Zhao Hanzhang’s memories needed to be “rebooted” to recall, so organizing the relationships and images in her mind was a bit slow.

After sorting it out, she said, “Your brother is too old.”

Wang Siniang found all her words stuck.

Zhao Hanzhang’s heart itched, and she said to Ting He, “We’re going to the Fu residence.”

Ting He looked troubled. “Sanniang, we didn’t send a card in advance. Going over uninvited wouldn’t be proper, would it?”

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, then her gaze fell on Wang Siniang.

Wang Siniang actually shivered.

Wang Siniang sat in Zhao Hanzhang’s carriage, completely unable to understand. “When did you last see Fu Tinghan—four or five years ago? Or longer? We were all just children then. How can you be so fixated on him?”

She muttered, “My brother is so handsome. Even if you’re not moved, how can you bear to have him help you arrange a meeting with Fu Tinghan?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Just tell me if you’ll help or not.”

They’d already come halfway—could she refuse?

“My brother must be in the Carefree Tower discussing philosophy right now. You’ll find him there for sure.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s leg was still injured and it would be awkward to hop inside, so she waited outside and had Wang Siniang go in to find him.

Zhao Hanzhang tapped her fingers on her knee. After waiting a long time, she turned to ask Ting He, “How long has Siniang been inside?”

Ting He estimated, “About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.”

Zhao Hanzhang said to a nearby servant woman, “Go ask the proprietor to bring a sedan chair.”

She would go in and look herself.

The Carefree Tower wasn’t just the building in front—behind it were deep courtyards with scenery at every ten paces. That was where scholars drank and engaged in philosophical discussion.

Here, as long as you had money, you had the opportunity to go to the back. And if you had status, you could definitely go to the back, even without money—the proprietor would be happy to welcome you in.

Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t had time to throw money around. Ting He merely mentioned the Zhao family name, and a manageress came with four attendants carrying a sedan chair.

The manageress stood beside the chair and said respectfully, “For our humble establishment to welcome you today, young lady, is truly an honor. Would you like to dine in the back, or drink?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’m looking for a friend—Wang Siniang from the Wang family. She went in a while ago but I don’t know who detained her.”

Hearing this, the manageress breathed a great sigh of relief. Good, she wasn’t here to cause trouble. She said with a smile, “Wang Siniang is in the Youran Pavilion. This humble one will show you the way.”

Zhao Hanzhang supported herself on Ting He’s hand to get out of the carriage. She refused the servant women’s help and hopped onto the sedan chair herself. The attendants were about to lift it, but the servant women on either side refused and carried Sanniang in themselves.

The manageress smiled and led the way.

Zhao Hanzhang looked around curiously. As they entered the rear courtyards, related memories emerged from the depths of her mind. She slowly matched the memories with reality.

The Carefree Tower was the capital’s most famous place for philosophical discussion. Countless literary celebrities had made their names here and formed friendships.

Some who were more free-spirited even lived here year-round without going home.

Zhao Sanniang had come here a few times with friends. But the young girl had heavy concerns—the burdens of reality weighed on her shoulders, leaving her with little time to relax, so she didn’t like the atmosphere here. Unless friends strongly invited her, she generally wouldn’t come.

The Youran Pavilion was in the center of the courtyard. Passing through a decorative screen wall, one could see flowers and trees everywhere. On the flat grass not far away, mats and low tables were arranged in groups.

The low tables were set with refreshments and fruit platters. The young men were either half-reclining or sitting upright—they were heatedly debating something. Her friend, who should have come to invite someone, was sitting nearby completely absorbed in watching them, having clearly forgotten their purpose entirely.

The servant women carried Zhao Hanzhang down the steps and headed straight for the group. Some people noticed them and looked over in surprise.

Some were more sensitive. Wang Siniang also turned to look. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang sitting in the sedan chair approaching, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes. She quickly tugged on the sleeve of the young man sitting beside her, scrambled up without even putting on her shoes, and ran toward her in just her socks.

“Sanniang, how did you get in here?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “…If I hadn’t come in, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have thought of me waiting outside even after nightfall, would you?”

Wang Siniang felt guilty. “I, I heard my brother and the others discussing philosophy and became fascinated for a moment.”

Zhao Hanzhang had no interest in philosophy. Her gaze passed over Wang Siniang to fall on the young man behind her. The young man appeared to be about twenty-one or twenty-two, wearing plain fine linen with no adornments, yet his temperament was extraordinary—bright and generous. Meeting her eyes, the young man smiled warmly and raised his hands slightly. “Would Sanniang like to come down for some tea?”

A young man sitting at the table turned around and asked with a smile, “Meizi, who is this young lady? She’s quite pretty.”

And bold too—to be carried in on a sedan chair without showing any embarrassment on her face.

People were always more tolerant of beautiful women, especially since this young lady appeared not only pretty and generous, but also had a free and easy manner in her bearing. So the young and middle-aged men present all watched with smiling, tolerant expressions.

Wang Xuan explained on Zhao Sanniang’s behalf, “This is Sanniang from the Earl of Shangcai’s household. She injured her leg recently, so it’s somewhat inconvenient.”

Zhao Hanzhang had the servant women put her down. Sitting in the sedan chair, she bowed slightly to everyone. “My leg is inconvenient—please forgive the breach of etiquette.”

Someone teased, “Coming to find Meizi like this—did he owe you a debt? That would be Meizi’s fault. Tell us about it and we’ll help you get it back.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I do have a favor to ask of Young Master Wang.”

She said to Wang Xuan, “I wonder if you would be willing to step aside for a word?”

Wang Xuan glanced at his sister. Under her pitiful gaze, he nodded to Zhao Hanzhang with a smile, greeted everyone, and followed Zhao Hanzhang’s sedan chair to the side.

Wang Siniang quickly put on her shoes and followed.

At his sister’s such breach of etiquette, Wang Xuan looked away, pretending not to see.

“What matter does Sanniang need my help with?”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Wang Siniang. So she’d been in here all this time without even stating their purpose?

Wang Siniang felt guilty and smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, then quickly said to Wang Xuan, “Brother, Sanniang wants you to accompany her to the Fu residence.”

Wang Xuan was somewhat confused. “The Fu residence?”

Zhao Hanzhang saw his puzzlement and explained, “I’d like to meet Fu Tinghan, but I haven’t sent a card and it’s awkward to call uninvited. I must trouble Young Master Wang for help.”

But he shouldn’t be her first choice for this. She had her own brothers, and for such matters…

Before he could think it through, Wang Siniang had already pulled him aside to whisper, “I originally wanted to persuade her to be your wife, but she seems to prefer Fu Tinghan and insists on seeing him. Brother, please take her to see him. That Fu Tinghan isn’t as handsome as you or as talented. Once Sanniang sees him, she’ll know how good you are.”

Wang Xuan shivered, glanced at his younger sister, then turned back to smile warmly at Zhao Sanniang. “Alright, we can go to the Fu residence right now.”

As a matchmaker, he was happy to help. But being matched himself—he’d rather not.

—