Chapter 37: Yan Yue

Suddenly, a clattering sound erupted within the room as Zhao Xianzhi overturned his heavy sandalwood desk in a fit of rage.

Without a single breath of hesitation, Zhao Xianzhi stood straight, eyes wide and teeth gritted as he glared ahead. "Where has Meng Yanyue reached?!"

"Replying to the Young Master, the people sent to escort her are still on the road, but I guarantee that within six days, Miss Yanyue will reach the capital," Beilie replied, trembling with fear.

"Six days?" Zhao Xianzhi sneered. "Use my name. Ride at full speed; I want to see her here in three days!"

"Yes." Regardless of the difficulty, Beilie had no choice but to comply; this was the chance the Young Master had given them.

-

The days in May seemed to draw ever closer to the sun, growing increasingly sweltering.

For the past few days, the Marquis's estate had remained relatively peaceful. Meng Zhenyue and Zhao Zhizhi spent their time with Nanny Yan, occupied solely with needlework, without a ripple of disturbance. Meng Zhenyue even took the opportunity to reveal some of her more sophisticated embroidery techniques under the guise of Nanny Yan’s instruction.

Zhao Xianzhi’s subordinates were quite efficient, unless they happened to cross paths with Meng Zhenyue, who was a woman reborn—though perhaps their diligence was also born of a fear of physical punishment.

Three days later, those sent to fetch Meng Yanyue arrived in the capital as promised.

On that day, as Meng Zhenyue and Zhao Zhizhi finished their lessons with Nanny Yan, they found Zhao Xianzhi waiting for them before they had even reached the courtyard gate.

Zhao Xianzhi stepped forward and said, "I heard the two younger sisters are going to the pier to welcome Younger Sister Yanyue. I shall accompany you, big brother."

Zhao Zhizhi had deliberately pushed aside the earlier awkwardness she felt toward Zhao Xianzhi. She smiled and said, "That is wonderful! Big brother is the most doting; no one else’s brother is as kind as ours."

The three of them set off together.

Meng Zhenyue merely glanced at Zhao Xianzhi without a word. When the letter arrived, Zhizhi had mentioned going to greet Yanyue; for Zhao Xianzhi to step in only now, she feared he must have some scheme brewing in his mind. Moreover, the fact that he had ordered the carriage driver to accelerate under the pretext of being impatient to see his sister was a clear sign that something was amiss—only a fool would believe otherwise.

As they walked, Meng Zhenyue mentally reviewed the mischief Zhao Xianzhi had stirred up in her past life.

By noon, the three had arrived at the pier.

The wind was strong at the docks. Meng Zhenyue stepped off the carriage and waited not far from Zhao Xianzhi, who sat tall on his horse, keeping a watchful eye on him.

Before long, the crisp, clear voice of a young girl reached them.

"Sister!"

Meng Zhenyue looked toward the sound first. Zhao Xianzhi’s servants followed her gaze, and Zhao Zhizhi, prompted by her maid, also stepped down from the carriage.

Amidst the throng of matrons and guards from the Marquis's estate, a young girl in a goose-yellow embroidered gauze dress walked quickly toward them. The tassels and pearl ornaments in her hair swayed, emitting a sound as pleasant as their owner.

Seeing her sister walking toward her, vibrant and full of life once more, Meng Zhenyue could not help but feel her eyes grow moist.

"Hmm? Has the wind blown something into your eyes, Sister? Or have you missed me that much?" Meng Yanyue arrived before Meng Zhenyue in an instant, tilting her head and blinking her large, bright eyes as she teased her.

"You are nearly fourteen; can you not behave with some decorum?" Meng Zhenyue immediately suppressed her emotions, putting on a stern face to lecture her.

Meng Yanyue hummed, wrinkled her nose, and turned to look at the others. First, she appraised Zhao Xianzhi’s appearance, then her eyes lit up with excitement. "Greetings, Second Brother!"

She then looked at Zhao Zhizhi, and seeing her delicate beauty, she slightly reined in her enthusiasm. "Greetings, Sister Zhao!"

Having visited their home, she remembered these two, who were both so striking. At this moment, she was quite thrilled; she had not expected such an ethereal brother to be her own Second Brother.

Watching her sister's expression, Meng Zhenyue knew that her weakness for beauty had taken hold once again. It seemed their older brother had not told Yanyue about Zhao Xianzhi’s true nature. In truth, she intended to let Yanyue see Zhao Xianzhi’s true colors for herself. After all, Zhao Xianzhi was cunning, and Yanyue’s first impression of him was favorable due to his looks; if she were not careful, Zhao Xianzhi might try to sow discord between them.

Zhao Xianzhi spoke up with a gentle, pleasant tone, "You have endured a long and tiring journey, Sister. Although you look radiant, we should return to the estate quickly so we can talk more."

Hearing this, and recalling Zhao Xianzhi’s actions along the way, Meng Zhenyue was essentially certain that his plan remained the same as in her past life.

Meng Yanyue, hearing such a handsome brother compliment her, touched her cheeks shyly and said with some pride, "It is because I applied rouge."

"Did you just apply it?" Zhao Zhizhi asked, puzzled. "It is so hot today; how do you look so fresh after such a long journey?"

Hearing Zhao Zhizhi say this, Meng Yanyue felt even more proud. She shook her head and smiled. "I applied it this morning. Does Sister Zhao like it? I brought some as a gift for you; if you find it works well, just ask me for more."

Zhao Zhizhi was about to decline when she heard her older sister let out a soft laugh. She looked at her in confusion, only to hear Meng Zhenyue say, "Sister, are you blaming the rouge now?"

"Along the way, who knows how many hot, spicy drinks you consumed at Big Brother's indulgence, and how much you perspired? No matter how good the rouge is, it cannot withstand such a trial."

Zhao Zhizhi did not sense anything amiss; she merely gave Meng Zhenyue a shy, playful look before explaining to Meng Yanyue, "Thank you for your kindness, but my skin is quite sensitive. I usually only use what my maids make in the courtyard, so I am afraid I am not used to store-bought products." She had asked earlier only because she wondered which shop it came from, thinking perhaps it had opened a branch in the capital and she could have her maid learn a thing or two.

Meng Yanyue beamed, recommending it with great enthusiasm: "Sister Zhao has misunderstood—this is rouge I made myself, not something bought outside! If there is anything you are allergic to, just have your maid tell me."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhizhi looked at her older sister in surprise. Meng Zhenyue, sensing her gaze, nodded. "Yanyue has always been fond of tinkering with these things."

As she spoke, she furrowed her brow. "However..."

Before she could finish, Zhao Xianzhi interrupted her, sealing the matter with a single sentence: "Sister Yanyue is not only playful and cute but also so clever with her hands. I am sure Sister Zhao will love it."

Zhao Zhizhi nodded, hearing his words. "Then I shall trouble you."

Seeing this, Meng Zhenyue feigned a look of worry in her eyes before saying, "Very well. I heard the servants say that the masquerade lantern festival is in two days; there will be plenty of use for such rouge."

Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Zhao Xianzhi hurried to urge his three sisters into the carriage to return to the estate, citing the heat.

He cast an unsatisfied glance at Meng Zhenyue’s retreating back. Why be so guarded? If not for the trouble she stirred up, would he have had to resort to such underhanded tactics?

However, no matter how guarded she was, he had succeeded in his first step. This Meng Yanyue was much easier to manipulate than Meng Zhenyue. If he let her learn the rules of the Marquis's estate for a while, even if she couldn't marry into a prestigious family, marrying a wealthy merchant would be more than enough.

Meng Zhenyue might be shrewd, but could she watch her every single moment?

To prevent further changes, Zhao Xianzhi gave a stern, low order to Beilie: "Keep a close eye on Meng Zhenyue’s every move. Do not let even the slightest stir go unnoticed!"