Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: Did Your Eyes Trick You?

Han Shu was stunned; she had never expected Qin Wan to think this way. Although she had rehearsed many comforting words in her mind, none of them seemed suitable now. Hearing Qin Wan speak about herself like that pierced Han Shu’s heart with a sharp ache.

“Wan’er, your mother knows you’re hurting. I will surely find you a better family to marry into!”

The feelings between Qin Wan and the Fourth Prince, Xiao Jingyu, were not something that had sprouted overnight. Ever since Qin Ye was granted the title of heir apparent, he and Xiao Jingyu had grown closer, becoming intimate friends. Naturally, Xiao Jingyu frequented the Pingding Marquis’s residence and had become well acquainted with Qin Wan.

The more time they spent together, the more this handsome and considerate young man won Qin Wan’s heart. No matter how late Xiao Jingyu came to the residence, she would always steal a glance at him.

Han Shu had witnessed all this. Not long ago, Qin Wan had expressed a desire to marry him; now, she claimed she was unworthy of him. Such a drastic change perhaps indicated that she had already learned the marriage faced obstacles.

Before Qin Wan could reply, the two lingering near the door were spotted by a maid who had come to deliver water. The maid immediately bowed.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince, and greetings, Heir Apparent!”

Since Xiao Jingyu often visited the Pingding Marquis’s residence, the maid recognized him instantly, especially since a portrait of the Fourth Prince once hung in the young lady’s room.

The sound of the greeting reached the inner chamber, and upon hearing that the Fourth Prince had arrived, everyone rose and looked outside.

There stood Xiao Jingyu, clad in a dark green cloak, his upright figure matching Qin Ye’s stature. His features were as handsome as Pan An, yet his expression bore a hint of displeasure.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince!” everyone bowed in unison.

Xiao Jingyu masked his displeasure with a faint smile and said, “Madam Marquis, Fourth Miss, there is no need for formalities. Fourth Miss has been confined these past days; I heard you have recovered. I happened to be passing by today and came to pay a visit. I hope I am not disturbing everyone?”

“Fourth Miss!”

Qin Wan was taken aback. Although she knew the possibility between them was lost, hearing him address her as Fourth Miss still pricked her heart painfully.

He usually called her Wan’er; why now, so early, did he change to address her as Fourth Miss? Was he deliberately trying to distance himself?

Qin Wan clenched the handkerchief tightly, then met his gaze for a brief moment before quickly withdrawing her eyes and nodding in response.

“Your Highness, I have recovered and need not trouble you with your concern.”

Beneath the cloak, Xiao Jingyu’s knuckles whitened as he stared intently at Qin Wan. The more respectful she was, the more suffocated he felt inside.

“If you have recovered, then I shall not trouble you further.”

Without waiting for any reaction, Xiao Jingyu turned and left.

Qin Ye was stunned. What was going on? Why did he want to leave just after a few words?

Watching Xiao Jingyu depart, Qin Ye had no choice but to hurry after him.

“What do you mean? Didn’t you say you would personally deliver the scar-removing ointment to Wan’er? Why not now?”

Qin Ye couldn’t understand how this man had changed so quickly. Just moments ago, he claimed to have consulted a renowned healer to prepare ointment specifically for scars from wounds, promising it would work. Yet the next moment he was turning away.

Xiao Jingyu’s pace was swift; Qin Ye almost had to run to keep up.

Once outside the Wan Yue Courtyard, Xiao Jingyu couldn’t help but speak.

“Didn’t you hear what she said just now? She called herself a sinner and said she’s not worthy of me. So why should I abase myself to deliver this ointment?”

Hearing this, Qin Ye sighed. Ever since Wan’er had been punished, she seemed like a different person.

The cane punishment was undeserved, but having suffered it, her heart naturally harbored grievance and resentment.

“Sire, you know it wasn’t Wan’er’s fault at the birthday banquet that day, yet she was punished. It’s only natural she feels wronged—please be understanding.”

Though he understood, Xiao Jingyu still felt anger. Finding an empty pavilion, he sat down. The instant his backside touched the stone bench, a chill seeped through him.

Qin Ye followed and sat beside him.

“When I entered just now, my mother and Wan’er were probably discussing your marriage arrangement. Wan’er was originally fond of you. Now knowing the betrothal cannot proceed, she naturally wants to keep her distance.”

No matter how Qin Ye explained, Xiao Jingyu remained uneasy. She used to follow him everywhere, always chatting endlessly about ‘Brother Jingyu this’ and ‘Brother Jingyu that.’ Now, she seemed distant.

Xiao Jingyu couldn’t understand. He cared for Qin Wan; his mother knew this, yet she refused to approve the match.

Just when the emperor was about to issue the engagement decree, his mother suddenly declared that the Qin family’s daughter had behaved disgracefully at the banquet and was unworthy, forbidding the marriage.

No matter how he argued, his mother would not relent, leading to the present situation.

Thinking this, Xiao Jingyu’s anger deepened. What frustrated him most was himself—born into royalty, yet powerless over his own marriage.

Seeing his silence, Qin Ye guessed he was pondering his relationship with Wan’er, and spoke again.

“I have no right to interfere in your affairs with Wan’er. But now that your marriage cannot be, and Wan’er has accepted this, I ask that Your Highness no longer disturb her. Let her grieve for a few days, and this matter will pass. If you persist, then I, as her elder brother, will have to step in.”

Qin Ye’s words were not threats but warnings.

Since becoming heir apparent, he had witnessed much danger in the court and heard of many intrigues in the palace.

His sister was prone to mistakes. Should she enter the inner palace, she would surely offend many noble ladies, and punishment would be minor compared to losing her life.

He preferred that the marriage not take place.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingyu glared coldly, snorted, and swept his sleeve as he left.

This time, Qin Ye did not pursue him. Turning back, he saw the bottle of scar ointment left on the stone table. Since it was begged for, he could not waste it. He picked it up and returned to Wan Yue Courtyard.

But as soon as he entered the gate, he heard Han Shu weeping, while Qin Wan stood nearby with a cold expression.

Qin Ye had no time to analyze; he was certain Qin Wan must have said something harsh that upset their mother. He strode forward and scolded directly.

“Qin Wan, what are you doing again? Mother cares so much for you, yet why do you keep making her unhappy? Are you so aggrieved that you want the whole family to suffer with you?”

Su Yan’er shuddered at Qin Ye’s thunderous voice. She had been supporting Han Shu but immediately stepped back to give Qin Ye space.

Qin Wan’s eyes darkened, fists clenched tightly until her nails dug into her palms. For him not to even know what had happened and to keep accusing her so blindly was truly laughable.

Nearby, Wan Shuang could no longer bear it. Both the second young master and the heir apparent were like this—why must they always wrong the young lady?

“Your Highness, the young lady did not bully anyone. It is just that Madam Marquis feels distressed seeing the young lady injured.”

Qin Ye paused, shame flooding his face. Perhaps he hadn’t realized when he began constantly misunderstanding her.

Yet Qin Ye seemed unaccustomed to apologizing.

“Even if she did not bully Mother, why didn’t you comfort her when you saw her crying? Why just watch? She is your mother, after all!”

Qin Wan’s mouth twitched, and her cold eyes locked with his.

“You weren’t there, yet your gaze is so crooked. How do you know I didn’t comfort her?”