Chapter 4

I had no man in my heart.

But the Empress Dowager clearly meant to arrange my marriage, so I had no choice but to find myself a lover.

After much thought, I rejected every upright young gentleman in the capital. Each would someday become a worthy husband to some fortunate woman. I could not steal their futures from them.

There was, however, one man from my previous life whom Qin Zheng had mentioned in passing.

His surname was Wei. Though born poor, he possessed extraordinary talent. Even after rising to the Grand Secretariat and becoming prime minister, he never married.

He was an ideal choice.

At a poetry gathering hosted by a marchioness, I deliberately dropped my handkerchief near Wei Zhe’s seat. Embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water, it stood out brilliantly among the green weeds.

The sun blazed overhead, but the romantic encounter I had imagined never occurred.

Wei Zhe remained seated, drinking tea, his eyes fixed on the poetry prompt. In his faded homespun robe, he looked poor among the richly dressed young men from great houses. His expression was calm, his attention entirely on the verse. He did not spare the handkerchief a single glance.

Hidden nearby, I watched him with growing anxiety.

At last, a notorious wastrel from the capital passed by and spotted it at once. He picked it up and shouted teasingly, “Come look! Which young lady has dropped a token of betrothal for her lover? Oh, there are even words embroidered on it—”

Before he could finish, Wei Zhe snatched the handkerchief away.

“It is mine.”

Everyone was astonished.

Including me.

After a brief wave of laughter, the crowd dispersed. Wei Zhe came to where I was hiding and placed the neatly folded handkerchief in my palm.

My heart fluttered.

Could it be that he had feelings for me?

Then he raised his eyes. His face was beautiful and keen, his smile cold.

“Young lady, I do not know which gentleman has caught your eye, nor do I wish to know. Next time, kindly aim more accurately and avoid troubling innocent bystanders.”

After making discreet inquiries, I learned that Wei Zhe cared for nothing but his official career. He especially despised frivolous, affected women.

Yet if I behaved like a perfectly proper young lady, I would have no chance to approach him.

I struggled with the matter for a long time. On the day the civil examination results were posted, I arrived early and waited beneath the board.

When I saw Wei Zhe, I lifted the gauze of my veiled hat.

“Allow me to congratulate you in advance.”

The crowd surged around us. Wei Zhe narrowed his eyes for a moment before recognizing me.

“Thank you,” he replied, as distant as ever.

He studied the blush on my cheeks and arched a brow. “Is your… gentleman also a candidate this year?”

I stared straight at him and answered in the affirmative.

After several breaths, he said flatly, “Then I hope the man succeeds and does not betray such foolish devotion.”

Pretending not to hear the mockery in his voice, I said with certainty, “He will succeed.”

Wei Zhe gave me an odd look and seemed about to speak.

At last, officials arrived with the results.

The first name in the first rank was Wei Zhe.

The crowd erupted. Examinees surged toward the board like a breaking wave, knocking the veiled hat from my head.

I seized Wei Zhe’s sleeve and cried in alarm, “My lord, my hat…”

Every eye turned toward us.

Wei Zhe had no choice but to shield me from their stares. Our bodies pressed close, the pose intimate enough to invite whispers.

Rare anger entered his voice. “Are you not afraid your beloved will misunderstand?”

My scheme had finally succeeded.

Unhurried, I picked up my hat, curtsied to him, and walked away.