Chapter 15

“Miss, are you alright?” Hua Yun, standing nearby, looked concerned. She added, “If the young marquis doesn’t come, then he doesn’t. We can have fun on our own. It must be lively outside today.”

Jiang Jingchun exhaled heavily, rubbing her eyes before saying, “If he doesn’t come, he doesn’t. I’m not forbidden from going out on my own.”

Besides, Jiang Jingchun was hardly without companions; she had plenty of friends and didn’t need him to keep her company.

Youthful temperament being what it is, repeated disappointments often bred frustration.

“Let’s go find someone at the Chen residence,” Jiang Jingchun said.

Seeing her spirits lift, Hua Yun nodded eagerly. “Alright! Let’s look for Miss Chen.”

However, fate was unkind. Upon arrival, they found Chen Muqing was not home—she had gone to her maternal grandfather’s house today.

With no other option, Jiang Jingchun turned to the Song household, seeking out Song Xuan’an.

A servant went inside to convey their message while Jiang Jingchun waited at the door.

Soon, a young man clad in a flamboyant purple robe strode out from the gate. His steps were unconstrained, and his tied-up hair fluttered in the evening breeze.

At first, Song Xuan’an didn’t spot Jiang Jingchun, but then, as if by habit, he approached the pillar at the entrance and saw her crouched in the corner.

She always liked to wait there when seeking him out.

Jiang Jingchun kept her head lowered, resting it on her arms, making it impossible to read her expression.

Recalling the incident at the Jiang household last time, Song Xuan’an wasn’t sure what had become of her afterward… But since she was able to come out now, he assumed she was alright.

He stepped in front of her.

A shadow fell over her, and when Jiang Jingchun looked up, she saw Song Xuan’an standing there.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he smiled teasingly, “Couldn’t find anyone to play with, so you came looking for me?”

Jiang Jingchun bristled at his words and stood up to retort, “What nonsense! I came here in good faith, and you say such things? If you don’t want to go out, then fine.”

She turned as if to leave.

Seeing she was truly annoyed, Song Xuan’an stopped joking and quickly followed.

“Just kidding. Did you swallow gunpowder today or something? Such a bad temper.”

Jiang Jingchun walked on silently, ignoring him.

Song Xuan’an didn’t press the matter and instead asked, “Hey, does your hand still hurt?”

He referred to the last time she was beaten.

Jiang Jingchun turned her head away, still refusing to respond.

He had a knack for touching on sore spots, reminding her no one had accompanied her. The mere thought of Gu Huaisheng made her flare up with anger.

Seeing her ignore him, Song Xuan’an wasn’t offended. He grabbed her hand to examine it.

He recalled she had been punished on her left hand last time.

Sure enough, it was still bandaged. Just as Jiang Jingchun was about to scold him, Song Xuan’an poked the palm twice through the gauze.

Seeing she was only angry but otherwise unaffected, he guessed the injury was nearly healed.

He covered her mouth to muffle her curses, “Enough. Why be so upset? I came out to keep you company. If you scold me away, then who will be with you?”

Releasing his grip, Jiang Jingchun didn’t curse anymore, but her eyes still glared at him.

Finding her sulky expression amusing, Song Xuan’an’s smile deepened.

The two left the Song household and headed toward the street. The path was quiet for now, with only a few passersby.

They walked in silence, the occasional noise drifting from the main street.

Moonlight bathed them as they walked side by side.

Bored, Song Xuan’an glanced at his palm. Just moments ago, her lips had touched it, leaving a faint ticklish sensation. Looking closer, he saw traces of lipstick still red and vivid under the moonlight.

Suddenly, he turned to her and asked, “Why are you dressed so nicely today?”

Only then did he truly study her appearance.

Jiang Jingchun’s face was powdered, her skin more delicate and fair than usual. Under her arched eyebrows, her eyes shone like stars. Her cherry lips and jade nose, along with the striking lipstick, made her look far more radiant than normal. Even her clothes appeared more form-fitting.

When with their usual friends, she never dressed this way.

Song Xuan’an’s tone abruptly grew cold. “You’re not trying to find your cousin, are you? And he ignored you. Didn’t you first try to find Chen Muqing? She was busy, so you came looking for me.”

So, he was the last option.

Jiang Jingchun’s eyelid twitched.

How did he know everything?

Not only that she was rejected by Gu Huaisheng, but also that she had first gone to the Chen household.

He wasn’t usually this perceptive.

Song Xuan’an didn’t wait for her reply but saw the answer in her eyes.

His expression darkened, and after a glance, he strode off.

Feeling guilty, Jiang Jingchun hurried after him to soothe his anger.

“Oh, don’t be mad. You were the first person I thought of…”

Even she found it hard to believe her own words.

She added, “See, I did think about you…”

Her teasing words only fueled his anger.

Song Xuan’an nearly scolded her out of frustration, turning sharply to say, “Just shut up.”

Jiang Jingchun shrank her neck and obediently fell silent.

Initially, she had been coaxing him gently, but upon reaching the bustling street, the lively scene captivated her. After being indoors for so many days, everything outside seemed novel. She wanted to buy everything she saw.

Eventually, disregarding Song Xuan’an’s lingering anger, she ended up carrying numerous packages.

Jiang Jingchun bounced ahead, holding a rabbit-shaped lantern, while Song Xuan’an trailed behind burdened with the bags.

Though annoyed, he was powerless against her, his face dark as he bore the load.

Finally, when Jiang Jingchun spotted another trinket she liked, Song Xuan’an lost his patience.

“Still buying? Planning to hang all this on my head?”

Only then did Jiang Jingchun notice both his hands were full. Embarrassed, she laughed nervously and stopped.

Seeing his sour expression, she knew he was still upset. Carrying all those things surely made it worse.

Suddenly, she remembered a sachet she hadn’t yet given away—originally meant for Gu Huaisheng. Because it was for someone dear, she had taken great care making it.

But since he wasn’t going out today, how could she give it to him? After waiting all day only to be rejected, how could she not be angry?

Jiang Jingchun pulled the sachet from her bosom and held it out to Song Xuan’an.

“Don’t be mad, okay? This mugwort sachet wards off evil and protects life.”

The pure white sachet dangled from her fingers, lightly swaying.

Song Xuan’an, well aware of her nature, said, “Don’t think I don’t know—you meant to give it to Gu Huaisheng but, since you couldn’t, you decided to give it to me.”

Caught again.

Having known each other for a long time, Song Xuan’an understood Jiang Jingchun well. Just from her unusual attire, he knew she had originally sought Gu Huaisheng, not him.

Even this sachet was a giveaway—she intended it for Gu Huaisheng first.

Jiang Jingchun stubbornly denied, “What nonsense! I never gave it to him. This is the first one I’ve taken out in front of you.”

Song Xuan’an asked, “What rubbish are you spouting?”

“Don’t talk so rudely. Forget it,” she replied.

He refused to let it go. “Who said I don’t want it? Since you say it’s for me, then it’s mine.”

Jiang Jingchun gave up arguing and handed it over.

But Song Xuan’an had no free hand to take it. He was alone today, no one to help carry things, and felt awkward.

“Just tie it on me,” he said.

Tie it on him? Here? Outside?

Jiang Jingchun glanced around. The bustling street was crowded, and they both attracted attention. If she tied the sachet on him now, rumors might spread. That wouldn’t do.

She refused, “No, there are too many people.”

Song Xuan’an looked around, then nodded toward a nearby alley. “No one’s there. Go there and tie it on.”

Jiang Jingchun eyed the alley uneasily, hesitating, “Isn’t that a bit improper?”

Song Xuan’an asked, “What’s improper? It’s just tying a sachet. Tell me what’s wrong.”

After a long pause, Jiang Jingchun could only say the old, familiar excuse: “Men and women shouldn’t have physical contact.”

“Don’t use that to fool me. I’m not interested in you like that.” He added, “Or is it that you never really wanted to give me this sachet, but planned to give it to someone else…”

Hearing this, Jiang Jingchun quickly cut him off and headed toward the alley. “Stop provoking me. Hurry up and come.”

They walked that way, unaware that across the river, a gaze was fixed upon them.

With no one around, Jiang Jingchun quickly tied the sachet onto Song Xuan’an’s waist. Bending low under the moonlight, she knotted it, pressing close enough that he could smell the jasmine scent of her hair pomade.

She seemed fond of that pomade; he often noticed its fragrance on her.

In the past, Jiang Jingchun hadn’t minded physical contact with him or found tying a sachet offensive, but recently, she had changed.

When did that change begin?

Perhaps when they grew up, or after she fell for Gu Huaisheng. Or maybe it was learning the rules from their governess. She now truly believed men and women should not touch.

Yet before, things had clearly been different between them.

Before Song Xuan’an could ponder further, Jiang Jingchun finished tying the knot.

She exhaled and said, “Done. Let’s go.”

He glanced down at the sachet at his waist, lost in thought until Jiang Jingchun called him from ahead, bringing him back to reality.

They left the alley, only to unexpectedly encounter someone they shouldn’t have.

Gu Huaisheng appeared today dressed differently than usual: a black silk robe with a round collar, embroidered with golden clouds for subtle elegance. A vermilion belt held his usual jade pendant, his entire appearance exuding refined, understated nobility.

His nose was straight, his bearing imposing, though his lips were tightly pressed, revealing a sharp edge.

Unexpectedly, here was Gu Huaisheng—and beside him stood a young lady, also well-dressed, likely the daughter of a respectable family, though Jiang Jingchun barely recognized her.

The lady wore a pale blue gown and bore a gentle smile, looking courteous and refined.

No wonder Jiang Jingchun didn’t know her well; their personalities differed, so they naturally didn’t mingle.

But the man beside her—Jiang Jingchun knew better than anyone.

It could only be Gu Huaisheng.

He had said he was too busy to go out with her but found time to accompany someone else.