047【Encounter】

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“Qingluan, how long do you plan to stay in the capital this time?”
Madam Cui’s tone was gentle, and the slight unfamiliarity from their first meeting had long since vanished.
Shen Qingluan responded obediently, “I expect to return to Jiangnan early in the new year.”
Madam Cui looked somewhat puzzled and asked, “With the year’s end approaching, why would you come to the capital at this time?”
Shen Qingluan replied, “To be honest, my father sent people to open a branch in the capital. Initially, everything went smoothly, but then some complications arose. Our family’s business focus is in the south; my father is truly unable to leave, and my younger brothers are still little. So I volunteered to come to the capital myself. Once the branch here operates smoothly, I will set off back home.”
Madam Cui looked at her with concern and asked, “Is it a troublesome matter?”
“Not really,” Shen Qingluan shook her head slightly and explained, “My father sent experienced and steady managers to the capital, but they still need to recruit many local staff and smooth over official connections. Some errors occurred in the process, and the managers had no authority to decide, so I had to come personally. Please rest assured, Aunt, it’s nothing serious. I will resolve it promptly.”
Only then did Madam Cui feel relieved and said, “Your late father was very devoted to the Xue family. Now that your family encounters difficulties, don’t hesitate to seek help from us. Though my late husband is no longer alive, the Xue family still has some standing among old friends in the capital. Your brother Xue Huai has also entered officialdom; if there’s any way he can assist, just ask.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” Shen Qingluan bowed her head, then addressed Xue Huai, “I’ll trouble you, Tutor Xue.”
Xue Huai calmly said, “Miss Shen, no need for formalities.”
Their manner remained politely courteous as before. Madam Cui didn’t press them to become more familiar, so she shifted the topic and continued chatting with Shen Qingluan about the Jiangnan scenery.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shen Qingluan noticed Madam Cui looked a bit weary and took the initiative to say, “Aunt, I know the Xue family upholds strict propriety and would not accept gold or silver trinkets disrespectfully. So this time, I brought specialties from Jiangnan as a small token of my respect; please do not refuse.”
Earlier, Moyun had mentioned that the Shen family’s gifts this time filled an entire cart; since Shen Qingluan said these were from Jiangnan, it showed the sincerity of their intentions.
Madam Cui sighed, “You are so thoughtful. Over the years, your family has never forgotten us Xues, and the etiquette has never ceased. I am truly humbled.”
“Please don’t say that, Aunt,” Shen Qingluan softly replied. “My father often says that if it weren’t for Uncle Xue’s help back then, the Shen family would have been ruined long ago. How could we ever forget such great kindness? Tonight’s small offering is but a fraction of that gratitude.”
Madam Cui was quite moved and wanted her to stay for a meal.
Shen Qingluan politely declined, “It’s my first visit; I dare not impose. I will come again another day.”
Madam Cui grew even fonder of her measured demeanor and asked, “Where will you stay during your time in the capital?”
Shen Qingluan answered, “Before coming to the capital, my family purchased a residence in Yongye Lane, West City. I am living there now.”
“That’s not very close…” Madam Cui pondered briefly then turned to Xue Huai, “Huai’er, since your Shen family sister is new here and unfamiliar with the area, escort her back.”
Xue Huai rose and replied, “Yes, Mother.”
Shen Qingluan smiled and thanked him.

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Soon, outside the main gate, Shen Qingluan, supported by her maid, climbed into the lacquered carriage. Xue Huai took the reins from the attendant Li Shun, mounted his horse, and escorted the carriage out of the Xue mansion.
As they were about to leave Dayong Lane, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing Shen Qingluan’s composed and elegant face. “Tutor Xue, I have some urgent matters to discuss. May I speak with you inside the carriage?”
Xue Huai was slightly taken aback. Looking into her clear eyes and recalling Madam Cui’s earlier advice, he nodded, “Very well.”
The carriage interior was spacious—Shen Qingluan sat with her personal maid, and with Xue Huai, it felt more than roomy.
“Miss Shen, what troubles has your family’s business encountered in the capital?”
Xue Huai asked bluntly. He figured that if Shen Qingluan traveled so far to the capital, the Shen family’s business must be facing serious obstacles, struggling in the capital and possibly at risk of failure. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have hurried here at the year’s end.
He was not one to meddle unnecessarily, but given the friendship between the Xue and Shen families, he could not simply stand by.
The carriage fell into silence.
Xue Huai noticed the maid sitting quietly in the corner, head bowed as if half-asleep.
His gaze shifted to Shen Qingluan, who pursed her lips slightly, her face full of grievance. If she shed a few tears, she could easily perform the role of a lovesick woman betrayed by a faithless man.
Before Xue Huai frowned, Shen Qingluan pitifully said, “Brother Huai, do you really not remember me?”
A question mark slowly formed on Xue Huai’s forehead.
Shen Qingluan went on, “Back in Yangzhou, Brother Huai was always so kind to me. Whenever there was something delicious or fun, you would immediately share it with me. At that time, the Shen family was in a difficult situation; my parents were preoccupied with business and had little time for me. It was you who tried to comfort me and took me around the city and countryside. Whenever someone bullied me, you were the first to stand up for me.”
Her voice choked with emotion as she looked at Xue Huai. “Brother Huai, don’t you remember any of this?”
Xue Huai found it hard to reconcile this person before him with the refined young lady he had met earlier.
This was more than a split in image—it was as if they were two entirely different people.
He kept calm and said, “Miss Shen, that was so long ago…”
“You never called me Miss Shen before.”
Shen Qingluan interrupted him sharply, then asserted, “You always called me Luan’er.”
Xue Huai instinctively retorted, “But you also called me Tutor Xue.”
Shen Qingluan whispered, “That was in front of Aunt. As a junior, how could I be so presumptuous?”
At this moment, Xue Huai understood—this was Shen Qingluan’s true nature, and the earlier grace and etiquette were merely formalities she had to observe.
Which was perfectly reasonable.
Just as Xue Huai maintained different demeanors before the emperor, Xue Minglun, and Shen Wang, people could not always act on impulse.
Even someone as distinguished as Jiang Li could not do so.
Seeing his silence, Shen Qingluan cautiously asked, “Brother Huai, are you angry?”

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“No.”
Xue Huai shook his head, hesitating slightly, “I just didn’t expect you to remember things from twelve or thirteen years ago so clearly.”
Shen Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled lightly, “Because those years were not happy for me, but your care and help made them less unbearable. After you left Yangzhou, I had people inquire about you over the years to know how you were doing.”
Xue Huai found this interesting. He, too, wanted to know how an observer had viewed his past years, so he asked with interest, “Tell me about it.”
Shen Qingluan adjusted her posture and moved a little closer to Xue Huai, recounting in detail, “After Uncle Xue passed away, I worried about Aunt and you, but my father said you had been strong since childhood and wouldn’t be crushed by grief. Indeed, just as he said, you not only weren’t defeated by sorrow but also passed the provincial and metropolitan examinations smoothly, becoming the youngest newly minted third-ranking graduate in Da Yan’s history. You can’t imagine how happy I was to hear this good news.”
“I thought your future would be smooth, or at least not full of hardships. Yet, the news from the capital increasingly worried me. You struggled in officialdom, and the public’s evaluation of you worsened. But I never believed those slanders. I know you sought to serve the people, but the court’s situation was complicated and not something you alone could solve.”
“I was afraid you couldn’t bear such pressure. But our family only has connections in Jiangnan and cannot influence the capital’s power brokers. So I discussed with my parents opening a Shen family branch in the capital. Even if it can’t help you much, at least it can expand your network so you don’t have to face those difficulties alone.”
Her bright eyes shone with vivid colors.
Xue Huai was deeply moved and slowly asked, “So you came to the capital for the Xue family?”
“More precisely, for Brother Huai.”
Shen Qingluan responded openly, then added, “Of course, I didn’t lie to Aunt. The branch in the capital did encounter some trouble, but that’s not the main reason for my coming. A few months ago, I received news from the capital that your situation… was worsening. I feared something might happen to you, so I came early, originally planning to arrive after the new year.”
The young girl’s emotions were passionate and resolute, showing no desire to hide them.
Since coming into this world, no matter what emotions Xue Huai displayed, inside he always drew a line—on one side was himself, on the other were everyone else.
No one could cross that line to earn his absolute trust. At present, only Madam Cui came closest, followed by his mentor Shen Wang.
Now, Shen Qingluan appeared like a sharp sword, rapidly approaching that line with unimaginable speed.
Xue Huai steadied himself and said, “Miss Shen—”
She responded with a somewhat melancholic expression.
He corrected himself, “Qingluan, thank you for your kindness.”
Her expression brightened immediately. She knew that after nine years apart, Xue Huai was known for his aloof and self-respecting nature in court and society; intimacy could not be achieved so quickly. This progress was already a pleasant surprise, so she said plainly, “Brother Huai, you helped me so much back then, and now I just want to do my best to repay you.”
“As long as I can help you, I am happy.”
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(Deepest thanks to the esteemed benefactor “Yiding” for the generous support!)