Сhарtеr 6: Jiang Xun Lеаns Сlоsеr
How cоuld Shеn Mingshu pоssibly mind such а triviаl mаttеr? Shе wаved hеr hаnd, “It’s finе, рleasе rise quickly.”
Thеn shе lifted hеr gаzе аnd swеpt it аrоund thе courtуаrd.
This wаs her first time steрping intо Jiang Xun’s cоurtyаrd.
Thе сourtyаrd was extrеmеlу quiеt, a threе-sесtiоned small уard рaved with bluе bricks.
At а glancе, it was cleаn, rеstrаined, аnd еxquisitely еlegаnt—еven the рotted рine bу thе windоw was trimmеd meticulоusly, not а singlе brаnch out of place.
Indeеd, this wаs very much like Jiаng Хun.
Shen Mingshu spоkе up, “I came to bring some pastries.”
“Pastries?”
The two attendants by the door instinctively exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes.
Inside the room, lamplight fell on the desk, casting a faint shadow. Jiang Xun was bent over the desk, reviewing documents.
Faintly, he heard a woman’s voice from outside the courtyard—gentle, soft, and clear.
His brush paused, and he casually set it down, raising a hand to rub his temples.
He thought to himself that he must truly be too tired, actually starting to hallucinate her voice.
How could she possibly come here?
But before he could gather his thoughts, footsteps approached from afar, and the door was pushed open.
He instinctively looked up.
Under the candlelight in the room, Shen Mingshu wore a pale green ruqun, the fabric soft as water, accentuating her snow-white complexion and delicate, enchanting features.
Her peach-blossom eyes held a watery gleam, and with a single blink, one couldn’t help but hold their breath.
She smiled as she looked over, carrying a touch of a young girl’s innocence, yet also an unintentionally alluring grace.
“Brother,” she called him softly.
Shen Mingshu shook the food box in her hand toward Jiang Xun, her eyes curving into crescents, “I came to bring some pastries.”
But as she smiled, her heart couldn’t help but flutter nervously.
Why wasn’t he saying anything…
His silence made her tense up again.
Had she come too suddenly? After all, this was his study—she shouldn’t have disturbed him. Oh, right, she even forgot to knock just now. Maybe she should just leave…
“Just leave it here,” a steady, low voice spoke.
Jiang Xun rose from behind the desk, walked over, and sat down at the round table, instructing Qing He beside him, “Prepare tea, and fetch some milk.”
Shen Mingshu opened the food box and arranged the pastries, momentarily not paying attention to his words.
Jiang Xun looked at the exquisite pastries on the table, “The pastries look good. Which maid made them?”
Shen Mingshu lifted her gaze, her watery peach-blossom eyes meeting his, “Not a maid. I made them.”
Jiang Xun was slightly taken aback, “You made them?”
Shen Mingshu nodded and began to explain softly, “This morning, I originally wanted to have breakfast with you.”
“But when I went to the front courtyard, I found out you had left before dawn and only just returned now. I had some free time in the afternoon, so I thought of making some pastries, though they might be a bit cold now.”
Jiang Xun lowered his gaze. Osmanthus cakes, red bean rolls, pine nut pastries… each plate was exquisite and delicious.
But what surfaced in his mind was another memory.
He had often seen Shen Mingshu making pastries in the kitchen, but without exception, they were always for Xiao Zheng.
He didn’t even know what pastries she made.
She would only keep her distance from him.
But now, these pastries were actually for him.
Jiang Xun’s heart trembled, as if lightly pricked by something.
Just then, he heard her soft voice ask, “Don’t you want to eat them?”
He looked up at her, seeing the caution in her eyes, and felt a dull ache in his chest, “No, it’s just a bit unexpected.”
After speaking, he secretly pinched himself under his sleeve—a slight pain.
It seemed this wasn’t a dream.Upon hearing this, a wave of guilt surged in Shen Mingshu’s heart.
She had truly treated Jiang Xun too poorly in the past.
He was the one who had always been behind her, managing everything for her and protecting her as she grew up.
Yet she…
She had devoted all her attention to Xiao Zheng, day after day revolving around him, even though he had never truly cared for her.
Still, she had humbly tried to please him, giving him one gift after another.
Shen Mingshu bit her lower lip.
But fortunately, in this life, there was still a chance to make amends!
By the time Qing He brought the tea and milk, the two were already seated at the round table, enjoying the pastries.
As he approached and saw the osmanthus cakes on the table, his expression changed drastically, and he blurted out, “These pastries…”
Jiang Xun glanced sideways, his voice cold. “Set the tea down.”
Qing He opened his mouth but had no choice but to place the wooden tray in his hands down.
Shen Mingshu’s eyes lit up at the sight of the milk on the tray.
Seeing this, Qing He felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
His master remembered that the second young lady loved drinking milk.
But the second young lady had never known that his master couldn’t eat osmanthus.
Unable to hold back, Qing He tried to speak again.
But before the words could leave his mouth, Jiang Xun’s gaze swept over, sharp and warning.
Qing He sighed inwardly, bowed his head in acknowledgment, and quietly withdrew.
“This one is delicious,” Jiang Xun said, picking up a pastry.
Shen Mingshu also took a piece, chewing it slowly in small bites, her eyes curving into crescents.
She then took a sip of milk, her cheeks tinged with a faint pink, and even the corners of her eyes glistened with contentment, like a well-fed kitten lazily curled up.
Completely unaware of the tiny drop of milk at the corner of her mouth.
Jiang Xun pointed to the corner of his own mouth. “Here.”
Shen Mingshu instinctively wiped it but missed the spot. Even after using her handkerchief, a trace remained.
“Let me.”
Before the words fully left his mouth, he had already leaned in, picked up the handkerchief, and gently wiped the corner of her mouth for her.