Chapter 2: First Encounter

Chapter 2: The First Encounter

◎She even wondered if she had come to the wrong person.◎

Fangze Garden was situated in the northwest corner of the outer grounds of the Earl of Guangcheng's estate. A stream meandered through the courtyard, crossed by a small arched bridge. On raised terraces, a sparse bamboo grove stood, its shadows dancing under the warm sunlight as a gentle breeze rustled through, making the bamboo leaves whisper.

Inside the side chamber, a bamboo couch, a tea stove, a stone censer, and a pure water vase were arranged. No incense burned, maintaining the same serene and elegant atmosphere as the courtyard outside.

Seated within was a nobly dressed gentleman in lavish attire. He set down his jade-inlaid fan, took a sip of tea, and sighed contentedly. "The tea here still has the finest aroma. Hey, why aren't you drinking?"

On the opposite side, a four-panel landscape screen faintly reflected a shadowy figure, mostly obscured by the depicted cliffs, water, and ink-wash clouds—this was the impoverished young master "Xie Zheng," who had come seeking refuge with relatives.

He hadn't touched the teacup on the table and remarked leisurely, "Tsk, all these years south, and you've learned nothing. This is just common market-grade roasted green tea, specifically for guests like you who pretend to be connoisseurs."

His voice was as clear as a mountain stream and as pleasant as drifting clouds, yet it carried a lazy undertone, and his words were deliberately provocative.

"You're the one completely lacking in taste. What could be more elegant than the beauties of Jiangnan?" Chen Ting retorted, eyeing Xie Zhenchuan's slightly worn long gown. "If you can't even afford tea, why not just patch the sleeves of your robe? The renowned Commander of the Shadow Guard, disguising himself as a poor scholar to investigate a case in the south—even if some beauty took a liking to you, she'd surely have her reservations."

Xie Zhenchuan, skilled at psychological manipulation, replied languidly, "Precisely because my finances are strained, I dare not flaunt myself. Isn't that how people are? The more they lack something, the more they talk about it."

Chen Ting was left speechless by his friend's retort. Finally, he muttered in frustration, "Aren't you supposed to be overseeing matters in the capital? Does this mean the case has made progress?"

Xie Zhenchuan gestured for Bei Ming, who had been waiting nearby, to step forward and report on recent developments in the capital.

Bei Ming approached and said, "As per your instructions, Commander, we initially found a breakthrough. However, key witnesses have recently died under mysterious circumstances, with one even dying in the imperial prison. The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites have exploited this to make a big issue out of it. His Majesty reprimanded the executioners but has since shown no further interest."

The matter was linked to an imperial examination fraud case in Jiangnan three years earlier. Although Jiangnan had nearly a hundred provincial examination quotas, that year, Suzhou Prefecture—typically a hub of talent—saw fewer than ten candidates pass, while Yingtian Prefecture's numbers halved. In contrast, wealthy regions like Huaiyang took up half the spots, most of whom were sons of salt officials and wealthy merchants. Public outrage boiled over, reaching the emperor himself. To quell the discontent, the emperor dismissed the four chief examiners of that session, and the matter was considered closed. It was only when the Ministry of Personnel sought to exceptionally promote that year's top candidate to a vacancy in the Crown Prince's retinue that the old scandal resurfaced.

Xie Zhenchuan had ordered a discreet investigation, which revealed numerous high-ranking officials were implicated. Reporting this to the emperor only led to a series of complications.

Now that the Shadow Guard was being counter-accused, Xie Zhenchuan showed no urgency to retaliate. Calmly, he said, "If His Majesty shows no further interest, it means he does not wish to pursue the matter. Suspend all operations in the capital for now."

Bei Ming understood. "Yes, Commander. Then what about our side…"

"If anyone asks, say I've left to travel and study," Xie Zhenchuan said, seemingly unperturbed by the act of defying the emperor's will. He turned to Chen Ting. "Have you prepared the family registry I requested?"

"The register for a distant relative of the Chenjun Xie Clan is ready," Chen Ting said, producing a document from his robe. "Here. With the recent crackdowns, it took considerable effort to make this identity qualified for enrollment in the official academy."

The dynasty strictly controlled relocation for examination purposes, especially after the fraud case. Anything related to the exams was heavily regulated, and even Chen Ting had struggled to make arrangements.

Xie Zhenchuan leaned back in his bamboo armchair behind the screen, casually flipping through Xie Zheng's official household registry and personal records. "It seems your years stationed in Jiangnan weren't completely unproductive. However, I've decided not to attend the official academy but to go to Lianquan Academy instead."

"You…" Chen Ting bit back his anger but soon grasped the reasoning. "Lianquan Academy is renowned throughout the land. Chancellor Zhou Zeshan once served as Minister of War and is a great Confucian scholar of our time. The academy has always emphasized lectures over examinations, so its imperial examination results have been modest, though it produced quite a few successful provincial candidates last year. This does seem suspicious—"

Before he could finish, Xie Zhenchuan raised his hand and lightly tapped the table. Chen Ting immediately fell silent. Right after, light footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate.

Then, a soft, sweet voice called through the door and window: "Brother Xie Zheng, Brother Xie Zheng!"

Just from the voice, it was clear she was a rare beauty. Chen Ting immediately straightened his posture and adjusted his hair. "Have I been away from the capital so long that I'm out of touch? I knew of your elder sister, but I didn't realize Princess Jianing and the Duke of Xin had another daughter?"

Xie Zhenchuan didn't answer, merely shooting him a sidelong glance.

Nan Xuan, dressed as a servant, glanced at his master's expression and cautiously asked, "Shall I send someone to stop her?"

Xie Zhenchuan still didn't respond. Instead, he flipped forward in the dossier to a page detailing Xie Zheng's childhood experiences. "The female members of the household have already met today. Only Zhou Zeshan's granddaughter, Li Ci, was out worshipping and hasn't returned. Her father made his fortune mining coal and producing coke in Datong. At that time, Xie Zheng's grandfather served as a county magistrate in Datong. These two were likely childhood friends."

Bei Ming added, "You're astute, young master. From what I've learned, these two were indeed childhood friends. Their families were on good terms and often exchanged gifts even after the Li family moved to Taiyuan. However, they parted when Li Ci was eight and Xie Zheng was twelve. Adolescents' appearances change greatly, so she likely won't recognize him. Should we receive her, young master?"

"No."

Xie Zhenchuan had no interest in maintaining Xie Zheng's social connections, nor did he welcome unforeseen disruptions. He waved dismissively, signaling to send her away.

-

The gate to Fangze Garden was slightly ajar. A servant opened it and said tactfully, "Young Mistress, Master Xie is feeling unwell today and cannot receive guests. Please return another time."

Li Ci wasn't discouraged. "Is there any more Yurun Gao (Jade Cake) left?"

"Pardon?" The servant was momentarily confused, pondering that none of Master Xie's attendants had the surname Yu.

"Ahem," Xiuchun pulled her young mistress aside and slipped a small silver piece into the servant's hand. "My young mistress is an old acquaintance of Master Xie. Hearing that Master Xie is unaccustomed to Yingtian's climate, she specially prepared Hexiang Powder (a medicinal blend for acclimatization) for him. Please announce us once more."

Although Li Ci was a cousin, she was dearly loved by the elder madam and known for her generosity in the household. The servant thought it over and obediently headed inside.

No sooner had he left than Xiuchun pushed the door open for her young mistress, whispering admonishments, "Young Mistress, one doesn't directly ask for things upon arrival. As the saying goes, 'gifts deserve reciprocation.' Deliver your gift, say a few sweet words, and the Yurun Gao will come naturally."

Li Ci nodded, taking the advice to heart. She took the meal container from Xiuchun's hands, lifted her skirts decisively, and crossed the doorway.

The servant, who hadn't gone far, stared dumbfounded, the weight of the silver in his hand making him forget to stop her.

Li Ci walked briskly into the courtyard and, just like in her childhood, began calling out directly, "Brother Xie Zheng, Brother Xie Zheng!"

Her calls actually prompted the door to open. A servant approached, looking at her with disbelief. "Are you… the young mistress of the Li family?"

With just one glance at this cousin, Nan Xuan nearly forgot his lines. He hadn't expected such an ethereal beauty to emerge from the remote borders of Yanguan, surpassing even the noble ladies he'd seen in the capital.

He stammered slightly before continuing, "You and my master are old acquaintances. We should have paid a visit, but my master has just arrived in Yingtian and is still suffering from adjustment sickness. We feared passing the illness to you…"

Li Ci shook her head. "It's fine, I'm not afraid."

After being stunned by her beauty, Nan Xuan was now shocked by her bluntness. Before he could politely refuse again, the young mistress smiled at him. "Since I know Brother Xie Zheng is ill, it's all the more reason to visit."

Before Nan Xuan could stop her, Li Ci familiarly stepped over the threshold and entered.

He hurried after her, tiptoeing to peek inside.

Chen Ting and Bei Ming had already taken away the documents that shouldn't be in the room and vanished into the shadows. His master now reclined on the couch, covered with a thin blanket, looking ten times more frail than even when seriously wounded.

Thank goodness! With the master's acting skills, he'd surely fool everyone in the Earl of Guangcheng's residence!

-

Li Ci disliked studying and often found libraries dull and tiresome. But today, the moment she stepped inside, she felt an aura of refined elegance and purity.

A man reclined on the bamboo couch, reading. He wore an outer robe of streamstone-blue rain-pattern brocade—the fabric was fine, but the collar and cuffs were slightly faded from washing, delicately embroidered with a row of bead patterns to cover it, which still looked appropriate.

The man on the couch had a pair of exceptionally beautiful phoenix eyes, slender and upturned at the corners, yet they didn't convey charm but rather a noble and dignified air. Sunlight slanted through the lattice-patterned window, casting a touch of ethereal beauty on his pale, slightly sickly complexion. One glance was enough to understand what it meant to be as pure as deep jade and as frosty as autumn orchids.

He appeared completely unaware of the commotion outside, calmly turning a page of his book. The room was exceedingly quiet, with only the faint rustle of paper. An elusive tea fragrance, elegant like orchid, filled the air.

Li Ci stared in a daze, her earlier boldness in calling out now completely vanished. She even wondered if she had come to the wrong person.

The Brother Xie Zheng from her childhood had also been good-looking, but nowhere near this striking, and certainly not like this… She struggled to find the right words, feeling as if she had accidentally unrolled a painting and disturbed an immortal who dwelled beyond mortal cares.

The immortal seemed to sense her presence, lifting his head to look at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

She hesitated for two seconds, remembered the Yurun Gao, gathered her courage, and stepped forward with the meal container until she stood right before Brother Xie Zheng.

Up close, Li Ci noticed that beneath his outer robe, he wore a plain round-collared front-fastening robe made of four-thread gauze weave. The summer garment was thin, and though his collar was fastened meticulously, from her angle, she could still see the graceful curve of his neck and a faint small mole near his collarbone.

She unconsciously glanced again before realizing it might be improper and quickly averted her gaze, greeting him with an earnest expression. "Brother Xie Zheng, it's been a long time. Do you still remember me?"

Whether as the Commander of the Shadow Guard or the son of the Princess and the Duke of Xin, no one had been so forward in front of Xie Zhenchuan for a long time.

Nan Xuan, who had failed to stop her, gasped behind her, both at the young mistress's audacity and his own incompetence.

Xie Zhenchuan looked up and saw an exceptionally vibrant, smiling face gazing intently at him. Her eyes shimmered with a liquid light, as if saying "no" would cause tears to overflow.

If he weren't currently without his outer robe and not the "Brother Xie Zheng" she spoke of, it would indeed be a touching scene of childhood friends reuniting after long separation.