Fu Qingchen seemed to hint at something with his gift, but Jiang Yueli did not overthink it. Since he insisted, she naturally did not refuse.
Gu Huaichao and Gu Xiangling had also prepared gifts for Jiang Yueli. When the coming-of-age ceremony formally began, it was Old Madam Jiang herself who pinned her hair.
That day, Jiang Yueli seemed to have grown up overnight. Once a little girl, she now looked like a young lady.
Jiang Yueli was naturally free-spirited and well-known in the capital for being hard to deal with. Her beauty was equally renowned. While some scholarly families found her martial demeanor unrefined, many admired her independent nature.
Within a few days of her coming-of-age ceremony, matchmakers began approaching with marriage proposals. Her mother and grandmother rejected them, citing her youth. Still, Jiang Yueli felt somewhat troubled and ultimately decided to leave a letter and travel to her maternal home in Lingnan for a while.
Shen Nanzhi, though aware of her daughter’s martial abilities, could not help but worry. Jiang Yueli had never traveled far alone. Shen Nanzhi arranged several capable bodyguards to follow and protect her along the way.
Fu Qingchen only learned of Jiang Yueli’s departure days later. He had known that the girl would eventually leave his protective care, but when the day truly came, he found it hard to accept. He worried she might face danger alone.
“Master, Miss Jiang’s martial skill is profound. You needn’t worry at all,” Wei Yan comforted him.
Fu Qingchen sighed softly. “People are unpredictable. That girl may be clever and skilled, but she’s still inexperienced in the world.”
In truth, Fu Qingchen knew Jiang Yueli’s abilities well. Though sparring with Wei Yan often seemed even, she had long surpassed him in skill. Wei Yan was fully aware of this, which is why he said she could travel safely.
“Qin’er?”
They were speaking when a voice called from outside—it was the Prime Minister’s wife. Wei Yan vanished into the courtyard, leaving Fu Qingchen alone with his tea.
“Mother, what brings you here?”
Fu Qingchen rose respectfully. The Prime Minister’s wife smiled gently, waving him down. “I came to ask—what happened to the jade bracelet I kept in the storeroom? The one passed down from your grandmother. It’s meant for my future daughter-in-law. Today I went to fetch something and found it gone. The guards said you recently retrieved a box… did you take it?”
Her tone carried urgency, fearing her son had misplaced the family heirloom.
Fu Qingchen’s eyes flickered, and after a pause he replied, “I gave it as a gift.”
“A gift…?”
She thought she misheard. That bracelet was a family heirloom. How could he simply give it away?
Fu Qingchen nodded seriously. “Yes, I gave it.”
“To whom? That’s our family’s heirloom. How could you give it to someone casually?” She could hardly believe that her clever, mature son had done such a thing.
Fu Qingchen’s brows rose slightly, his tone calm. “It was always meant to be given; I just did it earlier.”
“Always meant to be given? You…”
She had intended to scold him further, but then realization struck: the bracelet was for his future bride.
Seeing his inscrutable expression, she grew anxious.
“Tell me, which girl? So I can prepare the betrothal gifts.” Her son had reached marriageable age, nineteen this year, but he was notoriously indifferent. Now that he was taking initiative, she was pleased.
“Mother, you’ll know when the time comes. I have matters to attend to now,” Fu Qingchen said, rising and leaving.
The Prime Minister’s wife was left with questions, blocked at the heart and tongue.
Fu Qingchen knew his mother worried about his marriage, but the girl had just reached fifteen. He could not rush matters. She was inexperienced in matters of love; revealing his feelings prematurely might backfire. After waiting for so many years, he could wait a few more.
The early autumn wind carried a chill, swaying the yellowing leaves. They fell gracefully, dancing in the wind like butterflies before forming a golden carpet on the ground.
A chestnut-colored steed galloped by, scattering the leaves. The rider, youthful and handsome, urged the horse forward. Those familiar with the capital might recognize him as Jiang Yuebai of the Zhenyuan General House—but it was actually Jiang Yueli, dressed like a boy.
Jiang Yueli traveled alone, carrying only a homemade cloth satchel to conceal her identity. All her possessions were safely stored in her space—a small corner of which contained years of gifts, jewelry, and her shop earnings. Compared to other young ladies in the capital, she had one of the largest personal “treasure caches,” perhaps even surpassing princesses.
Perhaps due to the thrill of traveling far for the first time since her rebirth, she ran tirelessly all day. Only as dusk fell did she stop to rest in a nearby town.
Though disguised in male clothing, her inexperienced appearance could attract trouble. Jiang Yueli had mentally prepared, but she did not expect to encounter problems on the very first night.
The town was remote, and its inns and taverns were sparsely frequented. She chose the busiest one, but at night, someone still targeted her.
Just as she was about to sleep, she sensed movement at the door. Her high alertness, combined with her deep martial skill, meant she noticed even the slightest sound.
Pretending to sleep, she let the intruder poke a small hole in the window and insert a bamboo tube. Jiang Yueli initially intended to wait until the person entered before dealing with them. But seeing that there was only one clumsy attacker, she rose, went to the window, and blocked the tube’s opening before any smoke could emerge. Such a petty trick was far beneath her.