Gu Yanchi's embrace emptied, and he casually tossed the book onto the desk.
"When did serving tea and water become something you do? Have you become distant from your elder brother after not seeing him for a few days?"
Ever since the matter of the fake young lady was exposed, Gu Yanchi had rarely referred to himself as "Elder Brother."
There was only one exception—when he was angry.
He grasped her fair wrists and pulled her closer.
Qin Xianyue had wanted to break free, but meeting his dark eyes, she understood his displeasure and no longer dodged. She obediently sat beside him.
"No, I just heard that you are currently discussing marriage. If any rumors were to spread, I fear it would affect your and the Marquis's Estate's reputation..."
Gu Yanchi glanced at her slightly red eyes and his attitude softened.
"Did someone in the residence speak ill of you?"
Qin Xianyue merely shook her head.
Having lived under someone else's roof for years, she knew well what to say and what not to say.
"Elder Brother, why did you take so long this time? Was the journey not smooth?"
Seeing her change the subject, Gu Yanchi didn't press further.
"The corruption case involving Huizhou officials involved many factions, including some aligned with Prince Jin who oppose the Eastern Palace, making it rather troublesome..."
A flicker of darkness flashed in his eyes, and his large hand covered the back of Qin Xianyue's smooth hand.
"Jiao Jiao, a young man can act as he pleases and marry the woman he loves, but the Marquis of Dingbei cannot be so selfish. Do you understand?"
His words were an indirect acknowledgment of the engagement with the Lin family, and Qin Xianyue's heart grew completely cold.
"Mm."
It was only after a long pause that she responded.
After all, over a decade of deep affection could not overcome a matter of social standing.
Noticing Qin Xianyue's fingertips were cold, Gu Yanchi added.
"It's already spring, why are you still so sensitive to the cold? Has your old injury flared up again?"
Previously, during a battle with the Beirong forces, Gu Yanchi had fallen into an ambush.
It was Qin Xianyue who, biting down on the seal, swam three miles in the bone-chilling winter river to fetch reinforcements, turning the tide of the battle.
From then on, she suffered from a cold illness, often tossing and turning in pain on rainy days.
Many doctors were consulted, but not only did they fail to cure the root cause, they brought even more devastating news.
The cold had seeped into her marrow, and it was unlikely she would be able to conceive in the future.
Based on this alone, it was impossible for her to become Gu Yanchi's wife.
A sharp, sour ache pierced her heart for a moment.
Qin Xianyue calmly withdrew her hand.
"It's alright, Elder Brother. The Marquis and Madam treat me well, and I have what the younger sisters have. The brazier is always lit in my room, so it doesn't feel cold."
Gu Yanchi was not foolish; he knew his parents' harshness.
Out of guilt towards Gu Zhaoyun, they often indulged her in making things difficult for Qin Xianyue.
And every time Qin Xianyue was wronged, she never complained, nor did she ever trouble him.
This intelligence alone was enough for Gu Yanchi to be willing to give her a proper status.
Gu Yanchi stared at her.
Recalling the spring scenery from his nap earlier, when he had pressed her against the desk in a passionate embrace, she had also had this submissive, head-lowered appearance.
The agitation he had just suppressed surged back.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
"Your courtyard is cold. Why don't you go tell Mother today and pack your things to move into Shuangsong Garden?"
Move in?
Qin Xianyue suddenly looked up, surprise and confusion in her eyes.
Was this asking her to become a concubine?
Her knuckles turned white from pinching.
Yet, her voice remained gentle.
"Elder Brother is not yet married. It would be improper to bring me over so hastily."
Qin Xianyue lowered her head.
"If Madam finds out, she will drive me away."
Gu Yanchi moved closer.
"With me here, who would dare touch you?"
That was certainly true.
Who was Gu Yanchi?
The eldest legitimate son of the Dingbei Marquis Manor, the most talented prodigy of the Gu family in three generations, and at a young age, he had already attained the rank of Commander of the Zhenfu Division.
Now, having solved the Huizhou corruption case, he was a trusted minister of the current Crown Prince, with an immeasurable future.
It was merely taking a woman; what could others say?
At most, she would be gossiped about behind her back.
"But I do not wish to."
She spoke each word deliberately.
First, the annulment of the engagement, then becoming a concubine, and what next?
To be slowly forgotten in this small inner courtyard, to become a resentful woman, hoping for her husband's occasional favor?
She did not want that.
Gu Yanchi saw her small face turn a shade paler and felt a pang of pity.
In any case, marriage was still far off, and he wouldn't force Qin Xianyue to accept immediately. He took a step back.
"Jiao Jiao, don't worry. Whether there's one more person or one less in the residence, it won't affect your position."
He took his fox fur cloak from the wooden shelf and draped it over her shoulders.
"Mother mentioned you've been staying in your room a lot lately. Don't you want to go out for some fresh air?"
Qin Xianyue wanted to refuse, but Gu Yanchi didn't give her the chance.
"In two days, there will be a banquet to welcome the Crown Prince back from his Southern Tour. Mother is going to Puhua Temple to pray and cannot accompany you, so she specifically asked me to look after you."
Would Madam Wei be so kind?
Qin Xianyue asked again.
"Who else has been invited?"
"They are all close relatives and allies of the Eastern Palace."
As he spoke, Gu Yanchi's eyebrows twitched, and he continued, "The Lin family will also be present."
Qin Xianyue understood upon hearing this.
It was likely that going out for a change of scenery was an excuse, and the real purpose was to have her meet her future main wife.
Or perhaps, their relationship was already known, and the Lin family wanted to warn an ignorant concubine.
Regardless of the reason, she had to attend.
Qin Xianyue was quiet for a moment.
She neither agreed nor refused.
Gu Yanchi patted her head.
"Don't worry, with me here, no one will bully you."
Qin Xianyue didn't know how she had left Shuangsong Garden.
She only felt the fox fur on her shoulders was exceptionally heavy.
Back in her room, she sat alone, her slender hand tracing a slightly yellowed scroll in the corner, lost in thought.
She gently unrolled one, revealing a man with eyes like swords and flowing robes.
The most exquisite part was his eyes; rendered in dark ink, they seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, as if he would step out of the paper at any moment.
Her gaze continued to the dusty scrolls stacked nearby, each hiding the same figure.
Sometimes standing with a sword, sometimes leaning on a railing gazing into the distance, sometimes engrossed in writing.
Each scroll, every stroke, was filled with deep affection.
As if trying to capture every smile and frown of that person within the ink and paper.
Just then, she heard Bao Xiang knock on the door.
"Miss, Madam sent someone to deliver a message, asking you to come over."
Arriving at Ci'an Hall, she bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Madam."
Madam Wei took a sip of fragrant tea and spoke.
"You didn't show up at the Spring Banquet either. Where were you hiding to enjoy your leisure?"
She had invited many powerful and influential families from the Capital City, not only to select a new bride for her son Gu Yanchi.
The children of the second and third branches of the household were also of marriageable age, and they all wanted to take this opportunity to find a suitable marriage.
Only Qin Xianyue, relying on the marriage contract made when the Old Madam was alive, did not pay attention to anyone.
Indeed, although there were many young lords and princes present, none could compare to the promising future of the Marquis Heir.
"Xianyue knows her lowly status and did not wish to disturb the distinguished guests in the front courtyard, so she only observed from afar in the garden."
Qin Xianyue replied, neither humble nor arrogant.
"You have been in the Marquis's Estate for over a decade; there's no need to be so self-deprecating."
Madam Wei looked her up and down and then added.
"I happen to have a suitable marriage prospect here. After much thought, among the daughters of the Marquis's Estate, you are the most fitting."
✦✦✦