Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The next morning, bright sunlight filtered softly through the window paper, falling into Li Ci's bowl and mingling with the steam rising in gentle curls. The light green, delicate lotus leaf porridge looked even more enticing.

Li Ci stared at the porridge in her bowl, her face as pale as the porridge itself, and muttered softly, "Why is it lotus leaf porridge again?"

"This is a seasonal medicinal meal, specially prescribed by Doctor Xue. You should have more, miss," Xiuchun said with a smile, urging her gently. "Please eat it while it's hot. The second and third young ladies of the estate have said they will visit you after you finish your breakfast."

Hearing that her two cousins were coming, Li Ci finally perked up. She scooped a full spoonful of the lotus leaf porridge into her mouth. Though it was bland and slightly bitter, she forced herself to finish it. Blowing on the steam in the bowl, she urged, "I'll be done soon. Please send someone to invite them now."

Xiuchun immediately dispatched someone to fetch the two young ladies. By the time Li Ci had nearly finished her meal, light, brisk footsteps could be heard outside the door. Zhou Ling and Zhou Ying entered one after the other, taking seats on either side of her.

Li Ci set down her porcelain spoon, greeted her two cousins, and asked with eager anticipation, "Cousin Zhou Ling, how did the Literary Gathering end yesterday? Is our poetry collection printed?"

Zhou Ling quickly waved her hand. "Don’t even mention the poetry collection."

"Exactly! After that lord showed up unexpectedly yesterday, who had the mind to care about the poetry collection? After all, the Zhuoying Division Commander doesn’t just appear at someone’s Literary Gathering for no reason. Everyone is being very cautious about it now," Zhou Ying said, her tone full of excitement and curiosity despite her words of caution. Her expression showed even more anticipation than Li Ci’s. "You should tell us quickly about that Lord Xie. How did he suddenly change from Xie Zheng to Xie—"

She had been about to say Xie Zhenchuan’s name directly but changed it to "Commander Xie" at the last moment.

Although Li Ci had already sent a message to Shopkeeper Xu earlier that day and was prepared for this, she found it difficult to recount the story she and Xie Zhenchuan had agreed upon. Not long ago, she had even wanted Xie Zhenchuan to agree to marry into her family. She was never good at lying, especially when the lie was so far from the truth. She hadn’t yet figured out how to explain it to her two close cousins.

Seeing Li Ci lower her head, as if wanting to bury her face in the porridge bowl, Zhou Ying teased with a sly smile, "I heard he fell in love with you at first sight outside and changed his identity to stay at our estate?"

...She hadn’t expected rumors to spread faster than her lies.

But hearing Cousin Zhou Ying bring it up first, Li Ci secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bravely nodded.

Though they had anticipated it, both cousins widened their eyes in unison and exclaimed, "Really?!"

Though surprised, they didn’t doubt it. After all, their young cousin was innocent, beautiful, and endearing. They even felt that if Xie Zhenchuan hadn’t been Ah Ci’s childhood friend and neighbor, the pure-hearted Ah Ci wouldn’t have given him a second glance.

Zhou Ling was the first to react, smiling as she said, "No wonder Master Xie has been so attentive to you before."

"But what does Ah Ci think?" Zhou Ying patted Li Ci’s head, showing unusual concern. "He revealed his identity yesterday—was it to pressure you into agreeing through his power?"

"No, no," Li Ci shook her head vigorously. "Lord Xie isn’t that kind of person."

She hadn’t yet sorted out her own feelings. She only knew she needed to marry a man who would move into her family. Whether due to Xie Zhenchuan’s background or her own wishes, she was determined not to agree to this marriage.

Before Li Ci could respond, her two cousins launched into a heated discussion.

"This Lord Xie has an excellent family background, looks, and talent. At such a young age, he’s already risen to the rank of Zhuoying Division Commander. He’s truly promising," Zhou Ling listed Xie Zhenchuan’s merits in a fair tone. "He really is a good match."

"Exactly because he’s too good, it’s not ideal," Zhou Ying frowned, still holding a grudge over his deception. "If the relationship started with lies, what if he deceives you later..."

She thought for a moment and picked the mildest consequence to scare her: "He might trick you so thoroughly you won’t even have any pocket money left."

Li Ci indeed laughed foolishly. "It’s fine, I have money."

...

The three unmarried, carefree girls chattered nonsense together. Outside the door, Xiuchun, having received instructions from Nanny Su, who served the wife of the Earl of Guangcheng, had no choice but to enter and interrupt. "Miss, the old madam requests your presence."

Li Ci assumed her grandmother wanted to question her like her cousins had. She glanced left and right with a pleading expression. "I..."

Knowing her young mistress wanted to bring her cousins along, Xiuchun added, "The old madam specifically said the two young ladies need not accompany you."

Zhou Ling thought the same as Li Ci and smiled as she waved her hand. Zhou Ying, assuming their grandmother was just as curious as they were, winked at Li Ci and said, "Since it’s Grandmother’s orders, you’d better go quickly."

---

Li Ci had initially worried about how to lie to her grandmother but figured it out on the way. The first time was awkward, the second time easier. She would just close her eyes and say it—after all, if the sky fell, there would be taller people to hold it up.

She entered the Chunxia Hall and first paid her respects to her grandmother.

The old madam sat on the couch, smiling and nodding. She dismissed the attending matrons and maids, leaving only herself and Li Ci to talk.

Li Ci obediently sat on the chair in front of her grandmother, for once not glancing at the pastries on the small table.

"You’re usually like a lively monkey every day. Why so well-behaved today?" the old madam said with a laugh. "There’s only a little sugar in these crabapple flower cakes today. Would you like to try one?"

Li Ci instinctively nodded, then quickly shook her head.

Crabapple flower cakes without sugar were no different from plain biscuits.

The old madam finally got to the point. "I’ve heard about yesterday from your grandfather. Ah Ci, you were noble and self-sacrificing. We cannot let you suffer."

She had already given orders: anyone in the estate gossiping carelessly would be sold off immediately. But she couldn’t say this in front of Li Ci.

Recalling her husband’s advice, she said tactfully, "I originally thought the girls in the estate were still young and wanted to keep them a couple more years. But in the blink of an eye, they’ve grown up, and it’s time to consider marriage prospects. If there are suitable candidates, would Ah Ci be willing to meet them?"

"Of course," Li Ci said after thinking seriously, then added, "But since I’ve promised Lord Xie to play along with this act, wouldn’t it be improper?"

"It’s fine, it’s fine," the old madam said, having lived long enough to see everything. "He’s just taken a liking to you; he hasn’t said you must agree."

Li Ci nodded in sudden understanding. Then her grandmother added, "By the way, your father previously sent a chest of things for your grandfather. He’s been busy lately and hasn’t had time to deal with it. If you’re free tomorrow, could you deliver it for your father to the academy? Your grandfather will be lecturing there tomorrow, so you can listen in."

At the mention of attending a lecture at the academy, Li Ci immediately looked dismayed. She turned to her doting grandmother for help. "Grandmother, can I not..."

The old madam smiled mysteriously. This plan had been carefully devised after lengthy discussions with her husband the previous day. Her husband had even checked that Xie Zhenchuan had taken leave from the academy tomorrow, specifically choosing this day.

"To avoid disrupting the academy’s lectures, I’ve had a student’s uniform prepared for you. Disguise yourself and sneak in to listen."

"Ah?" Li Ci looked surprised, wondering if she had misunderstood.

"Ah Ci, you’re going to have a husband marry into your family. Why so conservative?" the old madam teased with a smile, then instructed, "Be discreet and efficient tomorrow. It’s fine if you don’t understand—just treat it as a fun outing."

Li Ci’s eyes lit up instantly. She had never worn men’s clothing before. "Okay, I’ll go prepare right away!"

---

The next day arrived quickly.

The old madam had already prepared the carriage. Xiuchun helped her dawdling young mistress bind her chest, apply makeup, and put on thick-soled black boots. Li Ci curiously tapped her black headscarf with a folding fan, and the handsome, androgynous young scholar in the mirror mimicked the action.

Satisfied, she smiled and set off with spirited determination.

Li Ci wasn’t accustomed to waking early, but fortunately, her grandmother hadn’t set a strict time. The carriage raced along the road, arriving at Small Chuan Mountain in the south of the city just before noon.

The student uniform of Lianquan Academy was a plain white round-collared robe, with green trim edging the collar, cuffs, and hem, symbolizing the students’ hope to shed plain white for green official robes and achieve success in the imperial examinations.

Holding a folding fan, Li Ci declined Xiuchun’s help and alighted from the carriage with light steps. She was about to ask the coachman to help carry the wooden chest into the academy when she realized he had already disappeared, leaving only a gentle breeze blowing slowly.

The mistress and maid had to work together to carry the chest down. As they reached the academy gate, the gatekeeper stopped them. "Halt! There’s no public lecture today. Women are not permitted entry."

Li Ci then remembered this academy rule: except on public lecture days, women were not allowed inside. No wonder her grandmother had told her to disguise herself as a man.

But the chest was about two feet wide and tall, and whatever was inside made it heavy and cumbersome. Doubting she could carry it to her grandfather alone, she said, "Elder, I’m here under orders to deliver something to the academy head. Could you make an exception?"

"Rules are rules," the gatekeeper refused, shaking his head, but added, "However, the head has left someone here to guide you."

No sooner had the words been spoken, Li Ci saw a youth dressed in the same scholar's robe step outside. The young man spoke, "Are you Zhou Li?"

They appeared to be around the same age, but he was tall and sturdy, making Li Ci look like a scrawny chick in comparison. His skin was sun-tanned, which made his dark eyebrows and hair stand out even more. His unruly hair was tucked messily into a black headscarf, and his bright, sharp eyes studied her intently, like a young wolf that had been tamed but still retained a hint of wildness.

Li Ci had initially intended to offer a cupped-hand salute like a scholar would, but with her hands full holding the box, she could only manage an awkward nod.

Sui Yan glanced at Li Ci, who was as frail as a little chick, and then at the exquisitely carved sandalwood box she and her maid were carrying together. His face showed disdain. Not only was she incapable of carrying a load or lifting a weight, but she was also standing outside the academy, clinging to her maid—utterly improper.

He let out a scornful laugh, and because of his slightly dark skin, his teeth appeared dazzlingly white.

Not understanding why, Li Ci smiled back and greeted him very amiably, "Young Master Sui."

...Sui Yan's frown deepened. Not only did this person look soft and pale, but even their voice sounded like a woman's—highly improper.

Xiuchun quickly interjected, "Young master, this is something my... young master has brought for the academy head under the orders of an elder. Could you help us carry this inside? We are willing to pay for your trouble."

Hearing this, Sui Yan concluded that this was most likely a spoiled, incompetent young man, relying on some distant connection to the academy head to barely scrape by, only good at flattering and gift-giving. He sneered, "Sorry, I have urgent matters to attend to. You'll have to carry it yourself."

Xiuchun grew anxious and was about to say more, but Li Ci softly reassured her, "It's alright, I can manage it on my own. It might just take a bit longer, but I'll get it there eventually."

With no other choice, Xiuchun let go and watched as her young lady slowly made her way into the academy. She called out anxiously, "Young master, go slowly! If it's too much, just send word to the academy head—don't push yourself too hard!"

Li Ci, clutching the box tightly, had no energy to respond and could only nod.

The two of them walked into the academy, one striding ahead swiftly and the other laboring under the heavy box.

"Can't you walk any faster?" Sui Yan, having reached the corridor already, urged impatiently and sneered, "Plenty of people send gifts, but this is the first time I've seen someone bring gifts so openly right into the academy."

All of Li Ci's strength was focused on carrying the box; she had no energy left to respond. Her small face flushed red, she bit her lip and remained silent, taking tiny, laborious steps forward.

Finally reaching the corridor, she was completely spent. She set the wooden box down and sat on it to catch her breath. Looking around, she realized they had only just entered the courtyard—it was quiet, with no one in sight.

Noticing that Li Ci hadn't caught up for a long time, Sui Yan had no choice but to turn back, still sounding impatient. "What, has the noble young master run out of energy? I have urgent matters, you know..."

His loud voice unconsciously softened.

Li Ci still pressed her lips together. Her shimmering, expressive eyes seemed to speak volumes, but she held back her indignation and whispered, "Please... wait for me."

Sui Yan blustered, "What... what kind of look is that? I'm telling you, I have urgent matters! There's no way I'm carrying that box for you!"

"Alright," Li Ci said, keeping her voice low and gentle. "I'm already very grateful that Young Master Sui is willing to guide me. I just don't have any strength left right now. Please, wait for me."

Somehow, before Sui Yan knew it, the box was already in his hands.

It was like this person had cast a spell on him!

Since it had come to this, he said stiffly, "Fine! This box is so light anyway, I'll reluctantly carry it for you for a bit. Once we reach the front courtyard, you'll have to carry it yourself!"

[Author's Note]

There should be another update after 12 o'clock.