Chapter 6: You Still Remember to Come Back?

Qi Chuyao was a martial artist. Although her rank was not high, she had achieved some degree of success.

Her pace was swift. As her feet struck the bluestone pavement, she kicked up a gust of wind that caused the red silk hanging beneath the corridor eaves to sway gently.

The entire courtyard was awash in red.

Red silk was wound around the corridor pillars, the character for happiness was pasted onto the windows, and even the flowering trees lining the path were tied with red strings that hung down in clusters, fluttering in the evening breeze.

In the distance, the faint sounds of busy servants could be heard — people moving items, arranging furniture, and a manager shouting directions. Everyone was preparing for the upcoming wedding.

Qi Chuyao glanced at the scene, and her brow furrowed even tighter.

This overwhelming sight of red was an eyesore that made her feel uneasy.

She withdrew her gaze and quickened her pace, almost charging forward with a sense of suppressed irritation.

Her hem brushed against the low shrubs by the path, making a rustle, and several leaves were sent flying by her movement before drifting back to the ground.

Qin Junyue followed behind her, watching that fast-moving silhouette. Her lips twitched slightly.

She said nothing and simply followed in silence.

However, her eyes were not idle. She kept a close watch on her surroundings, observing the decorations.

A sense of envy and regret rose within her heart.

Though Qi Chuyao walked quickly, her steps were not as careless as they appeared.

Her gaze occasionally swept over the pillars, corners, and flower beds on both sides.

Her beautiful eyes darted back and forth as if she were on guard against something.

Qin Junyue noticed this but asked no questions.

The two passed through a moon gate and entered the inner courtyard.

The red became even more prevalent here, almost as if it were going to swallow them whole.

Qi Chuyao’s pace finally slowed, but not because she wanted it to; rather, the path ahead was blocked by piles of wedding gift boxes.

She came to a halt, turned her head, and suddenly spoke. “Junyue, don’t leave tonight. Just stay and keep me company.”

Qin Junyue raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled. “That was exactly my intention. I won’t be leaving tonight.”

“Tomorrow.” Qi Chuyao continued walking with a smile, maneuvering around the pile of boxes. “We’ll wake up early tomorrow and head back outside the city to go hunting.”

Qin Junyue’s expression froze. She forced a stiff, faint smile and nodded gently.

Internally, however, she was cursing her bad luck.

‘Why are you still going out hunting tomorrow? Is there no end to this?’

Word had already spread that Qi Chuyao was supposed to deliver the Auspicious Post to the Song family this year.

Upon hearing the news, Qin Junyue had calculated the dates early. She had rushed to the Qi Mansion ahead of time, saying things like:

“Sister Qi, I missed you.”

“Good sisters for a lifetime.”

She had said those pretty words for only one purpose: to accompany Qi Chuyao to the Song family and see Song Ning.

It had been a long time since she had seen him.

When was the last time?

Qin Junyue thought about it; it seemed to be two months ago. The Song family had invited the Qi family over as guests for a banquet.

Since she had a good relationship with both families and served as the Capital Camp Commandant, she was considered one of their own and was naturally invited.

There had been many people that day, and she had only caught a few distant glimpses of him. She hadn’t even managed to say a word to him.

Most of the time was spent with Mother Qi and Mother Song chatting. Occasionally, they would mention her high level of martial arts and her promising future, but that was all.

Both the Song family and the Qi family intended to promote her.

When the two families met privately, she would be called over, which allowed her to exchange a few words with Song Ning while discussing matters.

The only opportunities to meet him privately were during festivals, when she had a reason to visit. But those opportunities were far too few.

She was the Capital Camp Commandant, a woman with a different surname who was not related to the Song family.

There was really no reason for her to frequently visit an unmarried Master in private, especially since that Master was blind. If word got out, it would be bad for his reputation.

Qin Junyue had waited and waited, and finally, this chance had come. Qi Chuyao was going to the Song family to deliver the Auspicious Post. Wouldn’t it be perfectly natural for her to tag along?

However, she never expected Qi Chuyao to be so inconsiderate.

Upon seeing her arrive, Qi Chuyao hadn’t mentioned anything about the Song family. Instead, her eyes had lit up, and she had dragged her toward the city gates.

“Come on, let’s go hunting!”

Qin Junyue had been stunned on the spot. She had tried to hint several times, reminding Qi Chuyao that she should personally deliver the Auspicious Post today.

Before she could finish, Qi Chuyao had waved her off with an impatient tone.

“I’m not going. What’s the point of going? My maid can handle it.”

As she spoke, she had drawn her bow to test the string, adding casually, “Besides, whether I want him or not is still up for debate. He’s not worthy of me.”

Qin Junyue’s heart sank abruptly, and a flash of ruthlessness crossed her phoenix-like eyes.

“My mother insists that I marry him, otherwise I wouldn’t even look at him,” Qi Chuyao said, squinting as she aimed at a distant target. “When the time is right, I’ll divorce him. He’s just a blind man.”

The bowstring released, and the arrow hissed through the air.

It hit the bullseye.

Qi Chuyao smiled, lowered the bow, and turned to look at Qin Junyue. The sunlight fell across her face, her black hair fluttering gently in the wind. Her features were vibrant and incredibly beautiful.

“By the way, Junyue,” she said suddenly. “I remember you seem to know him, right?”

The expression on Qin Junyue’s face vanished instantly. She smiled faintly, the corners of her lips curving into a subtle arc.

“I suppose you could say I know him,” she said in a flat tone. “I am the Capital Camp Commandant, after all. Sometimes the Song family calls me over to discuss business, so I see him often.”

After a pause, she added, “Do you remember, back then…”

Before she could finish, Qi Chuyao tossed the bow she was holding toward her.

“This bow was a good choice,” she laughed, clapping her hands. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”

Qin Junyue caught the bow. The words stuck in her throat, and in the end, she couldn’t say them. She watched Qi Chuyao mount her horse and ride away, a sense of irritation rising in her chest.

That irritation was like a ball of fire, making her restless. Riding her horse behind Qi Chuyao and watching that carefree, arrogant back, those words echoed repeatedly in her mind.

‘He’s not worthy of me.’

‘A blind man.’

‘When the time is right, I’ll divorce him.’

Qin Junyue’s hand tightened around the reins. Where Qi Chuyao couldn’t see, her face darkened, and an unfriendly glint flashed in her eyes.

……

At this moment, Qi Chuyao was leading her quietly toward her own courtyard.

The sky had already grown dark as twilight settled in. The lanterns in the courtyard had not yet been fully lit, making the light dim.

The two of them passed through a decorated gate and turned into a narrow passage.

The passage was very tight, flanked by high courtyard walls, leaving only a sliver of the sky visible above.

The evening wind poured in from the entrance of the alley, feeling chilly and making the back of one’s neck go cold.

Following behind her, Qin Junyue vaguely felt that something was wrong.

Suddenly, a tall figure stepped out from the corner ahead.

The person was dressed in vermilion official robes and held a long whip, standing right in the middle of the passage and completely blocking the way.

Their face couldn’t be clearly seen in the twilight, but their furious eyes were visible.

Qi Chuyao’s steps came to a sudden halt.

She hunched her shoulders, and the impatient look on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a sycophantic smile.

“Mother — ” Her voice softened. “You aren’t resting?”

The sound of wind tearing through the air rang out.

Crack!

The long whip lashed out, fast and fierce.

“You still know how to come back?”

“Do you know what day it is today? Why didn’t you just die out there?”