Don't be fooled by appearances
Xi Zirui must have been convincing enough for sect leader Han, because nothing changes after all those kindly veiled threats.
He suspects that Han Chang has neglected to inform Han Yu that he is betrothed to someone else, and to avoid consorting with individuals of disreputable breeding, such as Xi Zirui, because Han Yu keeps pestering him at every opportunity.
They have already agreed to meet once every week for calligraphy practice, but this is apparently not enough for Han Yu, because he insists on trailing after Xi Zirui like a lost duckling.
Moved by a desire to avoid him at all costs, Xi Zirui ends up volunteering to go across the hill and into the nearby village, when reports of hungry ghosts roaming around start coming in.