Chapter 6: Cousin Lianqiaozhi, my feet hurt
"Madam, Miss Cui is here to pay her respects."
Old Madam Jiang glanced at her grandson who was sitting below her.
The man seemed unaware, not even raising his eyes, sipping his tea calmly.
Madam Jiang noticed that he was absent-minded today. She looked away and said, "Please come in."
Soon, a slender figure appeared in sight, walking with the slenderness of a willow in the wind.
Before even stepping into the door, Cui Yiluo saw the man sitting upright. She knew that no matter how busy Jiang Yunjin was, he would pay his respects to Old Madam Jiang every day after returning home. This was his custom.
At this moment, the twilight slanted onto the side of his face, outlining his tall, straight nose. The other half of his face was hidden in the shadows, and the contrast between light and dark made the edges of his facial features even sharper.
He wore a moon-white robe and took off the rich purple official robe. He looked more like the snow-capped mountains in the distance, making it difficult for people to approach him.
Cui Yiluo entered the room and bowed with a gentle smile: "Yiluo pays her respects to the old lady."
Her movements were a little hesitant when she was performing the ceremony, so Madam Jiang hurriedly ordered someone to help her sit down.
When Cui Yiluo sat down, she secretly glanced at the person opposite her, who still had his eyes lowered.
From the moment he entered the door until now, he never raised his eyes to look at her, as if she didn't exist at all.
Madam Jiang, who was sitting at the head of the table, called her, "Yiluo."
"yes."
"Since your foot is injured, and this matter is related to Yunjin, Yiluo, you don't have to come and pay your respects every day until your injury is healed."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunjin immediately said, "It's my grandson's fault."
Madam Jiang replied, "You are the head of the Jiang family. Ultimately, your mistakes are our Jiang family's fault. In that case, Yiluo, if you feel unwell these days, please let me know."
Old Madam Jiang smiled kindly, but in her seemingly apologetic words, she shifted the responsibility of Jiang Yunjin to the Jiang family, severing any connection between Jiang Yunjin and her.
If Cui Yiluo feels unwell again in the future, it would not be appropriate for her to look for Jiang Yunjin again.
She heard it clearly, and a flattered expression appeared on her face. "Old Madam, how dare you accept this? The Jiang family is generous enough to allow Yiluo to stay temporarily. Moreover, my cousin saved me, and my foot injury was just an unintentional mistake. If Yiluo uses this as an excuse to even skip paying her respects to Old Madam, isn't that too willful?"
Madam Jiang was slightly pleased with her obedience. "Yiluo, you are Ah Hui's niece. This is too formal. Well, since you are so kind, then you can skip the evening greetings."
The emperor had to pay his respects to his parents in the morning and evening, but Jiang Yunjin went to court at dawn. Mrs. Jiang sympathized with his busy official duties and exempted him from the morning visit.
But now, Madam Jiang exempted her from paying her respects in the evening, obviously because she was afraid that she and Jiang Yunjin would run into each other during the greetings and did not want them to have any more contact.
Cui Yiluo didn't show it on her face, instead she said gratefully, "Yiluo thanks you for your consideration, Madam."
Madam Jiang smiled and turned to something else: "I heard that Cheng Jiancheng just came to visit? Yiluo, your husband really cares about you. It seems that being older has its advantages. After all, he is more mature and knows how to care for others."
Do you know how to care for others when you are older? Cui Yiluo kept smiling, but inside she felt a sour feeling in her stomach and almost vomited.
Cheng Jiancheng wasn't much younger than Madam Jiang, was he? Yet she remained calm and openly mentioned it, simply to criticize her.
By the way, she emphasized in front of Jiang Yunjin that she was engaged and would be married soon.
But face has to be saved. Those so-called wealthy families value decency the most. Even if they dislike someone in their heart, they will still be friendly when they meet.
Mrs. Jiang was obviously well aware of this and changed the subject to chat about family matters.
Throughout the whole process, Jiang Yunjin just drank his tea slowly, his movements calm and steady. It seemed that he was not listening to their conversation at all, and he didn't even look at Cui Yiluo.
After chatting for a few minutes, Madam Jiang said, "It's almost time for dinner, Yiluo, I won't keep you any longer."
Madam Jiang asked her to leave, but did not ask Jiang Yunjin to leave.
Cui Yiluo knew her intention and had no intention of staying, so she bowed and left.
Only then did he raise his eyelashes slightly, his gaze lightly sweeping across her lightly made-up face and delicate snow-blue dress, then quickly lowered his eyes, brought the teacup to his lips and took a sip.
Madam Jiang saw this and after Cui Yiluo left, she said, "Shenzhi, you've just been promoted. Although His Majesty trusts you, you must remember to be cautious in your words and actions and not get carried away. Don't be distracted; it's important to focus on the right path."
Jiang Yunjin hurriedly nodded in response.
Madam Jiang sighed again. "The Fifth Prince's recent contributions to disaster relief efforts will likely spark further debate over his succession. Tensions within the court are growing. With your high position now in the spotlight, various factions will undoubtedly seek to win you over. However, our Jiang family has always been loyal to the emperor. Do you understand what Grandmother is saying?"
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyebrows: "Grandson understands."
"Don't blame grandma for being so nosy. Your parents had high hopes for you when they were alive, and even after what happened, it still remains the same... well, let's not talk about it anymore."
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyes and said nothing.
When the sad things were mentioned, Mrs. Jiang's interest immediately dropped by half. Seeing that her grandson had been absent-minded today, she also felt bored. She estimated that Cui Yiluo should have returned to her own yard, so she waved her hand and let Jiang Yunjin leave.
Jiang Yunjin returned to the yard calmly, but ran into someone near a corner of the yard.
"cousin."
Cui Yiluo stood under the crape myrtle tree, with some crape myrtle petals falling on her thin shoulders, contrasting with her snow-blue dress.
A few petals fell on her hair, and she didn't know how long she had been waiting there.
When Jiang Yunjin saw that it was her, his eyes changed slightly: "What's the matter?"
Cui Yiluo hesitated and said, "Cousin, this afternoon... Cheng Jiancheng didn't make you angry, did he?"
She looked nervous. It turned out that she came for Cheng Feng. Jiang Yunjin looked away.
In the afternoon, Cheng Feng bowed and noded in front of him, but he didn't listen carefully. It was just flattery. However, he naturally would not let this matter affect his official duties.
He is not the kind of person who takes personal revenge.
"I didn't make a big deal about it."
Cui Yiluo immediately said: "Cousin, you misunderstood!"
Her reaction was too intense, and Jiang Yunjin subconsciously looked at her in confusion, meeting her gaze directly.
Under the cool moonlight, her eyes were bright and her gaze was straightforward and sincere.
"Cousin, I'm not here to defend him. I just don't want you to be unhappy."
The atmosphere around suddenly became subtle.
Jiang Yunjin was stunned for a moment, then frowned. Cui Yiluo seemed to have said the wrong thing in excitement, holding her handkerchief in a helpless manner. Neither of them spoke for a while.
In the end, it was Jiang Yunjin who spoke first, "No need."
She didn't need to worry about him, and he didn't need anyone's concern.
Cui Yiluo nodded dejectedly: "Yiluo overstepped the bounds."
Jiang Yunjin said decisively, "Now that it's over, I'll leave first."
"cousin--"
Cui Yiluo hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, but suddenly her body went limp and fell onto the man.
The thin figure was immediately completely enveloped in darkness by the tall man.
"open!"
The whistling sound of the wind brought the man's low and hoarse voice. Cui Yiluo seemed to have not yet come to her senses. She looked blankly at her hand that was tightly holding the man's arm. It was so tight that it pulled the sleeve of his clothes, which was ironed without a wrinkle, into a messy trace. The muscles under her palm were hard and the veins were throbbing.
She raised her head, with a blush at the corners of her eyes. The moment she looked into his eyes, she seemed frightened. Her hand suddenly tightened and she gripped his arm even tighter.
Jiang Yunjin's eyes darkened and he raised his hand uncomfortably to struggle.
Cui Yiluo quickly let go of her hand and bit her lip like a child who had done something wrong:
"Cousin, my feet hurt."
Jiang Yunjin was sternly straightening his sleeves that were wrinkled by her, and paused slightly when he heard this.
"No medication?"
He had injured her foot, so it was natural not to argue with her about how she had nearly fallen into his arms. Cui Yiluo pressed her lips together, maintaining a look of guilt and grievance: "Yes, I did. Maybe I stood for too long today while looking for the silver dan grass I brought from home."
"If the medicine runs out, tell Wen Feng."
Cui Yiluo responded, "Cousin, I found the Silver Dan Grass specifically to give it to you."
She took out the shadow-blue chrysanthemum-petal-patterned lidded jar from her sleeve, and her sleeve slid down slightly as she moved, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist.
Jiang Yunjin refused without a second thought: "No, take it back."
Cui Yiluo brought out her prepared words: "Don't worry, cousin. It's just a jar of silver dan grass, not a rare thing. Cousin, you are busy with official duties day and night, so it is inevitable that your eyes will be tired and sore. The book says that silver dan grass can clear the head and relieve fatigue. I often add it to my tea when I read at night, and my head is really clearer after using it. Why don't you give it a try, cousin?"
Jiang Yunjin still refused: "No need."
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Cui Yiluo felt extremely disappointed. She pursed her lips and said, "My hometown, Ningzhou, is rich in this herb, and it's very effective. Perhaps others think that my cousin has a promising future and will accomplish great things. But I just saw him rubbing his forehead in the old lady's courtyard, and that's why I want to give him the Silver Dan Grass."
Jiang Yunjin raised his eyes slightly to look at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes almost imperceptibly.
Cui Yiluo pretended not to notice and made a move to put away the porcelain jar and leave, but she heard him suddenly say, "Ningzhou?"
Cui Yiluo was puzzled, but she answered seriously, "Yes, cousin, don't you know I'm from Ningzhou? It's a beautiful place with beautiful mountains and rivers, and it's very pleasant. If you want to go, Yiluo can point out a few good places for you."
Jiang Yunjin did not answer, but remained silent. The expression on his face made it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
After a few breaths, he stretched out his hand: "Give it to me."
Cui Yiluo placed the porcelain jar in his palm, and her fingertips inevitably touched his, the soft touch and the warmth dissipated at the touch.
He held the porcelain jar, said goodbye and left.
Cui Yiluo stood there and watched him walk away, chuckling silently.
As she expected, he would accept it. The silver dan grass was neither expensive nor a token of intimacy, so it wouldn't break his rules. Most importantly, he certainly didn't want her to use this as an excuse to look for him again.
But wasn't his act of accepting her words also a form of indulgence? It was an indulgence of her progress.
His eyes were always as calm as a lake, emotionless and without desire. What would it look like if they were filled with desire and struggle? What would it look like if all the emotions in his eyes, hidden by his long eyelashes, were exposed to the sunlight?
Cui Yiluo really wanted to see it.
But why did he suddenly ask about Ningzhou?
His aunt wasn't from Ningzhou, so it was normal for him not to know she was from Ningzhou. Cui Yiluo thought about it but couldn't find anyone in Ningzhou who might have any connection with him.
But she was sure that Ningzhou must have other meanings to him.
-
On the other side, Jiang Zhaoyue finally welcomed her mother out of the palace.
"Mother, what took you so long?"
Lan Hui smiled uncomfortably and said, "The Imperial Concubine asked me to discuss the Lotus Banquet. She was unsure about some things and asked me to help with the consultation."
Jiang Zhaoyue nodded: "By the way, mother, I want to take my cousin out of the house these two days to buy some jewelry for the Lotus Banquet. I just found out today that my cousin's stepmother..."
She kept talking, but Lan Hui was slightly stunned.
She asked doubtfully, "What's wrong, mother? Didn't you originally plan to bring my cousin along..."
Lan Hui came back to her senses, shook her head and said with a smile, "Of course I have to bring them. I just didn't expect you to have already told Yiluo. Go ahead, just put it on my account, and remember to bring more guards."
Jiang Zhaoyue smiled even more brightly when she heard that she didn't have to pay. "Thank you, mother. You're right. Those bandits haven't been caught yet. But it's broad daylight, there are many people around, and the city guards are patrolling. I don't think they dare to do anything. I will bring my cousin back safely."
"Yes, they don't dare to do it." Lan Hui said.
Jiang Zhaoyue was preparing to decide what to wear before going out, and she left happily. Lan Hui's smile completely faded, and her eyes were exhausted.
-
The moon was above the willows. In the quiet courtyard, a tall figure stood like a stone statue under the forsythia tree for a long time, and the moonlight stretched the shadow extremely long.
Wen Feng stepped forward worriedly: "Sir, you've been standing for a long time. I'm worried you might catch a cold. But the Second Prince's order today... is it causing you trouble?"
He could vaguely tell that the cousin's feelings for him were more than just a simple cousin relationship, and that they weren't actually cousins. The Second Prince had ordered him to protect her, and he certainly wasn't happy about it.
Jiang Yunjin remained silent and did not comment.
Wen Feng stood quietly, and when he saw that Jiang Yunjin hadn't said anything for a long time, he was about to leave when he heard him suddenly say:
"Wen Feng, are there coincidences in the world?"
Wen Feng didn't understand why he suddenly asked this, but he still answered honestly: "Sir, as the saying goes, 'There is no coincidence in the world', there are too many coincidences."
Jiang Yunjin lowered his eyes and stared at the tree roots, and said softly, "What about fate?"
Wen Feng was stunned: "You mean..."
Jiang Yunjin interrupted directly: "Step back."
The author has something to say:
----------------------
Silver Dan Grass: Mint
Ah Luo: I guess [spread my hands]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
