Chapter 1 #4
Ailin rushed to think of an answer. She and Begonia had to hide their identities flawlessly so Fulan and Junyou wouldn’t find out about their trip.
“It would be better if you didn’t know our names, Master Fan.
We both work at Nuolan Garden, and our mistress would be displeased to know that we met you today without her approval. ”
Fan Enze tilted his head, his warm brown eyes holding the same sympathetic concern she’d seen earlier. “Who is your harsh mistress? Perhaps I could put in a good word for you with my sister so you won’t get in trouble. Her opinion should have some weight in the household.”
Ailin silently noted the irony of his statement but shook her head and maintained her line.
“All right, then.” Fan Enze nodded empathetically. “The secret of our meeting is safe with me.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ailin said.
After about an incense stick’s worth of time spent in silence, the rain finally made its appearance, pelting the maples like drums and turning the dirt path to mud. Ailin was about to ask Begonia for an umbrella when the shadow of another stretched over her head.
Fan Enze extended a large umbrella toward her, its oil-paper covering plain but sturdy against the pattering rain. The umbrella fit its owner, whose hand was so close to her face that she noticed his cold-reddened knuckles wrapped around the wooden handle.
“Would you mind carrying this for me?” he asked. “I would hate for my books to get wet.”
Ailin waved for Begonia to give him one of their umbrellas in exchange. Begonia gave Ailin the second box of silver, and then opened the umbrellas.
“Here you go, Master Fan,” Begonia said as she handed him an umbrella Ailin had painted long ago with her favorite apricot blossoms and swallows.
Seeing such a delicate floral design carried by a man was jarring at first, but somehow the composition worked.
Ailin couldn’t help but notice that Fan Enze balanced masculine energy with scholarly gentleness quite well.
He offered his thanks, and the rain began to pour.
Ailin was glad that the umbrella he had handed her was large enough to cover the books, but she felt sorry that her smaller umbrella only left him half protected.
Rain soaked the right side of his clothing as he walked, but he didn’t complain. He was proving tougher than he appeared at first glance, and her respect for him tentatively increased.
Soon, the forest gave way to a more open road as the familiar gingko tree and bamboo fence came into view.
Widening the entrance to Nuolan Garden had been one of Junyou’s first estate improvement projects after he’d come home for mourning.
While Father had enjoyed the secluded location of their residence, Junyou wanted a clearer approach to the estate that would allow more space for carriages once their mourning period ended.
As the tree cover thinned, the chance of being seen grew higher.
Being caught outside would be enough to cause trouble but being caught with Fan Enze would be even worse.
Fulan had warned them to stay away from her brother when he was a mere abstraction.
Now that he was here in the flesh, it was more important than ever for Ailin to keep her distance. It was time to go their separate ways.
Fan Enze’s eyes were locked on the path ahead, focusing on safe navigation rather than her glances at him.
Ailin hesitated; raising her voice to be heard above the sound of the falling rain was uncouth, but to catch his attention without shouting might require physical contact.
As the bamboo fence of Nuolan Garden came into view, she rallied her courage and tapped his shoulder.
“Can you let us off here, sir? The front gate of Nuolan Garden is up ahead, but we need to go through the back entrance for servants.”
Even as the rain intensified, Fan Enze did as he was asked, moving efficiently and without question. Ailin’s gratitude toward him grew.
Water poured from the sky so hard that communication was difficult.
Begonia took the two boxes of silver so Ailin could dismount more easily.
Through the downpour, Ailin had to be careful to protect the books while exchanging spots with Fan Enze.
It was a tricky process that required all her mental faculties.
By the time Ailin reached Nuolan Garden’s back gate with Begonia and their boxes of silver, she realized she had not expressed her gratitude to Fan Enze before they parted ways.
The memory of his warm hand flashed in her mind, and a twinge of regret pulled at her as she gazed back to the spot where they had separated.
Stop being silly.
The sensible side of her recognized that not exchanging farewells was for the best.
The fewer words Ailin exchanged with Fan Enze, the less chances for conflict.
During his visit to Nuolan Garden, he would stay wherever Fulan put guests, and Ailin would hide in the inner courtyard reserved for the young ladies of the house.
She would never disturb him again, just like Fulan wanted.
Hiding her identity from him had been the right thing to do.
He did not know her name, and their paths would not cross again.
When she looked up, however, she saw that she was still holding his umbrella.