Chapter 12 Widow: She Has Already Passed Away

Chapter 12: The Widow – She Is Already Dead

Qing County. Night rain.

Summer was past, the weather turning cold, autumn nearly here.

Endless, the rain fell like countless fine needles. If you were unprotected, it pierced your skin and chilled you to the bone.

Official business ended late. Qi Yuan, umbrella in hand, returned to his lodgings. Standing beneath the eaves, he lightly patted his shoulders, slightly damp from the rain, before stepping inside.

As it was a temporary residence provided by the yamen, the place was tiny—only two cramped rooms. The inner room served as a bedroom, containing a bed and a narrow low table holding a teapot and cups for drinking water at night. The outer room lacked even a table and chairs for receiving guests, featuring only a square desk where Qi Yuan would read and write after returning.

Apart from a solitary bookshelf, the wall had only a painting of a spring scene. There were no other furnishings whatsoever.

Qi Yuan lived simply—that was his way.

He sat down at the desk in the outer room. During this period, Xing De was away, and A Mao was not very clever, often forgetting to tidy up. As a result, the desk was a bit messy. Qi Yuan did not scold A Mao but cleaned it himself whenever he had the time.

After hastily tidying up, the dampness that Qi Yuan had brought in from outside gradually dissipated. A Mao served him a cup of hot tea. He took a sip and put it aside.

To his left was a stack of books he had just straightened up. Qi Yuan lifted the top one, revealing a letter underneath—Xing De had sent it back in advance and was already opened.

Qi Yuan had opened it the previous night.

He took out the letter again to read it.

In the letter, Xing De said that she had died.

After reading the letter last night, Qi Yuan had stayed awake all night.

Even until today, he still couldn’t believe the letter. She had been perfectly fine when they parted, and she’d said she’d wait for him to send someone to pick her up.

He had never expected this outcome.

Qi Yuan had even considered that Feng Shi or Yao Yao’s family might make trouble, but he had never imagined that Yao Yao would die.

Qi Yuan had gone about his business at the yamen as usual, exhausted after a long day. Only now, calming down, did he read the letter from start to finish again.

Xing De’s letter was not long; just a few lines explaining how she had died and why.

There was no doubt about it.

A lowly maid, dying after catching a chill—this was all too common.

It was only that she had gotten involved with him, and he had wanted to marry her.

But that was the past now.

Yao Yao was already dead.

Now, looking back, Qi Yuan could only feel regret. Her face in his memory was hazy, as if shrouded in a veil. All he remembered clearly were her eyes looking at him.

Why had the candlelight on those nights been so dim? At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it, but now that regret had set in, it was too late.

He would never see her again.

Qi Yuan refolded the letter and put it away, this time storing it in a small box.

He sat by the lamp for a long time, the night deepening and the rain falling harder.

A Mao yawned and said, “Second Master, it’s late. Time to turn in?”

Qi Yuan’s hand slowly clenched. After a moment of thought, he said, “I need to go out for a while.”

“But it’s already very late, Second Master. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow.” A Mao pleaded, his face creased with worry.

But Qi Yuan had already risen and was walking out: “You don’t have to come with me. Just go to sleep.”

Leaning against the corridor pillar was the umbrella he had used when returning earlier, which A Mao hadn’t yet put away. Qi Yuan picked it up, opened it, and stepped into the pouring rain.

He went to the newly bought house.

Though he didn’t know how long he would stay in Qing County, he’d gone ahead and bought a house. The house was not far from the Qing County yamen. Since Qing County was small, it was convenient for him. The house had three courtyards—not too big, not too small. Just enough for him and Yao Yao, plus three or four servants. He had been planning to renovate it in the coming days.

Qi Yuan stood at the gate without entering.

A Mao, panting heavily, finally caught up. Seeing Qi Yuan standing there, he quickly said, “I have the keys. I’ll open the door for you, Master.”

Qi Yuan stopped him. “No need.”

He listened to the sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella surface. Maybe his hand was trembling, maybe it was the wind—the umbrella shook.

In the empty street, it seemed as though someone was slowly walking toward him through the misty rain. Qi Yuan stared intently, but found nothing there.

He suddenly let out a rueful laugh, then shook his head.

He couldn’t even remember her face clearly anymore. Even if her ghost really appeared before him, he probably wouldn’t recognize her.

Qi Yuan told A Mao, “No need to renovate this house for now. I won’t live here.”

A Mao nodded, understanding the situation, and asked, “Then should we just sell it?”

“Leave it as it is.”

With that, Qi Yuan turned and left.

Since Xing De had left with Jiang Yueyi’s “death notice,” Jiang Yueyi felt half the weight lift from her. At last, the matter with Qi Yuan was completely settled.

***

However, it was Qi Hao who truly worried her the most.

It wasn’t so much that she was concerned for Qi Hao himself, but rather, if Qi Hao died, it would be bad for her. Moreover, the matter of the medicinal decoction was truly bizarre; just thinking about it made Jiang Yueyi’s heart race.

Just as Jiang Yueyi’s heart was pounding, Cui Mei finally whispered to her, “Madam, we might have a lead on Xing An.”

Jiang Yueyi quickly asked, “What is it?”

“Our people have been discreetly following Xing An for a few days. They’ve noticed that besides handling the elder master’s business, he goes to a house in the south of town every two or three days,” Cui Mei said. “He doesn’t stay long each time. When we asked around, we didn’t find out much—just that it’s all houses around there.”

Cui Mei leaned in and whispered slyly in Jiang Yueyi’s ear, “There’s a widow living inside.”

“A widow?” Jiang Yueyi frowned. “Why would a teenage boy like Xing An go see a widow?”

“She’s a recent widow, not old—only about seventeen or eighteen, I think. Since her husband died, she keeps to herself and never goes out. She’s very proper,” Cui Mei said.

Jiang Yueyi had no immediate ideas. After a moment of thought, she said, “Find out what her husband’s surname was and what he did.”

Cui Mei left, and Jiang Yueyi sat alone, her unease growing.

There was no reason for Xing An to seek out a young, newly widowed woman. He was Qi Hao's most trusted right-hand man, and he acted with great discretion; it was unlikely he’d get tangled up with a widow. Moreover, from what she could tell, the widow was a decent woman, and Xing An would not provoke her without reason.

It had to be linked to Qi Hao.

Why would he send Xing An to visit a widow every few days?

But for now, Jiang Yueyi could find no answer.

Another two or three days went by, and Cui Mei hadn’t brought back any news from outside. Jiang Yueyi could only wait patiently.

Then, one day, there was a sudden commotion in the outer courtyard. Yu Ju ran out to check and quickly returned, saying, "Master is beating Xing An!"

Jiang Yueyi's heart lurched. She rose and walked toward the door.

Just as she reached the doorway, a servant from the front courtyard hurried in and said to her, "Madam, Master wants you in the front hall."

Cui Mei and the others went pale. Recovering themselves, they quickly steadied Jiang Yueyi. "Madam, please take care of yourself."

Jiang Yueyi waved them off, telling them to stay where they were, and went to the front alone.

Xing An was kneeling on the ground, his head bowed, crying. Though it had been said that Master was beating him, in truth Qi Hao hadn’t laid a finger on Xing An. Qi Hao never struck or scolded his servants; it was all just for show – he wasn’t even there.

Jiang Yueyi went inside. Qi Hao was waiting for her.

Unlike his usual self, Qi Hao’s face was dark and grim. Jiang Yueyi had been married to him for nearly a year, and though they were distant and had little contact, she’d never seen him like this.

Jiang Yueyi was adept at reading situations. A chill ran down her spine. She stepped forward. "Master," she said.

Qi Hao gave her a cold glance, then turned and sat down at his desk, but didn’t invite her to sit.

"Did you have someone follow Xing An?" Qi Hao asked.

Jiang Yueyi's heart pounded several more times. Her fingers, hidden under her sleeves, twisted together. Her face paled, but she could only nod in admission. "Yes."

With a crash, Qi Hao swept everything off his desk to the floor. They shattered at Jiang Yueyi's feet, leaving her no room to dodge.

Qi Hao's voice was stern. "Speak! What did you find out?"

"I found out nothing," Jiang Yueyi said, drawing a sharp breath. She met his gaze steadily. "Master, if you want to discipline me, you always use the servants as a pretext. There's no need for that from now on."

"You're lying." Qi Hao was clearly furious. After saying this, he broke into a violent cough, as if he’d cough his lungs out. But Jiang Yueyi did not step forward to attend to him, and none of the servants dared enter.

When he had gradually calmed down, Qi Hao picked up his teacup with trembling hands and took a few hasty sips. Then he said, "Jiang Yueyi, from now on, don't interfere in my affairs."

Jiang Yueyi stepped on a piece of paper at her feet and took a step forward. Suddenly, she smiled slyly. "I was still wondering whether Master was actually involved with that widow. But now, Master, you’ve let it slip. So it was you who sent Xing An to that widow. What is it that you're hiding from me?"

"I allowed you to remain in the marquis's residence only out of pity—pity that you, as a woman, have it hard, and that going back to your family would be even harder," Qi Hao said. "But if you continue with these petty schemes behind my back, don’t blame me if..."

"Master, aren't you afraid that Mother will find out about that widow, and about the medicine? Mother must not know about that either," Jiang Yueyi interrupted. "Master is clearly impotent, yet you can still be entangled with a widow—how bizarre."

It was clear that Qi Hao had not expected to be interrupted. He was stunned for a moment, then his usually pale face gradually flushed red, even the tips of his ears turning crimson. "You must not talk nonsense. If you try to stir up trouble again, this won't end so easily next time."

Jiang Yueyi's smile faded. "Master, you're a good man. Even your threats are so gentle."

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