The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 14

Jiang Jingchun stood by his side and softly asked him the question, as if it were just a casual inquiry without any deeper intentions behind it. Perhaps it was because Governess Liu had recently taught her a thing or two, such as maintaining proper conduct when speaking to men outside her immediate family, that she no longer dared to stand too close to him now.

And… perhaps because of how reservedly she had asked her question, Gu Huaisheng couldn’t quite figure out what she was thinking at that moment.

He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at her. She walked with her head lowered. Her twin buns were adorned with blue ribbons that swayed gently with her steps. 

When Jiang Jingchun noticed his silence, she turned her head to look at him, and their gazes met squarely. He saw a trace of confusion in her eyes.

Jiang Jingchun asked, “Cousin, why are you looking at me like that?”

Gu Huaisheng looked away, then truthfully replied, “I just don’t understand why you asked that question.”

Jiang Jingchun seemed a little nervous. She bit her lip lightly before explaining, “Grandmother has allowed me to go out tomorrow. Do you have time, Cousin? The streets would be filled with fun tomorrow—there would be dragon boat races and beautiful lantern displays.”

She said all that simply to ask him, “Cousin, would you like to come and see them?”

She sounded as if she were coaxing a child. She first painted a picture of how lively and exciting the streets would be to ‘coax’ Gu Huaisheng into accompanying her on an outing.

There was a hint of expectation in her gaze as she looked at him and spoke, but Gu Huaisheng still didn’t seem interested. By the time she finished speaking, her voice had become as soft as a mosquito’s hum, and she could already imagine him refusing her.

So that was it, then.

It seemed she feared rejection and was worried he would think she was frivolous, which was why her voice was so timid and lacked confidence.

Instead of answering her question, Gu Huaisheng suddenly asked something unrelated. He glanced at her hand and said, “Has your injury healed?”

Jiang Jingchun was slightly puzzled by his question and replied, “Huh?”

It seemed she hadn’t expected him to bring this up. However, she quickly replied, “It hasn’t fully healed yet, but it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

As she spoke, she raised her hand to show him. It was still wrapped in gauze, but compared to its previous state—with multiple thick layers wrapping it, it looked much better now.

Gu Huaisheng glanced at her hand and then seemed to lose interest in continuing the conversation. He gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

Only then did Jiang Jingchun realise what was happening and called out to him, “Cousin, you still haven’t told me if you’ll go tomorrow!”

Her tone now carried a hint of urgency, unlike her earlier hesitant inquiry.

Jiang Jingchun saw that Gu Huaisheng seemed unwilling to answer her, and she finally forgot about the proper conduct that Governess Liu had taught her. 

She lifted her skirt and chased after him. Her twin buns bounced wildly with her movements. Her clothes fluttered in the wind, almost as if they had taken on a life of their own.

She stopped in front of Gu Huaisheng. Her red lips were slightly parted as she panted for breath. The faint fragrance of her perfume forcefully invaded his senses as she drew closer.

Gu Huaisheng stared at the person in front of him in silence for a moment. His throat felt slightly dry, and he cleared it with a light cough. He had wanted to reply—when Governess Liu’s voice suddenly ruined the moment.

“Young Miss, why have you been out here for so long? The old madame has asked me to call you back for dinner.”

Jiang Jingchun said that she was going to send him off, but stayed out for so long and even ran after him. If someone didn’t know better, they might think she was planning to return to Gu Huaisheng’s residence with him.

Jiang Jingchun knew she probably wouldn’t get her answer from Gu Huaisheng today. Hearing Governess Liu’s urging, she turned to him and said, “Cousin, if you’re coming tomorrow, please have someone send word to me. I’ll be waiting for you!”

With that, she turned and followed Governess Liu back.

Gu Huaisheng had a pair of naturally captivating peach blossom eyes—eyes that seemed to hold a constant smile and affection. Even if one’s demeanour was cold and unapproachable, such eyes would naturally betray their owners’ emotions if their owners were any other people. However, on Gu Huaisheng, these eyes didn’t seem to add warmth. His gaze remained distant, and his pupils seemed coated with frost.

Yet, at this moment, the perpetual ice in his eyes seemed to thaw ever so slightly.

Dragon boats… Lanterns…

It had indeed been a long time since he’d seen such things.

—

The next day arrived quickly. It was the fifth day of the fifth month now—the day of the Dragon Boat Festival. The Jiang family household was already adorned with bundles of mugwort leaves and calamus, traditionally hung to ward off evil spirits during this time of year when yang energy was strongest. 

The entire estate was permeated with the scent of rice dumpling leaves, and the maids bustled about, preparing for the evening’s family banquet.

Jiang Jingchun, who had recently improved her needlework, was now adept enough to craft decent items. A few days prior, she had made several sachets filled with mugwort for protection and blessings. She first brought some to the old madame and Governess Liu, then returned to Chongming Hall to deliver some to her mother and elder brother. 

As for her father… She was a little intimidated by him, so she sent a servant to deliver the one she made for him.

Beyond those, she had also made one for Gu Huaisheng because she thought about how she had invited him out and would meet him that evening.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, government officials would typically rest at home. 

In the hall of Chongming Hall, Lady Li was seated with her son and daughter.

Jiang Runchu took the sachet his younger sister handed him and twirled its string in his hand as he examined it. Though the sachet was indeed well-made, he couldn’t resist teasing her, “Even your clumsy paws can handle needlework now, huh?”

Jiang Runchu and Jiang Jingchun had always bickered with each other ever since they were young, so Jiang Jingchun had grown accustomed to her brother’s sharp, accursed mouth, which couldn’t ever say a good word to her. 

Hearing what he said, she reached out to snatch the sachet back while saying, “Fine, if you don’t want it, give it back.”

Jiang Runchu was quicker. He tucked the sachet away before she could take it while saying, “Why wouldn’t I want something free?”

Jiang Jingchun rolled her eyes at him. Over the years, he’d done nothing but bully her. When other people wronged her, he’d always stand on their side. Yet, despite her magnanimity in including him when distributing gifts, he still insisted on mocking her. What kind of person was he, really?

She couldn’t be bothered to engage further and turned to Lady Li instead. “Mother, what do you think of my embroidery?”

Lady Li took the sachet in hand and inspected it closely. In the past, it would already be commendable of Jiang Jingchun if she could manage anything that resembled its proper shape. However, today, she had presented a sachet with excellent stitching and threading.

Her mother-in-law had taught her daughter well—better than she ever could.

Lady Li became lost in her own thoughts and forgot that Jiang Jingchun was still waiting for her opinion.

An unknown amount of time passed Lady Li sighed and remarked, “You’re ready to be married now.”

When Jiang Jingchun first started menstruating, Lady Li hadn’t thought much of it. When her daughter’s figure began to develop, she still hadn’t considered it. Even when Jiang Jingchun would chatter on about liking Gu Huaisheng, it still hadn’t crossed her mind.

However, seeing her daughter craft proper sachets finally gave her a moment of sudden clarity and made her realise that her daughter had grown up.

Jiang Runchu, who was ever quick to chime in, added, “She’s already sixteen, Mother. You should’ve started arranging her marriage ages ago.”

Only then did Lady Li remember—yes, her daughter was indeed of marriageable age. Though she didn’t want to admit it, she had no choice. She sighed again and said, “I know, I know. You don’t need to remind me.”

Her marriage arrangement…

When it came to that topic, Jiang Jingchun could only think of Gu Huaisheng. 

Remembering him brought to mind her invitation to him yesterday.

Now, it was nearly time for the evening meal, and still, no message had come.

—

At Marquis Heyang’s residence, Madame Gu sat with Gu Huaisheng.

“I remember you saying you didn’t care for Miss Lou from the Lou family,” she said to him. “So I’ve been looking around again these past few days. I think the third miss of the Minister of Rites’ household would be a good match for you. I’ve met with her mother a few times recently, and she seems to think well of you, too.”

Madame Gu had liked Lou Yanxin—the previous match candidate for Gu Huaisheng’s marriage. However, since Gu Huaisheng didn’t like her, there was nothing she could do. 

She understood that her son was picky, and he would naturally be more particular about his marriage.

Yet, despite his high standards, he refused to put any effort into the matter himself. If she, as his mother, didn’t handle it, he might very well remain a bachelor for life.

Madame Gu continued, “I’ve already made arrangements with the minister’s wife. Tonight, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the streets will be lively. Why don’t you accompany Miss Meng for a stroll tonight?”

Gu Huaisheng didn’t respond immediately.

Madame Gu couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Was he agreeing or not?

Gu Huaisheng suddenly asked her, “Tonight?” 

Madame Gu was a little puzzled. Why did he ask? What difference did it make if he met Miss Meng tonight or tomorrow?

She replied, “Tonight, the streets will be bustling. You’ll have more fun with her this way.”

She asked again, “What is it? Do you have plans today? Is it inconvenient?”

Gu Huaisheng pursed his lips and stayed silent for a moment. His fingers instinctively rubbed the teacup in his hand as he recalled what Jiang Jingchun had said to him yesterday.

She had also invited him to go out tonight.

However, going out alone with her seemed like an odd thing to do.

A man spending time alone with his cousin to view lanterns and stroll the streets…

What would that imply? Wasn’t it already obvious?

Moreover, his mother was asking him to accompany a young miss who might become his match today. If he declined this for Jiang Jingchun’s sake, it would make things even stranger.

“Fuyan, what are you thinking about?”

Hearing Madame Gu’s voice, Gu Huaisheng snapped out of his thoughts and agreed to her request.

“Alright, I’ll go with her tonight.”

Madame Gu hadn’t expected Gu Huaisheng to agree so readily. She had assumed his earlier silence meant he was trying to think of an excuse to avoid it.

After getting his answer, Madame Gu cheerfully said, “Change into something else later. Don’t wear white again—that colour is so plain and lifeless. Young girls don’t like that.”

Madame Gu continued her chatter, and in the end, Gu Huaisheng complied. He let her pick out an outfit for him.

—

Night came quickly. The streets and alleys were adorned with lanterns whose glowing light shimmered like pearls against the night. There was no curfew tonight, and even in the deep darkness, the streets were packed with people. Children’s playful shouts and laughter filled the air, which added to the festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, dragon boat teams were warming up along the riverside; their members were clearly eager for their upcoming race.

Jiang Jingchun had already finished her dinner but was still at home.

She was still stubbornly waiting for news from Gu Huaisheng.

It was already this late, and if he had agreed, he should’ve sent someone to inform her by now. However, Jiang Jingchun was unwilling to give up until the very last moment and continued to wait.

Finally, a young servant came to Jiang Jingchun to deliver a message. Jiang Jingchun quickly stepped outside and asked anxiously, “Is it news from the Gu family?”

Finally, a young servant came to deliver a message. Jiang Jingchun quickly stepped outside and asked anxiously, “Is it news from the Gu family?”

The servant noticed her urgency and nodded immediately.

“What did my cousin say?” Jiang Jingchun pressed.

The servant replied, “The young marquis said he has something else to do today and he can’t come.”

Can’t come.

Even though this outcome was within her expectations, hearing it still left Jiang Jingchun feeling hurt.

She had been looking forward to it since yesterday, but in the end, all she got was a simple ‘can’t come.’

The anticipation in Jiang Jingchun’s eyes vanished instantly, and her expression cooled.

He wasn’t coming.

She felt a wave of warmth stinging her eyes as disappointment flooded her chest. It was just a simple outing, wasn’t it? Why was he so unwilling to accompany her?

Gu Huaisheng… 

How ungenerous of him.