He chuckled and said, "My mother always likes to make wild guesses. I think you'd better change your clothes."
"This is the only type of clothing I own."
"Then when we get to the capital, I'll take you to buy it."
I have a headache. To be honest, I deliberately wore this outfit to meet his mother. My trip to Jinling was meant to make his mother dislike me and call off the engagement. But after hearing what he said, I think I'd better change my clothes first.
Night fell, and the river was dotted with the lights of fishing boats. The outer estuary of the Qinhuai River was not far ahead. The oars moved slowly and steadily across the water, each stroke like a gentle pluck at a heartstring.
Suddenly, the sound of a pipa drifted from outside the cabin. It was very beautiful in the quiet night, with a low, melodious tone and a touch of melancholy. I looked out the window and saw music coming from a painted boat adorned with lanterns in the distance, slowly approaching our boat.
I gazed curiously at the painted boat, where I saw ornate windows and beaded curtains, dazzling lanterns, and graceful figures. It was truly a beautiful, dreamlike sight.
Jiang Chen appeared beside me at some point and whispered in my ear, "I didn't expect to find the lantern boats of the Qinhuai River here."
"What is a lightship?" I turned my head slightly and almost brushed against his skin. Why was he so close to me? Wasn't he hot? I moved to the side.
He chuckled softly, put his arm around my shoulder, and said, "You'll see in a moment."
A moment later, the painted boat approached, and a beautiful young woman stood gracefully at the bow, holding a pipa, her smile as sweet as sugarcane juice. Just as I was enjoying the view, I heard a sweet, coquettish voice: "Would you two gentlemen like to hear some music?"
Two young masters? I paused for a moment, then touched my face in frustration, consoling myself that it was dark and her eyesight wasn't very good.
Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Thank you, but no need."
Why do I feel like he's laughing with schadenfreude?
The pleasure boat glided to one side, and faint laughter could be heard coming from inside the cabin, clearly audible on the vast river.
"What a handsome young man! It's a pity he's a homosexual."
Speechless, I silently returned to my cabin.
Jiang Chen squinted and chuckled maliciously, "Xiao Mo, you should believe me now, you absolutely have to change these clothes."
I grumbled, "I don't have any money to buy clothes, you figure it out yourself."
He chuckled and said, "I'm your husband, so you won't have to worry about my food, clothing, or daily necessities."
Husband! My ears started to feel tingly and hot; was it his breath? It was late at night, and the cabin windows were closed, making it feel a bit stuffy. Jiang Chen was still very close to me, so I moved to the side and said, "Don't stand too close, it's hot."
Jiang Chen produced a palm-leaf fan from somewhere and started fanning me. A little embarrassed, I awkwardly asked, "Are you hot too?"
"Hot, even hotter than you." He stared at me, sighed heavily, his face slightly flushed, and his breathing a little rapid, as if he was feeling unwell.
Are you feeling unwell?
He nodded, a half-smile playing on his lips: "I'm not feeling well."
"Should we see a doctor?"
He curled the corners of his lips, his smile deepening slightly: "This illness is incurable even by doctors."
I exclaimed in surprise, "An incurable disease?"
He touched his forehead: "No, that's not it. This condition is easy to treat, but you need to find a good doctor to treat it day and night, and you need long-term recuperation to get better."
"Treating him day and night?" I looked at him sympathetically and said, "This illness is indeed very difficult to treat. Have you found a good doctor?"
He nodded with a smile: "Found it."
I breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."
He smiled without saying a word, gave me a meaningful look, then covered his face with his fan and continued to laugh.
I looked at him, bewildered. I had never seen anyone so cheerful while sick.
The next morning, the boat docked on the Qinhuai River. After paying the fare and disembarking, the bustling street scene unfolded before us like a painting. Crowds thronged, the streets were bustling, a magnificent and vibrant spectacle. The charm of Beijing was truly breathtaking, a feast for the eyes.
Jiang Chen called two sedan chairs on the shore. I was about to sit in one with Xiao Hebao when he pulled me into the sedan chair first. Xiao Hebao also quickly slipped into the other sedan chair, and said while lifting the curtain, "Young master, hold the young lady tight, or she'll throw up again."
Whose maid was she exactly?
Where are we going?
"Of course I'll buy you clothes first."
I guess so.
The sedan chair wasn't crowded at first, but it got increasingly cramped as I sat in it. And the more I moved to the side, the more crowded it became. I realized Jiang Chen was deliberately pushing me. How inconsiderate! I pushed back without hesitation! Unexpectedly, this time I was even closer to him, even in places where we absolutely shouldn't be touching. Alas, what a blunder.
So I dodged vertically, while he encroached horizontally; it was a long, long way.
The sedan chair stopped on a bustling avenue. I stepped out and looked up to see a grand shopfront with a signboard bearing the four gilded characters "一衣不舍" (meaning "Never Part with a Single Piece of Clothing"). The name was quite unique and unforgettable.
Jiang Chen said, "This is the best tailor shop in the capital. High-ranking officials and nobles like to come here to buy and have clothes made. The clothes here are made with the best materials and the best embroidery. If you are not satisfied with anything or it doesn't fit, it can be altered until you are satisfied."
"Hmm, that's great. You really know how to do business."
"It's my family's business."
I was taken aback for a moment, and he had already pulled me inside by my sleeve.
Upon entering the store, one sees that there aren't many customers, but those who are there are well-mannered and elegantly dressed. Various fabrics are displayed on the counter on the east side of the store, while ready-made garments hang on an entire wall on the west side.
A middle-aged woman greeted him with a beaming smile: "Oh dear, when did the young master return? I didn't hear Madam mention him!"
Jiang Chen nodded: "Aunt Gu, this is the young mistress."