Zhu Ziwen felt immense pride in having such a cousin. He nodded with restrained dignity and was about to urge the others to leave when Fan Ziming rushed to the carriage and bowed deeply. "I am Fan Ziming. I have long admired you, Great Lady. Meeting you today feels like fate. I wonder if you would grant me an opportunity..."
"Fan Ziming!" Zhu Ziwen snapped, his face darkening with fury. He never expected this acquaintance of several years to set his sights on his cousin. Rage and resentment surged within him, making him wish he could beat the man senseless.
"Brother Zhu, my feelings for your cousin are genuine, with no ulterior motives. After years of friendship, you must believe me!"
Zhu Ziwen sneered, "Your 'genuine feelings' involve publicly ruining my cousin's reputation?"
"I never intended that!"
"Then what do you call this?"
Ignoring Zhu Ziwen, Fan Ziming turned back to the carriage. "I acted impulsively in my excitement, but I, Fan Ziming, am willing to bear any consequences!"
The area was already bustling, and such a dramatic scene drew an ever-growing crowd. Chen Liang, upon receiving word, immediately gathered all available men and rushed over—some even abandoning their stalls—to form a protective ring around the carriage, preventing others from approaching.
Zhu Ziwen gritted his teeth, itching to tear Fan Ziming apart. His other classmates exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to react. While thrilled to see the Great Lady and deeply admiring of her, they had never considered being so presumptuous. Fan Ziming's behavior was truly...
"Consequences? What consequences do you speak of, Young Master Fan? Citywide gossip? You'll bear it? How exactly will you bear it?" Hua Zhi's calm voice carried from the carriage. "Will the outcome be me yielding to public opinion and marrying you? Or bravely resisting gossip to become fresh fodder for idle chatter?"
So it was indeed the Great Lady—as sharp and uncompromising as ever, leaving no room for evasion.
Fan Ziming raised his head high. "How could I be so despicable? I erred and caused you trouble, Great Lady. I dare not ask for forgiveness, but I rarely have the chance to see you. Today, I finally had the opportunity and felt compelled to express my feelings, though I acted rashly."
A clever one, Hua Zhi thought, lounging inelegantly against the carriage wall, seeing right through his schemes. Any woman native to this land might have been swayed by such ardent, seemingly sincere advances. Fan Ziming clearly understood feminine psychology well—likely from ample practice. Pity, she wasn't truly seventeen.
She seldom went out, and on this rare excursion, she encountered such nonsense from her cousin's classmate. Now she was starting to believe she really was a coveted prize in others' eyes. She had assumed that after Yan Xi spread word of their relationship, no one would dare pursue her anymore!
But whether someone sought to manipulate her or use her for their own ends—sorry, that path was closed.
"You... admire me?"
Fan Ziming faltered, then hurriedly replied, "Yes! I swear publicly—every word is true."
"What qualifies you to admire me?" Hua Zhi signaled Liu Xiang to lift the curtain. Liu Xiang pressed her lips together but reluctantly complied.Fan Ziming finally met the person he wished to see. The capital had long circulated tales of the Hua family's eldest young lady's exceptional beauty, but only now did he understand just how extraordinary that beauty was. What captivated him even more were her eyes—unlike other women's shy, evasive gazes, hers met his directly: frank yet sharp.
The anger that had just stirred in Fan Ziming's heart dissipated.
But Hua Zhi had no intention of letting the matter rest. "The Hua family once possessed a Book Collection Pavilion renowned throughout the land. I've read over half its volumes—I wonder if you, Young Master Fan, have read more than I? I received my earliest education from my grandfather himself and studied under him for years, covering the Four Books and Thirteen Classics. Might I ask which area you excel in? Shall we debate and compare?"
Hua Zhi smiled coldly. "My skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were all personally taught by my grandfather. Equestrian archery I learned from my fourth uncle, Lord Pingyang. Would you care to test yourself against me, Young Master Fan? You claim admiration for me? Would your pride allow you to admire a woman who surpasses you in every regard?"
Fan Ziming, proud and arrogant by nature, had never suffered such humiliation. He barely managed to maintain his composure in public without immediately losing his temper. "Even if you hold me in contempt, Young Lady, there's no need to insult me so and trample upon my sincere feelings."
"Sincere feelings built upon ruining a woman's reputation? I truly have no use for them." Fan Ziming's hypocritical expression reminded her of an old acquaintance—equally nauseating in their affected virtue. Such people never cared about others' suffering so long as they achieved their goals.
"I merely acted rashly..."
"You merely acted rashly, while the woman would pay with her entire life. By what virtue do you deem yourself worthy?" Hua Zhi's smile held no warmth. "Will you compete with me? I'll accept any challenge you propose."
Compete against someone personally trained by Hua Yizheng? Fan Ziming didn't dare take that risk. If she were merely boasting, it would be one thing—but what if she truly possessed such skill? He suddenly recalled Zhu Ziwen mentioning that his cousin had served as a temporary tutor when the Hua family lacked teachers. Would she have dared without solid foundations? Would the Hua family have allowed her to act recklessly?
The more he thought, the less he dared accept. He had only intended to leave a deeper impression on the young lady through this method to further his schemes—not completely lose face here.
"I failed to consider things thoroughly. I beg your forgiveness, Young Lady."
"No contest?"
"Who in the world doesn't respect Old Master Hua's erudition?"
"..." With such poor judgment, he still aspired to official service through scholarly pursuits? She could only hope the Emperor wouldn't hear this remark—otherwise, more than just Fan Ziming would face consequences!
"Cousin."
Zhu Ziwen burned with shame, unable to even meet his cousin's eyes when he turned.
"What standards... do you employ in choosing friends?"
Zhu Ziwen had no response, feeling even worse.
Having finally vented all her pent-up frustration, Hua Zhi felt considerably lighter. Lowering the carriage curtain, she said, "Let your cousin offer you some advice: learn more from Grandfather about judging character. Farewell."
Watching the carriage depart through the crowd, Zhu Ziwen's expression soured. This matter couldn't be concealed—he would undoubtedly face severe punishment from his grandfather upon returning home.The opera troupe dispersed, and the onlookers gradually scattered as well, yet the gazes fixed upon Fan Ziming were peculiarly complex. If initially they had admired his audacity, they soon came to their senses after the young lady’s sharp reminder—his methods were truly underhanded. Had he targeted someone more sensitive, it might well have cost a life.
Who doesn’t have a sister or a cousin? The mere thought of putting themselves in such a situation made it impossible for anyone to feel kindly toward Fan Ziming. A man like him deserved to be taught a lesson by the young lady.
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