The Darker the Night, The Brighter the Stars

It was the fifth day since Fu Yanqing found her. Although Zhao Yan wasn't as guarded as before, she was still somewhat doubtful whenever he would bring up the topic of marriage and going back to Zhao country.

For Zhao Yan, things were progressing a bit too fast. She wanted to have more time to judge his character. She was not like others who could make clear judgments upon meeting a person.

For someone like Zhao Yan who barely went out and interacted with only a few people, she was still quite naive when it comes to making judgments on a person's character.

And she knows that she was a bit too kind at times but she really could not bring herself to act like a diva. She wasn't as bold and domineering like her cousin, Wei Gao Xi. Zhao Yan did not like the way Wei Gao Xi would flaunt her status and beauty.

Although she acted humble and coquettish, Zhao Yan always felt like there was something wrong about Wei Gao Xi's behavior. It was like seeing a yellow stain trying to blend in a myriad of orange colors.

Zhao Yan could not bring herself to act like that because it seemed very scheming and dishonest. Though despite this crude tactics and deceitful acts, a lot of people would still fall for it and surround Wei Gao Xi like she was the apple of their eye.

They would treat her like some kind of princess and coax her, treating her more gently and amicably than most people.

It really bothered Zhao Yan a lot but she later learned to ignore it as long as she was not involved.

Unlucky for her, Wei Gao Xi always likes to pick a fight with her and would badmouth her in front of other people. Since Zhao Yan rarely went out and interacted with people, she was unable to clear her name, allowing Wei Gao Xi to spread more malicious rumors about her.

Zhao Yan would bet all her silvers that Wei Gao Xi made up a story of how she ran away or eloped with another man to justify her disappearance. Wei Gao Xi was that type of woman. And of course, being adored by many, they would naturally believe her because Wei Gao Xi was as kind and gentle like a white lotus in public. No one would doubt the authenticity of her character.

Zhao Yan sighed. She would no longer care. She was not the fourth young lady of Prince Li's mansion anymore. She was just Li Zhao Yan now.

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Just before lunch, Zhao Yan was trying to act like nothing was wrong but she was actually very agitated and worried inside.

Her new unexpected visitor was a young man who was only a year older than her. Wearing fine garments and robes made of fine silk with a jade pendant hanging on his waist and a golden sash as his belt, it was easy to tell that this man's identity is that of a wealthy background.

Chun Lan was fidgeting nervously just behind Zhao Yan while Jae Ha looked on coldly at the visitor which was rather unexpected from the shy girl.

Her unexpected guest who was currently twenty years old this year was still an unmarried young master of the Luo family in the capital.

If Zhao Yan was not wrong, then he is the only grandson of the Grand Tutor, Luo Huang. The post of Grand Tutor or Taifu, although given the highest civil status below the emperor, was not regularly occupied. The role was considered an honorary rather than substantive office, this everyone knows well.

The Grand Tutor was nominally in charge of providing a young emperor with moral guidance, but it is doubtful that this role was ever taken seriously or formally conducted. The post often served to deliberately block someone from obtaining a more important post, such as one of the Excellencies, while Grand Tutors were usually elder statesmen chosen for their age rather than merits.

Zhao Yan knows that it was so they would die off quickly after being appointed. Unfortunately for the Excellencies in Tang Country, Grand Tutor Luo Huang was still young and was merely in his early sixties but he was already a respected figure. He and the current Emperor were known to be close and has a long standing friendship despite being mentor and disciple.

Although he did not like to be involved in politics or any power struggles, he was very supportive of the Emperor and treated him better than his own son, Luo Peiyuan, who was only a 3rd ranking official in court.

As a respected figure who had the backing of the Emperor, Grand Tutor Luo Huang was admired and feared by many. This old aged ancestor was not an easy prey to be trifled with. Everyone knew this especially because of his eccentric personality.

The reason why Zhao Yan knows a lot about him was because Grand Tutor Luo Huang was very close to her grandfather, Li Hua and he also helped in the search, dispatching his own people.

Zhao Yan heard from her grandfather, Li Hua that he respected the Grand Tutor both as a friend and comrade. Sadly, they had a falling off in their twenties because during their youth they both fell in love with Zhao Yan's grandmother who was named Qin Mingming.

In the end, it was her grandfather who managed to marry her grandmother, Qin Mingming. Grand Tutor Luo Huang was dejected and became depressed for a while. After that, he was forced to marry the fiancée that his parents arranged for him.

In his loveless marriage, the Grand Tutor Luo Huang still longed for his old friend and comrade as well as the woman he loved. Unfortunately, fate was cruel and he could not have both.

He mourned for his loss for many years before he later became appointed as the Grand Tutor to the young emperor. Eventually, time flew by and all the grievances of the past were washed away. Only the lingering memories of their happy childhood as youths were left.

It can be said that Grand Tutor Luo Huang has always wanted to rekindle his friendship with his old friend and comrade after Qin Mingming died and passed away but the two people were inherently prideful and stubborn, refusing to back down so they were estranged for a few more years until the day Zhao Yan's grandfather disappeared.

Zhao Yan was thankful to the Grand Tutor for his help even though they've never met but anyone who her grandfather respected was someone she also respected.

Her grandfather was always a good judge of character so she trusted his words and judgment more than her own.

The respected Grand Tutor Luo Huang has only one daughter and one son because he never remarried after his wife passed away. His only daughter also passed away at a young age due to health problems while his son, Luo Peiyuan, a 3rd ranking official has one wife and three concubines.

Currently, Luo Peiyuan has four daughters from each woman and one son from his main wife.

That son was no other than Luo Qi, the very man that was her guest and also the Grand Tutor's only grandson.

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