Chapter 092: Rain On The Coming-Of-Age Ceremony

There was a hint of danger in those words.

Xiao Shu and Yan Lin locked eyes.

Everyone felt a sudden sense of unease, but it was hard to understand the hidden reasons behind it, so they just watched them.

Fortunately, at that moment, the steward’s voice came from behind, speaking to someone else: “The coming-of-age ceremony is set for noon, with guests being entertained in the front hall. Many guests have already arrived, so it’s a good time for you to go.”

Xie Wei had returned from Chengqing Hall.

His figure emerged from behind the door, his face seemingly paler than before. As he walked back to the corridor and saw everyone, he simply asked, “Aren’t you going to the front hall?”

Yan Lin closed the sword box and bowed to Xie Wei, saying, “We’re going now.”

Xie Wei’s gaze swept over everyone. He didn’t react much upon seeing Xiao Shu, but he paused when he saw Xiao Ye, then followed the steward straight to the front hall.

The tense atmosphere outside Qingyu Hall dissipated significantly.

Prince Yanping immediately seized the opportunity to laugh and said, “On such a great day, why should we be so angry? It’s all small matters. Let’s go to the front hall. We shouldn’t keep Master Xie and the guests waiting.”

Xiao Ye snorted heavily and turned away with a cold smile.

Although Xiao Shu looked displeased, she didn’t seem to want to pursue the matter further. She bowed politely to Yan Lin and left with Xiao Ye. With Prince Yanping’s cheerful mediation and the departure of the Xiao siblings, everyone finally relaxed and headed to the front hall.

Yan Lin was at the back, with Jiang Xuening walking ahead.

Just as they were about to leave Qingyu Hall, Yan Lin suddenly lowered his voice and called, “Ningning.”

Jiang Xuening’s body trembled slightly, and she stopped.

She turned to look at him.

The young man glanced at the people walking ahead, then approached her, smiling. He took out a heavy brocade pouch from behind his back and tossed it to her, “For you.”

Jiang Xuening instinctively caught it.

Prince Yanping, walking ahead, noticed someone missing and turned back, calling out, “Yan Lin, what are you doing?”

Yan Lin looked up and replied, “Coming.”

He looked back at Jiang Xuening, his smile tinged with a fleeting sadness, and said softly, “It’s a pity there’s no gorgon fruit this season.”

With that, he walked ahead to join Prince Yanping and the others.

Jiang Xuening stood there and gently opened the brocade pouch. Inside was a small bag of peeled pine nuts.

Just like old times.

She seemed to see the young man jumping down from the high walls of the Jiang residence, casually sitting by her window, placing a small bag of peeled pine nuts in front of her with a bright, confident smile.

Looking ahead, the young man’s back was still straight, but now it carried a heavier burden.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but sigh softly, then smiled for some reason.

Clouds gathered in the sky, and the wind rippled the lake, causing the koi to kiss the water’s surface.

It seemed like it was going to rain.

She carefully tied the small bag of pine nuts and walked forward.

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In the waterside pavilion, most people had already left.

As the sky darkened outside, Zhang Zhe paused, stopping by the railing and looking out.

Chen Ying saw this and also stopped.

This official, transferred from the Censorate to the Ministry of Justice, was a strange person in Chen Ying’s impression. He wasn’t keen on socializing in official circles, and even at the few gatherings with colleagues, he would just make an appearance and leave.

Diligent but not ambitious.

He rarely spoke, except when investigating cases or interrogating suspects, when his words were sharp. Even then, he seemed silent. He was like a calm sea, giving the impression of hiding many things beneath his bland exterior, not deliberately concealing, but perhaps not used to expressing or unwilling to reveal.

The previous Minister of Justice, Zheng, had angered the emperor by speaking for the Marquis Yongyi’s residence and was ordered to retire early and return home. The new Minister of Justice, Gu Chunfang, was on his way to the capital and would soon arrive to become everyone’s new superior.

Zhang Zhe’s mentor was Gu Chunfang.

Chen Ying’s eyes flashed, and he thought this was a great opportunity. He smiled and walked over to Zhang Zhe, saying, “Master Zhang, why aren’t you leaving? What are you looking at?”

Zhang Zhe glanced at him, his expression neither fearful nor warm, still indifferent, and said, “It’s going to rain.”

Chen Ying found it strange.

He wanted to say that a little rain was no big deal, as it rained every day during the Jiangnan plum rain season, but instead, he said, “Master Zhang usually seems quiet and reserved, quite dull, but I didn’t expect you to have such refined interests. It seems you truly have inner beauty. No wonder Lord Gu recognized your talent back then. It’s truly admirable.”

Zhang Zhe replied, “I am a dull person, fortunate to have been nurtured by Lord Gu’s efforts back then. But I am just a minor official. You flatter me, Master Chen.”

Chen Ying quickly waved his hand, “Not at all!”

The waterside pavilion was empty except for the two of them, making their voices echo.

Chen Ying stood beside him, looking at the clouds outside, and said, “Lord Zheng lost his position for speaking out and was sent back to retire by the emperor. Lord Gu Chunfang will soon take office. I have long heard of Lord Gu’s reputation but have never had the chance to meet him since he has always served outside the capital. Master Zhang, having served under Lord Gu and being highly valued by him, when Lord Gu returns to the capital, I hope you can introduce me.”

To be honest, everyone in the Ministry of Justice wanted to talk to Zhang Zhe.

But Zhang Zhe was like a closed book, hard to approach.

People wanted to curry favor with him or learn about Gu Chunfang’s habits through him, but they found it frustrating to deal with Zhang Zhe, who barely spoke a word.

Chen Ying’s intentions were clear.

He wanted to meet Gu Chunfang in advance, hoping Zhang Zhe, an old acquaintance, could introduce him. Even if Gu Chunfang was upright, he wouldn’t refuse.

After all, he was Zhang Zhe’s superior, different from others.

Chen Ying thought Zhang Zhe wouldn’t refuse, but to his surprise, Zhang Zhe calmly said, “We will meet Lord Gu when he takes office. Why need my introduction? You flatter me, Master Chen.”

Chen Ying was almost choked.

His usual fake smile faltered, and he struggled to find words to smooth over the awkwardness. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a graceful figure approaching along the corridor, raising his eyebrows and forgetting what he was going to say.

Chen Ying had seen the girl before.

Not long ago, in Kunning Palace.

One of Princess Leyang’s companions, the main character in the investigation of Yangzhi Zhai, and the one whom Prince Xie Wei had asked him to protect!

Delayed by the small bag of pine nuts, Jiang Xuening fell behind the others but didn’t want to be too late, so she took a shortcut.

Unexpectedly, there were people at the waterside pavilion.

From a distance, she saw the figure, her heart skipping a beat. As she got closer and confirmed it was him, a subtle joy and excitement spread in her heart.

Zhang Zhe also saw her.

Their eyes met.

Zhang Zhe lowered his gaze slightly, while Jiang Xuening looked at him, then glanced at Chen Ying and bowed, “Greetings, Master Chen, Master Zhang.”

As she bowed, one hand lightly rested on her waist.

Her slender, white wrist was slightly exposed.

Zhang Zhe’s lowered gaze fell on her, immediately noticing the faint scratch with a hint of blood on her wrist, covered by her wide sleeve. He clenched his hand slightly.

His emotions stirred, but he said nothing.

Chen Ying smiled at Jiang Xuening, “Miss Jiang, have you seen Master Xie?”

Zhang Zhe remained silent, and Jiang Xuening felt a bit disappointed.

But she quickly reminded herself that they weren’t familiar yet, and Zhang Zhe wasn’t talkative, so she smiled again and replied to Chen Ying, “Master Xie went to see the Marquis and has already gone to the front hall.”

Chen Ying nodded, “Thank you, Miss Jiang. I was just wondering where to find Master Xie. I’ll go with Master Zhang.”

Was Chen Ying close to Xie Wei?

Jiang Xuening had her doubts and glanced at Zhang Zhe again, but he was looking at the fish and ripples in the water, making her feel inexplicably frustrated. She said, “I’ll go ahead. Goodbye, Masters.”

Zhang Zhe didn’t look back until she was far away.

Chen Ying watched her disappear, then turned to Zhang Zhe with a teasing look, “It seems this young lady looked at you more than once. After all, you saved her in Kunning Palace. It seems she has some feelings for you?”

Zhang Zhe lowered his gaze, “Master Chen, you’re joking.”

Chen Ying shrugged, thinking of something else, and muttered, “True, since Master Xie asked to protect her, no one else stands a chance.”

“……”

Something tightened in Zhang Zhe’s heart, and he slowly turned to look at Chen Ying.

Chen Ying asked, “What?”

Zhang Zhe closed his eyes briefly, “Nothing.”

Chen Ying’s thoughts had already shifted to what to say to Xie Wei later, not noticing Zhang Zhe’s unusual reaction. He mused, “Master Xie is truly hard to understand. Though we’ve had some interactions, it never feels deep. But it’s strange, Master Zhang, though you’re different from Master Xie, you also give me a feeling of being hard to understand. You don’t love beauties, don’t visit pleasure houses, don’t love fine clothes or food, always alone and reclusive. It’s confusing. I don’t understand, Master Zhang, what are your ambitions?”

The rain fell.

The mist covered the lake and the pavilions, making the world quiet and filled with a hazy beauty.

Zhang Zhe looked up.

After a long time, when Chen Ying thought he wouldn’t answer, Zhang Zhe finally spoke, “My ambitions are not high, my goals not far. To discern right from wrong, serve my family, find a corner of peace, and quietly watch the rain. That’s all.”