Chapter 32
Shen Ji lowered his head, his eyes devoid of emotion, but those dark, deep eyes made Jiang Mian's heart tremble.
She hadn't been seen for more than a few hours, and she had already attracted the attention of other men.
Shen Ji felt those delicate, soft fingertips touch him, but he didn't move. Instead, he looked at the person in front of him who was trying to get close to Mian Niang.
If he remembered correctly, this person had appeared six months ago.
At the time, he was just watching a show, but he never expected it to become a potential threat. He narrowed his eyes, and a hint of an inscrutable smile crossed his aloof and otherworldly face. Then, he stepped forward and asked, "Would Young Master Jiang like to stay here?"
Jiang Qiyu felt a little strange. This was not the first time he had met this young master from the Shen family, but now, the faint coldness that the other party showed when looking at him made him wonder for a moment. Could it be that he had offended him?
But after careful consideration, he realized that it didn't seem so.
Hearing that this young master lived a secluded life and rarely interacted with others, Jiang Qiyu didn't take it to heart, assuming that this was just his aloof nature. He stepped forward, bowed, and said politely, "I'm sorry to have bothered you all."
“Cousin, this is nothing. I stayed at your residence for a month. It’s just a matter of returning the favor. You can stay here in peace. When the imperial examination comes next year, be sure not to disappoint your uncle.”
Scientific expedition?
Jiang Mian was taken aback. She had previously heard that this young master liked painting and had no interest in officialdom, but she did not expect that he would actually take the imperial examination. Thinking of this, her thoughts drifted. If her cousin also took the imperial examination... it seemed that her cousin had also taken the imperial examination three years ago, but she did not know why he did not become an official.
But that's fine too; with my cousin's talent, it'll be the same wherever he is.
Jiang Mian had no mind to think about Jiang Qiyu's matter. Right now, she felt that her cousin was acting strangely. She touched his hand, but he did not respond. Could it be that her cousin had lied to her earlier? But that didn't make sense; her cousin had no reason to lie to her.
After thinking it over, she realized that it was in public and her cousin shouldn't be meeting with her in private. She felt a little relieved and quickly withdrew her fingers.
Little did they know that this action, in the eyes of those nearby, would evoke a few intriguing thoughts.
Shen Ji's aura faded slightly. He nodded gently, said nothing, and walked past the crowd. The crowd was used to his aloof attitude and did not react much. However, Jiang Qiyu stared at Shen Ji's departing figure and unconsciously touched his nose.
Just now, he clearly sensed some hostility from this young man, but perhaps only for a moment, and then it disappeared.
However, none of that mattered. He had come to the Shen residence specifically for another important matter. He turned around and looked at Jiang Mian, about to say something, but the girl seemed to have something urgent to attend to as well. Before he could speak, she hurriedly said goodbye to Shen Yan and headed towards the inner courtyard.
Jiang Mian originally wanted to catch up with Shen Ji, but after walking for a long time, she still couldn't see the young man's figure, so she slowed down and turned to walk towards Birou Courtyard.
Yunji came forward to greet her, and upon seeing Jiang Mian, a hint of joy appeared in her eyes: "Miss, you're finally back."
Jiang Mian curved her lips into a smile. She had only planned to go and come back quickly, which was why she hadn't let Yun Ji come with her. Unexpectedly, this delay meant she stayed at Jing'an Temple for a full half month. Fortunately, nothing much had happened recently. She took off the cloak from her shoulders and nodded gently.
Yunji explained the situation of the past few days in detail.
After she left, Madam Jiang sent people to inquire several times. Later, for some reason, she became very busy. Yunji inquired and learned that she was preparing for the Third Miss's marriage. However, after visiting several families, the Third Miss seemed dissatisfied with all of them and even had a quarrel with Madam Jiang over it.
Jiang Mian listened quietly. Shen Tang's gaze had always been arrogant, so it was only natural that she looked down on her. But would someone like Madam Jiang, who used her children's marriages as bargaining chips, not consider her daughter's future? It was likely that Shen Tang already had someone in her heart.
Jiang Mian sat in front of the prism, removing the hairpin from her head. After a long day of running around, she was quite tired. She had planned to visit Qinghui Hall that evening, but her cousin's attitude today left her unsure of how much affection he had for her.
"Girl, the water is ready."
Jiang Mian collected her thoughts and nodded.
Under the warm candlelight, the girl's jet-black hair fell gently down her back. Her breathtakingly beautiful face showed a hint of weariness, and her aura was calm and serene, exuding an ethereal beauty untouched by worldly concerns.
She then stepped into the pool.
Her skin, as smooth as cream, was enveloped by the warmth, and glistening water droplets lingered on every inch of her skin. Jiang Mian didn't let anyone in, so Yun Ji could only stand guard outside.
She closed her eyes, but felt a sense of unease in her heart.
Facing Shen Ji, she seemed to have no confidence at all. Her usual methods seemed to have no effect on him. She didn't know what Shen Ji liked.
I don't know how long I stayed, but the water gradually cooled down.
After Jiang Mian carefully cleaned her body, she had just put on her hanging undergarment when the door suddenly made a soft noise. She turned around alertly and a cold wind rushed in, probably because the wind was too strong and had blown the window in.
Jiang Mian didn't think much of it and was about to walk over and close the window.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she turned around the screen, an irresistible force pressed down on her wrist. She faintly smelled a familiar scent, and then, when she saw the person in front of her, she was momentarily stunned.
"Cousin?"
Shen Ji lowered her eyes slightly. Her clothes were not fully on yet, and a large area of skin was exposed at her collarbone. In the light and shadow, it looked like fine mutton fat jade, making people unconsciously want to get closer.
"Yes, it's me."
A low, deep voice sounded in her ear, and Jiang Mian calmed down. Just now, she thought she was seeing things. How could her cousin have climbed in through the window?
However, realizing that her cousin had come specifically to see her, the gloom in her heart dissipated somewhat, and she couldn't help but reach out and wrap her arms around his neck, snuggling close to him affectionately: "Cousin, what brings you here?"
Shen Ji was pleased by this action. He stroked Jiang Mian's hair and temporarily put aside the unpleasant incident of the day.
"Won't Mian Niang be happy that I'm here?"
He asked seemingly casually, but the air around him was filled with the scent of a young girl. She appeared to have just emerged from the pool, her hair still dripping water, and some unruly droplets trickling down her collarbone, soaking her clothes.
His eyes darkened.
"Joy, cousin, I missed you so much." Jiang Mian was unaware of Shen Ji's change. She was only surprised that her cousin would come to see her so late at night. She guessed that there were too many people around during the day, and it was inconvenient for him to get close to her. Jiang Mian couldn't explain the strange emotions in her heart. She put aside those unpleasant thoughts for the time being and looked at the handsome and aloof person in front of her. She smiled slightly.
The warm yellow candlelight shone on the girl's delicate brow. Shen Ji lowered his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. His fingertips were still pressed against her fair and translucent skin, the touch soft and warm, just like her lips. Thinking this, the young man's eyes slowly moved upward, his emotions deepening.
“Cousin, I have something I want to tell you.” Jiang Mian didn’t notice the young man’s absent-minded state. This matter had been weighing on her mind, and she had pondered it for a long time on the way back in the carriage before finally deciding to tell him.
"Go ahead." Shen Ji took a small step back, but even so, the warm fragrance emanating from her body still wafted towards his nose.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips. What she was about to say wasn't a big deal, but it might be an urgent matter at the moment. She had just heard that Madam Jiang was looking for a marriage partner for her third sister. After that, it would soon be her turn. Even if that didn't happen, her fate was never in her own hands.
Although she now has Shen Ji's protection, if this relationship cannot be made public, she will always be in a state of helplessness. She doesn't want to think about what Shen Ji is thinking for the time being. Right now, the most important thing is that she needs a legitimate reason.
Thinking of this, she looked up and pressed her hand against his wrist. The strands of hair from the girl's neck fell down and covered his wrist. Shen Ji subconsciously curled his knuckles but did not pull them back. He felt a tingling sensation, as if the strand of hair had not fallen on the back of his hand but somewhere else.
"Cousin, I'd like to go somewhere else." She was trying to keep her mouth shut, not wanting Shen Ji to discover that she had designs on him. Although that was indeed what she was thinking, she felt a little guilty inexplicably when faced with the young man's cold yet gentle eyes.
"Why?" He frowned, seemingly puzzled.
"Of course I want to be closer to my cousin. Birou Courtyard and Qinghui Hall are in the south and north respectively. If I want to see my cousin normally, I have to travel a very long way. I just want to see my cousin sooner."
The girl's eyebrows drooped, as if she were somewhat aggrieved.
Shen Ji unconsciously tried to smooth out the wrinkles between her brows. He moved his hand, but couldn't break free from her grasp, so he stopped. However, when Jiang Mian said she wanted to change courtyards because they were closer to him, he frowned almost imperceptibly.
Clearly, they didn't really believe it.
But for some reason, a soft spot crept into my heart.
Jiang Mian lowered her eyes. Although she had this intention, it wasn't entirely what she thought. At present, the Jiang family was in charge of the Shen family, but everyone knew that the Jiang family couldn't make decisions for Shen Ji. In fact, when facing this legitimate son, her arrogance would unconsciously diminish by three points.
It is clear that the most honorable person in the Shen family right now is the young man in front of her, whom she is gently pressing down on.
Regardless, right now she needs to make him have more feelings for her; only then can she gain more freedom and benefits.
Although Jiang Mian liked him, she wasn't blinded by affection. She understood what she truly wanted right now.
Thinking of this, she moved even closer to him, and the hair that had fallen from her neck came to her front from the back of his hand. He looked down and saw a pair of smiling eyes.
"Is it alright, cousin?"
She gently shook his arm, and the intoxicatingly warm fragrance wafted in from all directions, almost completely engulfing him.
After a brief moment of stalemate, he reached behind her and placed his hand around her waist. Because she had just bathed, there was still a faint scent of soap on her body, mixed with her natural fragrance. An unnatural redness appeared in Shen Ji's eyes. After a moment, he spoke: "Okay."
Jiang Mian smiled, but before she could speak, he said, "However, I also have a condition."
Jiang Mian was taken aback, clearly not expecting Shen Ji to say such a thing.
Before the smile on her face could fully bloom, she froze. She had always been the one in control between her and her cousin, and now that Shen Ji had suddenly said this, she was a little unaccustomed to it.
However, she did not refute him. Instead, she gently wrapped her arms around his waist, raised her head, and looked like she was listening attentively to what he was saying.
"Mianniang." Unexpectedly, he called her name first, and his hand on her lower back began to gently caress her. Her spine stiffened, clearly feeling it, and that abnormal thought in her heart rose again.
She looked at the man in front of her, who still had a cold and aloof demeanor, and no one would have guessed that he was now holding her waist tightly, as if it were perfectly natural.
With his other hand, he gently twirled her loose black hair, speaking casually, as if he had just remembered something, "From now on, don't call other people 'cousin' anymore."
Jiang Mian was stunned, clearly not having reacted yet.
Because the Shen Ji before them was truly abnormal; how could such a commanding and probing tone possibly come from a refined and aloof young master from a noble family?
She suddenly remembered that she had unintentionally called Jiang Qiyu "cousin" earlier that day. At that time, his expression didn't seem too different, and she thought he didn't care at all. Little did she know that he was waiting for her here.
She felt the hand on her waist gently brushing against her back, as if he would hold her tightly and never let go unless she agreed.
An unbelievable thought popped into my head.
My cousin is probably jealous.
But would someone as arrogant and disdainful of worldly affairs as him get jealous? And if her cousin really was jealous because of her, she should be happy about it. But now, looking into those unfathomable eyes, she couldn't smile no matter what.
She even had an unusual thought: if she had shaken her head just now, he might have done something really outrageous.
But he was Shen Ji.
How could Shen Ji, who was so measured, polite, and even able to remain composed in the face of her temptations, be as despicable as she imagined?
She shook her head, thinking she might be overthinking it. Those eyes were clearly overflowing with warmth, just the scene she wanted. She suppressed her chaotic thoughts and smiled again: "I know, cousin."
"Hmm, very good." Shen Ji smiled, clearly satisfied.
She said it herself; she was his.
He wouldn't allow anyone to take her away from him; ideally, she would behave herself and not have any other ideas.
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