Сhаpter 14: Fillеd with Guilt Тоwаrd Jiаng Xun
The nехt day, аfter finishing her hаir bun, Shеn Мingshu tiltеd hеr hеad tо ехаmine it, cоnfirming she was fully satisfiеd bеforе turning tо аsk Хiаo Таng, “Is thе carriаgе reаdy?”
“Everуthing is prеpared, Мiss,” Xiаo Таng repliеd.
Shen Mingshu noddеd аnd sоftlу instructed, “Наvе thе coаchmаn feed thе horses in аdvancе, then go inform thе реoрlе at Qiyin Pаvilion. Еnsurе the privаte roоm is arrаngеd рroрerly—nо incensе, usе fruit аnd melon scents instead. Also, рrеpare plеntу of pastriеs аnd tea, and give extra tips.”
Chun Xing, helping her adjust her sleeves, responded, “I’ve already sent someone to relay the message.”
Suddenly remembering something, Shen Mingshu’s eyes lit up. “I should make some pastries myself to bring along.”
“Last time, my brother really liked the lotus seed pastries I made.”
An hour later, the lotus seed pastries and osmanthus sugar cakes were packed into a gilded brocade box.
Just as Shen Mingshu placed the final walnut pastry and was about to close the lid, footsteps sounded outside the curtain.
Xiao Tang lifted the curtain and entered, her expression tinged with excitement. “Miss, there’s a lead on the cloud-lacquered wooden brush!”
“The person who went to inquire just returned. He said the brush’s owner, for some reason, suddenly decided not to sell it and plans to leave the capital today. We just received word that he has just left the city gates!”
Shen Mingshu glanced back at the sky outside the window.
The sun was already high in the sky. There were still a few hours before her appointment with Jiang Xun to watch the opera. If she set out now, she could make it in time.
She immediately ordered, “Prepare the carriage—we’re heading outside the city!”
“If I can buy that brush, I can give it to my brother tonight as a gift.”
On a small path in the outskirts of the capital, the wind howled fiercely.
A bluish-gray carriage raced through the shaded woods, its hooves kicking up dust.
Suddenly, several figures emerged from the roadside, landing steadily in front of the carriage—they were the Shen family guards.
“Stop the carriage!” the leader shouted loudly. The horses neighed abruptly, forced to a halt.
The coachman panicked. “What are you doing?”
The guard bowed respectfully, his voice low. “Apologies, but our young lady wishes to meet the person in the carriage.”
As he spoke, an exquisitely decorated carriage approached from behind. Shen Mingshu stepped out, walked to the bluish-gray carriage, and bowed in greeting.
“I am Shen Mingshu. I heard that you, sir, have a cloud-lacquered wooden brush for sale and have come specifically to inquire.”
The carriage curtain lifted, revealing the face of a middle-aged scholar in Confucian robes, his temples slightly frosted with gray.
Mr. Zhang returned the bow, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. “So it’s the young lady of the Shen family. However, I have already decided not to sell this brush. There is urgent business at my ancestral home in Jiangnan, and I must depart immediately.”
So he really was leaving. Shen Mingshu’s heart tightened, and she nearly blurted out, “This brush holds extraordinary significance for me. Could you, Mr. Zhang, spare a moment for a cup of tea and hear me out?”
Mr. Zhang looked into her eyes, seeing her sincere and earnest expression, and nodded.
“May I ask, sir, why you are in such a hurry to return?” Shen Mingshu asked gently.
Mr. Zhang’s brows were filled with worry. “To be honest, my sudden departure from the capital is because my daughter’s illness has suddenly worsened. Yesterday, I received a letter from home saying she has started coughing up blood again and can’t even swallow medicinal broth.”
“Originally, I intended to rely on this heirloom cloud-lacquered wooden brush to fetch a good price at auction in the capital, so I could continue buying medicine and treating her. But who knew the auction process would be so complicated—taking at least five days, or even up to ten. I simply cannot delay any longer.”So that’s how it is. After understanding the situation, Shen Mingshu’s little mind raced furiously, and she soon spoke up, “In that case, you absolutely must not take this brush back.”
Mr. Zhang looked at her with confusion.
But Shen Mingshu had already begun speaking, “Your daughter’s condition is urgent. The sooner you get this money, the sooner it can save her life.”
“The starting bid for the Cloud Lacquer Wood Brush at Yuheng Workshop is one thousand taels. I am willing to offer five thousand taels, and I have brought the silver with me. We can settle the payment immediately. This way, on your journey home, you can hire the best carriage and horses to return faster, without wasting a single moment.”
Mr. Zhang still hesitated.
The Cloud Lacquer Wood Brush was a family heirloom. If auctioned at Yuheng Workshop, it might fetch up to ten thousand taels…
He found it difficult to decide.
While hesitating, Mr. Zhang noticed a warm, smooth jade pendant hanging from Shen Mingshu’s waist and was suddenly startled.
“Miss Shen, may I take a closer look at this jade pendant of yours?”
Shen Mingshu was puzzled but still untied the pendant and handed it over.
Mr. Zhang took the jade. It felt cool and smooth to the touch, with almost no impurities.
He carefully turned it over for a closer look and saw an extremely faint talismanic line carved into the jade.
“Does this jade come from Wuxiang Temple?”
Shen Mingshu nodded and said softly, “It was given to me by an enlightened monk when I was born. I heard it was personally blessed by Master Xuandu of Wuxiang Temple.”
“He said this jade could ward off evil, dispel illness, and ensure peace and smoothness. Since I can remember, I have indeed never suffered a serious illness.”
Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhang’s eyes suddenly brightened.
The carriage sped along the official road, kicking up a trail of dust.
Shen Mingshu leaned back in the carriage, her fingers gently stroking the Cloud Lacquer Wood Brush in her arms.
The brush shaft was dark, smooth, and cool to the touch. Upon closer inspection, the wood grain resembled the ripples of a deep pond.
The cloud lacquer was uncarved, its patterns naturally formed.
It truly was beautiful.
Jiang Xun would surely be delighted when he received it.
Across from her, Xiao Tang was still muttering, “Miss, why did you give that jade pendant to him?”
Her voice carried a hint of distress. “You’ve worn that pendant since you were little. Madam once instructed that this jade must never leave your side.”
“Even when you bathed, the jade had to be placed nearby. Now, not only did you give that scholar five thousand taels of silver, but you also gave him the jade.”
“This jade couldn’t be bought even for twenty thousand or thirty thousand taels.”
Shen Mingshu blinked and said softly, “Alright, that’s enough.”
In her past life, she had even lost her life, so whether she fell ill or not truly didn’t matter much to her now.
She was filled with guilt toward Jiang Xun and only wanted to make it up to him as much as possible, to improve their relationship.
“How much longer until we arrive?”
Shen Mingshu hadn’t expected Mr. Zhang to be such a fast runner!
She had chased him for half an hour before finally catching up.
Chun Xing replied, “Miss, the coachman says it will take nearly another half hour.”
“Go faster,” Shen Mingshu said.
Suddenly, rain began to fall outside. The raindrops fell like woven threads, lightly tapping against the carriage curtain and the bluestone road, creating a soft, pattering sound.