He Yunsheng stood protectively in front of He Yan.

Fan Cheng was somewhat surprised.

He knew that the relationship between the He siblings had always been poor. In all the time he’d known He Yan, he had rarely seen her appear together with He Yunsheng. Even on the rare occasions when they did meet, they were always arguing.

But now, looking at He Yunsheng’s stance, he wasn’t arguing but rather protecting He Yan. Had something unknown happened between them?

He turned to look at He Yan again. The young woman was staring at him with clear eyes, full of frankness and devoid of any lingering affection. She didn’t appear to harbor any remaining feelings for him.

Fan Cheng stepped forward again, asking with concern and urgency: “I heard you were seriously ill some days ago. How is your health now… Should I have someone send some tonics to your home? What would you like? You seem to have lost weight, I’m worried.”

This man had decent looks and wore rich clothes, showing such earnestness – if the real Elder Miss He were here, she would likely have been completely moved by him.

Before He Yan could speak, He Yunsheng, fearing she might be swayed by Fan Cheng’s words, quickly said: “Don’t listen to his nonsense! Don’t forget who caused your serious illness, and what they said at the Fan family gate! This man is just a liar!”

He Yan had heard about this from He Yunsheng before. When Elder Miss He learned her beloved was getting married, she went to demand an explanation but was thrown out by the Fan family servants without even seeing Fan Cheng. This led to her complete despair and subsequent illness.

Hearing this, Fan Cheng secretly resented He Yunsheng’s interference, but his face showed even more grief. “A’He, it was my parents’ arrangement and the matchmaker’s words. This marriage was decided by my parents; I had no choice. But you must know my true feelings for you, why listen to outsiders’ instigation?”

“Who are you calling an outsider?” He Yunsheng exploded in anger. “I’m her real brother! What relationship do you have with her? Don’t try to take advantage!”

He Yan patted He Yunsheng’s shoulder, signaling him to calm down. She turned to Fan Cheng and bowed, saying: “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Fan. This commoner’s health has recovered. Those days I merely caught a cold. My younger brother is young and speaks carelessly.”

Fan Cheng hadn’t expected her to say this and was momentarily stunned into silence.

“The past has turned to smoke and clouds. Young Master Fan is now married, and it would be inappropriate for this commoner to remain close to you, as it might hurt your wife’s feelings. From now on, let’s go our separate ways and not meet again.”

He Yan felt she had spoken very considerately, without damaging Young Master Fan’s face. Looking at He Yunsheng, he seemed satisfied with her words, looking at Fan Cheng triumphantly like a victorious fighting rooster.

Fan Cheng carefully examined He Yan.

His meeting with He Yan had been purely coincidental. She had sprained her ankle during a spring outing, and Fan Cheng, taking pity on her beauty, had someone give her a ride.

Objectively speaking, He Yan was quite pretty, though not extraordinarily beautiful. Young masters of his social standing had seen all sorts of women. He Yan had merely been interested in his family background, wanting to live a life of luxury. Like meat delivered to one’s mouth, why not take a bite? A pretty woman with a clean background – Fan Cheng thought taking her as a concubine wouldn’t be bad.

Who knew He Yan would be so proud and ambitious, aiming for the position of his main wife?

How could he possibly marry the daughter of a city gate commander? He Yan was being delusional, but to get what he wanted, Fan Cheng had played along, sending her some inexpensive cosmetics and jewelry that made her overjoyed.

But then one day, He Yan learned of his upcoming marriage and caused a scene at the Fan residence. His bride-to-be was the eldest daughter of a Court Gentleman for Consultations – if her father learned of this, he might cancel the marriage. So Fan Cheng had his servants drive He Yan away.

He heard that He Yan was so heartbroken she almost took her life at their gate, but Fan Cheng couldn’t care less. Then he married and brought his bride home, and everything went smoothly.

After the honeymoon period, Fan Cheng’s old habits resurfaced. However, his new wife had a fierce temperament and kept him on a tight leash. He couldn’t visit brothels or pleasure houses, and she even sent away several of his concubines. At this point, Fan Cheng began to miss the delicate He Yan.

He Yan’s personality was different from his fierce wife – she was as delicate as dripping water, and even her occasional tantrums seemed cute. Fan Cheng had people inquire about He Yan and learned that after leaving the Fan residence, she had fallen seriously ill. After recovering, she rarely went out alone, occasionally selling cakes with her brother opposite the Zui Yu Lou.

He hadn’t expected to run into her here today.

He Yan seemed different from before.

The way she looked at him lacked the former flattery and coyness, her frankness was surprising. Though her features remained the same, there was now a vibrant energy about her, even a hint of heroic spirit that hadn’t been there before. This touch of spirit made her beautiful face distinctly different, and even the polite smile at the corner of her lips was captivating.

She seemed completely transformed.

“You’re still angry with me indeed,” Fan Cheng said gloomily.

He was convinced that He Yan still had feelings for him. How could someone who had loved him so deeply let go so quickly? Just like before, if he apologized and sent her some gifts, she would forgive him. Women like her would become devoted to him after hearing a few sweet words and solemn vows.

He Yan didn’t know what Fan Cheng was thinking. She had already spoken clearly, why did Fan Cheng seem unable to understand? She turned to ask the old tailor: “Have you finished taking measurements?”

The old tailor nodded in confirmation.

“This is the deposit,” He Yan placed the silver on the counter. “When will they be ready?”

“The spring and summer clothes will be ready in twenty days. The winter clothes will take longer, about a month.”

“Good,” He Yan smiled, “We’ll come to collect them in twenty days. Please make them beautiful,” she pointed at He Yunsheng, “Children love to look pretty.”

“Who loves to look pretty?” He Yunsheng was angry with embarrassment.

The old tailor smiled silently and nodded in agreement.

He Yan and He Yunsheng left the tailor’s shop, merely giving Fan Cheng a slight nod without another word.

Fan Cheng wanted to say more, but the young woman had already left decisively. He Yunsheng turned back, secretly shaking his fist at him with a warning glare.

“Hmph.” Fan Cheng sneered.

“Young Master, Miss He’s attitude towards you…” the servant said indignantly.

“It’s nothing,” Fan Cheng waved his hand. “Women are just throwing tantrums.”

Today’s He Yan was indeed very different from the past. That air of keeping people at a thousand-mile distance truly made one’s heart itch. Fan Cheng suddenly realized that despite spending so much time on He Yan, he hadn’t gained any real advantages.

How could he let such a duck fly away from his mouth? Since they’d met here today, why not rekindle their old relationship and make something beautiful happen?

Fan Cheng revealed a confident smile.