Chapter Twenty-Two: He Is My Fiancé
As Mo Zhiqiu was interpreting the poem, Pan Qingyun, fanning himself with a golden silk folding fan, entered the courtyard accompanied by Ye Shaoyan.
He was not there to join the gathering.
After failing to find anyone at An Xiaowei’s elegant residence, he had come here to take a look.
Sure enough, An Xiaowei was present.
Though the place was crowded, a profound silence prevailed.
When he and Ye Shaoyan stepped into the courtyard, everyone was engrossed in Mo Zhiqiu’s reading of the poem, oblivious to their arrival.
Having listened to Mo Zhiqiu’s interpretation, Pan Qingyun felt baffled.
Who had composed a frontier-themed poem?
Such poetry had nearly fallen out of favor in these peaceful times; people now preferred the delicate and refined style of the graceful school.
The young scholar from Qi carefully analyzed the poem, which seemed quite well-crafted. He asked Elder Scholar Xu about the author...
Pan Qingyun stepped forward, gently shaking his fan, and saw Elder Scholar Xu stroke his long beard with a slight smile.
“This poem was... recited by Chen Xiaofu.”
He deliberately used the word “recited,” because An Xiaowei had also said she heard the poem from Chen Xiaofu’s recital.
Elder Scholar Xu knew the poem’s literary merit was exceptional and found it hard to believe Chen Xiaofu was its author.
Like An Xiaowei, he suspected the true poet was Chen Linyuan.
But Mo Zhiqiu did not ponder this deeply.
Hearing this, Pan Qingyun was utterly shocked.
“Impossible!”
He stepped forward two more paces, snapping his golden fan shut.
“Just what kind of man is that Chen Xiaofu... Elder Scholar Xu doesn’t know, or do you all not know?”
“He’s nothing but a fool!”
“Exactly a...”
An Xiaowei’s almond-shaped eyes flashed with anger, and she shouted, “Silence!”
“Don’t think I’m afraid of you just because my grandfather is the Left Chancellor!”
“Pan Qingyun, consider this a warning. Should you continue to slander or threaten Chen Xiaofu, I will report you to Her Majesty the Empress when I return to the capital!”
She took out the golden phoenix pendant from her sleeve.
Her usually gentle demeanor was replaced by a fierce aura.
“Do you dare treat the Empress’s golden phoenix pendant as worthless?”
“Do you think the Empress will spare you just because you are the grandson of the Left Chancellor?”
“Even if Ji An is talented, he is not someone an ignoramus like you can question!”
Pan Qingyun never expected An Xiaowei to turn against him over Chen Xiaofu.
In the imperial capital’s circles, they often crossed paths; even if they disliked each other, it was rare to show it openly.
The Right Chancellor’s son had already been humiliated at the An residence, and the Left Chancellor would never let his grandson suffer such a blow there.
Pan Qingyun dared not entertain any improper thoughts regarding An Xiaowei.
He knew she came to Lin’an, and he had also come because the Second Prince informed him—it was his task.
To humiliate that fool from the Kaiyang Divine General’s mansion.
In front of An Xiaowei.
To show that fool he was unworthy of her, and to make her realize he was no suitable match.
He had come with that intention.
But he did not expect the fool to be so fierce, nor that An Xiaowei would protect him so fiercely.
Now, as An Xiaowei scolded him, he felt awkward.
With that golden phoenix pendant in her hand, how could he dare to retort?
If she reported him to the Empress for disrespecting the pendant, it would be tantamount to showing disrespect to Her Majesty.
He would be in trouble, and his grandfather would be implicated as well.
The conflict between the Left and Right Chancellor’s households deepened.
The struggle between the Second and Third Princes for the Eastern Palace grew more intense.
At such times, no mistake could be afforded.
Pan Qingyun was intelligent enough to understand the gravity of the matter.
He quickly bowed toward the golden phoenix pendant, smiling brightly.
“Miss An is right; I am indeed a fool.”
“I spoke recklessly without knowing what kind of poem Chen Xiaofu had composed... I was truly confused. I beg your forgiveness, Miss An.”
An Xiaowei put away the golden pendant, cast a cold glance at Pan Qingyun, and ignored him thereafter.
Among the three scholars from Qi, a young man named Yu Fu looked at An Xiaowei with great delight.
“...You are An Xiaowei, granddaughter of Elder Scholar An from the imperial capital?”
“Yes,” An Xiaowei nodded.
The youth saluted her respectfully.
“I am Yu Fu. It is an honor to meet you, Miss An.”
An Xiaowei was slightly taken aback. She had heard of many famous scholars from Qi, but Yu Fu’s name was unfamiliar, which surprised her somewhat.
She returned his salute politely.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Yu Fu.”
After the formalities, An Xiaowei’s gaze shifted toward Elder Scholar Xu.
“This poem, I too do not know for certain if Ji An composed it. But if one wishes to understand Ji An’s talent, it is simple.”
“As this gentleman said, invite Ji An to stay here for a while.”
“First, it would be convenient for him to visit the library; second... aren’t there three contests coming up? Even if he doesn’t go to the Willow Pond, he can still answer the questions, right?”
“Besides, he cannot spend all twelve hours at the library; he will tire and need rest here.”
“Master Jiang has a teacher-student relationship with him, and Elder Xu has met him once. With your wisdom, speaking more with him will reveal much.”
“And if... I mean if this poem truly is his?”
“This gathering at the elegant residence might become a memorable story!”
At this moment, Huang Xuezheng dared not utter a word.
One was the Left Chancellor’s grandson; the other was Elder Scholar An’s granddaughter, who held the golden phoenix pendant and could meet the Empress at will—both were people he needed to curry favor with, but now was clearly not the time.
Li Laoyuan also just realized their importance and could do nothing.
“This depends on whether Master Jiang can persuade Ji An... I shall instruct the kitchen to prepare more dishes to accompany the wine.”
Li Laoyuan stood and left.
Xu Zizhou then looked at An Xiaowei, smiling slightly.
“Xiaowei, it seems you care deeply for Ji An?”
An Xiaowei’s face, hidden behind her veil, flushed again.
She hesitated for three breaths, then spoke gracefully.
“To be honest with you, Grandpa Xu, Ji An is... my fiancé!”
The courtyard fell silent.
Everyone turned to look at An Xiaowei, including Pan Qingyun and Liang Jingru, who knew of the matter.
Pan Qingyun believed An Xiaowei would never have revealed this before confirming whether Chen Xiaofu was truly illiterate.
Liang Jingru thought that even if An Xiaowei was pleased with Chen Xiaofu, she would not have spoken so openly in front of so many.
She should have returned happily to the capital, awaiting the wedding day.
Yet now, she stated it so naturally.
Though many in the capital already knew, ultimately it depended on An Xiaowei’s wishes.
This was her declaration; soon everyone would know she had decided to honor the engagement and marry Chen Xiaofu.
The youth named Yu Fu looked at An Xiaowei in disbelief.
His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out.
He lowered his gaze, and no one saw the mixture of disappointment, anger, and coldness in his eyes.