Another two days passed.
The light remained bright, no longer resembling the drizzle of a few days ago. However, the ground was damp and the early spring cold ford a thin layer of ice.
To avoid slipping, Wei Shouzhong cleared it first thing in the morning with an iron hoe, and only then did he start working on making the rocking chair.
The wood had been chosen early, and he had hauled it back himself, working non-stop all morning.
Yu Tingwan held a bowl, eating while watching.
The girl slept especially well last night.
With a good night’s sleep, her spirits were high.
"Dad."
Yu Tingwan walked up quickly.
"Could you make another box when you have ti?"
Earlier, Wei Zhao had emptied the private vaults of greedy officials and occasionally threw jewelry at her. Now, every so often, he tossed her a piece of iron ore, and they could hardly fit anymore.
Wei Shouzhong had no reason to refuse, nor did he ask what she needed the box for, just agreed with a smile.
"Yu Tingwan!"
Outside, Liu Yan’s voice called out again.
Yu Tingwan held her bowl and went out, puzzled: "Seems like... you’ve been coming over quite often lately."
Liu Yan was not pleased hearing this.
"How many tis have I actually been here? The shop had matters yesterday, so I didn’t even co by. The day before, I ca looking for you, but there were so many people at your house, I hurried away without saying anything."
Yu Tingwan earnestly drank her porridge.
"But you did ntion."
"Huh?"
"You said there was a handso scholar."
Liu Yan perked up, standing straighter and finally beaming.
"Oh, right, right."
"I ca here just for that matter."
Liu Yan revealed: "Just the other day, I went to the bookshop to buy so picture books for my little nephew, and I ran into that person."
"Among a group of scholars, I picked him out at a glance."
It showed he was outstanding.
"I noticed he had a bit of arrogance in his behavior, but he’s a scholar, it’s understandable."
Liu Yan: "No man in this world is perfect. Each has his own flaws."
"I’m not an ideal person either. Two years older than you, already twenty after the last birthday. At this age, not married and beca the talk of being an old maid."
But if things don’t work out, she wouldn’t force herself.
The bookshop allows book copying, many scholars go there to earn so money for their household.
Liu Yan looked a bit regretful.
"Later, I inquired about him from the shopkeeper, and he only said the person was a new face, just knew his surna was Lu."
Good, not Zhao.
Yu Tingwan couldn’t understand.
"Since you ran into him, why didn’t you ask him directly instead of going a big circle through the shopkeeper?"
Isn’t that redundant?
"Isn’t it because a girl must be reserved and poised."
"But you are inherently wild."
So sooner or later, you’ll be exposed.
Liu Yan had her reasoning: "You don’t understand. If I directly approached saying I took a liking to him, wouldn’t it scare him away?"
Yu Tingwan thought she understood very well.
She had introduced herself back then.
Liu Yan: "Are you free today?"
"Not free."
"What? You didn’t even ask what for and you said you’re not free?"
Yu Tingwan lazily said: "Seeing how fast your eyes are moving, it’s definitely not a good thing."
"Why not?"
Liu Yan: "I want you to accompany to stake outside the academy and see if he matches. If you think he does, then I’ll investigate his background. If my marriage works out one day, you’ll be the one who made it happen."
Yu Tingwan blinked, caught the key point, and stopped drinking her porridge: "You want to go to the academy?"
"Yes."
"I saw he was wearing the scholar’s uniform from the county academy. If we stake out for a few days, we’re bound to see him."
Liu Yan looked around, ensuring no one else was around.
"I’ve thought it all over."
"Later, I’ll pretend to pass by and drop my pouch in front of him. Surely a scholar will return it to if he picks it up."
"And so, a conversation begins."
Yu Tingwan: ...
Did not sound reliable at all.
"Can you do it? The academy isn’t far, if you don’t want to walk, I can call for a carriage."
These words were overheard by Hui Niang who ca out looking for Yu Tingwan.
"Miss Liu, you want to go to the academy?"
Liu Yan: "Yes, looking for soone."
"Then why not go in the evening, that’s when classes are dismissed. Wan Niang and I plan to go pick up my nephew, why not co along?"
Yu Tingwan suddenly felt her vision darken.
It’s over.
The afterglow of the sunset broke through the clouds, dyeing half the sky red, outlining the setting sun on the horizon.
The academy was quiet, away from the bustling area.
Today, the students are returning ho, and there are many people waiting outside to pick them up. Even with the crowd, no one is speaking loudly.
This is Yu Tingwan’s first ti here.
She looks around and feels it’s quite impressive.
There are two stone lions standing outside the academy, and the plaque above the door is hung high, with calligraphy that is a perfect balance of strength and grace, strong and vigorous.
It’s no wonder many students strive to study in the county.
Low-voiced, Liu Yan asked, "Why haven’t you said anything all the way?"
Yu Tingwan replied, "Can’t you see?"
"I’m afraid you’ll fall for my cousin."
She was too direct.
Liu Yan furrowed her brows tightly: "Am I crazy or are you?"
"I’ve already made my choice, am I soone who’s fickle in affection?"
Without hesitation, Yu Tingwan said, "Yes."
Liu Yan: ???
"No matter how good your cousin is, having a cousin-in-law like you, what good marriage can it be?"
Yu Tingwan didn’t argue with her.
Liu Yan felt uneasy when she saw her not speaking and leaned closer: "Did I hurt you?"
Yu Tingwan: "You?"
"I just figured now, my cousin is not soone who can’t be seen."
The girl smiled.
"If he doesn’t want it, with around, don’t even think about making a move on him."
Hui Niang didn’t know what the two were whispering about, but seeing Wan Niang smile at Miss Liu, she knew the two were getting along well.
Suddenly, the crowd started to stir.
"They’re coming out, they’re coming out."
Yu Tingwan fixed her gaze and saw a group of students in matching cross-collared robes exiting together.
"Fifth Lang, here!"
Soone beside her waved.
Quickly, a student hurried over, unable to hide the surprise in his eyes.
"Dad."
"Co on, let’s go ho. Your mom has cooked so at today to nourish you a bit."
Watching this father and son leave, Hui Niang stood on her tiptoes to look around: "Wan Niang, help see if Ah Yu has co out or not? I didn’t tell him I’d co to pick him up, so I hope he didn’t leave without seeing us."
Yu Tingwan reassured her: "Don’t worry, Mom, I’m keeping an eye out."
As groups of students ca out and left one after another, and the people waiting on the street thinned out, the academy beca quiet.
"I see him!"
It was Liu Yan shouting.
She pointed: "How about that?"
Yu Tingwan looked over.
Thin.
Unfamiliar.
Yu Tingwan didn’t think much of it.
Liu Yan didn’t expect to hear anything good from her and was about to turn to ask Hui Niang.
Then... her gaze paused.
She followed the Lu student she set her eyes on, looking back.
That person held a book in their hands, looking down while reading. As he crossed the threshold, he exchanged bows with the Lu student in front, bidding farewell.
His bow was very sincere. In contrast, the Lu student was rather perfunctory, even with an air of superiority.
That was a particularly handso young student.
He was also extrely shy, smiling like a naive young deer.
That was it.
Liu Yan... no longer had eyes for the Lu student.
She seed to be the kind of person Yu Tingwan said was fickle in affection.
She felt quite shaless.
But Liu Yan blushed and her heart raced looking at that face, feeling emotions she’d never had before.
"I, I, I..."
Rationality was leaving her.
She felt the person in front of her was perfect!
Liu Yan couldn’t care about anything else, straightened her collar, and walked coquettishly towards him.
Zhao Yu also saw Hui Niang and Yu Tingwan at this mont, his eyes lit up, and he quickly walked down the steps.
Closer, even closer.
Liu Yan calculated the distance.
As she brushed past Zhao Yu, she let her sleeve pocket fall.
Right at Zhao Yu’s feet.
Zhao Yu glanced down at it and then turned to look at Liu Yan’s back as she walked away.
The outfit Liu Yan wore today was much like the one worn by the village chief’s youngest daughter who abducted him before.
Without hesitation, Zhao Yu acted as if he hadn’t seen it.
Liu Yan: ???
"Wait."
She smiled softly.
"I dropped my purse, won’t the gentleman help pick it up for ?"
Zhao Yu froze, as if he had seen a ghost, quickly speeding up, almost starting to run.
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