Xianglan never expected Song Ke to say such words. A storm surged in her heart, her throat seemed choked, and though she opened her mouth, no sound came out.
Song Ke clenched his fists, feeling his heartbeat pound like a drum. He licked his dry lips and said, "You... could you come home with me first? After the imperial exams, I will surely give you an answer." After speaking, he held his breath slightly.
Xianglan's bright, beautiful eyes gazed at him, as if filled with clear autumn water. In that prolonged stare, Song Ke suddenly felt he understood her heart, yet immediately afterward, he felt uncertain again.
Flustered, he reached out to grasp Xianglan's small hand. Just then, the water on the stove bubbled noisily, and the sound of tea utensils clinking came from the inner room. Xue Shi emerged carrying a tray and said, "Master Song, our home is humble, and we have no fine tea to offer. But a friend sent us a jar of fresh tea the other day. Please try it."
Song Ke had no choice but to withdraw his hand and awkwardly sit back in his chair. Xianglan personally served him the tea, and noticing his crestfallen expression, the corners of her lips couldn't help but twitch upward. Song Ke, stealing a glance at her suddenly smiling face, was momentarily stunned. He absently responded to Xue Shi's words while his eyes remained fixed on Xianglan, unable to look away until she lifted her skirt and went upstairs, only then withdrawing his gaze.
Fortunately, Xue Shi was preoccupied with rummaging through the house for the best treats to offer Song Ke and didn't notice the odd behavior between the two. She merely chattered on, inquiring about Song Ke's family.
Song Ke answered absentmindedly, still pondering what Xianglan had meant earlier. He picked up the tea and took a sip, not noticing it was still hot and scalding his mouth. As he winced in discomfort, the stairs creaked, and Xianglan descended with a bundle, her tone light and indifferent: "Master, weren't you taking me home?"
Overjoyed, Song Ke hastily stood up and said, "Yes, yes!" As if afraid she might change her mind, he turned to Xue Shi and said, "There are matters at home, so I won't stay longer. I'll visit again another day. Aunt Xue, if you miss Xianglan, just send word, and she can come back for a few days."
Xianglan nodded. In truth, she had regretted returning home a little. Seeing the provincial exams were imminent, she had impulsively chosen this moment to confront him. If Song Ke failed the exams because of this, she would bear the blame.Song Ke looked at her bowed head and docile demeanor, feeling a surge of delight. He lowered his voice and said, "Yesterday, the manor sent over four pots of chrysanthemums as tribute—one of 'Rouge on Snow,' one of 'Jade Pot Spring,' one of 'Dark Ink,' and one of 'Pink Dawn Peach.' Each bloom is as large as a bowl, as lovely as a hydrangea. Go pick two for yourself. Have the servants take one to Taitai’s quarters and send another to my sister."
Xianglan scoffed, "Pah! Instead of offering the best to your mother and sister first, you let me choose. If word gets out, won’t people gossip?"
Song Ke chuckled. "Who’d spread it when it’s just the two of us here? Besides, aren’t you skilled at painting? Keep two you like and paint them for amusement." When Xianglan remained silent, he coughed lightly and added, "See how good I am to you... Could you ever find another like me in this world?"
Xianglan lifted her gaze slightly, her damp eyes meeting his briefly before she lowered her head again.
Song Ke pressed, "Since I’ve been so good to you, tell me—who was that shabby scholar who visited your home yesterday?"
Xianglan blinked. "Shabby scholar?"
"The tall, thin one. He brought something to your house, talked with your mother for ages, then stood outside your building looking up—didn’t seem like a decent fellow." Song Ke frowned, forgetting that he himself had once lingered outside the Chen residence, gazing upward.
Xianglan thought for a moment, vaguely recalling Xue Shi mentioning that Xia Yun had visited the day before, bringing a jar of tea. She glanced at Song Ke, her lips quirking. "I haven’t questioned you, yet you interrogate me. Dressed so finely, you hardly look like you were at the academy. Did you go visiting your future father-in-law instead?"
Hearing the hint of jealousy in her tone, Song Ke brightened. "What father-in-law? It’s a headache." He then recounted the history between the Song family and Duke Xian’s household.
Xianglan pondered and said, "I don’t understand much about men’s dealings in business or politics, but one thing is clear: those who act without virtue will face retribution. It’s just laughable how people dismiss such warnings. Since Duke Xian is cold and unfeeling, it’s best not to associate with him deeply."
Song Ke nodded. "True. If not for Miss Zheng’s insistence on my visit, I’d have kept my distance from that family as always."
Xianglan thought to herself, "Zheng Baichuan once pretended friendship with my grandfather while secretly colluding with the Eighth Prince to rebel, framing the innocent and purging dissenters. It’s no surprise he’d ignore the Songs. Zheng Jingxian may fancy Song Ke, but her efforts are wasted—his heart isn’t swayed. Ambitious as he is, Song Ke would never stoop to consort with such vile company."
Lost in thought, she felt Song Ke squeeze her hand. "I’ve told you my part. Now, who was that shabby scholar?"
Xianglan replied, "Just an old neighbor of ours, dropping off some calligraphy for my father to sell."
Song Ke scowled. "That man’s shifty-eyed and untrustworthy. Keep your distance from him."
Deliberately provoking him, Xianglan said, "I heard he was a child prodigy in studies and is sitting for the provincial exams this year. You’d better study hard, Master Song, lest you lose face by ranking below such a 'shifty-eyed' fellow."
Indignant, Song Ke retorted, "How could I possibly rank below him? Tell me his name—once the results are posted, I’ll see if he’s listed above me!" With that, he snatched up a book and began reading.Xianglan smiled faintly and turned to look at the four pots of chrysanthemums in the corner, sighing inwardly, "Very well, I'll wait until after his examination to speak of it."
To cut a long story short, by mid-August, Song Ke had taken the provincial examination. He returned home and slept like the dead for two days. On the third day, he rose and immediately picked up his books to continue his arduous studies. When the results were announced in September, Song Ke had achieved the highest rank of Provincial Graduate. The entire Song household was overjoyed. Song Yima wept tears of joy and immediately rushed to the family shrine to kowtow before the Buddha and the ancestral tablet of Song Fang, inevitably breaking down in tears once more. Song Tanchai's face also glowed with happiness. Song Yima took her daughter's hand and said, "Amitabha! Once your elder brother returns as the top graduate in the imperial examination, we can arrange a good marriage for you." Song Tanchai blushed and lowered her head without speaking.
For several days afterward, a steady stream of visitors came to the Song residence to offer congratulations. These ranged from important families like the Lins and Duke Xian's household, who had longstanding connections with the Songs, to local gentry and wealthy commoners. Many, hearing that Song Ke was still unmarried, came with intentions of proposing matches for their daughters or acting as matchmakers. Song Ke handled each visitor patiently, though it naturally involved numerous social obligations. When the Lin family sent congratulatory gifts that were particularly extravagant, he personally went to express his thanks. Apart from the Four Treasures of the Study and other gifts sent by Zheng Baichuan through his steward, Zheng Jingxian secretly had a servant deliver an extremely valuable sword. Song Ke declined to accept it and had it sent directly to Zheng Baichuan instead. After this, Zheng Jingxian made no further contact.
Once all these worldly affairs were settled, Song Ke packed his belongings and prepared to depart for the capital with his servant Shimo.
Xianglan packed a large trunk full of food, drink, and other necessities, carefully checking it several times before sitting on the daybed in a daze. It was early October, and the weather had turned quite chilly. Warm incense burned in the room, with thick felt curtains hung over the doors and windows.
When Song Ke entered and saw Xianglan lost in thought, he sat beside her and said, "Why so gloomy? If you'll miss me terribly, why not come to the capital with me? The Song family still has an old residence there—not large, but with caretakers. You've never been to the capital; it would do you good to get away."
Xianglan wrinkled her nose. "Who knows how cold the capital winters are? I'd rather not go. Besides, if I left, your sister would have no one to consult with. How would that do?"
Song Ke replied, "Both of the Lin family's Taitais have said that once I go to the capital, they'll invite my mother and sister to stay with them. But no household can compare to one's own for comfort. If they do go, you should lock up properly and gather the maids in your room for company. Don't paint late into the night anymore—you'll ruin your eyes. I've left another hundred taels of silver in the rosewood box for emergencies."
Xianglan assented to each point, then added, "The fur-lined clothes in the trunk are packed, along with hand and foot warmers for your journey. The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone are all your usual set. I've packed six changes of clothes—if that's not enough, you can buy more in the capital. There are also two boxes of pastries in case the food along the way isn't clean. Eat them if you get hungry. You're too driven—remember that all things have their limits. Do your best, but don't neglect your health. Don't worry too much about home; we'll just close our gates and live quietly."
Song Ke said, "Indeed. If any urgent matters arise, go to the Lin family and seek out the Third Master Lin—he can always lend some assistance." Then he pulled Xianglan into his arms and whispered in her ear, "Wait for me to return in glory."
Xianglan nodded, her eyes growing moist.Song Ke reached out and plucked an old silver hairpin from her head, one she often wore, saying, "Give this to me, as a keepsake for now."
Xianglan laughed, "This hairpin is the one I use daily, and you're taking it. The pouch you use, the stationery case, your belt, even the shoes on your feet—which of these isn't my needlework? And yet you insist on having that hairpin."
Song Ke waved the hairpin with a smile, "Only this one is something you wear every day. When I take the exams, I'll use it to tie my hair." He then spoke some heartfelt words before going to see Song Yima and Song Tanchai.
At the gate of the Song residence, there was naturally another round of farewell sorrow. Song Ke gave several instructions and then turned to the servants and maids of the household before finally boarding the carriage. He lifted the curtain and waved as the carriage slowly departed.
Xianglan didn't approach but watched from a distance at the street corner. Only when Song Ke's carriage had faded into the distance did she gather her emotions and turn back. She recalled his parting words to her: "Wait for me to return, and we'll properly settle matters between us." So she closed her door and waited wholeheartedly for Song Ke's return.
Little did she expect that in the few short months Song Ke was away, a storm would suddenly arise, and the winds of change would blow fiercely.
Thank you to Junxi812 and yu21yu21 for the Peace Talismans~~
Also, thank you to everyone who gave me pink votes. Xiaohe bows ^_^
Still seeking more pink votes~
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