Chapter 21 Meng Huaiyan Returns to Beijing

Chapter Twenty-One: Meng Huaiyan Returns to the Capital

Since that night, Shen Tang and He Jinzhou's relationship has gradually warmed up.

The correspondence became even more frequent. Shen Tang looked at the letter in her hand, smiled, and her eyes rippled with a pool of spring water.

Ah Yun teased from the side, "Miss, your smile is about to split open!"

Shen Tang blushed slightly and pinched A Yun's cheek: "You've gotten quite bold, daring to laugh at your young lady."

Ayun quickly raised her hand to beg for forgiveness: "I was wrong, I was wrong."

He then asked, "What did Young Master He say?"

"You invited me to climb Mount Jiuhua tomorrow."

Jiuhua Mountain is located in the western suburbs of Beijing. It is not a high mountain, but it has beautiful scenery and a relatively gentle terrain, making it easy to climb.

It's a great place for spring outings and dates.

"I need to finish embroidering the purse today."

Shen Tang put down the letter and took out the nearly finished embroidered purse to put the finishing touches on.

When they last met, Shen Tang asked him if there was anything he wanted, and He Jinzhou said he wanted a purse that she had embroidered herself.

Shen Tang's embroidery skills are, to put it mildly, questionable; I'd like him to get a different one.

He Jinzhou disagreed, saying, "I like anything she embroiders."

Shen Tang had no choice but to practice diligently these past few days. After ruining several embroidered pouches, this last one was finally presentable.

The purse had a light blue base with subtle patterns, and Shen Tang embroidered green bamboo on it, which matched He Jinzhou's temperament.

After hesitating for a long time, Shen Tang finally overcame her shyness and embroidered a small begonia flower on the lower right corner of the bamboo.

The next day, Shen Tang gave the purse to He Jinzhou.

He Jinzhou looked at the slightly crooked bamboo on the purse and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He thought she was just being modest when she said her embroidery skills weren't good, but he didn't expect it to be true that they weren't very good.

Seeing this, Shen Tang was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, and reached out to snatch it back: "Give it back to me!"

He Jinzhou quickly raised his hand: "Once it's given to me, it's mine. There's no reason to take back something you've given away."

Shen Tang reached out and tried several times but couldn't reach it. She got a little annoyed and turned her head away, ignoring him.

Are you angry?

"No!"

That means they're angry.

He Jinzhou walked up to her, rested his hands on his slightly bent knees, and looked at her at eye level.

"I was wrong, Tang'er, please forgive me?"

Shen Tang looked at the eight-foot-tall man in front of her, bent over, and spoke in a gentle voice with a hint of coaxing.

Feeling a little embarrassed, she awkwardly replied, "I'm not angry."

He Jinzhou smiled slightly and solemnly hung the purse on his waist.

Looking at the purse alone, it wasn't so bad, but after He Jinzhou hung it on his waist, Shen Tang looked at the somewhat crooked bamboo and felt it was really not presentable.

"How about... you give it back to me, and I'll buy you a better one."

He Jinzhou quickly reached out and pressed down on the purse, as if afraid she would snatch it.

"I like this."

"......"

*

The weather in June can change in an instant; it was sunny and bright when I went out.

But before we were halfway up, it suddenly started raining.

He Jinzhou used his wide sleeve to shield Shen Tang's head and led her forward quickly.

He remembered that there was a thatched shed not far ahead, which was built by nearby villagers to sell some food.

Fortunately, the thatched hut was not far away, and the rain was not too heavy, so the two of them did not get too wet, otherwise they might have caught a cold.

He Jinzhou said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to rain today, and I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Shen Tang smiled and shook her head: "Enjoying the scenery in the rain has a unique charm."

The two exchanged a smile, remained silent for a moment, and quietly enjoyed the rain scene.

In a short while, the rain intensified, with large raindrops pounding the ground and splashing up layers of water.

The shed wasn't particularly large, and some rainwater drifted in, making Shen Tang feel the dampness on her face and body.

Seeing this, He Jinzhou used his body to shield the person in front of him.

Shen Tang looked at the person blocking her way, her heart burning.

Outside, the wind and rain raged, but this man used his own body to create a warm little world for her.

Shen Tang was moved. Looking at his hands hanging at his sides, she slowly reached out and took his hand.

He Jinzhou's body stiffened slightly. The touch in his hand was warm and soft, yet it made his entire palm feel hot.

With a slight movement of his hand, he took her hand in his own, their fingers intertwined.

It seemed that climbing the mountain was out of the question today, so the two of them started walking downhill when the rain subsided a bit.

On the way, they ran into Ayun and Shuangrui, who had come looking for them.

Shen Tang subconsciously tried to break free from He Jinzhou's hand, but failed.

He hurriedly whispered, "Let go quickly."

He Jinzhou said, "What's there to be afraid of? They're not outsiders," but he still let go of her hand immediately.

Fearing that the rain might suddenly start again, the group quickly descended the mountain.

The carriage soon arrived at the Meng residence. Shen Tang said goodbye to He Jinzhou and headed towards the small courtyard.

Unexpectedly, I ran into Meng Caiwei halfway there.

Shen Tang greeted her and was about to leave when Meng Caiwei called her back.

"Wait a moment."

Shen Tang turned around: "What's wrong?"

Meng Caiwei's eyebrows furrowed, her expression conflicted, looking as if she was reluctant to speak.

After waiting for a long time and seeing that she was stammering and unable to speak, Shen Tang said, "If you're not going to say anything, I'm leaving."

"No, wait a minute." Meng Caiwei's tone was a little urgent, as if she was really afraid that she would leave.

Hesitantly, he asked, "You...you're really engaged to the He family?"

Could this engagement really be fake?

"They've already exchanged birth charts, matched their horoscopes, and set a wedding date, so it's definitely true."

Meng Caiwei also felt that the question she asked was too stupid, but she couldn't help but want to confirm it with her in person.

When she first heard that she was engaged, she simply couldn't believe it.

After all, she had been so fond of her brother these past two years, acting as if she wouldn't marry anyone but him.

But unexpectedly, just a few days after her brother left Beijing on a business trip, news of her engagement spread.

The speed is astonishing.

Logically speaking, now that Shen Tang is engaged, she should no longer bother her brother, and she should be happy.

But for some reason, she felt a tightness in her chest and couldn't be happy. She really liked her brother, so how could he get engaged to someone else so soon!

Seeing her expression shift between gloom and anger, Shen Tang was puzzled: "What's wrong?"

Meng Caiwei huffed, "It's nothing, whatever."

After saying that, he turned around and stormed off.

"???"

Shen Tang was completely baffled; it was indeed a childish temper, acting inexplicably.

Actually, she and Meng Caiwei had good times, unlike now when they were at odds.

When she first came to the Duke's mansion, she was very thin because she often went hungry or overeaten.

Seeing how pitifully thin she was, Meng Caiwei would often come to visit her, bringing her lots of delicious food and drinks.

She is actually a very good girl.

But ever since she fell in love with Meng Huaiyan, Meng Caiwei has come to hate her and has never come to her courtyard again.

After that, whenever the two of them met, she would always speak to her in a sarcastic and abusive manner.

Shen Tang watched her departing figure and couldn't help but sigh softly.

*

"Your Highness, there is a post station three miles ahead. Shall we stop and rest tonight?"

Qingyang rode forward and asked.

Meng Huaiyan stopped his horse with a "whoosh" and asked, "How much longer until we reach the capital?"

"There are still about three hours left."

Meng Huaiyan looked up towards the direction of the capital. This was not the first time he had been away on business, but this time, after only a little over a month, he found himself missing the capital terribly.

He raised his hand and subconsciously touched his chest, where a hairpin adorned with a begonia flower was tucked inside.

I saw it by chance when I passed by a jewelry shop, and I thought it would suit Chen Tang very well, so I bought it.

I wonder if she likes it or not? And what is she doing now?

The more I thought about it, the more I worried about it.

"No need to rest, head straight back to the capital."

Qingyang: "Yes."