Chapter 25: Embarrassment

"How is it not appropriate?" Xue Huaiyu had long wanted to enjoy tea and sunshine in the bamboo grove and would not let the old nurse ruin her plans. She shot a glare, "Second Brother went out today and won’t be back until evening. What is there to fear?"

Scolded by her cold tone, the old nurse reconsidered and kept silent, instructing the maids to move things further away. After all, with young ladies from other families present, any mishap would bring shame upon the Duke of Loyalty’s household.

It was early autumn, the air chill and clear. Fallen leaves carpeted the garden, and the bamboo was tinged with yellow, though from afar it still looked lush. The autumn sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, scattering luminous patterns across faces, silk, satin, and slender hands, creating beautiful halos.

"Chuyan, your embroidery is truly exquisite. My sister and I are no match for you," Xue Huaiyu, tired from stitching, eagerly ran to Liu Chuyan to admire her work, praising her unstintingly.

"Chuyan, Shuwei, please, have some refreshments," Xue Huaijin had just stepped away to have the maids prepare pastries.

"Chuyan, this is the three-flower beauty tea my sister brewed herself," Xue Huaiyu announced, clearly fond of her sister’s tea, pouring herself a bowl without hesitation.

Xue Huaijin smiled, helpless before her childish sister, but at only eleven, she could not be too strict. She poured two more bowls and handed them to Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei. "Sister, please try the tea. If you like it, I’ll brew more for you."

"Thank you," Han Shuwei, warmed by the sun, drank a large mouthful. "This three-flower tea is wonderful. I want to learn how to make it too."

"Of course, I’ll teach you in a few days." Xue Huaijin was only a few months younger than Han Shuwei, but though Han Shuwei was older, Xue Huaijin seemed more like the elder sister—calm, gentle, and well-mannered. Yet she had one flaw: she never spared attention for those she disliked, making her seem haughty to outsiders. But as the daughter of the Duke of Loyalty, who dared speak ill of her? Most kept their opinions to themselves, so she never got into trouble.

Liu Chuyan took a couple of sips, savoring the taste. "There’s more than just three flowers in this, isn’t there? I taste cassia seeds, kudzu root, and rhodiola. Huaijin, am I right?"

"Yes, Chuyan, you’re amazing," Xue Huaijin praised.

"Really?" Xue Huaiyu leaned in, surprised, but the tea had already been strained and she couldn’t see for herself. She feigned sudden understanding. "No wonder this tastes different from what the Imperial Consort serves. So there are other ingredients."

"Cassia seeds are good for the eyes, kudzu root for the complexion, and rhodiola replenishes energy and blood—they’re all excellent. Huaijin, this tea is outstanding," Liu Chuyan praised, drinking another half-bowl.

"Remarkable," Han Shuwei echoed, though she understood little of such things.

"It seems Chuyan knows quite a bit. I should seek your advice more often," Xue Huaijin said modestly, filling her bowl again and raising Liu Chuyan’s esteem.

Liu Chuyan smiled serenely. "Our old madam often suffers from headaches and dizziness. The doctors say only long-term care will help, so I make her health teas and medicinal dishes. That’s how I learned a little."

"I see," Xue Huaiyu giggled, then discreetly tugged Han Shuwei’s sleeve. "Do you need the privy?"

"Um, no," Han Shuwei blushed.

"But you drank a whole bowl, just like me," Xue Huaiyu whispered, embarrassed.

"Huaiju, I’ll go with you," Liu Chuyan, having sat long enough, took her hand.

"Alright, let’s go," Xue Huaiyu, happy for the company, led her off.

"I’ll come too," Han Shuwei didn’t want to be left behind and clung to them.

Xue Huaijin watched them leave together, returning to her tea and embroidery, occasionally nibbling a pastry.

"Chuyan, look, that’s my second brother’s garden," Xue Huaiyu pointed as they passed Shenxing Pavilion. Liu Chuyan followed her gesture; magnolia branches hung over the wall, deep green, as if touched by spring.

"He treasures those magnolias, but my sister and I love to tease him, always sneaking petals. Every time we’re chased out," Xue Huaiyu confessed, scratching her nose and sticking out her tongue at the fruit-laden magnolias, "but even so, we go back again and again. What we like most is seeing him get angry. But he dotes on us and never scolds us, just suppresses his anger—which is hilarious."

"You two are rather mischievous," Han Shuwei teased with a smile.

"Not at all! He didn’t even care for the flowers at first. Once, after going out with Father, he planted three magnolias and treats them like treasures. I asked him why, but he just laughed and wouldn’t say. You’ve no idea—it’s harder to make my second brother smile than to cross the Shu Road," Xue Huaiyu grumbled, pouting. "Honestly, I think his smile is even better than my eldest brother’s, but he never shows it. He’s always so stern and old-fashioned—no wonder no girls like him."

Liu Chuyan giggled. "Your second brother is indeed like that."

"Oh? Chuyan, are you well acquainted with him?" Xue Huaiyu’s eyes widened in surprise.

Liu Chuyan almost let something slip but hurriedly waved her hands. "Not really. We’ve only met a couple of times. I can just tell." Thankfully, she managed to cover her slip and breathed a sigh of relief.

Han Shuwei knew the real reason and smiled knowingly, though the memory of Xue Ao’s stern face made her uneasy. Suddenly, she remembered something and tugged Liu Chuyan’s sleeve. "Cousin, don’t you love magnolias too? Pity our estate doesn’t have any—you haven’t seen them in ages."

"Shall I take you to see them, then?" Xue Huaiyu stopped. "The magnolias are right in the garden, and my brother isn’t home today. Even if I sneak a branch for you, he can’t do anything about it."

"Huaiyu, don’t be naughty. They're not in bloom now anyway, so what’s the point? Weren’t you going to the privy? Can you still hold it?" Liu Chuyan reminded her of their errand.

Only then did Xue Huaiyu remember, clutching her belly. "Chuyan, you shouldn’t have brought it up! Now my stomach’s acting up. I can’t hold it any longer." With that, she scampered off down a corridor to find the restroom.

Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei couldn’t help but laugh. Hearing men’s voices nearby, they hastened, fearing Xue Tan or Xue Ao had returned.

When the three finished and returned to the bamboo grove, passing Shenxing Pavilion, Liu Chuyan glanced again at the magnolias, and Xue Huaiyu tried to pull her inside. Fortunately, Liu Chuyan stopped her. If they entered Xue Ao’s garden and he found out, he would surely scold her for being indiscreet, worsening his impression.

"Huaijin, your tea is getting better and better—the aroma alone is delightful. But you never remember to bring a pot for your brother. Such a poor memory," came Xue Ao’s voice. He had appeared in the bamboo grove, asking his sister for tea. Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei exchanged glances, then froze behind the grove, not daring to go forward.

"Second Brother, Huaijin is hosting the two young ladies from the Han family today. She has no time for your trivial matters. Go home and cry about it," came Xue Tan’s voice. Who would have thought the Duke of Loyalty was so "witty" in private? Liu Chuyan almost smiled, while Han Shuwei blushed, her feet unconsciously carrying her toward them.

"Shuwei..." Liu Chuyan, knowing her heart was still captivated by the duke, hurried to hold her back, but Xue Huaiyu gave her a little shove.

"Chuyan, it’s fine. The brothers will leave after their tea. Besides, it’s rare for you to visit—you should greet them, or you’ll be at a loss next time," Xue Huaiyu insisted, and before Liu Chuyan could react, she stumbled out in front of the men.

"Ah, Second Brother, the tea..." At the same time, Xue Huaijin cried out, trying to stop Xue Ao from drinking, but then saw Han Shuwei and Liu Chuyan appear, struck speechless.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, you’re back! Was the palace fun? Did the emperor show you anything interesting this time?" Xue Huaiyu rushed up to Xue Tan, her words tumbling out.

"Huaiyu, mind your manners in front of guests. You’re still so mischievous," Xue Tan laughed, nodding politely to Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei.

Han Shuwei blushed, murmuring a greeting, flustered and shy.

Liu Chuyan curtsied to Xue Tan with utmost respect. "Greetings, Duke of Loyalty."

Hearing her voice, Xue Ao raised an eyebrow.

"Greetings, Lord Censor-in-Chief," Liu Chuyan added, forcing herself to bow to him as well.

Xue Ao snorted, raising his cup for another sip.

"Second Brother, this..." Xue Huaijin hesitated, anxious enough to stamp her foot.

Liu Chuyan looked at Xue Huaijin in surprise, then at Xue Ao, suddenly realizing the reason for her worry. Her cheeks flushed crimson, uncontrollably.

"What’s wrong, Sister?" Xue Huaiyu, oblivious, inspected Xue Ao curiously.

"I’ll finish this tea and go. Why all the fuss?" Xue Ao grumbled, not wanting to see the Han girls at all. If not for Xue Huaijin’s delicious tea, he wouldn’t be lingering in the bamboo grove.

"Second Brother..." Suddenly, Xue Huaiyu acted as if she’d discovered a shocking secret, pointing at his cup. "Second Brother, that’s the bowl Chuyan drank from!" There might still be traces of her lips, though at least no rouge.