Song Ke felt somewhat dazed all morning, as if every word spoken by the great scholar passed through his ears like the wind. When his mind wandered and he caught sight of the stationery set Xianglan had made, it felt like a sharp knife stabbing his heart, followed by a surge of irritation. He thought to himself, "Chen Xianglan, how could you, little minx, throw such a dilemma at me right before the autumn examinations, leaving me not a moment of peace! You're just a maid by birth—why wouldn't you be willing to be a concubine? We shared deep affection, and I’ve shown you kindness—how could you bear to leave me? What if I simply refuse to let you go and keep you by my side? What could you possibly do about it?" But then his anger deflated as he thought further, "Ah, but she’s beautiful and graceful, clever and quick-witted, not to mention skilled in painting. With such talent and learning, how could she ever resign herself to being someone’s concubine? Even if I forced her to stay, what good would it do if she resented me? Better to part ways than face endless bitterness..."
Lin Jinting, sitting beside him, watched as Song Ke alternated between glaring furiously, clenching his fists, and then slumping listlessly with a troubled expression. He nudged Song Ke with his foot and whispered, "Yifei, what’s gotten into you today? Normally, you’re all ears in class, staring at the great scholar like you could bore holes through him. But today, you look like a frostbitten eggplant..." He smirked mischievously. "Could it be lovesickness?"
Song Ke shot Lin Jinting a glare. Just then, the signal board sounded, and he hastily gathered his books, saying, "I’m not feeling well today—my head aches. I’ll go back and rest."
Lin Jinting quickly replied, "Then hurry and have Divine Doctor Luo examine you." Then, grinning, he added, "If it’s lovesickness, that’s easy to cure too. Just tell me which girl it is, and I’ll find a matchmaker to propose for you."
Song Ke snapped, "This illness of mine is beyond Divine Doctor Luo’s skills, and your matchmaker can’t cure this lovesickness either." With that, he walked away.
Lin Jinting had only been teasing and didn’t actually believe Song Ke had fallen for anyone. He muttered to himself, "I don’t think he’s sick—more like he took the wrong medicine today."
Song Ke ordered his servant to bring his horse and rode home. Yet, as if bewitched, he found himself riding to the back street of the Song residence, stopping beneath the attic where Xianglan lived. He looked up and saw the small window propped open with a stone lion, a bamboo curtain swaying gently in the breeze. But he couldn’t tell what the person inside was doing—painting, dressing her hair, or perhaps some needlework...
His servant, Shimu, glanced at his master’s expression and thought, "This is Xianglan’s home. Could it be that the Master misses her? No wonder he’s been so distracted lately." He whispered, "Master, should I knock and ask Sister Xianglan to come out? She’s been home for a few days now—we could take her back with us."
Song Ke shook his head. Though he longed to see Xianglan, his heart was in turmoil. What would he even say to her if they met? With a sigh, he said, "Let’s go back."
Unbeknownst to him, Xianglan was hiding behind the bamboo curtain in the attic, secretly watching him. She saw Song Ke, as elegant and refined as jade, gazing longingly at the window. Her heart ached, but when she saw him leave, she sighed softly and retreated inside.
Song Ke turned his horse around and started back. On the way, he passed a tall, fair-skinned scholar but paid him no mind. However, as he neared the back gate of the Song residence, he glanced back—only to see the scholar knocking on the Chen family’s door!
Song Ke immediately reined in his horse.Xue Shi came to answer the door, a smile on her face as she greeted the scholar with familiar ease. The two chatted for a while before the scholar took out a package and handed it to her. At first, Xue Shi refused to accept it, but after some back-and-forth, she finally took it. They exchanged a few more pleasant farewells before she closed the door.
Yet the scholar lingered, standing below with his hands tucked in his sleeves, gazing upward in a daze for quite some time before finally turning away. Just then, he met Song Ke’s gaze and froze in surprise.
This scholar was none other than Xia Yun. Over the past couple of days, he had gotten hold of a fine jar of tea and eagerly brought it to Chen Wanquan, hoping for a chance to see Xianglan. But Xue Shi hadn’t even let him inside, leaving him disheartened. When he turned around, he noticed a young gentleman on horseback—handsome, with striking features and an elegant demeanor. The man rode a chestnut horse, accompanied by a servant leading the reins, clearly someone from a wealthy family.
Xia Yun noticed the young lord scrutinizing him with a dark expression and felt puzzled. But before he could react, the man abruptly turned his horse and rode off.
Song Ke returned to his residence, dismounted, and entered the gates, his mood growing even more agitated. He could tell exactly what that scholar’s intentions were just from his gaze. Anger choked his breath, and he wanted to confront Xianglan—ask who that man was, how long she had known him, whether she fancied him and was scheming to leave because of it.
As he strode briskly inside, he noticed a carriage parked in the courtyard and asked, “Who’s visiting?”
The gatekeeper had been waiting to inform him but hesitated when he saw Song Ke’s furious expression upon arrival. Now that he was asked, he hurriedly replied, “The ladies from Duke Xian’s household have come as guests. Taitai said to inform you to greet the elders in the main hall once you returned.”
Song Ke nodded, went to his room to change into formal attire, and wiped his face with a towel before preparing to meet the guests. For now, we’ll set this aside.
Inside, Song Yima and Wei Shi, Duke Xian’s wife, were engaged in lively conversation. Song Yima smiled and said, “We should have visited your household first, yet here you are, coming to see us instead.”
Wei Shi laughed. “We’re practically family, aren’t we? Who visits whom first hardly matters. We’ve returned to our ancestral home for a visit and don’t know many people in Jinling. When we met at the Lin household last time, we hit it off—especially the girls, who got along so well. It’s only right we visit more often.”
Song Yima agreed warmly. “Of course.”
Wei Shi continued, “Eleven or twelve years ago in the capital, our families often visited each other. Master Song was a frequent guest at my husband’s gatherings, and he even brought your young son to our home. Whenever our children celebrated their birthdays, they always received calligraphy from Master Song. His handwriting was truly exceptional.”
Song Yima sighed wistfully. “Indeed. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. The children have grown, and we’ve aged. My husband…” Her eyes glistened with tears, but remembering her guest’s presence, she forced a smile. “Oh, listen to me, rambling on like this.” She quickly called for the maids to refresh the tea and snacks.
Wei Shi waved it off. “No need for such formality. I came here just to chat and reminisce… Speaking of children, your son must be sixteen or seventeen now, isn’t he?”Aunt Song's face immediately lit up with joy at the mention of her son. She smiled and said, "Indeed, he'll be seventeen after the new year. He's the very image of his father. After my husband passed, he endured many hardships to establish our household as the sole support for us widowed mother and child. Yet he's made excellent progress in his studies—already a Licentiate, and this autumn he'll sit for the Recommended Man examination. I'm not boasting, but our eldest is truly gifted in learning, always ranking first in academy examinations. Had family matters not delayed him these past two years, he might have already passed the metropolitan examination like his father."
Wei Shi responded with a polite smile, though inwardly she scoffed: "Seventeen and already dreaming of becoming a Presented Scholar? Does she think it's as easy as buying vegetables? This dynasty could count pre-twenty Presented Scholars on one hand. Her son may have some talent, but such arrogance!" Aloud she said, "Elder sister is truly blessed with such a son—your later years are well secured."
This remark struck right at Aunt Song's heart, making her laugh uncontrollably. Noticing Zheng Jingxian sitting quietly in a chair to the right, holding a handkerchief—though not classically beautiful, she carried herself with noble grace—Aunt Song couldn't stop praising: "Don't speak only of me, younger sister. You're blessed too. Look at Miss Jingxian's fine features—such aristocratic bearing I've never seen matched among young ladies. Is she betrothed yet?"
Wei Shi sighed. "Not yet, which worries me."
Just then, Song Ke entered, clasping his hands in salute. "This junior pays respects to Madam."
This being Wei Shi's first time seeing Song Ke, she was pleasantly surprised by his striking handsomeness—radiant as the morning sun. Dressed in mulberry-dyed scholar's robe with a lotus-patterned belt, his exceptional demeanor stood out even more. "What an outstanding young man!" she exclaimed. "He puts all our family's boys to shame!" The more she looked, the more she approved, her manner turning maternal. "No need for such formality as 'Madam.' By seniority, you may call me Aunt, and I'll call you nephew—that's only proper."
Song Ke acknowledged with a bow. Aunt Song then introduced Zheng Jingxian, whom Song Ke greeted as "cousin" with a bow, which she returned.
After introductions, Wei Shi questioned Song Ke in detail about his studies, daily activities, academy, and tutors. Song Ke had intended to make brief polite responses before excusing himself to ponder Xianglan's matter further, but found himself detained by Wei Shi's persistent inquiries. Not wishing to offend their honored guest, he had no choice but to engage politely.
Aunt Song, who already considered her son peerless and rarely had opportunities to boast in her secluded life, grew especially animated now that someone appreciated his worth. She enthusiastically seconded Wei Shi's praises, extolling Song Ke's virtues until even he grew uncomfortable, ears turning red as he repeatedly shot meaningful glances at Song Tanchai.
But Song Tanchai pretended not to notice, instead winking at him and hiding giggles behind her handkerchief.
When Wei Shi learned that Song Ke, despite his youth, already managed shops and estates, her gaze softened with even greater approval.When the conversation came to an end, Song Ke took his leave. As he stepped into the courtyard, he noticed the osmanthus flowers in bloom and was reminded of Xianglan's words, spoken with a smile: "When autumn comes and the osmanthus in the courtyard blossoms, I'll pick some to make osmanthus wine. The ones sold in the market are too sweet and overpowering. I'll make mine light and fragrant, and then use it to bake some cakes—imagine how delicious they'll be." He stared at the osmanthus tree for a long while before letting out a heavy sigh and turning to leave. At the moon gate, a handkerchief suddenly fluttered to his feet. Looking up, he saw Zheng Jingxian and her maid standing behind him, though he hadn’t noticed their approach.
Zheng Jingxian usually dressed with a bold and spirited air, favoring simple, light-colored garments in hues like jade green or pale grass, her hair tied up plainly with only a gold choker around her neck and no other adornments. But today, she wore a peach-colored dress with wide embroidered borders of peonies, her hair intricately styled and adorned with a delicate gold phoenix hairpin dripping with tiny pearls. A touch of rouge softened her usual vigor, presenting her as a proper and elegant young lady of noble birth.
Song Ke knew it was improper for a woman of her standing to meet an unrelated man in private. Before he could react, Yue Er, Zheng Jingxian’s maid, had already stepped forward to retrieve the handkerchief. Zheng Jingxian, however, remained composed and smiled at Song Ke. "Brother Yifei, you probably don’t remember me, but you visited my family’s estate when we were children."
Thanks to cbbca and yu21yu21 for the Peace Talismans! Still seeking pink votes!!! It’s the end of the month—let’s give it our all, everyone ^_^
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