Jiang Li walked back to the tavern unsteadily, her ears buzzing.
Huo Jue had just asked her if what she said that day still counted. She hesitated before replying, "It counts, it counts," to which he simply smiled and said, "OK."
"OK."
Jiang Li blinked in disbelief, trying to convince herself guiltily, "So, he agreed? He didn’t accept anyone else’s gifts, only my purse. That must mean... he has feelings for me too."
"Who? Who has feelings for you?" Jiang Ling, her twin brother, emerged from the house, his sharp gaze freezing on her flushed face. "What’s wrong with your face? Why is it so red it looks like it’s bleeding?"
Startled, Jiang Li quickly touched her cheek with the back of her hand—it was indeed burning hot. She fanned herself awkwardly and stammered, "I’m... hot. Don’t you feel hot?"
Hot?
The cold snap had persisted for days—how could it be hot?
Jiang Ling narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Did you go to see Brother Huo Jue again?"
"..."
Jiang Li shot him a glare and hissed, "Keep your voice down! Don’t let Mother hear."
The downside of having a twin brother was that Jiang Ling could always guess what she was thinking.
Jiang Ling sighed wearily. "Sister—"
Jiang Li, sensing a lecture incoming, interrupted hastily, "No, listen to me first."
She glanced toward the back kitchen of the tavern, then dragged Jiang Ling into the flower hall and spilled the story of what had just transpired.
Jiang Ling listened intently, and when she finished, he cleared his throat. "So, you gave Brother Huo Jue a purse full of money, and he not only accepted it but also agreed to be your... child husband?"
Jiang Li nodded vigorously.
Silence fell over the flower hall.
Jiang Ling stared at her for a long moment, then sighed and spoke earnestly. "Ali, it’s nighttime, but you’ve started dreaming too early. I know Brother Huo Jue well. There’s no way he would accept your purse and say such things. You need to keep your feet on the ground."
Jiang Li pouted in frustration.
---
At the Su family pharmacy...
Huo Jue stood alone in the dim room, clutching the lake-green purse tightly.
Lifting it to his nose, he inhaled deeply, the faint fragrance lingering in his senses.
The boy closed his eyes, his pale lids concealing the storm of emotions swirling within.
Nearly two decades of surviving the treacherous palace had extinguished the gentle boy Ali once liked. What remained was a man of steel, a cold and ruthless jianjun (Seal Supervisor).
But what did it matter?
Huo Jue opened his eyes abruptly, his gaze resolute. His lips curved into a faint smile.
If Ali likes it, then I’ll simply become the Huo Jue she wants.
It was just a mask—he could wear it again.
Huo Jue strode back to his room. After a moment’s contemplation, he wrote two letters, sealed them with wax, and placed them in a bamboo mailbox.
---
At dawn...
Jiang Li woke early, stretching lazily before heading to the kitchen. She expertly prepared pickled cabbage and minced meat noodles, filling the small space with a tantalizing aroma.
Jiang Ling shuffled in, yawning. The scent of breakfast made his stomach growl, and he eagerly reached for a bowl—only to have his hand slapped away by Jiang Li.
"These two bowls are for Mother and me. Yours is over there."
Jiang Ling looked at the plain vegetarian soup noodles in front of him, shocked. "Why don’t I get any pickled cabbage or minced meat?"
Jiang Li merely gave him a pointed look.
Realization dawned on Jiang Ling.
She’s still upset about what I said yesterday...
With a sigh, Jiang Ling decided to make amends. "Ali, you’re not dreaming. Brother Huo Jue must truly care for you, or he wouldn’t have accepted your purse or spoken to you like that."
Jiang Li beamed, immediately ladling a generous scoop of pickled cabbage and minced meat into his bowl.
Jiang Ling: "...So it really was because of what I said yesterday."
---
On Academy Street...
The twins walked toward Qingtong Mountain under the pretense of gathering mulberries. As they neared the academy, a commotion caught their attention.
In the distance, Huo Jue stood surrounded by a group of young ladies, each vying for his attention. Jiang Li immediately recognized the familiar faces—Miss He from Xiliu Street with her sachet and Miss Mo from Nanyuan Street with her string bracelet.
Jiang Li bit her lip, torn between stepping forward and retreating.
Before she could decide, Huo Jue’s cold voice rang out: "You’re blocking my way."
The commanding tone, coupled with his frosty demeanor, silenced the crowd. His sharp gaze, like hidden swords, sent a chill through the air.
The young ladies faltered, retreating under the weight of his presence. Only Miss He attempted to salvage the moment. "Mr. Huo, we’re not trying to trouble you. We just want to give you some small gifts—"
But Huo Jue brushed past her without hesitation, his words cutting: "Miss, please respect yourself."
His voice was steady—neither too soft nor too loud—and his measured tone carried an unmistakable edge, each word laced with an undercurrent of hostility and a faint trace of menace.
Huo Jue had rejected people before, often with impatience, but never with the kind of intimidation that left others visibly unsettled as it did now.
He Si Niang's eyes brimmed with tears, and with a choked sound of embarrassment, she turned and fled.
The other young ladies, shaken by his imposing demeanor, quickly followed suit, dispersing without another word.
Jiang Ling seized the moment to jolt Jiang Li from her daze. “Did you hear that? Brother Huo Jue doesn’t like it when young ladies are too clingy. Ah Li, stop hovering around him all the time—you’ll just annoy him.”
Ordinarily, Jiang Li would have argued back, pressing him to explain what exactly he meant by "annoying."
But this time, she didn’t even register Jiang Ling’s words. Her mind was preoccupied, replaying the scene of Huo Jue’s icy, unwavering rejection of the others.
That strange, inexplicable feeling stirred in her again.
Huo Jue... he seemed different somehow.
Perhaps sensing her gaze—or hearing Jiang Ling’s voice—Huo Jue suddenly turned around. His eyes skimmed over Jiang Ling but stopped squarely on Jiang Li.
In an instant, the cold sharpness of his features softened. His aloof gaze warmed, and his eyes, like deep pools, reflected her charming face, radiant and soft as crabapple blossoms.
Jiang Li’s heart, which had been tangled with uncertainty, eased as she met his gaze.
There it was again: the familiar indifference in his expression, the cool, jade-like aura surrounding him. Nothing had changed.
It had to be her imagination—an illusion brought on by a restless night’s sleep.
Huo Jue was still the Huo Jue she adored. Could it really be that he had turned into some sort of painted skin demon? One who wore Huo Jue’s face but harbored something unfamiliar beneath?
Ridiculous!
She chuckled at her own wild imagination.
The spring sun was bright, and catkins floated lazily in the breeze.
The beautiful, innocent girl smiled at the elegant boy.
"Ah—CHOO!"
Unfortunately, the serene moment was shattered by Jiang Ling’s loud sneeze.
Rubbing his nose, Jiang Ling glanced at Huo Jue and then at Jiang Li. Thinking about how Huo Jue had just been surrounded by a gaggle of eager young ladies, he decided it was better for his sister not to linger and potentially cause trouble.
"Ali, Huo Jue and I are heading into the academy. You should go pick mulberries quickly. If you wait any longer, the sun will be too harsh," Jiang Ling urged.
Jiang Li nodded absentmindedly, but her eyes remained fixed on Huo Jue.
She let go of her random thoughts and felt a wave of satisfaction. Huo Jue’s firm rejection of He Si Niang earlier was exactly what she had hoped for.
Since he had agreed to be her child husband, it was only right that he uphold the virtues of a gentleman.
"Then I’ll head to the mountains," she said cheerfully, her lips curving into a smile. "When you finish school, I’ll make something delicious for you."
Her virtuous child husband deserved a reward, after all.
---
Jiang Ling watched her skip away, humming to herself. For a moment, he wondered aloud, "What’s she so happy about?"
Unable to make sense of it, he shook his head and turned to another matter. "By the way, Brother Huo Jue, the exam results should be announced today, right?"
Tong’an City was under Changzhou Prefecture's jurisdiction. The county exam and prefectural exam were held annually, and only by passing the prefectural exam could one qualify for the academy exam, held twice every three years.
Jiang Ling hadn’t taken the exam this year, but Huo Jue had sat for the county exam.
"Yes, it’s today," Huo Jue replied calmly.
In the fifth year of Chengtai, he had swept the top ranks in the county, prefectural, and imperial exams, earning the title of "Little Triple First". That August, he achieved first place in the provincial examination in Changzhou Prefecture.
At that time, the people of Tong’an City had eagerly anticipated Huo Jue winning yet another accolade when he reached Shengjing, bringing fame to the students of Tong’an.
But fate had intervened cruelly.
Because of Xu Shuyao, he missed the joint examination and lost his chance to stay in Shengjing.
Huo Jue’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about it. If he wanted to successfully participate in the joint examination this time, Xu Shuyao would have to be dealt with.
As soon as the two entered the academy, Huo Jue was summoned to the headmaster’s residence, Qionglu Mountain House.
---
The Mountain House, nestled in a bamboo grove, served as the retreat for generations of headmasters. With its tall, lush greenery, it was also known as the Bamboo House.
Xue Mao, the current headmaster, was seated in the shade of the bamboo, leisurely brewing tea. Tall and elegant, he had a distinguished air, further accentuated by his glossy black beard.
Huo Jue stepped through the bamboo forest and bowed deeply, despite Xue Mao’s good-natured wave.
"No need for formalities," Xue Mao said with a hearty laugh.
Huo Jue ignored the gesture, bowing respectfully.
In his past life, Xue Mao had severed ties with him after Huo Jue’s betrayal of the court, condemning him as a traitor. Yet, Huo Jue had never forgotten Xue Mao’s early guidance and kindness.
"This student greets the headmaster."
"Sit, sit," Xue Mao said, pouring two cups of tea. "Today is the day of the county exam results. Do you know your ranking?"
"First," Huo Jue answered with quiet confidence.
Xue Mao raised an eyebrow, studying the young man. His face was calm, devoid of arrogance or joy, as though the result were already expected.
"You judge yourself accurately. Yes, you’ve secured first place." Xue Mao finished his tea in one swift motion. "The county magistrate intends to hold a banquet in your honor. He asked me to deliver the invitation. Will you attend?"
Huo Jue pondered briefly before shaking his head. "It’s only the county exam. Besides, my uncle is gravely ill, and I have no intention of celebrating."
Xue Mao stroked his beard approvingly. "Wise choice. No matter how talented you are, the road to success requires passing through many trials. You’ve only crossed the first threshold. Don’t become complacent or overly ambitious."
"This student will remember the headmaster’s teachings."
Satisfied, Xue Mao tested Huo Jue’s knowledge for another half hour before dismissing him.
---
As Huo Jue left the bamboo forest, he unconsciously stroked the purse in his sleeve. A rare softness crept into his cold features.
Just as he was about to leave, a gentle voice called out from behind him.
"Mr. Huo, please wait."
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