Chapter Eighty-Three: Drinking

Zhang Zhongheng was in no pleasant mood at the moment.

Earlier, the county magistrate’s eldest son, Yuan Yang, had been keeping him company with other young men of notable families in a private room, where they played chess together.

But the room grew stuffy, so they came out from the study.

Then a maid from Yuan Huiling secretly told Zhang Zhongheng’s servant that Xu Ruojin and the Fifth Miss were drinking tea in the garden.

Zhang Zhongheng immediately suggested taking a stroll there.

Everything had been arranged smoothly, yet Zhang Zhongheng had not expected that the moment he stepped into the garden, he would see the one person he least wished to meet—Liang Xiao.

The county magistrate’s household had specially sent an invitation, and so Liang Xiao had come with Madam Liang.

After exchanging greetings and a few words with Magistrate Yuan and the others, Liang Xiao left the crowd with another young gentleman of a distinguished clan, Jiang Biwu, and found a quiet corner to chat.

Jiang Biwu’s grandfather had once served as deputy commander in the northwest. Now old and infirm, he had retired to his native place and returned to Zhonglin County.

Though the Jiang family had no great meritorious general among them, their members were numerous, and all held posts in the military in various places; overall, they were by no means to be underestimated.

After the Liang family had been demoted to Zhonglin County, the old master of the Jiang family, though he did not appear in person, had specially instructed his grandson to keep Liang Xiao company.

And since Liang Xiao’s arrival in Zhonglin County, aside from being alone, his closest association had been with Jiang Biwu.

Neither of them liked needless, hypocritical social pleasantries, yet both had no choice but to accompany their families.

Thus, they had found a quiet place in the corner and were chatting quite congenially.

Who could have guessed that the maids and matrons would set up a railing around the hexagonal pavilion nearby, and that before long several young ladies would be inside, chirping and bickering noisily?

Especially that Xu Ruojin, whom he himself had once rescued from the lake.

After Liang Xiao heard her name, he paid her a little more attention.

That night, when he had gone to retrieve the jade pendant, the brightness in her eyes still lingered in his heart. He had also once seen her on the street standing firm against Zhang Zhongheng, forcing him to retreat in anger. And today he heard her sparring with the magistrate’s daughter.

She was an interesting woman indeed.

What surprised Liang Xiao most, however, was how clearly she understood the principles of medicine.

Before Xu Ruojin had arrived, Liang Xiao had already heard Yuan Huiling complain in a low voice that even the old physician of Honglin Hall had praised the Xu family girl as gifted.

Could the one he had saved truly be a woman of talent?

But as more people gathered in the garden, Jiang Biwu suggested finding a quiet guest room to rest.

Liang Xiao agreed, and the two of them turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, before they had gone far, they ran straight into Zhang Zhongheng.

They were already sworn enemies, and now they had met here of all places.

Liang Xiao refused to step aside, and Zhang Zhongheng was even less likely to yield.

So the two groups stood facing each other in stubborn deadlock.

That was the scene when Yuan Huiling called out to them.

“What is wrong with Brother Zhongheng?” Yuan Huiling had barely finished calling before she, too, sensed something amiss. She walked toward them, wanting to see what was happening.

Xu Ruojin lifted her brows slightly and continued drinking her tea.

Jiang Mingshuang noticed her discomfort and handed her another pastry. “This one is delicious.”

Xu Ruojin looked at her almost unconsciously, then gave a self-mocking smile.

What was wrong with her?

Meeting Zhang Zhongheng was no different from meeting a filthy insect. Why had she been the first to tense up? She was only making herself a laughingstock.

She took the pastry, put it into her mouth, and ate without further politeness.

Jiang Mingshuang did not mind that she offered no thanks or small talk; on the contrary, she thought this was better.

At last Zhang Zhongheng looked at Liang Xiao and spoke first. “There is no need to say that fate is unkind when enemies meet on a narrow road. Since we have run into one another, I can only advise Brother Liang to restrain that crude martial ferocity of yours. Zhonglin County may not be large, but it certainly does not need swords and blades for slaughter. What we seek here is a quiet and refined peace.”

“Speak less.”

Jiang Biwu disliked Zhang Zhongheng as well, but he was an even-tempered man and bore him no enmity. “Today we are here to congratulate the magistrate’s household. Whatever words you have, swallow them for now. We can talk after we leave.”

“Hmph. Once we leave, who would bother with you?”

Zhang Zhongheng rolled his eyes and strode toward the hexagonal pavilion.

Yuan Huiling also recognized Liang Xiao.

Just earlier, when she had gone to see the old physician, she had witnessed Liang Xiao coming out from there.

Only after Jiang Biwu made the introductions was she able to meet the man spoken of in rumors.

Facing Yuan Huiling, Zhang Zhongheng was too annoyed to say more. “I am thirsty. I want tea!”

“Isn’t that Liang Xiao?” Yuan Huiling asked.

Her question only made Zhang Zhongheng more irritated. “So what if it is? Wasn’t he invited by your family?”

“Since he is a guest, why not all share a cup of tea together?”

With that, Yuan Huiling hurried forward. Yuan Yang tried to stop his younger sister but failed, and could only spread his hands helplessly, shaking his head while offering Zhang Zhongheng an apologetic look.

Just then a servant came to report something, and Yuan Yang took the chance to leave.

He knew his sister would surely stir up some trouble, but after all she was just a young girl, and no one would truly mind if something came of it.

It was not proper for him to remain there, so better to slip away while he could...

The moment Yuan Huiling saw Zhang Zhongheng flare up, she suddenly thought that Liang Xiao and Xu Ruojin seemed to have a trace of some old connection as well.

She had already been considering how to make Xu Ruojin embarrass herself terribly, and now the opportunity had fallen straight into her lap.

If Zhang Zhongheng, Liang Xiao, and Xu Ruojin all sat in the same pavilion drinking tea, it would be impossible for nothing to happen.

She would make Zhang Zhongheng detest Xu Ruojin!

The more completely, the better!

“Brother Liang, why not come have a cup of tea and sit in the pavilion?” Yuan Huiling put on an enthusiastic smile. “So many of the sisters here have never seen you before. Do give everyone a chance to speak with you about the interesting things in the capital. Most of us seldom step beyond our own gates, and we are all terribly curious about the outside world.”

Jiang Biwu had originally been about to wave the offer away, but Liang Xiao raised a hand to stop him.

He glanced toward the hexagonal pavilion a few times, then gave a slight nod. “Very well.”

“Huh?”

Jiang Biwu cried out in astonishment.

This was the first time he had ever seen Liang Xiao willing to mix with a crowd of young women.

It was truly strange.

Watching Liang Xiao stride toward the hexagonal pavilion, Jiang Biwu could only hurry after him.

Yuan Huiling was already laughing inside.

She wanted to see whether Xu Ruojin would wish for a crack in the earth to swallow her whole.

Zhang Zhongheng sat down first across from Xu Ruojin. When he saw Liang Xiao and Jiang Biwu also approaching, his face twitched violently, and his narrow, venomous eyes fixed on Xu Ruojin.

Xu Ruojin remained perfectly composed, continuing to sip her tea as though whoever gathered around had the slightest bearing on her.

Since the men had also come to drink tea, the young ladies sat on one side of the tea table, leaving the other side for them.

“Look, everyone, who has come!” Yuan Huiling ran in first and entered the pavilion. “You all already know Young Master Jiang, and this other gentleman is Young Master Liang Xiao of the Liang household!”

Zhao Cuiling stared at Liang Xiao for a long moment, then lowered her head, her face flushed red.

Mo Rong had no particular reaction, only thinking that Liang Xiao was handsome and imposing, but his expression was icy and somewhat fierce.

Jiang Mingshuang rose and offered a slight curtsy as greeting.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Xu Ruojin, because Xu Ruojin was staring at him.

Was this the cold-faced man she had seen that night?

Was he also the strange man glimpsed once from the teahouse?

Broad-shouldered and tall, proud and severe, with slightly furrowed brows and half-lifted gray eyes, he exuded a distinctive air.

That night he had been as cold as ice. Even now, beneath the blazing daylight, the chill about him still made people unwilling to come near.

Xu Ruojin bit her lip lightly and thought silently to herself.

There were a few raised creases at the chest of his dark purple brocade robe threaded with gold vines.

Xu Ruojin was very familiar with that sort of thing. It meant there was bandaging beneath the garment.

His lips were faintly purple; his heart and lungs were wounded.

A pale cast lay over his bronze skin, likely due to a body constitution prone to coldness.

He was injured.

A seriously wounded man.

She had not been able to examine him carefully that night; only now could she observe him properly.

Yet how could an injured man move as swiftly as a shadow?

Xu Ruojin, absorbed in medical books, had unconsciously begun to study the symptoms of everyone present.

Liang Xiao had never imagined Xu Ruojin would stare at him like this.

There was no curiosity in her eyes, only calm appraisal and observation.

They had met that night, but only for an instant. He had seen her in the teahouse, drinking from a jar with abandon, and before she fainted she seemed to have seen him as well. There was no need to stare like this, was there?

What in the world was this woman thinking?

By now Zhang Zhongheng was already livid with rage, wishing nothing more than to fling his sleeves and storm away at once.

Yuan Huiling was delighted inside. She quickly poured tea for Zhang Zhongheng. “Wasn’t Brother Zhongheng thirsty? Have a cup of tea first to warm yourself.”

“What tea?”

Unable to contain his fury, Zhang Zhongheng shouted, “I want wine. Bring me wine!”