"What on earth is going on! None of them is reliable," sighed Third Madam Qin, her heart troubled.
The younger generation present lowered their heads, hesitant to speak. They all had complicated love lives, causing the elders great concern.
"We can't gather for a meal today; everyone disperse," exhaustedly declared Third Master Qin, looking as if he aged ten years in an instant.
"Yes."
In the Wanhua Building, Qin Chuyuan continuously drank one glass of wine after another. Lin Zhiyuan, observing with concern, took the wine bottle from him.
"You've been drinking all afternoon; that's enough," Lin said.
"Give it to me," Qin Chuyuan insisted, trying to grab the bottle, but Lin evaded.
"No, seriously, what's wrong? You just returned triumphant from Liang Country; shouldn't you be happy? How did it turn into this?"
"I am happy."
"Happy? I really want to put a mirror in front of you to see the expression of someone wounded by love."
At this, Lin Zhiyuan realized the truth. No matter how difficult the circumstances before, Qin Chuyuan always faced them with an unchanged expression. Now, his current state could only be explained by heartbreak.
"Could it be that you're really troubled by matters of the heart?"
Qin Chuyuan remained silent. Taking advantage of Lin's distraction, he snatched the wine back and continued drinking.
"It really is a love wound. I never thought the most handsome man in the capital would have such a day. Ha ha ha."
"Young Master Lin, my young master is also heartbroken. Perhaps you should console him," Qin Yi remarked.
"Qin Yi, could it be your young master has feelings for someone else?"
"Impossible! My young master cherishes Third Madam as if she's delicate in his hands and precious in his mouth."
Qin Yi wondered; usually, after the morning court session, the young master and Third Madam would leave the palace together. Yet today, only the young master was seen alone.
Could it be that they had a quarrel? It seemed unlikely, given how indulgent the young master was toward Third Madam.
Qin Chuyuan asked Qin Yi, "Has anyone come to the house?"
"No, Young Master."
"Heh, as expected. I was hoping for too much," Qin Chuyuan sneered.
Then, turning to Lin Zhiyuan, he raised his glass and said, "If you're a friend, spare me the talk and drink with me."
Lin Zhiyuan? It seemed like a conflict with Madam.
"Ah Yuan, as they say, after a couple's quarrel, they make up. Just go home and make amends with her."
"Why bother? Do you want to drink or not?"
"Fine, today I'll risk my life to accompany a nobleman. Let's drink."
The two spent the day and night drinking in the Wanhua Building. Qin Chuqin couldn't bear it and went to find Qin Chuyuan.
Entering the room, she was met with a floor full of wine bottles, and two disheveled figures sprawled on the bed.
"How much have you had without even realizing I stopped you?"
"Madam, I couldn't stop him, and seeing Young Master so distressed, I couldn't bear it either."
Qin Yi's words earned him a glare from Qin Chuqin. She then picked up a water jug from the table, filled two cups with cold water, and splashed them on the two.
They woke up abruptly.
Lin Zhiyuan jumped up immediately, cursing, "Who dares to splash me? Are you asking for trouble?"
Then he realized that the person in front of him was Sister Qin, feeling guilty.
"Ah, Sister Qin, it's you. What brings you here?"
"Heh, you've got some nerve."
Meanwhile, Qin Chuyuan sat up slowly, holding his head with his left hand, feeling a splitting headache.
"Ah Yuan, Xiao Hua has left," Qin Chuqin said.
Qin Chuyuan didn't react immediately.
"What?" he asked.
"I said Xiao Hua has left Qin Residence with Su Hao."
"Leaving is leaving, what's the big deal?" Lin Zhiyuan said indifferently, thinking it was nothing extraordinary.
However, for some reason, he looked at Qin Chuyuan, then at Qin Chuqin, and asked incredulously, "Sister Qin, which leaving are you talking about?"
Qin Chuqin didn't respond, just gave him a glare, and Lin Zhiyuan understood. He worriedly looked at his brother.
But the reaction from Qin Chuyuan was unexpected, as he calmly said, "Oh, I see."
Everyone became even more worried.
Then they watched him quietly get up from the bed, walk towards the door, but halfway through, he stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
The three people behind him were shocked and rushed forward to help, but he pushed them away forcefully.
Qin Chuqin worriedly asked, "Ah Yuan, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself anywhere?"
"I'm fine, what could possibly happen to me? I'm fine," he said.
He tried to get up again, but as soon as he stood, he fell to the ground again after a few steps.
Lin Zhiyuan couldn't bear to watch anymore and helped him up forcibly.
"Alright, if you feel bad, you feel bad. There's no need to pretend to be calm. Your brothers won't make fun of you."
After Lin Zhiyuan helped Qin Chuyuan onto the carriage, Qin Chuqin thanked him.
"Thank you for staying with Ah Yuan last night. It's late now, and you still have duty today. Don't waste your time."
"I grew up with Ah Yuan since we were kids. There's no need for thanks. I won't go on duty today, I'll stay with Ah Yuan."
"He has us to accompany him. You go and do your duty properly. Besides, he probably won't be able to work these days. You need to help him get a sick leave."
"Alright, I'll leave now. I'll come back to see him another day. If he needs help, just send someone to find me."
"Okay, Ah Yuan is fortunate to have a friend like you."
"Don't say that. Usually, it's Ah Yuan taking care of me more. Well, Sister Qin, I'll take my leave."
"Go ahead."
Inside the carriage, Qin Chuqin looked at her younger brother, feeling somewhat distressed seeing him so lost. Since Qin Chuyuan grew up, everything had been smooth sailing for him.
Apart from the incident when their eldest brother had an accident and he lost control of his emotions, there had hardly been anything to shake him. Alas, the power of love, it can truly wound.
Qin Chuqin held Qin Chuyuan's hand, sighing.
"The three of us siblings, our eldest brother passed away young, my life has been a mess, and now you're like this, Ah Yuan, even though Dad and Mom don't say it, they're very worried about you. Promise me, pull yourself together a bit."
"I'm sorry, big sister, for making you worry."
"Don't apologize, we're the closest of kin."
"Yesterday, I heard some things from Xiao Hua. I understand her character. Although she may seem aloof and detached on the surface, she's actually a kind-hearted girl who doesn't know how to express herself well. Have you ever considered that her stepping down voluntarily was just to spare you from defying the imperial will and to spare you from embarrassment?"
"Is that really true, big sister?"
"More often than not."
Upon hearing his big sister's affirmation, Qin Chuyuan felt a spark of hope reignite within him and immediately wanted to get off the carriage.
"I'll go find Xiao Hua now."
Qin Chuqin held him back with a firm grip. "Come back."
Qin Chuyuan was puzzled. "Big sister?"
"What's the use of you going to find Xiao Hua now? Can you annul the marriage alliance?"
Qin Chuyuan shook his head.
"Then there you have it. This marriage alliance concerns the two countries' major affairs, and the sovereign's authority is unpredictable. Currently, the biggest obstacle you face is the Liang Country's marriage alliance. We need to plan our next steps carefully."
