Lang Jiuchuan’s first impression upon seeing Xie Zejin was that he was no different from any other young nobleman born into a distinguished military family — he carried himself with an air of noble bearing, and he also knew how to show respect to his hosts. Since the Lang Family was in mourning, he had not come dressed in bright colors when he came to call, but instead wore a plain and understated robe, with his head of black hair pinned up only by a single white jade crown.

Perhaps owing to his frequent practice of martial arts, his build was well-proportioned and solid, his features handsome and refined, his gaze clear and upright — yet that was the extent of it, for he had been born with a pair of “drifting fish” brows.

As the physiognomic classic Xiangli Henghao states: brows like the tail of a drifting fish, a heart like drifting willow fluff — this describes brows whose shape resembles the swaying tail of a fish, gathered at the inner corners but scattered at the tips, indicating an inconstant temperament; and scattered brow-tips also carry another meaning, that of difficulty saving money.

Xie Zejin was born into a noble military family, yet silver that passed through his hands was hard to keep — in other words, he spent freely and extravagantly.

Beyond that, his ears were small and thin, the cartilage soft — a man with little conviction of his own. Word was he intended to follow his family’s tradition and pursue a military career, and he had already joined the Western Camp, serving as a commander of a hundred men, making him a man accomplished in both letters and martial arts. But Lang Jiuchuan believed that with a temperament like his and such lack of firm conviction, it would be better for him not to go to the battlefield as a general or commander, lest he bring ruin upon both others and himself.

Lang Jiuchuan thought of He Fu, whom she had met once — that gentle, resolute, and dignified young woman — and her gaze moved to the marital palace on Xie Zejin’s face.

His marital palace was flushed with a rosy-purple hue, and the Red Luan Star was stirring, indicating that a joyous event was drawing near. And yet —

Lang Jiuchuan lowered her eyes.

A mole concealed in the gate of licentiousness, tangled lines sprawling across it, and a dark, gray aura seeping into his temples — indicating that his kidney vital energy was leaking outward. This meant he had taken up with someone on the side, and this marriage arrangement might very well be subject to change.

What a pity for the young lady of the He Family.

Being looked at by Lang Jiuchuan’s pair of dark eyes made Xie Zejin’s heart prickle uneasily. He had initially pitied her frail and delicate constitution, but now that feeling had entirely transformed into wariness and an inexplicable dread.

Dread?

Xie Zejin furrowed his brow. She was his late sworn-uncle’s posthumous daughter — technically his junior cousin by family connection. How could he possibly find her frightening, let alone feel dread toward her?

It must be because of these past few days, himself… ahem, ahem.

Xie Zejin touched his nose, then graciously stepped forward to bow to Lang Jiuchuan and offered a greeting.

Lang Jiuchuan gave a cool, detached nod in return — that was the entirety of her acknowledgment, her manner distant and indifferent.

Such was her natural disposition, and the Lang Family had long grown accustomed to it. After all, she behaved this way even toward her own family members — let alone toward a stranger. So what if you were some nominal senior male cousin? You had never even met before. How close could you possibly be?

Xie Zejin simply assumed the young girl was shy around strangers. Although he found it somewhat peculiar, he thought nothing further of it and sat back down to resume the conversation.

“…The Huguo Temple has long had a venue reserved by our Marquis’s household. The date has been set for the first day of the third month. Since the temple is holding a Water and Land Dharma Assembly on the fourth day of the third month this year, the main hall has already begun to be cleaned and arranged, so the only venue available to us is the side hall of Earth Treasury Bodhisattva. If Madam finds that unsatisfactory, we can also transfer to Ci’en Temple or Qinghua Abbey. It’s just that with only a few days remaining until the first of the third month, I’m afraid there may not be time to make the switch.” Xie Zejin explained, then added: “And this year I am to be married, so the household has been busy and disorganized — matters were not handled with full consideration. I ask that Madam and Elder Uncle Lang not hold it against us.”

As he spoke, he rose again and clasped his hands in a bow, his sincerity unmistakable.

Cui Shi said warmly: “Since you are to be married this year, it is actually not appropriate for you to be arranging this kind of memorial Dharma Assembly for your Elder Uncle Lang, lest it clash with the auspicious occasion. Now that the venue has been settled, we will go and work out the ceremonial details directly with the temple monks ourselves. You have already done more than enough — thank you.”

“Father gave explicit instructions that everything must be done thoroughly and properly. Your nephew would not dare disobey his orders,” Xie Zejin said with a smile.

Cui Shi’s face softened with warmth.

Lang Zhengping glanced at her, then quickly looked away, his heart filled with a mixture of joy and sorrow over the fact that Cui Shi knew nothing of the truth.

He was glad she was unaware — it meant she would not let too much of her emotions show on the surface. But he was sorrowful as well, because once she learned the truth, would she be able to bear it?

Lang Zhengping looked again at Xie Zejin, and the faint smile on that young man’s face stung his eyes.

In years past, Xie Zejin’s self-deprecating and apologetic posture of acknowledging fault would have struck Lang Zhengping as entirely sincere — the manner of a true gentleman who emerged from the mire without being tainted. He would not only have refrained from blaming him but would have even felt guilty himself, for after all, the family had come year after year with such genuine-heartedness.

But now, knowing the vicious thing that his father had done, Lang Zhengping could no longer look upon this young man without finding him an eyesore in every way, every manner of his a performance put on for show.

He knew he was prejudging the man, but he simply could not regard him with the easy fondness of before, the way one regards a nephew of a sworn-family brother.

Lang Zhengping gripped his teacup tightly, his expression one of barely-contained suppression, on the verge of breaking.

Lang Jiuchuan, seeing the Elder Uncle’s expression of strained endurance, turned to Xie Zejin and spoke: “In the future, my father’s Water and Land memorial ceremonies need not trouble the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household any further. We will arrange them ourselves.”

Her cool, detached voice rang out abruptly, and everyone present startled for a moment.

Lang Zhengping came to his senses and said: “That’s right. From now on, we’ll handle it ourselves — there’s no need to inconvenience the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household.”

Cui Shi looked at him in puzzlement. His tone — why was it so sharp? Had something happened that she was unaware of? And Lang Jiuchuan — she had actually taken the initiative to claim this matter for herself?

Xie Zejin also furrowed his brow. Was Elder Uncle Lang expressing dissatisfaction with their Marquis household, or did he harbor some sort of misunderstanding toward them?

Lang Zhengping seemed to realize his tone had been too blunt, and hastily added by way of explanation: “What I mean is — you have helped arrange these memorial ceremonies for over a decade now. Now that the ninth daughter has returned to the household, this is her own father. As the second brother’s only daughter, it should be she who acts as the filial daughter to handle the arrangements. It wouldn’t do to keep having the Marquis of Zhenbei’s household do it — outsiders would not know what to make of it, and it would invite all kinds of unflattering talk.”

He looked at Lang Jiuchuan and said: “Though she is a daughter, she is still the second brother’s sole flesh and blood — it cannot be said that he leaves behind no one to carry on.”

It was also the case that Lang Jiuchuan had previously said she would not take on an heir, nor would she marry or take in a son-in-law — otherwise, if she herself were willing, there would be no need for the troublesome process of adoption at all; she could simply serve as the lineage daughter of the second brother’s branch directly.

But there was no need to explain any of this to someone with the Xie surname right now.

Xie Zejin looked toward Lang Jiuchuan and said: “I see — that is indeed reasonable. Junior Cousin’s filial piety moves Heaven itself; your late father, watching from the beyond, will surely find comfort in this.”

Lang Jiuchuan’s expression remained cool and unaffected, and she said nothing in reply. Xie Zejin found himself somewhat at a loss, and turned his gaze toward Cui Shi.

Cui Shi’s eyes held a complicated look as she regarded Lang Jiuchuan, yet she did not offer any rebuttal to what had been said. Perhaps, in her heart, she too acknowledged the truth of what the elder brother-in-law had said — that since Hanfu had a daughter, all rites of remembrance for him should indeed be overseen by his own descendant.

Lang Jiuchuan then addressed Xie Zejin: “I will go and negotiate with the monks at Huguo Temple myself. Master Xie need only focus on the preparations for your upcoming wedding. Oh — I wonder, when will the Marquis of Zhenbei be returning?”

Lang Zhengping’s brow gave an involuntary twitch. Here it comes.

Xie Zejin also felt an inexplicable pang in his chest, and answered: “Father sent word that he will set out in two days.”

Lang Jiuchuan’s lips curved into a slight arc: “Then when that time comes, I will call upon the Marquis in person!”

Lang Zhengping lowered his eyes to the tea swirling inside his cup, and very naturally translated those words in his mind to: When that time comes — it will be the Marquis of Zhenbei’s day of death.

A new month, a new journey, new unknowns — may we all walk this road together!