Yawen Pavilion

Once her headache subsided, Zhao Shuang slammed the pendant onto the desk and stomped towards the corner.

Then, whirling to face the dummy, she flung one of her long sleeves. Numerous silver darts shot through the air, embedding themselves in the sponge-like material.

But when that wasn't enough to quell the rage bubbling through her, Zhao Shuang punched the dummy's head. And while it swung back, landed a hard kick on its chest.

As she paused to catch her breath, a dark thought slithered through her mind: You only exist to be the foil to the female lead's glory.

"No, I don't!" Zhao Shuang snarled, launching herself at the dummy once again.

Attack after attack fell on its defenseless body, jolting the dummy in every direction like it'd been caught in a storm. But soon enough, the rope snapped, and the dummy crashed to the floor in a tragic heap.

Zhao Shuang stayed there panting for a while, slowly regaining her senses. Then she returned to stand before her desk, glaring at that damned pendant.

How she wished to crush it to pieces!

Due to a few strokes of the brush, her only purpose was to be an obstacle to the female lead and her happy ending. So was her miserable life simply a plot device for Wen Xinya's sake?!

She pressed a hand firmly against her lower abdomen. Even...

A cold smile settled on her lips. In this life, Wen Xinya wouldn't be entering this world. It was better for this so-called female lead to find another one to dominate.

Her hand curled into a tight fist right then, before she slowly released it, one finger at a time.

Predestined or not, it was her own actions that led to her demise, and she couldn't allow herself to forget that.

Zhao Shuang shifted her attention back to the pendant, her face hardening once more.

There were more serious matters to consider, like that overpowering 'force' that had taken over her.

A shiver slipped down her spine at the thought of it.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Shuang carefully grabbed the pendant. She turned it over in her hands, examining the intricate carvings.

What was the purpose of this pendant appearing here? And just 'who' had spoken to her?

Maybe it all had something to do with her-

Fiercely shaking her head, Zhao Shuang stored the pendant away. There was no point in pondering such obscure matters. She'd only end up thinking in circles.

Only at Tianshen Temple would she have a chance of finding real answers, anyway.

"Young miss."

A sudden voice pierced through her thoughts. Startled, Zhao Shuang turned to see her shadow guard down on one knee before her.

With a handsome face carved from ice, Leng Ye was a mysterious man that had appeared in her last life shortly after her mother's death. But no matter how many times she'd asked him why he was willing to serve her, he always refused to answer.

Her face lit up at the sight of him. "Do you have the information?"

Leng Ye gave her a stiff nod, then reported in his usual efficient manner: "This subordinate has finished tracking the movements of the Immortal Valley's five Divine Doctors. The one easiest for young miss to contact is currently staying at Yawen¹ Pavilion."

"Yawen Pavilion...are you sure?"

"Yes, young miss."

Zhao Shuang lowered her eyes, tapping a finger against her side.

A day after her rebirth, she had sent Leng Ye to inquire after the Immortal Valley's Divine Doctors in order to cure Zhao Luan as fast as possible. It was very fortunate that one of them was currently in the capital.

But Yawen Pavilion made things much more complicated.

With a long, illustrious history that stretched back to the founding of Tianshen, Yawen Pavilion was where most of the capital's talented scholars gathered. It was a place purely for literary pursuits, whether it was debates, composing poems, or simply reading one of the books from its renowned library. And unlike most scholarly establishments, it was open to both men and women.

But if a Divine Doctor was indeed staying there, and this information hadn't been made public, then to meet with the doctor she'd clearly need the owner's permission.

The owner, however...

Forever an enigmatic figure, ever since Yawen Pavilion first appeared more than a hundred years ago. No one knew if there was a powerful family behind the scenes, or if each owner was selected through special means by the previous one.

Even for her, someone who had lived two lifetimes and knew the truth behind this world, the owner's identity was a difficult puzzle to solve.

But then Zhao Shuang smirked, a cunning expression shining in her eyes.

It might be impossible to meet face to face with the owner if she directly went as the young miss of the Great General Manor, but what about using another, more discreet identity?

"Leng Ye, go back and draw me a map of Yawen Pavilion. This young miss will be going there tomorrow."

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In front of Yawen Pavilion's large entrance, a nondescript carriage came to a gentle stop.

With Xiang Lan's support, an elegantly dressed Zhao Shuang stepped down, a watery blue veil concealing her face. After directing her maid to leave with the carriage, she then headed for the entrance.

Two formidable-looking guards were stationed there, staring at her veiled face with suspicious eyes. Zhao Shuang didn't say anything. Instead, one of her hands casually brushed against the silver token hanging from her waist.

It glinted in the afternoon sunlight, blinding the guards' eyes.

Almost immediately, they became much more respectful, deeply bowing to her. "These commoners welcome the young miss. Please step inside."

Zhao Shuang nodded, walking right past them with a satisfied gleam in her eyes.

As a prestigious establishment, Yawen Pavilion wasn't very easy to get into, as one had to write a poem on the spot that was to the owner's liking.

Then, if it was approved, depending on the owner's judgment, the person would be rewarded with a token for all future entries. There were three types currently, each one dictating where in Yawen Pavilion they were allowed to enter.

This wasn't her own token, however. In the past life, Zhao Shuang had always preferred to remain in the privacy of her own courtyard.

So naturally, she had Leng Ye retrieve Zhao Lan's silver token. Her virtuous cousin loved to come here and flaunt her talents in front of any eligible young masters.

Leaving the small reception room, Zhao Shuang walked down a long corridor with elegant bamboo gardens on both sides. Wind chimes hung from the sweeping archways, tinkling in the gentle breeze.

The path then divided into three, and Zhao Shuang took the one most to the left. A hanging sign revealed it led to Fangfei² Hall, the lowest-ranking courtyard.

And precisely the one Leng Ye had determined to have the least security.

Soon, an ornamented building came into view, surrounded by blooming flowers. The doors were left open to let in the fresh spring air, and the sound of lively debates and gentle laughter could be heard from the inside.

Once she entered, several people looked up from what they were doing. Their eyes lit up when they caught sight of her silver token. But she only swept them a quelling glance, then headed for the viewing pavilion adjoined to the hall.

A few stone tables were spread out, placed to admire the surrounding flower gardens from several vantage points. Zhao Shuang sat down on the closest one, and right after, a servant girl came up to her table with a tray of fresh tea and pastries.

Taking a sip of the delicious tea, she let out a pleased sigh, and admired the beautiful scenery for a moment.

The gardens were bursting with rare flowers of all kinds, with narrow waterways winding through them. Sunlight sparkled off the clear water, and the tinkling of wind chimes could be heard in the distance. And with the fresh, crisp air of springtime, the pavilion's atmosphere was just right for composing poems or simply reading a book.

'When was the last time I enjoyed myself like this?'

Zhao Shuang smiled ruefully. She had always been so focused on proving herself, on exacting her revenge, that everything else faded away. There was no time to admire nature, or even to spend time with the people in her life who did love her.

And so, she was more than grateful for this chance to relive her life.

"A lovely view, right?" a friendly voice asked from behind her.

Her head turned just as a handsome young man slid into the seat across from hers. He was dressed in elaborate forest green robes, with a painted fan elegantly spread out in one hand.

He flashed her a bright grin. "But surely not as beautiful as the young miss herself."

Lowering her teacup with an audible clink, Zhao Shuang coolly stared at him. "What does the young master want?"

An easy laugh escaped his lips. Then he leaned closer with a sparkle in his eyes, tapping his fan against his chin.

"Only the name of the beautiful young miss."

She pressed her lips together, attempting to glare at him. Even so, a small laugh escaped anyway.

"Little brat, this isn't the place to be flirting with an unfamiliar woman," Zhao Shuang chided, but there was no real heat to her words.

Instead, her eyes were much softer than before, as she realized that the boy before her couldn't be more than eighteen. Only two, maybe three years younger than her currently. But to Zhao Shuang, who had already lived to be five-and-twenty in her past life, this youth was merely a little boy in her eyes.

Unsurprisingly, he was quick to protest.

"What do you mean 'little brat'?" He scowled, offended. "This young master is practically the same age as you!"

"So what? You still need to be taught a lesson." She rolled her eyes, but a faint smile was hidden beneath her veil.

It'd been a long time since she'd spoken with someone so...innocent.

From the expensive material of his robes, it was clear this young boy was a spoiled young master used to having his way. Most likely he wasn't often scolded like this.

And much less by a young woman, she chuckled.

"Are you laughing at this young master?" The boy accused, closing his fan with a snap. He jabbed it at her with an angry flourish. "Let me tell you, if you knew who this young master's father was, you probably wouldn't dare speak to me like this!"

"Oh really?" Zhao Shuang arched an eyebrow. "Then if Murong gongzi³ wants to bring this up with the Duke, this young miss is more than willing." She shot a glance at the servant girl from earlier, who came to stand behind her. "Only, I hope Murong gongzi won't mind if I bring this servant from Yawen Pavilion as a witness to our conversation."

"Wait! How do you know who I am?" blurted out Murong Jun, the youngest son of Duke Zhongyuan⁴, his eyes wide.

Zhao Shuang simply gestured to his waist, and he looked down to see a familiar jade pendant, the symbol of the Murong family clear as day.

Then, his face paled when he thought back to the blatant threat in her words.

He was the most favored son in the Duke Zhongyuan Manor, especially with his grandmother and the rest of his female relatives. But his scary father was the only one who didn't spoil him. Always punishing him to read difficult texts that made his eyes glaze over or practice martial arts that left him exhausted for days.

And if this young miss really dared come to the Duke Manor and revealed to his father what he'd been doing instead of studying....

Murong Jun shivered. Then, quickly smiling, rushed to appease her.

"Young miss, there's no need for this, right?" he coaxed, radiating as much charm as he could muster. "Here, let me sincerely apologize for my rude actions that disturbed the young miss's peace."

Murong Jun stood up and performed a full bow with none of the arrogance of before. Then, he looked up at her with a hopeful look. "Can we leave it at that, young miss?"

But she only examined her nails, her usual blue polish removed just before coming here. "I don't know if that's enough..."

"Please, young miss!" Murong Jun begged as he knelt right in front of her, shining eyes staring rather pitifully up at her. "Otherwise, my father will surely beat me!"

"I don't quite believe that, Murong gongzi. But all right, this young miss accepts your rather pathetic apology," Zhao Shuang finally relented with a careless wave.

But there was a hidden smile in her eyes. Who knew messing with dandy young masters could be so fun?

The youth leapt to his feet with a whoop, elated. Then with one quick action, he took off his jade pendant, and displayed it to her with a proud yet sincere smile.

"This young master might not be a talented scholar and only knows how to drink and play, but repaying a debt is still something I can do."

Speechless, Zhao Shuang blinked. This Murong Jun, really...what a shameless little fellow!

Nevertheless, she wasn't going to refuse such a generous offer.

But just as he was about to hand it over, a shrill cry sliced through the air.

"Brother Jun, stop right there!"

❄️

¹Yawen (雅文) Pavilion: Ya (雅) means 'elegant, graceful, refined' while Wen (文) means 'literature, writing, culture; gentle, refined'.

²Fangfei (芳菲) Hall: Fangfei together means the 'fragrance of flowers and plants'.

³gongzi (公子): Way of addressing a young son of nobility or of an official.

⁴Duke Zhongyuan (忠远): A title. Zhong (忠) means 'loyal / faithful/ devoted' while yuan (远) means 'profound'.

❄️

Names:

Murong Jun (慕容俊): Murong is a two-character surname, Jun (俊) means 'talented, capable; handsome'.

Leng Ye (冷夜): Leng (冷) means 'cold, chilly' and Ye (夜) means 'night, dark'.