Chapter 30

The bustling noise from the nearby market still proclaimed the uniqueness of this newly appointed top scholar.

Born into a prominent family in Jiangnan, achieving the top scholar at such a young age with outstanding looks, it was easy to understand why he had dominated the discussions of the capital’s people over the past half month.

Qingfeng Alley connected to the East Qianmen of the imperial palace, mostly frequented by officials of the court.

Xie Weipin’s original intention was to enter the Eastern Palace from East Qianmen to meet the Crown Prince’s invitation, but he didn’t expect to encounter Yang Wenchuan here.

Jinglian, by Xie Yun’s side, replied, “Yes, young master. The one beside him should be the eldest son of the Sang family, who achieved the second place in this year’s examination.”

In the past few hundred years, the Yang family had been an indispensable clan among the aristocracy. However, due to regional unrest and intense struggles between the aristocratic families, the Xie family dominated power, forcing many families to retreat to the west or south.

The Yang family was one of them. In recent years, the Yang family had not been actively involved in court politics, nor did they have much influence. This year’s top scholar was a reasonable occurrence.

The emperor also intended to utilize him, showing promising prospects.

However, Jinglian knew that these were just appearances. What they truly needed to pay attention to was whether the emperor genuinely valued talent or whether he was using this opportunity to keep Yang Wenchuan in the capital to restrain the Xie family.

Xie Yun finally spoke slowly, “Yang Wenchuan and this Sang…”

Jinglian whispered a reminder, “Sang Yanhan.”

“Were they acquainted before?”

This…

Jinglian had practically investigated Yang Wenchuan from top to bottom in recent years, but he didn’t expect his master to ask such a pointed question right away.

What did this have to do with the Sang family?

“They probably only met during this period in the court. After all, they came from different regions and had no prior interactions.”

Xie Yun fell silent again.

Meanwhile, after Sang Yao left, Sang Yanhan felt quite embarrassed.

He usually spent most of his time in the mansion buried in books and was lax in disciplining his younger sister.

Sang Yinyue used to be the most favored young lady in the mansion, with a willful and unreasonable temperament. She could easily argue with anyone who tried to lecture her, even her father couldn’t do anything about her.

Later, as Sang Yin rose through the ranks, Sang Yao’s status in the mansion became more important. With Sang Yin around, anything good in the mansion would be sent to Sang Yao first.

Sang Yinyue, on the other hand, became even more unruly. With just a few words, she could offend someone. There weren’t many people in the family who liked her, and privately, everyone called her “big mouth.”

However, Sang Yao had a gentle temperament. As long as one didn’t cross her bottom line, she wouldn’t hold grudges and would occasionally respond to her sister.

Sang Yinyue’s behavior would indeed cause her trouble in the future.

Sang Yanhan said, “Brother Yang, please forgive my sister’s outspokenness.”

Yang Wenchuan withdrew his gaze from Sang Yao and said softly, “It’s okay.”

He seemed to be in a good mood and suddenly asked, “By the way, how has your sister been these past few years?”

Sang Yanhan was taken aback and said, “Are you referring to… Yao Yao?”

Yang Wenchuan nodded and reminisced about a summer in Jiangnan more than ten years ago, lowering his gaze as he said softly, “I apologize, Brother Sang, for asking such an abrupt question.”

“But to be honest, when I saw your sister just now, I remembered seeing her in Jiangnan before. She was just a little girl then, and I remember she was there to recuperate.”

Sang Yanhan widened his eyes in surprise. Indeed, Sang Yao had been frail when she was young and had been sent to Jiangnan for recuperation at a very young age. He just didn’t expect there to be such a connection between Sang Yao and Yang Wenchuan.

And after more than a decade, Yang Wenchuan recognized her at a glance.

“I was wondering why you kept looking at Yao Yao earlier, and it turns out you had this history!”

He shook his head, then sighed, “It truly is a small world.”

He suddenly felt closer to Yang Wenchuan and couldn’t help but put his arm around his shoulder, saying, “Yao Yao is doing well now, Brother Yang, so you can rest assured.”

“When I go back, I’ll talk to Yao Yao, and you two can catch up!”

Yang Wenchuan was led away by him, smiling, “But she was still young back then, so there’s nothing much to catch up on.”

As they turned away, they happened to meet Xie Yun.

Sang Yanhan was startled, then straightened up and showed a joyful expression. He couldn’t wait to go up and talk to him.

He had heard about Xie Yun’s various achievements before and admired him very much. Moreover, he had just entered the Hanlin Academy, and although Xie Yun was his age, he had deep experience in the court. It was only right to greet him.

Such an opportunity couldn’t be missed. He took two steps forward, bowed respectfully to Xie Yun, and said excitedly, “Master Xie.”

Yang Wenchuan glanced at the refined man in front of him, then smiled after a moment, “I’ve heard of Master Xie’s reputation even when I was in Jiangnan. It’s truly a pleasure to meet you in person.”

Xie Yun seemed indifferent and didn’t want to talk much, just saying, “Your praise is too much.”

Sang Yanhan continued, “Master Xie, are you going to the palace?”

Before he could say the rest, Xie Yun nodded and said somewhat dismissively, “I still have official duties to attend to, so I won’t accompany you.”

With that,

They crossed the palace gate with broad steps, leaving the two behind staring at each other.

Yang Wenchuan chuckled and said, “Is Lord Xie in a bad mood?”

Sang Yanhan shook his head, still looking at the back of Xie Yun, and replied, “Lord Xie seems to always act this way.”

He generally didn’t give face to unimportant people.

Yang Wenchuan didn’t mind either. He brushed his sleeve and said, “Well then, Sang Xiong, let’s go.”

In fact, since entering the Hanlin Academy, Sang Yanhan had been very busy and hadn’t had much chance to see Sang Yao. In the hustle and bustle, he had forgotten about this matter.

And when Sang Yao saw Yang Wenchuan again, it was already nearly half a month later.

---

Early summer, though not as scorching as in July or August, was still hot around noon.

Sang Yao leaned against the window, with a pile of account books stacked high beside her, lonely and untouched, while a beautiful girl sat on a stool, completely focused.

Sweat beaded on the girl’s forehead as she propped up her arm, her movements agile and deft. The slender leaves in her hand quickly turned into a lifelike little rabbit.

She had already made about ten of them, butterflies, little snakes, you name it.

Whenever she looked at the account books, everything around her became interesting, even the leaves tempted her.

Ran Dong brought a bowl of cool yogurt and plum jelly from the small kitchen for Sang Yao, placing it beside her, and said helplessly, “Miss, you should take a nap.”

Ran Dong also tidied up the randomly placed little animals for Sang Yao, each one exquisitely crafted.

Although Sang Yao was slow to react when arguing, her handiwork on ordinary days was very impressive. She was both nimble and quick, skilled in various handicrafts like weaving and embroidery.

Putting down the leaf in her hand, she looked at the account book, feeling guilty for a moment. “Why didn’t you stop me from daydreaming?”

Ran Dong replied, “If Miss didn’t want to look, you wouldn’t.”

Sang Yao wasn’t in a good mood. She lay her head on the table and sighed, “Why would the Princess’s Mansion invite me to the banquet?”

Ran Dong was also puzzled. Most of those who attended such banquets were children of officials ranked third or higher. Considering Sang Yao’s father was only a fourth-rank official, she wasn’t qualified to go.

She comforted her, “It’s okay, Miss. It shouldn’t be a bad thing after all. I’ll wait for you outside the Princess’s Mansion. If you’re not happy, we’ll leave.”

There wasn’t much to be happy or unhappy about. Sang Yao had attended many banquets before and had already figured out the trick: eat and drink quietly, as if she were just there for the free meal.

She sighed.

---

On the day of the banquet, to show respect, Sang Yao dressed up specially, appearing even more charming and beautiful than usual.

As soon as Sang Yao entered the Princess’s Mansion, Xie Yun walked in from the south gate.

Originally, there was no need for Xie Yun to attend a flower-viewing banquet. But he had some relationship with the Princess’s Mansion, considering the Princess Consort was somewhat related to his family. She was his cousin. He couldn’t afford to lose face.

As Jianling walked through a long corridor from the southwest gate, he couldn’t help but stop when, at a corner, through a cluster of flowers, he saw a familiar face.

He was shocked. Who was that? Miss Sang!

Suppressing his excitement, Jianling waited until he was sure his master had glanced in that direction before he dared to speak up, “Master, Miss Sang is here too.”

Xie Yun withdrew his gaze and asked, “Hmm, so what?”

Generally, Sang Yao wouldn’t be able to enter the Princess’s Mansion for such an occasion. How could she be here? Was it possible she had heard he was coming and deliberately sneaked in?

That seemed unlikely.

He stopped and asked, “Did the Princess send her an invitation?”

JingLian couldn’t possibly know that. But after some thought, he looked at Sang Yao, who was standing alone, and suggested tactfully, “Why don’t… we go ask?”

---

The banquet had not yet officially begun. Sang Yao, not knowing anyone, found a secluded spot after arriving and appeared to be admiring the flowers, but she was actually lost in thought.

Until she accidentally caught sight of Li Yaoge not far away, and their eyes met.

Uh-oh.

This place was no longer safe. She could already feel Li Yaoge frowning at her.

Just as she was about to step away, she heard a familiar voice, “…Yao Yao?”

Sang Yao looked up.

The person approaching had a refined face and a graceful posture. It was Yang Wenchuan, the top scholar she had met a few days ago.

Sang Yao’s impression of him was somewhat complex.

On one hand, she thought he was polite and knowledgeable, achieving the top scholar title at such a young age and having spoken up for her before. He seemed like a good person.

But on the other hand, she felt he was a bit too familiar. They hadn’t exchanged many words, yet he called her “Yao Yao” so casually, as if they were close.

But she couldn’t just ignore his courtesy. Feeling a bit awkward, she called out, “Brother Yang.”

Yang Wenchuan glanced at her face.

Yang Wenchuan suggested, “There are too few flowers here. Why don’t we walk ahead?”

Of course, it was because there were more people ahead.

She casually replied, “I’ve already seen those.”

Another lie.

Yang Wenchuan asked again, “The banquet will start soon. Shall we go together?”

Sang Yao refused, saying, “You go ahead.”

With his hands behind his back, Yang Wenchuan fell silent for a moment, then sighed regretfully, “Yao Yao, do you really not remember me?”

Only then did Sang Yao turn to look at him, “Hmm?”

Yang Wenchuan remained silent.

Sang Yao stared at his clear and handsome face. In the dappled shadows of the trees, a wave of inexplicable familiarity suddenly rushed over her.

A vague memory, long buried, began to surface. This face gradually equated with that of a cheerful young master she once knew.

Sang Yao suffered from a congenital weakness and was very sickly in her childhood. She even learned to speak later than other children. Hearing that the climate in Jiangnan was good for health, her father sent her there.

She spent almost two years in a misty town.

At that time, Sang Yao was only seven or eight years old, and many things were unclear to her.

Initially, she wasn’t happy about coming to that town. Although the environment was good, her father and sister weren’t with her, and there was no one to play with.

Then, at some point, a family moved in next door, and there was a young master who attracted many admirers. He had many friends, and whenever Sang Yao watched them play together, she felt envious.

Later, at some point, that young master noticed her and asked, “Why do you always peek? What’s your name?”

Sang Yao replied, “My name is Qieqie.”

After that, they somehow became acquainted.

In her boring and impoverished life, this brother was one of the few who patiently played with her.

However, this brother didn’t stay there for long. After only half a month, he left. Before leaving, he gave Sang Yao a small rabbit made of woven leaves.

Years had passed, and the little rabbit was long gone. Sang Yao had forgotten the appearance, voice, and even the name of that young master. But the cool water of shallow pools, kites soaring in the wind, and moss-covered stone slabs had all become memories of Jiangnan for her.

Her heart raced, and she widened her eyes, exclaiming, “You’re… Brother Achuan!”

Their reunion, because of her excitement, wasn’t exactly quiet. At least Jinglian heard it very clearly.

He couldn’t help but have a black face. Achuan? He’d never heard of Sang Miss knowing someone with that surname Yang!

Jinglian stole a glance at his master.

Xie Yun’s face remained unchanged, his expression as cold as ever. He resumed his pace and said, “If you think it’s worth asking about.”

“I won’t stop you.”

Another sarcasm.

Jinglian silently followed, thinking, It wasn’t you who asked first. It’s a dog’s temper; whoever serves who’s unlucky.

He lowered his head and skillfully apologized, “Subordinate knows his mistake.”

But in fact, as soon as Sang Yao called him that, she regretted it. When she was seven or eight, it was nothing, but now that she was seventeen or eighteen, it felt strange.

Moreover, because it had been so long ago and she was so young at the time, now that she realized it, she felt a bit embarrassed.

The excitement faded, and she lowered her voice, feeling a bit embarrassed, “It’s really you.”

Yang Wenchuan said, “I recognized you at a glance.”

Although Sang Yao had been sickly as a child, it didn’t stop her cheeks from being plump. But as she grew older, her face slimmed down a lot.

This topic touched on her sensitive spot. Sang Yao said, “…I probably don’t have such round cheeks anymore.”

As they spoke, Princess Zhaoyuan walked out. Sang Yao followed Yang Wenchuan forward for a while.

Although Princess Zhaoyuan wasn’t young anymore, she looked very youthful, just like the day she saw Lady Xie. Her attire was simple, which made her very approachable.

It wasn’t until Sang Yao saw Xie Yun beside the princess that perhaps now, after several conversations with Xie Yun, she no longer felt inexplicably nervous seeing him.

Yang Wenchuan heard Sang Yao’s voice and tilted his head slightly toward her, whispering, “Do you know him, Yao Yao?”

Sang Yao hurriedly shook her head, feeling a bit guilty, “I just know of him.”

Yang Wenchuan didn’t ask further but patiently explained, “Princess Zhaoyuan is related to Lord Xie. This flower appreciation banquet only happens once a year, and he probably couldn’t refuse.”

Yang Wenchuan didn’t mention it, so Sang Yao didn’t know about the relationship between Princess Zhaoyuan and Xie Yun.

Yang Wenchuan added, “By the way, Yao Yao, I haven’t asked you how you ended up here.”

Originally, Sang Yao didn’t know why she was here. But now, looking at Xie Yun in front of her, she felt she might have found the answer.

“Just to see her, is it really worth it? Has he never attended Princess Zhaoyuan’s banquet before? Isn’t he afraid of arousing suspicion from others?”

Sang Yao’s gaze toward Xie Yun became increasingly complex. This man, he couldn’t possibly, could he?