That person was Jiang Er’s elder sister, Jiang Yi.
Since then, he never forgot how she gently wiped his wounds.
That scene replayed in his mind countless times. When he finally understood matters of the heart, he realized she had long been in his heart.
But by then, she was already betrothed and soon to be married.
He finally understood that feeling was called love, but it was too late.
In his youthful passion, he could only suppress the turbulent waves in his heart with an increasingly cold exterior, grieving silently.
Seeing her safe and happy, he didn’t object when his parents discussed marriage arrangements for him at the appropriate age.
Parental orders and matchmakers’ words—wasn’t everyone the same? Endure it, and this life will pass. At least the woman he loved was doing well.
But then something happened to her.
She wasn’t living as well as he thought. She was in a precarious situation, as bad as it could be.
She divorced and returned to the East Ping Earl’s residence.
The woman he loved was now just a household away, living under someone else’s roof.
He could no longer pretend everything was normal and marry someone else.
Compared to the unchanged Yongchang Earl’s residence, the East Ping Earl’s residence became increasingly lively.
The Jiang family had become the Empress’s clan, their status vastly different from before.
Xie Yinlou couldn’t help but pay attention to any changes at the East Ping Earl’s residence.
He gradually learned that many matchmakers had come, seeking to arrange a marriage for Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi was outstanding in both appearance and character. Although some noble families minded that she had been married before, many more didn’t care at all, given that she was the Empress’s elder sister.
What did it matter if she had been married before? Even the Empress of the previous dynasty had several children with her former husband before remarrying and becoming Empress.
Xie Yinlou’s heart was suddenly in turmoil.
One day, as Jiang Yi was returning from visiting Jiang Si in the palace, Xie Yinlou intercepted her.
On the bluestone road, in front of a willow tree, a small green-curtained carriage stopped by the roadside. Jiang Yi lifted a corner of the curtain and asked, “Does Young Master Xie have something to discuss?”
Xie Yinlou, with a serious expression, lowered his gaze and said, “There’s something I’d like to ask. May we speak privately?”
Jiang Yi hesitated briefly before alighting from the carriage.
They walked to the willow tree, away from the maids and servants.
Jiang Yi smiled and asked, “What does Young Master Xie want to ask?”
Xie Yinlou was silent for a moment, knowing he had no time to waste. Gathering his courage, he asked, “Do you… have any plans to remarry?”
Jiang Yi’s smile froze. Though puzzled by Xie Yinlou’s question, she shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
Xie Yinlou fell silent again.
Jiang Yi gradually felt uncomfortable and curtsied slightly. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”
“What if that person were me?”
Jiang Yi’s heart jolted, and she took half a step back in surprise.
Xie Yinlou gazed at Jiang Yi, his expression earnest. “Jiang Yi, please don’t call me Young Master Xie. You can call me Yinlou. I’ve always loved you. If you’re willing to marry me, I’ll send a matchmaker to the Earl’s residence to propose…”
“Young Master Xie, please don’t jest. You have a suitable match waiting for you. I only wish to raise my daughter and have no thoughts of remarrying. Today’s conversation… I’ll pretend I never heard it.” With that, Jiang Yi fled.
Xie Yinlou watched the carriage racing towards the East Ping Earl’s residence and smiled self-mockingly.
He had anticipated this outcome, but he couldn’t help trying anyway.
From then on, she didn’t remarry, and he didn’t marry. It was a form of companionship, he supposed. Compared to couples separated by death, he was content.
But if there were a next life, let him be born a few years earlier. He didn’t want to be “Young Master Xie” again.