Chapter 3: First Meeting: Unable to Restrain Oneself

Seven years ago.

On the day of Guogong Ye’s birthday, Duke Rui’s Mansion bustled with activity. All the notable dignitaries in the capital came to offer their birthday congratulations without exception.

The spring breeze of the fourth month carried the elegant fragrance of flowers, gently brushing past the vermilion-lacquered gates of the Duke Mansion. The sedan chairs and carriages came to a steady stop outside the mansion, and the gatekeeper announced in a loud voice:

“The Eldest Princess has arrived!”

Not long after, a stewardess’s report came from outside the main courtyard: “Madam, many guests have already arrived in the front courtyard.”

“Very well.” Wang Jinlan set down the teacup in her hand and straightened the hairpin in Zhao Huairen’s hair, saying softly, “Today is your father’s birthday, and the young ladies from various families will come to pay their respects. You must conduct yourself well.”

“What about Yan Second Lady? Is she in the back courtyard too?” The exquisitely carved little girl nodded obediently, allowing her mother to tidy her collar. “Mother~ Huairen wants to go see my future little sister-in-law.”

“You’re quite the one for excitement.” Wang Jinlan tapped her forehead with a finger, her gaze indulgent. “Go ahead, then. Have Mingchun take you to the small garden in the back courtyard. Remember, you must be dignified and graceful—don’t lose face for the Duke Mansion.”

“Yes, Mother.” Zhao Huairen smiled with pursed lips.

Mingchun curtsied slightly toward Wang Jinlan.

After performing the curtsy, she led Zhao Huairen out of the room.

The mistress and servant passed through the covered walkway, hearing bursts of laughter from the front courtyard. Among them, they could faintly make out Guogong Ye’s hearty voice.

Zhao Huairen held Mingchun’s hand, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She suddenly stopped in her tracks. “Mingchun, I remember today is also your little sister’s birthday.”

“It is indeed today. It’s kind of you to remember, Miss.” Mingchun replied.

“Hmph~ I know everything!” Zhao Huairen lifted her chin smugly in a very cooperative manner, then put on an air of maturity. “With so many guests coming and going today, you’ll be busy until late at night. I’ll give you an hour to go back and spend your sister’s birthday with her.”

Zhao Huairen’s adorably serious expression brought a shallow dimple to Mingchun’s cheeks, warmth flashing in her eyes. She shook her head with a smile. “Zhichun is still young. It doesn’t matter if we celebrate her birthday or not.”

“Father has so many people around him on his birthday, but Zhichun has to be alone. Wouldn’t that be too pitiful?” The more she spoke, the more convinced she became. Zhao Huairen counted on her fingers one by one. “The Duke Mansion won’t miss one maidservant, but Zhichun only has you as her sister. You should go keep her company.”

Both parents had passed away early, leaving only the two sisters to depend on each other. Of course she wanted to be by Zhichun’s side on a day like this, but as servants—what choice did they have?

Zhao Huairen tugged at Mingchun’s sleeve. “Mingchun, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“It’s fine. Zhichun doesn’t like celebrating her birthday.” Mingchun lowered her eyelashes. “Miss, let’s hurry along.”

“You’re not listening to me!” Zhao Huairen puffed up her cheeks in anger.

Mingchun had served Zhao Huairen since she was young and knew that stubborn streak had flared up again at the sight of her expression.

Her hands clenched silently at her sides. After a moment of standoff with Zhao Huairen, Mingchun finally yielded. “After escorting you to the small garden, I’ll go see Zhichun, and I’ll return in half an hour.”

“Half an hour isn’t enough time. Just going back and forth…” Seeing the difficulty on Mingchun’s face, Zhao Huairen secretly pouted and waved her hand. “Fine, fine.”

“Thank you, Miss.” Mingchun curtsied.

The mistress and servant had not yet reached the back courtyard when they heard a burst of crisp laughter. Zhao Huairen looked up and saw several girls about her age playing in the courtyard.

Some were chasing butterflies, some were admiring flowers, and a few were sitting under the corridor whispering secrets.

“That’s the daughter of the Minister of Revenue.” Seeing Zhao Huairen staring at a girl in the crowd, Mingchun whispered in her ear, “Yes, the one in the goose-yellow ruqun skirt.”

The daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Lin Yuean.

She had heard of this person before—she was one of the most difficult young ladies in the capital…

“Where’s my little sister-in-law?” Zhao Huairen’s gaze swept through the garden several times, but she still couldn’t find the figure she was curious about.

The second daughter of General Yan had practiced martial arts since childhood and was said to be proficient even in shooting a hundred paces away.

A sister-in-law like that…

Would be perfect for dealing with her overly clever older brother!

“Young Lady Zhao has arrived.” No one knew who called it out, but all the young ladies in the garden turned their heads.

Everyone’s gazes fell on Zhao Huairen at once, but she did not panic. Instead, she calmly met all their eyes.

Her mother had said that the legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion should have such poise.

“Mingchun, you’re not needed here.” With that, Zhao Huairen straightened her back and walked straight toward the group.

“Yes.” Watching Zhao Huairen enter the garden, Mingchun left with peace of mind.

“Yuean pays respects to Young Lady Zhao.” Lin Yuean, surrounded by the crowd, turned around and smiled gracefully at Zhao Huairen. “I’ve long heard that Young Lady Zhao is both talented and beautiful. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true.”

Wasn’t she supposed to be spoiled and difficult?

Why… did she seem different from the rumors?

Zhao Huairen was about to speak when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her. She turned and saw a girl in a pink robe running toward them, her face showing some panic.

“Oh no!” The little girl gasped. “She’s really gone missing!”

“Which courtyard’s maid are you? Running around so recklessly—you might bump into guests.” Zhao Huairen frowned with a stern little face. “Who did you just say is missing?”

The little girl trembled and didn’t dare reply, only continuously signaling with her eyes to Lin Yuean standing behind Zhao Huairen, exchanging glances with her.

“It seems this is a maid from the Minister’s residence?” Zhao Huairen glanced sideways at Lin Yuean.

“Yan Second Lady has seen much of the world and found the young ladies of the capital too quiet, so she went off to find some excitement on her own.” Lin Yuean met Zhao Huairen’s gaze, adjusting the butterfly hairpin in her hair unhurriedly. “I was worried she might not be familiar with the place, so I sent a maid to look for her. It seems she didn’t find her.”

Not familiar with the place? Was a maid from the Minister’s residence searching for someone in the Duke Mansion? Did that mean the Minister’s maids were familiar with the Duke Mansion?

Never mind the overstepping for now.

She didn’t look like someone acting out of kindness.

“No need to trouble Young Lady Lin. I’ll send someone to find Young Lady Yan.” Noticing the expressions of the young ladies around Lin Yuean, Zhao Huairen roughly guessed what had happened and said coolly.

“Why bother looking for her? Could she really get lost in the Duke Mansion?” Lin Yuean joked lightly.

“She is my future sister-in-law, so she’s closer to me than others.” A mischievous glint flashed in her light brown eyes, and Zhao Huairen found the jealousy she wanted in Lin Yuean’s gaze.

As expected, Young Lady Lin had feelings for her brother.

Her face alternating between pale and green, Lin Yuean didn’t respond and pretended not to hear, busying herself with the peonies in the garden.

Today was her father’s birthday banquet, and every part of the mansion had attendants. No matter where Yan Yiqing had wandered into, someone should have reported it.

Unless…

She already had an idea in her heart.

Without hesitation, Zhao Huairen left the garden.

There was only one unguarded place in the Duke Mansion: Linzhu Courtyard near the Ancestral Hall. It wasn’t far from the small garden, and there was a beautiful wisteria tree in the courtyard.

A young lady of this age, bullied by others, would most likely hide in a secluded spot to cry secretly.

Creeeak.

The half-closed courtyard door was pushed open.

Noticing traces of the door having been touched, Zhao Huairen confidently stepped inside, but she didn’t see a single soul.

How could she not be here?

There was nowhere else she could be!

Could she have gone to the front courtyard? But with so many guests there, someone would have reported it immediately if she accidentally entered.

Her pert little nose wrinkled in rare frustration. Just as Zhao Huairen prepared to leave Linzhu Courtyard—

A sudden breeze stirred, and purple petals fluttered down in profusion. The layered wisteria flowers dyed the sky a rosy purple, and the world fell under a gentle shower of blossoms.

A girl like a kitten curled up in the middle of the tree branches, pillowing her arms, sleeping quietly.

Her light skirt draped down from the branches, swaying gently with the breeze. Occasionally, a few petals landed in her hair, then slid down along the strands.

Not secretly crying.

But… sleeping alone?

Her lips curved upward involuntarily, her curiosity about Yan Yiqing deepening. Zhao Huairen stood quietly under the wisteria tree.

Another gust of wind blew, sending more petals drifting down.

Someone was peeking at her.

Her jet-black lashes trembled silently.

Yan Yiqing slowly opened her eyes. Her pupils carried a hazy sleepiness, her eyes like a frozen still lake.

Thinking it was one of those childish young ladies from before, she pursed her thin lips and looked down imperiously, only to unexpectedly meet a pair of smiling phoenix eyes.

Their gazes met.

Time froze in that moment.

Her skin was nearly transparent in the sunlight, her light brown eyes shimmering with clear brightness. Her curled, upturned lashes resembled butterfly wings, and her slightly pursed lips were more delicate than the petals.

If not for the falling flowers landing on her shoulder.

Yan Yiqing almost suspected she had encountered a flower spirit.

While she looked at her.

She was also silently observing her.

The girl in the tree was backlit, her features hard to make out clearly. Zhao Huairen could only vaguely discern her beauty from the hazy outline.

Even so.

Her breath still hitched.

“Are you Young Lady Yan?” Suppressing the strange flutter in her heart, Zhao Huairen asked in a clear voice.

Born in Youzhou and raised there, Yan Yiqing didn’t understand the capital dialect well. She could only barely make out that the flower spirit before her seemed to have said a “Yan.”

She must be calling her.

So, she lightly lifted her chin.

“It’s tiring to talk to you with my neck craned like this. Could you come down from the tree?” Zhao Huairen said again.

With the backlight like this.

She couldn’t see what she really looked like.

This time, Yan Yiqing didn’t understand a single word. She bit her lip lightly and tilted her head in confusion.

Taking in all her actions, Zhao Huairen inexplicably thought of the raccoon cat offered as tribute from the vassal states—it made her itch to get closer.

As if bewitched by the raccoon cat, the usually willful young lady of the Duke Mansion patiently repeated herself over and over, tirelessly trying to win over the cat in the tree.

Her pretty mouth opened and closed.

Though she couldn’t understand, Yan Yiqing watched happily.

Auntie hadn’t lied to her.

The capital’s land and water truly nurtured beautiful people.