Chapter 3 — Unwittingly Adrift

In the capital, almost everyone knew the name Shen Qingyan. Born to a humble family, he possessed extraordinary scholarly talent and surpassed all competitors in the palace examination, claiming the top rank of Top Scholar on his very first attempt. What made him even more remarkable was his exceptionally handsome appearance. The maids would often whisper among themselves that the young scholar possessed a face carved of jade, resembling an immortal descended from the heavens. Yet none of these things had anything to do with me. I remained locked away in my room, hearing nothing of the outside world, nor wishing to.

However, on that very day, a fire suddenly broke out in the back courtyards. Whether it was some careless servant who knocked over a charcoal brazier, the flames spread with terrifying speed, devouring the chamber where I was imprisoned in the blink of an eye. The door remained heavily bolted from the outside. I had no way to escape. Thick, billowing clouds of smoke poured into the room, choking me until every breath felt like swallowed fire. I battered against the heavy wooden door with all my remaining strength. Yet the maid assigned to guard my door had vanished God knows where. Tongues of flame licked through the window lattice, and the blistering heat scorched my face directly. I coughed endlessly, my consciousness beginning to drift into a hazy blur.

Just when I truly believed I would perish amidst the roaring flames, the heavy door was abruptly kicked open from the outside. Through the dense, blinding smoke, a tall figure charged straight in—though it was not Pei Yu. He swept me up into his arms, dashing through the blazing inferno and not stopping until we reached the safety of the open courtyard.

"Lady, are you alright?"

I coughed so violently that tears streamed down my face. Through the hazy film of moisture, I beheld a countenance of breathtaking gentleness. His brows resembled distant mountains, and his eyes were like clear, pristine springs. Those eyes were as pure and untainted as a stream that had never known the dust of the mortal world.

"Lady, let me summon a physician."

He half-turned to leave, but instinctively, my fingers reached out to catch the fabric of his sleeve. Shen Qingyan paused, his footsteps halting. He lowered his gaze to look at the trembling fingers clutching his garments, his voice as soft and soothing as a spring breeze.

"Do not fear. I will return."

Shen Qingyan was the newly appointed Top Scholar, currently serving as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. He was an old schoolmate of Pei Yu, yet he was his absolute opposite. If Pei Yu resembled a potent, fiery liquor that burned the throat the moment it touched the lips, plunging one into a wild, intoxicating delirium... then Shen Qingyan was akin to a tranquil cup of tea, refined and gentle, bringing a profound sense of peace to anyone simply sitting beside him.

Following the fire, Pei Yu finally learned that I had nearly burned to death. He rushed over in a panic, only to find me sitting in the middle of the courtyard, my face smeared with soot, my garments scorched, and my complexion as pale as a sheet of paper. He dropped into a crouch immediately, reaching out as if to cup my face.

"Ruo Ruo, are you well?"

I subtly tilted my head to avoid his touch. His hand froze in mid-air. His gaze drifted past me, coming to rest on Shen Qingyan, who stood not far away, calmly instructing the servants to fetch water. A complex, unreadable shadow flickered deep within his eyes.

"Qingyan, I truly thank you."

Shen Qingyan walked over holding a bowl of warm water and handed it to me. Ignoring Pei Yu entirely, he instructed me with infinite patience:

"Drink it in small sips, no need to rush."

Pei Yu watched the deliberate grace of Shen Qingyan offering the water, then shifted his eyes to my slightly trembling hand as I received the bowl. A faint furrow appeared between his brows, though in the end, he uttered not another word.

From that day onward, the door to my room was never locked again. Perhaps... Pei Yu was truly afraid that I might die.

Shen Qingyan remained within the Pei residence for several days. Every morning, he read quietly in the study, and every afternoon, he practiced calligraphy in the courtyard. When writing, he was utterly absorbed. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling his shoulders and fingertips like fragments of scattered gold. Once, as I happened to walk past, he raised his head and smiled.

"Miss Lin, are you feeling better today?"

I gave a slight nod. He laid his brush aside and drew a small porcelain vial from his sleeve.

"This is an ointment for burns that I brought back from the southern provinces. It is remarkably effective."

"If the burns on your arm are not treated with utmost care, I fear they will leave scars."

I froze in momentary astonishment. How could he possibly know about the burns on my arm? Ever since I had been rescued from the fire, I had consistently worn long sleeves to conceal them. Perhaps noticing the bewilderment in my expression, he explained with serene composure:

"When I carried you from the fire that day, I caught a brief glimpse of them."

I accepted the porcelain vial and whispered softly:

"Thank you."

He merely smiled.

"There is no need for such formality."

As he turned to leave, he paused as if recalling something important.

"Miss Lin."

"Yes?"

"Every day, I notice far too much sorrow weighing down your brows..."

"You ought to smile more often."

I murmured softly in response:

"I will."

One afternoon, as I was tending to the flowers in the courtyard, Shen Qingyan happened to walk by. He halted his steps to exchange a few quiet words with me.

"These peonies bloom magnificently. They must be tended with great care."

The corners of my lips curved upward slightly.

"I planted them myself."

Shen Qingyan smiled warmly.

"One who knows how to cultivate flowers must surely possess a most delicate and sensitive soul."

Before I could frame a reply, Pei Yu’s cold voice rang out from behind us.

"Qingyan, you certainly have an abundance of leisure. Fancying the time to stand here discussing flora with a maid of my household."

I lowered my gaze, the corners of my eyes dropping. Shen Qingyan spoke with unruffled calm:

"The peonies planted by Miss Lin are truly a magnificent sight."

Pei Yu emitted a cold, derisive laugh. He strode over to stand beside me, his hand coming to rest casually, almost possessively, upon my shoulder.

"A Ruo, go inside. It is cold out here."

I did not move an inch. His fingers tightened slightly against my shoulder. Leaning close to my ear, he lowered his voice to a dangerous whisper:

"Lin Ruo, have you forgotten whose estate you are living in? Standing here smiling and chattering with another man right before my eyes, do you think you have not lost enough face already?"

Pei Yu had never possessed an agreeable temper. I had no desire to provoke him into uttering further words that would only make my position more agonizing.