I Am This Type of Woman

After a squabble with Ban Heng, Ban Hua, using the pretext of helping him exercise, dragged him along on a shopping trip. As they reached the front door, they heard a commotion outside, unsure of what was happening.

Stepping outside, they saw two servants helping their father out of a carriage. Their father, clearly drunk, swayed unsteadily.

"Sister, has Mother gone out?" Ban Heng glanced towards the main gate, worried about his mother's reaction if she saw their father in this state.

"No, Mother said she was going to take a nap." Ban Hua gave Ban Heng a sympathetic look and was about to help him support Ban Huai when another person emerged from the carriage.

"Junzhu, Heir," Rong Xia straightened his clothes and apologized, "I dined with Lord Marquis just now and inadvertently let him drink a bit too much. I'm truly sorry."

"Thank you, Lord Bo, for escorting my father back," Ban Hua felt it wasn't Rong Xia's fault. She knew how low her father's alcohol tolerance was. What she hadn't expected was her father and Lord Bo dining together. It was like a cat playing with a swan – an odd pairing. "My father doesn't handle alcohol well. If he offended you in any way, please don't take it to heart."

"Junzhu, you are too kind. Lord Marquis didn't offend me in the slightest," Rong Xia said as the servants helped Ban Huai into a sedan chair. "Lord Marquis has been safely delivered. I shall take my leave."

"Lord Bo, why not stay for some tea and refreshments?" Ban Heng approached and bowed to Rong Xia. "Lord Bo, please."

"It wouldn't be right to further impose…"

"Lord Bo," Ban Huai poked his head out of the sedan chair window, slurring, "I consider you a friend now!"

"Ahem," Ban Heng coughed. "Lord Bo, don't stand on ceremony, please!"

Ban Hua face-palmed and gestured to the servants to quickly carry her father inside. She'd leave the rest to her mother to worry about.

"Then I shall accept your kind invitation."

Rong Xia followed the siblings inside. This was his first time entering the Ban residence. The interior was both similar to and different from what he had imagined. The mansion was luxurious and refined, with exotic flowers and trees, carved beams, and painted rafters. To reach the inner gate, one had to cross a winding bridge over a clear lake, where golden koi lazily swished their tails, looking plump and indolent. However, the Ban family servants were more disciplined than he'd anticipated, unlike those in some families connected to the royal family, who, despite their opulent surroundings, couldn't even manage their servants properly.

This was likely the work of the Marchioness. It was said that the Grand Princess had been very fond of the Marchioness of Jingting and had specifically requested her hand in marriage for her son. Fortunately, although the Marquis of Jingting was idle and unproductive, he treated his wife exceptionally well. Even Rong Xia had heard tales of the Marchioness's wit and beauty in her youth.

He glanced at the Ban siblings. Perhaps their personalities were more like the Marquis of Jingting's?

The three settled down in the viewing pavilion in the middle of the lake. Ban Heng usually disliked engaging in refined conversation, but after exchanging a few words with Rong Xia, they were soon on brotherly terms. The reason was simple: Rong Xia's words were incredibly agreeable. Although he was clearly a man of letters, he didn't show off his knowledge, and his temperament was more pleasant than those renowned scholars and talents. Ban Heng finally understood why his father had dined and drunk with this man.

"I only regret not having met Brother Rong sooner," Ban Heng raised his teacup. "Come, I offer this tea in place of wine, a toast to Brother Rong."

"You are too kind, Brother Ban." Rong Xia raised his teacup, clinked it against Ban Heng's, and drained it in one gulp.

"Refreshing! I can't stand all those fussy tea-drinking rituals," Ban Heng declared. "If you're thirsty, drink heartily. If not, savor it slowly. Why all the fuss?"

"Brother Ban is a straightforward man. I am not so," Rong Xia refilled their teacups. Turning to Ban Hua, who was silent, chin resting on her hand, he poured out her cold tea and replaced it with warm. "Junzhu, why so quiet?"

"What is there to say?" Ban Hua blinked and waved her hand. "I'm not interested in your men's talk."

Rong Xia couldn't help but smile. "What is Junzhu interested in?"

"Jewelry and ornaments. The prettier, the better," Ban Hua sighed dramatically. "Life is short. The thought of all the beautiful jewelry in the world that doesn't belong to me makes my heart ache."

"Cough, cough, cough!" Ban Heng choked. My dear sister, have some sense! Your reputation is already in tatters. How can you openly admit to liking such vulgar things as jewelry? Can't you at least pretend to be a little more refined?

Ban Hua shot him a look. Someone who could so brazenly justify "casting pearls before swine" had no right to criticize her.

Rong Xia pretended not to notice the exchange between the siblings and said with a smile, "Junzhu, with your stunning beauty, only the most exquisite jewels in the world are worthy of you."

Ban Hua's eyes crinkled into crescents. This world truly favored handsome men with sweet tongues.

"Lord Bo, this pastry is quite delicious. You should try it." Ban Hua pushed a plate of pale green pastries towards Rong Xia. Although they looked simple, these pastries were incredibly labor-intensive to make. A single plate cost nearly a hundred taels of silver. However, because she loved them, the kitchen prepared them several times a month.

"Thank you." Rong Xia picked one up with his silver chopsticks and took a bite. The pastry had a delicate flavor with a hint of tea and…the scent of a spring meadow. It was a flavor Rong Xia found hard to describe, but it was undeniably delicious.

"Very good," Rong Xia took a sip of tea and wiped his mouth. "Your chef is truly skilled."

Ban Hua looked at the four remaining pastries, picked one up for herself, and pushed the plate closer to Rong Xia. "If you like them, have some more."

Rong Xia noticed the reluctance in Ban Hua's eyes and then slowly and with evident enjoyment, ate all three remaining pastries.

Ban Hua's feelings were complex. She was happy that someone else enjoyed something she loved, but the fact that four of her monthly ration of pastries were gone made her heart ache a little.

She rubbed her chin. Was this the "bittersweet" feeling described in storybooks?

Rong Xia stayed at the Jingting Marquis Residence for over an hour and returned to his own mansion with a smile on his face.

"Lord Bo, did something good happen today?" His personal servant brought hot water for him to wash his hands and face. "I haven't seen you this happy in a long time."

"Does snatching pastries from a young lady count as something good?" Rong Xia dried his hands, picked up a book, and reclined on a chaise lounge. "Tell the kitchen to prepare a lighter dinner."

"Yes." The servant was puzzled. What had gotten into their Lord Bo? Snatching pastries from a young lady? What would people say if they heard about this?

The Great Ye Dynasty held minor court sessions every three days and major sessions every five. Idle officials like the Marquis of Jingting, who held sinecures and couldn't even be bothered to clock in, only showed up at the major sessions to make up the numbers.

However, today, at the major court session, he was unusually energetic. Not only was his hair impeccably styled, but his posture was also ramrod straight.

He walked into the crowd, caught sight of the Marquis of Zhongping, and shot him a disdainful look before joining a group of other idle marquis.

The Marquis of Zhongping, having been glared at, couldn't retaliate. He felt incredibly frustrated. A short while later, he saw Ban Huai whispering with a few other court parasites, occasionally glancing in his direction. The Marquis of Zhongping's anger intensified. What right did these unproductive, idle parasites have to gossip about him?

"Silence!" A eunuch entered, clapping his hands. "Your Majesty has arrived."

The hall fell silent, and the court officials arranged themselves in their designated positions, no longer displaying their previous casual demeanor.

Halfway through the session, Wang De, standing beside the Emperor, announced, "If you have matters to address, speak now. Otherwise, court is adjourned."

Ban Huai took a step forward, but someone else was faster.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report." It was Censor Li, the one who had visited the brothel a few days prior.

"I accuse Xie Chongjin, the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongping, of corruption and abuse of power during his tenure in Pingzhou. He condoned his subordinates' exploitation of the common people. He lacks the virtues of an official and is a true parasite of the court."

Ban Huai, who usually disliked Censor Li, finding his pointed chin and jawline unpleasant, now saw those features as signs of wisdom. Even the censor's entire appearance seemed agreeable.

"Your Majesty, this minister has also heard of this matter. As an official of the Great Ye, I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter."

This time, it was Grand Secretary Yan Hui who spoke.

Although His Majesty trusted Grand Secretary Shi more, with even Yan Hui speaking up, an investigation was inevitable.

Ban Huai rubbed his hands, barely suppressing his excitement. This was truly a good show, both lively and captivating.

Author's Note:

Ban Huai: Rip them apart, rip them apart even louder.

ʕ◉ᴥ◉ʔ

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