The evening breeze carried fragrant wafts through elegant pavilions and winding corridors nestled among flowering trees. Yi Xiao had no mood to appreciate them.
She felt like the soul of a warrior who died on the battlefield—the kind who, when asked why he hadn't fought harder or broken through enemy lines, would answer: before death, he had struggled and fought desperately, but it wasn't enough. When his last breath came, he could only be captured. But he refused to be a prisoner, so he chose to die fighting instead.
If she couldn't break free, she too would die fighting.
Qin Yi hadn't come again. Feng Suige hadn't appeared for several days. From servants' occasional conversations, she learned he'd been staying at the Qin residence. Yi Xiao smiled calmly—she didn't want to owe too much. Debts incurred in this life would have to be repaid in the next, and in the next life, she didn't want to return to this world.
The soft sound of footsteps stopped a few yards away. "Greetings, Junior Consort," a maid said, sounding uneasy since the incident with Yun Yi. "Mr. Qin requests an audience."
"Isn't the Prince staying at the Qin residence?" Yi Xiao asked without turning.
"Mr. Qin is here to see the Junior Consort," the maid replied timidly. "If the Junior Consort doesn't wish to see him—"
"Please invite Old Qin in," Yi Xiao said, smoothing her wrinkled skirt as she rose from the stone steps. The maid hesitated. "Junior Consort... receiving external officials should be done in the main hall, otherwise—"
"Otherwise what?" Yi Xiao raised an eyebrow, amused. "With so many people coming and going in the inner quarters, do you fear I might have an affair with Old Qin under everyone's watchful eyes?"
The maid's face went pale. She knelt, kowtowing repeatedly. "Junior Consort, please spare me. I had no such intention."
"No one's after your life," Yi Xiao waved her hand helplessly. "Go quickly."
Moments later, Qin Yu walked in, laughing heartily. "The Junior Consort indeed acts differently from others. This is the first time in my life I've met a noble lady willing to receive guests in the inner quarters."
Yi Xiao gave a slight bow. "Old Qin jests. How could I be considered a noble lady?"
Qin Yu stopped before her, bowed, and studied her carefully. "The Junior Consort is straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush. I'll speak plainly. I've come today at Prince Feng's request."
"Feng Suige?" Yi Xiao asked, slightly surprised. "What game is he playing now?"
Qin Yu smiled mysteriously. "I heard that a few days ago, you and Prince Feng had a small disagreement. Would the Junior Consort be willing to hear a few words from this old man?"
Yi Xiao slapped her forehead in frustration. "I already regret saying so much to him that day. I didn't expect him to run and tell you—a 'small disagreement' is what he called it?"
Qin Yu smiled and glanced around before lowering his voice. "Would the Junior Consort be interested in holding the Empress's seal in the future?"
Yi Xiao's heart skipped. Qin Yu maintained his casual demeanor, but his eyes betrayed eagerness.
"How much do you know about what I said that day, Old Qin?" she asked suddenly, smiling.
"The Prince told this old man everything," Qin Yu said confidently. "The Junior Consort's concerns are indeed real, but if this old man says he's willing to help you, would you be willing to take a gamble?"
"Gamble?" Yi Xiao frowned. "Why should I gamble? Or perhaps I should ask: what stake is Old Qin prepared to put down, and what benefit does he hope to gain?"
Qin Yu's expression grew serious. "This old man is a businessman. Everything depends on one's judgment. I believe the Junior Consort has the ability, but currently lacks the necessary support. So, if the Junior Consort is willing, this old man's stake would be all of the Qin family's manpower, resources, and wealth."
He hesitated before continuing. "As for the benefit... because Susha has always looked down on merchants, no matter how much wealth the Qin family possesses, we're still considered lower class. Under noble families' joint exclusion for generations, we've never been able to marry into political families. So—this old man hopes to ride on the Junior Consort's coattails to secure the Qin family's foundation."
Yi Xiao's expression remained puzzled. Qin Yu grinned. "Let me put it plainly: if Susha can establish a commoner as Queen, those in court won't be able to oppose marriages between political and merchant families in the future."
"What about Feng Suige?" Yi Xiao asked astutely, catching what he'd avoided. "What did he promise you?"
Qin Yu rubbed his hands awkwardly. "Prince Feng promised that if this old man could help establish you as Queen, regardless of whether you bear a son or daughter, the Qin family will be joined in marriage with the Feng royal clan."
Yi Xiao's expression gradually grew cold. "Does Old Qin think I will agree?"
Seeing her face, Qin Yu answered cautiously. "I used to think so, but when Prince Feng relayed your words from a few days ago, this old man realized I had completely misstepped."
"But Old Qin still came," Yi Xiao said, holding back emotion. "Or perhaps I should say: since our first meeting in the banquet hall, Old Qin's help has been obvious. I guessed then that you must need something from me. And today, Old Qin brings exchange conditions meaningless to me, hoping to trade for my promise and freedom." She paused. "I don't mean to mock you. On the contrary, I'm more interested in what makes Old Qin so confident. Could you enlighten me?"
"It's Prince Feng's determination," Qin Yu said steadily.
"Determination?" Yi Xiao was surprised.
Qin Yu nodded slowly. "This old man watched Prince Feng grow up. After learning about the various incidents between you and the Prince, I initially thought that given his competitive nature, his affection for you was all because he hadn't won your heart—a form of rebellion against the King and those old ministers. When I came to attend your joint birthday celebration, I didn't even prepare special gifts."
Yi Xiao nodded unconsciously as he continued. "But this old man can see that the Prince is truly sincere this time."
Yi Xiao smiled gently, studying Qin Yu steadily. "Then can Old Qin see Yi Xiao's decision?"
"The Junior Consort still doesn't believe," Qin Yu smiled helplessly. "How about this: this old man dares to request that you go to a certain place. Once there, the Junior Consort will understand."
Yi Xiao pondered for a moment. "Please lead the way, Old Qin."
As they reached the door, two men dressed as servants suddenly appeared from the shadows, blocking their path. They bowed to Yi Xiao before turning to Qin Yu. "May we ask where Mr. Qin intends to take the Junior Consort?"
Qin Yu calmly withdrew something from his pocket and showed it to them. Both men were startled but quickly retreated.
Yi Xiao watched silently, then laughed coldly. "This is part of his determination too, I suppose? How many junior consorts has Old Qin seen treated like this?"
Qin Yu didn't explain, just smiled and continued leading the way.
Along the route, several more hidden guards appeared. Each time, Qin Yu dismissed them with the same object. But at the main gate of the Prince's residence, a sturdy gatekeeper who looked like a farmer refused to let them pass, mumbling stubbornly: "The Prince instructed that no one is to take the Junior Consort away while he's not here."
Qin Yu tried his best to persuade him but couldn't make an exception. Yi Xiao finally saw clearly that the object Qin Yu had been using was a dark gold token.
"Your name is Gu Yu, isn't it?" Yi Xiao asked gently. She'd heard servants joke that Feng Suige had found a burly simpleton to be gatekeeper, but she'd thought it was exaggeration. "Mr. Qin has no ill intentions. I'm just going out for a while."
"Y-yes, Junior Consort," Gu Yu stammered, fidgeting nervously. "But the Prince told Gu Yu to watch over the Junior Consort. Otherwise, the Prince will be angry!"
Yi Xiao thought for a moment, then looked to Qin Yu for approval before turning back to the anxious gatekeeper. "How about letting Gu Yu come with me?"
With no other option, Qin Yu nodded—and in that small gesture, Yi Xiao saw something she hadn't expected to see: how far a man would go to prove his sincerity. Not through grand gestures, but through careful details. Through trusted guardians placed at every turn. Through a dark gold token that commanded obedience.
Through a gatekeeper who would follow her everywhere, ensuring she was never truly alone.
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