The current imperial city was under her control.
There was nothing wrong with this either. This was how it should be.
Xie Yanfang closed his eyes again, lay back down, and fell into deep sleep.
Only then did the maids come back to life, gently stroking the young master’s scattered long hair. The room was silent, with only the cinnamon bark in the incense burner occasionally crackling softly, emitting a faint, clear fragrance.
……
……
That night, a heavy rain fell.
The capital was washed clean. The fires and bloodstains were almost invisible, but the burned houses couldn’t yet be restored.
Most households could still live in their homes with some repairs. The Qi Leyun family was rather unlucky—their house had been completely burned down, and unlike the Xie clan, they didn’t have many residences to simply switch to another.
Their relatives and friends in the city had all suffered losses, people were anxious, and their homes couldn’t accommodate so many people. Qi Leyun had a flash of inspiration and led her family to borrow Chu Garden.
Qi Leyun came with her father. Outside the Chu family gate, everything was intact, looking completely unaffected.
She had worried in vain that Chu Zhao would suffer retaliation. It seemed that in the Third Prince’s eyes, Chu Zhao wasn’t worth mentioning.
Outside the Chu residence, there were also more people than elsewhere. There were elderly people sitting and making shoe soles, children running around. Seeing them, they even greeted them.
“What are you here for?” a child asked, staring at them and scanning them up and down.
That manner looked just like a beggar who hadn’t eaten in days.
Old Master Qi nearly took out money to give as charity, but was fortunately stopped by Qi Leyun. This child wasn’t poorly dressed at all—he even wore a gold collar around his neck.
Children didn’t understand the sorrows and joys of the world and still played carefree. Qi Leyun waved her hand to shoo him away and knocked on the Chu family door. She knocked until her hand nearly broke before someone inside responded. Hearing they wanted to visit Old Master Chu, the person inside immediately refused, saying he wouldn’t see them. From the sounds, they were even going to add more door bolts—
What was this? Were they that timid?
Qi Leyun quickly said she wanted to see Chu Zhao.
The movement inside the door stopped, but they still didn’t open. Not long after, footsteps sounded lightly, and a female voice came: “Who is it? Qi Leyun?”
It was Chu Tang! Although dissatisfied that it wasn’t Chu Zhao who came, Qi Leyun still controlled her temper and knocked on the door: “Open the door first, then we’ll talk.”
Chu Tang wouldn’t even open the door at the entrance, saying something about it not being safe.
“What are you afraid of?” Qi Leyun said, both annoyed and amused, pointing outside. “Old grannies and children are running around and playing outside.”
She knocked rapidly on the door, urging her.
“When you were afraid that Chu Zhao would cause trouble and implicate you, you came to stay at my house. Have you forgotten how I treated you?”
The door opened in response. Chu Tang stood at the entrance and covered her mouth with one hand, her expression somewhat panicked: “Don’t shout, don’t shout anymore or people will hear.”
So what if people heard?
Besides, there weren’t many people outside—just old, weak, women, and children.
What was there to fear!
Qi Leyun pushed away Chu Tang’s hand covering her mouth.
“Why are you so timid? My house was burned down. You can’t even imagine what I went through last night. I wasn’t afraid. Your side is safe and sound—what are you afraid of?”
Chu Tang looked at her with a complex expression, laughed dryly twice, and said, “You’re amazing.”
Qi Leyun didn’t bicker with her, but introduced her father. Old Master Qi stepped forward to state his purpose—he wanted to see Old Master Chu. After all, such a big matter required the two household heads to sit down and discuss.
But Chu Tang curtsied: “Uncle, my father was frightened and has fallen ill. He cannot receive guests.”
Qi Leyun scoffed: “You’re all too timid!”
Chu Tang looked at her and sighed softly: “Actually, I want to say, I didn’t even know my courage was this great.”
What did that mean? Qi Leyun didn’t understand.
Chu Tang said no more: “My family is indeed intact, but if you move in, I’m afraid it won’t be convenient for you. Uncle, you should still—”
Qi Leyun was displeased: “Chu Tang, is this how you treat me?” Her eyes rolled. “You’re not the one who makes decisions in this household anyway. Where’s Chu Zhao?” She reached out to push Chu Tang aside, about to walk in. “I don’t believe Chu Zhao would turn away my family in distress.”
Chu Tang quickly grabbed her: “Chu Zhao was also frightened and has fallen ill. She can’t see people.”
Qi Leyun’s eyes widened: “How is that possible? It’s not strange for your father to be frightened, but how could Chu Zhao be frightened?”
What kind of words were these! Old Master Qi coughed from behind, scolding his daughter: “Since it’s not convenient, then let it be.”
Qi Leyun was both angry and sad, looking at Chu Tang: “Now I understand—sisterly bonds are unreliable.”
Chu Tang sighed: “This place isn’t some good place. I’m doing this for your own good.”
Qi Leyun sneered: “You’re good at saying pleasant words. You always have reason on your side for everything.”
Chu Tang smiled wryly, glanced outside, her eyes flickering slightly. Since that was the case, don’t blame her then.
“Well then,” she said, looking at Old Master Qi. “Chu Garden is still empty. If Old Master Qi doesn’t mind, you can stay there.”
Before Old Master Qi could speak, Qi Leyun hugged Chu Tang happily: “I knew it. All the friends I, Qi Leyun, make are very loyal.”
Chu Tang said with a complex expression, “As long as you’re happy.”
……