When Zhao Yao heard that Second Brother Qi had arrived, she immediately turned toward the entrance and saw a young servant lifting the door curtain for him as he strode into the flower hall.

In the thirteenth year of Qinghua, Qi Jingchen had already gained fame throughout Jiangzuo. Everyone knew he was a model of aristocratic families and a young second-place scholar. But this year was also his first year entering the Privy Council. Though Second Young Master Qi shouldered such great responsibility at a young age, many people, while not showing it on their faces, harbored deep doubts in their hearts—even within the Qi family itself. But when this young master hurriedly stepped into the flower hall, everyone saw that his bearing was no longer the sharp brilliance of his youth, but had already acquired a calm and reserved quality. They all secretly sighed: given time, Second Young Master Qi might surpass even his father.

Old Madam Qi was very happy to see Qi Ying and quickly beckoned him over. Qi Ying’s expression was peaceful, and he rarely showed a smile to his grandmother, apologizing: “Entangled in mundane affairs, I actually made the elders wait for me—this is truly improper.”

Qi Zhang kept a stern face and scolded: “More and more without rules! I think you—”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted midway by the old lady, who turned to scold Qi Zhang instead: “What are you saying to him on New Year’s? He’s so tired now—isn’t it because you haven’t found him a good position? You only show your authority toward the child!”

Qi Zhang, having been scolded, had no recourse but to silently accept the rebuke. Actually, everyone understood that Qi Zhang wasn’t truly intending to scold his second son—it was just that in front of all the uncles and brothers, he couldn’t simply let Qi Ying’s lateness slide, so he made a show of it. Everyone was perceptive and followed the old lady’s lead in offering a few words of persuasion before taking their seats.

The banquet table was laden with delicacies, the opera stage featured talented scholars and beauties, and amid the toasting and cheerful conversation, everyone’s faces showed joyous festive spirit.

On the other side at Fenghe Courtyard, however, the scene was bleak.

By rights, tonight was New Year’s Eve, and though the master wasn’t spending the night here, Second Young Master Qi had always been generous, allowing the servants to celebrate New Year’s Eve on their own in previous years. Everyone would hang lanterns, decorate with colors, and set off firecrackers for the festive atmosphere. But this year, near the end of the year, they suddenly had a little girl who had collapsed in a snowbank with uncertain fate. When Liuzi went to the main residence to report to the young master, he was even scolded, so everyone couldn’t muster enthusiasm for celebrating this New Year.

Lack of enthusiasm was a small matter—what was truly troubling was that the young master said they must save that little girl, which was very difficult to manage. Liuzi had fetched several precious doctors from Jiankang City to diagnose at Fenghe Courtyard, but they were all helpless. This was because the little girl could no longer take medicine—even if it was forced down, she would vomit it back up. She was now burning with high fever throughout her body, her breathing extremely weak, seeming to hang on by just a thread and would soon burn out like an exhausted lamp.

Seeing such a condition, those doctors who came to diagnose were all eager to leave. One couldn’t blame them for being cold-hearted—coming out to make house calls on New Year’s Eve was already done considering the Qi family’s reputation. But the patient was clearly beyond treatment, and if things went wrong and she died, no one could predict what attitude that Second Young Master of the Qi family would have. Naturally, leaving was the best strategy.

Seeing this, Liuzi became extremely anxious. He desperately grabbed the last doctor’s arm, exhausting all his pleading words, refusing to let him leave, begging him to go into the side room once more to examine that little girl. No matter what he said, the doctor wouldn’t agree and kept trying to break free from Liuzi’s grip.

Just then, Bai Song arrived.

He had received a full hundred lashes just a few days ago and was still limping when he walked. He walked to the courtyard entrance, leaned against the white wall of the courtyard, and asked Liuzi: “What’s happening here?”

When Liuzi saw Bai Song arrive, he felt like meeting a savior and quickly ran to Bai Song’s side: “Brother Bai, you’ve come! Quickly think of a way to save me—keep this doctor here!”

The doctor also walked over carrying his medicine box, both angry and helpless: “It’s not that I won’t help. Doctors have compassionate hearts—if I could save her, why wouldn’t I be happy to do so? I’ve already said that girl can no longer take medicine and is beyond help. Even if you detain me, it’s useless!”

Bai Song stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall listening, silent and expressionless. Only when he heard the doctor say “beyond help” did his eyes flicker slightly, making the scar between his left eyebrows appear very deep. He looked across the courtyard at the door of Shen Xiling’s side room, then walked in silently to take a look. The room was quite warm with a charcoal brazier burning, candles lit at her bedside illuminating her beautiful but sickly face. Her cheeks were abnormally red, she was breathing rapidly and looked very distressed.

Bai Song had no particular thoughts at that moment. He wasn’t someone who liked meddling in others’ affairs. Helping Shen Xiling to this extent—even to the point of getting himself in trouble and receiving a hundred lashes—was already something that amazed even himself. He really had no reason to do more for her, nor any way to do more.

He turned to leave, but his mind kept returning to the image of Shen Xiling huddled in the corner of the carriage on the way north to Langya, guarding her mother, and her repeated weak words of “thank you” to his cold face. Suddenly, his heart couldn’t accept her just dying like this—being treated as an insignificant corpse, wrapped in straw matting, dying without support or protection.

Bai Song closed his eyes, sighed deeply, and limped back outside.

Liuzi was still struggling with the doctor—one wanting to leave, the other blocking his departure. The doctor was so frustrated he was sweating and his face had turned red. Bai Song walked over and said to the doctor: “Please wait one hour for me. If I haven’t returned after one hour, Liuzi, send the doctor back.”

Both the doctor and Liuzi were stunned. Liuzi moved closer to Bai Song and asked quietly: “Brother Bai, you’re going to…”

Bai Song took a deep breath: “To the main residence, to find the young master.”

“Ah?” Liuzi’s eyes widened. “This… will this work? The young master has to keep vigil at the main residence tonight—how could he spare time? Besides, the young master isn’t a doctor. Even if he comes personally, what could he…”

Bai Song was silent for a while, then said: “Let’s try. No matter what, the young master must make the decision.”

Liuzi didn’t know what to say and stammered. The doctor, having heard Bai Song’s words, knew that even if he didn’t accept, he’d be forcibly detained here by Liuzi. So he helplessly agreed, sighing: “Fine, just one hour.”

At the Qi Mansion.

After three rounds of drinks, there was much less restraint at the banquet. One opera after another played on the stage. Currently, they were performing “Romance of the West Chamber.” Listening to the female lead sing, “Hate that we met too late, regret parting too swift. Though willow branches are long, they cannot tether the jade steed; I wish I could ask the sparse forest to catch and hold the setting sun”—it was very moving and drew countless cheers from the audience.

Zhao Yao sat among the guests. Seeing that many people surrounded her Second Brother and he was never free, she waited a long time until this wave of people dispersed, then quickly approached him, saying both sweetly and timidly to Qi Ying: “Second Brother… Happy New Year, peace every year.”

Behind her, Qi Ning and Qi Le also came forward, saying in unison: “Second Brother, Happy New Year! Peace every year!”

Qi Ying smiled at his three younger siblings and replied: “Mm, peace every year.”

Qi Le, being bolder, grinned at his second brother and asked: “Second Brother, you got promoted this year—could you give us some New Year’s money or something…”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow. Before he could answer, Qi Yun’s voice interrupted: “What nonsense are you talking? New Year’s money is given by elders—you and your Second Brother are of the same generation!”

When they turned around, they saw eldest brother Qi Yun holding his daughter Hui’er in his arms. The little jade dumpling, who would turn two soon, was adorably cute—anyone who saw her would want to give her a kiss. She was already babbling and could talk. Still several steps away from them, she was already holding up her two little chubby hands in greeting, saying “Happy New Year” in unclear speech.

When Qi Yun came closer, Hui’er stretched out both little hands toward Qi Ying wanting a hug. Qi Ying’s expression softened, his eyes showing gentle laughter as he took Hui’er from his elder brother’s arms. As soon as the little girl entered his embrace, she showed a very happy and satisfied smile, tugging at his clothes and looking at him with bright eyes.

This adorable sight made everyone’s hearts itch with affection. Qi Ning quickly said: “Second Brother, let me hold her too! This little one is really lovable!”

Qi Yun swatted him away: “You’re too rough—how could I let you hold her?”

Qi Ning pouted and muttered complaints. Qi Yun ignored him and said to Qi Ying with a smile: “This girl has been pestering to have Second Uncle hold her, making quite a fuss.”

Qi Ying smiled and took out a red envelope from his inner pocket to give to Hui’er. The little one was quite knowledgeable—while receiving it, she didn’t forget to say “Congratulations and prosperity,” making everyone laugh even more.

Watching Qi Ying hold Hui’er, Zhao Yao clearly knew she was just a little child, but couldn’t help feeling sour in her heart. She wondered why Second Brother couldn’t treat her so well, and how she could make him treat her so well. Her eyes gradually lowered.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Second Brother handed her a red envelope. His hands were very slender and attractive. Zhao Yao was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion: “Second Brother, this is…”

She saw Qi Ying also give red envelopes to Qi Ning and Qi Le. Those two were already jumping with joy, saying repeatedly: “Thank you, Second Brother! Second Brother is wise and mighty! Second Brother is the best in the world!”

“Alright,” Qi Ying waved his hand, “if you dare spend it foolishly, there won’t be any next year.”

Qi Ning and Qi Le nodded obediently like pecking chickens, repeatedly promising they would study hard and write compositions this year, striving to pass the imperial examinations. Qi Ying smiled and nodded. Zhao Yao held the red envelope, her heart full and swelling. Her earlier melancholy was completely swept away. Although all the younger siblings had received these red envelopes, she still felt warmed and finally believed what her mother had told her: in Second Brother’s heart, he surely liked her very much.

Her little face was red. Just as she was about to thank Second Brother, she saw a young servant hurriedly run into the flower hall and whisper something in Second Brother’s ear. Second Brother frowned, was silent for a while, then without avoiding anyone, said directly to the servant: “Tonight is vigil night. Unless the Northern Wei attack across the river, don’t mention any other matters. Go tell him to make his own decision.”

The servant acknowledged and hurriedly withdrew.

Zhao Yao had never seen Second Brother’s expression so cold and felt a bit frightened. Qi Ning and Qi Le had long been accustomed to this and didn’t think anything of it. Qi Yun also didn’t find it unusual. Taking Hui’er back into his arms, he casually asked: “What happened?”

Qi Ying replied indifferently: “Nothing, just a small matter from the other courtyard.”

Qi Yun nodded. Before long, the brothers were again surrounded by guests in the hall. Zhao Yao watched Second Brother’s refined features from outside the crowd—they looked particularly profound and handsome under the reflection of the New Year’s Eve lanterns, making her pretty face flush even redder. At this moment, her mother supported her shoulder from behind and whispered in her ear: “Tonight during vigil, remember to sit with your Second Brother.”

Zhao Yao gripped the red envelope Qi Ying had given her tighter, both shy and timid, and nodded.

After the New Year’s Eve banquet, the younger generation of the clan clamored to go to the courtyard to set off firecrackers. Hui’er also made a fuss about going. Qi Yun, having no choice, had to accompany them. The little girl still wasn’t satisfied and kept pulling at Qi Ying’s sleeve, delighting the adults. Finally, all the descendants of Qi Yun’s generation poured outside.

This winter was extremely cold. Although it hadn’t snowed again these past few days, the accumulated snow from earlier hadn’t completely melted. As they say, “it’s not cold when it snows, but cold when it melts,” adding several degrees of chill to this New Year’s Eve night.

Qi Yun, holding Hui’er, walked shoulder to shoulder with Qi Ying from the flower hall toward the courtyard. He dimly saw a figure standing in the shadows at the corner of the courtyard. Looking carefully, it was Qi Ying’s bodyguard Bai Song. Qi Yun was very surprised and turned his head to ask Qi Ying: “Isn’t that Bai Song? Why is he standing there?”

Qi Ying looked coldly toward Bai Song. Bai Song also saw Qi Ying come out but didn’t approach, bowing to him from afar. Qi Ying didn’t acknowledge him and walked directly past him with Qi Yun, then casually changed the subject: “Isn’t Hui’er dressed a bit too lightly? I see her hands are a little red from cold.”

When Qi Yun heard his daughter was cold, he immediately looked down to check. Where did he have attention for any Bai Song? He immediately threw the matter to the back of his mind.

Bai Song remained bowing until Qi Ying’s figure disappeared around the wall corner and could no longer be seen. Only then did he straighten up, looked up at the moon, sighed, and continued to remain where he was.