Old Acquaintance
After they had gone only a few steps, Zhao Huiluan went back beneath the flower trellis and reached for a branch.
In mid-March, the wisteria had just put out its hanging sprays. The blossoms were still closed, like clusters of pale green grapes.
Zhang Yunchi went over to help her, and she pointed to a higher, finer cluster, on which one or two purple blossoms had already opened.
The carriage headed toward the palace gates.
Xiao Qinglan was walking toward it along the palace road. As he stepped aside to make way, he saw a familiar face revealed by the swaying carriage curtain.
"Your Highness."
He called softly, standing straight against the wall and bowing to the carriage.
Zhao Huiluan nodded and smiled at him, and the carriage soon passed.
"Jianjian, you shouldn't get too close to him."
Seeing Zhao Huiluan's questioning look, Zhang Yunchi decided to speak plainly.
"I mean Xiao Qinglan. He's the Eastern Depot's thousand-household officer in charge of torture now. Do you know what people outside say about him?"
Zhang Yunchi sighed. "Living King Yama! That's what everyone calls him. They say his methods are vicious, that he doesn't trouble himself with the finer points when he tortures people, leaving them unable to live and unable to die."
"He's that ruthless?"
"Yes! A man like that is steeped in savagery. You really must stay away from him."
Zhao Huiluan held the wisteria blossoms and nodded perfunctorily.
The results of the imperial examination had been posted, and spectators crowded both sides of the street, waiting to see the top three candidates parade through the city.
It was rare for Zhao Huiluan to leave the palace, and she couldn't sit still. Several times she lifted the curtain, only for Zhang Yunchi to swat it back down.
"We're almost there."
Seeing that he couldn't stop her, Zhang Yunchi simply put a veiled hat on her and tied the ribbons.
"Behave yourself, or the censors will be criticizing you again."
"What's there to be afraid of? It wouldn't be the first time. They even say I spend every day fooling around with you and that it's improper. Scholars, indeed-all they ever think about is filth. Who cares what they say? They've all got too much time on their hands."
The carriage stopped outside a restaurant.
Zhang Yunchi carefully checked that her veiled hat was properly in place before allowing her to step down.
"Young Master Zhang, you're finally here. Your private room is ready. Please, this way."
The waiter warmly welcomed their party and led them upstairs.
For safety, Zhao Huiluan always brought Nianxia and Fudong with her when she went out.
"I was wondering who had the clout to reserve the Heaven Room at Between Water and Clouds. So it was the young heir's grandson."
They ran into acquaintances and exchanged greetings. Zhang Yunchi responded with a smile, "You flatter me, you flatter me."
"You've brought a young lady with you today?"
A young gentleman stared curiously at the veiled hat.
Nianxia and Fudong were on full alert.
Without betraying a hint of concern, Zhang Yunchi shielded her behind him. "She's a younger sister from next door. She's timid and shy with strangers; if you make her cry, I'll have a hard time explaining myself. Another day, I'll play host and treat you gentlemen to wine."
Once inside the private room, Zhang Yunchi shut the door. Seeing Zhao Huiluan reach for the ties of her veiled hat, he hurriedly said, "Don't take it off!"
He gestured for Zhao Huiluan to look at the second floor of the tavern opposite, which was also packed with people.
Only after Fudong had tested the tea and pastries with a silver needle did Nianxia feel safe pouring tea for the two of them.
A sudden clamor rose outside the room.
Chapter 10: Old Acquaintance
Zhang Yunchi had chosen a fine spot: the private room with the best view in the entire Capital for watching the top scholar's parade. The procession would pass right beneath the window, close enough to hit the mark with every flower branch tossed.
Plenty of people had their eye on this room. But when they learned it was Zhang Yunchi's, they all retreated in disappointment.
The Wen siblings had arrived late. Forget the Heaven Room-even the ordinary private rooms were all taken, leaving only the crowded open terrace.
Some scions of noble families kindly invited them into their private rooms, but Wen Nihe led her people straight to the Heaven Room and signaled her maid to knock. No matter what the waiter did, he couldn't stop her.
"Miss Wen, what is it?"
Zhang Yunchi opened the door and leaned lazily against the frame, arms folded, looking at Wen Nihe, who wore gold hairpins all over her head and looked every bit grand.
Wen Nihe lifted her chin and shot him a sidelong glance. "This room is ours. You can leave."
Zhang Yunchi raised an eyebrow without committing himself and looked at the noble young man behind her.
Wen Yan folded his fan and cupped his hands. "Sorry to ask you to yield the room, Brother Zhang. The Wen household will cover all your wine, tea and refreshments at Between Water and Clouds today."
Between Water and Clouds was one of the finest taverns in the Capital. Its patrons were rich or noble, and an unassuming plate of pastries cost as much as an ordinary family's food for a month.
"I'm not as generous with my money as you are, Young Master Wen, but may I ask whether the two of you made a reservation?"
When neither answered, Zhang Yunchi glanced at the waiter, who said awkwardly, "Young Master Zhang reserved this room half a month ago."
"So what?" Wen Nihe said imperiously. "I've set my sights on it. You dare compete with me?"
Zhang Yunchi was so taken aback that he laughed.
Wen Yan said, "Why don't we share the room?"
"No." Wen Nihe refused outright. "Brother, how could I stay in the same room as an unrelated man?"
But you can fight an unrelated man for a private room? Zhang Yunchi grumbled inwardly.
He couldn't be bothered to argue any further. "On any other day, I would have yielded it. But today I brought my younger sister here especially. You cherish your sister, Young Master Wen, and so do I."
Only then did Wen Yan notice a slender figure standing by the window.
"Miss, might you be willing to yield it?"
The young woman's slender, jade-white fingers held a teacup. At his words, she raised it to her lips, took a small sip and said coolly, "No."
Wen Nihe was furious. In the whole of the Capital, there wasn't a woman to be found who dared put on airs before her.
She snapped, "Where did a nobody like you come from? You don't even dare show your face. Do you know who stands behind Between Water and Clouds?"
"I don't."
The young woman laughed softly and turned to look at the street outside the window.
"You!"
Wen Nihe was so angry that she tried to charge inside.
Then she heard the young woman say, "Even if your grandfather came here in person today, I still wouldn't yield."
Her voice was cool and faint, and Zhang Yunchi could tell that Zhao Huiluan was very displeased.
The noble scions watching could all see that the young woman in the veiled hat carried herself with great authority, but the Wen siblings were not to be trifled with either. Someone else came forward to speak to Wen Yan, whose expression had turned sour, and offered to give up a private room.
Zhang Yunchi shut the door.
"You dislike Wen Nihe?"