Xu Wanzhi opened his eyes irritably, lifting the curtain to see people returning home and merchants closing up shop. He looked delicate, but now inheriting this face, his eyebrows always carried a hint of coldness. His pale side profile peeking from the curtain would always make passersby stop and stare.
Suddenly, his hand was held tightly as Qu Xiaojue pressed his hand to lower the curtain, speaking as if concerned: “The evening wind isn’t strong, but prolonged exposure can be harmful.”
Is this woman managing too much? Except for her mother, no peer-aged woman had ever managed him like this. Especially with her ambiguous tone, Xu Wanzhi was often left speechless, feeling he must have offended some deity in his past lives to end up in this situation!
He finally twitched his eyebrows, indicating he could remain calm.
Lingyun Street wasn’t far. It wasn’t a bustling avenue but was notable because the residents were of high status. Duke Li Xiuling’s mansion was located here, and the surrounding land was privately owned by her. The famous Yuanling County Magistrate was her own brother.
The Pure Heart Banquet of the Yuling Young Masters had been held for five consecutive years.
The carriage gradually stopped. Qu Xiaojue got off first, and Xu Wanzhi poked out his head, being supported by her as they descended.
Two tall women immediately bowed: “Mistress Qu, Master Qu, please come in.”
“Mm.”
She held Xu Wanzhi’s hand, guided by the two women. “Where are we?” he asked.
“Duke’s Mansion.”
Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow. This world was still unfamiliar to her, but it seemed Qu Xiaojue’s merchant status was not low.
He nodded slightly and asked: “What exactly is this Pure Heart Banquet?”
Qu Xiaojue glanced at him and said: “We’re just here to join the excitement.” As they entered the mansion, he heard: “Don’t worry, just follow me.”
He looked up. The Qu family’s garden was impressive. Following a long corridor, passing numerous landscapes, they walked for quite a while.
The guide woman said: “We’ve arrived.”
Qu Xiaojue left a silver piece for the guide, who smiled and bowed away.
====================
The Pure Heart Banquet originated from the Pure Heart Garden, owned by the Yuanling County Magistrate, who was cherished since birth.
When the prince had a son, this garden was created specifically for him. As for the meaning of “Pure Heart”, it’s simple: hoping he would have a pure and upright heart in the future.
Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow; he had indeed not expected anything novel.
They did not go deep into the garden. Qu Xiaojue pulled him towards a quiet corner, where there were few people and a few couples were whispering. Qu Xiaojue politely smiled and continued leading him, stopping under a vine chair and sitting down.
Xu Wanzhi finally understood completely: this “Qingxin Banquet” was actually an open matchmaking and rendezvous venue.
Just after sitting down, an attentive servant approached with tea and pastries, speaking softly and courteously: “Master Qu, Young Master Qu, please enjoy slowly.”
He propped his head with one hand, looking at the garden scenery, feeling the trip was indeed worthwhile. Qu Xiaojue did not offer him anything to eat, and softly asked: “Is it boring?
Xu Wanzhi nodded slightly and sighed: “Although it’s a beautiful time and scenery, for me it’s—” He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, wondering why he was telling her this.
He suppressed the tumultuous thoughts in his heart until a seemingly casual remark beside him almost brought tears of grievance to his eyes.
“No,” he replied in a muffled tone. Qu Xiaojue grabbed him and asked seriously, “Tell me, why are you sad?”
Xu Wanzhi shook his head, unusually compromising: “Let’s go back. It’s getting dark.”
She held on without letting go, staring at him intently. However, he remained resolutely silent.
As they stood in this silent standoff, a joyful and clear voice broke out: “Young miss, young master, we meet again!”
It was indeed Shen Kuang from earlier.
He walked up quickly, oblivious to the tense atmosphere: “I was just thinking about how to find you to thank you, and here you are!” He scratched his head with a silly grin.
Xu Wanzhi looked at him, slowly raising an eyebrow: “Shen Kuang?
Hearing his name called in such a light yet distinctive tone, Shen Kuang laughed and quickly responded, “Yes!”
The gloom in his heart was instantly pushed away by Shen Kuang’s clear voice.
He purged his lips: “It’s late. What are you doing here?” He was sure this wasn’t a place where men easily went out at night.
At this point, Shen Kuang’s expression turned bitter: “Well, I can’t find—”
“Lost?” The precise question made him nod sheepishly. In truth, he wasn’t entirely lost, but the person his master asked him to find had eluded him all day.
Qu Xiaojue stepped forward: “Sir, it’s not appropriate to wander at this hour. You should find a place to rest.”
Shen Kuang’s head drooped: “My silver notes… are gone again…”
He had carefully kept the silver notes he found during the day, intending to exchange them at the bank, but they mysteriously disappeared again. Without money, where could he stay?
Xu Wanzhi, who had fallen into the wealthy Qu family, had never experienced the hardships of being broke or struggling. Hearing this, he looked at Shen Kuang in disbelief: “You don’t have a single coin?”
He turned to Qu Xiaojue: “Your Qu family is so large. Surely hosting someone isn’t a problem?”
She, who had never been particularly warm to anyone, especially a man she’d only met twice, looked at Shen Kuang: “Sir, my husband seems quite fond of you. Would you like to rest at our humble residence?”
Shen Kuang bashfully replied: “Won’t I be a bother?”
Xu Wanzhi retorted: “You’re already a bother. One more night won’t make a difference.” This comment made Shen Kuang look even more ashamed, but he no longer refused and followed them to the Qu residence.
His master had warned him never to stay out at night, to remain in an inn. But now, there was no inn… He had been repeatedly warned about the world’s dangers, though he hadn’t encountered any yet, and believed his master was always right.
Xu Wanzhi found this “naive boy” type only existed in novels and movies, never expecting to meet one after transmigrating. Naturally curious, he began chatting with Shen Kuang, leaving Qu Xiaojue behind.
Shen Kuang answered everything directly, scratching his head when he didn’t know something, looking adorably straightforward. Xu Wanzhi didn’t probe deeply, and they quickly arrived at the Qu residence.
Servants immediately came forward. Qu Xiaojue ordered: “Take this Sir Shen to the guest room. Provide anything he might need.”
“Yes.”
Shen Kuang was extremely grateful and thanked them profusely.
Qu Xiaojue didn’t linger, pulling Xu Wanzhi back to the room before he could say goodbye.
The evening was particularly complicated. He had essentially spent the entire day with Qu Xiaojue, already exceeding the typical interaction with a spouse. Now, she casually entered his room and sat drinking tea, showing no intention of leaving.
He walked to her side, drank some tea, and glanced toward the door, but she made no move to leave.
Xu Wanzhi finally spoke to dismiss her: “Qu family head, it’s late. If you like this tea, I’ll have it packed for you. You can go back and drink slowly!”
“What do you mean? I naturally have tea where I am,” she retorted, tapping the table edge. “Since it’s late, go take a bath and wash up. You’re weak recently, and the water will get cold.”
He looked at her speechlessly: “Please leave. I’m about to change and sleep. I have no time to entertain you.”
