Chapter 5: He Only Wants to See Her

The old residence of the Xiao family was vast, with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, serene and secluded. Yet, compared to the past when red silk curtains fluttered and golden pearls and jade adorned every corner, it now stood desolate and lonely, steeped in profound quietude.

Xiao Ming stood beneath the corridor, gently caressing the thick layer of dust covering the railing, a hint of sorrow in her heart. As the only daughter in the family, with no brothers or sisters, she had been cherished and protected like the apple of her parents' eyes, showered with affection since childhood.

But now, having fallen out with her clan, she found herself utterly alone, without relatives or support. Fortunately, Ling Zhao had proven trustworthy; six months before she entered the mansion, he had quietly reclaimed much of the property her clan had seized, including the deeds to this very house.

To keep a low profile, she only interacted with Jin Sheng and Suifeng on a daily basis.

“Miss!” Chun’er ran up to report, “Steward Li has arrived.”

“I’ll meet him in the front hall.”

—

When Xiao Ming left the old residence, the sun was already dipping westward, bathing the land in a warm golden glow. She withdrew a thousand taels of silver from the account before departing.

Back in the day, while living at the Xiao estate, she enjoyed crafting novel and ingenious teas according to the seasons. Even her parents praised her exceptional skill, suggesting she open a tea shop someday.

But when the family’s fortunes changed abruptly, that dream was put on hold.

Now, there was still time.

Since she was inconvenient to go out herself, she had sent Qingzhu ahead to help scout for a shopfront, as long as it was a lively area. She had no particular preference.

Taking advantage of her trip outside the mansion today, she came to inspect the location Qingzhu had chosen.

“Miss, be careful,” Qingzhu steadied her as she stepped down from the carriage.

In truth, after a year of hardships, Xiao Ming felt unusually exhilarated today.

She first toured the shop itself. It had once been a fragrance house, modest yet elegant. The space was not large, but more than sufficient for a small tea shop.

Xiao Ming was quite pleased, nodding repeatedly. “This shop is good; let’s take this one. The décor is fairly refined, no major renovations needed—just a simple arrangement will do nicely.”

She pointed near the entrance, “Here we can set up tables and chairs for customers to enjoy tea.” Then, towards a corner, “This can serve as the cashier’s desk.”

“And this wall could display some calligraphy and paintings.”

Chun’er and Qingzhu exchanged smiles, watching Xiao Ming explore the shop with such delight.

“I’ll send for the craftsmen tomorrow.”

—

Suddenly recalling something, Xiao Ming took out a blueprint from her sleeve. “Be sure to make adjustments according to this newly drawn plan when the time comes...”

“Yes, Miss. Don’t worry,” Chun’er carefully put the plans away. “It’s getting late; shall we return to the mansion?”

Xiao Ming nodded. “Good idea.”

As her words fell, a familiar figure appeared at the shop’s entrance and stopped.

“Miss Xiao! What a coincidence!”

Xiao Ming looked up, surprised.

The setting sun outlined his tall figure with a radiant golden rim. She quickly lowered her gaze, hiding the blush in her eyes.

“Master Mo.”

Mo Shichang, the second young master of the Mo family, briskly approached, smiling with a mix of excitement and nervousness. “What brings you here, Miss?”

Before she could answer, his eyes shone brightly, barely containing his joy. He whispered, “How wonderful.”

Xiao Ming’s heart pounded wildly as she looked down.

“I was just out for a stroll. Seeing this empty house so elegant, I wandered in without realizing.”

There was no need to announce the tea shop plan publicly—it wasn’t a big matter—but given her sensitive status, discretion was paramount.

Mo Shichang chuckled, “Miss Xiao, I just finished work and saw the sunset glow so splendidly that I wanted to take a walk myself. Somehow, I ended up here too. Seems fate has brought us together.”

Xiao Ming lowered her eyes, her delicate face flushed like a rosy dawn.

“I heard you caught a cold a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?”

“Much better, thank you for your concern, Master Mo,” she replied politely.

“That’s how friends should be—looking out for each other,” Mo Shichang said, rubbing his hands nervously, a sheen of sweat on his brow.

Perhaps one day they would become family.

“By the way, at Young Master Ling’s coming-of-age ceremony a few days ago, I heard you were appointed Assistant Minister of the Revenue Department. I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you yet.”

She bowed slightly.

Mo Shichang grinned sheepishly, cheeks reddening, “It’s just a civilian post, nothing like the battlefield exploits of General Ling.”

“To serve in government, it matters not whether one is civil or military, nor the rank held. What counts is a genuine heart for the country and the people. Such officials are revered by all.”

As for Ling Zhao, that warrior—tch, tch—

She truly couldn’t understand why the emperor treated him like a son.

He was so domineering and arrogant, so proud and overbearing.

Not like Master Mo, a scholar of refined elegance, bright and graceful in demeanor.

Mo Shichang met her sincere, radiant gaze; his heart skipped a beat before nodding firmly. “What you say, Miss, I will remember always.”

“Yunyin?” she murmured.

How beautiful a name.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew strangely tender and awkward, both feeling unsure.

“Oh, right!” Mo Shichang’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Miss Xiao, in three days, it will be my eldest sister’s birthday. She’s holding a banquet in the peach grove on the outskirts of the capital. You—you should come…”

His voice trailed off.

Xiao Ming recalled Ling Huai Xi, daughter of the Ling family’s second elder lord, mentioning this. Apparently, Mo Shichang’s eldest sister had recently become betrothed to the Second Prince.

With this royal alliance, the Mo family’s status in Yan Capital had risen sharply. This banquet was merely an occasion for the city’s elite families to forge ties.

Yet such gatherings were only for the daughters of noble houses. Unless it was a banquet held directly at the General’s mansion, Xiao Ming had no standing to attend.

The invitations would only be extended to “the ladies of the Ling family.” No one knew of her.

Realizing his misstep, Mo Shichang hurried to clarify, “Miss Xiao, please don’t misunderstand! Yunyin means nothing else. I truly hope you will come!”

By sun and moon, his desire was simply to see her.

Xiao Ming’s fingers tightened then relaxed on a handkerchief, calmly replying, “Thank you for your kindness, Master Mo. But I come from humble origins and should not impose upon your eldest sister’s celebration.”

His anxious face flushed deeper as he blurted, “But I want you to come!”

Xiao Ming paused, and in that instant, a brilliant firework seemed to blossom deep within her heart.

Seeing her stunned, Mo Shichang earnestly added, “I will personally send someone to deliver your invitation tonight. Will you come?”

Looking into his fervent, earnest eyes, Xiao Ming nodded and smiled softly, “I will.”

He was momentarily stunned by her smile. “Wonderful. Thank you, Miss.”

Just then, a horse’s neigh echoed nearby. Xiao Ming turned to see a tall black steed raise its foreleg, stopping beside them.

A silver-clad figure sat astride the horse, his gaze sharp and piercing as he stared at them.

Xiao Ming did not expect Ling Zhao to appear here. Had he not gone to the Court of Justice?