Just as summer began, the capital had already grown hot.
The courtyard of the Jiang family’s second branch had been scented with incense early in the morning. The maid Bai Xing hurriedly stepped through the courtyard gate, lifted the door curtain, and entered.
“Has the young lady awakened yet?”
Her voice was kept soft, but it still disturbed the person behind the bed curtains.
A corner of the white gauze curtain was lifted, revealing a plump, fair little foot that swayed gently outward.
Bai Xing knew this meant her young lady was awake, so she stepped forward and drew back the gauze curtain.
Jiang Fu covered her mouth with a delicate hand as she yawned. The collar of her sleeping robe was slightly open, revealing a glimpse of a cyan undergarment and the alluring curve beneath—a sight that would make even a woman swallow unconsciously.
Then there was her face. Though still youthful, it already hinted at a captivating charm, and her languid posture was enough to make one’s bones feel weak.
Bai Xing lowered her head, not daring to look too closely, and picked up the clothes to help her dress.
“Are you still so tired, young lady? Did you have another dream last night?”
Ever since her coming-of-age ceremony last year, Jiang Fu had been startled awake by dreams every night. Each time she woke, her body was drenched as if washed, and her face looked even more enchantingly beautiful.
Jiang Fu’s yawn caught in her throat. The lingering tenderness from last night seemed to still be before her eyes, and even her waist felt as if it retained the searing heat of a man’s palm.
Blushing, she mumbled a vague response. Fortunately, Bai Xing was busy dressing her and didn’t notice her embarrassment.
“The Xiao family has sent someone. The First Madam has asked you to go over.”
The little maid’s face couldn’t hide her delight. “It’s been a full year since your coming-of-age ceremony, young lady. The Xiao family must be here to discuss your marriage to the eldest young master.”
Her hands were skillful. After helping Jiang Fu dress, she styled her hair into an elegant spiral bun, adorning it with a golden hairpin. The pin’s end featured a golden sparrow holding a red pearl, with dangling tassels that swayed gently with every movement, making Jiang Fu appear even more radiant and captivating.
Bai Xing carefully applied her makeup. Jiang Fu, squinting her eyes, was so sleepy she almost dozed off again. The faint trace of greenish-black pigment at the corners of her eyes softened some of her allure, adding a touch of youthful innocence.
Seeing her so carefree, Bai Xing felt both amused and heartbroken.
Her young lady had lost both parents at the tender age of five. The main branch of the family was not particularly affectionate—they hardly ever saw her except during festivals. Madam Jiang, the family matriarch, paid little attention to household affairs, shutting herself in her courtyard to focus on Buddhist devotions, oblivious to how much hardship the young lady endured.
Bai Xing felt a knot of frustration in her chest. Thankfully, her young lady had been betrothed to the eldest young master of the Xiao family since childhood. The Xiao family’s influence was steadily growing, and once Jiang Fu married into their household, no one would dare look down on her anymore.
The more Bai Xing thought about it, the more convinced she became. Her tone grew increasingly affectionate as she spoke of the Xiao family.
“I heard from Mama Wang of the main branch that the eldest young master has already taken up an official post. Even if he doesn’t inherit the family title in the future, his prospects are limitless. And the Xiao family also has the Third Master—the eldest young master’s young uncle is truly remarkable. Despite his youth, he already commands the Imperial Guard and is considered the emperor’s most trusted confidant.”
She spoke with such enthusiasm, as if the Xiao family were already within their grasp. Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Fu, half-asleep with her eyes barely open, hadn’t taken in a single word.
Last night, she had been tossed and turned by the man in her dream, only falling into a deep sleep at dawn. Now, her mind was still foggy. She leaned half her weight on Bai Xing, as if she had no bones to support her.
Bai Xing talked until her mouth felt dry, but she knew her young lady’s temperament well. Sighing, she steadied her.
“You have no one to rely on, young lady. Once you marry into the Xiao family, you must win the eldest young master’s heart.”
“Do I really have to marry?”
Jiang Fu shifted into a more comfortable position and suddenly spoke up.
She liked to drink a cup of honey water upon waking in the morning, and now her voice was as sweet as that honey, pleasant to the ear.
Bai Xing’s heart softened instantly. “Of course you must marry. Otherwise, what will you do in the future, all alone and helpless? Would you go to a Taoist temple and become a nun?”
Jiang Fu mumbled, “Being a nun isn’t so bad.”
With the absurd dreams she had every night, getting married would only make things worse.
But she couldn’t say this to Bai Xing.
Seeing her charming and adorable appearance, Bai Xing felt reassured. Her young mistress possessed stunning beauty and a sweet, endearing nature. As long as the Eldest Young Master Xiao wasn’t blind, he was sure to like her.
Full of confidence, Bai Xing helped Jiang Fu into the main household’s courtyard, only to be stunned by the news from Madam Jiang.
“The Xiao… the Xiao family wants to break off the engagement? How could that be?”
Madam Yan glanced at the people in the hall. Jiang Fu was now standing upright, head bowed, fingers twisting the ribbon of her dress, lost in thought. She looked utterly pitiful.
Madam Yan felt quite pleased at this moment. Not only was this orphan from the second branch more beautiful than the girls from the main household, but she had also secured an enviable marriage proposal. Fortunately, the Xiao family had wisely broken off the engagement.
However, Jiang Fu’s broken engagement would also affect the reputations of the other Jiang family girls, especially her own daughter, Jiang Yao, who had reached the age for marriage discussions.
At this thought, Madam Yan’s displeasure toward Jiang Fu resurfaced.
Jiang Fu was completely unaware of Madam Yan’s thoughts. Now that her drowsiness had faded, hunger set in, and her mind wandered to thoughts of braised duck, honey-glazed pork knuckle, and chestnut chicken.
These delicacies were only available during festivals and celebrations, so whenever she was extremely hungry, her mind couldn’t help but drift to them.
To her, Eldest Young Master Xiao was far less appealing than a plate of honey-glazed pork knuckle, so the broken engagement naturally stirred no waves in her heart.
Madam Yan ignored Bai Xing’s words, but the matron beside her picked up the conversation.
The woman looked unfamiliar, but her identity became clear as soon as she spoke.
“My family’s Madam Xiao has been bedridden with illness since the beginning of spring. We’ve consulted countless physicians in the capital, even imperial physicians from the palace, but there’s been no improvement. Last month, the Heir’s Wife invited Master Yuanguang from Hongji Temple, and his diagnosis was shocking…”
Her speech rose and fell rhythmically, like a storyteller’s, captivating even Bai Xing’s attention.
But the matron stole a glance into the hall—the young girl remained with her head bowed, not sparing her a single look.
Taking a deep breath, the matron nearly forgot her prepared words. Under the gazes of Bai Xing and Madam Yan, she finished what she had to say.
“It turns out that my family’s Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Jiang Young Lady’s eight characters are incompatible. Forcing a marriage would likely bring harm to their relatives. My Eldest Young Master is a filial son. Upon hearing Master Yuanguang’s words, he insisted on breaking off the engagement despite public criticism. While the Xiao family is at fault in this matter, Madam Xiao is advanced in years, and the entire Xiao family dare not neglect her. We can only apologize to the Fourth Jiang Young Lady.
However, the Heir’s Wife has said that the Jiang family need not return the betrothal gifts from the Xiao family. In addition, the Xiao family will compensate the Fourth Jiang Young Lady with an extra twenty percent. What does the Fourth Jiang Young Lady think?”
The matron’s words seemed like a negotiation, but the decision had already been made. Compared to the Xiao family, the Jiang family’s Zhongyong Marquisate was already a declining noble house. The Xiao family’s willingness to offer compensation was already giving them ample face.
Madam Yan was inwardly furious but dared not show it, only glaring at Jiang Fu with concealed anger.
It was only then that Jiang Fu snapped back to reality—she had almost recalled the taste of chestnut chicken.
“Oh, then let it be broken off.”
The little girl’s sweet, syrupy voice spoke words as light as air, as casually as if she were talking about eating a meal, leaving the old woman’s remaining threats and warnings stuck in her throat.
The old woman’s face flushed red with suppressed anger, and it took her a long moment to catch her breath. Her thick, fleshy hand pressed against her chest as she said in a low, heavy voice, “Then I must trouble Fourth Miss Jiang to return the token. My family’s third master is already waiting in your residence’s flower hall.”
The Xiao family’s eagerness to break off the engagement made Madam Yan raise an eyebrow. If it were her own Yao’er, she would have fought tooth and nail to make a scene.
But now, it was Jiang Fu who was having the engagement broken off. Though Madam Yan was angry, her heart was more filled with the desire to watch the spectacle unfold.
“Go on.”
Jiang Fu curtsied in farewell, then took Bai Xing’s hand and walked out.
The flower hall wasn’t far, and the area was filled with people from the main household. No matter how angry Bai Xing felt inside, she didn’t dare speak now and cause trouble for her young mistress.
Fuming silently, she remained quiet the whole way. Jiang Fu, thinking about having lunch right after breaking off the engagement, walked briskly, reaching the flower hall in just a few steps.
The weather today was lovely, with roses and Chinese roses blooming brilliantly, covering the entire flower wall.
Standing in the flower hall was a tall, slender man. He wore golden boots embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, and his black official robes accentuated his imposing, dignified presence. Even before seeing his face, one could faintly sense a chilling aura.
Hearing the commotion, the man turned around. Backlit by the light, Jiang Fu could finally see his features clearly.
His eyebrows slanted sharply toward his temples, his eyes flashed like lightning, and his handsome, noble face was etched with coldness. His hands hung at his sides, his right hand gently rubbing a piece of white jade between his fingers.
Jiang Fu stared at those hands, her legs trembling uncontrollably. Last night, he had rubbed her waist and abdomen in the same way, making her cry half the night in her dream.
Gripping Bai Xing’s hand tightly, Jiang Fu dared not take another step inside.
Heavens, how had the man from her dreams come to life!