Nonsense! She’s Not a Bad Woman! - Chapter 84

After staying in the Apothecary Valley for many days, it was finally time for Qiao Wanyan to set out and return to the capital.

Zi Yuan busied herself packing. Though her lady had come here empty-handed, by the time they were leaving, she was surrounded by piles of luggage.

Chang’an carried chest after chest of butterfly grass, until an entire carriage was packed full.

At the gates of Liuguang Pavilion, He Zhiyu stood watching as Qiao Wanyan walked out from the house. The moment their gazes met, she turned her head away, clearly still sulking.

He Zhiyu withdrew his gaze. He had even let Yihuan return to the capital alone, staying behind himself so he could escort Wanyan back personally. Yet after an entire night, her anger hadn’t eased in the slightest. As her future brother-in-law, hadn’t he already done quite enough?

His expression dimmed. Lately, perhaps his mind had been far too muddled.

Wanyan would one day become his wife’s younger sister—caring for her was only natural. But doting on her too much was not the right path either.

His thoughts should be centered on Yihuan.

“Big Sister Ayan, I still want to play outside with you.” Yun Yao pouted, her little face full of reluctance. She hadn’t had her fill of fun yet.

Qiao Wanyan gently brushed her cheek, her touch tender to the extreme.

Lu Jinye, standing with arms folded to the side, watched coldly. He only found it laughable.

So that hand was capable of such a soft, gentle caress? Was she not afraid her slapping hand would act on reflex and accidentally land on Yun Yao’s face too?

When it came to hitting him, though, she was certainly quick enough.

Only after arriving at Apothecary Valley did Wanyan learn that Yun Yao was nothing like her brother. Her greatest talent—and her favorite pastime—was concocting poisons of every kind.

Since she wasn’t just some frivolous girl who only knew how to eat, drink, and play, bringing her along wouldn’t be troublesome.

“If you’re willing, I can speak with your brother. If he agrees, I’ll take you back to the capital with me.”

Stars lit up Yun Yao’s eyes. “Really?”

Wanyan nodded lightly.

The young girl jumped for joy, her age still that of innocent exuberance. When she was happy, she couldn’t hide it in the least. She clung tightly to Wanyan’s arm, unwilling to let go. “Big Sister Ayan, you’re the best!”

“Yao’er, don’t be rude to Wanyan.”

Yun Yao gave a small hum of protest, reluctantly loosening her grip.

Yun Heng, however, had already softened his tone. “Wanyan, if those butterfly grasses aren’t enough, I’ll have more sent to you. From now on, each year I’ll ask Chang’an to prepare a batch for you.”

“Yun Heng, you’re so good to me.” Wanyan’s brows curved as her eyes shimmered with starlight. Yun Heng felt his heart clench faintly, and his ears burned as though scorched by fire.

Yun Yao coughed lightly and winked at Wanyan. Then she heard Wanyan say, “Yun Heng, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Of course.” Yun Heng agreed at once.

“You don’t want to ask what it is I wish to discuss?”

“All things are fine,” he answered simply.

Yun Yao blinked. She began to wonder if the person before her, so very familiar in face, had perhaps been switched with another under that skin.

Wanyan gave a small laugh. “What I wanted to say is—if you’re willing to entrust her to me, I’d like to take Yao’er back to the capital for a time. I’ll do everything I can to protect her.”

Yun Heng paused slightly, then glanced at his little sister. “Yao’er, you mustn’t cause trouble. Outside isn’t like the Apothecary Valley. Stay close to Wanyan, and take good care of her.”

Yun Yao agreed quickly, though she couldn’t help but mutter inwardly. Wasn’t it always said that older children had to look after the younger ones?

How had things reversed once it came to her brother?

“I understand, Brother.”

Yun Heng hesitated, words lingering on his lips. Wanyan noticed. “Is there something else you wish to tell me?”

After a long moment of silence, he spoke plainly: “Ayan, if you ever have time, Apothecary Valley will always welcome you. And if, in the future, you decide you wish to marry, I also…”

“It’s getting late. We should leave.”

Yunheng turned back to look at He Zhiyu, his expression clouded with coldness, clearly displeased that the courage he had just gathered was cut off mid-sentence.

But He Zhiyu had already turned away, striding off without hesitation. Qiao Wanyan, however, more or less guessed the words Yunheng had left unsaid.

“Then we’ll be going.”

Yunheng’s gaze lingered on Qiao Wanyan until her figure completely vanished from sight, yet he still couldn’t bring himself to look away.

In that instant, his heart felt unbearably hollow, as if the water that had once filled it had suddenly dried up.

“Chang’an, I think I need a Clear Heart Pill.”

Chang’an pressed his lips together and finally voiced the truth: “Young Master, I’m afraid the Clear Heart Pills don’t work on you anymore. Let’s not waste them.”

That entire jar of Clear Heart and Tranquil Mind Pills had done nothing—eaten like meals, yet not the slightest effect.

A shadow of disappointment slipped over Yunheng’s face, something he couldn’t suppress. Nothing could spark his interest anymore. He stared for a long time in the direction where her figure had disappeared before finally turning back into the Flowing Light Pavilion.

When Qiao Wanyan had arrived earlier, she hadn’t used her own carriage. Zi Yuan, flustered at the time, hadn’t prepared one either. Now Yunheng’s carriage was piled high with butterfly grass, leaving Qiao Wanyan no choice but to ride in the Crown Prince’s.

He Zhiyu rested with his eyes closed, saying nothing. Qiao Wanyan sat quietly on the other side, equally silent.

The two of them seemed locked in a stalemate.

Outside the carriage, Zi Yuan fretted. What a perfect opportunity this was! Why wasn’t her lady seizing the chance to strike up a conversation and deepen her bond with the Crown Prince?

Jingyuan, on the other hand, felt quite the opposite. To him, today’s Crown Prince was finally the same one he remembered.

His Highness had never liked the Second Miss Qiao. A girl so arrogant and willful at her very core wasn’t someone suitable to keep close. His Highness had always detested such women; naturally, he ought to keep his distance.

After last night, His Highness must have come to his senses.

“You hardly ate this morning. Would you like some pastries?” He Zhiyu broke the silence at last.

Jingyuan outside the carriage: “…”

Qiao Wanyan glanced at him. After a pause, she finally lifted her hand and took a piece, nibbling delicately.

She accepted the gesture—if only because it was her favorite osmanthus cake.

A touch of temper was charming seasoning, but clinging to it constantly—what difference would she have then from the spoiled second miss in the storybooks?

He Zhiyu felt some of the tension in his chest ease. He had been worried the little girl would still be sulking, refusing to speak to him.

Qiao Wanyan spoke softly, “That day when Your Highness misunderstood me, I was truly upset. But today, instead of leaving with my elder sister, you chose to stay and accompany me. That makes me very happy… yet also a little uneasy.”

Her words were pitiful, tinged with coquettish vulnerability, stirring an irresistible urge to protect.

Sweet words might sound insincere, but when whispered in such a tone, they were undeniably pleasing.

And paired with her deeply earnest expression—it was simply devastating.

“Why uneasy?”

Qiao Wanyan hesitated before murmuring, “I fear my sister might misunderstand. That she’ll be unhappy. That she’ll think I’ve stolen the Crown Prince who rightfully belongs to her.”

He Zhiyu knew her nature was pure. Even with him in her heart, her first thought was still for Yihuan’s feelings.

“Yihuan isn’t the jealous sort. And besides, you’re her younger sister. She won’t misunderstand you.”

“Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid.”