Her slender wrist was suddenly grasped by Xie Yun's strong hand, and with one glance, she saw that his eyes were filled with inquiry.

  Qin Miao deliberately concealed her intentions, but also knew that it wouldn't last long. So she cleverly broke free from his restraints and couldn't help but laugh: "Ha, I thought you could deceive me for a while, but who knew this 'while' would be so short-lived."

  "Never mind, I and Second Brother are just as you see us. And that child on that day was my Elder Brother's, named Qin Xun. The only descendant of the Qin family bloodline. Is it clear?"

  Her eyes sparkled like a shooting star. Yet, such brilliance only appeared for an instant when mentioning that child. Xie Yan was bewildered, but also delighted.

  "So, you haven't married anyone. Nor have you had children for someone else. Is that right or not?" His tone was light, but his words were extremely heavy, and he didn't dare miss a single word.

  Qin Miao smiled weakly, who said she was once a foolish child, now the world had another one. She raised the wine jug, swung her arm back, and the refreshing sweet wine slowly flowed down her throat.

  As for resentment and hatred, it's meaningless. She turned her head to look at Xie Yan's handsome and unparalleled face. Her feelings arose deeply, beyond her control. And when they faded away, it was not what she wished for either.

  As for whether there is any regret in the heart, probably yes. Otherwise, why would I often think of the past and dream of your face? The bitterness in this, I suppose now also has one more person to share it with.

  "Xie Xun, back then I truly wanted to marry you. On the night of our wedding, I made a promise to myself that I would never again have feelings for another person. Even though we parted ways, this promise still holds true."

  "At first, I left because there were reasons why we didn't match, but in the end, I didn't discuss it with you and I don't dare say that I never felt guilty. For the sake of the Qin family, as well as for my own selfish desires back then, I won't remarry, let alone bear children for someone else."

  "Anu! Why do you have to be so resolute... Even if you're no longer fond of him, there's no need to cut off your own path. As a woman in this world, life is already difficult. Seeing you struggle day by day to make ends meet, I...I just feel distressed. Even if we can't be together again in the future, I still hope that you'll have someone to rely on and live a peaceful and smooth life."

  Rely on? The Qin family is her reliance, as long as the Qin family is safe and sound, Qin Miao will naturally be able to live a good life.

  "Thank you. I didn't think we'd have such a moment to enjoy wine and conversation again. Come, I also hope you can let go of the past and move on soon. If you meet a woman who touches your heart, don't hesitate again, restrain your emotions and nature. However, with your exceptional talent, I'm afraid it won't be a problem." Qin Miao smiled and covered her mouth, but a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.

  Xie Yun is also.

  The atmosphere is just right, no one wants to ruin it. Raise your head and gaze at the dark moon, and toast with wine and song.

  Xie Xuan felt like a total failure, with so many words in his heart, but she blocked him at the door one by one.

  "An Nuan, no matter what you say, Xie Yun will not remarry. Except for you."

  She wants to wait, then he'll accompany her. It's just the two of them now, waiting is all they can do. There will come a day when the seas dry up and the stones crumble. If that day really doesn't arrive, then they'll gaze at each other from afar, alleviating their longing.

  Xie Xuan is truly thinking like this. Since he understood the affairs between men and women, he had a ridiculous idea of being lonely until old age. Meeting Qin Miao might be an unexpected surprise.

  Two jars of fine wine, a heart full of thoughts, rowing into the vast spring night.

  Qin Miao and Xie Lin spent the most harmonious night since their separation. Many years later, thinking back to that night still brings endless aftertaste.

  Just as Xie Lin was relieved that it was now just the two of them, a third person who had been quiet until then suddenly appeared without warning.

  Xie Xuan had just returned to his residence when the butler came forward to report. "Reporting to Master, Madam has arrived."

  "Who?"

  "Madam arrived this afternoon and I have arranged for her accommodation. However... she seems dissatisfied with the courtyard house and wants to move into the main house."

  Xie Xuan's first reaction upon hearing the lady was Qin Miao. However, he had just returned from strolling around Qingfeng Pavilion and besides, no one in the manor knew Qin Miao's true identity. Only now, after listening to the butler's words, did he realize it must be that Qinxiang.

  "What a ruckus! Why didn't you tell me in advance that someone was coming?" Xie Yan couldn't help but get a headache. "Also, Qingxiang is not the mistress, don't mistake her identity and cause misunderstandings."

  Isn't she the mistress? Why did the maids by her side call out to her like that when she arrived today. The steward was perplexed, he was temporarily hired by Xie Yan from the local area and naturally didn't understand the situation in Pingyang City's Hou Mansion, only knowing that the master had taken a proper wife.

  "Ah... and who might this be?" The butler's forehead began to sweat, as in a large household like this one, social status was the most taboo topic, for it determined the arrangements for food, clothing, and accommodations that would follow.

  Xie Yan waved his hand: "She is an old acquaintance of mine, so have her arranged in the guest room for now. Have a clever maid serve her. That's right, let Po Feng come in for a moment."

  The housekeeper heard this and immediately had a plan in mind, making things easier. Before long, Po Feng entered from outside.

  "You go with the housekeeper and ask her what's going on. If it's nothing, advise her to return to the capital as soon as possible and stop causing trouble."

  "Miss, you've come from so far away, aren't you going to go see her and ask in person?" Baofeng obviously hadn't expected that his own master wouldn't plan on seeing Xiangxiang. So he couldn't help but remind him again.

  Xie Xuan then picked up a document next to him and signaled for him to hurry back: "I won't go. You handle it, I'll be at ease. Go."

  Po Feng tightly pursed her lips, and had no choice but to follow the housekeeper to where Xiang was. The housekeeper originally thought that Xiang was the wife of the Marquis, so she arranged for her to stay in the Liushan Residence next to the main house.

  When the two just entered, Qin Xiang was complaining to Liao Mama.

  "This house is really not decent, leaving the main house empty and letting me live here. No way, I'm going to find Master Hou and have a clear talk with him." This was the voice of Quan Xiang.

  Lao Lao pressed down on her and shook her head: "Miss, are you trying to drive the young master to death, and incidentally drive yourself to death as well?"

  This young lady, since Qin Miao left, has become more and more unable to control her own temperament. She always feels that from now on, the inner courtyard of this marquis's residence will be hers to dominate. Precisely because her thoughts are too obvious, her behavior can't help but be out of line, which is why she doesn't get along with Old Lady Xie and the two madams in the Pingyang Marquis's residence.

  After the Marquis left for battle, he never returned to the Hou Mansion. The young lady couldn't bear staying in Pingyang anymore, so she secretly ran out to find the Marquis. But as soon as she arrived at the border of Xunyang, she forgot about her past wounds again. Lao Lao was really worried for her, if this continued, even the best temperament would become eccentric.

  Butler Kan barely heard Xiang's complaint outside and his face immediately fell. This was saying that he didn't manage the mansion well himself.

  "Lu Guanjia, this Xiao Yiniang, has always been like that, speaking without a door. Don't take it to heart." Baofeng naturally saw the dissatisfaction on Guanjia's face and quickly explained.

  The housekeeper was really confused, within half a day, the woman's identity had changed three times. First, she called herself madam, misleading him, then the young master said she was a guest, with a rather indifferent attitude, but now the young master's favorite concubine referred to her as aunt.

  What on earth is going on here?