Chapter 10 010 A Decision Made

Chapter 10: A Decision Made.

The magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture conducted interrogations through the night, and half of the prisoners in the cell were released, leaving only the last seven or eight men. The one who had laid his hands on her was still inside, lying lazily on the ground.

When he saw Qiao Wanyue appear in her women's clothes, he immediately sat up, his lecherous gaze trailing her from head to toe, as if it could pierce through her clothes and see beneath. His stare made Qiao Wanyue deeply uncomfortable. Frowning, she stepped back and said to Qin Yan, "It’s him."

Qin Yan didn’t need to speak; a single glance was enough for the jailer to understand, and he promptly brought the man out. The moment the man saw Qin Yan, his smile vanished. He lowered his head and became utterly docile. Even his look toward Qiao Wanyue turned pleading, never expecting that she actually had someone backing her, and someone of considerable stature at that.

"Which part of you did he touch?" Qin Yan asked in a low voice.

Qiao Wanyue glanced around at the people nearby, said nothing, but her actions spoke volumes. From within her sleeve, she pointed a pale finger at the man’s right hand, then touched her own face.

Qin Yan watched her movements and almost smiled; her gestures were so over the top that the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved up, only to quickly return to normal.

Qin Yan lifted his chin slightly, said nothing, but merely glanced at the man’s right hand. The jailer caught on at once. He immediately dragged the man away, and the man, realizing what was coming, shouted and begged for mercy. The next moment, a miserable scream rang out through the cell.

Those still inside huddled in the corner, staring at Qiao Wanyue in terror, their hearts pounding nervously, hoping she would be generous and let them off. After all, their earlier offenses were just empty words, nothing serious.

When Qiao Wanyue’s gaze swept over them, they shrank their necks and backed away further. A bunch of cowards. She curled her lip.

"Satisfied?" Qin Yan had observed her every move and expression, asking blandly. He thought to himself, she sure holds a grudge.

Having gotten her revenge, the young girl was in high spirits and nodded generously: "It’s good enough. Time to go home."

With that, she started heading out. Lin Susu had already left earlier. Neither of them had brought maids when they entered Feiyun Manor, so presumably the maids had gone back to the mansion. How was she supposed to get back now?

Standing at the entrance of Shuntian Prefecture, gazing at the pitch-black street, Qiao Wanyue didn’t move. It was so late—how could she return? It seemed she’d have to trouble Qin Yan one more time.

She turned back, batting her eyes, looked at him twice, then at the dark night, practically hinting that she wanted him to take her home. The Qin carriage was parked right at the gate; Qiao Wanyue had already spotted it. Her gaze darted between Qin Yan and the carriage, her intent obvious.

Qin Yan walked down the steps. Seeing her stand still, he turned and asked, "Not leaving?"

"Leaving, leaving."

A few stray strands of hair not properly tied fluttered by her ear. She tucked them behind her ear and quickly climbed into the carriage. She had intended to act dignified, but since Qin Yan had already seen her at Feiyun Manor, pretending any further would just seem fake. She might as well be herself and relax.

Qin Yan’s carriage was truly spacious and comfortable, with hot tea and pastries. No wonder the Marquis's place was different—much fancier than the carriage she usually took. So comfy. Except that the scent inside the carriage was similar to his scent, making her feel like they were very close, even though she was sitting far away from Qin Yan.

"Thank you for tonight, Marquis. For a girl like me to come out of Shuntian Prefecture in the middle of the night would inevitably invite gossip. I’d appreciate it if you kept it secret and didn’t tell anyone."

She added at the end, "Don’t tell my father either."

The carriage was dark, lit only by a faint glow. Qin Yan’s eyes were sharp, accurately meeting hers as he gave a soft "mm."

Qin Yan had agreed, so now she had no worries. Being back so late, Qiao Wanyue was thinking up an excuse, absentmindedly fidgeting with her sleeve, wrinkling the fabric.

"There’s something I’d like to ask the Second Young Miss."

He spoke suddenly, snapping Qiao Wanyue out of her thoughts. Through the dim light, she looked at him. "What is it?"

Was it about the Feiyun Manor incident? Or what happened in the cell just now?

Qiao Wanyue imagined many possibilities, thinking how to handle him, and Qin Yan, as expected, asked about the thing she hated most.

His low voice fell on her ear: "I wonder if Lord Qiao has mentioned the matter of the marriage swap to the Second Young Miss? What are your thoughts?"

The young girl swallowed nervously, grateful for the poor lighting, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to hide it.

Qiao Wanyue thought for a moment, digging her fingers into the cushion beneath her, and said, "Ah, what marriage swap? My father hasn’t said anything to me."

Playing dumb—she was best at that.

A sharp gaze landed on her. Qiao Wanyue felt guilty under his stare, but on the surface she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t back down; if she did, he’d know she was lying.

Even so, Qin Yan could tell truth from lies. His brow slightly arched, he said slowly, "Lord Qiao came to the Qin residence that day and said you had agreed."

The man curled his lips into a faint smile, but his eyes were cold and calm—a fake smile. They were both the same.

The young girl looked over in surprise, innocent and bewildered. Qin Yan was in a good mood and continued, "So why deny it, Second Young Miss?"

He was right—why deny it? It was obvious.

With that in mind, Qiao Wanyue had nothing left to hide and simply admitted: "Yes, my father did say that. But it wasn’t that I agreed; I had no choice but to go along. Marriage is a parent’s decision. If my parents want me to marry someone, then I marry that person. I have no choice."

She said it clearly enough. No matter who she married in the future, it wasn’t up to her. Qiao Wanyue sighed inwardly. She glanced at the man before her—handsome beyond compare, cold and dignified, sitting motionless like an unassailable mountain peak.

Qiao Wanyue looked away and said gloomily, "You’re different, Marquis. You have a choice."

Daughters of high-ranking families of equal status, sweet-tempered women he favored—if Qin Yan wanted, he had many choices.

The surroundings were silent for a moment. Qin Yan lifted his eyelids, then slowly lowered them. "I understand."

Understand what? Qiao Wanyue wanted to ask.

What she had just said wasn’t meant to explain herself but to tell Qin Yan: don’t agree to the suggestion Qiao Zhuofan made, don’t marry her—marry someone else.

Qiao Wanyue had wanted to be blunt, but thought better of it. Qin Yan surely understood her meaning.

The carriage fell into another awkward silence.

She leaned against the carriage wall, swaying with the motion, a little bored. She snuck a glance at Qin Yan—he had his eyes closed. Was he asleep or not?

She coughed. He didn’t move. Qiao Wanyue tried another tactic.

She leaned her head toward him and asked, "Earlier, did Lord Lin not come? You were lying to us."

He pretended not to hear, his facial expression unchanged, as if it was none of his business.

Qiao Wanyue was annoyed by that expression of his. It made him seem without desire or craving, like an immortal—but even immortals have desires. Doesn't he?

She pouted, lifted her chin, and said, "When you saw us being taken away by Shuntian Prefecture this afternoon, why didn’t you let us out? You had to wait until dark. You did it on purpose, to teach us a lesson, didn’t you? And you lied to Susu, saying Lord Lin had come, deliberately scaring her. Now you’re sending me home because you want to ask me about the marriage."

"Marquis, you have so many tricks up your sleeve."

Her final words trailed off, her tone soft and coquettish, like a playful scold.

Qin Yan finally opened his eyes and didn’t deny her words. Qiao Wanyue knew she had guessed right. He was really annoying.

After talking for a while, her throat felt dry. She poured herself a cup of tea and also poured one for him. Qin Yan just stared at her, unmoving, silent.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" She took a sip of tea, her eyes widening slightly. "Wow, this tea is good! What tea is this?"

Way better than the tea in her courtyard.

Qin Yan still didn’t acknowledge her, remaining silent. But his silence was too oppressive. Qiao Wanyue found him boring.

Qiao Wanyue bent down to pour tea when suddenly the carriage jolted violently, causing the water in the cup to spill, and it splashed right onto his outer robe. She stood up, glanced at it, and said, "Sorry, my hand slipped. Just have your servant wash it when you get back."

She wasn't about to pay for it—his clothes were surely too expensive for her to afford.

A wet patch on the hem was no big deal. Qin Yan glanced at it and replied coldly, "Stop talking."

She shut her mouth sheepishly, saying nothing. Qin Yan found her too talkative.

About half an incense stick's time later, when they were nearing the Qiao residence, Qiao Wanyue finally spoke: "My elder sister is ill. Would you like to visit her?"

The man looked up, his dark eyes fixed on her, making Qiao Wanyue feel guilty.

Just then, the carriage stopped. They had arrived at the Qiao residence.

"Go back and get some rest." No further words.

Knowing full well that Qiao Yingxin had been meeting a lover in secret, yet still asking Qin Yan to visit her—what Qiao Wanyue was up to was known only to herself.

She had no other intention but to let them foster some feelings and salvage this marriage, so she wouldn’t have to be involved. Unfortunately, Qin Yan didn’t take the hint, leaving her efforts in vain.

Her mother, Wang Shi, was waiting at the gate. Seeing Qiao Wanyue alight from the carriage, the worry in her heart finally eased. But when she saw the man in the carriage, her face changed in shock.

Qiao Zhuofan was the most eager. Ignoring Qiao Wanyue’s late return, he strode straight to the carriage. Whatever Qin Yan said to him, he dismissed Qiao Zhuofan in a few words.

The carriage quickly departed, and Qiao Wanyue entered the house, where she was inevitably questioned by her parents.

She had hoped Qin Yan would keep it a secret, but now the whole family knew.

The young girl stood demurely and recounted the day’s events, except for what happened in the prison. Wang Shi worried she might have been frightened and only wanted her to rest soon, but Qiao Zhuofan kept pressing her about her dealings with Qin Yan.

Qiao Zhuofan cared about only one thing: how Qin Yan treated her.

Annoyed, Qiao Wanyue said bluntly, "He was very cold to me, wouldn't say two words, and found me annoying."

Hearing this, Qiao Zhuofan sighed softly and finally let her go rest, also telling her not to go out in the near future. Back to her courtyard, Wang Shi pulled her aside for more questions. It was already midnight before she finally escaped.

Qiao Wanyue sighed wearily—she would never go to Feiyun Manor again.

-

Qin Yan returned to the Marquis's residence. As soon as he stepped off the carriage, Chang Sheng held out a piece of men’s clothing and asked, "My Lord, how should this garment be handled?"

It was the clothes Qiao Wanyue had changed out of, which she had forgotten to take.

"Wash it and put it back in the carriage."

"Understood."

He would return it to her when they met again, Qin Yan thought.

The Marquis's residence was grand and magnificent, the entire estate was eerily quiet. The maids and servants moved softly and observed strict rules. Despite its elegance, the mansion exuded a lifeless, oppressive atmosphere—devoid of vitality.

Gazing around, Qin Yan suddenly thought of the talkative second young lady Qiao—cheerful, lively, laughing freely, living passionately, full of life.

If she were in the Marquis's residence, perhaps it would no longer be like a stagnant pond. It would be a different scene.

Would he be different too? Perhaps.

Qin Yan suddenly longed to see that scene. Thus, a certain thought sprang up in his mind, and at this moment, he finally made a decision.