Chapter 7: Perhaps This Is What They Call Things Changing While People Remain

Chapter 7: This Is What They Call Things Changing While People Remain

“They judge by their own standards, and we by ours,” Qin Nanfeng refused to admit. They weren’t even blood relatives; just because his uncle was sworn brothers with someone, why should he be considered inferior to that little girl?

He was innocent—why should he be implicated?

“That’s just being unreasonable,” Yun Jiao said with an amused look. “Alright, hurry down before someone sees you. What would people think?”

After speaking, she glanced toward the east wing. “I won’t argue with you. I have to go check on my grandmother.”

“Don’t leave. We haven’t seen each other for so long; don’t you want to catch up with me?” Qin Nanfeng grinned as he leapt down from the wall.

Yun Jiao was startled by his sudden move. “Why did you jump in here?”

Qin Nanfeng seemed oblivious to her surprise, his face lit with a springtime smile. “I’m coming with you to see your grandmother.”

“Go out and come in through the main gate,” Yun Jiao pointed toward the courtyard door. “You jumping over the wall like this—what does that look like?”

“What’s so improper about it?” Qin Nanfeng was puzzled.

Yun Jiao frowned. “Don’t you know about keeping proper boundaries between men and women?”

Qin Nanfeng laughed at her words, deliberately surveying her from head to toe. “Little Nine, you’re just a little girl with your yellow hair. Why are you talking to me about boundaries between men and women? What do you have to be wary of?”

Tsk tsk, so young, yet so strict with the rules.

“Qin Nanfeng!” Yun Jiao was so annoyed that she called him by his full name. “Do you even understand the rules? Boys and girls don’t sit together after the age of seven! And I’m already ten!”

“Well, earlier when you saw your servant, I didn’t see you mention any boundaries then,” Qin Nanfeng said thoughtfully, adopting a serious look while his eyes twinkled with amusement.

“What does me seeing my servant have to do with you?” Yun Jiao’s face darkened further.

“That’s mistaken,” Qin Nanfeng shook his head repeatedly. “If you can’t see me, then you definitely shouldn’t be seeing your servant.”

“You’re just twisting words. If you don’t come up with a reason today, I’ll go complain to your uncle about how you climbed over the wall and eavesdropped. Let’s see if he’ll punish you or not,” Yun Jiao stood firm, a hint of challenge in her eyes, waiting to see what he would say.

“The Family Code states: ‘Male servants should not enter through the main gate unless they are repairing something or in case of great emergency. If they enter through the main gate, women must avoid them.’” Qin Nanfeng clasped his hands behind his back and spoke confidently to Yun Jiao, “You’re still young, so you don’t need to avoid the male servants in the house. Naturally, you don’t need to avoid me either. Little Nine, doesn’t what I say make sense?”

Yun Jiao curled her lips in disdain. “Who said you’re my brother?”

***

Suddenly, she recalled the flicker she saw on the wall when she opened the window earlier, thinking it was just her imagination.

“Qin Xiao Wu, I’m asking you—were you on the wall just now when I opened the window?” Yun Jiao fixed her gaze suspiciously on Qin Nanfeng.

“I was outside breaking the ice, thinking I’d take advantage of the early hour to find a good spot to fish. I faintly heard some unusual sounds inside the courtyard,” Qin Nanfeng said calmly, explaining in detail. “So I climbed the wall to take a look and saw your maid rushing in with that young servant. I hid on the wall, and when you opened the window, I realized it was you.”

Yun Jiao’s grandmother’s residence, Qixia Garden, lay on the westernmost side of the Qian estate. Outside the west wall ran a winding little river, thickly iced over during the bitter winter. The fish beneath the ice felt suffocated; if a hole was broken in the ice, the fish would scramble eagerly to the surface, making winter an ideal time for ice fishing.

Besides his love for swordplay and martial skills, Qin Nanfeng’s greatest hobby was fishing. He was also educated but preferred military strategy books over the Confucian classics.

“Did you see everything that happened just now?” Yun Jiao’s expression grew serious as she stared intently at Qin Nanfeng.

Seeing her clear eyes fixed unwaveringly on him, Qin Nanfeng found her utterly endearing and nodded with a smile.

“If you saw it, then you mustn’t spread rumors,” Yun Jiao said, relieved by his honesty.

Despite many years apart, she still trusted that Qin Nanfeng remained as upright, kind, and principled as he had been in their childhood.

“If you obediently call me brother, then I might consider it. After all, it’s only natural for a brother to protect his sister,” Qin Nanfeng said, a playful glint in his eyes.

Yun Jiao noticed the mischief in his gaze and felt a bit defiant. But on second thought, one must be sensible. Qin Nanfeng had treated her well, so calling him brother was only fitting.

So she bit her lip and whispered, “Brother.”

“Good little sister, from now on, brother will protect you!” Qin Nanfeng said happily, reaching out to ruffle the little bun-shaped knot on her head.

Yun Jiao pushed his hand away and stepped back, glaring at him. “Qin Xiao Wu, don’t get any ideas!”

Qin Nanfeng found her flushed cheeks and pouting lips amusing and couldn’t help but laugh.

Watching him laugh heartily, Yun Jiao felt a momentary haze, as if transported back to the carefree days of their youth.

But soon, her thoughts returned to her ailing grandmother lying in the east wing, and a pang of melancholy struck her. This, she thought, was truly what they called things changing while people remain.

Qin Nanfeng noticed her change in expression but didn’t realize she was worried about her grandmother’s illness. Assuming she was just shy and didn’t want to be teased further, he refrained from making more jokes.

***

He raised his chin towards the direction of the rose of Sharon and asked, “What do you intend to do with this maid?”

Yun Jiao suddenly remembered that Mu Jin was still kneeling beside them. She turned to the maid Jian Jia and ordered, “Help her up.”

Jian Jia replied promptly and hurried to support Mu Jin, whose knees had stiffened from the cold. With Jian Jia’s help, she shakily stood.

“What’s the unspeakable secret you won’t tell your lady?” Qin Nanfeng paced slowly toward Mu Jin, frowning as he scrutinized her.

The maid’s tears were sincere and heartfelt. She didn’t seem deceitful, but whatever was troubling her must be difficult to speak of.

Mu Jin lowered her head and sobbed silently, saying nothing.

“Mu Jin, things have come to this,” Jian Jia fretted beside her. “If you have something to say, say it. The lady will find a way to help you.”

Jian Jia didn’t understand. Mu Jin was usually gentle-natured; she couldn’t imagine what could have distressed her so deeply.

Still, Mu Jin only wept silently.

Yun Jiao, seeing Mu Jin refuse to speak even under pointed pressure, grew annoyed. “If you don’t want to talk, then just go.”

“Lady... I will speak,” Mu Jin finally raised her head, sniffling, and confessed, “It was... it was Chen Huazhu who made me... make you suffer.”

“Chen Huazhu?” Yun Jiao frowned. “You mean the painter?”

The Great Yuan Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, with flourishing industries and a content populace. Alongside these blessings arose various refined pastimes.

From drinking, tea ceremonies, poetry, and painting—noble lords to commoners alike cultivated these arts, and appreciation for elegance became widespread.

Painting, in particular, was highly fashionable and had even become part of the imperial examination system. The emperor himself had established a court painting academy dedicated to selecting talented artists.

Yun Jiao’s father, Yan Huan, who had topped the imperial examinations, was favored by the court not only for his literary talent but also for his paintings, earning him the official rank of Sixth Rank Court Gentleman.

(End of chapter)