Chapter Sixteen: I Went Out Alone, Simply Wanting to Prepare a Surprise for You

Jiang Lingyao’s expression was calm and indifferent as she glanced at him.

Concerned for her? Song Lian’er was probably more interested in when she would die and when she could take her place.

Only now, having completely calmed down, did she realize how ridiculous Jiang Xiuyuan was—utterly fooled by a few words from Song Lian’er. She truly wondered how someone like him had earned the rank of third place in the imperial examination.

She didn’t care. Her face remained impassive, while both Song Lian’er and Jiang Xiuyuan held back their frustration.

Especially Jiang Xiuyuan, the more he looked at Jiang Lingyao’s expression, the more uncomfortable he felt. Finally, gritting his teeth, he asked Pei Xingzhi, “Didn’t you have a set of hair ornaments made a few days ago? Was it for Lian’er?”

Pei Xingzhi raised his eyes but glanced at Jiang Lingyao first. “Yes, I did make a set.”

Jiang Lingyao felt no stir within and thought to find an excuse to leave quickly, paying no attention to their conversation.

Song Lian’er, displeased, coquettishly stepped forward. “Brother Pei, was it really made for Lian’er?”

“Jiang Lingyao.” Pei Xingzhi fixed his gaze on her, cold and stern. “You’ve said nothing. What do you mean by that?”

If it had been before, she would surely have hurried to claim it, afraid the gift would be snatched by Song Lian’er.

Did she not care at all?

Pei Xingzhi’s expression darkened, his sharp brows furrowing deeply. Though a scholar, he bore the hard edge of a general.

“I have no money. What else can I say?” she said frankly, spreading her hands. “I can’t afford anything here.”

The Pearl Courtyard had burned to the ground, and she was now short of funds. In this Linglang Pavilion, where even a single hairpin could fetch a thousand taels, where could she have money?

Jiang Xiuyuan’s face immediately turned sour. He frowned and lowered his voice. “What nonsense are you spouting? Jiang Lingyao, has your family ever been short of food or clothing? How is it that you spent a year in the temple and gained no spiritual insight, but instead acquired a petty, narrow mindset?”

Jiang Lingyao’s face grew slightly colder. “Isn’t this just as you said, brother? I stayed a year in the temple, away from the capital for a long time, so naturally I’ve become somewhat petty and narrow-minded.”

“Jiang Lingyao!” Jiang Xiuyuan’s head throbbed with anger, but he could only whisper her name.

He felt guilty toward her. That year in the temple had not been easy, and it was his decision for her to take the blame.

Now, when they argued, he made no effort to hide it, bringing it up openly in front of her, which only made his heart ache in an indescribable way.

Jiang Lingyao grew weary of Jiang Xiuyuan’s fickleness and lowered her eyes, silent.

Song Lian’er delighted in their quarrel and, with a soft voice, asked, “Sister, do you not want to accept Brother Pei’s gift?”

Jiang Lingyao gave her a cold glance and sneered, refusing to answer.

Pei Xingzhi’s face darkened as he told the shopkeeper, “Wrap it up and send it back to Miss Song’s residence.”

“Thank you, Brother Fang!” Song Lian’er beamed. “For Brother Fang’s birthday, Lian’er will definitely bring this set of hair ornaments.”

Birthday…?

A flash of inspiration struck Jiang Lingyao’s heart. She found her excuse to leave.

Pei Xingzhi replied perfunctorily, his gaze involuntarily flickering toward Jiang Lingyao.

Jiang Xiuyuan, boiling with frustration, shot her a cold glare and loudly said, “Shopkeeper, bring out all the new and fine goods. Lian’er, look around and see what you like. Whatever you choose today, I will give it to you.”

“My brother is so good to me!” The two of them chimed in unison. Soon, boxes piled up before them, the shopkeeper smiling so broadly his eyes nearly disappeared, and even the onlookers clicked their tongues in admiration.

“Is that the eldest son of the Jiang family? I heard he dotes on his sister the most, and it truly seems so.”

“Wow—today’s haul must be worth tens of thousands of silver taels. The Jiang household is truly wealthy beyond measure!”

“To have such a brother, this young lady must have been blessed in her past life!”

Jiang Lingyao remained unmoved, quietly listening with her eyes lowered, inwardly mocking.

After Song Lian’er selected her items and stepped outside, Jiang Lingyao looked up calmly and said, “Since you’ve chosen your things, I’ll be going ahead.”

“Go on, Sister. You’ve trouble enough coming with me without buying anything. When we return to the mansion, I’ll pick out a few things and have them sent to you.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lingyao left. Pei Xingzhi, who had been silent all along, suddenly reached out to stop her, his eyes filled with cold hostility.

“Is that how unwilling you are to stay? That unwilling to see me?”

His voice was icy, frightening the nearby passersby into quickening their steps, their faces pale.

Jiang Lingyao found her excuse and leaned close to his ear in a low voice: “Your birthday is coming soon. I want to pick out a gift for you by myself, to give you a surprise. Of course, I can’t have anyone following me.”

The anger in Pei Xingzhi’s eyes suddenly froze. He stood there stunned for a moment, looking at her without a word.