Сhарtеr 18: Сold, Palе Fingеrs Clenсhing
Jiang Xun оffеrеd nо ехplаnаtiоn, wаlking on his own tо the fishbowl by the windоw, рicking uр sоmе fish fооd and sсаttеring it in.
The wаtеr surfaсe ripplеd, and а crimson-scаled kоi suddenlу swаm up, blowing bubblеs as it chasеd thе sсаttered fооd.
Тhе room fеll silent, with оnly the sоft sound of wаter audiblе.
Seeing that hе оffеred nо еxplanаtion, thе Fоurth Princе stopрed аsking.
Тhоugh curiоus in his heart, аfter so mаnу уears of friendship, he knew Jiang Хun аll too well.
This mаn wаs like a gourd with its mоuth sеaled—if he didn’t want to speak, it was impossible to pry anything out of him.
The Fourth Prince propped his chin and leaned lazily on the couch, suddenly remembering something important.
“Tomorrow, the Third Prince is hosting a poetry gathering. Will you be going?”
“Many noble ladies have received invitations, and the Crown Prince and Prince Xuan will also attend.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xun’s hand feeding the fish paused almost imperceptibly, and some of the fish food between his fingers fell outside the bowl.
He withdrew his hand, brushed his fingertips, and his gaze sank into the depths of the fishbowl.
Chengwen Academy, Pavilion at the Lake’s Heart.
A cool breeze swept over the emerald water, rustling the lotus leaves. Shen Mingshu, dressed in a pink ruqun, sat upright in the pavilion.
Before her lay a scroll of plain white rice paper. She held a brush, steadily sketching the scenery before her. The scene before her eyes, captured under her brush, already carried a hint of its spirit.
“So this is where you were. I couldn’t find you earlier,” a familiar voice came from behind.
Shen Mingshu turned around to see Jiang Yuan walking toward her.
Jiang Yuan approached and looked down at the painting before her.
“No wonder your paintings are so good. Practicing like this every day, how could they not be?”
Shen Mingshu curved her lips into a sweet smile at her.
She had been learning painting since childhood, and at first, she was unwilling, finding it too arduous.
If it weren’t for Jiang Xun supervising her and inquiring about her progress every day, she would likely have given up long ago.
After so many years of study, her skills had grown increasingly refined, and she found more and more joy in painting, earning praise from many.
Fortunately, it was Jiang Xun who raised her.
If she had been left alone after her parents passed away, she truly didn’t know what she would have become.
Jiang Yuan sat beside her and asked gently, “Tomorrow’s poetry gathering at the Third Prince’s residence—I’ve also received an invitation. It’s no fun going alone. Will you accompany me?”
The more she got to know Shen Mingshu, the more she found her truly endearing.
Her temperament was a bit soft, but the other side of that softness was her ease of getting along with others and her understanding of propriety.
Shen Mingshu tilted her head. A poetry gathering?
She had never been to such an occasion before.
Her eyes sparkled. “Alright, let’s go together.”
Shen Residence, dinner time.
The hall was warmly lit, with incense mist gently curling from a bronze burner. Palace lanterns hung down, illuminating the room with a soft, bright glow.
On either side of the table, a young woman and a young man sat facing each other.
Shen Mingshu had changed into a plain white brocade dress today, draped with a thin gauze outer layer and tied at the waist with a light apricot silk sash. As she sat, the hem of her dress spread out naturally, like a lotus blooming by the pond.
Jiang Xun ate quietly, his cold, pale fingers gripping silver chopsticks, the bones of his knuckles distinct.
Servants attended to them quietly nearby.
At first, they had been unaccustomed to the sudden change in Lord Jiang and the Second Young Miss, but now they had grown used to it.
Lord Jiang was an adopted son of the Shen family. Over the years, he had supported the Shen family and raised the Second Young Miss. It was only natural for the two of them to be close.
The prestige of the Shen family still relied on them both to uphold it.
However, Lord Jiang might not stay in the Shen family forever. He was not a Shen by blood, nor was his name entered into the Shen family’s genealogy.Back when Lord Jiang’s parents passed away, and Lord Shen and his wife also departed suddenly, Lord Jiang and the second young lady had nowhere to go, so they grew up together.
It was uncertain whether Lord Jiang would establish a separate Jiang residence after his marriage.
However, these matters were not for servants like them to worry about.
Shen Mingshu lowered her head to eat, her peripheral gaze occasionally drifting toward Jiang Xun.
Today, he wore a deep green straight-collared robe made of fine fabric, tailored neatly, though it was not the latest style of the year.
Upon closer inspection, the hem of his robe, though clean and tidy, showed faint signs of wear.
She blinked. These days, she had spent more time with Jiang Xun than in the past sixteen years combined, noticing many things.
For instance, the styles of Jiang Xun’s daily attire were often similar, and on several occasions, it seemed he was wearing the same robe…
A pang of sadness washed over her.
Given Jiang Xun’s status, he could have as many clothes as he wanted.
It was simply because he was too busy—worrying about her, laboring for the Shen family, and dealing with a pile of matters at court—that he naturally paid little attention to trivial things like clothing.
He was too occupied now to manage such matters.
But that was fine—she had plenty of time!
She would make clothes for him! Take good care of him!
The Third Prince’s poetry gathering was held at the Chunyuan Villa in the western suburbs, an old imperial garden with serene mountains and waters.
The weather was pleasant today, with crabapple blossoms in full bloom along the paths, their fragrance carried by the breeze.
From afar, beneath a vermilion archway, noble young masters and ladies from prominent families came and went, their sleeves fluttering gracefully, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Shen Mingshu entered the garden with Jiang Yuan.
The courtyard was filled with chatter and laughter, with games like arrow-throwing, calligraphy appreciation, and the “Flying Flowers” poetry contest set up along the paths.
“Look over there,” Jiang Yuan introduced as they walked. “That’s the area for ladies to admire flowers. Only noblewomen are allowed inside, where they exchange poems, enjoy tea, and compete in calligraphy.”
She then pointed to a spot under the eaves. “The gentlemen are testing their brushes on the bamboo platform. Today, the Third Prince personally set up the ‘Flying Flowers’ contest. Anyone who can last three rounds or more can sit with him to discuss talent.”
Shen Mingshu looked around, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.
So this was what a poetry gathering was like…
She had never attended such an occasion before—it was so much fun!
“That young lady in the apricot-yellow gown is the eldest daughter of the Wei family. She is exceptionally talented and unbeatable in the ‘Flying Flowers’ contest. The one beside her is the daughter of the Minister of Rites. She doesn’t speak much, but she plays the zither beautifully.”
Jiang Yuan explained to her, and Shen Mingshu listened attentively, nodding gently from time to time, her eyes sparkling.
The wind swept across the water, rustling the bamboo shadows hanging by the pavilion.
Jiang Xun sat in the pavilion with the Fourth Prince, behind them a stretch of emerald-green lake. Jiang Xun glanced toward the main hall and said calmly, “It’s about time. Let’s go meet the Third Prince.”
The Fourth Prince leaned lazily against the railing, one hand resting on it, and immediately shook his head at the suggestion.
“Let’s delay a little longer. I really don’t want to see the Third Prince’s face—it’s as eerie as a ghost’s, gloomy and unsettling. What does he even eat all day? Drink blood and gnaw on bones?”
Jiang Xun did not respond, lowering his head to take a sip of tea.
The Fourth Prince looked around idly, his gaze pausing briefly on a figure along the lakeside path.
A young girl in a cherry-pink embroidered skirt, a strand of hair falling beside her temple, swaying gently in the wind, as if she had stepped out of a painting of Jiangnan’s waters.
When his eyes met her face, the Fourth Prince immediately turned away, clicking his tongue softly.
Others he might not know, but Shen Mingshu? He knew her all too well.The first time he saw her, Jiang Xun was standing by his side. Unaware of their history, he had directly called out to Shen Mingshu.
He had watched as Shen Mingshu’s lips turned pale with fright.
Now, if he and Jiang Xun took the initiative to greet her, wouldn’t it scare her into having nightmares at night?
He’d better not trouble the young lady.
The Fourth Prince stood up, lazily turning his back to Jiang Xun as he walked to the fishbowl by the pavilion.
He picked up the nearby food jar, casually pinched a bit of fish food, and scattered it into the water. Just as he was about to toss another handful, a clear, gentle woman’s voice suddenly sounded by his ear.
“Brother.”
His brow furrowed as he slowly straightened up.
This voice…
Why did it sound so familiar?
The Fourth Prince scoffed, shaking his head to himself.
He’d sooner believe the Third Prince had gone mad and called Jiang Xun “brother” than think Shen Mingshu would come over to greet them.
As he was thinking this, he heard Jiang Xun’s voice again, “What brings you here today?”
“Sister Jiang invited me. I’ve never been to a poetry gathering before.”
That woman’s voice spoke again, gentle and clear, tinged with a hint of delight.
The handful of fish food in the Fourth Prince’s hand scattered into the water all at once as he turned around, almost unable to believe his ears.