"Huh, what are you doing here?" Wang Qingchen looked at Xia Wentao with some surprise. But as soon as he finished speaking, he frowned, "Right, how did you know where we were staying? I remember when we visited your place last time, we never mentioned it!"

"Haha," Xia Wentao chuckled with a touch of pride, "Now that we're in the capital, this is my turf. There's nothing I can't find out here!"

Hearing Xia Wentao's rather arrogant claim, Wang Qingchen couldn't help but smile faintly. "Alright, alright, then please enlighten me, Brother Xia, what brings you to find me today?"

"Hey, I don't like hearing that! Must I only come see you when I need something? Can't I just drop by for a casual visit?" Xia Wentao sounded disgruntled. Before Wang Qingchen could reply, he stated his true purpose, "Didn't we agree before? Once you all arrived in the capital, I absolutely had to treat you properly. Last time you visited my home, we didn't truly enjoy ourselves. Today, I must take you out for a proper outing."

As he spoke, Xia Wentao’s gaze swept over the place Wang Qingchen and the others were renting, then he looked puzzled. "Huh, where is that kid Zhao Cheng?"

"Zhao Cheng? Oh, he went to visit an old acquaintance today," Wang Qingchen replied, deliberately avoiding naming the acquaintance. After all, it was Zhao Cheng's private matter, and Wang Qingchen wasn't sure if Zhao Cheng would mind him sharing it, so "an old acquaintance" would suffice.

After hearing this, while Xia Wentao was slightly curious about who Zhao Cheng's acquaintance might be, seeing that Wang Qingchen hadn't offered specifics, he wisely chose not to press. Since Wang Qingchen hadn't mentioned it, there must be a reason why it was best left unsaid. He certainly didn't want to put anyone in an awkward position.

So, Xia Wentao grinned cheerfully, "What rotten luck that he's not here. Then, let's the two of us go. Today, I'll show you what the capital truly looks like."

Although Wang Qingchen wasn't overly eager to go out—having spent the last few days cooped up reading—he was starting to feel a bit stir-crazy. Since Xia Wentao had come all this way, he naturally wouldn't refuse. He immediately said, "Fine, but wait here a moment. I need to change my clothes."

Xia Wentao nodded and waited a short while. Soon enough, Wang Qingchen emerged in a different set of clothes. However, he didn't immediately follow Xia Wentao out. Instead, he spoke to the cook they had hired—the pozi—telling her that he was going out and asking her to inform Zhao Cheng upon his return that he had gone out with a friend.

After giving these instructions, Wang Qingchen finally turned to Xia Wentao, who was waiting patiently. "Let's go, we should head out now!"

"Great, let's go! By the way, is there anywhere specific you’d like to visit first? Tell me, if there is a place you’re keen on, we’ll go there first." Xia Wentao suggested.

Wang Qingchen considered it for a moment, then shook his head. "Not really. Let’s stick to your original plan. Wherever you think is fun, we'll go there."

"Alright, my friend! Today I will make sure you have a grand tour and experience the scenery of our capital!" Xia Wentao declared grandly.

Wang Qingchen found this amusing and followed him out.

Xia Wentao had actually planned several spots, but ultimately, his focus settled on Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan), because from there, one could get a view of the entire Imperial City. Though they had a carriage for the journey, the two men chose to walk around once they arrived to explore. Crucially, they were set on climbing the mountain, which suggested they were in for a good workout.

Upon reaching Xiangshan, Xia Wentao skipped further sightseeing and took Wang Qingchen directly to a nearby eatery. After settling at a table and ordering food, they both sat down to rest.

"Ah, I'm quite tired today. Perhaps it’s because I haven't been out sightseeing in so long?" Xia Wentao remarked, tilting his head slightly toward the sky, as if speaking more to himself.

Wang Qingchen felt no inclination to tease him, as he too was feeling a distinct weariness. Only after sitting down and resting for a while did he feel somewhat better.

Just as both men were catching their breath, a voice drifted over from a nearby table. "Isn't that Wentao? What brings you out this way today?"

Hearing the familiar tone, Wang Qingchen wondered if it was one of Xia Wentao's friends, but then he saw the expression on Xia Wentao’s face opposite him abruptly change—it turned distinctly unpleasant.

However, in a moment, Xia Wentao’s composure returned, and he smiled. "Oh, it's Fu Lan. Shouldn't I be asking you that? How do you have time to be out right now?"

Xia Wentao had reason to ask. The wedding date for Fu Lan and Xia Wanyu was fast approaching, and the Fu household should be incredibly busy. Even setting the marriage aside, Fu Lan was supposed to be at home studying scholarly texts.

"Heh heh, no matter how busy I am, I always manage to carve out some time to step out," Fu Lan replied, his smile sounding slightly forced.

The truth was, when Fu Lan was at home these days, his father—who placed enormous expectations on him—kept him heavily confined, except for matters directly related to wedding preparations. Otherwise, Old Master Fu insisted he remain indoors under the guise of rigorous study, demanding he surpass Xia Wentao in the upcoming provincial examinations. This strict regimen, while manageable for a day or two, had become obsessive. Old Master Fu now demanded Fu Lan stay home studying every day. If Fu Lan wished to go out, he needed explicit permission from his father; appealing to his mother was useless, as she was known to dote on her son and would certainly yield to his pleading. Gaining Old Master Fu's approval required an unimpeachable reason, which was nearly impossible to produce. Thus, one could imagine the life Fu Lan was leading within the Fu estate.

The reason Fu Lan was out today wasn't because he had sought permission; he had snuck out. Sneaking out left him highly anxious. He had only intended to sit briefly in the eatery and not draw attention, terrified of being spotted by an acquaintance who might report him to Old Master Fu—that would mean severe punishment!

Thinking of this, Fu Lan regretted speaking to Xia Wentao first. Xia Wentao hadn't noticed him initially. If Xia Wentao were to report this outing to his father... Wait, wait. Based on what he knew of Xia Wentao, he likely wouldn't do such a thing. Reassured by this thought, Fu Lan relaxed, regained his composure, and walked over actively.

Fu Lan, naturally, failed to realize that Xia Wentao would seize any opportunity to witness Fu Lan suffer misfortune, so he had cheered up far too soon.

"And this gentleman is...?" Fu Lan approached and realized he didn't recognize the person sitting opposite Xia Wentao, so he took the initiative to ask.

"This is Wang Qingchen, a good friend I made when I visited my maternal uncle's home," Xia Wentao explained. Then, gesturing towards Fu Lan, he added to Wang Qingchen, "This is Fu Lan, who will be marrying my younger sister soon."

Upon hearing Xia Wentao's introduction, Fu Lan immediately assumed Wang Qingchen came from a family of low standing and lost all interest in probing further. Wang Qingchen, however, was quite astonished. This unfamiliar Young Master Fu was going to marry Xia Wentao's sister? Why hadn't Xia Wentao ever mentioned this when they were in the county seat? Furthermore, with the sister’s wedding so close, shouldn't she be busy sewing her bridal trousseau? And why would the sister travel so far away with her fiancé? Did women in the capital not follow such customs before marriage? Even stranger, given their supposed relationship, their demeanor toward each other felt anything but warm. Wang Qingchen had clearly seen the sudden shift in Xia Wentao's expression when Fu Lan’s voice first reached him.

He immediately sensed an underlying complication, but since it involved someone else’s family affairs, Wang Qingchen felt it inappropriate to pry. He suppressed his curiosity and took a sip of his tea.

Fortunately, the awkward silence didn't last long. Fu Lan needed to return; he had already been out for a while, and if he was discovered now, it would be disastrous. After a short while, Fu Lan excused himself from Xia Wentao and then bid farewell to Wang Qingchen, though the difference in his attitude toward the two men was stark.

Of course, Wang Qingchen paid no mind to the attitude of someone he had just met.

After Fu Lan departed, Xia Wentao observed Wang Qingchen's composed expression and breathed a slight sigh of relief. He then smiled at him. "Weren't you even a little bit curious?"

Wang Qingchen hadn't expected Xia Wentao to ask so directly, and he chuckled in return. "If you are willing to tell me, then of course I'd like to hear it. I definitely felt something was strange between you two just now."

Xia Wentao studied Wang Qingchen for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh. "The one he is marrying is my concubine-born sister."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingchen understood instantly. No wonder their relationship wasn't close; Xia Wentao must not have had a good relationship with his shumei.

However, just as Wang Qingchen formed this thought, Xia Wentao continued, "But the one originally betrothed to him was my legitimate, full-blooded sister."

"Ah?" Wang Qingchen couldn't help but exclaim, then quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, realizing his reaction was too dramatic.

Xia Wentao had found the subject matter rather heavy, but seeing Wang Qingchen’s response, he burst into laughter. "You... what kind of reaction was that?" (To be continued)