HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 73

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 73

Thinking about a young lady made even his bathing rushed. After hastily washing himself, he changed into clean clothes, and carefully arranged his hair in front of the mirror, and by the time he was ready to leave, the sky had already begun to darken.

Qing Yuan’s quarters were not far from his. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw her standing beneath the corridor, head tilted up, watching as her maid hung lanterns. The light from beneath the lantern spilled onto the ground, and she stood in that pool of light, wearing a star-blue jacket and skirt, her hair loosely pinned up with a hairpin. Her complexion was exceptionally fair, making any color look becoming on her. Looking at her from where he stood—her delicate silhouette, her slender neck—every part of her enchanted him.

This small young lady was like a delicate flower that needed careful protection to avoid being crushed. He had spent so much effort, perhaps more focus and caution than any major task he had accomplished before. Previously, when she was kept in someone else’s vase, he had to find all sorts of excuses to visit if he wanted to admire her. Now that she had been transplanted to his garden, he could give her rich soil and dewdrops, letting her grow freely. All he wanted was to be able to see her whenever he wished.

He had even prepared his residence in the capital because he had this thought early on—the journey between the two places took too long, and if he had to travel back and forth daily, he feared he wouldn’t be able to have children in the future. After marriage, he would still need to bring her to the capital. The mansion there was ready, awarded to him by the Emperor after he investigated corruption in the Pacification Commission. At that time, he hadn’t arranged it carefully because he couldn’t let go of the old residence in Youzhou.

When he told Shen Che about this idea, Shen Che immediately looked down on him: “Brother, have you considered that Fangchun and I haven’t conceived in two years because I ride horses too much? Now you’re being so thorough in your planning—if I had known, I should have brought Fangchun to the capital too.”

Knowing he was in the wrong, he mumbled, “Your household matters are yours to decide, why look to me? Besides, it’s because of your precedent that I’m taking precautions… I’m thinking of the Shen family’s lineage, stop talking nonsense.”

When it wasn’t his own, even with his brother, he felt indifferent. But now that he had his own, his thoughts multiplied to an outrageous degree. Whenever he saw her, he couldn’t help but wonder whether it would be better to have a son or daughter in the future. If the child was disobedient, would it be better to send them to an official school, or hire more tutors at home for strict education?

Shen Run, who had been through fire and water for many years, was now about to become a family man. Back when he carried his sword with his life on the line, he never imagined such a day would come. Marrying someone you truly like versus marrying someone just to get by were completely different things. Just seeing her gave him a sense of fulfillment—Shen Run would soon have descendants too.

The maid withdrew the lantern pole, and Qing Yuan finally looked away, about to turn and enter when she saw him standing on the bluestone path before the door, causing her to pause. He had just bathed, his hair still wet, water drops from the ends soaking through his plain silk clothes, clinging tightly to his chest… Her cheeks grew hot, but she steadied herself and said, “Brother Shouya has returned?”

Shen Run’s heart stumbled—today’s Fourth Miss was unusual. Previously, he had to try every means to coax her into calling him brother, but today she was so proactive. When things are unusually different, there must be something amiss.

However, even so, it was sweet as honey. He smiled and called out, “What is Miss doing standing here?”

She tucked her hands away, fiddling with a butter-yellow fan embroidered with small golden fish, her figure swaying gracefully like a green onion stalk.

Her smile was sweeter than his. “Waiting for you to return.”

Shen Run was somewhat overwhelmed by this favor, and instead dared not approach, taking half a step back, “Is that so…” He glanced around, seeing the moon hanging faintly in the sky, and cleared his throat, “Have you eaten?”

Qing Yuan glanced towards the inner room again, “Just waiting for you.”

This made him even more nervous—Commander Shen had weathered great storms, but this time he was at a loss. He looked at her, smiling hesitantly, “Miss is truly… too considerate today.”

Qing Yuan patiently coaxed him, “Didn’t brother ride hard to return in one day just to dine with me?” Seeing his hesitation, she lifted her skirts and walked towards him step by step. When she got close, she gave him a lingering glance, then reached out to grasp the corner of his wide sleeve, tugging it slightly, saying, “Come on.”

Shen Run’s heart was pounding. In previous years, he had seen many flowers, but only Qing Yuan’s every look and gesture could make his whole body tingle. This young lady’s methods were not sophisticated—when she came to pull at him, she blushed with embarrassment, but it was precisely this unique Jiangnan charm that left him at a loss.

The floating weight on his sleeve made him unconsciously follow her into the room. In the small west hall, a small table was set by the window with a few dishes and a pot of clear wine. She smiled with pursed lips, saying “Please sit,” while pulling up her sleeve to pour him a cup of wine.

“I must thank you for taking care of everything for me. Yesterday when the Old Madam acted that way, it truly threw me into confusion, but thinking about it carefully today, it’s not so bad. The Xie family is not a place to stay long term, and their abandonment of me is my good fortune.” She raised her silver chopsticks to serve him dishes, her delicate wrist turning, her gaze meeting his as she smiled and said, “Ah, I’m offering you what you’ve given me—brother, please don’t laugh at me.”

Shen Run blankly took a sip of wine, not daring to drink more, afraid she had poisoned it.

“Miss today…” he smiled awkwardly, “is quite different from usual.”

She made a sound of agreement, raising her eyes to say: “Different? How so? I sincerely want to have a good conversation with you, yet you find me strange? You helped me this time, how should I repay you… do you want me to offer myself in return?”

Shen Run swallowed, and even though he had such thoughts, he didn’t dare nod at this moment, fearing she would think him frivolous and lacking in gentlemanly virtue, so he lowered his head and said no, “I respect Miss. If it were only for that, it would be too unfair to Miss.”

Qing Yuan nodded, “Fortunately… I know you’re not that kind of person. However, staying in your residence without reason doesn’t seem right. Since the household is preparing for an engagement, let me help too. If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.” While speaking, she blinked innocently, “Brother, when do you plan to send the betrothal gifts to the Mu family?”

Although he indeed longed for her to be less distant from him, such constant use of “brother” made him feel somewhat undeserving. To hide his nervousness, he raised his wine cup to his lips, mumbling: “Soon… what are you planning to do?”

Qing Yuan lowered her head and said: “I’m looking forward to Second Miss Mu entering the household soon. That day I saw her at the temple, she was truly an unparalleled beauty, perfectly matched with you. Now that my engagement with the Marquis of Danyang’s household is broken, I naturally hope for your happiness. You must cherish her, treat her well, don’t let her end up like me.” Saying this, she smiled until her eyes curved, “Brother, why don’t you send the betrothal gifts tomorrow, and then, to complete your good deed, accept me as your sworn sister?”

Shen Run was greatly startled, “Fourth Miss, you’re claiming all the good fortune under heaven for yourself.”

She seemed somewhat disappointed, “Is this not good? I’ve been calling you brother all this time for nothing.”

He didn’t know what she was planning, and examined her with furrowed brows, “When to send the betrothal gifts is for me to decide, Miss need not urge. For now, just stay comfortably in the residence, I have plans for you in the future.”

Hearing this, she responded glumly, then glanced at him again, “In your heart, you still can’t let go of me?”

This question’s answer should have been harmless, but when it came to the point where two people were trying to outmaneuver each other, it became particularly important. Shen Run’s face was full of wariness, but his words were casual: “I’ve seen many fleeting romances coming and going in my official career, but this tender feeling… I truly cannot let it go.”

“No wonder…” she smiled subtly, “your incense smells very nice today. Did you specifically bathe and change clothes to come see me?”

Shen Run was speechless, watching her adjust her sitting position slightly on the stool, which in his eyes appeared as an enchanting movement. A tingling sensation rose from the depths of his heart, an itch he couldn’t scratch, an itch that left him at a complete loss.

“I’ve been watching you since you stepped into the courtyard,” she said, resting her chin in her hand while gazing at him. “Are you afraid I’ll run away? If you came back and found me gone, would you look for me?”

He put on an air of indifference and smiled, “Of course, I would look for you. The world outside is dangerous—as soon as you step out of the Commander’s residence, I guarantee there will be kidnappers waiting for you before you’ve gone even half a mile.” He gave her a soul-stealing glance, “Miss is so beautiful, how many people are eyeing you eagerly? Those kidnappers don’t care whose beloved you are…” Suddenly realizing he had let something slip, he hastily changed course, “Besides, I can’t help the Xie family for nothing. My reputation isn’t good—I never do unprofitable business, as you should know.”

Qing Yuan thought for a moment, “How is it unprofitable? Weren’t you originally planning to use the Stone Fort battle to be promoted to Military Governor, to earn an honorary title for your wife? In the end, this is a win-win deal, brother need not placate me.”

So, it’s not good when women are too clever—analyzing issues too thoroughly, refusing to let go once they catch hold of something. Shen Run, unwilling to be manipulated by her, stroked his chin and said, “I don’t have to choose between the fish and the bear’s paw here—can’t I have both merit and the Xie family’s bribes?”

So she languidly lifted the taotie jade pendant, dangling it before him, “Oh my, how strange, this jade pendant grew legs and came back by itself.”

Shen Run also feigned surprise, exclaiming, “Indeed, I was just saying yesterday, how did it disappear?”

Both playing dumb, they looked at each other, smiling with restraint and artifice. Qing Yuan knew that getting this old fox to confess on his own would likely be impossible, so she took back the beast-faced pendant and lowered her head to hang it on the button at her chest.

“Brother, please eat.” Now she called him brother smoothly, but he kept his eyes lowered, not looking at her, probably afraid that if their gazes met, she would pull some new trick.

Qing Yuan’s desire to tease him grew stronger. A beloved person is the world’s finest craftsman of love, able to inspire many previously unimaginable creative acts. She pretended to brush the edge of the table, suddenly crying out “Ah!” He raised his eyes as expected, “What’s wrong? Did you hurt yourself?”

How could such a fine zitan wood table have splinters? But she nodded seriously, pouting with grievance, “It pricked me.”

He immediately took her hand to look—those delicate fingertips were soft and pink, like flower branches carved from white jade. But at this moment he had no time to admire their beauty, carefully examining each finger, “Where are you hurt?”

Qing Yuan secretly smiled, “Here, look…”

Where was “here”? She raised her index finger slightly, but he looked everywhere and couldn’t find even a trace of redness.

“Can’t find it?” She inhaled sharply, “Look more carefully.”

A lamp burned in the corner of the table, and he couldn’t help but lean closer to the light to look. Then suddenly her fingertip flicked upward, brushing against the corner of his lips. While he was startled, she withdrew her hand, muttering, “Perhaps it just scraped me a little, didn’t break the skin.” As she spoke, she stood up and walked to the door, calling out loudly for Bao Xian, “Call someone to clear the table.”

Shen Run realized that this girl had learned the art of flirtation and was beginning to test her skills. He both liked it and felt an unbearable itch, and was happy to enjoy such subtle probing. Unfortunately, just as he began to savor it, it came to an abrupt end, leaving only rippling undercurrents and trembling sensations. He wanted to have a proper discussion with her, but maids filed in through the door, and with so many people present, he could only sigh in resignation.

“It’s getting late, you should go back.” She courteously gave a slight bow, then turned to instruct Bao Xian, “Please escort the Commander out.”

Bao Xian came forward, eyes lowered respectfully, gesturing outward, “Commander, please.”

What could he do? He couldn’t very well stay, so he let out a light sigh and smiled, “Rest well, Miss. I have some good news to tell you tomorrow.”

What good news? He had cast the hook, but before Qing Yuan could ask further, he had already turned and left.

The mistress and servant began to speculate. Bao Xian said, “It must be related to the Xie family—either there’s news from the master, or the Commander plans to trap the Xie family again.”

Qing Yuan pondered, “Maybe he’s gotten my belongings back.”

Bao Xian covered her mouth and laughed. Seeing everyone had dispersed, she moved closer and teased in a low voice, “I was listening outside—Miss seemed like a seasoned player in matters of love.”

Qing Yuan blushed, muttering, “Who told him to tease me so much? I had to win one round to feel at ease.”

The inside story, she still hadn’t spoken of—that Second Miss Mu, who originally didn’t need to be taken seriously, had made her more or less uneasy. She also feared what Fangchun had said about pretense becoming reality. If she didn’t care about Shen Run, all these troubles wouldn’t exist, but she did care—the more she cared, the more anxious she became. Yet she couldn’t ask directly; he was still holding back at this point, so the two of them had to compete in tactics, seeing who would surrender first. He did have one good point: even when he took full advantage verbally, he never crossed the line, which gave her the courage to play around with him a little.

While Qing Yuan was still savoring that little flick, in a room not far away, the man who had been teased stood before the mirror, slowly touching the corner of his lips.

The door was half-closed, the window half-open, and a firefly stopped briefly on the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, then flickered as it flew to the treetop.

The weather had been fine at first but around the hour of hai, it suddenly began to rain. A wild wind blew in under the window, extinguishing the lamp on the desk, and fine raindrops hit the window paper like children throwing sand.

A thunderclap boomed, and lightning flashed across the sky, casting a faint blue light in the room. A clear, pale face appeared at his bedside, startling him at first glance.

She had come after all. He smiled in the darkness, asking with closed eyes, “What’s wrong? Afraid of thunder?”

The person crouching by his bed didn’t speak, remaining silent for a long while before asking, “Would you like some water?”

He said no, turned over, his voice low like sleep-talking, “Why aren’t you sleeping? What are you doing in my room?”

Qing Yuan, holding onto the edge of the bed, asked, “What was the good news you mentioned earlier?”

He chuckled and made a noncommittal sound, but didn’t answer her. Unable to get his answer, she reached out a finger to poke him, “Are you asleep?”

What man could ignore a woman who sneaks into his room at night? In the darkness, he carefully sought her out, and in the faint light from the lantern under the eaves, he saw a blurry silhouette.

“Want to know?”

She made a sound of agreement, truly not afraid of him at all.

He suddenly reached out and pulled her up, “What time is it? Do you know what happens to girls who sneak into men’s rooms at night?”

But in this dim night, in this secluded mansion, with no watchful elders or enemies around, she became a bit bold.

She carefully touched his face, “Shen Run, do you like me?”

He made an affirmative sound, “I like you.”

“Will you have only me in your heart from now on?”

He made another affirmative sound, “It’s always been only you.”

“Then tell me, who are all the lanterns and decorations in the residence for?”

He had been in a daze, but hearing this question, he suddenly became clear-headed. Not falling for her trap, he changed the subject entirely, saying vaguely, “Miss, let me hold you.”

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