Chaрtеr 22: It Was Alrеady Gооd Еnоugh Тhаt She Wаs Willing tо Ве Closе to Him
Lin Qingyan kееnly sеnsеd his mооd, hеr eуеs сarrying а hint оf inquiry.
“Хiao Lang, hаs somеthing good haрpеned rесently? Yоu seem… esресiаlly haрру tоday.”
Хiaо Zheng reinеd in the smile аt the cоrner of his lips, his tоnе bеtraуing nо emotion. “It’s nоthing.”
Hе did nоt plan tо tell Lin Qingyаn abоut Shеn Мingshu giving him clоthes.
Lin Qingyаn was clеvеr аnd sharp. If she found out, she might try to еmulаte it and make сlоthes for him toо.
Вut Shen Mingshu was the only daughter of the Shen family, raised in luxury since birth, able to afford the finest brocade fabrics without worrying about money.
When she made clothes, it was willingly and gladly.
But Lin Qingyan was different.
She came from a humble background, her finances were tight, and she was extremely proud. If she really went to great lengths to gather materials for fabric because of a few words from him, how could he bear it? How could he accept it?
She was a delicate woman who should be well protected.
The two passed by another women’s ready-made clothing shop called Cloud Garment Pavilion.
From the outside, the clothes inside looked light and thin, with elegant, simple colors, particularly eye-catching.
Xiao Zheng stopped and looked at Lin Qingyan beside him. “Come on, let’s buy you a few pieces of clothing.”
Lin Qingyan immediately shook her head. “There’s no need, I have plenty of clothes… The worn-out clothes from my elder sisters were all given to me, I have enough to wear.”
Xiao Zheng’s gaze fell on the fine fraying at the edge of her sleeve, his eyes darkening slightly.
This clothing was clearly worn for a long time.
A sudden, stifling discomfort rose in his heart.
A girl, born so well-behaved and sensible, never asking for anything, wearing her clothes so carefully.
Who could bear not to cherish such a person a little more?
Xiao Zheng said no more and directly took Lin Qingyan’s hand, leading her toward Cloud Garment Pavilion.
Lin Qingyan was half-pushed by him into the shop, her eyes filled with some panic and unease as she softly called out, “Xiao Lang…”
But Xiao Zheng had already spoken directly to the shopkeeper. “Bring out all the clothes in the shop that suit her and let her choose.”
The shopkeeper immediately complied, hurriedly selecting many pieces of clothing.
Seeing this, Lin Qingyan could only fidget slightly, and after a long while, she whispered, “Then let’s just buy one piece, thank you, Xiao Lang.”
“One piece isn’t enough, choose as many as you like.”
Seeing her agree, Xiao Zheng’s lips immediately curved into a smile.
At the Shen residence, a table of evening meal steamed with warmth.
Jiang Xun glanced discreetly at Shen Mingshu before speaking calmly. “What’s wrong? Is your recent coursework too heavy?”
Why does your expression look so unwell?
Shen Mingshu looked up, not expecting to meet Jiang Xun’s gaze directly, her heart skipping a beat.
He noticed?
She had applied powder and even drawn her eyebrows—how could he still see through it at a glance?
Jiang Xun looked at her surprised expression, his brow slightly raised.
How was this difficult to guess? She never liked using cosmetics, yet today she made an exception—most likely to hide something.
The pigeon soup in front of her was her usual favorite. In the past, she would have finished a bowl by now, but today she had only taken half a bowl.
Exactly like when she was little—whenever she felt unwell, she couldn’t eat.
Shen Mingshu’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly as she explained softly, “I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
“But it’s fine. Sister Jiang Yuan sent me some calming soup, saying it would help me sleep soundly. I have indeed been much better recently.”
Jiang Xun saw that she didn’t want to say more, so he didn’t press further. It was already good enough that she was willing to be close to him; he couldn’t push her any more. Thus, he said calmly, “If it’s still like this tomorrow, we’ll call the imperial physician to take a look.”
Shen Mingshu nodded obediently.Late at night, in the backyard, only the Little Round Studio was faintly lit by lamplight.
Shen Mingshu sat before the desk, her hair casually tied up, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks, making her skin appear even more fair and delicate, giving her an overall soft and gentle appearance.
On the nearby clothing rack hung several newly tailored men’s robes, each stitch and thread meticulously crafted, clearly made with great care.
Xiao Tang walked in carrying a teacup, glanced at the deep night outside the window, and couldn’t help but advise, “Second Miss, it’s already this late. You should rest for a while. It won’t be too late to continue tomorrow.”
Shen Mingshu was sewing the collar of a garment and replied softly, “It’s fine. This one is almost done.”
Her expression was extremely focused. Xiao Tang sighed lightly, set down the teacup, and turned to light the oil lamp nearby.
The palace, Qianyuan Hall.
The morning court bell had just ceased, and officials stood solemnly.
On the dragon throne sat a slightly stooped figure. Emperor Zhaowen was nearing sixty, his expression weary. Though dressed in bright yellow imperial robes, he no longer possessed the imposing aura of his younger years.
“I have a memorial to present.”
“The Vice Minister of Personnel has embezzled silver, seized civilian land, deceived superiors, formed cliques for personal gain, and engaged in corruption. The evidence is conclusive. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!”
Minister Yan raised both hands high, presenting a thick stack of evidence.
The Vice Minister of Personnel beside him paled instantly and hurriedly knelt to defend himself, “Your Majesty, I am wronged! I have never committed such acts!”
The Crown Prince frowned almost imperceptibly.
That Vice Minister of Personnel was a trusted subordinate he had cultivated for a long time…
Emperor Zhaowen flipped through the memorial, his expression growing darker. Suddenly, he closed it with a snap. “Guards! The Vice Minister of Personnel is guilty of corruption and abuse of power. Strip him of his position immediately and detain him. Hand him over to the Ministry of Justice for a thorough investigation!”
Chengwen Academy, early morning.
Lin Qingyan wore a light-colored brocade gown with a slightly flowing hem, tied at the waist with a matching cloud-patterned silk sash. Her steps were light and graceful.
The dress was elegant yet noble in color, and upon closer inspection, the fabric was clearly extraordinary, with shimmering patterns that caught the light.
It was the very outfit Xiao Zheng had gifted her the day before.
As soon as she entered the women’s hall, she was noticed by two of her classmates.
“Qingyan, is this dress a new style from Cloud Garment Pavilion? It truly looks beautiful.”
Lu Zhilan spoke with a smile, her gaze lingering on the hem of Lin Qingyan’s dress.
Although Cloud Garment Pavilion’s clothes were not as exquisite as those from Moonweave Pavilion, it was still the second most renowned women’s ready-to-wear shop in the capital, famous for its high prices.
The other girl chimed in, “Isn’t it? Would your stepmother really be willing to buy such clothes for you? I thought she’d be a miser for life.”
Lin Qingyan lowered her head and smiled. “It wasn’t from my family. Someone else gave it to me.”
The two were taken aback, then exchanged glances, their eyes instantly tinged with mischief.
“Someone else? Which someone else?” Lu Zhilan feigned curiosity. “Could it be General Xiao?”
“Oh, don’t talk nonsense!” Lin Qingyan’s cheeks flushed with two spots of red, and she quickly shook her head. “Don’t tarnish General Xiao’s reputation.”
She defended herself in a low voice, but her eyes were filled with unconcealed shyness.
Her two friends smiled meaningfully, lowering their voices but not hiding their teasing tone.
“What’s the big deal? Hasn’t General Xiao given you plenty of things before? Those expensive rabbit-hair brushes of yours were all gifts from General Xiao.”
“Unlike some people who’ve been following Young Master Xiao around since childhood—have they ever received anything valuable from him?”
“Shh, keep your voice down.” Lu Zhilan nudged her friend with a laugh. “It’s true when you say it. What a pity, all that unrequited devotion.”Lin Qingyan listened, then said softly, “Don’t say that. Miss Shen doesn’t lack these things.”
The two people smiled lightly.
“Whether she lacks them is one matter. Whether others are willing to give them to her is another.”