Su Niao slept until late morning, then finally woke up. While eating breakfast, she learned from Steward Jing that Chen Yan had already returned her carriage. But he had not come to see her. At daybreak, he had gone back into the mountains.
Su Niao let out a cold laugh, thinking the hypocrite was probably trying to avoid fulfilling his promise to kneel before her, so he slipped away early. But it didn’t matter.
A monk may run away, but the temple remains. Since he had agreed to the bargain himself, there was no way she would let him wriggle out of it.
Wolf packs constantly roamed the mountains. The hunting party included several experienced old hunters, and following the wolves’ tracks, they led the group deep into the wilderness.
At noon on the sixth day after Chen Yan entered the mountains, the hunting party grandly returned to Ping’an Alley, hauling back the corpses of twenty-three wolves.
Of course, far more than twenty-three wolves lived in the mountains, and they hadn’t intended to wipe them out completely.
Too much of anything became a bad thing. Wolves were not entirely harmful, after all. As long as they eliminated the packs lingering near this section of forest and prevented them from descending the mountain to attack people, that was enough.
Twenty-three massive wolf carcasses were lined up outside the gates of the Su estate.
The gathered neighbors were both terrified and excited. They continuously praised Miss Su for her generosity and kindness in helping rid the area of a major threat.
Su Niao merely responded with polite smiles. Afterward, she had Steward Jing settle the promised rewards for the hunting party. She also paid the medical expenses for those who had been injured. This naturally earned her another flood of gratitude and praise.
In truth, Su Niao knew full well she wasn’t acting out of kindness. It was only because she had once come up with the terrible idea of having Xie Chenyan die to a wolf pack. Fortunately, the wolves she had attracted had not actually taken any human lives.
Steward Jing arranged for the wolf carcasses to be dealt with. First, someone was sent to the county yamen to officially report the completion of the wolf hunt and register the number of wolves killed. Then specialists were hired to process the pelts.
Su Niao had no interest in any of that. Instead, her attention was drawn to a game of chuiwan that had been taking place at the drying grounds near Stone Bridge over the past few days. Compared to the version she had played in the capital, the Ping’an Alley version of chuiwan was much simpler.
But it had one advantage: The crowds of spectators were large, enthusiastic, and wholeheartedly sincere in their cheers and support. The people Su Niao used to play chuiwan with were mostly the sons and daughters of powerful noble families in the capital. Every one of them loved keeping up appearances. Winners had to pretend to be modest; losers had to pretend to be gracious. It made the games thoroughly unenjoyable.
Ping’an Alley was completely different. When someone won, the crowd burst into genuine cheers. When someone lost, they were either met with playful booing or teased until everyone roared with laughter. The atmosphere was lively and full of fun.
Of course, Su Niao played for the cheers. After all, she was actually quite skilled at chuiwan. At first, the residents of Ping’an Alley had not thought much of this pampered young lady. Then she pleasantly surprised them.
Every time Su Niao appeared, applause and cheers filled the air. From time to time, young men with reddened faces would challenge her. Whether she won or lost, she always handed out small prizes with a pleasant smile afterward.
Before long, Miss Su’s reputation became increasingly positive and widespread. By the third day, it was no longer just young men stepping forward to challenge her. Quite a few young women, eager to try their luck, began joining in as well.
Though inwardly proud and haughty, Su Niao had been raised among the capital’s aristocratic circles and had mastered the art of social grace. Even toward girls whose appearance, dress, education, and accomplishments all fell far below her own, she remained courteous and friendly. She distributed several inexpensive trinkets, ornaments, and scented sachets.
As a result, the girls who had once kept a respectful distance from the beautiful noblewoman now blushed shyly and sincerely addressed her as “Miss Su” at every turn.
On the fourth day, however, an unwelcome guest arrived.
Jin Mingzhu had deliberately chosen the day Chen Xu was expected to return from the autumn examinations to come to Ping’an Alley. Unexpectedly, the first thing she saw upon arriving was Su Niao being surrounded and adored by a crowd. That treatment had once been hers. In the past, whenever she appeared in Ping’an Alley, the neighbors would gather around her, all calling out “Miss Jin” with enthusiasm. But today, everyone was gathered around the chuiwan match, placing Su Niao firmly at the center of attention. From a distance, it looked as though she were the focus of the entire neighborhood.
Then Jin Mingzhu noticed what they were doing. Chuiwan. Immediately, she grew eager to compete. After all, she was highly skilled at the game herself.
So by the time Chen Yan had settled matters with the injured hunters and finished the remaining business before returning to Ping’an Alley, he found a crowd of spectators watching Su Niao and Jin Mingzhu compete in chuiwan.
Both girls insisted they had won, while the spectators argued noisily among themselves, each side convinced of a different outcome. Unable to reach a conclusion, the crowd suggested that the village head, who had come to watch the excitement, act as referee.
The village head nearly fainted. How could he possibly afford to offend either of these young ladies, both equally competitive and unwilling to back down? His old bones were nowhere near sturdy enough for that.
The moment everyone suggested he be the judge, he hurriedly declined, claiming his eyesight was too poor to see clearly. Then he spotted Chen Yan standing at the back of the crowd and immediately dragged him forward as a substitute.
“Chen Yan’s a first-rate hunter, and he’s always fair-minded. Let him judge.”
The moment Jin Mingzhu saw that it was Chen Xu’s older brother, she naturally agreed without hesitation.
As for Su Niao, although she disliked him, she trusted this hypocrite to remain impartial under so many watchful eyes, so she did not object.
A short while later, the match began before the gathered crowd.
The rules were simple: Each contestant would take ten shots. Whoever scored more balls would win.
Determined to outshine Su Niao, Jin Mingzhu went first. Perhaps because she was thinking about Chen Xu, she played even better than usual. She sank nine balls. Jin Mingzhu was overjoyed.
That immediately put all the pressure on Su Niao.
Su Niao merely curled her lips. Putting on the composed demeanor she’d learned among the capital’s elite, she calmly swung her mallet. One shot after another. Every ball found its hole. Ten out of ten.
Cheers erupted from all around.
Jin Mingzhu’s face immediately fell. Amid the applause and praise, however, Su Niao felt a trace of unease. As she lined up her final shot, she repeatedly adjusted her stance and aim. At one point, she had accidentally brushed the ball. The ball had shifted ever so slightly. The movement was barely noticeable, but under the rules, it counted as a foul. She wasn’t sure whether Xie Chenyan had seen it. Tentatively, she glanced in his direction. Then she met his calm, steady gaze.
Chen Yan looked at the young lady, who was secretly peeking at him, then quietly withdrew his gaze.
As the crowd pressed him for a verdict, he raised his voice and announced: “Nine to nine. A draw.”
Someone immediately objected. “But didn’t Miss Su score ten balls?”
Chen Yan explained, “Miss Su’s tenth ball touched the mallet…”
Jin Mingzhu practically jumped three feet into the air. “Wonderful!”
Su Niao let out a cold laugh. “It was only a draw. You didn’t win either. What are you so happy about?”
With that, she shot Xie Chenyan a frosty look, tossed down her mallet, and turned to leave.
Chen Yan: …
He had known the proud little peacock would certainly get angry. But facts were facts. As the referee, he could not consciously favor her against his own conscience.
Su Niao suppressed her irritation and refrained from scolding Xie Chenyan in public.
Yet even as she was leaving, Jin Mingzhu refused to let the matter rest. “Wait!”
Jin Mingzhu hurried after her and blocked her path. “Since you didn’t win, then from now on you’re not allowed to go near Chen Xu anymore.”
Chen Xu had just returned to Ping’an Alley after getting off the carriage. Before he even reached his front door, the commotion drew him over. The very first thing he heard was Jin Mingzhu’s declaration. His heart immediately tightened, and he instinctively looked toward Miss Su.
Su Niao smiled. She stopped mid-stride and turned back to face Jin Mingzhu. “I may not have won, but I didn’t lose either. So why should I listen to you?”
Just seeing that face made Jin Mingzhu anxious and angry. She knew that in only a short time, word of an unparalleled beauty appearing in Jining County had already spread everywhere.
Had Magistrate Liu’s son, Liu Xu, not secretly sent people around to hint that he had his eye on Miss Su, the roads of Ping’an Alley would probably have been worn flat these past few days by young noblemen coming to visit.
Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Jin Mingzhu knew she could not compare with Su Niao’s beauty, nor could she compare with her family background. When Su Niao rescued Chen Xu that day, Jin Mingzhu saw the expression on Chen Xu’s face. She knew that if she did not act soon, she truly would have no chance with him. But she genuinely liked Chen Xu. Liked him so much that she was willing to disregard her own reputation. She knew Chen Xu had already completed the provincial examination. Passing was practically certain, and afterward he would be heading to the capital for the metropolitan examination. If matters were not settled before then, she and Chen Xu might never have a future together. So she cared about nothing else. All she wanted was to keep Su Niao as far away from Chen Xu as possible.
Because deep down, Jin Mingzhu understood one thing clearly: If Su Niao were willing, Chen Xu would probably agree to be with her immediately.
But when Su Niao asked her why, Jin Mingzhu’s eyes stung with unshed tears, yet she refused to show weakness before a rival in love. Straightening her back even more, she declared, “Everyone knows I’ve liked Chen Xu for a long time. Why do you have to come and steal him from me?”
Su Niao had no idea when exactly she had started competing with Jin Mingzhu for Chen Xu.
But after being repeatedly provoked by this woman, and still harboring frustration from the chuiwan match, seeing Jin Mingzhu stand there acting righteous despite having no real justification irritated her immensely. Since she was annoyed, why should anyone else be comfortable?
Su Niao let out a scornful laugh. “So if you admire someone, that person automatically belongs to you? Has Chen Xu agreed to marry you?”
Jin Mingzhu was left speechless. Stiffening her neck stubbornly, she retorted, “As long as you don’t interfere and sabotage things, he’ll eventually agree. So if you have any sense of propriety, stay away from him.”
Su Niao laughed in exasperation. “Well, now I really want to interfere. What are you going to do about it?”
The moment Chen Xu heard those words, his face turned bright red.
Just then, someone noticed him.
“He’s here! He’s here! Chen Xu’s back!”
Every head turned in his direction.
Jin Mingzhu saw him as well.
Though he had just endured nine days of examinations, Chen Xu had washed up and changed after leaving the examination compound. He had also spent the journey back resting and recovering. As a result, while he looked slightly weary, he still appeared clean, refreshed, and upright as a stalk of green bamboo.
The moment Jin Mingzhu saw him, she could no longer look away. Things had already escalated this far, and she had no intention of backing down. To everyone’s shock, she rushed directly to Chen Xu.
“Chen Xu, my family is already looking for a marriage match for me. But I don’t want to marry anyone else. I only like you.”
“Give me a clear answer.”
“I can’t keep waiting for you forever.”
With both hands clenched into fists, she stared at him without blinking. Then she pointed toward Su Niao, who stood nearby. “After today, I probably won’t be able to marry anyone anyway. So I want an answer right now.”
“Between me and the one surnamed Su…”
“Which one will you choose?”
Chen Xu was stunned. He had already made his position clear to Jin Mingzhu, yet she refused to give up and kept pressing him.
Now she had gone so far as to say such things publicly, completely disregarding her own reputation and dignity. If he refused this time, she truly might end up, just as she had said, unable to find anyone to marry.
Others would likely think he had let down a girl who had devoted herself to him with such single-minded affection. But the problem was that he had never promised Jin Mingzhu anything. He had always made it very clear to her that he did not like her.
Jin Mingzhu was staking her own reputation to force his hand.
Just then, Su Niao, standing to the side, suddenly spoke up.
“You, Miss Jin, may enjoy being picked and chosen by others, but that’s your business. Who permitted you to drag me into this?”
What did she mean by saying Chen Xu would choose someone? Had Su Niao ever given either of them that privilege?
Jin Mingzhu’s eyes reddened with anger. “Weren’t you the one who insisted on butting in? Why are you pretending now?”
Su Niao let out a mocking laugh. “Who says that butting in means I have to be chosen? Do ordinary people even qualify to catch my eye?”
She turned and cast a disdainful glance at Chen Xu. “If someone wants to earn my notice, then either they must be royal nobility, born of an illustrious bloodline, or possess extraordinary talent in both scholarship and ability. Tell me, Chen Xu, do you qualify?”
Chen Xu stared blankly at the proud and haughty young woman before him. Instinctively, he took a step forward, then barely managed to suppress the emotions surging within him. Word by word, he said, “I will answer that question for you after the results of the provincial examination are announced, Miss.”
After speaking, he pressed his lips together and added: “If I do not earn the title of top provincial scholar, I will never again dare appear before you.”
With that single sentence, his feelings could not have been more obvious.
Su Niao curled her lips into a smile. “Very well. Then I’ll wait and see.”
After saying that, she turned back to Jin Mingzhu. “See that? You have so little regard for yourself that you insist on being chosen by someone. But to me, he is the one who must strive for even the chance to earn a place in my eyes.”
Chen Xu remained silent, lips tightly pressed together.
Jin Mingzhu’s face turned deathly pale.
The atmosphere had already become awkward, and some of the gathered neighbors began to disperse.
Pale-faced, Jin Mingzhu asked Chen Xu, “So you truly don’t like me?”
Chen Xu cupped his hands and bowed to her in apology.
Jin Mingzhu closed her eyes. A string of tears rolled down her cheeks. With a bitter smile, she turned away and staggered off, supported by her maid.
Chen Yan had already slipped out of the crowd. By the time he returned to the Chen family courtyard, he heard his aunt anxiously trying to persuade Chen Xu: “Ah-Xu, Mother knows you’re proud and capable, but I’ve heard that Miss Su is a noble lady from the capital, a precious daughter of a prestigious family. She’s not someone people like us can aspire to marry into.”
Chen Xu pressed his lips together. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly: “Don’t worry, Mother. If I can place first in this autumn’s provincial examination, I’ll go and confess my feelings to Miss Su. I’ll ask her to take a look at me. Then, when the spring metropolitan examination comes, I’ll earn three successive first-place honors and formally ask for her hand in marriage.”
After a pause, he added: “But if I fail to become the provincial champion this autumn, then I’ll stop indulging in such foolish dreams.”
Madam Chen wanted to say more, but Chen Xu interrupted: “Mother, this concerns a lifetime of happiness. Your son wants to fight for it, just this once.”
Chen Yan lingered for a moment before backing out through the courtyard gate. He picked up a cage of small rabbits he had caught while hunting wolves and left by the wall, then headed toward the Su residence. The Su family had asked him to settle matters concerning the injured hunter, and he had not yet reported back. After entering the Su residence, he followed the covered walkway inward. As he reached the moon-gate leading into the garden, he heard two women talking.
“Miss, don’t tell me you’ve really taken a fancy to that scholar surnamed Chen?”
Lichun sounded utterly incredulous. “He’s nowhere near as impressive as the Fifth Prince. He doesn’t even compare to those noble young masters who used to shower you with attention. Miss, please don’t act on impulse.”
Su Niao clicked her tongue. “What are you thinking? How could I possibly like him?”
Lichun immediately breathed a sigh of relief, though she still looked doubtful. “But, Miss, the way that scholar looked at you just now, and the things he said… it sounded as if he plans to come propose marriage once he becomes the provincial champion.”
Su Niao let out a scornful laugh. “If he becomes the provincial champion, he thinks he can come and propose to me? Does he really think that highly of himself?”
Lichun still seemed uneasy. “But what if he really does come?”
Su Niao waved her hand impatiently. “If he’s truly that ignorant of his own place, why should I spare his feelings? Enough. Stop talking about such insignificant people. Has a letter arrived from the capital?”
Lichun paused, then glanced at her mistress before hesitantly replying, “Yes.”
Su Niao frowned. “If there’s something to say, then say it. Stop stammering.”
Gritting her teeth, Lichun blurted, “The eldest young lady has become engaged to the Fifth Prince.”
Su Niao froze briefly, then gave an indifferent “Oh.”
“That was fast…”
It seemed she would have to move quickly on her side as well. If Su Xuan really married Xie Qinglan, avenging herself afterward would be much harder. No, she needed to think carefully about what to do.
What Su Niao didn’t know was that, at the very same moment she was plotting how to take revenge as soon as possible, Su Xuan in the capital was smiling because of the voice in her head.
Pleasure +30. Female Lead Halo +30.
Su Xuan knew that a major breakthrough on her side meant Su Niao’s cannon-fodder value would increase accordingly. And that meant one thing: either Su Niao would do something stupid, or she would run into bad luck.
Given Su Niao’s usual temperament, she might even charge straight back to the capital. That would be perfect.
If Su Niao returned to the capital, angered her parents, and became a target of ridicule, her cannon-fodder value would surely rise even further. And if that happened, Xie Qinglan might even bring the wedding date forward. Filled with anticipation, Su Xuan waited eagerly.
chuiwan