It was late at night when Nan Yan finally returned.
With the autumn examinations approaching, and as the emperor’s appointed chief examiner, Nan Yan spent nearly every day at the Hanlin Academy.
Zhao Mingyan was waiting for him inside, sewing clothes as she passed the time. Her own garments were already finished; now she was stitching one for Nan Yan. But as she sewed, drowsiness overcame her. Just as she drifted off, she was carried to the bed. Half‑asleep, she suddenly startled awake. Opening her eyes, she saw a man of jade‑like features, refined and elegant.
“My lord, you’re back?” Her eyes lit up instantly, filled with joy at the sight of him.
Nan Yan’s face hardened, his tone stern. “Yesterday you scolded me for not being frugal, yet today you sit at the desk with the lamp burning, fast asleep.”
Zhao Mingyan quickly explained, “My lord, no—I was only waiting for you and dozed off.”
The next moment, Nan Yan’s handsome, mature face leaned close, his sharp phoenix eyes fixed on her. “Who told you to wait for me? Next time, if you’re tired, go to sleep at once. If I catch you wasting candlelight again, you’ll see how I deal with you.”
Zhao Mingyan: “……”
Fine, fine—she realized this old man was truly stingy!
Yes, she had been the one to bring up frugality yesterday, but wasn’t that about saving when possible? Tonight, she had only nodded off while waiting for him, yet she was still scolded. This old man was far too petty!
“All right, Mingyan understands.” Facing her miserly master, she lowered her head obediently.
Nan Yan, seeing her docile and gentle demeanor, gave a soft chuckle. In his cold phoenix eyes, a trace of amusement flickered.
“Good. Then go to sleep. Don’t stay up late again.”
“Wait, my lord.” Zhao Mingyan tugged at his sleeve.
“What is it?”
“Something happened at the residence today. I wish to ask you to intervene.”
She had stayed up so late precisely because of the Qiao family’s plea earlier that day. The old couple had come seeking help—and only Nan Yan could provide it.
“What matter?” Nan Yan’s expression shifted slightly.
“It concerns our neighbors,” Zhao Mingyan said, her heart uneasy, watching his face carefully.
For Nan Yan, this matter was nothing more than a trivial sesame‑seed case. He didn’t need to maneuver or struggle—he only had to mention it to the Prefect during court. A single word that the Qiao family teahouse owner was his neighbor, and the Prefect could immediately order the man released.
Such lawsuits had nothing to do with truth or justice; they were contests of backing and influence. The Guangfeng Teahouse owner had only the support of a minor county magistrate. Nan Yan didn’t even need to see that man—just speak to his superior, the Prefect, and the county magistrate would no longer be able to cover the sky with one hand.
Zhao Mingyan had seen plenty of such cases back at the Zhao household. As a concubine’s daughter, she was often summoned by the main wife to the central hall to learn rules. That hall received endless visitors, and nearly half of them came with lawsuits like these.
Small families with shallow roots, when faced with deadly lawsuits, had to cling to powerful patrons—bringing gifts, kowtowing, begging for help.
She had even ordered her most loyal nursemaid to record all the gifts and cases in detail. After the visitors left, the lists were presented to her father, Minister Zhao, who would review them one by one.
Cases that could be handled—gifts accepted. Cases that couldn’t—told to wait. Of course, the gifts were never returned.
The only time gifts were refused was when the giver lacked tact, offering things too shabby to impress while still asking for favors. Those were scornfully sent back, told never to return. Naturally, all of this came at a cost.
The more lawsuits they took on, the greater the chance of entanglement in wrongful or criminal cases. If political enemies seized on such scandals, the Zhao family would have to climb higher still—seeking aid from dukes or princes, binding themselves ever deeper to powerful patrons.
After speaking to Nan Yan, Zhao Mingyan’s heart filled with unease. She had been with him nearly ten days, enough to sense his character. He was clearly a man determined to be a clean, upright official—no factions, no bribes, no love of wealth. He might not be willing to meddle in such matters. Sure enough, after she explained the Qiao family’s plight, Nan Yan fell silent.
Seeing his silence, Zhao Mingyan’s heart grew restless. She remembered she was only his concubine. Truthfully, a concubine’s duty was simply to serve him well, nothing more. By inserting herself into his affairs and making requests of him, she feared Nan Yan might grow displeased with her.
But why did Zhao Mingyan insist on doing this…
Aside from the two tears she saw in the clouded eyes of the Qiao couple, the most important reason was that she wanted to do something for the Nan household.
Yesterday, Nan Yan had given her the household key. That heavy key, which she clutched all night, stirred in her a sense of responsibility—perhaps even a touch of presumption—that she should help manage Nan Yan’s family affairs.
After the Qiao family teahouse matter was resolved, their business would be difficult to continue. Zhao Mingyan saw this and thought of seizing the opportunity—taking it over would make it the Nan family’s very first enterprise.
At that moment, a gentle voice sounded. “Very well. I’ll handle this tomorrow.”
The words were like a sudden shaft of light breaking through a gloomy sky—instantly, everything brightened.
Startled, Zhao Mingyan lifted her head to see Nan Yan agreeing without hesitation. She could hardly believe it. Nan Yan hadn’t asked for any further details—he simply agreed.
Unable to stop herself, she added, “My lord, don’t worry. I already sent Uncle Chen to verify the matter. The Qiao couple…”
“Enough.” Her nose was lightly pinched, and Nan Yan looked at her with indulgence.
“If it’s something you want to do, I’ll make it happen. You don’t need to explain further.”
One sentence—gentle to the bone, and filled with trust to the bone.
Zhao Mingyan’s heart skipped a beat. Her almond eyes gazed at Nan Yan, growing brighter the longer she looked, and the more she looked, the more handsome he seemed.
What could she say? An older man was simply more reliable than a younger one. The more she looked, the more attractive he became!
Her fiery gaze burned into Nan Yan, and in his eyes…
“You little enchantress, always tempting me.”
Zhao Mingyan: “!!!”
Wait—how was she tempting him again? She didn’t realize that looking at a man she adored with eyes full of admiration was, in his view, the most blatant seduction of all.
“My lord, I wasn’t!” she protested quickly.
“Still denying it? Staying up so late—clearly you’re trying to tempt me.”
Zhao Mingyan: “……”
The next moment, she was pushed down onto the bed.
The two lamps, sensing the mood, extinguished themselves. Amidst the whirlwind, Zhao Mingyan could only think—
When would she ever escape this label of “seducing him”? She truly had no intention of seducing anyone!