The visitor was none other than Wei Zhilin.
At a loss, Han Chanjuan hurried forward and stammered, "A... Academy Head... you... what brings you here?"
Wei Zhilin smiled. "As Academy Head, can't I come to see my own disciple?"
Her lovely face flushed crimson. Han Chanjuan hastily invited Wei Zhilin to take the seat of honor in the reception hall and instructed a servant to bring tea.
Wei Zhilin waved a hand, looking at the stone table and stools beneath the pear tree in the courtyard. "Don't trouble yourself. This spot looks perfectly good to me."
Beneath the setting sun, the spacious courtyard held pavilions and flowing water, crabapple blossoms and banana plants. Pear blossoms covered the tree like fresh snow on its branches. A breeze swept past, sending white petals drifting down like great goose-feather snowflakes.
"Child, you've been at the Knowledge and Practice Institute for quite some time now. Have you settled into life in Luoyang City? It's not like Western Liang, with its vast skies and crisp air... oh, and no one's been bullying you, have they?"
Wei Zhilin sat beneath the tree, white petals settling on his shoulders. His voice was gentle, his gaze kindly, his eyes brimming with a smile as he looked at Han Chanjuan.
"It's been lovely. Thank you for your concern, Academy Head!"
Han Chanjuan smiled sweetly and answered respectfully.
"Mm... you're a clever little imp. That rascal He An has run into danger several times, and he owes you a great deal for getting him through!"
Wei Zhilin stroked his three wisps of long beard and chuckled.
Those words touched a tender spot in her heart.
As though remembering something, Han Chanjuan lifted her delicate face, its skin so tender a breath might break it, and spoke to Wei Zhilin in