The spring night was cold with dew, the brocade curtains luxurious.
Qin Xianyue was pressed against the cool window lattice, the man behind her kissing her with a heat that traced down her bare back like a wildfire.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her back.
Her warm breath misted the window paper into a hazy blur.
Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink; the spring gauze curtains were warm, and the moonlit night was at its peak.
Her vision blurred as she looked out at the long street, where a ten-mile procession of red dowry stretched like a rosy cloud.
A handsome and refined noble young master, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, was slowly entering with his new bride amidst the roaring crowd and the cheers of thousands.
Upon clearly seeing that familiar face, Qin Xianyue's entire body stiffened abruptly—the groom was none other than her fiancé, Gu Yanchi!
Who was the person behind her?
She suddenly turned her head, trying to catch that face in the flickering candlelight.
Shadows danced, and faces were indistinct.
No matter how she stared, she couldn't discern a clear outline.
"Ah—"
After a short gasp, Qin Xianyue suddenly opened her eyes.
The bright spring sunlight stung her eyes, making them slightly sore. It took a long while before she could recognize Bao Xiang's anxious face before her.
"Miss is awake? Why are you in the sun, and your hands are so cold."
A spring rain had just fallen outside, and the accumulated snow on the eaves was melting, making a dripping sound as it hit the ground.
Qin Xianyue looked out the window, and it took a long time for her to snap out of the chaotic dream. She asked in a murmur.
"What day is it today?"
"Replying to Miss, it's the third."
Bao Xiang answered.
Counting the days, he should be back by now.
Qin Xianyue stood up.
"Let's go, we'll go to the front courtyard too."
The Dingbei Marquis Manor's spring banquet had been ongoing for three days, with noble ladies from Yun Jing gathered together.
It was ostensibly for appreciating flowers and tasting tea, but in reality, it was to select a suitable marriage prospect for the Heir, Gu Yanchi.
He had just thoroughly investigated the embezzlement case of Huizhou officials and made a great contribution.
He was also highly regarded by His Majesty and the Crown Prince, making him a sought-after new noble in the Capital City.
The noble ladies all hoped to gain the favor of this young and talented man, so they were dressed in their most dazzling attire.
Qin Xianyue walked among them, feeling that all the spring scenery had nothing to do with her.
As soon as she reached behind the rockery, she heard hushed whispers.
"Did you hear?" a maidservant in a blue dress lowered her voice, "The Marchioness has already chosen the Third Miss from the Minister of Revenue's family. As soon as the Old Madam's mourning period is over, the betrothal gifts will be exchanged."
"Our Heir is accomplished in literature and warfare, and handsome, and a favored individual by the Crown Prince. His future wife must naturally be a suitable match in social status."
Another maidservant in a red dress immediately chimed in, her tone carrying a hint of pride.
"But..."
The maidservant in the blue dress gestured towards the west wing.
"If the Heir marries the Third Miss Lin, what about that person?"
"She'll be sent back to her original form."
The maidservant in the red dress said sarcastically.
"An imposter who has been living off the Marquis's estate for over a decade, and she actually dares to dream of becoming the main wife. The Old Madam must have been confused in her illness to betroth her to the Heir."
As they spoke, the two turned to the front of the rockery.
Looking up, they met a pair of extremely cold eyes.
"Second Miss."
The two maidservants knew they had caused trouble and quickly lowered their heads.
Qin Xianyue looked at them for a moment before saying in a soft voice.
"You may rise."
Her voice was clear and cold, like the lonely moon in the sky, pure and serene.
The maidservants thanked her and rose, then left with hurried footsteps.
After the two had walked away, Bao Xiang said indignantly.
"Miss, it hasn't been long since the Old Madam passed away, and they dare to bully you. When the Heir returns, we must report them and have them properly punished!"
"Forget it. They weren't entirely wrong. The legitimate daughter of this Marquis's estate was originally Gu Zhaoyun."
Qin Xianyue wiped her hands with a handkerchief, her beautiful face showing no hint of emotion.
"Besides, how do you know this isn't the Madam deliberately using the maidservants' mouths to speak to me? You can have my elder brother punish the maidservants, but can you have him punish the Madam too?"
"But..."
Bao Xiang couldn't help but feel wronged for Qin Xianyue.
"But Miss, you are the Heir's consort chosen by the Old Madam. The marriage contract has already been signed. Now the Marquis and Madam are going back on their word, how will Miss ever get married in the future?"
As Bao Xiang spoke, her eyes turned red.
"Moreover... Miss, after so many years of affection between you and the Heir, do you truly not care that he is marrying someone else?"
Qin Xianyue's knuckles, gripping the handkerchief, turned white.
Not care?
How could that be!
Qin Xianyue had always liked to stick close to Gu Yanchi since she was young.
When he practiced martial arts, she would wait by the training grounds until sunset;
When he studied, she would also stay up late to study hard;
Even when he was punished, she stubbornly endured hunger with him.
Everyone knew that the Heir of the Marquis of Dingbei was always followed by a little maidservant he couldn't shake off.
Qin Xianyue selfishly believed that she could be his little shadow forever.
Who knew that seven years ago, the former midwife of the Marquis's estate suddenly visited.
She confessed that the true daughter, lost during the war, had been found, and Qin Xianyue was merely an imposter.
Ten years of favor vanished in an instant.
Fortunately, the Old Madam pitied Qin Xianyue, having watched her grow up by her side, and couldn't bear to see her cast out. She made the decision to betroth her to Gu Yanchi.
But after the Old Madam passed away, the Marquis and Madam of Dingbei, disdaining her low birth, refused to acknowledge this marriage.
The gossip from the household servants never ceased.
If it weren't for Gu Yanchi, she feared she would have been expelled from the Marquis's estate long ago.
In the past, she was just a little girl who liked to follow her elder brother.
Now, Gu Yanchi had become her only reliance in the world.
Seeing her dejected head bowed, Bao Xiang knew she had touched upon a sad memory and quickly comforted her.
"But fortunately, the Heir cares for Miss in his heart. When he finishes his current case, he will surely refuse this marriage to the Marquis and Madam."
Is that so?
Qin Xianyue gave a self-mocking smile.
The betrothal gifts are about to be sent, he might not be completely unaware.
As she was speaking, a familiar voice rang out.
"Second Miss, the Heir has returned and requests you to come to Shuangsong Garden for a chat."
Qin Xianyue turned her head and saw Anfu, Gu Yanchi's attendant, standing behind her.
She lowered the desolation in her eyes and replied.
"I understand."
Gu Yanchi's courtyard occupied the entire east wing of the Marquis's estate. Hidden among the plum blossoms, it was a world unto itself, and outsiders were never allowed to tread there.
Qin Xianyue walked around the pond and then, taking a more secluded path, arrived at Gu Yanchi's study.
The room was empty.
She turned and looked at Anfu in surprise.
Anfu smiled.
"The Heir is bathing in the inner room. Please wait here for a moment, Second Miss."
The door gently closed, leaving her alone.
The books on the sandalwood shelf were neatly arranged. Qin Xianyue casually picked one up and flipped through it to pass the time.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her, and the clean scent of pine mixed with the steamy air wafted over, faintly entwining with her breath.
The man's arm rested on the edge of the desk, his warm body heat seeping through the thin shirt into her skin, as if enclosing her entirely within a small space.
"You don't dislike chess, so why are you looking at a chess manual?"
A deep voice brushed past her ear, and the book in her hand was already taken away without her realizing it.
Qin Xianyue's throat felt slightly constricted.
It wasn't that she disliked it; it was that Gu Yanchi found the chess manual rigid and boring to memorize, and the games dull.
In the years she had spent at the Dingbei Marquis Manor, when had she ever had her own preferences?
It was simply that whatever Gu Yanchi liked, she would learn as well.
He loved archery on horseback, so she practiced her riding skills diligently;
He was fond of military strategy, so she spent nights poring over ancient texts...
Now that he was marrying someone else, these deliberately cultivated preferences suddenly lost their meaning.
She didn't know how to answer Gu Yanchi's question. Using the excuse of getting some tea, she sidestepped, slipping past him.
When she looked up, she had put on an impeccable smile.
"Elder Brother, you're back."
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