Nianjun Speaks Frankly, Met with Contempt

Seven rivers converged in the prefectural city, making it prosperous and thriving. It was mid-October then; the air was bitterly cold, and the sky had begun to scatter the first snowflakes. Winter came especially early to the prefectural city, and pedestrians on the streets were already wrapped in thick padded coats.

After leaving Fragrant Treasure Tower, they were battered by the cold wind. Noon had already passed, the sunlight obscured by clouds, and the chill grew several degrees deeper. Seeing Hong Chengbing and the other two shivering in clothes too thin for the weather, Li Xian gave each of them ten taels of silver and told them to buy thick padded clothes before the snow fell.

The three were endlessly grateful.

They headed back toward the Prefectural Academy. Before long, Li Xiaofan spotted Gu Nianjun and called out loudly.

Gu Nianjun approached with graceful bearing and measured steps. "Little Brother Xiaofan."

Li Xiaofan hurried over. "Sister Gu, why are you here? Did you come to eat too?"

Turning sideways, he introduced, "This is my elder brother, Li Xian."

"Li Xian?" Gu Nianjun looked over, slightly surprised. She gave a faint nod but did not greet him. Instead, she said, "Little Brother Xiaofan, your master is calling for you."

"My master is calling me?" Li Xiaofan froze.

The group returned together, winding through several main streets before arriving at the gates of the Prefectural Academy. Li Xiaofan said, "Brother, why don't you come meet my master with me?"

Li Xian knew that Xiao Fan's master, Fu Haoran, was an exceedingly formidable figure, one even Madam had to respect by three parts. He thought, *Such a person is beyond someone like me to cling to now. Under ordinary circumstances, I would never wish to meet him—there would be far too much trouble.