Zhao Xuanzhen left in an inexplicable huff and did not appear before Su Wantang for several consecutive days.
Su Wantang did not care; after all, “when things are slow, they can be rounded out”—some matters could not be rushed, nor were they all that important. The previous operation to rescue the prisoners had been too large-scale and had clearly infuriated Xie Yan. Recently, the search for Red Lotus Sect members in the capital had been unprecedentedly intense. The Section Chief and the others who had been rescued were all injured, so they, along with the other cultists lurking in the capital, went into hiding to heal. Su Wantang also kept a low profile, unwilling to act recklessly at such a critical moment. Therefore, it did not matter whether Zhao Xuanzhen came by or not.
However, unexpectedly, while Zhao Xuanzhen did not come, someone else did: Zhichiu, the eunuch by Xie Yan’s side.
Xie Yan was cold by nature and disliked having many people around. Princess Anping, fearing that those around him who only knew how to use brute force could not serve him well, had assigned her own capable eunuch to wait on her son. Zhichiu had been the one to lead the search of the Cuiwei Pavilion. Since Su Wantang was a lady, it was natural for Zhichiu to come and pass the message.
“My Master said that earlier, while pursuing the assassin, he was quite offensive to you in the urgency of the moment. Beyond apologizing, he wishes to offer compensation to express his regret. Therefore, he sent this servant to ask: does Second Miss Su have any requests?”
Xie Yan was always like that—methodical and rigid in his actions.
Su Wantang calculated inwardly while maintaining a look of shock and unease on her face. Hesitatingly, she said there was no need: “The Grand Tutor is of noble character. I believe that had it not been a matter of extreme urgency, he would never have been so discourteous… Since he has already asked the Heir to apologize on his behalf, compensation is unnecessary.”
Zhichiu marveled inwardly. His master had guessed correctly; this Second Miss Su clearly did not dare to ask for any compensation.
Therefore, he followed his master’s instructions: if the Second Miss dared not mention it, he was to have her come to the garden to meet him so he could ask her personally.
“My Master is currently at the Octagonal Pavilion by the East Lake in the garden. If you have any reservations, Miss, it might be better to speak with him face-to-face… My Master is full of sincerity; please do not worry too much, Second Miss Su.”
As he spoke, Zhichiu saw the extraordinarily beautiful Second Miss Su wearing a conflicted expression. A moment later, she hesitated and said, “Then, very well. Eunuch Zhichiu, please go ahead; I will change my clothes and come over.”
Zhichiu bowed and took his leave. Once out of the Cuiwei Pavilion, Zhichiu marveled to himself. This Second Miss Su was indeed extraordinarily beautiful; even in the palace, filled with flowers of youth, it would be difficult to find a face comparable to hers… It was a pity she was so short-sighted, willing to enter the Prince Ding’s inner chambers without name or status. Heir Zhao Xuanzhen was indeed a dragon among men, but he was cold and harsh. Moreover, it was well known that he lived in mutual respect with the Heir’s wife and refused to take secondary consorts or concubines… For such a fine young lady to make such a poor move simply due to lack of experience was truly a pity.
A short while later, Su Wantang finished washing and changing her clothes. Accompanied by Xiaotao, she arrived at the Octagonal Pavilion by the East Lake in the garden. Before they even reached the pavilion, she heard the ethereal, lingering sound of a zither. Skirting the flowerbeds, she saw Xie Yan in a smoke-green robe, posing with graceful leisure while playing the zither in the pavilion.
So pretentious!
Xie Yan sensed something and looked up, seeing Su Wantang standing with her maid by the flowers opposite him. He stopped playing, signaled to Wen Jian behind him to take the zither away, and reached out to pick up the teapot, pouring tea into the empty cup opposite him.
“Second Miss Su, please sit.”
Xie Yan’s tone was mild, elegant, and distant.
He watched as Su Wantang paused, signaled her maid to wait outside the pavilion, and walked over slowly. Her light green gauze dress was layered, and as she walked, the silver threads embroidered on the hem looked as clear as mist… She was as fresh as a budding branch, yet her face was incredibly enchanting.
Xie Yan suddenly felt as if a peach were walking toward him—with pale green leaves and plump, pink, succulent flesh…
In the next instant, he snapped out of it, thinking his previous association was too absurd.
Opposite him, Su Wantang had already sat down. She softly called out “Grand Tutor” and then lowered her eyes, her lashes trembling. She was clearly nervous and uneasy.
Xie Yan suddenly remembered the look of shame and panic on her face that night when he forced her to stand up from the bath.
“My apologies…” He suppressed the discomfort in his heart and spoke gently. “I originally asked Xuanzhen to convey my apologies, but I feared you might misunderstand my conduct as being disrespectful, so I took the liberty of inviting you here.”
Xie Yan pushed the teacup toward Su Wantang with long, jade-like fingers. “Beyond this, if you have any other requests, Miss, feel free to propose them. Whatever I am capable of doing, I will certainly not shirk, as compensation for my offense against you.”
“Are the Grand Tutor’s words true?” Su Wantang looked up.
Xie Yan nodded: “Naturally.”
In the next instant, he saw Su Wantang purse her lips, lower her voice, and ask softly: “Then, if what I seek requires you to keep it a secret… especially that I must not let the Heir know, would you be willing?”
Xie Yan was momentarily stunned.
Must not let Zhao Xuanzhen know?
Looking at the young girl before him, whose beauty could almost outshine the entire garden, the sense of discomfort returned to Xie Yan’s heart. Yet, maintaining his composure, he remained expressionless and said calmly: “That depends on the nature of your request, Miss.”
Su Wantang fell silent, seeming to hesitate.
Finally, she let it out: “I do not know if you are aware, but I had a fiancé who is currently studying at the Imperial Academy…”
Xie Yan looked at her and spoke slowly: “Xu Jinnian.”
Having been suspicious of her earlier, Xie Yan had naturally investigated this Second Miss Su thoroughly; there was no need to pretend ignorance.
When he finished, he saw Su Wantang murmur an affirmative sound, her eyes lowered, appearing somewhat ashamed: “Young Master Xu was kind to me in the past… I feel a deep sense of shame for abandoning our betrothal. Recently, I learned that he is living a difficult life, and I wish to help him.”
Su Wantang said in a low voice: “I have no acquaintances in the capital. I originally wanted to ask the Heir for help, but the Heir… said I was fickle and still harbored old feelings, making me appear hypocritical. I did not dare to tell him anymore.”
So it was this…
Xie Yan asked: “Then are you asking me to look after Young Master Xu, Miss Su?”
“I would not dare, I would not dare to trouble the Grand Tutor.”
Su Wantang stammered: “I only thought, if it is convenient for you, could you take me to the Imperial Academy to see him…”
No wonder Zhao Xuanzhen lost his temper.
To call her a gold-digger who broke her word would be one thing, but she was still worried about Xu Jinnian’s welfare and wanted to help him… But to say she was two-faced would be another, given how she was naive enough to tell Zhao Xuanzhen that she wanted to help Xu Jinnian.
So, was she simply wanting to compensate Young Master Xu? Because she was open-hearted, she did not know how to hide things?
Xie Yan thought about it. Zhao Xuanzhen’s intent was clear: he was simply using Su Wantang to bear an heir for him and Su Huajin, after which he would send her away; there were no emotional entanglements involved.
And he had just promised that whatever he could do, he would not shirk.
“I can agree not to inform Xuanzhen of this matter, but should Xuanzhen ask me to verify it later, I will not lie or hide the truth for you.”
Su Wantang quickly said: “That is only natural; I would never ask you to violate your own principles, Grand Tutor.”
Xie Yan added: “I am busy with official duties and fear I cannot always respond to your requests, Miss.”
Su Wantang waved her hands repeatedly: “Grand Tutor, please do not worry. I will not trouble you often. It is only that Xu Jinnian seems to be quite ill recently, and he was very kind to me in the past… Once I confirm he is out of danger, I will not bother him further.”
Xie Yan nodded faintly: “Then at the third quarter of the Shen hour (3:45 PM) today, I happen to be going to the Imperial Academy. Second Miss Su may accompany me.”
Upon hearing this, Su Wantang’s face lit up with joyful surprise, and then, as if remembering something, she asked carefully: “Then, might I trouble you to lend me a set of men’s clothing so that I might not attract attention when entering the Imperial Academy?”
Xie Yan nodded: “I will have someone send it to the Cuiwei Pavilion later.”
Su Wantang’s eyes were full of gratitude: “Thank you, Grand Tutor. Then we shall meet at the third quarter of the Shen hour?”
Xie Yan murmured an acknowledgment: “You may wait for me by my carriage, Miss…”