Shanlan Keyi - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: An Unpleasant First Meeting

With a sharp whoosh, an arrow pierced the wind, chasing a wild rabbit darting through the brush. A figure emerged through the light mist on horseback.

She sat firmly in the saddle, dark hair bound in a golden crown, wearing fine cloud-patterned silk with a golden lock hanging from her red collar. With a bow in her left hand and a string drawn by her right, her sharp eyes remained fixed on her prey. Suddenly, a second arrow flew.

The feathered tail streaked like a bolt of lightning, slicing through leaves and plunging into the earth, precisely piercing the rabbit’s neck. The creature’s escape came to a jarring halt; before it could even whimper, it collapsed limply onto the grass.

The rhythmic clatter of hooves approached from a distance. A woman dressed in nomadic riding attire galloped past Wei Shanlan, heading straight for the fallen arrow. She flipped off her horse with practiced ease, lifted the rabbit from the grass, and clicked her tongue. “Shanlan, your archery has improved quite a bit again.”

Wei Shanlan watched as Yan Yaoqing finally caught up. Hearing her friend’s praise, her face lit up with irrepressible pride. She smiled triumphantly and teased, “Still doesn’t compare to the speed at which you pick things up.”

Facing the banter, the woman raised an eyebrow with a grin. Seeing the guards arriving behind them, she tossed the rabbit to one of them and vaulted back onto her horse.

Yan Yaoqing turned back with a meaningful look. “After a whole winter of nurturing, there’s more than just fat rabbits out here. I must go find a fine deer to nourish today’s guest of honor, hahaha.”

Wei Shanlan caught the implication immediately. Today was her twenty-seventh birthday; Yan Yaoqing was teasing her for reaching the age where one needs “nourishing” supplements for the body.

At this thought, Wei Shanlan’s brow twitched. Her relaxed posture vanished instantly as she spurred her horse forward, intent on catching her friend to give her a piece of her mind.

As lifelong confidantes, Yan Yaoqing knew the look well. Realizing Shanlan was coming to “teach her a lesson,” she immediately bolted into the forest, shouting as she rode:

“Hey, hey! Why do you get annoyed the moment I say anything?”

“I’m not annoyed! Why are you running? I didn’t care about what you said!”

“If you don’t care, why are you chasing me so fiercely?”

Yan Yaoqing didn’t believe her for a second. She knew Shanlan was petty. She had teased her about getting old and needing health tonics—if Shanlan didn’t want to smack her, it would be a miracle.

“Aren’t you looking for a deer? I’ll help you. Once we catch it, we’ll both ‘nourish’ ourselves.”

“Hahaha, I don’t need it, hahaha!”

The two laughed freely as they galloped through the woods, startling birds and beasts alike. Both were elite riders and archers; by midday, they had secured a bountiful haul.

As the sun reached its zenith, they prepared to return to the hunting camp.

Yan Yaoqing rode alongside Wei Shanlan, chatting incessantly about domestic matters, until Wei Shanlan suddenly remarked, “Why is there a carriage coming?”

Yan Yaoqing turned to look. Not far ahead, a carriage draped in silk curtains was slowly approaching. Hearing the crisp tinkling of the carriage bells on the wind, Yan Yaoqing’s heart stirred. Guessing who it was, she rode forward to greet them.

Beside her, Wei Shanlan found it strange. She thought they had reserved the hunting grounds for the day. Seeing Yan Yaoqing rush over without a word, she wondered if it was someone her friend knew.

The driver, seeing Yan Yaoqing approach, reined in the horses. A slender hand reached out to lift the curtain, and a woman stepped out.

She wore a cyan half-collared blouse paired with a long, primrose-yellow floral skirt. A pink ribbon was tied high at her waist, and she wore a bamboo hat adorned with woven lotus flowers. As the spring breeze brushed past, the woman gave a soft smile. Under the dazzling sunlight, it was hard to tell if the flowers were more beautiful, or the woman herself.

Yan Yaoqing greeted her warmly. “Yiyi, you look so beautiful today! That hat is so special and lovely.”

Liu Yiyi was accustomed to greeting everyone with a smile. Hearing the praise, her smile deepened. “If the Princess likes it, I can make one for you as well.”

“That would be wonderful. The sun is at its peak; it is indeed a bit scorching.”

As Yan Yaoqing spoke, Wei Shanlan rode up at a leisurely pace. Seeing the cold mask Shanlan wore when meeting strangers, Yan Yaoqing quickly introduced them. “Shanlan, let me introduce you. This is Miss Liu.”

Wei Shanlan scanned Liu Yiyi from head to toe. She had no memory of this person. She was addressed as “Miss,” suggesting she wasn’t from a prominent noble family.

Noticing Yan Yaoqing’s familiarity with her, Shanlan asked, “Who is this?”

“I forgot to tell you. Last month, when you went to Ganzhou, I had some friction with my husband. With no one to vent to, I went to pray to the Moon Deity.”

“I met Miss Liu on the way. She is a famous matchmaker in that region. Once I spoke to her, she understood exactly what the problem was between us. With her guidance, we reconciled.”

“matchmaker?”

“Someone who understands the affairs of the heart and guides those confused by romance.”

“Oh. And?”

At this point, Yan Yaoqing grew nervous. But realizing this matter had weighed on her for too long, she took a deep breath for the sake of her friend’s happiness. She spoke in a rapid-fire burst:

“You’re twenty-seven now. Your mother is worried sick about your marriage prospects. I thought, since your luck with men has always been poor, perhaps you need someone to guide you so you can finally understand these things. So, I wanted to introduce Miss Liu to you. She can teach you how to interact with men so you can find a good husband.”

The moment she finished, the air seemed to freeze. Only the sound of the wind through the leaves and distant birds remained.

The subtle tension was so heavy the guards dared not breathe, until a soft “Heh” broke the silence. Wei Shanlan let out a cold laugh. She didn’t even bother to roll her eyes. She gripped the reins, kicked her horse’s flanks, and prepared to leave.

Liu Yiyi had been quietly observing Wei Shanlan. She had prepared herself mentally and researched the General’s personality beforehand, hoping for a pleasant first meeting.

However, seeing the reaction and the attempt to leave, she clearly felt the General’s foul mood. Her hopes were dashed. At least I should show a gesture of goodwill, she thought. Liu Yiyi reached out, plucked a woven lotus from her hat, and hurriedly tossed it into Wei Shanlan’s lap.

Wei Shanlan was startled by the bright flash of blue in her lap. She felt a flicker of confusion, but she didn’t stop her horse. As her long hair flew in the wind, a faint floral scent drifted to her nose. Behind her, the woman’s soft voice drifted over:

“General Wei, Happy Birthday.”

Yan Yaoqing watched Shanlan gallop away. Knowing her friend, she knew Shanlan was leaving the hunting grounds entirely. Half-resigned and half-complaining, she muttered, “With that temper, no wonder no one dares to marry her.”

In those few moments of interaction, Liu Yiyi also realized that Wei Shanlan would be a difficult person to handle. A sense of hesitation rose in her heart. She hadn’t wanted to accept this task, but… the Princess had offered far too much money.

If you take someone’s gold, you must share their burdens. Thinking of the glittering gold, Liu Yiyi’s inner “little money-grubber” grew excited, instantly overriding her trepidation. She didn’t forget to comfort her employer.

“The General has led armies for years. She is used to giving orders. If she is now asked to listen to my instructions, her natural independence and toughness will instinctively resist. This won’t happen overnight; we must proceed slowly.”

Yan Yaoqing agreed. Thinking of her friend’s temper, even she had a headache. “Then it will be hard on you, Yiyi. If she remains like this, I’ll be out of options.”

“I will do my utmost.”

“Let’s not talk about her. We have so much game; let’s go roast it. Those who left won’t have the luck to taste it!”

“Then I’m the lucky one today.”

Liu Yiyi smiled and took off her bamboo hat, handing it to Yan Yaoqing.

“The Princess has a long ride back. Wear this to shield yourself from the sun. I won’t get burned inside the carriage.”

“Hahaha, then thank you, Yiyi!”

Yan Yaoqing put on the hat and led the remaining party back to the camp.

Liu Yiyi returned to the carriage. As it began to sway and move, she lifted a corner of the curtain, squinting at the figure leading the group. She quite liked Yan Yaoqing. Compared to many noble ladies, this Princess was more high-born but unexpectedly approachable.

Thinking of the cold-faced woman General, she figured that if those two were friends, they must share something in common.

Liu Yiyi began to plot. How could she get along with Wei Shanlan? After all, she had promised the Princess to stay with her for a whole month.

“A month?!”

A roar erupted in the courtyard, instantly halting every servant in their tracks.

Wei Shanlan had returned home from the hunting grounds only to see maids moving items in and out of her study. Upon hearing their answer, her face filled with disbelief. Rage surged from her chest, erupting into a shout.

Steward Wei, reporting nearby, was breakig into a cold sweat. He said tremulously, “This was arranged by the Great Madam. After all, the guest was sent by the Princess.”

Hearing the word “Princess” only added fuel to the fire. At the hunting grounds, Yan Yaoqing’s words had seemed absurd enough. Now, she returned to find her study reorganized without permission, with someone else’s belongings moved in.

Yan Yaoqing was truly something else. She actually dared to find someone to “guide” her. What nonsense about romantic affairs? And to have the person live in her study for a month?

It was madness. She had no time for such games. Wei Shanlan barked, “Tell the Princess’s person to get out! Move all these things out immediately!”

“Keep moving them in.”

A steady, powerful female voice cut through the air, vetoing Wei Shanlan.

Wei Shanlan turned to see a figure walking slowly down the corridor. Her dark purple wide-sleeved robe swayed with her steps. The woman’s face was stern and brooks no argument.

Madam Wei stepped forward, looking at her furious daughter with a frown. “I have seen the girl sent by the Princess. She is indeed a thoughtful and sensible young lady. It will do you good to have her teach you.”

Wei Shanlan sneered. “What are you all playing at? I don’t need a little swindler to teach me anything.”

“I think you’re the one playing around! You’re twenty-seven. Other girls have both sons and daughters by now. How much longer do you intend to stay like this?”

Whenever Wei Shanlan discussed this with her mother, it inevitably ended in an argument. The anger stuck in her throat made her miserable, but she didn’t want to fight further. Frustrated, she turned and walked away.

“Do whatever you want.”

“Wei Shanlan! Where are you going now?”

“None of your business!”

Wei Shanlan’s mood was at an all-time low. There was no peace anywhere. For a fleeting second, the beautiful face of that woman from earlier flashed in her mind. That Yueniang… she looked exactly like a little swindler who only knew how to use sweet words. She would make sure that girl left as soon as possible.

Back at the hunting grounds, Liu Yiyi, who was chatting and roasting meat with the Princess, sneezed. Yan Yaoqing sneezed right after.

The Princess laughed. “Shanlan must be cursing us right now.”

“The General should be home by now.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to her mother. You can go back later with a peace of mind.”

Liu Yiyi only smiled. “With the Princess backing me, I suppose I’ll have to ‘borrow the tiger’s might’ (play the bully).”

Yan Yaoqing laughed heartily. “No problem! Go ahead.”

She looked at the well-behaved girl before her. Liu Yiyi’s speech always had a touch of playfulness that was entertaining, and she knew exactly how to balance her boundaries without causing offense.

Yan Yaoqing thought she was a very special, lovable girl. She believed that Wei Shanlan would eventually come to love this “gift.”

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