Chapter Eighteen: Qi Tianyu Blocks the Way

“Where did this medicinal powder come from?” The Abbess of Serenity calmly wiped away the blood-streaked powder from Qin Wanru’s wound with a clean cloth, her tone casual as she asked the question. No one noticed the fleeting depth in her gaze, nor the slight tremor in her hand. Yet, she gripped her hand tightly, and when she raised it again, it was steady.

Was it his medicine? After all these years, has he finally appeared?

“It should be medicine prescribed by a doctor my grandmother summoned,” Qin Wanru replied, glancing at the wound on her arm, sounding somewhat bewildered. She truly had no idea.

“When you return, please ask Lady Qin on my behalf which doctor provided this powder,” the Abbess spoke gently, though her voice carried a weight that Qin Wanru could sense. She glanced aside—was there something wrong with the powder?

“Certainly. I’ll ask Grandmother when I return and send word to you,” Qin Wanru promised with a smile. As she spoke, the Abbess finished cleaning her wound, sprinkled fresh medicine from a bottle, and wrapped it carefully.

Only after everything was properly tended did the Abbess rise and wash her hands in a basin nearby.

With Qingyue’s help, Qin Wanru dressed herself again.

After thanking the Abbess once more, Qin Wanru left a banknote, and then, accompanied by Qingyue, descended the mountain. But just as they were about to reach the gates of her residence, they were stopped.

“Is the Second Miss of the Qin household in that carriage?”

The voice was familiar!

Qin Wanru’s clear eyes flickered with understanding. Her departure from the residence had been discreet, no one should have known—unless someone had been stationed outside, watching for her family’s carriage. She’d left in haste earlier and hadn’t sent word.

The only person who could intercept her outside the gates was likely the eldest son of the Qi household.

Without knowing the full story, Qi Tianyu would not be content. The smile at his lips was icy, devoid of warmth. So be it—this spared him a great deal of trouble.

“Yes, our Second Miss is here,” Qingyue lifted the curtain, speaking as she looked outside. Sure enough, Qi Tianyu stood at the carriage door with a servant, her expression growing cold and tinged with anger. Qi Tianyu had always treated Qin Wanru well, yet now it seemed he wished to ruin her lady.

“Young Master Qi, you have no relation to our Second Miss—why are you stopping her?”

Qingyue had witnessed Qi Tianyu’s efforts to protect Qin Yuru yesterday and understood that, had her lady entered the bridal sedan, she would have become utterly disgraced. This left Qingyue with no affection for Qi Tianyu.

“Wanru, could I have a word with you in private?” Qi Tianyu ignored Qingyue, his gaze fixed on the half-drawn curtain, his voice bitter.

Yesterday’s incident had shamed not only Qin Yuru but himself as well. Once admired by all, he was now the subject of gossip. Qi Tianyu, so proud, found it hard to bear.

“Young Master Qi, whatever you wish to say, please speak,” Qin Wanru replied coldly from within the carriage.

In her past life, Qi Tianyu had not rested until her reputation was ruined. Later, he went to the capital and became a ranked scholar, and as an official, he aided Madam Di and her daughter in humiliating her. Despite her repeated explanations, he refused to listen, insisting on dragging her name through the mud.

And they succeeded.

For such a selfish, obstinate man, Qin Wanru had no desire to see him again.

“Wanru, have you truly become so sharp-tongued?” Qi Tianyu looked sadly at the half-concealed curtain. He couldn’t understand how the Qin Wanru he knew—so sweet and radiant, always smiling—could now be so cold and biting.

Was she still the cheerful young girl he once knew?

She used to call him “Brother Tianyu,” time and again. Now, her manner was distant and indifferent, and his heart felt inexplicably emptied.

“Young Master Qi, your words are laughable. If yesterday I’d allowed you to carry me off in the bridal sedan and let you make trouble, I would now be unable to defend myself—wouldn’t others be the ones gossiping about me now?” Qin Wanru retorted, her voice icy. She then addressed Qingyue, “Qingyue, let’s return home!”

She had no intention of explaining on Qin Yuru’s behalf. If they had something to say, let them speak for themselves.

Qi Tianyu certainly knew what would have happened if the sedan had reached his home. Qin Wanru’s words made him uneasy, and he stepped back as the carriage passed, leaving only a cold, indifferent remark: “If Young Master Qi wishes to know anything, perhaps you should ask my elder sister directly. Though I doubt she’s eager to see you now.”

Qin Wanru was not so easy to handle. Alone with Qi Tianyu, she had ways to make him believe her. But she preferred he confront Qin Yuru directly—what she feared was him avoiding it.

Qin Yuru would not be content, nor would Madam Di, nor Qi Tianyu. Let them confront each other and settle matters once and for all.

The greater the scandal, the better. Jiangzhou was too far from the capital; the more sensational, the wider it would spread.

With one sentence, the girl’s gentle voice, tinged with indifference and mockery, made Qi Tianyu’s eyes redden. He punched a nearby tree fiercely, turned, and strode away. He couldn’t wait any longer—he had to see Qin Yuru in person and get answers, no matter that his father said to let it go.

He was determined to see Qin Yuru again.