It’s not that one must wait until a next life to realize that many things are already out of control.
"You have to take good care of yourself as well," Xiao Jinxing declared earnestly.
"Mhm," Bai Mowan nodded.
But still, her departure was filled with reluctance.
However, she had no choice but to leave.
From the moment she chose to join the military, there was no opportunity for regret, which meant that before she could marry, she was destined to continuously stay at the border.
The separation of the two was inevitably filled with sadness.
Xiao Jinxing sent Bai Mowan onto the horse carriage.
Inside the carriage, Bai Mowan lifted the curtain and stared for a long time at Xiao Jinxing, who stood there watching her leave, with tears brimming in her eyes.
Xiao Jinxing also stood there, watching until the carriage completely disappeared from his view.
His heart was ultimately filled with utter reluctance.
His feelings for Bai Mowan were deeply ingrained. Although he had been restraining himself, it was also because of his current status with Ye Qichi that he no longer considered separating from Ye Qichi, and thus he didn’t want to impose on Bai Mowan by making her a concubine.
So ultimately, his heart felt very oppressed.
Watching her go back to the war-torn border, he felt even more guilt towards her.
If he had married Bai Mowan now.
Bai Mowan would not have needed to go and fight at the border.
In the end, it was he who had wronged Bai Mowan.
The imperial examination lasted three days, and three days after.
The examination results were announced.
Song Yanqing became the top scorer.
The entrance to Song Residence was bustling like a marketplace, naturally not short of those who came to convey their congratulations.
The Song Residence was naturally very lively as well.
The celebration went on for three days and three nights.
Xie Ruotong naturally was also busy along with Ming Yufang, constantly arranging the work of receiving guests in the kitchen.
Ming Yufang couldn’t stop praising Xie Ruotong.
She had never held much expectation for the young lady of Duke Mansion; she thought it would require slow teaching, yet she had not expected Xie Ruotong to be so intelligent and capable, quickly managing to organize everything within the household. Hence, this banquet had given her much more leisure time than usual.
This evening saw the departure of the last batch of guests.
Xie Ruotong was also somewhat tired and intended to go back to her room to rest, accompanied by Qiao’er.
As she walked down the corridor, she suddenly saw a man appearing in front of her.
Xie Ruotong’s eyes slightly moved.
She instantly knew who the person in front of her was.
These past few days, he had also been at Song Residence, coming to congratulate Song Yanqing for becoming the top scorer, enjoying eating and drinking here.
Every day, he had intoxicated himself.
Now walking up to Xie Ruotong, she could even smell the strong scent of alcohol on him.
"Sister-in-law," Qin Shuyang called out affectionately.
Xie Ruotong remembered that she had instructed the servants to send all the guests away. How could Qin Shuyang have been overlooked?
"Did Young Master Qin lose his way? I will immediately have someone guide Young Master Qin," said Xie Ruotong, keeping her distance and speaking courteously.
"No, I was specifically waiting for you."
"May I know what matter Young Master Qin has with me? It is already late, and since Young Master Qin has drunk, it’s better to rest early. If there is any matter, you can have a servant come over and simply call for me," she said.
"Are you avoiding me?" Qin Shuyang raised his eyebrows, his face nonchalant.
"Young Master Qin is mistaken, but after all, there should be a distinction between men and women. At this late hour, it is improper for me and Young Master Qin to meet . Moreover, with Young Master Qin intoxicated, it would be best to go back and rest early, otherwise your body may suffer tomorrow," she responded.
"Back at Yicui Pavilion, you weren’t treating me this way," Qin Shuyang stared straight at Xie Ruotong. "Not this distant demeanor towards me. I even still remember the fragrance of your body, an unforgettable body scent for a long time. Yet, when I went to look for you again, the madam actually told me you were not there. I didn’t believe it at the time, angrily smashing a lot of Silver, nearly overturning Yicui Pavilion, but I ultimately did not see you. Turns out, you came here, became the young lady of Duke Mansion, became the young madam of Song Residence."
Xie Ruotong just listened to Qin Shuyang’s words.
She did not interrupt, wanting to know what exactly he wanted to say.
She did not interrupt, also just wanting to appear calm and composed.
Now, listening to Qin Shuyang finish, she spoke unhurriedly, "I don’t know what Young Master Qin is talking about, and what is this Yicui Pavilion you speak of? It seems that Young Master Qin you’re drunk and mistook someone else."
"I am not drunk, and I definitely did not recognize the wrong person," Qin Shuyang asserted firmly. "Seeing someone once can leave a deep impression, let alone, we’ve met more than just once. Xiang Qin, I also know you don’t want your past to be discovered, naturally, you wouldn’t want Brother Song to know about your past. It’s ironic, Brother Song, since childhood clever, he also had a chance encounter with you in Yicui Pavilion, and he actually did not recognize you? Today I still made some indirect inquiries, and indeed he did not recognize you."
"I really don’t know what Young Master Qin is talking about," said Xie Ruotong, her tone turning cold. "Qiao’er, Young Master Qin is drunk, let’s escort Young Master Qin away."
She ceremonially bid Qin Shuyang farewell, "Young Master Qin, please take care."
She then walked directly past Qin Shuyang.
Her thoughts were, not to admit, not to explain, not to entangle.
Qin Shuyang cannot make random accusations.
However, just as she walked past Qin Shuyang,
he suddenly grabbed her arm forcefully.
Xie Ruotong’s eyes tightened.