Chapter 41 Peony Fragrance: Seeing that he was moved, she gave him one…
Jiang Ce crossed the small stone bridge and headed towards the garden at the back.
It was still early, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Birds chirped sweetly in the garden, the grass and trees were lush and green, and spring was in full bloom.
He strolled leisurely, walked up the climbing corridor, went around the winding bridge, and paused for a moment under a wall of cascading green and red roses.
"These flowers are blooming so beautifully."
Jiang Ce murmured to himself, feeling as if he, too, was blooming like this rose, its fragrance filling the air and attracting bees and butterflies.
He lifted his foot again, passed through the moon gate, and arrived at the waterside pavilion. Only a few lotus leaves, not yet fully unfurled, stood gracefully in the clear spring water.
Across from the waterside pavilion, green willows droop, and a large patch of forsythia is planted on the rocks by the water, its branches laden with clusters of pale yellow flowers.
Spring willows, spring flowers, spring colors... spring is a delight to behold.
Jiang Ce stood by the waterside pavilion, feeling that the view was still somewhat lacking, and he was still not satisfied.
He didn't know what he was looking for, only that these weren't what he wanted. So he took another step, walked around the waterside pavilion, passed through the vase-shaped gate in the white walls and black tiles, and went deeper into the garden.
After taking only a dozen or so steps, they suddenly stopped.
He found it.
Through the latticed window in the wall, a flowerbed had appeared out of nowhere. Peonies were planted around the pavilion, blooming gracefully and delicately.
Jiang Ce chuckled softly.
Those were flowers as tender as those in his dreams.
He walked into the hazy, romantic spring scenery, gathering a piece of spring's essence with his sleeve.
Jiang Ce had just left the garden when he ran into the servant who had come looking for him.
"Erlang, Aunt Lanxi said she wants you to go there."
Jiang Ce nodded: "I'll go now."
After taking only a few steps, he turned back and called to the servant, whispering a few words in his ear before crossing the waterside pavilion with cheerful steps.
When he arrived at the courtyard, Youyu and Madam Yu were already sitting opposite each other at the table.
Jiang Ce smiled and bowed, saying, "Good morning, Mother."
Lady Yu closed the sheet music, and the maids began to serve the porridge.
The three of them ate together. Youyu was still a little sleepy and ate slowly. Jiang Ce ate with relish, taking bite after bite, and drank two bowls of porridge.
Lady Yu looked thoughtfully at the corners of his mouth that hadn't gone down since he came in.
She picked up a piece of lotus root stuffed with Hundred Flowers and placed it on the small plate in front of Jiang Ce. Before it even hit the plate, he quickly picked it up and put it in his mouth.
Jiang Ce smiled brightly and vividly: "Thank you, Mother."
Yu lazily picked up some freshly mixed bamboo shoots with her chopsticks and ate them with the porridge, occasionally glancing at Jiang Ce.
Is he possessed by an evil spirit today?
But then sleepiness came over her, and Yu wanted to quietly lower her head and yawn.
Yu Niangzi placed a piece of fragrant fish slice on his plate. He immediately stopped yawning, blinked away the tears in the corners of his eyes, and quickly and obediently took the fish slice from the bowl.
Jiang Ce put down his chopsticks, lifted his robe and stood up: "Mother, I'm going to work. I'll come back to have dinner with you tonight."
Lady Yu replied calmly, "Mm."
She always speaks like this: slowly, softly, but blandly, without much warmth.
However, he didn't care much; he was already used to it.
Jiang Ce walked out, and Yu Qing pinched him as he passed by.
Yu Yu immediately sobered up a bit and heard him say, "You too, remember to come back for dinner, and don't stay out all night."
Yu frowned. He wasn't himself.
After Jiang Ce left, You Yu, who had just regained some consciousness, became sleepy again.
Yu Niangzi watched his departing figure, his steps light and cheerful, as if he were humming a little tune.
"Yesterday..."
Yu immediately raised her face and sat up straight.
As Yu Niangzi placed a shrimp on his plate, she asked, "Do you know who Erlang went out with yesterday on the Shangsi Festival?"
Yu: "Zheng Shaoyu, Prince Xiao, Miss Xiao, the Princess, and an older brother I don't recognize."
"And..." He swallowed the shrimp and continued, "Miss Xue..."
I see.
Yu Niangzi raised her face and looked behind Youyu.
Several newly opened white magnolias, glistening with dew, were arranged in a porcelain vase beneath the latticed window, bathed in the morning sun, looking exceptionally beautiful. The dappled sunlight cast shimmering shadows on the desk, like a few strokes of ink painting.
Yun Sheng put the painting away, and Xue Chan rubbed her wrists before sitting down in front of the mirror.
Yingyue combed her hair and asked with a smile, "Would you like to have your hair styled and put on makeup today, Miss?"
Xue Chan shook her head: "I won't go out today. Just keep my face simple and my hair neat."
Several people styled her hair into a delicate bun and adorned it with a jade hairpin. Just as they put down the comb, Chu Tao came in carrying a food box, followed by several maids who were also carrying peony blossoms in their arms.
Xue Chan asked, "Where did this come from?"
"The peonies were sent by the Marquis of Wu'an's residence, as were these pastries, but they bear the mark of Ningcui Tower."
Chu Tao opened the food box. The large food box had three layers, all filled with various kinds of pastries. The small cups contained peach blossom pastries and late-blooming fragrant pastries.
"What are your plans for the young lady?"
She rested her elbow on the dressing table, her palm supporting her face: "Give one layer to Huaizhu, give one layer to your aunt, and you can all take the rest and divide it up."
Chu Tao and Ying Yue's eyes widened: "Aren't you going to eat, Miss?"
Yun Sheng said, "The young lady doesn't crave sweets."
"Oh, I see."
Xue Chan spoke up, "Let's keep Wanshengxiang."
"And what about these flowers?"
"The vase was trimmed."
Xue Chan remained seated before the dressing table, watching them trim and arrange the peonies in the vase. The peonies looked beautiful in the porcelain vase.
She looked at the peonies filling the room, then seemed to remember something and smiled shyly. She got up, sat back down at her desk, and began to paint.
Take out a new sheet of paper, dissolve the paint, and slowly begin to draw, stroke by stroke, on the paper.
Yun Sheng and Chu Tao were sharing snacks when they heard Xue Chan's voice behind them.
"I remember there's a pair of twin flower fish pendants in the storeroom. Yun Sheng, could you fetch them for me later?"
"Also, Chutao, could you find me some colored threads?"
She suddenly spoke, saying things that left everyone puzzled. But when they turned around, Xue Chan was simply focused on painting.
They exchanged a glance and answered in unison, "Okay."
Xue Chan spent the whole morning painting that picture, but she painted with great patience and care, so Yun Sheng and Chu Tao sat down beside her to keep her company.
The two of them were busy making clothes and reading, until Xue Chan finished the last stroke of her painting. It was past noon, and only then did they have lunch together.
After Xue Chan took a midday nap, she sat with Chu Tao by the window arranging silk threads. Yun Sheng found the jade pendant in the storeroom and also took a box of pearls and jade beads for making beaded necklaces. He then brought in the almond milk that Chun Niang had made for Xue Chan from the small kitchen.
Xue Chan and Chu Tao were sitting together, discussing what colors to use and what patterns to create with the silk threads.
Yun Sheng put down the wooden box and pushed the almond milk in front of Xue Chan: "Haven't you decided yet?"
Xue Chan sighed, resting her face on one hand and scooping up some smooth custard with a porcelain spoon in the other: "No, I'm really torn."
She then realized that she didn't know what he liked.
Yun Sheng laughed and said, "Miss, you haven't made these things in eight hundred years. Why did you suddenly become interested in doing them today?"
Xue Chan opened the wooden box, touched the cool, smooth jade pendant, and lowered her eyelashes, lost in thought.
Why?
Do you like it?
Actually, that's not true. She really doesn't like Jiang Ce. There are just too many things about him that she dislikes, and he's incredibly annoying.
But ironically, he was a good person.
They were engaged, and he had helped her. Logically and emotionally, even if it was just a matter of courtesy, she should reciprocate. Although there had been many disagreements and conflicts from the beginning, she had already settled all scores and there were no old grudges.
She was just thinking that he wasn't actually that annoying, nor that intolerable.
He liked her, and she didn't dislike him. Plus, they were engaged, so they would be living together from now on.
Since that's the case, let's give him a chance, considering he's interested.
Try accepting the engagement, easing tensions, deepening your feelings, and preparing for a future together, at least maintaining a respectful relationship. Furthermore, she doesn't like being passively accepted or acting solely on her own desires, so she should take the initiative and make choices in this relationship.
Chu Tao smiled shyly: "Miss, shall I do it for you?"
Xue Chan thought for a moment, then shook her head: "I'll do it myself. You just need to make a sample for me."
Hatsumomo nodded.
Xue Chan chose cherry blossom pink and light blue thread, first threading it through the jade pendant, then stringing jade and pearls on top, tying a lucky knot. She then tied a simple snake knot, stringing jade and pearls on top.
However, she wasn't very good at playing complex knots, so Hatsumomo slowly broke them down and taught her.
Xue Chan was also patient; if she made a mistake, she would redo it, working her way up little by little.
Again and again, until the sunlight gradually shifted, and the flower shadows became dazzling.
Having finalized the design, she tied a purslane knot, strung on beads and jade, and then tied two small lily knots. She continued stringing pearls, then created a lucky knot. Next, she tied a small double-coin knot and strung on beads and jade. The most time-consuming part was the delicate auspicious cloud butterfly knot, which she finished by tying a cross knot at the butterfly's tail.
Finally, pearls and tassels were added.
When she finished, she picked up the jade pendant, and smiled slightly as it shone in the light.
"Let's send it out tomorrow."
As evening approached, the sun set, and its golden light bathed the peony garden.
The young man in the green robe and jade crown arrived slowly, carrying a water jug, just as he always did.
This was a flowerbed he had cleared out at the beginning of the year, filled with peonies. Under his careful cultivation, it finally blossomed into a beautiful patch.
Although it was only a small part of the flower garden, he believed that as long as he watered and cultivated it every day, he would be able to make the peony garden bloom in full before Zheng Tan's birthday.
So, the still young and confident Marquis Wu'an came with his small water jug, only to find a flowerbed full of greenery, with no flowers in bloom.
He first closed his eyes, thinking it was his imagination.
Then, take a deep breath in and out, and then open your eyes.
Suddenly, he gripped the kettle tightly.
"Jiang, Bo, Zhou!"
He turned and left, his back view hurried and even the corner of his robe carried a hint of anger. The water in the small kettle made a clanging sound, soaking the way he walked.
Jiang Ji stood under the rose trellis carrying a water jug, and the passing servants unconsciously fell silent and quickened their pace to leave.
Jiang Ce strolled leisurely across the small stone bridge and encountered maids and servants hurrying by.
One, two, three, four.
He counted as he walked, feeling something was off, and finally spoke up: "Why are you walking so fast? Is a ghost chasing us?"
There were no ghosts chasing us, but it was pretty much over.
The servant girl forced a smile: "The Marquis has arrived."
Jiang Ce frowned, still somewhat bewildered, and muttered, "Why isn't he going back to have dinner with Sister Tan at this hour? What is he doing here looking for me?"
But he didn't care; let them come.
Jiang Ce waved his hand, telling them to go about their business, and continued walking forward.
After crossing the small stone bridge, he saw Jiang Ji standing by the rose bush outside the Snow Pavilion, watering the flowers with his back turned.
But the kettle was already empty; it was completely dry.
Jiang Ce stood behind him with his hands on his hips: "What's up? You didn't just come here to water my flowers, did you?"
"Your flowers..." Jiang Ji took a deep breath, turned around with his posture still upright and elegant, and curled his lips into a fake smile: "Then where are my flowers?"
"Huh?" Jiang Ce was completely confused. "What flower?"
“My peony.” Jiang Ji’s smile deepened and stiffened. “Where…did it go?”
Jiang Ce blinked, then said as if suddenly realizing something, "So you planted those."
Jiang Ji smiled and said, "Hmm."
He thought Jiang Ce would immediately repent, but instead he glanced at the small water jug and said, "I knew it. When did the gardeners in our manor become so bad? Such a big flowerbed, and only a few flowers have bloomed."
Jiang Ji's breath hitched, but he laughed instead: "So what?"
"Of course I can't do anything," Jiang Ce said casually. "I'm just telling the truth."
Although what he said was true.
but......
The young Marquis of Wu'an was practically gritting his teeth: "That's... the place I prepared for Fourth Sister's birthday banquet."
Jiang Ce blinked, then turned to leave: "Then I'll go apologize to Sister Tan now."
Jiang Ji: "Stop! You're not allowed to go!"
"Well, I've already picked these flowers, I can't just give them back to you." Jiang Ce turned back with a bright smile. "How about I go buy some for you outside?"
purchase?
That won't do.
Jiang Ji looked down at the water bottle in his hand, and with a sudden thought, he leaped to Jiang Ce's side in a few steps.
He stuffed the water bottle in and flicked his wide sleeves: "Starting tomorrow, you will go to the peony garden every day to tend to my flowers. If I don't see the flowers bloom by the end of the month, you're dead."
Jiang Ce said indifferently, "Oh."
Jiang Ji snorted coldly and walked past him. He took a few steps, but still felt unsatisfied, and suddenly turned back as if he had thought of something.
At this moment, Marquis Wu'an, known as "Jiang Bozhou," smiled sincerely: "You wouldn't happen to be giving this to Miss Xue, would you?"
Jiang Ce remained silent, while Jiang Ji's smile deepened.
He said, "You've been sending paintings and flowers, but it hasn't had any effect. What does that prove? It just means your methods for winning a girl's heart are really terrible."
Jiang Ji strolled back slowly, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "After all, I am your older brother, and I am much more experienced than you. So, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me, and I will definitely teach you everything I know."
Jiang Ji smiled and left.
Jiang Ce pursed his lips and spoke.
"None of your business!"
-----------------------
Author's note: I received a drawing of a [redacted] card from a relative/friend for Xiao Xue. [cheering emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
