In the expansive plains of Gaoshan, surrounded by majestic mountains.

    The Zhao region appeared from a heavenly view as if a goddess embracing a verdant circle. The mountain ridges resembled the goddess's spine, curving and stretching as the source of several rivers that flew and spread like her flowing hair, covering the landscape. One of her arms cradled the fertile plains, while the other lazily extends northward.

    A horse carriage speeded along a riverside path in the countryside like a storm, with the coachman constantly shouting at villagers to clear the way, causing widespread panic since the carriage bore the insignia of a high-ranking noble. No farmer dared dispute this until the noble's carriage, speeding excessively, reached a crossroad and collided with another carriage turning at just that moment. The noble's horses can't slowdown in time, leading to a frantic swerve.

    Bang!

    The noble's carriage abruptly stopped due to a broken axle and plunged into a ditch alongside the road, unable to continue.

    "Damn it! I was in such a hurry,"

    the coachman exclaimed, annoyed as he jumps down to inspect and berate the damage, only to discover a young woman driving the opposing carriage. She was elegantly dressed in a soft pink silk skirt, her hair beautifully adorned with moon pearls spread across her cheeks. Any man who glimpsed this beauty immediately stood straighter and doffed their hat, revealing his face. Farmers forgot their plows, and field workers forgot their hoes.

    The lady sat undisturbed, without fear, even knitting her brows in cool disdain. The young coachman stared, astonished, realizing he had offended a lady from a distinguished family. But before he could correct his misunderstanding, she spoke.

    "Foolish nobility,"

    she rebuked first, not just with a single insult but a barrage. "This path is used by villagers to travel to their fields. Little children are walking to school. Do you rush through a crowd as if hurrying to your own funeral? What does such reckless behavior signify? A gentleman, having erred, should not cause trouble for others. It is unbecoming of a man to bully a woman, and regrettable that such a high-ranking noble lacks moral fiber."

    "I apologize, everything is as the you said."

    The young coachman clasped his hands in apology, removing his hat to express his regret. He was a robust man, tall with broad, commanding shoulders and a calm, intense gaze. He seemed to be around thirty years old. Despite dressing like an ordinary scholar, his attire was shabby, and his shoes were mud stained. However, the jade pendant hanging from his belt indicated that he was no ordinary person.

    "I was in a hurry because of an urgent matter. There’s a problem with embankments controlling the river's flow, and I needed to report this to the authorities immediately. Please forgive me and allow me to ride back to the capital with you."

    "Please."

    As he behaved politely, so did she in return, allowing him to join her in the carriage. The young man couldn't help but steal glances at the young woman, who appeared to be no older than fifteen. Her tall, slender figure and fair skin suggested she was from a noble lineage. Why was she traveling alone without any attendants?

    "The Minjiang River often had flash-floods each year, damaging crop fields across three provinces. I still haven't found a solution," he said as someone else took the reins, allowing him to focus on reading reports and studying maps of the river. His serious expression made her think it funny how a man so handsome and formidable could be so absorbed in his work that he forgot even to introduce himself or ask for her name.

    "To manage the water, you must manage the sand as well," she commented when he finished.

    He looked up instantly as she spoke, noticing a small mole above her delicate red lips. "So, you know a bit about irrigation?"

    "Just enough from reading old books my grandfather left behind. I can't claim to be knowledgeable."

    "Not many read irrigation texts, especially women."

    "Don't praise me too much. There are thousands of rivers flowing into a single sea, yet the sea is never full. No matter how long I study, I'll never finish learning. There's so much more I want to know, but I fear I might die of old age while being ignorant."

    "You are right," he laughed, appreciating her thirst for knowledge as much as his own.

    "But about you, when new officials start their duties, they all uphold purity and justice in the first year, by the second, it's half honesty and half corruption, and by the third, they embezzle as they please. Some tasks are exhausting and show slow results, but you're willing to dedicate yourself to the work. I've never met an official as committed as you. The country is at peace now. Though there's no need to fight people, we still have to find ways to live under this round sky and square earth."

    "The round sky and the square earth..." he repeated, smiling slightly. "Who taught you all this?"

    "I consider books my teachers. The one I read most often is The Talk from Dream Brook[1].

    "Ah, a good choice indeed."

    "Life is short, it's better to quickly learn things that are beneficial to the people. I believe, not only men can protect our homeland, women like me can do the same." Finding a kindred spirit in each other, they enjoyed a lively conversation that deepened their mutual respect. She was young but knowledgeable, and they exchanged many ideas until the carriage stopped in front of the irrigation office just as the sun set behind the capital's walls. He was amazed at how quickly time had passed.

    The young lady noticed the paper lanterns swaying above the gate and seemed struck with some ideas before turning to rummage for ink and brush, asking him for the river maps.

    "King Yu the Great [2] discovered that changing the course of a river is more effective than resisting its flow. We need to dig additional canals. By dividing the river into two channels, the inner channel will become a bottleneck for irrigating fields, while the outer channel will mainly drain water. Place sand traps to control the water volume, and on this side, dig drainage canals like this..."

    She spoke quickly and breathlessly, typical of her enthusiasm, worrying inwardly that he might not catch everything. But the young man's eyes sparkled as if he had just walked out of a dark tunnel.

    "It seems I have the fate to meet a little scholar. This idea is excellent; I'll draft a more detailed plan immediately. May I know your name to credit you for this work?"

    "No need, no need. My messy ideas are like mud splashing around; it's only you who can collect this mud and shape it into a masterpiece. I've done nothing."

    "I have nothing with me except for this piece of jade. Please accept it as a gift."

    The fine jade, half the size of a palm and carved with a dragon motif, was pressed into the hands of his little comrade, urging her to take good care of it. "The fate of bookworms is often to be impoverished. If you find yourself in need, you are permitted to sell it."

    "Are you mad? Did you just curse me to become so destitute that I'd need to sell my treasures for living?"

    "Miss, you misunderstand. I did not mean that."

    The young lady stifled a laugh. "Never mind, I just enjoy seeing your flustered expression. Thank you for your kindness. If fate allows, we shall meet again."

    "Until we meet again." She tucked the jade into her blouse and flicked the reins to set the horse running. The tall figure was about to ascend the steps to the office but suddenly realized he hadn't asked something important. He sprinted after her carriage.

    "I still don't know your name!"

    "The lady of the Qin family, named Meilan. Remember it well, you fool."

    She laughed and spurred her horse faster, her mischievous eyes particularly beautiful, emphasized by a small mole above her lip, which made her smile even more sweetly. He wasn't sure if his heart raced from the running or her honey-dripped smile.

    "Don't dare to seek me out. I don't want any trouble."

    Her voice carried on the wind and faded along with the carriage. He had to stop, panting hard, taking deep breaths while his eyes still watched the direction she had gone. Just then, personnel from the irrigation office caught up to him.

    "*Gasp*... master Third, why did you chase after the carriage?"

    "Qin Meilan."

    "What?"

    "Never mind. Let's hurry back and plan the work."

    Zhao Yongkang, the third prince who preferred holding a brush over seeking power, stood up to his full height, his broad back bathed in twilight, commanding respect from all who saw him. Unbeknownst to her, the man she called a fool was the author of numerous important academic treatises in different disciplines including astronomy, geology, hydrology, and others – altogether ten fields. Those works had meticulously organized references. Therefore, among others, he was well-acknowledged as a scholar since he was twenty-five, not to mention his status in the prominent royal family of the Zhao region. Such a fool as him would never forget this young woman.

    [1] The works of Shen Kuo (1031-1095 AD) comprise a comprehensive summary of ancient Chinese achievements in natural science.

    [2] The solver of flood problems and the founder of the Xia dynasty.