After that day, Shen Xiling and Qi Ying spent a rare period of leisurely days together. His injuries were slow to heal, so he delayed going to court, taking leave to stay home for half a month. During this half month, they slept until the sun was high in the sky every day. After waking up, they would get up at a leisurely pace. Once up, Shen Xiling would enthusiastically cook meals herself, researching different dishes for their three daily meals with great interest. After cooking, they would eat together. Qi Ying’s eating habits became more regular, and his stomach pains eased considerably as a result. He didn’t have another episode for half a month straight, which greatly delighted Shen Xiling.

After eating, they would snuggle together reading leisurely books. He had read almost all of the abundant collection in Wangshi, while Shen Xiling had read less than half of them. She would pull Qi Ying to read together, chatting as they read, listening to his opinions on these books, and then discussing other matters completely unrelated to the books.

Besides reading, they would also stroll around Fenghe Garden together. This beautiful estate had been difficult to fully enjoy before, since both its master and mistress had been very busy, treating it merely as a resting place. Only now did they have the leisure to appreciate its beauty.

It was now the transition from spring to summer, and the lotus flowers in Fenghe Garden were about to bloom. The lotus pond in the viewing garden was particularly beautiful, with the charm of small lotus buds just emerging from the water. When they were bored, the two would admire the lotus in the viewing garden, occasionally playing reverse poetry recitation and floral drinking games. Qi Ying, being a distinguished second-place scholar, couldn’t very well compete seriously with a young lady, so he played half-heartedly with her, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. When he lost, he acted quite convincingly, which kept her spirits high throughout.

Besides this, he finally had time to work on Shen Xiling’s riding skills again. Benxiao was finally led out from the stable again and had the chance to run on the back mountain of Qingji Mountain. Unfortunately, its mistress was still very afraid of it and needed her master to lead it before she dared to mount.

Shen Xiling still didn’t particularly enjoy horseback riding, but now that their relationship had changed, Qi Ying was no longer as strict when teaching her. Later, when his injuries had mostly healed, he would sit behind her with his arms around her while riding. They would chat and laugh, and an afternoon would pass quickly, far from the tedious boredom of learning to ride in the past.

Everything was wonderful, except for one thing that made Shen Xiling feel somewhat uneasy—sleeping at night.

Actually, both of them felt it was somewhat improper to sleep together at night now, especially since Shen Xiling was constantly teased by Shuipei and the others. Even when they didn’t openly joke about it, they would still show teasing looks in their eyes, which made Shen Xiling feel embarrassed.

But reason was one thing, and emotions were another. They were so deeply in love that even though they stayed close together all day, they still couldn’t bear to part at night. So they disregarded others’ gazes and continued sleeping together—sometimes she would go to Qi Ying’s courtyard, and sometimes he would come to her boudoir.

In the darkness, within the bed curtains was their private domain where they could let their passion run wild without restraint. They kissed inseparably, clinging to each other desperately, even intertwining their fingers, wishing they could possess each other’s very breath.

But Qi Ying always maintained that bottom line, never taking the final step.

People from aristocratic families always valued propriety, and he was very proper in his heart. Although he had already transgressed much in his inability to control his feelings, he still hoped to save that final step for their wedding day.

Three letters and six ceremonies, a proper matchmaking and marriage—he didn’t want to slight her.

This was certainly a fine sentiment, but since ancient times, the gentleman’s path has been difficult to walk. Since Young Master Qi had made such a firm resolution, he had to endure suffering unknown to a young lady like Shen Xiling every single night. She could only gradually discover that whenever she was kissed by him until dizzy, everything would come to an abrupt halt. He would very suddenly let her go, turn away, and then tell her to sleep quickly in a particularly low voice.

This left her puzzled time and again.

However, these small nighttime oddities were completely overshadowed by the wonderful tenderness of their days. Shen Xiling remained very satisfied with this period and happily thought that after they eloped, such heavenly days could be lived every day.

Midway through this half month, Yao Shi came to Fenghe Garden to visit Qi Ying.

This caring mother had always been very worried about her son, but since the Prime Minister had still been angry in the previous days, it hadn’t been convenient for her to visit Fenghe Garden. Recently, the Prime Minister’s anger had finally begun to subside, and he had started to worry about his second son’s injuries. Only then did Yao Shi seize the opportunity to go up Qingji Mountain.

Sitting down in the main hall, she saw that although Qi Ying’s injuries were far from healed, his mood and condition were very good, which put Yao Shi’s heart at ease.

A mother knows her child best, and Yao Shi was also observant. Looking carefully, she detected an extraordinary atmosphere between her son and Wenwen—in their gestures, their glances, and gentle smiles, there was something that could be understood but not expressed in words.

While Shen Xiling was out preparing tea, Yao Shi seized this opportunity to ask her son, “Jingchen, between you and Wenwen, are you…?”

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying’s expression moved slightly, but he didn’t speak—which was tantamount to acknowledgment.

Seeing this, what was there for Yao Shi not to understand? She also smiled and then showed a look of relief.

Sigh, three years ago she had noticed her son’s special affection for the young lady. It was just that Wenwen had been too young then, and their feelings were still somewhat unclear. Now that she had grown up, there was finally a resolution.

She had been somewhat worried when the two had their quarrel some time ago. Now seeing that they had finally broken through that barrier, she also breathed a sigh of relief. This son of hers had always been self-controlled and restrained, usually taciturn and aloof, seeming as if he had no desires. Especially after entering government service, he had been busy with official duties all day. Now seeing the clear joy in his eyes when he was with Wenwen, Yao Shi was also happy.

Good, finally there was someone who could truly make him happy.

Yao Shi smiled and teased a few words, then remembered the tangled affair between him and the Princess. She became quite worried and after thinking said, “I naturally like Wenwen, but have you carefully considered what to do about your situation going forward? She’s a pure and innocent young lady—you mustn’t break her heart.”

Just as she finished speaking, Shen Xiling returned from outside, so Qi Ying only had time to reply, “Mother, please don’t worry.”

The three chatted together for a while before Yao Shi turned to discussing the Left Prime Minister.

She sighed and looked at Qi Ying, saying, “Don’t blame your father. He just values our family too much and cares too much about your future. He doesn’t want you to get into trouble.”

Qi Ying replied, “Your son understands.”

Yao Shi continued, “He was confused by anger that day and hit you too hard. Although he doesn’t say so afterward, I know he regrets it. Today he kept hinting for me to come see you—he’s worried about your injuries.”

“Father and Mother needn’t worry,” Qi Ying smiled. “They’re almost completely healed.”

Seeing his good complexion, Yao Shi didn’t doubt this. She turned to Shen Xiling with a smile, “That’s thanks to Wenwen taking such good care of you. Otherwise, you would have suffered.”

Qi Ying smiled in agreement, while Shen Xiling’s face immediately flushed red.

Yao Shi didn’t stay for dinner at Fenghe Garden, as she needed to hurry back to the main house to tell the Prime Minister about their son’s condition.

That evening, the Qi family dined together at the dinner table. During the meal, Yao Shi mentioned this matter. To avoid embarrassing the Prime Minister, Yao Shi tactfully pretended she wasn’t speaking to him but to her eldest son.

Qi Yun was very cooperative, working in harmony with his stepmother to explain the improvement in his second brother’s condition thoroughly. Seeing that Father still seemed somewhat worried, he pretended to be concerned and asked Mother, “Sigh, should I also go visit him sometime? Although the external injuries have improved, what if there’s internal damage that can’t be seen?”

But Yao Shi didn’t catch his meaning, thinking the focus of her eldest son’s words was about visiting Jingchen. She thought that Jingchen was currently in his honeymoon phase with Wenwen and wouldn’t want to be disturbed. Even she, as his mother, felt she was being a nuisance there—why would the eldest son go join the commotion?

Without thinking much, she discouraged her eldest son, “You don’t need to go. Wenwen is there taking care of him, and the two of them…”

Here Yao Shi paused, realizing it was inappropriate to speak so directly.

Although everyone in the family knew about Wenwen’s situation, it was basically never mentioned usually. Moreover, with the Princess’s relationship involved, it was even more inappropriate to speak of it so openly in front of everyone.

Although Yao Shi stopped herself from continuing, any perceptive person could understand the implication. Both the Prime Minister and Qi Yun raised their eyebrows, but neither had much of a reaction. The eldest daughter-in-law even smiled with an “as expected” expression.

Only the third son, Qi Ning, had the biggest reaction, even dropping a bowl.

The “crash” was quite loud, startling everyone at the table. The Prime Minister was the first to show displeasure, scolding his third son, “How unseemly!”

Qi Ning was silenced by his father’s scolding, while his complexion became extraordinarily poor. Qi Le, sitting beside him, sharp-eyed, noticed that Third Brother’s expression showed both disbelief and… uncontrollable rage.

He was even trembling with both hands clenched into fists!

Qi Le didn’t understand why Third Brother had such a strong reaction. Before he could think deeply, he suddenly heard Father call his name. He quickly came back to his senses, put down his chopsticks, and listened to his father’s inquiry.

After calling his fourth son, Qi Zhang didn’t speak immediately. He silently continued eating while everyone else at the table dared not make a sound, quietly waiting for the Prime Minister to speak.

After a long while, the Prime Minister also put down his chopsticks. While receiving a towel from a servant to clean his hands, he slowly said, “Today I retrieved your examination papers from the Hanlin Academy and reviewed them. They were not bad.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Le’s whole body trembled with joy rising in his heart.

Father had retrieved his examination papers? And thought they were not bad? This tone… could Father intend to change the results that Second Brother had previously determined? Did he want to promote him to the third tier?

Then might he still have hope of marrying Sister Yao!

Qi Le’s breath caught with excitement, but then he heard Father add coldly, “But merely not bad is still far from good enough.”

These words carried ambiguous meaning, leaving Qi Le unable to determine whether Father truly intended to help him. He could only respond hesitantly.

Qi Zhang looked up at his fourth son, handed the towel back to the maid to put away, and said with stern expression, “Your second brother indeed acted improperly in this matter, but avoiding nepotism is also common practice. If you want to pass the examination in a year when your second brother is the chief examiner, you must be far superior to others. If you’re merely on par with them, being eliminated wouldn’t be unjust.”

Qi Zhang paused and continued, “I have already reprimanded your second brother, so this matter is settled. You brothers should not harbor resentment over this in the future—do you understand?”

Qi Le was speechless.

…He understood.

He understood completely.

So Father wasn’t going to help him, nor was he trying to comfort him. He was telling him not to blame Second Brother.

Second Brother had everything, Second Brother lacked nothing, while he had nothing. Even fighting with all his might just for Yao’er whom Second Brother didn’t want, just for a third-tier position that Second Brother looked down upon… none of it was acceptable?

His father didn’t care about his emotions at all, only telling him not to “harbor resentment” toward Second Brother—in the end, Father only cared about Second Brother, while whether he lived or died, was sad or happy, Father didn’t care at all.

What more could he say?

Qi Le’s eyes became vacant. He just stared blankly downward, and when Father asked again more sternly “Do you understand?”, he answered quietly, “…I understand.”

I finally understand.

Compared to Second Brother, I am nothing at all.

Author’s Note: Continuing to thank everyone for their comments, recommendation tickets, and nutrient solutions. You are all angels, thank you, thank you.