Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Only when Ji Hanyi heard her grandmother’s words did her defenses crumble, her eyes misting over once more.

That simple promise — “Grandmother is here” — made her heart tremble. When she was at her most miserable and helpless, at least her grandmother was by her side.

And only before her grandmother could Ji Hanyi pour out everything she felt.

Her fingertips whitened around the medicine spoon. Ji Hanyi fought to hold back her tears, but in the end, she still bent down and leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder.

In a soft, hoarse voice, she said, “Grandmother, I truly wanted to live a good life with the Xie Family. I never wanted you and Mother to worry about me.

“It’s my fault. I didn’t do well enough. I couldn’t make it work.”

Her eldest aunt’s words today had lodged themselves in her heart after all.

Women from the noble families of the capital almost never divorced. That was why Xie Yuheng had treated her with such disregard and refused to believe she truly intended to divorce him.

She had been so intent on standing her ground and thinking only of herself that she had ultimately failed to consider her mother and grandmother.

Old Madam Gu’s eyes also reddened. She gently stroked Ji Hanyi’s back with her aged hand. “Girl Yi, don’t say such things.

“I know your nature. You’ve always been thoughtful and considerate. You would never do this without good reason. Besides, Xie Yuheng took a concubine. There is no excusing that, and you did nothing wrong.

“If your father were still alive, would Xie Yuheng have dared to do such a thing? Would Old Madam Xie have indulged him like this?

“At the end of the day, they bullied you. There is no reason for you to stay there and let them continue.

“Don’t worry. I’ve made sure your future is all taken care of. If anyone wants to make your life difficult from now on, I won’t stand for it. Why shouldn’t my Girl Yi live well? Even after a divorce, you can still lead a good life.”

This was already the second time Ji Hanyi had heard such a promise from her grandmother.

She lifted her head from her grandmother’s shoulder and asked softly, “Grandmother, what arrangements have you made?”

Old Madam Gu wiped the moisture from the corners of Ji Hanyi’s eyes and smiled. “I’ll tell you in a few days. You’ve only just divorced from the Xie Family, so now isn’t the right time.”

As she spoke, Old Madam Gu had the older maidservant beside her bring over a box. Ji Hanyi opened it and found a ginseng root inside — the very one she had bought for her grandmother last time.

She froze, then shook her head. “This is for you, Grandmother.”

Old Madam Gu smiled. “What does it matter who it was meant for? Give it to your mother. Her health is what matters.

“She’s my own daughter. How could I not cherish her?”

Ji Hanyi’s fingers tightened slightly.

Old Madam Gu continued, “You still have to return to the Xie Family tomorrow, so don’t stay busy too late today. The maids are looking after your mother, so nothing will go wrong. Otherwise, if the Xie Family sees you looking unwell tomorrow, won’t they look down on you behind your back?”

Ji Hanyi understood what her grandmother meant and nodded in agreement.

The next day was a day off, and Gu Yan had been waiting outside Huilan Courtyard since early morning.

Ji Hanyi had only just finished feeding her mother her medicine.

Madam Gu had woken near dusk the previous afternoon. After she awoke, Old Madam Gu went in to speak with her, and the two talked until nightfall.

When Old Madam Gu came out, she told Ji Hanyi that the matter was over and that she should stop worrying.

Indeed, when Ji Hanyi went inside, her mother did not reproach her. She quietly took the medicine Ji Hanyi fed her, but she refused to say a single word to her.

Ji Hanyi did not want to recount all the grievances she had suffered with the Xie Family. Now, she watched her mother finish the medicine and burrow back beneath the covers. Silently, she handed the empty bowl to Chunju, then quietly left the room.

After softly instructing Chunju to take good care of her mother, Ji Hanyi went to wash her hands.

Rongchun approached and said in a low voice, “A maid told me this morning that even though Second Master Yan returned very late last night, he still came to Huilan Courtyard to pay a visit and even brought nourishing supplements.

“Second Master Yan doesn’t have much money to spare himself, yet he still keeps Madam in his thoughts. He’s far more considerate than First Madam.

“And now he’s come so early to wait and accompany you to the Xie Residence. He truly is good-natured.”

As Ji Hanyi washed her hands, Rongchun’s words made her thoughts drift. She could hardly remember when Cousin Yan had changed from the mischievous boy of their childhood into the gentle, even-tempered man he was today.

But she had no energy to dwell on such matters now. She had Rongchun tidy her appearance once more, then headed out of the courtyard, unwilling to keep Gu Yan waiting outside any longer.

Before she even reached the gate, she could already see Gu Yan in the distance, dressed in teal robes and standing perfectly straight.

Ji Hanyi walked over and looked up at him. “Cousin, the next time you come, you should wait inside.”

Gu Yan smiled. “It’s all right. It wouldn’t have been convenient for me to go in at this hour.”

Ji Hanyi marveled at how exceedingly thoughtful Gu Yan had become. It was still early, and her mother was dressed only in her inner garments while Ji Hanyi herself had still been getting ready. It truly would have been inconvenient. Even if Gu Yan had entered the courtyard, he could not have gone inside to visit her mother.

Gu Yan then asked, “Is Aunt feeling any better?”

Only then did Ji Hanyi nod. “She’s a little better.”
Gu Yan asked no more questions. Ji Hanyi was dressed simply, yet her fair complexion was so striking he could hardly look away. Still, he did not dare stare. His heart pounded as his gaze fell on the peonies embroidered across her moon-white brocade robe, then on the plum-blossom clasp at her high collar. Heat stirred in his chest, and he took another step aside. “We should go now.”

Ji Hanyi had intended to let Gu Yan walk ahead, but he had already stepped aside to make way, so she had no choice but to go first.

Gu Yan watched her from behind. Her figure was slender yet gracefully curved, and even the green jade sash cinched around her narrow waist lent her an alluring charm that caught the eye. His gaze darkened involuntarily.

Men ordinarily walked in front, and it was rare for a woman to lead the way. Although they had grown up together, Ji Hanyi still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Halfway there, she paused and turned, intending to ask Gu Yan to walk ahead. The instant she turned, however, she met his eyes, and a sudden flicker of fear ran through her.

She could not describe the look in them. It was dark and intense, his gaze fixed tightly on her with unmistakable aggression. Yet the moment their eyes met, he froze, then quickly replaced it with his usual gentle expression.

The change happened so quickly that Ji Hanyi wondered if she had imagined it.

Seeing her staring at him in a daze, Gu Yan smoothly concealed the emotion on his face. He approached her with concern and asked, “What is it, Cousin Yi?”

Perhaps his expression was too natural. He looked genuinely worried as he came over, his voice as soft and mild as ever, making Ji Hanyi increasingly certain that she must have been mistaken.

She shook her head. “You should walk in front after all, Cousin.”

Gu Yan paused. His eyes rested on her dark, delicate brows as the hand behind his back tightened. Then he smiled and nodded. “All right.”

When they reached the carriage, Gu Yan once again held out a hand to help her up. For some reason, Ji Hanyi suddenly recalled the look she had glimpsed in his eyes and instinctively shook her head. “You needn’t trouble yourself, Cousin. I’ll hold on to Rongchun.”

Gu Yan paused and looked down at her lowered face. Her eyes were downcast, her long lashes fine and delicate, making it impossible to discern her expression. He withdrew his hand as though nothing had happened and stepped back. Only after Ji Hanyi climbed into the carriage with Rongchun did a trace of darkness enter his eyes.

Inside the carriage, Rongchun spoke softly to Ji Hanyi. “Second Master Yan has such a good temperament. I wonder what sort of woman he’ll marry in the future.

“You may not know this, Miss, but the last time we went to the Censorate together, when you went to see the Lord Censor-in-Chief, First Madam kept criticizing you. Second Master Yan even spoke up in your defense.”

Ji Hanyi gave a distracted hum, then said, “Cousin is already studying at the Imperial Academy, and he’s still young. Naturally, there’s no need to worry about his marriage. Besides, my eldest aunt will make the arrangements, so his match certainly won’t be a poor one.

“I’m more worried about what will happen at the Xie Family today.”

She had sent a note to the Xie Family yesterday informing them that she would return today to collect her belongings. However, given First Madam Xie’s temperament, she would probably still make things difficult for her.

At Ji Hanyi’s words, Rongchun also began to worry.

When they arrived at the front gate of the Xie Residence, the gatekeepers asked Ji Hanyi to go inside. In her note, Ji Hanyi had clearly requested that Nanny Lin bring her packed belongings to the front gate so she could take them away directly without disturbing anyone.

But from the looks of things, the Xie Family clearly had no intention of allowing that.

After Ji Hanyi entered the Xie Residence, a maid came over and said that Old Madam Xie wished to speak with her first. If Old Madam Xie had honored her promise and allowed Ji Hanyi and Xie Yuheng to divorce by mutual consent, then Ji Hanyi would certainly have paid her respects upon returning to the Xie Residence.

But now, even if they met, there was nothing left to say.

She merely told the maid to report back that she was in a hurry and needed to return early, so she would not be paying a visit.

All pretense of civility had long since been torn away. There was no point exchanging empty pleasantries now.

When she reached the courtyard, it was not as deserted as she had expected. On the contrary, it was bustling with people.

First Madam Xie sat in the main room, with Li Mingrou standing beside her.

Xie Yuheng was also seated off to one side, watching Ji Hanyi.

Clearly, they had known she would come today and were waiting here to make trouble for her.

One of Madam Lin’s matrons came over and stood arrogantly before Ji Hanyi, ordering her to enter the main hall.

Several other matrons stood behind her. They were plainly not here to extend a courteous invitation.

Ji Hanyi stepped into the main hall. The moment Xie Yuheng saw her enter, he could not stop himself from rising to his feet. But when he saw the cold, distant expression on her face, he froze and abruptly sat back down.

Standing beside Madam Lin, Li Mingrou saw his reaction. The gloating look on her face shifted, and she clenched her teeth and fists.

Madam Lin regarded Ji Hanyi coldly, her voice even colder. “Since you’ve come back for your belongings, you will take only what belongs to you. Don’t even think of taking a single thing that belongs to the Xie Family.”