Volume One, Chapter Nine: What Concern Is Your Life or Death to Me?

Before Song Xianwan could react, the curved blade had already sheathed itself.

If it weren’t for the strands of hair that had fallen to the ground, one might have thought it was all a hallucination.

Qin Songting reached out and picked up the tassel hairpin that had caught on him. After casting a disdainful glance, he straightened it and firmly stuck it into Song Xianwan’s hair.

At this moment, half of the young lady’s hair was disheveled, wild as a galloping horse.

Her dazed expression, blank and stunned, was oddly endearing and genuine.

Yet, Song Xianwan’s mind was occupied with his words.

No thanks?

Did he really expect her to thank him after he had just cut her hair?

Suddenly, a heavy tightness pressed against her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

So, he cut her hair, and she was supposed to be grateful?

Seeing Qin Songting turn to leave, Song Xianwan’s eyes flickered, and she reached out to grab him.

“Cousin, you cut my hair.”

Her sleeve was firmly grasped by a hand, and Qin Songting showed a hint of impatience. “Let go.”

“I can’t return to Haitang Court looking like this. Since you did it, you should take me back.”

Song Xianwan raised a hand to steady the messy bun, her reddened eyes carrying a subtle hope as they looked at Qin Songting.

Moist and glistening, like a young fawn.

Having been confined indoors for a long time to recover, she rarely went out, her face paler than most. The faint blush on her cheeks made her look all the more delicate, making it hard to refuse her request.

Unfortunately, Qin Songting was no ordinary man.

He tried to shake her off, but then Song Xianwan swayed her hand and said, “If anyone sees me like this, I might as well not live.”

“If Grandmother finds out I followed Mother, she’ll be heartbroken.”

With each word she spoke, Qin Songting’s brows furrowed tighter.

He truly brought this upon himself—why did he have to reach out just now?

To get entangled with such a troublesome girl.

“How delicate.”

With a disdainful tone, Qin Songting muttered three words and refrained from saying more.

A faint smile appeared on Song Xianwan’s face as she asked, “Cousin, have you agreed then?”

Qin Songting didn’t reply. Instead, he yanked his sleeve free and smoothed out the wrinkles.

“Has no one ever told you? I am not the type to pity or cherish—you living or dying is none of my concern.”

He had already distanced himself from her, about to leave.

Song Xianwan swayed and grabbed his sword sheath.

“If you leave, I’ll die right here!”

He tried to walk away, but she wouldn’t let go. The two stood locked in place as several servants approached from afar.

Qin Songting bit the tip of his tongue and suddenly chuckled softly. “Fine, I’ll take you.”

He turned slightly, giving Song Xianwan an inscrutable smile.

“Keep up.”

With those words, he changed direction and headed toward Haitang Court.

Song Xianwan tidied her hair and followed his pace.

She couldn’t understand why he had suddenly changed his mind, but she chose not to think about it—her goal was already achieved.

Qin Songting led the way, Song Xianwan followed behind, with Fuling supporting her. The three walked toward Haitang Court.

Gu Shuya disliked Song Xianwan and had arranged for her to stay in a remote part of the estate, claiming it was for her health.

In truth, it was to prevent her from frequently visiting Jinghe Court.

As they walked back to Haitang Court, Qin Songting’s face grew darker by the step.

Song Xianwan, a pace behind him, lowered her gaze slightly as she watched his expression.

Upon arriving at Haitang Court, before Qin Songting could speak, Song Xianwan invited softly, “Cousin, would you like to come in for some tea before you leave?”

Qin Songting’s gaze remained fixed on Song Xianwan, unyielding.

That look was so intense it seemed to ignite everything it touched.

Song Xianwan disliked such a gaze—bare, unhidden, leaving no place to hide.

Yet, delivering her to Haitang Court had already stretched Qin Songting’s patience to its limit.

He had no habit of drinking tea with others, especially women.

So, Qin Songting turned and left without a word.

Only after he had gone did Fuling dare to breathe deeply. “Miss, standing next to the young master, I didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.”

She feared that if she breathed too heavily, he might strike her without hesitation.

Song Xianwan smiled gently, reaching out to pat Fuling’s head. “Enough, go keep an eye on those retrieving the hairpins. I have great use for them.”

Fuling nodded and hurried off.

Song Xianwan looked at a nearby tree, then turned away and entered Haitang Court.

After she left, Qin Songting stepped out from behind the tree. His dark, deep eyes held only a trace of coldness.

This cousin of his was no ordinary girl.

With that conclusion reached, Qin Songting strode away from the vicinity of Haitang Court.

Every member of the Hou family was extraordinary.

Back in the Ink Fragrance Pavilion, Qin Siyao was still recovering when Qin Siyu informed her that Gu Shuya had taken many things to Haitang Court.

Before Qin Siyu could continue, Qin Siyao rose and headed for Jingyi Courtyard.

“Sixth Sister, where are you going?”

Fortunately, Qin Siyu was quick and grabbed her.

“I must go find Mother and get to the bottom of this. That vile woman caused me to fall into the water yet gained all the benefits!”

The thought filled Qin Siyao with a burning resentment.

Seeing this, Qin Siyu sighed and glanced at the furious Qin Siyao.

“Sixth Sister, I intended to go to Grandmother yesterday to plead, but as soon as Song Xianwan arrived at Jinghe Court, she began to slander Mother.”

“Mother’s actions were to put on a show for Grandmother.”

Qin Siyu knew Qin Siyao was impulsive and reckless.

Thus, with just a little provocation from Qin Siyu behind the scenes, Qin Siyao was like a powder keg ready to explode.

This time was no exception.

She said nothing more, only that Song Xianwan’s complaints had caused Gu Shuya to be reprimanded by Old Madam Qin.

Killing intent flashed in Qin Siyao’s eyes immediately.

“That wretch, I will never let her go.”

Seeing Qin Siyao’s anger, Qin Siyu handed her a peeled apple. “Sixth Sister, whatever it is, I will help you.”

Hearing this, Qin Siyao nodded and took the apple.

After calming Qin Siyao, Qin Siyu left the Ink Fragrance Pavilion.

Just as she reached the door, she saw Nurse Li waiting there.

“Nurse Li?”

Qin Siyu was initially startled but then stepped forward with a smile to greet her.

Yet this time, Nurse Li showed no warmth.

“Fifth Miss, madam requests you to come to Jingyi Courtyard.”

Upon hearing this, a bad premonition seized Qin Siyu’s heart.

She stepped back, feeling uneasy.

But Nurse Li grasped her hand and said, “Fifth Miss, what are you afraid of? Madam is your mother—would she really do anything to you?”

Those words only made Qin Siyu want to run even more. Because Gu Shuya was her mother, she had been able to do as she pleased with her.

Over the years, Qin Siyu had suffered more than she had healed under Gu Shuya’s hand.

How could she not be afraid?

Seeing this, Nurse Li sneered coldly, “Since you like gossiping in front of our Sixth Miss, you should know what that leads to.”