Jiang Li had brewed over twenty jars of fruit wine half a year ago.
The steward from the Yuanwai Mansion generously purchased all the jars, even offering 20% more than the price Jiang Li had set.
After the steward left, Jiang Li couldn’t contain her excitement. She clutched the bag of silver tightly, then rolled on the couch in sheer delight.
Her first earnings! With this, how far away could Huo Jue’s white jade house be?
Standing by the door, Yang Hui Niang observed Jiang Li's unabashed joy and couldn't help but laugh. “You’re almost of age, yet you’re still so childish. Put the silver away and deliver lunch to Ah Ling later.”
Jiang Li paused mid-roll, her watery eyes blinking several times. “Ah Ling forgot to bring his lunchbox?”
“That’s right. Hurry and take it to him.”
Wouldn’t this be a perfect excuse to deliver food to Huo Jue as well?
Jiang Li jumped off the couch with enthusiasm. “I’ll make a batch of meat pies for Ah Ling too. He’s looking a bit thinner lately.”
Half an hour later
Jiang Li stood at the entrance of Zhengde Academy, holding a heavy food box.
Lunch breaks at Zhengde Academy lasted only half an hour. Most students didn’t return home to eat, instead dining within the academy grounds.
By now, it was nearly noon, and a crowd of people had gathered near the entrance, either picking up or delivering meals.
Jiang Li’s father had once taught classics and history at the academy, and the gatekeeper instantly recognized her. Without hesitation, he allowed her in.
Jiang Li walked along the winding paths of the academy. As she approached the bamboo grove, her steps faltered.
From a distance, she spotted a boy and a girl talking amidst the bamboo.
The boy, dressed simply in plain coarse cloth, stood tall and graceful, exuding an elegant charm.
The girl wore a light blue pleated skirt adorned with jingling ornaments. Her refined air spoke of years steeped in scholarly pursuit.
Jiang Li didn’t recognize the girl, but something about her presence struck a chord. She seemed akin to Huo Jue—a scholarly demeanor shaped by a lifetime of learning.
The pair stood together, their figures harmonizing like a well-matched painting.
Jiang Li felt an ache in her chest as if it had been stuffed with cotton. Her breathing hitched.
“Huo Jue,” she called out softly.
The bamboo leaves rustled in the breeze, her faint voice nearly swallowed by the sound.
Whether it was her gaze or the faint utterance of his name, something drew Huo Jue’s attention.
His expression shifted, a touch of warmth breaking through his otherwise indifferent demeanor.
After a pause, a faint smile graced his lips.
“Ah Li, come here.”
Jiang Li walked over slowly, suppressing the sourness in her heart. She forced a smile and said to Huo Jue, "I’ve brought lunch for you and Ah Ling."
Huo Jue raised an eyebrow slightly. His cold demeanor softened, like the first thaw of winter snow, bringing a subtle warmth to his expression.
“Alright, hand me the lunch box.”
Just as Jiang Li passed the lunch box to him, a round-faced girl nearby frowned and spoke sharply. “Mr. Huo, my young lady woke up before dawn to prepare lunch for you. It took her half an hour just to make the white dragon soup. There’s also bright shrimp roast, chopstick spring, and imperial yellow queen mother rice—all exquisite dishes that ordinary people can’t replicate. Why would you choose to eat these coarse meals instead?”
Her crisp, fast-paced voice carried an indignant tone, but before she could finish, Huo Jue’s expression turned icy. His eyes narrowed, and for a fleeting moment, a cold glint flickered in his gaze.
Standing to the side, Xue Zhen caught the subtle shift in his demeanor and quickly reprimanded her maid. “Suiyun, that’s enough. Be quiet!”
Suiyun, realizing her mistress was genuinely upset, clamped her mouth shut but couldn’t resist shooting a hateful glare at Jiang Li.
Huo Jue’s gaze cooled further. He cast an indifferent glance at Xue Zhen, his expression distant and unreadable.
“I’ve been accustomed to simple meals since childhood,” Huo Jue said evenly. “Miss Xue’s delicate dishes should be reserved for the headmaster. He works tirelessly for the academy and expends great effort. I believe these meals would be more fitting for him.”
Though his voice was calm and pleasant, his words struck a nerve. Xue Zhen’s face paled with embarrassment.
To outsiders, her actions might appear as though she were trying to curry favor with a man, neglecting her own father in the process. If such rumors spread, her reputation as Tong’an City’s renowned scholar and noblewoman would be tarnished.
Countless suitors had sought her hand since she came of age, and she had always prided herself on her dignity. Never had she expected Huo Jue to reject her goodwill so bluntly.
Suppressing her frustration, Xue Zhen forced a polite smile and bowed slightly. “I’ve already prepared food for my father. When I heard Mr. Huo might be here, I made an extra portion on a whim. Since Mr. Huo already has someone to deliver his meals, I won’t intrude further. Come, Suiyun.”
As she turned to leave, Xue Zhen cast a fleeting glance at Jiang Li. Her expression remained composed, even gracious. With an elegant smile, she nodded and departed with her maid.
Her demeanor was polished and approachable, with no trace of arrogance.
Jiang Li instinctively returned her smile, but as soon as Xue Zhen and her maid disappeared into the bamboo grove, she couldn’t help but pout. “Does she come here often to bring you meals?”
Noticing the hint of jealousy in her voice, Huo Jue’s lips curved into a faint smile. “No. This was the first time—and it won’t happen again.”
Jiang Li still felt uneasy, though her frustration wasn’t directed at Huo Jue. It stemmed from a mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name.
Huo Jue found a quiet spot, sat on a stone bench, and gestured for her to join him. “Ah Li, did you make today’s lunch?”
Unable to bear the thought of him going hungry, Jiang Li reluctantly nodded. “Yes, I made some pies.”
She opened the food box to reveal a bamboo tray with six palm-sized pies, their golden-brown crusts still steaming. Each pie had a unique filling: lamb, beef, pork, and egg with vermicelli.
The crust was crisp on the outside and soft within, while the fillings were savory and rich.
Huo Jue ate all six pies in one sitting. When he finished, he accepted the honey water Jiang Li offered and took a few sips, visibly satisfied.
Seeing his content expression, Jiang Li found it hard to stay upset.
After all, Huo Jue hadn’t done anything wrong. A man like him would naturally attract the admiration of countless women. If she let herself get angry every time, she’d end up like a perpetually puffed-up pufferfish—hardly an attractive look.
Instead, she resolved to show that she could match whatever others could offer, and if not, she could always learn.
Smiling lightly, Jiang Li said, “If you’d like to try that ‘spring’ dish she mentioned, I can learn how to make it for you. I pick up things quickly.”
Huo Jue, who had experienced every delicacy imaginable during his time as the chief seal supervisor, knew the value of good food. Yet no rare dish could compare to the simple pies made by Ah Li.
“You don’t need to learn anything for me,” Huo Jue said, carefully placing the bamboo tray back into the food box. His long fingers traced the intricate lotus leaf patterns on the lid as he continued, “As long as it’s made by Ah Li, I’ll love it.”
Jiang Ling stood at the school gate for what felt like an eternity before finally spotting Jiang Li approaching.
“Ah Li, why are you so slow?” he called out.
Jiang Li felt a pang of guilt. She had been so preoccupied with Huo Jue that she had completely forgotten about her brother. Fortunately, there was still some time left for lunch.
She hurriedly handed him the food box, flashing an apologetic smile. “A Ling, I’m sorry. To make it up to you, I’ll cook you a delicious duck blood vermicelli stew when you get home from school.”
Jiang Ling wasn’t upset because of hunger but out of worry. He’d feared something might have happened to his scatterbrained sister on the way. Seeing her safe and sound, he let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s a deal then. But I also want your thousand-layer meat pie,” he added with a grin.
“Done,” Jiang Li replied cheerfully.
Jiang Ling grabbed the food box and was about to head back to class when he noticed Huo Jue standing nearby. As if recalling something important, he hurriedly urged his sister, “You should go back to the tavern. Brother Huo Jue and I need to review our lessons after dinner.”
“Alright,” Jiang Li said with a laugh. She exchanged a brief glance with Huo Jue, her lips curling into a smile, before turning to leave.
As soon as she was out of sight, Jiang Ling cleared his throat and leaned closer to Huo Jue, speaking in a low voice. “Brother Huo Jue, don’t worry. Today was a fluke. I won’t let Ah Li deliver lunch tomorrow—she won’t disturb you again.”
Huo Jue fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Jiang Li, meanwhile, took the path on the other side of the bamboo grove. Deep within the forest, Xue Zhen stood watching her retreating figure, her expression unreadable.
“Find out who that girl is,” Xue Zhen said softly, her tone laced with cold determination.
Sui Yun, her maid, followed her gaze with a sneer. “From her clothes, it’s obvious she’s just some country girl. Miss, you don’t need to—”
“Why are you talking so much?” Xue Zhen cut her off, her voice sharp and icy. “Do you think it’s your place to tell me what to do?”
Realizing her mistake, Sui Yun immediately slapped herself hard across the mouth and pleaded, “Miss, I was wrong.”
Xue Zhen, however, ignored her. She lowered her gaze, hiding the storm of emotions brewing in her eyes. After a moment, her usual poised elegance returned.
Unaware that she had drawn anyone’s ire, Jiang Li returned home, grabbed a few silver coins, and headed straight to Dongyang Bookstore to find her friend Liu Yan.
“What? You want to practice calligraphy?” Liu Yan asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “You’ve always hated writing. Why the sudden interest?”
Jiang Li answered honestly, “I just want to immerse myself in the world of books.”
Liu Yan studied her for a moment before covering her mouth with a handkerchief to stifle a laugh. “You’re doing this for Mr. Huo, aren’t you?”
Jiang Li didn’t deny it. She nodded matter-of-factly.
In the past, Liu Yan had been the most scholarly woman Jiang Li knew. But after seeing Miss Xue at the academy, Jiang Li realized there were women even more accomplished and refined.
Huo Jue was destined to leave Tong’an City for Shengjing to take the imperial exams. With his talent and charm, who knew how many noble ladies would vie for his attention there?
Unlike other places, the capital was home to countless refined and intelligent women, all far superior to the likes of Miss Xue.
Jiang Li couldn’t bear the thought of Huo Jue looking down on her someday for not being cultured enough, not even able to carry out the role of a scholarly companion.
Liu Yan sighed, seeing Jiang Li’s resolve. “Yingying and I gave up on Mr. Huo long ago, but you still won’t let it go. Fine. If you want to practice calligraphy, I’ll help you.”
“Ah Yan, you’re the best!” Jiang Li exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
For the next two hours, Jiang Li practiced calligraphy alongside Liu Yan. Even after returning to the tavern, she didn’t stop. Balancing her time between brewing wine and writing, she diligently copied characters from Thousand Characters. Her efforts produced crooked lines, but she persisted.
Jiang Ling couldn’t believe his eyes.
Growing up, their father had always tried to make them practice calligraphy, but Ah Li would slip away at the first opportunity. To her, writing had always been a chore, something to be avoided at all costs.
He wondered what had prompted this sudden change.
Finally, after observing her for several days, Jiang Ling turned to Huo Jue with a puzzled expression. “Brother Huo Jue, what’s gotten into Ah Li? She’s so passionate about calligraphy, it’s like she’s aiming to top the imperial exams!”
Huo Jue’s gaze flickered briefly.
His sharp mind quickly pieced everything together.
That afternoon, Huo Jue left the academy early and waited for Jiang Li outside the bookstore.
When Jiang Li emerged, she spotted him standing under a peach tree, tall and straight like a pine.
She paused in her tracks, her heart skipping a beat.
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