Сhарter 12: Jiang Xun’s Gаzе Falls on Нer Eуеs аnd Вrоws
Хiaо Таng wаs alreаdy explаining with grеat еnthusiаsm, “Тhе Ninе Blоssоms Тroupе is а theаter comрanу that only bеcаme роpular in thе past two уеаrs. I hеard it was fоundеd bу thе legitimatе son оf the Mеng family.”
“Тhat yоung master Mеng hаs bеen оbsеssed with opеra sinсе childhoоd. When he wаnted tо stаrt а theаter cоmpanу, hе mаde such a fuss that Old Master Меng threatened tо sеver their fathеr-sоn relationship. Who would have thought he would ignore it all and actually start the troupe? In a rage, Old Master Meng drove him out of the family.”
“But who could have guessed that over the years, that young master would grow the troupe bigger and bigger!”
“He has a peculiar temper, performing only once a month and rarely taking the stage himself. The last time he came to the capital was two years ago, and this is only the second time. Countless people want to see him perform, even people from the palace have come to listen.”
Shen Mingshu lifted the curtain and looked ahead at the bustling crowd. Lanterns hung high in front of the theater, and people jostled shoulder to shoulder. The faint sound of gongs and drums could be heard in the distance.
She stared blankly for a moment before turning her head and whispering a few instructions to Xiao Tang.
Evening, Shen Residence.
Shen Mingshu sat beside a carved round table, her fingers tracing small circles along the rim of a bowl, but her gaze was fixed on Jiang Xun across from her.
Today, he wore a deep cyan robe, his entire demeanor cool and aloof.
Between his brows and eyes was an innate air of authority.
Especially those eyes, dark as ink. Even when his gaze remained still, it was impossible to meet them directly.
Shen Mingshu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. After a moment, she gently leaned to the side, tilting her head to look at him.
“Brother, the Nine Blossoms Troupe has a performance tomorrow night. I’ve already reserved seats. Would you like to go see it?”
Hearing this, Jiang Xun looked up. “Why the sudden interest in this?”
Because she wanted to go out and have fun with him…
But she definitely couldn’t say that directly. Shen Mingshu’s mind raced quickly. “The Nine Blossoms Troupe rarely comes to the capital, and this time, the young master of the Meng family will be performing personally. If we miss it, who knows when the next opportunity will be.”
In her past life, she had missed too much. In this life, she would strive to spend more time with Jiang Xun, grow closer to him, and understand him better!
Jiang Xun asked, “When is it?”
“The day after tomorrow. The academy has a day off that day, so we can rest. Do you have time, Brother?”
She didn’t know if he would agree.
Shen Mingshu’s eyes held a hint of anticipation as she watched him carefully.
Please, please, say yes.
Qing He glanced at Jiang Xun. The day after tomorrow, the Fourth Prince had scheduled a meeting with his lord.
But…
“I have time,” Jiang Xun said.
Qing He’s lips twitched. Of course, he knew it.
Whenever the Second Young Lady asked for something, when had his lord ever refused without a second thought?
Hearing this, Shen Mingshu’s eyes brightened, and the corners of her lips curved upward.
Jiang Xun’s gaze fell on the smile between her brows and eyes before he subtly looked away.
But the fingertips resting on his knee couldn’t help but lightly curl the hem of his robe.
“Young Lady, you’ve already counted fifteen times…”
Xiao Tang couldn’t help rubbing her eyes and yawning, her voice full of drowsiness. “These past two days, you’ve either been attending classes or counting silver when you return. You haven’t even eaten dinner properly.”
Shen Mingshu sat by the window, carefully examining the account books and banknotes on the table in front of her.
She looked up and said softly, “The Cloud Lacquerwood Brush will be auctioned tonight, and the starting bid is one thousand taels.”
“Cloud Lacquerwood is precious, so there will surely be many people competing with me. Who knows how much the price will rise. Naturally, I need to prepare well in advance.”
Having been reborn, she was determined never to fight an unprepared battle again!Xiao Tang looked at her and could only helplessly yawn again. Before the yawn was even finished, a maid hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered, looking somewhat flustered.
After steadying herself, the maid caught her breath before saying, “Miss, there’s news this morning—the Yunqi Wooden Brush has been withdrawn from the auction for some reason.”
“What!”
“It’s true,” the maid replied uneasily. “The news came from Yuheng Workshop. They said the brush won’t be sold at today’s auction, but they didn’t explain why.”
Shen Mingshu’s peach-blossom eyes flickered with confusion. The Yunqi Wooden Brush had been publicly announced as the highlight of yesterday’s event—how could it be withdrawn so abruptly?
Chun Xing gently reminded her from the side, “Miss, you still need to go to the academy. If you don’t leave soon, you’ll be late.”
Though her doubts remained unresolved, Shen Mingshu knew pressing further now would be futile. She could only rise to her feet.
“You two, keep an eye on this matter separately. If there’s any movement at all, come to the academy and inform me immediately.”
In the Xiao family’s rear courtyard.
Xiao Zheng stood before the mirror, having changed outfits three times in a row, yet still frowning with dissatisfaction.
He complained that one set was too stifling, another too plain. In frustration, he flung his outer robe aside and snapped, “Are you all blind? All you do is bring these old fabrics to make do? Get out!”
The attending servants trembled and hastily bowed their heads, scrambling out of the room.
Left alone, Xiao Zheng irritably sat back on the couch, grabbed a teacup, and downed the cold tea in one gulp.
Another two days had passed.
In these two days, he hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Shen Mingshu, let alone spoken to her.
Was it just because he hadn’t visited her when she fell ill that night? Was she really going to stay angry this long?
Xiao Zheng was restless and agitated. His attendant, Hu Qing, cautiously approached and whispered, “Young Master, the most popular item in the capital right now is the Jiuhua Hairpin. I heard that at the auction the day after tomorrow, Young Master Meng himself will take the stage.”
“Perhaps… you could invite Miss Shen to go see it together?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.
Wouldn’t that be too indulgent toward her?
When had he ever taken the initiative to lower his head to her?
“Don’t say such things in front of me again,” Xiao Zheng said impatiently, rising to his feet and waving a hand. “Get out.”
Because of the Yunqi Wooden Brush incident, Shen Mingshu felt gloomy and unsettled all day.
On the way back to the manor, she sat in the carriage, idly fiddling with the jade pendant at her waist.
The pendant had been left by her mother—its jade color was pale and clear, its patterns delicate. Her fingertips traced its edges over and over.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess.
Just then, as the carriage turned at the Zhuque Street intersection, another carriage slowly approached from behind. Hu Qing lifted the curtain and glanced out, then reported softly, “Young Master, the carriage ahead belongs to Miss Shen.”
For some reason, a flicker of nervousness stirred in Xiao Zheng’s heart. “Follow it.”
The coachman shook the reins at his command, and the Xiao family’s carriage immediately picked up speed, catching up.
Shen Mingshu’s carriage came to a stop in front of the manor. She had just stepped down, her skirt not yet properly arranged, when a familiar voice called from behind.
“Shen Mingshu.”