyi, who never got angry at anyone, truly have had Cao Da punish someone for offending him?

But why?

A trace of confusion swept through Xie Qingya’s heart.

“Qingya?”

Mei Xuezhen, noticing his odd demeanor, called his name again. Just as he was about to ask what was wrong, a voice came from outside.

“Miss, why are you here at this hour?”

Chang Feng’s voice from outside broke the train of thought between the two inside.

Xie Qingya quickly composed himself.

Mei Xuezhen exchanged a glance with him but said nothing, stepping behind the screen.

Xie Qingya tidied the teacup that belonged to Mei Xuezhen, hiding it away.

He had barely finished when Chang Feng announced, “Master, the young lady is here.”

“Let her in,” Xie Qingya said.

Changfeng complied, and the door opened, revealing Xie Changning standing outside.

“Second Brother!”

She greeted him with a beaming smile.

Peering into the room, she hesitated to enter, concerned she might disturb his work. Standing at the door, she asked tentatively, “I… I didn’t interrupt you, did I?”

“No.”

Xie Qingya invited her in.

He intended to pour her a cup of tea, but realizing there wasn’t any suitable fruit tea for a child and that it was late, he settled on warm water.

“Why are you here at this hour? Have you eaten?” he asked, handing her the cup.

Relieved he wasn’t upset by her unexpected visit, Xie Changning’s smile grew wider.

Placing her lantern outside, she sat across from him. As soon as she settled, a sense of unease crept over her, furrowing her brow slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Xie Qingya asked.

Before she could reply, he preempted her realization: “Steward Sun was here earlier.”

This explained why the chair felt warm.

Sure enough, Xie Changning had been puzzled by it.

Hearing his explanation, her doubts vanished, and her grin returned.

“Oh!”

She cheerfully responded before adding, “I… I just visited Sister-in-law.”

Xie Qingya paused mid-sip.

Her words caused a flicker of reaction, though he resumed drinking with a composed expression moments later, showing no apparent concern.

His nonchalant demeanor made Xie Changning’s earlier enthusiasm falter momentarily.

Unwilling to give up, she presented the chess manual she had been clutching tightly.

“What is this?”

Xie Qingya glanced at it but quickly recognized it as the same manual she had gifted Ping’an the day before, now in her possession.

“Why do you have it?”

He looked up, but suspicion already brewed in his mind.

“Third Brother returned it to Sister-in-law,” she explained. “She noticed he liked it, so she asked me to take it back… so Third Brother can read it at my place.”

She stammered through her words.

Then, with a face full of anticipation, she looked at Xie Qingya, not forgetting to add, “Second… second brother, sister-in-law… is really… really great.”

“Could you… in the future… treat her… a little better?”

This was the first time she ever made a request of someone.

It was also the first time since the family incident that she voluntarily asked her second brother for something.

Her heart raced as her nervousness heated her face.

Seeing her second brother remain silent, Xie Changning called out again, unwilling to give up, “Second… second brother.”

She kept her hopeful eyes on Xie Qingya, wishing he would agree to her request.

She didn’t talk much and wasn’t very fond of speaking, but she still did her best to repeat the words her sister-in-law had told her earlier that day.

“…She said all that to you?” After a long moment, Xie Qingya asked her in a hoarse voice.

But even asking that was rather pointless.

If her sister-in-law hadn’t said it, how could Changning have spoken such words herself?

“Yes!”

Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, Xie Changning nodded repeatedly.

Seeing her second brother fall silent again, she grew anxious and called out once more, “Second brother~”

Xie Qingya glanced at her.

“I understand,” he finally said, handing her back the chess manual.

Changning’s eyes lit up with joy. “Second… second brother, are you agreeing?”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

But Xie Qingya neither confirmed nor denied, simply saying, “You should go have dinner. If you wait any longer, your third brother will be searching everywhere for you.”

“Oh!”

Realizing how late it was, she glanced outside. It had grown completely dark. Worried about her third brother, she hurried to her feet.

“Second… second brother, come… come with me,” she offered. “We can eat… together.”

She looked at him with those same hopeful eyes.

But Xie Qingya didn’t agree this time.

Yesterday was different, a special situation. He wasn’t quite ready to face Changning and Ping’an with complete ease.

Besides, today, Mei Xuezhen was also present.

So in the end, he declined. “I have something else to do.”

Changning felt a tinge of disappointment but nodded.

“Then… then, second brother, when you… have time… come find me.”

Xie Qingya agreed, “Alright,” and she smiled brightly.

The night had fallen.

Not trusting her to return alone, he instructed Chang Feng to escort her back.

“No… no need, second brother, I… I can go back… by myself,” Changning protested.

But Xie Qingya was firm, leaving no room for refusal.

Having no choice, she nodded in agreement.

He personally walked her to the door.

Chang Feng had already lit a lantern. Xie Qingya reminded her, “Whenever you go out, always take Fuqu with you.”

“Why?” Changning asked, confused.

He didn’t explain, only saying, “Just listen.”

Changning stopped asking and nodded in agreement.

Today had been an exception; she had gone to find her sister-in-law and didn’t want her third brother worrying if he couldn’t find her, so she had left Fuqu behind.

She rarely went out except for attending the girls’ academy.

“Second brother, I… I’ll go now,” she said.

Xie Qingya nodded.

“Miss, let’s go,” Chang Feng said.

Changning thanked him before following, and only after her figure disappeared did Xie Qingya turn back inside.

Mei Xuezhen had been waiting.

To avoid being seen, Xie Qingya quietly closed the door.

Mei Xuezhen stepped out from behind the screen, his brows furrowed. “Changning seems very fond of the princess.”

“Mm.”

Xie Qingya neither confirmed nor denied.

Understanding his concern, Xie Qingya said, “Even if she is problematic, she won’t hurt Changning or Ping’an.”

Mei Xuezhen raised a brow. “You’re that sure?”

Having only recently arrived in the capital, he didn’t know their past.

Xie Qingya remained silent.

Seeing this, Mei Xuezhen said no more.

The siblings, Changning and Ping’an, were the most important people to Xie Qingya.

He would never put them in danger.

For now, Mei Xuezhen decided to trust his judgment.

Changning was still young, acting from her heart. Forcing her to avoid someone she trusted would only raise suspicion.

With that thought, he let the topic rest.

He returned to his seat, recalling Changning’s earlier words.

“If the princess really is a good person, that would be nice. She seems to care about Changning sincerely.”

But who could know?

Until everything played out, no one could guarantee what lay ahead.

Thinking of this, Mei Xuezhen turned back to their previous conversation. “By the way, you didn’t finish—what did that eunuch do to offend her?”

Xie Qingya was still thinking about what Mei Xuezhen had just said and didn’t respond immediately.

“Qingya?”

Hearing no reply again, Mei Xuezhen furrowed his brow and called out.

When Xie Qingya finally looked up, his gaze questioning what was wrong, Mei Xuezhen, still frowning, asked, “What’s wrong with you? You seem a bit strange today.”

“It’s nothing.”

Xie Qingya averted his gaze once more.

He was fully aware of his unusual behavior today. He had been off since parting ways with Xu Duanyi.

But he didn’t want Mei Xuezhen to overthink or ask more questions.

Before Mei Xuezhen could press further, Xie Qingya spoke again: “…I’m just a bit tired.”

Hearing this, Mei Xuezhe assumed it was because seeing Cao Da had reminded him of Uncle and Jingfeng’s matters. He didn’t dare ask any more questions and quickly let the topic slide.