Three carriages carrying six girls, sitting in pairs. Chu Wan held onto Wu Shuang tightly, refusing to let go. The two sisters, Wu You and Wu Hui, had no reason to separate, so Qiao Sheng generously offered to ride with Yao Zhiwei.
Yao Zhiwei loves books and takes them with her when she travels. However, the mountain roads are bumpy, and she has to put down her book after reading for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and then look out at the green mountains and trees to rest her eyes.
Qiao Sheng was a lively and active person, and he had a lot to say to her. Less than half an hour after leaving the city, he couldn't hold back any longer and took the initiative to speak up: "Miss Yao, speaking of which, I still owe you an apology."
Yao Zhiwei was puzzled and asked, "We have no grudges against each other, so why should I apologize?"
"It was about the Qixi Festival last time. Those sugar spiders scared you. It was my fault."
“That sugar spider tastes very good.” Yao Zhiwei sipped her tea and smiled. “I’ve been thinking of asking you which chef made it, so I can buy a few to give to my sisters at home.”
Seeing that she was composed and did not seem to mind, Qiao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief: "It's the craft of Grandpa Bao from Tianqiao. It's a family tradition, with four generations of his family specializing in sugar paintings. His stall is right across from the Jixiang Teahouse."
"Tianqiao Jixiang Teahouse, Uncle Bao," Yao Zhiwei repeated. "I've got it. I'll send someone to buy it tomorrow. By the way, do you still want some? Do you need me to bring you a few?"
"No need, no need, I have more at home." Qiao Sheng didn't dare ask for any more sugar spiders; she still had a mission to complete.
Yao Zhiwei appears refined and aloof, but her conversation reveals a playful side. [Download full txt file at ]
The two grew closer without realizing it, and Qiao Sheng was less reserved when she spoke again.
"I think you might know that Brother Jun has served under my father for many years. I have many secrets about him. Would you like to hear them?"
Even if a girl really wants to hear about dating, it's not appropriate to express that interest in someone she's only met twice.
Yao Zhiwei smiled noncommittally and raised her book to cover her face.
Does this mean they want to hear it or not?
Qiao Sheng twirled the silk ribbon hanging from her waist with her fingers, muttering to herself.
Oh well, she's here to help matchmake anyway, so whether the other person wants to hear it or not, she has to say all of Junheng's good points.
"Junheng is an ambitious man. Unlike the sons of dukes and marquises who rely on their family's protection, he went to the Northwest to join the army alone. My father said that from the first day he entered the military camp, he was no different from ordinary soldiers. Oh, no, he acted like a pampered young master who grew up in luxury. On the contrary, he could endure more hardship than soldiers who joined the army from the countryside. He was more serious than anyone else during drills, more careful when reading military books, and he would rush to do any task that was difficult and tiring. In the first year or two, my father even suspected that he was not the real eldest son of the Jun family, but someone else impersonating him."
"Junheng is also exceptionally intelligent and capable. No matter how tricky or difficult the task, no matter how fierce or cunning the enemy, as long as he takes action, there is nothing he cannot handle! That year, our Qi Kingdom captured the leader of the Western Rong tribe, the one with great ambition who caused decades of large and small battles on the border, Su Jialuo. It was all thanks to his planning and personal command. Now, he is one of the four generals under my father's command. In terms of military seniority, he is the least senior among the four, but in terms of achievements, none of my three uncles fail to give him a thumbs up and praise him endlessly."
"Junheng was a kind-hearted man. One year during a battle, he shielded a soldier beside him from an arrow and nearly lost his life. Afterwards, someone asked him, 'You are a general; your strategizing is worth the effort of hundreds of soldiers. If you were to lose your life saving a mere soldier, wouldn't that be a case of losing the greater for the lesser?' Junheng replied, 'That's not how it works. Every life is precious, and everyone's death causes grief to their families. If I hadn't seen him and couldn't have saved him, that would be one thing, but I was right beside him. Could I have stood by and watched my colleague be in danger?'"
As Qiao Sheng narrated, Yao Zhiwei gradually moved the book away from her hands and said, "He does indeed sound like a rare and fine young man."
"Absolutely!" Upon receiving confirmation, Qiao Sheng excitedly grasped Yao Zhiwei's wrists. "Just his various heroic deeds could fill three days and three nights. However, he wasn't always able to get timely rest after being wounded in battle, and he developed quite a few health problems. For example, the arrow wound I just mentioned is on his left shoulder, and it always aches whenever it's windy or rainy. He also has a knife wound on his leg, with the same symptoms; it doesn't bother him normally, but he feels uncomfortable when the weather changes. He knows these things himself, but because he's usually busy, he often can't take care of them, so he needs someone to look after him carefully."
Qiao Sheng was very methodical. First, he brought up Jun Heng's heroic deeds to make Yao Zhiwei admire him, and then he mentioned his minor physical weakness to arouse the kind-hearted girl's concern.
“He’s been away from home for years, and life in the military camp is tough; the food and lodging conditions are nowhere near as good as at home. My father is considerate of his subordinates, and seeing that he doesn’t have anyone close to him, he often invites him to our house for meals. But this isn’t a long-term solution. I think you’re gentle and virtuous; you’ll definitely be able to take good care of Brother Jun in the future.”
"Hey... what are you saying!" Yao Zhiwei blushed, broke free of her hands, and raised the book again to cover her face.
Although everyone knew perfectly well that she and Junheng were just looking at each other today, it was still embarrassing for the young woman to talk so frankly about what would happen after they got married.
Qiao Sheng realized she had misspoke and quickly tried to make amends: "The Northwest is desolate and dry, with strong winds and sandstorms, so most girls don't want to go there. But Father said he intends to arrange for Brother Jun to return to the capital for a period of training. A general can't just know how to fight; he also needs to..." She hesitated slightly, "Actually, I don't know much about officialdom. In short, Father's intention is to think about his future. But if it were a well-educated girl with a broad perspective, she could not only be a good wife and manage the household, but she might also be able to help Brother Jun with his plans."
Thinking about it this way, Yao Zhiwei is indeed a very suitable candidate.
Qiao Sheng tugged at Yao Zhiwei's sleeve and pleaded with utmost sincerity, "So, you two are really a good match for each other. You should think it over carefully and don't miss out."
Yao Zhiwei did not answer, but instead moved the book aside again, revealing her face, and thoughtfully looked at Qiao Sheng.
Although the Flower Goddess Temple is famous, it occupies a small area, consisting of only two courtyards including the rooms where the temple keeper and abbot live. The girls visited all the side halls and the main hall in just a quarter of an hour.
Once outside the temple, Wushuang and the others, as they had agreed beforehand, used the excuse of going to the back mountain to pick wild fruit and ran off hand in hand. Even Chu Yao was urged by Wushuang to go hunt some game to add to the meal, leaving Yao Zhiwei and Jun Heng looking at each other in bewilderment.
It was nearly noon, and the sun was high in the sky. The coolness brought by last night's rain had long been washed away by the sunshine, and the scorching heat was no less than that of midsummer.
There was no shade on the open ground outside the mountain gate, and it soon became so hot that people were parched. Junheng frowned and suggested, "Miss Yao, why don't we sit under the trees over there?"
Yao Zhiwei raised her right arm, rested the edge of the fan on her eyebrows, and looked in the direction he was pointing: about ten feet away, there was a stone railing, with an ancient pine tree planted at the corner of the railing, and a stone table under the tree.
At least there's some shade; it's better than being roasted like a salted fish in the sun.
She nodded in agreement and followed Junheng to sit down under the tree.
The two chatted casually, neither of them noticing a group of people creeping closer from behind the hedge.
Chu Yao was a few steps behind the five girls. He watched as they huddled together behind the hedge, craning their necks to look around, showing no ladylike manners whatsoever. He couldn't help but shake his head: Even girls from high-class families don't know what modesty is. They only think about eavesdropping and watching people talk about love. The world is going to the dogs.
After sighing, he crouched down and walked over to the group, then casually sat cross-legged on the grass, his eyes fixed on a hole where the foliage wasn't too dense.
The two people under the shade of the tree chatted and laughed, looking very congenial.
Behind the hedge, the little girls whispered to each other in hushed tones, having a great time.
When the conversation turned to when Jun Heng would leave the capital to return to Ningxia, Yao Zhiwei said, "When you return to Ningxia, Brother Jun will be taking your family with you, right?"
Upon hearing this, Wushuang and the others all covered their mouths and chuckled.
To everyone's surprise, Junheng said, "When I left home to join the army, I never intended to marry."
He spoke with absolute certainty, causing Yao Zhiwei to furrow her brows slightly: "You..." She wanted to press for the reason, but then felt it was inappropriate to pry too deeply, so she changed her words, "Don't you even have a suitable and good girl by your side?"
Junheng gave her a deep look, trying his best to be tactful, but leaving no room for doubt as he said, "If there is anything that has caused Miss Yao to misunderstand, I apologize in advance. My grandmother is getting old, and I don't want to be too harsh and upset her. I was planning to find an excuse to refuse when I got back today."
Yao Zhiwei took a deep breath and said, "You misunderstood. I was talking about the Qiao family's daughter."
Behind the hedge, everyone's eyes fell on Qiao Sheng.
Yao Zhiwei continued, "On the way here, she talked a lot about you. I could tell she wanted to help you find a husband, but her understanding and care for you are something that girls who get married after only a few dates can't compare to. Brother Jun, I don't know why you vowed not to marry, but in this life, missing out on such a wonderful girl would be a real regret."