Chapter Seventy-Eight: Eyes That Cannot Be Restrained

Why did Lady Wei Linglan of Xiangcheng request to see him? Most likely, it was because the six little ones had spoken too freely, or perhaps Miao Xiaoyu had been charmed by some beguiling talk and unwittingly revealed some of his own odd thoughts, piquing the curiosity of the county princess.

As for Sun Xiuying, the honest girl, Zhao Hengyi had full confidence in her—not because she could resist Wei Linglan’s subtle arts, but because the girl was so reticent that even if she wanted to speak, she wouldn’t know what to say.

The literary gathering was of little consequence; it was the county princess who mattered. For reasons he couldn’t quite grasp, the thought of seeing this independent woman—so reminiscent of the modern era—again stirred a longing within him. Surely, it was only because, stranded in this damnable Yan Kingdom, encountering a familiar air from his previous life was like meeting a fellow countryman in a foreign land. That must be the reason!

Zhao Hengyi, who usually cared little for his attire, found himself compelled to visit the tailor’s shop and purchase a scholar’s blue robe, just presentable enough for the Hibiscus Poetry Gathering. As for Wang Erhu, he sullenly donned the blue servant’s garb and cap provided by his master, looking very much the part of the lazy houseboy.

Among the entire group, only Wang Erhu was suitable to accompany Zhao Hengyi to Hibiscus Park for the gathering; the rest, with their fierce looks and brutish faces, would probably have been mistaken for criminals and cut down by the magistrate’s men on the spot.

On the day of the gathering, Manager Liu sent a carriage early to take Zhao Hengyi and Wang Erhu to Hibiscus Park.

“What are you sulking about?” Zhao Hengyi teased Wang Erhu, who sat across from him in his blue servant’s garb and cap. “Remember, we’re going to a poetry gathering—to match verses with scholars. Why are you carrying a crossbow at your waist and a dagger in your boot? What are you planning?”

“Master, have mercy!” Wang Erhu, who never flinched in battle, pleaded with a pitiful expression. “Just let me off here and I won’t even ask for this month’s wages!”

Tch, as if you’re the only one who dreads this poetry gathering. If I must suffer through it, so must you—we’ll share the misery!

It wasn’t that Wang Erhu shunned novelty; rather, Zhao Hengyi’s force-feeding curriculum at the night school had left the poor lad with lasting psychological scars. Wu Lao Liu had nearly lost his mind, and Wang Erhu had fared little better.

In reality, even if they did have to match verses, it would be Zhao Hengyi’s task, not that of his servant Wang Erhu. Wang’s reluctance stemmed entirely from his master’s mischievous misdirection.

Upon arriving at Hibiscus Park, Manager Liu’s attendants guided master and servant straight to Lady Wei Linglan’s barge, sparing them any need to face the magistrate or the scholars.

The one assigned to ferry them across the water was Miss Xiaotao, whom they’d met that fateful night. Dressed once more in her maid’s livery, she looked pure and adorable, quite unlike the spirited daughter of the army she’d seemed before.

Zhao Hengyi nodded in thanks and said no more, but Wang Erhu gazed at her, slack-jawed and besotted, like a starving dog spying a feast.

What a disgrace—what a calamity for the household! Didn’t he see that Xiaotao’s cheeks were flushed with embarrassment? If he kept staring, she might well draw a dagger of her own—she was handy enough, after all.

Zhao Hengyi gave Wang Erhu a sharp kick in the thigh, snapping him from his stupor. He drooped his head, now as meek as a quail.

The scenery at Hibiscus Park was indeed splendid, especially the small lake connected to fresh water, into which the wealthy could steer their decorated barges—a rare delight in Jiangling City.

With her cheeks burning, Xiaotao explained to Zhao Hengyi in the softest of voices that the park’s beauty had suffered this spring for lack of rain; in years of plentiful water, it was even lovelier.

A few pleasure barges drifted upon the lake, but one was especially elegant and lavish—the vessel of Lady Wei Linglan.

Only when they drew near did Zhao Hengyi realize just how grand the noble families’ barges truly were, the aura of wealth unmistakable.

“Brother-in-law, you’re here at last!”

“Xiaofang missed you so much! I finally get to see you!”

“Brother-in-law, the county princess’s house is huge—it’s so much fun!”

“Brother-in-law, look, this is the pearl hairpin the princess gave me. Isn’t it pretty?”

The moment he set foot on the barge, the six little ones swarmed around him, chattering away, making Zhao Hengyi beam with delight.

He had missed his younger sisters after just a few days apart.

Their clothes were tasteful and proper, clearly tailored in haste by the county princess’s household. Wei Linglan had been thoughtful enough not to dress them up too opulently, focusing instead on fine material and skilled workmanship.

Each girl wore a hairpin—different in material, but all clearly expensive, a sign of Wei Linglan’s genuine affection for these lively little ones.

Inside the barge, Miao Xiaoyu had also changed into new clothes. Now, upon seeing her husband, she seemed a little shy.

Sun Xiuying blushed an even deeper red, keeping her head down, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.

Wei Linglan herself wore a long gown of pale yellow—simple, elegant, yet exuding a rare dignity and grace. Compared to her previous hunting attire, she was almost a different person.

By looks alone, Wei Linglan was not an unrivaled beauty, but her unique air, together with the shapeliness honed by years of martial practice, gave this independent woman a charm seldom seen in the Yan Kingdom.

Suddenly, Zhao Hengyi was struck by self-awareness. He had just mocked Wang Erhu for staring at Xiaotao, yet here he was, unable to take his eyes off Wei Linglan. Was he really any better?

“Zhao Hengyi greets your ladyship,” he said, bowing with an expression of perfect composure. The others noticed nothing amiss, but the princess, her eyes like autumn water, glanced at him with a teasing, knowing smile that left him feeling guilty.

“No need for such formality, Hengyi. I felt an instant kinship with Xiaoyu and have already accepted her as my sworn sister. From now on, we’re family—there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”

Are you sure it’s with Xiaoyu that you felt an instant kinship, and not with the six little ones?

Zhao Hengyi grumbled inwardly, trying to distract himself, but he found Wei Linglan’s presence as irresistible as a magnet. This would not do!

“Hengyi, with just the two lines, ‘Who pities beauty’s longest wait? Spring dew endures till autumn wind,’ you ought to be inside, discussing poetry and music with the magistrate and the young scholars. Yet I have summoned you here, to share the view with a group of women and children. Surely, you must feel regret.”

The princess was sharp indeed—she had seen right through him! Why could he not control his own gaze?