Chapter 47 Bowei Lane, where we once shared joy, now we are all scattered in the dust of the world. ...

She had just taken a nap until 3:45 PM, and now Feng Chen had kept her occupied until dusk, when the sun was setting in the west.

Su Jinxiu lay on her side, half of her fragrant shoulder and a section of her jade arm exposed outside the brocade quilt. Because the passion had not yet subsided, they were still trembling slightly. Her skin was as white as peeled ripe egg white, and like the finest mutton fat jade soaked in the soft moonlight, it was radiant and glowing.

However, it was covered with scattered crimson spots. If it weren't for the brocade quilt covering it, from the chest to the waist and abdomen, and then to the inner thighs, there would probably be no place spared. It was covered with such mottled love marks, like plum blossoms falling in the snow, adding to the decadence.

Pressed tightly against Feng Chen's broad chest, the stark difference in their height made her feel like a fledgling sparrow nestled under the wings of an eagle. She was sobbing and wiping away tears with the back of her hand when her wrist was suddenly gently grasped.

Feng Chen had already bent his elbow to support his head, and his other hand had somehow wrapped around hers, his fingertips gently caressing her tear-stained hand, the force gentle yet allowing no escape.

Her fingertips were as slender as scallion roots, and her palms were as soft as a cloud.

He squeezed her knuckles, then lowered his head to plant soft kisses on the back of her hand, his movements filled with an almost obsessive focus.

"I really don't know how hands can have such wonderful properties." Feng Chen's voice was deep, and he brushed past her ear with a smile. "Her hands are so small and soft... How can they be so small and soft?"

Su Jinxiu's tears were still clinging to her eyelashes. She was stunned by his words and before she could recover, she heard him say again, "Next time you slap me, you might as well use more force. Practice more so that you can grip me more effectively."

She then realized that Feng Chen behind her and the man who used to manipulate her in bed were essentially the same kind of despicable person, with no reduction in their inherent frivolity. Neither of them was any better than the other; they were both hypocritical scoundrels.

Seeing that she remained silent, Feng Chen began to ramble on: "I didn't mean to avoid you these past few days. I'm a new official and have many things to deal with. I really can't spare the time."

He recounted his whereabouts and official duties over the past few days in great detail, from the morning court sessions to the deployment of the imperial guards, as if to prove that what he said was true.

Su Jinxiu, however, was not grateful at all and sneered inwardly.

Doing business? What necessary connection does his business have with imprisoning her? Does handling official duties require keeping her confined in this gilded cage, not allowing her to take even a single step outside?

But at this moment she was too weak to reply, let alone argue. After all that commotion, even though there hadn't been any real fighting, her whole body was sore and weak. She could only lie there obediently, listening to his incessant chatter, which was like the buzzing of mosquitoes, annoying and irritating.

As they talked, they brought up Cui Cheng's visit that day, their tone tinged with amusement.

"Speaking of which, Cui Cheng is now at the top of the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations, all because he wants to marry Ningzhu, a courtesan. He's really a romantic. This has caused a huge rift with his family, and the old man was so angry that he wanted to sever ties with them."

As Su Jinxiu listened, her heart sank deeper and deeper.

"Old Master Cui told him that the woman came from a lowly background, and at most she could be a mistress, or even a concubine would be considered a favor, since she came from a brothel and had disgraced the family..."

Before Feng Chen could finish speaking, Su Jinxiu's heart had already turned cold.

Feng Chen originally intended to tell her this as an interesting anecdote, hoping to please her and spark some common ground.

But these words took on a different meaning for Su Jinxiu. After all, he was currently engaged. What did he mean by telling her these things? Was he trying to warn her? Was he trying to tell her that even if she stayed by his side, she would at most end up as a mistress or a concubine?

Thinking of this, Su Jinxiu could no longer lie still. A surge of inexplicable humiliation and anger welled up in her heart, supporting her as she sat up straight and reached for the undergarment beside her pillow, her movements resolute.

He gazed at her smooth, jade-like back, still bearing the marks of teeth, its enchanting beauty and delicate skin, and for a moment he was stunned and lost in thought.

He only snapped out of his daze when she stretched out her slender fingers and began to tie the straps of her bodice. He hurriedly sat up and asked in a flustered tone, "What's wrong? Are you hungry? I'll go and call the kitchen to serve you some food."

Su Jinxiu ignored her completely, not even giving her a glance. She simply lowered her head, her fingers deftly moving to tie up the bodice, then picked up her outer garment and undergarments, putting them on one by one in an orderly fashion.

The servants had already figured out what was going on inside the room and wisely kept their distance, leaving not a single person to stand guard outside.

Therefore, when Fengchen went to the small kitchen to serve the meal, Su Jinxiu was able to leave the courtyard as if it were empty.

After Feng Chen had personally laid out a table full of delicacies, he returned with great interest to call her, only to find the bed empty and deserted, with only a corner of the brocade quilt casually lifted, as if mocking his unrequited love.

She left.

Who did they go to see this time?

Could it be that she felt he was not skilled enough and did not serve her well enough, so she went to seek comfort from her other lovers again?

An unnamed rage suddenly erupted from the depths of his heart, burning so fiercely that he lost all reason.

He felt as if he were a discarded piece of trash, manipulated at the woman's mercy. The previous tenderness and affection now seemed like a cruel irony.

He believed he had made the greatest concession. Born into nobility, a peerless scholar, he was a chosen one of heaven, yet he could tolerate her, a mere seamstress, slapping him, insulting him, straddling him, and even tacitly allowing her to harbor feelings for three other men—no, four.

Those damned men who had been involved with her were like needles pricking his heart. Every time he thought of them, his heart ached terribly, but he endured it all.

Even so! Even so!

She still wouldn't even give him a formal title!

Let alone Wen Shiqin, he's not even as good as those three male consorts!

He began to regret his earlier soft-heartedness in bed; seeing her trembling with fear when he was about to take her right there and then, he hadn't done so.

Looking back now, why did we need to proceed step by step, why did we need to soothe her with gentle words? She was surrounded by so many men, how could she not adapt?

In a fit of rage, he slammed the jade cup on the table to the ground, the crisp sound of it shattering particularly jarring in the quiet room.

In the days that followed, Su Jinxiu avoided seeing him. She calculated the time he would leave court each day and the days he would rest, so she would not be at Huayun Pavilion, causing him to miss her time and time again and lose face.

Mo Ci could only feel that his master's complexion had been getting worse day by day these past few days.

Compared to Feng Chen's heart and lungs being fried in oil, Su Jinxiu was enjoying a peaceful and carefree life.

She simply assumed that she had just picked up a gigolo for fun that day, and didn't want to take it to heart.

All she wanted now was to distance herself from Feng Chen and stay far away from him.

Because once she gets close, those past tender feelings will surge like a tide, throwing her into chaos.

If she could stay away from him, all she would have left in her heart was joy and happiness. The Huayun Pavilion was thriving, the embroidery school was running smoothly, and she had the enduring companionship of close friends—everything was flourishing. As long as she was away from him, those hidden pains and worries would disappear.

But where does this hidden pain originate? She pondered this for a moment when she was bored. In the end, it was because the concern in her heart had not been completely extinguished, and its weight had not diminished.

That's why, after their intimate encounter, the other party made no promises and never mentioned breaking off the engagement, only making indirect and sarcastic remarks, which caused her a hidden pain.

Being close to the ruler causes unbearable heartache; being far from the ruler brings no joy or happiness.

A tragic fate.

But now that he has entered officialdom, he will continue to write "Miscellaneous Records of Embroidery Alley".

His various misdeeds in his previous life—framing colleagues, abusing benefactors, and cutting out the tongue of an old censor—were all committed after he entered officialdom.

So, ironically, she had no choice but to get close to this person.

But now, in what capacity can she discipline him? Elder sister? His concubine? Or, as he desires, become his concubine?

Su Jinxiu held her breath and focused her mind, casting aside all the distracting thoughts in her heart, concentrating solely on embroidering the handscroll in front of her.

As the silver needle rose and fell, the four characters "Yun Cheng Fa Ren" gradually took shape, with flowing silver patterns and fine, dense stitches.

As if by telepathy, just as she finished her needlework, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly stopped outside the door.

Su Jinxiu rolled up her sleeves and looked outside. She saw Yi Ruxu dismounting and approaching, dressed in a blue official robe. In the past, she had always seen him in a plain scholar's robe, but now, in his official attire, he appeared elegant and refined, much like the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove from the Jin Dynasty.

"Qiao Niang." Yi Ruxu approached, her voice gentle.

Su Jinxiu nodded in response. The embroiderers beside her were already used to it and continued with their work, skillfully ignoring her presence.

Yi Ruxu paused, as if weighing her words a thousand times in her mind, before asking again, "Would you be willing to move to Bowei Lane with me?"

Bowei Lane was a gathering place for officials of the sixth and seventh ranks, far superior to Xiu Lane. Though not as prestigious as the wealthy and powerful families on Imperial Street, it was still one of the most desirable residences in Bianjing. She had once considered moving there with Aqin, but ultimately couldn't bear to part with the memories of Xiu Lane, and thus remained there until now. But now Aqin was gone, Shexiang had returned to the Lan family mansion, and if Yi Ruxu also moved away, it wouldn't be safe for her to live alone in this suburban area.

Time flies, and this year's Tiankuang Festival is no longer the same as last year's.

In the past, close friends could gather in the alley and courtyard with just a call from a few steps to the left or right, sitting together in a reunion, drinking and chatting happily.

Now, everyone has gone their separate ways, each finding their own place and a better life.

What's the point of Su Jinxiu being the only one guarding the Embroidery Alley, clinging to those past memories?

She thought for a moment and said softly, "Okay."

Yi Ruxu's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had received a tremendous promise, and she said excitedly, "Qiaoniang, I... I will definitely treat you well in the future."

Su Jinxiu was stunned for a moment before realizing that he might have misunderstood, and quickly explained, "I mean, I bought a house in Bowei Lane."

Yi Ruxu's face dimmed slightly, and she was somewhat disappointed when Su Jinxiu handed her a silk tapestry-edged hand scroll. "This is a gift I embroidered for you before you enter officialdom. It has the four characters 'Yun Cheng Fa Ran' on it, wishing you a smooth career and a bright future."

This handscroll is embroidered using the kesi (silk tapestry) technique, featuring patterns symbolizing continuous success in examinations. The main body of the scroll is embroidered with a scene of egrets standing on lotus flowers using the flat stitch, taking the homonym "lu lian" (meaning "continuous success") to wish the person a smooth career.

At the end of the handscroll, she used a needle as a brush to embroider tiny characters in regular script, inscribing words of expectation: "The scholar has just begun to display his talent; one day he will be honored on the imperial throne."

As Yi Ruxu took the scroll, the disappointment in her heart was instantly replaced by a warm feeling.

He looked up at Su Jinxiu, his eyes filled with emotion: "Qiaoniang, you are truly my confidante."

But he knew that Su Jinxiu could never let go of that person in her heart.

Even though she had once been completely open and honest with Wen Shiqin, even though he had now betrayed her, deceived her with false affection, and even though he had changed his ways and married a county princess.

Yet, despite her kindness and the devastating blow she suffered, she didn't think of revenge or how to make him experience the same heart-wrenching pain. She didn't. In the end, all she did was calmly wish him happiness and success at the entrance of Huayun Pavilion.

To have such a wise, open-minded, and deeply affectionate woman as his confidante is the greatest fortune of his life.

He has the perseverance to wear down a stone with persistent dripping.