Now, for the sake of her own reputation as the future Prime Minister’s wife and to confirm the rumors about Prince Yi harassing the Prime Minister’s betrothed, she couldn’t allow those two to interact too frequently.
…
“Miss, I know you don’t like hearing this, but I must say it. Now that you and Lord Song are engaged, you should keep your distance from Yi Wang Manor to avoid gossip that might damage your reputation.”
“Shaoyao is right, Miss. Think about it—His Highness always treats you coldly, unlike Lord Song, who is so gentle with you…”
“Enough, both of you.” Jiang Rumin interrupted the back-and-forth between her two maids. “I know you mean well, but don’t worry too much. I just want to know how His Highness is recovering. I won’t get entangled with him.”
“You needn’t worry about that, Miss. His Highness must be much better if he’s out and about.”
As Shaoyao spoke, she caught sight of a familiar figure ahead and quickly tugged at Jiang Rumin’s sleeve. “Look, Miss, just as I said—His Highness has recovered well. There’s no need for concern.”
Jiang Rumin followed her gaze and indeed saw Jun Tianyi walking along the street. But when she noticed the graceful figure beside him, her eyes dimmed.
Jun Tianyi had brought Jiang Yuxi with him today. Watching them chat and laugh together, she felt a pang of heaviness in her heart.
In this situation, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to approach them—it would seem like she was intruding on the happy couple.
Just as she was watching them, Jiang Yuxi looked up and spotted her.
Jiang Yuxi paused briefly, then curled her lips into a mocking smile.
Not wanting to cause trouble, Jiang Rumin turned to leave when the sweet aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts wafted past. The next moment, a paper bag of the treat was offered to her.
“These sugar-roasted chestnuts are quite delicious. Would you like to try some, Miss Jiang?” Song Yun Chu had immediately noticed Jiang Rumin’s despondent mood and smiled faintly. “They say eating something sweet can lift your spirits when you’re feeling down.”
“Greetings, Lord Song.” Jiang Rumin didn’t accept the chestnuts but instead greeted him distantly, taking a step back to create space between them.
Though she loved sugar-roasted chestnuts, she hadn’t forgotten that Jun Tianyi’s injuries were inflicted by Song Yun Chu.
Meanwhile, several yards away, Jun Tianyi’s expression darkened instantly when he saw Jiang Rumin speaking with Song Yun Chu.
He and Song Yun Chu were already at odds, and seeing Jiang Rumin with him now fueled his anger further.
It seemed she had truly shifted her affections elsewhere.
“Isn’t that Sister and Lord Song over there?”
Jiang Yuxi observed Jun Tianyi’s reaction closely, her own gaze growing somber.
Knowing that Jun Tianyi still cared for Jiang Rumin displeased her, but with everything nearly settled, she had to cherish her hard-won position as princess consort and maintain her image of understanding and compassion in front of him.
Thinking of this, she linked arms with Jun Tianyi and softly comforted him, “Wang Ye, when you were recuperating earlier, my sister sent medicine over, which shows she still cares for you in her heart. It’s just that she couldn’t come personally due to her status as the Prime Minister’s fiancée. If you still can’t let go of her, why not go find her and ask clearly to understand her thoughts, so as to avoid future regrets.”
Her words sounded like they were for Jun Tianyi’s benefit, but in reality, she was reminding him that Jiang Rumin’s absence meant she already saw herself as the Prime Minister’s wife.
Sure enough, Jun Tianyi’s expression darkened further.
“Yu Xi, when we’re together, there’s no need to mention her. Whatever she wants to do or whom she wants to marry has nothing to do with this prince.”
“Then… shall we not go greet my sister either?”
“Of course not,” Jun Tianyi said coldly. “What is there to greet her about? Song Yun Chu first dealt me a heavy blow, then ordered people to spread rumors tarnishing both our reputations. I remember this debt clearly and will settle it sooner or later. Since Jiang Rumin is now close to Song Yun Chu, it’s already lenient of me not to hold it against her.”
As he spoke, Jun Tianyi took Jiang Yuxi’s hand. “Let’s not talk about these unpleasant people. A few days ago, I had a very unique set of jewelry custom-made at Wangyue Pavilion. You’ll definitely like it. I’ll take you to see it now.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yuxi was naturally delighted and tactfully stopped mentioning Jiang Rumin.
Jun Tianyi walked hand in hand with her, but felt an emptiness in his heart.
Speaking of that custom jewelry set from Wangyue Pavilion—it was originally intended for Jiang Rumin.
At the end of last month, before Song Yun Chu had come between them, he and Jiang Rumin had briefly shared some happy times. Jiang Rumin had casually mentioned her fondness for lotus flowers, admiring how they emerge unstained from the mud, symbolizing elegance.
He must have truly fallen for her then, as he secretly noted this detail. After seeing Jiang Rumin home that day, he immediately went to the largest jewelry shop in the southern city and commissioned an expensive set of lotus jewelry, thinking she would like it. Now, it seemed unnecessary.
It was true that lotuses emerge unstained from mud, but how could Jiang Rumin compare to a lotus? This jewelry set was more suitable for Yu Xi—and besides, Yu Xi was the one he had always considered his true love.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the street, Jiang Rumin watched Jun Tianyi and Jiang Yuxi’s retreating figures, her heart aching.
“There are plenty of fish in the sea. Miss Jiang, if your affections aren’t returned, it’s best to let go early. Who knows if someone better might be waiting for you later?”
As a reader, Song Yun Chu had been so frustrated by Jiang Rumin’s submissive behavior that she wished she could reach into the screen and slap some sense into her. But now, actually inside the story and facing such a pitiful, delicate beauty… she really couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Violent education wouldn’t solve the problem—it was all that heartless author’s fault.
As for Song Yun Chu’s advice, Jiang Rumin didn’t respond and didn’t dare look at him.
Minister Song’s words… sounded so ambiguous, almost as if he was showing favor.
Noticing the faint blush on Jiang Rumin’s ears, Song Yun Chu suddenly realized—
Right, she was currently disguised as a man. What she had just said was far too easy to misunderstand.