Chapter 21

Waiting and waiting for someone to return, the days slipped by in the blink of an eye until the fourth day of the month.

Huang Shiyu was anxious; returning to the shop not only meant earning money and practicing arithmetic, but more importantly, it meant having the freedom to paint and practice calligraphy.

She began to wonder if she should just set off on her own... only to be met with a harsh rebuke from Scholar Huang. "You wretch! Without you, would you have Young Master Jian escort a maidservant? What would that make him?"

It would indeed be very disrespectful.

Huang Shiyu hurriedly curtsied to receive the scolding, though she harbored a sliver of resentment—if not for their private arrangements, she wouldn't have had to sit here waiting in vain.

To wait for Jian Xun, Huang Shiyu had to postpone her return to the Sweet Water Shop.

Finally, on the sixth day of the seventh month, his lordship arrived.

Fusheng directed the manservants to deliver regional specialties to Scholar Huang’s house.

Mistress Huang was struck by the sudden, mistaken impression that Jian Xun was practically a son-in-law of the Huang family.

Unable to help herself, she beamed and tried to cozy up to him. "Little Brother Fusheng, do come in and sit for a while."

Fusheng chuckled inwardly while maintaining a faint smile on his face, deftly deflecting the gesture. "Many thanks for your kindness, Mistress, but I have other duties to attend to, so I shall not impose."

Watching Fusheng’s lean back as he walked away, Scholar Huang glared at Mistress Huang in annoyance. "Ignorant, foolish woman."

"Why glare at me? I was just trying to build a relationship. If we can't see the son-in-law, it's good to be on friendly terms with those around him."

"In the future, when such things happen, just have the servants give a tip or offer a cup of tea. That is all." Scholar Huang felt a baseless irritation, and after forcing himself to give a brief instruction, he hurried past the screen wall.

Mistress Huang muttered a few words to herself. In the past, it was always Scholar Huang who handled the arrivals and departures of noble guests; she knew nothing of these proprieties. But then, thinking of those crates of regional goods, she beamed again and led the maids directly to the side room to inspect them.

There were ten bolts of fine Tang River cloth alone. Just imagine how much silver that was worth! Mistress Huang’s eyes lit up. If only he were a proper son-in-law, surely there would be even more.

Before she finished looking through everything, she heard a servant girl announce from outside: "Miss Bailu is here to see you."

Bailu, unlike Suqiu, rarely appeared at the Huang residence. However, this girl was so exceptionally beautiful that once seen, she was hard to forget. Mistress Huang had initially assumed she was Jian Xun’s bed-chamber maid, until she grew familiar with Suqiu and learned she was merely a first-class maidservant by Jian Xun’s side.

*Someone this beautiful, and she isn't even a bed-chamber maid?*

Mistress Huang was momentarily lost in thought, watching Bailu step gracefully into the room. As the girl curtsied to her, her posture as ethereal as a fairy in a painting, Mistress Huang suddenly realized that the sordid thoughts she had been entertaining were inexplicably absurd.

If even a maidservant who was slightly less beautiful than Meiniang was this stunning, how could Qinniang—who was far less beautiful—ever compare?

Looking closer at her gait, so delicate and refined, it was clearly not that of a woman who had been "initiated"—meaning she had not been touched by Jian Xun.

If such a beauty was merely a servant before Jian Xun, what could make Qinniang special?

Forget about being a favored concubine; even becoming a minor concubine would be difficult.

As she thought this... Mistress Huang’s expression drooped. Suddenly realizing she was being impolite, she hurriedly plastered a smile back on her face and greeted her. "Miss Bailu, you're here. Does Young Master Jian have any further instructions?"

Bailu smiled and presented a jade-green brocade box. "This is a token from the Young Master for the Second Miss Huang. I must trouble you, Mistress, to see that she receives it."

Mistress Huang forced a smile and was overly courteous, though her heart was a swirl of mixed emotions. The moment Bailu left, she opened the box to sneak a peek, and her eyes suddenly turned red.

Inside was a pair of transparent, flawless yellow jade earrings. They were brilliant and lustrous, carved in the shape of plum blossoms. Even though she knew little about jewelry, her heart couldn't help but flutter.

*So beautiful...*

Mistress Huang’s hands trembled slightly, and she pinched herself hard.

Yinfang, thinking her mistress had been struck by an evil spirit, hurried forward to fan her, crying out, "Mistress, Mistress, what is wrong with you..."

Mistress Huang snapped out of it, hurriedly closed the box, and clutched it to her chest.

After holding it for a moment, she let out a long sigh. "Go and invite the Second Miss over."

Huang Shiyu arrived in the main room with her long hair still half-damp.

Mistress Huang didn't even look at her, as if speaking to the empty air. "You are already of the age for marriage, and now that you have Amber to serve you, can you please take care with your grooming and at least try to act like a refined lady?"

Huang Shiyu replied, "Yes."

Mistress Huang gripped the brocade box tightly, feeling unsatisfied and compelled to say something harsh to balance her mood. "It was fine when you were a child, but dressing like a tomboy now is clearly fooling yourself. Look at your chest—what decent young lady has grown as large as yours? It’s disgusting."

Huang Shiyu blushed deeply, her eyes brimming with tears.

Mistress Huang panicked, shoved the box into her arms, and her tone grew weaker. "Wear the earrings properly. Do not lose or break them. They are... they are very, very expensive..."

She gritted her teeth, swallowing the rest of her vicious threats, and forced herself to soften her tone. "Go on then. You have to wake up early tomorrow to return to the shop."

Huang Shiyu clutched the box and bowed, but before she could cross the threshold, she was called back.

Mistress Huang’s expression was inscrutable, flickering in the candlelight. Her lips moved for a long time before she finally spoke. "Never mind, there’s nothing important. Don't do heavy labor at the shop. If you're free, just lie down. Your monthly allowance won't be a penny less, lest word gets out that I’ve mistreated my stepdaughter."

Huang Shiyu said "Yes" again and left the room in silence.

The next day, Huang Wanqing, fighting off drowsiness, stumbled along the stone path, following her mother's instructions to see Huang Shiyu off in order to mend their sisterly bond. Unexpectedly, before she could even round the screen wall, she was stopped by Yinfang.

Huang Wanqing said with a scowl, "Why am I not allowed to go now? You could have told me earlier so I wouldn't have had to wake up so early."

Yinfang didn't know either. "It was the Mistress's order; surely she has her reasons..."

Huang Wanqing yawned and was about to turn back when a strange, low voice, as resonant as a gentle string, reached her ears.

The charming tone sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't help but stop in her tracks, crouching behind the screen wall to peek.

It was the first time she had seen the grown-up Jian Xun. His features were the same as in childhood, yet the impression he gave was entirely different.

He stood in the pale, pre-dawn light, his brows slightly furrowed, his deep eyes lowered as he gazed at Meiniang with a smile. His flowing gown was as elegant as wings, its colors exquisite and luxurious, making the pale, smoky patterns look like flowing light.

Huang Wanqing felt her entire body go cold, with only her heart burning like a raging fire.

He seemed exceptionally familiar with Meiniang, sharing an intimacy that was hard to fathom. He was whispering something to her, and perhaps because he had gone against her wishes, Meiniang had the audacity to strike his arm. Far from being annoyed, he eagerly assisted her into the carriage.

Huang Wanqing didn't know how long she stood there, stunned, until she heard Yinfang’s voice and realized the courtyard was already empty.

She ran back to the main room, gasping for breath, and burst into the inner chamber without waiting for Yinfang to announce her, giving Mistress Huang quite a start.

Mistress Huang raised her brows to scold her, but was frightened by the torrent of tears streaming down her face.

"What is this... have you gone mad early in the morning?" Mistress Huang asked hesitantly.

"Why is Meiniang so close to Young Master Jian, while I—I have never even seen him? Did you and Father hide something from me?" Huang Wanqing cried.

Mistress Huang hurriedly dismissed the servants and felt her forehead—it was burning!

"Qinniang, you have a fever."

"Mother! How much have you and Father been hiding from me!"

Mistress Huang was frantic and filled with regret. "Didn't I tell you that you didn't need to see Meiniang off? Did you go over there and see..."

Huang Wanqing gasped, sobbing, tears streaming down her face. After all her efforts, she was nothing but a joke.

She cried, "So you... you pushed that pathetic Li Fugui onto me just to climb the social ladder! You gave me all the dregs and the filth just because I’m not as pretty as Meiniang!"

If her mother hadn't meddled, Meiniang would have long been Li Fugui’s fiancée, and she would never have had the chance to enjoy the attentions of such a heavenly gentleman.

Huang Wanqing’s mind was in chaos, and she hated her partial parents with all her might.

Mistress Huang was truly unable to clear her name now, even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

As soon as Huang Shiyu sat inside the carriage, her eyes brightened.

Before boarding, she had been holding it in.

"The color of your gown is so exquisite, what is it called?" she asked, full of curiosity.

Jian Xun teased, "Do you want to touch it and see?"

Huang Shiyu thought he had agreed, so she quickly said she did, her hand already reaching toward his wide sleeve.

Jian Xun grabbed her hand. "You have no manners; I haven't agreed yet."

Huang Shiyu tried to pull her hand back, but couldn't. She wanted to touch his sleeve, but couldn't reach it, stuck in limbo. "If you didn't agree, why did you ask if I wanted to touch it? You really are a bad person."

Jian Xun’s gaze locked onto her earlobes. "I’m also curious about your earrings. If you allow me to examine them, I’ll let you ask whatever you want about my clothes."

*Really?* Huang Shiyu hesitated, asking him with her eyes.

"Absolutely," Jian Xun said.

Huang Shiyu yanked her hand away, tilted her head, and began fumbling awkwardly with the earrings. Unexpectedly, her face was cupped in his hands. Jian Xun said in a low voice, "Don't mess with them."

He leaned in close, his face inches from hers.

Huang Shiyu held her breath, her eyes full of vigilance. "Who leans in to examine things like this? Wait for me to take them off and give them to you..."

"No need for trouble. Do you expect me to take off my clothes just because you want to know their color?"

"If you're willing... it's not entirely out of the question." Not to mention she really did want to tear off a piece of the fabric. Huang Shiyu swallowed lightly, then quickly raised her hand to push against his shoulder. "Hey, hey, why are you getting closer? I'm hot."

"Bear with it. I haven't even seen clearly if these are plum blossoms or peach blossoms."

"Don't touch my ears, it tickles."

"You really are a handful."

He was too close—so close that his warm breath brushed against her cheek.

Huang Shiyu glanced over and could see his distinct, long eyelashes, followed by his high, straight bridge of a nose. No wonder she always felt his features were more refined than others, even from a distance.

Jian Xun stared at her full, cherry-red lips and said casually, "Your earrings are truly beautiful..."

"It doesn't look like you're looking at the earrings," Huang Shiyu said, her brow slightly furrowed.

Jian Xun wanted to catch her lips by surprise, but his shoulder was pushed back again by her soft hands.

Huang Shiyu warned him loudly, "Who stares at people like that? Now it’s my turn. Hurry up and tell me, what color is this?"

She touched the edge of his sleeve, the adoration clear in her eyes.

Jian Xun had to suppress his baser instincts and muttered, "This is ultramarine, refined from extremely rare lapis lazuli. It is a tribute to our dynasty, which is why it isn't sold in the markets."

Huang Shiyu knew what a tribute was—something only the imperial family could enjoy. "Then, where did you get this?"

"It was an imperial gift, of course. The Emperor bestowed it upon my great-grandfather, and he bestowed it upon us younger generations. But one must hold an official rank to wear it; commoners cannot. To use it otherwise is a crime of great disrespect."

*So that’s how it is.*

Huang Shiyu let go of his sleeve in disappointment.

Jian Xun pulled her hand back and placed it on his sleeve. "However, commoners can use ultramarine for painting. Using it in art is fine."

The spark in Huang Shiyu’s eyes reignited immediately, and she didn't forget to call him out. "You did that on purpose, didn't you? Holding it back just to tease me."

Jian Xun smiled, his eyes dark and bright.

He looked down again. "Huang Er, the earrings are beautiful, and so are you..."

Today was the Qixi Festival, a day he had specifically chosen to ride with her.