Chapter 26: Breaking the Siege

Xue Ao’s movements froze instantly, his face flushed crimson, torn between setting down the teacup and his unwillingness to make a fool of himself. Holding it was equally embarrassing, and he was at a loss for what to do—this was the first time he had completely lost his composure.

Xue Huaijin fell silent as well, and the atmosphere grew painfully awkward.

Xue Huayu, seeing his flushed face and narrowed eyes, eager to vent his frustration, shrank back and stepped aside, only to accidentally bump his arm. The teacup, slackened and tightened in Xue Ao’s grip, slipped from his hand.

Yet the servant beside Xue Ao uttered a quick “Ah!” and deftly bent to catch the teacup, returning it to him. “Second Young Master.”

Now that Xue Ao had abandoned the cup, he certainly could not take it up again, and he shot the servant a fierce glare.

The servant smiled sheepishly, placed the cup on the table, and stood quietly aside, saying nothing more.

Xue Tan gave a shallow smile. “Second Brother, do you want to go rinse your mouth?”

Xue Ao turned his head and rolled his eyes. “Big Brother, is the cup in your hand the one belonging to the fourth Miss of the Han family?”

Were these brothers setting traps for each other? Liu Chuyan glanced surreptitiously at Xue Tan—indeed, he was holding a cup rimmed with apricot blossoms, a touch of pink and yellow. When Xue Huaijin served tea to Liu Chuyan, everyone had watched and knew hers was adorned with red plum blossoms, easily recognizable, even Xue Huayu remembered. But as for Han Shuwei’s cup, no one had paid much attention to its pattern. Could it really be…?

If so, wouldn’t Liu Chuyan and Han Shuwei make a spectacle of themselves at the Duke of Xin’s residence?

Han Shuwei’s heart leapt at Xue Ao’s words, and she silently touched her lips. If so, she and the Duke of Xin, her cousin and the Deputy Censor—would all be…

But Xue Huaijin burst out laughing. “Second Brother, don’t drag Big Brother down just because you were careless. He’s not as hasty as you, only concerned with the tea on the table. His cup? I poured it for him.”

Xue Ao, exposed without mercy by Xue Huaijin, felt utterly humiliated and turned his head with a grunt, only to catch Liu Chuyan’s gaze as she looked up at him, shy and demure. Clearly she was annoyed, yet why did he see a shimmer of liquid light in her eyes? He had never really looked at these eyes before, but they seemed familiar—slightly upturned, the pupils like jade, both known and strange. And she was blushing? Why was she blushing? Why did she look so beautiful when she blushed?

He actually found her beautiful? Had he been bewitched by the tea? But from this angle, she truly looked lovely.

Liu Chuyan expected him to glare at her, but instead he stared intently, as if determined to remember her face for some future revenge. She silently wished to scratch his face—what was he staring at? Yet good manners compelled her to take a step back, avoiding further eye contact.

“Second Brother, you’ve frightened Sister Chuyan,” Xue Huayu couldn’t stand it, bravely stepping between them.

“Second Brother, Sister Chuyan did nothing wrong. It was you who offended her—you owe her a proper apology,” Xue Huaijin also stepped forward in her defense.

“That’s right, Second Brother, you drank Miss Liu’s fragrant tea; you ought to show some gratitude.” Xue Tan, for reasons unknown, was unusually eager to see Xue Ao embarrassed today, though he’d never had such a habit before. He glanced up at the sky—it was fine weather, no red rain.

Fragrant tea… Xue Ao remembered that the cup had been used by Liu Chuyan, the tea had been sipped by her, and he felt as if his whole body was crawling with insects.

“Second Brother, why won’t you speak? Are you still savoring the taste?” Xue Tan pressed on.

Han Shuwei had never imagined that the Duke of Xin, whom she had always admired for his upright character, could be such a man—“witty and humorous,” and utterly unrestrained in mocking his own brother. What sort of elder brother was this, truly “brotherly love and filial respect.”

Xue Ao saw Liu Chuyan quietly hiding behind Xue Huayu, her gaze lowered, calm and composed. Yet Xue Huayu was only eleven, hardly able to shield her, and there was a faint fragrance about her, reminiscent of the tea’s aroma. No, he had to rinse his mouth.

Before Xue Tan could get a reply, he watched as Xue Ao, flustered and desperate, fled in a panic, forcing his two servants to hurry after him.

Thus the commotion over the tea ended with Xue Ao’s ignominious retreat. Liu Chuyan breathed a sigh of relief; it was nearly noon and time to return home, so she took her leave from Xue Huaijin and the others.

“Sister Chuyan, stay for lunch before you go,” Xue Huayu pleaded, wrapping her arms around Liu Chuyan’s.

With Xue Ao present, Liu Chuyan dared not remain for a meal, shaking her head. “No, Huayu, we must return to the manor.”

“You’re afraid of my second brother, aren’t you?” Xue Huayu grinned. “You needn’t worry. With my big brother here, he can’t cause any trouble.”

Did any younger sister ever speak of her brother like that? Liu Chuyan was at a loss for words. Yet they had originally agreed to leave in the afternoon—what excuse could she give now? Staying was out of the question. She pondered, looking to Han Shuwei for support. But Han Shuwei was completely absorbed in watching her ideal gentleman, her eyes nearly sparkling, oblivious to Liu Chuyan.

“Shuwei…” Liu Chuyan called softly, but Han Shuwei only turned back in confusion, not understanding her.

Xue Tan had noticed Han Shuwei watching him from the start—at first furtive glances, then openly staring. He was accustomed to such attention, so it hardly fazed him, but he resumed his beguiling smile. “Miss Liu, Miss Han, my two sisters are always hoping for company. Since you’re here, please stay for lunch and enjoy yourselves for a while before leaving.”

“Leaving? Where to?” Han Shuwei finally returned to her senses, asking Liu Chuyan in a muffled tone.

Liu Chuyan was helpless, but Xue Huayu had already moved in, wrapping her arms around her again. “Don’t go, don’t go. Sister Chuyan must be confused and thinks it’s already evening. But look, it’s not even noon yet. Sister, quickly instruct the kitchen to prepare lunch, and make sure they cook dishes you’ll love.”

“Mm,” Xue Huaijin signaled, and a maid went off to relay the order.

“Big Brother, you’re the host, so you must dine with Sister Chuyan,” Xue Huayu’s meaning was all too clear, and Liu Chuyan instantly realized something, her body trembling.

Madam Xue’s warmth, the Xue siblings’ efforts to ingratiate themselves—was it all for the Duke of Xin?

What she had once feared might happen to Han Shuwei—was it now happening to her?

Though Liu Chuyan was different from Han Shuwei, she had never considered spending her life with such a man as the Duke of Xin.

What should she do? Since she had come, she couldn’t leave rudely, nor could she reject them outright; acting too abruptly would only provoke Madam Xue’s displeasure. She would have to keep her distance. Just then, the Duke of Xin was smiling brightly at her, and Liu Chuyan lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

Xue Tan was surprised by her sudden coldness, recalling that as a man he had lingered among the ladies without propriety—he deserved a rebuke. He announced he would return to his room.

But the Xue sisters, acting on their mother’s orders, would not let him leave so easily. “Big Brother, Mother isn’t home, so you must take charge. Before she left, she had people summon you and Second Brother back early. Can you abandon us now?”

So the Xue brothers’ early return was orchestrated by Madam Xue, who herself was conveniently absent. Any incident between Liu Chuyan and the Duke of Xin could be blamed on her daughters, rather than her own lack of decorum—what cunning. Liu Chuyan had already fallen into the trap and could not easily escape; she’d have to take it one step at a time.

Xue Tan, aware of propriety, said only that his sisters should entertain the guests, and returned to his room without further argument.

Fortunately, the Duke of Xin knew his manners, so Liu Chuyan was relieved, and continued to embroider and jest with the sisters in the bamboo grove.

“Xue Ao, get out here!”

They were exchanging humorous stories from town when suddenly someone barged into Shenxing Pavilion, shouting loudly and even kicking the door.

No one knew who it was, but Liu Chuyan was so startled that her needlework fell to the floor—the voice was all too familiar, a veritable nightmare.

“Who is that, so unruly?” Xue Huayu called impatiently.

Xue Ao was inside changing clothes, the courtyard gates tightly shut. Zhao Panyu, unable to get in, circled around and had someone climb the wall to “invite” Xue Ao out. But upon entering the bamboo grove, he was surprised to find several young ladies staring at him, Han Shuwei among them pale and hiding behind Liu Chuyan.

Unexpectedly, after all her efforts to avoid him, Liu Chuyan encountered him here today. Cold sweat broke out on her back.

Zhao Panyu had only glimpsed her back at Jiming Temple and had been captivated ever since. Later, he learned she was the Han family’s cousin, and after visiting the General’s residence, he saw her true face and was instantly smitten. He had quietly calculated that, given his status, he could easily request her as a concubine from the Han family once the corruption case was resolved. Now, seeing her again, she seemed even more beautiful, delicate and charming, full of grace, and his heart beat wildly—he almost forgot his purpose for coming.

“Are you Liu Chuyan?” Zhao Panyu strode toward her involuntarily, stopping a yard away to ask.

With Han Shuwei blocking her retreat, Liu Chuyan had no choice but to face Zhao Panyu’s heavy breathing, bending her knees slightly. “Chuyan greets the Magistrate.”

“You know me?” Zhao Panyu was overjoyed, nervously clenching his fists.

“Such a distinguished figure as the Magistrate, Chuyan has naturally heard of you.” Liu Chuyan turned to Xue Huaijin for help, hoping she might shield her, but as fellow young ladies, they could do nothing, standing still.

“Then you, next time…”

“Master Zhao, what brings you here so suddenly, frightening my guests?” Xue Ao had finished dressing and emerged to find Zhao Panyu shouting and rushing about, startling the ladies and offending them; several were left dumbfounded. Liu Chuyan kept her head down, clearly terrified but feigning composure. Xue Ao’s voice was icy, arms folded.

Grateful for Xue Ao’s timely intervention, Liu Chuyan looked up and gave him a thankful glance.

Zhao Panyu followed her gaze, fury igniting within him. Xue Ao had blocked his prospects, hindered his career, and now dared to snatch the woman he desired!