Shen Xiling had no idea that so many things had already transpired in places she knew nothing about, nor did she know how Miss Fu regarded her. She simply continued rising early and studying late as usual, living peacefully day by day together with Shuipei, Fengshang, and Zijun.

After the noon break this day, Shen Xiling and Shuipei returned to Chouqin Study together to prepare for the afternoon class. Qi Ning and Qi Le had arrived earlier than her and were copying texts together. They had made an error while reciting a poem during this morning’s spot check and were punished by Master Wang to copy it thirty times.

As soon as Qi Ning saw her, he smiled and greeted her, saying, “Sister Wenwen, you’re here so early. You don’t need to copy texts—why not sleep a bit more in your room before coming?”

Shen Xiling smiled and replied, “I couldn’t sleep anyway, so I got up.”

Qi Le, while copying, said to Shen Xiling, “I truly envy you, Sister Wenwen. You’ve never once been caught by the master. Third Brother and I have copied texts so many times…”

Shuipei covered her mouth and giggled secretly. Shen Xiling also smiled. Seeing Shen Xiling’s smile, Qi Ning felt even more that this sister was beautiful, almost becoming entranced, his face even reddening slightly. But Qi Le, that fool, lacked this awareness and kept being a killjoy, saying to Shen Xiling, “Sigh, all this copying day and night is about to cripple my hand—Sister Wenwen, could you help me copy some? Next time if you get punished, I’ll copy for you too.”

Shen Xiling thought to herself that she intended to study hard and excel—she wouldn’t be punished by Master Wang. But Qi Le had always been kind to her and never caused her difficulties, so she was happy to help him copy. She nodded, intending to take the paper and brush to copy for him, but Qi Ning slapped the back of Qi Le’s head and scolded him: “I call you an idiot and you really start drooling! Don’t you think about Master’s keen eyesight? Your handwriting is so much uglier than Sister Wenwen’s—be careful the master doesn’t discover it and beat your hands again!”

Hearing the logic in this, Qi Le rubbed his head where Third Brother had hit him and continued dejectedly copying by himself, muttering as he wrote, “That’s true too—sigh, Sister Wenwen, how did you practice your handwriting? Why is it so similar to Second Brother’s?”

Being asked about this, Shen Xiling was startled for a moment, not knowing how to answer. Qi Ning was somewhat concerned about her relationship with Second Brother and paid particular attention to this answer, staring intently at Shen Xiling. She pressed her lips together and answered, “Perhaps it’s just coincidence… Actually, I don’t think it’s very similar at all. My handwriting… is far inferior to Second Young Master’s.”

Her answer had no flaws, but when mentioning Qi Ying, there was always a subtle difference in her expression and tone. Though Qi Le was still too young to notice, Qi Ning could already discern some clues. He had a vague feeling but couldn’t grasp anything concrete, yet felt somewhat gloomy, sensing that Shen Xiling’s attitude toward Second Brother was different from her attitude toward him. Unable to resist saying something to upset her, after holding back for a while, he said, “Speaking of Second Brother, he’s leaving Jiankang today. Who knows when he’ll return—probably quite a few days.”

Shen Xiling was stunned upon hearing this.

Qi Ying… was leaving Jiankang?

Her heart suddenly felt empty, with a stuffy, uncomfortable feeling. She couldn’t help asking, “Second Young Master is leaving? …Where is he going?”

Qi Ning shook his head and answered, “I don’t know. They only said he’s leaving today, not where he’s going. By now he should have already left the mansion.”

Shen Xiling’s heart felt even more empty.

Qi Le had been copying while listening to Third Brother and Sister Wenwen talk, but suddenly both fell silent. Looking up, he saw Third Brother’s expression was strange and Sister Wenwen’s face was pale, leaving him puzzled.

Qi Le was kindhearted and, seeing Shen Xiling’s poor complexion, said with some concern, “Sister Wenwen doesn’t look well. Are you feeling unwell? Should I ask the master for leave on your behalf for this afternoon’s class…”

Before he could finish, he saw Shen Xiling suddenly stand up with an anxious expression, asking, “Has Second Young Master really left? What time did he leave?”

Qi Le was startled. The Sister Wenwen he knew had always been gentle, soft-spoken, and quiet—he’d never seen her like this before. Seeing Third Brother wasn’t answering, he said, “We can’t say for sure, but I still saw Qing Zhu during lunch. If they moved quickly, they should have left by now, but if they were slower, then…”

Before he finished speaking, he saw the usually refined Sister Wenwen turn and run out of the study, nearly colliding head-on with Zhao Yao, who was just entering. She hastily apologized to Zhao Yao, then ran out like the wind, with Shuipei calling after her while chasing behind.

Qi Le was bewildered and shouted loudly at Shen Xiling’s retreating figure, “Hey, Sister Wenwen! Are you attending this afternoon’s class or not!”

Naturally, Shen Xiling couldn’t be bothered to answer and had already run out of sight. Qi Le looked around in confusion, seeing Yao’er, who had nearly been hit, angrily muttering something, and Third Brother beside him looking displeased. He couldn’t help wondering: had Third Brother really been right—was he truly an idiot? How come he couldn’t understand any of them!

Shen Xiling ran toward the main gate of Qi Mansion with Shuipei.

Since entering the mansion, she had always lived cautiously, never stirring up trouble in the household. She was so quiet that some poorly informed servants in the mansion hadn’t even heard of Miss Fang’s name.

Now, though urgent in her heart, she still minded not wanting to attract attention. So she and Shuipei would lift their skirts and run when no one was around, then walk properly and slowly when encountering people, making their way to the gate like this.

By the time they arrived, she was already sweating on her forehead. She looked around the gate but saw no carriage. Shuipei asked the gatekeeper, whose servant said he had just come on duty and hadn’t seen Second Young Master—presumably he had already left.

Shen Xiling’s heart filled with indescribable disappointment.

Seeing Shen Xiling’s dejected expression, Shuipei felt sorry for her and couldn’t help consoling her: “Miss, this really isn’t anything serious. The young master was always busy anyway. Just consider it like when you lived in Fenghe Courtyard—didn’t you also go long periods without seeing him? Besides, surely the young master won’t be away long and you’ll see him again soon.”

Shen Xiling knew that everything Shuipei said made sense, but her heart still ached with secret pain.

It was difficult for her to explain that feeling to anyone. She actually hadn’t realized she cared so much about whether Qi Ying was in this mansion. Clearly, even when he was here they rarely met; clearly, even when they did meet it was just exchanging greetings; clearly, even though he hadn’t been by her side during this period, she had been doing quite well. Yet when Shen Xiling heard he was leaving the mansion, even leaving Jiankang, her heart was suddenly shrouded in gloom.

She had thought she was beginning to enter peaceful days and could gradually become settled and happy, but she hadn’t expected that just hearing Qi Ying would be away for a while would instantly turn the little bit of joy she had finally accumulated in her heart to foam.

She felt both panicked and disappointed.

Shuipei followed behind Shen Xiling, seeing her downcast brows and eyes hiding sadness. She wanted to comfort her further when she looked up and saw Qing Zhu walking hurriedly in the distance. Shuipei quickly called out loudly, “Qing Zhu!” Her voice was quite loud, and though Qing Zhu was quite far away, he still heard and, seeing it was Shen Xiling and Shuipei, showed a surprised expression.

Seeing Qing Zhu, Shen Xiling’s eyes lit up: he was the personal attendant serving by the young master’s side, usually never leaving Qi Ying. If Qing Zhu was still here, then the young master… perhaps hadn’t left yet?

While Shen Xiling pondered, Qing Zhu had already approached, looking Shen Xiling up and down with a neither cold nor warm expression, then asking Shuipei, “What are you doing here? Why did you call me just now?”

Qing Zhu had never much liked Shen Xiling and spoke rather harshly now with an unpleasant expression. However, observing carefully, Shen Xiling noticed that though Qing Zhu maintained a composed demeanor, the sweat on his forehead was even heavier than her own.

Shen Xiling silently speculated about the reason and couldn’t help recalling how on Lantern Festival, Qing Zhu had led her around the streets in circles without realizing it, suspecting he was currently lost.

Looking at his expression, Shen Xiling said as subtly and naturally as possible, “I wonder where Qing Zhu is going? If we’re heading the same direction, shall we go together?”

Qing Zhu was indeed lost.

He had been wandering back and forth in the mansion for nearly half an hour, getting more and more sweaty but still unable to find the west corner gate. However, being rather prideful, after going in and out of the main family’s residence for so long, stopping people on the road to ask for directions would surely invite ridicule. So the step that Shen Xiling was offering him now was truly precious.

Qing Zhu coughed, somewhat awkwardly grunted, and said, “Mm, I’m going to the west corner gate to find the young master. If Miss Fang is also going there, then let’s walk together.”

Hearing that Qi Ying was indeed still there, Shen Xiling’s heart finally calmed down, and her face finally showed some smile. She nodded to Qing Zhu and said, “Then I’ll trouble you to guide us.”

Shen Xiling saw Qi Ying outside the west corner gate.

When she saw him through the gate, he was standing by the carriage with his hands behind his back, frowning as he spoke to Bai Song. Looking up and seeing her standing inside the gate, he raised an eyebrow.

He said a few more words to Bai Song, then walked toward her. Qing Zhu was about to go up and say something to him, but Shuipei grabbed him from behind and forcibly pulled him away. Remembering that Shen Xiling had after all led him here, Qing Zhu didn’t struggle, grunted, and retreated with Shuipei.

Qi Ying stepped inside the gate, looking down with slightly furrowed brows, asking Shen Xiling, “How did you come here? Don’t you have to attend class this afternoon?”

Shen Xiling hadn’t seen him for some time, and now upon meeting him she was immediately questioned. Given her nature, she should have felt timid, but strangely, at that moment she didn’t feel afraid of him at all, didn’t find him severe in the least, and even dared not answer his question, instead asking him, “Are you leaving, Young Master?”

This startled Qi Ying.

He saw that the young girl’s hair was slightly disheveled, her breathing somewhat labored. Looking carefully, there was even a hint of grievance in her brows and eyes. At this moment, she was looking at him with an expression he had never seen before.

It took him quite a while to understand: the young girl was throwing a tantrum with him.

This was quite a novel thing.

The Shen Xiling that Qi Ying had seen was always quiet and cautious, often appearing more mature and sensible than her peers. Besides this, she was also very obedient, showing no resistance to any of his arrangements, gentle and quiet. This was the first time he’d seen her display such emotion—seeming both angry and aggrieved, with a hint of panic.

He had never been one with patience to coax others, but at that moment, seeing Shen Xiling show such emotion, he felt no impatience at all—not even a bit—which even surprised himself.

His expression grew gentle, and he sighed, saying to Shen Xiling with a hint of amusement, “So now you’re not afraid of me.”

After a pause, he added, “And you even dare skip class?”

When Qi Ying’s eyes held a smile, he appeared particularly handsome, and his voice had an especially pleasant quality at this moment.

Shen Xiling’s heart began beating erratically again. She thought perhaps it was because she had run too fast earlier and still hadn’t recovered. She pressed her lips together, calmed herself for a moment, and said, “I didn’t skip class… I just heard them say that you were leaving Jiankang today, Young Master.”

She stopped speaking and looked up at him.

From her reserved gaze, Qi Ying saw the young girl’s attachment to him, and his heart immediately softened, realizing his behavior had been inappropriate.

Indeed, he should have told Shen Xiling in advance that he would be away for a while. The young girl was still small and shy with strangers. Though she had settled in at Qi Mansion now, he was the only one who truly knew her background and would protect her. Hearing suddenly that he was leaving, she must be frightened.

Qi Ying felt somewhat guilty and said to her, “I was inconsiderate—I should have told you beforehand.”

Shen Xiling didn’t need his apology; she just wanted to know when he would return. So she shook her head and asked, “When will you return, Young Master?”

Qi Ying thought for a moment but didn’t answer immediately.

His trip to Nanling Commandery involved very important matters. Even if things went smoothly, it would take at least half a month to return, and if not, it might take several months. He glanced at Shen Xiling, seeing the young girl’s anxious expression. If he told her he might not return for several months, it might make her cry. So after thinking, he answered, “I’ll handle things as quickly as possible and try to return in time for your birthday.”

Shen Xiling’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Her birthday was on the twenty-fourth, and it was now the seventh day of the second month. Half a month wasn’t very long—that was good. And he indeed still remembered her birthday, which also made her happy.

Qi Ying saw the young girl’s bright eyes and upturned mouth corners—she finally seemed happy, and he felt pleased as well. He reached out to smooth her slightly disheveled hair, instructing, “Remember to be good while I’m gone. If anything happens, go find Mother.”

Qi Ying’s fingers were warm, his voice gentle, making Shen Xiling’s heart increasingly settled.

She looked at him and nodded.

Such an obedient appearance was truly endearing. Qi Ying smiled and added, “Eat well—you’re too thin.”

Shen Xiling blinked, not expecting him to suddenly say such a thing. For a moment he seemed even more like her elder, making her feel especially warm inside, so she nodded again.

Qi Ying withdrew his hand from her hair, looked at the sky, and said, “Isn’t Master coming this afternoon?”

Only then did Shen Xiling remember about school.

Her face flushed red as she stammered, “He is coming…”

The smile hadn’t faded from Qi Ying’s eyes: “Then you’re quite bold, daring to be late for Master Wang’s class?”

Seeing him smile, Shen Xiling grew even bolder and bantered with him, saying, “Even if I’m late, I’m not afraid. I usually perform so well—if I’m late once, Master will at most say a few words to me. Nothing will happen.”

When she said this, her manner was both charming and endearing, making one couldn’t help but smile. Qi Ying chuckled but his gaze still held approval as he said, “Mm, I heard you’ve been studying very diligently.”

Shen Xiling’s eyes lit up again.

She had thought Qi Ying wasn’t concerned about school matters, but his words suggested he knew about her recent performance—could it be… that during this time he actually hadn’t forgotten about her?

She wanted to ask him but couldn’t find the words. After hesitating for a while, she heard Qi Ying say, “Go back quickly. If you’re too late, I’m afraid Master really will punish you.”

Just then, the horses outside the west corner gate snorted, as if urging Qi Ying to leave. Shen Xiling looked at him, still reluctant to go. Qi Ying held back, couldn’t resist, reached out and gently pinched her cheek, saying, “Go on.”

Shen Xiling knew she really should go back, so she obediently nodded, turned and walked away, but kept looking back every few steps, continuing until she reached the corner where green tiles and white walls completely blocked her view.

Shuipei followed her all the way, covering her mouth and laughing the entire time. After turning the corner, she teased, “Miss, why not just skip school entirely and beg the young master to take you along? Save yourself waiting half a month—how torturous.”

Shen Xiling lightly swatted Shuipei, then laughingly lifted her skirts to run back to school, thinking as she ran: Half a month… truly torturous indeed.

Author’s Note:

After he returns there will be hugs! And then before long she’ll grow up! Legitimate first, second, third base!

Next update Gu Juhan makes an appearance—I suspect no one even remembers him…