The next day, Lan Tingzhou rose unusually late, well after daybreak, while Gan Cai’er slept until the sun was high in the sky.
Upon waking, she did not get up immediately but lay in bed staring blankly, her eyes dim.
“Miss, are you feeling unwell?” Xiao Hong asked with concern.
Gan Cai’er slowly shook her head, her voice hoarse. “Xiao Hong, you may leave for now. I wish to rest a little longer.”
Xiao Hong left, still worried.
In truth, Xiao Hong’s concern was unnecessary—Gan Cai’er was not physically unwell.
Although Lan Tingzhou had been unrestrained and indulgent the previous night, he had always controlled his strength, never harming Gan Cai’er.
Yet, it was precisely this careful consideration that made Gan Cai’er even more sorrowful.
Lan Tingzhou’s warm breath still seemed to linger by her ear, stirring her, making her heart flutter with each wave.
But such a fine gentleman was ultimately not hers.
Gan Cai’er felt like a thief, stealing this brief moment of tenderness from Shen Yunxi.
She clung to it, cherished it, unwilling to let go.
Yet in the end, she would have to return it all.
A sour, bitter emotion swelled in Gan Cai’er’s chest—deep, intense, threatening to drown her.
A sudden, wild thought arose in her heart: Could she keep Lan Tingzhou for herself, not yield him to Shen Yunxi?
As soon as the thought emerged, images from her past life flashed before her eyes—scenes of Lan Tingzhou and Shen Yunxi together.
Between them, no words were needed; a single glance sufficed to understand each other’s thoughts—a tacit understanding and comprehension that no outsider could intrude upon.
In their gazes were tenderness, compassion, shyness, and a faint, lingering affection.
The thought that had just risen in Gan Cai’er’s heart withered away bit by bit in moments.
How could she compare to Shen Yunxi?
Staring at the embroidered bed curtains in the inn, she smiled faintly, mocking herself.
It seemed she needed to find a way to hasten Lan Tingzhou’s entry into the Lùmíng Shūyuàn. Once he moved into the Academy, the marital duties on the first and fifteenth days of the month could also be avoided.
The less time she spent with him, the less sorrow there would be when they eventually parted.
Burdened by her thoughts, Gan Cai’er drifted back into a weary sleep.
In contrast to Gan Cai’er’s low spirits, Lan Tingzhou was exceptionally radiant that day.
Once again in the elegant room of the Mingpin Teahouse.
“Ah, indeed, joy brings vigor. Today, you even seem to walk with a spring in your step,” Lu Qingning teased.
Lan Tingzhou smiled slightly, lowering his head to sip his tea, ignoring Lu Qingning’s jest.
“Speaking of yesterday, I heard you made quite a splash,” Lu Qingning said with a laugh.
“Many are now inquiring about you everywhere, especially those with unmarried daughters.”
“Oh, right, do you really love braised pork knuckle in chili oil?”
Lan Tingzhou glanced at him, seeing the playful look on his face, and let out a light chuckle.
“With your fondness for gossip, serving in the Jin Jun is a waste of talent. You might as well try your luck at the Court of Judicial Review.”
“No, no, let’s not go there!” Lu Qingning waved his hands hastily.
“Most of what they do at the Court of Judicial Review is morally questionable. I’d rather not suffer that.”
Lan Tingzhou lowered his eyes with a smile.
“By the way, if you have time lately, keep an eye on the Du Residence for me.”
“Is there something amiss at the Du Residence?” Lu Qingning asked.
Lan Tingzhou recounted the incident of Gan Cai’er hitting someone.
“Hahaha, your wife truly has a spirited personality! She suits my taste perfectly. I must meet her someday,” Lu Qingning laughed, clapping his hands.
Lan Tingzhou shot him a look and said calmly, “Indeed. Someday, I’ll treat you to braised pork knuckle in chili oil.”
“Well, that might not be necessary.”
“However, it’s not uncommon for wives and concubines to vie for favor in high-ranking households. Why do you find this situation unusual?”
“Danzhou, under Governor Du’s administration, enjoys a clear and upright social atmosphere, with the people content in their livelihoods. He doesn’t seem like a foolish man who would allow his inner residence to fall into such chaos,” Lan Tingzhou said.
“Now that you mention it, there does seem to be something odd about the Du Residence,” Lu Qingning mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Tell me more.”
“Old Master Lu’s journey south this time was by imperial decree to inspect the prefectures and counties along the Mi River.”
“At other places, Old Master Lu only stayed for three to five days, but when he reached Danzhou, he decided to stay for over a month, claiming it was as if he and Governor Du had met too late in life.”
“Staying longer isn’t inherently a big deal. It’s just that I always felt he treated Danzhou differently from the other places.”
Lan Tingzhou furrowed his brows and lowered his gaze, pondering for a long while but failing to come to any conclusion.
“Keep an eye on it for now. If there really is something amiss, clues will eventually surface.”
“Alright, you can rest assured. With me here, I won’t let the Du family cause any trouble for your younger sister-in-law.”
Lan Tingzhou’s thoughts were always deeply concealed, but Lu Qingning could still guess a thing or two.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Qingning.”
Having his thoughts laid bare, Lan Tingzhou wasn’t annoyed but instead thanked him generously.
“This Lotus Appreciation Banquet, you’ve managed to make quite a splash. What do you plan to do next?” Lu Qingning asked.
“First, I’ll focus on passing the prefectural examination. As for the rest, I’ll take it one step at a time.”
“Old Master Lu introduced me to a few friends this time. After I finish the exams, I’ll visit each of them. If I can secure their recommendations, participating in the provincial examination will go more smoothly.”
“You haven’t even taken the prefectural and academy exams yet, and you’re already thinking about the provincial examination? Tsk, tsk, the way you talk about the imperial exams makes it sound as easy as reaching into a bag and taking something out.”
“Heh, if I can’t even manage this much, how can I speak of entering officialdom, let alone seeking revenge?”
Lu Qingning was left speechless.
Well, it was presumptuous of him to discuss the imperial exams with someone who had been called a child prodigy since childhood.