On the carriage ride back, Lu Jiayu seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Her little face would occasionally break into an inexplicable smile.
Su Wan understood just by looking at her.
“What’s the matter? Do you think Brother Chen is very handsome and charming?”
It’s normal for a young girl to be captivated by a handsome man.
But Liang Chen was not a good match for Lu Jiayu.
During this time, Lu Jiayu had treated her very well. While Madam Zhou was scheming, Lu Jiayu had been protected by her mother to the point of being completely naive.
Liang Chen addressed them quite differently—one was called “Sister Jiayu,” the other “Wan Niang”—which already indicated his interest in Su Wan. Yet Lu Jiayu, that fool, had no understanding of the subtle dynamics between men and women.
Ah.
Su Wan had always been the type to treat others well if they treated her well.
Su Wan now knew that Liang Chen had come to the capital this time to seek a marriage with a daughter from a prominent family. Lu Jiayu’s family background would certainly be looked down upon by the Liang family.
Therefore, she couldn’t just stand by and watch Lu Jiayu fall into the tender affections of that playboy Liang Chen.
“You’ve got Brother Chen now, so you’ve completely forgotten about Brother Qiansheng, huh?”
Su Wan deliberately brought up Chen Qiansheng.
Only then did Lu Jiayu remember her previous crush, the white moonlight in her heart. Liang Chen’s face in her mind was replaced by Chen Qiansheng’s gentle and refined features, and she argued, “I haven’t forgotten at all.”
After returning to Xiangfei Courtyard, Su Wan loosened her belt to take a short nap. Jin Tao came in from outside, carrying a basin of water. She wet a cloth to wipe the young lady’s face.
But she let out a surprised cry, “Young lady, there’s a hairpin in your hair!”
Su Wan hurriedly sat in front of the dressing mirror and tilted her head. Sure enough, she saw a delicate pearl hairpin inserted into the bun at the back of her head. She had no idea when it had been placed there.
It was an exquisite jasmine hairpin made of crystal-clear mutton-fat jade.
The craftsmanship was fine, and the jade was of pure color. This hairpin could even serve as a treasured dowry piece.
“When we left this morning, young lady, you clearly weren’t wearing any hairpin.”
Jin Tao asked curiously, “Did you buy this outside?”
Su Wan shook her head and carefully recalled.
Before sending Liang Fu into the bridal sedan, many people had crowded together, making quite a commotion.
She remembered Liang Chen seeming to brush past her from behind.
She gripped the hairpin tightly, confirming one thing: it must have been at that moment that Liang Chen had secretly inserted this hairpin into her hair.
“This hairpin is very beautiful, young lady. Let me put it away for you. You can wear it often from now on—it’s understated and not too eye-catching.”
Jin Tao happily tried to put the hairpin away.
But Su Wan’s expression darkened, and she said to Jin Tao, “Find a small wooden box and place this hairpin separately inside.”
In front of so many people, that fellow Liang Chen had some nerve.
She was an unmarried young lady, and to be toyed with by him like this—if others had seen it, her reputation would have been ruined.
Su Wan felt both amused and exasperated.
She and Liang Chen were truly a sea queen and a sea king. In a way, they were quite a match.
But there was a disparity in their social status, and it was better not to wade into the muddy waters of Sea King Liang.
Half-asleep and half-awake, Su Wan had a dream.
In the dream, she was submerged in water, struggling to climb ashore, but a hand kept pressing down on her neck.
The force of that hand was heavy. Every time she lifted her head out of the water to breathe, she would be pushed back under.
Su Wan struggled with all her might, but all she could hear was the low laughter of the hand’s owner.”You don’t like drinking tea, you don’t like soaking in hot springs. Tell me, what exactly do you like?”
The hand finally released its grip on her.
Su Wan struggled up from the water, her damp eyes meeting the owner of that hand.
It was Chen San.
This dream was brief, and Su Wan was soon awakened by Can Yan.
Can Yan looked worried: “What kind of dream did you have? Why are you sweating so much?”
Su Wan pressed a hand to her trembling chest, exhaled slowly, and shook her head gently: “It’s nothing, just a nightmare.”
She had met Chen San twice, and both the process and outcome were difficult to describe. It had even caused her to have such a nightmare.
Su Wan sighed and asked Can Yan: “Do I look a bit haggard?”
Can Yan shook her head: “Miss, your face is a little flushed. You don’t look haggard at all.”
Su Wan didn’t believe it: “My complexion must look terrible.”
It was no wonder that since their last parting, Chen San hadn’t come looking for her.
A top-tier noble young master like Chen San must be surrounded by beauties left and right by now, having long forgotten about her.
She shouldn’t have refused that tea invitation!
Su Wan was filled with regret, but there was nothing she could do. She could only devote herself even more to improving her appearance, increasing her daily yoga practice to three hours.
Beauty was her only asset, and she had to firmly grasp this capital.
During these days of her frantic pursuit of beauty, Lu Guizhou brought her good news.
Her poetry collection had caught the eye of Zhang Jijiu, who recommended it to Xingxing Bookstore, and it had already begun printing.
For publishing poetry collections, one couldn’t use their real name, so Su Wan chose a pseudonym for herself—Hermit of Half-Mountain.
That evening, Lu Guizhou rushed excitedly to Xiangfei Courtyard to deliver the good news.
“Wanmei, your poetry collection has already started selling in major bookstores.”
Lu Guizhou smiled: “I bought thirty copies myself. Take a look.”
Su Wan put down the flower in her hand, took the booklet he offered, and carefully flipped through it.
The printing was quite good—clear characters without any typos.
Su Wan now hoped the poetry collection would sell well. The more copies sold, the greater her future reputation would be.
“Brother-in-law, all of this is thanks to your efforts.”
Su Wan praised Lu Guizhou gently and graciously, making him beam with joy.
Then she took out a sachet.
“I have nothing to repay you with. A few days ago, I personally sewed this sachet. Inside are some dried cassia seeds that can clear the eyes and soothe the mind. I give this to you, brother-in-law.”
“Wanmei, you’re too kind.” Lu Guizhou took the sachet, feeling quite excited. He wanted to grasp those delicate, pale hands but noticed Jin Tao standing nearby, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.
Suppressing those romantic fantasies, Lu Guizhou said softly: “Wanmei, you wanted to publish a poetry collection, and now it’s been successfully published. What else do you want to do? As long as I can help, I will lend a hand.”
“There’s one more thing I most want to do, but it’s a secret. I can’t tell you, nor can I tell anyone.”
Ambiguity is conveyed through words, glances, and actions.
Just like Su Wan’s vague words now, combined with her teary eyes and troubled expression, instantly piqued Lu Guizhou’s curiosity.
“What exactly is it?”Su Wan gazed out the window into the distance, as if lost in memories. “Ever since that day when I went with Sister Jiayu to see the Liang family’s daughter off to her wedding, I’ve been wondering—what kind of wedding dress will I wear when I step into the bridal sedan chair on my own wedding day someday?”
“I, too, wish to marry the young master I love while wearing a bright red wedding dress.”
After saying this, she cast a tender, yet somewhat resentful glance toward Lu Guizhou.
“Brother-in-law, this is something you cannot help me with.”
Lu Guizhou fell silent.
For a woman to marry in a bright red wedding dress, she must be the principal wife. A concubine is not allowed to wear the color of the principal wife; at most, she may wear peach red.
His sister-in-law wanted to marry, and she wanted to be the principal wife.
Lu Guizhou’s heart ached fiercely.
He had already married Su Lin. How could he marry Su Wan as well?
Joy vanished in an instant, and he left Xiangfei Courtyard in a daze.
As soon as Lu Guizhou’s figure disappeared, Nanny Liu, supporting Su Lin, made her appearance.
Su Lin was filled with grief and indignation. “Mammy, did you see? Just now, Lu Lang looked so lost and heartbroken. It must be Su Wan causing trouble again.”
Nanny Liu suggested, “Why not go and talk with Miss Wan? Stubbornly holding on like this won’t solve anything.”
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Su Lin’s eyes.
“Then let’s have a good talk with her. I refuse to believe I can’t handle a mere illegitimate daughter like her.”