Chapter 15

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Yuli dared not look at Xie Yao. Fortunately, he said nothing, so she pretended not to have seen anything. She sat down and listened as the shopkeeper introduced the treasured jewelry. The pieces the shopkeeper brought out suited Yuli very well—exquisite but not overly extravagant. Yuli only held them briefly in her hands. She had just one head and seldom went out; the items at Mingyue Residence were already enough for her, and she had no intention of buying more.

Still burdened by the lingering habits of renting in the modern era, she disliked accumulating things she couldn’t store or carry when moving. Afraid Xie Yao might buy them for her, she glanced briefly before saying, “Don’t buy anything; none of these compare to what you’ve given me.” Xie Yao lowered his eyes and responded with a faint “hm.”

After leaving the jewelry store, Yuli already felt somewhat weary but insisted on going to a pastry shop to select treats to bring back for Xiyun. She was also curious about the popular pastries in the capital—what flavors they had—and whether she might have a chance if she ever opened a pastry shop here.

Yuli ordered many varieties, spending about half of the money she had brought on flowers and the rest on pastries. She carefully sampled each flavor, discovering some she had never tasted before, though many were quite simple. Pastries made from milk and eggs, like her flaky, buttery dough creations, were rare here. After all, these modern recipes had been tested and proven over time, making them novel in this era—just as Uncle Hu had said, they had a market.

Though she wouldn’t have the chance to open a shop, Yuli was pleased, as if she had saved a fortune that she didn’t need now but could access whenever necessary. This gave her a sense of security even greater than all that Xie Yao had given her. She tasted everything, packed up the extra pastries, and planned to share them with Xiyun and the others.

After leaving the pastry shop, Yuli no longer wished to browse. She climbed into the carriage and leaned against the side. If not for Xie Yao’s presence, she would have lain down to rest. Xie Yao seemed to see through her fatigue, wrapping his arm around her waist and lifting her head to rest on his shoulder.

“If you’re tired, sleep a while. When you wake, we’ll be there.”

At first, Yuli was uneasy, but Xie Yao gently fanned her. His steady figure fit snugly against her, and with the carriage’s gentle swaying, she soon fell asleep.

She sensed the carriage stopping and, half-awake, heard low voices mentioning the Ministry of Rites and the imperial examination. She caught a few words before drifting back to sleep.

When she woke again, she saw the pale green bed curtains billowing in the evening breeze; the sunset had climbed the wall. Turning over, she recognized the familiar furnishings of her room in Mingyue Residence. Xie Yao was not there. She rose and took a few steps when Xiyun poked her head in, her face lit with a joyful smile, as if she had just received twenty taels as a reward. Perhaps Xiyun had enjoyed her day outside the mansion, and Yuli smiled back.

Yet Xiyun said nothing and stood at the door without entering. Yuli approached, and Xiyun stepped out from behind the screen, grinning mysteriously.

Curious, Yuli followed her and gasped at the sight.

The room was filled with bouquets of flowers—pink, yellow, white—piled everywhere, leaving barely a path. Tables and shelves were covered with countless ornate brocade boxes and jewelry chests. Her own modest flowers and pastries sat in the center of the table, looking plain and insignificant amidst the dazzling array.

Yuli’s smile stiffened, but Xiyun was radiant with happiness.

Yuli casually opened one box to find a silk fan embroidered with rolling green mountains, the stitching vivid and lifelike, with mist weaving through the peaks. She had glimpsed it from afar in the store and hadn’t dared touch it. She opened several more boxes; all contained things she had seen or touched before, familiar and memorable.

As for the flowers, she was certain Xie Yao had brought every bloom available in the West Market.

She had thought she would only receive that white parasol and that she could repay his kindness by being doubly good to him. Now, with so many gifts, how could she possibly repay him?

Along the journey, she had been happy simply to enjoy a brief freedom outside. She hadn’t realized that every move, every glance, was under Xie Yao’s watchful eyes.

Suddenly realizing something, she opened every box searching for one particular item, and when she didn’t find it, she sighed with relief.

Thankfully, even he had moments of distraction.

But how was she going to arrange all these things in the room?

—

While Yuli fretted over the flood of gifts Xie Yao had sent, he had already arrived at the Imperial Study in the Purple Celestial Hall.

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The Deputy Minister of Rites presented the fruits of the department’s recent exhausting efforts: the list of the top three candidates of the special imperial examination convened by the Regent Prince.

Because the court needed the results urgently, the Ministry of Rites had poured all their energy into it. The Regent Prince had specifically ordered the exam papers to be anonymized and transcribed in uniform handwriting to prevent any outside interference.

All the courtiers knew the Regent’s ruthless methods; no one dared cheat. The list of top three candidates truly reflected their merit.

Xie Yao first expressed his appreciation, then opened the report. On a random page, he saw rankings of policy essays, names, and places of origin.

Turning to the first page, first column, he paused.

It read: Number One, Mei Qing, from Xihe County, Fengzhou.

In an instant, he scanned down the list, reading each row carefully before handing the report back to the eunuch and the Deputy Minister of Rites.

“The palace examination will be held in three days. The emperor will attend in person, with the Grand Tutor assisting,” Xie Yao said.

This implied he would not personally appear. The Deputy Minister of Rites did not press further and left after agreeing.

After the Deputy Minister departed, Song He reported that Mei Qing’s whereabouts had been found.

Xie Yao responded indifferently.

Song He asked, “Should we deal with him?”

Xie Yao replied, “I have no grudge or enmity with him. Do you think I am so petty?”

Song He hesitated, then boldly said, “The lady does not yet know he is alive. This is the best opportunity.”

Xie Yao said, “Even if she knew, what then?”

“Will Your Highness inform the lady?” Song He’s brows twitched.

Xie Yao was silent for a moment and asked, “What worries you?”

Song He pursed his lips. He was not worried about the lady’s reaction but feared how his master might treat her.

For now, they seemed to get along well, but if she showed any signs of instability, the fragile peace might shatter. Rather than risk harm to both, it would be better to quietly eliminate the threat now, snuffing out any uncontrollable factors at the start.

This was Xie Yao’s usual style, but now, he seemed unwilling to follow that path.

The more so, the more uneasy Song He became.

In the end, Xie Yao only ordered them to keep an eye on Mei Qing’s movements, with no intention to act.

After handling this matter, he went to Xie Residence.

The sky was already dark when he arrived at Mingyue Residence, enveloped in a deep blue dusk. Approaching, he saw the bright lights inside. Yuli stood in the corridor holding a white camellia, playing with Xue Mi.

Upon noticing him, Yuli’s smile broadened, revealing her fine teeth.

Xue Mi darted along the wall and disappeared as usual. Yuli laughed and, without chasing after it, trotted a few steps to greet Xie Yao.

The flickering light danced around her, yet she shone like the bright moon, exuding pure white radiance.

Yuli took his hand and naturally nestled beside him, looking up with a smile. “Coming so late without a word—have you eaten?”

Xie Yao looked at her, raised his hand to gently touch her shoulder, and shook his head.

Yuli didn’t ask what had kept him and instead instructed someone to send food from the kitchen.

Then she pulled him inside.

Inside the room, the lights were brighter. The flowers had been arranged in vases—one on the table, two on the shelves—each arranged elegantly with varying heights and a fresh, refined style.

“These were all taught to me by Jingyu’s contacts. Pretty, aren’t they?” Yuli said.

Xie Yao looked at her, his smile unchanged, and nodded.

Yuli also showed him the incense he had bought, already lit one stick. It smelled wonderful.

The embroidered fan was placed within easy reach, ready to be used when it grew hot.

She liked all the things he bought, and that made her happy.

She was trying to get closer to him; whether her feelings were genuine or not, at least this was what he wanted.

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As long as she never met Mei Qing, she would belong wholly to him.

Xie Yao came late that night, and by the time dinner was done, it was very late.

Having received a large batch of thoughtful gifts, Yuli couldn’t bear to urge him to leave.

But beyond holding hands and talking, she could do nothing more.

She wasn’t ready—at least, not today.

Xie Yao didn’t pressure her; he just hugged her before leaving.

After he left, Yuli put the fan back in its box, stored the incense, and tidied the other ornaments and jewelry.

Seeing the room restored to its original state, she felt a sense of calm.

She could accept the gifts Xie Yao gave, but she could never do so without feeling burdened—like a windfall falling from the sky that she dared not spend, fearing the original owner might come demanding multiple times its value.

She had nothing to repay and might have been better off never picking it up. But since others insisted on giving, she could not refuse without angering them. She could only accept and pretend to be happy, avoiding spending if possible.

Yuli never felt real with Xie Yao, always sensing that what he gave would be reclaimed in some other way.

She would rather live a simple, uneventful life, protecting herself—even if she lost her health, she would keep her mind clear.

After that day, Xie Yao sent fresh flowers daily. Though Mingyue Residence was bleak, having his flowers indoors brought a touch of natural charm.

Though Yuli preferred living green plants, having flowers was still good, and she carefully tended them daily, trying to keep them alive longer.

The one-month period they agreed upon was nearly over. Yuli spent each day mentally preparing herself for when Xie Yao would come, unsure what she might do. Yet she felt as if she were procrastinating, unwilling to speak until the last day.

Like in modern times, she could always summon incredible energy to finish a thesis just before the deadline.

This time was no different, she thought.

Confined to Xie Residence, Yuli led a happy but slightly restricted life, arranging flowers, sleeping, playing with cats, with her greatest worry being what to eat each meal, completely unaware of the shifting tides outside.

The special imperial examination convened by the Regent Prince had produced results. In Hanyuan Hall, according to the palace’s official judgment, the young emperor personally confirmed the top three.

Mei Qing had won the top scholar’s title.

This examination was ordered by the Regent Prince, who did not appear personally but waited until the final results before summoning the candidates.

From Hanyuan Hall, the top three were led by palace attendants to the Purple Celestial Hall.

The three waited in the side hall. The new top scholar, Mei Qing, stood at the front. Dressed plainly, a commoner by birth, his bearing was remarkable—ethereal in appearance, like a white crane standing by a forest stream.

His expression was calm, tinged with mild joy. The other two candidates displayed complex emotions—joy mixed with anxiety, pride shaded by fear.

Rumors spread that the Regent Prince was capricious and ruthless, killing without hesitation. Though they benefited from his unprecedentedly fair examination, they still feared him.

The roster was submitted, and after a moment, a message came from the Imperial Study: the Regent Prince would not see them.

Mei Qing was unbothered, while the second and third ranked candidates grew anxious.

The Ministry of Rites brought the official robes for the top scholar. Officials helped Mei Qing dress before sending him out of the palace.

Exiting the court, Mei Qing felt as if eyes were watching him. He glanced back at the Danfeng Gate but saw no one notable.

“The newly minted scholars parade—spectators, please clear the way!”

Amidst the chorus, Mei Qing, clad in scarlet robes, led 300 scholars on a street procession.

Countless women lined the streets, throwing flowers and fruit into his carriage, quickly filling it with blooms.

Noble families sent emissaries to offer him marriage, nearly sparking fights and blocking the entire street.

Finally, someone approached him, stating their prestigious family name. Mei Qing smiled gently and said, “I am honored by your kindness, but I already have a fiancée. I will only marry her in this lifetime; I hope you understand.”

Hearing this and seeing him gaze tenderly toward Xihe County, most stepped back. Those who persisted were simply ignored.