The shop assistant reported, "Madam Gu caught a cold last night and is resting in the backyard today."
My master and I exchanged a glance, wondering to ourselves, "Did she really catch a cold? Or did she sense something and want to avoid us? Could it be that she saw through our little scheme?"
The master retreated dejectedly, sighing and lamenting all the way, heartbroken and disappointed.
Jiang Chen whispered, "Look at Master's expression, he looks like he's lost his sweetheart."
"You still have the mind to joke around."
Jiang Chen said seriously, "I'm not joking. I heard from my mother that my master and Palace Master Murong were in love when they were young and were going to get married, but they were unable to be together due to some obstacles. I think that since I can't lure my mother with you, I might as well use my master as bait."
I was taken aback. It turned out I was right; my master did indeed have a past relationship with my mother.
What did you mean by what you just said?
Jiang Chen scratched his head and grumbled, "I've heard that women are all jealous."
I stopped and frowned, asking, "Heard? Who told you that? I don't like being jealous. Last time I heard from Xiao Hebao that Cousin Shao Rong was swinging with you, I wasn't jealous at all."
Jiang Chen looked at me with his hands behind his back, his eyes changing from fierce to resentful. "Are you being generous, or do you just not care? You're so easy to hand me over to someone else. What do you take me for? An object? Humph, bringing this up again is just rubbing salt into my wounds."
I looked guiltily at my feet and obediently shut my mouth.
“Look at how absent-minded Master has been since he returned from Jinbo Palace. He’s clearly still hung up on you. In my opinion, we should just have Master step in and make your mother jealous.”
A thought struck me. The idea, though not brilliant, was quite practical. I recalled the room my mother had specially prepared for my master, and the order she had given Madam Qing. Clearly, she held my master in high regard and cherished their past relationship. Perhaps Jiang Chen's idea could actually get my mother out.
"So what do you plan to do?"
Jiang Chen chuckled: "Why don't we spread the word that Master is getting married?"
I shook my head repeatedly. "That won't do. My great-uncle said that when Master was young, he was engaged to Lady Shao of the Emei Sect, but he broke off the engagement, which almost caused the Emei Sect to fall out with the Xiaoyao Sect. If he breaks off the engagement again, Master's reputation will be ruined. What if, what if we don't bring Mother into the picture, but Master gets a bad reputation in the martial arts world for habitually breaking engagements and being untrustworthy? I'm afraid Master will really have to spend the rest of his life alone."
Jiang Chen scratched his brow, then looked at me timidly and mumbled, "I have another idea, which is, well, let Master go to a place to sit for a while, the effect will be the same, maybe even better."
"Where?"
"Yes, it's the entertainment district along the Qinhuai River."
My heart skipped a beat. "That would be even worse. Master would probably be terrified just hearing the words 'Qinhuai River'."
Jiang Chen blinked and stammered, "Then, for Master's sake, I'm willing to risk myself and sacrifice myself to stay with Master. Do you agree?"
I was taken aback. He's going too?
Jiang Chen immediately smiled apologetically: "If you don't agree, I won't dare to go."
Those words were truly pleasing, and I felt a warm glow inside. So, I said generously, "Then go ahead and protect Master."
"Alright, I'll go back and have the servants prepare the carriage, saying I'll take Master for a stroll along the Qinhuai River tonight. This news will surely reach your mother's ears very quickly. Let's see if she reacts. Sigh, it would be best if we stormed there, interrogated Master, and brought him home."
I couldn't help but laugh, but I hoped that my mother still cared about my master and was bothered by his "unconventional behavior".
After dinner, Jiang Chen and I mentioned the words "Qinhuai River" to our master. Our master jumped up from his chair as if his backside was on fire, pointed at Jiang Chen with a flushed face and said, "You brat, what kind of terrible idea did you come up with!"
I sighed inwardly, not at all surprised by my master's reaction. The idea was indeed a bit bad, especially for someone like him. But, there wasn't any other better solution at the moment, so it was better than nothing, wasn't it? If my mother was a jealous woman, this would be the perfect remedy.
Jiang Chen solemnly counted on his fingers and said, "Master, don't get excited. The Qinhuai River is the most elegant and romantic place in the capital. The songs and dances there are top-notch. Some literati are proud if their poems can be sung there! You are just going to appreciate it, not to do anything important."
The master's expression softened slightly, and he stammered, "I... I'm not a scholar!"
Jiang Chen said seriously, "Master, you just go have a drink and listen to the music. Your real intention is not in the wine."
His master looked awkward and uncomfortable, as if he were about to be tortured. Indeed, he had always been like a hermit, far removed from worldly affairs, and suddenly asking him to go to such a place of romance and pleasure was really putting the old man in a difficult position.
Jiang Chen had no choice but to say, "Master, the message has already been sent out. Are you going or not? If not, then forget it."
The master was provoked and gritted his teeth, saying, "Alright, I'll go once."
I reassured him, "Master, Jiang Chen often goes to those kinds of places. Don't worry, with him by your side, you won't suffer any losses."
Jiang Chen's expression hardened. "Xiao Mo, why are you making false accusations? When have I ever frequented such places?"
I rolled up my sleeves and said slowly, "Ah, didn't you used to frequent those 'gentle havens'? You seemed to know them like the back of your hand."
Jiang Chen jumped up, "Hey, hey, Xiao Mo, where did I go? Wasn't it to buy you rouge!"
I chuckled and cleared my throat, saying, "Maybe, for myself too."
"You!" Jiang Chen glared at me through gritted teeth, his anger practically billowing. Ah, watching him jump up and down in anger was so satisfying. I laughed carefree. Master's here, what, you dare come up and bite me? Hehe.
Jiang Chen angrily dragged his reluctant master away. At the gate, in front of the luxurious carriage, he pushed his master into the car.
I watched my master venture deep into the tiger's den, filled with emotion. He had risked everything for my mother; I wondered if she would be moved and come out to see him.
Actually, the more my mother refused to see my master, the more certain I became that I was Yunzhou's sister. It must be that my mother felt unworthy of my master, which was why she longed for him in vain and didn't want to see him. Otherwise, if it were truly as Yunzhou said in the letter she received, that I was my master's daughter, there would be no reason for my mother not to reunite with us.
Thinking about this, I feel very regretful. Sometimes, fate likes to play tricks on people, making it impossible for lovers to be together.
I returned to my room, bored, and idly pulled out the Chongshan Sword Manual from the bookshelf, flipping through it. Before going to Jinbo Palace, I had already practiced twelve moves. The thirteenth move, called "Raising the Tray to the Eyebrows," attacks the upper body; the sword pointing at the throat is just a feint, the actual target being the space between the eyebrows. I memorized the moves, closed the book, and put it back on the shelf, tucked among the other books. Then I picked up the sword and slowly began to practice. As I practiced, I inexplicably thought of Jiang Chen. Back then on the boat, we sparred, and I lost to him every time, getting kissed by him three times. I kept the rest on my tab, wondering if he had forgotten. He hadn't mentioned it recently. Hmm, is it better if he forgot? Or is it better if he hasn't?
Thinking of this, my face flushed slightly, and I quickly focused on continuing my sword practice. Strangely, once he distracted me, I couldn't concentrate anymore. What was he doing in that romantic, snowy place right now? I knew he was with my master and would be very well-behaved, but why did I feel a little uneasy?
Then I thought back to that night when we first arrived in Jinling, and the pleasure boat we encountered at the outer estuary of the Qinhuai River. The beautiful woman at the bow, her soft Wu dialect alluring, and her dashing, charming demeanor were incredibly alluring. Jiang Chen, on the other hand, smiled calmly, his manner composed and carefree, showing no sign of awkwardness or embarrassment. It was I who, however, felt my face flush and my heart race after hearing the comment, "What a handsome pair of homosexuals," and was utterly embarrassed.
What will he do now? Thinking of this, my heart ached slightly. Even if he is very well-behaved, those girls may not be so polite. What if they see his good looks and get their hearts swayed and try to take advantage of him?
This is really hard to guarantee! I was so careless; I should have gone with him to protect him.