Duan Lan pulled back the curtain of the carriage and upon seeing her, smiled, "Have you finished your work?"
Ji Xinhe seemed startled: "Why are you waiting outside? If you have business with me, you could come inside."
Duan Lan jumped off the carriage and pulled a smile at the corner of his mouth: "I didn’t have anything special to do that I needed to find you, so I didn’t want to bother you. You are already busy with the workshop. It’s better to wait until you are free."
He was content waiting on the outside.
Ji Xinhe laughed: "Brother Duan, you seem strange today. If there’s nothing on pressing matter, why did you come to me in particular?"
Duan Lan responded: "Is it so odd for me to come see you without anything special to do?"
For the first time, he summoned the courage to utter these words and his heart throbbed even more with complex emotions.
Nonetheless, Ji Xinhe casually laughed: "Of course, it’s not. Aren’t we friends? It seems like you have something on your mind. Feel free to share your troubles. If I can help, I won’t refuse."
After all, Duan Lan had helped her countless times; she wasn’t the kind to forget such kindness.
Duan Lan turned to Qingyun and said: "You can take the carriage back first."
Qingyun hesitantly replied: "Sir, please hurry back home too. The master specifically told you not to tarry too long while outside."
"Alright."
Once Qingyun left with the carriage, Duan Lan turned to Ji Xinhe and said: "I do have something that’s been bothersome. Walk with me."
Ji Xinhe nodded and as they casually strolled down the street, she asked: "The last time, your family urgently called you back, does it have anything to do with that?"
Duan Lan was a man known for his carefree demeanor and little seemed to perturb him, making it unusual to see him so troubled. Whatever his predicament was, it must be serious.
As they walked together, after long hesitation, Duan Lan finally said to Ji Xinhe: "To be honest, the reason I returned to the capital this time was due to an arranged marriage at home. I am not young anymore, and my family hopes that I will get married soon."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xinhe consoled him softly: "So, you’re unpleasant about it?"
Duan Lan kept his eyes on her face, looking for any changes in her expressions. However, there was no sign of disappointment or discomfort, it seemed as if she didn’t care for him...
Duan Lan’s eyes dimmed slightly more: "Yes, I’m not pleased."
Ji Xinhe replied: "In this case, you should discuss it firmly with your parents. Marriage is a lifetime affair that cannot be recklessly decided. If you are unhappy now, how are you going to be happy in the decades to come?"
Duan Lan tried to smile: "You’re the first one to say this to me. Others always tell me to obey my parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s plan."
"I speak to you as a friend. After all, it’s your marriage and you need to be prudent about it. It’s not necessary to reject it outright. Perhaps the girl is quite nice. You should meet her. What if you happen to like her?" Ji Xinhe replied earnestly.
Duan Lan looked at her silently and after a long pause, he finally said: "Actually, I already like someone."
Ji Xinhe was taken aback, and then playfully smiled: "I see. So that’s why you were so troubled."
Duan Lan looked at her and asked, "What would you do if you were in my place?"
Ji Xinhe paced leisurely, a slight bitter smile at the corner of her mouth: "If it were me? I would choose the person I like. Life is long and it’s rare to meet someone you really like. Otherwise, I’m afraid I might live to regret it someday."
Speaking of such emotional affairs, the past memories she had buried deep inside her quietly resurfaced, only to add to her sorrow.
Duan Lan looked at her, as though a cloud of mist in his heart had suddenly been dispersed. His once somber eyes now sparkled with a faint light, and he broke into a smile: "Since you’ve said it that way, I’ll do as you suggested."
Ji Xinhe raised her head at his joyous expression and smiled: "I wonder which girl is so lucky to have won the affections of Master Duan?"
Duan Lan chuckled but didn’t speak: "I hope she considers herself lucky."
"So, which family’s young lady is it?" Ji Xinhe asked out of curiosity.
"I won’t tell you for now."
In response, Ji Xinhe snorted: "Well, I don’t care to know."
After hesitating for a while, Duan Lan said: "I probably won’t be able to visit you in the near future, there’s some business at home and it will keep me busy."
If you have things to do, of course, you don’t have to come and see me." Ji Xinhe replied.
"It’s just that I worry you’re alone in the city and that things may not always go smoothly. I can’t help but feel uneasy." Duan Lan said.
Ji Xinhe laughed: "What’s there to worry about? I have already started my small workshop. In a few days, I will be busy looking for a storefront. Probably in some time, my Qinghe store will be open."
She could guess Duan Lan’s concern, thinking that she, a girl, was alone in an alien city and would encounter hardships, but she found herself perfectly capable of handling any situation.
Only then did Duan Lan feel somewhat relieved: "Guess you’re right."
Yet, his face betrayed a hint of regret. He had stolen away from his home for this escapade. After the previous incident, his father hadn’t openly chastised him, but had given him a series of tasks that kept him busy. Morover, this time, his father was sending him to the Hanlin Academy to study under several Grand Scholars. This venture would steal his time and he feared he couldn’t spare any to visit her.
At this thought, Duan Lan’s heart was filled with sorrow.
This was the first time he felt trapped by the obligations of his family.
Ji Xinhe lightly laughed: "Well, since you have things figured out, you better go back early. And I should head home too."
"Yes." Duan Lan couldn’t help but show his reluctance as he watched her leave helplessly.
She had mentioned that if it was her choice, she would choose the one she liked. But he forgot to ask her, what if that person didn’t like him originally? How would she choose then?
Similar to his current predicament, he is caught between two choices. Furthermore, she doesn’t know his feelings for her or has any feelings for him. He doesn’t even know if his current rebellion makes any sense.
But whether or not it makes any sense, she has said that finding someone you like in this life is a rare occurrence. He already met someone, which is lucky enough. Why shouldn’t he give it a try? Even if he gets hurt trying, at least, there will be a chance, right?
Duan Lan’s hand tightened slowly into a fist in his sleeve as his eyes began to beam with determination.
——
Le Yuanhou Mansion.
Today, the mansion was particularly lively. The peach orchard in the mansion was in full bloom. The peach blossoms were radiant and beautiful. Every spring, the peach orchard of the Le Yuanhou mansion was the main attraction. They even decided to hold an annual Peach Blossom Banquet inviting the nobles of the capital to appreciate the flowers.
The garden was filled with chattering young ladies who particularly loved to romp around the peach grove, adding to the joyous atmosphere.
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