The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 46

Gu Huaisheng wasn’t a normal person. She felt that she wasn’t overthinking it, nor was she misinterpreting his words.

The implication behind his words must be exactly what she thought it was.

At this point, it seemed unnecessary to ask anything further.

Madame Gu began discussing the marriage arrangements with Old Madame Jiang. Lady Li listened from the side and felt increasingly uneasy.

They were talking about Jiang Jingchun’s marriage, yet she couldn’t get a single word in.

In the end, her chest tightened and she felt it was hard to breathe. She looked at Jiang Jingchun, who was sitting silently to the side. She couldn’t hold back anymore and said, “Come. I have something to say to you.”

Since things had already come to this, and since Jiang Jingchun already knew everything, she couldn’t just say nothing. She couldn’t go through the rest of her life in a muddled haze.

Jiang Jingchun didn’t want to take the initiative to speak to her, so she decided to take that initiative. If she didn’t speak now, what would happen when the day of her marriage came? Would she not even be granted a seat at the table?

As soon as Lady Li said these words, everyone turned to look at her. Even Madame Gu and the old madame, who were talking, paused for a moment.

Seeing Jiang Jingchun remain silent, without answering her, Lady Li’s tone grew anxious. “What is it? Is even a conversation difficult for you now?”

Facing Lady Li’s relentless persistence, Jiang Jingchun finally stood and followed her outside to talk.

Everyone else watched them leave, but no one said anything.

Once they were outside, Lady Li was the first to speak.

She said, “What happened back then was indeed my fault, but do things have to end up like this between us?”

She, too, was a mother who had lost her child. She had also been pushed to the brink of despair. When her child was taken from her, she had wanted to die… If it hadn’t been for Jiang Jingchun that day, she might have ended her own life.

But it was precisely because she had taken Jiang Jingchun that their relationship as mother and daughter became irreparably fractured. When the truth came to light, everything returned to its original state—the state it was all those years ago. Jiang Jingchun once again became the child who cried and called for her ‘mother,’ except that mother was never Lady Li.

Realising this made Lady Li feel even more distraught. However, the words Jiang Jingchun said in reply to her utterly shattered her.

She said, “End up like this? You’re the one who pushed me into this situation. What exactly do you expect me to do?”

It was Lady Li herself who had driven her to this breaking point. If she now called Lady Li her ‘mother’ again, it would be a betrayal to the mother who had given birth to her. Did Lady Li want her to treat her as she had before? How could she?

However, Lady Li refused to accept this. At this moment, her emotions spiralled out of control, and she nearly screamed, “Look in the mirror! Take a good look at yourself… Your skin is smooth and fair—what part of you hasn’t been well cared for? I didn’t force you to bind your feet; I indulged your wishes in everything! Look at Jinghui—look at what she’s like! I treated you so well. I worried about you being cold in winter or too hot in summer…”

Tears started streaming down her face. However, despite this, she continued to stubbornly argue and refuse to let the matter rest.

Through her sobs, she said, “I could wrong anyone else in this world, but not you. How have I ever wronged you? What part of you have I ever failed? Anyone else can despise me and abandon me, but you… You can’t…”

Seeing Lady Li fall apart, Jiang Jingchun felt a headache coming on. Lady Li was crying with overwhelming grief, but Jiang Jingchun only shook her head and said, “No mother in this world should lose her child. You are pitiable, yes, but even if the whole world pities you, I won’t. You subjected my birth mother to the same agony you experienced. After what you’ve done to her, why can’t I despise you?”

While Lady Li broke down, Jiang Jingchun remained composed. Perhaps it was because all her tears had dried up the day she learned the truth. Even as she heard such words now, her expression still showed little emotion.

Seeing how heartbroken Lady Li was, Jiang Jingchun unexpectedly smiled. It was a faint smile, created out of emotions that not even she herself fully understood.

She was quite pitiful, she thought. But everyone was actually quite pitiful.

If they were to compare who was more deserving of sympathy… Well, that seemed impossible to tell.

Anyhow, Lady Li seemed to have sunk deep into the past, and she seemed like she couldn’t free herself anymore. However, Jiang Jingchun didn’t want to remain trapped by it any longer.

She looked at Lady Li and sincerely said, “You’ve already found Jiang Jinghui, haven’t you? She’s had a miserable life too. Be good to her. Father and Brother never particularly liked me from the start. Mother, you should let me go too. I was never meant to be part of the Jiang family.”

She called her ‘Mother,’ but it was to sever all their ties.

Lady Li covered her face and continued to sob. No, this wasn’t right. She couldn’t allow it to end like this. She said, “It was my fault… But don’t treat Mother this way, please…”

Only now, after everything, did she finally admit the mistakes she had made all those years ago.

Lady Li cried uncontrollably. She truly couldn’t bear the thought of cutting all ties with Jiang Jingchun.

Jiang Jingchun, however, only smiled faintly. After all, she was about to marry into the Gu family. They wouldn’t see much of each other in the future anyway. Whether they severed ties or not—did it even matter?

She said nothing. Her gaze drifted upwards to the sky. The warm sunlight bathed her in a gentle glow. The autumn sun was at its most pleasant, though the withering and desolation of the season lingered in the cool breeze.

As the autumn wind swept by, the conversation between the two, along with Lady Li’s incessant sobbing, reached the ears of those nearby.

Madame Gu and the old madame continued talking in the courtyard. Meanwhile, Gu Huaisheng and Jiang Jinghui stood to the side and merely observed Jiang Jingchun and Lady Li’s conversation.

Gu Huaisheng noticed that Jiang Jingchun seemed to have changed, though he wasn’t sure when it had started. At least now, faced with Lady Li’s heart-wrenching sobs, she could remain calm and composed, without breaking down or joining her in tears.

It seemed that she could now handle the mess of emotions that used to weigh her down.

The strength to confront sorrow head-on was not something that could come overnight. It was like a river that couldn’t be reversed. Once one came to terms with it, dealing with it would become a little easier.

Jiang Jingchun seemed to understand this better than anyone now.

In this regard, Gu Huaisheng thought, she was far better than him—by a long shot.

He withdrew his gaze and turned to Jiang Jinghui. Then, he asked, “It was you, wasn’t it?”

His voice carried a chill. Though the question came without context, Jiang Jinghui immediately knew what he was referring to. Still, she feigned ignorance and replied, “Cousin, what are you talking about? I don’t quite understand.”

Her innocent act was an attempt to divert attention, but Gu Huaisheng wasn’t angry. Instead, he chuckled, even though his laugh was devoid of warmth. He said, “You don’t understand? That’s fine. It doesn’t really matter.”

Then, he said, “Why don’t you try again?”

His cold gaze fixed on Jiang Jinghui. His words were unmistakably sharp with provocation and warning.

Jiang Jinghui, hearing the clear threat in his tone, couldn’t suppress a faint sneer from coming to her lips. Since Gu Huaisheng had already guessed her involvement, there was no point in keeping up the act. She retorted, “Is that so? Then, Cousin, you’d better keep a closer eye on Sister. After all, it seems she doesn’t like you much either. Who knows what might happen to her next time, when she runs off all on her own…”

Sure enough, Gu Huaisheng’s expression darkened at her words.

Seeing him falter brought Jiang Jinghui great satisfaction. She couldn’t be bothered to continue the exchange and turned instead towards Lady Li, who was still crying. Lady Li’s incessant sobbing irritated her and stirred a deep sense of annoyance within her.

However, she quickly composed herself and plastered a look of concern on her face. She approached Lady Li, who was still standing with Jiang Jingchun. She took Lady Li’s hand and softly said, “Mother, what’s wrong? Please don’t be sad anymore. What if all this crying harms your health?”

Jiang Jinghui’s words of comfort only made Lady Li cry harder.

Lady Li, after all, was the kind of person who cried more the more other people tried to console her.

The sound of crying reached inside the courtyard, but Madame Gu and the old madame merely exchanged a glance and slowly stopped speaking.

Gu Huaisheng walked to Jiang Jingchun’s side. He took her wrist, and then led her back into the courtyard.

His large palm easily wrapped around her slender wrist. She was also having a headache from listening to Lady Li’s crying, so she didn’t struggle against Gu Huaisheng or try to shake off his grip. She simply let him lead her back inside.

After the two of them returned inside the courtyard, Lady Li’s crying also became quieter, until it eventually disappeared. It seemed that Jiang Jinghui had taken Lady Li away.

Madame Gu and the old madame later wrapped up their conversation. They had essentially settled on a few dates and also finalised matters regarding the dowry and betrothal gifts.

By the time they were done, the sky was beginning to darken. Madame Gu took Gu Huaisheng home, while Jiang Jingchun stayed behind at Rongde Hall.

Since she hadn’t married yet, there was no reason for her to accompany them back to the Gu family residence. Besides, given how soon the wedding would be according to Madame Gu and the old madame’s earlier discussion—less than a month away—it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to continue living there.

After Gu Huaisheng and Madame Gu left, only Jiang Jingchun and the old madame remained.

Dusk fell, and darkness slowly enveloped the sky.

The old madame sighed as she gazed at the sky and remarked, “Why does it feel like this whole thing was decided too hastily?”

Although they had spent the entire afternoon discussing the matter, it still felt a bit rushed due to the weight of the decision.

Moreover, something about the arrangement didn’t quite sit right with her. Even though everything appeared harmonious and logical on the surface, an odd sense of unease continued gnawing at her.

Now that no one else was present, the old madame asked Jiang Jingchun again, “Are you truly willing to marry your cousin?”

Jiang Jingchun thought to herself that this reaction wasn’t unexpected. It was, indeed, a bit strange for her to suddenly declare her intention to marry Gu Huaisheng. Otherwise, people wouldn’t keep asking her the same question.

However, she really wasn’t going to fight it anymore.

Fighting any other person would be exhausting for her, but fighting Gu Huaisheng… How could she possibly fight someone like Gu Huaisheng? When Gu Huaisheng set his sights on something, he’d spare no effort in his pursuit.

She had never thought this way before, but now that she saw him for who he truly was, she realised just how detestable he could be.

Since she couldn’t escape it, then she wouldn’t bother trying. There was nothing to fear, anyhow.

Jiang Jingchun replied to the old madame’s question. This time, her answer was no longer out of anger or defiance. In earnest, she said, “Yes, I’m willing.”

Seeing her sincerity, the old madame finally stopped pressing the issue.

Perhaps, after all this back and forth, she had realised her cousin was the best choice for her after all?

In truth, Gu Huaisheng was indeed a rare match—a match you couldn’t easily find even if you looked with a lantern.

The old madame said to Jiang Jingchun, “Alright, as long as you’ve thought it through. Just don’t let this marriage happen in a muddle-headed way. Your cousin is a fine man. I used to think the two of you were the least likely pair, but now that I look at it, your differences complement each other: one of you is quiet, while the other is lively; one of you is mature, while the other is spirited. He can temper your mischief, and you can liven him up. It’s quite good… 

“In all of the capital, you won’t find anyone more reliable than your cousin. With me here, your aunt won’t bully you, and your uncle is an easygoing person. The Gu family is upright and respectable…”

The old madame continued. She praised Gu Huaisheng nearly as if he were unparalleled throughout Heaven and the earth. Jiang Jingchun was afraid of making her overthink, so she didn’t dare to contradict her. In the end, she could only nod obediently in agreement.

Only when night had fully fallen did the two of them leave the yard and return indoors.

Darkness shrouded the sky that night. That night, it was so dark that even the stars didn’t appear in the sky.

Ever since he returned home earlier that day, Song Xuan’an hadn’t been able to think straight. Song Xuanjing had yet to return from his duties, so Song Xuan’an had remained in his own room to wait for him since then.

For reasons unknown, Song Xuanjing was unusually late tonight. It wasn’t until the hour of the Dog that he finally came home.

A servant relayed a message to him upon his arrival. The message was that Song Xuan’an had asked to see him upon his return.

Song Xuanjing’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. However, he could already guess the reason behind Song Xuan’an’s wish to see him.

He walked through the darkness to find Song Xuan’an.

Sure enough, as Song Xuanjing entered the room, he saw Song Xuan’an seated expressionlessly in a chair. Song Xuan’an stared at him. He sat in the outer sitting room, where a single candle burned on the table. Its weak flame cast a dim light on him. The flickering glow illuminated his face, which was colder and darker than ever before. Song Xuan’an was showing an expression that Song Xuanjing had never shown before.

However, Song Xuanjing pretended not to notice this expression. As usual, he took a seat in a nearby chair, smiled, and asked, “What brings you to call for me today, Xuan’an—”

Before he could finish, Song Xuan’an interrupted him abruptly. “Are you still going to keep up the act?”

As Song Xuan’an glared at Song Xuanjing, his eyes were filled with deep disgust.

He continued, “Can you stop pretending? How can you be so revolting?”

Song Xuan’an had spent nearly the entire day after returning home grappling with an unbearable truth, which was that Song Xuanjing wanted to harm him. The brush he had gifted him contained gold foil sheets—evidence that could falsely accuse him of cheating.

He couldn’t fathom why Song Xuanjing would do such a thing.

After all, Song Xuanjing had been the one who treated him the best—better even than his mother.

Anyone might want to hurt him, but not Song Xuanjing.

Yet in the end, he had resorted to such a despicable scheme to ruin him.

Song Xuan’an couldn’t take it. He rose to his feet and fixed Song Xuanjing with a gaze full of confusion and pain.

“Why? Why would you do this?” Song Xuan’an really couldn’t understand. As he took steps to approach Song Xuanjing, he continued, “Brother, for over ten years… I’ve called you brother for so many years, and this is how you treat me?”

As children, the two had always been inseparable. Whatever treats or toys Song Xuanjing had, his first thought was to share them with Song Xuan’an. When Song He scolded Song Xuan’an, Song Xuanjing often stepped in to defend him. Even Madame Song frequently nagged at Song Xuan’an, but Song Xuanjing was always gentle and patient with him. No matter how useless or mischievous Song Xuan’an behaved, Song Xuanjing always stood by his younger brother’s side.

Song Xuan’an used to think that his brother was the best person in the world…

But it was all a lie.

Song Xuan’an’s voice cracked as he questioned Song Xuanjing. Tears welled up in his eyes. Song Xuanjing had pretended for so many years, and now, he’d finally revealed his true self—the sheer pain of it nearly crushed him.

Song Xuanjing raised his eyes to look at him. He saw that Song Xuan’an had begun to cry. Seeing him like this, Song Xuanjing just sighed and said, “Xuan’an, why are you crying? Shouldn’t you be relieved to finally see my true colours because of this matter?”

The coldness in his tone pushed Song Xuan’an past his breaking point. He stormed forward and grabbed Song Xuanjing by the collar.

Song Xuanjing knew martial arts, but at this moment, he didn’t resist Song Xuan’an. He allowed Song Xuan’an to manhandle him and maintained his composed demeanour as he looked at his brother.

The memories of years of deception and betrayal surged through Song Xuan’an’s mind. He had been a fool for over a decade. Seeing Song Xuanjing’s unrepentant expression only fuelled his rage, and he couldn’t hold back anymore. Song Xuan’an punched Song Xuanjing hard in the face.

Song Xuanjing didn’t dodge and took the blow head-on.

Song Xuanjing allowed Song Xuan’an to beat him without putting up any fight. Eventually, Song Xuan’an knocked him down to the ground. Bl00d trickled down the corner of Song Xuanjing’s mouth.

Song Xuan’an looked down at him with eyes that burned with hatred.

Song Xuanjing had destroyed him.

He had utterly ruined him.

If not for him, Jiang Jingchun wouldn’t have needed to plead with Gu Huaisheng. Song Xuan’an would have taken the provincial-level imperial examinations peacefully and eventually married her. But because of Song Xuanjing, he’d now lost everything.

Even though he hadn’t cheated, he still had lost everything.

Jiang Jingchun… She had only just agreed to marry him.

The more he thought about it, the more suffocated he felt. Under the dim candlelight, Song Xuanjing’s face appeared grotesque and sinister. Song Xuan’an couldn’t contain his fury anymore, so he dragged him up from the ground and rained blows upon him.

He had completely lost control out of anger.

Eventually, Song Xuanjing coughed up a mouthful of bl00d that splattered across Song Xuan’an’s face. It wasn’t until then that he stopped.

Song Xuanjing lay limp on the floor, barely clinging to consciousness. Bl00d trickled down his cheek and pooled on the ground. Yet, even now, the corners of his lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.

Song Xuan’an thought he must be insane.

The sight was so disturbing that Song Xuan’an involuntarily took a step back.

At that moment, a furious shout came from the doorway.

“You unfilial son! What are you doing!?”

A servant had likely informed Song He at some point. 

Or perhaps Song Xuanjing had sent for him beforehand, to ensure that he’d arrive just in time.

When Song He arrived, he was greeted by the sight of Song Xuanjing beaten and bloodied on the floor. 

The sight of the bl00d enraged him. He strode forward, then slapped Song Xuan’an across the face with a heavy hand.

Song He never laid a hand on his wife, but he had no qualms about punishing this unfilial son of his in such a way.

After all, a father disciplining his child was only natural.

The slap turned Song Xuan’an’s head to the side. Meanwhile, he heard his father continue to scold him through gritted teeth.

“You worthless brat! Why are you taking your anger out on your brother? After everything he’s done for you, how could you treat him like this!?”

Hearing these words and seeing his father’s anger, Song Xuan’an guessed that Song Xuanjing must have orchestrated this. He must have summoned Song He before coming here.

His father was scolding him, as he’d done countless times before. However, this time, Song Xuan’an truly couldn’t endure it. His face filled with rage as he looked at Song He. Though his pain ran deep, he didn’t shed any tears.

Instead, he pointed at Song Xuanjing, and shouted, “He framed me! He stuffed cheat sheets into my brush! But you didn’t believe me, and you refused to help me! If you had helped me, I wouldn’t have lost her!”

To him, everyone was at fault—especially his father, who now appeared particularly monstrous.

He was also his father’s son, but his father didn’t trust him.

Song He was stunned by Song Xuan’an’s outburst. He hadn’t expected such a violent reaction and found himself unable to make sense of the accusations.

What did he mean by Song Xuanjing stuffing cheat sheets into his brush?

He wanted to ask, but before he could, he noticed Song Xuanjing struggling to get up from the ground. He quickly turned away from Song Xuan’an to help his elder son.

Song Xuanjing coughed up bl00d, but he still managed a nonchalant smile towards Song He. “Father, my younger brother is just upset and venting his frustrations. It’s nothing serious. If hitting me helps him feel better, let him hit me.”

This statement only made Song Xuan’an seem more unreasonable. 

As expected, Song He berated him again. “You can’t pass your exams, so you’re slandering your brother!? Is this how I raised you!?”

Song Xuan’an finally saw things clearly. His father’s heart had always been completely biased towards Song Xuanjing. No matter what he said, no matter how loudly he shouted, his father would never believe him.

“Raise me?” Song Xuan’an sneered. His voice was tinged with despair as he spoke. “Since I was a child, your eyes have only ever seen Song Xuanjing. What have you ever taught me? Regardless, you won’t believe a single word I say.”

Song He choked on the accusation. For the first time, a sliver of guilt flickered across his face. If a father’s failure to teach was a grave fault, then never having tried to teach at all must be an even greater failing.

The place fell into an oppressive silence, broken only by Song Xuanjing’s well-timed coughs. The sound shattered the tension, and Song He quickly steadied his elder son.

Song He had no response to Song Xuan’an’s question and was shaken by his appearance.

He looked… heartbroken.

Song He felt afraid to stay any longer or even to look at him. He supported Song Xuanjing, then turned and left.

Song Xuan’an was left alone in the room. The dim candlelight swayed and flickered as illuminated his eyes, which were once filled with fury, but now brimmed only with bitterness. His shadow stretched against the wall, and it trembled as his shoulders began to shake. Finally, he broke down and began to weep.

In the capital, the days that followed turned out to be lively.

News of the upcoming marriage of the young marquis of the Gu family had spread far and wide.

Gossip had always been a favourite pastime for both the rich and the poor. During idle moments after meals, townsfolk loved nothing more than to chat about the city’s happenings. Even in grand households, those with nothing better to do often discussed the affairs of other families.

When Madame Gu first began searching for a match for Gu Huaisheng, it didn’t take long for the effort to fizzle out. He had high standards, and no one could tell what kind of wife would truly satisfy him. Many had even speculated that Gu Huaisheng might remain unmarried until the following year. No one expected that within just a couple of months, the matter would already be settled.

The Gu family and the Jiang family were frequently seen interacting. Madame Gu had brought a matchmaker to observe one of the six rites at the Jiang family residence, several times by now, and it wasn’t unusual to spot Gu Huaisheng himself at the Jiang family’s doorstep.

It seemed that the young marquis was indeed marrying someone from the Jiang family.

Initially, no one could figure out which of the Jiang family’s young misses was betrothed to Gu Huaisheng. But one thing seemed certain—it couldn’t possibly be Jiang Jingchun.

Everyone knew that Jiang Jingchun had once been infatuated with Gu Huaisheng. Yet, he had never shown any interest in her. With his steady and self-restrained demeanour, it was unlikely he would fall for such a lively and mischievous younger cousin. If he had liked her, they would have been together long ago. Why would they wait until now?

But after some digging, people discovered that the bride-to-be was indeed Jiang Jingchun.

Upon hearing the news, many were left utterly dumbfounded.

Wait—had something happened that they didn’t know about?

Were the two of them really getting married?

Though the situation was puzzling, most treated it as little more than an intriguing topic of gossip and didn’t dwell on it further.

Meanwhile, the Gu and Jiang families grew even closer. Their ties were now cemented by another marriage.

Many households received wedding invitations from the Gu family. The ceremony was scheduled for the twenty-second day of the ninth month, so it was just ten days away now.

It was clear how seriously Gu Huaisheng was taking the matter. He was often seen at the Jiang family residence, so he was likely involved in planning the wedding personally.

That day, Gu Huaisheng had just finished his duties at the yamen and was preparing to visit the Jiang family residence when he bumped into a colleague on his way out.

He Chuan, whose office wasn’t in the same wing as Gu Huaisheng’s, greeted him warmly as their paths crossed by chance.

He Chuan stepped forward and asked, “I heard you’re getting married soon. Is it true?”

Naturally, word of Gu Huaisheng’s impending marriage had spread within the Censorate yamen. Just a couple of months ago, some colleagues had even placed bets on when he’d finally marry. Most had wagered on next year or later, except for He Chuan, who had bet on this year.

As for the reason why…

Well, it all went back to when they’d gone to that tavern for business. Something about Gu Huaisheng’s behaviour that day had struck He Chuan as odd.

Seeing He Chuan’s curious expression, Gu Huaisheng didn’t bother saying much. He simply nodded.

He Chuan immediately asked again, “Are you really marrying your cousin?”

Again, Gu Huaisheng nodded in confirmation.

He Chuan immediately grew animated. “I knew it! That day at the tavern, I could tell something was off about you. I thought back then that you two would end up together, and it turns out I was right!”

His words brought to mind memories of that incident long ago. Gu Huaisheng couldn’t help but think of the past as well.

Had things really started to change back then?

He Chuan said to Gu Huaisheng, “No way, you’re getting married this time! When the day comes, you have to treat us brothers in the yamen to a proper feast! Don’t be stingy—only the best private room at Jixiang Hall will do!”

Gu Huaisheng was typically reserved and distant and was rarely the subject of jokes. However, a wedding was a joyful occasion, and now that he was finally getting married, He Chuan naturally took the opportunity to tease him a bit.

After making his request, He Chuan felt a bit uneasy. Would Gu Huaisheng actually agree?

After a pause, Gu Huaisheng smiled and lightly responded, “Alright, it’s only proper.”

After that, he added, “I still have some matters to attend to. I’ll be on my way.”

He Chuan was momentarily stunned by Gu Huaisheng’s response. He could only watch Gu Huaisheng’s retreating figure from behind.

Had he agreed that easily?

He Chuan looked in the direction that Gu Huaisheng was leaving and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Indeed, a man truly would become a different man on the verge of his marriage!

After Gu Huaisheng boarded his carriage, he headed straight for the Jiang family residence.

By the time he arrived, the evening sun bathed everything in a warm, golden glow. 

He headed directly to Rongde Hall to find Jiang Jingchun.

She had been quite obedient these days. Perhaps it was because she was afraid that the old madame would worry, so she hadn’t kicked up any fuss regarding the marriage. When Gu Huaisheng came to find her, he found her sitting in the courtyard and working on embroidering a veil.

However, the time of the day meant it was getting dark. By the time he arrived, she had just set down her needle and thread, and she was preparing to gather her things and head back inside.

Gu Huaisheng strode forward towards her.

“You’re embroidering your wedding veil?” he asked while glancing down at her with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

The answer was obvious. Why’d he even need to ask?

Jiang Jingchun felt irritated to see his amused expression. This scoundrel! Her embroidering the veil seemed to fill him with delight.

She paused her movements and retorted, “Do you think I wanted to?”

Traditionally, brides were expected to embroider their own wedding garments, as garments stitched by the bride herself were believed to bring good fortune and happiness to the marriage. 

However, with the wedding date so close, there simply wasn’t time for her to create an entire outfit from scratch. Even if there had been, Jiang Jingchun doubted she had the skill or patience to take on such an arduous task.

Since the tradition had been passed down to this day, the old madame thought that there must be some truth to it—otherwise, it wouldn’t persist. Because of the blessings that it might bring, she naturally wanted Jiang Jingchun to follow this tradition as well.

The wedding dress would require a lot of effort and energy, on top of time—which they were short on, so nevermind that. Instead, the old madame had her personally embroider a veil herself. That surely could also invite blessings.

Jiang Jingchun naturally didn’t want to, but since didn’t want to make the old madame upset or worry, she’d spent her time sitting in the courtyard and quietly embroidering the veil these days.

Gu Huaisheng quickly grasped her meaning. 

It was clear that she wasn’t enthusiastic about the wedding itself, let alone the embroidery. Yet her resistance seemed only to amuse him further. He seated himself across from her and picked up the half-finished veil, then began to closely examine it.

The crimson veil unfolded in his hands. It glowed even more vibrantly under the light of the setting sun.

“It looks nice,” Gu Huaisheng quickly remarked.

He had never paid much attention to the intricacies of bridal veils before, but now that he was looking at the one Jiang Jingchun had made, he instinctively said that it looked nice.

For him to utter such words of praise was a rarity, but Jiang Jingchun wasn’t swayed by them. She indifferently responded, “There’s no need for you to say so.”

She had rigorously trained under the guidance of a seasoned governess. Besides, the veil was for her to wear, not for him, so she saw no reason to get worked up about his opinion. She liked pretty things, and if she was going to embroider something, of course, it had to look good.

Gu Huaisheng didn’t seem upset by her lack of interest in engaging with him. Instead, something suddenly came to his mind, and he said, “How about you make me a sachet while you’re at it?”

While she was at it? What kind of logic was that?

Jiang Jingchun had no intention of entertaining him. She also couldn’t figure out what had prompted such a random request. As such, she perfunctorily brushed him off with an excuse. “Don’t you dislike wearing things like that? I’ve never seen you with one before.”

He had always worn jade accessories, but she’d never seen him carry anything else.

Why was he asking her for a sachet all of a sudden?

He replied, “It’s precisely because I don’t have one that I want one now.”