Chapter 6
The banquet is about to begin.
The bride went out, carried by Shen Xi, and walked through the crowd. The crowd moved from the inner courtyard to the outer courtyard. Jiang Mian was also touched and followed the crowd forward.
Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly rang out from behind: "Miss, is this yours?"
Jiang Mian turned around, her gaze fixed on the spot.
The handkerchief she always carried with her was nowhere to be found at her waist.
"Thank you, young master, it's mine."
"I found it by accident just now, and I had no choice but to offend you, young lady. Now I can return it to its rightful owner."
Jiang Qiyu said gently, but his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Mian. He had been standing on the covered bridge when he noticed a woman standing there.
Curious, he sent someone to ask.
It turns out she was the cousin of the Shen family.
She was so beautiful. The broken light and shadow fell on her, as if she were bathed in some kind of radiance. His gaze lingered on her for a long time, and he sighed in his heart, thinking that the woman in the painting would one day appear before his eyes.
Now that she's so close, Jiang Qiyu even holds his breath, afraid of disturbing the beauty.
Jiang Mian was unaware of the other person's ulterior motives. She quickly took the handkerchief, thanked him, and left immediately.
The wind blew through her hair, and Jiang Qiyu seemed to smell a faint fragrance. Instantly, her cheeks flushed red.
It wasn't until Jiang Mian had walked quite a distance that he snapped out of his daze and couldn't wait to ask the servant beside him.
"Is this young lady engaged?"
The servant shook his head: "I've never heard of it."
For a moment, Jiang Qiyu's heart felt like it had fallen into a ball of soft cotton, rising and falling. Today was a joyous occasion at his aunt's house, and he had taken time out of his busy schedule to come, but he never expected to receive such a big surprise.
...
"Young master, it's chilly in here. You're not feeling well, so it's best if you don't come out."
"It's alright."
Yun Qing tied the cloak around Shen Ji's body. It was the height of summer, but even so, Shen Ji still felt a bit chilly.
Under the covered bridge, Jiang Qiyu seemed to have finally made up her mind and turned back. Shen Ji withdrew her gaze and looked at the girl walking away, her expression gloomy.
"I have heard that the capital has sent people to Jeju."
Who is it?
"Song Mingyan, the heir of the Marquis of Anyang's mansion."
The cat in his arms suddenly changed position, and Shen Ji gently stretched the cat's back, his gaze deep and cold.
The guests laughed and made a lot of noise.
He lowered his eyes and suddenly said, "Send someone to investigate Jiang Mian."
Yun Qing was taken aback and blurted out, "Miss Cousin? Does the young master suspect her?"
Shen Ji shook his head, recalling the scene when he first met Jiang Mian. About six years ago, he rarely left the courtyard, but happened to see a little girl surrounded by a group of people. He glanced at her casually, but noticed that her eyes seemed familiar.
It feels like I've seen it somewhere before.
...
Jiang Mian turned around and finally saw her maternal grandmother. She was sitting in a chair, watching Shen Rong's figure gradually disappear into the distance, with a hint of emotion in her eyes.
“Grandmother,” Jiang Mian called out, then stepped forward.
Madam Shen turned her head and saw a little girl walking towards her: "Mian'er, why aren't you with Yan'er?"
"My fourth sister was called away by my aunt, and I thought that my maternal grandmother had difficulty walking, so I came to check on her."
"You're a thoughtful child," said Madam Shen gently, while Granny Xin stepped aside.
Jiang Mian, supporting her wheelchair, watched as her second sister boarded the bridal sedan chair before turning her gaze away. Her second sister's husband, Lu Mu, was handsome and kind, a perfect match for her sister. Jiang Mian was happy for her sister, as it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Madam Shen didn't stay in the sun for long before she became a little tired.
Jiang Mian helped her back to the house and, just as she used to serve her grandmother, fed her the medicine.
As Madam Shen watched this scene, she unconsciously recalled the days when Shen Yun was by her side.
Although she wasn't her biological daughter, she had treated her as her own all these years, considering her as her own flesh and blood. If Shen Yun hadn't insisted on leaving home back then, perhaps things wouldn't be like this now...
Enough of this sentimentality. It's good that Jiang Mian is doing well now.
**
With Shen Rong's marriage settled, Madam Jiang was busy tidying up the household affairs when a servant suddenly came to report that Jiang Qiyu had arrived.
Jiang was still patient with this nephew from her maternal family.
Jiang Qiyu was young but had amazing painting skills. He had no interest in taking the imperial examinations and devoted all his time to his art, which was a good thing. However, his elder brother wrote a few days ago, still hoping that his son could enter officialdom.
Jiang rubbed her forehead, feeling that this matter was also difficult to handle. She had met Qi Yu, who was a good person, and she sincerely hoped that he could become an official. However, if his heart was not in it, no amount of coercion or inducement would work.
"Nephew greets Aunt." Jiang Qiyu bowed.
Jiang looked at him with a gentle expression and satisfaction: "Get up quickly. Are you getting used to living in Jeju?"
"I am doing well, thank you for your concern, Aunt," Jiang Qiyu said respectfully. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Jiang, he couldn't wait to get straight to the point.
"Nephew has come here today to ask you for a favor."
Jiang looked on with curiosity: "Just tell me what's on your mind, no need to be so polite with your aunt."
Jiang Qiyu clenched his fist, as if he had finally mustered up his courage: "Your nephew wishes to ask for Miss Jiang's hand in marriage."
With a "bang," the teacup in Jiang's hand slipped and fell heavily to the ground. Her curiosity turned into shock, surprise, and disbelief. It took her a long time to suppress her nameless anger as she looked at Jiang Qiyu and said, "Do you know what you're saying?"
"Marriage is a major event that requires the consent of parents and the words of a matchmaker. My nephew is sincere."
Jiang Qiyu knelt on the ground, looking very stubborn.
Jiang looked at him with exasperation: "Jiang Mian lost her parents and comes from a humble family. She is of no help to your career. Why did you marry her? Just because of her face?"
Jiang Qiyu hadn't expected his aunt to object so strongly. He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. Indeed, Jiang Mian was very beautiful, but his affection for her wasn't solely based on her looks. At the banquet today, he noticed her at a glance. Standing outside the crowd, she neither competed nor fought for anything. When he picked up the handkerchief and handed it to her, she showed no curiosity about him. She simply took the handkerchief and immediately turned and left, demonstrating her good manners.
After learning about her background, he felt even more sorry for her.
At such a young age, she lost both her parents. What did she go through to become like this?
Jiang Qiyu was very curious, and at the same time wanted to be good to her, genuinely wanting to be good to her from the bottom of his heart.
After much thought, I decided that marrying her would be the best thing to do. We would spend every day together, and our feelings for each other would grow stronger.
"Absurd! Marriage is a serious matter, not something to be taken lightly!" Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Madam Jiang couldn't help but slam her hand on the table and stand up.
"This is a letter your father sent a few days ago. Do you know how high his hopes are for you? He wants you to study hard, pass the imperial examinations, and become an official in the future. But what about you? You are engrossed in painting all day long, and now you are even indulging in romantic love. Even if you tell your father these things, he will definitely not allow it!"
"aunt……"
Jiang handed the letters to Jiang Qiyu, and seeing his expression, she felt very annoyed.
Jiang Qiyu was stunned. He held the letters in his hand, his thoughts in turmoil: "I told him I had no interest in this..."
"Enough. If you really like Jiang Mian, you should know that now that you have no official rank, the old lady will not agree to this marriage. Rather than making a big fuss and causing everyone to be unhappy, you should listen to your father, study hard, and earn a future for yourself. Perhaps then there will still be room for maneuver."
Madam Jiang's tone softened, a hint of something flashing in her eyes, before she helped Jiang Qiyu, who was kneeling on the ground, to her feet: "Your aunt is doing this for your own good. Don't mention today's events to anyone. When you pass the imperial examinations, your aunt will make proper arrangements for you."
Jiang Qiyu's head was spinning, and all he could think about was that cute little girl, but the letter in his hand felt incredibly heavy.
Indeed, with his current abilities, he cannot promise the future.
If he were to actually pass the imperial examinations and achieve high honors in the future, it wouldn't be bad to then bring her into the household in a grand and glorious manner.
Thinking of this, he stood up and said, "I understand. Please tell my father that I will study hard."
Jiang sighed, looking at Jiang Qiyu now, not knowing how to feel. She and her brother had tried to persuade him for many days, but he had never taken it to heart. Now, because of Jiang Mian, he had suddenly changed his nature. She really didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
After Jiang Qiyu left, Jiang suddenly felt a headache and sat down, holding her forehead.
Having witnessed everything, Granny Li stepped forward with concern: "Madam, do you really intend to grant Young Master Biao's wish?"
A calculating glint flashed across Jiang's face: "For now, this is the only option."
It seems we need to find a husband for Jiang Mian. She's so beautiful and has such a captivating appearance; we were hoping she could be of some use. But alas, given the current situation, the only option is to marry her off as soon as possible and put an end to Jiang Qiyu's hopes.
Jiang Qiyu, now filled with renewed hope, was unaware of what Jiang was thinking. After leaving Shun'an Hall, he happened to run into Jiang Mian again.
Jiang Mian had just come out of Shou'an Hall at that moment.
On the way back to Birouyuan, a person walked towards me.
She didn't know Jiang Qiyu. Even though he had picked up her handkerchief a few hours earlier, she left in a hurry and didn't get a good look at him.
At this moment, Jiang Qiyu suddenly stepped forward to greet her, which made Jiang Mian somewhat puzzled.
“Miss Jiang, my surname is Jiang, and I am the second madam’s nephew.”
Jiang Mian was taken aback, not understanding why the other party suddenly introduced himself, but out of politeness, she still greeted him formally: "Greetings, Young Master Jiang."
Jiang Qiyu wanted to say something to bridge the gap, but firstly, he wasn't familiar with Jiang Mian, and secondly, he was afraid that speaking rashly would make him seem frivolous. He was conflicted.
Jiang Mian felt somewhat uneasy, wondering why Jiang's nephew had suddenly appeared in front of her.
She didn't want to think too much about it. Today was her second sister's wedding, and there were many guests at the mansion. It wouldn't be strange to run into them. Thinking of this, Jiang Mian said a few more polite words and then left quickly.
Jiang Qiyu was stunned, and her face turned red shortly after she turned around.
At this moment, he was certain.
He truly loves Jiang Mian.
It wasn't just because of her face, which resembled that of a woman in a painting, but because every move she made, every smile, touched his heartstrings.
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