It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 15

The sky grew overcast as a cool breeze began to blow, easing the morning’s heat.

Jun Mo Ran did not speak, his expression somewhere between a smile and something else as he looked at her. “Worried about me? ”

Shen Qing Li felt tightness in her chest at his ambiguous question, and she didn’t quite know how to respond.

Fortunately, Jun Mo Ran didn’t seem to care about her answer. He spoke again, “From now on, call me Jiu Qian Sui. If you’d prefer, you can call me… Brother Mo Ran. ”

Her face flushed deeply at his words, and she bowed her head, “Lord Jiu.”

“Sit here and wait a moment; I’ll take you back soon,” he said.

Yun Sheng assisted Doctor Yang in applying medicine to Jun Mo Ran, while a round-faced girl eagerly brought over a stool, her curious eyes scanning Shen Qing Li from head to toe. “I’m Yang Ying, but everyone calls me Yingzi. Which family do you belong to? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

Shen Qing Li smiled at her sweet face. “I’m Shen Qing Li. I don’t go out much.”

“She’s the only daughter of Shen Zhong.” Jun Mo Ran’s words came calmly, despite the sweat beading on his forehead from the pain of his injuries. His tone was gentle.

“Ah, General Shen? The one who supported the entire army? ”

Shen Qingli seldom mentioned her father, and few in Shengjing even remembered him. She didn’t like seeing people speak of him with disdain.

The round-faced girl’s reaction, however, moved Shen Qingli. She quickly responded, “He wasn’t supporting the entire army. There was a period when the grain and supplies hadn’t arrived, and my grandfather helped gather some.”

She glanced over at Jun Mo Ran. His wound seemed severe as Doctor Yang stitched up the gaping flesh. Jun Mo Ran didn’t make a sound, even as sweat trickled down his face.

As though sensing her gaze, Jun Mo Ran slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting smile flashing in his slightly reddened gaze.

Shen Qing Li’s heart fluttered at the look. She quickly turned her attention back to Yingzi, trying to make small talk.

“Yesterday, Xiao Yang mentioned that Lady Shen’s health is a little frail. Doctor Yang, can you prescribe a remedy for her? ”

Before long, Jun Mo Ran’s calm voice broke through. Doctor Yang smiled in a way that wasn’t entirely clear, stroking his beard. “Oh? Lady Shen, please take a seat. I’ll take your pulse first.”

Shen Qing Li immediately interrupted, “I’m fine. I don’t want to trouble you anymore, Doctor Yang.”

Before she could finish, Yingzi had already pushed her toward the seat. “It’s no trouble, no trouble at all. His Highness gave Grandpa many fine gifts—don’t let them go to waste.”

Doctor Yang gave his granddaughter a glare, muttering under his breath, but Yingzi only stuck her tongue out and hid behind Yun Sheng.

After receiving the prescription from Doctor Yang, Jun Mo Ran was about to escort her back. She refused to accept thinking about how, aside from their difference in status, he was injured and needed rest.

Her refusal was ignored completely. When they reached the carriage, Jun Mo Ran reached out to open the curtain.

Shen Qing Li hesitated for a moment, then looked up at him.

Jun Mo Ran smiled and said softly, “What’s wrong? Do you want me to help you up? ”

She immediately jumped into the carriage, but her movement was so sudden that her head lightly bumped against his hand as he held the curtain.

Doctor Yang had just said there was nothing seriously wrong with her body, but why did her heart feel strangely unsettled lately, like it was beating too fast?

The interior of the carriage was far larger than her own, spacious enough for her to lie down and sleep if she wanted. Yet, it felt strangely cramped, with everything around her seeming to belong to him and the faint scent of sandalwood filling her nose.

He sat there, eyes closed, resting. Shen Qing Li couldn’t help but take a closer look at him. His features were flawless—cold, white skin, delicate, sculpted features; when he smiled, it was like a warm spring breeze, but when he was angry, it could make one’s heart tremble with fear.

His long lashes fluttered slightly as he opened his eyes, and it seemed as though a breeze stirred, sending a shiver through her heart.

“This man… Am I good-looking? ”

Caught staring, Shen Qing Li felt her face burn. She quickly covered her cheeks with her hands, her eyes fixed on his dark-colored boots, which were embroidered with clouds.

At that moment, he realized it was the first time he had referred to himself as “this man” in front of her.

Shen Qing Li mumbled softly, “I’ve always said you’re handsome.”

She couldn’t resist stealing another glance at him. His deep eyes curled into a crescent smile. Shen Qing Li found herself drawn into the atmosphere, lowering her head with a light smile.

As the carriage neared the Marquis’s residence, she suddenly remembered she had yet to deliver the scroll.

“Give it to me. I’ll pass it along to him.” His voice was a little rough, sending a tingling sensation through her ears.

Shen Qingli took out the scroll and handed it to him. “Thank you, Lord Jiu.”

Perhaps unintentionally, their fingers brushed against each other.

This was the second time she had touched him, yet this time it felt exceptionally sensitive, as if a vine quickly sprouted from their fingertips, winding up her arm and wrapping around her heart.

That hand was truly beautiful—long, straight, with distinct knuckles, and it seemed that it would be very strong to hold.

Shen Qing Li quickly withdrew her hand, desperately trying to hide the fluster in her heart.

As she pretended to fiddle with her handkerchief, a soft, hoarse voice suddenly came from above her head: “Are you still afraid of me? ”

Without thinking, Shen Qing Li responded, “No.”

“Then why do you always lower your head and avoid looking at me? ”

“I’m not afraid… I just… I just feel a little out of place.” She was slightly nervous. “I’ve heard that the Lord Jiu doesn’t like women, and …I… I’ve unintentionally touched you twice, and just now, I got a little distracted.”

She lightly bit her lower lip, pausing for a moment. “…I’m afraid you might dislike me, Lord Jiu.”

The carriage suddenly came to a stop, and Yun Sheng’s voice came from outside the window. “Master, the envoy from Western Jin has reached the outskirts of the capital, about three miles away. They should arrive in about an hour.

“Go to Yongwang Marquis’s residence first.” Jun Mo Ran gently pulled the handkerchief from her hand, which was nearly being crushed under her grip. “It’s my fault. Don’t let it trouble you.”

Shen Qing Li had also heard that this year, the Empress Dowager was celebrating her birthday, and envoys from various countries had come to pay their respects. Among them, Western Jin was a powerful nation, comparable to the Great Zhou in strength.

“Lord Jiu, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. It’s not far from my home anymore. I’ll walk back on my own.”

Jun Mo Ran didn’t pay any attention to her words, focusing instead on the handkerchief in his hand as he closed his eyes to rest.

Shen Qing Li watched the handkerchief she had been holding gently loop around his fingers. She lowered her head, not daring to speak again.

They soon arrived at Marquis’s residence. Jun Mo Ran only left after ensuring she had entered the small gate.

Shen Qing Li hid behind the door, trying to calm her chaotic emotions.

Jun Mo Ran carried the pressure of one in power. When near him, she felt tense and uneasy, but as she watched him slowly leave her sight, a faint emptiness stirred in her heart.

She managed to sleep soundly that night, and in her dreams, it felt as though she had returned to ten years ago when she first met Jun Mo Ran. Back then, he didn’t have the same overwhelming pressure he carries now. Though his temperament was always cool and distant, he had shown her more patience.

Chun Hua entered with a basin of water, speaking in a quiet voice, “Miss, I heard early this morning that Young Master Jiang was brought back by the Marquis last night. It seems he’s injured. Last night, everyone in the residence was summoned to Chaohui Hall, and the Marquis specifically instructed that Madam Shen, your mother was to rest and should not be disturbed in the side courtyard.”

Shen Qing Li had never dared to let anyone near her mother’s room, fearing that others might gossip and spread word about the broken engagement and would upset her mother.

Now, the Yongwang Marquis had personally given the instruction, which must have been Jun Mo Ran’s idea.

He was so busy every day, yet he still remembered to take care of such small matters.

Shen Qing Li raised her head and covered her face with the handkerchief. How should she thank him?