Chapter 89 Mr. Xiang

In the reception hall of the Nie family's inner residence, a single banquet table was set, not laden with lavish delicacies but mostly vegetarian dishes, all presented in exquisite jade plates, each elegant and refined.

The room was scented with incense, thin smoke rising gracefully from a bronze censer shaped like auspicious clouds and birds. The sweet, mellow fragrance carried a hint of icy coolness, gentle and soft, with a lingering mature fragrance.

Seated in the host's position was a beautiful white-haired woman, who appeared to be at least in her sixties or seventies. Fine lines covered the corners of her eyes and mouth, but her skin was fair with a rosy glow. Her clothing was impeccable, and her sitting posture was elegant and dignified, exuding a refined scholarly aura.

Nie Zhiyao brought Meng Wan over. Gui Mama, who served Nie Erfulang, was waiting at the door and quietly reminded them, "My master told me to wait for you here. He instructed that the old lady inside is his grand-teacher, Ms. Xiang. You must show her the utmost respect and not disturb her rashly."

Nie Zhiyao suddenly realized, "So it's the venerable lady." He clearly knew who she was.

Meng Wan tugged at his robe. "Who is Ms. Xiang?"

Nie Zhiyao whispered to him, "It's normal that you haven't heard of her. She is from the capital. She excelled in painting from a young age and was instructed by three famous calligraphy and painting masters. Her husband is Lin Yi, a Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy. My second aunt's father was a Vice-Prefect of the sixth rank in Shuntian Prefecture; when he was a jinshi, he became a student of Scholar Lin, so the two families often interacted. My second aunt grew up under Ms. Xiang's care."

Ms. Xiang had a reserved nature and did not like to flaunt herself. Her reputation spread only within a small circle of refined scholars. Many families invited her to teach their daughters and boys painting; she did not refuse, but she was not quick to accept them as disciples, merely providing instruction.

With this understanding, Nie Zhiyao and Meng Wan straightened their clothes and stepped inside.

When they saw the white-haired beauty seated, they exchanged a glance, bowed, and said in unison, "Greetings, Ms. Xiang, Second Aunt."

Ms. Xiang's expression was indifferent; without even lifting her eyes, she said, "Did you change your clothes upon returning from outside?"

Meng Wan was stunned. Coming from a humble family, he really didn't have this habit. Even Nie Zhiyao, from a merchant family, was not so particular; at most, he changed into comfortable, soft clothes when returning to his own courtyard. Meng Wan was the same.

Nie Erfulang, seated in a lower position than Ms. Xiang, came to their rescue. "Go to my room to change. I had a tailor make two new sets of clothes in early spring, but I found the colors too bright and never wore them. Let Gui Mama fetch them for you."

"Yes." The two had no choice but to go to the small alcove next to Nie Erfulang's bedroom to change.

Nie Zhiyao favored white, so he wore the snow-white one. The hem featured large sprays of plum blossoms, with brown branches dotted with tiny red plum blossoms.

Meng Wan, on the other hand, wore a rouge-colored long gown. The color was actually acceptable—not as delicate as yellow or pink, but darker and more subdued. However, the hem, cuffs, and collar were embroidered with layers of peonies using intertwining gold and red threads.

No wonder Nie Erfulang didn't like them; the clothes were beautiful, but indeed a bit too showy.

Afraid of making the elders wait long, they were about to leave after changing, but Gui Mama quickly stopped them. "Young Master, Meng Fulang, these are both single-layer clothes. You cannot go out like this. What a shame if you caught a cold!"

She then retrieved two white fox-fur cloaks from the bedroom and explained to them, "These are from my master's dowry when she was young. The style may be outdated, but they have been kept clean and well-maintained. Please don't disdain them."

Gui Mama was a dowry attendant brought by Nie Erfulang to the Nie family; she was someone who had influence with the main family. Although Nie Zhiyao was the nephew of Second Master Nie, he was still a guest in Changping and had to be treated as such.

Since Meng Wan was invited as a guest, he naturally followed the host's arrangements. "Mama, you are too kind. These are fine materials I've never worn before. How could I disdain them? We have kept the honored guest waiting; let's go now."

They followed Gui Mama back to the dining hall. It was warm inside, so they handed their cloaks to a page. After greeting and taking their seats, Ms. Xiang finally looked up to properly observe these two juniors.

Her thin lips parted. "This is your nephew? He looks intelligent and lively."

Nie Erfulang showed a playful, respectful manner in front of her. "He is the legitimate son of the main branch, Yao Geer, and is considered the most perceptive among the younger generation of the Nie family. Master, you are now praising the younger generation?"

Ms. Xiang said offhandedly, "And this is…"

"This is Meng Fulang, a close friend of Yao Geer. The two recently opened a bookshop?"

A smile tugged at Nie Erfulang's lips. His grand-teacher had clearly heard him talk about Meng Wan's matters, yet she deliberately pretended not to know in front of the juniors. Her temperament really hadn't changed at all.

Meng Wan clasped his hands on his thighs to press down his gown, and explained softly, "Second Aunt, it's not exactly a bookshop. It's just recruiting some writers, establishing a small writing guild. A small-time operation—we haven't made any money, but have invested quite a bit."

Ms. Xiang frowned slightly. "Too stiff. And too humble."

Meng Wan was startled. Was she talking about him?

Nie Erfulang defended Meng Wan. "Master, this child has a humble background, so he can't help but be cautious in his actions."

Ms. Xiang said flatly, "Enough. Come here to me."

Meng Wan immediately rose and went to stand beside Ms. Xiang.

The elderly maid behind Ms. Xiang handed over a flat wooden box. When she gently pulled it open, inside were a piece of paper and a few books.

Ms. Xiang pointed at the contents and asked Meng Wan, "Did you draw all these?"

Meng Wan turned his head to look. It was three volumes of Human-Demon Romance storybooks, along with the perspective drawing he had done.

"Yes, I drew them," Meng Wan said respectfully.

Ms. Xiang commented calmly, "Although the technique is inexperienced and the details are not well handled, the style is novel. It's not bad."

Meng Wan quickly said, "Thank you for your praise, Ms. Xiang."

Ms. Xiang then had the elderly maid bring a scroll and gave it to Meng Wan. "I will keep your painting. To not take advantage of you juniors, I will give you one of mine as well."

Her paintings were worth a thousand pieces of gold; Meng Wan's draft paper couldn't compare. In terms of value, he was certainly the one benefiting. "Thank you, Master, for bestowing your calligraphy."

Meng Wan already sensed something. He glanced sideways at Nie Erfulang, who looked relaxed and was instructing the servants to serve some hot dishes.

He was still young, and wearing Nie Erfulang's clothes inevitably made him appear more mature. His speech seemed thoughtful, as if his mind was racing with various thoughts.

Ms. Xiang frowned slightly, hiding a hint of displeasure. "Alright, sit down and dine."

Although her tone remained flat, Meng Wan could sense she seemed somewhat displeased, but he didn't know what he had done wrong.

Meng Wan showed nothing on his face and didn't say anything superfluous.

He ate this meal without savoring any of it. The two elders at the head of the table ate slowly and deliberately. The table was so quiet that even the sound of chopsticks touching jade plates was barely audible.

Only when Ms. Xiang put down her chopsticks did Nie Erfulang also stop eating. Seeing this, Meng Wan and Nie Zhiyao carefully placed their chopsticks on the chopstick rest.

Nie Erfulang first helped Ms. Xiang down to rest, and waved his hand at them, signaling they could leave.

After they left the dining hall, Meng Wan asked Nie Zhiyao in a low voice, "What about the clothes?"

Gui Mama laughed. "Meng Fulang, if you don't mind, feel free to wear them. Our master intended them as a gift for you."

The weather was cold, and changing clothes back and forth could easily cause a cold. Meng Wan had been careful to avoid getting sick, so upon hearing this, he didn't stand on ceremony. "Then please thank Second Aunt for me, Mama."

Nie Zhiyao saw him to the Nie family gate and was about to order the carriage to take Meng Wan home, but Meng Wan interrupted, "Wait a moment. That outside looks like my family's carriage."

The north wind was biting. Meng Wan wrapped his cloak tightly and walked out. As he got closer, he realized that the person sitting on the carriage shafts was indeed Xue Sheng.

He turned back and waved to Nie Zhiyao, who was watching from the door. Xue Sheng got down and placed a small stool for him to step onto the carriage.

As soon as Meng Wan stepped onto the stool, the cloth curtain of the carriage was lifted from inside, and Song Tingzhou took his hand and pulled him up.

Meng Wan sat inside the carriage and asked him, "Why did you come?"

Song Tingzhou smoothed his wind-tousled hair. "Bi Yun went back and said the Nie family kept you for dinner, and you wouldn't be home for the evening meal. I was worried it would get too late and it wouldn't be safe for you to come home alone, so I came."

Meng Wan pursed his lips and smiled faintly. It felt good to be remembered.

The carriage was also cold, so Song Tingzhou half-held him in his arms to warm him up. Seeing him wearing unfamiliar clothes, he asked, "Why did you change your clothes?"

Meng Wan told Song Tingzhou about tonight's events at the Nie family, "I suspect that Ms. Xiang intends to take an apprentice, and Nie Erfulang recommended me to Ms. Xiang, but later it seemed Ms. Xiang was not satisfied with me, so this might not happen."

Meng Wan said with a light sigh, "Actually, I feel more at ease this way, because I really don't have much talent in calligraphy and painting, and I don't think I'm worthy of such a master of calligraphy and painting."

Song Tingzhou's arms tightened slightly around him, "You are already extremely capable; many times I feel inferior to you. I will study even harder so that you and mother won't have to defer to anyone."

A gentle smile lit up Meng Wan's eyes, "My husband is so diligent; how can I comfortably hide under your wings and let you face the storms alone? What I am working hard for now is what I want to achieve. If I hid in Sanquan Village, I would naturally not have to face these, but I don't want to."

The care of his family and the evil people he met along the way were the driving forces for his progress.

The Nie family had no further news; presumably Ms. Xiang did not think highly of Meng Wan. He wasn't surprised and dismissed it as a minor incident, focusing on running the shop and getting it back on track.

After "Human-Demon Romance" ended, Baojin Studio launched a large number of similar storybooks, starting a trend in Changping for love stories between humans and demons. However, the fox spirit Xiao Liu remained a cherished ideal, always occupying a place in everyone's hearts.

At the end of October, a light snow fell, and then came Qin Niang's wedding day. Meng Wan hadn't seen her for a long time; she was thinner than before but more spirited, no longer as bitter and resentful as when he first saw her, with a smile always on her face.

It wasn't until her brother carried her out the door and saw her parents' gray hair that tears fell.

Meng Wan was deeply moved, since it was his first time seeing someone get married. Although Qin Niang had suffered hardships and her early marriage was not smooth, after all that, she seemed to have gained even more. Good things come to those who wait.

He finished the feast at the Li family, stayed a while with Sister Chunfang, and then headed back with Bi Yun. It started snowing again halfway.

"Bi Yun, isn't that a persimmon cake seller ahead? Let's buy some to take home; I love eating them." Since moving, Meng Wan hadn't been to the west of the city for a long time. Walking around, he saw an old woman selling persimmon cakes in the distance.

"Yes." Bi Yun walked ahead of him and saw that it was indeed a persimmon cake seller.

"Fulang, they look quite big. How many should we buy?"

Meng Wan looked at the old woman, who was quite old, with a little boy of three or four beside her. The child was cold and had a runny nose but clung tightly to his grandmother's clothes.

"Buy them all. Mother can't eat anything too sweet, so we'll eat them, Xue Sheng."

After buying half a basket of persimmon cakes, Meng Wan picked a cleaner one and bit into it as he walked, "So sweet!"

He handed one to Bi Yun, "Try it too; it's coated with sugar frost."

Bi Yun took it with a smile and took a bite, "Mm, it's sweet."

They hit the main street, and Xue Sheng drove the carriage to pick them up. Unsurprisingly, Song Tingzhou was also there.

"What tasty treat are you sneaking?"

Meng Wan was pulled into the carriage by him, with Bi Yun and Xue Sheng sitting outside.

"Huh? I ate two persimmon cakes. Do I have some on my mouth?" Meng Wan reached for a handkerchief to wipe his face.

But the next second, a warm, moist sensation pressed against his lips. Song Tingzhou pulled back for a second and then leaned in again, this time aiming for Meng Wan's red lips.

"Too sweet."

Meng Wan glared at him, "If you don't like it, why did you kiss?"

Song Tingzhou chuckled, "I don't like persimmon cakes; I like something else."

Meng Wan was speechless and carefully wiped his mouth with the handkerchief. The handkerchief was clean, only wiping away some wet saliva.

Just before they reached home, Bi Yun said from outside, "Fulang, it looks like the Nie family's carriage."

Meng Wan lifted the carriage curtain and only saw the rear of the carriage as it turned out of the other end of the alley, just missing them.

He muttered to himself, "Is it Yao Geer? But why did it leave?"

Half an hour earlier, the Nie family's carriage was heading towards Huaqi Alley, and the person in the carriage was not Nie Zhiyao as Meng Wan had thought.

The Nie family's coachman stopped the carriage and said to the person inside, "Madam, Meng Fulang lives at the house ahead. Should I go knock first?"

Ms. Xiang's cool voice came from the carriage, "No hurry. I shouldn't just take your Fulang's word for it. I should first understand his character better."

She wanted a disciple, but only one with both good character and aptitude. If not, she'd rather take none.

Her personal maid helped her down from the carriage. Ms. Xiang stood in the alley, thought for a moment, and first knocked on the Jiang family's door, next to the Song house.

She raised her hand and gave one knock, and the door creaked open a sliver.

A young woman in a peach gown with a red fur cloak frowned at her, "Who are you?"

Ms. Xiang hadn't expected the door to open so quickly. She was stunned for a second before collecting herself, "Miss, could you tell me if there's a family named Song in Huaqi Alley?"

A weird look flashed in the young woman's eyes, and she said in a hostile tone, "So what if there is?"

Her tone was downright hostile, as if she had some beef with the Song family. Ms. Xiang hadn't expected this development. Seeing the woman was rude, she didn't want to argue with her and came straight out and asked, "I heard that the Song family has a Fulang who is good at managing business. Does the young lady know his character?"

"Character?" The young woman sized up Ms. Xiang a few times. Seeing her impressive demeanor, the jade hairpin on her head glimmered with shifting light, obviously not ordinary.

The Jiang family was in the fabric business, and the old woman in front of her was wearing a material she had never seen even in a fabric shop. Even the matron beside her was wearing brocade, so it was clear they were not ordinary. They were asking about Meng Fulang?