Chарtеr 11: Раle Fingers Rubbing Agаinst thе Sleevе Edge
Еvеning, Shеn Rеsidеnсe.
Аftеr finishing dinnеr in thе front cоurtyard, Shen Mingshu wаs аbout tо rеturn tо Littlе Rоund Studio whеn shе unintеntionallу nоticеd a maid leаning agаinst a stone рillar, sеcrеtlу wiping awаy tears.
“Whаt’s wrоng? Whу аre yоu сrуing likе this?”
The mаid was stаrtled, not еxpеcting it to bе her, and quicklу bоwеd in greеting, “Grеetings, Secоnd Miss.”
Неr voicе still carriеd a sоb, “It’s mу fаult. Thе cloud-lаcquerеd wооden brush holder in the master’s study—I soаkеd it in water and it crасked! Wuwu…”
“Cloud-lасquered wood?” Shen Mingshu tilted her head.
The maid continued, her eyes red as she wiped away tears, “Cloud-lacquered wood shouldn’t be exposed to water for long, but I forgot the rule. When washing brushes, I lost my head and soaked it for two quarters of an hour… The wood completely cracked.”
Chun Xing couldn’t help but say, “You’re crying like this because you’re afraid the master will punish you?”
“No…” The maid quickly shook her head, her eyes reddening again, “It’s because the master hardly punished me at all.”
“He only docked three months of my wages and didn’t pursue it further.”
Her voice grew softer, filled with guilt.
“The master is truly lenient, but how can I bear it? I’m just a lowly life, a servant by status. If this were any other household, I’d probably have been beaten to death with sticks by now…”
Shen Mingshu watched the maid, whose eyes were red from crying, and remained still for a long while.
She naturally knew about cloud-lacquered wood. It was rare, mostly offered as tribute to the royal family, and the piece Jiang Xun had was bestowed by the emperor.
Shen Mingshu’s pale fingers rubbed against the edge of her sleeve, one stroke after another.
She had always thought Jiang Xun was stern, harsh, and unfeeling—the fiercest person in the world.
Only now did she realize she didn’t understand him at all.
Truly, not one bit.
The next day, the melodious sound of bells and drums rang out, signaling the end of the day’s lessons.
The lecture hall immediately became lively. The young ladies rose one after another, gathering together to chat and laugh, linking arms as they planned to go admire flowers and play the zither later.
Only Shen Mingshu remained seated in her spot, quietly packing her book chest.
She was used to it.
In the past, as soon as classes ended, she would go find Xiao Zheng.
Over time, she had almost no interactions with others.
All these years at Chengwen Academy, she had never really made any friends.
As she lowered her head, footsteps sounded beside her ear.
Hearing the noise, Shen Mingshu looked up to see Jiang Yuan.
Today, she had changed her attire. An embroidered plum-patterned dark blue jacket accentuated her dignified posture, her black hair tied high, with a white jade plum hairpin adorning her temple, exuding an aura of cool elegance and nobility.
“We’re going to Yuheng Pavilion later,” she said, “Would you like to come along?”
Yuheng Pavilion was the most renowned auction house in the capital.
It housed exotic treasures, masterful paintings, and rare ancient artifacts seldom seen in the world. Visitors from all over arrived daily, making it bustling and lively—one of the favorite destinations for noble young ladies from prominent families.
“That’s right, Sister Shen,” the Jiang sisters sitting nearby chimed in with smiles.
“Last time, Jiang Yuan bid on a set of underglaze-red porcelain cups at Yuheng Pavilion. They were so exquisite, I couldn’t stop talking about them to my mother for days after returning home.”
Shen Mingshu blinked.
In the past, when she was with Xiao Zheng, wherever they went was always decided by him—he never asked for her opinion.
No one had ever invited her like this, asking her.
A glimmer of light flashed in Shen Mingshu’s peach-blossom eyes, “Alright, let’s go together.”
The group walked side by side, chatting and laughing joyfully.Not far away, on the stone steps beside the martial arts platform, Xiao Zheng leaned against the railing, his head lowered as he idly plucked the bowstring in his hand.
“Isn’t that Shen Mingshu?” Qi Yu raised his chin sharply, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. “It’s the first time I’ve seen her walk out of the academy with someone else. She actually has friends besides you?”
Xiao Zheng glanced up and indeed caught sight of the familiar figure.
Shen Mingshu, slender and graceful, walked beside Jiang Yuan, a faint smile gracing her lips, her eyes soft and gentle.
Today, she was dressed as exquisitely as ever, her steps unusually light and cheerful.
No wonder she had been ignoring him—she had made a new friend.
Yet, deep down, he felt a subtle sense of relief.
Thank goodness, it was a group of young ladies.
But then again, how much Shen Mingshu adored him was something he knew all too well.
How could she possibly befriend other men?
The only man close to her was him.
Yuheng Workshop was located east of the imperial city, occupying a vast area with a magnificent exterior.
As soon as they stepped through the entrance, the steward, sharp-eyed, recognized Jiang Yuan and hurriedly bowed to greet them.
He personally escorted them to the finest private room on the second floor, its window directly facing the auction stage—the best vantage point in the workshop.
Before long, tea and pastries were respectfully served.
Once the auction began, Jiang Yuan bid lavishly, securing the first item—a Ming Dynasty Ru kiln vase—without hesitation for five hundred taels of silver.
Shen Mingshu, meanwhile, remained seated quietly, not raising her paddle even once.
As the auction neared its end, the steward approached to introduce the key items for the following two days. “Tomorrow, we will present a renowned landscape scroll, and the day after…”
As he spoke, he carefully retrieved an item from a brocade box. Everyone looked over—it was a brush, its texture faintly visible.
“This is the treasure for the day after tomorrow—a brush with a cloud-lacquered wooden shaft, paired with snow rabbit fur bristles. The starting bid is one thousand taels.”
Shen Mingshu was just taking a sip of tea when she heard the words “cloud-lacquered wood.” Her fingers trembled slightly, causing the tea to sway and nearly spill.
Her gaze fixed intently on the cloud-lacquered wooden brush.
She wanted to secure it for him, no matter the cost!
Inside the carriage, fragrant incense wafted through the air, and the curtains hung lightly.
Shen Mingshu sat against a cushion, her mind already racing with calculations.
The dowry her mother had left behind had been personally handed to her by Jiang Xun when she was twelve years old.
Over the years, she had spent very little. Now, after careful consideration, she was certain she had enough to bid for the cloud-lacquered wooden brush.
As she pondered, the carriage suddenly jolted slightly and came to a stop.
“What happened?” She lifted the curtain.
The coachman replied, “Second Miss, the road ahead is blocked. That’s the Jiuhuazan Theater, and today’s performance is about to begin. The crowd is large, so we won’t be able to pass through for a while.”
“Jiuhuazan?”