Chapter 10

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Huang Shiyu wore a troubled expression and could only think of a compromise, stammering, “Brother Siyuan…” The patron’s smile faded slightly, clearly unamused. He knew she was a girl, and she knew he knew, so why wouldn’t she just go along with it? After spending so much time playing along, wasn’t it obvious enough? Any more coyness would seem pretentious.

Yet the patron magnanimously offered the opportunity once more. “Call me—Brother.”

Huang Shiyu looked at him in torment, unable to bring herself to say it.

The patron lost interest and picked up his tea. That was clearly a hint for her to leave. Her heart sank, and she bowed slightly before sulking away.

The patron leisurely sipped his tea, then suddenly leaned back in his chair, resting against the backrest. His forefinger slowly twirled a loose braid draped over his shoulder three times before abruptly letting it go.

On her way back, Huang Shiyu pondered for a long time.

In the countryside, “brother” was a term of endearment for one’s beloved. Could it be that this wasn’t the custom in the city? Since she and the patron were neither romantically involved nor related—and she still disguised herself as a boy—even if they both understood the truth, it looked strange to others, and she just couldn’t bring herself to say it.

He didn’t mind the embarrassment, but she was still too shy.

But in the end, she had offended the patron and suspected there would be no future between them.

So Huang Shiyu decided to come up with a graceful excuse before the patron showed her his displeasure.

After some time had passed, she would send a message through a maid at the boarding house under the pretext of returning books: her family had found her a teacher, so she would no longer intrude upon his leisure.

Along with many words of gratitude.

That way, the patron would feel comforted, and she could gracefully step down.

Having made up her mind, Huang Shiyu’s steps grew light and brisk once more.

After staying in Zehe for two days and experiencing the slow rural life, Song Yuan often found herself missing it inexplicably upon returning to the capital.

This year’s Flower Goddess Banquet was approaching, and the soon-to-be-coming-of-age Song Yuan had also been invited.

The matriarch of the Duke of Anguo’s residence originally intended to marry her off to the most promising young man in the household. Now that the little girl had caught the Empress Dowager’s favor, it was also considered a fortunate matter.

In past years, the banquet mainly invited noblewomen, but this year eighteen eligible young ladies had been added out of nowhere, which was rather thought-provoking.

Considering the age of Prince Su, one could understand without it needing to be stated.

That Prince Su was born when the Empress Dowager was thirty-eight years old. At that time, the late emperor had suddenly passed away, and the Empress Dowager was so grief-stricken she nearly lost her life. After countless hardships, she gave birth to him and treated him like her precious jewel.

The Empress Dowager only had two sons: the eldest, the emperor, who as the legitimate heir was personally raised by the late emperor from birth, with no woman allowed to interfere. As a result, the Empress Dowager had rarely enjoyed family happiness by the time she was nearly forty.

Prince Su was different. She had watched him grow up bit by bit by her side, raised in the Palace of Eternal Longevity until age fifteen, only being allowed to leave after his princely residence was completed.

This little brother shared the same parents and yet was younger than the youngest son, posing no threat to the throne. Naturally, the emperor’s affection for him was freely expressed, showering him with favors year after year—not only refurbishing the Su Prince’s residence by imperial decree but also granting him permission to remain in the capital to enjoy imperial wealth and accompany the Empress Dowager.

All these honors were unique among princes.

Prince Su had been intelligent and clever since childhood, skilled in ink painting and archery. Raised amid all the luxuries, he was not spoiled but grew increasingly promising, maintaining harmonious relations with all his elder nephews.

The emperor was greatly pleased and sent him to study alongside the other princes in Wenhua Hall, nurturing him carefully.

Such a life was enviable—so long as he did not scheme against the throne, he was more fortunate than ordinary princes, with endless glory and wealth.

The Empress Dowager, now in her fifties, resided deep within the Palace of Eternal Longevity. The vast palace, bedecked with beaded curtains and embroidered screens, was illuminated by numerous glass lanterns at dusk, shining like waves of silver snow, bright as daylight.

The Empress Dowager took the roster from the overseeing lady-in-waiting, with each page detailing the age, personality, and skills of a young lady, accompanied by finely drawn portraits.

All were at the bloom of youth, their beauty unquestionable, but the Empress Dowager cared more about their character.

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Even the least concerned about appearances paused when reaching Song Yuan’s page. The Empress Dowager’s hand stopped, and the overseeing lady-in-waiting softly recounted Song Yuan’s family background, including her maternal side—the Duke of Anguo’s residence.

The Empress Dowager nodded calmly and remarked briefly, “She’s quite good-looking.”

No more was said.

As they spoke, a palace maid came to report that the Xueyang Hall had been thoroughly cleaned inside and out.

From then on, simply burning incense and dusting daily would ensure everything remained as it was when Prince Su took up residence.

The Empress Dowager nodded and pointed to another young lady. “This one is interesting—very skilled at polo and can play well with Ah Huai.”

Prince Su, Han Yihuai, was affectionately called Ah Huai. The emperor had personally chosen his name, each character filled with heartfelt hopes.

“Yi” meant aspiration, strategy, and thought; “Huai” was one of the four great rivers, representing the vast and magnificent mountains and seas of Da Kang.

In the Empress Dowager’s eyes, looks and lineage were common and of little value. She preferred those with distinctive personalities who shared Ah Huai’s interests.

In the future, they were meant not only to be husband and wife but also companions and playmates.

The Han family was already at the pinnacle of wealth and status, and under the current peaceful times, Prince Su neither needed to fight nor succeed in imperial examinations. The Empress Dowager’s greatest expectation for him was a loving marriage and many descendants.

The overseeing lady-in-waiting bent down to look closer and smiled, “You know, I noticed this young lady even bears some resemblance to His Highness Prince Su.”

They had the look of a married couple, though such matters were not to be openly discussed.

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and continued browsing.

Near dusk, palace maids came to replace the incense. Their movements were smooth and gentle, their toes treading softly on the plush crimson carpet without a sound. After replacing the incense, they bowed to the Empress Dowager and quietly withdrew.

Meanwhile, a dozen palace servants busied themselves in the purification room, preparing for the Empress Dowager’s evening bath.

The life of nobility was both grand and mundane.

Back in Zehe, life was simple and peaceful, and two days passed in a blink.

Early summer had arrived, and with the end-of-month clothing granting holiday approaching, the sweet water shop was about to enter its off-season.

Zehe was a small place with few ice cellars. Ice was a rare commodity, only distributed by court officials; to acquire it, one had to stockpile it oneself—a feat beyond ordinary means.

The owner of Huang’s sweet water shop was but a modest scholar. Though annual earnings were decent, he dared not purchase ice in large quantities from the county. Apart from the high cost of ice bowls, few customers would be willing to pay.

Thus the sweet water shop was basically closed during summer, occasionally taking on large orders for festive or ritual occasions, steaming buns and red bean pastries.

This year, Madam Huang was especially kind, allowing Huang Shiyu to return home before the major clothing granting holiday, sparing her the harsh journey under the blazing sun.

The major clothing granting holiday typically lasted thirty days, making it inconvenient to leave Liu’er at the sweet water shop, especially since Granny Hua needed to return home as well.

Huang Shiyu and her little maid busied themselves packing delicate belongings in her room ahead of time.

Though Liu’er’s condition had improved, she was still noticeably different from a normal person.

However, she had learned to do her hair in two styles: the small Taoist boy’s bun and the double spiral coil.

She could manage herself and even lend a hand, so there was still hope for the future.

Huang Shiyu was quite pleased.

She locked away all the books, paper, and brushes the patron had given her in a chest, tying the key to a sachet with a red cord to carry with her at all times.

Madam Huang was so excited she hadn’t slept well for two nights, having finally found a perfect marriage match for Huang Shiyu.

The betrothal gift alone was promised at eight hundred taels of silver!

Such generosity was rare, even in the county, let alone in Zehe.

Given Huang Shiyu’s beauty, she could have fetched an even higher price, but Scholar Huang valued his reputation and would not easily allow Madam Huang to act recklessly.

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On the second day of the lunar month, a significant ritual was held at the Tianshui Temple. At dawn, Huang Shiyu went with Madam Hua and Liu’er to help.

Lunch was also taken at the temple.

The beggar woman enjoyed the lively atmosphere, weaving through the crowd and teasing passersby until Huang Shiyu finally quieted her with two red bean buns.

Perhaps hungry, the beggar woman fell silent chewing the buns, but after finishing, her energy surged again, and she began acting wildly, prompting a passing young Taoist to chase her off with a broom.

The beggar woman looked at Huang Shiyu, who was washing vegetables, and said, “You’re better than them—not like those who scowl and snap, hitting people at the slightest provocation.”

Huang Shiyu quickly stopped herself from feeling touched. “Actually, sometimes I want to hit you too, but you’re too old, and I’m afraid it’ll shorten my life.”

The beggar woman scowled fiercely, clenching her fists and glaring.

“I saw it just now—you kicked someone in the chaos. That young Taoist is still a child, holding a basin bigger than himself. Have you thought about how much that fall onto the stone tiles would hurt?” Huang Shiyu looked at her seriously and said solemnly, “What you find fun is someone else’s suffering. That’s not truly amusing.”

The beggar woman lazily snorted, averting her gaze, then asked, “So, have you seen your future husband yet?”

“He’s already my third brother-in-law.”

Normal people and the mad talk past each other.

The beggar woman’s strange behavior was due to her madness, and as a sane person, Huang Shiyu couldn’t indulge her delirium, turning her back and refusing to speak.

The beggar woman called out, “Don’t ignore me! Without me, you two wouldn’t be connected! Just wait—I’ll find a chance to force you together! Hey, hey, don’t walk away…”

Huang Shiyu carried the washed vegetables and strode away.

In the afternoon, the group returned to the shop. Granny Hua smiled and said, “Second Miss, a young gentleman came looking for you earlier and waited quite a while. What a coincidence—you just left, and he came right back.”

After frowning coldly a couple of days ago, now he came knocking? Huang Shiyu was surprised that Jian Xun had become so free as to leave the academy without leave or vacation.

She wiped her face with a damp cloth. “Did he leave any message?”

“He said he’d see you after the summer solstice and told you to study hard because he’d be testing your lessons then.” Granny Hua whispered the last part.

Even with Scholar Huang absent, everyone was still cautious.

“Ah?”

“Not Jian Xun?”

Huang Shiyu hesitated. “What did he look like?”

“Oh my, so handsome when he smiled, with a little dimple on his right cheek and speaking fluent Jinping dialect. That voice—ah…” Granny Hua gushed.

Young voices were always pleasant, but his was especially so—just hearing it brought to mind a handsome young man, and turning to look, one would see a jade-like youth even more stunning than his voice.

In Granny Hua’s suggestive gaze, Huang Shiyu vaguely sensed a misunderstanding brewing but feared making it worse. “But don’t get the wrong idea… I’m not betrothed yet. Still, you have to help me with my studies. Don’t let my father find out.”

Saying this, she clasped her hands and bowed repeatedly to Granny Hua.

Granny Hua was no such person to betray her. She waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, I’m old and deaf. I hear nothing and know nothing.”

Huang Shiyu laughed and linked her arm with hers.

The patron’s sudden visit had made Huang Shiyu secretly nervous. Luckily, her father was away; otherwise, she’d now be kneeling in the backyard, reflecting on her mistakes.

The Hua family were kind-hearted and understood Scholar Huang’s temper, so they naturally wished to protect Huang Shiyu. Yet the patron was unpredictable—who knew if he would appear again, or worse, show up before her father and say something unfavorable.

Thinking this, Huang Shiyu felt it necessary to have a proper talk with him once he returned.