Volume One, Chapter 20: Blind to the Obvious

Lou Hejing remained silent at first, while Xiao Yuanyi forced a faint smile; indeed, relying on oneself was better than asking others for help.

She had intended to jump down from the city wall, but her cloak was too slippery, causing her to slip. Fortunately, Lou Hejing’s grip on her arm never loosened. Instinctively, she clung to him, her body pressed almost entirely against his.

Lou Hejing frowned and tugged her back by the hood of her cloak.

“As long as you obey and play your part well, no one will harm you.”

Xiao Yuanyi’s nose prickled with emotion; the heavy burden that had long weighed on her heart finally lifted.

“Thank you…”

Lou Hejing said nothing, turning to descend the city wall, and Xiao Yuanyi followed closely behind.

The dawn broke through the clouds, bathing the world in a dreamlike glow.

By the time they returned to the Lou residence, the sky was fully bright. Long Yu waited anxiously at the door, accompanied by a female steward from Qin Zhiyin’s household. Seeing Xiao Yuanyi return safely, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

“The lady has a message for the general, asking him to…”

“Please forgive me, Mother. There are still matters to attend to in the army. I will visit Yan Sheng Hall later,” Lou Hejing said as he mounted his horse and left.

Xiao Yuanyi guessed it might have something to do with Miss Ye Qing, considering that Lou Hejing had mysteriously left Qin Garden last night, abandoning his beloved.

Judging by Lou Hejing’s tone, he no longer held her responsible for the deaths of his father and brother.

Though she was safe, their marriage was an imperial decree, impossible to dissolve. Would she then be destined to spend her life merely bearing the title of Lou Hejing’s lawful wife?

She did not know what Lou Hejing was thinking, but Qin Zhiyin and Shen Suyun would certainly never allow such a thing to happen.

Perhaps if she could facilitate the union between Lou Hejing and Ye Qing, their displeasure toward her would soften.

In the end, she still had to find a way to leave. She did not wish to spend her whole life buried in this fate, especially with the matter concerning Xiao Baopan unresolved, leaving her in constant fear.

She and Long Yu returned to Qin Garden, and by chance, saw Ye Qing practicing swordplay in an open space.

Unexpectedly, Ye Qing possessed martial skills. Lou Hejing, hailed as a war god by all, would surely appreciate a woman like her.

Ye Qing noticed her and offered a smile.

This was the first time Xiao Yuanyi had received such kindness since arriving at the Lou household, leaving her somewhat flustered and unable to speak.

She felt a pang of surprise. Back in Yanjing, she had been a coveted and admired daughter of heaven, but in just a few months, she had grown hesitant even to greet others, her mind wandering in uncertainty.

“Miss Ye, your swordsmanship is impressive.”

“It’s merely flower fist and embroidered leg for fitness. I am seventeen this year. And you, sister?”

“I am a Dragon by zodiac,” Xiao Yuanyi replied.

Ye Qing’s eyes, sharp and bright like auspicious phoenixes, glinted with a hint of calculation as she said, “Then we are sisters.”

Long Yu’s expression shifted slightly. Their young mistress was the daughter of a prince, not someone any commoner could easily approach, but living as a dependent, she had no choice but to endure.

“Would sister like to learn?”

Xiao Yuanyi, wanting to bring the two together, nodded to show interest. Just as Ye Qing handed her the sword, a sharp voice interrupted.

“Xiao Yuanyi, what do you think you’re doing?”

Lou Siyuan stepped forward swiftly, snatching the sword from her hand and throwing it to the ground.

“Don’t you have any shame regarding what your own brother did? Instead of burning incense daily to atone for your sins, you dare to harm someone?”

The passing servants sneered at the scene.

In the past, Xiao Yuanyi might have felt ashamed and angry, but now, with the city still unbroken, she no longer cared.

“I didn’t do anything. Stop talking nonsense.”

“Nonsense? You were holding a sword! Had I not arrived in time, you would have struck Miss Ye!”

“That’s because you lack vision!”

Xiao Yuanyi’s old temper had returned after Lou Hejing’s assurance, but Lou Siyuan’s accusations were baseless. Ye Qing had stood quietly by, and if Xiao Yuanyi truly intended harm, she could have easily avoided it.

Lou Siyuan, surprised by her unexpected boldness, took it as proof of her ill intentions toward Miss Ye.

“Just wait. When Seventh Brother returns, I’ll tell him everything and see what he says…”

“Is the noble Ninth General only good at calling his brother’s name?”

“You—you!” He clearly didn’t want to stoop to arguing with a woman.

As tensions between them escalated, Ye Qing hurriedly bowed to Lou Siyuan.

“Ninth Young Master, you misunderstand. I was practicing swordplay just now. Seventh Young Madam found it interesting and wanted to learn, not what you think.”

Lou Siyuan’s angry expression froze, his gaping mouth making him look somewhat ridiculous.

“Even so... she just wants to bully you.”

Ye Qing’s status was well known to him. If not for his parents having already arranged a marriage for him in the capital, he might have been the one to marry her.

Royal women were known for their arrogance. Having just married, her husband had taken a concubine—how could she tolerate such humiliation?

“Playing tricks.”

“You... you dare insult me?”

Xiao Yuanyi no longer had the heart for this and pulled Long Yu away. Lou Siyuan, known never to raise a hand against women, could only stomp angrily behind them, thinking of the rare Tianshan snow lotus flower.

Ye Qing pondered deeply. She had even heard of Xiao Yuanyi’s public kneeling in the street. If the common folk treated her so, how much more the Lou family? Yet, the family’s attitude was not as hostile as expected. She wondered how Xiao Yuanyi managed it.

At dusk, Lou Hejing returned home, first visiting Yan Sheng Hall, where Ye Qing happened to be.

It was common knowledge that Qin Zhiyin was trying to matchmake the two, though Lou Hejing remained indifferent—until Lou Siyuan stormed in angrily, breaking the awkward silence.

All day long, they wouldn’t let him leave, and now he had to endure Xiao Yuanyi’s wrath.

“Seventh Brother, you must discipline her well. Don’t think just because her parents are coming, she can be so arrogant. It’s outrageous! If I hadn’t arrived in time, who knows how she would have treated Miss Ye?”

Qin Zhiyin glanced at Ye Qing, who quickly explained, “Ninth Young Master, you really misunderstand. Seventh Young Madam only wanted to learn swordsmanship.”

“Why would she learn from you? She clearly…”

“Old Nine! The more you say, the more ridiculous it sounds. She is your Seventh Sister-in-law.”

Lou Siyuan looked bewildered, instinctively glancing at Seventh Brother, who returned his gaze with no warmth.

He was confused. Wasn’t it just a brief kneeling in the street? Why had both Eldest Aunt and Seventh Brother changed their attitude toward her? Even Second Aunt no longer troubled her.