Lin Heng kept a polite smile on his face and cupped his hands in greeting. “Marquis Ming’an.”
Xie Yun responded with a fake smile, his gaze casually sweeping over the flower bed in front of Lin Heng where one flower was conspicuously missing, and the red peony in Si Huahuan’s hand.
The lines from an old poem came to mind: Young men and women tease each other playfully, and give peonies as gifts.
It was a custom among the people for men and women to exchange eupatorium and peonies as tokens to express their affection.
Si Huahuan might not understand the meaning, but how could Lin Heng—who had read countless books and ranked third in the imperial examination—not know?
Xie Yun’s eyes dropped, settling on the tip of Si Huahuan’s embroidered shoe, which was lightly dusted with mud. Before Lin Heng could react, Xie Yun had already reached out and taken the plain white handkerchief from between Lin Heng’s fingers.
“Thank you, Minister Lin.” Before the words had even left his mouth, he bent one knee and crouched down.
Si Huahuan only saw a blur of movement before he was no longer in front of her, and then she felt a soft wiping motion on her shoe. Xie Yun’s long, slender fingers held the handkerchief, focused entirely on wiping the faint mud mark at the tip of her shoe.
The mud did not wipe away completely, leaving behind a faint dark stain.
Si Huahuan’s heart skipped a beat. Startled by his action, she instinctively took a step back, her voice laced with surprise and suspicion. “What are you doing?”
“It was an eyesore, so I wiped it off.”
Lin Heng had grown up learning to read people’s expressions, and having spent years in official circles, he was a sharp and observant man.
Whether Xie Yun had truly not noticed his presence or not, what he had just done was a clear declaration of ownership. Lin Heng could not possibly fail to understand that.
Without hesitation, he respectfully cupped his hands toward Si Huahuan. “Your Highness, I shall take my leave.”
Si Huahuan watched his tall, straight figure depart, then stamped her foot lightly and spoke to Xie Yun in an irritated tone. “What are you doing here?”
Xie Yun stood up, looking at her with a curious expression. “I have two legs and I can walk. Naturally, I can end up anywhere. I was just passing by.”
Si Huahuan did not believe there were so many coincidences in the world. The Prince of Jin’s residence was vast, yet he just happened to walk into this side courtyard.
Xie Yun’s eyes fell on the bright red flower in her hand, and the more he looked at it, the more displeased he was. “This flower is too gaudy and ugly. Give it to me, I’ll throw it away for you.”
Si Huahuan looked down at the peony in her hand, twirling it between her fingers. It was not the most beautiful flower, but it was nowhere near gaudy or ugly. He was clearly just looking for an excuse to pick a fight.
“I think it suits you perfectly.”
Si Huahuan decided to make the most of the flower and deliberately provoke him. She stood on her tiptoes, stretched out her arm, and tucked the flower beside the hair crown on his head, then stepped back two paces to admire the sight.
It was not uncommon for men to wear flowers in their hair. But to see a man with features as refined and otherworldly as an immortal, wearing a bright red peony in his hair…
Layer upon layer of petals hung down beside his temples, casting a rosy glow over his fair, jade-like face. It lent him an indescribable, captivating charm for no apparent reason.
When had he grown to look this handsome?
Realizing what she was thinking, she quickly looked away and gave a small, awkward cough. “Well, it really does suit you. It’s yours now.”
Xie Yun was not annoyed. Instead, he leaned casually against a veranda pillar and watched her with ease.
Si Huahuan looked at him, and her mind drifted back to the dream she’d had the previous day. Suddenly, the Xie Yun standing before her felt like a stranger.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not reconcile the cold, ruthless Xie Yun in her dream with the elegant, refined young man in front of her.
She had never noticed before—how had he come to change into the person from her dream? And when had that change begun?
A sharp snapping sound broke her train of thought, and she snapped back to reality. Xie Yun had snapped his fingers right in front of her face, and he spoke in a lazy tone. “What are you daydreaming about? Have you really had too much to drink?”
“You’re the one who’s drunk,” Si Huahuan said. Not wanting to argue with him any longer, she turned and walked back toward the quarters reserved for female guests.
In a small courtyard just beyond a dividing wall, Lin Miaoqing raised her arm to block Lin Heng, who was walking toward the male guests’ quarters.
A malicious smile played at the corner of her lips. “Elder Brother.”
Lin Heng replied calmly. “Fourth Sister.”
She had called out those words reluctantly.
From childhood, she had looked down upon this son born of a concubine. An illegitimate child, born of a servant girl who had wormed her way into her father’s bed. If he had been a girl, he would have been easier to deal with. But their father’s first three children had all been daughters, and he had only had this son after turning thirty—so Lin Heng held the status of the eldest son.
Fortunately, their father had never liked this son of average talent. He had always treated him coldly, never placed high hopes in him, and had poured all his attention into his legitimate second son.
No one had expected Lin Heng to have such good luck. He had taken the imperial examination a second time and had ranked third. Only then had their father begun to look at him with some measure of respect.
She had happened to pass by earlier, and had seen Lin Heng talking happily with Princess Kangle. She had stopped to watch.
“I never realized you wanted to climb high enough to become a phoenix, and fight for the chance to be the Prince Consort.”
Lin Heng knew she had seen him speaking with the princess. He lowered his eyes and smoothed the cuffs of his robe. “Choose your words carefully, Fourth Sister. The Princess has already been betrothed.”
“Only betrothed—not yet wed, is that not true?” she countered.
“You’re being so attentive. Maybe if Kangle speaks a few words in your favor before the Emperor, the groom could be replaced on the very day of the wedding. You could attach yourself to the imperial family and rise high in the world. I wonder if you’ll even remember the Lin family when that happens?”
Lin Heng’s voice, always gentle, turned cold. “Fourth Sister, this is the Prince of Jin’s residence. Watch your words.”
“What?” Lin Miaoqing laughed behind her silk handkerchief. “You don’t want to be Prince Consort? Could it be you want to become her male companion instead? Things might have been different in the past, but now… who knows, you might actually succeed.”
Lin Heng knew she was deliberately mocking him. She was close to Princess Changning, and naturally despised Princess Kangle, who was constantly at odds with Changning. Seeing him with Kangle gave her the perfect opportunity to be sharp-tongued and unkind.
Arguing with her was completely useless. The only thing to do was leave. Lin Heng lifted his foot and walked away.
Ignored, Lin Miaoqing called out to his retreating back. “I’d advise you not to chase useless dreams. You need to know who you can reach for, and who is far beyond your grasp! Otherwise, whatever official position you manage to gain through all your schemes could be taken away with just one word from our father!”
Lin Heng did not slow his pace, and his back remained straight and proud. But unseen within his wide sleeve, his hand was clenched tightly into a fist.
*****
The wedding date drew near. Emperor Jiaping had decreed that Princess Kangle’s wedding be celebrated with the grandeur and ceremony befitting a prince. The entire palace and court were thrown into a flurry of activity, and Si Huahuan found herself busier than ever.
Day after day, she was forced to learn court etiquette and the art of governing subordinates from palace ladies and masters of ceremony. She practiced over and over again the numerous complex rituals required for the wedding day, never having a moment’s peace.
When she finally had a bit of free time, Si Huahuan listlessly poked at a peony on the table. She suddenly remembered that earlier that morning, Yao Huang had mentioned that the Juxian Restaurant had introduced several new seasonal dishes and cold desserts. Her interest perked up immediately.
Juxian Restaurant was the most famous establishment in the capital. Unless you booked a table a day in advance, you could not even get through the door.
Si Huahuan called for Yao Huang and ordered her to send someone to reserve a private room there, so they could go and try the new offerings.
The next day, she wore a light, goose-yellow dress. She had just turned a corner when she stopped short.
On the palace path ahead stood a figure dressed entirely in black, straight and tall as a bamboo stalk. It was undoubtedly Xie Yun.
Si Huahuan let out a quiet sigh in her heart. Why was he like a persistent spirit, turning up everywhere she went? It looked as if he had deliberately positioned himself, casually waiting right on the path she was bound to take.
In the Great Yue Kingdom, minor court assemblies were held every two days, and major assemblies every five days. Today was neither, and yet she had run into him inside the palace. It was truly vexing.
But today, for once, she did not turn around and walk away. Instead, she quickened her steps forward, shot him an annoyed glare, and spoke. “Marquis Ming’an certainly has plenty of free time. The palace is a maze of winding paths and corridors—how is it that I happen to run into you every single time?”
Xie Yun turned around, his expression calm and unruffled. “I am equally puzzled. The imperial palace is vast—how is it that I happen to run into Your Highness every single time?”
He was putting on quite the convincing act.
“Where are you going?” Xie Yun asked.
Si Huahuan had been exhausted these past few days. Too tired to bicker with him, she answered lazily and evasively. “Juxian Restaurant.”
“Juxian Restaurant?” Xie Yun raised an eyebrow slightly. “What a coincidence. I haven’t had lunch yet either. Since you are unfortunate enough to be going alone with no one to accompany you, I suppose I shall be magnanimous enough to go along with you.”
Si Huahuan rolled her eyes openly.
A coincidence? Hardly. It was not yet noon, so naturally he had not eaten lunch either.
And *unfortunate enough to be going alone*, and *magnanimous enough to go along*? His people must have gotten word that she had booked a private room there today, and he had hurried over to find her.
To scheme and plan so carefully, yet present it as a gracious favor—only Xie Yun could manage that.
He never let her have a single peaceful day.
Si Huahuan could not be bothered to call him out on it. She merely hummed in acknowledgement, agreeing to his company.
Besides, she had intended to ask him about something else anyway.
Si Huahuan refused his suggestion to ride in the same carriage. So Xie Yun had no choice but to ride his horse alone, following alongside her carriage.
When they arrived at Juxian Restaurant, the waiter asked for their names, then ushered them courteously into a private room. He held out an exquisitely printed menu with both hands and introduced the new dishes with a beaming smile.
Xie Yun did not even glance at the menu. He waved his hand casually and spoke in an offhand tone. “No need to choose. Bring every dish you serve.”
The food at Juxian Restaurant was refined and delicious, but it came at a high price. Customers who ordered so boldly were rare indeed.
The waiter froze for a moment, then asked cautiously. “Do you mean bring all the new dishes, or every dish…?”
“Every dish,” Xie Yun said.
The waiter’s smile grew so wide it nearly overflowed. He bowed repeatedly. “Very well! Your honored guests, please wait a moment—your food will be served shortly!”
Si Huahuan spoke up. “People who don’t know us might think you’re paying the bill. How can you be so shameless about ordering like this when it’s my account that will be charged?”
It was not that she lacked the money; she just disliked how pleased and arrogant he looked.
“What? Is Your Highness short of funds?” Xie Yun asked generously. “It does not matter. Put it on my account. Consider it a favor you’re doing me by helping me spend my money. Otherwise, I fear I wouldn’t be able to spend all the wealth I have even in several lifetimes.”
He was far too smug.
Si Huahuan wondered if she should find an excuse to confiscate his family’s assets in the future, just to wipe that look off his face.
Before long, the entire octagonal table was covered in a dazzling array of dishes, filling the room with rich, mouth-watering aromas.
Si Huahuan ate with great enjoyment. After a while, she spoke in a casual tone, as if the thought had just occurred to her. “You and the eldest son of Minister Lin—Minister Lin Heng… are you well acquainted? How close is your relationship?”
She had seen them meet at the flower appreciation banquet last time, and it had seemed obvious they knew each other.
After all, one was the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the other was the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Even without personal ties, their official duties would require them to interact frequently.
Xie Yun’s hand, holding his chopsticks, paused slightly. He looked up at her, his eyes darkening a shade, and the corners of his lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
“No wonder you’ve acted so differently today, deigning to share a meal at the same table as me. It seems you have an ulterior motive. Your true aim is to ask about Lin Heng. Why have you suddenly become so interested in him lately?”
“A gentleman like Minister Lin—everyone in the capital admires him, don’t they?”
“Do you admire him too?”
Si Huahuan clearly saw the displeasure written across his face. Her heart felt instantly lighter, and she deliberately replied, “Of course I do.”