GTB Chapter 79

“Good.” Shí Yan responded, then followed Jiang Yuan towards the study.

Seeing this, Jiang Jiuchu also said to Madam Ye, “Mother, then I’ll go back to my courtyard first.”

She missed her Crabapple Courtyard very much, her bed, and even more so, the swing in her courtyard.

“Alright, then you go back and rest for a while, Mother will come find you later.”

“Okay, good.” Jiang Jiuchu quickly led Lu Luo and Lu Yi back to her courtyard.

Stepping into the Crabapple Courtyard, she felt much better, but the thought of having to return to the Seventh Prince’s residence in the afternoon instantly brought a hint of disappointment to her face.

She pushed open the door and walked in. Although only three days had passed, and although the furnishings in the room were as before, it gave her a sense of the past.

Suddenly, her gaze stopped on the dressing table, where a very beautiful white jade box caught her attention.

Jiang Jiuchu walked over in surprise. She knew with just one glance that this box was not hers, because she had never had such a jade box.

However, when she opened the jade box, her eyes widened instantly, her expression frozen.

This… was it sent by Brother Fu?

When was it sent? Did he know she was returning home today, so he quietly sneaked into her room and sent it in?

Her eyes instantly filled with mist, and she picked up the gold-plated bracelet to take a look. She pressed the button on the inside, and sure enough, there was medicinal powder leaking out, while on the other side were tiny pills, which should be the poison and antidote that Brother Fu mentioned.

After carefully putting it away, she took out the ring and put it on her finger. She also found the inconspicuous button and pressed it, and a very small needle instantly protruded, which was very suitable for close-range defense against sneak attacks.

The other one was the same as the peach blossom hairpin in function, but the style was different. It was not as small and elegant as the peach blossom hairpin, but rather a more gorgeous kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin.

After Jiang Jiuchu carefully examined each item, she carefully put them away. When she saw the brocade cloth lining the wooden box, she inexplicably lifted it up, and sure enough, there was a letter underneath.

A trace of joy flashed in her eyes, and she immediately picked it up and opened it. However, there were only two short lines.

And the first line only had three words, ‘I’m sorry.’

Jiang Jiuchu’s eyes stung, and tears could no longer be held back.

She raised her hand to wipe them away, her eyes falling on the second line, ‘Brother Fu will always protect you in a place you can’t see. If he treats you badly, be sure to tell Brother Fu.’

Jiang Jiuchu squeezed out a bitter smile, and muttered softly with a crying voice, “Is it useful to tell you? Why didn’t you come that night?”

She looked at the letter in her hand, and finally lit a candle, unwilling to burn it.

Then she walked to the desk, took out a piece of white paper and began to grind ink, writing two words, ‘Why?’

After she wrote it, she put it under the brocade cloth in the jade box.

Then she found a package, packed some of the things she usually used, and packed the three hidden weapons Song Fuge gave her, intending to take them away later.

After everything was done, Jiang Jiuchu stared blankly at the jade box in front of her, her eyebrows furrowed in tangled thought.

After hesitating for a long time, she reached out again and opened the jade box, took out the letter she had put in, tore it up and threw it into the bamboo basket.

It seemed meaningless for her to ask, since Brother Fu didn’t come, he must have had his reasons.

And this reason might make her sad, disappointed, or regretful, but in the end it couldn’t change the facts, let alone go back to the past, so why should she ask again.

On the other side, in Jiang Yuan’s study, a voice of praise rang out, “Seventh Prince, your chess skills are truly excellent.”

Shí Yan smiled lightly, “It is my father-in-law who is being lenient, otherwise this humble son-in-law would definitely not be able to win against my father-in-law by half a move.”

“Ah! Your Highness, please don’t flatter me, I still know my own weight.”

Jiang Yuan didn’t think his chess skills were poor, he had played against many great Confucians, and there were also worthy opponents.

He could see that the half move he lost was obviously Shí Yan letting him win.

A glimmer of light flashed in Jiang Yuan’s eyes. This Seventh Prince didn’t let him lose too badly, and also showed his talent. What did this mean? He felt that just from this point of view, this Seventh Prince couldn’t possibly dislike Chu’er.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have put so much effort into this game of chess with him.

Thinking of this, he put away the chessboard, there was no point in continuing to play.

“I wonder if Your Highness has any research on painting, and if you like calligraphy and painting by famous artists?”

Shí Yan could see that his father-in-law was a refined person who loved literature, so he replied, “I have some research.”

Seeing Shí Yan say this, Jiang Yuan immediately got up, “I happen to have a famous painting scroll here, why don’t Your Highness and I appreciate it together?”

He walked excitedly to the desk, opened the drawer, took out the painting that he treasured so much that he was reluctant to hang it up, and placed it on the table, gently unfolding it.

This was what he felt was the most honorable and the most presentable thing.

More importantly, this painting was obtained by his daughter due to her kindness, and he planned to cut into the topic from this aspect later.

As the painting scroll unfolded, a landscape painting of a lone goose flying appeared in front of Shí Yan.

Shí Yan, who had always been calm and composed, lost control of his expression for a moment when he saw this painting.

The painting that his father-in-law took out as a treasure to show off was actually… his painting.

But what he didn’t understand was how this painting, which he had personally given away, ended up in Jiang Yuan’s hands.

As far as he knew, Mo Feng Pavilion only sold paintings at the annual auction, and all other paintings were only for appreciation and not for sale.

“Seventh Prince, what do you think of this painting by Yun You Gong Zi?”

Jiang Yuan looked at Shí Yan, who was slightly stunned, and thought that he also liked Yun You Gong Zi’s paintings and was shocked by his paintings. After all, Yun You Gong Zi’s paintings were rare on the market.

Shí Yan pursed his lips, suppressed the thoughts in his heart, and nodded, “It’s… not bad.”

Jiang Yuan was stunned when he heard this. He never expected that Shí Yan would only give such a simple evaluation. He instantly felt a sense of loss that his admired master had not received affirmation.

Shí Yan looked at Jiang Yuan, who was slightly paused, and was also very helpless. He really couldn’t praise his own paintings extravagantly.

So he had to quickly change the topic, “It is said that Yun You Gong Zi’s paintings are extremely rare. Even the Emperor only has one. I wonder how my father-in-law obtained it?”

Hearing Shí Yan say this, Jiang Yuan immediately regained his spirits and said with a smile, “It is indeed very rare. Sometimes, Yun You Gong Zi’s paintings cannot be bought even with silver.”

Shí Yan picked up the tea cup in front of him, nodded, indicating his agreement, and continued to listen to Jiang Yuan’s next words.

“This ah! It all started with Chu’er. She obtained it by chance.”

“Oh! How did she obtain it by chance?” Shí Yan put down the tea cup in his hand, looking very interested.

Seeing that Shí Yan was interested, Jiang Yuan immediately told the story that his daughter had made up, word for word, and even added some embellishments to make his daughter’s kindness and simplicity get the greatest display.