Jiang Si glanced at Yu Jin and said, “What do you think?”
Yu Jin sighed, “I’m just saying this identity will only bring trouble.”
“So what do you plan to do?”
“I still want to see if Uncle might accept it.”
“Well, you can try. But that’s my father – you can’t lose your temper and hit him,” Jiang Si cautioned, concerned.
Yu Jin laughed, “Listen to you. Am I that kind of person?”
Jiang Si silently rolled her eyes.
Wasn’t he exactly that kind of lawless person who dared to do anything when truly provoked?
“I really won’t. After all, he’s your father,” Yu Jin reassured.
Jiang Si relaxed somewhat.
“Wait for my news.”
Yu Jin leaned down and kissed the young lady’s fair forehead. His gaze lingered for a moment on her slightly reddened lips before he reluctantly climbed out the window.
The wind from outside rushed in, sweeping away the room’s amorous atmosphere.
Jiang Si stood by the window, silently looking out.
Beyond lay endless darkness. The stars in the sky shone with a cold light. With no moon visible, it seemed vast and desolate.
Yet Jiang Si’s unsettled heart found peace.
No matter how difficult or dark the path, when traveled with a kindred spirit, it wasn’t so frightening anymore.
“Asi,” a handsome, smiling face appeared at the window.
Jiang Si stepped back half a pace, furrowing her brow as she looked at the bright-eyed young man.
“So you really can’t bear to part with me.”
Those words made Aiqiao, who was about to enter, stop abruptly in her tracks, her cheeks burning.
Jiang Si neither refuted nor showed anger. Instead, she looked at him with a slight smile.
She had to admit, seeing the person she thought had vanished into the night reappear before her eyes put her in a good mood.
Her smile, however, left Yu Jin a bit flustered.
“It’s chilly by the window. Go to sleep early,” he said, closing the window himself before his silhouette quickly disappeared among the courtyards.
Aiqiao steeled herself and entered, “Miss, this servant will help you retire for the night.”
Jiang Si turned and walked back, sitting at her dressing table.
Aiqiao undid her hair for her.
The long, crow-black tresses cascaded down past her waist, gleaming like the finest silk.
Aiqiao took an ivory comb and began brushing her hair, stroke by stroke.
The ivory comb, the ink-black hair, and the young lady’s gentle features reflected in the dressing mirror under the dim lamplight.
Aiqiao couldn’t help but glance again and again.
“What are you looking at?” Jiang Si noticed, raising her eyebrows slightly.
Aiqiao, thinking of the words she’d overheard earlier, panicked and hurriedly made up an excuse: “The Miss is beautiful.”
Jiang Si seemed to see through Aiqiao’s thoughts and turned her head with a smile, asking, “Were you startled?”
Aiqiao’s face suddenly turned red.
Jiang Si rose and walked towards the bed.
Pillows and brocade quilts were still scattered on the floor.
When Aiqiao saw this, her face grew even redder, and she didn’t know where to put her hands.
If she just picked them up, wouldn’t the Miss be embarrassed?
Should she pick them up or pretend not to see them?
As she was struggling with this dilemma, she heard Jiang Si calmly say, “Pick up the things on the floor.”
Aiqiao hurriedly gathered the pillows and quilt, placing them on the bed.
“Go and rest,” Jiang Si said.
“Yes,” Aiqiao replied.
As she reached the door, Aiqiao suddenly turned back.
Jiang Si quietly watched her.
“Miss, you will marry Young Master Yu, won’t you?” Aiqiao asked anxiously.
Jiang Si looked at the nervous little maid and nodded slightly.
Aiqiao sighed in relief. Not daring to meet Jiang Si’s eyes, she hurried out.
Jiang Si shook her head with a smile.
It seemed the little maid had been quite startled.
Thinking about it, it made sense. For someone like her to be intimately involved with a man climbing through her window before marriage – if discovered in a conservative household, wouldn’t that warrant being drowned in a pig cage?
To hell with drowning in a pig cage!
Jiang Si pulled the brocade quilt over her face and fell asleep with a clear conscience.
Yu Jin returned to Prince Yan’s residence but couldn’t sleep, taking one cold shower after another.
Long Dan, standing nearby to hand him soft towels, couldn’t help but shiver.
“Master, can you endure this?” he asked.
Yu Jin ignored Long Dan and poured another ladle of water over himself.
The young body, unclothed, was like an agile panther, every raised line of muscle containing strength. The cold water flowed from his collarbone downwards, over his flat, firm abdomen and long, powerful legs, pooling on the ground.
The master probably needs a woman. No, three women…
Long Dan’s mind wandered for a moment, his gaze lingering a bit too long on a certain area.
Yu Jin noticed and flew into a kick, sending Long Dan to the doorway. He grabbed his outer robe, put it on, and walked over with a cold face, “If you’re so ill-mannered again, I’ll kick off your third leg!”
Long Dan instinctively clenched his legs together and followed behind pitifully as they left the bathhouse.
We’re both men, what’s wrong with him accidentally looking a couple of times?
Walking ahead, Yu Jin very much wanted to turn around and give him a couple more kicks.
This damned boy, even Asi hasn’t seen it, yet he dares to look so carelessly!
But then again – Asi had touched it…
Thinking of this, Yu Jin suddenly felt like his cold shower had been in vain.
This couldn’t go on. He needed to marry Asi and bring her home soon.
The next day, Yu Jin lingered along Jiang Ancheng’s usual route.
Jiang Ancheng caught sight of the tall, long-legged youth and rolled his eyes, pretending not to see him as he walked ahead.
“Uncle,” Yu Jin bowed respectfully.
“Please, don’t,” Jiang Ancheng hurriedly waved his hand and said with a cold smile, “I can’t bear the great Prince addressing me so.”
He had pondered all night and finally understood.
Unsolicited favors must have ulterior motives. Why would someone of such noble status lower himself before him? He couldn’t possibly be after that son of his that he wouldn’t even take for free.
After much thought, this boy must be after his daughter!
Seeing Jiang Ancheng’s cold expression, Yu Jin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was fortunate he had climbed through the window last night and now had a clear understanding. Otherwise, he might have lost his composure now.
At this moment, Yu Jin still maintained a calm and carefree demeanor, smiling openly, “So Uncle knows this humble one’s identity now. Regardless of my status, I am still your junior before you. Have you forgotten that Jiang Zhan and I are good brothers?”
The handsome youth, with his elegant manner and sincere tone, could hardly inspire ill will in anyone.
Jiang Ancheng secretly pinched his thigh.
Hold steady, don’t be fooled by this boy!
Jiang Ancheng glanced around and lowered his voice with a cold smile, “Your Highness has frightened me. You call yourself my nephew in front of me – what would the Emperor think if he knew?”
Yu Jin continued to smile good-naturedly, “Father Emperor is an open-minded person. He would surely be pleased to see his children make true friends.”
Jiang Ancheng frowned.
This boy was impervious to fire and water, his face too thick. It seemed a harsher approach was necessary.
“Your Highness, let’s speak plainly. I’ll be direct,” he said.
“Please speak, Uncle. This humble one is all ears.”
“Well, I only have two daughters. My eldest has severed ties and returned to her maternal family, while my younger daughter is still unmarried. So I’m extremely cautious about my younger daughter’s marriage prospects. There’s one non-negotiable point.”
“Which point is that?”
“Members of the imperial family are not acceptable.”
Yu Jin was silent for a moment, then asked, “There’s no room for negotiation?”
Jiang Ancheng sighed, “Absolutely none.”
Young Yu was quite good, but unfortunately, his background was unacceptable.
“This humble one understands,” Yu Jin said.
“Don’t call yourself ‘this humble one’ anymore. It makes us both uncomfortable.”
“Then this Prince understands,” Yu Jin slowly straightened his back and responded with a smile.
Very well, if being a humble nephew didn’t work, then he would just have to be the Prince who takes his precious daughter by force.