Сhарtеr 4: His Gaze Wаs Drаwn to Hеr Inch by Inсh
Shеn Мingshu wаlkеd tоward thе frоnt соurtyard. Аlong the way, Хiаo Таng аnd Сhun Хing werе bоth vеry surprisеd but dаred nоt ask questions, оnly fоllowing at a distаncе.
Bоth shе and Jiang Хun had their own соurtуаrds. She lived in Littlе Rоund Studiо, whilе Jiang Xun livеd in Listening-tо-Pines Рavilion.
Нowevеr, meals in the mаnsiоn hаd alwауs been takеn in the frоnt сourtyаrd—a rule lеft behind bу thеir рarеnts when theу were аlivе.
It wаs just that she had never eaten with Jiаng Хun before; all thrее daily meаls wеre taken in her own courtyard.
It had been a long time since she last went to the front courtyard.
Because she was afraid!
After their parents passed away, the ten-year-old Jiang Xun began to support the Shen family. That year, she was four years old. It could be said she was raised by Jiang Xun.
When she was little, she once accidentally broke a Jingdezhen brush washer. He publicly punished her by making her copy texts for three days, writing until her palms bled.
He never raised his voice to scold her; his eyes were always calm, making it impossible to tell whether he was angry or disappointed.
That was what made it most terrifying.
Shen Mingshu’s father had passed away very early.
But every time she saw Jiang Xun, it felt as if her father had come back to life.
In short, a living father.
But now, having experienced the events of her past life, she knew he was the only one who truly stood by her side and was willing to protect her.
He was just a little too strict…
In the room, Jiang Xun sat at the head of the table. He wore dark blue brocade casual robes, his collar perfectly neat, his posture upright, and even the way he held his chopsticks appeared disciplined and restrained.
He lowered his head to taste a dish and said calmly, “This dish is undercooked. Take it back and redo it.”
Shen Mingshu:…
Alright, not just a little.
She bit her lip, lifted the hem of her skirt, and walked in with very light steps.
Jiang Xun had been looking down as he ate, but upon hearing the movement, he raised his head.
The moment he saw Shen Mingshu, a clear flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
The maids and servants nearby, however, were filled with astonishment.
Second Miss… actually came to the front courtyard?!
And! She came on her own!
Jiang Xun set down his chopsticks. “Why have you come?”
His voice was as usual, but the hand that had been resting under his sleeve quietly tightened.
Shen Mingshu stood before the table and said softly, “It’s nothing much. I just wanted to have a meal with Brother.”
In her past life, she had deliberately distanced herself from Jiang Xun, and it was only upon her death that she realized how terribly wrong she had been.
This life, she naturally couldn’t continue like that.
She had to work hard to build a good relationship with Jiang Xun!
After saying this, she sat down beside him without hesitation.
Jiang Xun’s Adam’s apple slowly moved, but he said nothing more.
Qing He, having just recovered from the shock, quickly whispered instructions, “What are you all standing around for? Go, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks!”
The maids hurriedly retreated.
The bowls and chopsticks were soon brought. Shen Mingshu picked up a portion of stir-fried water shield with her chopsticks and placed it in Jiang Xun’s bowl. “Brother, try this. I think it will be delicious.”
In her past life, after she died, as a wandering spirit, she personally witnessed how Jiang Xun refused to eat or drink, losing so much weight that he became gaunt.
At the time, she was so anxious she nearly went mad, rushing forward to pull him, but her hands passed right through him—she couldn’t even touch the hem of his clothes.
Remembering this, Shen Mingshu’s nose tingled with sadness, but she gritted her teeth and held back.
Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t make him worry.
Jiang Xun glanced down at the fresh green in his bowl, his thin lips pressing together slightly.
She actually served him food?
Before, she wouldn’t even sit at the same table to eat with him.
When he looked up again, his eyes met hers.
Why are her eyes red again?
It had always been like this since she was little.However, unlike before, her once slightly rounded eyes had now grown into captivating peach blossom eyes.
Her eyes held a faint glimmer of moisture, so soft it made one’s heart ache.
Jiang Xun averted his gaze and picked up a piece of water shield to eat. The taste was bitter, yet it seemed to burn his tongue.
Qing He, sitting beside him, felt deeply gratified.
Only he knew how much his lord had done for the Second Young Miss.
Yet the Second Young Miss had always been so afraid of his lord.
Although his lord never spoke of it, he must have been saddened by it.
Fortunately, the Second Young Miss had finally changed now, beginning to grow closer to his lord.
He only hoped it wasn’t just a passing whim…
Otherwise, his lord would surely be even more heartbroken.
To gain something only to lose it later is harder to bear than never having had it at all.
Jiang Xun lowered his head and picked up a piece of stir-fried yam. “Are you still feeling unwell?”
“Much better,” she said softly. “I took the medicine last night and slept very well.”
Shen Mingshu added another sentence, afraid he might worry. “When I woke up this morning, I already felt fine.”
“That’s good. Later, have Dr. Meng take another look,” Jiang Xun said calmly.
Shen Mingshu nodded, but her chopsticks had already reached for the steamed dumplings.
She ate very quietly, exuding an indescribable sense of adorable obedience.
Jiang Xun didn’t pay much attention at first, but for some reason, his gaze was gradually drawn to her.
She always took small bites, chewing very lightly. When she ate something she liked, her eyes would quietly brighten; when she didn’t like something, she would quietly push it to the side of her plate.
So this was how she ate.
Shen Mingshu lowered her head to take a sip of porridge, then stole another glance at Jiang Xun.
Strange, his appearance was still as cool and aloof as before.
But why was she no longer so afraid of him?
Her heart stirred, and she couldn’t help but curl the corners of her mouth, smiling sweetly at him with curved eyes.
Jiang Xun was momentarily stunned. Just as the corners of his eyes softened slightly, a servant’s voice suddenly came from outside the door.
“My lord, Young Master Xiao is here to see you.”
The moment the words fell, Jiang Xun’s expression visibly turned cold.
Xiao Zheng?
Qing He lowered his head in silence, not daring to look at his lord’s expression at that moment.
This is bad! The Second Young Miss will surely go to see Xiao Zheng immediately!
After all, since childhood, his lord had always ranked behind Xiao Zheng in the Second Young Miss’s heart, with Xiao Zheng taking priority in everything.
As long as Xiao Zheng was around, the Second Young Miss would never see his lord…
Qing He sighed softly in his heart.
Suddenly, a clear and gentle female voice spoke up, “Tell him I won’t see him. Ask him to leave.”