I slowly sat down by the window, feeling a deep emptiness and melancholy in my heart. Those who liked me were close at hand, while those I liked were far away.
Should I accept Jiang Chen's fate, or should I confess my purpose to Madam Qi? However, I really find it difficult to speak to Madam Qi, because she has been incredibly kind to me. After my meeting, she immediately transferred all the maids from Lanze Garden to the front courtyard and assigned four servants to Jiang Chen, her intentions were self-evident.
She was like a soft, fluffy cloud; my little movements in front of her were like a gentle breeze, easily brushed away by the flick of her sleeve.
Outside the window, Shao Rong walked lightly along the stone path in the garden. I noticed that she particularly liked red clothes. At the age of budding youth, the bright red outfit made her face look even more beautiful, lively and playful.
She went next door and called out, "Cousin, cousin."
"Miss, the young master is sleeping."
"Why is he sleeping in the middle of the day? I need to ask him what he did last night to be so tired."
My scalp tingled when I heard this, fearing that she would ask seriously, and Jiang Chen would give a half-truthful answer.
I quickly leaned out of the window and said, "Cousin, I bought some fun things here, do you want to come and take a look?"
Shao Rong smiled and said, "Okay."
She walked quickly over and stepped into the house.
"Sister-in-law, I came to the capital hoping to buy some nice things, but my father and aunt won't let me go out alone. I'm so bored."
I spread all the things I bought the day before yesterday on the table: "Cousin, take whatever you like."
"Oh, sister-in-law, you're such a good person."
She happily flipped through the haul I'd bought the day before yesterday, looking like she loved everything.
"Sister-in-law, am I asking for too much?"
Looking at the few trinkets she had picked out, I smiled and said, "How about I give them all to you?"
"Sister-in-law, you are so kind."
"Cousin, would you like some tea?"
"OK."
I poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. She took the glass and looked at me carefully, frowning. "Sister-in-law, I feel like I've seen you before, but I can't remember where. It's so strange."
I also found it strange: "I've lived in the Xiaoyao Sect since I was a child and rarely go down the mountain. I shouldn't have met you before."
She thought for a moment and said, "I haven't seen her in recent years, it must have been a long time ago, which is why I can't remember where I saw her. But I must have seen her, because it's very rare to see a woman as beautiful as you, sister-in-law. I usually don't like to stare at people with average looks, but I only have a deep impression of beautiful women."
Is this a compliment? I smiled shyly. Since coming to Beijing, I've heard countless compliments. Am I really that good-looking?
I've been in the Xiaoyao Sect for over a decade, and the first time someone told me I was pretty was Yunzhou. The day he gave me the dagger, he said, "You always have to be careful around pretty girls."
Unfortunately... I sighed softly and absentmindedly chatted with Shao Rong for a few minutes.
After finishing her tea, Shao Rong stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, I'm leaving now. I'll come back when my cousin wakes up." With that, she gathered everything on the table and went out the door.
My cousin Shao Rong and I were really impolite; they didn't even leave me a hair accessory. It seems I have a really good eye for things.
Jiang Chen slept until lunchtime before waking up. At the dinner table, Madam Qi looked at her son with a kind smile and said, "Chen'er, this afternoon you will accompany me to visit the various shops. You are not young anymore, and you need to get hands-on experience with all of the Jiang family's businesses. In two or three years, I will hand them all over to you, and you can stay at home and enjoy your grandchildren."
As she spoke, she smiled at me, and I quickly buried my head in my food, pretending not to hear. I realized that my skin, honed by Lady Qi's "tactful" manner over the past few days, wasn't so easily offended anymore.
As dusk deepened, Jiang Chen and Madam Qi finally returned home. It seemed there were indeed quite a few shops; inspecting them had taken up the entire afternoon. I secretly admired Madam Qi for managing Guiyun Manor's businesses so successfully and achieving such a prestigious reputation as a woman. I wondered if Jiang Chen would have such abilities in the future.
Shao Rong went up to Jiang Chen and took his hand, asking, "Cousin, where did you go today?"
Jiang Chen quickly withdrew his hand and hastily uttered a few names.
Shao Hua laughed from the side, "Cousin, Shao Rong has been eyeing you for a long time, so you'd better watch out."
Shao Rong immediately glared at her brother: "Hey, don't talk nonsense."
Madam Qi smiled and said, "Shaorong, how can Chen'er make such a decision on his own without my consent?"
I was taken aback. Making a move on Jiang Chen? What move? Yes, she wanted to strengthen her ties with Jiang Chen through marriage, but Madam Qi disagreed?
The food in my mouth suddenly lost its flavor, and my tongue felt slightly sour. Was it because I had eaten sweet and sour pork ribs? I only ate half a bowl of rice before losing my appetite.
Back at Lanze Garden, I washed up early and went to bed. Lying in bed, I couldn't describe the feelings in my heart. I've always hoped to find a good man like my master—reserved, tolerant, steady, and reliable. Let the clouds drift and gather; the mountains are more beautiful when the clouds come, and more picturesque when the clouds go.
The appearance of Yunzhou was like the first ray of clear moonlight breaking through the clouds, the first rays of dawn breaking through the clouds—it perfectly matched the image I had in my mind. As for Jiang Chen, he is unpredictable and even harder to control. Even without Yunzhou, I find it difficult to feel a sense of security and reliance on him. Hearing about Shao Rong's situation today has only made me more uneasy. This marriage is truly unsettling.
I went to sleep full of worries, but unexpectedly, I ate too little for dinner and woke up hungry in the middle of the night! It seems I'm not used to this life of luxury at all.
I lay in bed, hesitating whether to tough it out and keep sleeping, or go to the kitchen to find something to eat. Suddenly, I heard strange noises from next door. Was Jiang Chen still awake at this hour?
I listened intently for a moment, and suddenly heard a "ripping" sound, as if someone's clothes had been torn!
I was startled. Jiang Chen, he actually did it! I gritted my teeth inwardly. He was so affectionate towards me on one hand, but he was cheating on me on the other. Sweet words were indeed unreliable. I gritted my teeth angrily, and sat up with a jolt. This was a golden opportunity to break off the engagement.
I quickly woke Xiao Hebao and told her to go and fetch Madam Qi immediately. Then I opened the door, took two big strides to Jiang Chen's door, kicked it open, and shone my lantern into the room!
I almost had a seizure!
A tall, slender man in black, with his back to the door, was grappling with Jiang Chen hand-to-hand. Jiang Chen's collar was torn open, exposing half his chest. The man wasn't satisfied yet; his attacks were aimed directly at Jiang Chen's chest, a flurry of blows that were truly infuriating!
I never expected that catching someone cheating would result in catching a man instead. What am I going to do?
The man, dressed in black and masked, turned around and glanced at me when he heard the noise, then flew out the window and disappeared.
I stared blankly at Jiang Chen, a sour, pedantic feeling welling up inside me, rushing to my nose. Was this... a womanizer or an old flame? I suddenly remembered last night, how he held me, a picture of chastity all night long. Could it be... he was gay?
This is a serious matter; I need to find out the details.
"who is he?"
He looked completely innocent: "I don't know."
I said angrily, "You're still protecting him?"
Jiang Chen said, "I really don't know. He doesn't seem like an assassin or a thief. He was unarmed, and he didn't come to steal money. He just came to ambush me. I'm very puzzled."
"Why would I tear your clothes if I don't know you?" Nobody but a womanizer would be interested in that.
"I really don't know."
"Then why didn't you call for help?" There are plenty of servants in this mansion. Even if none of them are skilled in martial arts, they could easily subdue that person by sheer numbers.
"I can beat him, why would I need to call for help? If it weren't for the midnight attack and my lack of preparation, he wouldn't be a match for me at all."
I find it hard to believe; I think it's highly likely the two are old acquaintances. Otherwise, why would the masked man attack unarmed, without even a weapon? And why didn't Jiang Chen call for help when he saw the assassin? Why did he just grope around in the dark, getting so entangled that his clothes were disheveled? If I hadn't brought a lantern, we might have ended up on the bed!
Could it be that they were old flames who hadn't seen each other for four years? Jiang Chen had changed his mind, but the other person remained devoted. Hearing that Jiang Chen had returned, she wanted to rekindle their old relationship, but Jiang Chen refused. So, she tried to force herself on him? A series of wild thoughts suddenly made my head buzz and my brain throb.
It seems he's popular not only with women but also with men; I... I simply can't handle it.