C14 The One Who Was Truly Powerful Was Young Master Xuanji

Lan Qingjia spotted an empty seat by the window, the most spacious and well-lit spot in the room. She smiled and sat down with Baixiang.

Eager to refresh her memory and consolidate her previous knowledge, Lan Qingjia dove into her reading. Baixiang, equally eager, was absorbed in her own book. The room was quiet, save for the sound of pages turning.

Both were deeply engrossed. Baixiang soon wore a broad smile, while Lan Qingjia alternated between frowning, relaxing, and pondering deeply. A set of writing tools lay on the table, and she eventually began jotting down notes, her pen moving swiftly across the paper.

They didn't notice a tall figure standing silently nearby, unmoving for quite some time. A servant behind him whispered, "Sir, should I ask them to leave?"

The man, dressed in a pale robe with his dark hair neatly tied, exuded an air of elegance and nobility. He glanced at the pair, then shook his head. "No need."

Just then, a scholar at the neighboring table got up to leave. The observant servant quickly tidied the spot. "Sir, perhaps you could make do with this seat for now."

The man nodded slightly, walked over, and sat down, opening a book and quietly immersing himself in it.

After some time, Baixiang finished her book first. She looked up to see her mistress scribbling away on the paper, seemingly lost in her own world.

Baixiang quietly asked, "Miss, what are you drawing?"

Without pausing her work, Lan Qingjia replied, "It's a diagram of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams."

Baixiang was even more puzzled. "Why are you drawing these?"

Lan Qingjia smiled softly. "It's for the Flower Festival at the Exquisite Pavilion."

Baixiang still looked confused, so Lan Qingjia explained, "The master of the Exquisite Pavilion, Young Master Xuanji, is incredibly clever. The challenges he sets up include not just poetry and songs, but also these intricate diagrams. That's why no one has managed to get through them for so many years. Since I'm planning to give it a try this time, I need to prepare in advance. After all, I don't want to waste the hundred silver dollars."

Baixiang was wide-eyed with admiration, looking at Lan Qingjia with newfound respect. "Miss, you're amazing."

Lan Qingjia laughed. "I'm not the amazing one. The truly remarkable person is Young Master Xuanji. If he came up with these intricate challenges himself, it shows how sharp and wise he is, far beyond ordinary people like us. Even if these challenges were created by talented people under him, the fact that he can gather such talents speaks volumes about his extraordinary abilities. I wonder if I'll ever have the honor of meeting him in person."

Baixiang was full of admiration, and Lan Qingjia said no more, turning back to her studies with determination.

Just beyond the screen, the man's ears couldn't help but twitch slightly, though his face remained calm, revealing nothing.

Qiao Yuan, the attendant, couldn't resist glancing sideways at his master—who was sitting right next to them.

At that moment, a fluffy white ball suddenly leaped through the window, startling Lan Qingjia so much that her brush trembled in her hand.

"Meow—"

The white ball tilted its head, letting out a long meow as it looked at Lan Qingjia. It was fluffy and white, like a snowball, utterly adorable and heart-melting.

Her initial fright vanished, replaced by pure delight.

"So cute."

Lan Qingjia reached out to hold it, but it glared at her warily, extending its paw as if to scratch her, and let out another defiant "Meow—"

Baixiang quickly warned, "Be careful, miss, don't let it scratch you."

Lan Qingjia, however, noticed the blood on its paw and felt a pang of sympathy. "It's hurt."

Softening her voice, she gently extended her hand. "It's okay, kitty. Let me take a look at your wound. I won't hurt you."

It continued to watch her cautiously. To ease its guard, Lan Qingjia mimicked its sound with a soft "Meow," and it tilted its head, responding with a "Meow" of its own.

Then, with a call from her and a response from it, they seemed to be engaged in a harmonious conversation.