Chapter 23: Peach Blossom Debt
The capital was neither small nor simple when it came to investigating someone.
However, Fan Cheng, who had recently dismissed all his concubines and dared not visit brothels, now frequented only a few places. Thus, it wasn’t long before his past entanglement with He Yan was brought to Tang Ying’s attention.
“How dare he!” Tang Ying slammed her teacup onto the table. “He was involved with that woman while discussing marriage with me—utterly disrespectful! I’ve long warned my brother and father that this man was unreliable. Now that my words have come true, I’m left humiliated.”
“Madam, please calm yourself,” her maid soothed. “The young master still dares not bring that woman into the residence, which shows he has some restraint. Likely, she bewitched him into making such a mistake. Since you and the young master have only just married, it’s best not to stir up further trouble, lest others accuse you of jealousy.”
“Then what should I do?” Tang Ying fumed.
“Why not start with the woman? She’s merely the daughter of a city gate captain—hardly someone who can resist your will…”
“You’re right,” Tang Ying said after a pause, her voice icy. “A lowly woman like her, dreaming of marrying into the Fan family as the rightful wife? I’ll deal with her myself!”
Unaware of the turmoil in the Fan residence, He Yan was preoccupied with how to enlist in the military. She needed to submit her documents to join the troops heading to Liang Province.
He Yun Sheng and He Sui would never understand. What excuse could she give them? If she claimed she wanted to achieve glory, they’d think her mad. If she said it was for revenge… no, that wouldn’t work either.
He Yan rolled over in bed. Perhaps she should just leave a letter like before and slip away under cover of darkness? The enlistment deadline was in two days—if she didn’t submit the documents now, she’d miss her chance.
As she pondered, Qingmei entered with a tray of pastries. Seeing He Yan tossing restlessly, she gasped. “Miss, you’ve been rolling around all morning—are you feeling unwell? Should I call for a physician?”
“I’m fine,” He Yan waved her off. “Just bored.”
Strangely, when He Yun Sheng was home, she found him noisy, but once he left for the academy, the house felt too quiet. Even practicing martial arts alone lacked its usual thrill. He Yan mused how odd it was—she had spent a whole year in the Xu household in solitude, yet after barely a month with the He family, she’d grown accustomed to He Yun Sheng’s constant chatter.
Perhaps he was just that talkative.
He Yan sat up abruptly. “I’m going out for a bit.”
“Where to, Miss? I’ll accompany you,” Qingmei offered.
“No need. I’m just fetching Yun Sheng’s clothes.” It had been twenty days—his spring and summer garments should be ready by now. Since he returned late from the academy, she might as well pick them up.
Before leaving, her gaze fell on the enlistment notice on the table. On impulse, she tucked it into her sleeve, though she couldn’t explain why.
Much later, when He Yan looked back on this day, she would marvel at fate’s workings. From the moment she took that notice, destiny’s unseen hand had swept her back into the game—as if it had all been written long ago.By afternoon, the weather was splendid. He Yan followed her memory to the tailor's shop. The old tailor smiled upon seeing her: "You've finally come, miss. The clothes are ready. Is the young master not with you?"
"He's at school," He Yan smiled, handing over the remaining silver. "Master tailor, your craftsmanship is excellent."
The spring and summer garments were both beautiful cyan robes, simple and elegant in style, made of breathable and lightweight fabric that would surely flow gracefully when worn. He Yan thought He Yun Sheng would definitely like them. She folded the two garments neatly into a bundle and had just stepped out of the tailor's shop when an unfamiliar maidservant approached her.
"Are you Miss He Yan, the eldest young lady of the He family?"
Could this be another acquaintance? He Yan sighed inwardly. Without He Yun Sheng by her side now, there was no one to explain who this might be.
"That's me," He Yan replied, trying to appear as natural as possible.
The maidservant smiled at her words. "My mistress is just ahead. She happened to see you and wishes to have a word."
"Your mistress?" He Yan pondered for a moment. Since she wasn't the real Miss He, meeting an old acquaintance might expose her. She declined politely, "I'm a bit busy today. Perhaps another time would be better?"
The maidservant looked troubled. "This... I cannot decide. Please come with me to see the mistress. It won't take much of your time, and the mistress said she has important matters to discuss with you."
In this life, He Yan feared most causing distress to young women. Seeing the maidservant's troubled expression, she felt as if she were imposing and her heart softened. Upon hearing there were important matters to discuss, she began to wonder—what if they truly were important and her refusal caused a delay?
After a moment's hesitation, she relented, "Very well, I'll go meet her. But I have urgent matters to attend to and cannot stay long."
"Don't worry, it won't take long."
The maidservant led the way, and He Yan observed the servant walking ahead. Though the woman referred to herself as a servant and appeared to be one, her clothing was of exquisite fabric, and her accessories were extraordinary—far beyond what an ordinary household's servant could afford. She must either be a maidservant from a wealthy family or a high-ranking attendant to a noble lady. He Yan suspected it was both.
Lost in thought, He Yan only realized they had arrived at a secluded alley when the maidservant stopped.
"Your mistress is here?" she asked.
"Our mistress has a residence here, though she seldom stays," the maidservant replied with a smile. "Occasionally, when she tires from banquets at nearby taverns, she rests here."
Ah, indeed a wealthy family—even their resting places were private properties. He Yan marveled inwardly. If He Yun Sheng heard of this, he'd probably be envious for days.
"Here we are," the maidservant said, stopping before a residence.
The residence wasn't particularly large and looked somewhat old. The surroundings were deserted, with no guards at the entrance. He Yan followed the maidservant inside, passing through a garden before entering the main hall. Suddenly, the maidservant's previously gentle and courteous tone turned icy as she addressed someone inside: "Mistress, I've brought her."
He Yan looked up and met the furious gaze of a beautiful woman.
"So you're He Yan?"
This didn't seem like a friendly tea chat between old acquaintances.
"I am. And you are...?""I am the eldest daughter of the current Undersecretary Tang family and Fan Cheng's wife," the lady sneered, answering with venom in her voice.
He Yan suddenly understood everything. Glancing at the fierce-looking maids and matrons surrounding her, she sighed inwardly.
This lady seemed to have misunderstood something.
What sin had she committed in her past life to be reborn into such a mess of romantic entanglements!
(End of Chapter)
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