Qiu Che never got her “next time.”

After that day, the bird whistle from next door was never heard again.

To prevent the whistle from being confused with real bird calls, Qiu Che had added her own subtle touch when crafting it—something only she could distinguish. Yet, after its first use, it was never blown a second time.

Qiu Che even had Yu Ming and Yu Yan take turns visiting that courtyard a few times. Every time, the maid Ying Chun answered the door with the same lukewarm response: her mistress wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t see guests.

Qiu Che didn’t believe it.

For a moment, she even suspected that Li Qingwu was deliberately delaying their second meeting, avoiding revealing her true identity. But considering that Li Qingwu had gone so far as to scale a wall to meet her, it seemed unlikely that she’d shy away from such a trivial matter.

It was more believable that something unexpected had happened—perhaps their interactions had been discovered, drawing someone’s displeasure.

With that thought, Qiu Che dipped her brush in ink and wrote the characters for "displeasure" on the xuan paper in front of her. She then connected it with a line to another phrase written nearby: "puppeteer."

Yu Ming, while replacing the lamp, glanced at the paper and asked, puzzled, “What is the young master writing?”

“What do you think of Miss Yue?” Qiu Che asked, her eyes on the paper, deep in thought.

Yu Ming didn’t understand the sudden question but answered dutifully, “She seems extraordinary, not someone to be underestimated.”

“Be more specific,” Qiu Che said. “Don’t be nervous; I’m just testing your investigative skills.”

Qiu Che wasn’t only educating her retainers in traditional subjects; she had also hired eccentric experts to teach them unique skills, spending the last of her savings in the process. She was now utterly broke, though Yu Ming and Yu Yan weren’t aware of this. It wouldn’t do to tarnish her image as their master.

Yu Ming considered carefully before replying, “The little monk Liaochan mentioned that Miss Yue is a noblewoman from the palace. Judging by his tone, it seems she has fallen out of favor—avoided by everyone. Even here, she’s watched constantly. She always wears a hat and veil, never showing her face... She might be a young consort.”

“But for a palace consort of such age to conceal her face…” Yu Ming hesitated and shook her head. “I can’t think of anyone.”

Qiu Che tapped her fingers on the table, her gaze distant as if lost in thought or recalling something. In a soft voice, she recited:

“Lotus-like face, willow-thin waist, unmatched allure.”＊

“Does that sound familiar?” she asked.

Yu Ming was confused. “I don’t understand... Please enlighten me.”

“A year ago, at Princess Lehe’s coming-of-age ceremony, someone used these words in a poem, pairing it with a painting of a beauty holding a fan. The emperor was delighted.”

“That same banquet saw Princess Lehe named a first-rank princess, celebrated far and wide. Since then, her title of the most beautiful woman in the capital has only grown.”

Qiu Che explained while glancing at Yu Ming, who was still racking her brain. “It seems you’re not yet well-versed in the capital’s gossip. Let me test you further—who gifted that beauty painting to the princess?”

“Yang Qiu,” Yu Ming answered quickly. “The third son of the Zhao family, an eminent noble family. Known for his literary talents, he recently placed third in the imperial exams.”

After a pause, she added, “He’s widely praised as a refined and charming gentleman. With the young master’s forced departure from the capital and the Qujiang Banquet controversy, Yang Qiu is now among the most admired scholars in the city, second only to Young Master Wu.”

Qiu Che chuckled, sensing her subtle indignation. She waved dismissively, “We’re not discussing that. Let’s go back to my earlier question—why do you think I mentioned these details?”

Yu Ming shook her head, embarrassed. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t you think,” Qiu Che arched her brows slightly, “that Miss Yue resembles Princess Lehe?”

Yu Ming’s eyes widened in shock, her hand trembling so much she almost knocked over the candlestick. “Young Master!”

That was the most beloved princess in history—how could anyone make such reckless conjectures?

“Look at you, all nervous.”

Qiu Che nonchalantly leaned back and straightened up. “It was just an idle thought. Don’t take it to heart.”

Yu Ming thought to herself, How could this be an idle thought?

Everyone knew the emperor doted on Princess Lehe like a precious jewel, raising her to be erudite and accomplished.

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If someone overheard this speculation, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Besides, how could the princess possibly be in such a remote place, under such strict watch?

Her master was brilliant, but she often acted too carefree, with little regard for consequences.

Yu Ming shook her head internally and quietly left to attend her studies.

Qiu Che sat at her desk, staring at the xuan paper for a long time before crumpling it into a ball and tossing it into the wastebasket.

Forget it.

Everything would be revealed at their next meeting.

But despite waiting over half a month, they didn’t meet again. Instead, Qiu Che grew familiar with Madam Jun through their frequent encounters.

As their casual conversations deepened, Madam Jun began treating Qiu Che like a cherished younger generation, her gaze filled with warmth and affection.

Even Yu Ming, ever skeptical, eventually stopped raising concerns, silently standing by to observe.

Until one day, while walking past the tightly shut courtyard, Qiu Che suddenly asked Madam Jun, “How did you come to know Miss Yue?”

“In a temple like this, there are only a handful of regular visitors. It’s only natural we’d come to know one another.”

Lady Jun smiled warmly. "Oh? Miss Yue didn’t mention it to you?"

Qiu Che shook her head. "Miss Yue has been unwell recently. I haven’t seen her in quite a while… Do you know how she’s doing, Madam?"

Lady Jun teased, "You care about her, don’t you?"

Qiu Che smiled but didn’t deny it.

Seeing her remain silent, Lady Jun lost interest in teasing and said, "I don’t know either. Perhaps she truly is unwell."

Then, as if she’d just remembered something, she asked, "Oh, by the way, Little Qiu, don’t you have duties to attend to?"

Qiu Che shook her head again, wearing a wry smile. "To be honest, my father is very displeased with me. He sent me here as punishment. However, the laws of Daxia state that in the absence of an imperial decree, a father’s orders are to be obeyed. I wouldn’t dare wander without permission."

Lady Jun chuckled softly, toying with the prayer beads in her hand. "That’s an old law from the previous dynasty. Why adhere to it so strictly?"

Qiu Che only sighed and shook her head, looking utterly resigned.

In the distance, clouds gathered on the horizon, the wind picking up.

“Your Grace, this is the freshly brewed gardenia tea from the temple today.”

“Leave it there.”

“Yes.”

Amidst the aroma of tea, a soft mist swirled in the room.

The abbot spoke, "Amitabha… Your Grace seems troubled today?"

Lady Jun placed a piece on the chessboard and, without denying it, smiled as she pondered. "I do have something on my mind, unsure if I should act on it. Shanyu, we’ve been friends for years. Why don’t you help me decide?"

"Please share," Shanyu replied. "If it’s within my ability, I will not refuse."

"I’ve met an intriguing young person," Lady Jun said. "I feel they might be the one I’ve been waiting for… But I’m not certain they can deliver the results I desire."

"What do you think? Should I take a gamble?"

Shanyu asked, "Do you have a better candidate?"

Lady Jun thought for a moment, recalling the memorial that had passed through many hands before finally landing on her bedside table. With a faint smile, she shook her head. "All these years, there’s only been this one."

Shanyu then asked, "So, do you wish to keep waiting?"

Lady Jun contemplated for another moment.

Finally, she placed the last chess piece, blocking Shanyu’s final path.

"No."

She answered firmly, then added in a relaxed tone, "You truly live up to your name, Shanyu. Just a few words, and you’ve helped me see clearly."

"It was your own decision all along. I merely offered a reminder," Shanyu said humbly, lowering his gaze to the chessboard before him. With palms pressed together, he intoned gently, "Amitabha… I’ve lost."

"Let’s end here for today," Lady Jun said, glancing at the tea beside her before looking out at the vast, clear sky beyond the window. Smiling, she remarked, "The skies over the capital are about to change."

As the end of the month approached, Qiu Che, who had been enjoying nearly a month of freedom, suddenly received a letter from her father.

The letter stated that three days later, there would be a banquet celebrating the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and Qiu Che was specifically named to attend. She was instructed to pack her things and return home immediately.

Yu Ming, who had developed a habit of asking questions promptly over the past month, quickly expressed her confusion. "Why would the Empress Dowager specifically name you to attend her banquet?"

As Qiu Che packed away another box of carved wooden trinkets, she replied nonchalantly, "Perhaps it’s because I’m known for my beauty?"

Yu Ming and Yu Yan: "…"

Qiu Che looked up and couldn’t help but smile at their expressions. "Why do you look like that? I’m not joking. Haven’t you heard that many sons and daughters of prominent families have been invited to this birthday banquet?"

Yu Yan suddenly thought of something, her eyes widening. "Could it be true?"

Yu Ming and Qiu Che both looked at her. "What’s true?"

Yu Yan scratched her head and explained, "A couple of days ago, while practicing martial arts near the city gates, I overheard people saying that His Majesty is already considering a marriage arrangement for the Eldest Princess… I thought it was just idle gossip among commoners, but now…"

Now, it happened to coincide with the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, and so many sons and daughters of noble families were invited.

Among the royal daughters, only the Eldest Princess was unmarried and had just reached the age of marriage.

It wasn’t unreasonable for her to connect the dots.

Yu Ming looked surprised and instinctively glanced at Qiu Che.

A thought suddenly struck her.

Yu Yan had overheard the gossip because she had gone out to practice martial arts.

But her master, Qiu Che, had spent the past month secluded in Gan Yu Temple, not stepping foot outside, she should be even more isolated from the world than a sheltered noblewoman.

So how did she know that this banquet would include many sons and daughters from noble families as soon as she received the letter?

Unless…

Unless she had already anticipated it.

Sure enough, Qiu Che showed no surprise. Calmly, she picked up her bag and said composedly, "Let’s go."

Yu Ming hesitated. "…Where to?"

Qiu Che glanced at her and quipped with a playful smile, "To attend the royal matchmaking banquet for princes and princesses."

"…”