A tall cypress tree stirred in the wind as a crow cawed and flew off.
Duke Jin’an watched the swaying branches.
“This your first time here since coming to the capital?” he asked.
“Yes,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
The maid stood by Cheng Jiao-niang’s side, trying to shield her from Duke Jin’an. She hated that she was too short—shorter than the young lord, and certainly no match for Cheng Jiao-niang.
She vaguely remembered being taller than her once… but after the New Year, her mistress had seemed to grow taller.
Time to make new clothes, she thought…
“I’m better than you—I’ve been here twice,” Duke Jin’an said with a grin.
Cheng Jiao-niang said nothing.
“They say this cypress dates back to the Han dynasty,” said Duke Jin’an, pointing at one of the trees.
Cheng Jiao-niang followed his gaze.
The tree trunk was gnarled and powerful, its branches lush and green.
“I’m starting to regret only coming here once,” Duke Jin’an added with a smile.
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at him.
“The last time I came, I found the monk too long-winded. I didn’t even let him finish before sending him off. If I’d come more often and listened to a bit more of his rambling, I’d have more stories to tell you today,” Duke Jin’an said with a laugh.
“No need for you to trouble yourself, young master,” the maid interjected with a cough. She tiptoed forward a few steps to block his view. “If my mistress wants stories, I can tell her some myself.”
Duke Jin’an casually took a step forward.
“Your stories are yours. Mine are mine. They’re not the same,” he said to Cheng Jiao-niang with a faint smile.
The maid gritted her teeth and simply stepped forward as well.
Just as they were exchanging idle banter, Chen Dan-niang finished circling the pagoda.
“I’m hungry,” she said, suddenly losing all interest in the scenery and amusement. “Where are my snacks?”
“We left them for Ban Qin and Jin Ge’er. They even boiled water—we can go eat by the pond where they’re releasing the fish, how about that?” the maid said eagerly.
Chen Dan-niang nodded.
“If we can’t finish them, we can feed the rest to the fish. Let them have a taste of Lady Cheng’s delicious pastries too!” she clapped her hands and called out.
Ban Qin carefully laid out the mat and looked up, only to see Jin Ge’er stirring the pond water with a tree branch he’d picked up from who-knows-where.
“No horseplay!” she called out hastily.
Jin Ge’er chuckled and tossed the branch aside.
“Miss’s here!” he shouted, glancing up.
Chen Dan-niang was being helped by a maid to wipe her hands. Ban Qin also handed a warm towel to Cheng Jiao-niang.
“Ban Qin!” Jin Ge’er called out.
Ban Qin couldn’t help but look over and saw him circling the maid, inspecting her from side to side.
“What are you so flustered about? Got chased by a dog or something?” he asked.
The words had barely left his mouth when the maid rushed to stop him—but it was too late.
An attendant turning the corner of the veranda instantly hardened his expression.
“How dare you!” he snapped, voice sharp with genuine anger.
Jin Ge’er froze, startled. The others were stunned into silence as well.
To be allowed into a place like this—even if his clothes were unremarkable—his bearing and speech made it clear he wasn’t from an ordinary household.
A bit of playful banter might’ve passed, but if he really crossed the line into insults, it could cause trouble.
The maid was uneasy, though her face showed nothing. At a moment like this, all she could do was play the part of the brazen fool—ignorance was her shield. She turned to look at the eunuch.
“Never seen someone so eager to jump out just to get scolded. So who’s the rude one here? Who’s being disrespectful?” she said, raising her brows.
The eunuch gave a cold snort.
“This temple doesn’t belong to you. And besides—some people can be impolite, but others aren’t to be insulted,” he said slowly.
The mood suddenly grew tense.
“Exactly,” said Duke Jin’an, stepping forward and giving the eunuch a kick. “Nobody said anything, and here you are yelling at me for no reason! You’re the dog!”
The eunuch staggered forward a few steps from the kick, then quickly turned and bowed with a strained smile, admitting fault.
The tension eased.
Jin Ge’er had no idea what had just happened. He stood there dazed for a moment, scratched his head, then quietly stepped aside. Ban Qin finished tidying up Cheng Jiao-niang’s towel and also withdrew.
The maid said nothing more, simply helped Cheng Jiao-niang to sit down.
Chen Dan-niang, oblivious to the sudden shift and easing of tension, had her hands wiped by her maids and attendants. She sat down, opened the box, picked up a piece of rice cake, and began eating in big bites.
Duke Jin’an, naturally, followed along. With a casual ease, he leaned against the railing, watching the fish in the pond.
“You’re related to the Chen family?” he asked.
“My surname is Cheng,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
Cheng…
Duke Jin’an repeated it silently in his mind, then suddenly let out an “Oh!”
“Ha,” he turned around and laughed. “So you’re that Lady Cheng!”
They had encountered her on the road, coming from the south, with members of the Chen family in tow, hurrying along as if in a rush—otherwise they wouldn’t have been traveling at night. And considering the timing, and the sale of the Chen family estate…
So the Lady Cheng who had brought someone back from the brink of death, forcing Doctor Li to hide from court—that was her.
He couldn’t help but look her over again.
Her expression was blank, eyes calm and unfocused. So young, and yet seemingly unafraid of anything.
Was it ignorance and fearlessness? Or was it composure born of confidence?
“You’re really that amazing?” Duke Jin’an stepped forward, curiosity in his voice.
“Of course Lady Cheng is amazing,” said Chen Dan-niang. “She’s the most amazing.”
Duke Jin’an burst into laughter.
“Yes, yes, very amazing,” he said with a laugh and a nod.
Chen Dan-niang ignored him and raised the pastry in her hand toward Cheng Jiao-niang.
“This one’s my favorite,” she said.
The little girl, dressed in bright red, held a piece of pale green cake in her chubby hand—it looked especially sweet and tempting.
“I’m hungry too,” said Duke Jin’an.
Chen Dan-niang immediately shielded the box of pastries, eyeing the one who was trying to wheedle a bite with deep suspicion.
The maid standing nearby looked uneasy, as if she wanted to speak but held back.
Asking for a bite? A grown man, not a child—clearly not a real request, just small talk and an excuse to flirt.
Who didn’t know these little games young men and women played?
But Lady Cheng wasn’t from her household, and the young man clearly knew her, so she really didn’t feel it was her place to speak up.
The maid glared at the young man, shaking with anger.
“You—” She opened her mouth to shout.
“I didn’t have breakfast,” Duke Jin’an cut in, “I actually came here hoping to get some plain temple noodles. But now that I see this little lady eating so happily, I’m honestly starving and can’t wait any longer.”
“If you’re really hungry, then go ahead and eat,” Cheng Jiao-niang said calmly.
At her words, the maid puffed up her cheeks in frustration and shut her mouth.
Chen Dan-niang pouted.
“I only have three left!” she protested.
“I’ll treat you to some temple noodles later,” Duke Jin’an said with a grin, holding up one finger. “Can we trade for just one?”
“I don’t want temple noodles. I want meat noodles,” Chen Dan-niang replied.
“I still have some more,” Cheng Jiao-niang said.
Chen Dan-niang, reassured, no longer hesitated and pushed the pastry box toward him.
“Then you can have one,” she said.
Duke Jin’an really did step forward, brushed his sleeve aside, bent down, and picked one of the pastries from the box, popping it into his mouth.
“Thank you,” he said with a smile, looking at Chen Dan-niang. “It’s my birthday today—thanks for the treat.”
Chen Dan-niang gave a little “Oh.”
A birthday was an important occasion for children. Though celebrations were usually kept modest due to their young age—symbolizing ease in raising the child—parents and siblings would still give small gifts and gather for a nice family meal.
“Why aren’t you eating at home on your birthday? Why would your parents let you come out to play?” she asked.
“Nineteenth Lady,” the nursemaid scolded softly and, stepping forward, decisively scooped her up into her arms. “Let’s go see if Madam has come out yet.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Cheng Jiao-niang—clearly using the moment to subtly remind her as well.
Cheng Jiao-niang slowly finished her water, then pushed the box of pastries that Ban Qin had brought over to him.
“Here, I’ll give them all to you,” she said.
Duke Jin’an smiled at the box being pushed over.
“Thank you,” he said, without any pretense, reaching out to take one. He popped the one in his hand into his mouth, chewing it quickly, then reached into the box to take another and began eating it slowly.
It seemed like he really was hungry…
How shameless, to openly ask for a bite! He really took advantage of the situation!
Miss was always so patient. As long as one didn’t press her or provoke her, and as long as there was no clear malice, she would stay calm.
Though she didn’t speak in a way that made others laugh or find her charming, she never spoke ill of anyone. In fact, she had a gentle, easygoing nature, and was the most agreeable person.
The maid puffed up her cheeks in anger—Miss’s temperament was simply too good!
“It’s about time, let’s go take a look,” Cheng Jiao-niang said as she stood up.
Chen Dan-niang’s maid let out a relieved sigh, and the other maid also relaxed. She quickly gestured for Ban Qin and Jin Ge’er to tidy up their things.
“The tea ceremony won’t be over yet, and the people inside won’t be able to come out,” Duke Jin’an said, holding the pastry box.
His expression was casual, and there was no trace of the mocking tone that the maids might have felt when they overheard his words, which hinted at their excuse for leaving.
“I know,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied, raising her eyes to look ahead. “I’m not interested in the people inside.”
Xu Bangchui crouched down to stir the fire, while over there, amidst the flowers and fragrant fruits, an empty table was placed conspicuously, making it stand out.
