Chapter Sixty-Two: The Imperial Betrothal (4)

Two days later, Ye Qianran set foot in Cloud Garden for the first time.

Cloud Garden was built at the foot of a mountain on the southern outskirts of the capital. By the time Ye Qianran found it, it was already the late afternoon. The carriage passed through a dense grove of purple bamboo, heading south, and after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, it arrived at the foot of the southern mountain. A small brook wound its way past the front of Cloud Garden, its waters making the countless pebbles shine all the more brightly and smoothly. Not far away, lush forests and layered mountains stood shrouded in clouds, half-lit, half-shadowed. Though May in the capital was already stiflingly hot, here there was a leisurely coolness. The mountain wind swept through the woods and over the brook, filling the air with the refreshing scent of leaves and wood. Ye Qianran took a deep breath and, following the stream, found Cloud Garden. Across the brook from the estate was a wild peach grove; the blossoms had long since fallen, leaving only a profusion of green leaves. The entrance to Cloud Garden was not ostentatious but elegant and understated, harmonizing perfectly with its surroundings. Ye Qianran thought to herself that Wei Manor’s master must indeed have a refined nature at heart.

Juan Bi stepped forward and knocked. After a moment, a woman in her forties opened the door. She was momentarily taken aback when she saw Ye Qianran beside Juan Bi. Ye Qianran nodded politely, her voice gentle and soft, “Is this the estate of Master Wei of Wei Manor?”

The woman smiled and nodded. “You must be Miss Ye. Please, come in.” She led them inside, and though Ye Qianran was surprised that the woman recognized her, she did not ask outright and simply followed. The woman said with a smile, “Miss Ye is even more beautiful in person.”

Ye Qianran, still puzzled, finally asked, “Have you seen me before?”

The woman glanced at her, smiling silently, making Ye Qianran a little uncomfortable. She turned her face aside to take in the scenery. They were walking across a winding bridge over water, surrounded by verdant trees whose reflections shimmered on the surface. Beyond the bridge stood a small building. Passing through it and a courtyard dense with flowers and foliage, they reached another small building, mostly veiled by trees, only a few eaves peeking through the green. The woman said, “I’m the housekeeper of Cloud Garden—you may call me Madam Hua,” and led Ye Qianran upstairs. “The young master is not home at present, but he said he would return by dusk. Since you have business with him, please wait here.”

Ye Qianran nodded with a smile. Madam Hua continued, “This is where the young master lives. Please sit for a while. I’ll make some good tea for you,” and went downstairs.

Ye Qianran examined the room. It was not like an ordinary second story with left, center, and right wings. Instead, this floor was entirely open from one end to the other, divided only by gauzy curtains separating the sleeping area, study, and sitting room, which lent the space a sense of airy ease. The study was on the left; passing through the curtains, the first thing she saw was a long row of bookshelves. On the right wall hung several paintings. Ye Qianran had intended to see what books were there, but stopped short when she caught sight of one painting. She couldn’t help but walk over—Juan Bi’s eyes widened in astonishment. The painting was unmistakably of Ye Qianran herself, so lifelike she seemed ready to step out of the frame. The gentle curve of her eyes, the dimple in her smile—these were not difficult for a skilled artist, but this painting also captured a certain spirit. Ye Qianran herself did not know whether she truly possessed such an air, but she liked it very much: a touch of allure beneath coolness, a dash of charm within liveliness. She doubted she was so captivating, but her heart was nonetheless delighted. Her gaze drifted down to the signature: Yun Kai.

It was a strange name, one she did not recognize at all.

Her heart skipped—Cloud Garden, Yun Kai. Could it be Master Wei? Was his name Yun Kai?

Madam Hua brought in the tea, and Ye Qianran stepped away from the painting. Madam Hua smiled, “Please, have some tea.” Her smile was as soft as willow catkins in spring; though lines creased her eyes, the warmth on her face could not be hidden.

Ye Qianran took the cup and sat down, asking casually, “Is Yun Kai a friend of Master Wei’s?”

Madam Hua paused, then smiled. “Yun Kai is the young master’s courtesy name. Few people know it, and he doesn’t like others to call him that.”

Ye Qianran sipped her tea. The breeze stirred the pale purple curtains, making them dance like a maiden’s fluttering robes. She set down the cup. Madam Hua sat across from her, gazing at her intently for a long while before saying with a smile, “When I used to see the young master’s painting, I thought he’d made you too beautiful. I didn’t think such beauty existed in the world. Now I see that the painting does not do you justice.”

Ye Qianran smiled faintly. She had heard many such compliments, yet Madam Hua’s words felt genuinely pleasant—servant like master, she thought; Madam Hua must have served Wei Manor for a long time.

“You flatter me, Madam Hua. Isn’t the famed Lady Qingcheng more beautiful than I?” she said without much thought, but Madam Hua was startled.

“I’ve heard Lady Qingcheng is very beautiful, but I’ve never met her,” she replied.

Ye Qianran was taken aback. “She… has never been here?”

Madam Hua shook her head. “I’ve only heard the young master mention her a few times, but I’ve never seen her. Very few people are ever allowed into Cloud Garden. You, Miss, are an exception.”

Ye Qianran was stunned, at a loss for words.

As she chatted with Madam Hua, the sun dipped lower, not yet set. Madam Hua said, “The young master should be back soon. I’ll go greet him,” and made a respectful curtsey before leaving.

The windows all around were wide open, and the wind came in bursts. The spacious room was filled with swirling curtains. Ye Qianran stood by the window; from there, she could see behind the building, where strange rocks and shimmering waters intertwined, trees encircling the scene. The winding bridge reached into the center of the lake, a ginkgo tree’s reflection danced upon the water, and the wind sent ripples across the surface. There was none of the northern architecture’s grandeur, but rather the quiet elegance of a southern water town. Occasionally, a leaf would twirl and drift down to the water—a perfect scene in itself.

Leaning on the window, her long, inky-black hair lifted by the breeze, she reached out toward a ginkgo leaf jutting in. She was just a bit too short. Unwilling to give up, she rose on tiptoe, one hand bracing the window frame, the other stretching for the fan-shaped leaf. Just as her slender fingers brushed it, her heart leapt with joy—yet another hand reached out faster from beside her, plucking the leaf for her.

Startled, Ye Qianran turned instinctively, too quickly, and bumped into his chin. He grunted softly. Looking up, Ye Qianran saw Wei Manor’s master—handsome as ever, his obsidian eyes calm as an unruffled lake beneath a clear sky. His voice, low and alluring, murmured, “All this effort for a single leaf?”

Ye Qianran realized she was almost encircled in his arms. Whether she had grown used to his teasing or simply trusted him, she felt no discomfort at all.

Remembering her purpose, she met his gaze and asked, “Why?”

He seemed not to understand, stepping back as he released her. “Why what?”

“How could you bear to part with Lady Qingcheng?” Ye Qianran asked, looking up at him.

Wei Manor’s master smiled faintly. “As long as I help you with Zhang Yu, why should you care how I do it?” Ye Qianran stared at him, as if trying to see through him, yet unsure if she could. “I’ll deal with Zhang Yu for you, but you’ll have to handle your father. If he doesn’t agree, the plan cannot proceed. So, tell me—have you convinced your father?”

Ye Qianran kept her gaze on him. “I haven’t told him yet.”

The wind lifted her black hair, and his cobalt robes fluttered. Leaves danced behind them in the evening breeze. The sunset painted the sky in rich hues, birds circled homeward, and the air was moist and fragrant. The two of them by the window made all the scenery pale in comparison.

Wei Manor’s master smiled. “You don’t have much time, and from what I know, Old Master Ye is not likely to agree easily.”

Ye Qianran remained still, her face serious. “I’m afraid you’ll regret it. I wanted to be sure of your intentions. You can still change your mind.”

He stared at her, a mysterious smile curving his lips. “You’re afraid. Afraid I’m paying too high a price, afraid you’ll owe me a debt you cannot repay.”

Ye Qianran bit her lip, silent.

“The only reason you agreed in the first place was because I promised you could back out. You’re afraid that if I pay such a price, you’ll have no way to refuse—if you did, your conscience would never forgive you, for you hate to owe anyone. But I’ll tell you again: marrying me is just a condition. If you’re unwilling, I will never force you. Whether you can forgive yourself is not my concern.”

Her lips were bitten red as she looked up at the man who saw through her heart, unsure what to feel. He had given her the ultimate choice. The exchange was like marked goods in a jade shop—choose one, pay the price. Yet he allowed her to take without paying. He was a businessman; he knew he’d be at a loss, but still gave her this chance. She wasn’t foolish; this exchange only benefited her. But for him… how could such a shrewd merchant do something like this?

He turned lightly away. “So go ahead and convince Old Master Ye. As for me, you needn’t worry—I won’t back out.”

“Why are you so good to me?” she asked.

His body stiffened, but he neither turned nor answered.

“You gave me a precious zither, risked everything to save me, suffered injuries without a word, and now you help me again—why?”

He turned to face her, his gaze deep as ink, something unfathomable flickering there and vanishing at once. Only the sound of the purple curtains fluttering filled the spacious room. Ye Qianran’s heart began to race, as if waiting for his next words, as if she already knew what he would say—yet why was she waiting, why did her heart pound? She did not know herself.

Her heart leapt to her throat.

He looked at her for a long time before speaking slowly. “When a man is good to a woman, what reason does he need except that he wants her? There’s nothing I’ve wanted in this life that I haven’t obtained—you are no exception.”

Her heart sank, yet she felt relieved, not knowing if it was relief or disappointment.

He tilted his head at her. “Once Lady Qingcheng enters the Ye household, she’ll take your place. In public, before all, you will no longer be Ye Qianran, but someone living in the shadows for the rest of your life. If you’re willing, go and persuade Old Master Ye and his wife. In three days, I’ll send Lady Qingcheng into the Ye household. As for Zhang Yu, rest assured—I will handle him.”

The wind grew fiercer, making the curtains dance wildly.

Outside, the setting sun was like blood, casting the garden in a dreamlike glow. Wei Manor’s master escorted her to the city gate before turning back.