It was nearly noon, and the sun had grown fierce. Zhao Yuechan sat in her sedan chair with her eyes half-closed, her earrings swaying gently. Suddenly, the chair stopped, and Yingshuang approached the curtain, whispering, “Madam, Madam?”

“What is it?” Zhao Yuechan asked.

Yingshuang whispered, “Young Master Cousin is standing in the small alley ahead. Madam, what would you like…”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuechan immediately lifted the sedan curtain and peered out. She saw a young man standing not far away. He was tall and slender with an elongated face, appearing refined and handsome. He wore a golden-brown silk robe with a pearl-studded silver belt around his waist, from which hung a five-colored mandarin duck tassel. In his hand, he waved a folding fan, every bit the image of a frivolous young noble.

This was Qian Wenze, the son of Zhao Yuechan’s maternal aunt. In his younger years, his family had been quite wealthy, but their fortunes had gradually declined until only an empty shell remained. Spoiled from childhood, Qian Wenze spent his days cockfighting, gambling, and carousing. Though he held sway in the marketplace as something of a local bully, he was known by the nickname “Qian the Fair-faced.”

When Qian Wenze saw Zhao Yuechan looking at him, he made a deep bow, bending as if boneless.

Zhao Yuechan let out a soft laugh, her lips curling into a smile, and lowered the curtain, saying, “Let him come see me.”

Though Yingshuang felt this was improper, she dared not disobey Zhao Yuechan’s wishes. With slightly furrowed brows, she walked to Qian Wenze and said, “Our Madam asks you to come over.”

Qian Wenze replied with a smile playing on his lips, “Many thanks, Sister Yingshuang.” His handsome eyes lingered on Yingshuang’s face, seemingly full of meaning.

Though Yingshuang found him somewhat distasteful, when met with this refined young man’s gaze, she couldn’t maintain her disgust. Her voice softened as she said, “It’s broad daylight, Young Master Cousin. You should show some discretion.”

Qian Wenze pretended not to hear and approached Zhao Yuechan’s sedan chair, bowing deeply: “Greetings, Madam Lou!”

From within the sedan chair, Zhao Yuechan said, “We’re all family relatives, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Yingshuang, being perceptive, withdrew along with the sedan bearers. Qian Wenze then turned sideways and, lowering his voice tenderly, said, “Hello, Sister Yuechan. These past few days without seeing you have left me longing terribly.” As he spoke, he reached for the curtain.

Inside the sedan chair, Zhao Yuechan held the curtain firmly closed, though her lips curved in a smile. Her voice remained serious as she said, “Missing me? What nonsense! Everyone knows you’ve been inseparable from Xi Gu at the Yuexiu House these days. I’ve also heard you recently bought a new maid, as tender as a spring onion. You must be having such a fine time with her—how could you possibly think of me?”

Qian Wenze immediately began swearing his innocence, pointing to heaven and earth: “What nonsense is this! May heaven strike me dead if I’ve been unfaithful to Sister Yuechan. My dear sister, I miss you desperately—please let me see your face.” He reached for the curtain again.

Unexpectedly, a delicate hand with crimson-painted nails reached out and swatted his forehead, followed by Zhao Yuechan’s coy reproach: “Who would believe your lies!” This time her voice carried a sweet, flirtatious tone.

Half of Qian Wenze’s body went weak with desire, and he pressed closer to the sedan chair, saying, “How can sister not believe me? That matter you asked me to handle—I completed it perfectly. That hairpin has been sold for Five Hundred Taels, and I’ve deposited it all in the bank. Sister can have someone verify if you don’t believe me.”

Zhao Yuechan’s heart leaped with joy, and she immediately lifted the curtain, asking, “Truly only Five Hundred Taels?”

Upon seeing that alluring face that could charm with both smiles and frowns, Qian Wenze’s heart grew even more restless. He smiled and said, “Actually, it was Five Hundred and Fifty Taels. Consider the extra Fifty as my drinking money.” He thought to himself: “The hairpin was bought for One Thousand Taels. The Five Hundred should rightfully be mine, and the rest can buy me a beauty—a night at the Yuexiu House costs Forty or Fifty Taels anyway.”

Zhao Yuechan snorted, “Don’t try to fool me. You know exactly how much profit you made, but at least you gave me Five Hundred Taels and didn’t completely cheat me.”

Qian Wenze again proclaimed his innocence, calling her “sister” repeatedly while making vows and swearing oaths: “Even with a hundred times more courage, I wouldn’t dare lie to someone as clever and beautiful as you. Just last night, I was telling my mother that among all the beauties in the world, none compare to you, sister.

Often, those with flower-like faces are foolish, while the clever ones lack beauty. Heaven is fair, they say, and nothing can be perfect. But heaven must favor you especially, blessing you with both beauty and wit. You manage everything so capably, leaving me soul-bound and dream-haunted all these years, with no end to my yearning…”

As he spoke, he leaned closer to Zhao Yuechan, fortunately hidden from the sedan bearers by the chair itself.

Zhao Yuechan’s face lit up with smiles at his words. She loved hearing such sweet talk, especially since few in the Lin household showed her any kindness, leaving her full of resentment. Qian Wenze knew how to be attentive and consoling, and his words left her feeling both comforted and satisfied. She leaned slightly toward the window, casting a coquettish glance at him from her beautiful eyes, saying, “Pah! Shameless thing, talking such nonsense to your mother. Aren’t you afraid she’ll break your legs and tear your mouth?”

Qian Wenze’s entire body went weak with desire. His face full of smiles, he said in a low voice, “My mother wouldn’t beat me for speaking the truth—she even agreed with me. My dear sister, we should have been husband and wife long ago. If not for your father’s interference and your marrying up in status, by now we would…”

Zhao Yuechan’s expression turned serious: “Speak of that again and I’ll be angry!”

Qian Wenze hurriedly waved his hands, saying, “I won’t speak of it, I won’t speak of it. Kill me before I dare upset sister…”

Zhao Yuechan said, “You should go now, and I should return.”

Qian Wenze pleaded, “How cruel you are, sister, not to stay a moment longer…”

Zhao Yuechan poked her head out to look around, and seeing no one nearby, whispered, “In broad daylight like this, speaking more would only invite gossip! You go now, but in a few days when the Lin fellow leaves again, come to the small corridor on the west side of the Lin mansion at night…”

Qian Wenze was overjoyed: “I’ll come! Even if knives rain from the sky!” As he spoke, he grabbed Zhao Yuechan’s hand resting on the curtain, rubbing it forcefully twice, and finally snatched the handkerchief she was holding, quickly tucking it into his sleeve.

Zhao Yuechan gave him a reproachful look but wasn’t angry. Instead, she found it an amusing bit of flirtation and lowered the sedan curtain. Qian Wenze then ordered the bearers to carry the sedan away.

After the sedan chair had gone far, Qian Wenze took out the handkerchief from his sleeve and inhaled its scent deeply. A wave of perfume filled his nostrils, making his whole body shiver. Though he was experienced in matters of romance and had been with many women, he felt none could compare to Zhao Yuechan in beauty and allure.

He tucked the handkerchief back into his sleeve, a cold smile playing at his lips as he muttered, “Lin Jinlou is a fool, not only picking up my cast-off but also not knowing how to properly enjoy his beautiful wife. A woman left alone in her chambers can’t possibly remain faithful—it’s my good fortune, and he deserves to be a cuckold.” Thinking about how he had managed to put horns on the head of the mighty Master Lin, such a domineering figure, filled him with satisfaction. Humming a tune, he strolled away leisurely.