Heartfelt wishes
Jiang Yan chatted with Huang Ying about other things before drifting off to sleep.
Days passed by, developing in the direction Jiang Yan liked. Just when Jiang Yan was overjoyed, thinking she could finally live a free, stable, and happy life, in some corner of the Great Zhou, some things were quietly changing.
Shangguan Zeyu set off from the capital and inquired about Jiang Yan's whereabouts all the way to Taizi Town.
Actually, Shangguan Zeyu originally didn't plan to come to Taizi Town. He intended to go in the southwest direction, but while resting at the inn, he overheard a conversation between a woman and her husband, which led him to change his mind and come to Taizi Town.
The woman said to her husband in a spoiled manner, "Why do you complain about the distance? You're not busy at home! Other husbands bring their wives and daughters to buy things, why can't I come?"
“My lady, it’s not that I don’t want you to come! I just have a question: what kind of clothes could be so wildly rumored? A tailor from the capital? Impossible! If it were really a tailor from the capital, why would they come to Prince Town of all places!”
"You still won't bring me to buy this!!! Everyone said they're from Beijing, two beautiful owners, how could they be fake? So many people have bought from them, they've all seen those two female owners, are they all mistaken? Humph!"
Shangguan Zeyu sat in an inn in Taizi Town, lost in thought, savoring the conversation between the couple. He had replayed their conversation countless times on his way to Taizi Town.
He couldn't help but wonder if they were from the capital, or if they were two young women. Could they be "Liu Ruyi" and her maid?
If he really is "Liu Ruyi", then is his coming to Taizi Town this time a sign that God is helping him? Does his fate with Ruyi still exist?
Shangguan Zeyu felt both excited and flustered.
But what if it's not "Ruyi"? Where should he look for her then?
For the first time in his life, he truly felt both longing and fear.
Shangguan Zeyu had no appetite. He ate a bowl of plain noodles, drank a cup of tea, and then wandered around the market.
His mind was still in turmoil; he wasn't sure how to find "Liu Ruyi." He simply wanted to carefully explore this small town where she might exist, to experience firsthand what her life might have been like.
By this time, it was already dusk, and the setting sun hung in the western sky, turning the entire sky orange-red.
Jiang Yan's clothing store was doing brisk business today. Although there were still two pieces of clothing left unsold, Jiang Yan was already very, very satisfied.
Jiang Yan sent the four embroiderers who sold clothes home early, and she left last.
She carefully locked the door, then looked at the shop that would make her and Huang Ying very wealthy in the future, and her excitement and joy grew even stronger.
However, when she suddenly turned around and vaguely saw that familiar yet unfamiliar back, she couldn't smile anymore, and her heart seemed to freeze.
"It's him?" Jiang Yan exclaimed inwardly, then widened her eyes and looked again. Yes, it was indeed him!
How did he end up here?
When did he arrive?
Did he find her?
Jiang Yan's heart was pounding like a deer's, "thump-thump-thump" nonstop.
She instinctively placed her right hand on her chest, the violent tremor making her hand bounce.
No! No! He didn't come here because of her!
He must have come here for some other reason!
Yes! That must be it!!
Jiang Yan kept trying to brainwash her and persuade her, but her heart was getting excited little by little.
Jiang Yan didn't know what she was thinking. Her heart was telling her to run away, not to look at him, not to chase after him, but her feet still couldn't help but walk towards him.
The nights in Prince Town are long and quiet.
The streets were nearly deserted. The shop lights were still on, but they wouldn't stay on for much longer. Jiang Yan had been following Shangguan Zeyu cautiously yet excitedly until they reached a street corner, where Shangguan Zeyu went inside. Only then did she stop and walk back dejectedly.
A gentle breeze was blowing, and the bright moon hung in the sky.
Everything seems unchanged, but changes are happening silently all around.
Jiang Yan didn't let this subtle feeling linger. She quickly suppressed this complex and unspeakable sorrow and loneliness deep in her heart.
Her life should be positive and uplifting.
Her life should develop in the direction she hopes for.
Jiang Yan returned to the house and shared the shop's sales situation with Huang Ying. She excitedly made predictions about the next day's sales, then took a nice hot bath and lay down in her soft quilt.
Jiang Yan woke up later than usual the next day. After getting up, she didn't rush to dress up as usual, but sat on the edge of the bed in a daze.
Huang Ying didn't urge her, so she just sat there for a long, long time before she finally washed up and got ready.
Huang Ying had already prepared the meal and was waiting for her. Seeing her come out smiling, she said, "Sister was too tired yesterday, so let me go to the shop to work today."
"No, you and I should both stay home and rest. Let them sell. The shop will definitely expand in the future, so we should train some people who can help."
From the moment she appeared, Huang Ying could tell from her forced smile that she was in a bad mood. She said, "Sister, no matter what happens, I will always stand by your side."
Jiang Yan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and said, "What could be wrong? Business is booming at the shop."
“Sister, I’ve been by your side for quite some time now, so I’m somewhat aware of your emotions.”
Jiang Yan pretended nothing was wrong, sat down, took a big gulp of rice porridge, and then, as if she could no longer hold back, said, "I can never hide it from you." After a moment of silence, she said softly, "I saw him."
"'Him'?" Huang Ying murmured softly, then looked at Jiang Yan's forlorn and distressed expression and guessed, "Is it 'the Prince'?"
Jiang Yan neither confirmed nor denied it.
Huang Ying's expression also turned serious. She asked, "When did Your Highness arrive? Did you notice me?"
"I discovered it by chance when the store was closed yesterday. I only saw his back."
Huang Ying sat down as she pondered: "Does Your Highness still refuse to let go?"
Jiang Yan sighed heavily, "I don't know. I don't know if he's here to settle scores with me or for something else." Then he looked up at Jiang Yan seriously and said, "If it's to settle scores later, I guess I won't have a good ending. You just have to listen to me then, and agree with whatever I say."
But Huang Ying didn't think so, and asked in return, "Sister, what if the prince came to find you because he missed you?"
Jiang Yan couldn't help but give a bitter laugh, recalling the handsome figure of Shangguan Zeyu she had seen last night: "How could that be? There are so many women in this world! And countless beauties! He's a prince, what woman wouldn't he want? Why would he come here to find me? Why would he cling to me?"
"...Sister, what are your plans?"
"...I don't know! I don't have the strength to run anymore!"
Huang Ying stood up, walked to her side, took her hands, and said earnestly, "Sister, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will never leave you! I will always stand by your side!"
Jiang Yan was deeply moved, and her eyes reddened.
In the days that followed, Jiang Yan and Huang Ying stopped going to the clothing store and left the four embroiderers to watch over the sales. The store's business remained as good as ever.
Jiang Yan and Huang Ying spent five days in trepidation, only daring to breathe a sigh of relief when they realized that Shangguan Zeyu had not come looking for them.
However, Jiang Yan's mood did not improve as a result; on the contrary, it became even more depressed.
Huang Ying saw all this and was anxious, but could only sigh silently. Just as she had said before, many things are unclear to those involved, and even if bystanders see things clearly, it's of no use.
Jiang Yan rested at home for two more days before deciding to get back to work at the shop.
She figured that given Shangguan Zeyu's status and style of doing things, he must have already left Taizi Town and gone somewhere else by now.
However, to her utter surprise, on that morning when she was preparing to go to the clothing store, she saw Shangguan Zeyu standing at the entrance of their house.
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