Chapter 38: Explanation

Chapter 38: Explanation

The road ahead had cleared. Qiu Shuiyi linked arms with Madame Mei. "Mother, let's go back."

Madame Mei sighed with emotion. "That Heir Huaiping is truly rotten to the core. Even a vicious tiger wouldn't harm its own cubs, yet he wouldn't spare his own flesh and blood. I was truly deceived by him. He used to like hanging around your elder sister, fortunately..."

Madame Mei's words trailed off.

Qiu Shuiyi interjected. "Mother, is that Chengming Temple over there?"

Distracted, Madame Mei leaned over to look. Upon seeing the red tiles hidden behind the tree shade, she smiled. "Yes, it is."

The mountain path had a continuous stream of people. Qiu Shuiyi asked, "Mother, why are the incense offerings at Chengming Temple so prosperous?"

Madame Mei explained, "Back then, Emperor Taizu was ambushed by the previous dynasty's Emperor Li. When he passed by Chengming Temple, he was saved by the abbot there. Later, when Emperor Taizu raised his banner, the abbot spared no effort to support him behind the scenes. After our dynasty was established, Emperor Taizu, grateful for the abbot's kindness, specially conferred upon him the title of State Preceptor. Chengming Temple has flourished ever since."

This was also mentioned in the original work.

Seeing Madame Mei's expression return to normal, Qiu Shuiyi felt relieved.

Just then, the carriage stopped. She smiled, linking arms with Madame Mei. "Mother, we're here."

The Yin Dynasty had only seen three generations up to this point. During Emperor Taizu's time, the empire was newly established, all neglected matters were being revived, and there was no energy to spare for Chengming Temple.

After decades of arduous pioneering, it wasn't until the previous emperor's reign that things were roughly stabilized, and Chengming Temple was renovated.

Now, standing before the main hall, one could only feel its grandeur and imposing majesty.

Entering the main hall with Madame Mei, they had just crossed the threshold when a beautiful woman walked out. As the two were about to collide, a hand suddenly reached from the side, accurately steadying the beautiful woman.

His voice was deep, like aged wine.

"Mother, be careful."

Qiu Shuiyi steadied Madame Mei and looked up.

The man was dressed in black robes, his hair neatly secured with a crown. His features were as if carved from stone, sharp and distinct, even revealing a hint of severity.

His complexion was extremely pale, and a gloomy air lingered between his brows. His expression was impassive, as if he regarded everything with indifference.

Only when looking at the beautiful woman beside him did a touch of warmth appear in his eyes.

Noticing her gaze, the man looked towards Qiu Shuiyi.

His eyes seemed to brighten for a moment, but the next instant, he furrowed his brows and indifferently averted his gaze.

"I've told you, you should call me 'Auntie'," the beautiful woman murmured timidly.

"Grandfather has given his word, permitting me to call you 'Auntie'," the man said flatly.

His gaze shifted to Madame Mei, his attitude unexpectedly cordial. "Wife of the Marquis."

"Assistant Minister Zhao." Madame Mei nodded with a smile. "Yi'er, this is the Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple."

Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, Zhao Xiping.

The grandson of the Duke of Chengguo by a concubine, the third male lead in the original work.

Qiu Lianying had once unintentionally saved his life from the hands of her legitimate eldest brother. From then on, he cherished an unwavering, deep affection for her. To become worthy of her, he climbed the ranks by any means necessary, reaching the position of Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple in a short time.

Qiu Shuiyi spoke gently, "Greetings, Assistant Minister Zhao."

"Second Miss Qiu, there's no need for such formality."

Zhao Xiping nodded faintly, supporting the beautiful woman. "We take our leave."

Qiu Shuiyi stepped aside to let them pass.

The book mentioned that after Zhao Xiping revealed his talent in officialdom, the old Duke of Chengguo, who had despaired over his household full of good-for-nothings, was like a dying old man encountering a supreme elixir that could restore his youth.

He focused all his efforts on cultivating him, helping him establish authority within the household, and even allowed him to openly call his mother, a low-born concubine, "Mother."

Qiu Shuiyi had previously provoked many playboys but dared not set her sights on him.

Because this man was a venomous snake; once targeted by him, only death awaited.

After offering incense, Madame Mei stayed to listen to the abbot chant scriptures, letting Qiu Shuiyi wander as she pleased.

Fuyu Mountain's scenery was exquisite. The back mountain grew a peach grove. Strolling along the small path, peach blossoms fell like rain upon her hair and shoulders. Surrounded by pink everywhere, it was like stepping into a painting.

Under a peach blossom tree, a man and a woman stood facing each other, their faces slightly flushed, shyly avoiding each other's gaze, yet joy visibly hung from the corners of their brows.

Qiu Shuiyi turned back, not wishing to disturb them.

As she took a step, a "crack" sounded—she had stepped on and broken a branch.

She was so embarrassed she nearly covered her face and ran.

But it was too late.

Hearing the noise, the couple both looked over.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to..."

Huh? That man's face looks somewhat familiar?

While she was wondering, the man seemed to recognize her too, whispering something to the woman.

The woman stared at Qiu Shuiyi curiously, nodded, obediently walked a few steps away, reached up to break off a peach blossom branch, and quietly admired it.

The man walked towards Qiu Shuiyi.

"Second Miss Qiu, a pleasure to meet you."

Qiu Shuiyi truly couldn't remember who this person was. She could only nod awkwardly, raising her hand to cover her lips. Using her handkerchief as a shield, she asked the two maids behind her in an extremely soft voice.

"Who is this?"

Xin Liu and Xin Tao exchanged a glance and both shook their heads.

Probably realizing she didn't recognize him, the man smiled bitterly. "My name is Fang Tingzan."

The name sounded somewhat familiar.

Qiu Shuiyi lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, then suddenly understood.

So this was the man used by Ji Rui to lure her at Princess Duanshu's residence.

"Is there something you need from me, Young Master Fang?" she inquired.

Fang Tingzan bowed. "Back at Princess Duanshu's estate, Prince Huaiping somehow learned how much I treasured the painting my late grandfather bequeathed me. He took it when I wasn't looking and blackmailed me with it, forcing me to lure you to that spot."

"My grandfather was always kind and gentle to me since childhood. He passed away many years ago, and if I couldn't even protect his final painting, I wouldn't be able to face him in the afterlife. Thus, I had no choice but to agree to Prince Huaiping's demand."

"I've also heard what happened afterward." Fang Tingzan's face showed remorse. "The prince has always been a troublemaker, but I truly had no idea he harbored such intentions. If it had ruined your life, I would have felt guilty forever."

He sighed deeply, his voice thick with emotion. "Fortunately, you are unharmed."

Qiu Shuiyi found this man pretty annoying.

You were close to your grandfather, and wanting to retrieve his painting is understandable.

But since you already agreed to help Ji Rui and became his accomplice, why come before me now pretending to be the good guy?

And instead of coming to apologize right after it happened, you wait over two months for a chance encounter to say these innocent-sounding words to my face.

How hypocritical.

Though inwardly criticizing him, Qiu Shuiyi showed none of it on her face. Instead, she softly reassured him, "Young Master, there's no need to blame yourself. It was Prince Huaiping who was so utterly shameless; it has nothing to do with you."

Fang Tingzan looked relieved at her words. "Thank you for your understanding, young lady."

Qiu Shuiyi had no desire to converse further with him. After brushing him off with a few brief words, she reached out and plucked two peach blossoms, crushing them between her fingers.

The flower juice burst out, staining her fingertips.

Seeing her mistress was in a foul mood, Xin Tao pointed to the peach blossoms on the branch. "These flowers are blooming quite nicely. Would you like to pick some petals to make peach blossom porridge when we return?"

Qiu Shuiyi wasn't much of a foodie. "You decide."

Xin Liu spoke up at the right moment. "I heard from Sister Xia Shuang that the Madam is actually very fond of it. It's a pity the peach blossoms in our estate haven't reached full bloom yet; she's been complaining about it for a while."

Qiu Shuiyi's fingers paused.

Wiping her fingers clean with a handkerchief, she said, "Since Mother likes it, we'll pick some to take home."

Xin Tao immediately said, "I'll go back and get a basket."

She disappeared like a rabbit, gone in a flash.

Xin Liu took out a handkerchief, plucked the petals, and gently placed them on it.

Qiu Shuiyi went to help as well.

Each holding a handkerchief, they focused intently on picking peach blossoms.

Before they knew it, they had wandered far.

When she looked up again, the peach trees around her were a dazzling bloom of color, petals fluttering down like snow, covering the entire path.

Xin Liu was nowhere to be seen.

A hint of confusion appeared on Qiu Shuiyi's face.

Where is this?

She took a couple of steps back, then suddenly halted and sharply turned around.

A familiar figure came into view.

Her eyes flashed with anger as Qiu Shuiyi abruptly snapped the peach blossom branch beside her in two.

Well, well, well. After being gone for two months, she had been pining for Shen Yuchao's return day and night, fretting that he might have been assassinated again, barely able to sleep.

Who would have thought he was perfectly fine and was even here meeting a beauty.

It was like her sincere feelings were thrown to the dogs.

Qiu Shuiyi glared fixedly at the man and woman ahead, gnashing her teeth in resentment.

Not far away, Shen Yuchao stood beneath a peach blossom tree, looking down at the young woman before him, his gaze seeming deeply affectionate.

The girl tilted her head, revealing a lovely profile.

It looked somewhat familiar.

Qiu Shuiyi frowned, trying to recall.

A face flashed through her mind.

It was that Miss Xue from the Lantern Festival.

He said she was someone unimportant, so what is he doing now?

Qiu Shuiyi was furious.

After her anger subsided, she thought again: if Shen Yuchao had his eye on another girl, then she could no longer pester him.

So how was she supposed to accumulate lifespan then?

As if the sky had fallen and the earth had cracked, Qiu Shuiyi wilted entirely, listless and dispirited.

Maybe... try to provoke some more animosity?

As she was lost in these thoughts, over there, Xue Ninghuan suddenly burst into tears, sobbing, "I never want to see you again!"

With that, she covered her mouth and ran off.

Her retreating figure looked utterly heartbroken.

What happened now?

Qiu Shuiyi was completely bewildered.

Still in a daze, Shen Yuchao suddenly barked sharply, "Who's there? Come out!"

Qiu Shuiyi pressed her lips together.

She lowered her head.

Many of the peach blossom petals in her arms had been unconsciously crushed. She bundled them up carelessly, took a step forward, and spoke with rare sarcasm.

"Your Highness met Miss Xue as soon as you returned. How did you manage to drive her off?"

Seeing it was her, the severity in Shen Yuchao's eyes faded considerably. The corners of his lips lifted in a slight smile. "An annoying fly should naturally be swatted away."

But no matter how you looked at it, that smile was cold.

Qiu Shuiyi knit her brows, looking Shen Yuchao over from head to toe.

His pine-green robe brushed the ground, the waistband cinching in a slender waist, making him look exceptionally tall and long-limbed.

The collar was embroidered with a circle of auspicious cloud patterns, echoing the cloud-shaped hairpin in his hair. His skin was cool and pale, his features handsome, looking no different from before.

Only his wrist was wrapped with a string of prayer beads, accentuating his slender, elegant hands.

Outwardly, he seemed unharmed, but his eyes seemed clouded over.

As if wind and thunder were converging, ready to burst through the clouds in the next moment, delivering a fatal blow.

A shadow had settled between his brows, making him appear much more dispirited.

His state wasn’t quite right.

Like a hunter cornered by wild beasts at the edge of a cliff—just a gentle push would send him falling to his death.

Qiu Shuiyi tentatively asked, “Your Highness, has something happened... recently?”

Shen Yuchao’s smile shifted, his expression cooling.

“This prince has shown Second Miss Qiu considerable courtesy out of regard for the Qiu family, but Second Miss seems to have misunderstood something.”

His right hand fiddled with the prayer beads on his wrist as Shen Yuchao spoke calmly, “You have no right to inquire into this prince’s private affairs.”

“That absurd wager—consider it null and void.”