Seeing that Song Boxue hadn’t responded, Hua Jian’s expression stiffened for a split second before he resumed his smiling facade. “It was presumptuous of Hua to intrude. I merely felt we were fated to meet. If I have caused any offense, I hope for your magnanimity.”
Song Boxue snapped out of her daze and took a proper look at the male lead. He was easy enough on the eyes, and at the very least, he was much more pleasant to listen to than that obsessive second male lead.
“Young Master Hua is right; a chance encounter is a fate of its own. My surname is Song. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Fate, my foot, she thought. The only one “fated” here is the female lead.
“It is a pleasure, Young Master Song. Then I shall be thick-skinned enough to disturb you.” Hua Jian flicked his robes as he moved to sit. A servant quickly stepped forward to spread a cloth on the ground for him.
Song Boxue took a large bite of chicken and rolled her eyes internally. If you know you’re disturbing us, then don’t be so thick-skinned.
Once seated, Hua Jian cast a seemingly casual glance at Jiang Fanyin. “Might I ask this young master’s honorable surname?”
Jiang Fanyin stared at the chicken leg that had fallen on the ground. “Jiang,” she replied curtly. Her voice was cold, clear, and melodious.
“So, it is Young Master Jiang.” Hua Jian glanced at his servant and commanded, “Serve the dishes.”
Since he was sitting directly across from Jiang Fanyin, the servant placed the food right between the two of them. Exquisite pastries and appetizing cold dishes were laid out one by one on a pre-prepared wooden board.
Song Boxue’s mouth twitched. As expected of the male lead, even when camping out in the wilderness, he made it look like a high-end picnic. Furthermore, he placed all the food in front of the female lead. The favoritism was glaring.
Jiang Fanyin glanced at Song Boxue, who was eyeing the pastries, and continued to slowly tear at her chicken. She showed no intention of picking up her chopsticks.
Seeing her cold demeanor, Hua Jian’s interest only deepened. He took the initiative to strike up a conversation. “I am heading to Pingchuan County. May I ask where you all are bound? If we are lucky, perhaps our paths align.”
Jiang Fanyin’s gaze faltered, and she instinctively looked toward Song Boxue. Song Boxue felt a knot in her chest. What a “coincidence” indeed.
In the original plot, the male lead was supposed to encounter the destitute, wandering female lead in Pingchuan. Even though Song Boxue’s arrival had prevented the female lead from becoming a vagrant, the two were still destined to meet.
Song Boxue swallowed a mouthful of chicken and muttered gloomily, “Coincidences make for a good story. Like you, Young Master Hua, we are also heading to Pingchuan.”
Hua Jian beamed. “It seems we truly are fated! In that case, please do not be formal. Help yourselves.”
He gestured toward the wine and food on the wooden board, his eyes drifting over Jiang Fanyin’s face. He wondered what the relationship was between this “young lady” and Young Master Song. He hoped it wasn’t what he suspected.
Song Boxue leaned a bit closer to Jiang Fanyin. Her own roasted chicken lacked seasoning and tasted bland; since the male lead had offered so generously, it would be a waste not to eat.
She picked up her bamboo chopsticks and sampled a few bites, not forgetting to urge Jiang Fanyin: “Young Master, Young Master Jiang, you should eat too. The flavor is quite good.”
Jiang Fanyin pursed her lips and remained still. “I have had enough.”
She suddenly felt she had lost her appetite; even the chicken in her hand no longer tasted flavorful.
Song Boxue arched an eyebrow. Playing demure now, are we? She shrugged and continued picking at the dishes. Jiang Fanyin’s eyes followed Song Boxue’s chopsticks, her gaze dark and unreadable.
The dilapidated temple had no doors, and the night wind rushed in unimpeded, making the bonfire dance wildly. Hua Jian was about to say more when he saw Jiang Fanyin lean against a pillar and close her eyes, seemingly intending to sleep sitting up.
He quickly signaled his servant to bring a thin quilt. “Young Master Jiang, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. I happened to bring an extra quilt. If you do not find it beneath you, please accept this as a gift.”
How could a young lady live so roughly? It would be a pity if she fell ill from the cold. At this thought, he glanced at Song Boxue, who merely gave them a casual look before scooting closer to the fire. Hua Jian’s eyes brightened. With such a lack of concern, they probably aren’t in a romantic relationship.
Jiang Fanyin opened her eyes and refused coldly, “I thank you for your kindness, but it is unnecessary.”
They were mere strangers; she didn’t want to accept favors for no reason. As she thought this, she unconsciously glanced at Song Boxue. Song Boxue happened to be looking back, and their eyes met.
“Many thanks, Young Master Hua. Give the quilt to me; I’ll wrap her in it later.”
The female lead was too embarrassed to take it, but Song Boxue wasn’t. If Jiang Fanyin actually got sick, it would only delay Song Boxue’s own business.
Song Boxue reached out and took the small, square brocade quilt. It was clearly part of a well-prepared travel kit. The male lead really thought of everything when he went out.
Hua Jian opened his mouth to speak, but seeing that Jiang Fanyin didn’t object—seemingly tacitly agreeing to Song Boxue’s words—he let go. However, he felt a lingering spark of annoyance. Just what is the relationship between these two? He remained restless until he fell asleep, dying to ask for clarification but fearing he would offend the beauty.
Late at night, Song Boxue took the quilt and sat down beside Jiang Fanyin, making a move to cover her. Jiang Fanyin scanned the people in the temple and whispered, “I’m not cold.”
Song Boxue raised an eyebrow. Fine, suffer for the sake of your pride. She unceremoniously squeezed in next to Jiang Fanyin and leaned against the pillar herself. Before Jiang Fanyin could react, Song Boxue pulled her into her arms, covering them both with the small quilt.
“Just lean on me. I’m cold.”
They were both women anyway, and they had already shared a bed once. Sleeping like this for one night was nothing. Besides, since they had run into the male lead and the book said the leads’ romance was full of misunderstandings and angst, she might as well consider this an early test for the couple. Song Boxue somewhat mischievously justified her actions to herself.
Jiang Fanyin’s body stiffened for a second before she relaxed against her. The thin fabric of their clothes quickly transferred the other’s warmth—comforting and gentle. Her lips curled into a faint smile as she rested her hands over Song Boxue’s, slowly falling asleep.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke, Song Boxue woke up alertly to the sound of movement. It was the two guards feeding the horses by the entrance. She glanced at the still-sleeping male lead and quietly woke Jiang Fanyin.
She was currently dressed as a man; if the male lead saw them sleeping in each other’s arms, he would surely misunderstand. In the end, Song Boxue was soft-hearted. No matter how much angst awaited the female lead’s future, she didn’t have the heart to add fuel to the fire.
When they left, the male lead was still snoring. His servant watched them go, hesitating on whether to wake his master.
Jiang Fanyin looked at Song Boxue standing by the horse and said tonelessly to the servant, “We are in a hurry and it is inconvenient to travel together.”
The servant relaxed and decided not to wake Hua Jian.
Song Boxue, seeing the male lead still asleep and not knowing what Jiang Fanyin had said to the servant, asked, “We aren’t waiting for them?”
Jiang Fanyin replied coldly, “If we travel together, such a large group will be too conspicuous. We cannot afford to delay matters at the yamen. Official business comes first.”
Song Boxue gave a vague hum of agreement. Since the female lead said so, she wasn’t going to worry about it. Thus, by the time Hua Jian leisurely woke up, they were long gone.
After a frantic journey, they finally returned to Pingchuan County. Finding that Madam Song had encountered no issues, the weight in Song Boxue’s heart finally lifted.
Madam Song looked at the two guards following behind her daughter and was dumbstruck. “The Prefectural Office only sent two people to protect you?”
Song Boxue paused for a heartbeat before explaining with practiced gravity, “These two are elite experts—the kind who can take on a hundred men single-handedly.”
“Is that so? Hehe.”
Madam Song didn’t want to voice her skepticism in front of outsiders, but internally she was convinced her daughter had been swindled by the Prefectural Office. This official post should be resigned sooner rather than later; in this vast world, nothing was more important than staying alive.
After resting for a day, Song Boxue publicly announced her recovery and declared her intent to interrogate the assassins in the dungeon.
Over a dozen prisoners were hauled into the public court.
Curiously, however, these men appeared somewhat dazed and dim-witted; no matter what was asked, they couldn’t give a coherent answer.
Song Boxue’s gaze sharpened. She cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Wuyi, who was observing the proceedings. If they’re planning to play dumb, they’ve severely underestimated me.
She struck the gavel with a heavy thud, but before she could order the use of torture, she was interrupted by a runner rushing in.
“Sir! The Young General of the City Guard is here to visit!”
Watching Hua Jian enter the court in his extravagant finery, Song Boxue’s eyes narrowed. She couldn’t help but look toward Jiang Fanyin. The two exchanged a silent, knowing look—fate truly worked in mysterious ways.
Once Hua Jian got a clear look at her face, his tone turned subtle. “I heard yesterday that Magistrate Song has been convalescing from injuries, so I did not intrude. I wonder, has your wound fully healed by now?”
Convalescing all this time?
Hua Jian looked at the expressionless Song Boxue, a spark of surprise flickering in his mind.
They had clearly met at a dilapidated temple just the day before yesterday, and judging by the direction, she had likely come from Weitian Prefecture. This County Magistrate was no simpleton.
It was fortunate he had arrived in time. Had he let Jiang Wuyi continue his reckless meddling, there was no telling how much chaos would have ensued.