GTB Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Not Fan Yuwan, but Jiang Jiuchu

Chapter 80: Not Fan Yuwan, but Jiang Jiuchu

A dark light slowly flashed across the depths of Shí Yan’s eyes. A favor in exchange for just a painting – was it all for her sake?

Jiang Yuan, completely oblivious, continued to ramble on, “Our Jiuchu! She’s been kindhearted since she was little. Even if she saw a chick separated from its mother on the road, she’d get anxious and insist on helping the chick get back to its mother before she’d stop.”

“And if she saw a little beggar by the roadside, it goes without saying, she’d give them whatever she had on hand.”

The words “little beggar” caused Shí Yan’s eyes to narrow slightly, instantly recalling what Song Fuge had said when he wanted to make a deal with him.

So… the person who had given him alms and rescued him wasn’t Fan Yuwan, but… Jiang Jiuchu?

So, the person he liked was Jiang Jiuchu, and what he exchanged with the entire Hidden Pavilion wasn’t Fan Yuwan’s wish fulfillment, but to make him choose someone else for his own benefit and reject Jiang Jiuchu?

It seemed that the person on the pleasure boat Shí Jin had mentioned was indeed the owner of Mo Feng Pavilion.

Shí Yan couldn’t help but find it amusing, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curve upwards. The owner of Mo Feng Pavilion was truly racking his brains.

On the surface, he was fulfilling love, letting go as a humble and infatuated lover, but in reality, he was scheming for love, a lone warrior fighting with all his might – what a roundabout strategy.

Suddenly, the wedding procession three days ago flashed through his mind, and the figure he had caught a glimpse of in the crowd when he turned his head.

The depths of his eyes slowly gathered, as if to swallow someone whole, leaving only the smile on his lips that seemed yet to recede.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuan thought that Shí Yan’s expression was because he found his daughter lovely, and began to talk about his daughter’s minor shortcomings.

So that when his daughter was cold towards him, he could be more patient and not overthink it.

“However, my Jiuchu isn’t good at flattering or fawning, and she’s also a bit slow to warm up to people. You two haven’t had any contact before your marriage, so if she does anything to displease Your Highness, please don’t take it to heart.”

Shí Yan collected his thoughts and replied, “I won’t.”

“Good, good, good, I knew Your Highness wouldn’t hold it against my girl. It’s her blessing to be able to marry someone as noble, esteemed, and refined as Your Highness.”

It was the first time in his life that Jiang Yuan had flattered someone, and it felt a little strange. He quickly stood up and said, “It’s getting late, would you like me to take Your Highness to visit Jiuchu’s courtyard?”

Refined? Shí Yan thought to himself, he remembered that the woman had said last night that he had no refinement. He stood up and cupped his hands towards Jiang Yuan, “No need, Father-in-law, I can go myself.”

Seeing this, Jiang Yuan didn’t insist on leading the way, but called a servant at the door to show him the way.

Along the way, Shí Yan thoroughly analyzed the situation between Jiang Jiuchu and Song Fuge based on the information he had gathered, but there was one thing he didn’t understand.

That night, when he first met her, she should have been eloping! But why didn’t the Pavilion Master Song show up for their rendezvous?

If that night, that woman hadn’t run into him, what would have happened? In that situation, it would probably have been unsolvable!

“Seventh Highness, please, this way to our young lady’s courtyard.” The servant pointed to the courtyard in front of them.

Shí Yan nodded and stepped into Crabapple Courtyard. As soon as he entered, he saw Jiang Jiuchu swinging on the swing.

The same pink dress fluttering, her hair gently swaying, her beauty captivating, but the expression on her face wasn’t as light and cheerful as in the portrait, but rather carried a hint of melancholy.

Seeing Shí Yan approaching, Jiang Jiuchu quickly got up and asked, “Are you leaving already?”

Shí Yan surveyed Jiang Jiuchu’s courtyard, with all kinds of flowers and leaves growing everywhere, even the trees were crabapple trees. It seemed she liked flowers very much.

“Not in a hurry, another half an hour is fine.”

“Oh! Then would Your Highness like to come inside and sit? Or stay here in the courtyard…?” Jiang Jiuchu pointed to the stone table nearby and asked.

After all, the visitor was a guest, and she had to be polite, otherwise, after returning to his Seventh Prince’s Residence, she would probably be even more unwelcome.

Shí Yan glanced at Jiang Jiuchu with an indifferent gaze, then walked towards the house.

Seeing this, Jiang Jiuchu quickly instructed the maid, Green Luo, beside her: “Go inside and pour tea for His Highness.”

After she finished speaking, she continued to sit back on the swing.

“Yes.” Seeing that her young lady didn’t plan to go in, Green Luo pursed her lips, turned around, and went to the small kitchen on the side to boil water.

She didn’t understand why her young lady wasn’t moved by someone as noble, unparalleled, and godlike as the Seventh Highness.

Green Luo shook her head secretly. She had never been in love with anyone and didn’t understand her young lady’s feelings.

Inside the house, Shí Yan surveyed Jiang Jiuchu’s chamber, which was elegant and fragrant, but seemed to be mixed with a faint burnt smell.

The bits of burnt paper ash beside the candlestick made his eyes deepen, then his gaze fell on the ink that hadn’t dried yet on the desk.

Until he saw the torn pieces of paper in the bamboo basket, his expression finally darkened, and he turned around and walked out.

“Your Highness, aren’t you going to sit down?” Green Luo had just crossed the threshold carrying a teapot when she bumped into Shí Yan coming out.

Shí Yan didn’t answer, and when he walked up to Jiang Jiuchu, he said lightly, “Return to the residence.” Then he walked straight out of the courtyard.

Jiang Jiuchu was stunned and immediately got up from the swing, not understanding why this person suddenly wanted to leave. She quickly had Green Luo go inside to fetch her package, and then they left the courtyard together.

At the gate of the Jiang residence, Shí Yan and Jiang Jiuchu got into the carriage under the gaze of everyone.

The carriage slowly passed by the alley on the west side of the Jiang residence, passing before Song Fuge’s eyes. He watched the carriage slowly leave, then with a leap, he instantly landed in Crabapple Courtyard.

Inside the house, when he saw that the jade box was still on the table, his heart ached. He felt that Jiang Jiuchu had rejected what he had originally promised.

He stepped forward, pursed his lips, and opened the jade box. Seeing that the box was empty, a hint of tenderness finally appeared on his face.

Lifting the brocade cloth, he saw that his letter was also gone. He immediately raised his eyes and scanned the surrounding table, hoping that she could leave him a word or two, even if it was to blame him.

But there was nothing. However, the ink in the desk’s inkstone that hadn’t completely dried caught his attention. After shifting his gaze downwards, he immediately squatted down and took out the torn pieces of paper in the bamboo basket to piece them together little by little.

Before long, the words “Why Not” appeared before his eyes. His eyes turned slightly red, and remorse instantly filled his chest, hurting him so much that he couldn’t breathe.

However, the shredded question before his eyes was gradually hollowing out his heart.

Seventh Prince’s Residence

After arranging everything, Governess Li gave her last instructions to a group of servants:

“Now that the Seventh Highness has been granted the title of Prince by the Emperor, you must pay attention to the title of the Princess Consort. There’s nothing else, everyone can leave!”

“Yes.” Everyone responded in unison and retreated.

As soon as Shí Yan and Jiang Jiuchu stepped into the courtyard, they saw the scene of Governess Li finishing her instructions and the crowd dispersing.

“This old servant greets Your Highness, Princess Consort.”

“Why is Governess Li here?” Shí Yan asked, puzzled.

“Replying to Your Highness, this old servant is here under the Empress Dowager’s orders to help the Princess Consort manage the affairs of the residence and take care of the household affairs.”

“The Empress Dowager is worried that the Princess Consort is new to the residence and not familiar with many things, and Aunt Xing alone is too busy, so she instructed this old servant to come and lend a hand temporarily. After the Princess Consort is familiar with it, this old servant will leave.”

Shí Yan nodded, didn’t say much, and turned around to return to the study.

Jiang Jiuchu was a little surprised. She had only been married for a few days, and she was already going to manage the household affairs of this residence?

She took the package from Cai Die’s hand and returned to the room. However, when she opened the closet, she was instantly stunned.

The contents of the closet had obviously been completely rearranged. The clothes that Green Luo had helped her fold to the side had all been reclassified and their positions had been changed.

Her inner garments and Shí Yan’s were placed separately on one layer, and the outer robes of the two were also placed on the left and right.

And what shocked her even more was that the bedding at the bottom had disappeared.

She instantly turned her head to look at the bed, and the bedsheets and bedding had also been replaced with a brand new set. The pillow that she had placed in the closet was now prominently displayed on the bed.