It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 32

Shen Qing Li regained her composure and softly asked, “I wonder what orders Your Highness has for me?”

Jun Mo Ran replied evenly, “It’s more convenient to meet you here.”

With so many people at the banquet, the absence of one or two wouldn’t attract much attention. Though many eyes were on Jun Mo Ran, slipping away was never a problem for him.

His voice was unhurried as he poured Shen Qing Li another cup of tea. Steam rose between them, forming a faint mist.

Whenever she was alone with him, she couldn’t help but feel inexplicably nervous. She picked up the cup, hoping to mask her unease.

Jun Mo Ran glanced at her and asked, “You never attend banquets. What made you come this time?”

Shen Qing Li’s heart tightened. Startled, she instinctively downed the tea in one gulp.

“Ah—!”

“Careful—”

Two voices sounded at the same time. She immediately spat out the scalding tea, wincing as she stood up to wipe her tongue with a handkerchief.

A cup of cold water was swiftly placed in front of her. At this moment, she cared little for appearances and took a sip, the chill soothing the burning sensation.

Her delicate skin turned red, her lips slightly swollen—if her lips were this bad, her mouth must have suffered worse.

Jun Mo Ran’s expression held a rare trace of concern. He gently lifted her chin, examining her closely. “Does it hurt?”

Shen Qing Li still had water in her mouth and couldn’t respond. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the moisture about to spill over.

Of course, it hurt. It hurt a lot.

Neither of them realized just how intimate this moment appeared.

Jun Mo Ran dampened a handkerchief and lightly pressed it against her lips. “My fault—I should’ve let it cool first.”

He then leaned in and gently blew on her lips. The cool breath carried his signature sandalwood scent, brushing past her face. Shen Qing Li’s heart tingled, her entire being numb from the sensation.

It was only then that she realized how improper their posture was.

She took a step back, withdrawing from his grasp. The water in her mouth went down with a loud gulp, and her face turned even redder than her burned lips.

“I… I’m fine,” she mumbled.

Jun Mo Ran studied her for a moment. Seeing that the burn wasn’t too severe, he finally relaxed. “Be more careful when drinking tea in the future.”

She nodded lightly. She wasn’t usually careless, but the reason for her presence at the banquet had left her uneasy.

Her gaze fell on the sachet hanging at his waist, and she softly said, “My mother asked me to go out more and meet new people…”

Her voice grew quieter toward the end.

A long silence followed.

Then Jun Mo Ran’s voice returned to its usual cool tone. “In such a hurry? I thought you’d wait at least a little longer after calling off your engagement.”

There was a trace of reproach in his words.

“Your Highness?” Shen Qing Li lifted her gaze, confused by his displeasure.

Could it be that after rescuing her from Jiang Zhi Li’s engagement trap, he was now irritated that she was eager to find another match?

Jun Mo Ran’s expression was unreadable as he suddenly asked, “What kind of person are you looking for?”

Shen Qing Li felt her face heat up.

This wasn’t a conversation they should be having.

Or rather, there shouldn’t be any conversation between them at all.

How was she supposed to answer that?

After a brief hesitation, she decided to be honest.

“To be frank, Your Highness, I… do not wish to marry again.” Her voice was steady. “My mother has only just recovered from her illness. I don’t want to go against her wishes, so I came today.”

“You don’t wish to marry? Why?”

Jun Mo Ran’s tone darkened slightly, a hint of irritation seeping into his voice. “Because of Jiang Zhi Li, that worthless man?”

Shen Qing Li gazed at him for a long moment before stepping toward the window, remaining silent.

Her back carried an unmistakable sense of loneliness—so different from the bold, carefree girl she once was.

It was hard to watch.

Jun Mo Ran’s voice softened a little. “Do you have someone in mind?”

Shen Qing Li lowered her gaze.

Images of his every smile, every glance flashed through her mind.

She forced a bitter smile.

“No.”

Jun Mo Ran’s tone was casual. “What do you think of me?”

Shen Qing Li gripped her handkerchief tightly.

What did he mean by that question?

After a brief pause, she replied carefully, “Your Highness is an upright man, a protector of Great Zhou, a hero respected by all.”

Jun Mo Ran let out a low chuckle—one that carried a trace of self-mockery.

“So, you respect me as well?”

Shen Qing Li recalled the rumors about his ruthless tactics in court, as well as her mother’s cautious attitude toward him.

Perhaps the world had misunderstood him.

She turned around, her gaze steady as she met his.

With sincerity, she said, “No matter what others say, in my eyes, Your Highness is a hero. A true gentleman. The world is quick to follow the crowd, but please, do not belittle yourself.”

Jun Mo Ran’s heart trembled.

He stared at her in silence.

Her expression was solemn, her clear eyes unwavering—as if she truly feared he might be affected by others’ opinions.

Sunlight streamed in, casting a golden glow over her white gown.

Like a pure lotus, untouched and pristine.

At this moment, she became deeply imprinted in his heart.

“…I see.”

Hearing his quiet response, Shen Qing Li finally relaxed.

But then he spoke again.

“I’ve helped you so many times. How do you plan to thank me?”

Wasn’t he the one who always said no thanks were needed?

She frowned slightly. “I had people send gifts before, but you refused them.”

Jun Mo Ran raised an eyebrow. “So you just stopped sending them?”

“…No, I’m also preparing something,” Shen Qing Li said cautiously, noticing Jun Mo Ran’s relaxed demeanor. His mood seemed rather pleasant, so she tentatively asked, “Does Your Highness have any particular interests? The kind that can be shared.”

Jun Mo Ran’s fingers brushed against the sachet at his waist as he said, “Can you embroider a sachet for me.”

“A sachet?”

Sachets were often exchanged between young men and women as tokens of affection.

Seeing her hesitation, Jun Mo Ran asked, “You can’t?”

“…I can.”

Shen Qing Li’s gaze landed on the sachet at his waist once more. It looked old—its colors slightly faded, the edges frayed. It hardly seemed fitting for someone of his status.

The embroidery was simple—just a few stalks of green bamboo, a pattern she often used when she was first learning embroidery.

For something so rough to be kept by him, the person who made it must have been very important to him.

“The design… should I embroider bamboo like this one?”

“As you wish.”

A knock came from outside.

A maid’s voice, deliberately lowered, called out, “Miss Shen, my lady requests your presence.”

Their gazes met for a moment before Shen Qing Li rose to her feet. Her heart pounded as she curtsied and took her leave.

Jun Mo Ran watched her go and said softly, “Go ahead. I’ll be waiting for your gift in return.”

The door creaked open and then shut again.

She had previously thought there was something between Jun Mo Ran and Liu Yuyan, but now it seemed to be a misunderstanding.

And the Princess An Ning… perhaps there were misconceptions there too.

Did he truly understand the implications of asking a young lady to embroider a sachet for him?

No matter. Why overthink it?

It was just a sachet, after all.

With that thought, the ripples in her heart gradually settled.

When she reached Liu Yuyan’s door, she hadn’t even knocked before it swung open from the inside.

Liu Yuyan’s cheeks were slightly flushed as she adjusted her hairpin. Upon seeing Shen Qing Li at the door, she paused briefly, then smiled somewhat shyly.

Shen Qing Li kept her gaze steady on Liu Yuyan, not letting her eyes wander. “Miss Liu, are you alright?”

Liu Yuyan gently shook her head and closed the door behind her. “And you?”

Her expression was a little unnatural. “I… I’m fine as well.”

Their eyes met, and the unspoken barrier between them dissolved. Both of them smiled at the same time.

Liu Yuyan chuckled. “It seems we were meant to meet. Shall we become close friends?”

“I would be honored,” Shen Qing Li replied sincerely.

Thinking back, Liu Yuyan had initially mistaken her for someone her beloved cared for, yet she had still stepped in to help her out of a difficult situation. This alone showed she was a kind-hearted person.

Just then, Chun Hua rushed over, her voice anxious. “Miss, you must come to the courtyard quickly! The First Madam Lu Shi is stirring up trouble again!”