In that brief moment, Wen Lisheng had thought of two or three different explanations, but under Xie Xiaonan’s gaze, she felt an inexplicable pressure weighing on her heart. In the end, she gave up and forced an awkward smile. “It’s nothing, really. I just happened to run into him at Laoshutang last time and felt like we had some… fate between us.”
Xie Xiaonan’s expression grew even stranger, and he ground out the word between his teeth: “Fate?”
“I wanted to see him again,” Wen Lisheng said.
Her words were somewhat inappropriate, but after all, the one who had stolen from Mei Xing’an’s wife’s room was that pickpocket. If everyone believed the stolen item was in her possession, only that thief could prove her innocence.
Even though the item had undoubtedly ended up in Xie Xiaonan’s hands, asking Xie Xiaonan to step forward and vouch for her was simply impossible. It was better to find a way through that fierce-looking pickpocket.
At the very least, she needed to know what that thing actually was.
Xie Xiaonan let out a cold snort, not bothering to hide his disdain. Without another word to her, he turned and entered the room.
Wen Lisheng stared at his retreating back, gritting her teeth and silently cursing his dog-like temper in her heart. Yet she didn’t dare to stop him, so she stomped away in a huff.
After all that running around, Wen Lisheng was drenched in sweat and returned to Wen Manor feeling sticky and uncomfortable. Yu Gui was anxiously waiting at the gate. As soon as she saw Wen Lisheng return, she knelt before her, wailing and crying, saying things like “I am guilty” and “I failed to protect you, Miss.”
Wen Lisheng was too exhausted to make a fuss. She waved a hand dismissively and said, “It’s fine, it’s not your fault.”
Yu Gui stood up, took out a silk handkerchief, and handed it to her to wipe away the sweat. With keen awareness, she said, “I’ll prepare water for you, Miss, so you can wash away the heat first.”
Wen Lisheng nodded and returned to the manor, fanning herself with a hand fan.
After washing away the sweat, Wen Lisheng changed into clean clothes and lay on the soft chair in her room. A bucket filled with large ice blocks was placed at her feet, and a maid fanned her vigorously. The cool breeze brushed against her face, finally dispelling the lingering heat. She closed her eyes comfortably, enjoying the moment.
Really, why go outside when it’s so comfortable indoors?
Wen Lisheng lay in her room for about two hours. Summer days were long, and even by the hour of You, the sky was still bright. The setting sun hung low on the western horizon, dyeing the clouds with its colors.
Wen Lisheng stood by the window, gazing into the distance as if pondering something important. After a moment, she turned to Yu Gui and asked, “Do you think I’m more beautiful, or are the clouds in the sky more beautiful?”
Yu Gui replied, “I’ll go out and ask when dinner will be served.”
Just as she stepped out, she bumped into a servant who had come to deliver a message. Seeing Wen Lisheng leaning halfway out of the window, the servant stopped and respectfully said, “The master requests that you join him for dinner in the main hall of the front courtyard.”
The Wen father and daughter usually ate in the rear courtyard. With only the two of them as masters in the vast Wen Manor—Wen Lisheng had lost her mother at a young age, and Wen Puchang had never remarried or taken a concubine—the main hall in the front courtyard was only used when guests visited.
Wen Lisheng asked in confusion, “Who’s here?”
Usually, when guests came to Wen Manor, Wen Puchang would have her stay quietly in the rear courtyard. On one hand, he was afraid she might scare the guests; on the other, he worried she might embarrass him. It was rare for him to call her to the front courtyard for a meal.
“The heir of Jing’an Marquis,” the servant said, lowering his head even further.
“Who?” Wen Lisheng was utterly shocked.
“The heir of Jing’an Marquis,” the servant repeated.”I won’t go. Just say I’m sick, so sick I’m about to die, can’t even get out of bed.” Wen Lisheng decisively refused, the words flowing without a single pause.
No sooner had she spoken than she caught sight of Wen Puchang standing at the narrow side gate to the west, watching her expressionlessly.
“Father,” caught red-handed telling such a blatant lie, Wen Lisheng showed not a hint of shame. Pouting, she looked on the verge of tears. “You only have one daughter like me. If I behave improperly and anger the young master, it’s all over. You can’t push me into the fire pit.”
“You also only have one father like me,” Wen Puchang replied with utter calm. “If you don’t want to be the death of me, hurry up and get yourself together and come out to eat. When the young master honors Wen Manor with his presence, do you really think you have a choice in whether to see him or not?”
Wen Lisheng hadn’t considered that. Only after Wen Puchang’s reminder did she recall that when someone of Xie Xiaonan’s status visited Wen Manor, naturally every member of the household, as many as there were, had to go to the main gate to welcome and pay respects—even though there were only two people in the manor with the surname Wen.
With no other choice, Wen Lisheng had Yu Gui tidy her slightly disheveled hair and change into a pale pink snow-gauze gown. She obediently followed behind Wen Puchang as they made their way to the main gate of Wen Manor.
Two rows of guards were already stationed at the entrance. The manor’s elderly steward and the servants usually entrusted with important tasks waited by the roadside. Seeing the two masters of the Wen family emerge one after the other, they naturally fell in behind, heads bowed and eyes lowered, standing properly outside the gate as they waited.
The weather was stiflingly hot, and Wen Lisheng’s patience was thin. After standing for a while, she grew restless and wanted to ask Yu Gui for a fan to cool herself. But the moment she shifted, Wen Puchang shot her a warning glance, forcing her to straighten up again.
After waiting for roughly the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, a jet-black carriage approached from the distance. Four auspicious knots with long tassels hung from the carriage eaves, and the body seemed adorned with golden brushstroke totemic patterns resembling a blooming flower.
She glanced at it only once before lowering her head, immediately recalling what Shen Jiaqing had said at the Grand Canyon.
“One look at that carriage tells you it’s from the Jing’an Marquis’s estate.”
Indeed, it was instantly recognizable as the Xie family’s carriage.
Soon the carriage drew near. Wen Puchang led the crowd forward a few steps, then bowed deeply in salute. “This humble official, of the Wen family, respectfully welcomes the young master’s honored arrival.”
Wen Lisheng followed suit in paying respects, her head lowered deeply, observing every propriety.
Xie Xiaonan descended from the carriage, accepted the salutation, and only after standing still did he gesture for Wen Puchang to rise. His gaze swept over Wen Lisheng briefly before he, along with the large entourage, entered Wen Manor.
Wen Puchang chatted cheerfully with Xie Xiaonan, describing along the way the specialty dishes and famous scenic spots of Yiguan County—all topics related to food, drink, and leisure. Xie Xiaonan occasionally replied with a word or two, his eyes never wandering. At first glance, he seemed lazily distracted, but in reality, he responded appropriately to everything Wen Puchang said.
Wen Lisheng noticed that when Xie Xiaonan conversed with others ordinarily, his expression held no smile, carrying a certain aloofness that kept people at a distance. Yet when speaking with Wen Puchang, a faint hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, melting the distant air around him.
Though not one to show his emotions readily, the change was still somewhat noticeable.
They soon arrived at the main hall. After Xie Xiaonan was invited inside, Wen Puchang waved to the servants, and dish after dish was successively laid out on the table.Wen Lisheng sat down in silence, keeping her head lowered and not uttering a word, truly appearing like a quiet and refined young lady from a respectable family.
Wen Puchang smiled and said, “In this humble Wen Manor, it’s just the two of us, father and daughter. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, I hope the young master will forgive us.”
Xie Xiaonan seemed somewhat intrigued. “Such a large Wen Manor, and only the two of you?”
“That’s right,” Wen Puchang replied. “Her mother was frail and fell ill after giving birth to her, passing away not long after. Since I was transferred to Yiguan County, I’ve been busy with official duties, so my daughter has lacked proper discipline since childhood. Today, I’ve embarrassed myself in front of the young master. If she offends you in the future, please speak up, and I will certainly discipline her properly.”
Xie Xiaonan chuckled softly but did not respond, instead glancing at Wen Lisheng.
He saw her sitting slumped, with her hand propping up her cheek, intently staring at the dishes being served one after another. It seemed as if her mouth would overflow with drool the moment she opened it, completely oblivious to their conversation.
Once all the dishes were served and the serving chopsticks were set, this seemingly casual yet not entirely casual meal began.
Wen Lisheng was already starving, but she still ate with great restraint, taking no more than two bites from each dish, chewing slowly and carefully, and setting down her chopsticks without making a sound.
Wen Puchang knew she couldn’t keep up the act for long. She could pretend for a while, but soon her true nature would show. So, he quickly waved her away and had the servants bring out fine pear blossom wine.
Wen Lisheng maintained her composure as she left the main hall, letting out a long sigh of relief only after taking a few steps.
She found it strange—the two of them seemed like they were celebrating the success of some plan they had conspired together.
Since when had her father become so close to Xie Xiaonan? This never happened in her previous life.
The celebration lasted for an hour. After Xie Xiaonan left and the gates of Wen Manor were closed, Wen Lisheng was summoned to the Wen family ancestral hall.
As soon as she entered, she saw Wen Puchang standing before the Wen family memorial tablets. The candlelight in the hall flickered, and upon hearing Wen Lisheng’s footsteps, he turned around. Before he could even open his mouth, the young girl knelt heavily on the ground with a thud.
Immediately after, she wailed loudly, “Father, your daughter knows she was wrong—”
Wen Puchang angrily retorted, “It’s always the same line every time!”