“Is the one leading the group this year’s Top Scholar?”
“Ah, he’s so handsome! I wonder which family’s Young Master he is?”
“Don’t you know? That’s none other than the renowned Young Master Lu from the Duke’s residence! Lu Zhao!”
“What? It’s Lu Zhao?”
Shen Qingyao was being swept along by the crowd, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. She wanted to catch a glimpse of Lu Zhao, but she was being jostled by the people around her. Just when she was feeling irritated, the voices of a few girls chatting nearby caught her ear. She slowed her dodging movements, a smirk forming at the corner of her mouth, feeling a surge of pride within her.
She thought, Such an excellent Lu Zhao, and now he’s mine!
Sure enough, the girls beside her were asking each other, “I wonder if Young Master Lu is married?”
One of them nudged her friend, mocking, “Don’t even think about it! Young Master Lu’s marriage was arranged long ago, the whole capital knows about it! Maybe you just weren’t in the capital at that time!”
“Oh, really?” The girl sighed regretfully, dismissing her fantasies and focusing her attention on the people in front of her.
Shen Qingyao’s spirits were soaring, her tail almost wagging in delight. The system couldn’t bear to watch anymore and spoke up, [Host, what’s with your smug expression?]
Shen Qingyao stopped smiling. She suppressed her overly proud expression and snorted, “Can’t I borrow the tiger’s power1?”
“…That’s not how you borrow the tiger’s power.”
“Uh… then what? Act as the tiger’s helper? Colluding with wolves2? Oh well, it’s all the same!” Shen Qingyao didn’t care. Finally, something was going according to the original book’s plot, and she felt much better now.
[…]
On the other side of the street, Lu Zhao sat on his horse, while the second and third-ranked scholars were already excitedly waving to the crowd behind him, eager to join in the festivities with the people. However, he wasn’t too fond of such noisy occasions. After all, it was just the Palace Examination. What was there to boast about?
He forced a smile and casually scanned the crowd, but his gaze suddenly halted.
The third-ranked scholar behind him was also a young noble from the capital. The two had some acquaintance from their time studying at the National Academy. Seeing Lu Zhao momentarily distracted, he rode forward a few steps and asked softly at Lu Zhao’s side, “Brother Changfeng, what’s wrong?”
Lu Zhao smiled lightly, shaking his head. “Nothing.”
He just saw his little girl.
Lu Zhao seemed to have found something interesting to do, no longer feeling lazy. He focused his attention on that direction, where the girl from his family had just arrived, her face flushed as she squeezed into the crowd. At that moment, she looked bewildered, like a lost little animal, innocent and naive.
Not knowing what had been said around her, she had a cheerful expression on her face, particularly charming. Seeing her in such high spirits, Lu Zhao relaxed, revealing a doting smile that he would never show in public, causing the young ladies from prestigious families around to gasp in surprise.
With one feeling pleased and the other indulgent, they inadvertently locked eyes, both momentarily stunned.
Shen Qingyao was the first to react, knowing that Lu Zhao had noticed her. So, she playfully winked at him, knowing he couldn’t hear what she was saying from such a distance. With her hands cupped around her mouth, she exaggeratedly shouted, “Con- grat- ula- tions!”
“Ha.” Lu Zhao turned his head and chuckled. He couldn’t help but find this young girl incredibly cute, unconsciously straightening his official robe. Suddenly, he felt that becoming the Top Scholar did indeed seem quite remarkable.
“Hey, which family’s Miss is that? Is Brother Changteng looking at her?” The third-rank leaned closer, following Lu Zhao’s gaze and also noticed Shen Qingyao.
He continued, “Innocent and pure, bright and charming, so Brother Changfeng likes that kind of style?”
This was big news. Young Master Lu, who was not interested in women, actually liked this kind of style?
Lu Zhao turned his head as if his treasure had been coveted by others, his face darkened, and he said in a deep voice, “That’s my fiancée.”
“Ah? Fiancée? Fiancée, huh… fiancée…” The third-rank hadn’t reacted yet and blurted out a few sentences before suddenly widening his eyes. “Fiancée? Is that the sickly miss from the Shen family?”
After speaking, without needing Lu Zhao’s reminder, the third-rank apologized immediately and then quickly closed his mouth and moved aside.
But he was still surprised in his heart. It was widely rumored that Miss Shen of the Shen family had a short life expectancy, but that girl was clearly lively and vibrant, showing no signs of illness! If they had known that the Shen family harbored such a beauty, there might have been twice as many suitors coming to propose!
“Miss, would you like to buy some flowers?” Shen Qingyao was thinking of finding a place to sit and wait for Lu Zhao when an old woman approached her, carrying a large bamboo basket filled with handmade silk flowers of various colors.
Seeing Shen Qingyao’s puzzled look, the old woman explained, “Miss, are you also here to watch the parade? Buy two silk flowers. If you see a handsome gentleman you like, throw the flowers at him. If he catches them, it’s a perfect match. Even if he doesn’t catch them, throwing a bit of luck on him is also good.”
Shen Qingyao suddenly understood. So that’s why she kept seeing people throwing things at Lu Zhao. Just now she was thinking how pitiful Lu Zhao was, ranking first and yet being pelted during the parade; anyone unaware might have thought he was a criminal being paraded! So it was because he was too charming and had too many fans! For a moment, she no longer felt sorry for Lu Zhao. He attracted attention; he deserved to be pelted!
“Miss? Are you buying two?” the old woman urged.
“Buying!” Shen Qingyao responded. She wanted to throw some too! So she signaled to Cui Qiao, who had come up behind her.
Cui Qiao nodded, immediately taking out some copper coins from her waist.
The old woman, upon seeing the money, looked much happier and respectfully placed the basket in front of Shen Qingyao for her to choose.
Shen Qingyao casually picked two flowers. They were light and delicate, and she could tell they were well-made just by pinching them. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was too ostentatious to throw the flowers at Lu Zhao.
[Not ostentatious at all! Host! Not at all! So many people are throwing them!] the system couldn’t help but remind her. [Host, don’t forget your current persona!]
With its reminder, Shen Qingyao remembered. She had been told to change her persona, so she let the system pick a new one for her. ‘Ostentatious and vibrant young lady’ was much better than the previous two. It was just that Lu Zhao had been busy studying and they gad little contact, so it was never used.
Wasn’t this persona prepared for this moment?
Shen Qingyao curled her lips, and when she looked up, she saw Lu Zhao still looking at her. So she waved the silk flowers in her hand, making a provocative expression.
Lu Zhao momentarily stunned. Normally, Yaoyao wouldn’t have such an expression; had she read some new books?
He couldn’t help but smile, mimicking her expression, waiting for her next move.
Then the girl tossed the water-red silk flower in her hand. It should have landed halfway, but somehow, a gust of wind rose, carrying the flower a few steps further, and it happened to fall on Lu Zhao’s shoulder…
“Well done!” Shen Qingyao cheered silently. When she saw the flower about to fall to the ground just now, her heart sank. Fortunately, she had sought help from the system in time, which provided that ‘magic wind’.
Throughout the journey, there were numerous girls who threw flowers towards Lu Zhao, and it could even be said that the vast majority of silk flowers were aimed at him. However, Lu Zhao didn’t catch a single one. At this moment, a flower landed on his shoulder, and the keen-eyed crowd noticed it. They thought it would be the same as before, being coldly brushed aside by this handsome Top Scholar. However, to their surprise, Lu Zhao just smiled and took the flower, holding it gently in his hand, his gaze upon it unusually tender.
“Hiss— Brother Changfeng, did you actually catch the flower? Which girl threw it?” The second-rank in the exam turned his head and saw this scene, drawing in a sharp breath, unable to believe it.
Then, the second-rank was patted on the shoulder by the third-rank.
The third-rank had been silently observing the interaction between Lu Zhao and that girl for a while now, having had his fill of dog food, and he pretended to be profound as he raised his chin slightly and said to the second-rank, “Apart from the fiancée of our Young Master Lu, who else could it be? Brother Changfeng, are you such a flirtatious person?”
“Fiancée?” The second-rank was even more astonished. He was not from the capital and it was the first time he heard that Young Master Lu was engaged, so he smiled and said, “So that’s it, congratulations to Young Master!”
Lu Zhao made a circle with the silk flower in his hand, his expression pleased upon hearing this. Rarely being so kind, he nodded at the two and said softly, “Thank you…”
The parade continued to move slowly forward. Shen Qingyao was blocked in place by the crowd. In a few words, the two disappeared from each other’s sight. Shen Qingyao felt a bit regretful that she couldn’t watch a bit longer, but she thought that she could see him every day in the future, so she let it go.
That night, Shen Qingyao seemed to still be immersed in the joy of Lu Zhao being the Top Scholar and couldn’t come to sleep.
Cui Qiao urged her three times, but seeing that she was determined, Cui Qiao let her be.
Just as Cui Qiao was about to close the window, she was stopped by Shen Qingyao.
“Wait! Don’t close the window! I… I want to feel the breeze and get some fresh air.”
Cui Qiao was a bit puzzled but didn’t insist. She tidied up the bedding for Shen Qingyao and then left.
[Host, who are you waiting for?] the system asked.
“You noticed that?” Shen Qingyao sat down, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Actually, I’m not waiting for anyone specific. I just have a strange feeling…”
Before she could finish what she meant by ‘strange feeling,’ there were two noises outside the window. Shen Qingyao, who was quite used to it, didn’t bother to look and pushed the door open with a pleasantly surprised expression, seeing the person she had anticipated.
Lu Zhao had just returned from the congratulatory banquet. He was the protagonist of tonight’s feast and had drunk a bit too much. It was strange because Shen Qingyao usually disliked the smell of alcohol, but she found that mixed with Lu Zhao’s unique cold fragrance, it unexpectedly smelled good, making her not dislike it at all…
Her footsteps paused. It was already March, and the cherry blossoms in the courtyard had already bloomed. On the tree were splendid flowers, and beneath it stood a person who seemed like an immortal. She suddenly felt a bit hesitant to disturb him.
She heard Lu Zhao’s low voice saying, “Yaoyao, come here.”
As he spoke, he reached out a slender hand toward Shen Qingyao.
As if bewitched, Shen Qingyao walked over in a daze and placed her hand in his palm. Her hand was cold, but Lu Zhao’s hand was warm. Shen Qingyao flinched a bit, but soon he held it tightly. Then he exerted a bit of force, pulling Shen Qingyao towards him, and she collided with a chest that smelled of alcohol.
Unlike the loose embrace outside the examination hall or the hug she gave him on the day of the results announcement, this was a passionate embrace, one that made her heart sway, a true embrace.
Lu Zhao’s grip was tight, and Shen Qingyao tried to move, but it only resulted in him exerting even more force.
“You…”
She wanted to ask if he was drunk.
But, soft lips with warm breath whispered in her ear, and when the warm air touched her, Shen Qingyao’s body softened halfway. She heard Lu Zhao say in her ear, “Yaoyao, I’ve become the Top Scholar. I can come to marry you now…”
Alright, her other half of the body also softened completely…
- ‘rely on the tiger’s power’ is a Chinese idiom meaning ‘to bluff’ or ‘to pretend to be powerful’ ↩︎
- both ‘act as a tiger’s helper’ and ‘colluding with wolves’ are Chinese idioms meaning ‘to help the villain do evil’ ↩︎