As the weather gradually warmed, Jiang Ziqi’s romantic prospects also began to heat up under Ye Zhao’s careful orchestration.
"Hehe... heh..." This was the umpteenth time today that Jiang Ziqi, sitting beside Ye Zhao, had let out the foolish, lovestruck chuckle of a total simpleton.
Ye Zhao’s hand slipped, striking a wrong note on his instrument. He shuddered involuntarily and turned his head, his face clouded with exasperation. "Jiang Ziqi, I know you’re happy, but can you please stop laughing?"
Didn't he notice the empty circle around them? No one dared to sit nearby. They had all been driven away by Jiang Ziqi’s eerie, unsettling laughter.
Jiang Ziqi’s face was flushed with joy, his eyes sparkling. "Do you know? She promised to let me accompany her to Quelou Pavilion tomorrow to practice the zither!"
*Yes, yes, you’ve already said it eight hundred times.*
Ye Zhao sighed. "You haven't forgotten what I taught you, have you? Don't drop the ball halfway through."
They had progressed this far; he couldn't afford to let everything go back to square one.
"Don't worry! I definitely won't forget!" Jiang Ziqi patted his chest in assurance. However, if Ye Zhao were to be honest, Jiang Ziqi’s interactions with Miss Li had differed slightly from his original designs a few times already. Fortunately, it hadn't been enough to hinder the progress or disrupt the overall plan.
Lately, Ye Zhao had been so preoccupied with Jiang Ziqi’s affairs that he spent less time with Pei Shian and the others. As time passed, it was inevitable that people would notice what the two were up to.
Pei Shian walked over and gave Jiang Ziqi a thin smile. "It seems things are progressing well."
Jiang Ziqi laughed sheepishly, and the three of them chatted for a while.
Nearby, the other students practicing their zither skills were practically dripping with envy. Ever since the identity of Ye Zhao as the son of Lord Tianshu had been solidified, all sorts of rumors had been flying around lately. Most were shocked and incredulous, while others were simply green with jealousy.
Ye Zhao never expected that one day he would be paired with Pei Yunting for a match of Go.
"Your move," Pei Yunting’s cold voice rang out from across the board.
Ye Zhao gave a strained smile and placed a stone. Don't ask him what the move meant; he didn't know himself. People said the chessboard was like a battlefield, but he didn't feel even a hint of that.
Seeing where he had played, Pei Yunting looked up at Ye Zhao, his gaze icy and focused. After a moment, he slowly placed a stone, once again slaughtering a large section of Ye Zhao's pieces.
Ye Zhao: "..."
He offered a sincere suggestion: "Young Master Pei, perhaps you should find an opponent of equal caliber. I’m just..." *A total amateur. No matter how many times you beat me, you’re still the one looking unhappy...*
By the end, his voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, barely audible.
He didn't mind losing, but seeing Pei Yunting’s aura grow increasingly oppressive despite winning made him feel rather awkward.
Pei Yunting’s sword-like brows were knitted so tightly they could have crushed a fly. He said coldly, "You don't know how to play Go?"
Ye Zhao was perfectly blunt. "I don't."
"..." Pei Yunting fell silent for a moment before saying, "You have been in the chess and arts class for half a year."
Ye Zhao sensed the underlying meaning: *Even if you didn't know before, how can you still be as terrible as a novice after all this time?*
He pretended not to understand the jab and replied with a dry laugh, "...Uh, yes, that's true."
Silence fell between them.
Ye Zhao always felt that the way Pei Yunting looked at him was strange. Especially since the start of this term, the man’s eyes seemed to harbor either a hidden fire or ice frozen in a deep well. It always made Ye Zhao feel as though he owed the man money.
For instance, right now, even though Ye Zhao was the one losing, Pei Yunting looked far more disgruntled.
"Acting like this will only tarnish your father's prestigious name." The other man’s tone dropped, his face masked in frost. His back was ramrod straight, and his gaze pierced through Ye Zhao like a sharp blade.
One didn't need to guess to know who he meant by "your father." Ye Zhao’s lip twitched. He maintained a polite yet awkward smile and spoke in a gentle voice: "No. My father doesn't know how to play Go, so this doesn't count as tarnishing his name."
Pei Yunting was momentarily rendered speechless by this response. Ye Zhao felt the coldness in the man's gaze intensify.
"You know exactly who I am talking about."
Ye Zhao replied in kind, "I know, but you also know who I am talking about."
"I only have one father. No matter how much others let their imaginations run wild, I only need to know the truth myself."
"Young Master Pei, are we still playing?" Ye Zhao was truly feeling weary and didn't want to deal with Pei Yunting anymore.
Pei Yunting stared at him without a word. Then, he suddenly blurted out, "In one month, Xize is sending envoys to Tianshangjing. Did you know?"
Ye Zhao was bewildered. "Oh, I know."
"The leader of the delegation is Xin Muyi!"
Ye Zhao gave a slow, non-committal "Oh..."
There were already rumors about this in the capital, but what did it have to do with him?
Seeing that question written clearly on Ye Zhao's face, Pei Yunting gave him a deep, lingering look before standing up and walking away, his eyes smoldering with suppressed rage.
*How bizarre...*
Ye Zhao let out a long breath and slumped his shoulders. His life really wasn't easy; he was misunderstood wherever he went. Sigh.
Seeing that Pei Yunting and Ye Zhao had finished their match, someone nearby whispered, "Pei Yunting and Ye Zhao... one is the son of the old Chancellor Pei and a paragon among men just like his father. How could Ye Zhao be so... sigh..."
The sentence ended in a heavy sigh, the meaning left unspoken but clear.
"Even a dragon has nine sons, and each is different. It’s not surprising that a formidable figure like Lord Tianshu would have a son like Ye Zhao."
"Besides, he wasn't raised by his side since childhood. It’s only natural that he grew up... crooked."
"..."
A flurry of hushed discussions broke out.
Lately, people had something to say about everything. It felt as though if Ye Zhao so much as passed gas, the sound would travel straight to their ears.
Ye Zhao continued to treat their words as wind passing his ears, idly setting up a game of Five-in-a-Row by himself out of boredom.
***
That day, Jiang Ziqi was on another date with Li Yunrong. As usual, Ye Zhao was watching from a distance, acting as the supervisor overseeing the entire operation. He didn't feel the bitterness of being a "third wheel"; he was just bored out of his mind.
"Ye Zhao!"
Walking down the street behind Jiang Ziqi, Ye Zhao was startled by the sudden shout. He turned around and relaxed when he saw the newcomer. "Minister Song, it’s you."
Minister Song had been heading home in his carriage when he caught sight of Ye Zhao standing there, staring at something. He had been watching for a while, so curiosity got the better of the Minister, and he stepped out.
He turned to look in the direction Ye Zhao was facing, squinting his eyes. "Isn't that your friend? The one beside him... looks like Old Man Li’s daughter?"
He was getting old; his eyesight wasn't what it used to be. Minister Song had to look several times before recognizing her.
As the close friend who was always seen with Ye Zhao, Jiang Ziqi had naturally caught the attention of many high-ranking officials long ago. It wasn't surprising that Minister Song recognized him; in fact, many people had already looked into Jiang Ziqi’s background.
"It is."
"What are you watching them for?"
Ye Zhao paused at the question. He could hardly say he was providing long-range support for Jiang Ziqi’s pursuit of a wife.
However, remembering certain matters, the words at the tip of his tongue took a turn. "I’ll tell you, but you mustn't breathe a word of this to anyone."
Minister Song nodded earnestly.
He had a good relationship with Ye Zhao. Seeing the boy’s serious expression, Ye Zhao confessed, "Minister Song, do you think those two are a good match?"
The implication was crystal clear.
Minister Song stroked his beard as he watched the pair, lost in thought. After a long while, he said, "They are a decent match, but..."
"The chances don't look great."
Minister Song hadn't been paying attention and let a blunt truth slip out.
Ye Zhao’s face instantly filled with shock. Minister Song glanced at him, cleared his throat, and said more tactfully, "It’s just that Old Man Li... he’s a bit stiff. Stubborn to a fault."
He held up his pinky finger to illustrate a point. "And a bit of a snob. Your friend..."
He trailed off halfway.
Well, there was no need to say more; they both understood.
Ye Zhao’s face fell. "I know."
Miss Li was the wealthy, high-born daughter of a prestigious house, while Jiang Ziqi was just the son of an average official.
But!
"There are always exceptions to every rule. How will we know who wins until the end?"
His words sounded as if he were planning some great undertaking, the kind of language used for military confrontations or power struggles. Ye Zhao’s expression turned solemn, his eyes deep and his voice low and slow. Overall, he exuded... a distinct aura of Lord Tianshu!
Minister Song’s train of thought took a strange turn as he looked at Ye Zhao with a mix of surprise and suspicion.
"Minister Song, what kind of person is Minister Li?" Having reached this point, Ye Zhao began to fish for intelligence.
He turned his head and caught Minister Song’s odd expression. "?"
"Minister Song?" he called out again.
Minister Song quickly snapped out of it and gave a dry cough. "That Old Man Li... he’s pedantic, obsessed with etiquette, and so stubborn he doesn't know how to adapt!"
He seemed to recall something, as his voice carried a hint of indignation by the end. He likely had some unpleasant experiences with the man in the past.
Ye Zhao thought about the description and recalled his brief interaction at the palace. "...He seemed... alright?"
His tone was questioning, full of uncertainty.
Minister Song snapped back immediately, "Alright, my foot!"
He continued to lecture Ye Zhao, "Don't be fooled by his refined and polite exterior. That man has been obsessed with appearances his whole life. He won't wear a garment if it has a speck of dirt, he uses incense whenever he goes out, bathes the moment he gets home, and washes his hands God knows how many times a day."
"He’s more fastidious than a young maiden!"
Finally, Minister Song reached this conclusion with a face full of disdain. Once he started venting, he couldn't stop. "The worst part is, don't be fooled by how he treats everyone with courtesy and decorum. He has a ruler in his heart, dividing people into different classes. Unless you’ve known him for a long time, you really can't see the subtle differences in how he treats people."
Therefore...
He sighed. "Your friend will likely be stuck at his doorstep, unable to cross the threshold."
Ye Zhao grew thoughtful and asked more pointedly, "Because of family background?"
Indeed, one was the daughter of a current Minister, while the other... was merely the son of the Governor of Jingzhao.
Minister Song weighed his words. "Not entirely."
He gave an example. "Do you know Su Jinzhou?"
Ye Zhao blinked. "I do."
Minister Song said, "Based on my knowledge of Old Man Li, if it were Su Jinzhou—provided he wasn't part of Prince Rong’s faction—he might actually catch the old man’s eye."
*So, do you understand?*
Minister Song gave Ye Zhao a knowing look.
Ye Zhao nodded: He mostly understood.
He looked at Jiang Ziqi in the distance. Su Jinzhou’s family background was even humbler than Jiang Ziqi’s, so why would he catch Minister Li’s eye? Because of the man himself.
To rise from a commoner student to become the strategist and confidant of Prince Rong at such a young age, his ability was beyond doubt. To have reached that stage, his character and resolve were impeccable.
Thus, what Minister Li valued was future potential.
And Minister Song’s "provided" clause highlighted a prerequisite: the Li family had no intention of getting involved in partisan struggles. Therefore, anyone who might force the Li family to take a side was an immediate "no."
Ye Zhao felt that he would have to ask Jiang Ziqi later whether his father had picked a side...
That was a life-or-death question!
He thanked Minister Song with satisfaction. "Thank you, Minister Song."
"Eh, no need for thanks!" Minister Song laughed heartily, chatted with Ye Zhao for a few more moments, and then departed.
Ye Zhao: *The road is long and the burden is heavy...*
For the sake of Jiang Ziqi’s happiness, he was truly exhausting himself. Sigh.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 阙楼 | Quelou Pavilion | A type of watchtower or gatehouse pavilion. |
| 裴云庭 | Pei Yunting | A character, likely a relative of Pei Shian. |
| 西泽 | Xize | Western Ze, a neighboring state or region. |
| 天上京 | Tianshangjing | The Celestial Capital, the setting of the story. |
| 辛木夷 | Xin Muyi | The leader of the Xize delegation. |
| 宋尚书 | Minister Song | Referring to Song Shangshu (Minister of the Ministry of Works/Rites/etc.). |
| 李老头 | Old Man Li | A casual/derogatory way Minister Song refers to Minister Li. |
| 京兆府尹 | Governor of Jingzhao | The administrative head of the capital region (Jiang Ziqi's father's rank). |
| 荣王 | Prince Rong | A member of the imperial family involved in political factions. |
| 苏瑾舟 | Su Jinzhou | A talented scholar/strategist mentioned as an example. |
