Chapter 14

She stood beside him, speaking softly as if merely asking a simple question, without any other intention. Perhaps it was something Lady Liu had recently taught her—some etiquette about speaking to men outside the family—so she dared not get too close to him.

Or perhaps it was because her question was rather subtle that, for a moment, Gu Huaisheng found himself unable to discern what she was truly thinking.

He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at her. She walked with her head lowered, and the blue ribbons hanging from her twin buns swayed gently with each step. Seeing his silence, Jiang Jingchun turned to face him. Their eyes met, and in hers, he caught a hint of puzzlement.

Jiang Jingchun asked, “Cousin, what are you thinking?”

Gu Huaisheng turned back and answered honestly, “I just don’t quite understand why you’re asking that.”

A little nervous, Jiang Jingchun bit her lip and then explained, “Grandmother has permitted me to go into town tomorrow for some fun. Cousin, are you free? The streets will be lively—there’s a dragon boat race and lantern displays. It’s very beautiful.”

She said all this merely to ask him, “Cousin, would you like to come see it with me?”

Like coaxing a child, she described the bustling street festivities in an attempt to persuade Gu Huaisheng to join her outing.

Her eyes seemed to hold a flicker of hope, but Gu Huaisheng remained disinterested. By the time she finished speaking, her voice was barely audible, as if she could already imagine his refusal.

So that was it.

She was afraid he would say no, and also worried he might think she was frivolous. Hence, she spoke so softly and with such uncertainty.

Gu Huaisheng didn’t respond to her invitation but suddenly asked an unrelated question, glancing at her hand: “Has your wound healed?”

Jiang Jingchun was briefly taken aback and responded quickly, “Not yet, but it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

She lifted her hand to show him, still wrapped in gauze, though much less than before when it had been heavily bandaged.

Gu Huaisheng looked at her hand but showed no intention of continuing the conversation. He nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Only then did Jiang Jingchun realize and called after him, “Cousin, you haven’t said whether you’re coming tomorrow!”

This time, her tone was a bit urgent compared to before.

Seeing his refusal to answer, at that moment, Jiang Jingchun forgot the etiquette Lady Liu had taught her. She lifted her skirt and hurried after him; her buns bounced wildly as she ran, her dress billowing in the wind, seeming to take shape in that instant.

She stopped in front of Gu Huaisheng, breathless, her crimson lips parted slightly, chest rising and falling with exertion. The subtle fragrance she wore invaded his senses as she drew near.

Gu Huaisheng looked at her silently for a moment, his throat slightly hoarse. He cleared his throat, about to reply, when Lady Liu’s voice interrupted from nearby.

“Miss, why have you been out so long? The matriarch has asked me to call you back for dinner.”

She had gone out to see someone off, but no one knew where her own people had gone; if unaware, one might think she was actually following Gu Huaisheng back to the Gu residence.

Jiang Jingchun, sensing she wouldn’t get an answer, turned back at Lady Liu’s urging and said to him, “Cousin, whether you go or not, please make sure someone sends me a message. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Having said this, she followed Lady Liu back inside.

Gu Huaisheng had a pair of eyes that seemed to take advantage of any opportunity—tender and affectionate, always smiling with emotion. Even if his expression was cold and distant, those eyes betrayed his feelings. Yet, on him, they seemed not to soften him but remain aloof, their depths frosted with ice.

But at this moment, the eternal frost in his eyes seemed to have thawed just a little.

Dragon boats… lanterns…

It had been a long time since he had seen such things.

*

The next day arrived swiftly. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Dragon Boat Festival dawned. The Jiang household was adorned with mugwort and calamus, hung to ward off evil spirits during this time when yang energy is at its peak. The scent of rice dumpling leaves permeated the residence, and maids bustled about, preparing for the evening banquet.

Jiang Jingchun had learned embroidery well and made items with skill. Recently, she crafted several sachets filled with mugwort for protection and good fortune. She first presented them to the matriarch and Lady Liu, then returned to Chongming Hall to give some to her mother and brother. As for her father, whom she feared a little, she sent a servant with one.

Furthermore, since she had invited Gu Huaisheng for the evening, she had made one for him as well.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, officials were generally on leave. In the main hall of Chongming Hall, Madam Li sat with her two children.

Jiang Runchu took the sachet Jiang Jingchun had given him, dangling it by its string and inspecting it. Though well-made, he couldn’t help but tease, “Your stitches may look good, but you’ve got dog’s paws for sewing.”

They had always bickered like this since childhood. Jiang Jingchun was used to Jiang Runchu’s sharp tongue. Hearing this, she tried to snatch the sachet back and said, “Fine, if you don’t want it, give it back.”

Jiang Runchu was quicker, pocketing the sachet with a grin. “Why would I refuse something given for free?”

Jiang Jingchun rolled her eyes; he had liked to bully her for years. When others falsely accused her, he sided with them. She, being magnanimous, never held grudges, but he only knew how to pick on her. What kind of person was he?

She ignored him and turned to Madam Li, asking, “Mother, do you think my embroidery is good?”

Madam Li took the sachet and examined it closely. In the past, Jiang Jingchun could barely make a sachet-shaped piece; now, her stitching and patterns were excellent.

Her grandmother had truly taught her well—something Madam Li could not do herself.

Lost in thought, she forgot Jiang Jingchun was waiting for her answer.

After some time, she sighed and said, “You’re ready to marry now.”

When Jiang Jingchun first came to Guishui, she had never thought so. Even as her figure matured, and even when she had insisted she liked Gu Huaisheng, marriage had never crossed her mind.

But seeing the pretty sachets she had embroidered, the reality of growing up became clear.

Jiang Runchu reminded, “She’s already sixteen. Mother should have arranged a match for her long ago.”

Only then did Madam Li recall that her daughter was indeed of marriageable age. Though reluctant to admit it, she sighed, “I know. No need for you to keep reminding me.”

Matchmaking…

At the mention of it, Jiang Jingchun could only think of Gu Huaisheng.

Thinking of him, she recalled her invitation from yesterday.

Now, as dinner time approached, no one had come with news.

*

At the Marquis of Heyang’s residence, Madam Gu sat with Gu Huaisheng.

She said to him, “Last time you said you didn’t like that Miss Lou very much. Recently, I’ve been looking at others for you. Miss Meng from the Ministry of Rites is quite suitable. I’ve met her mother several times, and she seems to think well of you.”

Though Madam Gu had liked Lou Yanxin, Gu Huaisheng did not. No matter how much she liked someone, if he did not, there was nothing she could do.

She knew he was picky about everything, especially marriage.

Yet, while he was particular, he refused to take the matter seriously. If she, as his mother, didn’t intervene, he might never marry.

Madam Gu said, “I’ve arranged with the minister’s wife that on this Dragon Boat Festival evening, when the streets are lively, you’ll accompany Miss Meng to stroll around. How does that sound?”

Gu Huaisheng did not answer immediately.

Madam Gu was unsure what he was thinking—was he willing or not?

“Tonight?” Gu Huaisheng suddenly asked.

Madam Gu was puzzled; what difference did tonight or tomorrow make? “The streets are lively tonight. You’ll have fun with her.”

She added, “Is something wrong? Is tonight inconvenient?”

Gu Huaisheng pursed his lips, silent for a moment. His fingers absentmindedly traced the cup in his hand, recalling Jiang Jingchun’s words from yesterday.

She had invited him out tonight as well.

But going out alone with her would be strange.

A brother and his cousin alone to see lanterns and parade the streets…

What would that mean? Wasn’t it obvious?

Especially since tonight his mother wanted him to accompany a potential match. If he refused because of Jiang Jingchun, things would become awkward.

“Fu Yan, what are you thinking?” Madam Gu’s voice brought him back.

He nodded in response. “Alright, I will go tonight.”

Madam Gu did not expect such a prompt answer, having thought he might be thinking of excuses to decline.

Hearing his reply, she happily told him, “Go change your clothes soon. Don’t wear white again—too cold. The young ladies don’t like that.”

She kept nagging, and finally, Gu Huaisheng obeyed, letting her pick out his clothes.

*

That evening, lanterns were hung throughout the streets and alleys, glowing like pearls in the night. There was no curfew tonight, and even in the deep darkness, the streets were crowded with people. Children laughed and shouted as they played, and the dragon boat teams were already warming up by the riverbank, ready for the upcoming race.

Jiang Jingchun had finished dinner but remained at home, unwilling to leave.

She was still waiting for news from Gu Huaisheng.

At this hour, if he had agreed, someone would have sent word already. Yet, Jiang Jingchun stubbornly waited until the last moment.

Finally, a young servant rushed in with a message. Jiang Jingchun hurried outside and asked anxiously, “Is there news from the Gu family?”

The servant, seeing her urgency, nodded.

Jiang Jingchun pressed, “What did Cousin say?”

The servant replied, “Young Marquis said he has matters to attend to tonight and cannot come.”

He can’t come.

Though expected, hearing it so suddenly still stung Jiang Jingchun’s heart.

Since yesterday, she had been looking forward to this, but in the end, all she received was his refusal.

Her expression dulled, and the hope in her eyes vanished completely.

He would not come.

She felt tears welling up, and at that moment, a wave of helplessness and endless disappointment surged within her chest. All she had wanted was for him to accompany her on a simple outing, yet even that was too much.

Gu Huaisheng was truly stingy.