Chapter 10

Chapter 10

After we returned to Qishan, Father found himself with too much leisure at home and grew even more obsessed with fishing.

The mountain streams and lakeshores became his permanent haunts. Once he sat down, he would stay there for most of the day.

When I arrived, sure enough, I found Father in a green bamboo hat and a verdant rain cape, seated on a large boulder with his fishing rod perfectly still in his hands.

On another rock beside him sat Lu Qi.

Lu Qi was Father’s fishing companion. These days, he served under Qishan’s garrison commander as a centurion.

He was exceedingly handsome, with sharp brows and bright eyes, and even plain cloth clothes could not hide the straight, soldierly bearing of his frame.

According to the gossip in town, ever since he started patrolling the city gates, more young ladies had been coming and going than before.

As I drew near, Father was just lifting his rod. A plump fish dangled from the line.

“Father, an invitation has arrived. It requires your decision.”

Father nodded. As he took off his rain cape, he said to me, “Since there is nothing else today, Ah Fei, you can play maid for once and carry these things back for your father.”

I answered in assent.

Father gave Lu Qi a slight nod, then left first.

Lu Qi was in no hurry to move. He remained lounging lazily on his rock.

“For the eldest young lady to come personally in search of someone is rare enough, and now she even has to do the hauling. Lord Yin truly doesn’t know how to cherish beauty.”

I picked up the fish basket and glanced at his. There were only a few strands of waterweed inside.

“The centurion certainly knows how to cherish beauty. That must be why, after guarding this spot for most of the day, you only managed to catch a few weeds.”

When he heard that, not only was he not annoyed, he burst out laughing instead.

“These fish are all far too clever. Unlike people. Sometimes, they know perfectly well it’s a hook, yet still insist on going closer to see whether the bait smells sweet.”

There was a pointed meaning in his words.

“Then does the centurion think he is a clever fish, or the angler waiting for the fish to draw near?”

He leaned back slightly, propping himself up on one arm as he looked up at me.

“Me? Sometimes I’m the angler. And sometimes, I’m happy to be the reckless fish for once.”

“All for the sake of tasting just how tempting that bait really is.”

Those words were almost flirtation, bold enough to be called improper.

Yet I suddenly bent down and leaned close to that handsome face of his.

Under his stunned gaze, I reached out and plucked a fallen leaf from his shoulder.

“Whether the bait is sweet or not, one only knows after tasting it. Wouldn’t you agree, Centurion Lu?”

The tips of his ears flushed faintly red. He avoided my eyes and coughed softly.

I smiled, lifted the fish basket and rain cape, then turned and walked back the way I had come.

After a hundred or so steps, the weight in my hands suddenly lightened.

Lu Qi had caught up.

“The eldest young lady is precious and delicate. Let this humble officer carry these for you.”

I released my grip and smiled. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Centurion.”

We chatted idly along the way, and it was rather pleasant.

When we returned to the side gate, Lu Qi handed the fishing gear to a servant, then turned to take his leave.

I smoothed my sleeves and went straight to Father’s study.

Father was sitting behind his desk. When he saw me enter, he raised a hand to indicate that I should sit.

A stack of invitations now lay on the desk. The one on top was the Luo Family’s gilded crest invitation that had arrived today.

“In three months, it will be your hairpin ceremony. Have you thought about how it should be arranged?”

My gaze swept over the stack of invitations, and understanding dawned in my heart.

“Has the Luo Family come to propose marriage?”

Father nodded. “Guess which member of the Luo Family it is.”