Ji Xiaofu stood frozen, his heart a tangled knot of conflicting emotions. It was only after a long while that he remembered Ning Shuang was waiting for him at home. Spurring his horse into a gallop, he raced back. By the time he arrived, night had fallen, and Ning Shuang had prepared a table laden with dishes.

　　“Shuang, forgive my lateness!” Ji Xiaofu said, stepping inside.

　　“Time for eating,” Ning Shuang replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

　　Ji Xiaofu glanced at the feast – every dish was his favorite. Two sets of bowls and chopsticks lay on opposite sides of the table; clearly, she had not eaten. He was about to tell her he’d already dined, but a sudden pang of remorse washed over him, a profound sense of having failed her.

　　This situation was not the first time to happen. Since their arrival in the capital, how many evenings had Ning Shuang waited for him, only to eat alone as the food grew cold, was reheated, and grew cold again. And today, He had specifically promised her an early return. It was their first day in their new home, meant to be celebrated.

　　“Yes, Shuang,let’s eat,” Ji Xiaofu declared, swiftly serving rice and placing the bowl in her hands.

　　They ate in heavy silence. Each seemed lost in private thoughts, the stillness around them so profound it felt unnerving, as though time had frozen.

　　Sensing something amiss, Ji Xiaofu looked at Ning Shuang. She ate quietly, an air of melancholy clinging to her. Their eyes met briefly across the table before each returned silently to their meal.

　　She doesn’t even ask why I’m so late? Ji Xiaofu wondered inwardly. Yet, the thought quickly followed: if she did ask, what could he possibly say? Confess that Hua Rong had tricked him into carousing with courtesans, only to have Sisi storm in and cause a scene?

　　“Xiaofu,” Ning Shuang’s voice broke the quiet, soft but perceptive, “where were you tonight?”

　　“Ah!” Ji Xiaofu paused for a few seconds. “I was at Brother Rong’s place, meeting with some friends.”

　　“Fine,” Ning Shuang murmured, offering no further comment.

　　After dinner, Ji Xiaofu had intended to celebrate their new home with Ning Shuang and Qin An, but the oppressive atmosphere stifled any such suggestion. Moreover, his own spirits were low; he craved solitude. Pleading weariness, he bid Ning Shuang goodnight and turned towards his room.

　　“Xiaofu!” Her voice stopped him. She rushed forward and embraced him from behind, her cheek resting lightly against his back, eyes closed, silent.

　　“Shuang!” After a moment, Ji Xiaofu turned slowly to face her.

　　“Xiaofu, I love you!” Ning Shuang looked up at him, her hands resting on his shoulders. Rising onto her toes, she gently kissed him.

　　“Shuang, I love you too!” Ji Xiaofu responded instantly, pulling her close. Timid by nature, Ning Shuang’s love had always been expressed subtly – kisses stolen only when she thought him asleep. Ji Xiaofu would feign slumber, savoring the sweetness of those moments. Tonight was the first time she had ever initiated such an open declaration. After a tender embrace, they parted for their rooms, carrying the warmth of the moment with them. The next morning, Ji Xiaofu rose early as usual and departed for the imperial court.

　　“Young Master! Trouble!” The urgent call from outside interrupted his work. Ji Xiaofu rushed out.

　　“What’s happened?” he demanded anxiously.

　　“Young Master… Miss Ning Shuang… she’s gone!” Qin An blurted out, his face etched with worry.

　　“What? What do you mean? Explain it clearly!” Ji Xiaofu pressed, his heart seizing with dread.

　　Qin An recounted the events: Rising that morning, he hadn’t seen Ning Shuang, unusual for her early habits. Knocking on her door brought no answer. Alarmed, he forced it open to find her gone. The bed was neatly made. On the table lay a note and beside it, a hairpin – the very one Ji Xiaofu had given her at their betrothal. Qin An handed him the letter. It read:

　　"Xiaofu,I have left. I am not worthy of you. Do not seek me.— Ning Shuang"

　　The words struck Ji Xiaofu like a physical blow. He froze. The previous evening, he had sensed Ning Shuang’s preoccupation; her unusual behavior had sparked a foreboding he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge. He never imagined she would simply vanish. A single water stain marred the paper – he could almost see her tears as she wrote, feel the wrenching reluctance behind her departure.

　　“We ride. Now!” Ji Xiaofu commanded, noting the ink was barely dry. She couldn’t be far.

　　Ji Xiaofu and Qin An mounted their horses and scoured every checkpoint, every place Ning Shuang might have fled to. Their search yielded nothing. Defeated and despondent, Ji Xiaofu returned home.

　　Hua Rong and Qin Sisi were waiting at his gate.

　　“Brother, why u are here?” Ji Xiaofu asked, his voice flat.

　　“Brother, I came to apologize for yesterday’s events,” Hua Rong replied earnestly.

　　Despite his reputation as a libertine, Hua Rong usually exercised some discretion.

　　Ji Xiaofu and Hua Rong, both talented youths of similar age, were often compared. Ji Xiaofu, with broader experience, navigated the world with smoother, more cautious steps. Hua Rong’s flamboyant ways often earned his father’s ire, who constantly exhorted him to emulate Ji Xiaofu.

　　Then there was Qin Sisi. Once closest to Hua Rong, she had become utterly infatuated with Ji Xiaofu. Her every word and thought revolved around him. She constantly berated Hua Rong’s fickleness, extolling Ji Xiaofu’s virtues. As the saying goes, “In the eyes of the lover, the beloved is a Xi Shi.” To Sisi, Ji Xiaofu was perfection personified.

　　Gradually, a seed of resentment took root in Hua Rong. They always praise him. Fine, I’ll show them he’s no better than me. He resolved to entrap Ji Xiaofu, to drag him down to his level. A few days prior, Sisi had again extolled Ji Xiaofu in Hua Rong’s presence. In a fit of pique, Hua Rong retorted, “Second Brother’s no saint either! He’s just like me!” It was a careless barb, forgotten as soon as it was spoken.

　　His bond with Sisi was deep; knowing her feelings for Ji Xiaofu, he had often contrived meetings between them, genuinely hoping they might unite.

　　But “a speaker may be careless, a listener takes heed.” Hua Rong forgot his words; Sisi did not. Smarting from Ji Xiaofu’s recent coldness and fueled by Hua Rong’s insinuation, she descended into obsessive speculation. She had Ji Xiaofu watched. When news came of him drinking with courtesans, months of suppressed resentment exploded. Blinded by rage, she stormed to the establishment, sword drawn, and wreaked havoc.

　　Qin Sisi, the Chancellor’s daughter and “Capital’s Foremost Beauty,” and Ji Xiaofu, the renowned scholar and “Jiangnan’s Premier Talent,” were already figures of public fascination. Sisi’s public rampage – smashing a tavern and chasing Ji Xiaofu with a sword – became an overnight sensation, the talk of the entire capital.

　　As the adage warns, “Good deeds stay home; bad deeds spread a thousand miles.” Such scandal was bound to ignite a firestorm.

　　Sisi’s infatuation with Ji Xiaofu became an open secret.

　　Whispers grew, embellished by gossips eager to add fuel. Though nothing had truly transpired between Sisi and Ji Xiaofu, who would believe it now? Ji Xiaofu found himself saddled with the reputation of a “romantic scholar,” his notoriety briefly eclipsing even Hua Rong’s. Hua Rong had merely sought to prove Ji Xiaofu fallible, to counter his father and Sisi. He never anticipated Sisi’s explosive reaction and the ensuing scandal.

　　When Hua Rong’s father heard of it, he was incensed, threatening to whip his son, only prevented by Hua Rong’s mother. Hua Rong himself felt deeply ashamed and had come specifically to apologize.

　　“Enough,brother. Don’t blame yourself. I hold no grudge,” Ji Xiaofu said, his voice devoid of emotion.

　　“Brother, scold me, strike me! I swear I’ll never do that,” Hua Rong pleaded, mistaking Ji Xiaofu’s despondency for lingering anger.

　　“Master Hua, Miss Sisi, please, take your leave,” Qin An interjected, sensing his master’s fragile state. “The Young Master is unwell.”

　　“Xiaofu, please! I was reckless yesterday! Forgive me!” Sisi cried, clutching Ji Xiaofu’s sleeve. Seeing him return so dejected, ignoring her completely, her words dissolved into tears.

　　“Sisi, I don’t blame you. Now, please go,” Ji Xiaofu replied, his tone unnervingly gentle yet icy as he detached her grip. He refused to meet her eyes. Once, seeing her so distraught would have compelled him to comfort her. Now, his gaze held only indifference, touched with faint contempt.

　　“Let’s go,” Hua Rong urged, taking Sisi’s arm, recognizing Ji Xiaofu’s chilling detachment.

　　But Sisi, wounded by Xiaofu’s coldness and overwhelmed by months of pent-up pain and frustration, ignored Hua Rong.

　　“Xiaofu! I heard you were to wed Ning Shuang. Look at me! Reconsider, please! Let me compete for you fairly! Don’t treat me like that!” she sobbed.

　　Ning Shuang’s departure was an open wound in Ji Xiaofu’s heart; she consumed his thoughts. Sisi’s plea, invoking her name, ignited the fury smoldering within him. The gentle scholar vanished, replaced by a figure of fierce and menacing anger.

　　“Qin Sisi!” he roared, his voice echoing.“Hear me now! I have no wish to see you! GET OUT!”

　　Sisi recoiled, stunned by the ferocity of his outburst. Not only her, but Qin An and Hua Rong stood equally shocked. Qin An, who had served Ji Xiaofu since his teens, had never witnessed such rage from him, least of all directed at a woman.

　　“Why?! WHY?! Give me an explanation, Ji Xiaofu!” Sisi screamed back, her own pain and humiliation erupting. Her love had made her humble herself, only to be met with utter scorn. She faced him now, pride flaring, refusing to yield.

　　“Explanation?” Ji Xiaofu regarded her with glacial disdain, a cold sneer twisting his lips. “Qin Sisi, you’ve already driven her away! What more do you want?”

　　Sisi stared back, bewildered and lost. What did he mean? What had happened? Qin An quickly showed her Ning Shuang’s letter.

　　“Miss Sisi, Miss Ning Shuang has left. The Young Master is heartbroken. Please, just go. Don’t trouble him further,” Qin An implored.

　　Reading the note, a complex pang shot through Sisi. She was direct and honest, believing only in fair pursuit. Ning Shuang’s departure should have brought relief. Instead, she felt only a hollow unease, a gnawing sense of guilt towards the woman she’d unwittingly displaced.

　　“Why… why did she leave?” Sisi murmured, adrift.

　　“Why?!”Ji Xiaofu’s anger surged anew. He was a wounded animal, lashing out blindly.“You dare ask why?! You are the Chancellor’s daughter! She dared not cross you! Are you satisfied now?!”

　　“I… I…” Sisi stammered, words failing her. Ning Shuang’s flight was linked to her presence. She had wanted fair competition, but could it ever be fair given her status? Stunned, Sisi stood frozen, tears of bitter injustice welling in her eyes.

　　“Ji Xiaofu! You go too far!” Hua Rong exploded, stepping protectively in front of Sisi, his own fury ignited by her distress. “How dare you blame Sisi?! Do you know how many tears she’s shed for you? It was you who lied, telling her Ning Shuang was your sister! She lowered herself to come to you, and this is how you repay her? If I hadn’t told her the truth, she’d still be in the dark! Ji Xiaofu! You have the audacity to blame others?! Are you even a man?!”

　　Blinded by rage, Ji Xiaofu was deaf to reason. Seeing Hua Rong’s fierce defense of Sisi, their constant companionship, a poisonous jealousy flared within him.

　　“Brother,” Ji Xiaofu’s voice dropped dangerously low, “what is your relationship with her? You fancy her, don’t you?”

　　The air crackled with tension. The precipice yawned before them. Ji Xiaofu and Hua Rong, sworn brothers, stood on the brink of a shattering confrontation. Qin An watched helplessly, frantic with worry, as the bonds of brotherhood strained to breaking point.