Xu Ruiya wanted to challenge her to a friendly competition, did that mean Jiang Lingyuan had to accept?
As though completely oblivious to Xu Ruiya’s true intentions, Jiang Lingyuan smiled and said, “I’ve only dabbled a little in the four arts, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I’m far from proficient. Sixth Miss Xu’s zither skills must be truly exceptional. I wouldn’t dare make a fool of myself.”
Just because Xu Ruiya wanted to compete with her, did she have to oblige?
Then Jiang Lingyuan added, “If I could hear Sixth Miss Xu perform today, this trip would certainly not have been in vain. Might I have the honor of listening?”
Those who failed to grasp the exchange thought Jiang Lingyuan was simply afraid to compete. But Xu Ruiya knew that if she performed today, it would seem as though she had specifically played for Jiang Lingyuan’s benefit, putting herself in an inferior position.
After all, Jiang Lingyuan had merely asked to listen, not to judge or appreciate her performance.
Xu Ruiya was somewhat displeased, but she still smiled and replied, “Perhaps another time, if the opportunity arises. Fourth Young Madam Lu, I was too presumptuous.”
“Not at all,” Jiang Lingyuan answered with an equally pleasant smile.
To the onlookers, neither woman appeared to have gained the upper hand. Most simply assumed that Jiang Lingyuan truly wasn’t very accomplished in the refined arts. Then again, she had grown up in the countryside. Though her bearing was striking enough to impress at first glance, perhaps that was all there was to it.
Princess Changning, however, found these young ladies’ scheming tiresome. Even married men were still the object of their affections. Growing impatient, she called out, “A-Yuan, we’re one player short. Care to join us?”
They were playing mahjong.
Jiang Lingyuan immediately replied, “Of course.”
After that, no one else came to provoke Jiang Lingyuan. She quietly let out a sigh of relief. Constantly having people come over to test her patience was rather exhausting.
Having spent much of the day with her, Eldest Young Madam Lu had come to understand Jiang Lingyuan’s temperament better. She was both gentle and resolute, not the sort to wallow in self-pity. The more she observed her, the more she admired her, and she sincerely wished to become friends.
Smiling, she said, “Fourth Brother’s reputation in the capital is simply too great. It was only natural that you’d be put through a few trials.”
Drawing another mahjong tile, Jiang Lingyuan replied casually, “Then I’m the one who’s gotten the better bargain. After all, the man they’ve all been dreaming about ended up becoming mine.”
Eldest Young Madam Lu laughed.
“That’s a wonderfully amusing way to put it,” Princess Changning said lazily. “But for someone as sanctimonious as Lu Yun, he’s the one who got the better end of the deal.”
Her tone made it clear that she wasn’t particularly fond of Lu Yun.
That afternoon, Sixth Young Master Qin finally arrived with his bride, and everyone went to witness the wedding ceremony.
Naturally, this kind of excitement mostly attracted young married ladies and unmarried young women. The customs of Great Yue were not especially restrictive, so men and women attending the same celebration together was perfectly acceptable and drew no criticism.
The ceremonial hall was crowded with guests.
Standing among them, Jiang Lingyuan watched the newlyweds perform the wedding rites. Every movement between them carried an unmistakable air of tenderness. Knowing they had grown up together as childhood sweethearts, she understood why.
They would surely become a loving couple.
Lu Yun was among the guests as well.
Watching the ceremony, he couldn’t help recalling his own wedding with Jiang Lingyuan. Their marriage ceremony hadn’t been nearly as lively. Instead, what surrounded them had been the sighs and regrets of the guests.
Thinking back on it now, he felt it had truly been unfair to Jiang Lingyuan.
But so much time had already passed. Any attempt to make amends now seemed meaningless.
Yet as he watched Jiang Lingyuan quietly observing the couple exchanging bows, he realized she showed not the slightest trace of melancholy.
Perhaps…
She had never cared about those so-called compensations in the first place.
The thought left Lu Yun feeling strangely heavy-hearted.
Once the bride had been escorted into the bridal chamber, only her closest family and friends followed inside.
Naturally, Jiang Lingyuan and the others did not accompany them. Instead, they headed to the banquet for the evening meal.
This time the dinner wasn’t held in the back garden but at a waterside pavilion. Countless lanterns had been lit from the covered corridor all the way into the hall, bathing everything in brilliant light.
After supper, the guests gradually took their leave.
Jiang Lingyuan shared a carriage with Eldest Young Madam Lu. After they settled inside, she took out a few sweets from the pouch at her waist.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, would you like one?”
Even after rinsing one’s mouth following a meal, there was always a lingering taste.
Eldest Young Madam Lu took one and placed it in her mouth. After tasting it, she remarked in surprise, “This is the first time I’ve had a candy like this. It has a hint of mint, and it’s sweet with just a touch of tartness.”
“It’s made with mint juice, lemon juice, honey, and a few other ingredients. One of my attendants came up with it. I liked it, so I always keep a few in my pouch.”
That reminded Eldest Young Madam Lu of the milk candies Jiang Lingyuan had previously sent over.
“The people around you are quite clever. My Hong’er especially liked those milk candies.”
By the time they returned to the Duke of Yu Manor, night had already fallen.
The Old Madam had spent the entire day at the Duke of Qin’s manor and was utterly exhausted. All she wanted was to rest.
“It’s getting late,” she said. “Everyone should return to your own courtyards.”
Since the eldest, second, and third young masters had all come back from their government offices in time for the evening banquet, there were even more people than before. After exchanging a few polite greetings, everyone dispersed to their own residences.
On the way back to Yilan Courtyard, Lu Yun asked, “How was today?”
“It was quite nice. Eldest Sister-in-law took good care of me and introduced me to quite a few people.”
As for Eldest Young Madam Hu and Xu Ruiya, Jiang Lingyuan decided there was no need to mention them. She hadn’t taken the matter to heart anyway.
What Lu Yun had truly wanted to ask was whether she regretted the circumstances surrounding their wedding.
But in the end, the question never left his lips.
The rest of the journey passed in silence.
Jiang Lingyuan carefully considered her own answer and couldn’t think of anything wrong with it. She couldn’t understand why Lu Yun had suddenly gone quiet.
Still, she chose not to ask.
They remained silent all the way back to Yilan Courtyard.
“Would you like to bathe first?” Jiang Lingyuan asked.
“You go ahead,” Lu Yun replied. “I’ll stop by the study for a while.”
By now, he had grown accustomed to using the study in the rear courtyard. Another desk had been added there, along with all the things he used regularly.
Jiang Lingyuan nodded.
“All right.”
Having gone the entire day without resting, she was truly exhausted. She was used to taking a midday nap, but while visiting another family’s residence, she obviously couldn’t simply find a place to sleep.
After bathing and drying her hair, she saw that Lu Yun still hadn’t returned. Rather than waiting, she climbed straight into bed.
They had always been easygoing about such things, and Lu Yun had never been one to fuss over trivial formalities.
Lu Yun had indeed gone to the study because he had a few things to record.
After finishing his work and washing up, he entered the bedchamber.
Seeing Jiang Lingyuan already fast asleep, he couldn’t help smiling.
“You really don’t care at all,” he murmured softly.
Lying flat on the bed, Jiang Lingyuan wore no makeup. Her cheeks were naturally rosy, her features fresh and radiant. Her eyes were gently closed, long lashes resting against her fair skin. Dressed in a creamy-white sleeping robe, she seemed soft, gentle, and serene.
Lu Yun watched her quietly for a long while before extinguishing most of the candles, leaving only the two ram’s-horn palace lanterns at the head and foot of the bed.
Then he lifted the quilt, lay down beside Jiang Lingyuan, and edged just a little closer.
It was rather strange.
He had always preferred sleeping alone.
Now, however, he had grown accustomed to the quiet sound of another person’s breathing beside him. Most of all, the faint fragrance of roses that lingered around Jiang Lingyuan had somehow become the most soothing scent to lull him to sleep each night.
Lost in these scattered thoughts, drowsiness gradually overtook him.
At some point, he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When he awoke the next morning, Jiang Lingyuan was already seated before the dressing table, combing her hair.
He blinked in surprise.
“I actually slept that soundly.”
Still, he had to admit.
He woke feeling completely refreshed.