Chapter 8

"Yes, indeed!" Chen Mingqi seemed to be reminded and chimed in, "Isn't that so! When we left, I specifically took a look at that boat, and a little girl poked her head out from inside, looking at you intently. It seems that the young lady in her family has taken a liking to you. Tsk tsk, Ji Yan is truly fortunate; just a visit to the lakeside has led to such a serendipitous encounter. I am truly envious!"

Shao Jiyan looked at Ru Yu, paused for a moment, shrugged and smiled, "Alright, since you want me to marry Miss Shen so much, I will go to the Shen residence to propose after I graduate from high school and bring Miss Shen back as my wife"

"Conflict, conflict is just conflict!" As Yu shouted without regard, "You promised to take me to the lake, so we should go to the lake! You are a liar! A big liar who does not keep promises! I will no longer pay attention to you!" After saying this, she angrily floated away.

At this moment, Chen Mingqi also looked at Feng Ziqing with a puzzled expression and said, "Ziqing, are you really interested in that young lady... and went to inquire about her?"

Had he not guessed that the person sitting in that boat might be the daughter of the Shen family? Yet it was not intentional to provoke an acquaintance; it was only after the two boats drew near and exchanged verses that he noticed something amiss. Naturally, he could not recognize any servant who sold pastries, but he did see someone bring a food box from the cabin to the boatman, and the character "Shen" was clearly engraved on the box. To be able to rent such a fine pleasure boat, one must belong to a very wealthy family. Over the past few days, he had learned from Ru Yu about the high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants in the capital, and he knew very well that among all the wealthy families in the capital with the surname Shen, there was only the Minister Shen's family.

Hmm! Ruyue happily spun in the air.

Feng Ziqing looked at Shao Jiyan seriously for a while, noticing that he seemed so nervous that even his complexion had changed. With a sigh, he shook his head and said, "Look at you, so frightened. How can you lack even this little bit of courage? Enough, enough, I won't tease you any longer"

As Yu said: "Who says we have to go during the day? We can just go at night!"

Shao Jiyan said with a serious expression: "Such words should never be spoken. I, Shao, am open and aboveboard, yet I do not fear the slander and rumors of ill-intentioned people who say I have ulterior motives. If this joke were to spread, would it not unjustly tarnish the reputation of that young lady? I cannot bear such a charge! I can only blame myself for being meddlesome at that time, for what poetry I recited, which has brought about this trouble. If Brother Feng truly considers me a confidant, then do not harm me. Let us put an end to this joke here and now."

Shao Jiyan noticed that Ruyu seemed a bit off, but he chose not to investigate further and casually remarked, "Why haven't you left yet?"

Shao Jiyan sighed and said, "Alright, alright, if you truly wish to go, I will take you to the lake on a full moon night after I finish high school."

Shao Jiyan seemed to be in high spirits, saying: "It is quite enjoyable. During my time in the capital, today has been the most delightful. I did not expect that there would be such a spacious and clear lake near the capital, which is no less impressive than Zeyang Lake I visited two years ago."

As Yu Wen heard this, she couldn't help but slightly furrow her brows and tilted her head to look at Shao Jiyan. She saw him wearing a look of indifference and could only smile as she said: "Did the two of you come here today just to tease me? It was merely a fleeting encounter... Ah, no, the young lady was sitting in the cabin, and I didn't even see her face, so it can't even be called a fleeting encounter, yet you all speak of it this way? Well, well, I concede, please spare me."

Shao Jiyan said: "Where is there to row on the lake at night? It's pitch dark, and you can't see any beautiful scenery. If one accidentally falls into the water, it would be even worse."

While the two were conversing, they suddenly heard someone knocking at the door. Shao Jiyan was momentarily taken aback and hurried to open the door, only to find Feng and Chen standing at the entrance with a jug of wine.

Indeed, I also heard sounds coming from the house. Mingqi and I thought you had guests here. Feng Ziqing set down the wine pot and took a seat

Chen Mingqi exclaimed, "Goodness, it seems that our talented scholar Shao is still a passionate and romantic soul." Upon hearing this, the three could not help but laugh.

"Who is Jiyan talking to?" Chen Mingqi entered without waiting for Shao Jiyan to yield, looking around.

Feng Ziqing ignored Chen Mingqi and only looked at Shao Jiyan, sighing as he said: "I actually want to propose, but unfortunately, I lack the fortune for it. Do you know who the young lady on that boat is? She is none other than the daughter of the current Minister of Personnel, Minister Shen Dearnian!"

Feng Ziqing said: "How can that be said? I was merely joking. With your talent, you certainly do not need to rely on the connections of Minister Shen... When the time comes, if you achieve the top scholar title, even the daughter of the minister would not be unworthy of you. You two would indeed be a match made in heaven, creating a beautiful story.

Ah? Speaking? Shao Jiyan feigned confusion while allowing Feng Ziqing to enter.

Shao Jiyan was taken aback, her delicate face flushed bright red, and she exclaimed loudly: "You promised to take me to the lake after high school! Now you are going to propose! You! You are not keeping your word, you are a big liar!"

As Ru Yu raised her gaze to glance at Shao Jiyan, she softly said: "Now that you have a wife, you no longer need me, do you want to drive me away?"

Shao Jiyan escorted the two out of the hospital, and only after watching them turn the corner from a distance did he relax his brow and change his expression. He thought to himself that Feng Ziqing was indeed a thoughtful person, and that he had come today to probe for information.

Shao Jiyan raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and with a slight smile, returned to the room

Feng Ziqing, seeing that he truly seemed unaware, could not help but exclaim: "Someone has secretly harbored feelings for you, yet you still do not know who that person is?!"

Shao Jiyan settled down and smiled, saying: "If at such a late hour there is still a beautiful woman to add fragrance to the red sleeves, I would not care for any imperial examinations, but would instead take my beloved and retreat to the mountains and forests, which would also be a great joy in life."

Feng Ziqing said: "At that time, I noticed a young servant who had been standing at the stern of the boat with the boatman, and he looked somewhat familiar. I couldn't recall at that moment, but later, when I returned to the inn, it suddenly struck me that I had seen this young servant at the Gaosheng Inn ordering the signature plum blossom cake just a few days ago. He is indeed from the Shen residence! In that case, who else could be sitting in the boat but Miss Shen?"

Shao Jiyan was momentarily taken aback, but did not rush to ask further. Instead, he jokingly said, "In just half a day, you have already inquired about who her father is? Surely you are not interested in the young lady yourself, and are merely probing me to see if I would compete with you?" As he spoke, he patted Feng Ziqing on the shoulder and smiled, "Rest assured, you may go to her family to propose; I will not compete with you."

As Yu let out a low exclamation, she quickly jumped aside, grumbling angrily: "Isn't there an empty chair here? Why do you have to sit in my... Did you do this on purpose! Hmph." After saying this, she pouted and pretended to sit on the empty chair beside her.

Shao Jiyan and Chen Mingqi looked at each other in astonishment, both appearing speechless with shock. Feng Ziqing continued, "Minister Shen holds a high position and wields great power, enjoying the Emperor's favor. Moreover, his brother-in-law is serving in the Ministry of Rites, directly overseeing this year's imperial examination. As long as Minister Shen speaks a word..." He did not finish his sentence, but half-jokingly and half-seriously clasped his hands and said, "Jiyan, when you achieve the top rank in the imperial examination in the future and become Minister Shen's son-in-law, with a bright future ahead, do not forget us."

After spending two days contemplating, Ru Yu took Feng Er to visit the ghost market. However, they heard Feng Zi Qing laughingly say: "With Ji Yan's talent, is it really difficult to seek a red sleeve to add fragrance? Did Ji Yan not capture a heart in broad daylight? People say there are several great joys in life: the day of being named on the gold list, the time of the wedding night... In my opinion, this beautiful affair is not far from you."

What reason does a well-to-do family have to make a joke out of you? It is evident that even if it is not entirely true, there is still a good measure of truth in it

Upon entering the room, I found Ruyu still sitting at the table just as she had been moments ago. When the three of us were speaking earlier, she had remained seated, initially twisting her head left and right with a curious expression as she watched us talk, but then she lowered her head and ceased all movement.

Shao Jiyan raised his eyebrows and said with an innocent expression: "This... doesn't conflict, right..."

Shao Jiyan and Chen Mingqi both showed surprise at the same time, and Chen Mingqi hurriedly asked, "How did you know?"

What do you know?" Shao Jiyan looked bewildered.

Shao Jiyan said: "It is merely a chance encounter, having exchanged two poems. She did not introduce herself, so how could I know her surname and given name? Could it be that you actually know?"

Feng Ziqing squinted his eyes and stared at Shao Jiyan, deliberately speaking in a mysterious tone: "It does not matter who she is, what matters is who her father is"

Shao Jiyan was amused by her serious demeanor, unable to suppress a chuckle, and merely cleared his throat to cover it up. However, this subtle expression did not escape the eyes of Feng and Chen, as Chen Mingqi laughed and said: "Jiyan, do not try to deceive us. I can see that you are beaming with joy; surely you have a beautiful lady hidden in this room, right?" As he spoke, he pretended to look around.

It is undeniable that he guessed the identity of the person on board, who might be the daughter of the Shen family, and he also intended to show off a bit; however, it was not as if he, Feng Ziqing, truly harbored any suspicious thoughts.

Like jade, she bit her lip hard and suddenly shouted loudly: "Liar, you are a big liar!"

Shao Jiyan shook his head with a sigh and did not respond, merely appearing as if he could not see her, walking forward to sit down in the chair where she was seated.

Oh, perhaps I was so engrossed in my reading that I spoke aloud. Shao Jiyan casually replied as he turned to fetch a cup. When he turned back, he noticed that not only Feng and Chen were seated at the table, but also a person as exquisite as jade. At this moment, she was gazing at Feng and Chen as if they were old friends reunited, continuously murmuring: "It has been many days since we last met, Brother Chen, you seem to have gained weight... It seems that the food at Gaosheng Inn is indeed not to be underestimated..."

Like a jade cheekbone swelling, feeling displeased

Ru Yu said: "You don't need to deceive me, I can tell, that Miss Shen is your wife."

On this day, Shao Jiyan was invited by a friend to go boating on the lake, and as soon as he entered the door in the evening, he was immediately surrounded by Ru Yu, who asked him various questions.

Shao Jiyan pretended to pat his chest and let out a sigh. Chen Mingqi, who had been watching from the side, quickly intervened, saying: "Brothers, we are here to drink, why are we talking about Miss Shen and Miss Wang? Achieving success in the imperial examination, virtuous wives and beautiful concubines, those are all matters for the future. Today, let us simply enjoy ourselves. Come, let us drink."

Ru Yu looked on with envy and said, "This is so great, take me along next time."

Shao Jiyan could only feign a hurried demeanor and said: "This... this cannot be said!"

Chen Mingqi laughed heartily, but Feng Ziqing merely said: "What, does Jiyan truly not know?"

Is it fun? Is it fun?" Ru Yu asked excitedly

Shao Jiyan smiled and said: "Oh... if we do not leave the cabin, nor look at the scenery... then what are the two of us doing staring at each other in the middle of the night? Haven't we seen enough at home?"

Shao Jiyan sighed and laughed, saying: "How did you hear that? They are just making a joke out of me, how can you not tell?"

Shao Jiyan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said: "Who is going to drive you away? I am not worried that you will be late and miss the jokes that Feng'er and the others are telling, am I? Moreover, who is going to marry a wife? Who is my wife?"

The three of them then changed the subject, chatting and drinking. As the night grew deeper, Feng and Chen stood up to take their leave

Shao Jiyan stood frozen in place, dazed for a moment, noncommittally shook his head and smiled, then went to sleep

Is it not sufficient to just sit still in the cabin of the boat? Moreover, it is not necessarily required to enjoy the scenery.

As if touched by jade, her heart stirred. She vaguely felt that when Shao Jiyan spoke these words, he intentionally or unintentionally glanced at her with the corner of his eye. She couldn't help but think, am I not the one accompanying him so late? I can be considered a beauty, right? Yet, I do not understand the meaning of 'red sleeves adding fragrance'... Or perhaps... he likes girls in red clothes? Yu lowered her head and looked at her own light purple dress, secretly pondering that it seemed she hadn't changed into new clothes for quite a while.

Shao Jiyan exclaimed, "Are you playing around? Are you not valuing your life?"