Yining paused for a long while before softly saying, “Third Brother, I need to think… Let me consider this carefully.”
She stood up, nodding slightly as she saw him raise his teacup to drink. Then she quickly left, with Qingqu and the other maids waiting outside the pavilion hurrying to follow her.
When she reached the bottom of the mountain steps, Yining let out a slow breath. Several dense tung oil trees nearby provided some shade. She had broken into a light sweat and found the air at the foot of the mountain humid and stuffy. A few cicadas were still chirping. Looking down, she could see the undulating roofs and towers of the temple, everything silent under the sun.
Turning back, she saw Luo Shenyuan still drinking tea in the pavilion, surrounded by guards. He was too far away to make out his expression.
A maid opened an umbrella for her. Yining continued down the mountain with her servants, quietly lost in thought.
She reflected on the helplessness and compromises of her past life, ending in a fall from a cliff. Then came a life of virtual imprisonment, with Lu Jiaxue nearly choking her to death…
In her previous life, Yining had only glimpsed Luo Shenyuan from afar – a cold, distant young man across a sea of people, a stranger to her. Who could have guessed he would become her Third Brother, teaching her to write and read, helping her overcome the shadows of her past to become stronger? Whether she admitted it or not, this brother held deep significance for her. Even if his ruthlessness now exceeded what she could bear, she was willing to accept it.
Now he said he liked her and was willing to marry her.
Although his intention was to help her.
Yining had originally thought that someone like Luo Shenyuan, even if he truly liked someone, would express it mildly. Emotions weren’t particularly important to him, especially romantic feelings. His cold-hearted use of Sun Congwan demonstrated this. He could easily marry someone more beneficial to him, like Xie Yun.
Yining didn’t think Third Brother particularly liked her either, apart from that sudden kiss that night. They hadn’t crossed any other boundaries. But he was indeed going above and beyond, willing to sacrifice his marriage to help her. Perhaps it was because he was her brother and was used to protecting her.
Ultimately, Yining’s feelings for him were still those of his siblings. But becoming his wife out of gratitude… was somewhat alarming.
Moreover, as the future head of the cabinet and a high-ranking official, he would be able to contend with Lu Jiaxue. The political struggle between them would be inevitable, and the peaceful life she had hoped for seemed impossible.
Just now, he had pressured her again… Even if she didn’t marry him, she probably wouldn’t be able to see him only as a brother anymore.
“Miss, I see the Old Madam is still inside talking with the Old Madam from the Ding Bei Marquis’s family. Shall we go in?” Pearl’s voice suddenly rang out.
Yining seemed to snap back to reality. She saw that they had reached the guest rooms. The screen wall in front had the character “Chan” (meditation) written on it, and an ancient, enormous banyan tree stood before her eyes.
Wei Old Madam had moved outside to chat with Fu Old Madam, while Madam Song stood by, smiling and adding to the conversation. The three elderly ladies were now discussing interesting events in the capital. Wei Old Madam had mainly brought the other two out to visit the temple and inquire about suitable matches for Yining, but finding none, they had turned to discuss Zhao Mingzhu’s marriage prospects.
Seeing Yining approach, Luo Yihui called her over and handed her a plate of sweet melon. “Try this. It’s been chilled with well water and drizzled with cane sugar syrup.”
Yining thanked her and sat down next to her elder sister to eat the melon, listening to the elderly ladies’ lazy conversation. Her rapid heartbeat gradually slowed.
Halfway up the mountain, Luo Shenyuan watched as Yining walked away with her maids.
“Sir, the carriage is waiting below. Shall we depart?” someone asked softly beside him.
Luo Shenyuan gazed at her silently for a long time before saying quietly, “Let’s go.”
He wondered what she was truly thinking…
There were still matters to handle. When he was ready, he would naturally go to her in person.
At that time, whether Yining agreed or not, she would likely have to agree.
In Datong Prefecture, Shanxi Province, at the residence of the Commander-in-chief:
Datong Prefecture governed Datong County and oversaw four prefectures: Hunyuan, Ying, Shuo, and Yu. It had long been an important military stronghold. The area had always been under the control of Zeng Yingkun, the Datong General, making it difficult for outsiders to interfere. But this time, the visitor was none other than Lu Jiaxue, the man who had once defeated the Northern Yuan, now the Xuanda Governor-General. No one dared to treat him lightly.
The garrison commander gave the Xuanda Governor-General a grand welcome on his inspection tour. On the day he arrived in Datong, flags flew from the city walls, corner towers, and barbicans. The garrison troops were all in full armor, standing at attention. The garrison had specially prepared a military drill, which Lu Jiaxue watched without expression, making the commander uneasy.
In the evening, after Lu Jiaxue’s guards had settled in at the commander’s quarters, the area was placed under strict guard. He had a private discussion with his deputy in the room, and it was a long time before the door opened, letting out dim candlelight. The deputy walked out and quietly told the waiting judicial officer, Ye Yan, “The Governor has something on his mind. Be cautious when you speak to him.” Ye Yan bowed in thanks before entering the study.
Lu Jiaxue was reading confidential reports brought by his deputy. When the door opened, the dry, cold wind of the border region gusted in. Without looking up, he knew who had entered just by the sound of the footsteps. He continued reading and asked Ye Yan, “Any unusual activity in the capital?”
“Not really,” Ye Yan replied. Having followed Lu Jiaxue for over a decade, since he first became a marquis, Ye Yan knew his temperament well. When Lu Jiaxue was in a bad mood, Ye Yan kept his words brief to avoid further irritating the Governor. “It’s about your nephew, Master Cheng Lang. The Duke’s family has replied, saying that the Duke of Ying intends to marry his daughter to Master Cheng, and Master Cheng seems to have agreed…”
Lu Jiaxue didn’t look up. “Wei Ling is grasping at straws. He should know what kind of person Cheng Lang is. How dare he marry his daughter to him?” He was well aware of his nephew’s reputation as a womanizer, seemingly gentle but equally indifferent to all. Thinking of the young girl who had once knelt before him begging to save Wei Ling, and who was now to be married, Lu Jiaxue frowned. He asked, “Have they set a date?”
“I heard they’re still discussing it. It seems the Duke of Ying has other candidates in mind…”
Lu Jiaxue pondered for a moment. After such an incident, Yining’s marriage prospects would certainly be difficult, so it was understandable that Wei Ling was anxious. It might be good for Cheng Lang to marry Yining; these inter-family marriages always helped to consolidate relationships. He took out another piece of paper and wrote a few lines, handing it to Ye Yan: “Send this back to the capital for Cheng Lang. Tell him I support this marriage.”
Ye Yan took the letter and stood at the door for a moment before suddenly saying, “Sir, if Zeng Yingkun remains uncooperative… why don’t you just…” He made a beheading gesture. “This way, even if those below him keep their mouths shut, they’ll have to break. The Emperor has long been wary of Zeng Yingkun; he would surely be pleased to know.”
“I don’t consider Zeng Yingkun worthy of my concern,” Lu Jiaxue said, putting away his brush.
He suddenly remembered that he had never liked studying as a child, preferring to learn martial arts from his master. When he was finally able to marry her, he practiced his calligraphy diligently while copying her dowry list, writing each stroke with utmost care. Later, he had even copied Buddhist sutras for her. Now his handwriting was as elegant and forceful as any scholar’s.
“Then you…” Ye Yan continued, somewhat confused.
“Wei Ling has an ally,” Lu Jiaxue said with a cold smile. “This person is formidable. He knows all the intelligence from Datong.”
“He even secretly helped with the Pingyuan Fort incident. Half the credit for winning that battle probably belongs to him. He even managed to deceive my spies,” Lu Jiaxue said coldly. “He’s quite daring.”
Ye Yan immediately asked, “Shall I find out who this person is?”
“No need. I know who it is,” Lu Jiaxue replied. “Let’s wait and see what he does next before deciding. This person is destined for greatness.”
Ye Yan acknowledged the order and retreated with a bow.
Cheng Lang received the letter a day later.
He wasn’t surprised that Lu Jiaxue knew about his intention to marry Yining, even though it hadn’t been announced yet. There was surely someone in the Duke of Ying’s household working for Lu Jiaxue, though no one knew who it was.
After receiving the letter, he went to see Old Master Cheng to discuss his marriage plans. He wouldn’t be able to rest easy until Yining was officially his wife. Once she was married to him, her fate would be in his hands.
Old Master Cheng had previously served as the Chief Censor of the Censorate and had only retired to care for his health after turning seventy. Now he had disciples all over the world, but his two sons were incompetent, with the elder even being forced by Governor Lu to elevate a concubine to wife status. At the time, he had found Cheng Lang quite intelligent, and since his sons were hopeless, he hadn’t interfered. Now the old man was living a leisurely life at home with nothing much to do. He spent his time tending to birds and plants, occasionally offering advice on political matters to his grandson.
When he heard that Cheng Lang wanted to marry, Old Master Cheng, who was in the middle of playing with a thrush, was startled. “Why didn’t you say something earlier? Which family’s daughter is it?”
“I’ve already made up my mind,” Cheng Lang said respectfully to Old Master Cheng. “I want to marry cousin Yining from the Duke of Ying’s family. If you agree, we can start discussing the wedding arrangements.”
Hearing his choice, Old Master Cheng said slowly, “Lang’er, although you consider the old Duke of Ying as a relative, you shouldn’t make decisions just for the sake of their family…”
Old Master Cheng was certainly aware of the incident at the palace banquet and didn’t fully approve of Yining marrying into their family. The Cheng family had maintained a clean reputation for generations, and avoiding trouble was of utmost importance.
Cheng Lang smiled bitterly, “Grandfather, I truly like Yining. Besides her, I don’t want to marry anyone else.”
Old Master Cheng didn’t believe him at all and glanced at him sideways. “I know your nature, what true feelings are you talking about!” After saying this, he saw his grandson standing by the huanghuali wood curio shelf, a faint bitter smile on his lips, not speaking. Old Master Cheng became more serious. “You… are you serious?”
“Didn’t you always think I couldn’t settle down? Now that I have, why don’t you believe me?” Cheng Lang repeated, “Of course I’m sincere. I feel that what I did before… was truly inappropriate. If I had met her a few years earlier, I would never have had those frivolous times.”
To say such words, he must truly be sincere.
Old Master Cheng sighed, “That’s a pity then. The other day when I was drinking with Minister Xie, we talked about you. He was interested in having you as his granddaughter’s husband – that granddaughter Xie Yun, the one who often accompanies the Empress in the palace. You’ve met her a few times, haven’t you? I thought Xie Yun was quite good, and well-matched with you. You both have talent and looks. Didn’t you used to like girls like Xie Yun?”
He did have a penchant for flirting, especially liking proud and aloof girls, but that was just playing around, seeking excitement. When he found out Yining was still alive, all other women became like passing clouds to him, not worth considering at all.
Cheng Lang said helplessly but restrainedly, “Please don’t try to play matchmaker. I’ve truly set my heart now.”
Seeing that he was sincere, Old Master Cheng laughed heartily, “Alright… as long as you’re happy! I’ll have to explain to Minister Xie to prevent them from coming to propose formally.”
Cheng Lang smiled slightly, his eyebrows tinged with joy.
Outside, the sun was setting, and faint stars appeared in the night sky.
Xie Yun had just returned from the Empress’s palace. She had stayed with her aunt for almost half a month and missed her grandfather very much. As soon as she got off the carriage and changed her clothes, she went to pay her respects to her grandfather.
Her grandfather had taught her to read since she was little.
It was already late, and Minister Xie was painting in his study. On the long zitan wood table sat a white jade brush holder and a Duan ink stone. Many scrolls were inserted in a blue and white porcelain vase, and the room was filled with a faint scent of ink.
“Yun’er is here,” Minister Xie smiled as he heard the footsteps. He doted on this granddaughter the most, even more than on his grandson. He had taught her to read since she was young and gave her whatever she wanted. This had shaped her proud personality, though she was not bad at heart.
Xie Yun walked to her grandfather’s side and helped him grind ink, smiling as she asked, “I haven’t seen you in so long. How is your health? Is the summer heat affecting your appetite?”
Minister Xie said slowly, “Yun’er, I heard from your mother that you seem to have someone you like.”
Xie Yun coughed once. The Xie family had a long tradition of scholarship, with deep cultural roots. She had grown up immersed in this literary atmosphere, setting her apart from ordinary young ladies of noble families. When it came to such matters, she showed a hint of the shyness typical of ordinary girls: “Grandfather, I have my plans. Mother was just talking.”
“Yun’er, I saw Luo Shenyuan some days ago,” Minister Xie said calmly. “That man’s schemes run too deep, and he often uses people. Your temperament is not compatible with his.”
Xie Yun suddenly looked up, somewhat surprised. Her grandfather had always doted on her the most.
“Grandfather… Shenyuan is very good!” Xie Yun said anxiously. “That’s just his personality. Don’t you like him?”
Minister Xie sighed. At seventy or eighty years old, he saw through these things. “Yun’er, I admire him very much. But this man… whoever marries him won’t have a good life. I love you, that’s why I don’t want you to get too close to him. The other day when I was drinking with Old Master Cheng, I thought their Lang’er was quite good. He’s handsome and talented, known throughout the capital. Old Master Cheng is also interested. I think it might be better for our two families to ally. You have a proud nature, so you need someone with a gentle temperament to accommodate you.”
Xie Yun was very upset by Minister Xie’s words. With reddened eyes, she said softly, “Even if he wants to marry me, I don’t want to marry him! I only like Shenyuan, I don’t like anyone else…”
Minister Xie knew his granddaughter’s stubborn personality. He shook his head and said, “Yun’er, whether you like him or not, you should at least meet him before deciding.”
Xie Yun pursed her lips and put down the ink stick. Without another word, she turned and left Minister Xie’s study. The silver incense balls hanging from the curtain hit the doorframe as she left, seemingly in anger.
Minister Xie told the servant beside him, “Follow her and see how she is.”
Xie Yun sat in the western side room, fuming. She alternated between recalling Cheng Lang’s proposal, which had brought a smile to her grandfather’s face, and thinking about Luo Shenyuan’s tall figure and his measured, unhurried way of speaking. Leaning against a red, four-happiness-patterned bolster, she tore apart a begonia flower in her hand.
“Nanny,” said the nursemaid who served her, unable to bear her distress, “I’ve heard that Cheng Lang is extremely handsome. There’s no one more good-looking than him. Plus, he’s soon to be promoted to Deputy Censor-in-Chief… Such a fine husband is hard to come by, even with a lantern.”
“No matter how good he is, what does it matter?” Xie Yun said angrily. In her family, her grandfather was the ultimate authority. Once he made a decision, even her mother dared not object.
Suddenly, she sat up straight and declared, “Give the order. We’ll enter the palace tomorrow. I need to see my aunt.” The Empress adored her and would certainly speak on her behalf.
“Second Miss, the Empress, after all, is an outsider,” the nursemaid responded helplessly. “If the old master finds out, he will surely be furious with you.”
Xie Yun’s back remained straight as she lowered her voice, “I can’t just sit by and watch…”
The nursemaid, who had raised Xie Yun and loved her like her own daughter, held her hand and continued to persuade her, “The old master has been an official his entire life and has seen all sorts of people. You won’t go wrong listening to him. Besides, Cheng Lang is a refined gentleman. Many girls dream of marrying him but can’t.”
“Refined gentleman, maybe,” Xie Yun countered, recalling the gossip she had heard among noblewomen. “But isn’t he also a bit of a philanderer?”
“The old master is an excellent judge of character. What matters is not his past but how he will behave after marriage,” the nursemaid argued. “Moreover, nowadays, many men have maidservants who become concubines…”
Shaking her head, Xie Yun said, “Mama Dong, call Cuiyu in for me. I have something to instruct her.” Cuiyu was her most capable maid, specifically assigned to her by her mother.
Leaning back against the bolster, Xie Yun’s eyes grew resolute. No matter what, she would not marry Cheng Lang.
First, she would investigate what kind of man Cheng Lang truly was.
If there was indeed something undesirable about him, she could tell her grandfather, and perhaps he would reconsider.