Following behind Yan Qin were not only Father Yan and Madam Yan, but also the Marshal’s wife and several notable guests. It was clear that Yan Qin and Shi Yutong had deliberately intended to make a spectacle of this — the more people the better, ideally loud enough for everyone to know.

From the moment Yan Qing had seen Li Wen, she had already guessed Yan Qin’s scheme. The plan was nothing more than framing her in a compromising situation with another man, then staging a public “exposure” in front of a crowd. The slick, greasy Li Wen was to be her supposed partner in this scheme.

When Li Wen found himself confronted with a door suddenly thrown wide open and scores of eyes peering in with all manner of expressions, he clearly lacked the composure he’d imagined he would have. He even stumbled back two steps in fright. “What — what are you all doing here?”

Yan Qin and Shi Yutong strode quickly in. When they saw only Li Wen standing there alone, Shi Yutong lost all restraint and demanded loudly: “Why are you by yourself?”

“I — I also…”

Li Wen had been about to say he didn’t know either, but he was cut off by Yan Qin before he could finish. “Where is the person who was with you? Were you with Sixth Sister?”

Li Wen, having gathered himself, caught Yan Qin’s meaningful glance and steadied his nerves. “Indeed, I was just with Miss Yan…”

“Father, what’s going on?” A gentle, melodious voice carried through the air, and walking out from behind the gathered crowd was none other than the person everyone had been searching for — Yan Qing — with Shi Ting behind her, pushing her wheelchair.

Father Yan saw his daughter and was flooded with relief and joy. “Qing Qing, where did you go? Your Fifth Sister said you’d disappeared — you had Father frightened out of his wits.”

Yan Qing looked toward Yan Qin with a puzzled expression and said quietly: “Fifth Sister said she and Miss Shi needed to go fetch something, and told me to wait here. I got bored sitting alone and thought I’d take a little wander around — but then I got lost. Fortunately I ran into Director Shi, who brought me back.”

She then turned back to Yan Qin with an aggrieved expression. “Fifth Sister, where did you go? I waited for you for so long. Oh — who is this gentleman? I don’t believe I noticed him just now. Is he a friend of Fifth Sister’s?”

Yan Qing’s words sounded perfectly unremarkable on the surface, but everyone present was sharp-minded. One look at the shifty-eyed Li Wen, and the clearly flustered expressions on Yan Qin and Shi Yutong’s faces, and there was nothing left to misunderstand.

Shi Ting couldn’t help glancing down at Yan Qing. The warm midday sun fell across her refined features. Those eyes of hers caught the light like a reflection shimmering on the surface of water — mysterious and radiant.

Just then, a peal of laughter like silver bells rang out. From that sound alone one could sense its owner’s allure and charm. The Marshal’s wife, for her part, showed a fleeting expression of disdain.

The woman who walked over with a sway in every step was none other than the Marshal’s most favored concubine, Du Linghua — Shi Yutong’s own mother.

Du Linghua wore a high-collared qipao with a white wool cape draped over her shoulders. Her shoulder-length hair had been permed into neat, even waves. Narrow eyes and red lips — she moved with effortless, languid allure.

Du Linghua had once been a dance hall performer, and had become the top dancer there on account of her looks and skill. In her heyday, she had caught the Marshal’s eye at a dance, and after feelings developed between them over time, she had entered his household. She was adept at reading people and skilled at charm, and had long held an unshakable position in the Marshal’s affection — though he had taken several other women since, none had ever displaced her.

Standing beside Du Linghua was a man in a black evening dress suit, a fashionable top hat on his head. Beneath the hat, his features were handsome and striking, with an air of composed confidence.

At the sight of him, someone in the crowd called out at once with respectful deference: “Second Young Master is here too!”

The one known as Second Young Master in the Shi household could only be Shi Guang.

Out of sheer curiosity, Yan Qing glanced over — and the moment that familiar face suddenly filled her vision, the hands resting in her lap clenched tight without warning.

—