Chapter 14

A strange look flickered in Jian Xun’s eyes. His tall frame loomed over her, bringing with it a rush of warm breath.

Huang Shiyu, confused, stared at him in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

Jian Xun’s gaze was intense, and he smiled. "You have some dust on you. Let me wipe it off for you."

With that, he moved as if to force a kiss.

Huang Shiyu, suspecting nothing, hurriedly lowered her head and rubbed the spot he had touched with her sleeve.

Jian Xun’s attempt missed.

She looked up again and asked, "Is there still some?"

Jian Xun was struck speechless.

The back of the carriage pressed uncomfortably against her spine, so Huang Shiyu held her arm out horizontally to create a buffer between them. "Move over, I have nowhere to sit."

Jian Xun paused slightly, his voice husky as he said, "Then lean over here yourself. If you come to me, I’ll move away..."

His lips hovered just five inches from hers.

Given Huang Shiyu’s lack of experience, she clearly failed to grasp the flirtation and suggestion behind his words.

The ignorant are fearless; she kept pushing his shoulder. "Move away first. I want to get out of the carriage."

Jian Xun pursed his lips, his expression dazed and filled with longing.

Huang Shiyu grew annoyed and gave him a forceful shove. "I told you to move!"

Jian Xun yielded to her strength, creating some distance. "Don't get off. Can we go back together?"

Huang Shiyu didn't answer. Instead, she sat up straight and recalled, "Just now, what did you mean by leaning in so close?"

"Nothing," Jian Xun said slowly.

He turned to lift a corner of the carriage window, letting the cool breeze rush in to chill his heated mind.

Huang Shiyu watched him with suspicion.

After a moment, Jian Xun turned his head toward her, his eyes now clear. "Why do you still look so aggrieved?"

He shouldn't have mentioned it; the moment he did, it stirred up her urge to cry again.

"I was thinking, I'm already so unlucky—were you trying to take advantage of me just now?"

"Nonsense."

"Really?"

"No," he said significantly. "If you don't believe me, I can show you what 'taking advantage' really looks like."

Huang Shiyu dared not press further and cautiously moved to sit opposite him.

Jian Xun was secretly displeased, but his voice softened. "Why do you cry at the drop of a hat? You little crybaby."

After his father passed away, he hadn't cried once, yet Huang Shiyu could shed tears at any moment, like a little dough figurine.

"You don't understand at all," Huang Shiyu sniffled. "Have you ever seen a wretch who had two marriage proposals fall through in less than twenty days?"

Jian Xun said with surprise, "That is miserable."

Huang Shiyu felt dejected and lost.

Jian Xun moved to sit beside her. "Can you tell me about it?"

She looked up at him and began from the very beginning—the Li Fugui whom her father had promised her to, then the current situation with Pei Sheng. The more she spoke, the sadder she became.

Huang Shiyu simply wanted to settle in the county to be closer to her sister; why was it that she never encountered anyone who cherished her?

She choked back a sob. "The Li Fugui my father promised me to ended up with Qingniang instead. They even tried to fool me with talk of 'mutual affection.' If they hadn't been meeting in secret behind my back, where would this 'mutual affection' have come from?"

Jian Xun hummed. "It's too unfair. Li Fugui should have at least seen you first."

These words struck a chord in Huang Shiyu’s heart, and her fondness for him doubled instantly.

"You’re the only one who understands me." People are naturally drawn to those who understand them, and Huang Shiyu was no exception. She opened up to him as if he were a close friend. "Everything should follow a proper order. Since he promised my father first, he should have seen me before deciding if he was satisfied. How could he skip over me and meet with Qingniang directly?"

"You're right," Jian Xun agreed.

"Jian Yunjhang."

"Yes?"

"These are heart-to-heart words I've only shared with you. Don't let them slip in front of my father." She bit her lip lightly.

"Of course." Jian Xun smiled and pinched her cheek.

A lock of hair on her forehead fluttered in the breeze, teasingly brushing against her brow and eyes. She reached up to brush it away, but was a step slower than Jian Xun, who gently hooked the strand and tucked it behind her ear.

Perhaps his gaze was too gentle and innocent, or perhaps because he had started sharing his own secrets with her, Huang Shiyu forgot to be annoyed by his wandering hands.

"Since Meiniang has opened her heart to me, let me tell you a few things from my heart as well."

"Don't call me Meiniang."

"Fine, Huang the Second." He gazed into her innocent eyes. "Discovering that a fiancé is not a good match before exchanging horoscopes—you aren't unlucky at all. You are the most blessed girl, and there will be a gentleman ten thousand times better than them who will cherish you."

Huang Shiyu was moved, her bewildered gaze filled with both longing and innocence. "Really?"

"Absolutely," Jian Xun promised her.

He would certainly cherish her deeply.

Jian Xun’s words were sweet and thoughtful, and a few sentences were enough to make Huang Shiyu beam, her arched brows like crescent moons.

Watching her smile, the corners of his own mouth rose involuntarily.

"Actually, I'm much more miserable than you." Having cheered her up, he felt a bit bold and wanted to show off even more.

Huang Shiyu let out an "Oh?" "Even a brilliant gentleman like you has worries?"

"Of course." Jian Xun’s eyes lifted slightly. "Last month, my fiancée’s family returned my engagement papers. Have you ever seen me cry?"

Huang Shiyu shook her head gently, staring without blinking at her own reflection in his pupils. She murmured, "You... are truly strong."

"Then, can you be as strong as I am?"

"Mm."

But Jian Xun, having exposed his own scars, suddenly lost his strength. His expression darkened visibly, and even the rims of his eyes grew red. Huang Shiyu’s heart skipped a beat, and she shook his arm. "Are... are you going to cry? Don't be sad. It’s all my fault. I shouldn't have brought up sharing secrets; heart-to-hearts aren't meant for comparing miseries..."

Jian Xun pulled her into a sudden embrace, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head. "What should I do? It seems I’ve been infected by you; the more I think about it, the sadder I feel."

She felt uncomfortable in his arms and instinctively squirmed. "Let go of me first, don't cry..."

But he held her tighter. Jian Xun panted near her ear, "I feel so terrible. Just let me hold you for a while, okay? Just a little while."

His voice trembled; this was how people sounded when they were choking back tears.

The easily moved Huang Shiyu couldn't help but empathize with him. After much hesitation, she finally stopped struggling and let him lean in to pull her completely into his embrace.

Jian Xun’s chest was so hard; she was still too young and inexperienced to bear such pressure.

"Jian Yunjhang, I'm scared..."

"Why?"

"A man and a woman must keep their distance. How can we be embracing like this?"

"It's alright. I can hold you. Only I can; no one else. Have you remembered that?"

"Why?"

Jian Yunjhang did not answer her. Huang Shiyu lay in his arms, feeling immensely anxious.

Once the seal on desire is broken, one always craves more.

But he couldn't bear to feed Meiniang contraceptive medicine. If he took her, and she became pregnant, it would be very troublesome.

Jian Xun greedily felt every inch of the young girl's soft curves.

He hadn't lied this time; after holding her for a short while, he let her go.

Jian Xun loosened his arms, moved to the opposite side, and pressed his right fist against his forehead.

Huang Shiyu felt as if she had escaped a disaster, but she dared not move closer, let alone offer comfort, for fear he might hold her again.

A moment later, Jian Xun tilted his head to look at her. "Remember, only I can do this."

Huang Shiyu rubbed her arm, huffing, "No one can! And don't you even think about it!"

Jian Xun smiled enigmatically.

"I know a bookstore nearby," he said, pulling on her sleeve. "Come on, I'll take you."

On a day as lively as the temple fair, Jian Xun took Huang Shiyu to browse a bookstore.

Amber’s expression was sour the entire time.

Earlier, she had been keeping a close eye on the goings-on in the carriage. If she had heard even a hint of her young mistress calling for help, she would have charged in to fight Jian Xun to the death.

Amber was twenty-five this year, a woman who had been married and had a husband. She was no naive girl reaching womanhood. Although Young Master Jian hadn't made any improper moves, his eyes didn't lie. She felt something wasn't quite right, though she couldn't put her finger on it.

She made up her mind to advise her young mistress carefully when they got back, hoping to make her more vigilant.

With such a vast gap in their family status, no matter how good Young Master Jian was, it would never end well for her young mistress—unless she wanted to be a concubine.

The bookstore in Zehe County couldn't compare to those in the capital, but it was enough for Huang Shiyu. It was filled with both block-printed books and hand-copied manuscripts. According to the shop assistant, there were even quite a few genuine works by famous contemporary masters.

Huang Shiyu stood on tiptoe to reach for a copy of *Wengong’s Scattered Collection* on the shelf.

"Let me help you." Jian Xun stood behind her, easily retrieved it, and handed it to her.

She flipped through a few pages and frowned. This copy of Wengong’s works had no beautiful illustrations.

"Are you looking for illustrations?" Jian Xun asked.

Huang Shiyu nodded. "Master Hua’s copy has them, and they are so beautiful. Every orchid is so lifelike..."

She was referring to the artistic charm.

Even though the entire painting only used a transition from white to black, it allowed the viewer to feel as if they were there, lost in a spiritual communion with the artist.

It was impossible to forget after seeing it.

Jian Xun looked at her gently. "I didn't expect you to be so favored by the old master that he would even share his books with you."

"So he wasn't just stingy with me," Huang Shiyu realized with a start.

After walking around, she only bought some brushes, ink, and rice paper. Not a single book caught her eye.

The problem was that her standards were too high. From the beginning, the books she had been exposed to were works like *Wengong’s Scattered Collection* and *The Yuanzhi Poetry Collection*, all of which were top-tier hand-copied or printed editions, some even including original manuscripts. How could she settle for ordinary ones?

Jian Xun, however, picked out two small poetry collections that were very popular among children in Great Kang.

Huang Shiyu didn't understand. "You’re already grown up. Do you still read these?"

Jian Xun smiled. "They are for you to read."

"I’m not a child."

"You are."

"You aren't much older yourself."

"I am older than you."

On the way back, Amber was pulled aside by Suqiu. "Good sister, let's take the carriage behind."

The carriage was not as spacious as a room; having an extra person could easily affect the masters' rest. Therefore, unless ordered otherwise, servants usually did not ride in the same carriage.

Amber was displeased. "But my young mistress is still in that carriage. If I don't go over, wouldn't she be alone with Young Master Jian?"

"Being alone is as it should be," Suqiu said, glancing at her indifferently. "If you don't believe me, sister, you can go home and ask Master Huang to decide. If everyone else thinks it’s fine and only you are stuck on your own interpretation, you’re just making it difficult for others and miserable for yourself."

Amber was speechless, her footsteps stumbling.

In the carriage, Jian Xun was teaching Huang Shiyu to read.

Books suitable for children under ten were clearly smoother to read than *The Yuanzhi Poetry Collection*. When she encountered difficult, obscure sentences, Huang Shiyu could understand them after a little thought.

With Jian Xun explaining them to her personally, there was even more charm to it.

Huang Shiyu was focused, and she gradually let go of the awkwardness of being alone with him.

Unexpectedly, Jian Xun said softly, "See, I am not inferior to Siyuan."

"Both of you are shining stars of literature in the sky. In my heart, you are nothing short of great gods and Buddhas." To show her sincerity, Huang Shiyu even pressed her palms together.

"Then who do you think is more brilliant, him or me?" Jian Xun asked with a smile.

This was a difficult question to answer.

Reasonably speaking, Jian Xun was one of her own, so she should naturally lean toward him. But her benefactor—the one who taught her—had been kind to her, and one must respect one's teachers. To say he was inferior to Jian Xun would be treacherous.

Yet, if she said Jian Xun was inferior to him, there would surely be no one to guide her studies in the future.

Huang Shiyu stammered for a long time before saying, "You are more approachable than Siyuan."

Jian Xun’s smiling eyes went cold.

Huang Shiyu glanced at him quickly, drawing circles on her knee with her palm.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Meiniang."

"Don't..."

"Why not?"

"A girl’s pet name should only be used by her family and her beloved."

Jian Xun paused, lowered his eyes, and said nothing more.

Huang Shiyu lectured him earnestly, "I only didn't get angry because I treat you as a friend. If it were someone else, it might not be the same. How could you call a girl by her pet name so casually? It’s truly flippant. Aren't you afraid your Yuanniang will be disappointed if she hears it?"

Jian Xun said gloomily, "She is a lady of a noble family, raised with strict upbringing and upright conduct, possessing all the decorum expected of a clan’s wife."