Chapter 21 – He’s Waiting for Her:

Xie Xianyu spurred his horse past a gray-green carriage. Out of habit, he glanced sideways, but saw no markings that indicated it belonged to the Xie family.

He turned his head, tightened his legs around the horse’s belly, and galloped away.

“Eh? Wasn’t that Big Brother just now?!”

Xie Xiuzhu spotted Xie Xianyu at once and exclaimed with delight.

Jiang Xuejun’s eyes lit up with surprise. She hastily set down the teacup in her hand, spilling hot tea across her fingers without caring in the least, and rushed out in a fluster.

“Master Xie!”

Xie Xianyu swept a glance around the lakeside, then let his gaze settle on Jiang Xuejun. “Miss Jiang.”

“Wasn’t Master Xie attending court discussions in the palace? How is it you have time to come here?” Jiang Xuejun’s voice trembled with barely hidden joy.

Xie Xiuzhu chimed in with a grin: “Of course it’s because he came rushing here right after leaving the palace! Isn’t that right, Big Brother?”

Xie Xianyu asked her directly, “Why are you here alone?”

If he hadn’t mentioned it, it would have been fine—but once he did, Xiuzhu jumped at the chance to complain.

“Big Brother, you came too late and missed such a show! Just now, Xie Xiuyun tried to steal Miss Jiang’s Eastern pearls and even tried to pin it on Xie Xiulin and Xu Wanruo! But she was caught on the spot—turned out she was the real thief all along. And then she even tried to make her maid take the blame. Truly a disgrace to our family!”

Xie Xianyu’s eyes narrowed. “Where are they now?”

“Xiuyun? She had no face to stay and left right away. Hmph, I’ve always said she was scheming, but who knew she’d be petty enough to steal pearls? And not just that—she even tried to frame others…”

Xie Xianyu cut her off again: “What about the others?”

Xiuzhu blinked, stunned. The others? She had no idea.

Jiang Xuejun quickly stepped in to explain: “Miss Xu wished to leave earlier, so I arranged a carriage for her. But Seventh Miss was so upset she cried for a long time—now she’s preparing to leave as well.”

Because Xie Xiulin and Wanruo had arrived in the same carriage, Wanruo left it for Xiulin and instead took one arranged by the Jiang family.

Xie Xianyu glanced at Xiuzhu. “Since they’ve all gone, why are you still here?”

Xiuzhu froze, then defended herself loudly: “Why shouldn’t I stay? I didn’t steal anything!”

He ignored her excuse and looked back at Jiang Xuejun. “In that case, I’ll take Xiuzhu home first. Forgive us for troubling you, Miss Jiang.”

“How could it be trouble? I’m so glad you came,” Jiang Xuejun murmured softly, her cheeks already flushing red.

Xie Xianyu said nothing more, only gave Xiuzhu a look. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to follow him away.

Jiang Xuejun gazed dreamily after Xie Xianyu’s departing figure, her heart fluttering wildly.

Someone teased, “Master Xie must truly care for Miss Jiang. He came here straight from court—he never attends gatherings like this otherwise.”

“Of course. She’s his fiancée, after all—it’s not the same.”

“Sister Jiang, what good fortune you have.”

Jiang Xuejun blushed, half-complaining: “Don’t tease me so.”

The carriage halted on Zhuque Street.

“Miss, we’ve arrived.”

Wanruo stepped down. The coachman asked, “Shall I wait here and take you back once you’ve finished shopping?”

Wanruo smiled faintly. “No need. The Xie estate isn’t far from here. I’ll return on my own later.”

“Yes, miss.”

Once the carriage left, Wanruo strolled through a medicinal shop, buying a few herbs before making her way to the Penglai Inn.

Standing outside, she saw the inn bustling with scholars and travelers. Spring examinations were near, and the capital’s inns were all filled to the brim.

She hesitated about whether to enter when a delighted voice called out:

“Miss Xu!”

Wanruo turned—and saw Lin Han.

He was still dressed in the same simple blue robe, hair tied with a cloth band, arms full of books. His quiet, scholarly face lit up when he saw her, and he ran quickly over. “What a coincidence! How do you happen to be here?”

Wanruo smiled gently. “Not a coincidence. I came here specifically to find you.”

Lin Han froze, stammering nervously: “Re… really?”

Then he quickly asked, “I heard you were ill a few days ago. Are you better now?”

Wanruo nodded. “I’ve fully recovered. Thank you for sending the medicine. I came today to thank you in person.”

His face flushed red. “It was nothing at all, just a packet of herbs. I only heard you had caught a chill, so I bought medicine for that. I wasn’t even sure it was right.”

Wanruo laughed softly. “But I did recover after taking it—how could it not have been right?”

Her smile dazzled him; he dropped his gaze quickly, embarrassed. “I… I’m glad.”

Inside, though, he felt a pang. She truly was living as an unwanted dependent, not even granted the dignity of a proper physician.

Suddenly remembering, he pulled a sachet from his sleeve. “Ah, this. I found it in the peach grove the other day—it must be yours.”

Wanruo’s eyes widened. “So you were the one who picked it up! I thought I had lost it. I searched for days.”

Lin Han scratched his head, guilty. “If I’d known it was so important to you, I would’ve returned it sooner.”

He could have asked Seventh Miss to deliver it, but he’d selfishly held onto it, hoping to see Wanruo again himself.

Wanruo smiled warmly. “It’s a sachet for calming the spirit—I made it myself. Since fate had you find it, let me gift it to you. You helped me when I was ill; consider this my thanks.”

He stared blankly, then joyfully accepted it. “That explains it! No wonder I’ve been sleeping so well lately.”

“…Hm?”

Realizing what he’d just admitted, he flustered to explain: “I only left it by my bedside table, not on me!”

Wanruo covered her lips, laughing. His face turned beet-red at his own foolishness.

She teased gently: “The exams are near. If this sachet helps you rest well, then it’s worth it. If you like, I’ll make you another one—for focus this time, so you can keep it on you while you study.”

His eyes lit up. “Really? Thank you so much!”

Wanruo glanced at the sky. “It’s getting late. I should return.”

Lin Han’s heart tightened; he wanted to stop her but couldn’t think of an excuse. Finally, as she turned away, he blurted: “Miss!”

She paused. “Yes?”

He drew out a worn purse, offering it to her carefully. “You’ve only just recovered. You shouldn’t eat such plain food. Life in the Xie household isn’t easy—take this to tip the kitchen maids, so they’ll make you something nourishing.”

Wanruo blinked, finally realizing—he thought she was destitute.

She shook her head with a faint smile. “No need. I’m on good terms with the cooks—they often make me special dishes already. You’re alone in the capital; you need this money more than I.”

“I have enough,” Lin Han insisted, pressing the purse into her hand before fleeing in embarrassment.

Wanruo stood still, staring at the little purse in her palm. It was old and worn, and inside were likely no more than two taels of broken silver. Yet it felt weighty, heavy with his kindness.

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By the time she returned to the Xie estate, the sun was already sinking.

At Qiushui Courtyard, Dingdong was anxiously waiting at the gate. When she saw Wanruo, she rushed up: “Miss, you’re finally back!”

Wanruo tilted her head, smiling lightly. “What’s wrong?”

Dingdong glanced nervously at the house.

Wanruo pushed open the door. The room was dark, no lamps lit despite the dusk. The last rays of the setting sun slanted in as the door opened, spilling across the figure seated inside.

Xie Xianyu sat in a carved chair. He raised his eyes to her, his voice even and calm:

“You’re back?”