Chapter 46: Fiercely Protective of His Sister

The fourth young master laughed and said, "This question is taken from the Mencius; it’s not too difficult to write about."

Hearing this, Cheng Zhilin was overjoyed and pounced over, his weight and momentum nearly knocking the fourth young master onto the soft cushion. "Cousin, dear cousin, best cousin in the world, help me write an essay!"

The fourth young master gave him a sidelong glance. "Sit properly."

Cheng Zhilin let go, grinning obsequiously. "Cousin, you’re the best—I know you wouldn’t leave me in the lurch."

Looking at his antics, the fourth young master was both amused and exasperated. "Let’s talk after we eat."

With the greatest trouble of his day resolved, Cheng Zhilin felt completely at ease, chattering away as they made their way, laughter filling the carriage.

As they spoke, the carriage stopped outside the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. The five of them alighted, and the restaurant’s attendant greeted them warmly. "Young Master Han, Young Master Cheng, you’ve brought friends for a meal! There’s a private room with elegant seating on the second floor. Please, follow me."

Inside the private room upstairs, while Cheng Zhilin was busy ordering dishes, An Yi surveyed her surroundings. In the center of the room stood an Eight Immortals table inlaid with blue-and-white floral porcelain, surrounded by six lantern-backed chairs. The street-facing wall featured four intricately carved wooden windows adorned with auspicious seasonal motifs. Opposite the windows was a curio shelf, displaying vessels that did not appear to be replicas. Beside it, on a tall stand, sat a ceramic incense burner shaped like a flower basket, wafting a faint, elegant fragrance. On the wall hung a lavish painting of peonies and golden pheasants.

Cheng Zhilin was a frequent patron and ordered with practiced ease, choosing three of the restaurant’s latest specialities: chilled melon chicken, Cloud Dream pork wrapped with flowers, and golden mushroom beef rolls, along with seven signature dishes, a balanced selection of meat, vegetables, soup, and desserts.

"Cousin, An Kang, what would you like to drink?" Cheng Zhilin asked.

"A pot of Golden Plate Dew," the fourth young master said, glancing gently at Madam Luo and An Yi. "It’s a sweet wine, not intoxicating. Madam An and Miss An can both partake."

"My mother and sister need to return to the village this afternoon, so perhaps we’ll refrain," An Kang replied apologetically.

"Then let’s have a small pot for the three of us," the fourth young master suggested with a smile.

"Great, the three of us will drink—let’s not leave until we’re tipsy!" Cheng Zhilin said heartily.

"Are you planning not to submit your essay then?" the fourth young master teased.

"Li Bai once wrote a hundred poems after drinking wine—surely this wine can..."

"Are you Li Bai, or am I Li Bai?" the fourth young master interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

Cheng Zhilin chuckled foolishly, quickly correcting himself, "Just a few modest cups, just a few."

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the ten dishes arrived one after another, along with two bowls of plain rice for Madam Luo and An Yi.

It was the first time in her life that Madam Luo had seen such a lavish meal. She stared at the table, laden with food, feeling awkward and hesitant to pick up her chopsticks.

An Kang and An Yi, by contrast, were calm and poised, their manners graceful.

A flicker of surprise passed through the fourth young master’s eyes. An Kang, studying at the academy, could be expected to observe proper etiquette. But An Yi was merely a young village girl—An Kang, busy with his studies, could hardly have taught her table manners, and the last time she had curtsied, it had been far from proper. Clearly, she’d never learned such rules, yet now she behaved with the air of a well-bred young lady. It was rather odd.

An Yi ate with single-minded focus, oblivious to the fourth young master’s probing gaze. Sitting at his side, An Kang noticed and his heart tightened. His sister was beautiful; could this wealthy young man be harboring ill intentions? No, he must hurry and get his mother and sister away. "Mother, sister, have you had your fill?" he asked quickly.

Madam Luo finished the rice in her small bowl in a few quick bites, set down her chopsticks with a sigh of relief, and said, "I’m full."

An Yi glanced at An Kang, set down her own bowl and chopsticks, and gently dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief.

"Zhilin, fourth young master, please enjoy your meal. We must take our leave—my mother and sister need to get out of the city. My apologies," An Kang said, rising and cupping his hands in a polite gesture.

Cheng Zhilin stood up as well. "You’ve barely eaten—leaving already?"

"If we’re late, we won’t be able to make it back. Sorry, truly sorry," An Kang said, bowing repeatedly as he backed toward the door.

Madam Luo and An Yi grabbed their small bundles and followed him out.

Cheng Zhilin courteously escorted the three to the door. "Madam An, little sister An, take care on your way."

The three exited the restaurant and walked more than a hundred meters before An Kang glanced back and lowered his voice. "Sister, from now on, you mustn’t sell herbs at Jihuai Hall."

An Yi was taken aback. "Why not?"

An Kang frowned deeply, hesitating, then stammered, "That fourth young master looked at you strangely."

An Yi stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Brother, how could that be? I’m only eight, a rough little village girl. He’s a wealthy young master who’s seen all manner of refined beauties—why would he take any interest in me?"

"That fourth young master is upright and treats people with politeness and courtesy. He doesn’t seem the type to harbor bad intentions. Don’t speak so carelessly and frighten your sister, or slander others’ good name without cause," Madam Luo said sternly, thinking well of the young man.

"Whether or not he has bad intentions, sister is so pretty—better safe than sorry. Let Second Brother go to sell the herbs from now on," An Kang insisted, fiercely protective.

"You have a point. Very well, let Shuanzi handle it in the future," Madam Luo agreed easily.

An Yi’s smile was radiant; the warmth and care of her family filled her with happiness.

The Hundred Flavors Pavilion was far from the southern gate, and An Kang needed to return to the academy. When they reached the street corner, Madam Luo stopped him. "Go on back—you mustn’t neglect your studies. Remember to come home on the fourteenth."

Knowing how much his mother valued his education, An Kang did not insist on accompanying them further, but stood and watched as the two left.

Madam Luo and An Yi hurried toward the south gate. As soon as they left the city, Luo Chunli, who had been anxiously waiting, hurried over. "Elder sister, what took so long?"

"We were delayed by some business," Madam Luo panted.

Luo Chunli helped her onto the cart, then lifted An Yi up. "Everyone settled? We’re off."

Madam Xinliu and her daughter had already left with Niuniu’s father in another cart. By the time their ox cart ambled back to the village, it was just after dusk, early in the evening. In early autumn, it grew dark late. With the day’s farm work done and no need to cook, the idle women sat beneath the pagoda tree at the entrance to the village, chatting.

"Qiumei is back from town—look at all those bundles. Must’ve made a pretty penny," one woman said with a mocking tone.

Madam Luo smiled without responding, taking An Yi’s hand and quickly walking past.

"If you’ve got the skills, why not go to town and sell something yourself while your man’s out, instead of making snide remarks?" someone else retorted.

None were fools; they all heard the veiled accusation that Madam Luo was behaving improperly while her husband was away, and laughter erupted.

Madam Luo’s face turned white with anger, and she turned around, ready to settle the account with the woman.