In early May, the capital was already sweltering.
Though the hottest season had not yet arrived, a basin of ice had been placed in the Gao family’s study, adding a touch of cool moisture to the air. It made Gao Lingjun, who had just washed away the weariness of the day, feel even more relaxed.
Yet, while his body was at ease, his mind was restless and irritable.
“Foolish! How could you let Second Master Cheng go?” he snapped, his eyebrows furrowed in anger.
“Sir, we had no choice,” several subordinates replied awkwardly.
“It was Chen Shao who approved it,” Young Master Gao interjected casually. “He’s always been at odds with Father. He never wanted Cheng Dong in the capital in the first place and has long been trying to drive him out.”
“There are plenty of people he wants to drive out – does that mean he can just get rid of all of them? What are you even here for?” Gao Lingjun retorted sharply.
“It was truly difficult to stop him,” one subordinate explained. “By coincidence, he reported that his mother was critically ill, just like you did. If we had tried to block him, Chen Shao might have seized the opportunity to cause trouble for you.”
“Cause trouble for me? If he dares, I’ll find a way to deal with him. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Gao Lingjun sneered. “The fact that you’re all so hesitant and cautious just shows that you didn’t take Cheng Dong seriously in the first place.”
“Father, so what if he’s gone? It’s not like we can’t go to Jiang-zhou ourselves. Are we afraid he’ll run away?” said the Young Master Gao.
But the existence of Second Master Cheng was not merely a matter of parental orders.
“All you see is the marriage alliance! Since when is a marriage such a great affair?” Gao Lingjun said irritably, shaking his head.
That girl – how could she be like other girls, single-mindedly focused on marriage? If she truly cared about matrimony, why would she have that rule about not marrying those she has treated?
Forget it. He should have known that if he didn’t handle things personally, there would be slip-ups. Now, things had completely deviated from his expectations. All he could do was deal with the situation at hand.
“Someone! Deliver my card to Lady Cheng. I will pay her a visit,” he said.
“Father, you’re going to see that girl in person?” the Young Master Gao asked, a look of disdain on his face. “Is she even worthy…”
“More worthy than you,” Gao Lingjun retorted sharply, thrusting the card forward.
Young Master Gao ducked his head and didn’t dare say another word, watching as the servant took the card and hurried out.
The news of Gao Lingjun’s arrival in the capital quickly reached those who needed to know, and the sight of his servant heading toward Cheng Jiao-niang’s residence did not escape the watchful eyes of various factions.
“Master Gao is certainly more silver-tongued than his son,” Old Master Chen remarked with a chuckle.
“What does it matter? She isn’t going to marry him!” Chen Shao retorted.
Old Master Chen couldn’t hold back a laugh but quickly composed himself and chided, “None of your nonsense.”
Chen Shao apologized to his father and stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Given how messy things have become, and with Young Master Gao clearly acting out of spite – even if Gao Lingjun tries to smooth things over, how long can he keep it up? How could anyone endure a marriage like that? She’s no fool. Why would she agree to this match just because of a few words from Gao Lingjun?”
Old Master Chen waved his palm-leaf fan and smiled.
“Other women might not,” he said, “but for her, how to endure such a life might not be such a problem after all…”
One could never predict how this girl would act.
“Unfathomable, truly unfathomable,” Old Master Chen murmured, still fanning himself.
At the same time, Qin Hu set down his teacup.
“True, this girl never acts according to convention,” he murmured to himself. “It’s not impossible that Master Gao might persuade her.”
If he succeeded, the marriage would truly take place.
The marriage…
Qin Hu stood up, grabbed his outer robe, and hurriedly headed for the door while putting it on.
“Shi’san!”
His mother’s voice called from behind.
Qin Hu stopped and turned to acknowledge her.
“I need to go out – it’s urgent,” he said.
“Come here, I have something to ask you,” Madam Qin called out, beckoning with a smile.
Qin Hu had no choice but to turn back and approach her.
“What did you want to ask, Mother?” he inquired.
“I want to know where you’re going,” Madam Qin said, her eyes twinkling.
Qin Hu let out a helpless sigh. “To where I wish to go,” he replied, bowing before turning to leave quickly.
“Is it also to see someone you wish to see?” Madam Qin teased from behind, taking a few steps after him. “Shi’san, just thinking isn’t enough – you have to speak up. This is a good opportunity.”
It was unclear whether Qin Hu heard her or not as he took his horse and rode straight off.
“What nonsense are you filling his head with now?” Qin An remarked as he stepped out from inside. “Shi’san is all grown up and an official now. Must you always tease him?”
Madam Qin swayed her round fan, laughing lightly.
“Grown up? If he were truly grown up, he wouldn’t still be unable to win over the one he fancies,” she chuckled, half-hiding her face behind the fan as she glanced at her husband. “In this regard, he takes after his father not one bit.”
Qin An feigned sternness with a disapproving “Hmph,” though the servants nearby averted their faces, quietly stifling their laughter.
After sharing a light-hearted moment, the couple stepped out together, just as someone arrived to report that Zhou Fu had come.
“Liu-lang, Shi’san just rushed out in a hurry,” Madam Qin said with a smile, watching the young man bow before her. She added, “Who knows where he went? Ever since he became a jinshi and received his official post, his social engagements have certainly multiplied.”
Zhou Fu acknowledged her words with a polite response.
“Naturally, things can’t be the same as before. It was the same for me when I was in the army,” he remarked, before bowing again and taking his leave.
Watching Zhou Fu ride away on his horse, Qin An furrowed his brow.
“Why did you lie to him?” he asked.
“What do you know?” Madam Qin replied. “You must understand, this young man from the Zhou family might just succeed in winning the beauty’s heart. If that happens, what will become of our son?”
Qin An shook his head with mild disapproval.
“Such petty, scheming behavior,” he remarked.
“In matters of love and marriage, one cannot afford to be overly noble – the game is unfair from the start,” Madam Qin said with a laugh. “Let’s leave it to fate.”
Qin An chuckled wryly.
“Is this what you call ‘fate’?” he asked.
What you’re doing is clearly deliberate manipulation.
Madam Qin raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“If he met me, then it is fate,” she declared.
…
Zhou Fu returned home in low spirits. The panic-stricken departure of First Master Cheng and Second Master Cheng’s families from the capital had seemingly taken with it the recent buzz of the city. Now, the talk of the town was all about Duke Jin’an, who had ventured alone into a bandit stronghold at night, his divine aura startling the outlaws. The tangled marriage disputes between Young Master Gao and the Cheng family were no longer on anyone’s lips.
Such was the capital – a place where novelties emerged one after another, and even the most fervent uproars could fade away in the blink of an eye.
“Father,” Zhou Fu called out, looking at his father, who was seated in the hall enjoying tea and listening to a young maid sing. “What about that matter?”
“What matter?” Master Zhou asked lazily.
“Jiao-niang’s marriage,” Zhou Fu replied gloomily.
“Oh, that’s nothing to worry about. Jiao Jiao has her own ideas. We’ll do as she tells us,” Master Zhou said with a smile, tapping his knee in time with the maid’s song.
Zhou Fu wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.
“But… but we still have to go and ask her,” he insisted.
“What’s there to ask? For now, we’re just delaying,” Master Zhou replied. “And delaying isn’t so bad.”
To put it plainly, Father was… afraid, wasn’t he?
After First Master Cheng’s analysis regarding Prince Ping, and considering the situation the Zhou family would face if the marriage were to proceed, Master Zhou had ultimately held back. Moreover, Cheng Jiao-niang hadn’t shown any particular insistence on marrying into the Zhou family.
Delaying isn’t so bad…
Zhou Fu sighed inwardly.
How could delaying be good? Matters like this should be cut cleanly and decisively!
If you won’t ask her, then I will.
Zhou Fu took a deep breath, bowed, rose to his feet, and excused himself.
Yes, I’ll go ask her. I’m doing this to help her – what’s there to hesitate about?
His resolve growing firmer, Zhou Fu quickened his pace.
I’ll go ask her. I’ll ask her myself.
When Zhou Fu left his house, Qin Hu had already finished half a cup of tea served by Ban Qin.
The main hall in summer was wide open, fitted with gauze screens that complemented the green bamboo and blooming flowers outside. Birds kept in the corridor chirped melodiously.
“Although delaying this matter is a strategy, it ultimately doesn’t resolve the root issue,” Qin Hu remarked.
“Not necessarily,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
Qin Hu smiled slightly and took another sip of tea.
“Actually, I should advise you to marry Zhou Liu-lang,” he said suddenly.
Cheng Jiao-niang looked up at him, and even Ban Qin, who was gently fanning nearby, turned her gaze toward him.
“But… I find it somewhat hard to say,” Qin Hu added with a faint smile. “Because I feel that this time, it might really happen – you might truly marry him.”
“Marriage is not something to be taken lightly,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied, shaking her head.
Qin Hu smiled and acknowledged her words.
“You’re right, marriage is no child’s play,” he said. “But somehow, I always find myself wishing it could be treated as such.”
Ban Qin looked at him with even greater confusion.
“Because… if it were just a game, then your rule would also be nothing more than a playful notion,” Qin Hu explained with a light laugh, his gaze fixed on Cheng Jiao-niang.
What rule? Ban Qin was momentarily puzzled, but before she could ponder further, Qin Hu seemed to press on without giving them much time to reflect.
“Lady Cheng, given the current situation, perhaps it’s time to reconsider that rule. The people involved now hold high status and great influence. The Zhou family may not be the most suitable or advantageous match for you, but my family – the Qin family – can manage this matter properly without having to compromise our own standing.”
He spoke in one breath, his eyes never leaving the composed lady seated before him.
“For this matter, why not let me step forward instead?”
“What do you mean by ‘step forward’?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
The question caught Qin Hu off guard, and he let out a soft, somewhat bemused laugh. Had she not understood? How could that be? Well then, he would make it clearer.
“You once saved my life. If you were to marry into my family, it would be a perfectly justified and fitting tale. Even if the Empress Dowager and Prince Ping disapprove, in the end, they cannot defy reason and sentiment. Moreover, with the support of my Qin clan…” he explained earnestly.
Before he could finish, Cheng Jiao-niang shook her head. Though she did not interrupt aloud, Qin Hu fell silent on his own.
“So it’s about this matter,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, then bowed slightly with a faint smile. “You need not trouble yourself. There is truly no need to concern yourself with this.”
It was always like this…
Qin Hu gazed at her.
The sight of her sitting composedly before him was no longer unfamiliar. In fact, if one were to count, he was likely the one who had shared such moments with her the most – boating together, admiring lanterns, watching performances, enjoying flowers…
And yet, why did it still feel so distant? No matter how many times they sat facing each other like this, it always seemed like the first time.
So close, yet so far away.
“Very well. If you ever need my help, you need only say the word,” he said with a smile.
Cheng Jiao-niang bowed again, her smile gentle as she expressed her thanks.
Qin Hu’s horse galloped away from the entrance. Zhou Fu, who had just reached the street corner, reined in his horse and watched as Qin Hu passed by without noticing him.
So he came here after all.
Did he come up with some new idea?
But he seemed a bit distracted…
As this thought crossed his mind, Zhou Fu urged his horse forward again. But after just two steps, he abruptly pulled on the reins, his face showing a trace of surprise as he looked ahead.
Someone else had arrived at Cheng Jiao-niang’s gate. Under the summer sun, the young man who dismounted was dressed simply, yet he still stood out unmistakably.
The man lifted his head after dismounting. Though his features were unclear from a distance, an air of ease and confidence surrounded him. He briskly stepped up to the door and knocked. It opened quickly, and he entered without delay…
Why is he here?
Oh, when did he return?
Zhou Fu’s gaze instinctively swept across the street. The crowd was bustling, vendors loudly hawking their goods, but with his sharp perception, he could detect several figures with an imposing presence scattered among the people, quietly surrounding the Cheng residence.
“Your Highness, the Duke!”
Ban Qin, who had initially doubted the servant’s report, exclaimed in surprise as she saw Duke Jin’an standing in the courtyard.
“How… how did you get here?”
Striding through the sunlight, Duke Jin’an came to a halt under the dappled shade of the trees, his face breaking into a warm smile.
“My duties have brought me back,” he said.
It was strange – this was his first time visiting this residence, yet it felt oddly like coming home…
No, no, that wasn’t quite right. How could he think such a thing? It was more accurate to say it felt familiar.
Duke Jin’an nodded to himself, his gaze resting on the young lady and her maid before him.
Perhaps it was because the people here were familiar that the place felt familiar too.
“You’re back from your duties? How come there’s been no news about such a major event?” Ban Qin asked in surprise.
Duke Jin’an shook his head.
“After such an embarrassing incident, how could I make a grand entrance? I wish I could have dug a tunnel to sneak into the city from outside,” he said.
Ban Qin couldn’t help but laugh.
“What embarrassing incident, Your Highness?” she asked, still smiling.
“You little maid, it seems you’re just as talkative and noisy as the other Ban Qin. Must I really spell out the shame of how I went off confidently to persuade the bandits, only to nearly lose my life in their stronghold and barely escape thanks to a single firework?” Duke Jin’an said with a frown.
Banqin laughed so hard she could barely stand straight.
Cheng Jiao-niang also allowed a faint smile.
“That wasn’t shameful,” she said. “Luck doesn’t come from nothing. You deserved it.”
He had heard many words of praise, but when the phrase “you deserved it” reached his ears, a genuine smile spread uncontrollably from the depths of his heart.
“Your Highness, have you come today to ask our lady to celebrate with you?” Ban Qin asked with a smile, gesturing for him to enter.
At the words “today,” Duke Jin’an seemed to recall something. His smile faded, and his expression grew serious.
“No,” he said. “I came today because I wish to speak with you about something.”
Cheng Jiao-niang, who had already reached the corridor, turned to look at him.
“What I want to say is…” Duke Jin’an took a step forward, his gaze fixed on her. “Cheng Fang, will you marry me?”
Ah?
What?
Ban Qin felt as though she had heard something, yet the words didn’t quite register. She stood in a daze, staring blankly at the young man standing in the courtyard.
