Jing Zhi stared at Shi Ting with an expression of complete astonishment, blinking twice as if she couldn’t quite believe her own eyes.

Though Director Shi had already set a wedding date with her own mistress, they had not yet truly wed. Both the Shi family and the Yan family were grand households that upheld old traditions and valued a woman’s reputation above all else. The last time, the master had given Director Shi a thorough and earnest lecture simply for holding the young mistress’s hand.

And yet with the master away, Director Shi had apparently dared to spend the night in a young lady’s chamber. If word of this got out, it wasn’t just the master who would be furious — even Master Wen would not let this pass.

Jing Zhi’s expression shifted through several changes. Her feet seemed to have taken root, completely unable to move.

Yan Qing looked over at her and smiled. “Director Shi just came by to deliver something small.”

As if on cue, the small creature in her arms gave two little cries — thin and soft, like the murmurs of a tiny infant.

Only then did Jing Zhi notice that Yan Qing was holding a small kitten. Its eyes were dark and bright — it was just… rather on the homely side.

“What’s its name?” Though Erdan was a bit plain-looking, it was small and adorable, which did not stop Jing Zhi from taking a liking to it.

As for Shi Ting’s presence, Jing Zhi had now worked it out in her mind. Director Shi was not spending the night in her mistress’s chamber — he had simply just arrived to deliver a small kitten.

Except Director Shi was usually so immaculate — today his hair was somewhat disheveled, as though it hadn’t been combed or washed.

“Erdan.” Yan Qing answered happily. “I named it.”

“Is it a cat?” Jing Zhi suddenly recalled her mistress’s fear of cats.

“It’s not a cat. It’s a tiger.” Director Shi, with rare patience, provided the clarification.

Jing Zhi’s lips twitched, and she grumbled inwardly — the little tiger was already plain-looking enough, and a nice name might at least have offset some of that. And yet…

She then thought of the big tiger at home. Although that name seemed utterly at odds with such a magnificent creature, having Erdan to compare it to now made even that name seem gloriously grand.

Jing Zhi, guessing that Director Shi must have come to deliver the pet without having washed or groomed first, went to fetch another basin of hot water. Xiang Xiu also brought over the face cream.

The two of them washed up and tidied themselves, after which the kitchen had breakfast sent over.

Yan Qing couldn’t help casting a glance at the man across from her, quietly amused. He had said he wanted to eat breakfast here — and he had truly gotten his way.

“The servants outside were saying that the snow is so heavy the roads are completely blocked,” Jing Zhi said, tidying the used dishes while sighing. “Miss, you had been planning to leave today — it looks like that won’t be possible now.”

“I’ve already had someone send word to Father. It’s fine.” Yan Qing accepted the mouth-rinsing tea that Xiang Xiu passed over.

Yan Qing didn’t mind staying a few more days — it meant more time with Shi Ting.

Neither of them was particularly talkative. When they were together during the day, he would typically be attending to official matters while she sat beside him reading. Occasionally one would glance up, and their eyes would meet with a wordless understanding.

Even without a single word spoken, the atmosphere between them remained warm and at ease.

Two days passed this way. The snow in Taishan had not melted much, but the roads had been cleared, and train service had resumed as normal.

Knowing Yan Qing was leaving, Wen Xu had the automobile loaded with many gifts — some for Shi Ting, others for Yan Qing’s father. All together it was no small weight, and Jin Shan groaned quietly to himself.

Wen Yan accompanied Yan Qing and the group to the train station. The two sisters said their reluctant goodbyes, and Wen Yan promised that when the time came for Yan Qing’s wedding, she would stay in Shun Cheng for several days so Yan Qing could play the gracious hostess.

“And don’t forget to bring your Doctor Chen along,” Yan Qing said, giving her a wink.

Wen Yan’s face immediately flushed. “Don’t talk nonsense. We’re just friends.”

“Well then, keep working at it. Being just friends is only temporary.”

Wen Yan’s face went even redder.

The train from Taishan to Shun Cheng departed on time. With the long whistle of the locomotive, Yan Qing couldn’t help looking out the window, just in time to see Wen Yan waving at her.

This visit to Taishan had begun as a family call. She had never imagined it would bring so many unexpected events. Even now, thinking back on it made her heart linger with a trace of lingering unease.

But then she thought — she would be at Shi Ting’s side from here on. There would likely be more of such moments still to come. She felt she ought to read more books on current political affairs.

At three in the afternoon, the train arrived at Shun Cheng. Setting foot on familiar ground, Yan Qing let out a long, slow breath.

Shi Ting had intended to escort Yan Qing back to the Yan Mansion, but the moment they stepped off the train, a servant was already waiting there. Yan Qing noted that the servant was neatly dressed — likely someone from the Shi household.

Sure enough, after the servant paid his respects, he stepped close to Shi Ting and murmured something in his ear. Shi Ting’s brow quickly furrowed.

“Something urgent has come up at home.” Shi Ting walked over to her and explained in a gentle tone. “I’ll have Jin Shan escort you back.”

“No need — you go attend to your matter. Father has also sent someone for me.”

“Let him come along. It’s good to have someone looking out for you.” Shi Ting in the end kept Jin Shan behind, and he and the earlier servant left the train station at a quick pace.

Watching his retreating figure, Yan Qing felt a tinge of worry. Could it be something to do with Colonel Li’s affairs?

Just as Yan Qing was turning the matter over in her mind, Jin Shan spoke: “That was the servant who attends Second Mistress.”

Second Mistress Luo Huaimeng — Shi Ting’s mother.

“A servant from Second Mistress coming to find Young Master — it’s probably something urgent with Second Mistress. Miss need not worry.”

Shi Ting always said Jin Shan was clever, and now Yan Qing could see it was no exaggeration. For all that Jin Shan looked honest and unremarkable on the surface, his mind was sharp and perceptive, most attuned to reading people.

Even so, Yan Qing could not keep her thoughts from turning things over. If it truly were a matter concerning Second Mistress, why had Shi Ting left in such haste without explaining clearly? Was it genuine urgency that left no time for an explanation — or did he not want her to know?

It was not until the car stopped in front of the Yan Mansion that Yan Qing drew her thoughts back and set aside the matter of Shi Ting’s mother.

Her father had heard she was returning and was personally waiting at the gate.

Seeing her father standing there in a padded cotton long robe and a padded hat, Yan Qing felt a wave of warmth. In that other life, she had never known a father’s love. Heaven had taken pity on her and let her meet her father in this one. Though as head of the family he was sometimes caught in difficult positions, that never prevented him from caring for her with genuine sincerity.

Father and daughter walked inside together, laughing and talking. Second Mistress and Fourth Mistress came out to welcome her, and little Nuoer, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, was carried in her mother’s arms to see her aunt.

Her father was delighted, and had a meal set out in Yan Qing’s courtyard. The whole family gathered together and shared a joyful reunion.

At the dinner table, however, Second Mistress Guo Yanrong was visibly disconsolate. Her daughter Yan Ling was still confined in the old madam’s south courtyard, and there was no telling when she would be let out.

Yan Qing distributed the gifts she had brought back among everyone. The family chatted for a while longer before going their separate ways.

Once the gathering had dispersed, Yan Qing quickly called Di Huai in.

“Tomorrow, go find out what has happened with Second Mistress of the Shi family.”

Di Huai bowed respectfully. “Yes, Miss.”

After Di Huai left, Mu Rong and Jing Zhi both asked with concern: “Miss, do you think something has truly happened to Second Mistress?”

“Shi Ting left in such haste. I feel he is keeping something from me.” Yan Qing was not certain of her suspicion. “Let’s wash up first — it’s been a long day of traveling. We’re tired.”

And in Second Mistress’s private quarters at the Shi Mansion, Shi Ting was pushing open the door and striding in.

Luo Huaimeng lay in bed, her face pale. Her trusted personal maid Xiang Xiu stood beside her, holding a handkerchief and continually dabbing at the sweat on her forehead.

“Mother.” Shi Ting crossed the room in a few quick strides.

Luo Huaimeng saw Shi Ting and managed a faint smile. “Xingzhi is back.”

“Mother, what has happened?” Shi Ting turned to ask Xiang Xiu.

Xiang Xiu opened her mouth to answer, but cast a cautious glance at Luo Huaimeng first. Seeing her shake her head, Xiang Xiu immediately closed it again.

“What exactly is going on?” Shi Ting’s expression grew stern. Though his voice was quiet, it carried a natural authority.

Xiang Xiu was intimidated by the aura he radiated, her face flushing red — and still she could not speak.

“Don’t make things difficult for her. I’m perfectly fine,” Luo Huaimeng said weakly. “It’s just the old illness again.”

“Mother’s heart condition has flared up? Have you been to a doctor?” Shi Ting had no time at this moment to press Xiang Xiu.

Luo Huaimeng suffered from chronic heart disease and relied on medication at all times to maintain her health. Several of the medicinal ingredients were rare and difficult to obtain, which was why Shi Ting often entrusted Yan Qing’s father to help purchase them.

“Second Mistress refuses to go to a hospital. She says it’s an old ailment,” Xiang Xiu replied timidly from the side.

“That will do. You may go.” Luo Huaimeng shot her a displeased look. “You talk too much.”

Xiang Xiu heard this and quickly withdrew with care.

Shi Ting sat on the low stool beside the bed and looked over with concern. “Mother, it seems this episode has been more severe than usual. You really should see a doctor.”

“It’s nothing. I’ve already taken the medicine.” Luo Huaimeng managed a faint smile. “The Marshal assigned you to Taishan this time with great responsibility. I heard you carried out the task very well.”

As she spoke of this, genuine happiness rose in her expression.

Shi Ting’s lips curved slightly. “There were a few complications — but it was more alarming than dangerous.”

“Good.” As Luo Huaimeng spoke, she suddenly pressed a hand to her chest and broke into a fit of violent coughing. With each cough, her face grew even paler.

“Mother.” Shi Ting immediately rose, poured a cup of water, walked to the bedside to support her, and once the coughing subsided, helped her drink just under half the cup.

Luo Huaimeng drank and her breathing eased somewhat. She waved a hand at the deeply worried Shi Ting. “It’s an old ailment. It gets worse every winter. Nothing to fuss over.”

At this moment, someone knocked at the outer door. It was Xiang Xiu, entering with a bowl of medicine.

“Second Mistress, it’s time for your medicine.” Xiang Xiu glanced at Shi Ting and dared not approach. This Seventh Young Master’s gaze was too deep, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.

“I’ll do it.” Shi Ting took the bowl from Xiang Xiu’s hands and sat down beside the bed. “Mother, take your medicine first.”

Luo Huaimeng smiled. “Very well.”

Shi Ting fed Luo Huaimeng the medicine, and seeing her looking exhausted, he tucked the blanket around her and waited until she fell asleep before rising to leave.

He closed the door and found Xiang Xiu standing outside. He looked at her. “Come with me for a moment.”

—