Chapter Three (Part 1)

Su Wu carried a pot of tea to the garden.

Past the fake mountain, Tao Tu Yun and Luo Bing Liang were playing chess.

Su Wu didn't expect mistress and first master's wife would become good friends. Luo Bing Liang often visited mistress to gossip, take strolls together and play chess in the garden near Tao Fang Ao's villa. She put the pot of tea on the table and walked to a pavilion nearby to not disturb mistress and Luo Bing Liang.

'Tu Yun, why are you a good chess player?' Luo Bing Liang praised.

Luo Bing Liang didn't have many chess pieces left and she realised she lost again.

'Thank you Lady Luo,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun sipped tea and her body warmed.

White and pink blossom trees were planted around the garden. Tao Tu Yun thought the gentle wind was soothing in the garden that she liked most.

'Do you like this garden?' Luo Bing Liang asked. 'Tao Fang Ao designed this garden. He visits this garden the most.'

'Did you say he visits this garden the most?' Tao Tu Yun asked suspiciously.

'The truth is I want to help you,' Luo Bing Liang said. 'Lady Li follows Tao Fang Ao around for days. But you don't even make an effort to spend time with Tao Fang Ao, which is why I want to find opportunities for you and Tao Fang Ao to spend time together. If my prediction is right then today Tao Fang Ao would have warned Lady Li to stay away from him. When he's stressed, he comes here to relax.'

Luo Bing Liang thought her plan was good. She thought Tao Tu Yun and Tao Fang Ao made a good couple. She knew Tao Fang Ao like her, couldn't endure Li Tai Fang's company.

'Then do I need to thank you?' Tao Tu Yun teased.

Tao Tu Yun smiled helplessly, Luo Bing Liang helped to ruin her plan. Tao Tu Yun had hoped that Tao Fang Ao would fall for Lady Li and she could finally leave the Tao Manor.

'Tu Yun, you don't need to worry,' Luo Bing Liang. 'You have my support.'

Of course Luo Bing Liang would support Tao Tu Yun and Tao Fang Ao's relationship progressing, she had put all her taels in Tao Tu Yun's basket. She saw Tao Fang Ao's tall figure and smiled.

'Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives,' Luo Bing Liang said.

'Why are you two together here?' Tao Fang Ao asked.

'Tao Fang Ao, you're here at the right time,' Luo Bing Liang said. 'I'm playing chess with Tu Yun. Do you want to sit and watch?'

'That is a good suggestion,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'On the way here I saw first brother looking for you.'

Luo Bing Liang stood anxiously and Tao Fang Ao happily sat on her seat.

'Is it true?' Luo Bing Liang asked. 'Then you two should stay here and play chess. I'll leave first.'

Luo Bing Liang quickly left the garden.

'I didn't expect you and first sister-in-law would be this compatible,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'You must be enjoying your stay at the Tao Manor having first sister-in-law as company.'

Tao Fang Ao noticed the moment he sat, Tao Tu Yun didn't even glance once at him.

'Lady Luo is an interesting person,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'I'm happy to have her as a friend.'

Tao Tu Yun's eyes admired the tea cup in her hands instead of admiring Tao Fang Ao.

'It sounds like you're saying spending time with your betrothed is not enjoyable,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'Is that why since you stepped into my home you wouldn't willingly glance once at me?'

Tao Fang Ao looked at Tao Tu Yun avoiding eye contact with him and his chest felt angry. He didn't need to see her face to know she purposely distanced herself from him.

Tao Fang Ao didn't know why Tao Tu Yun looked for him in Luo Yang Province if she didn't want to acknowledge their betrothal. Suddenly he remembered what she said on the first day she stayed at the Tao Manor, 'the truth is the purpose why I came here isn't for you to honor our betrothal but to break our betrothal.'

Tao Fang Ao didn't want Tao Tu Yun to be cold toward him.

'It's not true,' Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun's heart sighed, she raised her head and looked directly at Tao Fang Ao's eyes.

'I know you're busy working and I didn't want to trouble you,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'When I took strolls around the Tao Manor, I would coincidentally meet Lady Luo and we became acquainted with each other.'

Tao Tu Yun explained why she spent time with Luo Bing Liang, but she didn't understand why Tao Fang Ao looked angry.

Tao Fang Ao didn't know why he was angry about Tao Tu Yun being friendly with Li Tai Fang and cold toward him. What Tao Tu Yun said was true, he was busy overseeing the Tao Household's business and Li Tai Fang following him around was a nuisance to him. But he was more troubled by Tao Tu Yun's indifference. Why Tao Tu Yun didn't at least ask him once about his well-being?

Tao Fang Ao thought it would be reasonable he should be grateful and happy Tao Tu Yun didn't trouble him the way Li Tai Fang did. But he wasn't grateful or happy Tao Tu Yun didn't spend time with him, he was angry she ignored his existence.

'What will you do if I say I don't mind be acquainted with you?' Tao Fang Ao asked.

Tang Fang Ao didn't know why Tao Tu Yun affected his moods more than Li Tai Fang could. He thought Tao Tu Yun's company made his troubles disappear and he couldn't fault Luo Bing Liang for enjoying spending time with Tao Tu Yun.

'What are you suggesting?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

Tao Tu Yun hoped that she misheard Tao Fang Ao's words.

'In the future while I'm working in the calligraphy room, you can sit next to me and read,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'If I'm working outside the Tao Manor then you can accompany me outside.'

Tao Fang Ao gently stroked Tao Tu Yu's cheeks and his voice was putting her under a trance.

Later that afternoon, Tao Fang Ao's calligraphy room was quiet as usual except there was a new small table positioned next to a window and Tao Tu Yun was reading in front of the small table.

Tao Fang Ao was happy he finally finished checking monthly balances. He closed the account books, raised his head and admired Tao Fang Ao's beauty.

'Are you tired of staying here while I work?' Tao Fang Ao asked.

'No, I have history books to occupy me, Tao Tu Yun said.

Tao Tu Yun closed the history book she was reading and smiled at Tao Fang Ao.

'I haven't had an opportunity to ask about your family,' Tao Fang Ao said. 'I remember you said you're from Liu Yue Province. What is it like living there?'

'My parents are healthy and I'm their only child,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'Liu Yue Province isn't as lively as Luo Yang Province but everyone in Liu Yue Province works diligently.'

Tao Tu Yun had left Liu Yue Province for more than a month. She missed her family and didn't know when she could return home.

'The way you speak shows that your father must have influenced your education,' Tao Fang Ao said.

'My father is a teacher in Liu Yue Province,' Tao Tu Yun said. 'He doesn't care that I'm a female. I'm thankful my father taught me to read and write.'

Tao Fang Ao understood why Tao Tu Yun was worldlier than Li Tai Fang even though Li Tai Fang was from the imperial city.

'I think I should thank your father,' Tao Fang Ao said cryptically.

Tao Tu Yun couldn't read the complex expression on Tao Fang Ao's face.

'Are you hungry?' Tao Fang Ao asked. 'You've been inside the Tao Manor for many days. Do you want to eat an afternoon meal with me at Long Fang Inn?'

'Are you saying I can go outside the Tao Manor?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

Tao Tu Yun couldn't believe what Tao Fang Ao asked.

'Yes, on the condition you accompany me outside,' Tao Fang Ao said.

Tao Fang Ao suspected he couldn't be angry as long as Tao Tu Yun was smiling at him.

'Can Su Wu come with us?' Tao Tu Yun asked.

Tao Tu Yun thought Su Wu would be happy if they could spend time together outside the Tao Manor.

'Yes, I'll wait in front of the main gate while you ask Su Wu to join us,' Tao Fang Ao said.

***

End of Chapter Three (Part 1)