Chapter 45 Suddenly, she didn't want to leave the shop.
Jiang Zhiyao felt a little embarrassed.
She is neither outside the capital, nor on her way to Qingzhou, nor far from the Yan residence.
Instead, it was on a street not far from the Yan residence.
She had even just rented a shop.
Just as Jiang Zhiyao was about to leave the capital and was about to walk out of the city gate, her hairpin suddenly fell to the ground.
That was the first hairpin Yan Zhenxi gave her, and also one of the few things Jiang Zhiyao brought from the mansion.
Jiang Zhiyao subconsciously picked it up and wiped away the dust that was on it.
Sunlight shone on the hairpin, making it look somewhat radiant. Jiang Zhiyao stared at it for a while.
Suddenly, she didn't want to leave.
Jiang Zhiyao knew that if she left the capital, she would never have the chance to see Yan Zhenxi again.
She has always been a very hesitant person. When making decisions or doing things, she tends to waver whenever other thoughts arise.
Jiang Zhiyao recalled all the moments she had spent with Yan Zhenxi during this time.
Looking out of the city gate, Jiang Zhiyao knew she couldn't bear to leave.
Actually, we don't necessarily have to leave Beijing right now, right?
Anyway, Yan Zhenxi doesn't know what I look like, and he certainly won't spend a lot of people looking for me, since I left voluntarily and even left a divorce agreement.
Maybe in a few days we'll take it to the government to sever ties.
Jiang Zhiyao couldn't imagine that he would spend so much energy looking for someone who wasn't that important, and a whole night had passed without any news.
Jiang Zhiyao thought, "I'll stay in the capital a little longer, just to see him again, even if it's just from afar."
It's not too late for her to leave the capital once she's completely let go.
As if guided by fate, Jiang Zhiyao turned away from the city gate and came to a street not far from the Yan residence. She knew that this was the place Yan Zhenxi would pass through every day on his way to court, and it was also the only place where Jiang Zhiyao might see Yan Zhenxi.
She rented a shop here. Although the shop was not big, it suited Jiang Zhiyao's idea perfectly. She didn't want it to be too conspicuous.
Behind the shop, there was a small courtyard for living, which Jiang Zhiyao liked very much. The courtyard was small, but it had a plum tree and a pear tree planted in it.
Jiang Zhiyao planned to sell some small embroidered items, such as handkerchiefs and sachets. She didn't bring anything else with her when she left the mansion, thinking that she could buy them later. The only thing she brought was some of her own embroidered items.
The street was bustling, lined with shops. Compared to the other shops, the one Jiang Zhiyao rented seemed inconspicuous. Not only was the shop much smaller than the others, but it was also located on a corner. Jiang Zhiyao was very satisfied with this, as the rent was much cheaper than those other shops.
After tidying up the shop and yard, Jiang Zhiyao decided to rest and reopen the shop the next day.
Jiang Zhiyao did not intend to let anyone else know that she was here.
Last night at the inn, she wrote a letter to Sister Ji and Mingzhu telling them that she was leaving the capital, and they must have received it by now.
So she should no longer be in the capital. Thinking of this, Jiang Zhiyao felt a little guilty. She hadn't expected to change her mind.
However, this is the best way for things to be. Jiang Zhiyao wants to leave the capital not only because she doesn't want to face Yan Zhenxi, but also because she doesn't want to face the voices directed at her after the divorce.
Jiang Zhiyao didn't want to go to the Ji family after the divorce. Firstly, she didn't want to trouble the Ji family anymore, and secondly, her sister Ji was no longer living there.
Knowing her position was somewhat awkward, she could hardly possibly disturb the Ji family.
It would be better if she opened the shop for a while first, and then officially started her own business when she arrived in Qingzhou. Now she can just accumulate experience.
Once I've completely let go of Yan Zhenxi, I'll go to Qingzhou.
After thinking everything through, Jiang Zhiyao rested briefly before getting up to buy some things she would need for opening a shop and for daily life.
It's convenient that this street sells almost everything.
Jiang Zhiyao was carefully selecting items, completely unaware that someone was watching her from a short distance away.
A dozen steps away from Jiang Zhiyao, Yan Zhenxi was standing next to a small stall.
Actually, Yan Zhenxi had already gone there last night as soon as he found out where Jiang Zhiyao was.
He sat outside the inn all night, and finally saw Jiang Zhiyao carrying a small package in the morning.
In that instant, Yan Zhenxi immediately wanted to go over to her and ask Jiang Zhiyao why she wanted to divorce him, why she wanted to leave him, and even why she wanted to leave the capital.
But as soon as he took a step, Yan Zhenxi felt discomfort in his body.
Sitting for a long time all night had made his body a little stiff, and the morning dew had dampened his clothes, making him look rather unattractive.
Yan Zhenxi abruptly stopped himself in his tracks.
He didn't have the urge to ask Jiang Zhiyao again, but simply followed her silently at a distance.
When he saw Jiang Zhiyao turn and leave the city gate, his clenched knuckles, which had turned white, finally loosened.
A slight metallic taste lingered in my mouth.
He continued to follow Jiang Zhiyao silently, maintaining a proper distance.
I followed Jiang Zhiyao like that, watching her rent the shop and then watching her go shopping.
When Yan Zhenxi first followed her to this street, he had a strange suspicion. When he saw that Jiang Zhiyao had rented the shop, he laughed.
The gloom on his face dissipated somewhat, and he regained his usual gentle demeanor.
He knew that Ayao couldn't bear to part with him.
Yan Zhenxi knew, of course, that this was the place he passed by every morning on his way to court.
He chuckled softly, his heart overflowing with joy.
He changed his mind.
He won't actively seek out Ayao anymore; he wants Ayao to come back on her own.
Even if he asked A Yao to come back now, she might leave again in the future. It would be better to let A Yao come back on her own initiative, and Yan Zhenxi was confident that she could.
After watching Jiang Zhiyao return to the shop after buying her things, Yan Zhenxi stood there for a while, and then turned and left when he saw that Jiang Zhiyao had no intention of coming out again.
He needed to go back to his residence to tidy himself up and prepare for tomorrow's morning court session.
Before leaving, he left two bodyguards nearby to protect Jiang Zhiyao's safety and casually bought the shop that Jiang Zhiyao had rented.
The moon hangs high in the sky, and the night is deep and quiet.
Jiang Zhiyao lay in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Yesterday, perhaps because of the tension and busyness, I rested not long after arriving at the inn.
But today, Jiang Zhiyao was lying alone in bed. She subconsciously wanted to look at the moon outside the small window, but she only saw the wall and realized that she was no longer in the Yan residence.
A wave of bittersweet emotion washed over me.
Jiang Zhiyao didn't look at anything else and buried her face in the pillow.
"I should have brought one of Yan Zhenxi's clothes with me," Jiang Zhiyao suddenly realized, "Yan Zhenxi really smells wonderful."
After thinking it over, Jiang Zhiyao immediately felt annoyed, wondering what she had been thinking.
The room was very quiet. Jiang Zhiyao pressed her ear to the pillow and could even hear her own heartbeat.
She missed Yan Zhenxi.
Even if Yan Zhenxi wasn't holding her, just lying next to her made Jiang Zhiyao feel at ease.
When I can't sleep at night, I tend to think about things, and tears silently slide down my slightly reddened eyes.
But Jiang Zhiyao did not regret leaving the Yan family. She would eventually have to get used to being alone, although the process might be a little difficult.
After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Zhiyao's breathing gradually calmed down.
A figure appeared beside the bed. He stood silently for a while, looking at Jiang Zhiyao, and then sighed softly.
It was Yan Zhenxi. He squatted down and gently wiped away Jiang Zhiyao's tears with his fingers.
He was initially angry, but upon seeing Jiang Zhiyao like this, all other emotions vanished, leaving only heartache.
If you're sad, why leave?
Yan Zhenxi got into bed, pulled the restless sleeper into his arms, and gently kissed her hair.
Jiang Zhiyao's slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and she fell into a deep sleep.
-
When Jiang Zhiyao woke up in the morning, she felt inexplicably lost. Without thinking much about it, she quickly got up to wash up.
It was still dark, and this was the earliest Jiang Zhiyao had gotten up recently.
Shops on the street gradually opened their doors.
Jiang Zhiyao arranged all the embroidery pieces and sat quietly in front of the counter.
She was sitting not far from the street, so she could see clearly outside. Before long, she saw Yan Zhenxi.
Jiang Zhiyao held her breath, her fingers unconsciously clenching her clothes on her knees.
Today he wore a sky-blue robe, which made him look even more handsome and refined. It was rare to see him wearing such a beautiful and exquisite hair ornament today, unlike his usual simple style. He also wore a set of jade pendants, which were very beautiful and gave him a noble appearance.
Jiang Zhiyao stared at him intently, and most importantly—his eye veil was no longer on.
Jiang Zhiyao saw him when she was still some distance from the shop. She watched Yan Zhenxi approach step by step.
A short while passed, yet it felt like an eternity, as Yan Zhenxi arrived in front of the shop, and Jiang Zhiyao held her breath even more tightly.
Yan Zhenxi unconsciously looked up and met Jiang Zhiyao's cold gaze.
As their eyes met, Jiang Zhiyao felt her heart pounding, but before she could look away, Yan Zhenxi averted his gaze, as if he were looking at a complete stranger.
It wasn't really eye contact; Yan Zhenxi just glanced at him.
Jiang Zhiyao felt a sudden pang of sadness, lowered her eyes, sniffed softly, and then inwardly mocked herself for what she was expecting.
She didn't look at Yan Zhenxi's departing figure again, and quickly composed herself.
It was already a blessing to be able to see him again. Jiang Zhiyao was very content, especially to see that Yan Zhenxi's eyes had healed, which was an unexpected joy.
However, Jiang Zhiyao suddenly felt something was strange. Why didn't Yan Zhenxi take a carriage? Moreover, she originally thought that Yan Zhenxi always wore official robes when he went to the morning court from the mansion. She had seen the official robes on the rack next to him every time before going to bed.
Never mind, Jiang Zhiyao stopped thinking about it; maybe she just didn't know.
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