Chapter 538: The Meeting

When Yan Liqiang alighted the carriage, he looked at the high-walled mansion and the surrounding streets with a slightly strange expression on his face. He didn’t expect Zhong Ruolan to live here, because the incident between him and the Ye Clan took place just around the corner. That place was one of his turning points in his life.

“Lord Yan, this way please!” The steward of the mansion was already waiting respectfully by the door. As soon as Yan Liqiang got off his carriage, he was welcomed inside.

This time, Yan Liqiang didn’t bring anyone with him. Even the carriage he rode here was a new four-wheeled carriage produced by the manufacturing bureau and sent by the Zhong Clan to the Yan Fortress. For an influential clan like the Zhong Clan, they definitely paid attention to the finer details.

His trip to Pingxi City this time was free of worries. He was in another frame of mind, and it felt almost as though he was on a vacation. The steam engine, woolen goods, archery academy, newer design of the spinning frames and looms were all checked on his checklist. He had basically laid the groundwork, and the remaining things were not that important. All he needed to do now was to wait for the bullet to continue flying a little longer.

Yan Liqiang was led through corridors and courtyards in the lavish mansion by the steward, until he finally arrived outside a courtyard filled with lush plants and blooming flowers. There were three words on the round door to the courtyard —’Secret Fragrance Garden’.

“Our lady is waiting for you at the water pavilion in the garden. Please go on inside, Lord Yan!”

“Thank you!” Yan Liqiang nodded to the steward, then entered the courtyard. In the Great Han Empire, this was Yan Liqiang’s first time seeing such an exquisite courtyard with the charm of the water village at the southern river, especially in the northwestern region.

There was a pond filled with budding lotuses in the garden, and the carps were frolicking in the crystal clear water. A group of little birds were chirping melodiously on the willow tree next to the pond. A few artificial rocks partitioned the gardens into a few sections like screens.

The sound of running water from a man-made stream hitting the pebbles could be heard. Beside the streams were fully-bloomed white roses that attracted a swarm of busy bees. The manor didn’t seem so big from outside, but it was rather spacious inside. Yan Liqiang had to walk a distance before arriving at a pavilion by the pond. The gentle breeze carried an intoxicating melody of ae zither from the pavilion…

It blew the snowy white sheer curtains in the water pavilion up every now and then, and Yan Liqiang caught a glimpse of Zhong Ruolan playing her zither amidst the fluttering sheer curtains.

It was a great pleasure to watch a beauty like Zhong Ruolan playing a zither. Even if Yan Liqiang didn’t know music that much, he could hear that Zhong Ruolan possessed a very high level of mastery in the zither. In fact, she might just be the most-skilled zither player among the people Yan Liqiang knew…

Yan Liqiang didn’t say anything when he arrived at the pavilion. He just quietly took off his shoes, then sat across from Zhong Ruolan in silence and closed his eyes to enjoy the rare moment of leisure.

Yan Liqiang didn’t know how long he waited until the melody ceased, but it was at least ten minutes. He opened his eyes, then clapped his hands with a smile. “Lady Ruolan indeed possesses amazing skills in playing a zither. Although I am not that knowledgeable in music, I can tell that you have perfected your skill! Impressive, impressive!”

Zhong Ruolan’s huge watery eyes looked toward Yan Liqiang. “When Lord Yan closed his eyes, Ruolan thought she was too unsightly to be seen by your discerning eyes.”

“You must be joking, Lady Ruolan. If someone like you is considered unsightly, then no one in this world is beautiful!” Yan Liqiang chuckled. “I only heard that the sound of your zither seems to be conveying a deep message, so I closed my eyes to focus on my hearing. Please forgive me if I was being disrespectful, Lady Ruolan!”

Zhong Ruolan’s eyes lit up for a moment as her smile broadened. “Oh, I wonder what Lord Yan heard from the sounds of Ruolan’s zither?”

“The melody from Lady Ruolan’s zither appeared light and happy, but it was solemn and full of worry beneath the surface. It was like a lone orchid that had lived its life in a desolate valley, where its fragrance went unnoticed. Even if it was picked and brought to the world outside of the valley, it could be nothing more than a decoration in a vast room that vied for attention among all the other flowers and leafy greens. Surrounded by strangers, it couldn’t help but feel dejected. Even so, it didn’t grieve for it knew that someone would eventually find its fragrance. Am I right, Lady Ruolan?”

Zhong Ruolan was stunned as she stared at Yan Liqiang blankly for a long time. Her eyes reddened before she let out a faint sigh. “Soulmates are very rare to come by. Ruolan truly didn’t expect to be so fortunate to be able to meet Lord Yan in Pingxi City. If you can decipher these from the sounds of my zither, then you are probably already well aware of the Zhong Clan’s intention in sending me to Pingxi Prefecture even though you chose to not expose us. I am ashamed. Believe me, it was never my intention to deceive you. I am definitely not a fickle person. Please forgive me!” Ruolan stood up after speaking, then bowed deeply to Yan Liqiang.

Yan Liqiang quickly helped Zhong Ruolan up and spoke with sincerity, “Don’t mind it, Lady Ruolan. Nothing in life will always go well and perfectly. As a descendant chosen by the Zhong Clan, it is only natural that you have your obligations to fulfill toward your clan. I will never belittle your efforts!”

“If Lord Yan doesn’t mind, please call me Ruolan from now on!”

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“Fine, I shall call you Ruolan!” Yan Liqiang spoke with composure. Both of them looked at each other and smiled as though they were getting to know each other for the very first time all over again. The atmosphere between them instantly turned a lot more intimate.

“As expected of a person of outstanding talent. Ruolan is indeed fortunate to meet Lord Yan!” Zhong Ruolan looked at Yan Liqiang with her sparkling eyes. “Before this, I never believed that someone like you existed in this world. After meeting you, I finally believe that people like you who can easily trick the world indeed exist!”

Yan Liqiang was somewhat taken aback as he quickly shook his head. “Ahem, you must be joking, Ruolan. I’m lucky to be able to make a small name for myself. It’s nothing as impressive as the way you put it!”

“Only you and I are here right now. Why are you still denying it?” Zhong Ruolan shook her head while still smiling. “You have made fabric out of wool, and the fabric has already been made into a noose tied around the neck of the Shatu Seven Tribes at the Gulang Plains since long ago. Yet, they have yet to realize that. Everyone only sees the mountain of riches that the woolen fabric can bring. By the time the Shatu Seven Tribes realizes what’s going on, the Gulang Plains will ultimately fall into your hands. That’s how you can live up to your reputation as the Qiyun Protectorate General and recover the Gulang Plains for Great Han Empire without expending even a soldier! There have been no emperors, generals, or grand chancellors in history who can make such achievement through such means. Surely, my lord, you are as impressive as I claim!”

Yan Liqiang was startled as he blankly stared at Zhong Ruolan for half a minute before finally letting out a sigh. He rubbed his chin and pouted as he spoke with slight embarrassment. “Ruolan… I guess… I have no choice but to admit it in this situation?”

Zhong Ruolan covered her mouth as she giggled, and her beautiful eyes were glowing. “What do you think?”

“Fine then, tell me what you want to keep your lips sealed. I’ll have to warn you first to not ask for too much. Otherwise, I can’t give it to you!” Yan Liqiang laughed as he spoke in a joking tone.

Zhong Ruolan had a calm look on her face instead. “You don’t need to give me anything to keep my lips sealed. I’ll try my best to help you too. On the day you truly become the Qiyun Protectorate General, please promise me one thing!”

“What’s that?”

“Help me kill someone!”

“Who?”

“An… bei… General… Shi… Tao!” Zhong Ruolan hissed every word through her teeth as she locked eyes with Yan Liqiang.

Yan Liqiang only considered it for less than two seconds before he nodded and quickly agreed. “Sure, that’s a promise. I shall kill Shi Tao the day I truly become the Qiyun Protectorate General. Before that, I wish to ask how you plan to help me?”

When Zhong Ruolan heard the question, her face was immediately tinted with a small blush. She took a deep breath as she tried her best to keep the expression on her face calm. “If you really want me to help you, then you must marry me first and become the Zhong Clan’s son-in-law…!”

“This…” Yan Liqiang scratched his head.

“Marrying someone from the Lu Clan allows you to secure a foothold in Pingxi Prefecture. If you marry someone from the Zhong Clan, the entire northwestern region will be in your hands, given the Zhong Clan’s influence…”

Zhong Ruolan cast a glance at Yan Liqiang, then suddenly mumbled, “Maybe you think I’m not as beautiful and considerate as the lady from the Lu Clan?”

“Of course not!” Yan Liqiang had a strange-looking expression on his face. “However, I just feel like I should be the one to take initiative for things like this. It makes me feel weird when you are the one to say it!”

Zhong Ruolan suddenly got up, then walked past the table between them and came in front of Yan Liqiang. She knelt down with a smile, then planted a gentle kiss on Yan Liqiang’s cheek. “Do you still feel weird now?”

“Umm, kind of. Everything is happening too quick — I can’t even react to it!” Yan Liqiang gulped as he glanced at the fluttery long dress Zhong Ruolan was wearing.

Zhong Ruolan gently kissed Yan Liqiang’s lips this time, only pulling away after a few seconds. “What about now?”

“I still feel weird!” Yan Liqiang shook his head, then said with a deadpan voice, “I think it lacks heat and intensity!”

“How to make it enough for you?” Zhong Ruolan shot an amused glare at Yan Liqiang.

“Like this…” Yan Liqiang pulled Zhong Ruolan into his arms, causing her to gasp. He then smashed his lips against Zhong Ruolan’s soft lips…