It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 22

The rain poured harder as Jun Mo Ran and Xuan Yuan Zhe sat across from each other, playing chess.

Xuan Yuan Zhe smiled knowingly. “You sent so many people just to help a mere village girl settle some trivial matters? Isn’t that a bit of an overkill? ”

“I heard that His Majesty plans to grant a marriage decree between the Duke’s legitimate daughter and the Crown Prince on the Empress Dowager’s birthday. And yet, you still have the time to worry about others? ” Jun Mo Ran placed a white piece down leisurely, speaking in an unhurried tone.

Xuan Yuan Zhe’s smile faltered. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes, a stark contrast to his elegant appearance. “That Crown Prince of your Great Zhou is nothing but a useless drunkard. He doesn’t deserve Yu Yan.”

“You’ve lost.”

Xuan Yuan Zhe glanced at the board, frowning slightly as he saw that most of his black pieces had been captured. “You promised me—you said I could take Yu Yan away.”

Jun Mo Ran calmly picked up the chess pieces, one by one. “I’ve helped you so much. Shouldn’t you offer me something in return? ”

“Master, I have something to report.”

“Come in.”

Yun Sheng pushed open the door, only to find the Third Prince of Western Jin uncharacteristically cold and unreadable.

“Third Prince.”

Xuan Yuan Zhe stood up, a mysterious expression on his face. “Wait. I have a big gift for you.”

Yun Sheng was puzzled. It was the first time he had seen this usually carefree prince being… serious.

After Xuan Yuan Zhe left, Yun Sheng stepped forward. “Master, Madam Su is asking for an audience.”

“The one who accompanied Miss Shen? She seems to be Lady Shen’s trusted servant.”

Before Jun Mo Ran could ask, Yun Sheng quickly added, “I sent men to help her sort out Miss Shen’s lands and shops. But Madam Su insisted on getting Miss Shen’s approval first.”

Jun Mo Ran put away the chessboard and stood up. “She’s quite loyal. Take her to see Miss Shen directly.”

Madam Su, drenched from the rain, sighed in relief upon hearing that she could see her mistress.

Earlier that day, Chun Hua had reported that something had happened to Miss Shen, throwing Madam Su into turmoil. Miss Shen is Madam Jiang’s  treasure if anything happened to her; she would rather it be herself instead.

This matter had to be kept quiet. The Marquis’s residence was unreliable, and she dared not alert Lady Shen. The uncertainty nearly drove her to despair.

Just then, Yun Sheng—one of Lord Jiu Qian Sui’s—brought news that Miss Shen was recuperating in a wooden house at the bottom of a cliff. Though Chun Hua was already attending to her, Madam Su couldn’t rest easy until she saw her with her own eyes.

Moreover, Lord Qian Sui had suddenly sent many men over, claiming to be helping Miss Shen take back her remaining estates, clean out the corrupt servants, and ensure she wouldn’t have to worry about these matters while she recovered.

It was a good thing, but people were unpredictable. There was too much wealth involved—how could a mere servant like her allow outsiders to meddle in it?

She had even brought a good amount of silver, expecting to bribe some of Lord Qian Sui’’s men if necessary. But to her surprise, the guards were rather easy to talk to. They didn’t take her silver and simply relayed her request, allowing her to see Miss Shen.

Seeing that Shen Qing Li was unharmed, Madam Su finally felt relieved. After exchanging a few words, she reported the Lord Qian Sui’s arrangements.

Shen Qing Li was momentarily stunned. “…The Ninth Prince is helping me take back my estates and shops? ”

“Yes. Guard Yun said that once everything is retrieved and the dishonest people are removed, we can send our own people to take over.”

For a moment, countless thoughts flooded Shen Qing Li’s mind, but she found it hard to believe.

That man always did things that made her misunderstand him—only to throw a bucket of cold water over her head right after.

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Qing Li held Nanny Su’s hand and said, “I approve of this matter, but I’ll have to trouble you to keep a close eye on these things… Don’t tell my mother just yet. Let her rest and recover in peace. We’ll talk about everything once we return.”

Madam Su sighed in relief. She was also worried about Lady Shen’s health.

As night fell, Shen Qing Li wanted Nanny Su to stay the night, but she insisted on returning early to check the accounts, ensuring everything would be ready for the handover to the Lord Jiu Qian Sui’s men the next day.

Yun Sheng personally escorted Madam Su safely back to the cloth shop.

That night, the thunderstorm raged on. Shen Qing Li tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Her mind kept replaying the moment she had tilted her head up and kissed Mo Ran. The stillness of the night magnified every sensation—his cool and soft lips seemed to linger on hers, tormenting her heart.

How would he see her now? Would he think she was shameless…?

After a restless night, she finally endured until dawn. The wind and rain outside had calmed somewhat.

She felt a slight swelling on her lips as she got up and carefully stepped over Chun Hua, who was still asleep. She needed a drink of water.

It was rare for Chun Hua to sleep in—perhaps she had been truly exhausted from searching for her the day before.

Finding the kettle empty, Shen Qing Li decided not to wake her. She quietly stepped out of the room, planning to fetch some hot water from the kitchen.

As she pushed open the door, she saw two figures sparring in the courtyard.

Her eyes landed on Jun Mo Ran immediately—he looked up at her, a hint of fatigue in his gaze.

At the sound of the door opening, both men stopped and turned toward her.

The other man, the one she had glimpsed at the window yesterday, was strikingly handsome.

“Well, well. A true beauty indeed. No wonder even my royal sister doesn’t compare.”

Xuan Yuan Zhe had accompanied Princess An Ning to Great Zhou for the birthday celebrations, but he had been poisoned by her just after leaving Western Jin. Fortunately, fate had spared him—Jun Mo Ran’s men had rescued him. Now that he had recovered, he had dragged Jun Mo Ran out for a morning spar.

His eyes were full of admiration as he looked at Shen Qing Li. Even standing beside Yu Yan, she would not pale in comparison.

Jun Mo Ran was dressed in a dark training robe today. With his broad shoulders and slim waist, his high-tied black hair, and the sheen of sweat on his forehead and nose, he looked less like the cold, distant noble he usually was and more like a wandering swordsman.

“You’re awake? ”

Shen Qing Li gave a small nod, her gaze lowering slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.

Jun Mo Ran studied her for a moment, his voice carrying a hint of concern.  

“What happened to your lips? ” 

Lips?

She touched them, feeling the slight swelling but no pain. Confused, she looked up at him.

Jun Mo Ran saw her dazed expression, like a little deer caught in the headlights, and amusement flickered in his eyes. “They’re a bit swollen.”

Swollen? How?

Seeing his faint smile, a memory flashed through Shen Qing Li’s mind—the kiss from last night. Could it be… just thinking about it all night had made her lips swell?

Her face grew hot. No—there was no way he would guess.

“…I, I accidentally bumped into something last night.”

That excuse… might as well not have said anything.

Jun Mo Ran chuckled but didn’t expose her. Instead, he asked in a gentle tone, “No more water? ”

“Mm.” Since he didn’t press further, she naturally wouldn’t say more.

“I’ll get some for you. Go back and rest a little longer.” Taking the kettle, Jun Mo Ran turned toward the kitchen. The courtyard was now empty—Xuan Yuan Zhe had already slipped away.

Mustering her courage, Shen Qing Li followed him.

He noticed her presence, raising an eyebrow slightly as he looked at her.

The morning air carried the fresh scent of damp earth. Raindrops trickled down the eaves, landing softly on the wooden planks.

Standing at the kitchen door, Shen Qing Li bit her lip before finally speaking the words she had rehearsed in her head all night. “…Last night, I was wrong. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

She lowered her head the moment she finished, bracing herself for his cold reprimand.

Jun Mo Ran stood with his back to the light, making it hard to see his expression. But in the faint glow, the tips of her ears were flushed red—so red they seemed almost translucent.

Her face must be just as red as it had been last night.