Bean-sized raindrops pattered against the roof tiles, and the trees in the courtyard swayed uncontrollably in the wind and rain. The gale roared as if intent on grinding everything in the world to dust.
Despite the fierce wind and heavy rain outside, the study remained quiet.
He Tie came in to deliver some hot tea. Seeing Xie Jiang seemingly lost in thought, he quietly placed the hot tea beside her and then tiptoed out.
He Zhifei looked up after finishing his work and saw Xie Jiang sitting on a cushion, her elbow resting on the edge of the water vat, her hand bent to support her chin, staring fixedly into space.
He Zhifei should have returned to his own courtyard to rest by now, but seeing Xie Jiang sitting there motionless and dazed, he felt reluctant to leave her alone.
He knew she had returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion today. It was the first time she had come home after being away for so many years, and it likely brought back many painful memories.
No matter how powerful she was, she was still just a teenage girl.
Though she was incredibly strong, she had her vulnerable moments.
After standing there and contemplating for a moment, He Zhifei walked towards her, but did not get too close, sitting down on a low stool beside her.
He watched her for a long time before speaking, "You don't actually need to be so cautious."
After a long pause, Xie Jiang dazedly lifted her head, looking at He Zhifei with confusion. She was immersed in her own thoughts and wasn't sure if he was talking to her.
He Zhifei said, "Even if you were to sneak over the wall of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion tonight, no one would doubt your relationship with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion."
Xie Jiang frowned at him, unsure if she hadn't understood him yet or if she had understood his meaning but disagreed.
"If you were to scale the wall of the Third Prince's mansion tonight, while the people of the capital would scold you for your audacity, most wouldn't be too surprised. At least the elders wouldn't be surprised, as it would be well within their expectations."
He glanced at the teacup beside her. She hadn't touched it, and it was probably cold by now.
Xie Jiang looked at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. She glanced around for something suitable to smash his head with, but she was reluctant to overturn the lotus vat.
He Zhifei seemed oblivious to the chilling glance that swept across his face. Having been by her side for so long, she could accurately discern when she was truly angry.
"Young Master Song's charm is in no way inferior to the Third Prince's. If Marquis Xie, who is fond of beauty, can bully the Third Prince after drinking, what's so strange about scaling the Duke of Dingguo's mansion a few times?"
Since she already had a reputation for being a rake, why not make full use of it? At least when she returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, she wouldn't have so many worries in her heart.
How could Xie Jiang not think of this? "How can my brother's reputation, as pure as white jade, be tarnished by foolish rumors?"
He Zhifei looked at her, "Does it matter what fools think or say?"
When had she ever cared about such things?
Xie Jiang lifted her chin slightly, "It's not acceptable to speak ill of my brother."
Just as He Zhifei was about to offer a few more words of counsel, he unexpectedly heard Xie Jiang say, "If I hear anyone speaking ill of you, I'll twist their head off just the same."
Some people simply couldn't be allowed to be tarnished. Moreover, He Zhifei was her right-hand man, and she naturally had to protect her own people.
He Zhifei suddenly felt a warm rush of air fill his chest.
Xie Jiang lowered her elbow and realized that she had been supporting herself for too long. Her elbow joint was stiff and sore, and she felt a bit unsteady when she stood up. Her legs and waist were numb from sitting for so long.
He Zhifei stepped forward to help her.
Xie Jiang sat down on the couch, hugging a soft pillow. He Zhifei rubbed her elbow through her clothes. After the stiffness and soreness subsided, he quietly retreated to the opposite side.
"Marquis, your interactions with people are unconventional. You have elders like the old gentlemen, as well as those as guarded as Young Master Xu, and also the unrestrained Young Marquis Ruan. Adding Young Master Song to the mix is also quite ordinary."
"Marquis, you don't need to worry too much about interacting with Young Master Song."
Xie Jiang raised her eyelids and glanced at him, but said nothing. She reached out to the small table in the middle, but her hand found nothing.
He Zhifei then got up and went to the spot where she had been sitting for a long time. He picked up the full teacup from the floor beside her, poured out the cold tea, walked to the front of the desk, picked up the kettle that was bubbling on the small stove, and brewed her another cup of tea, placing it in front of her.
"It's a bit hot, please wait a moment."
Xie Jiang picked up the teacup and held it, drawing warmth from it with her palm.
He Zhifei picked up his own cup, watching the rising steam, and pondered the meaning of her glance just now.
The reason she hadn't actively and openly interacted with Song Ze wasn't entirely due to her concern about others noticing something amiss.
She was experiencing a touch of nervousness as she neared home.
Since she clearly had no intention of confiding in him, He Zhifei said no more.
"It's getting late, Marquis. Please get some rest."
The wind outside had lessened, but the sound of the rain, like beans, continued.
After drinking a cup of hot tea, Xie Jiang got up. She decided not to brave the rain back to Fuyun Pavilion and planned to make do with the study for the night.
He Zhifei put down his teacup, preparing to return to his own courtyard, when he saw Xie Jiang suddenly turn to look at him.
Xie Jiang, with a look of concern for his well-being, said, "Why don't you stay here too? It's raining so heavily, it would be troublesome if you caught a cold. Why don't you rest here with me? The bed in the inner room is quite spacious."
He Zhifei: "..."
Xie Jiang said with a sincere expression, "You live so far away."
He Zhifei looked at her, saw her playfully raising her eyebrows and smiling, and then quickly walked away, his robes fluttering.
He Tie held an umbrella for his young master while peeking into the study. What had made Marquis Xie smile so heartily?
Seeing the usually dignified and proper person run away like a startled rabbit, how could Xie Jiang not burst into laughter?
She knew He Zhifei's sole focus was on his career, relying on his own abilities and knowledge, unlike Su Yang who was solely focused on climbing the social ladder. So, on a whim, she decided to tease him.
She would never have made such a joke with Su Yang.
Su Yang wouldn't need her to tease him; if she hadn't refused him firmly enough, he would have died at her bedside. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
~
An autumn rain brought a chill. After three days of rain, it temporarily stopped in the afternoon, only to resume drizzling again after nightfall.
Yi Yan Geng returned late at night. As he walked into the courtyard, he sensed something was amiss and turned to look at Steward Zhang.
Steward Zhang's face, etched with deep lines, crinkled into a smile. "Miss Xie instructed when she came, wanting to give Master a surprise. It's just that Master returned so late today, and Miss Xie waited for a long time and couldn't stay awake. She's already resting."
Yi Yan Geng's cold demeanor instantly softened. His steady pace quickened as he heard she was there.
In the bedroom, Xie Jiang was already asleep, half her face buried in the quilt.
Yi Yan Geng stood by the bed, quietly watching her, a gentle smile slowly spreading across his face.
As he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face, he caught her unique scent and couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her forehead.
Just as Yi Yan Geng was about to go out to wash away the chill, Xie Jiang's head, buried in the quilt, stirred.
Yi Yan Geng paused.
As if sensing a familiar presence drawing near, her beautiful eyes opened a sliver, and she mumbled indistinctly in his direction.
"Yi Yan Geng, you're back?"