Han Li finally settled into a side room in the rear quarters of the Mo Mansion. Mo Caihuan, tactfully aware, did not linger long and soon took her leave. Her sudden transformation into a demure young lady left Han Li somewhat taken aback.
Uncertain of the Mo family’s true intentions toward him and unsure if any danger still lurked, Han Li did not truly sleep through the night. He only managed a light doze in bed.
The next morning, while still in a groggy state, he was roused by a “Bang! Bang!” knocking at his door.
“Is that little imp here?” Han Li frowned but then shook his head slightly. The steady, measured knocks were nothing like Mo Caihuan’s style. Yet, very few people knew he was staying here.
With a hint of puzzlement, Han Li found a towel to wash his face before opening the door. Outside stood a young man in his twenties with thick eyebrows and large eyes.
As soon as the young man saw Han Li, he looked him up and down, then clasped his hands in a fist and greeted him warmly, “You must be Junior Brother Han! I am Yan Ge, and by seniority, I am your eldest martial brother!”
“Yan Ge!” Han Li recalled information about this person—he was Master Mo’s first disciple.
“Haha! Although I am our master’s first disciple, my aptitude isn’t particularly good. I didn’t inherit much of his true teachings, bringing shame to our esteemed master!” Yan Ge said to Han Li with remarkable candor.
Han Li, struck by the young man’s frankness, couldn’t help but feel a sense of goodwill toward him. He quickly returned the courtesy, “Good morning, Senior Brother Yan! Please, come in and have a seat.”
“No need,” Yan Ge waved his hand with a smile. “The madams sent me here. They have matters to discuss with you, Junior Brother Han, and would like you to come over.”
Han Li was taken aback for a moment but then nodded in agreement. He closed the door and walked side by side with Yan Ge.
Yan Ge showed great interest in Han Li, asking him all sorts of questions without reservation along the way. He was particularly curious about the customs and culture of Yuezhou, inquiring in detail about many things.
As the two passed through the garden in the rear courtyard, they unexpectedly encountered a young man and woman—none other than Mo Yuzhu and Wu Jianming, whom Han Li had glimpsed from afar the previous day. The two were walking side by side in the garden, appearing very much like a couple deeply in love. This sight left Han Li with an uncomfortable feeling, as if something that belonged to him had been taken away.
The pair across the garden noticed Han Li and the others and took the initiative to approach them. When they drew near, Mo Yuzhu only gave the inconspicuous Han Li a brief glance without saying a word. However, Young Master Wu examined Han Li with a puzzled expression.
“Good morning, Senior Brother Yan! This young brother looks unfamiliar. May I ask which esteemed master’s disciple he is?” Wu Jianming asked with a smile.
“…”
Han Li had assumed that his senior brother Yan would step in to cover for him and respond on his behalf. But after waiting for what felt like an eternity, he heard no sound from the person beside him. Bewildered, Han Li couldn’t help but turn to glance at Yan Ge.
What he saw left him speechless with frustration.
At this moment, Senior Brother Yan wore a look of infatuation, staring blankly at Miss Mo Yuzhu, completely lost in a world of his own. How could he possibly respond to Wu Jianming’s question?
“I am a distant nephew of the Third Madame,” Han Li said, forced to step up himself. “I’ve come on my parents’ orders to visit her and to ask if she might help me find a position.” He deliberately put on a shy and embarrassed act, speaking in a humble tone.
“Oh, I see!” Wu Jianming lost all interest in Han Li after hearing just the first sentence. This was hardly surprising—Han Li’s appearance was utterly unremarkable, and he bore none of the characteristics of a martial artist. How could Young Master Wu not underestimate him?
Instead, Wu Jianming turned his attention to Yan Ge, displeased by his lovesick expression toward Mo Yuzhu. His face darkened—after all, the beauty beside him was his nominal fiancée.
Now standing closer to Mo Yuzhu, Han Li could clearly see the expression on her face. She frowned slightly, her face showing clear displeasure. She was evidently impatient with Yan Ge’s blatant admiration.
“Senior Brother Yan, if there’s nothing else, Younger Sister and Young Master Wu will take their leave first,” Mo Yuzhu said coldly, her apricot lips parting slightly as she offered a slight courtesy to Yan Ge. Then, she gracefully turned and left. Wu Jianming snorted at Yan Ge without another word and hurried after her.
Han Li watched their retreating figures, a strange smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He then turned to look at Senior Brother Yan, only to find him still standing there dumbly, staring in the direction they had gone.
Han Li sighed. This guy was truly a lovesick fool! But no matter how he looked at it, Miss Mo didn’t seem to have any favorable impression of him. In fact, she was probably already weary of his persistent affections.
Han Li gave Yan Ge a firm pat on the shoulder, jolting him. The dazed look on Yan Ge’s face vanished, and he finally snapped out of his stupor.
“Sorry for making a fool of myself in front of you, Junior Brother Han!” Yan Ge, now back to his senses, blushed deeply, ashamed of his earlier behavior.
“Not at all. ‘Fair maiden, gentle knight, a good match they make.’ It’s in a man’s nature—there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Han Li said with a smile, trying to comfort him.
Yan Ge, however, did not seem consoled by Han Li’s words. Instead, he smiled bitterly and said slowly, “To be honest with you, Junior Brother Han, Yuzhu and I grew up together since childhood. Although you couldn’t exactly call us childhood sweethearts who shared everything, we did develop a deep bond. Unfortunately, as she grew older, Yuzhu seemed to see me only as a brother, with no other feelings. After being rejected by her several times, I gave up any other hopes. I only wish for her to find a good husband who can make her happy for a lifetime! But whenever I see her, I still lose control and end up making a fool of myself like this.” His last words carried a self-mocking tone.
After hearing this, Han Li fell silent. Instead, he looked at Yan Ge with the kind of gaze one might reserve for a rare antique. He had only read about or heard stories of such devoted lovers but never imagined he would witness one in person.
If what the other said was sincere, he didn’t know whether to admire such devotion or secretly curse him for being foolish.
For the rest of the journey, Han Li deliberately steered the conversation to other topics to divert Yan Ge’s thoughts, helping him regain his composure. The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the small building where Han Li had stayed the previous night. There, Master Mo’s wives were solemnly awaiting Han Li’s arrival, prepared to give him a great surprise.
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