Ruan Jingliu chuckled softly without moving, hands clasped within her sleeves, standing slender and upright. First Young Madam Ruan didn’t force her and sat down herself, sighing: "You siblings, all have the same temperament!" She shook her head helplessly.

"Don’t waste words with her." Ruan Bosong turned around: "No matter how polite you are with her, she won’t appreciate it." Saying this, he approached Ruan Jingliu again angrily: "I’m telling you, starting today you’re staying at home, you’re not allowed to go anywhere, don’t embarrass us outside."

"Finished?" Ruan Jingliu said indifferently, turning aside: "Goodbye!" She didn’t want to speak more with him.

Ruan Bosong’s eyes reddened and widened: "Dare take a step and see what happens." He quickly stepped to the doorway, blocking her: "If you walk out of here, tomorrow I will send you to the monastery!"

"You wouldn’t dare!" Ruan Jingliu refused to yield: "Since the day I was married, I’m no longer part of the Ruan family!" She sneered coldly: "So, there’s no need for you to worry I’d tarnish your official career." She also approached a step with determination to leave: "And besides, whether or not to go to the monastery is a Zhang Family matter, you have no right to decide for me."

"You!" Ruan Bosong pointed at her: "Fine, fine!" He said with a mocking smile, nodding: "Since you say so, tomorrow I will go to the Zhang Family, let’s see if they’ll ignore their reputation and let you embarrass them outside."

"Suit yourself!" Ruan Jingliu stepped forward again: "Move aside!" Looking determined to leave.

Seeing the siblings at an impasse, First Young Madam Ruan stood up to advise: "Why are you arguing again?" Then she turned to Ruan Jingliu: "Your elder brother means well for you, it’s not necessary for you to go to the monastery. If you don’t want to, stay at home, we’ll take care of you, and your nephew will support you in your old age, wouldn’t this be better and less strenuous than roaming outside?"

Ruan Jingliu didn’t look at her, so First Young Madam Ruan winked at Ruan Bosong, who snorted coldly. She added: "We also discussed with Marquis, and he agrees. Sister, listen to us, we won’t harm you."

Ruan Jingliu slowly turned around, coldly looking at First Young Madam Ruan: "Don’t say these insincere assurance words to me, I make my own decisions, no one has the right to decide for me!" Then she looked at Ruan Bosong: "Move aside!"

"Ruan Jingliu!" Ruan Bosong suddenly lifted his arm, instinctively swinging at Ruan Jingliu’s face!

First Young Madam Ruan was stunned but didn’t try to stop him!

Just as the cold wind swept by, Ruan Bosong’s arm was suddenly caught by someone. Ruan Bosong was startled, turned his head, and saw a face smiling without the smile reaching his eyes: "Why resort to violence, speak calmly to avoid straining relations."

Before Ruan Bosong could speak, Qin Yuanfeng released his hand, stepped in front of Ruan Jingliu, and smiled: "Gentlemen use words, not fists. Isn’t that better?"

This face and the tone of voice made Ruan Bosong wish he could beat him up too, but after being grabbed just now, the pain still lingered on his wrist, estimating he wasn’t Qin Yuanfeng’s match without help.

Ruan Jingliu originally intended to move aside, but now could not stay there to be insulted or hit. Despite her plan, she was startled by Qin Yuanfeng’s actions. When she looked again, a broad back blocked her view. Her eyes moved, and a faint smile appeared on her lips because of his words.

"This is our family matter." First Young Madam Ruan, seeing Ruan Bosong still rubbing his wrist, knew that the seemingly light action from Qin Yuanfeng actually used considerable force. She quickly stepped forward to stand between them: "Mr. Qin shouldn’t get involved." She added: "Moreover, her elder brother means well; their sibling relationship is good, Mr. Qin, you misunderstood."

"Apologies, apologies!" Qin Yuanfeng cupped his fist to Ruan Bosong: "Since that’s the case, Jingliu and I won’t disturb further; we have things to attend to." He then naturally turned and took Ruan Jingliu’s hand: "Let’s go!"

Ruan Jingliu tried to shake off his hand, but Qin Yuanfeng held on tighter!

"You can leave." Ruan Bosong, having failed his purpose and suffered a loss, was now burning with anger: "She must stay here, not allowed to go anywhere!"

Qin Yuanfeng’s smile faded gradually, he raised his brows and looked at Ruan Bosong. With just a glance, Ruan Bosong couldn’t help but shiver and instinctively retreated a step. Qin Yuanfeng no longer looked at him, and with his body tilted, he swaggeringly led Ruan Jingliu out of the room.

"Stop." Ruan Bosong, belatedly coming to his senses, called out, but the two had already left the courtyard hand in hand.

"Ah!" First Young Madam Ruan stamped her foot and said to him: "Look at the mess you’ve made." She stood by the door watching Ruan Jingliu’s back, gritting her teeth: "It’ll be difficult to trick her back again. Are you really going to tie her up and send her to the monastery!"

Ruan Bosong, rubbing his wrist resentfully, squinted: "If I can’t do it, someone else will!" He huffed and pushed past First Young Madam Ruan, exiting.

"Failing and taking it out on me." First Young Madam Ruan snorted coldly, turning to leave for elsewhere.

Ruan Jingliu was led by Qin Yuanfeng all the way out of the Ruan Mansion. She stared silently at the hand holding hers until they reached the carriage. He personally set the footstool, helped her up, then climbed in himself without hesitation, telling the servant driving the carriage: "Go!" The servant drove out of the gate.

"Can you let go now?" Ruan Jingliu’s eyes swept over, piercing onto Qin Yuanfeng’s hand like a needle. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He chuckled, looked down at his hand, even raised it to stroke Ruan Jingliu’s hand lovingly: "Having not held it before, naturally reluctant to release." Before she could get angry, he smartly let go, smiling: "Don’t be mad, it couldn’t be helped just now."

Ruan Jingliu withdrew her gaze, sitting in silence on the side, not saying a word. As the sky darkened, lights from the streets filtered through the fluttering curtain, showing a solitude and sadness on her face that Qin Yuanfeng had not seen before.

No matter how strong a person is, they need a home, right? Qin Yuanfeng’s eyes flashed, and he approached with a cheeky smile: "Buy me dinner, I have no silver left." He said, offering his pocket to Ruan Jingliu.

Flat, not a single coin.

The loneliness previously on her face quickly reverted to aloofness as Ruan Jingliu slowly cast her gaze onto the pocket in her hand...

He had thought she would refuse, even prepared what to say next, but unexpectedly she said: "Join me for drinks, don’t stop until we’re drunk!"

Qin Yuanfeng was taken aback, but in just a blink, he nodded: "That’s a good idea, haven’t drunk in a while." Then he casually placed his arm around Ruan Jingliu’s shoulders, grinning like a comrade: "We’re both without homes now, why not partner up."

Ruan Jingliu shot him a glance, making him wisely retract his arm, and after a moment, she asked: "You have no home?" Having heard him say this twice now.

"Yes." Qin Yuanfeng casually replied: "Got kicked out." He exaggeratedly sighed.

Ruan Jingliu didn’t believe him; he always talked this way, nine truths to one lie, and she didn’t want to waste energy deciphering! The two found a tavern, requested a private room, and both ordered drinks. Ruan Jingliu drank astonishingly well, downing half a pot with an unchanged expression. Qin Yuanfeng rested his cheek in his hand, clicked his tongue in admiration: "Never seen a female doctor, nor one with such skill, let alone one with such skill and remarkable drinking capacity." He cupped his fist: "Impressive!"

Ruan Jingliu rolled her eyes at him: "Let’s go." Casually tossing some silver on the table: "Can’t get drunk, boring!" She stood up and left the private room, Qin Yuanfeng shook his head, smiling as he followed.

The silver moon hung in the sky, lonely and starless. After drinking, Ruan Jingliu became more clear-headed as the cold wind hit her, showing a helpless smile as she stopped and looked back at Qin Yuanfeng, pulling a pocket from her sleeve and tossing it to Qin Yuanfeng: "Here." Without caring if he’d catch it, she turned to continue walking.

Qin Yuanfeng caught it and knew there was silver inside, showing a bitter smile as he caught up to Ruan Jingliu: "So generous!" He continued: "I was planning to rely on you for food and drink, but you blocked my path first." Shaking his head.

Ruan Jingliu didn’t look at him, speaking as if to herself: "You stay here, I’m going back." Qin Yuanfeng didn’t understand, asking: "Where to?"

"To Capital." Ruan Jingliu shook her head, her mind thinking of Xiqiu’s face, realizing friendship felt more reliable than family.

Qin Yuanfeng made an "oh", then had no words, quietly walking beside her on the empty street, showing a hint of loneliness on his face.