“I am Bai Ruyi, and this is Hua Yifeng, Second Young Miss of the Hua Family of Yangdu. The two of us are the Imperial Book Envoys responsible for this book-presentation ceremony.” Bai Ruyi bowed with impeccable propriety. “Three hundred and forty-six volumes of books are being presented to Sanhe Academy on this occasion. Of these, one hundred and thirty volumes have been provided by the Bai Family of Luoyang, and one hundred and sixteen volumes by the Hua Family of Yangdu. We ask that Headmaster He personally… receive and verify…”

Bai Ruyi’s voice grew smaller and smaller as he spoke, and his earlobes grew redder and redder — for no other reason than that Hua Yitang and Lin Sui’an were staring at him fixedly. Four burning lines of sight were nearly scorching a hole through his thin skin.

Hua Yitang’s expression said: Although my elder brother mentioned it in his letter, seeing it with my own eyes — I am deeply displeased!

Lin Sui’an’s expression said: Who would have thought that Bai Ruyi, fair and tender, speaks like someone terrified of social interaction, yet when it comes to winning a lady’s heart, he’s quite competent — far more efficient than that handsome Commander Ling.

Hua Yifeng looked at their expressions and covered her mouth, laughing softly — enough to hold He Sishan and Qi Mu spellbound.

Bai Ruyi’s face grew even redder, and Hua Yitang’s glare grew more fierce.

The academy’s master librarian, Bai Wen, looked at Bai Ruyi with a gaze even more blazing than Hua Yitang’s. When Bai Ruyi had stammered his way to the end of his speech, Bai Wen suddenly stepped forward, pulled up the hem of his robe, and knelt down. “Bai Wen, a disciple of the outer eighth branch of the Longxi Bai Clan, pays his respects to Thirteenth Uncle!”

Bai Ruyi was taken aback, then quickly helped Bai Wen to his feet. The two clasped hands and looked at each other, eyes glistening with emotion.

Bai Ruyi: “Little nephew Wen — since we parted at the Study Debate Tower, it has been ten years. Who would have thought your hair and temples are now fully white? Time truly is a flying shuttle — a white horse passing a gap in a fence.”

Bai Wen: “Ten years unseen, and Thirteenth Uncle’s bearing is now stately and distinguished — and serving in the Imperial Book Office as well. This nephew is truly overjoyed!”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

She’d worked it out. Among these great families of nobility, seniority and generation were more jumbled than any others.

“Book Envoy Bai — we should bring the Imperial Books up the mountain first,” Hua Yifeng gently reminded.

“Right, right, right — let’s go up the mountain first. Thirteenth Uncle, ride in my carriage — it’s warm.” Bai Wen respectfully and reverently guided Bai Ruyi toward the academy’s carriage. He Sishan looked at Hua Yifeng, hesitant. “Book Envoy Hua—”

“Hua here and Second Elder Sister haven’t seen each other in quite some time. This is a fine chance to ride together and catch up on family matters.” Hua Yitang grabbed Hua Yifeng by the arm and headed toward the Hua Family carriage. “Second Elder Sister — Fourth here has missed you!”

Hua Yifeng turned back and gave He Sishan an apologetic nod, then followed Hua Yitang into the carriage.

The Hua Family carriage was spacious and comfortable, but seating four was slightly cramped. Fangke kept to his usual spot in the corner; Lin Sui’an squeezed in beside him, and despite being glared at several times refused to shift even a fraction of her seating, leaving a generous space for the Hua siblings to have room to maneuver — she was afraid that these two might come to blows and she’d get caught in the crossfire.

Hua Yitang and Hua Yifeng — one sitting on the left, one on the right. One on the edge of battle, one as calm as still water.

Hua Yitang: “When did Second Elder Sister become an Imperial Book Envoy?”

Hua Yifeng: “A month ago.”

“Why didn’t I know?”

“Third Elder Sister said you were brawling with the Su Clan of Suizhou — too busy. This sort of small matter didn’t need to be passed on to you.”

“This is a small matter?!”

“It’s just a minor idle position.”

“I’m not talking about the Imperial Book Envoy appointment — I’m talking about Bai the Thirteenth!”

Hua Yifeng blinked. “Bai the Thirteenth has broad learning, is gentle and humble, comes from a good family, and looks decent enough. What is the objection?”

Hua Yitang opened his mouth, puffed up his cheeks, and fell silent.

Fangke was surprised. He lowered his voice. “That white-boiled-chicken-looking Bai Ruyi and… Second Young Miss Hua?”

Lin Sui’an gave a nod.

Fangke clicked his tongue twice.

“I don’t like the look of that white boiled chicken!” Hua Yitang said, his brow furrowed.

Lin Sui’an quickly glanced at Fangke, who quietly covered his mouth with his sleeve.

Hua Yifeng tilted her head. “Has Bai the Thirteenth offended you?”

Hua Yitang: “He offended Lin Sui’an!”

Hua Yifeng was taken aback. Lin Sui’an was even more so, pointing to her own nose. “He offended me? When was that?”

Hua Yitang’s face turned as dark as a pot left unwashed for three years. “Have you forgotten? He — he… proposed to you twice…”

Dead silence in the carriage. The wheels rolled over the mountain path: creak-creak — creak-creak—

Fangke let out a “pfft” and immediately suppressed it. Lin Sui’an covered her face with her hand.

What ancient history was this? Hua Yitang truly held grudges to a frightening degree!

Hua Yifeng’s eyes went round as she stared at Hua Yitang’s fingers patting the hand warmer with vexed energy while he pressed his charges against Bai Ruyi: “This Bai Ruyi — in the Eastern Capital he proposed to Lin Sui’an twice, both times to escape the forced marriage pressure from the Longxi Bai Clan. He had no genuine feelings for Lin Sui’an at all! A person who treats marriage as a trivial game — how could she entrust her life’s happiness to someone like that?!”

Hua Yifeng’s eyelid gave a single twitch. “What if… Bai the Thirteenth’s feelings for Xiao’an at the time were actually genuine?”

Hua Yitang flared up. “Then he would be a man who changes his heart on a whim — and even worse!”

Hua Yifeng broke into laughter. “So — do you actually want Bai the Thirteenth’s feelings for Xiao’an to have been genuine, or not genuine?”

“Whichever it is — neither was genuine toward Second Elder Sister!”

Hua Yifeng froze.

Before her, Hua Yitang’s expression was grave and his gaze fierce. His features still held a trace of youthful softness, yet the aura radiating from his entire person already bore, astonishingly, seven parts of his elder brother’s bearing.

“I don’t know what considerations led the Longxi Bai Clan to consider a union with the Hua Family of Yangdu, but I know that Elder Brother’s thoughts and mine are certainly the same. The Hua Family of Yangdu is proudly independent — we would never rely on arranged marriages to consolidate our position. Nor would we ever press any of our children’s lifelong happiness into an unhappy marriage. To do so would be a great betrayal of all the painstaking effort Elder Brother has put in over these many years!”

Hua Yifeng’s eyes grew slightly damp: that little Fourth who only knew how to cause trouble and collect bodies has truly grown up.

“Then in Fourth’s view, what kind of man should Second Elder Sister seek?” Hua Yifeng asked softly.

Hua Yitang answered with composure: “The one Second Elder Sister genuinely likes — and who genuinely likes Second Elder Sister in return.”

“And his family background?”

“Unimportant.”

“His character?” Hua Yifeng continued. “His learning? His age? His appearance?”

Hua Yitang broke into a brilliant smile. “I trust Second Elder Sister’s judgment. Anyone who wins her admiration must be a dragon among men!”

Hua Yifeng smiled. She pushed open the carriage window and gazed quietly at the flowing mountain-and-snow scenery streaming past. The wind lifted a stray wisp of hair, which settled softly against her cheek.

Hua Yifeng’s reaction left Hua Yitang somewhat uneasy. “So… Second Elder Sister, you and Bai the Thirteenth — the two of you, are you actually…”

Hua Yifeng closed the window, gathered her cloak, and reached out to lightly flick Hua Yitang’s forehead. “My Fourth, you’ve always been clever.”

Hua Yitang held his forehead. “Hm?”

“Of course you should look at Bai the Thirteenth with displeasure!” Hua Yifeng suddenly turned, reached over, and poked Lin Sui’an’s cheek, laughing with both eyes curved into crescents. “Isn’t that right, Xiao’an?”

Lin Sui’an: “What?”

Hua Yifeng smiled without answering and closed her eyes to rest.

Lin Sui’an and Hua Yitang stared at each other in bewilderment: what did that mean?

Fangke gave a wide yawn: so sleepy.

Sanhe Mountain had three peaks, with names straightforward and easy to remember: First-Grain Peak, Double-Grain Peak, and Triple-Grain Peak. Seen from the air, they would look like three ears of wheat standing side by side from tallest to shortest — hence the name.

First-Grain Peak was the steepest, like a sharp blade thrusting straight into the sky — full of jagged rocks, barely any trace of human presence. Double-Grain Peak and Triple-Grain Peak stood side by side: Double-Grain Peak was thickly wooded and teeming with wild monkeys, while Triple-Grain Peak had the gentlest terrain and the most beautiful scenery — it was also where Sanhe Academy was located.

The convoy set off from the foot of the mountain and traveled for a full double-hour — Fangke had two naps — before finally reaching the main gate of Sanhe Academy: a stone-base archway standing over two zhang high. On it were carved the four characters “Three-Person Grain Mountain,” and Lin Sui’an surmised this was in honor of the academy’s three founders: He Sishan, Qi Mu, and Bai Wen.

Behind the archway was a cluster of buildings in grey, white, and black — white walls, grey pillars, black upswept eaves, elegant and understated, blending naturally with the green pines and white snow.

A row of students in plain robes stood with clasped fists and bowed heads, greeting the arrivals respectfully beneath the archway. At the head was a young man of eighteen or nineteen — thick brows and large eyes, a bright, spirited look. When he saw Hua Yifeng, his eyes lit up; when he saw Hua Yitang, his mouth fell open; and when he saw Bai Ruyi, both his mouth and eyes went fully wide and round.

He Sishan gave a pointed cough. “This is our academy’s class monitor, Yuanhua, who hails from Yangdu.”

Yuanhua took a deep breath and composed his expression. “Sanhe Academy class monitor Yuanhua, leading thirty-six students of Sanhe Academy, respectfully welcomes the Imperial Book Envoys!”

All students in unison: “Respectfully welcoming the Imperial Book Envoys!”

It had to be said, Sanhe Academy had made fine selections in its students. Every one of them was handsome and upright in bearing — bright young men all in the flush of youth. Standing in a neat row, they were a genuinely pleasing sight.

Lin Sui’an felt she had come to the right place.

Bai Ruyi: “N-n-n-n-no need—”

Hua Yifeng: “Students, no need for such formality.”

Lin Sui’an: Bai Ruyi truly is someone terrified of social interaction. Even a small scene like this needed Hua Yifeng to smooth it over for him.

Hua Yitang’s gaze on Bai Ruyi grew even more disdainful.

Next came the formal procedures of the book-presentation ceremony.

The escort soldiers of the book-guarding team carried the thirty-five large wooden chests down from the carts, swept them clean, and arranged them in neat rows. He Sishan led the two Imperial Book Envoys and Hua Yitang at the front of the first tier; Qi Mu and Bai Wen walked in the second tier; the soldiers bearing the book chests formed the third tier; class monitor Yuanhua leading the thirty-five students made up the fourth tier. Lin Sui’an and Fangke, two idle bystanders, walked at the very end.

The procession moved in grand array through the archway, crossed a white stone railing bridge — beneath which lay a large round pond with a stone tablet to the right bearing its name: “Ten Thousand Stars Sea.” Ahead of that stood an imposing, square main hall with floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides, open to the breath of heaven and earth. The plaque above it read “Understanding Reason Hall.” Through the Understanding Reason Hall lay a relatively secluded garden — towering ancient trees, green pines under white snow, stone tables and stools scattered here and there. On either side stood octagonal pavilions with wind-blocking curtains hung, and charcoal braziers not yet fully burned out — clearly the students’ usual gathering spot for scholarly debates. Beyond that stood another archway inscribed “Book Collection Courtyard.” Past the archway was a two-story white-walled, black-eaved pavilion, hung with a black plaque bearing large gold characters: “Imperial Book Tower.”

Before the tower, an offering table with incense and ceremonial items had already been prepared. Hua Yifeng stepped forward to read the imperial edict aloud; everyone knelt and bowed. Then the edict was reverently placed upon the offering table, incense was lit, and obeisance paid. He Sishan lifted a long scroll and intoned a sacrificial text of gratitude — this took a full quarter of an hour. Everyone bowed again and gave loud, repeated thanks for the Emperor’s gift of books.

Next came the handover procedure. Lin Sui’an had assumed it would simply be a matter of carrying the books into the Imperial Book Tower, both parties shaking hands, stamping a seal, and taking a commemorative picture — and that would be that. Who would have thought that Bai Ruyi would produce a scroll, unfurl it with a swish, and find it stretched a full six chi long. Bai Wen hurried over to hold up the trailing end. The scroll was covered in so much dense text that Lin Sui’an’s eyes swam just looking at it.

Bai Ruyi cleared his throat and began to read the book titles aloud, one by one. The titles were long and strange — Lin Sui’an understood each character individually, but strung together they were completely incomprehensible, sounding rather like some hypnotic incantation.

It wasn’t just the Sanhe Academy staff — even Hua Yitang, Hua Yifeng, and even the soldiers tasked with escorting the books were baffled. Evidently, this procedure was unknown to them as well.

Since the reading had begun, it couldn’t be abruptly stopped, and everyone could only steel themselves and listen. Bai Ruyi, being a genuine bookworm of the Longxi Bai Clan, read the titles with splendid cadence and vivid expression. With well over three hundred volumes to work through, one by one, it took another half a double-hour. Bai Ruyi concluded his reading looking positively invigorated; his audience had nearly fallen asleep where they stood. Bai Wen, holding up the end of the scroll, had his head nodding up and down. Fangke simply fell asleep standing up.

Lin Sui’an genuinely envied Fangke’s ability to sleep anywhere at any time. Unable to emulate it, she could only force herself to stay alert and look around — and hey, her attentiveness did turn up something rather unusual.

The first thing she noticed was Yuanhua and several of the students, heads pressed together, communicating without words — one would glance at another, who would glance at the one beside him, who would glance at the one two seats over, and so on. Once consensus was reached, their collective gaze zeroed in on Proctor Qi Mu at the front, then redirected to land on Hua Yifeng, their facial expressions full of animated energy.

Lin Sui’an: Hmm?

Shortly after, the students’ gaze drew He Sishan into the equation as well, and their eyes and expressions sparkled brilliantly.

Lin Sui’an: Hmm, hmm??

Finally, the students’ gaze shifted toward Bai Ruyi — and they shook their heads, nodded their heads, and sighed, their expressions extremely complex.

Lin Sui’an: Hmm, hmm, hmm???

At long last, Bai Ruyi finished reading the titles and slowly rolled up the scroll. Bai Wen started awake as if from a dream, respectfully accepted the scroll, and handed it to He Sishan. The twenty escort soldiers of the book-guarding team, in a decisive and unanimous motion, swiftly carried all thirty-five chests of books into the Imperial Book Tower. They declared they were returning to the Eastern Capital to report their completion of the mission and, declining even He Sishan’s invitation to dinner, made their swift farewells and departed.

The two Imperial Book Envoys would naturally stay on for several days to handle the finer details of the handover. Bai Wen, pulling Bai Ruyi along by the hand, declared that under no circumstances could they leave without Thirteenth Uncle lecturing the students for ten full days. The students voiced their enthusiastic agreement and surrounded Bai Ruyi in a clamor. Bai Ruyi was too thin-skinned to refuse, and could only barely manage to say yes.

Since Bai Ruyi and Hua Yifeng couldn’t leave, Hua Yitang and the others naturally had to remain as well. With some time still left before the evening meal, He Sishan cordially invited the guests to tour the celebrated “Seven Wonders of Sanhe.”

In truth, very few people ever got to see all “Seven Wonders” — some required the right season, some required the right opportunity. For instance, “Rain-Misted Green Peaks” and “White Rock Clear Springs” could only be seen in the rainy season of the fourth and fifth months.

Behind Triple-Grain Peak lay a vast apricot grove with over a thousand wild mountain apricot trees. At the end of the third month and into the early fourth, a thousand apricot blossoms bloomed in competition — a breathtaking spectacle. When the wind blew, scattered apricot petals drifted down, as fine as a rain of rouge dust, enough to dazzle the senses. “Rouge Peaks” was thus named.

“Three Peaks in Clear Snow” required winter, a fall of snow, and then a clear morning. “Gazing at Stars from the Summit” and “Stone Bridge Moon Night” naturally had to wait for nighttime.

Counting it all up, at this particular hour, only “Cloud Sea at Sunset” was most fitting for the occasion.

Leaving the Book Collection Courtyard and following the stone-paved path to the back gate of the academy, they reached the path up the mountain. The slope was not steep, but the path was rather narrow — at most two people could walk side by side. On both sides grew dense wildflowers and weeds, now winter-yellowed and layered with thick snow, like a cotton quilt.

Most likely for safety purposes, both sides of the mountain path were lined with bamboo fencing, with occasional signs of repair work visible here and there.

“After the onset of winter, the days are cold and the road slippery. A student had previously nearly tumbled off the cliff accidentally. The Headmaster applied to the Andu Prefectural Office for funds and had craftsmen from Andu come to build this.” Proctor Qi Mu pointed ahead.

Lin Sui’an: “Oh.”

Qi Mu: “This few days, the craftsmen are carrying out repairs on the stargazing platform.”

Lin Sui’an: “Oh.”

“The stargazing platform is the highest point of Triple-Grain Peak. When the sky is clear and the moon is dim, it is the finest time for stargazing. Headmaster He is especially skilled in astronomical observation — he almost never misses a day at the stargazing platform, spending several hours there studying the movement and rotation of the heavenly bodies.”

“Oh.”

“Beneath the stargazing platform lies a deep ravine. Over the ravine is a naturally formed stone bridge — this is one of the Seven Wonders, the Stone Bridge Moon Night.”

“Oh.”

Qi Mu ran out of things to say. He gave a dry cough. “Is it that Lin Niangzi has no interest in these seven wonders?”

“I’m interested, I’m interested — please continue, Proctor Qi.” Lin Sui’an said so with her mouth, but in her heart she thought: what scenery could possibly be more interesting than watching people?

A group of six had come out for a stroll. Because the path was narrow, they had, as they walked, fallen into a rather odd formation.

He Sishan and Hua Yifeng walked at the very front, talking and laughing, perfectly at ease; Hua Yitang had deliberately placed himself alongside Bai Ruyi, yet they said nothing to each other — Hua Yitang simply locked those cold, unnerving large eyes of his onto Bai Ruyi and stared fixedly. With every step, Bai Ruyi’s back curved a little more, until he was practically a small hunchback.

Left at the back were Lin Sui’an and Qi Mu — two people who were complete strangers to each other. Qi Mu was reaching for things to say, Lin Sui’an was elsewhere in her thoughts, and the atmosphere was rather awkward.

Lin Sui’an kept watching and felt something was increasingly off. Her impression of Hua Yifeng was that she wasn’t a particularly talkative person — yet she and this Headmaster He seemed to share a great many common topics of conversation. By comparison, she had barely any special interaction with Bai Ruyi at all.

Could it be that she and Hua Yitang had misjudged the pairing from the start?

“Proctor Qi, did Headmaster He know Second Book Envoy Hua before this?” Lin Sui’an asked.

She waited a good while, but Qi Mu gave no answer. Lin Sui’an turned to look — and found Qi Mu gazing blankly at Hua Yifeng up ahead, his expression forlorn, his eyes flickering with a glimmer that seemed close to tears.

Lin Sui’an: Oh ho!

After about a quarter of an hour of walking, the group arrived at a small terrace. The terrace was built flush with the cliff edge, and all around it stood tall white stone railings. Leaning on the railing and looking out, a trace of the last sun slowly sank behind the undulating mountain range. The last light of the setting sun poured over the churning, surging sea of clouds — resplendent and magnificent as embroidered brocade, fierce and blazing as fire.

Lin Sui’an was struck by the scene before her. She drew a deep breath, feeling her heart and chest expand and open wide, and even felt a surging excitement — the urge to hurl herself into that cloud sea and surrender herself to the great freedom of the skies.

Just then, from that direction, Hua Yifeng let out an “ah.” Lin Sui’an jolted back to reality. It turned out Hua Yifeng had lost her footing momentarily and been steadied by He Sishan.

The cloud sea, crimson as sunset, cast its glow over Hua Yifeng’s face, turning it a soft rose pink. In He Sishan’s eyes, that rose-pink face was reflected back — and his ears turned a burning red.

The two looked at each other, eyes full of nothing but the other. Anyone who wasn’t blind could see the feeling between them, so intense it nearly spilled over.

Hua Yitang was stunned. Qi Mu stared blankly. Then Bai Ruyi took two steps backward, and suddenly let out an “ah” as well — he had also twisted his ankle, and by sheer bad luck landed directly against Lin Sui’an. Lin Sui’an caught him with lightning reflexes.

Bai Ruyi’s body gave a violent shudder. He slowly turned his head, saw Lin Sui’an’s face, and his face instantly flushed a deep red. “Th-th-th-th-thank you — thank you, Lin Niangzi, for saving me—”

By the last word, his voice had faded to nearly the buzz of a mosquito.

Hua Yitang felt a chill run down his spine. He spun around abruptly — and there was Lin Sui’an steadying Bai Ruyi’s elbow, her expression one of mild surprise. Bai Ruyi was bent over like a cooked shrimp, gazing fixedly at Lin Sui’an. Anyone who wasn’t blind could see where his heart was pointed.

Hua Yitang’s head rang with a loud “buzz.” His feet stumbled. “Ah ya ya ya ya ya—” he cried out in a series of sharp yelps, his arms windmilling wildly as he fell backward. The white of his robe billowed up in a gust of wind, then settled back into place.

Lin Sui’an caught him around the waist, steadying him perfectly, her expression barely suppressing a laugh. “This spot is remarkably jinxed. Why are people twisting their ankles left and right?”

“Probably because the scenery is too beautiful, and it’s gone to their heads.” Hua Yitang used her support to stand up straight, his gaze sweeping quickly over Hua Yifeng, He Sishan, and Qi Mu, then coming to rest on Bai Ruyi’s face.

Bai Ruyi met Hua Yitang’s eyes, quickly cast his own down, and then stared at the elbow Lin Sui’an had just touched, lost in a daze.

You — Bai the Thirteenth! Hua Yitang raged inwardly. So you had no real feelings for my Second Elder Sister at all — you’ve been carrying a torch for Lin Sui’an all along!

Side Story

Hua Yifeng: I have to say — my Fourth’s wild animal-like sixth sense is truly uncanny!