Chapter 84: It Seems You Two Share Quite a Close Relationship!

“Oh? I would love nothing more than to spend time in your study, admiring your calligraphy and paintings, or perusing your collection of books. But I fear I might disturb you while you entertain your friends and confidants,” Zhang Xiaolan said, gradually leading the conversation to the issue at hand. Yet Li Rui seemed almost naïve, failing to catch the obvious undertones in her words. Had he understood, he would have realized precisely what she meant.

“How could you disturb me? Did you not say you wished to learn painting? Tomorrow, once I return from court, I shall teach you myself,” Li Rui replied enthusiastically, recalling the promise he had made to her at the villa. He always kept such matters close to his heart.

“I worry others will mistake me for your favored maid, bossing me about with an air of authority and hostility. You certainly have more than your share of admirers, Li Rui—some bold enough to come knocking at your own gates!” she said, putting particular emphasis on the words “favored maid.”

Zhang Xiaolan wondered if Li Rui had heard about the events at midday, or if he was simply pretending ignorance here. Regardless, she was determined to get to the bottom of the matter. Li Rui was always courteous and proper with others, but she was uncertain how he truly treated Miss Fu. Though Xiao Lian had tried to explain, her words were but one person’s opinion; if one wished to know the truth, it was always best to ask the person in question.

“Lanlan, Miss Fu is merely a guest—she may be a little spoiled, but you shouldn’t let what she said trouble you,” Li Rui said hastily, but Zhang Xiaolan would not let the matter drop.

Only then did Li Rui realize that her earlier words had been pointed, meant to provoke. He had hoped she would not bring up the subject again, yet clearly, the mention of “favored maid” had wounded her. He blamed himself bitterly—he should have ensured the entrance was properly guarded, never allowing Miss Fu to barge in, and now, worst of all, she had run headlong into Zhang Xiaolan.

“Oh, is this a defense? It would seem the two of you share quite a bond! It appears our own fate has run its course. I would never force you to abandon your resplendent peony for a humble, nameless wild azalea such as myself,” Zhang Xiaolan said with a mournful air, employing a metaphor. Xiao Lian could not tell if her words were sincere or in jest, and anxiously found herself unable to interject.

“Lanlan, that’s not what I meant at all. There is nothing between us. Her grandfather and father are high officials in the court—I spoke for her out of courtesy, nothing more,” Li Rui confessed, having no other recourse but honesty. He had always treated Miss Fu as a child, but once he learned of her feelings, he had gone out of his way to avoid her.

“But Miss Fu is clearly one of your admirers. She comes and goes from your residence as if it were her own garden. One day she might declare she wants to marry you, and with her powerful relatives petitioning the emperor for a royal decree, I doubt you could refuse. Should that day come, it would surely mark the end for us,” Zhang Xiaolan said, watching Li Rui grow increasingly flustered as he continued to defend Miss Fu. Since the joke had begun, she thought to add a little more fuel to the fire. Yet it was not entirely a joke—who could say what the future would bring?

“Lanlan, I would never let that happen. No matter what, my heart will remain yours alone,” Li Rui vowed, Zhang Xiaolan’s words striking him like a wake-up call. Yet he thought to himself that the Fu family would never willingly give their cherished daughter to him. Fu Yan was nearly eighteen and surely soon to be betrothed, but if there were better prospects, the emperor himself had not yet chosen an empress.

“Oh? I would love nothing more than to spend time in your study, admiring your calligraphy and paintings, or perusing your collection of books. But I fear I might disturb you while you entertain your friends and confidants,” Zhang Xiaolan said again, returning to the question in earnest. Yet Li Rui remained oblivious, failing to discern the deeper meaning in her words.

“How could you disturb me? Did you not say you wished to learn painting? Tomorrow, once I return from court, I shall teach you myself,” Li Rui repeated, eager to fulfill his promise.

“I worry others will mistake me for your favored maid, bossing me about with an air of authority and hostility. You certainly have more than your share of admirers, Li Rui—some bold enough to come knocking at your own gates!” she said once more, her voice lingering on the phrase “favored maid.”

Zhang Xiaolan remained uncertain whether Li Rui had heard of what had transpired at midday, or if he was merely feigning ignorance. Nevertheless, she was resolved to have clarity.

“Lanlan, Miss Fu is merely a guest—she is a little spoiled, but do not let her words trouble you,” Li Rui implored, but Zhang Xiaolan would not relent.

At last, Li Rui realized all too clearly that Zhang Xiaolan’s earlier remarks had been deliberate. He had hoped she would not bring up the subject again, but nonetheless, the mention of a “favored maid” had wounded her. He reproached himself bitterly—he should have seen to it that the entrance was well guarded, never letting Miss Fu barge in, and now, worst of all, she had run into Zhang Xiaolan directly.

“Oh, is this a defense? It would seem the two of you share quite a bond! It appears our own fate has run its course. I would never force you to abandon your resplendent peony for a humble, nameless wild azalea such as myself,” Zhang Xiaolan said, her tone tinged with sorrow, employing metaphor. Xiao Lian could only watch anxiously, unable to interject.

“Lanlan, that’s not what I meant at all. There is nothing between us. Her grandfather and father are high ministers of the court—I spoke for her only out of courtesy,” Li Rui admitted, finally speaking plainly. He had always regarded Miss Fu as a child, but since learning her feelings, he had done his utmost to avoid her.

“But Miss Fu is clearly one of your admirers. She comes and goes from your residence as if it were her own garden. If one day she proclaims she wishes to marry you, and her influential family petitions the emperor for a marriage decree, you may well be powerless to refuse. Should that day come, it would surely mean our parting,” Zhang Xiaolan said, seeing Li Rui’s face grow even more flustered as he persisted in explaining. Since the jest had begun, she thought to embellish it, yet in truth, who could say what the future might bring?

“Lanlan, I would never let that happen. No matter what, my heart belongs solely to you,” Li Rui replied with conviction, her words striking him as a sudden revelation. Yet he felt certain the Fu family would never wish their cherished daughter to marry him. Fu Yan was nearly eighteen and surely soon to be promised to another, but if there were a better match, even the emperor himself had not yet chosen an empress.