Chapter 9

Since someone died in the Wen Mansion, peace had been elusive. First came rumors that the Third Miss had been frightened ill; then the household began a thorough investigation of the servants. No one expected that this inquiry would uncover actual problems—several unregistered servants had mysteriously appeared in the estate.

Digging deeper, it was revealed that a minor steward had accepted bribes and brought in several vagrants to work. Lu, who oversaw the household provisions, was the most embarrassed by this scandal. Even Wen Changning had avoided showing herself to Lu in the past two days.

The servants in the main courtyard now treaded lightly, fearful of provoking Lu and risking expulsion from the mansion. As the matter of the vagrants stirred up questions from top to bottom, many were implicated and dismissed.

The oppressive atmosphere in the Wen Mansion did not lift until the eldest son, Wen Ruxu, returned home. Ruxu was a man of extraordinary talent and refinement; last year, he topped the provincial examinations, earning the title of Jieyuan and restoring much honor to the Lu family.

If he could secure the top spot in this year’s metropolitan and palace examinations as well, he would become the first in the history of the Great Jin dynasty to achieve the highest rank in all six imperial exams. At only twenty-two years old, such a future shone brilliantly.

Both the Wen and Lu families pinned great hopes on him, and he had never disappointed. From a young age, he had been diligent and unyielding in his studies. Upon reaching maturity, he took the renowned scholar from the neighboring prefecture as his mentor, rarely returning home thereafter.

Now, Lu was joyous to see him back, as much of the household’s accumulated gloom began to dissipate. Wen Yan only learned of Ruxu’s return the next day—more precisely, she awoke from meditation and overheard Qingyun chatting with some maids outside the door.

Yan had been sequestered in the estate for seven days since then. During this time, she had attempted to capture the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, hoping to channel it within herself for cultivation. But the greater her hopes, the deeper her disappointment.

After the killing, she had indeed gained strength—but that was all. This power increased her physical might and endurance, yet it did not enable cultivation, nor could it grant her transcendent abilities to traverse heaven and earth or attain immortality.

In truth, when she initially came to this world as Wen Yan, she tried to cultivate but quickly realized there was no spiritual energy here—not even a trace.

So while she was disappointed, it was not wholly unbearable.

Yan sat quietly for a moment, noticing the sky outside growing dim. She exhaled a heavy breath and finally rose from her bed. But as soon as her feet touched the floor, dizziness overtook her, and her strength faltered.

She grasped the small table beside the bed to steady herself.

“Third Miss! Third Miss, what’s wrong?” Qingyun, who had been standing guard outside the door, heard the commotion and quickly pounded on the door with a worried look.

Yan replied softly, “...It’s nothing. Come in.”

Only then did Qingyun push the door open.

“Third Miss,” Qingyun hurried in and helped her to a seat by the table. Seeing Yan’s weak state, she anxiously suggested, “Perhaps I should fetch a doctor.”

Yan summoned her remaining strength and said, “No need. Bring me something to eat—I’m hungry.”

Over these seven days, she had scarcely eaten, wholly absorbed in trying to cultivate. The food Qingyun brought daily had mostly gone in and out without much digestion.

She no longer needed it—how could a mortal body endure without food or drink? If not for the newfound strength holding her up, she might already have starved to death.

Hearing that Yan finally wanted to eat, Qingyun nearly wept with relief and hurried to have a meal prepared.

The Cuihua Courtyard was always stocked with food, fearing that Yan might suddenly crave something.

Soon, a bowl of shredded chicken porridge was brought in.

“Third Miss hasn’t eaten in days. Start with something easy to digest; I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare something better tomorrow.”

Yan lifted the porridge and ate. The chicken was tender and flavorful, and she finished quickly.

Seeing that Yan still seemed hungry, Qingyun hesitated. “Shall I have them prepare some noodles?”

Just as Yan was about to agree, a faint but enticing aroma of roasted meat wafted slowly into the courtyard.

Yan rose and walked outside, her nose twitching at the compelling scent.

The rich, overpowering smell of roasted meat stirred a ravenous hunger deep within her.

“I’m even hungrier now...”

“What’s wrong, Third Miss?” Qingyun asked anxiously as she followed.

“Do you smell something?” Yan inquired.

Qingyun shook her head, sniffing around.

“Third Miss, what do you smell?” she asked again.

Yan said nothing at first, lost in thought. Then, as if unable to resist the allure, she said, “Let’s go out for a walk.”

“But it’s almost dark, and your illness...” Qingyun mumbled but still followed her out.

Yan tracked the scent unceasingly until they passed through a hanging flower gate into the peach blossom grove. There, the source of the unique smoky aroma of roast meat appeared faintly before her eyes.

“So fragrant,” Qingyun finally detected the scent and swallowed hard.

Yan said, “It’s venison.”

With that, she strode deeper into the peach grove.

The peach trees were beginning to bud, with a few scattered blossoms already open. The tender leaves and spring scenery lent a special charm to the place.

A few steps further, the grove opened up, and the previously serene scene became lively.

At the heart of the grove stood a hexagonal pavilion used for viewing the scenery.

In front of the pavilion, a fire burned, roasting half a deer that had been prepared.

A group of maids and servants busily added wood, basted oil, and turned the meat, occasionally slicing off pieces to bring to the pavilion’s dining table.

The comings and goings created a cheerful bustle.

Besides the roast venison, a pot simmered on the table—judging by the smell, it was also venison stew.

Tonight’s meal was a full venison feast.

“Here are the lord, madam, eldest young master, and Second Miss...” Qingyun whispered, glancing cautiously at Yan because the other two present were Wen Hening and Wen Changning, the twin brother and sister.

In other words, the entire Wen family of seven was present except for Wen Yan.

Yan not only saw but also heard everything clearly from a distance.

She caught Wen Hening boasting about his bravery that day—how he chased deer, attacked with bow and arrow, and finally struck a perfect shot, earning cheers.

His lively recounting, coupled with his handsome, confident face resembling Wen Changning’s, made it seem as if he had not simply shot a deer but decapitated an enemy general in the midst of thousands.

As he finished, applause erupted in the pavilion. Wen Changning’s sweet, clear voice was entirely different from the tone she used with Yan:

“Fourth Brother is amazing! I told you he’s the best horseman and archer in all of West River City.”

“When Eldest Brother passes the top exam, Fourth Brother will take it too. Then we’ll have a literary champion, a martial champion, and Father—our family will have three top scholars. I’ll be able to walk with my head held high wherever I go.”

Such endearing words brought laughter to everyone in the pavilion.

Wen Hening was so flattered he nearly lost his composure, pounding his chest and promising:

“Little sister, don’t worry. When I become martial champion and parade the streets on horseback, I’ll bring you along so all the noble ladies in the capital will envy you.”

The siblings bantered excitedly, their enthusiasm infectious. Finally, their eldest brother Wen Ruxu patted Wen Hening’s head and smiled warmly:

“Our dynasty only holds literary exams, no martial ones. If you want to be champion, study hard…”

“Let’s go,” Qingyun whispered softly, barely daring to speak more.

But inwardly, she felt a pang of injustice for her mistress. Born of the same parents, yet while the rest of the family gathered for the meal, the Third Miss was left out. What sort of favoritism was this?

Turning to leave, Qingyun suddenly realized Yan was not heading back to Cuihua Courtyard but toward the hexagonal pavilion.

At that moment, Wen’s father noticed one child missing and asked:

“Where’s Ayin? Why isn’t she here?”

The lively atmosphere instantly grew tense.

A brief silence followed before the youngest, Wen Changning, looked at their father and said with some innocence:

“Third Sister has been unwell and sick. She probably can’t eat this.”

Their father glanced at her, and she smiled sweetly:

“I heard the doctor say that those who are weak shouldn’t be over-supplemented. Venison is very nourishing, but Third Sister’s body is frail. If she ate it, she might not be able to handle it, so she wasn’t invited.”

Their father frowned.

“Her illness still hasn’t healed?”

Changning wrinkled her nose uncertainly.

“I think so.”

Wen Hening quickly added:

“If Third Sister can’t eat venison, then next time I’ll catch a rabbit for her. She’s timid, so she’ll surely like a rabbit.”

At this, Madam Lu came out to smooth things over:

“This venison feast was a last-minute idea; it’s understandable if not everyone could come.”

“Rest assured, I’ve already told the main kitchen to prepare the best things for Ayin first. Whatever she wants to eat, just have someone fetch it from the kitchen. She doesn’t lack venison.”

She used chopsticks to put a slice of meat into Wen’s father’s bowl and continued:

“Ruxu has come home rare and precious; let him stay a few days longer. When Ayin’s health improves, I’ll have the kitchen prepare a banquet so the family can sit together and enjoy a proper feast.”

Madam Lu’s words were reasonable and beyond reproach. Wen’s father relaxed slightly but still harbored some concern. After all, the whole family was present except one—it was somewhat hard to explain away.

Wen Ruxu noticed this and spoke at the right moment:

“There’s still a deer leg left untouched. I happen to know a recipe for a warm tonic. Why not send that leg to Sister’s quarters and have the servants stew it into a medicinal dish?”

Wen Hening eagerly agreed:

“Big Brother’s right. Let’s send that deer leg to Third Sister to make a tonic... Third Sister!”

But he froze and stood abruptly as he spotted Wen Yan approaching from afar.

Others were also startled and turned to look.

Yan stepped onto the pavilion’s platform and entered. Her pale face bore a faint smile. Though her pace wasn’t slow, she carried an air of listlessness.

“What are you staring at? Won’t someone bring me a chair?” she said as she stood before the table, her tone casual yet tinged with a commanding disdain.