Chapter Fifty-One: Scaling the Wall

Qin Jianyu remembered now; in truth, he still wanted to see if Xue Fanzhi had changed at all over the years.

But judging by Xue Fanzhi’s attitude, it was clear she couldn’t come out. Borrowing the light from outside, he saw a slender shadow cast on the screen by the sunlight.

Qin Jianyu frowned slightly, wondering, “Could this be the present Xue Fanzhi? Has she grown taller and thinner, no longer the chubby child she once was?”

Looking down at the floor, he noticed his own shadow, stretched long by the light. So, Xue Fanzhi’s silhouette was just another lie spun by the sun, hardly convincing.

Just as Qin Jianyu was growing impatient, he heard an apologetic voice from behind the screen: “Cousin from the Qin family has been here so long, and I haven’t even offered you anything!”

With that, she called out, “Honglian, bring some pastries for my cousin!”

Qin Jianyu thanked her, thinking to himself that for someone so young, she already knew to use treats to win favor.

Given their relationship, it was perfectly reasonable for her to say she couldn’t properly entertain him now.

At this thought, Qin Jianyu felt a touch of smugness. If it weren’t for the prospect of a better match, even keeping an oaf like Xue Fanzhi around as a pet dog would suffice—after all, she was more obedient than a dog, and where else could he find such a thing?

And a fat dog at that!

Qin Jianyu nearly laughed aloud at the thought of a chubby dog pestering him, when the maid arrived with the pastries.

He was, after all, a young gentleman accustomed to fine things, and these pastries were neither well-made nor pleasing to the eye.

He frowned slightly—was this what the girl served to entertain him?

A voice came again from behind the screen: “Cousin, how do they taste?”

She sounded full of anticipation.

Qin Jianyu had no appetite at all, but faced with Xue Fanzhi’s persistent questioning, he had little choice.

If they were already married, Qin Jianyu would have scolded her for being ridiculous: why keep asking?

But they weren’t married—not even formally betrothed yet. And the Xue family was not to be trifled with at this time.

He picked up a piece with great reluctance and took a small bite—just as he feared, it tasted awful. He nearly gagged.

When he put down the mostly uneaten pastry, the voice from behind the screen asked again, “Cousin, are they good?”

Qin Jianyu was dying to tell the truth, but instead replied politely, “Perhaps it’s not to the taste of us northerners, but it’s all right.”

Xue Fanzhi clapped her hands in delight. “Really? I’m relieved you like them, cousin. These are the very pastries you brought for my family. I thought you’d like them—you’re so kind, always sharing with me the things you love!”

Qin Jianyu: “……”

No wonder they tasted so bad—he was the one who’d brought them!

He felt he’d lost both face and dignity, blaming his mother for being stingy and meddlesome.

Suddenly, he wondered what Xue Fanzhi meant by this. Why make the guest eat the gift he brought? Was she trying to embarrass him? To show her disdain for the gift?

But this was Xue Fanzhi—was she even capable of such roundabout insults?

Qin Jianyu frowned; if it had been a clever person, he’d have recognized the mockery at once. But since it was Xue Fanzhi, he truly couldn’t tell.

Perhaps it was the old matron’s doing. He recalled the dignified old lady he’d met earlier.

That must be it—the old woman was dissatisfied with his gift, found it lacking, and so had her granddaughter put him in his place. Yet the girl herself had no idea and was genuinely pleased and innocent.

How foolish she was!

Ashamed and annoyed over the pastry incident, Qin Jianyu had nowhere to vent his frustration except to grow even more resentful of Xue Fanzhi.

After giving Qin Jianyu a warning, Xue Fanzhi couldn’t be bothered with the faithless fellow any longer. She simply declared she was tired and wanted to rest.

Yes, she said she was sleepy, without even bothering to find another excuse.

Qin Jianyu, thinking of her weight and her blunt, artless manner, left in irritation.

Afterward, Qin Jianyu visited the third branch of the family, where the old matron was a daughter of the Qin family.

Whatever was said or done there was of no concern to Xue Fanzhi, but after leaving the third branch, every action Qin Jianyu took would be under Xue Fanzhi’s watchful eye.

……

On the west wall of the Xue residence, because it was not by the street, there was nobody around at this hour.

A carriage was parked by the corner, and a handsome young man was eyeing the height of the wall, clearly intending to climb over.

Accompanying him was a dark-faced, wide-eyed youth.

Watching the handsome young man’s attempt, the dark-faced youth frowned. “Master, given your status, why must you climb the wall?”

Indeed, the young man was Xiao Yi.

Of course, Xiao Yi wanted to see Xue Fanzhi.

He looked back and said, “That girl sent someone to trail Qin Jianyu, which means she’s already on the move. I have to go check on her!”

The dark-faced youth was Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi was even more baffled. “If Miss Xue is on the move, you want to see her. But what if she’s not?”

“If she’s not, then I’ll nudge her onto the path myself!” Such a simple thing!

Xiao Yi: “……”

As Xiao Yi prepared to scale the wall, Xiao Yi quickly advised, “Master, if you’re caught like this, it would truly be disgraceful. Why not just visit Young Lord Xue directly? Didn’t you once use the excuse that he treated you to lamb stew and stayed at the Xue estate for a night?”

Xiao Yi’s gaze turned a little mournful. “Don’t you know Xue Jingren was summoned by Xue Qiu to the training grounds and won’t be back for half a month? What excuse do I have to see Xue Jingren now?” As for Xue Jingxiao, even if he returned, he’d never use him as a pretext.

Xiao Yi’s eyes lit up. “Isn’t that perfect? You could say you’re helping Young Lord Xue look after the house.”

Seeing how serious Xiao Yi looked, Xiao Yi could only be speechless.

……

As dusk fell, heavy clouds pressed in from above, promising a fierce downpour. In the rainy south, such weather was a common occurrence.

Hongxiao saw her mistress sitting by the window, gazing out, and laughed. “Are you so fascinated by the sight, miss? It’s dark now—let it rain as it pleases; we don’t have to go out, so why worry how heavy it gets?”

But someone would be coming out!

Xue Fanzhi turned back. “When I was eating dinner, I dropped a chopstick. They say when that happens, a guest will arrive. I’m wondering what kind of guest it will be, and why they haven’t come yet.”

Hongxiao laughed. “That’s just a superstition, madam. You shouldn’t take it seriously. Grownups say it just to stop children from dropping their chopsticks—it’s an old wives’ tale!” Their mistress was nearly of age, yet in some ways still a child—endearing, yet worrisome.

Xue Fanzhi raised her eyebrows. “So it’s really just something elders made up to trick children?”

But then why did she have the feeling someone was on the roof beam outside?

Honglian came in carrying a basin of water for washing feet. “Besides, who would ever come in through the window?”

Xue Fanzhi thought for a moment. Yes, who would ever choose the window over the door?