The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 37

The Mid-Autumn Festival arrived swiftly. For days, the streets had been abuzz with preparations for the celebrations, and now, the fifteenth day of the month had arrived and the streets had turned lively. The sea of lanterns radiated brilliantly. The moon that night also seemed particularly full as it hung in the night sky like a perfectly round disk.

The houses throughout the city were also especially bustling tonight, as families gathered to enjoy family gathering feasts.

At the Song family residence, Madame Song went out of her way to make this banquet especially grand. In just two days, Song Xuan’an would be entering the examination compound for the provincial-level imperial examinations. She wanted him to have a couple of good days before he was confined within the examination compound.

Song Xuan’an had been locking himself away in the study. He’d been studying tirelessly for days. Seeing him this way made Madame Song feel a pang of heartache. She even began to wonder if she had been too hard on him.

He wanted to marry Jiang Jingchun, but she insisted that he first pass the provincial-level imperial examinations in one attempt—a feat that was anything but easy.

Given how careless and frivolous he used to be, he no longer had much time left to catch up, no matter how diligent he was now.

Nevermind, nevermind. What was done, was done. Madame Song didn’t want to dwell on this further. As the family banquet was about to begin, she sent someone to summon him from the study.

When Song Xuan’an arrived, most of the family was already seated, except for his grandfather, the venerable Secretariat Elder Song, who hadn’t come yet. Secretariat Elder Song arrived not long after Song Xuan’an did.

Secretariat Elder Song, who was a father of two sons and two daughters, was now nearly sixty and held considerable prestige in court. Jiang Nan even regarded him as a mentor. His eldest son, Song He, was the head of the eldest branch of their family and was also the father of Song Xuan’an. 

Tonight, both branches of the Song family gathered for the gathering dinner feast. The younger generation first exchanged auspicious greetings with Secretariat Elder Song, and only after he spoke did they begin eating.

Secretariat Elder Song was a kind-tempered man, and since it was a family gathering dinner, the atmosphere at the table was particularly relaxed.

Secretariat Elder Song had noticed Song Xuan’an’s recent dedication to studying for the provincial-level imperial examinations and remarked, “Xuan’an has been quite diligent lately.”

However, Song Xuan’an was so lost in reciting texts in his head that he didn’t realise Secretariat Elder Song was speaking to him until Madame Song nudged him. He finally came to his senses.

Song Xuan’an didn’t hear what Secretariat Elder Song had just said, so he asked, “Grandfather, what did you say?”

Before Secretariat Elder Song could reply, his father had already scolded him. “Eat your meal properly! What are you daydreaming about? Even when your grandfather talks to you, you don’t listen.”

Song He had little regard for his younger son. Compared to his elder son, who was the child of his beloved concubine and more outstanding and obedient, Song He found Song Xuan’an disappointing. 

Considering how Song Xuan’an was, how could he not cherish Song Xuanjing more?

Seeing Song He scolding Song Xuan’an, Madame Song retorted, “He just got distracted for a moment. Do you really need to make such a fuss?”

Sensing another argument brewing, Secretariat Elder Song intervened. He said, “Enough. Must you argue even during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Can’t we simply enjoy a harmonious gathering meal?”

After Secretariat Elder Song spoke, Madame Song and Song He finally turned silent.

Secretariat Elder Song turned back to Song Xuan’an and resumed the earlier topic. He said, “Provincial-level imperial examinations are merely a stepping stone. Even if you don’t pass, it won’t matter. You can always buy an official post or inherit the family’s privilege.”

To Secretariat Elder Song, their family already had capable descendants, such as Song Xuanjing and his second son’s children. It wouldn’t matter that much if Song Xuan’an failed. He didn’t need to push himself to such an extent just for an official title.

Before Song Xuan’an could respond, Song He interjected, “How can you say that? Father, do you think things are the same as they were way back when? The emperor now places great emphasis on the imperial examinations, clearly because he intends to promote talented people from humble origins. It’s no longer so simple—he can’t just buy an official post. Besides, didn’t A-Jing pass the imperial examinations on his first try? Why can’t he do it when everyone else can? Is he that useless?”

These harsh words darkened the mood at the table, especially for Song Xuan’an.

He hadn’t even said anything yet, but just a few words from his grandfather had provoked such a reaction from his father. Anyone unaware of the situation might think he had committed some heinous crime.

Moreover, the provincial-level imperial examinations hadn’t even started yet, but his father was already spouting such discouraging remarks.

Song Xuan’an couldn’t endure sitting there and eating any longer. He stood up and declared, “Whether I’m useless or not, you’ll see soon enough.”

He didn’t need his father’s approval.

Song Xuan’an admitted he had been a bit wayward in the past, but he wasn’t as hopeless as his father made him out to be. These days of diligent study weren’t just a desperate last-minute effort; they reflected how seriously he was taking the imperial examinations.

In the past, he might have treated the imperial examinations casually. Passing would have been a testament to his talent, and failing wouldn’t have mattered much. But now that he had something to strive for, he couldn’t tolerate even the slightest mistake or setback.

Song Xuan’an left the place without even finishing his meal. The atmosphere froze for a moment until Madame Song broke the silence with a cold remark. “Was that really necessary? It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, but you just had to drive him away.”

Secretariat Elder Song also reprimanded Song He.

Ultimately, the dinner ended on a sour note.

After the dinner gathering ended, Song Xuanjing went to find Song Xuan’an.

Madame Song had forbidden anyone from disturbing Song Xuan’an’s studies in recent days, so Song Xuanjing hadn’t had the chance to visit. However, since Madame Song was now preoccupied with the dinner gathering and talking to the second branch’s madame, he seized the opportunity to meet Song Xuan’an now.

The weather had cooled on this Mid-Autumn Festival, and the night was somewhat chilly now. Osmanthus flowers quietly bloomed in the courtyard and released a faint fragrance.

Song Xuanjing knocked on the study door. After a moment, Song Xuan’an opened it.

His expression still bore traces of frustration from earlier. Seeing that it was Song Xuanjing, he composed himself slightly and greeted him, “Brother.”

He stepped aside to let him in.

After they both sat at the table, Song Xuanjing said, “Don’t take what Father said earlier to hear. He didn’t mean them.”

Although, it would indeed be more strange if Song Xuan’an didn’t get angry after hearing what Song He said to him.

Song Xuan’an didn’t have any wish to mention that matter anymore. Instead, he asked, “What brings you here tonight, Brother?”

Song Xuanjing signalled to a servant, who stepped forward and handed over something.

Song Xuan’an received it and found that it was a wolf-hair writing brush. The handle was smooth and had intricate carvings on it, and it had a soft and warm lustre under the candlelight.

Song Xuanjing said to him, “You’ll enter the examination compound in two days. You already have everything you need, so there’s little else I can give you. This wolf-hair brush is something I spent quite some time finding. I hope it brings you success and helps you pass.”

Song Xuanjing smiled gently as he spoke.

This was just how Song Xuanjing was. Even though Madame Song had always treated him badly, he never seemed to hold a grudge against Song Xuan’an. Instead, he had a close relationship with him, and it seemed only natural for him to give Song Xuan’an a gift before he took his provincial-level imperial examinations.

Song Xuan’an took the wolf-hair brush, and a smile appeared on his face as he looked at it. He then said, “Thank you, Brother. I’ll take your words as a blessing.”

After Song Xuan’an asked a servant to store the brush, he and Song Xuanjing chatted briefly before the latter finally left.

As Song Xuanjing walked back to his courtyard, he lowered his head and stared at the ground. Moonlight spilt at his feet and bathed the earth in a silvery glow. The faint, serene smile on his lips remained even after he left Song Xuan’an’s study.

There were no lanterns lighting his way, only the full moon overhead. Song Xuanjing tilted his head back to gaze at it. Perhaps because of the dim surroundings, a faint, eerie aura seemed to shroud his otherwise gentle face.

The mid-autumn moon, hung embedded like a jade plate in the pitch-black night sky. Its silver-white light pierced through the clouds and blanketed the world below in quiet radiance.

Meanwhile, in the Wang residence, Wang Shun withdrew his gaze from the sky. He had been moon-gazing for so long that his eyes were beginning to ache.

Wang Shun had no wife nor children. This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival was a solitary affair for him. His subordinates had delivered some festival offerings before heading home to reunite with their own families and left him to celebrate alone.

His residence was empty, and he hadn’t even bothered arranging for a proper feast. Instead, he ordered a few dishes to be prepared, set them on a small table in the courtyard, and dined alone under the moonlight.

He enjoyed the moon’s beauty while he ate.

Although he sat alone, there were three sets of dishes and chopsticks placed on the table before him.

Wang Shun shifted his gaze from the moon to the bowl across the table and scooped ladlefuls of fishball soup into it. As he did, he murmured, “A-Yu, you said yesterday that you missed eating this fishball soup, so Father has made it for you. All these years, you still won’t come to visit your dad unless your cravings bring you here. Eat up this time. Father will make it for you again next time.”

He continued pouring soup into the empty bowl across from him until it overflowed. The soup spilt onto the table, yet he still continued.

Seeing this, a servant who had been quietly watching him from the side stepped forward hastily and said, “Master, that’s enough. It’s too much—it’s spilling over. The young master won’t be able to finish it.”

The servant was an old retainer who had accompanied Wang Shun for years. He often played along with his master’s strange act.

Wang Shun allowed the servant to take the ladle from his hand without resistance. His eyes remained fixed on the empty seat across from him. He stared through the air as though trying to see something beyond it.

After a long silence, he suddenly spoke. “Wang Fu, do you think A-Yu is still angry at me? If I hadn’t forced him back then, he wouldn’t have… wouldn’t have been killed by them…”

Wang Shun’s voice wavered, and tears welled up in his eyes. Wang Fu, too, grew teary as he listened. Old grief surfacing anew. Wang Yu had been only 19 when he left the house on an errand for his father. Wang Shun had stayed home, expecting to host Wang Yu’s coming-of-age ceremony upon his return.

But Wang Yu never came back. He died the day before he turned 20.

Wang Fu choked with emotion as he said, “Master, you were not at fault. It was them—it was those people who killed the young master.”

Hearing this, Wang Shun let out a bitter laugh. His expression was tinged with sorrow as he said, “You’re right, Wang Fu. It was them. They killed A-Yu.

“I won’t let them get away with it. 19 years… I’ll make them pay for taking my 19-year-old son.”

By now, Wang Shun was over sixty years old, and nearly two decades had passed since that tragedy. His body was frail, and his only remaining desire in life was to see justice done.

As the two spoke, a figure entered the courtyard. Wang Shun wiped his eyes clean of tears. He resumed the calm and emotionless demeanour he always wore as the senior grand secretary.

The person who came was a secret guard. He bowed and reported, “Master, the young miss has sent word. She says Jiang Jingchun did not return to the Jiang household for the festival today. It seems she intends to sever ties with them completely.”

Wang Shun’s expression remained unchanged as he asked, “Has there been no disturbance from the Jiang family?”

“Jiang Jingchun has moved to the Chen family residence for now. There seems to be no trouble.”

Wang Shun nodded. “Good. Let her stay there quietly for now. If anything arises, we’ll deal with it then.”

The guard acknowledged the order and withdrew without further words.

Wang Fu, however, looked uneasy. “Master, will Jiang Jinghui really not betray you after she returns to the Jiang family?”

After all, those people were her family by bl00d. Who was to say that she wouldn’t turn against Wang Shun after returning to them?

Wang Shun chuckled softly and replied with certainty, “She won’t.”

His trust wasn’t in Jiang Jinghui herself but in the methods he had used to raise her.

He had kept her under his control since she was three years old. By the time she was nine, he’d brought her into his household and personally trained her for seven years after that. He had meticulously cultivated her for thirteen years—that was more than enough to tame her completely.

She would be his best weapon against the Jiang family.

Jiang Jingchun and Chen Muqing left the Chen family residence and headed outside after having dinner together.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, and the moon was at its fullest and brightest.

The capital, which was already a bustling metropolis to begin with, grew even livelier during festivals. There was no curfew tonight, so the streets were filled with laughter and chatter that stretched well into the late hours.

Jiang Jingchun and Chen Muqing strolled through the vibrant streets. Their arms were loaded with items of different sizes. They admired the lantern displays and watched street performances. The festive atmosphere was contagious. It lifted their spirits and made it easy to forget any troubling thoughts.

The girls enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Their steps were light and free, and they were unburdened by past pressures or restrictions as they had fun that night.

Chen Muqing bought a tiger lantern, while Jiang Jingchun picked out a rabbit lantern and a small cat lantern.

Chen Muqing found this strange. Curiously, she asked her, “Why did you buy two?”

Jiang Jingchun casually brushed it off with a vague excuse. “They’re both so pretty. I couldn’t decide which one I liked more, so I got them both.”

Chen Muqing didn’t think much of it and let the matter drop as the two continued exploring. After a while, Chen Muqing asked abruptly, “Xiaochun, what if Song Xuan’an doesn’t pass the imperial examinations this time?”

Jiang Jingchun only gave her usual reply. “I believe in him.”

Chen Muqing found it perplexing. What did Jiang Jingchun see in Song Xuan’an that made her trust him so unwaveringly? She rubbed her chin, deep in thought, but still couldn’t figure it out.

“But I’m asking you what if,” she decided to press. “Do you understand what those two words mean? You should have a plan for yourself. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket without considering a fallback.”

A fallback…

Jiang Jingchun didn’t want to dwell on such complicated matters. She believed in facing problems when they came. If Song Xuan’an failed this time, they would deal with it then.

However, Chen Muqing insisted she think of a contingency. After some thought, Jiang Jingchun said, “At worst, I’ll wait another three years. If he doesn’t pass then, I won’t wait for that idiot anymore.”

Hearing this, Chen Muqing teasingly said, “When did you fall so deeply for him? You’d wait three years just like that?”

Jiang Jingchun laughed. “What’s three years? I’ve already waited through several sets of three years. What’s one more?”

In truth, Chen Muqing had been right in the past. Jiang Jingchun used to think of Song Xuan’an purely as a friend. The idea of being with him had been hard to accept because she believed friends shouldn’t cross that line.

But now, after a slight shift in mindset, she realised there was no reason not to cross that line.

They knew each other and understood one another deeply. They had also spent many three-year spans together.

Chen Muqing chuckled as well. Yes, it wasn’t that bad for Jiang Jingchun to just think that way. Besides, whether or not they ended up married this year didn’t really matter. As long as Jiang Jingchun was willing to wait for Song Xuan’an, they could be together.

The two stopped discussing the topic and continued wandering the streets. Before long, they began to feel tired and decided to head back home.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Jiang Jinghui and Jiang Runchu, who were also out enjoying the night, on a bridge.

The four met briefly face-to-face.

Jiang Jingchun had no intention of greeting the other two. Just as they were about to pass by without a word, Jiang Jinghui called out to her.

“Sister, why didn’t you come home today? Mother misses you so much. She’s been in low spirits without you around,” Jiang Jinghui said with feigned sadness.

Jiang Jingchun paused at her words, then turned back to look at her.

The last time Jiang Jinghui had deliberately revealed that matter to her, she had been heartbroken while Jiang Jinghui gloated. Yet now, Jiang Jinghui was here pretending as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Jingchun stared at her insincere expression but felt no anger. Instead, she suddenly asked, “What is it you hate about me?”

Her words took the other three by surprise, especially Jiang Jinghui, whose expression faltered briefly.

But with Jiang Runchu standing nearby, Jiang Jinghui quickly composed herself and responded with feigned innocence, “What are you talking about, Sister? Why would I hate you?”

Jiang Runchu frowned and chimed in, saying, “Jiang Jingchun, if you’re upset, don’t take it out on Jinghui. What’s the point of that?”

Jiang Jingchun almost laughed in disbelief at their act. She had no patience for Jiang Runchu’s idiocy and ignored him completely. Instead, she focused only on Jiang Jinghui.

“Come here,” she said to her. “Let’s talk.”

She knew Jiang Jinghui was acting innocent because Jiang Runchu was there. There was no point in discussing this here. Jiang Jingchun saw that it was better to just step aside with Jiang Jinghui and privately talk things out clearly.

Jiang Jingchun still couldn’t figure out why Jiang Jinghui hated her so much. What had she done to deserve such loathing—such treatment from her?

The two walked to the wonton stall across the river and sat down, while Jiang Runchu and Chen Muqing waited nearby.

Chen Muqing, recalling Jiang Runchu’s earlier words, couldn’t help but scold him again. “I’ve never seen a brother like you! Your heart leans so far to one side that even ten oxen wouldn’t be able to pull it back.”

She quickly added, “Oh wait, that’s not right… You’ve never treated Jingchun as your sister anyway. Young Master Jiang only cares for his real sister. As for other people, why would they even matter?”

Jiang Runchu’s face darkened with anger. His jaw tightened. He didn’t bother responding further, because he knew that the more he spoke, the more energised Chen Muqing would become.

The two of them were equally annoyed by each other, yet they had no choice but to wait together for the pair at the wonton stall. Both looked sour, and their expressions grew darker by the minute.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jinghui and Jiang Jingchun had taken their seats at the stall. Jiang Jingchun ordered two portions of wontons.

Before the wontons arrived, Jiang Jingchun cut straight to the chase, saying, “There’s no one else around now, so drop the act.”

Jiang Jinghui’s smile grew at her words, but it was a completely different kind of smile. It was venomous, like a snake’s sneer, and could send chills down people’s spine. She smiled coldly and said, “How thoughtful of you, Xiaochun. You’re so considerate of your older sister.”

She knew that Jiang Jinghui couldn’t reveal her true nature when other people were around and chose this wonton stall as a cover for her.

But Jiang Jingchun felt uneasy under that malicious gaze. She asked directly, “I don’t think I’ve ever wronged you. Why do you hate me so much?”

She genuinely didn’t understand.

Jiang Jinghui didn’t need to pretend anymore, so she finally answered her, “I’ve seen you before—when I was seven.”

Seven years old. That was a long, long time ago.

Hearing this, Jiang Jingchun frowned and tried to recall it, but she had no memory of Jiang Jinghui at all.

“Oh, it’s natural you don’t remember. Back then, I was just a little beggar.”

Jiang Jingchun’s life had been so perfect—how could she possibly remember a little beggar like her?

When Jiang Jinghui was three, she had been kidnapped by traffickers and raised among them. At such a young age, she didn’t understand much, but by the time she was six, she could no longer endure the torment and managed to escape from that hellish place.

After escaping, she became a wandering beggar and drifted back to the capital.

Perhaps due to the harsh environment she grew up in, even as a child, she was far more worldly and shrewd than her peers. She understood things that most children her age couldn’t begin to understand.

While she had no real skills, she had a knack for petty thievery. 

When she was seven, she saw Jiang Jingchun for the first time.

At the time, Jiang Jinghui was holding a broken bowl and squatting by the roadside. Her eyes were scanning the passersby, searching for her target—someone gullible whose purse she could steal.

It was then she saw a beautiful woman leading a child out of a pastry shop across the street.

That child looked to be about her age.

Perhaps because they were of similar age, her gaze couldn’t help but linger on the girl. The beautiful woman doted on her endlessly. Just a slight frown or pout from the child would make the woman think she was unhappy or uncomfortable and fret.

She watched as the little girl took a bite of a pastry.

Jiang Jinghui stared at the girl. Her mouth grew dry, and her eyes eager.

A few days earlier, she hadn’t been able to resist sneaking into a pastry shop to steal a piece of osmanthus cake, but she had been caught by the shopkeeper and beaten half to death. In the end, she never got to taste that pastry.

Now, her eyes fixated on the child and the pastry in her hand. She saw the girl frown and hand the pastry to the beautiful woman beside her. The woman casually tossed it to a servant, who then discarded it onto the ground.

The little girl was dressed beautifully. With every step she took, the delicate noise of the gold and jade ornaments clinking together sounded in the air. When she passed by Jiang Jinghui, Jiang Jinghui could smell her sweet fragrance, which lingered in the air even after she had gone.

Jiang Jinghui couldn’t help but sniff herself…

She stank.

She hadn’t bathed in about five days. When she scratched her head, she also realised that she was likely crawling with fleas.

As the figures of the woman and child disappeared into the crowd, Jiang Jinghui immediately scrambled to pick up the discarded pastry from the ground. She clutched it as though it were a priceless treasure, and she was afraid that someone else might snatch it away. She shoved the pastry into her mouth in a hurry, without even bothering to dust off the dirt on it.

It was delicious. So delicious. How could anyone dislike it?

From then on, Jiang Jinghui often heard people talk about that child, and she often saw her carefree figure appear all over the capital.

She overheard people say that the girl was the eldest miss of the Jiang family and the apple of Madame Jiang’s eye.

At the time, Jiang Jinghui didn’t even realise how much she resembled the girl. After all, she had spent years unkempt, with her face caked with dirt and mud. On the rare occasion that she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the river, she could barely recognise her own features beneath all the filth covering them.

It wasn’t until she was nine, when she was taken in by her master, that she saw her true appearance.

After being scrubbed clean, she finally realised just how much she resembled that girl. She also realised she was just as beautiful.

The wontons were served. Steam rose and slightly blurred the two girls’ faces. At this moment, their views of each other became somewhat indistinct.

Jiang Jingchun asked why Jiang Jinghui hated her so much. Jiang Jinghui was still smiling, but the smile appeared even more illusory now, amidst the steam.

“Why? Because when I was eating dirt, you were eating sweets. Is that reason enough?

“You were a fake young miss, but you were treated like a real one. Meanwhile, I was a real young miss, but I ended up being a beggar. Jiang Jingchun, tell me, how could I not hate you?”

As she said this and stared at Jiang Jingchun, her eyes finally revealed her intense hatred. She loathed her, as though Jiang Jingchun were the root cause of all her suffering.

But upon hearing this, and seeing that hateful gaze, Jiang Jingchun simply smiled.

Her smile resembled the smile that Jiang Jinghui had given her that day in the temple. Now, Jiang Jingchun returned that exact same mocking expression to her.

She said, “I wonder if you inherit it with that dirty bl00d you get from the Jiang family. All of you are so fond of blaming other people for your own mistakes.”

Jiang Jinghui’s smile vanished entirely. She couldn’t even muster up a malicious smile now. After hearing what Jiang Jingchun said, she stared at her expressionlessly. 

Jiang Jingchun ignored Jiang Jinghui’s emotions, just like Jiang Jinghui had ignored the pain she felt that day in the temple. 

Jiang Jingchun looked at her and continued, “Do you think I should pity you? If it were before, I might have. But now, I have to thank you. Thank you for telling me the truth that day and letting me see your true face.

“You suffered, yes, but it wasn’t me who shoved dirt into your mouth. Neither of us owes the other anything. Besides, the blame lies with the guilty. If you’re so capable, make trouble for the true culprits behind your suffering. Why do you waste your time bullying me?”

After learning the truth, Jiang Jingchun now found it all more absurd. She didn’t want to argue further, so she stood up to leave. But after taking a few steps, she turned back, as if remembering something, and said, “Oh, by the way, I don’t care about those people. You don’t have to keep worrying that I’ll take them from you.”

The Jiang family could live their lives however they wanted. She couldn’t care less about meddling in their affairs.

For a long time, Jiang Jinghui stared blankly in the direction Jiang Jingchun had left.

She had to admit that Jiang Jingchun was clever. This time, Jiang Jingchun hadn’t been dragged into her game and could even retort sharply to her.

Moreover, she truly was quite capable of making other people angry.

Jiang Jinghui withdrew her gaze and, with a dark expression, pulled some coins from her purse and placed them on the table to pay for the wontons.

That damned brat had left without paying.

Yes, that was why she was angry—because Jiang Jingchun didn’t pay. It wasn’t for any other reason.

Jiang Jingchun implied that Jiang Jinghui feared she’d steal Jiang Nan and the rest of the Jiang family away, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, Jiang Jinghui wished they’d all just die.

She hated Jiang Jingchun, yes, but deep down, she knew that Jiang Nan and Li Wanning were the true culprits behind her suffering. It was them who had abandoned her.