Chapter 573: An Old Friend Visits

Late April.

Chang'an.

The summer heat has not yet become intense, and the morning light is pleasantly clear.

At the break of dawn, a wisp of fine morning mist still drifted.

When the hour of Chen arrived, the sun pierced the clouds, shedding warm, mellow light that washed over the vermilion columns of the Weiguo Gongfu and fell onto the courtyard's Blue Bricks.

The newly sprouted grass shoots in the brick seams glowed with tender green.

The courtyard was spacious, its center laid with a smooth Qingshi Shiban, and around it grew several Lao Huai Shu trees and newly planted crabapple trees.

The locust branches spread, their verdancy so dense it seemed unbreakable, and crabapple petals covered the ground.

A wash of pink‑white fluttered in the wind, twirling, mingling with the fresh, moist scent of vegetation, especially refreshing.

Chen Yan stood at the center of the Qingshi Shiban, dressed in a loose Brothel of moon‑white hue, its brocade subtly embroidered with drifting cloud patterns that swayed gently with his movements, making his posture ever more upright and slender.

He had just mastered the eight movements of the Eight Brocade, his hands naturally hanging at his sides, eyes half‑closed, his breath slowly circulating.

Between his brows lay a hint of the relaxation after finishing practice, a thin sheen of sweat trickling from his temples down the smooth jawline.

After standing still for a moment, waiting for his breath to settle, his fingertips twitched, and he raised his hand to commence the opening of the Five Animal Frolics.

The Lao Huai Shu's branches were lush and dense, its shade covering most of the morning light, and beneath the tree stood a sixteen‑year‑old girl—Wei Yingxue.

She wore a light pink ru‑skirt, its hem embroidered with delicate entwined‑branch lotus motifs, the fabric a fine cloud‑brocade, warm to the touch, making her skin whiter than snow, her brows and eyes picture‑perfect.

Her figure was slender, her back straight, and she held a plain white porcelain bowl in her arms.

The bowl was topped with a cyan porcelain lid, from whose seams a faint warm vapor seeped, mingling with the fresh aroma of the ingredients, spreading in the wind.

Wei Yingxue's gaze fell on Chen Yan standing on the Qingshi Shiban, her eyes filled with shyness and admiration, her breath barely audible for fear of disturbing him.

Having entered the mansion yesterday as the side wife, she had thought early this morning of personally brewing a bowl of soup to deliver, both to fulfill her duty and to see her newlywed husband a little more.

The porcelain bowl was somewhat heavy; she had held it for a long time, her arm slightly aching, yet she would not move a step.

She only stared quietly at that moon‑white figure.

From behind, a soft, gentle footstep suddenly sounded, and Wei Yingxue, wholly focused on Chen Yan, had not noticed at all.

Until a warm hand lightly patted her shoulder, accompanied by a crisp, bright female voice: "Are you trying to go over and deliver the soup?"

The sudden movement startled Wei Yingxue, her body jolted, the porcelain bowl in her hand nearly slipping, and she let out a startled "Ah…".

The voice was light and soft, tinged with lingering shock.

She quickly steadied herself, turned, and saw a girl standing behind her, a little older than herself.

She was exceedingly beautiful, her brows and eyes lively, a pair of large eyes like holding starlight.

She wore a jade‑green silk skirt, its hem embroidered with silver‑threaded water‑ripple patterns, her figure graceful, temperament lively, smiling brightly at her without any malice.

Only then did Wei Yingxue sigh in relief, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks, a hint of awkwardness, she lightly nodded, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: "Mm‑mm."

Yun Xi withdrew her hand, her nose twitched, and instantly the fragrance drifting from the porcelain bowl in Wei Yingxue's hand captured her attention.

The aroma was rich and lingering, mingling the sweet graininess with the fresh moistness of the ingredients, neither strong nor weak, yet especially tantalizing.

Her eyes brightened, her gaze fixed directly on the plain white bowl, her tone full of praise: "Your soup smells so good!"

"Who is she?"

"When did she appear behind me?"

"Just now I didn't hear any sound at all…"

Wei Yingxue felt uneasy under her blunt gaze, cautiously observing Yun Xi, muttering to herself inwardly.

She examined Yun Xi's features closely, her brows and eyes curved, expression bright, seeming not a villain, and recalled the Weiguo Gongfu's strict guard and the embroidered‑clad envoys patrolling covertly, noting that outsiders could not enter; her lingering worry eased, and she replied softly: "Mm, my father usually loves the soup I brew…"

Yun Xi withdrew her gaze from the soup and examined Wei Yingxue closely, finding the girl exceedingly beautiful, her brows and eyes gentle, skin luminous, temperament elegant, and she seemed unfamiliar, never having seen her in the mansion before.

Her attire was luxurious, the fabric exquisite, far from a maid's garb, her hands so deft, sparking greater curiosity; she smiled and asked: "What is your name?"

"Why have I never seen you in the mansion?"

Wei Yingxue lightly pressed her red lips, her fingertips gently clutching the hem of her ru‑skirt, her voice low and slightly restrained: "My surname is Wei, my given name is Yingxue…"

"Wei… Yingxue?!"

Yun Xi murmured the name repeatedly, pausing at first, then as if suddenly realizing something, her eyes widened, expression turning surprised, she blurted out: "You are the side wife who just entered the mansion yesterday!"

As the words fell, her gaze lingered on Wei Yingxue again, her eyes showing no contempt, only pure admiration for the beauty, her tone full of sincere praise: "Truly a genuine beauty!"

Being praised so bluntly, Wei Yingxue's cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson, like spreading rouge, especially captivating.

She shyly lowered her head, her long lashes falling, shielding the shyness in her eyes, her voice even softer, she lightly replied twice: "Mm‑mm."

After a moment, she lifted her head, looking at Yun Xi, curiosity in her eyes, and asked softly: "What is your name?"

Yun Xi blinked her large eyes, her disposition naturally cheerful, and upon hearing it she smiled and replied: "My name is Yun Xi! The cloud of clouds, the tide of tides…"

"Yun Xi?"

Wei Yingxue whispered the name again, savoring it, smiling gently, her brows curved, eyes sincere, she praised softly: "What a pleasant name, elegant and lively, it suits you well…"

Wei Yingxue's warm, sincere praise sounded especially pleasant, Yun Xi's brows and eyes instantly curved like a crescent, her smile blossomed, her eyes brimming with joy, even her tone brightened, and she replied: "Your name is lovely too!"

"Yingxue, reflecting the look of falling snow, elegant and gentle, could not be a better match for someone like you!"

As the words settled, her gaze swept over Wei Yingxue, still gripping the porcelain bowl, and she recalled the shy, hesitant look she had given Chen Yan moments earlier...

She suddenly realized the girl had stood under the Lao Huai Shu for a long time; the soup's steam had faded, yet her feet had not moved at all, clearly she was timid, too embarrassed to step forward.

Yun Xi saw this, smiled brightly, her nature naturally cheerful and warm, and asked: "So, you've been standing here for a while because you're too shy to go deliver the soup?"

Wei Yingxue, confronted with the direct question, felt a deeper blush, her gaze a bit evasive yet unhidden, she lightly nodded, her voice faint, answering honestly: "Mm‑mm."

She had just entered the mansion yesterday, her interactions with Chen Yan still shallow, her heart full of reverence and shyness.

Advancing alone always felt cramped, so she lingered under the tree for a long time, unwilling to step forward.

Yun Xi saw this, smiled brightly, her nature naturally cheerful and warm, and suggested: "Then shall I accompany you over?"

Wei Yingxue, upon hearing, instinctively hesitated, gently shook her head, her tone carrying some concern: "That might not be right…"

Saying this, she lifted her eyes toward Chen Yan in the distance, saw him concentrating on the Five Animal Plays, his movements smooth and decisive, his aura steady, and increasingly felt it was improper to rush forward, her words halted at the tip of her tongue, and she whispered, "Would I be disturbing…".

Before she could finish, Yun Xi laughed and cut her off: "It's fine!"

Her tone was confident, and she said emphatically, "Brother A Yan is such a good person, gentle‑tempered, he wouldn't get angry over something so trivial!"

"Besides, you brought the soup especially; he hasn't even had a chance to be happy yet!"

"Let's go!"

Before the words finished, Yun Xi reached out, grasped Wei Yingxue's wrist, her fingertips warm, the pull gentle yet warm, and led her forward.

Wei Yingxue, being pulled by Yun Xi, stumbled slightly.

The unease in her heart gradually eased under this warmth; she tightened her grip on the porcelain bowl, her gaze fixed on Chen Yan's figure ahead, her cheeks still tinged pink.

She followed Yun Xi's pull, slowly walking forward.

At this moment, Chen Yan was practicing the monkey form of the Five Animal Plays, his body agile, movements light, his hands mimicking a monkey's climbing.

His arms rose lightly, the Brothel fluttered, his posture was strong yet supple, his aura steady, wholly immersed in the technique.

Suddenly, a crisp, bright shout came from afar, the voice arriving before the person, unmistakably familiar: "Brother A Yan! Brother A Yan!"

Chen Yan's movement halted, he looked toward the voice, recognizing the tone as Yun Xi's, a hint of softness in his eyes, he replied casually, "Yun Xi?"

His gaze swept over, seeing a person beside Yun Xi, dressed in a light pink ruqun, slender, it was Wei Yingxue, who had just entered the mansion and consummated the marriage yesterday; he was momentarily stunned, then asked, "And Yingxue?"

"How did you both come together?"

Speaking, he concluded his form, his hands naturally lowered, standing quietly on the Qingshi slab, his gaze gentle toward the two.

Yun Xi pulled Wei Yingxue forward; seeing this, she immediately nudged the shy Wei Yingxue forward, while she stood aside, laughing boisterously, "Brother A Yan, come taste the soup that Sister Yingxue made for you!"

"It smells so fragrant!"

"Oh?" Chen Yan said, blinking, his gaze landing on the porcelain bowl in Wei Yingxue's hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then a faint smile, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation, "Made by Yingxue herself?"

"Then I must savor it properly!"

Wei Yingxue, pushed to the front, cheeks flushed, dared not meet Chen Yan's eyes, lowered her head, both hands cradling the porcelain bowl, slowly presenting it before Chen Yan, her movements gentle and slightly cautious.

Sunlight fell on the top of her hair, making her skin appear even more luminous, her long lashes fluttered lightly, her appearance especially gentle and charming.

Chen Yan took the porcelain bowl, placed it casually on the stone table beside him, picked up the silver spoon at the bowl's edge, and scooped a mouthful of soup directly into his mouth.

The warm soup slid down his throat, carrying the grain's sweet freshness and the ingredients' juicy richness, its texture rich and delicate, the flavor superb, perfectly quelling the slight restlessness after training.

Yun Xi stood beside him, her gaze fixed on Chen Yan's expression, even her breathing softened; seeing him swallow, she immediately asked eagerly, "How is it? How is it?"

"Brother A Yan, is it delicious?"

Chen Yan savored the lingering taste, nodded slowly, his eyes full of approval, his tone sincerely praising, "Very tasty and flavorful, the heat just right, the flavor pure, even better than the mansion's cooks make!"

Hearing the praise, Wei Yingxue's lingering anxiety finally settled; at first she had been nervous, fearing her soup wouldn't suit Chen Yan's palate.

Now her tense expression gradually relaxed, a hint of smile appearing in her brows and eyes, her voice soft as she said, "As long as my husband likes it…."

Yun Xi, always measured, knew the soup was Wei Yingxue's, specially prepared for Chen Yan, so even though she was craving it under the tree earlier, she hadn't dared to ask for a taste.

She simply waited quietly for Chen Yan's assessment after he tasted it.

But seeing Chen Yan eat more and more heartily, spoon after spoon, the soup in the bowl soon nearly empty, she grew anxious, hurried forward a step, tugged at Chen Yan's sleeve, her tone urgent and a bit plaintive, "Brother A Yan, eat slower, leave some for me!"

"Earlier Sister Yingxue said she made it especially for you; I didn't even dare to taste a bite first, if I keep eating it'll be gone!"

Chen Yan, hearing this, lifted his eyes to Yun Xi, saw her cheeks puffed, eyes full of craving, looking cute and mischievous, couldn't help but smile, his eyes full of indulgence, he reached to rub the top of her hair, helplessly and humorously saying, "You little glutton, always thinking about food!"

"Come, come, have some!"

Saying so, he picked up the silver spoon, scooped a large spoonful from the bowl, and handed it to Yun Xi's lips.

Yun Xi immediately leaned forward, opened her mouth, and swallowed the soup.

The warm flavor spread in her mouth, more delicious than imagined, sweet without cloying, fresh and smooth; her eyes instantly brightened as if holding starlight, she nodded repeatedly, her tone full of amazement and praise, "Delicious, too delicious!"

"Sister Yingxue, your hands are so skillful!"

Yun Xi's praise was blunt and enthusiastic, the amazement in her eyes unmasked.

Wei Yingxue, hearing this, felt warmth rise in her heart, a faint smile spreading on her cheeks, her brows curved, the initial shyness fading, her tone gentle yet sincerely warm, she whispered, "If Yun Xi likes it, I can make it often…"

"In the future, if you want to eat it, just tell me in advance."

These words hit Yun Xi's heart, her eyes lit up, she nodded repeatedly with joy, her tone light and lively, "Alright, alright! Thank you, Yingxue!"

"With you saying that, I'll have a feast from now on!"

Saying so, her brows and eyes were full of delight.

She was completely childlike, joyous at receiving something she loved.

Wei Yingxue looked at her bright, mischievous demeanor, feeling increasingly close, gave a gentle nod, the smile in her eyes deepening.

Yun Xi, naturally warm‑hearted, immediately pounded her chest, solemnly declaring, "Whenever your body feels off, you can come to me!"

"My medical skill is just passable!"

Wei Yingxue heard this, felt warmth in her heart, looked at Yun Xi's sincere eyes, gave a faint smile, her voice soft, replying, "Alright, thank you, Yun Xi!"

Having just entered the Duke of Wei's mansion, she still felt a bit uneasy and unfamiliar.

Now, being treated so warmly by Yun Xi, that sense of unfamiliarity gradually faded, and she only felt a warm, soothing feeling in her heart.

Chen Yan stood aside, quietly watching the two's harmony, one bright and lively, the other gentle and warm, their interaction full of concord, he couldn't help but smile faintly, his eyes full of contentment.

He turned his head toward Yun Xi, his tone gentle as he reminded, "Yun Xi, Yingxue is new to Chang'an, she has no relatives or old friends here, so she'll inevitably feel lonely…"

"You two are of similar age and get along well; in the future, when you go out to play or eat, bring Yingxue along more, so she can become familiar with Chang'an!"

Yun Xi agreed without hesitation, nodding repeatedly, her tone especially resolute, "Alright, alright!"

"I'll take care of this!"

Saying so, she turned to Wei Yingxue, eyes full of confidence, speaking authoritatively, "Yingxue, I'm very familiar with Chang'an; I know which pastry shops have the finest treats, which taverns have the best flavors, and which scenery is the most beautiful; I know them all well!"

"Later I'll take you around one by one, guaranteeing you taste all the good things in Chang'an and see all the beautiful sights!"

Wei Yingxue had never set foot in Chang'an, always curious about the bustling capital; now hearing that Yun Xi would take her around, her heart filled with joy, she quickly gave a gentle nod, her tone with a hint of anticipation, "Mm, thank you, Yun Xi, sorry to trouble you!"

At that moment, a steady set of footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

A man dressed in Xuanse Jinshen hurried forward, tall and solemn in appearance, and he was the mansion's Private Soldiers Chen Heyi.

He stepped before Chen Yan, bowed respectfully and performed a crisp, proper salute, then lifted his eyes and, in a deferential tone, reported: "Pillar of the State, there are two gentlemen outside the mansion who did not submit a visiting token in advance, claiming to be your old friends…."

"They are waiting outside the mansion at this moment!"

Chen Yan heard this, furrowed his brows slightly, his smile faded a bit, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he murmured softly, "Old friend?"

The usual visitors are high officials of the court or relatives of noble families.

Ordinary officials typically submit a token in advance; such a sudden, unannounced arrival is rare.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yan looked up at Chen Heyi and, in a steady tone, asked, "What are the surnames and given names of those two gentlemen? Do we have a transmitted name?"

Chen Heyi lowered his head and replied truthfully, "One is surnamed Liu, the other surnamed Yang…."