Qingxi County was the closest county town to the capital.
The capital was the heart of the realm, teeming with nobles and bustling with traffic, the most dazzling center of the entire dynasty. Thanks to its proximity, Qingxi County, though merely a county, was prosperous and peaceful, with a lively market. Every face bore a gentle smile, painting a picture of simple folkways, harmonious neighbors, and quiet days of peace.
Fine misty rain drifted down onto the bluestone streets, wrapping the small town in a soft, hazy veil.
Beneath an old pagoda tree at the west city bridge stood a figure in a blue robe.
The man wore a slightly worn blue cloth long robe, clean and neat, with a tall and straight posture. His eyebrows and eyes were exquisitely handsome, his temperament gentle and refined. Simply standing there, he exuded an elegant scholarly aura, like a graceful young master stepping out of a poem or painting.
Passers-by couldn't help but glance at him more than once, their voices brimming with kind admiration.
"That must be the new Mr. Qin, isn't he stunningly handsome?"
"He's said to be extremely learned, and his calligraphy is unrivaled."
"What a pity he's fallen on hard times, driven from his hometown by misfortune and wandering all the way. Such a poor man."
Qin Ruhai heard the murmurs, yet only smiled faintly, his eyes warm and gentle. There was not a trace of the dishevelment of a fallen man about him; instead, he was calm and reserved, instantly winning people's fondness.
An old tea-selling woman lifted her curtain and waved enthusiastically:
"Mr. Qin, the rain's chilly. Come in for a bowl of hot tea!"
Qin Ruhai bowed slightly, his voice warm and polite:
"Thank you for your kindness, Granny. I'll just stand here for a moment; no need to trouble yourself."
His voice was as clear and smooth as jade, and he treated others with such modesty and thoughtfulness that anyone who saw him would only take him for a pure-hearted, gentle and refined down-on-his-luck scholar.
Just then, a soft, shy call came from behind him.
"Master Qin."
Qin Ruhai turned slowly.
A pink oil-paper umbrella approached slowly through the misty rain. Beneath it stood a young girl with a slender, graceful figure, picturesque eyebrows and eyes, and skin as fair as jade. The moment she appeared, the entire street seemed to brighten a little.
She was Su Liwan, the undisputed most beautiful woman in Qingxi County.
Her eyes were clear and pure, untainted by the vulgarity of the world. When she smiled, faint dimples appeared on her cheeks, making her look delicate and charming. As the only daughter of the Su family, the wealthiest family in Qingxi, she had been cherished and protected since childhood, her mind simple and innocent, untouched by the hardships of the world—a genuine naive young girl.
Su Liwan walked up to him, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her fingers tightened gently around the umbrella handle, her heart fluttering nervously.
She curtsied slightly, her voice soft and thin:
"Master Qin, what a coincidence to meet you here."
"Miss Su." Qin Ruhai nodded slightly, his gaze warm. "The roads are slippery in the rain. Do take care walking alone."
Under his gentle gaze, Su Liwan's ears grew hot, and she quickly lowered her head:
"I just came back from burning incense at Guanyin Temple. A few days ago by the river, thank you for retrieving my handkerchief for me. I've been wanting to thank you in person."
Qin Ruhai smiled faintly:
"It was merely a small favor, Miss Su. No need to keep it in mind."
"How could I not?" Su Liwan looked up at once, her eyes earnest. "That handkerchief was embroidered by my mother with her own hands; I was truly frantic when I lost it. Everyone in the county says you're a kind and good man, as well as learned—a rare gentleman."
Qin Ruhai spoke softly:
"I am but a homeless scholar. I do not deserve such praise."
"That's not true at all!" Su Liwan blurted out, her tone tinged with indignation on his behalf. "My father always says that a hero's origins matter not. A man as gentle and refined as you will surely soar to great heights one day."
She spoke with such candor and innocence, her eyes brimming with admiration that threatened to spill over.
Since their first meeting by the river, this handsome and elegant scholar had quietly taken up residence in her heart. The stirrings of a young girl's love had awoken, yet she was too shy to reveal her feelings.
Qin Ruhai looked at her and smiled softly in his eyes:
"You have been doted on by your parents since childhood, which is why your nature is so pure and beautiful."
At his words, Su Liwan's eyes curved into crescent moons. She nodded, her tone sweet:
"Mm... my parents treat me wonderfully. Since I was little, they have tried their best to give me whatever I wanted. And... and my parents love each other very much too."
She paused here, her voice softening a little:
"When I was a child, I heard some aunts whispering that the Su family has only me as a child, far too few, and that my father ought to take concubines to have more sons. But every time Father heard that, he would send them away, and he would say..."
She mimicked her father's tone, earnest and soft:
"Having my wife and daughter is enough for me in this life. I need not think of anything else."
A faint flicker crossed Qin Ruhai's eyes as he spoke softly:
"Master Su is truly a man of deep affection and loyalty."
"He is." Su Liwan nodded, her eyes filled with adoration. "Mother's health has never been very good, so she has been resting at home all these years. Father never lets her worry about a single thing, nor lets her suffer the slightest grievance. He never cares what others say."
To anyone else, these words spoke only of a deep marital bond.
But only the elders of Qingxi knew the truth—when Mrs. Su gave birth to Liwan, she had suffered irreversible damage to her body, and had been unable to conceive since. Master Su, who loved his wife dearly, never spoke of it to outsiders, never mentioned taking concubines or having more heirs, and lavished all his love on his wife and daughter.
This deep affection was rare in the eyes of outsiders, yet in this small Qingxi County, it also became a reason for many to scheme in secret.
The Su family's vast wealth was to be inherited by a single, naive and innocent daughter.
Who could resist such a tempting piece of fat?
The two stood talking softly on the bridge, the scene warm and harmonious.
Not far away, several passing townsfolk watched them, their faces wreathed in kind smiles as they spoke polite words.
"Miss Su is growing more and more beautiful, and she has a kind heart too."
"Mr. Qin and Miss Su make such a perfect pair standing together."
"The Su family has only this one daughter; she is sure to find a fine husband in the future."
Their smiles were warm, their words kind, seeming to brim with sincere blessings.
Only they themselves knew the undercurrents churning in their hearts as they looked at Su Liwan—her unparalleled beauty, and the vast wealth of the Su family at her fingertips.
A beautiful young woman spoiled ignorant of the ways of the world, a wealthy Su family with no other heirs, a tempting piece of fat laid out for anyone to take a bite of.
On the surface, however, everyone was a good person.
Su Liwan could not understand these hidden meanings, and took their words for genuine praise.
She looked at Qin Ruhai, her eyes bright and sparkling:
"Master, have you been settling in well in Qingxi lately? If there's anything inconvenient for you, do tell me, and I'll ask my father to help you out."
She truly felt sorry for this fallen scholar, and longed to take care of him in any way she could.
A faint flicker again crossed Qin Ruhai's eyes, his tone warm and sincere:
"Your kindness humbles me, Miss Su, and I am truly grateful. But I dare not trouble the Su family too much."
"It's no trouble at all!" Su Liwan shook her head hastily, her tone tinged with anticipation. "My parents are the most open-minded people. They welcome all my friends with great warmth. And... and I really enjoy talking to you, Master."
Her last words were as soft as a mosquito's hum. When she finished, her face was flushed bright red, and she hurried to lower her head, her heart pounding like a deer.
Qin Ruhai's smile grew softer in his eyes, his voice slow and gentle:
"You are pure and lovely, Miss Su. Talking to you also calms my heart."
These words sent a flutter through Su Liwan's chest. Her cheeks burned even hotter, and her breathing grew light.
In all her years, she had never felt such a mix of nervousness and joy. Her heart was filled with nothing but the handsome, gentle scholar before her.
The rain began to fall a little harder.
Qin Ruhai reminded her softly:
"The rain is getting heavier, Miss Su. You should return home soon, lest Master and Mrs. Su worry about you."
Su Liwan felt reluctant, and whispered:
"Then... don't stand in the rain either, Master. Do take care not to catch a cold."
"I am in good health; it's nothing." Qin Ruhai smiled faintly. "When I have free time another day, I will pay a visit to Master and Mrs. Su at your mansion."
"Good!" Su Liwan nodded at once, her eyes brimming with anticipation. "I'll wait for you at home, and I'll ask the kitchen to make lots of sweet treats."
She finished, then curtsied shyly:
"I'll head back first then, Master. Take care."
"Take care on your way, Miss Su."
Su Liwan walked away, looking back every few steps. Glancing over her shoulder and seeing Qin Ruhai still standing there watching her, a small smile tugged at her lips, and her heart was filled with sweetness.
She was completely lost in the joy of a young girl's first love, not the slightest bit aware of the silent scrutiny and scheming hidden in the seemingly kind gazes all around her.
The shopkeeper at the street corner watched her retreating figure, his smile warm, but his eyes deep and unfathomable.
The young men by the roadside spoke polite words, yet each had his own thoughts hidden in his heart.
Everyone in Qingxi was a good person, and everyone hid untold secrets.
On the bridge, Qin Ruhai still stood in the misty rain, his eyebrows and eyes warm, his temperament elegant and refined.
He looked, as always, like a harmless, gentle and refined down-on-his-luck scholar.
No one knew how many undercurrents lurked in this seemingly peaceful and gentle Qingxi County.
Still fewer knew what kind of future this gentle encounter would lead the pure, naive most beautiful woman of Qingxi into.
Misty rain shrouded the world, and the days were quiet and peaceful.
But beneath this calm, wolves circled.
Everything had only just begun.