Chapter 21

"Lord He, I must confess that when you wrote to me inviting me to come to the capital to work with you, I was skeptical. But having met you today, I finally understand the sincerity of the words you penned in that letter."

The two men spoke together from the moment they met until the sun began to set, feeling as though they had discovered a kindred spirit far too late in life.

He Yanzhou had taken care of all of Wang Tingyang's arrangements since his arrival in the capital. Seeing that it was nearing the end of the Shen hour, Wang Tingyang stood up to take his leave: "Lord He, I have an old friend in the capital who invited me to gather this evening. Let us conclude our discussion here for today."

He Yanzhou, ever the gentleman, offered no objections and immediately replied: "Please, Brother Tingyang, do as you wish. Our conversation today has been most enjoyable, and I truly hope you will find great success in the capital."

He Yanzhou’s manners were flawless, always making those around him feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze. Yet, this only extended to those who met his moral standards; for those he disliked, he was quick to measure their every word and action against his own rigid yardstick.

He watched as Wang Tingyang boarded a carriage heading for the outskirts of the city. His own silhouette, as he prepared to return to his manor with his servant Huaiyu, appeared somewhat lonely. Yet, the conversation he had just shared with Wang Tingyang continued to linger in his mind, leaving him lost in thought.

"I wonder who this old friend of Brother Tingyang's living in the suburbs might be."

Qin Xiangyi had dressed casually that day in a jade-green dress befitting her age. Her attire was perfectly proper, modest rather than ostentatious, and she arrived at the home of Lady Bao, Master Artisan Xiao, just before sunset.

Master Artisan Xiao’s given name was Xiao Yunyi. After marrying her husband, she had purchased a quiet, elegant little courtyard on the outskirts of the city. Her husband’s background was unknown to most; people simply called him Mr. Xie. He usually had nothing to do, tending to a few acres of land in front of their home. Those unaware of the truth might have assumed he was entirely supported by Master Artisan Xiao.

When Qin Xiangyi arrived, Mr. Xie was returning from the fields carrying a hoe. Although he was dressed in coarse hemp cloth, he looked far more at ease than Pei Qingji ever did in his affected finery.

With soil still clinging to his hem, Mr. Xie greeted her as he saw her approach: "Ah, Master Artisan Qin is here. Please, come in and sit."

"Mr. Xie."

Qin Xiangyi offered a simple bow. Mr. Xie pushed the gate open for her, and she stepped inside.

"Yunyi, Xiangyi is here."

The courtyard was managed with a touch of refined wildness. Qin Xiangyi actually enjoyed coming here; she envied the deep affection between Master Artisan Xiao and Mr. Xie, and even more, she envied their leisurely life. If she could ever establish her own household, she would certainly want to purchase such a courtyard on the outskirts of the capital and live out her days in peace.

Master Artisan Xiao came out to pour her tea: "You’ve arrived quite early. That Mr. Tingyang has not yet arrived."

Mr. Xie remarked, "He entered the capital at midday and was met by Lord He. He even sent me a message specifically saying he wouldn't arrive here until sunset."

At the mention of Lord He, Xiao Yunyi cast a subtle, knowing glance toward Qin Xiangyi.

Xiao Yunyi continued, "Tingyang is like family to us, so it doesn't matter if he's a little late. You must tell him that official business should always take priority."

Qin Xiangyi’s ears twitched, but she remained silent.

Master Artisan Xiao patted her shoulder and said, "Don't be so nervous. Tingyang and you are both like family. He is a truly excellent man. Talk to him properly later on. Whether it works out or not is one thing, but if it does, that would be for the best."

Qin Xiangyi sat perfectly straight, though she had no idea how Master Artisan Xiao had discerned her nervousness. Still, she had made up her mind to handle today’s meeting well. If the man truly was as good as described, why not give it a chance?

Just as Xiao Yunyi finished speaking, a sound came from outside the gate.

"Perhaps he is here. Old Xie, go open the gate."

Qin Xiangyi took a deep breath and looked toward the entrance. She couldn't say if she felt anticipation or panic, but she cleared her mind of all stray thoughts, forcing herself to focus only on what she needed to do: find a husband.

Mr. Xie opened the gate to reveal Mr. Tingyang—a man of about the same age as Qin Xiangyi, with a dignified stature and a gentle, refined face.

"Tingyang, you’re finally here! I’ve missed you dearly."

"Brother Xie, my apologies for the wait. I have another friend with me today."

Wang Tingyang stepped aside, revealing a face with bright, clear features and expressive eyes.

The calm that Qin Xiangyi had worked so hard to maintain was shattered, like a stone thrown into a still pond.

Xiao Yunyi stood up to welcome the guests: "Tingyang, Lord He is practically family too, come in quickly."

Wang Tingyang shrugged and offered an explanation: "Lord He is truly a man of good humor. We had already parted ways, but he suddenly chased after me, claiming there was one more question he hadn't fully understood. I spent the journey explaining and debating with him, and before I knew it, we had walked all the way to the outskirts of the city. Since we are all friends, I thought it would be fine to share a simple meal together."

He Yanzhou wore a faint smile, greeting everyone in turn until his gaze followed Master Artisan Xiao’s and landed on the person sitting quietly in the room.

His smile may have faltered for a mere fraction of a second upon seeing her, but it was immediately replaced by a gradually widening expression of warmth.

The setting sun bathed the entire courtyard in a golden hue. In the late autumn, just before the arrival of winter, the room was already lit with candles.

He Yanzhou stared directly at her, remembering the night she had crafted a *jinbu* waist ornament for him. He reached toward his waist, only to realize with a pang of regret that he was not wearing the piece she had given him.

Master Artisan Xiao pulled Qin Xiangyi up from her chair and led her to the guests.

"Xiangyi, this is Mr. Tingyang, whom I mentioned to you."

Under the weight of He Yanzhou’s gaze—a look both joyful and luminous—Qin Xiangyi bowed slightly to Mr. Tingyang. "Mr. Tingyang, I have heard much about you."

Her bow was graceful and dignified, truly a pleasure to behold. He Yanzhou recalled the time they had first met, when she would bow to him just like this every single day.

Master Artisan Xiao continued, "Mr. Tingyang, this is Xiangyi, my colleague at the Bureau of Crafts. Not only is Master Artisan Qin highly skilled, but her character is also impeccable. You really should get to know her."

Wang Tingyang returned her bow, and after listening to the introduction, he looked at Qin Xiangyi with genuine interest. "Master Artisan Qin, a pleasure to meet you."

Everyone exchanged greetings and sat in a circle. Master Artisan Xiao glanced at He Yanzhou, then at Wang Tingyang, and finally back at Qin Xiangyi, letting out a deep, internal sigh.

*Why did He Yanzhou have to come here?* This was a matchmaking session she had painstakingly arranged for Qin Xiangyi.

The late autumn wind was bitingly cold. Qin Xiangyi wrapped a wool blanket around herself, sighing inwardly, yet knowing she had to proceed with the matter at hand. She signaled to Master Artisan Xiao, who promptly guided Wang Tingyang to sit beside her, signaling to ignore He Yanzhou and continue as planned.

He Yanzhou had intended to sit between Tingyang and Qin Xiangyi, but finding them already seated together, he hesitated before taking the seat on Qin Xiangyi’s other side.

Qin Xiangyi picked up the wine pot that Mr. Xie had just warmed and leaned over to pour a cup for Wang Tingyang, her voice soft: "Mr. Tingyang, you must be exhausted from the journey from Xichuan. Please, have a cup of warm wine."

Her voice was low, but He Yanzhou caught every word. He lowered his eyes; even amidst the cheerful banter of friends, his posture seemed more desolate than when he had returned to his manor alone with Huaiyu earlier.

He Yanzhou was not a stranger to Mr. Xie and Master Artisan Xiao; they had often crossed paths in the palace, and Xie Yan had once been his classmate. The relationships among the people in the capital were tightly woven.

Mr. Xie asked, "But tell me, Lord He, how did you and Xiangyi come to know each other?"

Wang Tingyang smiled, realizing that by bringing He Yanzhou along, he had inadvertently created a closed circle where everyone was acquainted.

Before He Yanzhou could answer, Qin Xiangyi replied, "Oh, Lord He was discussing a marriage arrangement with my niece a while ago. It seems your information is a bit outdated, Mr. Xie; half the capital knows about that."

Xie Yan, who rarely concerned himself with gossip, laughed and raised his glass. "In that case, we are all friends today. Let’s just eat and drink well—that is what matters most."

He Yanzhou raised his glass along with the others, glancing sideways at her. He felt a profound sense of desolation. *Yes, half the capital knows she is my aunt.*

Xie Yan continued, "Well, that would make Lord He the youngest among us in terms of seniority."

Xiao Yunyi stepped hard on Xie Yan’s foot and shot him a warning glare. Xie Yan, half-understanding, finally shut his mouth.

He Yanzhou gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with a cold, silent light. For the first time, he regretted the marriage his family had arranged for him. Even when he had caught Qin Yuling and Tang Ming’an meeting in secret, he hadn't felt regret—he hadn't cared for such things. But he cared deeply that he was a generation below Qin Xiangyi, all because of that ridiculous marriage contract.

"Aunt, will you not pour me a cup of wine as well?"

He turned to look at her back as she leaned toward Wang Tingyang. Qin Xiangyi’s neck stiffened as she heard him call her. He Yanzhou stared at the nape of her neck, where not a single stray hair escaped her neatly pinned bun. Her only ornament was a single hairpin, but he knew the fragrance she wore today was different.

It was a diffused, lingering scent, unlike the strict and restrained fragrance she usually wore in the palace. Her every expression, her every movement, felt diffused—a constrained form of dispersion within the bounds of propriety. He knew her better than anyone.

But as his gaze swept across the room, he wondered: for whom was she deliberately diffusing that hidden, moving charm?

Then, Xiao Yunyi began, "Tingyang, you aren't getting any younger. Though your parents are no longer with us, you really should be concerned about your own marriage."

Wang Tingyang smiled bitterly. "I have the heart for it, but since entering the civil service, I have been so busy that I have had no time to consider such things."

Master Artisan Xiao remarked, "It’s quite a coincidence. Xiangyi has also been looking for a husband since her separation a year ago."

The words were blunt, startling even Wang Tingyang.

However, Qin Xiangyi was long past the age of unnecessary shyness. In matters of marriage, the more efficient, the better. If she met Wang Tingyang today and they felt compatible, they could continue to get to know each other; if not, there was no need to waste time. As a woman who had been separated, there was no need to hide the truth—it was simply a matter of whether the other party could accept it.