Chapter 19 Spring in the Snow "I have never known the Second Young Master before, so how can we be strangers..."

The group rushed to Ningcui Tower, where a chaotic scene had already broken out.

The tea table and food table were mostly overturned, with porcelain cups and saucers shattered all over the floor. Inside the hall, several young people were fighting amongst themselves, making quite a scene.

In the chaos, someone threw cups and plates at Xue Chan and the others.

She dodged immediately, causing the lamp in her hand to fall to the ground, and the sugar painting was also crushed by someone.

"Smack!"

Upon closer inspection, Zheng Shaoyu was right in the middle, angrily sitting on someone and raising his fist to strike downwards.

Zheng Tan immediately shouted, "Zheng Shaoyu!"

He turned around and his face turned pale.

"Sister?" Zheng Shaoyu immediately rolled off the person.

The others, upon seeing Jiang Ji, also timidly greeted him, "Young Marquis..."

Jiang Ji glanced at the man on the ground, whose face was bruised and swollen, and whose identity was no longer recognizable, and said in a deep voice, "Someone, take them to the clinic for treatment."

Those people tried to slip away, but several people came out from all directions, blocked their way, and bowed, saying, "Please, everyone."

Cheng Huaizhu kicked the goldfish lantern on the ground, which had burned down to only half of its wooden frame, and said to Zheng Shaoyu with a hint of complaint, "Young master, you have to compensate them for the lantern."

Xue Chan smiled faintly: "It's just a lantern, my lord, you don't need to take it to heart."

Zheng Shaoyu said nonchalantly, "It's just a lantern, I can buy ten and lose money."

Zheng Tan said, "Miss Xue, you don't need to be so polite. This is Liu Lang's fault. He should make him pay for it."

"Pay back hard!" she said, almost gritting her teeth.

Xue?

Zheng Shaoyu glanced at his older sister, then at the person in front of him, his eyes wide as he raised his blood-covered hand: "You are...."

Xue Chan immediately closed her eyes and turned her face away. Cheng Huaizhu quickly stepped in front of her and glared at Zheng Shaoyu.

Zheng Tan said to him, "You're still talking about lanterns? Look at your hands covered in blood."

"Oh," Zheng Shaoyu looked at the blood on his hands with disgust. He immediately put his hands down and covered them with his sleeve, tucking them behind his back.

After "inviting" everyone out of the building, Zheng Tan immediately summoned someone to invite Xue Chan and the others to sit and wait in a private room on the side.

Xue Chan peered out through the beaded curtain. Zheng Tan stepped forward, grabbed Zheng Shaoyu, and slapped him hard: "You've got some nerve! You dare to sneak out, and now you're causing trouble. You're asking for it again, aren't you?"

Zheng Shaoyu was beaten until he was grimacing, and he begged for mercy repeatedly: "Sister, sister, I was wrong!"

He ran and dodged inside the building, while Zheng Tan picked up a duster and chased after him.

Zheng Shaoyu saw Jiang Ji as a savior and broke free to hide behind him, saying, "Brother-in-law, save me!"

"Get out here!" Zheng Tan raised his hand to hit him again. "Zheng Shaoyu, you're finished today."

Jiang Ji comforted her gently, saying, "Alright, let's deal with the punishment when we get back."

"Ha!" Zheng Tan flicked his sleeve. "You better behave yourself!"

Zheng Shaoyu nodded vigorously.

Jiang Ji asked him, "Where is Erlang?"

Zheng Shaoyu pointed to a cubicle on the second floor: "There it is!"

Jiang Ji immediately went upstairs, through the corridor, and into the pavilion.

Through the thin veil billowing in the wind, Su Yun saw Yu Heng's sword pointing directly at him, the tip of which was facing the young Prince Ning, who stood with his arms crossed on the outer corridor. Su Yun reached out and grasped the blade.

Jiang Ce gripped the hilt of the sword with one hand and pulled You Yu behind his back with the other. Staring at the blade, now stained red with blood from Su Yun's hand, he said in a deep voice, "Let go."

Su Yun pursed her lips, enduring the pain in her palm, her voice slightly hoarse: "I can let go, but Youyu must put down the knife. Otherwise, he won't be able to handle what happened today."

He gripped the knife even closer, taking a step towards Jiang Ce, and more blood flowed.

Jiang Ji stepped forward and asked in a loud voice, "I wonder if Prince Ning is well?"

Seeing that Jiang Ji had already lifted the curtain and come over, Su Yunshun felt relieved and released his grip on the knife.

Jiang Ce also put the knife back into Youyu's scabbard, but still gripped the hilt tightly.

Su Yun and Jiang Ji bowed in greeting, while the young Prince Ning leaned against the railing and smiled with narrowed eyes: "Father is doing well. It's been several years since I've seen the young marquis. He's still as dashing as ever."

Jiang Ji shielded the two behind him, smiling calmly: "Today is the Lantern Festival. I thought Prince Ning would be celebrating with his family."

“My father has been practicing asceticism at Qinglong Temple on behalf of His Majesty for several years now, and has long since withdrawn from worldly affairs, so naturally he will not come out to celebrate the festival,” Su Yun added, taking out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wrapping it around his hand.

Jiang Ce, with his hands at his sides and sleeves tucked in, said, "Since it's such a rare occasion, how about we sit down and have a couple of drinks?"

Prince Ning raised an eyebrow: "Does the young marquis intend to apologize to me?"

Jiang Ce was immediately enraged upon hearing this, but he held back his anger, only clenching his fists tightly under his sleeves.

Jiang Ji turned his head and glared at the two men, then said coldly, "Get down."

Jiang Ce didn't want him to face it alone, but Jiang Ji raised his voice: "Go downstairs!"

Only then did he reluctantly help Youyu downstairs.

The two went downstairs, and Prince Ning said lazily, "You should go down too, don't just stand here."

Su Yun also came downstairs.

When Jiang Ce came downstairs, Zheng Tan was still cursing Zheng Shaoyu, so much so that he couldn't lift his head and wanted to cover his ears.

Jiang Ce called out to her, and Zheng Tan finally stopped.

Her long eyebrows furrowed, and she said irritably, "Youyu, take him to the clinic and then send him home!"

She said angrily, and Youyu immediately grabbed his collar: "Fine, then I'll take him to the clinic."

Zheng Shaoyu was dragged out by him, and as they passed Jiang Ce, he tugged at his sleeve and couldn't help but gossip: "Miss Xue is here too."

As he spoke, he winked at Jiang Ce, but Jiang Ce said, "It seems he's a bit delirious. Remember to have the doctor check his brain again."

Yu hummed in agreement and helped Zheng Shaoyu walk out. However, he was still struggling, muttering to himself, "I'm fine, it's just a minor injury, I still want to watch the fireworks!"

"Shut up!" Youyu struck him directly with the scabbard, and Zheng Shaoyu immediately shut his mouth, letting Youyu drag him out of the building.

After the two left, Zheng Tan quietly asked Jiang Ce, "How's it going up there?"

Jiang Ce said, "Let it be like that."

Zheng Tan bit her lip lightly, then immediately lifted her skirt and ran away. She was so fast that Jiang Ce didn't even have time to react before she was already up the stairs.

Jiang Ce exhaled and his gaze fell on the person squatting not far away.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Jiang Ce placed his hand on Jiang Yao's head and asked her softly.

Jiang Yao raised her face, looking aggrieved: "Sixth Brother got into a fight with them and crushed the sugar painting I gave to Sister Xue."

Jiang Ce squatted down and picked up one of the rabbit ears.

He asked Xue Chan, "Do you want more?"

"......"

Xue Chan met Jiang Ce's serious gaze and said, "...No need."

The atmosphere became a little awkward, and he asked again, "How about I buy you a new one to make up for it?"

Xue Chan shook her head: "It's nothing, it was an accident."

Jiang Yao said seriously, "No, this sugar painting was traded to me by Sister Xue in exchange for a rabbit lantern. I want to buy a new one!"

She was earnest and determined, so Xue Chan could only squat down and say to her, "Alright then, I'll stay with you."

"I'll take Ayao to buy sugar paintings instead," Jiang Ce said softly, taking Jiang Yao's hand.

Xue Chan nodded and watched the two people, one big and one small, leave Ningcui Tower.

After the two left, Xue Chan returned to the private room, where Cheng Huaizhu was dozing off, leaning against Zhou Niangzi.

She saw many people releasing river lanterns outside the window and suddenly felt a pang of emotion. She then led Yun Sheng and Chu Tao out of Ningcui Tower.

She had only just stepped out of Ningcui Tower when she bumped into a young man talking to a woman standing under a lantern.

Xue Chan glanced at it and then walked to the side.

Su Yun glanced at Xue Chan casually, then suddenly remembered something. He whispered to his attendant, "Go and find out which family's young lady she is."

Jiang Ji and Prince Ning, sitting opposite each other in the mess on Ningcui Tower, were drinking together.

"Today is the Lantern Festival, and I just saw Lady Shen outside the building. The young prince is accompanying his wife to watch the lanterns, but why is he drinking with my second son?"

Prince Ning laughed and said, "I came here to apologize to Jiang Erlang for the misunderstanding we had in the past. But who knew he still remembered our past grudges? Not only did he refuse to drink my apology wine, but he also broke the two lamps I bought for my wife."

Jiang Ji raised his cup and took a small sip. Judging from the expressions of Jiang Ce and You Yu, it was probably an apology drink.

His gaze shifted, lightly sweeping over the ruined lamp on the ground.

"Although the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion is not as wealthy as the Prince of Ning's mansion, we can still afford to compensate for the two lamps. If you find them satisfactory, the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion will compensate you tenfold."

"The lamp is nothing to worry about. I came to apologize to Erlang because I remembered His Majesty's admonition when I came to the capital." Prince Ning swirled his wine cup and laughed. "Who knew that Erlang would not only refuse to drink, but also smash the cup to humiliate me. That young man didn't say a word, but drew his sword against me."

He looked up at Jiang Ji and sighed slightly.

Jiang Ji lowered his eyes slightly and did not react, but simply poured him a glass of wine.

"I believe there has been a misunderstanding regarding today's events. Both Erlang and Youyu's fathers have died in battle. As their elder brother, I have a responsibility to guide them. If you truly care, I will apologize on their behalf."

He picked up the wine glass and handed it to him: "Then please, Your Highness, drink this glass as an apology."

"It's truly not what I wanted for things to turn out this way today, but if this gets back to His Majesty, and he asks about it..." Prince Ning didn't answer, instead resting his chin on his hand and smiling, "Should I reply, or not?"

"Of course we'll go back." Jiang Ji slammed his wine cup on the table, his humility fading considerably. "I understand that the young prince is angry. I'll go back tonight to write a petition, and tomorrow morning, I'll personally take Erlang to the palace to apologize to His Majesty. Anyway, at worst, he can be flogged again; it's not like we haven't done it before."

Prince Ning smiled coldly: "Young Marquis is truly upright and incorruptible. No wonder His Majesty sent an inspection team."

Jiang Ji did not set the wine cup down, but instead offered it to Jiang Ji again, his smile seemingly gentle but actually cold.

"please"

A wine glass was handed to him, and Prince Ning took it and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the glass upside down as a gesture of respect.

He casually tossed the wine glass aside, looking quite troubled: "I certainly won't hold it against them, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to the families of those injured young men."

"If my second son is truly at fault, I will personally visit him to apologize."

Zheng Tan raised his hand and brushed aside the curtain: "This is a matter of the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, so there's no need for you to worry about it."

"The young marquis has truly married a fine wife."

"You flatter me, Your Highness." Zheng Tan bowed, his lowered eyes appearing very humble.

"Although I was not born into a noble family, I know my knowledge is limited. But I do know a few words and understand the principle of husband and wife being of one mind."

Prince Ning's smile froze, and he slowly uttered, "Lady Zheng, why be so modest?"

Zheng Tan smiled and said, "The third drum is about to sound. Since Your Highness is so willing to resolve our grievances, why don't you invite Lady Shen to join you in watching the fireworks from the tower?"

"On this joyous Lantern Festival, family should enjoy it together. What am I, an outsider, to do with it?"

He headed towards the door, saying, "Thank you for your kind invitation, Madam. I must take my leave now."

After everyone left, Zheng Tan and Jiang Ji exchanged a smile. Beneath his wide sleeves, he gently took her hand.

As the two went downstairs, they happened to run into Jiang Ce, who had just returned with sugar paintings.

The sugar painting stall was on the other side of Guanyin Lake, which was quite far away, so the round trip took some time.

Xue Chan was not inside the building.

Jiang Yao tiptoed into the cubicle and asked Zhou Niangzi before learning that Xue Chan had gone out. She skipped out and told Jiang Ce that she wanted to go find Xue Chan.

Jiang Ce replied, "There are too many people outside. I'll go find them."

Jiang Yao crossed her arms and slightly raised her chin: "Second brother, I heard everything from Sister Lüying. Sister Xue is your fiancée. You want to get rid of me and talk to her by yourself, right?"

Jiang Ce gently tapped her flower and bird crown: "You little devil, don't say such things, or I won't take you horseback riding tomorrow, and the teacher will have to give you extra lessons."

"Fine, I won't go then. I'll go set off fireworks with Sister Lüying." Jiang Yao didn't believe his threat at all, and scratched her face. "Second brother is lying. Shame on you. Be careful you don't turn into a pig when you wake up tomorrow morning."

After saying that, she ran off quickly.

Jiang Ce pretended not to hear and also went out of the building.

The shores of Guanyin Lake remain bustling, and the lanterns that were overturned and burned in the chaos of the fight have been replaced.

Willows sway like silk, and city lights gleam brightly.

He wandered around the lakeside with his arms crossed, and before he had gone halfway around, he found Xue Chan.

Xue Chan and her two maids were in front of a lantern shop, seemingly buying lanterns.

Jiang Ce saw her lower her head and pick up a pen, as if she were writing on the lamp.

His gaze remained fixed on her, watching her carry the lantern, walk around a curtain of weeping willows, descend the stone steps along the lake shore, squat down by the water's edge, and place the lantern on it. She reached out and stirred the water, and the square lantern slowly floated away.

The spring breeze swirls and lingers, scattering fragments of jade onto the shimmering green tiles and the golden surface of the water.

Jiang Ce took an umbrella and walked towards the lake.

Xue Chan was clasping her hands together in front of her forehead, silently praying, when she felt a cool sensation on her cheeks.

When I put my hand down and opened my eyes, I saw that the entire Guanyin Lake was shrouded in a misty fog.

It turns out it's snowing.

It's unclear whether it's plum blossoms or snow, but they all fell sporadically onto the water's surface.

What cannot be dissolved is the plum blossom.

What disappears without a trace is snow.

Xue Chan was still surprised by the sudden spring snow, but the snow that had been falling on her had all disappeared, and the entire Guanyin Lake was still a pure white expanse.

She looked up abruptly and saw the umbrella covering her head.

The cool, emerald green of the umbrellas was illuminated by the lights shining from the lakeside.

Outside the paper umbrella, the snow was still falling, the wind was still blowing, and the flowers were still falling.

Xue Chan turned her head to look again and saw Jiang Ce standing on the stone steps behind her, holding the umbrella handle and looking down at her.

He lowered his eyes and saw the snow in her hair.

The snow in early spring is often fine and delicate, and it tends to fall lightly.

Fine spring snowflakes reflected on her temples, making her hair appear even greener.

Xue Chan immediately stood up, quickly sidestepped him, and went up the stone steps.

Once the two had distanced themselves, she gave a cold smile and curtsied.

"Greetings, Second Young Master."

Jiang Ce tightened his grip on the umbrella, a strange feeling of unease stuck in his throat, making him feel uncomfortable.

He attributed the cause solely to the unexpected spring snow, and smiled gently.

"Miss Xue is being too polite and distant."

Xue Chan smiled gently and looked at him very seriously: "Second Young Master, please forgive my ignorance, but I really don't know the meaning of the word 'estrangement'?"

She asked sincerely, but Jiang Ce himself couldn't explain why.

Xue Chan continued, "Since I came to the capital, I have seen you very few times. To put it bluntly, between us, apart from this marriage contract, there is neither affection nor love."

"We've never been acquainted, so how can you call us strangers?"

A note from the author:

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