Chapter 4 I've already rejected him
Xiao Jingzhan silently repeated these four words in his heart. For him, this was an incredibly extravagant wish.
He looked into her clear eyes, which held a simple longing for the future, free from the infighting of power and the darkness of the court. He suddenly felt a strong urge—he wanted to protect this pure beauty under his own wings.
"Is that so?" He finally responded with a faint reply, put the candied fruit in his mouth, and the sweetness melted away, but it seemed to be less than one ten-thousandth of the smile of the person in front of him.
He looked out the window; dusk was falling, and the courtyard had returned to tranquility.
But he knew that some things had already taken root in his heart and could no longer be ignored.
A few days later, Xiao Jingzhan's injuries had largely healed, and he was able to walk freely. He was always diligent in his duties, and even during his recovery, he still handled a large amount of official paperwork every day. The study in the Su family's villa temporarily became his meeting place.
That afternoon, he had just finished discussing matters with General Lu and was stretching his limbs by the window when his gaze inadvertently swept across the courtyard. He saw a young man dressed in a blue robe and wearing a square headscarf being led by the Su family's steward towards the inner courtyard.
The man, holding a scroll, walked with ease and had a scholarly air about him. He was Chen Zi'an, the son of the magistrate of the neighboring county, a man of considerable talent.
Xiao Jingzhan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He remembered General Lu mentioning that this young master Chen admired Miss Su quite a bit and had asked someone to propose marriage to him several times, but the Su family had politely declined on the grounds that their daughter was too young.
He calmly returned to his desk and sat down, picking up a military book, but his gaze did not fall on the words.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he heard soft voices outside the window. It was Su Jingyu seeing Chen Zi'an out.
"...Thank you for your concern, Young Master Chen. My father is doing well. This painting, 'Spring Mountains,' has a profound artistic conception, but His Highness is still recuperating and it is inconvenient to disturb him. I appreciate your kind intentions, Young Master Chen." Su Jingyu's voice was gentle and polite, maintaining a just-right distance.
“Miss Su, you’re too kind. I was being presumptuous.” Chen Zi’an’s voice carried an undisguised admiration. “I’ve heard that you’ve been working hard taking care of your esteemed guest lately. Please take good care of yourself. If you have some free time, the scenery at the apricot grove in the west of the city is quite beautiful…”
"Thank you for the invitation, young master, but I am very busy with family matters and I am afraid I will be unable to attend," Su Jingyu politely declined.
Chen Zi'an seemed somewhat disappointed. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.
Su Jingyu stood there and let out a soft sigh. Turning around, she saw General Lu standing under the eaves, nodding slightly to her, and then gesturing for her to enter the study.
Su Jingyu was puzzled, but she still straightened her clothes and followed General Lu over.
Inside the study, Xiao Jingzhan remained seated behind his desk, holding the military treatise in his hand, seemingly engrossed in reading it. However, a closer look revealed that the pages had not been turned for a long time.
"Your Highness, Miss Su has arrived." After announcing this, General Lu quietly withdrew and closed the door behind him.
With only two people left in the room, the air seemed to suddenly become somewhat stagnant.
Su Jingyu gave a proper bow: "Your Highness was looking for me?"
Xiao Jingzhan slowly put down his book and looked up at her. His gaze was calm, yet carried an invisible pressure. "Who visited just now?" he asked casually, as if it were a casual question.
Su Jingyu answered truthfully: "He is the son of Magistrate Chen from the neighboring county. He came to inquire about my father's well-being and... brought a painting, saying it was for Your Highness to enjoy and relieve his boredom."
"Oh?" Xiao Jingzhan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Young Master Chen is quite attentive. It seems he is quite familiar with the Su family."
Su Jingyu noticed a slight change in his tone. Although she didn't understand why, she explained, "Young Master Chen is the son of my father's colleague. We have occasional contact, but we're not very close."
Xiao Jingzhan remained noncommittal, his gaze falling on her slender fingers, before suddenly changing the subject: "The medicine for today hasn't been changed yet."
Su Jingyu then realized that she had indeed been delayed because of Young Master Chen's visit. She quickly said, "It was my oversight. I will go and fetch the medicine box right away."
“No need.” Xiao Jingzhan stood up and walked to her. He was very tall, and his presence cast a shadow that completely enveloped Su Jingyu. “Let’s change here.”
Su Jingyu's heart skipped a beat; she sensed that he was acting differently than usual today. She dared not say anything and went to fetch the first-aid kit.
Because the injury was on her shoulder and back, her shirt had to be removed when changing the dressing. Although she had done this many times in recent days, Su Jingyu's cheeks still burned every time she faced his beautifully sculpted back and firm muscles. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on her wound.
The wound healed well, new flesh grew, leaving only a light pink scar. Su Jingyu carefully wiped the area around it with a cotton cloth soaked in spiritual spring water. Her movements were extremely light and gentle, her breath brushing against his skin almost imperceptibly.
With his back to her, Xiao Jingzhan could clearly feel her cool fingertips and soft breath. A familiar, elegant fragrance wafted into his nose, more refreshing than any incense.
He closed his eyes, but the image of Chen Zi'an's adoring gaze when he looked at her earlier, and his invitation to Xingzilin, flashed through his mind inappropriately.
An unnamed anger, mixed with a bittersweet and suffocating emotion he had never experienced before, suddenly surged into his heart.
He suddenly turned around!
Su Jingyu was focused on applying the medicine when he suddenly started to jolt her hand, causing the cotton cloth to almost fall off.
Xiao Jingzhan grabbed her wrist with a strong grip, his gaze fixed intently on her, his voice low and dangerous: "That Chen Zi'an, does he come to see you often?"
Su Jingyu felt a sharp pain in her wrist and met his deep, unfathomable eyes, which held a turbulent undercurrent she couldn't decipher. A wave of panic washed over her, and she tried to pull away: "Your Highness, you're hurting me... Young Master Chen only visits my father occasionally on official business..."
"For business?" Xiao Jingzhan took a step closer, almost touching her nose, his warm breath brushing against her cheek. "Inviting you to the apricot grove, is that also for business?"
He heard it! Su Jingyu's cheeks flushed red, both ashamed and anxious: "I...I've already rejected him!"
"Refuse?" Xiao Jingzhan stared at her lips, which appeared even more luscious due to her panic, and his possessiveness grew wildly like vines. "If I hadn't come, if he were just an ordinary son of an official, would you have agreed?"
"I didn't!" Su Jingyu blurted out, her eyes slightly red and filled with a hint of grievance. "Why does Your Highness have to assume such things about me? Although I, Su Jingyu, am from a humble family, I know proper etiquette and propriety!"
Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, Xiao Jingzhan's nameless anger seemed to be doused with cold water, instantly extinguishing most of it, replaced by an indescribable heartache and...satisfaction.
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