Chapter Seventeen: A Chance Encounter at the Tavern

“Isn't that General Zhao Ran?”
“Yes, and standing beside him must be the Crown Prince of Zhou, right?”
“One is a celestial figure, the other from the mortal realm—how could they be together?”
“Look, the general seems annoyed with the crown prince already.”

The crowd murmured among themselves. Zhou Jingxuan snorted and turned away in the opposite direction.

Lin Zhaoyan swaggered confidently into the Drunken Spring Pavilion, making her way to the innermost private chamber.

Only after ordering the dishes did she realize she hadn’t arranged the meeting spot with Zhou Jingxuan in advance.

The table was laden with dishes, yet Zhou Jingxuan was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, a rapid but faint knocking sounded at the door.

Lin Zhaoyan opened it to find Zhou Jingxuan slipping quickly inside.

“The inspections here are way too strict. Is this a restaurant or a prison?” Zhou Jingxuan patted his chest, relieved.

“On the way here, I heard that the Drunken Spring Pavilion often hosts many officials and nobles because its dishes are the finest and confidentiality is guaranteed.”

Zhou Jingxuan curled his lip disdainfully. “Such publicity is surely exaggerated.”

“True, if it were truly secure, the Crown Prince wouldn’t have been able to sneak in.”

“That’s because I’m capable,” Zhou Jingxuan defended himself.

Lin Zhaoyan nodded in agreement. “Indeed, the Crown Prince has both the miraculous healing touch and the keen eye for reading people. I truly admire that. Here’s a cup of tea instead of wine, to toast the Crown Prince—thank you very much.”

Zhou Jingxuan raised his cup. “I dare not accept such praise. It is the general who is brave in battle and beloved by the people.”

They exchanged polite compliments before clinking their cups.

“I ordered some dishes at random. I hope they suit your taste. You can order more if you like.”

“I love to eat.” Zhou Jingxuan raised his chopsticks cheerfully and was about to pick up a piece of Dongpo pork when the door to the private room was knocked again.

“...” Zhou Jingxuan’s hand froze mid-air, his face full of displeasure.

Lin Zhaoyan smiled faintly. “Ignore it.”

“Knock, knock, knock.” The knocking continued.

“Sss—” Zhou Jingxuan put down his chopsticks and looked around for a place to hide.

After a quick glance, he spotted a bed behind a folding screen.

This private room was indeed very elegant.

Zhou Jingxuan leisurely lay down and buried himself under the quilt.

***

Lin Zhaoyan then opened the door to find a man in red standing outside, leisurely fanning himself with a folding fan.

She frowned and was about to speak when he interrupted.

“I have long admired General Zhao Ran’s name. It is truly an honor to meet you today!” The man in red smiled warmly, his gaze tinged with interest.

Lin Zhaoyan felt uncomfortable under his stare and replied coldly, “If you have no serious business, you’ll be ‘honored’ to remain outside.”

The man paused, puffed out his chest, and introduced himself, “I am Zhao Jiuyuan, only son of Minister of Justice Zhao Mu.”

Jiuyuan.

Lin Zhaoyan fought back a smile. Clearly, Zhao Jiuyuan didn’t understand her sense of humor.

“Even if you are some kind of general, you shouldn’t look down on others like that,” Zhao Jiuyuan said with hands on his hips, clearly annoyed.

What a ridiculous name, Zhou Jingxuan thought from his hiding spot.

“Only son of the Minister of Justice, Zhao Jiuyuan?” Lin Zhaoyan confirmed.

“Indeed, I am twenty years old this year—and still unmarried,” he added deliberately.

What was that supposed to mean? Zhou Jingxuan made a clawing gesture in frustration.

“How did you find me, and what do you want?” Lin Zhaoyan asked directly.

“I was gathering with some friends here and happened to see the general enter this private room. So I took the liberty to invite you to join us.”

Zhao Jiuyuan had made a bet with his disreputable friends on whether he could lure Lin Zhaoyan out. If he succeeded, they promised to buy him a drink.

Zhao Jiuyuan was infamous as a rake with no sense of decorum, always up to all sorts of mischief, and naturally eager for such bets.

“I see the general’s skin is a bit rough, but your appearance is beautiful and carries a different kind of heroic spirit from other women. Truly a remarkable person, unlike most generals—”

“Ah!”

With a sudden scream from Zhao Jiuyuan, a porcelain bowl shattered on the floor, exploding like a blossoming flower.

Zhou Jingxuan clapped his hands mockingly, his expression scornful. “Shameless, ptooey!”

“Zhou Jingxuan?” Zhao Jiuyuan covered his face, bleeding from a nose struck by the thrown bowl, looking horrified. “What are you doing here?”

“The security here is so poor that if you can find me, I might have just been passing by,” Zhou Jingxuan retorted sharply.

“Ugh…” Zhao Jiuyuan had long disliked Zhou Jingxuan but dared not provoke him openly because of the Crown Prince. Every encounter involved avoiding him.

Yet today, they had collided by chance.

“Get lost quickly, or it won’t just be a bloody nose,” Zhou Jingxuan sneered.

Zhao Jiuyuan fled in embarrassment.

Lin Zhaoyan folded her arms and glanced at him. “You like sneaking around in secret, so why did you come out?”

“He said things I couldn’t stand, so I came out,” Zhou Jingxuan grumbled.

“That Zhao Jiuyuan really is…” Lin Zhaoyan pursed her lips, “not very considerate.”

Lin Zhaoyan’s words were tactful.

Zhou Jingxuan snorted with laughter. “That’s true.”

General Zhao Ran, freshly triumphant and holding a second-rank official position, was at the height of his fame. Yet Zhao Jiuyuan dared to provoke him. If the Minister of Justice, his father, found out, he’d surely be furious.

“No matter, enjoy your meal…” Lin Zhaoyan was about to close the door when a slender, bony hand blocked it.

Lin Zhaoyan: …

Zhou Jingxuan clicked his tongue, frowned, tilted his head, and glared at the newcomer with hostility. “Are you done yet?”

The newcomer was unlike the unruly Zhao Jiuyuan. He appeared refined and serene, elegant and gentle. He bowed properly and said, “I am Li Xianjin from the Ministry of Works. Greetings, General.”

Li Xianjin?

Hearing the name, Lin Zhaoyan recalled Li Xianyu.

“You must have met me before,” Li Xianjin took a step back to maintain some distance. “I’m the elder brother of the Noble Consort. We’ve met once or twice before… though you may not remember me.”

Zhou Jingxuan felt irritated. One after another, they all came trying to curry favor—what pretentiousness.

“Today, when I saw the Noble Consort at court, she mentioned you, General Li,” he added.

Apparently she did mention him, though Li Xianyu rambled on and Lin Zhaoyan hadn’t paid much attention.

Li Xianjin smiled gently, full of fond memories. “It’s been a long time since I last saw my sister. I wonder how she is now…”

“I came today to apologize on behalf of Zhao Jiuyuan,” Li Xianjin stated his purpose. “He invited a few friends for a gathering and, in his drunkenness, lost his manners. Please forgive him.”

“No need to trouble Minister Li,” Lin Zhaoyan said, not really concerned about Zhao Jiuyuan. “I don’t mind.”

“Whether or not you mind, proper etiquette must be observed. How about joining us for a gathering? I’ll have Zhao personally apologize.”

Lin Zhaoyan frowned. Zhou Jingxuan interrupted first, “So this was your plan all along. No need to gather, just the apology will do.”

Li Xianjin then looked at Zhou Jingxuan, clearly recognizing him and recalling his reputation, his expression turning puzzled.

“If the Crown Prince wishes to join—”

“No,” Zhou Jingxuan sat down gloomily at the table. “Neither I nor the general want to.”