…Oh no.
This was exactly what Jiang Yin feared most—Shen Shouyu asking about this matter.
If before she had simply been afraid he would think her too calculating, now she genuinely feared his anger.
After all, Shen Shouyu was clearly not as gentle and refined as Jiang Yin had imagined, and he and Shen Fengzhi were biological brothers.
Biological brothers… what a melodramatic plot.
After turning it over in her mind, Jiang Yin tried to evade the question: “A Yin and Prince Qi only occasionally cross paths… there is no entanglement to speak of.”
“Is that so?”
Jiang Yin felt guilty: “…It should be.”
“…”
The young master’s hand slid from her shoulder to her face, his fingers slightly cool.
He asked again: “Are you telling the truth?”
“I…”
“What do you like about him?”
“…Huh?”
Like who?
Shen Fengzhi?
Well, of course it’s because of…
the five million reward on him.
Five million!!
In the previous world, playing the role of a young lady pursued by a tyrant, working herself to the bone and enduring his mental abuse, only earned her one million.
Now, all she had to do was play the part of a study companion for eighteen years to get five million!
Besides… who would refuse to seduce a handsome prince for money?
Certainly not Jiang Yin.
But then again… how should she explain this?
Hiss…
Just as she was struggling, Shen Shouyu withdrew his question: “Alright, I won’t ask anymore.”
Jiang Yin was taken aback: “Huh?”
“I believe you, A Yin,” Shen Shouyu said calmly. “However, times have changed. I hope you will keep your distance from him from now on.”
Seeing Shen Shouyu relent, Jiang Yin felt a wave of relief and quickly agreed: “A Yin understands. A Yin will be cautious in her words and actions.”
“Good,” Shen Shouyu nuzzled her cheek, a rare hint of a smile appearing at the corner of his lips. “It’s still early today. Since you said you were bored staying indoors, I’ll take you out for a walk… Go freshen up with Xinyue. I’ll wait for you.”
“Xinyue?”
“Yes, you’ve met her. She’s one of my people, trustworthy.”
“…”
Jiang Yin guessed that Xinyue was probably the girl who had been attending to her these past few days.
Sure enough, not long after they finished speaking, someone pushed the door open… it was the young maid who had brought the medicine.
The timing was so coincidental, as if it had been arranged in advance.
Through the curtain separating the inner and outer rooms, Jiang Yin watched as Xinyue knelt by the table in the front hall with a lacquered tray, arranging things. Curious, she asked, “Since Xinyue is trustworthy, could she take me out in the future? I’ll just take a short walk nearby.”
Shen Shouyu neither refused nor explicitly agreed: “I’ve asked a physician to prepare medicine to regulate your health. Xinyue will bring it to you daily. Take it for three days, and I’ll give you an answer.”
“…”
Jiang Yin had no choice but to agree: “Alright.”
“Go on.”
“…Mm.”
When she stepped into the front hall, Xinyue had already set out the medicine and brought some candied fruit to ease the bitterness.
Glancing at the bowl of dark, murky medicine, Jiang Yin steeled herself, pinched her nose, and drank it all in one go. She then ate several pieces of candied fruit before frowning and heading off to bathe and dress.
Back at the Li Residence, she had worn servant’s clothes all day, looking shabby and pitiful. After being sold to the qinglou, she spent her days with her shoulders and arms exposed, barely clothed.
Only today did Jiang Yin finally dress like a proper person.
After examining her reflection in the mirror—now refined into a rather delicate and pleasing appearance—Jiang Yin praised Xinyue with satisfaction, “Excellent skill.”
Xinyue, while adjusting her hairstyle, glanced at her through the mirror and smiled with curved brows, “As long as the young lady is pleased.”
The heavy worries from earlier dissipated somewhat with that smile. Jiang Yin also looked at her through the mirror and asked, “Are you fifteen this year?”
“Xinyue is already nineteen.”
“Ah…”
Taking another look at Xinyue’s still-youthful face, Jiang Yin complimented her, “You’re truly beautiful.”
Xinyue froze for a moment, her smile stiffening, and she hurriedly moved to kneel, “Young lady must not say such things. Xinyue is merely a servant girl, unworthy of such praise… I dare not accept it.”
Her sudden movement caught Jiang Yin off guard, and it took her a moment to reach out and help her up, “What are you doing? It was just an offhand remark, I meant nothing by it.”
The young girl remained visibly tense, hastily refusing, “…Thank you, young lady. But please… please do not speak like that again… Xinyue truly does not deserve it…”
“Alright, alright,” Jiang Yin cut her off, placing the hairpin back into her hand, “I won’t say it anymore. Why get so frightened?”
Xinyue offered no explanation, her small face scrunched up as she returned to her seat. No matter how Jiang Yin tried to engage her afterward, she remained silent.
Bored out of her mind, Jiang Yin could only daydream quietly. Finally, when the grooming was done, she stood up to leave.
But an accidental glance in the mirror stopped her in her tracks.
The blue silk skirt and lily bun hairstyle, the white jade floral hairpin and green ear pendants, the lustrous huasheng hair ornament in her hair, and the light makeup—though not breathtakingly beautiful, it was captivating enough to hold one’s gaze for a long while.
Xinyue had already withdrawn. Jiang Yin lingered before the mirror for a moment before entering the inner chamber to see Shen Shouyu.
By careful calculation, nearly an hour had passed since Jiang Yin took her medicine, yet Shen Shouyu remained patient, silently tracing the rim of his teacup in contemplation.
Hearing footsteps, he turned his face slightly toward Jiang Yin’s direction and asked, “Does the dress fit well?”
“Mmm…”
“That’s good. Let’s go.”
Seeing Shen Shouyu rise, Jiang Yin stepped forward to assist him, but he instead grasped her hand, “No need. I am quite familiar with this place.”
“…Alright.”
When they reached the entrance, the guard waiting outside draped a fox fur cloak over Shen Shouyu and handed another to him before retreating.
Shen Shouyu unfolded the cloak and gestured to Jiang Yin, “Come.”
Jiang Yin obediently stepped forward, allowing him to help her into it. She then watched as he covered his eyes with a plain silk ribbon about an inch wide before reaching out to take her hand, “Let’s go.”
“…Mmm.”
Surprisingly, Zui Xian Ju, usually bustling with business, was nearly empty today, quiet and deserted.
Even the girls who always solicited customers at the entrance were nowhere to be seen.
Jiang Yin found it strange but knew it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble, so she refrained from asking.
However, having been indoors for so long, the moment she stepped out of Zui Xian Ju, Jiang Yin realized just how cold it was outside.
She shivered, pulling the hood of her cloak over her head with one hand, and glanced at Shen Shouyu, who was tightly holding her hand.
Unlike the shivering Jiang Yin, he appeared unaffected, his tall nose and thin lips pressed together, exuding his usual aloof and icy aura that seemed even colder than the weather itself.
Jiang Yin withdrew her gaze and silently pressed her lips together.
The sun had not yet set, and the crimson glow of the evening clouds painted the lingering snow on nearby rooftops with a warm light, lifting one’s spirits somewhat.
With the New Year approaching, the streets were bustling with pedestrians. Having no particular destination in mind, the two simply followed the flow of the crowd, strolling leisurely forward.
Jiang Yin looked around as she walked, memorizing the route.
Back when she served as a study companion at the Li Residence, she had little free time to wander outside. Later, when she was sold to Zui Xian Ju, she was bound inside a carriage for the journey. Not only was she unfamiliar with the surrounding area—even the routes near the Li Residence were only half-remembered.
—She had always heard that Shangjing, the capital of Dajing, was a place of dazzling splendor and unparalleled prosperity. Yet, after eighteen years here, Jiang Yin had never had the chance to truly appreciate it.
What a pity, she thought.
Fortunately, knowing that Shen Shouyu couldn’t see, she didn’t have to pretend. Instead, she focused intently on memorizing each shop, piecing together a mental map of the area.
…For when she would eventually make her escape.
Jiang Yin vaguely recalled that the Li Residence was in the eastern part of the city, while Zui Xian Ju was located in the central-west area, about five or six li from the nearest West City Gate.
If she wanted to leave the city, walking would be too slow—she would likely need to find a carriage first…
But where could she find one?
…
Lost in thought, a sudden sharp pain in the hand held by Shen Shouyu snapped Jiang Yin back to reality.
Caught off guard by the unexpected pressure, she let out a muffled groan, gritted her teeth against the pain, and turned to look at the person beside her.
Shen Shouyu stopped walking, her expression impassive, and said calmly, “It’s time to go back.”
“…”
Go back?
But we just came out…
Jiang Yin grumbled inwardly but protested weakly on the surface, “Let’s walk a little longer… It’s been so many days since I’ve been out. Please?”
“…”
Shen Shouyu fell silent for a moment, her jaw tightening gradually before she finally pulled Jiang Yin back.
“Fine, but not this way.”