"Yun'er, why are you disguised as a man? Can you tell me? Perhaps I can help!" Xie Jing'an was still unwilling to give up.
"Stop talking. I have my reasons for doing this. If you don't want me to die, pretend you know nothing! Also... give up, we are impossible!" After saying this, Qin Yun strode away without looking back.
As soon as she left the hall!
A figure appeared before her!
This person was Ouyang Siqing, who had come to visit!
"Siqing? Why are you here?" Qin Yun's eyes widened in disbelief!
Had Ouyang Siqing heard her conversation with Xie Jing'an?
When did he arrive? How much did he hear?
Ouyang Siqing stared blankly at Qin Yun, tears flowing from his eyes at that moment!
"Yun'er... I missed you after all!"
Then!
Ouyang Siqing fainted!
The next day!
When Ouyang Siqing woke up! He found himself in his own mansion!
"Yun'er...?" Ouyang Siqing groggily opened his eyes! The person he saw was Shan Xiaoyu!
"Husband, you're awake?" Shan Xiaoyu wiped away her tears, her heart in turmoil!
She had stayed by Ouyang Siqing's side all night, but he kept calling out another person's name!
Who was that Yun'er?
It was clear he cared a lot about that person!
Ouyang Siqing was a little disappointed to see Shan Xiaoyu upon opening his eyes!
"Help me up!"
Shan Xiaoyu gently helped Ouyang Siqing to sit up!
"How did I get back to the mansion last night?"
He had originally gone to see Xie Jing'an, wanting to talk and relieve his boredom!
Unexpectedly, he ended up hearing Qin Yun's secret!
Qin Yun, she... was a woman!
Thinking of this, he felt both happy and sad!
He still remembered!
Back when Qin Yun entered Blue Mountain Academy! She had liked him a lot!
She had approached him repeatedly!
Once, in a carriage, she got drunk and even kissed him!
If he had known earlier that she was a woman, he would not have married Shan Xiaoyu!
Fortunately, Shan Xiaoyu was his concubine, and he had not touched her!
If possible, he wanted to save the position of principal wife for Qin Yun!
Only... would she still be willing?
"Husband, what are you thinking about?" Shan Xiaoyu pretended to know nothing!
She dared not ask which girl he was referring to as Yun'er!
She was afraid that if she asked, they would never go back to how they were! She didn't want to tear down this fig leaf!
"Was it Qin Yun who sent me back last night?" Ouyang Siqing asked softly!
Qin Yun was disguised as a man now. She must have had her reasons. This matter must never be leaked!
"Last night, I didn't see Scholar Qin. It seemed like a servant boy from the Second Prince's retinue sent you back to the mansion!"
Hearing this, Ouyang Siqing felt a bit disappointed!
But then he thought!
Qin Yun's identity was special, and it was indeed appropriate for them to maintain distance!
Ouyang Siqing dressed and got out of bed. Shan Xiaoyu asked with concern, "Husband, how is your body? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
"I have something to attend to. I'm going out first!"
Ouyang Siqing quickly washed up, leaving Shan Xiaoyu looking bewildered, and then left the mansion!
Inside the carriage!
Ouyang Siqing kept thinking of Qin Yun!
Or rather, after knowing Qin Yun's female identity last night, he had not forgotten her!
He was thinking!
Did they still have a chance to be together?
Disguising oneself as a man was a crime against the emperor, punishable by beheading!
How could Qin Yun escape? What could be done to prevent the emperor from punishing her!
If Qin Yun had to remain disguised as a man for the rest of her life, wouldn't she become an old maid? Wouldn't she be unmarried forever!
He couldn't bear for Qin Yun to grow old alone!
If possible, he hoped that he would be the one by her side in the future!
Soon!
The carriage stopped in front of the Scholar's mansion!
Ouyang Siqing got out of the carriage and walked to the main gate!
Just as he was about to knock, he stopped with his hand raised midway!
What should he do when he saw Qin Yun?
Question her why she was disguised as a man?
Or express his feelings?
He now finally understood why his heart beat so fast when he looked at Qin Yun!
He also finally understood why the stirrings in his heart grew stronger!
It turned out Qin Yun was a woman, he wasn't a homophobe, he liked women, he was still a normal man!
If he had been braver back then and acknowledged Qin Yun's feelings, what kind of relationship would they have now?
"Young master, since you've come, why aren't you knocking?" the servant kindly reminded him.
Ouyang Siqing thought carefully. Since he had come, he might as well go in and see her!
He missed her very much!
"Bang bang bang!"
Three seconds later!
The gatekeeper of the Scholar's mansion gently opened the door!
Ouyang Siqing had been here several times, and the gatekeeper was familiar with him.
"It's Lord Ouyang! You're here to see our master, aren't you?"
"Precisely, is she here?"
"Our master is in the study. Please allow me to inform her!"
"Thank you!" Ouyang Siqing smiled gently.
The servant ran to the study door and said softly, "Master, Lord Ouyang is here!"
Inside the study, Qin Yun was contemplating matters concerning the wine cellar!
Upon hearing of Ouyang Siqing's visit, she placed the wine cup in her hand on the table. "Please let him in!"
"Yes!"
A moment later, Ouyang Siqing arrived at the study!
Upon seeing Qin Yun, Ouyang Siqing's face showed bitterness and joy!
It could be said that he was a mixture of sorrow and joy!
"Yun'er!" Ouyang Siqing strode forward, then suddenly realized his actions were too impulsive, and stopped about a meter away from Qin Yun!
Qin Yun was also overwhelmed at this moment!
It was one thing that Xie Jing'an knew her identity!
Now even Ouyang Siqing knew!
What had she done wrong!
"Lord Ouyang, please call me Master Qin, or Lord Qin!" Qin Yun's tone was cold, pushing their relationship further apart!
"Yun'er, do you really have to be like this? We used to be so close!"
"You said it yourself, that was in the past!" Qin Yun said seriously. "Things are different now. We are no longer students. We are all officials in the same court, so it's better to be more prudent!"
"Why? Yun'er, we can go back to how we were! You can call me Siqing!"
Qin Yun gave a bitter smile. "It's no use, we can't go back! Lord Ouyang, if you want me to be safe, please help me keep my secret!"
"Is it because I'm married?"
"Yun'er, Xiaoyu is just my concubine. I can still marry a principal wife. If possible... I will always reserve the position of principal wife for you!" Ouyang Siqing suddenly realized, fortunately, Shan Xiaoyu was not his principal wife!
Qin Yun chuckled. "Principal wife? Lord Ouyang, do you think it's possible for us?"
"How is it impossible?"
"I've committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, and my head could be taken at any moment. Do you think I can live to marry you in this life?"
Hearing this, Ouyang Siqing fell into a dilemma!
If Qin Yun were to marry, she would need to resume her female identity! If she did... then everyone would know her identity!
At that time...!
Ouyang Siqing dared not think further!
What he wanted most was for Qin Yun to live well!
"Alright, I understand!"
Qin Yun frowned!
Did he really understand? He was probably misunderstanding!
"Lord Ouyang, even if I resume my female identity one day, and the Emperor pardons my death sentence, I still won't marry you!"