The distance was still considerable when Yan Yi spotted the small crossbow in the young boy’s hands. Crafted from fine steel, the crossbow exuded an unparalleled elegance even in the dim evening light.
At that single, inadvertent glance, Yan Yi knew his trip had not been in vain.
For the past few years, Yu’er had grown up alongside his elder sister and Brother Qi, and the young boy had seen a fair bit of the world.
However, Yan Yi’s crimson flying fish robe, coupled with the fiery intensity in his eyes, made Yu’er’s heart pound, despite his maturity for his age.
Yan Yi hadn't expected to lose his composure, much less frighten someone else’s child.
Feeling rather embarrassed, he stepped forward and patted the young boy’s shoulder. Yu’er’s back immediately stiffened, and he dared not move, scarcely daring to breathe.
Yan Yi momentarily forgot that the reputation of the Imperial Guards was enough to frighten children into sleep.
Fu Xinci, seeing Yan Yi’s eyes gleam as he fixated on the crossbows in Yu’er’s hands – the very ones she and Qi He had discarded – pondered for a moment before signaling Qi He.
Qi He reluctantly unslung the bag from his shoulder, which contained the crossbow Fu Xinci had gifted him.
He was reluctant, having carried it for several years.
But seeing the look in Fu Xinci’s eyes, he hardened his heart, and as if it were a daily occurrence, took out his crossbow from the bag and said to Yu’er, "Xinyu, come, watch Brother Qi show you how it's done."
"Mm." With Brother Qi by his side, Yu’er's courage instantly grew.
Fu Xinci and Qi He’s tactic of shifting attention proved effective. The moment Qi He drew out the crossbow from his bag, Yan Yi’s burning gaze immediately shifted.
Qi He: He had faced considerable challenges, encountering Tatars and Japanese pirates, and had never once faltered.
But this Lord Yan was truly extraordinary; the heat emanating from his eyes felt as though it could burn holes through him at any moment.
Qi He endured, fighting the urge to flee, his back as stiff as Yu’er’s, held perfectly straight.
Alas, no one knew the effort it took not to be so rigid.
Grandpa Meng and Qi Yuanshan saw that the two boys were playing coy. Neither spoke, merely watching the unfolding situation.
Fu Xinci hadn’t expected Yan Yi’s gaze to be so unnerving. Fortunately, she had a bold spirit, otherwise, she too would have been like Brother Qi and Yu’er.
It was Fu Xinci’s absentmindedness that made her forget for a moment what kind of person he was.
Indeed, let alone Qi He and Yu’er, how many high officials, influential figures, and heads of noble families in the Ming Dynasty could withstand Yan Yi’s gaze for the time it takes an incense stick to burn? They were truly formidable.
Fu Xinci wasn’t thinking much at the moment; she just wanted Yan Yi to leave her home soon. With such a ticking time bomb in the house, nothing could be done conveniently.
Without hesitation, Fu Xinci decided to cater to his preference. Since he liked the crossbows, she would give them to him. The new crossbows made by Uncle Sun and Uncle Xu for her would be ready soon; she wasn't short of such items.
If Yan Yi were to hear Miss Fu’s thoughts, he would likely be infuriated.
Fine, to ensure Lord Yan left early, Fu Xinci had to step forward and demonstrate herself.
"Brother Qi, let me try too," Fu Xinci said, taking the crossbow from Qi He.
She had her own, more advanced crossbow in her spatial dimension, but she didn’t want Yan Yi to know about it, fearing his greed.
There was no need to think; Yan Yi’s scorching gaze had already betrayed him completely.
Fu Xinci’s movements appeared casual, yet all five bolts landed precisely on the bullseye.
"Five bolts at once?" Yan Yi’s voice was filled with ecstatic joy after his initial astonishment.
Fu Xinci’s next sentence made Yan Yi’s heart churn several times, unable to settle down.
"This crossbow made by my master can fire ten bolts at once. It’s my lack of skill that has caused him embarrassment."
"Ten bolts at once? Miss Fu, may I see this crossbow?" Yan Yi asked, his tone exceedingly cautious, fearing Miss Fu would refuse to let him examine it.
"Of course." Fu Xinci said, handing the crossbow to Yan Yi.
She thought to herself: Once you’ve seen it, you should leave quickly. Even if I give you this crossbow, I’ll consider it a way to avert disaster.
That was Fu Xinci’s thought. She then asked Qi He for the bolts and handed them over as well.
Even though Qi He was very reluctant.
As Fu Xinci had predicted.
From the moment Yan Yi’s gaze fell upon the crossbow in his hands, it never shifted.
His eyes meticulously scanned the crossbow inch by inch, his expression as if he were branding every minute detail into his memory.
Grandpa Meng admired his focused demeanor, but Qi Yuanshan and Uncle Meng thought differently. It wasn’t about being petty; he shared his son’s concern, fearing that Lord Yan would borrow his son’s crossbow.
Qi Yuanshan then thought, as you fear, so it shall be.
Yan Yi was confident in his memory, yet he worried he might misremember.
After all, one mistake could lead to a cascade of errors. To avoid wasting resources, he shamelessly made his request to Fu Xinci.
"Miss Fu, could you lend this crossbow to me?" Look at that, to obtain this crossbow, Yan Yi was truly going all out, even dropping his respectful address.
Fu Xinci: I’ve been waiting for you to ask. After a moment of feigned thought, she agreed.
Qi He had been secretly observing Yan Yi’s every move. Now, seeing his worst fear realized.
The young boy’s sunny, handsome face instantly fell. He lowered his head and refused to look anywhere else. He didn't even see Fu Xinci’s reassuring glance that said, "I've got this."
Yan Yi’s eyes also caught the boy’s dejected and disappointed expression. Fearing the boy might go back on his word and waste more time, his intention to stay for dinner vanished instantly.
He casually found a flimsy excuse and, cupping his fists, bid farewell to Uncle Meng.
"Uncle Meng, I just remembered I have a very urgent matter to attend to back in the capital, and we must depart immediately."
"Oh, if it’s something urgent, I won’t keep you. But you haven’t had dinner yet, what a pity."
"It’s nothing, we can simply eat something on the road," Yan Yi said, then turned and left with his men.
Without waiting for Grandpa Meng and the others to see them out, he mounted his horse and rode away swiftly.
Fu Xinci watched their receding figures. The flying fish robes fluttered in the strong wind as she silently mused, "Here today, gone tomorrow. The Commander is truly rushing through wind and rain for a crossbow."
Qi He cast a resentful glance at Fu Xinci and whispered close to her ear, "Sister Fu, my crossbow is gone."
If Fu Xinci hadn’t known him so well, she might have thought he was about to cry.