Volume One, Chapter 18: Cornering Him Against the Wall

Qin Songting’s words were blunt and lacked self-awareness; Bai Lin’s gaze involuntarily shifted away, unsure how to respond. It wasn’t a matter of shame, but rather the notorious reputation that surrounded him, widely known and spoken of with disdain.

“Master is handsome, comes from a noble family, holds the rank of one of the nine ministers at such a young age—it's only natural that the young lady admires you,” Bai Lin finally said after rehearsing the words countless times in his mind.

Despite his tarnished reputation, many noble ladies in the capital were still willing to marry into Qin Songting’s family because of his status. Miss Ran was one such example.

“Get lost; no pearls can come from a dog's mouth,” Qin Songting retorted sharply, the words grating in his ears. Without hesitation, he hurled an unfinished red bean pastry at Bai Lin.

Bai Lin didn’t dare dodge; instead, he caught it with one hand, bowed deeply, and thanked Qin Songting. “Thank you for your generosity, Master. I shall take my leave now.”

Watching Bai Lin exit, Qin Songting frowned slightly.

Two days later, Gu Shuya invited several ladies who had attended the spring banquet to the Marquis’s residence to watch a play. The spring banquet had left a poor impression, and she wanted to rectify it by hosting another gathering—listening to opera, playing cards, and restoring their social standing.

However, Fuling confided to Song Xianwan that Gu Shuya’s true intention was to find a suitable match for Qin Siyao. Her choice was Xu Wei, the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis of Wuwei. Though five years older than Qin Siyao and previously married with children, the Wuwei Marquis’s family was closely connected to the imperial clan.

Xu Wei’s eldest sister was currently the Crown Prince’s favored consort; when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would become a noble consort. Such a prestigious family was coveted by many seeking alliance.

Gu Shuya, naturally, desired this marriage. If Qin Siyao could marry into the Wuwei Marquis’s family, Gu Shuya’s position within the Marquis’s household would be unassailable.

“Qin Siyao surely wouldn’t agree,” Song Xianwan said, reclining in her rocking chair with a lotus cake in one hand and a book in the other. She preferred sitting by the window despite repeated warnings from Fuling and Madam Song about the cold.

Fuling brought her a thin quilt. “You know the sixth lady’s temper well, Miss.”

“And with the fifth lady’s instigations, she’s even more unwilling. Xu Wei is five years her senior, has been married, and has children. I wonder what Lady Fifth is thinking,” Fuling added.

Finishing the lotus cake, Song Xianwan sat up. “Lady Fifth only cares that if Qin Siyao marries Xu Wei, she herself can climb higher by association. Such a noble lineage isn’t something others can easily attain.”

She placed her book into Fuling’s arms and rose.

“That’s true; Lady Fifth is incredibly selfish,” Fuling murmured.

“Are you going out, Miss?” Fuling asked, noticing Song Xianwan draping a cloak over herself as if preparing to leave.

Song Xianwan nodded. “I’m taking you to see some excitement.”

She smiled slyly, eyes glinting with mischief.

Fuling quickly handed her a hand warmer. “It’s still cold outside. If you catch a chill, I won’t serve you.”

“Let’s go quickly, or we’ll miss it,” Song Xianwan said, clutching the hand warmer as she headed out.

Qin Songting also enjoyed watching plays, and coincidentally, he was home today. Whether they would encounter each other at the performance was uncertain.

Since the day she delivered gifts to Liao Ting Courtyard, Song Xianwan hadn’t seen Qin Songting. The High Court’s affairs kept him busy, not only with official matters but also with issues concerning his eunuch godfather.

Song Xianwan avoided meeting him to prevent arousing suspicion; she assumed he was watching her secretly.

She patiently waited for a few days, but her visit to the Marquis’s residence was far from peaceful. With Qin Songting present, she first needed to keep him steady before pursuing her own plans.

Arriving at the stage in the front courtyard, Song Xianwan was greeted by the sounds of the performance. The play was well chosen, telling the story of the founding emperor of the Great Qi dynasty.

Gu Shuya invited only a few, but the ladies brought their children, hoping to use this occasion to foster future marriages.

With the ladies present and the gathering informal, there were no strict separations between men and women.

Song Xianwan slipped in unnoticed and took a seat at the back. Everyone was engrossed in the play, oblivious to her arrival.

Leading the group was Gu Shuya, seated beside the Lady of the Wuwei Marquis’s household—Xu Wei’s mother.

Qin Siyao was absent, likely refusing to come in tears. Gu Shuya, fearing trouble, kept her away.

Watching on, Song Xianwan saw Xu Wei—a man of decent appearance and sharp gaze, though still no match for Qin Songting.

No one in the capital could rival Qin Songting’s striking presence.

Seated far away, Song Xianwan couldn’t hear Gu Shuya and the Lady of Wuwei’s conversation clearly.

Midway through the play, Xu Wei stood and left. Song Xianwan seemed to sense something and fixed her gaze nearby.

Qin Siyu also rose.

She had suspected that Qin Siyu’s disparagement of Xu Wei in front of Qin Siyao came from her own designs.

That was just as well, perfectly fitting Song Xianwan’s plans—better that Qin Siyu stayed out of the way.

Song Xianwan stood and quietly slipped away.

Xu Wei was leaving to clear his mind; he disliked sitting among superficial gatherings and would never have come if not for his mother’s insistence.

Qin Siyu, however, was heading straight for Xu Wei.

Neither noticed Song Xianwan lurking at a distance. She watched Qin Siyu feign dropping something and then bump into Xu Wei, a slight smile playing on her lips.

“What are you looking at?” a voice suddenly whispered into her ear, making her jump and whirl around.

“Cousin, what are you doing here?”

“And why are you here?”

Qin Songting’s brow furrowed, the hairpin in Song Xianwan’s hair pricking him, tempting him to pull it out and toss it away.

“I’m out for some fresh air,” she replied, eyes darting nervously as if afraid he knew her true intentions.

“You seem quite interested in the Marquis’s affairs,” Qin Songting remarked, stepping back with arms crossed, studying her leisurely.

His arrival occupied the very spot Song Xianwan had just vacated, his tall frame completely blocking the half-wall screen.

She turned her head and saw Xu Wei looking in their direction.

She stepped forward slightly. “Cousin, we’re about to be discovered.”

“You move aside,” Qin Songting ordered.

Her voice was familiar and confident, but he refused to budge.

Footsteps approached in the distance; Song Xianwan even heard the crack of dry branches under Xu Wei’s feet.

Qin Songting’s keen ears caught every sound, yet he remained unmoved, wanting to see Song Xianwan caught off guard, to witness her embarrassment.

“Sorry to offend you, Cousin,” Song Xianwan bit her lip, silently cursing him before pulling back his cloak and slipping inside.

The warmth of the hand warmer pressed against his waist. She buried herself in his embrace, pressing him firmly against the corner of the wall.

Fuling and Bai Lin stood nearby, mouths agape.

Was this something they were meant to see?