Qing Yanci Chapter Three

Sun Pengcheng had come to the local market today to purchase betrothal gifts and make preparations for his upcoming wedding. By a strange stroke of fate, he happened to stumble upon Su Xiu and Zhao Chenxi eating noodles together.

"Stop the carriage. Park it next to the bun shop," Sun Pengcheng ordered the driver. It truly was a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road! Sun Pengcheng had caught Su Xiu "secretly meeting" with another man.

That person appeared to be Su Xiu. Even though she was dressed in men’s attire, Sun Pengcheng recognized her at a glance. The man sitting beside her seemed to be the same dark, thin fellow Su Xiu had stared at during her engagement ceremony. What was going on? Did they have a secret affair? The two were deep in lively conversation, fueling Sun Pengcheng’s suspicion and jealousy.

"Two gentlemen, would you mind if I shared this table?" Before he could even finish the sentence, Su Xiu looked up and saw Sun Pengcheng. "You... why are you here?" she asked, immediately becoming nervous and stammering.

"Why can't I be here? I’m getting married in a few days; don’t you know that? I’m here to buy some betrothal gifts to send to my future father-in-law! Waiter, one bowl of noodles," Sun Pengcheng said, unhurriedly suppressing the anger in his heart while keeping his eyes fixed on Su Xiu, wanting to see how she would handle this—or rather, to see if she would give him an explanation.

"Brother Su, who is this gentleman?" Chenxi asked, feeling a bit bewildered.

"This is Master Sun. Our families are old acquaintances with business dealings; he is the son of my father's friend."

"And who is this?" Sun Pengcheng asked provocatively, doing his best to suppress his rising fury.

"Oh, my name is Zhao Chenxi. Su Xiu and I were classmates. Su Xiu moved away later, and we haven't seen each other for a long time. It was fate that we ran into each other here today," Chenxi said, glancing at Sun Pengcheng.

"Classmates?" Sun Pengcheng questioned.

"Yes, we studied together at the academy for many years. Did Brother Su not tell you?"

Su Xiu felt sweat gathering in her clenched palms. Sun Pengcheng continued to stare at her intently.

"I had no idea Su Xiu studied at the academy," Su Xiu said, not daring to meet his eyes. She was flustered and drenched in sweat, terrified that Sun Pengcheng would suddenly expose the fact that she was a woman.

"Brother Su, are you alright?" Zhao Chenxi asked, concerned by her panicked expression.

"I'm fine. This is Master Zhao, my classmate and sworn brother..." Su Xiu hurriedly explained. If she didn’t give him a hint, the consequences would be dire. If both families found out, it wouldn't just cause friction in their business dealings; her mother would be implicated as well. Su Xiu was panicking now, wondering how Sun Pengcheng had managed to come so far away from home.

"Brother Su, why don't you and Master Sun come to my home for a meal and share some wine?" Chenxi thought that, firstly, he needed to repay the money he owed Su Xiu, and secondly, it was rare to see this good brother of his, so he invited them to gather at his home.

"This... I'm afraid that won't be possible. I have things to attend to and must return early," Su Xiu realized she had caused trouble and politely declined.

"Since it’s been such a long time, I think Master Zhao’s suggestion is excellent. Let’s go together; we shouldn't let his kind intentions go to waste!" Sun Pengcheng wanted to see what secret the two of them were hiding. Could it be that this bookworm Zhao Chenxi didn’t know Su Xiu was a woman? No wonder she had greeted him with a man’s etiquette the first time they met. Sun Pengcheng was all too happy to stir up trouble.

"Young Master, Young Master, it’s getting late; we should be heading back." Hong Ya and Xiao Long, having finished their shopping, grew impatient when they didn't see their young mistress come out and rushed in. Well, this was just perfect—it was Su Xiu’s personal maid, Hong Ya.

"Master Sun, you... why are you here?" Xiao Long’s eyes widened as she looked at the three of them in disbelief. Her mistress wouldn't be able to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River; she couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for her.

"I’m getting married soon, so I’m here to buy some betrothal gifts. What a coincidence to run into your... young master here," Sun Pengcheng almost let the secret slip.

"Hehe, what a coincidence indeed," Hong Ya said with a forced smile.

"Xiao Hong, today I’m going to visit a friend with your young master. You two go back first. Tell them I’ll bring your young master back after dinner, and tell your master and mistress not to worry."

"This..." Hong Ya looked at Su Xiu.

"Come here, let’s speak privately. Just tell my parents that I ran into Master Sun on the street, and he will send me back after we eat. Tell them not to worry."

"Very well, young master. We will head back first." With that, Hong Ya cast a look at Sun Pengcheng.

"Don't worry, I will bring your young master back without a scratch," Sun Pengcheng teased. Hong Ya felt she had no choice but to leave. She felt uneasy, wondering when her mistress would return to the manor and whether the master and mistress would blame her.

The three of them prepared to take Sun Pengcheng’s carriage to Chenxi’s home. Once inside, Chenxi sat right next to Su Xiu, which annoyed Sun Pengcheng. "Let me sit in the middle. I’m big and tall, so if the road gets bumpy, I can help steady you both."

Before Chenxi or Su Xiu could react, Sun Pengcheng forced himself between them, preventing any physical contact.

"Master Sun is certainly thoughtful," Chenxi said politely. Although he felt Sun Pengcheng was a bit overly enthusiastic, since he was Su Xiu's friend, he didn't say anything further.

After about half an incense stick’s worth of time, they arrived at the foot of the mountain where Chenxi lived. A few houses were vaguely visible halfway up the slope. "My home is up there," Chenxi said, pointing in a general direction. "The carriage can't go up, so I’ll lead you on foot."

"Are you a recluse? You live this high up?" Sun Pengcheng asked with a hint of mockery. Su Xiu glared at him. "Everyone is born differently, but with hard work, one can change their destiny," she said, standing up for Zhao Chenxi.

"Is that so?" Sun Pengcheng stared directly at Su Xiu. She immediately averted her gaze.

"It seems Brother Su and Brother Zhao share a deep friendship!" Sun Pengcheng said, his tone dripping with jealousy. Su Xiu didn't dare to respond, fearing it would lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

"The two of you are sons of wealthy families; naturally, you cannot understand the pleasures of our life here. Actually, I find living in the mountains quite good. It strengthens the body, and if it weren't for my studies, I wouldn't have to deal with unnecessary people, which naturally means fewer idle rumors. I believe everything in the world has a spirit. I find joy in every flower, every blade of grass, and the changing of the seasons," Chenxi said, neither humble nor pushy.

"It’s getting late, let’s head up," Chenxi urged.

The three began to climb. After a short walk, Su Xiu and Sun Pengcheng were struggling. Sun Pengcheng had never suffered like this, as he was always carried by carriage, and Su Xiu had only climbed once before.

Sun Pengcheng wanted to call for a rest but felt embarrassed to speak up. How could this woman be so unafraid of fatigue? He watched Su Xiu as he climbed; as long as she didn't call for a break, he had no face to do so either.

In truth, Su Xiu was exhausted too, but she wanted to test Sun Pengcheng’s temper and endurance. Seeing that they could barely walk, and because his own leg was slightly injured, Chenxi suggested a rest. Sun Pengcheng felt a sense of relief.

"Good heavens, how much further is it?" Sun Pengcheng asked impatiently.

"Not much further. That spot halfway up the mountain is it. Look, that old woman picking vegetables not far ahead is my mother," Chenxi explained slowly.

"Let’s go. We’ve rested long enough. Let’s eat early and head down the mountain early," Su Xiu said to Sun Pengcheng, who rolled his eyes at her.

Chenxi led the way, with Su Xiu second and Sun Pengcheng third. As they were climbing, Su Xiu’s foot suddenly slipped. Quick as a flash, Sun Pengcheng caught her, and she fell into his arms. He steadied himself just in time; otherwise, they would have both tumbled down the mountain. Su Xiu’s face flushed red. Sun Pengcheng looked at her with deep affection, forgetting his fatigue and lost in a world for two, completely ignoring Chenxi. Su Xiu felt awkward and struggled to pull away, but she lacked the strength.

"Brother Su, are you alright? Here, let me take your hand." Chenxi’s voice ruthlessly interrupted Sun Pengcheng’s beautiful fantasy. He reached out to help Su Xiu. Just as she was about to take his hand, Sun Pengcheng grabbed her. "Brother Zhao, you lead the way. I’ll hold her," he said domineeringly. There was no way he would let Chenxi have the chance to touch Su Xiu.

"I’ll lead the way, and you hold Brother Su from behind. Make sure he doesn't get hurt. Although he is a man, he is a bit delicate, though his literary talent is exceptional..." Chenxi prattled on, giving Sun Pengcheng instructions on how to take care of Su Xiu.

It seemed this bookworm truly didn't know Su Xiu was a woman and treated her as a brother. As for what role Chenxi played in Su Xiu’s heart, the way she looked at him at the market told Sun Pengcheng it wasn't just simple brotherly love. As a businessman, Sun Pengcheng understood human relationships better than Chenxi.

After walking for another third of an incense stick’s duration, the three stumbled to the front of Chenxi’s house. The small courtyard was clean and tidy; despite being dirt, there wasn't a single weed, and firewood was neatly stacked in the shed. A few fragrant wintersweet blossoms by the courtyard added a touch of charm to the humble peasant home.

"A few branches of plum blossoms in the corner, blooming alone in the cold. I know they aren't snow from afar, because the subtle fragrance wafts through." Even the usually arrogant Sun Pengcheng couldn't help but praise the beauty of the humble home.

"Mother, I’ve brought guests home. Please come this way," Chenxi called out to his mother.

"Chenxi is back? Why so late today?" his mother asked worriedly.

"Yes, Mother. I invited two friends to eat; they are classmates!"

"Are these your friends?" his mother asked, noting that their clothes and appearance were not those of ordinary people.

"Yes, Mother," Chenxi replied.

Since Chenxi was born, no relatives had ever visited, simply because the family wasn't wealthy.

"It’s been so many years since we’ve had guests. What a rare visitor! Please, come in. Zhaoxia, prepare some extra good food tonight; Chenxi has brought two friends!" his mother said, excitedly calling to her eldest daughter inside.

"Very well, Mother." Zhaoxia peeked outside and saw two young masters—one with delicate, refined features and the other with sharp, striking ones. It seemed Chenxi’s friends were not of ordinary standing, so she decided to prepare some better dishes.