Chapter 16

Chapter 16

As the saying goes: The best hunters often appear as prey.

Shen Qinglan had no idea he was being played. He thought Han Zhang was just an honest, rule-abiding scholar, while he himself was happily dressing up as a man, using the pretense of a sworn brotherhood to get close to the one his heart desired.

Han Zhang, of course, played along, saying whatever the young lad wanted to hear.

Though he had never been in love before, having spent his past life pouring all his time into career building and survival struggles, he thoroughly understood human nature—and the art of pleasing a partner.

—Making someone feel comfortable and happy was his specialty!

Shen Qinglan, on the other hand, was a genuine ancient young lad, long confined to the inner courtyard, seldom seeing men from outside.

Lady Shen, as the legitimate wife, had raised him to be proper and decorous. When it came to reading a man's mind, he was far less perceptive than the concubines in the back courtyard, leaving him innocent and naive in matters of love.

And most importantly, Han Zhang had a modern education, which made him more respectful towards young ladies and lads.

Compared to most scholars of the time, he could not only say sweet things but was also far more considerate!

A simple young lad like Shen Qinglan, who had never encountered such seduction tactics, stood no chance against such a charm offensive.

After only their second meeting, the young lad was already head over heels in love, unable to extricate himself.

The two talked for a long time at the wonton stall.

Until the sun sank low in the west, and it was time to part.

Shen Qinglan's eyes were filled with reluctance. His bright eyes fixed on Han Zhang, a mix of awkwardness and shyness on his face. After hesitating for a long time, he finally gathered his courage to speak.

"Brother Han, I know the noodle shop on East Street, Li's, makes an especially delicious minced pork noodles—rich broth, fragrant minced meat sauce... Next time you're free, shall we... shall we go try it together?"

The young man's eyes burned with undisguised anticipation.

Seeing him like this, Han Zhang smiled slightly and nodded gently. "Alright."

Shen Qinglan's face lit up with joy, and he pressed on.

"And if we can't meet in the coming days, Brother Han, you must remember to write to me, alright? Send the letters to the bookshop, and ask Uncle Wang to pass them on to me... I'll write to you often too!"

Han Zhang still smiled and nodded. "Alright."

"And, and—" Shen Qinglan grew more excited, "When you write your next story, Brother Han, you must tell me in advance. I'll help you think it through. Promise me you won't make it as tragic and heartbreaking as Scholar Zhang and Le Ge'er's story!"

"That won't do." Han Zhang shook his head with a smile. "Stories should unfold naturally. If the plot leads to a sorrowful end, how can you force a happy one?"

"I don't care! I don't care!" Shen Qinglan tugged at his sleeve. "I want the protagonist of the next tale to be safe and happy, to have a perfect ending! Brother Han, aren't you going to listen to me?"

"And if I don't listen, what will my good brother do?" Han Zhang raised an eyebrow, teasing him.

"Then... then I'll cry right in front of you!" Shen Qinglan stomped his foot, throwing a tantrum.

"...Good brother, you're a man, not a young lad."

"Can't a man cry? Brother Han, just promise me, alright? Please? Brother, Brother Han Zhang, Han Zhang-ge, Han Zhang-dage—"

Shen Qinglan started begging and rolling around again, clinging to Han Zhang's arm and shaking it, showing no signs of giving up.

In the end, Han Zhang couldn't help but laugh and nod. "Alright, alright, you're impossible. Such a spoiled, mischievous attitude—what kind of grown man acts like that?"

"Brother Han, I've just turned eighteen, not quite a man yet. I'm still not a grown man..."

Shen Qinglan looked up, a sly, bright smile on his face.

After their playful banter, the sun on the horizon had set, and flocks of returning birds swept across the evening clouds.

It was truly time to part.

"Brother Han, I've had such a wonderful day today. Remember to write to me when you get back..."

Shen Qinglan gazed at Han Zhang's handsome face, reluctant to let go.

He waved while walking backward, until his personal attendant ran over and tugged at his sleeve, urging him to leave. Only then did he reluctantly leave, glancing back again and again.

He was truly adorable.

Han Zhang stood there watching until the other's figure disappeared, then turned back to the academy with a smile on his face.

...

Writing a letter—of course, he would write a letter.

Han Zhang was waiting to reel in his beautiful crush, turning him into a lovesick puppy. He definitely wasn't going to miss the chance to exchange letters!

But the content of the letter—how to write it—required careful thought.

The intent to seduce couldn't be too obvious. Otherwise, if their correspondence were ever discovered, and Mr. and Mrs. Shen investigated him, they would find out he had deliberately set out to trick their son. They'd be furious enough to flay him alive.

So, he had to carefully gauge the intensity of his love letter.

Meanwhile, back at the Shen mansion.

After Shen Qinglan returned to the mansion.

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi looked at their young master, whose brows and eyes were brimming with unmistakable spring fever, his expression as smug as a cat that got the cream. They felt their hearts sink at the trouble ahead!

"Young Master, didn't you promise to cut off all thoughts of Master Han? But when you saw him today, you couldn't help but rush over again, and now you've even arranged to exchange letters with him?"

Qiao Dong stomped his foot in frustration, his voice choked with tears.

Qiao Xi quickly chimed in, lowering his voice anxiously.

"My good master, this is exchanging letters in secret! If it's discovered by accident, your reputation—and the Shen family's reputation—will be ruined... Madam is so strict, she'll definitely beat us, Qiao Nan, Qiao Bei, and me to death!"

That last part was the real point.

The young master might survive any mistake, but they, the servants, would either be sold off or face a worse fate—truly the unluckiest ones.

Seeing their faces fall like the sky was about to cave in, Shen Qinglan felt a pang of guilt.

But the power of the beauty trap was just too strong. He was already head over heels, unable to stop.

Just thinking of Han Zhang filled him with endless motivation.

He lifted his chin and, full of confidence, tried to soothe them.

"Alright, alright, look at you—what's the fuss? I've already had three marriage engagements called off! I'm already the biggest joke in the capital. What precious reputation do I still have?"

"Back then, when those two half-brothers from concubines and Fifth Brother stole my fiancé, and Father took their side every time, did they ever care about the Shen family's reputation? Did they ever care about my feelings? If they don't care, why should I hold onto these empty formalities?"

"So what if I'm sneaking around exchanging letters? It's still more honorable than those who seduce someone else's fiancé!"

"Besides, even if it does come to light, the worst outcome would be that I marry Brother Han as a result—which is exactly what I want..."

"As for Mother, you need not worry. As long as I refuse to give in, she won't truly go against my will and kill you. At most, she'll give you a few strokes of the board or dock your wages. Then I'll privately compensate you double."

That aside, who knows how it'll actually play out when everything comes to light?

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi exchanged glances, on the verge of tears.

"Master, the reasoning is sound, but we must prepare for the worst! What if the situation is urgent and you don't have time to save us?"

Shen Qinglan: "..."

Had he, the Little Tyrant of the Shen manor, no credibility at all?

Shen Qinglan said, embarrassed and annoyed: "That's impossible! If I can't even protect those closest to me, I might as well leave this manor. Have some faith in me!"

"Even if you truly lack faith, you can only follow me down this road now. My dealings with Brother Han have already begun. Even if you go to my mother right now and report me, according to family law, she will never let you off for knowing and not reporting, and for failing to dissuade me."

"Either way you'll be punished, so you might as well help me cover this up. When things work out for me, I won't forget what you've done."

"You have served me since childhood. Today I give you my word: regardless of the outcome, I will do everything in my power to protect your lives and those of your families, keeping you safe for a lifetime."

This promise wasn't purely out of master-servant loyalty, but necessary to manage his subordinates and establish authority.

If his trusted aides risked things for him and he couldn't even provide the most basic guarantee, what servant would remain loyal to him in the future?

With such a solemn promise, Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi's anxious hearts finally calmed down.

Then, they put on fawning smiles and sidled up to flatter him:

"We knew you were the most reasonable and kind-hearted master in the world!"

"Master, don't take those foolish words we just said to heart. In truth, we also think Master Han is excellent—handsome, talented, and even though his family background is modest, his character and learning make him the best possible match."

"Master, the reason we tried so hard to dissuade you before was that we feared people's hearts are unpredictable, and a young man's feelings can change. We were afraid you'd be treated unfairly by marrying beneath your station. After all, there are many examples of that in the world..."

These words were truly from the heart.

Their master had been pampered with fine clothes and food since childhood. If he married into a poor family, his life would surely be hard—the thought was heartbreaking for them.

Shen Qinglan sighed softly.

"Do you think I don't understand all this? But... whenever I think of him, my heart is full of joy. If it's Brother Han, even if I have to endure hardship later, I'm willing."

"Besides, I have a generous dowry. No matter what, I won't end up chewing on chaff and wild greens, will I?"

"Moreover, Brother Han has real talent and learning. He certainly won't live a mediocre life—I trust him."

As the young man said this, his eyes sparkled, full of trust and hope for his beloved.

Qiao Dong nodded in agreement: "You're right, Master! Master Han was able to enter the Xiangnan Academy, and his learning is recognized by the teachers. At the very least, he'll definitely earn a provincial scholar degree in the future, which will be enough for him to establish himself."

Qiao Xi also chimed in with a grin.

"Exactly, exactly! Master Han can create a character like 'Scholar Zhang' who knows how to cherish others, showing that he himself is gentle and considerate deep down. Once you marry, he'll definitely hold the master in his hands and dote on him."

"Brother Han really is attentive and gentle in how he treats people. And... he said today that what he admires most is the innocent and carefree nature of 'Le Geer' in the storybook."

Shen Qinglan felt a little shy at these words, his cheeks flushing slightly, and his voice dropped with sweet shyness.

Then he looked at them eagerly for confirmation: "Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, don't you think my personality is quite similar to that 'Le Geer'?"

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi naturally hurried to flatter him, speaking in unison:

"Yes! Very similar! Master, you're practically 'Le Geer' reborn—your lively, innocent, and carefree spirit even outdoes what's written in the storybook!"

"I think so too..."

Only then did Shen Qinglan feel satisfied. Thinking of Han Zhang's handsome face and his smile, his heart was full of sweet anticipation.

He was completely hooked like a fish—mouth wide open.