That pair of young man and woman left the main hall and walked along the covered corridor. Suddenly, a large group approached from ahead, surrounding a young lady. Seeing them, the two quickly bowed. One said, “Ninth Sister.” The other said, “Miss Wenliu.”
Xiao Wenliu stopped and properly returned their bows, but asked curiously, “Where are Eleventh Brother and Sister Wen going?”
The two honestly explained they were going to entertain distinguished guests. Xiao Wenliu immediately became excited, saying crisply, “Our family rarely has outside guests. I just heard that Sanbai Embankment was washed away by flood last night and nearly flooded the downstream area. It was this group who helped save the embankment. I was just wondering what kind of outstanding young people they must be, hoping to meet them, and unexpectedly Fourth Grandfather invited them home! Let’s go take a look!” She linked arms with Xiao Wen, ready to leave.
The people behind showed pained expressions—the Xiao family’s little princess was having another one of her whimsical episodes.
The nanny quickly stepped forward to dissuade her, “Miss, Fourth Master didn’t ask you to go. With your noble status, how could you entertain guests…”
“Everyone says we should show proper hospitality—am I not a host?” Xiao Wenliu laughingly pushed the nanny away. “Alright, alright, I won’t entertain them. I’ll just go look, okay? It’s rare that it’s not raining today—are you going to keep me locked up? Smell me, I’m practically moldy!”
Her nature was charming and naive, always beloved by everyone. The nanny was just a servant after all and could only retreat with a bitter smile. Xiao Shilang—Xiao Jing—laughed, “Then you can only follow behind and look. You’re returning to the capital next year, and after your coming-of-age ceremony you’ll marry. You can’t be willful anymore!”
Hearing the word “marry,” Xiao Wenliu covered her ears, “I won’t listen, I won’t listen, I won’t listen! Are you tired of me eating your family’s rice? So eager to marry me off! I haven’t even seen his face!”
Xiao Jing laughed, “Marriage is by parents’ command and matchmaker’s arrangement—what does seeing or not seeing matter? Be careful people hear and laugh at you.”
Xiao Wenliu snorted, “Tie Lin is a whole year younger than me! He must still have baby teeth and smell like milk. Me? Either I don’t marry, or if I do, it must be to someone remarkable—like Grandfather, like Great-Aunt, like Uncle Xueya!”
Bell sounds rang as carriages arrived at the gate. The Xiao estate was so large that transportation was needed everywhere.
Xiao Wenliu laughed and ran ahead to board the carriage first, lifting her skirts.
“How do you know Prince Zhao’s heir isn’t remarkable?” Xiao Jing chased behind, also getting on. The laughter of the Xiao family’s legitimate children scattered everywhere.
Xiao Wen silently followed behind. She was born beautiful and refined, but there was a faint melancholy between her brows that didn’t show in front of others but appeared when she turned away.
The main estate and guest quarters were separated by a lake. Small boats could cross the lake, or one could take the white stone path around it. The carriage traveled along the path for two quarters of an hour before seeing the southeast gate of the guest quarters. Looking up, the towering Yipou Jiangyue Pavilion came into view. Xiao Jing stood at the gate and couldn’t help sighing, “Building a beautiful pavilion to cup the moon, enjoying abundant flowers to embrace spring. Yipou Jiangyue Pavilion is such an elegant and fragrant place, usually only housing famous paintings, calligraphy, gold and stone collections. How can it now be used for common people to live in?”
Before he finished speaking, a woman emerged from behind the screen wall. Her black hair was like satin, her skin smooth and warm, with a gentle oval face. Seeing the group, her expression showed no surprise, and she smiled sweetly.
Xiao Jing happened to meet this smile and couldn’t help being stunned, sighing, “I was just being rude—how could this be a common person?”
Xiao Wenliu laughed, “You were just complaining in the carriage that Fourth Grandfather dragged you here to entertain guests, delaying your studies. Now that you’ve seen her, are you still complaining?”
“Naturally not. I was rash.” Xiao Jing made a deep bow. “This lady must be…”
The woman stepped aside to avoid his bow, smiling gently, “Young Master Xiao misunderstands. This servant was sent by my master to welcome guests and dare not accept your courtesy.”
Xiao Jing was stunned again, murmuring, “Just a maid…”
Xiao Wenliu tugged at his lapel, and he came to his senses, nodding apologetically, “Please lead the way, miss.”
Chi Xue wasn’t angry and turned with a smile. The three young masters and misses followed with their servants, watching the woman’s graceful figure, her floating gait, her still skirts that didn’t stir dust—her posture and steps were extremely beautiful. Others aside, the two well-bred ladies exchanged glances, both showing amazement.
This deportment—even the palace-trained teaching nannies they specially hired couldn’t compare!
Chi Xue, with her back to them, knew what they were thinking, and her smile deepened.
What was this? When they practiced etiquette in the palace, the training nannies made them wear skirts with silver bells sewn at the knees—any sound brought the whip.
Turning around a corridor, at the second gate stood a white-clothed girl with skin transparent as ice crystals but black, brilliant eyelashes. She looked like a snow person. Xiao Jing thought this must be the master and was about to bow, but heard the icy girl say coldly, “Follow me,” without even glancing at them before turning to lead the way.
Only then did they realize this was also just a maid. Though quite cold, her bearing and gait were no inferior to the gentle lady before.
Past the second gate, a young man sat in the courtyard wearing moon-white robes with delicate features, rapidly working an abacus. His fingers moved so fast they almost became blurs. Even the usually head-down Xiao Wen looked up, thinking this must be the master, noting his exceptional bearing and temperament.
Xiao Jing and the others thought the same and were about to approach when the youth looked up, saw the crowd approaching, his face changed dramatically. He dropped the abacus and retreated, entering the east wing and slamming the door shut with a bang.
Everyone: “…”
Chi Xue smiled, “That is Young Master Qi, my master’s friend.”
Only then did they realize he wasn’t the main person.
Suddenly the main room door opened and someone stepped out. Everyone thought whoever emerged from the main room must surely be the master. Looking up, they were all stunned.
That person was quite tall with deep facial features, slightly light hair color, an extremely high nose bridge, and eyes with a hint of deep blue—clearly having some foreign blood. The upper body wore a small black garment with turned-down collar, revealing white clothing underneath with a black butterfly-like tie at the collar. The lower body wore a large black and red checkered skirt that only reached the knees, below which were black long stockings and black low-heeled faceless leather boots.
This outfit was truly eye-searing. On an ordinary person it would be disastrous, but this person was tall and imposing with overwhelming presence. Walking over in those leather shoes with clicking sounds, the Xiao family young masters and misses were completely dazed. Only when he walked before them and raised his chin did Xiao Jing come to his senses and bow stammering, “This gentleman must surely be…”
Chi Xue smiled beside them, “This is my master’s senior brother.”
Le Wuxun extended his hand to shake hands with the curious Xiao Wenliu, “Pleased to meet you.”
Xiao Wenliu also extended her hand with a laugh, terrifying her nanny who rushed forward pulling her, “Miss, you mustn’t!”
Le Wuxun snorted and withdrew his hand, looking at Xiao Wen who had retreated a step, not even extending his hand, “Boring!”
Xiao Jing obviously hadn’t recovered yet, staring dumbfounded at his Scottish kilt.
Le Wuxun was already too lazy to bother with them, striding past everyone toward the front courtyard to see those calligraphy and painting collections. As he moved, the slit Scottish kilt opened, vaguely revealing what was underneath…
The nannies rushed over again, covering both young ladies’ eyes.
Just… very tiring.
Xiao Jing coughed and looked around awkwardly, “Then… where is your master?”
From this appearance, the master of these two beautiful maids must be the soul figure of this group.
Though Xiao Jing was well-read in classics and constantly reminded himself to be modest and yielding, deep down he inevitably took pride in his family background, feeling that under heaven there was no family more outstanding than the Xiao family, no better talents. However, today his horizons were constantly expanded, his earlier slight resentment long thrown to the clouds, and he became curious about the master who was being summoned but wouldn’t appear.
Chi Xue smiled, “Master and her friend went up Yipou Jiangyue Pavilion to admire the lake scenery.”
Everyone then headed to Yipou Jiangyue Pavilion, climbing the wooden stairs toward the rooftop terrace. Before arriving, they heard someone above laugh, “Look how clear this lake water is—there must be plenty of fish.”
This was a woman speaking with a slightly hoarse voice, but the tone was beautiful, every word captivating.
A clear young man’s voice replied, “What, want to eat some?”
Everyone: “…”
The woman said, “Can you grill fish?”
The youth replied, “More than that—I learned a skill. I can grill not only ordinary fish but also koi. If we’re lucky enough to encounter swans, I can also stew geese.”
Everyone: “…”
The woman above laughed, “Then go catch fish and geese. When you bring them back, I’ll cook them for you.”
The youth agreed.
At this moment everyone looked up.
They saw a figure diving down diagonally, white robes billowing in the air. In a blink he landed on Mingyue Lake, his boot tips like blades splitting the jade lake in two. Behind him, water vapor rose like mist, flowing and gathering. He seemed to ride the wind and walk on clouds.
Though he spoke of catching fish and geese rather prosaically, his actions were like strolling in a garden, as casual as brushing leaves to find flowers. They watched him step across the lake waves, extremely fast yet casual in his movements. After a few bends, he already held a fat fish with fine scales and broad mouth. Moments later, a duck foolishly swam by and he scooped it up lightly.
When he turned around, he held a duck in his left hand and a fish in his right. Only the hem of his robes was slightly wet. The afternoon sunlight chased the waves, creating golden scales that reached his feet. The jade lake was edged with gold like a soft cloak flowing beneath his shoulders.
He looked up, hair brushing across his lips, and summer’s clusters of new lotuses lost their color.
Xiao Wenliu suddenly covered her heart, murmuring, “I… I feel like I’ve been struck by something…”
While Xiao Jing, having stepped forward a few paces, now gazed up at the pavilion, also murmuring, “…You’re right, I feel the same…”
Xiao Wenliu looked up to see a beauty sitting on the pavilion’s balcony edge.
She seemed somewhat afraid of heights, one hand gripping the railing tightly. Her hand was white as snow but her fingertips were a light pink. Following those slender fingers upward, facing the sunlight, the beauty’s profile was hazy and graceful—her slender neck, dark hair, painted outline, fan-like long lashes, cherry lips—all within that golden-red light showed divine radiance in perfect harmony.
Half her body leaned outside the building, her red wide robes spreading at the high pavilion’s peak, rendering that spring scenery of apricot groves and peach blossom clouds.
Xiao Wenliu, still young, could only marvel before such beauty. Xiao Wen instantly paled, almost feeling ashamed.
The beauty heard the commotion below and slanted her eyes downward. In that instant of flowing light, everyone’s hearts filled with the words “Naturally heartless yet still moving.”
Xiao Jing felt a breath stuck in his chest, actually having trouble breathing. The smoothness he’d cultivated as a young master in social interactions had flown to the ninth heaven. Watching the beauty glance once then turn away without engaging them, she slightly raised her fingertips against the wind, receiving the youth arriving with fish and goose. Their snow-white fingers lightly grasped in the air, their flying robes momentarily intertwined. The next instant the youth was on the rooftop, looking down and laughing, “The hosts have arrived—would you like to grill fish and stew goose together?”
He had caught the hosts’ fish and goose right in front of them and was now inviting them to share in destroying the evidence. Xiao Jing had never seen such an open character and didn’t know how to respond when Xiao Wenliu had already excitedly lifted her skirts and rushed up, saying, “Yes, yes! Your lightness skill is really good, even better than our estate’s martial arts master. Will you teach me?”
Xiao Jing, afraid she might offend those two immortal-like people, anxiously stepped on her skirt. Xiao Wenliu ran in place a few steps and looked back at him in confusion.
Seeing this, Tie Ci laughed and came forward to greet everyone. The Xiao family’s attendants rather defensively came up, almost filling the rooftop. Xiao Jing, who had been accustomed to such scenes before, now felt it excessive. Just as he was about to apologize and drive them away, Tie Ci had already calmly waved her hand, “Everyone crowding here so tightly rather spoils the young masters and misses’ mood for enjoying the scenery. Why not stand below, lining up along the stairs in order? This way, no one can fly down from this rooftop, right?”
Once she spoke, those people naturally complied. Only after standing in a line along the steps did they realize—how had they unconsciously obeyed?
This person seemed naturally commanding. Once she spoke, it was like imperial edicts, making people instinctively comply.
That beauty, Miss Feiyu, had another style entirely, always lazily sitting suspended at the building’s edge eating sunflower seeds, her feet dangling in the air, occasionally lifting her eyelids for a glance.
Xiao Jing was entranced and would never mind the beauty’s rudeness. Xiao Wenliu was carefree and clearly more interested in Tie Ci. Only Xiao Wen stood aside, gentle and silent, mostly keeping her eyes down, occasionally stealing glances at Feiyu, then at Tie Ci, studying both carefully with slight confusion in her eyes.
The young men and women chatted briefly, and with both sides intending friendship, they quickly became familiar. Tie Ci immediately spread out the tools and seasonings prepared on the rooftop and actually began grilling fish and stewing goose. Both rolled up their sleeves, revealing snow-white, strong forearms. Tie Ci cleaned the fish and killed the goose while Feiyu started the fire and prepared seasonings. Their coordination was seamless, their techniques skilled. The three Xiao family young masters and misses squatted to the side, watching in amazement.
Watching Feiyu season the fish, Tie Ci remembered that Rong Wei also had excellent culinary skills. Thinking this, her heart stirred, and she carefully observed Feiyu’s features, even behind her ears, her neck, as well as her voice, height, temperament… and so forth. However, she was again disappointed. Apart from both being beautiful and skilled at cooking, she really couldn’t see any similarities between them. She even felt herself absurd—though Rong Wei was beautiful, he had genuine masculine grace and refinement, like dawn moon and morning stars, without a trace of feminine air. How could he be connected with Feiyu, who was full of feminine charm, thoroughly womanly, whose every frown and smile was soul-stirring?
Her hands didn’t stop, but that confused feeling returned. Like being trapped in a maze, dizzy and disoriented, unable to find the way. She had thought herself someone with clear emotional boundaries who didn’t crave love, but once truly moved, wouldn’t fear pursuing or accepting it. Yet now, she couldn’t even figure out whether she liked men or women, or whom exactly she liked.
How could she be such a scoundrel?
She had originally thought the Liaodong marriage arrangement was a temporary measure—if she truly liked someone, she could find a way to break the engagement with Liaodong first. But now that she couldn’t even figure out whom she liked, what could she do?
Tie Ci silently sighed. Feiyu glanced at her with a smile.
Though she quite enjoyed watching this usually carefree person struggle, her heart felt a bit sour.
Being jealous of herself was rather boring.
Between these two, there was a natural atmosphere that others couldn’t disturb. Xiao Jing and Xiao Wenliu hadn’t noticed yet, but Xiao Wen had already quietly stepped back several paces. Seeing her brother’s and sister’s focused expressions, she secretly sighed.
Soon the grilled fish and roasted goose were ready. For the first time, the three noble Xiao family juniors sat on the ground like wandering martial artists, facing the vast sky and jade lake with clear wind and chaotic willows, eating freely.
The two people opposite were both beautiful in bearing, carefree and clear in character, and also well-read with broad knowledge. Xiao Jing considered himself well-versed in poetry and books, but soon couldn’t keep up with the conversation. In the end he could only listen respectfully. All three stared at the guests like sunflowers, resembling three devout fanboys and fangirls.
Tie Ci naturally had aristocratic bearing and could befriend anyone in minutes when she wished. She wanted to probe the Xiao family’s secrets and also intended to befriend these obviously outstanding Xiao family juniors. However, after this conversation, she felt quite emotional.
Though the Xiao family engaged in power struggles, their education of the younger generation was obviously very orthodox and particular. Those shady, dirty matters were probably kept from the juniors. So while the Xiao family produced poisonous descendants like Eighth Master Xiao and Xiao Chang, they also produced lofty generals like Xiao Xueya, and more commonly, well-educated children like these three.
The Tie imperial clan and Xiao family were locked in mortal struggle. If she won in the future, regardless of whether these people were innocent, their heads would sooner or later roll on the execution ground.
Thinking this, even the roasted goose didn’t taste good. The goose’s eyes stared straight at her, seeming to accuse her of something.
Beside her, Xiao Wenliu looked up with her small face and asked, “Young Master Ye, why do you keep staring at this goose head in a daze?”
Tie Ci had introduced herself as Ye Ci—Ci meaning departure.
Tie Ci absent-mindedly replied, “I’m grieving for its excellent head.”
Xiao Wenliu blinked, “Ah, Young Master is really so kind-hearted. And then?”
“Then…” Tie Ci bit open the goose head, “Then I eat faster to show respect for the excellent head.”
Xiao Wenliu: “…Young Master Ye, you’re so witty.”