Chapter 11 reveals that it was her all along, it really was her, it really was her...

Jiang Ce gently patted his shoulder to comfort him.

Xiao Huaiting smiled gently and said, "Let's go back, otherwise Liu Lang will complain again."

The two gradually walked away, and then Green Jade came up from the end of the mountain corridor and called him to Yi'an Hall.

Jiang Ce said "okay," bid farewell to Xiao Huaiting, and followed her down the stone steps.

Grandma Qi gave him a few detailed instructions before letting him go to the front hall to meet guests a short while later.

Jiang Ce then left, passing through the tea trellis, the water chestnut pavilion, and along a stone path to the outside of the Jihe Pavilion.

He was just passing by, but then he remembered what had just happened and stopped for a moment. Through the latticed window in the wall, he saw someone standing by the lake rocks, carefully looking at the cranes that Zheng Shaoyu had brought.

Because she had been inside the pavilion for a long time, Xue Chan finally came out for some fresh air and to see the cranes.

She was chatting and laughing with a group of young ladies inside. Everyone knew that she was Consort Xue's niece and was engaged.

It was their first time meeting since arriving in the capital, and they chatted back and forth, allowing Xue Chan to get a general understanding of the situation. Apart from what she already knew, although she hadn't met the young marquis, the rumors about him were quite positive.

As for that Jiang Erlang...

If they were to get married, as long as he didn't deliberately target or torment them, and they treated each other with respect, it seemed like it would be alright.

Xue Chan slowly exhaled, preparing to walk back, when she looked up and bumped right into the person standing in front of the latticed window.

Both of them were stunned.

Jiang Ce lowered his eyes and saw her in a green dress and blue skirt, with jade pendants around her waist, her jaw clenched. His gaze then slowly moved upwards, landing on her face.

That face gradually overlapped with the faces of the people at Kuzhu Temple and Ningcui Tower, eventually merging into the appearance of one person.

Combine them into a face that is unforgettable, filled with gritted teeth.

It was her! It was actually her.

It's truly a case of "searching high and low without finding it, only to have it come to you effortlessly."

Everything has come together like this; I don't know whether to thank God or blame Him.

Xue Chan remained calm, showing no emotion.

The two were separated by a latticed window, and he suddenly smiled at Xue Chan.

She took in his changing expression and realized this was bad news; this was a big problem.

"Miss Xue, please come with me to Yi'an Hall." A maid came and led Xue Chan away.

She put Jiang Ce's matter aside for the time being and focused on preparing for the birthday celebration.

Inside Yi'an Hall, Madam Zhou was talking with Old Madam Qi, with several relatives of officials sitting beside her.

The maidservant came in and said, "Madam has arrived."

"Let her in."

A group of people ushered Zheng Tan in, and Old Mrs. Qi teased her, "Where have you been gallivanting off to again?"

Zheng Tan said, "It was clearly you who wanted to see Miss Xue, so I invited her over, but you blame me first. I'm truly heartbroken."

Everyone in Yong'an Hall laughed at the sight. Old Madam Qi poked her forehead and said, "You're quick to talk back, but who would dare to wrong you?"

Zheng Tan turned his head slightly to signal, and the servant lifted the curtain.

The room was crowded, and the charcoal fire was burning brightly, so it became stuffy and hot over time. A few girls stepped in, their bodies still shrouded in a frosty chill, which brought a touch of coolness and brightness to those inside.

Fang Youxi came in first, followed by Xiao Yangjun. After the two of them were fully inside, Xue Chan was seen at the very back.

She lowered her head and walked with light, steady steps. A maid brought a cushion, and Xue Chan knelt down, adjusting her skirt.

"Xue Chan has met the old lady. This humble girl has no special talent, but I offer this painting to wish the old lady eternal brightness like the sun and moon, and springtime like the pine and crane."

A maid stepped forward to display the painting.

The pine trees are gnarled and verdant, their branches lush and verdant. The white crane soars high and graceful, its feathers vividly detailed, and a carpet of flowers lies beneath its feet.

"You've shown your kindness. Get up now," said Grandma Qi with a gentle sense of satisfaction.

Yun Sheng helped Xue Chan to her feet, and immediately someone brought a stool and placed it below Old Madam Qi.

"Please sit down."

She sat down on the stool and gently raised her head, where she saw an elderly woman with silver hair. Her face was kind, and her clear, bright eyes were looking at her.

When Xue Chan raised her head, Old Madam Qi was able to see her clearly.

Her appearance alone wasn't particularly outstanding, but her black hair and cloud-like bun gave her a rather clear and pretty look.

Grandma Qi gently touched her hand and said, "You've had a long and arduous journey to the capital, and then you fell ill. Are you feeling better now?"

"Thank you for your concern, I am much better now."

"Look how thin you are, at such a young age, you need to be more careful."

The hand that was stroking Xue Chan's hand was very warm, and she calmed down a little and responded softly.

"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I will remember it."

Grandma Qi then asked her, "How old are you now?"

Xue Chan: "Sixteen."

Grandma Qi nodded: "My second son is two years older than you, he's eighteen this year."

A maidservant brought forward a box, but Xue Chan immediately stood up and gestured to decline, saying, "Today is the old lady's birthday, how can I accept a gift? Please forgive my refusal, please take it back."

"This gift was not given by me."

Zheng Tan pressed Xue Chan down and explained, "This is a gift prepared by Erlang's mother, Lady Yu, for our first meeting."

“But…” Xue Chan looked around the room. Since she entered, no one had introduced her to the general’s wife.

Grandma Qi explained to her in a gentle voice.

“Three months ago, the Dowager Princess of Huai’an organized a gathering and invited her to attend. She should have met you today, but unfortunately she caught a cold a few days ago and is still ill and not fit to see anyone. Therefore, I am presenting this gift to you on her behalf.”

After saying that, Old Madam Qi took the contents of the box out and put it in Xue Chan's hand.

She lowered her head slightly when she felt a chill on her wrist.

Those were a pair of jade bracelets shaped like mandarin ducks.

Having said this, she could not refuse, so Xue Chan rose and bowed again.

"I am ashamed to receive such a precious gift before even having paid my respects. Please convey my daughter's sincere wishes to you, Madam."

Grandma Qi nodded slightly, and Lüying stepped forward to help her up: "The ground is cold in winter. If I catch a cold and get sick, it will shorten my lifespan."

Xue Chan didn't say anything more, only lowered her head, and was led by Zheng Tan to meet the ladies and wives of the various families in the room.

She bowed to each of them.

The elders spoke first, and then the ladies in the room began to talk to her, asking about her strengths in her studies and even her daily hobbies.

Although she lost her mother at a young age, her father and Consort Xue took great care of her. She was carefully taught manners and etiquette over many years.

Seeing Xue Chan speak softly and respond appropriately, Madam Zhou, who was sitting to the side, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, while a maid outside lifted the curtain to deliver a message.

"A banquet has been prepared inside. Please move in and begin the meal, madam."

Once the banquet started, she was still huddled together with a group of girls.

The banquet, both elaborate and grand, lasted from nearly noon until sunset.

Cheng Huaizhu was playing chess with Xiao Yangjun, while Xue Chan sat to the side watching the game.

After talking for a while, I felt a little tired, and with the addition of some light wine, I felt slightly tipsy. The room was warm and cozy, and the incense burner was filled with rich fragrance. The warmth made me feel a little dizzy.

Xue Chan rubbed her forehead and calmed herself for a while. Someone whispered, "It's stuffy staying in the room for too long. Why don't we go for a walk outside?"

She groggily opened her eyes and found Fang Youxi standing beside her, bending down to support her shoulder with a worried expression.

"He must have had a few drinks at the banquet and got a little drunk."

Fang Youxi lowered his eyes and thought for a while before saying, "Let's go to Linghua Pavilion after this gathering is over. It's bright and airy there, much better than staying here. Let's invite Miss Cheng and Miss Xiao to come along."

"I'm going to change. You guys go ahead."

"good"

Xue Chan wanted to go out for some fresh air to clear her head, so she made an excuse to change her clothes and leave the table.

It was already late when I came out of the banquet, but the banquet was not over yet, and the sounds of string and wind instruments from the banquet hall floated on the water.

The sun had long since sunk below the eaves, and the faint, dim sunlight blended into the whitewashed walls.

The servants of the Marquis's residence are lighting all the lamps.

After passing the rockery path, Xue Chan turned into the covered walkway, and to the right was the back garden.

Yun Sheng accompanied her, and the two walked through a section of white-walled and black-tiled covered walkway, around a lotus pond, surrounded by winding corridors and paths.

As Xue Chan walked along, she admired the garden, saying, "This garden is so well built; it's clear that a lot of thought and effort went into it."

Yun Sheng looked around and said, "Aren't all the gardens of wealthy families pretty much the same?"

It looks nice and pretty, but there's nothing particularly special about it.

"The same applies to the saying 'a world within a pot, Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed,'" Xue Chan said with a smile.

Yun Sheng only half understood, frowning and shaking his head: "I don't understand."

Xue Chan tapped her hair bun: "Silly girl, have you forgotten all the lessons I taught you?"

“I’m not a girl. How can I spend so much time drawing every day and still read books, practice calligraphy, play chess, and play polo?” Yun Sheng smiled shyly and muttered softly, “I just don’t quite understand.”

Xue Chan smiled helplessly, thought for a moment, and said softly, "Just like painting."

Yun Sheng seemed to understand something: "Doesn't that mean building a garden is like painting? Like painting on the soil."

Xue Chan smiled gently: "Yes."

Yun Sheng walked down the mountain corridor with her, preparing to go to the Borrowing Water Chestnut Pavilion.

"But when you get down to it, it all boils down to two words."

"What?"

Yun Sheng thought for a moment, then blurted out, "Beautiful!"

She said with a serious face, "I think so. Although I don't particularly understand the techniques, I think they're all beautiful, whether they're for young women, older people, or people from ancient times. I suppose garden design is similar to painting. People who understand it and those who don't, all find it beautiful. Those who understand it can study its subtleties. Those who don't understand it, that's okay too. In short, it's beautiful."

Xue Chan chuckled, finding her words simple and sincere, and earnestly praised her, "What you said makes sense."

The two walked around to the other side of the lotus pond, crossed a winding bridge, and entered a small pond.

The cold water is clear and the white mist is hazy.

Xue Chan didn't plan to go to the waterside pavilion immediately, so she simply stood by the pond for a while. She stared blankly at the light mist on the water, and Jiang Ce's flamboyant yet annoying smile appeared before her eyes.

"......"

Why did I suddenly think of this person?

Judging from today's situation, he's probably not the kind of person she seems to like. Xue Chan sighed, "So annoying."

What was once a lotus pond has now been devoid of lotus blossoms in winter, leaving only withered and brown leaves. However, two white plum trees are in full bloom, and a cold wind mixed with moisture blows against our faces, swirling up shards of water that drift and fall onto the clear, cold water.

Xue Chan shook her head slightly, clearing her mind of those distractions, and simply stood under the plum tree, admiring the flowers by the lamplight.

Suddenly, the plum branches trembled, and white plum blossoms fell onto her temples. In the dim light, she saw something rushing towards her. Xue Chan was startled and quickly took two steps back, falling down under the plum tree.

Something resembling a ball of snow emerged from under the long skirt, and it could even move.

She carefully reached out to touch it; it was soft and warm.

Meow~

Yun Sheng and Xue Chan both breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out to be just a cat.

It emerged and stood obediently on a blue stone at the base of the white plum tree, with only its round, bright eyes.

With the help of the lamp in Yun Sheng's hand, Xue Chan was able to see some things clearly.

Its fur is snow-white, with golden-blue eyes that seem to glow like the sun and moon, and a tail as long as a lion's. Its eyes are large and bright, a clear and bright blue, and its fur is fluffy and soft; it even has a silver lock around its neck.

It must be someone in your household who keeps it.

It's hard to tell the difference between the white snow and the fur color, no wonder it's difficult to see clearly when lying in the white snow among the plum blossoms.

Xue Chan squatted down under the plum tree, tilting her head to look at it. It also stood obediently on the rock, upright and not running around, just watching her.

"Thank goodness it was you."

Fortunately, it's a cat, and she prefers to interact with cats.

Xue Chan took the pearl hairpin from her hair bun and teased it by bringing it closer.

The two people and the cat played under the plum tree, and their previous restlessness dissipated.

Perhaps it was because it was a friend, after playing for a while it began to affectionately approach Xue Chan, nuzzling her hand and occasionally nuzzling Yun Sheng's cheek with its soft, white head.

The two of them instantly felt their hearts melt like spring snow under the sun, and they scratched its chin.

It also enjoys tilting its head back and calling out in a soft, sweet voice.

Xue Chan smiled and said, "They're so beautiful! I wonder who raised them so well. When we have some free time, let's get one too."

She touched it again, her voice unconsciously softening.

"Whose family are you from? What's your name?"

“Mine is called Xituan.”

A note from the author:

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