Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Han Zhang had no idea that his unconventional attitude left the lantern riddle host in the teahouse private room thrown off.

After claiming both prizes, he stepped down from the stage without seeking further attention.

Inside the teahouse private room.

The lantern riddle host found it amusing. "He's quite a spirited scholar."

The attendant standing at his side bowed and asked, "Master, shall I have someone look into him?"

"Forget it. He hasn't even earned the rank of *juren* yet. Let's wait until he passes the *jinshi* exam."

The host waved his hand.

He was just briefly interested. A mere *xiucai* was not worth his attention for now.

...

Meanwhile, the lantern riddle host was only slightly curious about Han Zhang, but Miss Zhang, who had been noticed by Huang Wenbin, held very good feelings toward him.

There was no helping it—he looked exceptionally outstanding today. Everyone appreciates beauty, so it was hardly strange that Miss Zhang had taken a liking to him.

As soon as Han Zhang stepped off the stage.

A maidservant hurried forward to invite him. "Master Han, please wait. My mistress is the daughter of the Supervisorate of the Household. She heard the poem you recited just now—it can be called a masterpiece of this generation. My lady admires your literary talent and wishes to invite you to the teahouse for a chat to discuss poetry. Would you kindly share your insights?"

In the Zhao State, the customs regarding young women and men were more lenient than in other nations.

Common young women and men could go out and run small businesses, while the male and female children of officials could chat with other men as long as they were accompanied by maidservants or page boys. Thus, Miss Zhang's invitation was not considered improper.

But Han Zhang had no intention of accepting.

Regardless of whether Miss Zhang was attracted to his talent or appearance, or had other motives, as an unrelated man, he should not have too much contact with her to avoid stirring up trouble.

"I beg your pardon, miss. The poem I recited earlier was not my own—I happened to hear it elsewhere. I don't fully understand its deeper meaning myself, so I dare not presume to offer my guidance."

"If Miss Zhang is interested, perhaps she could ask the family tutor at her residence. As an outsider, I shouldn't intrude."

Han Zhang gave a polite bow with clasped hands, a polite refusal.

Before the maid could call him back.

Han Zhang took Shen Qinglan by the hand and hurried away.

Leaving the maid stomping her feet and calling, "Master Han! Master Han!"

This whole scene was watched by Huang Wenbin, who had been keeping an eye on them all along, enraging him.

He did not believe that Han Zhang would truly reject Miss Zhang's invitation. After all, she was the daughter of a Third-Rank Official.

Han Zhang, that swine, was surely feigning indifference and playing hard to get—how cunning!

But regardless of what Huang Wenbin thought, Han Zhang was already far away.

Only after they turned onto a quiet street corner did Han Zhang slow down to catch his breath. He gave the prizes he had won to Shen Qinglan and said apologetically:

"I'm sorry, Worthy Brother. I promised to win all the prizes for you, but I'm afraid I'm not talented enough. I could only win you this revolving lantern and the Moonlight Cloud Brocade."

"As for the Blue Phoenix Jade Pendant... I truly lacked the ability to win it. I hope you don't mind."

Shen Qinglan was overjoyed to receive the gifts; how could he complain about only getting a few items?

He looked at Han Zhang with eyes full of admiration and quickly shook his head to comfort him:

"How could I blame you? Brother Han, you've already done amazingly well. Don't blame yourself. If it were me, I probably couldn't even come close to winning a prize. Just now, you showed off your skills, and everyone cheered for you!"

"And many young women and men were utterly captivated by you... especially Miss Zhang, who invited you. I bet it was love at first sight for her and she had the nerve to invite you, right?"

"She's the daughter of the Supervisorate of the Household, a Third-Rank Official. I heard Miss Zhang is as beautiful as a flower... Brother Han, aren't you at all tempted?"

Shen Qinglan's tone was deliberately light, but his breath caught secretly.

He both looked forward to Han Zhang's answer and feared hearing something he didn't want to hear.

Even though he himself was even more handsome than Miss Zhang, she was still the daughter of a Third-Rank Official, while his family background wasn't as good, he was stubborn by nature, and he didn't know how to win a man's affections. He had little confidence he could compare to her.

If... if Miss Zhang also liked Brother Han and wanted to compete with him, what would he do?

He really, truly liked Brother Han so much.

"..."

Shen Qinglan looked at Han Zhang expectantly, and his eyes involuntarily reddened at the mere thought of Han Zhang marrying someone else.

He looked so pitiful.

Like a needle stabbing the softest spot in Han Zhang's heart, making his usually cold, steady heart ripple...

Who said this young lad wasn't good at being charming?

He clearly was—two teary eyes and Han Zhang's heart immediately softened.

Beneath Shen Qinglan's hopeful, anxious gaze, Han Zhang didn't leave him hanging for long and said what Shen Qinglan wanted to hear.

"I don't like her, and I'm not attracted at all."

Instantly, Shen Qinglan's sorrowful expression changed to delight and disbelief.

He couldn't help but ask excitedly, "Why? Miss Zhang has a prominent family and is beautiful. How can you not be attracted to such a wonderful girl?"

"Miss Zhang is indeed very good, but I don't like girls—I only like young men... Well, like the Le Geer in my story. Looks fade with time, but a resonance of souls lasts forever."

Han Zhang answered with a smile.

Shen Qinglan was secretly delighted. He himself was a young lad and had a temperament just like Le Geer!

However, he was very curious.

"But Brother Han, in the storybook, Scholar Zhang and Le Geer met and fell in love by chance. Most respectable young men and boys from good families stay secluded deep in the inner courtyard. Where would you find someone to connect on a soul level? Men and young men shouldn't be so physically close."

Even though he was secretly hanging out with Brother Han, he still knew it was wrong.

Han Zhang: "..."

Actually, he could only deceive this young lad because the lad was willing to be deceived, wasn't he?

"What you say, Dear Brother, is very true... That is precisely why true feelings in this world are so precious."

"In this world, marriages arranged by parents' command and matchmaker's words, where people can only hope for a respectful and courteous union, are already rare. Deep love like that in the story, where they pledge to love each other till death, ultimately only exists in ink and paper."

Han Zhang sighed softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

Shen Qinglan, however, pursed his lips in a sly smile, "That's not necessarily true. Fate is wonderful and unpredictable. Who can foresee?"

He and Brother Han were that perfect love story in the book—he was the one to decide!

"Indeed, fate brings people together from a thousand li apart, but keeps strangers apart even when they meet face to face. You're wise and big-hearted, Dear Brother. Your big brother bows to you."

Han Zhang laughed heartily, not stingy with praise.

Shen Qinglan was the type to bloom with a little praise.

He immediately puffed up like a peacock and said smugly, "Of course, someone who's wise enough to play dumb is rare in this world!"

"Alright, my Dear Brother Wang who appears foolish but is wise. Over there is a barbecue stand. Your big brother is starving. If you don't mind, would you accompany me to try some?"

Han Zhang was amused by his proud little demeanor and took the opportunity to invite him.

You only have to hint at things; overdoing it would backfire.

Shen Qinglan, being playful and a glutton, immediately brightened: "Don't mind, don't mind! I love street food the most!"

"Brother Han, I've eaten at this barbecue stand before when I came to the temple fair. It tastes really good. Let's go, let's go! They also have grilled fish—crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a fragrant aroma..."

The young man made a hungry sound as he spoke and grabbed Brother Han and dragged him along.

The "grilled meat stall" was basically a barbecue cart.

Although the seasonings of this era were not as abundant as in later ages, they had developed quite well. In any case, the barbecue on the street was fragrant, no less than that of later times.

Shen Qinglan liked spicy food. On ordinary days when he ate with his elders in the Shen Manor, he always had to mind his manners.

Today, with no strangers around and him in male disguise, he could let himself go. He ordered tons of grilled meat and fish, and specifically asked the boss to add extra Sichuan pepper.

Although Sichuan pepper was not as spicy as chili, for people used to bland food back then, it was a real jolt to the senses.

So, as expected, the young lad soon had a sweaty nose and red, swollen lips from eating.

"Hiss... so spicy... but so delicious!"

Shen Qinglan sucked in air and complained about the heat, but couldn't help taking one bite after another.

Sweaty-faced, messy, and totally adorable.

Seeing him really struggle with the spice, yet couldn't stop eating out of craving, Han Zhang smiled and said, "Wait for me a moment. Don't go away."

Then, without waiting for Shen Qinglan to ask, he walked into the kitchen of a nearby restaurant.

After a short while.

He returned with a bowl of light brown sweet drink. "Here, drink this to relieve the spiciness."

"What is this? Smells milky and faintly like tea. Oh... sweet? Brother Han, this is really good! I like it!"

Shen Qinglan took two sips of the bowl, his eyes shining with surprise.

It was his favorite flavor.

Han Zhang laughed and said, "This is milk tea, similar to what the grassland tribes often drink. But they drink it salty. I remember you like sweets, so I swapped the salt for sugar."

"Too bad there was no tapioca flour, and I couldn't use the restaurant kitchen for long. Otherwise, I could have made some soft, chewy pearls and added peanuts and adzuki beans to enhance the flavor... It would've been even better."

"Drink up quickly. Milk cuts the heat. You ate a ton of Sichuan pepper—watch out, your stomach might act up later."

His voice was gentle, his gaze focused.

As if the person before him was his entire concern.

Shen Qinglan, a sheltered young gentleman from ancient times who barely ever interacted with outsiders, how could he resist that kind of tender onslaught? He instantly got giddy with joy.

Although he didn't remember ever telling him he liked sweets, it didn't matter.

What mattered was that Brother Han remembered his preferences, proving that he must mean the world to Brother Han.

He didn't know what he had imagined...

Shen Qinglan's ears flushed again, and even his voice went a little soft:

"I only said it in passing, but Brother Han remembered so clearly... I never knew that Brother Han is so talented and has an excellent memory. If only I were even a fraction as good as Brother Han."

"You're wrong there." Han Zhang shook his head with a gentle smile, his gaze warm. "Everyone has their own strengths. You, Dear Brother, are open-minded and sincere with others—already a rare quality. Why compare your weakness to others' strengths?"

"Heaven gave me talent for a reason; I can spend a thousand gold and get it back. In my eyes, your spirit is purer than a lotus in early summer, untouched by dust."

Shen Qinglan turned bright red with excitement, his eyes widening.

He... was he really that good?

The young lad said uncertainly: "But at home, father always says I'm useless, not as good as my other siblings."

"That's your father not recognizing gold inlaid jade. In my heart, Dear Brother, you are like the bright moon in the sky, the pure white snow."

Han Zhang nodded in affirmation without hesitation.

His expression seemed to say: My worthy brother has the bearing of an emperor.

A true soulmate is one who always agrees with you, whether right or wrong, from beginning to end.

"..."

Shen Qinglan turned bright red with excitement, and he stared at Han Zhang with sparkling eyes.

His face screamed: "I love this! If you can talk, keep going!"