Chapter 48: Face-to-Face

Chapter 48: The Matchmaking Meeting

“Qiao Wanniang, Wanniang…”

Mu Chi murmured the name softly, his voice imbued with an unsettling delicacy.

After a long silence, he tore open the letter and skimmed it with a swift glance.

The letter merely inquired whether a woman named “Qiao Mei” had returned to Xinghua Village, located outside Shangjun City.

The handwriting was clumsy and crude, clearly not forged, but rather that of someone who had only recently learned to write, painstakingly forming each character. It held no value.

The faint spark of hope that had briefly flickered in Mu Chi’s eyes plunged back into the abyss of despair.

It wasn't her.

“Young Master?” Si Li called gently from beside him, his gaze complex.

Over the past three years, the Young Master had chased every possible clue—Qiao Wan, Qiao Wan, Wan Wan, Wan Wan...

Even if he merely overheard a similar-sounding name on the street, or if a name was remotely alike, he would always follow it up, only to face disappointment again and again.

Since then, the Young Master had grown increasingly withdrawn. He went through the motions of life with weariness, and even conquering city after city failed to stir any interest. He simply pressed northward, relentless.

Si Li could only recall the last time the Young Master had erupted in fury—three years ago, when Li Muxuan, then still the Crown Prince of Great Qi, learned of the Young Master’s affairs in Great Li from the wedding envoy and deliberately announced his intention to marry the memorial tablet of Princess Changle.

Shortly after that, the Young Master returned to Great Qi, and Crown Prince Li Muxuan vanished without a trace.

The Young Master entered the palace once. No one knew what was said or what transpired between him and the Emperor of Great Qi. When he emerged, he had become the “Crown Prince” known throughout the land.

Mu Chi snapped back to reality and handed the letter to Si Li. As he passed it over, he couldn’t help glancing once more at the envelope.

Gold and Silver Studio.

In his memory, someone had always loved such ostentatious things—gold, silver, pearls, jade.

Mu Chi said nothing. He walked barefoot across the thick carpet to the nearby window. Seeing the desolate, snow-covered mountains outside, he frowned in exhaustion.

He had never thought that millions of people in this world could feel so repulsive.

Si Li quickly read the letter, placed it back in the envelope, and turned to leave, intending to pass it to the soldier waiting outside the tent.

“Tell the family in Xinghua Village to send a reply to this Gold and Silver Studio and deliver it to the Prefect’s residence in Jiuyuan,” Mu Chi’s hoarse voice came, heavy with fatigue and devoid of hope. “Our army will pass through Molan and rest temporarily in Jiuyuan City. Then, have this Qiao Wanniang come to collect the reply.”

Si Li paused, then understood.

The Young Master still refused to let go of even the faintest clue, even if it likely meant another heartbreak.

“Yes,” Si Li replied and stepped out.

Mu Chi remained motionless by the window, his body growing colder as he moved away from the brazier. Outside, the mountains were blanketed in thick snow.

Three years ago, Lingjing had also seen snow, though not nearly as heavy as in Shangjun—just a light dusting on the ground and rooftops.

Qiao Wan had formed a tiny snowball and thrown it at him. Before he could react, she had already burst into uncontrollable laughter.

She had loved the snow too. Her cheeks and nose turned bright red from the cold. Her hands, though they had touched snow, weren’t icy; due to years of testing medicines, they were warm and lively.

Someone of her nature, unaccustomed to hardship and raised in luxury, would naturally head north.

The military power of the Li Kingdom remained under his control, and reports arrived every half-month. Aside from state affairs, there was news of Qiao Heng. Deprived of his medicine, his health had worsened, especially on the fifteenth of each month, when he suffered severe chest pain and unbearable agony.

Without his blood, did she suffer like Qiao Heng on the fifteenth of every month?

Mu Chi instinctively drew the dagger from his waist and turned it over in his hand.

This exquisitely crafted dagger, its sheath and hilt inlaid with rubies, was the very one she had used to carve characters into his palm.

She hadn’t taken it with her.

She had discarded everything tied to him, left it all behind in that princess’s residence, abandoned it.

Mu Chi gripped the dagger tightly. Then you’d better hide well—better still…

If he found her, he would not—would not let her go easily!

*

In Jiuyuan City, winter snow often fell intermittently for several days.

When Qiao Wan woke early and heard the sound of snow being swept in the courtyard, she knew it had snowed again overnight.

Cracking the window open slightly, she saw a vast expanse of white. Occasionally, a few sparrows chirped on the branches, causing clumps of snow to flutter down.

The sight lifted her spirits, dispelling the stifling heat that had built up in her chest and abdomen overnight.

Now, aside from the chest pains on the fifteenth of each month, she rarely felt unwell. Yet, for some reason, even though Yicui prepared the medicine according to the prescription from their time in Lingjing, missing just one ingredient made the effect entirely different.

Over time, she grew too apathetic to drink it anymore.

Yicui entered with a basin of warm water and, seeing Qiao Wan opening the window in only her inner garments, hurried over in disapproval. “Miss, even if you don’t fear the cold, Jiuyuan is far too chilly. What if you catch a chill?”

Qiao Wan looked at Yicui helplessly. “I’ve told you, just have Qing Ya bring the warm water in the morning.”

“I can’t trust anyone else with this,” Yicui said, closing the window and handing her the warm tea for rinsing her mouth. “Qing Ya wouldn’t dare close the window for you.”

Qiao Wan couldn’t help but laugh. Yicui feared she wouldn’t adapt to life in Jiuyuan City, so despite having maids and guards, she insisted on staying by her side.

After changing into her practice clothes, Qiao Wan saw Chu Wujiu perfectly mimicking his martial arts teacher’s horse stance. He greeted her cheerfully the moment he saw her.

Qiao Wan smiled, practiced with her soft whip for a while until breathless, then changed clothes and bypassed the small bridge and corridor, heading straight to the Gold and Silver Studio at the front.

As soon as she entered, she saw several exquisitely carved wooden boxes and carefully wrapped oil-paper packages on the counter. The accountant looked at Qiao Wan helplessly. “Boss, Master Wen has returned them again. Should we still send them?”

Ever since she met Wen Xubai, Qiao Wan had decided to send expensive tonics and premium herbs daily as a gesture of goodwill, hoping he might eventually relent and allow Wujiu to enroll.

Besides, spending money on a beauty didn’t hurt her.

But these items were consistently returned without exception.

Qiao Wan recalled Wen Xubai’s slender, elegant appearance—he truly seemed like an upright gentleman with clean sleeves.

“Boss?” the accountant called.

Qiao Wan snapped back to attention. “Send them. Why wouldn’t we—”

Before she could finish, a gentle woman’s voice came from outside. “What are you sending now, Wanniang?”

Qiao Wan turned to see the prefect’s wife, supported by her maid, gracefully entering in an emerald brocade fur coat, smiling.

The prefect’s wife, Xu Suyun, was thirty-seven but dressed with such elegance and grace that she appeared no older than thirty. Alongside her husband, Prefect Qin He, renowned for his integrity and self-discipline, the couple had shared a harmonious and respectful marriage for decades.

Qiao Wan raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Mrs. Qin, it's been quite a while since you last visited. I've actually saved a fox fur set for you."

"You're so thoughtful," Mrs. Qin handed her heavy brocade-trimmed fur cloak to the maid and sighed. "In a few days, the Prefect's residence will be hosting some distinguished guests, and I've been busy with the preparations lately."

"Distinguished guests?"

"Molan and Great Qi have always maintained friendly relations. Soon, Great Qi's troops will be passing through Jiuyuan City," Mrs. Qin rubbed her temples. "Enough about that, talking too much gives me a headache. Instead, I haven't had the chance to ask about your matters lately, Wan Niang. How did the matchmaking meeting with the young man from the Guo family go last time?"

Qiao Wan sighed helplessly. "Mrs. Qin, Mr. Guo’s and my horoscopes are incompatible—"

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly thought of something, her gaze sweeping over the exquisite medicinal tonics and herbs nearby.

Mrs. Qin glanced at her curiously, following her line of sight to the pile of gifts. "What are these—"

Qiao Wan pursed her lips into a smile, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she lowered her gaze. "A few days ago, I happened to see Master Wen from Yuejian Academy on the street, and I just... just..."

Mrs. Qin, having been through such matters herself, took one look at Qiao Wan's expression and clapped her hands suddenly. "How could I have forgotten about Xubai!"

Qiao Wan acted surprised. "You know Master Wen?"

"I've only heard that Xubai was originally from Great Qi. His father, it seems, was demoted for offensive remarks toward superiors and came to Jiuyuan with an envoy. Jiuyuan’s present prosperity is partly due to Old Master Wen's contributions."

At this, Mrs. Qin sighed regretfully. "It's just a pity that Old Master Wen was lost in an accident while constructing a dam at the Liaoshui tributary. Xubai's mother fell seriously ill because of it and was left with chronic illness. Xubai was only twelve that year and had to start studying while shouldering heavy responsibilities. With his talent, if he hadn't been held back, earning official rank wouldn't have been difficult for him..."

Qiao Wan thought of the scene she had witnessed that day—a man with patches on his shoulders, yet his scholarly dignity remained undiminished.

It seemed he was truly remarkable—gentle, humble, and upright.

Quite the opposite of that wretched boy.

"Xubai is around your age, Wan Niang," Mrs. Qin said with a cheerful smile. "Xubai is twenty-three this year and has never been engaged. His mother has been anxious for a long time. Don't worry, leave this matter to me."

Qiao Wan lowered her gaze and did not refuse.

Mrs. Qin selected a few sets of outfits and accessories for banquets before leaving, and Qiao Wan later sent a jade ruyi to the Prefect's residence.

Qiao Wan had expected Mrs. Qin to act quickly, but she hadn't anticipated that the very next day, Mrs. Qin's maid would come to inform her to meet at the Mingyue Teahouse beside Yuejian Academy during the late afternoon [Shen hour].

It was now the depth of winter, a time of agricultural leisure, and the academy had opened its winter term.

As the Shen hour passed and the sky gradually darkened, Wen Xubai finally hurried out of the academy. Classes usually ended at Shen hour, but today he had been delayed by nearly half an hour due to students asking for his help.

Wen Xubai recalled yesterday when Mrs. Qin had personally visited his home, saying she had arranged a match for him.

But given his current circumstances, how could he hold a young lady back? He had refused, but his mother, concerned that he had never shown interest in marriage, had accepted on his behalf.

Wen Xubai felt helpless, but when he learned that the woman he was to meet was Qiao Wanniang from the Golden Silver Studio, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Recently, Qiao Wanniang had sent him many precious medicinal tonics and herbs. He was no fool—after seeing the child by her side that day and knowing she was a Li Kingdom businesswoman, he had guessed she was seeking admission to the academy for the child.

He had negotiated and petitioned regarding Molan's policy forbidding Li Kingdom citizens from attending academies or holding office, but his efforts alone could not change government policy.

He was even less willing to engage in corruption or accept bribes. Even if Qiao Wanniang came to meet him today, it was unlikely to change anything.

Wen Xubai sighed softly, but suddenly felt a chill on his face. He couldn't help but glance up at the dim sky—it had begun to snow again.

At this hour, the teahouse was probably already closed. Thinking that Qiao Wanniang seemed like a pampered rich girl, she had likely grown impatient and left long ago.

With this thought, Wen Xubai still quickened his pace toward the teahouse.

When he arrived outside, the interior was indeed dark and the door tightly locked.

Wen Xubai waited for a moment, then turned to leave when a voice, teasing and lively, sounded before him: "Master Wen, you’ve only waited for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea—are you giving up already?"

Wen Xubai paused and looked up.

In the dim light, a young woman stood there vividly, draped in a pomegranate-red fox fur cloak with a snow-white fur collar, holding a blush-pink paper umbrella. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, then she walked toward him, tilting the umbrella to shelter him from the snow. "I’ve been waiting for half an hour."

Wen Xubai jolted back to attention and quickly took half a step back, speaking gently, "Matters at the academy delayed me. Please forgive me, Miss Qiao."

Qiao Wan looked at him, still dressed in a plain white linen robe, lean and elegant. Her gaze lingered on his features for a moment before she averted her eyes and smiled. "It’s quite all right."

Wen Xubai looked up, his nod composed and gentle. "I know why you’ve come today, Miss. However, I must apologize—I cannot involve myself in matters involving corruption or bribery. There must be other ways for your brother to gain admission."

"Indeed," Qiao Wan nodded approvingly.

Wen Xubai’s expression relaxed slightly.

"But who said I came here because of Wu Jiu’s admission?" Qiao Wan looked up at him, her smile radiant. "I clearly came to meet Master Wen for a matchmaking meeting."

Author's Note:

Doggy: Another day without seeing the wife.