The purse Jiang Li had painstakingly embroidered was tucked securely into her waistband. When she was sure there was no one else around but the two of them, she hesitantly took it out.
Smiling softly, she held it out to Huo Jue. “I embroidered a purse for you. It’s... it’s a flower pattern with catkins. Do you like it?”
Her voice carried both expectation and unease as she offered him the small gift.
Huo Jue accepted it, his long fingers brushing over the heavy purse. The weight told him it was filled with silver, but his attention lingered on the carefully stitched pattern. Standing in the fading light, his face was shadowed, his expression unreadable, while his long lashes cast a veil over his dark eyes.
“How many more stitches did Ah Li have to add to her hands?” he asked softly.
Caught off guard, Jiang Li instinctively hid her hands behind her back, attempting to conceal the small wounds on her fingertips.
“Not many,” she said stiffly, trying to sound nonchalant. “I’ve gotten much better at embroidery now. It didn’t take much effort to make this purse.”
But in truth, she had almost pricked her fingers raw, desperate to create something good enough for him. She knew her handwriting was poor, and she wasn’t as educated or refined as someone like Xue Zhen. If even her needlework failed, how could she ever compare?
Huo Jue’s gaze softened as he studied her. Slowly, a faint light emerged in the depths of his dark eyes. Slipping the purse into his waistband, he smiled faintly.
“Ah Li’s purse is beautifully made. I like it very much.”
Jiang Li let out a quiet sigh of relief, her previously tense shoulders relaxing. “If you like it—”
Before she could finish, Huo Jue stepped forward. With a single fluid motion, he reached into his sleeve and pinned a hairpin into her bun.
The gesture left Jiang Li stunned.
Raising her hand, she touched the hairpin gently. It was a string of luminous pearls.
Huo Jue’s gaze momentarily lingered on her hands, catching sight of the needle pricks on her fingertips. He lowered his eyes slightly, fighting the impulse to take her hand and soothe the tiny wounds himself.
“When did you get the pearls?” Jiang Li asked, her tone a mix of surprise and delight. Her eyes sparkled, curving like crescent moons.
“I went to the pharmacy earlier to buy medicine for Su Bo,” he replied casually. “On my way back, I passed a hairpin shop. When I saw this string of pearls, I thought of Ah Li, so I bought it.”
Each pearl was large, smooth, and flawless. There were at least twenty pearls on the hairpin, and even without asking, Jiang Li could tell it was expensive.
She smiled, though her joy was tinged with worry. “Huo Jue, where did you get the money to buy such a thing?”
Huo Jue glanced at her, suppressing a sardonic laugh at her assumption. Did his Ah Li think he couldn’t make money?
“I sold a rare handwritten manuscript,” he said lightly. “It fetched a good price.”
“You sold a rare book?” Jiang Li’s concern grew. “But rare books are so hard to come by! Once you sell them, you can’t get them back.”
In her panic, she reached up to pull the hairpin out of her bun. “Quick, return the pearls and use the money to buy your book back.”
Huo Jue caught her wrist gently but firmly. With a small sigh, he tucked the pearl hairpin back into her bun. “Ah Li, I memorized the contents of that book long ago. I could rewrite it in one night if I wanted to. Just keep the hairpin.”
Jiang Li’s expression was skeptical. “Really?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Only then did she relax. Jiang Li was willing to spend her own money on Huo Jue, but she couldn’t bear the thought of him sacrificing something for her.
Still, she worried he might be too extravagant in the future. Hesitating, she said earnestly, “You don’t have to give me gifts, Huo Jue. I can earn money myself and buy whatever I need.”
Huo Jue looked at her with a faint smile but said nothing in return.
How could he not give her gifts?
In this lifetime, he was determined not only to give Ah Li all of himself but also to ensure she lived a life of prosperity and honor, filled with unmatched affection and unwavering security.
-
After receiving the pearl hairpin, Jiang Li couldn’t stop smiling.
She was so fond of it that she hesitated to wear it often. Instead, she carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief and placed it in a wooden box, treasuring it like a priceless heirloom.
It wasn’t until the eighth day of April, the day of Mrs. Chen’s sixtieth birthday banquet, that she decided to wear the pearl hairpin again.
Two days earlier, the results of the prefectural examination had been announced. Zhang Heng, the eldest son of Mr. Zhang, achieved an impressive fifth place. With the college examination in June and the autumn examination in August, his path to future success seemed bright.
The Zhang family was overjoyed, their excitement palpable, and the invitation to Mrs. Chen’s banquet was extended to Jiang Li as well. She was the only resident of Zhufu Street to receive such an invitation—a significant gesture of recognition.
It was Jiang Li’s first time being invited to such a grand gathering hosted by a wealthy family. Initially, she was reluctant to attend, knowing she wouldn’t recognize anyone there. But she also understood Mrs. Chen’s goodwill. Declining the invitation would seem ungrateful, and Jiang Li didn’t want to offend someone as influential as Mrs. Chen.
After some deliberation, she decided to go.
When Yang Huiniang heard about the invitation from the prestigious Yuanwai Mansion, she was elated.
Mrs. Chen’s favorable impression of Jiang Li was an invaluable endorsement, one that would bolster Yang Huiniang’s confidence when discussing potential marriage proposals for her daughter in the future.
To ensure Jiang Li made a good impression, Yang Huiniang spared no expense, ordering a stunning light-red skirt for her. The hem was intricately embroidered with colorful butterflies frolicking among crabapple blossoms in gold thread. The vibrant colors complemented Jiang Li’s snow-white skin, making it glow with an almost ethereal quality. Her delicate features, more radiant than the flowers on her dress, made her appear breathtakingly beautiful.
Admiring her handiwork, Yang Huiniang nodded in satisfaction. “When you’re at the banquet, be mindful of your words and actions. Avoid offending anyone important.”
Jiang Li pouted. “Mother, when have I ever offended a noble?”
Her mother gave her a pointed look but ultimately agreed that Jiang Li had become more composed in recent days. Reassured by her daughter’s sensible nature, Yang Huiniang felt at ease.
When Jiang Li arrived at the Zhang Manor, she was greeted warmly by Bihong, a maid she was friendly with.
Bihong’s face lit up when she saw Jiang Li’s new outfit. “Who is this little fairy? You’re dressed so beautifully, you’ve nearly bewitched my soul!” she teased, reaching out playfully as if to pinch Jiang Li’s slim waist.
Jiang Li dodged quickly, laughing. “Sister Bihong, don’t tease me. Today, you’re the real fairy.”
Bihong, naturally pretty, looked dazzling in a peach-colored cloud-silk skirt embroidered with gold-thread peonies. A delicate butterfly-winged golden hairpin adorned her hair, making her look more like a lady than a maid.
“Of course, I’m a fairy,” Bihong said with a laugh, giving Jiang Li a teasing glance. “But you, Ah Li, are a natural beauty. I’m just relying on my clothes.”
Noticing how particularly cheerful Bihong seemed today, Jiang Li smiled and asked sweetly, “Sister Bihong, did something good happen to you?”
Bihong glanced around to ensure no one was listening. Leaning in close, she whispered into Jiang Li’s ear, “I heard from Madam Li that the old lady intends to find a concubine for the eldest son.”
Jiang Li’s eyes widened in realization.
Bihong was the most favored maid in the household, as well as the most beautiful. It seemed likely that the old lady had chosen her to be the eldest son’s concubine.
But Jiang Li couldn’t help wondering: was becoming a nobleman’s concubine truly better than being the legitimate wife of an ordinary family?
A wave of concern washed over her, and she hesitated before saying softly, “Sister, do you know which family’s young lady the eldest son will marry as his wife? If… if the mistress is difficult to get along with—”
Bihong caught the underlying worry in Jiang Li’s words and interrupted with a light laugh. “Oh, little Ah Li, are you worried about me? Don’t fret. I have the support of both the old lady and the eldest master. As long as I stay out of trouble, even the mistress won’t dare bully me.”
"..."
Seeing the longing and hope in Bihong’s eyes as she spoke about her future, Jiang Li found herself at a loss for words. Everyone had their own destiny, after all. It was clear that Sister Bihong had genuine feelings for the young master of the Zhang family. Who was she to dissuade her from becoming a concubine?
The two of them chatted as they walked toward the back garden, where a stage had been set up for a performance after the meal.
Jiang Li handed the birthday gift to Bihong and slowly made her way to a table in the corner. Just as she was about to sit, a voice called out behind her, "Miss Ali."
Startled, Jiang Li turned and immediately recognized the speaker. She quickly curtsied. "Greetings, Young Master Zhang."
Zhang Heng greeted her warmly, his gaze kind and gentle. "This table seems crowded, Miss Ali. Please, come with me. I'll take you to the next one," he offered with a smile.
The table Jiang Li had chosen was occupied by the wives of the housekeepers who managed the Zhang family’s farm. It was a suitable spot for someone of her standing as the daughter of a tavern owner. However, the table Zhang Heng referred to was surrounded by individuals of much higher status. She knew she’d feel out of place there.
Politely, she declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Zhang, but I’m perfectly fine sitting here. There’s no need to move."
Zhang Heng seemed ready to insist, but just then, his personal servant approached him hurriedly and whispered something.
"Young Master, the master is asking for you. Principal Xue has arrived."
Hearing this, Zhang Heng’s expression shifted to one of respect. Though he wasn’t enrolled in the academy, his father had a close friendship with Principal Xue and often invited him to give Zhang Heng lessons in classics and history. As a mentor figure, Principal Xue deserved the utmost courtesy, and Zhang Heng couldn’t afford to keep him waiting.
Reluctantly, he relented and said, "In that case, I’ll excuse myself, Miss Ali. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask Bihong or Bilan for assistance."
As Jiang Li watched him walk away, she found herself reflecting on his demeanor. Young Master Zhang was approachable, polite, and undeniably handsome. It was easy to see why Sister Bihong admired him so deeply.
After finishing the meal peacefully, the guests moved to the stands to watch the performance.
Jiang Li, however, wasn’t particularly interested. Seeking some fresh air, she wandered to a secluded lotus pond nearby.
Old Madam Chen was known for her love of lotus flowers, and the mansion had several ponds dedicated to them. Jiang Li found herself at the largest one. Though it was early spring and the lotus blossoms had yet to bloom, the sight of the green leaves floating on the crystal-clear water was calming and pleasant.
She strolled around the pond twice before deciding to return and find Bihong.
The celebration for Old Madam Chen’s birthday was bustling, and Jiang Li knew the old lady would be too preoccupied to receive her. She figured she could simply bid farewell to Bihong before leaving.
As she walked along the pond, the distant sounds of the stage reached her ears. The melody of the performer’s voice drifted over the water. She recognized the play—it was Silang Visits His Mother. Humming softly to herself, she followed the path back toward the main gathering.
But after just a few steps, Jiang Li stopped abruptly. Two slender figures stood ahead on the path.
The girl in front exuded an air of quiet elegance, with a scholarly demeanor and an unmistakable refinement. The girl behind her had a round face, but her sharp, glaring eyes were fixed on Jiang Li.
Jiang Li froze for a moment, recognizing them instantly: Xue Zhen and Sui Yun.
She hadn’t expected to encounter them here. Keeping her composure, she gave them a polite nod and continued walking forward.
As she passed, a soft but cutting voice drifted to her ears, carried by the cool breeze.
"And you think you’re worthy of clinging to Mr. Huo all the time? Do you have no shame?"
The words were spoken in a gentle tone, but the venom behind them was unmistakable.
Jiang Li halted, her heart sinking. She turned, intending to respond, but before she could, a sudden, forceful shove came from behind.
She lost her balance entirely and fell into the lotus pond with a resounding splash.
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