Cheng Changyan’s eyebrows could probably clamp down and kill a mosquito.

The Grand Princess held a poetry gathering.

He hadn’t planned to attend the banquet but was dragged along by his colleagues.

He didn’t like crowded places, so he quietly slipped aside to find some peace.

Who would have expected that a woman would fall into the water?

At the moment the woman fell, he instinctively prepared to jump in and save her.

But very soon, he realized something was off—because the woman clearly knew how to swim and was deliberately heading toward him.

“Master Cheng, help me…”

Jiang Yan lifted her head above water and looked at the lofty man.

He was the Emperor’s chosen top scholar, young but already an official in the court, the youngest Minister of Justice in Great Wei, destined to be a powerful figure under the emperor.

Born from a humble family, he was a rising star in the court. Many noble families sought to marry into his household, but he refused all.

This was her chance.

Even if despised and looked down upon, she would fight hard.

Jiang Yan let herself sink, coughing and choking in the water.

She tried to stir the man’s pity.

Cheng Changyan stood sideways.

His voice was icy cold: “You have half an incense stick’s time.”

Jiang Yan didn’t understand what he meant.

She had barely gotten this opportunity and wouldn’t give up easily.

Coughing and sputtering, she splashed violently, looking pitiful: “Master Cheng, I’m drowning, help me… please, just pull me up!”

Cheng Changyan shook his head.

At that moment, some flower viewers nearby heard the commotion and a crowd rushed over.

There were noble ladies led by the Grand Princess, and young talents led by the prince consort—men and women gathered by the lake.

“Which young lady fell into the water?”

“Seems to be the second illegitimate daughter from the Marquis Xuanping’s household!”

“Did you see Master Cheng? Could this Miss Jiang be scheming against him?”

“Could be…”

Jiang Yan saw the growing crowd by the shore and froze.

She finally understood what “half an incense stick” meant.

He had long been signaling her to get up quickly.

Otherwise—

Several women jumped into the water and pulled her out.

With a splash, the beauty emerged, and a group of rich second-generation heirs on the shore jeered.

“Smack—!”

A loud slap landed on Jiang Yan’s face.

It was the Marchioness of Xuanping.

Her expression was extremely ugly, as if she wanted to tear this illegitimate daughter apart.

She shouldn’t have been soft-hearted to bring this girl to the banquet, causing such a scandal—it was utterly shameful.

She apologized to the Grand Princess, took Jiang Yan, and quickly left.

“Tsk tsk!” Bai Ruzhu whispered, “Everyone says our Marquis of Xiangyang’s family is hopeless, but look at the Xuanping Marquis’s daughter—pulling such a low trick at the Princess’s mansion. Yue’er, you better stop hanging around with her, no chance to get corrupted now…”

Li Zhiyue nodded perfunctorily.

She furrowed her brow tightly.

The plot was diverging from the book again; Jiang Yan had failed her scheme.

While puzzled, Cheng Changyan strode over toward her.

He was tall, with clear eyes and well-defined eyebrows, a face like jade.

Li Zhiyue couldn’t help but sigh; this man wasn’t just talented but extraordinarily handsome—no wonder Jiang Yan had risked everything to scheme for this marriage.

Cheng Changyan approached: “Madam Marquis of Xiangyang, Miss Li.”

Bai Ruzhu immediately smiled broadly.

Master Cheng was widely liked in the capital.

Those with daughters hoped to marry them to him; those without daughters used him as a model to push their sons to study hard.

The Minister of Justice was a real official rank, far beyond the reach of the Marquis of Xiangyang’s family.

Unexpectedly, Master Cheng came publicly to pay respects.

Was he trying to get close to the Marquis family?

Bai Ruzhu warmly said, “I’ve long heard Master Cheng is exceptionally handsome. Seeing you today, indeed you are extraordinary.”

“Madam overpraises.” Cheng Changyan looked at Li Zhiyue. “I heard Miss Li gave the Princess some black pearl milk tea?”

Li Zhiyue smiled and replied, “Li’s Tea House will reopen the day after tomorrow. I’ll invite Master Cheng for some milk tea then.”

He had witnessed her burning love letters in the Xue Ling courtyard, so offering a cup of milk tea as hush money was nothing.

Cheng Changyan’s eyes twitched: “Why call it black pearl milk tea?”

Li Zhiyue thought and answered, “Probably because the pearls in the milk tea look like black pearls. No special meaning.”

“Yun, come here!” Bai Ruzhu interrupted, pulling Li Muyun forward. “Master Cheng is the top scholar who won three consecutive imperial exams. You’re about to take the autumn exam, hurry and learn from him.”

Li Muyun’s head buzzed.

Coming to a banquet, can they not talk about studying for once?

As a second-generation heir, he was in a completely different world from Cheng Changyan. Although both lived in the capital, they rarely interacted.

One was a spoiled rich kid; the other, a brilliant model.

The Confucian scholars at the National Academy frequently mentioned Cheng Changyan’s name in classes, belittling everyone else.

So Li Muyun really disliked him.

He snorted and walked away.

Bai Ruzhu was embarrassed: “Master Cheng, forgive my son, he’s still young and naive…”

Li Zhiyue was embarrassed too.

Li Muyun was almost seventeen, and Master Cheng just nineteen. Hardly “still young.” Saying that only made them look ridiculous.

She changed the subject: “I heard Master Cheng’s calligraphy is excellent. Could I shamelessly ask Master Cheng to write a piece for Li’s Tea House?”

Cheng Changyan readily agreed.

Only when he heard what she wanted written did his expression darken slightly.

But having promised, he didn’t want to go back on his word.

Li Zhiyue smiled: “From now on, when Master Cheng visits Li’s Tea House, you may enter the private room freely—no charge.”

She bowed respectfully, then followed Bai Ruzhu away.

A colleague standing behind Cheng Changyan looked incredulous: “Brother Cheng, that’s not fair. Last time at my son’s full-month banquet, you refused to write his name, but now you have time to write calligraphy for a teahouse?”

Cheng Changyan’s voice was calm: “Last time I was busy with official business. These days I happen to have rest.”

The Grand Princess’s poetry gathering lasted more than an hour.

Once seated back in the carriage heading home, Li Zhiyue finally relaxed like mud.

Bai Ruzhu sighed: “If only Master Cheng could tutor Yun’er, he’d definitely pass the Jinshi exam.”

“Mother, whether my elder brother passes depends on fate and luck. Don’t think too much.” Li Zhiyue sat up, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked out at the bustling street. “Shall we get down and stroll?”

They had been in this era some time but never properly gone shopping.

Bai Ruzhu brightened at the idea.

Mother and daughter got off the carriage and began shopping.

Li Zhiyue tried to restrain herself but the exquisite handicrafts were irresistible.

This one was pretty, that one perfect—she ended up buying a lot.

Luckily, the prices were cheap, or she’d be heartbroken.

Bai Ruzhu was even less restrained, buying everything she saw, making the maids behind them overwhelmed.

After a while, they suddenly came across a crowd watching some commotion.

An angry man’s voice came from within.

Li Zhiyue, curious, edged closer to see what was happening.