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CHAPTER 6
The main courtyard of the Tan residence was swiftly cleaned of the broken branches. The wind had subsided somewhat, and the lantern's warm glow illuminated the snow-covered courtyard, creating a serene and cozy atmosphere within the house.
Once inside the room, Xiang Yi approached him and helped him change out of his outdoor clothes. She wasn't very tall, and with her head slightly lowered, she only reached his chest. She wore a half-new, half-old apricot-colored long coat and a honey-colored undershirt.
Tan Ting couldn't help but think of the water-washed, white-blue robe Xiang Yu had been wearing. He had indeed neglected to ask about it. Although he didn't share much emotional connection with her and wasn't fond of the Xiang family's behavior, there were still certain responsibilities that he should fulfill. Moreover, the Xiang family's situation over the past years couldn't have been great. Since Xiang Yu had chosen the path of studying for the imperial examinations, it must have required a significant amount of money. He could consider providing him with an annual stipend for his studies. He believed that she would be willing to accept it.
As Xiang Yi helped him remove his outer robe and replaced it with a silver brocade robe suitable for indoor wear, Tan Ting decided to ask her.
"Is Xiang Yu studying for the imperial examinations? Where is he currently living?"
Upon hearing his question, she seemed momentarily stunned.
"Did Xiang Yu have a confrontation with you today?" Her tone carried a hint of anxiety, which surprised Tan Ting that her first reaction would be this.
He reassured her that there was no confrontation.
"No, there was no confrontation."
After Tan Ting reassured her, Xiang Yi visibly relaxed and replied, "Xiang Yu is currently studying at the Qingzhou Academy." She provided a simple answer and then explained further, "Xiang Yu has a quick temper and can be impulsive. If there are things he doesn't handle well, please don't take it to heart, Master."
Thinking back to Xiang Yu's attitude, Tan Ting acknowledged his own wrongdoing in the past. He recalled his intent to provide more support for the Xiang family regarding Xiang Yu's studies and their difficult circumstances.
However, as Xiang Yi efficiently helped him change his clothes and then hung the garments on hangers, she didn't mention anything about financial assistance. She didn't bring up the topic of money at all.
He couldn't help but give her a second look. As footsteps sounded in the courtyard, the voice of one of the servants reached them, "Master, Madam, Old Madam requests your presence in the Autumn Radiance Courtyard for dinner."
Xiang Yi immediately complied, beginning to change her clothes to go out. Tan Ting was surprised by her behavior, expecting her to discuss their matters on the way. However, the road to the Autumn Radiance Courtyard was quite long. Despite walking ahead, he noticed that she remained about a yard behind him, and she didn't say a word throughout the journey.
...
The Autumn Radiance Courtyard was bustling with activity once again. The red plum blossoms in the backyard were in full bloom. Tan Rong had specially picked a few exquisite branches to bring over, and the family enjoyed the blossoms as they dined, creating a cheerful atmosphere.
However, Zhao Shi was prone to headaches during the winter. Over the course of the meal, Xiang Yi spent most of her time attending to her.
After they finished eating, Zhao Shi brought up the matter of Tan Jian's impending wedding. Tan Jian's wedding was only ten days away, and Zhao Shi was leaving the preparations to Tan Ting for the outside matters while entrusting Xiang Yi with the household arrangements.
After this conversation, it was already getting late. The Old Madam asked Tan Jian and Tan Rong to leave, leaving Tan Ting and Xiang Yi behind.
She poured tea and smiled, "Now that Jian Ge'er's wedding is approaching, shouldn't the two of you consider having a child as well?"
Tan Ting was not young when he got married.
Tan Ting had only Xiang Yi as his wife and didn't have any concubines or secondary wives, in accordance with the rules of the Tan family. Having returned home after three years in the capital, he knew it was time to consider matters of offspring.
After Zhao Shi's suggestion, she looked at the two of them. Xiang Yi had been quiet, her head slightly bowed. Tan Ting's gaze briefly fell on her but then shifted away.
He responded, "Mother has been concerned." Seeing their understanding, Zhao Shi smiled and allowed them to leave.
The journey back from the Autumn Radiance Courtyard to the main residence was long, just like before. Each of them carried a lantern, walking separately, one in front of the other.
Thinking back to their honeymoon, Tan Ting remembered how busy they were due to the upcoming imperial examination. Except for the wedding night, during the month before he left for the capital, he had only seen her on the fifth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth of each month.
Walking behind, Xiang Yi was also contemplating Zhao Shi's words. She knew that Tan Ting didn't have any affection for her and was merely following the rules. However, that's how she preferred it to be as well, which made everything easier for everyone.
With these thoughts, she raised her head and looked up at the sky. She saw half of the clouds dispersing, revealing a full moon. Unfortunately, it was the fifteenth of the month.
...
The room was cold, and the temperature seemed to drop slightly along with the diminishing candlelight. Xiang Yi had prepared the bedroll and lay beside the bed as usual. The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The person inside seemed to have already fallen asleep, lying silently and breathing softly.
Xiang Yi realized that while Tan Ting had agreed with Zhao Shi's suggestion, he hadn't shown any interest in her. In fact, she was relieved by that fact.
Brushing her hair aside, she also lay down. There was still a gap between them, and the cold air seeped in through the edges of the quilt. Physically exhausted from the day's work, she paid no attention to the cold air and was just about to fall asleep while hugging herself.
However, in the next moment, the cold air seized from the middle of the quilt. Xiang Yi's body stiffened.
The heated palm of a man, radiating warmth, extended through the gap in the quilt and rested on her slightly cool waist.
The wind grew stronger on this cold night. The branches of the locust tree in the courtyard trembled ceaselessly as the strong gusts buffeted them.
The man's breathing grew heavier, and his grip on her waist tightened.
Unable to withstand the harsh night wind, the locust tree outside finally broke under the force of the wind, its branches swaying and almost snapping, surrendering to the power of the wind.
He was stronger than he had been three years ago, and his palm against her delicate waist was hot, his sweat dropping onto her body. Xiang Yi felt like her body was turning weak and almost powerless.
After a while, the strong wind subsided with a muffled groan, and the room fell silent again.
He got up and went to the bathroom.
Xiang Yi's waist was still sore, but she got up, put on her clothes, and changed the beddings in the bed.
Tan Ting came back from the bathroom quickly, his gaze falling slightly on the person in front of the bed. She was wearing a thin middle robe, and sweat from her forehead had caused strands of her black hair to stick to her face. In the moonlight, a sense of vulnerability seemed to emerge. Tan Ting's heart eased a bit. After him, she had also gone to the bathroom and came back to sleep by the bed as usual. The quilt had been lowered, as if still retaining the warmth and intimacy from before.
Tan Ting's gaze shifted to the woman by the pillow. He thought that he should bring up the matter concerning the Xiang family again. Given their circumstances, she would likely want to discuss it. Just as he was contemplating how to broach the topic, he saw that she had just closed her eyes and seemed too fatigued to say anything. She fell asleep right away.
Tan Ting was slightly surprised. He stood there silently, contemplating the complexities of the situation. The room was peaceful, and he felt a mix of emotions as he looked at her serene sleeping face. He had initially perceived her as cold and fierce, but as he spent time with her, he discovered her softness and determination. His feelings toward her were becoming more complex and subtle, requiring careful consideration.
Tan Ting quietly approached the bedside, watching her sleeping form. He felt a growing sense of admiration for her efforts and resilience. She was a strong woman, full of compassion, willing to fight for her family despite the challenges.
In the quiet room, he found himself reaching out his hand toward her, but he hesitated and stopped midway. He didn't want to disturb her rest or make her uncomfortable.
‘Perhaps I should wait until she wakes up to discuss this,’ he thought.
He gently drew the curtains closed, casting the room into dimness. Then he walked to the door, softly shutting it behind him, leaving her to rest in the embrace of the night.
In the corridor, Tan Ting paused, looking up at the starry sky. His heart was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and contemplation. The situation with the Xiang family was something he knew he should address, yet he worried it might unsettle her. As for her feelings towards him, he couldn't be certain.
‘Maybe I should give her more time, let our relationship gradually grow stronger,’ he thought to himself.
Tan Ting's emotions were complex and deep, and he understood that this journey would be filled with challenges and surprises. He looked forward to every moment of the future and was willing to accompany Xiang Yi as they faced the road ahead together.
Early the next morning, the family had some matters to attend to, so they requested Tan Ting's presence. As usual, Xiang Yi first went to pay her respects to Zhao Shi and then got busy with her tasks. Qiao Xing noticed the tiredness in her eyes and her exhausted expression. She was also annoyed that Xiang Yi had to wake up early and work so hard.
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Afraid that Qiao Xing might stir up trouble with her complaints, Xiang Yi shooed her away and sent her to check on the gemstone store for well-cut stones. She also asked her to inquire about the sale of the previous batch of seals.
When Qiao Xing returned, she had a letter with her. "Madam, the seals you engraved this time are of excellent quality. The shopkeeper said they could be sold at a good price, so there's no hurry to respond to inquiries."
This time, Xiang Yi had engraved a rare ancient-style character, "harmony" (ĺ’Ś). With the year coming to an end, the character "ĺ’Ś" (harmony) was quite auspicious and could indeed fetch a high price.
Although Xiang Yi wasn't in a hurry for money, she was unsure why there was another letter from home. As she opened it and read the first line, she felt that something wasn't right.
"Eldest Sister, the correspondence between our family and Big Brother has been severed."
In the letter, "Big Brother" referred not to Xiang Yi's biological older brother but to Gu Yansheng, who had been adopted by Xiang Zhiyuan and was a foster sibling to Xiang Yi and her younger brother. Gu Yansheng held a sensitive identity.
He was the nephew of the former eunuch Gu Xianying, who ranked below only the emperor in the imperial harem and had immense power. During Gu Xianying's time of influence, he held considerable authority in the court as well, with many officials cultivating connections with him. However, the mighty will eventually fall, and Gu Xianying first incurred the emperor's displeasure due to some improprieties, then faced censure from the court and fell out of favor, ultimately perishing in a fire at his residence.
Gu Yansheng, who had enemies due to his uncle's actions, worried that he might implicate Xiang family members as well. So, one night, he left a letter behind for Xiang Yi, along with his only valuable possession, a black jade pendant, before departing alone.
When Xiang Yi and her siblings woke up, he was already gone.
It was only two years ago that someone suddenly came to the Xiang family with information: an ink store had been opened in the imperial capital under the name of "Feng Fu Ink Shop." Xiang Ning personally carried the jade pendant to that shop and finally reconnected with their long-lost foster brother. However, Gu Yansheng didn't disclose his whereabouts, and Xiang Yi and her siblings didn't dare to inquire further. For the past two years, they had been communicating discreetly through the ink shop in the imperial capital.
But this time, Xiang Ning's letter mentioned that they had sent someone to deliver a message, and the shop had unexpectedly closed down. Their means of communication had suddenly been cut off.
Xiang Yi had an uneasy feeling. Gu Yansheng was clever and resourceful, not someone easily outwitted. He hadn't revealed his current situation in his letters, which suggested that something out of the ordinary might have happened.
Cutting off contact so suddenly, had something happened to her foster brother?
Xiang Yi didn't dare to jump to conclusions about Gu Yansheng's situation. She could only advise her younger siblings to be cautious. Meanwhile, Tan Jian's wedding was approaching, and the bride's family, who lived in the capital, had sent their wedding gifts ahead. They were expected to arrive at the Tan family in Qinglong soon.
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