Chapter 138: Zhou Yan Returns to the Capital

Chapter 138 – Zhou Yan Returns to the Capital

Zhou Yan became a triple-crowned top scholar and joined the Hanlin Academy at a young age. If not for his whistleblowing on Prince Jing, which displeased Emperor Chengyuan, he would have had a boundless future.

Yet, he resolved the plague in Junzhou and revitalized the once-backwater region in just a few years. These accomplishments were undeniable, even if Emperor Chengyuan still held some grudge against him.

Moreover, with Prince Jing now exiled to the imperial mausoleum and having lost the emperor’s favor, Zhou Yan’s return to the capital was sure to mark a major comeback.

The Crown Prince was pumped—his dream team was about to reunite.

......

At the General’s residence, A Yuan also learned of Zhou Yan’s return.

“Auntie and Brother Yan will come back together. Since they don’t have a house in the capital, Steward Xie, please have someone prepare the Lingxiao Courtyard. They’ll stay there when they arrive.”

A Yuan jumped to give orders.

She hadn’t seen Auntie Hui in a year or two and missed her dearly. Once they arrived, they’d have a ton to gossip about.

“Understood, the steward said. I’ll take care of it right away.”

“Mother, will Flower come too?”

The little girl barreled into her mom’s arms, her forehead dotted with sweat from martial arts practice.

When she left Suzhou, Flower was still a tiny puppy—she wondered how big she had grown by now.

A Yuan wiped the sweat from her daughter’s brow with a handkerchief. “Yes, Auntie Hui promised to bring her for you.”

“Yes!”

The little girl bounced up and down with joy. “I can show Flower to Brother now!”

“Be careful.”

A Yuan almost got headbutted and lovingly patted her daughter’s head. The girl gave a guilty grin and tilted her head. “Mother, I’m going to tell Brother!”

She hadn’t even been in for five minutes before rushing out again in excitement.

A Yuan just smiled and shook her head, wondering whose restless energy the girl had inherited.

In Junzhou, the Zhou family was already packing up.

......

In the rear courtyard, a maid fretted over her mistress.

“Mistress, Master is returning to the capital—what will become of you?”

Zhou Yan had never married, and aside from her, there were no other women in the household.

For the past two years, he had treated her indifferently. Rumors said he already had an official wife in Jiangnan. Would he leave her behind this time?

Yue Niang sat by the bed, her gorgeous face clouded with worry. The red dot between her brows almost glowed with tension.

Wringing her hands, she frowned slightly. “I don’t know.”

She had been gifted to the magistrate’s office by one of Junzhou’s aristocratic families. Of the women sent alongside her, some ended up dead or broken—only she remained in the rear courtyard.

Though Zhou Yan treated her coldly, she was safe within the residence. Without his protection, if she were sent back to those noble families, she’d be done for.

Yue Niang shivered, her face going pale.

"My lord."

Footsteps sounded at the door, and the young maid curtsied in greeting. Hearing this, Yue Niang quickly rose from the bed.

"My lord."

Zhou Yan had not yet changed out of his official robes; his crimson attire was elegant and refined, yet the sternness in his brow and eyes commanded respect.

He waved for the maid to leave and seated himself at the table.

Yue Niang glided over to pour him tea, her slender, pale fingers offering the cup.

The man reached out to take it, their fingertips brushing briefly. A dark glint flashed in his eyes.

"Why haven’t you packed?"

He lowered his head, the teacup obscuring his face, leaving Yue Niang unable to see his expression.

"Packing..."

The young woman's pale face lit up with tentative hope. "My lord... you’d take Yue Niang with you?"

"You belong to me. Why wouldn’t I take you? Unless you’d rather stay?"

Zhou Yan set down the cup and lifted his gaze. Though his expression remained indifferent, Yue Niang’s heart had never raced so fiercely before.

Her eyes brimming with tears, she shook her head frantically. "Yue Niang doesn’t want to stay. Yue Niang wants to go with you."

Zhou Yan was now her only hope. Even if she had to face his wife upon returning to the capital, she was willing.

She would serve him and his wife faithfully—just as long as she wasn’t abandoned alone.

The young woman’s devoted, pleading gaze twisted Zhou Yan’s heart. Initially, he had kept Yue Niang only to avoid slighting the noble houses.

But over these two years, his power had solidified, and those families were no longer a concern.

He’d sent back every other woman given to him, yet he’d kept her two years—and now he was bringing her back to the capital.

Zhou Yan looked down, his fingers tapping absently on the table.

He had waited over a decade for A Yuan, yearning for her all that time. Feelings that deep shouldn’t change.

But Yue Niang was too much like A Yuan from back then.

When A Yuan first entered Chunyan Tower, alone and defenseless, she too had been pitifully fragile, with no one to rely on but him.

Zhou Yan had felt nothing for Yue Niang at first. Yet each time she looked at him with that same devotion, he couldn’t bring himself to be harsh—and now, he had even broken his own rule to take her with him.

Was he growing fond of her?

Zhou Yan couldn’t help but ask himself, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

No. It was only because she resembled A Yuan so much that he couldn’t help but pity her.

A mere substitute—how could she ever be worth his affection?

......

After the start of spring, A Yuan’s Su embroidery workshop prospered even further.

At the beginning of the year, the Crabapple Brocade Gown brought great fame to the workshop. Qin-niangzi then went on to create the Broad Immortal Skirt and the Hundred-Butterfly Blossom Skirt. The other seamstresses held their own as well. With its innovative designs and meticulous craftsmanship, Su Embroidery Workshop quickly became the favorite destination for ladies and young women in the capital.

A Yuan was busy managing the business but hadn’t forgotten the task her brother had entrusted to her.

“Boss, Miss Lin has agreed to meet with you tomorrow,” Chun Tao said as she entered the room, handing A Yuan an ornate letter.

A Yuan took it at once, opened the note, and only after confirming that Lin Qingshuang really intended to come did she finally exhale in relief.

In recent days, word of the planned marriage alliance between the Lin and Qin families had spread throughout the city, and A Yuan was growing increasingly anxious.

Though she didn’t know the full details of her brother’s romantic history with Miss Lin, she could sense how deeply he loved her—there was just some misunderstanding between them.

Now that her brother was away from the capital, if Miss Lin were to marry someone else, how heartbroken he would be upon his return.

“Pack the nomadic-style gown I made. I’ll bring it with me tomorrow.”

Lin Qingshuang used to prefer martial attire over feminine wear; A Yuan wondered whether her tastes had changed.

“Yes.”

They had arranged to meet at a teahouse known for its quiet elegance and fragrant, delicious tea—a haunt for scholars and officials who liked to relax there during their free time.

Lin Qingshuang was a regular guest. Though she was no tea connoisseur, she enjoyed the storytelling sessions held there.

In the past, she often asked the storyteller to recount tales of Xie Zheng, but most patrons preferred romantic or sentimental stories. They had little interest in hearing about a battle-hardened general’s exploits, and she frequently ended up arguing with them over it.

Yet now, the storyteller was narrating how Xie Zheng held off a hundred foes alone and led his remaining troops into the enemy camp, while the audience below cheered enthusiastically, showing no trace of their old objections.

As she listened, Lin Qingshuang wore a distant expression. It was still the story of Xie Zheng—so why did she feel no joy this time?

Sitting across from her, A Yuan felt her chest tighten at the sight of Miss Lin’s cold detachment.

Would Miss Lin even want to hear what she had to say about her brother?