Chapter 44

On the broad street, with few pedestrians passing by, the three stood silently in front of the serene teahouse.

Sang Yao’s figure had already disappeared around the corner.

Xie Yun’s hand still retained the delicate touch of the girl’s slender waist.

He probably forgave Sang Yao for inexplicably getting angry at him.

Though he didn’t have much interaction with women, he concluded from his mother’s behavior that anything could seemingly be a reason for their anger.

Moreover, Sang Yao had deep feelings for him. It was understandable that she couldn’t accept the sudden news of his engagement.

He didn’t intend to explain. It wasn’t worth his time to explain, as time would eventually clarify everything.

Chen Ke glanced at Lu Li, then at Xie Yun, and spoke, “I’ve never heard that Xie Yun has a sister.”

Facing Xie Yun’s imposing gaze, Lu Li smiled at Chen Ke and said, “Master Chen misunderstood. That’s not Xie Yun’s sister.”

Chen Ke paused, asking the crucial question, “Then what is she to Xie Yun?”

Lu Li looked at Xie Yun, rubbed his chin, and then said, “I guess she might be Xie Yun’s close friend of the opposite sex.”

Chen Ke, being older, took some time to digest this statement. After pondering for a while, he wondered, “Your Highness, are you suggesting that Xie Yun also has a confidante?”

Lu Li said, “Master, you might want to be bolder.”

Chen Ke asked, “…Be bolder?”

Xie Yun pursed his lips, not really wanting to engage with these two who seemed to have left their brains at home.

He knew what he felt for Sang Yao. Romantic feelings between men and women were the most worthless thing in this world. He looked down on it and didn’t need it.

As for Sang Yao, he was merely curious. It was normal for him to be interested in something rare in this world. He didn’t need to prove himself, nor did he need to deny it overtly.

He turned his gaze slowly towards Chen Ke and said, “Master Chen, may I ask how old you are this year?”

Chen Ke sighed, “I’m fifty-one this year. It feels like these thirty years in the officialdom have passed in the blink of an eye.”

Xie Yun spoke slowly, “I have a method to prolong life. Would Master Chen like to hear about it?”

Chen Ke became interested and leaned closer, saying, “Xie Yun, please go ahead.”

Xie Yun nodded and whispered, “Focus on yourself and don’t meddle in other people’s affairs.”

Chen Ke’s expression stiffened, and he fell silent.

He might as well say it: That woman was so short-sighted to consider herself Xie Yun’s confidante.

Lu Li patted Chen Ke’s shoulder reassuringly, “Master Chen, don’t be angry.”

Xie Yun grunted in agreement. Then he added, “We both should learn from Your Highness. I’ve been too controlling of Your Highness in my daily life. It’s time to let go.”

Luli’s smile stiffened, and he silently withdrew his hand. His voice softened as he said, “Xie Yun…”

Xie Yun ignored him and walked away.

At that moment, Sang Yao was sitting in the carriage, holding a wooden box, her mood less than pleasant as she kept her head down, silent.

She regretted not thanking Xie Yun earlier, and yet she couldn’t help but feel angry at him.

Every aspect of Xie Yun was infuriating. Besides being handsome and talented, he was truly despicable.

As she fumed, she found herself getting angry at herself again.

She was being too petty.

Why did she bother getting mad at Xie Yun? He wasn’t worth her emotions at all.

Forget it, it’s all in the past. Regardless of whether his engagement is true or not, she must keep her distance from Xie Yun when she sees him in the future.

To be honest, Sang Yao didn’t have many opportunities to see Xie Yun on ordinary days. Most of the time, they met at various banquets, and since she wasn’t someone who liked going out much, her chances of encountering him were even fewer.

•  

The next day, Sang Yan returned home from the Hanlin Academy.

This was Sang Yan’s first official return home since joining the Hanlin Academy, so at noon, a family banquet was specially arranged for him, which could be considered a belated celebration.

Sang Yinyue’s face had already improved significantly. She had originally planned to complain to Sang Yan, but before she could finish, Sang Yan praised Sang Shu for his good handling of the situation, leaving Sang Yinyue angry and not speaking to Sang Yan for the rest of the afternoon.

After finishing the meal, everyone either chatted or went back to their rooms. Sang Yan took this opportunity to call Sang Yao over.

The two stood under the long corridor, surrounded by lush green plants, with a gentle breeze blowing, causing the leaves to sway slightly.

The bright sunlight fell on the green leaves, and as the leaves swayed, the light seemed to dance.

Sang Yan asked, “Yao Yao, how have you been these days?”

Sang Yao nodded. Her days were almost the same year after year. She replied, “Just the same. Is there something wrong?”

Sang Yan cleared his throat and leaned in closer, whispering, “Yao Yao, has Uncle mentioned anything about your marriage recently?”

He had mentioned it, but it all revolved around one person. If that person didn’t bring it up, then so be it.

She shook her head. Sang Yan continued, “Well, Yao Yao, do you have any young man in mind? Let your brother sound him out first. (mí dú xiǎo shuō)•(com)”

Sang Yao shook her head, feeling a bit embarrassed. She hesitated, “Brother, why are you suddenly bringing this up…”

Sang Yan said, “No, no, it just came to mind suddenly.”

He paused for a moment, then tentatively continued, “If not, what do you think of Brother Yang?”

At this point, Sang Yao couldn’t misunderstand Sang Yan’s meaning. Her face flushed red as she whispered, “…Brother Yang and I are just friends.”

Sang Yan sighed and said, “What kind of friends? From what I see, you two are most compatible.”

“You’ve known each other since childhood. Isn’t that knowing each other inside out? And I’ve noticed Brother Yang seems different towards you. He’s asked me about you several times, intentionally or not.”

Sang Yao was skeptical. She said, “Really?”

“Really!”

“But that doesn’t prove anything, does it? Maybe he’s just casually asking…”

“Who says it doesn’t? I’ve been observing for a long time, and I feel Brother Yang has some interest in you.”

Sang Yao still found it hard to believe. She could sense that Yang Wenchuan did take care of her more than others, but to interpret that care as affection felt strange to her.

Sang Yan continued, “Look at Brother Yang. He’s the youngest top scholar in nearly twenty years, with a promising future. And although his family isn’t in the capital, the Yang family in Jiangnan is a prestigious clan. You wouldn’t lose out by marrying into that family.”

What Sang Yan said was not exaggerated; every word was true.

“Even disregarding his family background, Brother Yang himself is highly regarded in the Hanlin Academy, and others speak highly of him. Such an outstanding and polite gentleman, there are few like him in the court.”

He whispered, covering his mouth with his hand, “From my observations, there have already been four or five ministers who wanted to propose marriage to him, but Brother Yang rejected them all.”

Sang Yan praised Yang Wenchuan extensively, and Sang Yao found herself agreeing with much of what he said.

She nodded, thinking that because of all these qualities, Yang Wenchuan was unlikely to have feelings for her.

Finally, Sang Yan asked, “Yao Yao, what do you think?”

Sang Yao didn’t know what to say.

In fact, she felt discussing this with Sang Yan somehow tainted her relationship with Yang Wenchuan. She had never thought about these things before.

As for whether she liked Yang Wenchuan or not, she couldn’t come up with an answer.

She admired him; she never felt uncomfortable talking to him, and the little pastry he made was delicious.

She didn’t interact with many people, but she had a very favorable impression of Yang Wenchuan.

Certainly better than Xie Yun.

Seeing Sang Yao’s lack of response, Sang Yan sighed again and said, “I’m just saying this for your own good. If you don’t like him, there’s no pressure.”

Sang Yao nodded, saying, “I understand.”

Love itself is a difficult thing to define, and most people won’t experience it in their lifetime.

Especially in her position, not being repulsed by the other person was already heaven’s favor.

She thought carefully, considering the reality. If she could really be with Yang Wenchuan, it would indeed be a good match.

At least he didn’t disgust her, and she liked the lifestyle in the south. Even if their relationship were to break down in the future, judging by Yang Wenchuan’s character, he probably wouldn’t mistreat her.

•  

These two days were busy. The Emperor would soon go to the northern suburbs to offer sacrifices at the Altar of Earth. The Ministry of Rites had been busy for three days already. The Altar of Earth in the northern suburbs was far from the palace, even beyond the Royal Hunting Grounds to the north.

The group of people traveling was extensive. Apart from officials sent on the mission and some officials staying in the palace, everyone else was to go together. Families of officials with ranks of second grade and above could accompany them. With so many people, the progress would be slow. This time, they were likely headed to the western suburbs, and the round trip would probably take three or four days.

One evening, the Ministry of Rites announced the list of travelers, and Sang Yao’s name was prominently featured.

She learned about it when Sang Yin came back to tell her in the evening.

It suddenly dawned on Sang Yao that her sister had mentioned not long ago that she would try to arrange for her to go on the trip to create an opportunity for her to interact with Xie Yun.

“…”

But she had completely forgotten about it as soon as she returned home.

Now, it was too late to change anything.

She still didn’t know what pretext her sister had used to get her on the list, only that she would probably have to face Xie Yun again.

Unlike Sang Yao’s worried expression, Sang Yin was positively beaming. He sat in the study room with a smile on his face and asked, “How come your name is on the list?”

Sang Yao was at a loss for how to explain to Sang Yin, but before she could say anything, he raised his hand and said knowingly, “I know.”

Sang Yao froze.

Then she heard Sang Yin say with a meaningful look, “It must be Xie Yun helping you, right? You young folks can’t bear to be apart for even a moment.”

His words were so off-track that Sang Yao couldn’t even be bothered to explain. She looked at Sang Yin and said, “Dad, I really have no connection with Xie Yun.”

Her voice lowered as she continued, “Besides, it seems like he’s about to get engaged.”

Sang Yin looked puzzled. “Why haven’t I heard about this?”

Sang Yao didn’t want Sang Yin to keep mentioning Xie Yun in front of her, so she half-jokingly and half-seriously said, “Anyway, he’s about to get engaged. Don’t think about him anymore.”

Sang Yin’s smile faded a bit, and he said, “It’s okay, we’ll just mix—”

“Dad!” Sang Yao’s expression turned cold.

Talking about concubines all the time, did he not realize how annoying it was?

Sang Yao rarely got genuinely angry, but she was truly upset now.

Sang Yin sat up straight, and his smile faded away as he silently stopped talking.

Sang Yao said, “Stop talking about him!”

Sang Yin nodded obediently and said, “Okay.”

At this moment, Sang Yao didn’t want to talk to him anymore. She turned her head in anger and walked away.

Alone, Sang Yin reflected for a while. In the end, he reluctantly thought, forget it, since Sang Yao didn’t want it, he would have to painfully give up Xie Yun as a potential son-in-law.

But he still had to find a good family for Yao Yao.

Leaning back in his chair, he silently reviewed the entire court. There were indeed few promising young talents.

After thinking for a while, Sang Yin’s gaze fell on this year’s top scholar.

He couldn’t randomly pick someone. He remembered someone mentioning that Yang Wenchuan knew Yao Yao.

Wasn’t this a ready-made opportunity?