Double Deception (Part Two)

Another half a stick of incense burned away before Juanbi finally appeared, carrying a plate of fruit. Her cheeks were flushed, as if embarrassed, and she moved with an uncharacteristic shyness, quite unlike her usual brisk self. She stammered as she spoke, arousing Ye Qianran's curiosity. Picking up a small piece of watermelon skewered on a toothpick, Ye Qianran casually asked, "Why were you gone so long?"

Juanbi glanced up at her, then quickly lowered her eyes, her cheeks reddening even further.

Ye Qianran grew even more curious. Juanbi had never acted this way before. Leaning closer, she tried to guess what had happened and pressed her, "What exactly happened? Tell me."

Juanbi twisted her hands, hesitant and embarrassed. "Just now... someone... he..." She faltered, unable to continue.

"What did he do?"

Juanbi seemed to summon all her courage, stamping her foot as she said, "He... he flirted with me!"

Ye Qianran was eating watermelon when she suddenly heard this, causing her to burst into laughter, nearly choking on the fruit. She coughed until her face turned red, alarming Juanbi, who hurried to pat her back. With laughter lingering on her face, Ye Qianran steadied herself with one hand on Juanbi, covering her lips with a handkerchief in the other. After two coughs, she finally stopped and said, "That really startled me."

Juanbi's face grew even redder. She mumbled, "I didn't want to say, but you kept pressing me. Now that I've told you, you don't believe me."

Ye Qianran glanced at Juanbi’s flushed face and, feeling somewhat sympathetic, refrained from teasing her further. She took Juanbi’s hand and said seriously, "When did I not believe you? Now tell me exactly what happened. Let’s see who is bold enough to flirt with my personal maid."

Juanbi lowered her head, voice barely audible. "I don't know who he is. It's the first time I've seen him in the manor."

Ye Qianran’s heart skipped a beat. Wei Zhuang had left in the same direction Juanbi had entered from. Could it have been him?

She forced herself to remain calm. "What was he wearing?"

"He wore a stone-blue robe with a subtle pattern, walking toward the side hall. I had just entered the back garden when I ran into him. Since I’d never seen him before, I simply curtsied. Unexpectedly, he picked a rose beside him and tucked it into my hair, smiling and saying... saying what a pretty young lady I was. Then he... he even touched my face..." Juanbi could not continue.

"Disgusting," Ye Qianran said through gritted teeth, pounding the table with her fist. "That’s shameless, utterly shameless."

Juanbi glanced at Ye Qianran’s face, cautiously probing, "And he asked me to deliver a message to you."

Ye Qianran’s eyes flashed with suspicion. "What message?"

Juanbi hesitated, then pointed to Ye Qianran’s earlobe.

Ye Qianran quickly reached up, discovering that one of her earrings was missing. Suddenly anxious, she stood up abruptly, her lips bitten red. When had he taken her earring? She hadn’t even noticed. Humiliation surged within her—this was outrageous. An urge to kill rose in her; if he were here now, she would rush forward and strangle him. She felt she must do something to vent her anger, or she’d go mad. Her hand, resting on the table, touched the fruit plate; with a forceful sweep, she sent it crashing to the floor. Crimson watermelon scattered everywhere, the ceramic plate landing with a shrill, piercing sound. Juanbi was startled by the sudden action, trembling all over, immediately bowing and kneeling, tears welling in her eyes. She had no idea what had happened during her absence and thought she’d said something wrong to offend Ye Qianran. She dared not move or speak.

Ye Qianran let out a long breath. The sharp sound of porcelain shattering brought her a strange sense of relief.

Only then did Ye Qianran notice Juanbi kneeling on the ground, trembling. She hurried forward to help her up, brushing the dust from her knees and soothing her, "I’m not angry with you. Don’t be afraid."

Juanbi burst into tears, truly frightened.

"No crying," Ye Qianran threatened.

Juanbi immediately stopped, tearful eyes gazing at Ye Qianran.

Ye Qianran wiped her tears with a handkerchief, finally speaking gently, "It’s unbecoming for a young lady to cry at the drop of a hat. You mustn’t do this again."

Juanbi took the handkerchief, nodding obediently.

Ye Qianran tapped her little nose, then turned and stood by the marble balustrade, gazing at the distant pavilions and towers. A wicked smile curled at her lips as she asked, "Who’s receiving guests in the side hall—my brother, or Father?"

"It’s Master," Juanbi answered truthfully.

Ye Qianran’s smile grew even brighter.

The halls of the Ye manor were surrounded by water on three sides, with towering ancient trees behind the house, their dense foliage shielding the summer sun. With the water and shade, the area was exceptionally cool. Ye Qianran walked along the covered corridor, followed closely by Lulan and Juanbi, with a young maid carrying a tray of tea behind them. Juanbi nervously asked, "Miss, isn’t this a bit too much?"

A cold smile flickered across Ye Qianran’s face. Too much? She thought to herself, if I had poisoned him outright, that would be excessive. This is only a bit of croton seed—what’s so extreme about that? She said nothing aloud, since neither Juanbi nor Lulan knew of the feud between her and Wei Zhuang. She was acting under the pretense of avenging Juanbi, and such humiliating matters she preferred not to recall.

When they reached the corner where the corridor met the hall, Ye Qianran stopped. She turned to Lulan and whispered, "He’s never seen you. He won’t recognize you. Remember, make sure to serve him the tea on the right."

Lulan nodded, though sweat already dampened her palms. Normally more composed than Juanbi, she found this clandestine affair unnerving.

Lulan looked at Ye Qianran, finding encouragement in her gaze. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and, with the young maid, headed toward the side hall.

Ye Yuandao sat in the main seat, chatting happily with Wei Zhuang, laughter ringing through the hall.

Ye Qianran and Juanbi hid outside the door, peering in.

Lulan served the tea on the left to Ye Yuandao, who took the cup and glanced at her, puzzled. Lulan and Juanbi usually attended to Ye Qianran, so why were they here serving tea? With guests present, he could not ask, so he let it pass.

Lulan then served the remaining cup to Wei Zhuang. As Wei Zhuang accepted the tea, he seemed to scrutinize Lulan, finding her familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he’d seen her. He smiled, thinking perhaps he was imagining things.

Wei Zhuang held the tea cup, gently tapping the lid against the rim, blowing softly. The tea leaves slowly unfurled, the surface rippling slightly, a delicate aroma wafting up. Wei Zhuang inhaled, refreshed by the fragrance. Amidst the swirling scent, he suddenly remembered where he had seen her—in the lobby of the Eight Directions Inn, standing beside Ye Qianran.

Outside the door, Ye Qianran could barely contain herself. She kept peering inside, urging, "Drink it, drink it." The thought of Wei Zhuang running around with an upset stomach delighted her; she’d finally repaid his affront.

Lulan quickly withdrew, her heart pounding as if it would leap from her chest.

Once outside, Lulan gasped for breath, hiding to await news.

Juanbi, behind Ye Qianran, strained to witness the critical moment, crowding close until Ye Qianran felt uncomfortable. Turning to scold her, Ye Qianran’s sash fluttered, and in that brief moment, Wei Zhuang noticed.

He smiled quietly.

Lifting the tea to his lips, he pretended to drink.

Ye Qianran craned her neck, her anticipation swelling. He’s about to drink, about to drink!

But he set the cup down, instead laughing and discussing the art of tea with Ye Yuandao.

Ye Qianran was disappointed.

The three crouched outside, waiting through several rounds. Ye Qianran’s legs went numb from crouching, but he still hadn’t drunk. In her heart, she cursed Wei Zhuang countless times: Drink it, and may you suffer, may you be bedridden, only then will I be pleased. Yet, she never succeeded.

Ye Qianran grew impatient, her dress still wrinkled from her clenched fists, and finally left in a huff.

Wei Zhuang smiled softly, thinking such tricks could never fool him.

Back in Bamboo Snow Pavilion, Ye Qianran angrily tore the lilies from the vase and threw them across the floor—fresh flowers Lulan had arranged that morning.

Juanbi and Lulan exchanged glances, rushing to comfort her. It took much coaxing before they calmed her, though both were baffled as to why Miss bore such resentment toward a stranger.

Juanbi, in fact, felt no resentment at all. Being praised by a handsome man had delighted her, though she quickly chastised herself for such thoughts. An unmarried girl, being flirted with by a man, ought to be furious and vow never to see him again—that was the proper reaction. Juanbi began to scold herself for her lack of propriety. Still, she felt Ye Qianran’s response was overly intense. Miss was usually so composed; what had come over her today? Was she truly angry on Juanbi’s behalf?

Lulan sighed and began to clean up the scattered flowers.

A breeze drifted through the jade-green gauze windows. On the flower rack by the window, blocks of ice kept the air cool. Ye Qianran, unable to sleep at first, pondered whether Wei Zhuang had drunk the tea or not. Somehow, she found the sheep-fat jade beneath her pillow, staring at it for a while. Incense burned in the room, its subtle fragrance diffusing through the air. Outside, the sun blazed, cicadas cried incessantly from the trees, and two vats of lotus in the courtyard were parched, their leaves limp. Along the corridor, she and Lulan sat on small stools, quietly conversing. Amid gentle whispers and the sound of cicadas, Ye Qianran gradually drifted into sleep. The afternoon stretched on, unusually long.