The young ladies who had come along saw, beside the great parasol tree in the courtyard, a clear, gentle stream running through, murmuring softly.
By the stream stood a desk, where a man in white robes bent over his writing brush, his movements free and graceful. Hearing the sound at the gate, he lifted his head slightly.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling across his face, making his features even more striking—like carved jade, noble and handsome, with the air of an exiled immortal. His bearing was dignified yet aloof, his gaze sharp as cold stars, enough to shake the heart.
Whether they knew him or not, the young women all thought the same: *What a fine gentleman!*
None dared meet his eyes; they bowed respectfully: “Greetings, Heir.”
But how did even those unfamiliar with him know he was Xu Hengce, the heir? Because beside the desk sat a wheelchair.
Though customs were freer now than in past dynasties—young men and women could meet openly, even play together—it was clear Xu Hengce was here to practice calligraphy, so their arrival felt intrusive.
Alas, such a man, yet gravely injured and disabled—truly, Heaven envies talent.
Xu Hengce inclined his head slightly to the group, then looked at Xu Wanyue. “What is it?”
Xu Wanyue was about to speak when Xiao Ruqiong stepped forward, her face flushed. “Elder Brother Heir, have you seen my sixth sister?”
Xu Hengce replied coolly, “I have not.”
Xiao Ruqiong said, “She claimed she was going to Cuiwei Courtyard to change clothes, but instead came here to Mingxi Courtyard. I fear she may have disturbed you…”
Mingxi Courtyard was not Xu Hengce’s residence, merely a summer retreat of the Xu household, open to anyone. But after his injury, Xu Hengce liked to come here, listening to the stream while practicing calligraphy, saying it calmed the heart and clarified the mind. Thus, others seldom came. He also disliked closing the courtyard gates, saying the wind passing through and brushing the stream gave greater charm.
Xiao Ruqiong thought him pretentious. Crippled as he was, he was still intent on crafting a refined persona.
The other young women were startled—what did Fourth Miss Xiao mean by that? Was she implying something?
Suddenly, a sturdy guard appeared, bowing to Xiao Ruqiong. “Apart from you ladies, no one has entered Mingxi Courtyard.”
He had been there all along, but the women were too focused on Xu Hengce to notice.
Xiao Ruqiong said, “Is that so? Yet someone swore they saw her come in. My sister is rather mischievous and has always admired Elder Brother Heir. I fear that upon seeing you here, she may have secretly hidden herself away.” As she spoke, she glanced toward the row of side chambers.
The young women were even more astonished. Sixth Miss Xiao admired the heir?
Well, many admired him; she was likely one among them. But for Fourth Miss Xiao to say it now, in this situation, seemed to carry another meaning. Could she truly be hiding in those chambers? And—was it that she hid herself, or that the heir Xu Hengce told her to hide? Best not to think too deeply!
The expressions on the young ladies’ faces grew more complicated, and they too turned their gaze toward the side chambers.
Xiao Ruwen said angrily, “Sixth Sister must be hiding inside. She’s always had a bit of sly cleverness, and she was just recently rejected from her betrothal…”
Who would have thought—Xiao Yunzhu actually coveted Fourth Sister’s marriage!
Xiao Ruqiong cut her off: “Why bring that up now?”
Yet the young women seemed to understand, exchanging glances with one another.
Xiao Ruxiu looked at Xiao Ruqiong and Xiao Ruwen, then at Xu Hengce, and decided not to get involved. She quietly withdrew to the edge of the crowd.
The guard looked puzzled. “Fourth Miss Xiao, I already said—aside from you ladies, no one else has entered Mingxi Court.”
Why would they simply refuse to believe him?
Xiao Ruqiong ignored the guard, fixing her eyes only on Xu Hengce, her voice tinged with obvious sorrow: “Elder Brother Heir, my Sixth Sister… is she here or not?”
Xu Hengce looked at her without speaking. His gaze was deep, as though piercing straight into the hidden thoughts of her heart.
Xiao Ruqiong forced a smile. “Since Elder Brother Heir does not wish to say, then… then let it be.”
Just then, Madam Xu arrived, breathless. “Qiong’er, Heng’er, what has happened?”
Behind her came a group of womenfolk who had come to offer birthday congratulations—the foremost among them was Xiao Ruqiong’s mother, Madam Huang.
Xiao Ruqiong stepped forward, speaking in a low, dispirited tone: “Aunt, don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. It’s about my Sixth Sister…”
Madam Huang pressed, “Speak! What about your Sixth Sister?”
Madam Xu had meant to come to Mingxi Courtyard alone, but Madam Huang’s loud fuss had drawn so many curious onlookers.
Xiao Ruqiong faltered: “I… I cannot bring myself to say it!”
Xiao Ruwen raised her voice: “If Fourth Sister cannot say it, then I will. Sixth Sister, she…”
But suddenly she stopped, staring as though she had seen a ghost—at Madam Xu’s side.
Xiao Yunzhu stepped forward, smiling. “What about me?”
Xiao Ruwen stammered: “You pretended to change clothes, but in truth you came to Mingxi Court to disturb the Heir!”
She had truly thought Xiao Yunzhu was hiding in the chambers. Perhaps the Heir found her unworthy, spoke only a few words, and sent her away.
Xiao Yunzhu looked utterly baffled. “Where did this talk come from? I thought Cuiwei Courtyard was too far just to change clothes, so halfway, I went to the front flower hall instead. Only now have I come along with everyone. I never even saw the Heir before this.”
She glanced at Xu Hengce, seated with lowered eyes, and her heart filled with sympathy.
At this very moment, among everyone present, perhaps only she could truly empathize. How similar their situations were. Both had once stood high above the clouds, only to fall in a single instant. Both had been scorned by their betrothed.
Xiao Ruwen cried out: “You’re lying!”
Fourth Sister said she came to Mingxi Courtyard, so she must have come—only left quickly, before being caught.
Yi Wanjun stepped forward, taking Xiao Yunzhu’s hand, glaring at Xiao Ruwen. “You’re the one lying! Sister Yunzhu has been in the outer hall all along, with me!”
She had never gotten along with those other young ladies, so not long after Xiao Yunzhu left the garden, she herself returned to the hall. Finding the matrons’ chatter dull, she went to the outer hall to play with the Nine Linked Rings puzzle. Then Xiao Yunzhu arrived, and she had a companion.
Xiao Ruwen wanted to accuse them of collusion, but several matrons confirmed they had indeed seen Xiao Yunzhu earlier.
Madam Huang was greatly vexed—why hadn’t she noticed? Had she seen, she would have known nothing had happened and sent word to her daughter.
Xiao Ruqiong secretly ground her teeth, cursing Madam Huang in her heart as useless and incompetent. But it didn’t matter—who could prove that Xiao Yunzhu hadn’t met privately with Xu Hengce today? She could well have met him first, then gone to the hall afterward.
True, Xu Hengce said Xiao Yunzhu hadn’t come to Mingxi Courtyard, but as the party involved, his word proved nothing.
Gathering her words, Xiao Ruqiong frowned. “Sixth Sister, today’s matter may be a misunderstanding. But the reason I misunderstood is because you…”
Xiao Yunzhu interrupted with a smile. “Let me guess—because I respect the Heir, admire the Heir, or because I’ve just been rejected from my betrothal and supposedly harbor thoughts I shouldn’t?”
Xiao Ruqiong: …
The young ladies who had come with her all turned to look at Xiao Yunzhu, their eyes wide with shock. What was going on? She hadn’t even been present, yet spoke as though she had.
Xiao Yunzhu sighed. “Such an obviously false absurdity—could anyone truly be foolish enough to believe it?”
The young ladies blushed, feeling as though they had just been scolded.