Chapter 32 Her Lover

Chapter 32 Her Lover

Her voice, clear as crystal, held no trace of affectation, yet it captivated Chen Yanqing.

He remained silent, so Yin Rou continued, “I heard about Nanny Lu. Thank you.”

“Nanny Lu broke the rules. Even without your involvement, I would have dealt with her,” Chen Yanqing replied, a sudden, almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of his lips.

Would he have? If not for Song Yinrou, he wouldn’t have intervened even on the day Madam Wu sold off the servants.

Yin Rou buried her face in his chest and shook her head. “If not for you, I would have died countless times by now. I wouldn’t have to suffer nightmares daily, fearing eternal damnation.”

She murmured softly, then paused, her voice dropping to a sorrowful whisper, “There’s just one more thing…”

“Song Yinrou, what else do you desire?”

Startled by his keen perception, Yin Rou held her breath and looked up. Chen Yanqing reached out to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, his tone unchanged. “What is it?”

Hadn't this young woman approached him with an agenda from the very beginning—whether for self-preservation or seeking reliance?

Preoccupied with clearing her father's name, Yin Rou failed to notice the fleeting chill in Chen Yanqing’s gaze.

She knew her request might not be easy for the Third Young Master, but she had to try. After much hesitation, Yin Rou parted her lips and said, “My father was wrongly accused. But the law dictates that exiled criminals, even those enslaved, are denied the right to appeal their cases. I beg the Third Young Master—could you restore my status as a commoner? So I may have the opportunity to clear my father’s name.”

As her emotions surged, tears welled uncontrollably. She clutched Chen Yanqing’s robes desperately. “If the Third Young Master agrees, I’ll do anything!”

Chen Yanqing enjoyed seeing her eyes shimmer with tears, but not these sorrowful ones. Wiping them away, he asked gravely, “Do you know that, apart from special pardons, enslaved individuals can only be freed at the age of sixty? There are no exceptions.”

“Even if your status is restored, what then? Your petition wouldn’t reach the authorities before those who framed your father found out. Your life would once again hang by a thread.”

His words struck Yin Rou like a splash of icy water.

“I know,” she replied, her gaze helpless as she met his.

She understood the truth in his words. If even her father had been framed, how could she, alone, fight against them? Yet, she couldn’t simply do nothing.

“My father and brother died unjustly, my mother passed away, while the true villains roam free. As their child, if I cannot bring them peace, how can I ever rest?”

Her tears fell too quickly to be wiped away. Chen Yanqing leaned down, his warm lips pressing against her damp eyelids, kissing them away. Her lashes fluttered violently, and the hot tears were gently drawn in by his lips.

Only when her tears were gone did he slowly pull back, licking away the lingering salty moisture from his lips before speaking hoarsely, “Let me think about it.”

Hearing the slight softening in his voice, Yin Rou looked at him uncertainly.

Chen Yanqing lowered his eyes to her tear-reddened gaze and spoke again, “Stop crying.”

Her overwhelming tears nearly drowned him. This year, coinciding with the Empress Dowager’s grand birthday, the court would likely issue a batch of special pardons. Perhaps he could find a way to include the young woman’s name.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, “First, tell me everything you know.”

As long as there was a chance to clear her father’s name, Yin Rou would try. She recounted every detail she knew, leaving nothing out.

By the time she finished, the sky had completely darkened. Yin Rou turned to look at the man beside her, who sat with his eyes closed, deep in thought.

When Chen Yanqing opened his eyes, they met a pair of dark, luminous ones. He raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t something that can be resolved overnight. I’m not familiar with the officials in Jiangnan’s local government. It will take time.”

Undeterred, Yin Rou nodded vigorously, her trusting expression pleasing Chen Yanqing. Feeling his arm gently embrace her, Yin Rou, like a kitten finally letting down its guard, nestled closer.

Chen Yanqing’s fingers combed through Yin Rou’s hair, the gentle tugging making her scalp tingle pleasantly. A soft purr escaped her throat as she unconsciously snuggled closer.

How comfortable she seemed. A faint smile touched Chen Yanqing’s lips as he continued to stroke her hair, finding unexpected pleasure in the act.

Yu He burst into the room in a flurry. “Miss, do you know who’s here!”

“Oh, the Third Young Master is here too.”

Flushing, she fumbled into a bow, never expecting the Third Young Master to be present at this hour—and embracing the young miss. Yu He lowered her head even further.

Chen Yanqing’s faint smile vanished. “What’s the rush? Who’s here?”

Yin Rou looked at Yu He in confusion.

Yu He stammered. She had just heard that officials sent by the court had arrived, and one of them shared the name of the young lady’s fiancé. She had rushed over in excitement—only to run straight into the Third Young Master. How could she say this in front of him?

“What, can’t I hear it?”

Though Chen Yanqing’s tone was flat, Yu He felt an oppressive weight.

Regretting her impulsiveness, she stammered, “It’s… my family came to visit. I was overjoyed and forgot my manners. Please forgive me, Third Young Master.”

She dared a quick glance upward—the Third Young Master’s half-smile made her blood run cold, a chill spreading down her back.

Worried Chen Yanqing would scold her, Yin Rou shot him a pleading look, just as his gaze met hers, holding an unfathomable depth.

It vanished in an instant.

“Dismissed.”

At his command, Yu He didn’t dare linger and retreated with a bow.

Shu Yan entered from outside, passing her on the way.

“Young Master, your uncle sent a message.”

After this interruption, Yin Rou was too flustered to remain nestled against Chen Yanqing. Blushing, she sat up straight. “I’ll make more tea.”

Chen Yanqing nodded, then motioned for Shu Yan to continue.

“The visiting officials will enter the city tomorrow, so they sent advance word.”

As Yin Rou busied herself pouring tea nearby, Chen Yanqing glanced at her, his thumb brushing over his white jade thumb ring. That maid had probably meant to announce this.

If even Yu He knew, she must be deeply invested.

Keeping his voice carefully neutral, he asked Shu Yan, “Which officials are coming?”

Shu Yan was confused—hadn’t the young master already known?

Still, he replied without hesitation, “Vice Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue, along with his subordinates, and Lord Pei from Shun’an County.”

A sudden clatter interrupted him.

Yin Rou hastily wiped the spilled tea from the table, her hands shaking. Shun’an County… Lord Pei… Brother Xuanlin.

Chen Yanqing studied her impassively, his eyes scanning her face before he asked with icy calm, “What’s the matter?”

“No, I just wasn’t careful and didn’t hold it steady.” Yin Rou’s voice trembled.

Her transparent excuse only made Chen Yanqing's gaze grow colder by the second.

It suddenly dawned on Shu Yan—this Lord Pei was none other than the man he had investigated before, Miss Song's fiancé.

With trepidation, he glanced at Chen Yanqing, only to meet the icy chill in his eyes, making his heart skip a beat.

Yin Rou's mind was in turmoil. The only Lord Pei she knew from Shun'an County was Xuanlin—could it be him?

But why would he come? She had thought she would never see him again in this lifetime. Was he well?

Tears pricked at her eyes as she lowered her head and crouched down to pick up the shattered pieces of the cup.

“Leave it.” Chen Yanqing’s voice was laced with barely contained anger.

But Yin Rou didn't hear him at all, mindlessly picking up the broken shards in a daze.

Chen Yanqing’s mouth twisted in a humorless smirk. Was she so affected just by hearing her fiancé’s name? Moments ago, she had been clinging to him tenderly, yet now she couldn’t even hear his voice.

“I said, leave it.”

His voice was icy.

Yin Rou jolted back to awareness, her fingers trembling around the shard. The sharp edge sliced into her fingertip, and blood immediately welled up from the wound, dripping steadily onto the floor.

Chen Yanqing’s expression darkened completely as he stepped forward and hauled her up by the arm. The pain from the wound and the force of his grip made her gasp.

Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him with trembling lashes, finally noticing the anger in his eyes.

Choking back a whimper, she called out nervously, “Third Young Master…”

Chen Yanqing glanced at her tear-filled, frightened eyes and suppressed the fury in his chest before lowering his gaze to her injured hand. “What happened? Why so careless?”

“I was just distracted for a moment.”

Her quiet explanation made Chen Yanqing lift his eyes to her, a flash of derision in his eyes that sent a pang of unease through her. But when she looked again, there was nothing to be seen.

She didn’t understand why he was angry—was it because of her injury?

But right now, she had no mind to dwell on it. Her thoughts were completely preoccupied with Pei Xuanlin.

Chen Yanqing could see her distraction clearly—she was thinking of someone else.

The realization made his blood boil, and when his gaze landed on the wound on her finger, his fury only deepened.

He clamped a handkerchief firmly against the cut, the sharp pain turning Yin Rou’s lips pale. Tears welled in her eyes as she drew in shallow, trembling breaths.

“Endure it,” Chen Yanqing snapped, his gaze icy beneath his lashes. Only when the handkerchief was stained red with her blood did some of his pent-up rage dissipate.

After wiping the blood from her finger, he flung the cloth away. “Rest early.”

Shu Yan followed him outside. Even someone as dense as him could guess that this Pei fellow had come for Miss Song—of course, the Young Master knew too.

In truth, he thought this was for the best. If Pei took her away, it would save her from leading the Young Master astray.

But one glance at Chen Yanqing’s stern face made him wisely think better of speaking.

…

The frontier weather was harsh—scorching heat by day, but biting winds at night.

Pei Xuanlin stood in the courtyard of the relay station, his thin robes whipping in the wind, his body rigid from cold but unyielding.

Wu Mang hurried in from outside, and Pei Xuanlin strode forward immediately. “Did you find out?”

Wu Mang nodded eagerly. “It’s confirmed—the young mistress remains with the Chens!”

“Good, as long as she’s found.” Pei Xuanlin’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, though the worry in his eyes remained. “Is she… well?”

“That, I don’t know.” Wu Mang’s expression was just as concerned. “I only heard that Master Chen took a liking to her and brought her into the Chen residence. They say she was quite favored, but now that Master Chen has passed, I don’t know how she’s faring.”

Pei Xuanlin’s heart clenched in pain. He could well imagine the suffering Rou Er must have endured, and given Master Chen’s infamous lechery, being “favored” was nothing short of torment.

His fists tightened in fury, his eyes bloodshot.

“Young Master, can we really take the young mistress away this time?” Wu Mang worried aloud. The Chen family’s influence in Xiyu Pass was immense—to be frank, here, the Chens ruled.

Pei Xuanlin closed his eyes momentarily. “I’ve heard that the Third Young Master of the Chen family isn’t an arrogant or difficult man. Now that Master Chen is gone, asking him for a person shouldn’t be too hard.”

Wu Mang nodded. “We’ll definitely rescue the young mistress.”

Pei Xuanlin’s expression turned steely with determination. No matter what, he would take Rou Er away this time.

The thought of the girl he had cherished for years and the state she might be in now wrenched his heart. *Hold on, my dear. I’m coming.*

*

All night, Yin Rou restlessly tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Even when she dozed fitfully, her dreams were chaotic—one moment, Xuanlin was coming to take her away; the next, it was all an illusion.

By morning, she awoke exhausted.

She needed to confirm whether it really was Xuanlin who had come. She thought of asking Yu He, and as if on cue, Yu He arrived just then.

This time, Yu He carefully glanced around first, making sure the Third Young Master wasn’t nearby before rushing inside and seizing Yin Rou’s arm in excitement. “Miss! Yesterday, I heard that among the visiting officials, there’s a Lord Pei Xuanlin—isn’t that the Master Pei you’ve spoken of?”

“Is he here to save you?”

Yin Rou listened in stunned disbelief, tears streaming down her face in an instant. It really was Xuanlin. Her hands, resting on her knees, trembled uncontrollably.

She had thought they would never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime. Now, all she wanted was to fly to him, to see him, to pour out all her grievances and ask if he was well.

Her gaze wandered aimlessly outside, but beyond the ornate structures and high walls, there was no way out.

The hope in her eyes faded gradually. And even if they did meet, what then? In her current situation, she would only be a burden to him.

Yu He, seeing her downcast expression, lowered her voice. “Miss… aren’t you happy?”

Yin Rou shook her head weakly. Yu He suddenly remembered the Third Young Master—was the young lady concerned about what would happen if Master Pei found out about her and him?

At this point, even Yu He was uncertain what exactly the relationship between the Third Young Master and Miss was. His attitude still seemed indifferent, yet he had undeniably protected her.

Both of them fell silent, neither speaking, neither noticing the distant pavilion where Chen Yanqing stood observing them intently for a long time.

Every flicker of joy and sorrow on Yin Rou’s face was absorbed into his dark, impenetrable gaze, the temperature around him seeming to drop instantly.

Shu Yan knocked and entered, keeping his gaze properly averted as he reported, “Young Master, the banquet is about to begin.”

Imperial inspectors had arrived. As the Chen family was the backbone of commerce in this region, and Madam Chen was the sister of the garrison commander of Xiyu Pass, it was only proper for them to join in receiving the delegation.

The trouble was, among the guests lurked an unwelcome visitor. Just the thought of it twisted Shu Yan’s face in resentment.

After waiting for a long time without hearing Chen Yanqing speak, Shu Yan cautiously lifted his gaze and realized where his master had been staring all along.

A sidelong glance showed the young master’s faintly smiling lips, but his eyes held a bone-deep chill in stark contrast.

Chen Yanqing wondered—was the girl now frowning, regretting she’d provoked him too soon? If only she had held on a little longer, her beloved would have come for her.

His smile vanished. What a shame.

…

After Yu He left, Yin Rou lingered distractedly in Shifang Hall, so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice Chen Yanqing entering.

Only when footsteps stopped before her, blocking the light, did she finally look up, startled. “Third Young Master, what brings you here?”

“Distinguished guests are arriving, and I must join the reception outside the estate,” Chen Yanqing replied, his expression carrying a faint smile, though his gaze was as deep and unfathomable as a dark pool. His gaze locked onto her, catching every flicker of emotion. “I’ll return late, so I came to see you first.”

Yin Rou knew at once—the guest must be Xuanlin. Her hands clenched, a rush of excitement tangled with nervous hesitation.

Chen Yanqing’s eyes flickered to her whitened knuckles before lifting to her face. His voice was dangerously calm. “What’s wrong? Want to come?”

Of course, Yin Rou longed to see Xuanlin—at the very least, to let him know she was safe and to ask how he had been.

Meeting Chen Yanqing’s gaze, she hesitated before finally giving a small nod. “May I?”

Chen Yanqing let out a low chuckle. “No.”

“Wait for me.”

With that, he walked past her without a backward glance, his smile gone in an instant.