A grand mansion stood dark and imposing on the city outskirts, its somber appearance quite intimidating. Guards were stationed at all four corners of the compound walls, with large lanterns hanging high from the main gate’s beam. Such grandeur proclaimed the noble status of the mansion’s owner. The estate alone spanned several acres, and when combined with the abandoned courtyard behind the main residence, the layout appeared even more magnificent. Ordinary people would take a wide detour upon seeing such a grand manor, not daring to spare it a second glance. But the one hiding in the corner of the wall was Qiong Fang—her own family mansion was even larger than this one, so she wasn’t intimidated.

The wall was quite high, nearly ten feet, but this didn’t pose much difficulty for her either. Qiong Fang circulated the mental cultivation method of “Swallow Longevity,” held her breath, first leaped to a point on the wall surface, then employed the Nine Flowers lightness skill Juan’er had taught her, floating gracefully up and over.

Flipping over the wall and landing silently, Qiong Fang rolled back and forth in the flower beds, fearing the guards might notice. However, the courtyard was pitch black with no patrol guards in sight, so Qiong Fang breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up among the flower bushes.

Having served as young pavilion master for many years, tonight was Qiong Fang’s first time fleeing in distress, and also her first time being an uninvited guest. She straightened up and looked ahead, seeing buildings deep within the courtyard that must be the main house of this grand mansion. Not daring to barge in recklessly, she turned toward the garden path, planning to circle around through the back kitchen’s small door.

Walking along the path, she saw no patrol guards in the flower beds, nor martial masters stationed on guard duty. The place seemed like an ordinary, peaceful household, which puzzled Qiong Fang somewhat. As she strolled leisurely, having walked about several dozen feet, she suddenly heard the sound of flowing water. Following the sound, she looked ahead and saw a beautiful carp pond with moonlight reflecting off the water surface like scattered silver scales—quite a tranquil and lovely spot.

Qiong Fang gazed intently and suddenly noticed a nine-bend bridge by the pond, winding and curving across the water. At the end of the curved corridor stood a small pavilion.

As Qiong Fang stared in wonder, she suddenly saw lights flickering in the depths of the water pavilion. Her heart jumped as she noticed a figure seated by the window lattice—it appeared to be a woman with her head lowered, painting. Overjoyed, Qiong Fang immediately hurried across the bridge, following the corridor to reach the waterside pavilion.

The solitary small pavilion was built over the water, with white snow gleaming on the shore. At this transition between spring and winter, there were naturally no insect chirps or frog songs to be heard. Qiong Fang stood alone beneath the pavilion, looking up at the graceful silhouette in the window. She wanted to call out, but when the words reached her lips, she felt somewhat hesitant.

The pavilion’s owner was a complete stranger to her—visiting late at night was rather improper. Moreover, when they met face to face in a moment, if she asked about her purpose here, how should she respond? Could she really speak frankly and say that the noodle seller had returned?

No, no—she absolutely couldn’t tell her that. Thinking of that pure and otherworldly face, Qiong Fang regretted coming even more. She knew she had come to the wrong place. She turned around, about to quietly leave, when she heard the window lattice open and laughter from the pavilion: “Is that A’Xiu? Didn’t you go out for a night stroll? You’re back home so soon?”

On this bright moonlit Lantern Festival night, the pavilion’s owner had heard unusual sounds and leaned out to look down from the window. However, it wasn’t A’Xiu standing below, but a young girl who was gazing up at the window lattice, seemingly wanting to hide in the darkness but a step too late.

“You are…” The pavilion owner expressed mild surprise, looking down at the unfamiliar girl and asking softly. Qiong Fang felt both embarrassed and flustered. She knew her sudden arrival had inevitably disturbed the other person, but wanting to turn and flee, she was again a step too late. Seeing that her presence was already discovered, she simply adopted the dignity of a young pavilion master and said frankly: “I apologize for disturbing you, Madam. My name is Qiong Fang, and I’m Juan’er’s friend.”

The graceful figure in the window nodded, gazing at the girl below and asking softly: “Is there something you need?” Qiong Fang took a deep breath. Feeling rather embarrassed, she turned her head away and said quietly: “It’s… it’s like this, I… I have an unreasonable request. I would like to… to stay here for one night… I don’t… don’t know…”

Having rarely asked others for favors in her life, these few pleading words made Qiong Fang extremely uncomfortable. Hesitating between words, her eyes actually reddened. She bit her lip and suddenly turned around, striding away.

She didn’t want to anymore. Even if she was penniless and disheveled, Qiong Fang still didn’t want to beg others. She would rather sleep on the streets than bow her head. Just as she was about to rush away, she heard a creaking sound as a door opened downstairs, followed by a call: “Miss Qiong, please wait.”

Qiong Fang stopped but still didn’t want to turn around. With light footsteps, a young woman walked up to her, saying with a smile: “Welcome to my humble home. Please come upstairs.” Without waiting for Qiong Fang to refuse, she had already taken her arm.

Deep in the night, with people quiet, there were two figures by the second-floor window lattice—one was Qiong Fang, the other was the pavilion’s owner. She was surnamed Yang, the wife of the current Grand Scholar Yang, but her maiden name was Gu. She was the daughter of the former Minister of War. She not only knew that big water monster, but was also his former lover. So now Qiong Fang couldn’t hide her curiosity and timidly sized up Gu Qianxi, wanting to see what kind of woman this Miss Gu was that could make that big water monster unable to forget her.

Qiong Fang stared intently, studying Gu Qianxi’s appearance, while Gu Qianxi smiled in return, also examining the Qiong Fang before her and guessing at her intentions.

The girl before her was quite beautiful—she had fair, smooth skin and a tall, slender figure, half a head taller than herself. Especially dressed in scholarly robes, her bearing was more like that of a young gentleman. Gu Qianxi smiled slightly and asked: “Miss Qiong, where is your folding fan?”

Hearing this suddenly, Qiong Fang seemed startled, momentarily looking around with an extremely panicked expression. Gu Qianxi pondered briefly, focusing her gaze on Qiong Fang. She noticed that her headband had fallen off, her chest garments were disheveled, and especially her left palm was covered with blood marks, as if she had been severely beaten.

Gu Qianxi’s heart trembled as she guessed at part of the situation. Something had happened to Qiong Fang—something must have occurred in her family, otherwise she wouldn’t have fallen to this state. Seeing Qiong Fang with reddened eyes, tears rolling in her eye sockets while continuously avoiding her gaze, Gu Qianxi didn’t ask further questions. She stood up and went to add charcoal to the brazier to warm the room, asking: “Have you had dinner?”

Qiong Fang was very hungry, but her dignity as young pavilion master wouldn’t allow her to beg for food. Hesitating and stammering, she heard Gu Qianxi smile and say: “Miss Qiong, I’d like to have some late-night snacks. Would you be willing to join me?”

“Alright…” Qiong Fang lowered her head and murmured: “Good… alright.” Gu Qianxi smiled and led her to turn around, opening a drawer to take out a small jade bottle, which she handed to Qiong Fang before going downstairs.

The sound of stir-frying drifted up from below as Gu Qianxi prepared the late-night meal, leaving Qiong Fang alone upstairs. She stared blankly at the jade bottle, not knowing its purpose, then pulled out the wooden stopper and immediately smelled a clear fragrance. Qiong Fang’s heart awakened as she realized the bottle contained healing medicine.

[Note: The text appears to repeat a section here, so I’ll continue from where it diverges]

It was meant for treating her injuries. Suddenly, Qiong Fang felt that Miss Gu was truly very, very kind. She had clearly seen her plight but asked nothing, preserving her dignity. Tears rolled down profusely as Qiong Fang lowered her head to wipe them away. She picked up the medicine jar—like an injured young lioness, she licked her wounds alone, quietly and somewhat pitifully.

The healing medicine was transparent and viscous, cool to the touch. Just a thin layer applied to her palm caused the redness and swelling to subside immediately. The little lioness sat alone by the edge of the kang, accepting Gu Qianxi’s kindness.

Women are always very observant—who treats them well and who treats them harshly, they can quickly sense. Especially in small, trivial matters, which often conceal the other person’s true feelings. Qiong Fang looked down at the porcelain bottle, experiencing Lu Yun’s feelings from those days, momentarily becoming as if enchanted…

Just as she was sighing, she heard light footsteps and voices from the stairway: “Come have your late-night snacks.” Hearing Gu Qianxi coming upstairs, Qiong Fang snapped back to awareness, quickly wiped away her tears, and stood up to wait. Seeing her politeness, Gu Qianxi smiled warmly. She brought up a wooden tray, first invited Qiong Fang to sit, then took several small dishes from the tray, and finally brought over two bowls of noodles.

Qiong Fang exclaimed softly: “You… you can also cook noodles?” Gu Qianxi laughed: “Of course I can cook them. What’s so difficult about that?”

Qiong Fang looked down into the bowl and saw it wasn’t large, with fine, white noodles, green scallions, red meat strips, and some white vegetables arranged neatly and attractively. Recalling Lu Yun’s noodles, which were all served in large sea bowls with colorful ingredients mixed together in a chaotic, messy appearance. Qiong Fang stared blankly at the noodle bowl, imagining how Lu and Gu had gotten along, when she heard Gu Qianxi say: “Come, eat while it’s hot.” She handed over a pair of chopsticks, which Qiong Fang accepted. Being hungry all evening, she began eating with slurping sounds.

Gu Qianxi wasn’t hungry and simply watched Qiong Fang quietly. Though the girl before her was beautiful, her temperament was very much like a man’s—not that she spoke roughly or coarsely, but in small gestures. For instance, when holding chopsticks, Qiong Fang gripped them quite high, and when drinking soup, she lifted the bowl with her hand rather than using a spoon. This revealed her upbringing was different from ordinary women.

After gulping down the noodle soup, Qiong Fang looked up and suddenly saw Gu Qianxi still watching her, causing her face to redden as she quickly said: “These noodles are quite delicious.” Gu Qianxi smiled: “That’s because you were hungry.” She then pushed her own bowl of noodles to Qiong Fang—she hadn’t touched a single bite. Qiong Fang said softly: “You… aren’t you hungry yourself?” Gu Qianxi smiled and shook her head: “No, I’ll just have some small dishes.” Seeming to know Qiong Fang was thin-skinned, she picked up some dried tofu with her chopsticks and ate. Qiong Fang wasn’t polite anymore—she had gone without food all night, so she devoured everything like a whirlwind, chewing heartily until the bowl was completely empty.

Late at night with all the servants having retired, after Qiong Fang finished her late-night meal, Gu Qianxi personally cleaned up for her. Having been pampered since childhood with tea brought to her lips and meals handed to her, Qiong Fang naturally didn’t think to help. Seeing Gu Qianxi go downstairs, she sat alone idly, looking around, when she suddenly thought of someone and her heart jumped in alarm: “Oh no, how could I forget about Grand Scholar Yang?”

In the past, due to her grandfather’s connections, Qiong Fang naturally knew this Grand Scholar of the Zhongji Hall, knowing this person was very upright and proper. If he saw her running away from home, he would certainly report it to her grandfather. Feeling somewhat panicked, she immediately stood up and rushed toward the stairs.

“Careful!” Just as she moved, she nearly collided with someone. Qiong Fang looked closely and saw it was Gu Qianxi returning, carrying tea water and pastries up from downstairs. Seeing Qiong Fang’s panicked expression, she quickly asked: “What’s wrong?” Qiong Fang couldn’t speak directly and said vaguely: “I… I just suddenly remembered there’s something at home. I’m afraid I can’t stay long.”

Gu Qianxi observed her words and expression, her mind turning briefly before saying: “Miss Qiong, my husband entered the palace tonight. You won’t encounter him.” Having her thoughts guessed, Qiong Fang’s pretty face reddened slightly as she thought to herself: “She’s really clever. I’ve been outmatched.”

Gu Qianxi was accomplished in calligraphy and painting, having possessed wisdom beyond ordinary people since childhood—now Qiong Fang finally witnessed this. She sat dazedly, watching Gu Qianxi set down her things and then take out bedding to make up the bed. Qiong Fang had only ever known how to fight—she knew nothing of needlework or household duties. Seeing this model of a virtuous wife and good mother, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: “Looking at her being so virtuous and gentle, no wonder Brother Lu was so fond of her.”

“A woman without talent is virtuous”—looking at the men of the world, they most love gentle women who are intelligent, graceful, and understanding, doing whatever they’re asked to do. Presumably Gu Qianxi was no exception. Born and raised like a man, Qiong Fang naturally disdained learning these trivial things. She sighed, just imagining Miss Gu’s completely compliant appearance, when she heard Gu Qianxi ask: “Miss Qiong, do you usually make your own bed?”

Qiong Fang’s face reddened—not wanting to tell the truth, she lied: “Yes… yes.” Gu Qianxi turned around and smiled: “You’re really capable. Before I was twenty-one, I never did a day of housework. Forget making beds—I couldn’t even find where the kitchen was.”

Learning that Gu Qianxi was originally her same type, Qiong Fang’s face reddened again as she said vaguely: “So you mean you… you used to not know how to do anything either?” With her back turned, Gu Qianxi said lightly: “Of course. I was also once a young miss with people serving me in everything.”

Qiong Fang’s heart awakened as she thought of Gu Siyuan. When she had gone to Yangzhou, she had stayed in her boudoir and heard Pei Ya mention her story. It seemed that after Minister Gu was imprisoned that year, this daughter of a noble family had experienced countless hardships—selling houses and paintings, grinding beans and selling bean milk. She must have suffered greatly. Looking at Gu Qianxi’s back, suddenly a feeling of closeness arose spontaneously as she blurted out: “Sister Gu, may I address you this way?”

“Of course.” Gu Qianxi seemed quite pleased, turning around to say: “I most fear people calling me Madam Yang or Sister-in-law Yang—it sounds like an old granny.” Seeing her speak with such warmth and cheer, Qiong Fang felt even more affectionate. She immediately employed her court skills, smiling: “Sister Gu is only thirty years old, still youthful and charming—not old at all.” Hearing this, Gu Qianxi appeared even happier—apparently “flattery pierces all armor” works on talented women too.

After chatting for a while, the two gradually became familiar, and Qiong Fang also shed her reserve, freely strolling about the pavilion. She noticed the pavilion’s arrangement was exquisite, with windows on all sides and a writing desk in the east with ink and brushes placed on it. Looking out the window, Qiong Fang saw this place was quite far from the main house, which puzzled her, so she asked: “Sister Gu, why don’t you live in the main house?”

With her back to Qiong Fang, Gu Qianxi said naturally: “There are too many people there with loose tongues. When I paint daily, I can’t stand the noise. If there’s nothing else happening at home, I rest here.” Qiong Fang didn’t really understand the Yang family’s situation and didn’t know how to respond, so she said: “What about Grand Scholar Yang? Does he usually sleep here too?”

Gu Qianxi shook her head: “His schedule is irregular and he easily disturbs me. He never sleeps here.” Qiong Fang asked in surprise: “He doesn’t sleep with you, then… then where does he usually sleep?” Gu Qianxi opened the window lattice and pointed across the carp pond, saying lightly: “He has his own quarters over there. He reads and rests there daily, not allowing idle people to disturb him.”

On the other side of the carp pond, separated by water, she could see a wooden retreat beneath the rear courtyard wall. In the moonlight, the windows appeared dimly dark with no lamplight—apparently the master wasn’t in the room. Qiong Fang was greatly puzzled. Looking at ordinary couples who shared bed and pillow was natural, who would have thought that “the beauty is on the water’s far side, the gentleman lives in worldly seclusion”—they were actually both living as hermits within the same mansion? Not knowing what this couple was up to, she murmured: “Sister Gu, do you… do you often quarrel with Grand Scholar Yang?”

Gu Qianxi was busy adding two silk quilts to the kang and shook her head: “We’d have to meet face to face to quarrel. He’s usually busy with official duties, always coming and going in haste. Most of the time he returns at dawn, and when I get up, he’s already gone out again. In a month, it’s rare to have him home for a whole day. Even when he occasionally returns, he has to serve his mother, be affectionate with his younger brother, discipline servants and children—where would he find time to pay attention to me?”

“So busy?” Qiong Fang asked in surprise: “Then… then how do you two usually talk?” Gu Qianxi said quietly: “We write notes. I write the character ‘fire’ and throw it on his desk, and he knows his wife wants to burn down the house.”

Qiong Fang burst into laughter, not expecting this couple, who appeared to be immortal lovers envied by all, to live like this in private.

After making the bed, Gu Qianxi took the medicine bottle from the table and asked: “Does your hand still hurt?” Qiong Fang didn’t want to discuss family matters and just coughed, saying: “I’m fine, nothing’s wrong.” Seeing that Gu Qianxi wasn’t putting the medicine bottle away and fearing further questions, she said: “Sister Gu, what I can say, I’ll certainly say. As for those things I cannot say, even if you beat me to death, I won’t mention another word.”

Gu Qianxi nodded, knowing Qiong Fang’s words were definitive. Seeing her extremely high status, the person who could beat her like this must undoubtedly be someone she trusted most among her closest relatives. From this, there must be some matters not suitable for outsiders to know. Gu Qianxi said nothing more and put the medicine jar away. Seeing Qiong Fang lower her head in silence, she said: “Miss Qiong, though I don’t have the ability to stand up for you, Sister Gu still has some skill in sheltering you. I hope you won’t be formal in the future.”

Listening to her words, Qiong Fang suddenly felt as if she had known her for a very, very long time. As if in her presence, she could speak of any worries in her heart with complete peace of mind.

In the tranquility, after Gu Qianxi finished making the bed, she took up the oil lamp and sat by the window ledge. Qiong Fang saw her take out a porcelain bowl, from which she grabbed a handful of rice bran and scattered it toward the pond. Qiong Fang exclaimed: “Are you feeding the fish?”

Gu Qianxi smiled slightly and handed the porcelain bowl to Qiong Fang: “Come try it—it’s quite fun.” Qiong Fang became interested and scooped up a handful of coarse rice bran, scattering it randomly on the water surface. With a splash, the water surface broke as a fat brocade carp leaped out to catch the fish food in mid-air before diving back underwater. Gu Qianxi laughed: “This one is the little tyrant—usually fierce and domineering, always snatching the rice food. You should watch out for it.”

Qiong Fang was delighted and immediately employed her hidden weapon techniques, throwing three grains of rice in succession to lure the fat brocade carp far away, then took the opportunity to feed a group of small fish.

Under the bright full moon, red and golden carp swam leisurely back and forth, occasionally surfacing to eat rice. Watching the girl by the window playing happily, clapping her hands in joy—if it were midsummer night with lotus ponds and frog companions, it would certainly be delightfully childlike. After playing for a while, Qiong Fang’s troubles vanished as she laughed: “Sister Gu, who excavated this pond? It’s so exquisitely designed.”

Gu Qianxi said lightly: “This was the handiwork of my late father-in-law.” Qiong Fang asked curiously: “Late father-in-law? You mean your father-in-law Yang… Yang…” She said “Yang” several times but couldn’t remember the name of the Yang family patriarch. Gu Qianxi gazed at the scaly pond water and explained: “My late father-in-law’s given name was Yuan. He was a Grand Scholar of Five Assistants during the Jingtai Dynasty. This mansion was built by him.”

Qiong Fang made an acknowledging sound. Looking out the window, she saw the garden’s buildings stretching continuously like crane wings, with the distant walls curved in an arc like a semicircle. The architecture was not only exquisite and beautiful but seemed to incorporate geomantic principles. She said: “Did Old Master Yang know feng shui?” While scattering rice food, Gu Qianxi said: “It seems so. They say he was extremely intelligent, skilled in architectural studies. When he first came to the capital to take office, he selected this feng shui treasure land to build the Yang family mansion.”

Thinking of the Yang family’s three generations of talent, producing three jinshi scholars consecutively, Qiong Fang couldn’t help but praise: “So it’s a feng shui treasure land. That’s why the Yang family has lived here for decades?” Gu Qianxi shook her head: “Not exactly. After the mansion was completed, they only lived here for five or six years before moving to the area near Daming Gate. It wasn’t until the Zhengtong period, after the old master passed away, that they moved back here.”

Yang Yuan had been dead for long, so Qiong Fang naturally knew of this. She was slightly startled: “Why was that? Isn’t the feng shui good here? Why did they keep moving back and forth?” Gu Qianxi shook her head: “I don’t know the details either. But I heard my husband mention that the abandoned courtyard behind seemed unclean. After my mother-in-law was frightened several times, she never dared live there again.”

Qiong Fang frowned: “Abandoned courtyard?” Gu Qianxi leaned out the window and pointed across the carp pond: “Look over there—past my husband’s study is the abandoned courtyard.” Hearing this, Qiong Fang was greatly curious and quickly leaned out to look. She saw that behind the retreat was a winding narrow alley, and beyond the alley was another wall stretching endlessly. Looking from the pavilion, the walls enclosed and surrounded an area forming a semicircle.

Qiong Fang exclaimed and quickly turned back to look at the Yang family’s main house. She saw the walls and buildings were also semicircular, and when combined with the abandoned courtyard, they formed exactly a tai chi yin-yang symbol. Her heart trembled as she murmured: “We’re in the yang side here. Could it be… could it be that place is for ghosts to live in?”

Gu Qianxi shook her head: “I don’t know either. Anyway, my husband is closest to that place—if ghosts come, they’ll bite him first. It’s none of our business.” Qiong Fang burst into laughter: “Sister Gu, you’re really heartless.”

After chatting for a while, Qiong Fang learned that the Yang mansion’s architecture held such mysteries. Yang Yuan must have been very superstitious about feng shui to arrange his home so eerily. The two returned inside to find the kang already made up with three layers of soft quilts. Gu Qianxi’s housekeeping skills were quite accomplished—wherever her delicate hands touched, the bedding corners were neat and orderly, looking like lush, soft grass, fluffy and light, arousing laziness and making one want to lie down for a rest.

The bedding was soft and seemed to beckon like a soul-summoning charm. The more Qiong Fang looked, the weaker her muscles and bones felt. She quickly asked: “Sister Gu, may I… may I lie down now?” Hearing her ask so endearingly, Gu Qianxi couldn’t help but laugh and patted the bedding to signal Qiong Fang to come up.

Having been tired all day, Qiong Fang didn’t hesitate and immediately flopped onto the kang, looking half-dead. Just as she was wondering if she could roll around, Gu Qianxi brought over a low table with a tea stove, hot water, and more than ten small dishes, placing them on the bedding.

Qiong Fang asked in surprise: “Sister Gu, are you… are you going to have tea on the bed?” Gu Qianxi smiled: “Yes, it’s warm on the kang—why not eat up here?” Qiong Fang was delighted: “How wonderful! I always wanted to eat and drink on the bed when I was little, but Grandfather never allowed it…” Gu Qianxi smiled charmingly: “Then let Sister Gu corrupt you and anger the old National Uncle.”

Hearing this, Qiong Fang was absolutely delighted and couldn’t help covering her mouth and giggling: “Sister Gu, it’s so nice here. I really don’t want to leave.”

The two became increasingly congenial. Qiong Fang had initially maintained some dignity as young pavilion master, but later lost all pretense, becoming completely like a spoiled little sister, treating Gu Qianxi as her own elder sister.

The two women took off their shoes and socks, warming their feet on the kang. Qiong Fang saw more than ten dishes before her—red and green, round and square—all various preserved fruits and sweets. Having been raised by her grandfather like a male heir, she naturally rarely ate such snacks and delicacies. After looking for a long time, she finally picked up a green plum and put it in her mouth to suck on.

“Is it delicious?” Gu Qianxi leaned over, blinking her phoenix eyes as she asked. Seeing her face full of concern, Qiong Fang thought: “Oh no, she must have made this herself. I can’t speak carelessly.” She quickly squinted with a charming smile: “Really delicious! What kind of fruit is this? It’s really wonderful!”

Sure enough, hearing this, Gu Qianxi immediately broke into smiles. She pointed to the preserved fruits in the dishes and explained in detail: “What you just ate was Suzhou plum. Here we also have green tea honey plum, black sunken plum, Sichuan spicy plum, wine plum, perilla plum…” Qiong Fang employed her court skills with delighted expressions and flattering words: “Wow, so many fruits! Where did these come from? I’ve never seen them in the neighborhood shops!”

Gu Qianxi smiled: “All the preserved fruits and tea here were made by me personally.” Qiong Fang exclaimed in admiration: “So Sister Gu made them? That’s truly amazing!” She immediately launched into enthusiastic praise and flattery, practically crowning Gu Qianxi as the world’s number one fruit queen.

Seeing how much Qiong Fang enjoyed her fruits, Gu Qianxi was even more delighted and said: “I’m from Yangzhou. Our Yangzhou plums are renowned throughout the capital—we have complete mastery of all methods: dried, soaked, pickled, and sauced. Would you like to learn?” She was about to take out her secret manual and teach her earnestly. Having talked nonsense with her flattery, Qiong Fang had now brought trouble upon herself and quickly said: “I… my hands and feet are quite clumsy. I’ll learn another day.”

Gu Qianxi’s elegant brows furrowed slightly, seeming somewhat regretful, then said: “Very well. I have some other cooling fruits and cooling pastes here. Try them one by one—at least learn to appreciate them.” She picked up a bamboo stick, selected a plum, and brought it toward Qiong Fang’s mouth.

Though Qiong Fang’s stomach was full and she didn’t really want to eat, seeing Gu Qianxi’s earnestness, she had to open her small mouth and let her feed her.

The plum was covered with sugar frost. After entering her mouth, she felt it was sweet but not cloying, refreshingly delicious. Qiong Fang smiled in praise: “What kind of fruit is this? It’s so delicious!” She picked up the bamboo stick, wanting to taste another bite, but Gu Qianxi shook her head and stopped her: “This plum is called ‘Scholar’s Fruit’—it should only be lightly tasted, never eaten in excess.” Qiong Fang asked in surprise: “Scholar’s Fruit? That sounds quite interesting. Let me take another bite.” She threw one into her mouth and crunched away.

After chewing for a bit, Qiong Fang suddenly exclaimed. How strange—this plum was initially fragrant and sweet when first tasted, but eating more made it bland and tasteless, rather like chewing wax. She opened her eyes and looked at Gu Qianxi: “This ‘Scholar’s Fruit’ is so odd. Does it have some origin?” Gu Qianxi smiled: “When I was young, I ran a literary workshop called ‘Forest of Books Studio.’ Have you heard of it, sister?” Qiong Fang didn’t know why she brought up this past matter and quickly nodded: “Of course I’ve heard of it! For two generations of court discussions, Forest of Books Studio specialized in discussing worldly injustices—it’s thunderously famous.”

Hearing her full of flattery, Gu Qianxi couldn’t help but laugh: “You flatter me. However, because of this studio, I came to know many romantic talents in the capital. These people were all renowned scholars of the current dynasty, each capable of composing poetry and prose. I made this fruit to commemorate these literati.”

Seeing the smile at the corner of her mouth, Qiong Fang thought: “Since these people were poets and refined scholars, there must have been many who admired her.”

She heard Gu Qianxi speak of the past with a distant voice: “At that time, as a mere woman running a studio, I naturally had many inadequacies. I associated with these literati, and they treated me extremely well. After learning of my difficulties, they would all analyze the situation meticulously, speaking eloquently and logically. But when it came time to actually print books and work, each one would moan without real illness, having even less strength than I did. So I say…” She picked up a Scholar’s Fruit and put it in her mouth, laughing: “Only suitable for distant admiration and light tasting, not for close play and careful chewing—this is the way of scholars.” The two women looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh together.

Qiong Fang laughed until tears came out. She wiped them with her sleeve and asked: “Then… then what about Grand Scholar Yang? Have you ever made fruit to represent him?” Gu Qianxi smiled without answering and only poured hot tea to hand over.

Qiong Fang took a sip of the tea water and nearly spat it out, frowning involuntarily: “This tea is so bland. Why does it have no flavor at all?” Gu Qianxi said: “This is tea water boiled from wheat grass stalks—without fragrance or flavor, called Mirror Flower Tea.”

Qiong Fang frowned without speaking. She usually drank Longjing, Pu-er, Tieguanyin, and Biluochun, but had never drunk this wheat tea that was like plain water. Just as she was puzzled, Gu Qianxi took another Scholar’s Fruit and said: “Come, first eat a plum, then drink the tea, and you’ll understand its essence.”

Qiong Fang chewed the Scholar’s Fruit, feeling it sweet and cloying, but out of consideration for Gu Qianxi’s feelings, she couldn’t openly spit it out. She had to lift the tea and gulp it down. Qiong Fang exclaimed in surprise, feeling that what entered her throat was no longer the bland plain water, but something bitter with fragrance that balanced the sweetness in her mouth. Qiong Fang was extremely surprised and quickly said: “It became bitter? What’s happening?” Gu Qianxi explained: “This is because you ate something sweet first, leaving greasiness in your mouth. When harmonized with this wheat tea water, you get bitterness with fragrance.”

Qiong Fang made an acknowledging sound and nodded: “No wonder it has the character ‘mirror’—it can indeed reflect people.” Seeing Gu Qianxi smile at her, she suddenly realized: “Wait, could this tea water be… be Grand Scholar Yang?”

Seeing her excellent comprehension, Gu Qianxi was quite pleased. She smiled and said: “To compare this tea water to my husband, there are indeed several similarities. If you’ve eaten something bitter, it gives you sweetness; if your mouth is salty, it becomes bland as water. In short, whatever you want, it can reflect back to you, like a mirror—nothing could be more effective.”

Listening, Qiong Fang thought to herself: “It seems she greatly respects her husband.” Thinking of Lu Yun, she couldn’t help but smile slightly and said: “Sister Gu, does Grand Scholar Yang also seem like a mirror in your heart?”

Emperor Taizong using Wei Zheng as a mirror became a timeless tale. If Gu Qianxi used her husband as a mirror, what would that situation be like? Qiong Fang waited with a smile, but saw Gu Qianxi lower her beautiful eyes and say: “Sister, the illusions in mirrors are for outsiders to see.” Qiong Fang was slightly puzzled: “For outsiders to see? What… what does that mean?”

Gu Qianxi said leisurely: “My husband is talented in both literature and martial arts, with outstanding appearance. Different people looking at him will see different aspects: those with fear in their hearts will naturally perceive his authority; those with hatred in their hearts will certainly perceive his cold and ruthless side; but those who respect and love him will see a great golden immortal in their eyes. In short, he’s versatile in all directions—no face is true, yet no face is false.”

Hearing the deep meaning in her words, Qiong Fang pondered repeatedly and asked softly: “Then… then what does he look like in your eyes?” Gu Qianxi sipped the Mirror Flower Tea lightly and said: “Just like the original flavor of this tea water. Which you just tasted.”

Those who seek nothing need neither fear, nor respect, nor hate, thus can obtain the true essence. Qiong Fang was somewhat astonished—she hadn’t expected that the distinguished “Director of the Bureau of Romantic Affairs” would be as bland and tasteless as plain water? Qiong Fang was full of amazement and could only stare speechlessly.

Seeing her lost in thought, Gu Qianxi immediately smiled and asked back: “Sister, aren’t you about to get married?”

Bringing up exactly the wrong topic. Qiong Fang rested her chin on her hands, looking down at the bedding without a trace of joy. Observing her words and expression, Gu Qianxi knew her marriage had some troubles and said: “Sister, in front of Sister Gu, say what you want to say. Those things you don’t want to say, I won’t ask about either.”

Gu Qianxi’s temperament was like this—somewhat cold, somewhat aloof, with a touch of intellectual pride. Though Qiong Fang had only spent an hour or so with her, she had thoroughly understood her nature. She sighed, knowing that since the other person cared enough to ask, if she gave evasive answers, that would be acknowledging distance, and it would be much harder to get close to her later. She hugged her knees and said gloomily: “Sister Gu, do you know Su Ying of the Huashan Sect?”

Gu Qianxi wasn’t a person of the martial world and didn’t know much about martial affairs, but hearing the name “Su Ying,” she exclaimed: “Could that be the Young Hero Su of ‘Kui Star Battles Five Passes’?” Su Ying’s fame had spread so far that even the wife of a Grand Scholar knew of him. Qiong Fang smiled lightly, but her smile carried bitter meaning. In the past, whenever she heard others praise Su Ying, she would laugh from the bottom of her heart, but now things were different. Remembering that word “cheap,” how should she feel?

Seeing her melancholy, Gu Qianxi said: “You quarreled with him, didn’t you?” Qiong Fang neither nodded nor shook her head. Thinking of the big water monster and his infatuation with Sister Gu before her, in her vexation she simply tilted her head back and drank the “Su Guan Tea” in one gulp. Indeed, it was like plain water, completely flavorless.

After a long while, Gu Qianxi asked no more questions and seemed about to prepare for sleep. Qiong Fang sighed and said: “Sister Gu, how can men and women achieve happiness together?” Gu Qianxi raised her head and smiled slightly: “Sister, you’ve stumped me.” Qiong Fang was slightly startled: “You… you mean… you don’t know either?”

Gu Qianxi said gently: “When people are alive, they’re bound to have troubles. Sometimes they seek troubles themselves, sometimes troubles come uninvited—there’s no way around it.” Qiong Fang said softly: “Life has so many troubles, then… then what should we do?” Gu Qianxi smiled: “If life had no troubles, that would be the greatest trouble of all. Don’t you think?”

Where there are desires, there are troubles, but it’s also because of troubles that we know what satisfaction is. Qiong Fang quietly pondered the deeper meaning, gazing at Gu Qianxi before her. She saw her features were clear and beautiful, showing no particular joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, yet between her brows seemed to hide a passionate fire that could surge forth at any moment.

For a moment, Qiong Fang envied her—a woman like her must understand what she wants.

Qiong Fang sighed, hugging her knees and lowering her head to think about her own matters.

What exactly did she want? Searching and seeking, with past events shuttling back and forth, she couldn’t find anything in all of Beijing worth cherishing. The power of being young pavilion master, the glorious years—at this moment they all seemed worthless. Just as Qiong Fang was about to close her eyes, suddenly a face appeared in her mind.

After loving for over ten years, the “Three Talents Successor” who had accompanied her since girlhood—after tonight, she would probably never see him again…

Involuntarily, Qiong Fang’s body trembled slightly, her eye sockets turning moist and red.

Ying was just Ying—he was always so perceptive and intelligent. From the very beginning, he had sensed something wrong with her, so from the moment she stepped into Hongluo Temple, he had been avoiding her. After that, he suppressed and evaded until the final moment when it all exploded…

In his view, Qiong Fang must be quite detestable. During this past month, he had been seriously ill and distraught, fallen and unable to rise, yet his beloved had changed. She had returned from Guizhou, but her heart hadn’t returned. Not only could she not share his worries and ease his burdens, but at the most confused moment of his life, she had given him another blow… He must hate her. Otherwise, how could he never bring himself to say that word “cheap”?

She had truly wronged him. Before Su Ying, little Qiong Fang couldn’t deceive herself. No matter how composed she appeared, even if she could fool herself, she could never hide from those intelligent eyes. Qiong Fang had already changed her heart. No matter how much she regretted, felt dejected, ashamed, and self-reproaching, Qiong Fang had already changed.

From now on, they would never meet again. The last night left no memories, only that hateful word “cheap.”

Qiong Fang’s eyes grew moist and red as she buried her face in her knees, crying silently. Gu Qianxi wasn’t very good at comforting people—she just sat beside her, quietly waiting for Qiong Fang to finish crying.

After a while, Qiong Fang wiped away her tears and sighed softly: “Sister Gu, I’m sorry.” Gu Qianxi smiled slightly, picked up a bamboo stick, and gently selected a dark purple preserved plum: “Come, this is my favorite fruit. Try the flavor.” Qiong Fang saw the preserved plum was deep purple-black like a medicine pill, not only unlike ordinary plums in shape but also smelling rather strange. She wasn’t very willing to open her mouth, but Gu Qianxi urged: “Try the flavor—it’s worth it.”

Qiong Fang reluctantly opened her mouth, letting Gu Qianxi bring the stick close, and heard her instruct: “Remember, you must keep it in your mouth—absolutely don’t spit it out.” Qiong Fang made an acknowledging sound and put the plum in her mouth. In an instant, it was so sour it reached the top of her head. She squinted her large eyes, tears seeping out, her hands flailing up and down like a small bird flapping its wings. Gu Qianxi laughed until her waist swayed, saying sweetly: “Don’t spit it out, don’t spit it out.”

The plum was not only sour but also brought a choking spiciness and salty bitterness that numbed Qiong Fang. She puffed out her cheeks, rolling the plum from her tongue to her cheek, then from cheek back under her tongue. Gradually her saliva increased, and after swallowing several times, the plum’s sourness and bitterness disappeared completely, leaving only sweetness. Qiong Fang exclaimed and blinked: “It’s not sour anymore.” Gu Qianxi blinked: “Want to try another one?”

Qiong Fang frantically waved her hands: “No way, sister, you keep them for yourself.” Gu Qianxi laughed: “No good—this fruit isn’t ordinary. You can only eat it once in a lifetime.” Qiong Fang frowned: “Only once in a lifetime? What kind of strange fruit is this?”

Gu Qianxi laughed: “Of course there is such a thing. If you don’t believe it, try another one.” She made a gesture as if to take another fruit, frightening Qiong Fang into frantically waving her hands. Having teased her enough, Gu Qianxi laughed: “Sister is so clever—have you guessed what this fruit is?”

Qiong Fang murmured: “This is black spicy plum—you can only have one in a lifetime, two would kill you.” Gu Qianxi laughed at her joke: “I wouldn’t give it such an ugly name. Tell me seriously.” Qiong Fang knew her mind was sharp and always innovative, so she didn’t dare play guessing games with her. She had to say: “Sister Gu, give me a clue.” Gu Qianxi laughed: “The clue has already been given. This fruit only needs to be eaten once to be unforgettably etched in your heart for life. From then on, you don’t need to taste any other fruit. Sister, have you guessed the name of this fruit?”

Qiong Fang’s heart suddenly understood: “This is Lover’s Fruit.” Gu Qianxi smiled and nodded approvingly.

Only Lover’s Fruit in the world possessed all flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy. Only those who had truly tasted its essence knew the hardship within.

Because it’s bitter enough, it’s sweet enough. When sweetness reaches the point of generating bitterness, when bitterness ends, sweetness comes again. Such a difficult thing only needs to be experienced once in a lifetime. Eat more and you’d be eating counterfeits—fragrant fruit, sweet fruit, or guava—anything but Lover’s Fruit.

Recalling the sourness, sweetness, and bitterness of the fruit, Qiong Fang couldn’t help but sigh: “Who would eat this fruit for no reason? That’s really asking for trouble.” Gu Qianxi smiled mockingly: “Romance itself is seeking troubles. We women love beauty most, but once we have children, who doesn’t become plump and increasingly stout? Cooking meals, bedroom pleasures—after becoming a wife, many troublesome things aren’t necessarily what we want. So, so…” She pensively picked up a Lover’s Plum: “The man you love is the one who can overpower you. The more he can make you worry and fret, the more you love him, the more willing you become… even to the point of losing your life…”

She rested her chin on her hand, her starry eyes flowing with emotion as she smiled: “Remember, in this world there’s only one man who can truly overpower you in a lifetime. True love also comes only once in a lifetime… If you meet this man, regardless of whether he’s poor or rich, beautiful or ugly, as long as he can overpower you, then you can marry him.” Qiong Fang said in alarm: “If he overpowers me, then… then wouldn’t I be doomed?”

Gu Qianxi said softly: “Other things are one matter, but this thing happens only once in a lifetime—if you don’t do it, it’s gone. No matter how many twists and pains there are, it’s still worth gambling on.”

Qiong Fang listened with yearning fascination. She stared thoughtfully and asked: “Sister Gu, can we women only be overpowered? Can’t we overpower others?” Gu Qianxi gently touched Qiong Fang’s hair: “Who says women can only be overpowered? With beauty like yours, you can certainly overpower men too. The man you overpower will sacrifice his life for you, spill his blood, treating you like his precious treasure. But you… you won’t necessarily love him… Perhaps you’ll pity him, cherish him, care about him, but it will never be that kind of love… the love that pierces to the heart.”

Qiong Fang nodded secretly. Indeed it was so. Looking at how well Zhu Kang and Song Tongming treated Juan’er, both showing such care and concern, yet they couldn’t give Juan’er what she truly wanted. That kind of emotional feeling was sometimes a chance encounter that couldn’t be forced. If romance could be cooked up like tea and rice, what would be precious about it?

The oil lamp grew dim. The two women had talked and chatted until past midnight, and Gu Qianxi was getting tired. She cleaned up the tea things and blew out the candle, saying: “Let’s sleep. Early tomorrow morning I have guests coming—don’t make me unable to get up.” She made the bed properly for Qiong Fang, letting her sleep against the wall, then lay down to rest herself.

Before long, Gu Qianxi’s breathing became soft and even—she had fallen asleep. Though Qiong Fang was also tired, her heart was still full of troubles. Her mind was swirling with Gu Qianxi’s every word from earlier.

Coming here tonight had been pure coincidence—she had never expected beforehand that she would get along so well with Gu Qianxi. Facing the wall, Qiong Fang thought: “This trip away from home means I’ll never return. The Yang family isn’t a place for long stays. After I leave, where should I go?” Thinking of the two characters “Lu Yun,” Qiong Fang’s heart jumped, her body growing slightly warm. Suddenly, another thought arose in her mind. She turned to look at Gu Qianxi, thinking: “Should I tell her that Lu Yun has returned?”

Thinking of this, Qiong Fang fell into hesitation again. No matter what, Sister Gu was already married. Whether Lu Yun returned or not was completely irrelevant to her. Even if she told her, what then? If her heart still held feelings for Lu Yun, she would certainly be sad and distressed, yet it would be of no help. But if she had already forgotten Lu Yun, then it would be even more inappropriate to meddle, lest it make her feel unnecessarily guilty while feeling she had wronged her husband…

Better not to say anything. This was for her own good…

Usually bold and straightforward, she now hesitated like a little thief. Qiong Fang didn’t like herself this way. In the darkness, she looked toward Gu Qianxi’s beautiful hair, dimly remembering that Lu Yun must have once caressed these silk strands. Unconsciously, a slight jealousy arose in her heart. She bit her lower lip and suddenly opened her eyes wide, all sleepiness gone: “Good heavens! So I… I’ve always had such feelings?”

At this moment, all thoughts became completely clear. From the moment she saw that figure from the window in Yangzhou, she had already made up her mind to follow him closely… What about pacifying the world, what about the black-clothed people—they were all just excuses. She only wanted to cling to Lu Yun to the ends of the earth…

Qiong Fang’s heart began beating rapidly. She bit her lip and gripped the cotton quilt with both hands. In her blushing and heart-pounding state, she felt as if she had found something—with it, she would lack nothing in this lifetime. Even if she lost her position as young pavilion master, even if she bid farewell to Beijing’s infinite splendor, she would never regret it… absolutely never regret it…

But… a figure appeared before her eyes—his back turned to her, sword hanging at his waist, walking alone up the peak of Mount Hua…

Su Ying, Three Talents Successor Su Ying… Qiong Fang lay on the bed, staring at the pitch-black ceiling, tears continuously sliding from the corners of her eyes. She felt both miserable and helpless, but Gu Qianxi beside her pillow breathed softly as if fast asleep. Several times Qiong Fang wanted to call out to her, but couldn’t summon the courage.

Fine snow drifted outside the window in quiet tranquility. Qiong Fang’s heart was tangled with thousands of threads. Feeling her body very hot and her throat very thirsty, she got up from the kang, wanting to find a cup of cold water to drink. Not wanting to wake Gu Qianxi, she moved silently about the room. Seeing a bead curtain in the corner of the room, she figured the kitchen must be behind it and immediately reached out to part the curtain, slipping inside.

Behind the curtain was a small stove with several pots and bowls, including the empty noodle bowl she had eaten from. Coming from a military family, Qiong Fang rarely came to back kitchens and didn’t think to help Sister Gu wash the dishes. Her throat was parched, and seeing a large water kettle by the stove along with several tea cups, she immediately reached over to pour and drink.

The weather was cold with a chill wind. Qiong Fang wasn’t wearing shoes and was holding ice water in her hands, her toes nearly frozen stiff. She groped around in the darkness to find a place to sit and gulped down the ice water.

Various thoughts swirled chaotically. Qiong Fang held the cup, deliberately gripping her injured left hand tightly—the pain urged her heart as she too wanted to make a firm decision. At this final moment of her life, she had to interrogate herself once more: where should she go from here?

She opened the kitchen door and looked at the flying snow beyond the carp pond. One by one, past events were cast behind her; one by one, friends waved goodbye to her. Looking across all of Beijing, there wasn’t a single person or thing that could keep her… But having gambled away everything, what had she gained in return? Could she really find what she wanted?

Thinking of her troubles, Qiong Fang waved her hand and struck a carrying pole, causing pot shovels to fall over. She was slightly startled and quickly stood up, looking back toward where she had been sitting.

Before her lay a noodle-carrying pole, two wooden cabinets, and the carrying pole just lying there on the kitchen floor.

Qiong Fang was stunned. She didn’t understand why Sister Gu’s kitchen would have a noodle-carrying pole? She stared blankly, and unconsciously crouched down. Following her habit, she casually opened the bowl cabinet and took out a large bowl from inside. The bowl had a broken corner—that was a marker, because this bowl wasn’t for guests to eat from, but was exclusively for little Qiong Fang’s use!

The noodle-carrying pole had come home. It had become good neighbors with Sister Gu’s bowl cabinet, living happily ever after.

Qiong Fang fell silent. She lowered her head, holding the bowl, not knowing what she felt in her heart, but knowing she very much wanted to cry.

Tears fell in streams. Suddenly, someone gently patted her back. Qiong Fang quickly tried to hide her tears, fearing it was Gu Qianxi. But when she looked back, she saw a man standing behind her—tall and slender with outstanding appearance, wearing a black and white straight robe.

“Grand Scholar… Grand Scholar Yang…” Qiong Fang quickly wiped her tears and was about to stand and speak, but Yang Suguan raised his finger to his lips, making a gesture for silence. He smiled slightly: “The young pavilion master has run away from home?”

Qiong Fang lowered her head, thinking that she was supposed to marry on February 17th but had now become an uninvited guest in someone else’s home—how should she respond? Yang Suguan smiled as he looked at Qiong Fang, seeing tears still hanging on her face, and said: “Don’t worry. Stay as long as you want. Tomorrow when I see the National Uncle, I’ll put in a word for you.”

Thinking that her family had become like strangers and she still needed outsiders to mediate, Qiong Fang’s heart ached and tears nearly fell. But she didn’t want to cry in front of strangers, so she only clenched her fists tightly to suppress her tears. Yang Suguan seemed to understand her thoughts and immediately handed her a handkerchief, saying softly: “Rest assured, no one can trouble you while you’re here.”

Qiong Fang sobbed audibly and nodded. Yang Suguan smiled slightly, patted her back, and immediately turned to leave.

Seeing Yang Suguan about to depart, Qiong Fang’s heart stirred. Remembering that he knew Lu Yun, she called out to him: “Grand Scholar Yang, wait.” Yang Suguan leaned against the doorway, smiling as he turned back to wait for her words. The words came to Qiong Fang’s lips but she hesitated again, stammering and unsure whether she should reveal this matter. Just as she was uncertain, a shadow flew down from the sky and landed on Yang Suguan’s arm—it was an eagle.

A message-bearing eagle had arrived. Seeing a bamboo tube tied to its claws, there was certainly news to report. Yang Suguan smiled slightly, took the bamboo tube from the eagle’s foot, and took out a note to read. Seeing Qiong Fang staring at him blankly, he said gently: “You should sleep early. After you wake up tomorrow, everything will be resolved.” He smiled, glanced at Qiong Fang, then looked at the noodle-carrying pole on the ground, and immediately turned to leave.