Chapter 17 An ordinary young lady cannot control him

This is a personal item that the prince usually keeps close to his body. It would be inappropriate for a young lady to have it on her. If it were seen and spread, it might be suspected that they were exchanging it privately.

Lady Wuyi rubbed her forehead and waved her hand, "I have a headache and I'm too lazy to deal with the young people's affairs. Qi'er has always been a person of his own mind, so I don't need to worry about him."

She then said to the female manager, "Have someone repair the tassel and return it to Miss Jiang. Don't let her know that I saw this jade pendant, understand?"

The female manager immediately accepted the order.

Lady Wuyi thought for a moment and then said, "I think I'd better go down and take a look to put my mind at ease."

I wonder what kind of person Miss Jiang is, that she would make my clueless son give away even his personal jade pendant that he never takes off every day.

She was extremely curious.

The old nanny Cui hurriedly followed, "Madam, you're not fully recovered yet, so please slow down. Let this old servant help you downstairs."

Lady Wuyi and Granny Cui came down the stairs and, following the direction pointed out by the steward, saw Jiang Yunqian idly selecting jewelry in the hall.

Jiang Yunqian was wearing a sky-blue cross-collar ruqun today, with light makeup, her face was delicate and beautiful, and she was bowing her head to let the maid next to her try on a pair of jade earrings.

"She does indeed appear dignified and beautiful, but I wonder what her character is like," said Lady Wuyi.

Helpless, Granny Cui said, "Madam, it's just a jade pendant. We don't even know what the young master thinks."

“I know my own son best,” Lady Wuyi glanced at Granny Cui. “This Miss Jiang was able to rescue Qi’er under such strict search by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which shows that she is a brave, resourceful, intelligent and decisive person. I think she is excellent.”

"Qi'er has been leading troops to guard the border for many years, and he is surrounded by unromantic men. When would he have time to look at young ladies? He is also a man of his own mind, and ordinary young ladies cannot control him. I think it would be better to have someone like Miss Jiang."

Granny Cui couldn't help but smile wryly as she tried to dissuade her, "Madam, you know that the young master is a man of his own mind. We have to ask him about this matter before we can know the answer. If you do this and the young master doesn't have any intention of resolving the issue in the end, wouldn't that be bad for Miss Jiang?"

Lady Wuyi nodded. "That makes sense."

"My mother-in-law's birthday is in a few days, and Qi'er should be heading back soon. Remember to send an invitation to the Jiang family as well, and make sure to invite the women of the Jiang family to the banquet."

"Yes, this old servant has remembered."

*

Jiang Zhi returned to the Jiang residence and, as usual, went to Zhizhixuan to practice calligraphy with Shen Ci'an.

However, for some reason, Shen Ci'an, who had previously lowered her guard against her through her own efforts and was occasionally able to tolerate some of her rude little actions, suddenly reverted to her cold and aloof demeanor that kept people at arm's length.

He wouldn't drink the tea she offered, was sparing with his words when answering questions, and repeatedly avoided her attempts to get closer.

"Master, did I do something wrong?" Jiang Zhi asked, looking at Shen Ci'an, who was about ten feet away from her.

She's been practicing calligraphy diligently these days, and even her grandmother praised her for her progress. Yesterday, before she left, Shen Ci'an was all smiles and kindness towards her. Could it be because she took leave to go to Linglongzhai?

"It's nothing, just focus on practicing your calligraphy," Shen Ci'an said expressionlessly.

Jiang Zhi put down her pen and stared at him intently. "How can I concentrate on practicing calligraphy if you are like this, Master? If I have done something wrong and angered you, please enlighten me. Otherwise, I will be anxious and uneasy, and how can I calm down?"

Shen Ci'an also felt somewhat confused.

Mingming saw the young lady and her fiancé on the street yesterday, a handsome couple who looked very well-matched. He should be happy for the young lady.

"Now that you've been betrothed, Miss, it's best to visit my Zhizhi Pavilion less often in the future, lest you give rise to gossip and it doesn't look good if your future husband finds out. If you still want to practice calligraphy, just have your maid bring it to me, and I'll give my approval before having her take it back."

This was a compromise he came up with after thinking about it for a long time after returning from the bookstore. It wouldn't harm the young lady's reputation, nor would it interfere with her calligraphy practice. Apart from being a bit troublesome and inefficient, it wasn't bad at all.

After hearing what he said, Jiang Zhi's heart skipped a beat.

How did Shen Ci'an know that Wang Yuru was going to marry her off? Could it be that someone in the manor was gossiping?

But then I thought about it again and realized it was impossible.

Since her father had not given his consent, and the matter concerned the future of the Jiang family, Wang Yuru dared not spread rumors on her own. Otherwise, if her father found out, he would certainly not let her off easily.

How did Shen Ci'an find out?

At that moment, her gaze fell on a dark red, unfamiliar book corner on the table. She pulled it out and saw that it was a copy of the "Lingfei Jing" (The Book of Spiritual Flight), with a brand-new cover, clearly indicating that it had been recently purchased.

The Lingfei Jing is a model for beginners in small regular script. Its calligraphy style is beautiful and lively, with the elegance and grace of the Wang brothers' calligraphy, making it very suitable for women to practice copying.

"Master, this calligraphy copybook is..." she asked hesitantly, a thought popping into her mind.

Shen Ci'an's expression stiffened slightly. He took the calligraphy copybook from Jiang Zhi's hand and said with a straight face, "This is a book I bought when I had nothing to do. I just put it here casually."

"Really? But the teacher no longer needs to practice calligraphy, and this calligraphy book looks like it's suitable for women to practice. Could it be..." Jiang Zhi asked, voicing her thoughts, "...could it be that the teacher bought this as a gift for me?"

"How could that be?" Shen Ci'an was caught off guard by her guess and panicked, almost dropping the book in his hand. "Don't overthink it, I just..."

Shen Ci'an initially wanted to deny it, but then he thought that the calligraphy copybook was bought to thank Jiang Zhi, and it was a token of his gratitude.

He cannot lose his true self just because he is afraid of being disliked by the young lady.

Then he added, "If Miss likes it, it's fine to give this calligraphy book to you."

Jiang Zhi blinked at his hypocritical expression. "I see that you are so reluctant to part with this calligraphy book, how could I possibly take it from you?"

A bitter feeling welled up in Shen Ci'an's heart for no apparent reason.

As expected, the young lady doesn't think much of it.

That's enough.

He was about to take it back when Jiang Zhi snatched the calligraphy copybook from his hand. "However, since you insist on giving it to me, I will accept it. Thank you for your generosity."

She held the calligraphy copybook in her hands, turning it over and over to examine it.

Shen Ci'an Qingjun looked puzzled. "Miss doesn't mind?"

“Why would I complain?” Jiang Zhi said, “This was specially bought for me by my teacher at the bookstore yesterday. With this calligraphy practice book, I will be able to practice calligraphy more easily. I am so grateful to my teacher.”

Shen Ci'an's face stiffened. "How did Miss know..."

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "This book is very new. It's obvious that it was purchased recently. Some time ago, when the teacher was sick, I took care of him every day. I know the contents of the teacher's room very well, so I naturally know when this calligraphy book came into existence."

Shen Ci'an probably learned that she was to be betrothed to someone from when he overheard her arguing with Yan Wenkang at the entrance of Linglongzhai after buying books at the bookstore.

Jiang Zhi decided to tease him, "To be honest, even if there were an extra piece of another woman's private belongings in this Zhizhi Pavilion, I would be able to spot it at a glance."