Jiang Li’s heart suddenly grew cold.
She loved Huo Jue. She wanted to marry him and live a happy, harmonious life with him. For him, she was willing to learn things she didn’t enjoy and do things she disliked, all to make herself worthy of him. But that didn’t mean she was willing to share her husband with someone else. What woman in the world would ever want to share her husband?
"Mother, not everyone in the world takes concubines," Jiang Li said, forcing a smile. "The storyteller at the teahouse once spoke of a prime minister from the previous dynasty who married only one wife in his lifetime. After her death, he refused to remarry. And... I’ve heard that there’s a centuries-old family in Qingzhou whose ancestral rule is that a man can only take a concubine if he has no son by the age of thirty. Once his wife bears a child, he can never take a concubine. Huo Jue might be like that."
Yang Hui Niang sighed softly. "A Li, you’re still young. I’ve been through this, so listen to me. A mismatch in status is never good. I don’t expect you to live a life of wealth and honor, adorned with titles. I just want you to find a kind, honest man who will cherish you and live a peaceful, happy life."
Jiang Li’s smile faded, and she lowered her head, speaking softly. "Mother, back then, Father had no parents and was frail since childhood. Grandfather and Grandmother didn’t approve of you marrying him, but you did it anyway. Have you ever regretted it?"
Yang Hui Niang was momentarily stunned.
Jiang Li leaned her face against her mother’s shoulder, nuzzling like a small animal. "You’ve never regretted it, have you? So, A Li won’t regret it either. As long as Huo Jue is willing to marry me, I’m willing to marry him."
In the past, Jiang Li thought her love for Huo Jue was superficial, just like the many young women on Zhu Fu Street who admired his striking looks. After all, everyone appreciates beauty. Huo Jue had always been cold and aloof, but his jade-like face had captivated countless hearts.
But Jiang Li no longer felt that way. Even if Huo Jue were to lose his handsome face one day, she would still love him. From the moment he arrived on Zhu Fu Street and opened his eyes under her care, she knew he was the man she would marry.
If she loved someone, she would fight for him. She would cherish every good day they had together, because who knew what the future held? A natural disaster or a sudden tragedy could end everything in an instant.
For Jiang Li, a good life was one where her mother, her brother Jiang Ling, and Huo Jue were by her side.
That night, neither mother nor daughter could convince the other. Seeing that Jiang Li was immovable, Yang Hui Niang decided to drop the subject. If Huo Jue came to propose, she would simply decline politely.
In Yang Hui Niang’s eyes, Huo Jue’s affection for Jiang Li was shallow compared to Jiang Li’s years of longing for him. Once Huo Jue went to the capital and met noblewomen from prestigious families, he might forget about Jiang Li altogether.
With that thought, Yang Hui Niang felt at ease. As long as Huo Jue gave up, Jiang Li would eventually let go too.
---
The fifth day of the fifth lunar month was the Dragon Boat Festival, and every year, Tong’an City held dragon boat races on the moat. Magistrate Qian, embroiled in the scandal of favoring his concubine over his wife, was too busy to oversee the event, so the responsibility fell to the city’s wealthiest man, Squire Zhang.
Bi Hong came to deliver a message to Jiang Li, saying that the old lady of the Zhang family had reserved a good spot for her to watch the dragon boat races.
"The old lady said you’ve been ill for a while, and now that you’ve recovered, it’s a good time to join the festivities. Our family has spent a fortune building two dragon boats this year, and we’ve even invited experienced boat racers from Yangzhou. This year’s races are sure to be spectacular."
Jiang Li thanked Bi Hong. "I should have visited the Zhang residence to thank the old lady in person, but I’ve just recovered from my illness, and it might bring bad luck. Please convey my deepest gratitude to her."
Bi Hong chuckled. "You know I’ll handle it. Don’t worry, I’ll tell the old lady that you’re so grateful you could cry."
Jiang Li laughed and brought out two boxes of pastries from the kitchen. "This box is for the old lady, and this one is for you, Sister Bi Hong. When I fell into the water that day, you were there to help me, and you even went through the trouble of retrieving my hairpin from the pond. From now on, whatever you want to eat, I’ll make it for you."
"I won’t hold back, then," Bi Hong said with a smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "But I can’t take all the credit. That hairpin was found because your handsome young man paid to have it retrieved. Speaking of which, he’s quite devoted to you."
"My handsome young man?" Jiang Li asked. "You mean Huo Jue?"
"Exactly. Didn’t he tell you?" Bi Hong raised an eyebrow.
Huo Jue hadn’t mentioned it. When Bi Hong returned the hairpin, Jiang Li had excitedly told him it had been found. He had simply smiled and said it was fate, that the heavens couldn’t bear to see her lose such a precious token.
Jiang Li lowered her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips, her cheeks burning. It wasn’t fate that had returned the hairpin—it was Huo Jue.
Bi Hong, having delivered her message, couldn’t stay long and soon returned to the Zhang residence.
On the day of the festival, Jiang Li dressed early and set off for the moat. The dragon boat races were a major event, and even the academy had given its students a half-day break, allowing the scholars who had been burying themselves in books to enjoy the festivities.
By the time Jiang Li arrived, the banks of the moat were already packed with people. Children perched on their fathers’ shoulders, peering over the crowd to catch a glimpse of the two magnificent dragon boats in the distance, their excitement palpable.
The Zhang family had set up several viewing pavilions at the end of the moat. Jiang Li’s seat was in one of the higher pavilions, offering a clear view of the shimmering water and the two dragon boats ready to race. It was indeed an excellent spot.
Jiang Li glanced around but didn’t see Huo Jue or Jiang Ling. Just as she was about to step out to look for them, a tall, elegantly dressed man in a moon-white robe approached.
It was Zhang Heng, the eldest son of the Zhang family, whom Jiang Li had met a few times before.
Jiang Li quickly curtsied and greeted him.
Zhang Heng’s expression was gentle. "Miss Jiang Li, there’s no need for formalities. I heard from Bi Hong that you’ve been ill. Are you feeling better now?"
In truth, Zhang Heng had learned of Jiang Li’s accident the day after it happened. He had been concerned about her health but dared not show it openly, fearing his grandmother’s disapproval if she thought he was neglecting his studies for a girl. So, he had discreetly asked Bi Hong to deliver the invitation on the old lady’s behalf.
Now, seeing Jiang Li standing gracefully before him, Zhang Heng felt a wave of relief.
Jiang Li was surprised that the young master knew about her illness, but she quickly smiled and replied, "I’m fully recovered now. Thank you for your concern."
As Jiang Li and Zhang Heng spoke, a group of lively young scholars emerged from the academy street nearby. These students, who had been cooped up studying for the imperial exams, were thrilled to have a break and chattered like magpies.
One of Jiang Ling’s friends spotted the pair under the pavilion and nudged Jiang Ling. "Isn’t that your sister?"
Jiang Ling, who had been talking to Huo Jue, glanced at him and noticed the usually calm young man’s expression had turned icy. Following Huo Jue’s gaze, Jiang Ling saw Jiang Li laughing and chatting with a well-dressed gentleman. His heart skipped a beat.
---
To an outsider, Jiang Li and Zhang Heng seemed to be enjoying a pleasant conversation, but Jiang Li felt increasingly awkward. She wasn’t particularly close to Zhang Heng, and she couldn’t understand why he was being so talkative today.
Just as she was wondering how to end the conversation, she caught sight of someone waving at her. She looked up and met a pair of cool, familiar eyes.
Seeing Huo Jue, Jiang Li’s face lit up with a smile. "Master Zhang, my brother is here. I need to go speak with him. Please excuse me."
She curtsied and hurried down the pavilion, her steps light and graceful as she made her way toward Huo Jue.
Jiang Li was wearing a pale yellow dress with a light green overcoat, her hair styled simply and adorned with a pearl hairpin. Her slender waist seemed almost too delicate to hold. As she walked through the warm spring breeze, her fair skin and delicate features made her look like a budding flower—still youthful but already strikingly beautiful.
Huo Jue’s dark eyes briefly flicked toward the man who had been watching Jiang Li, then returned to her bright, smiling face. A faint smile curved his lips.
His A Li was growing up, and now she was starting to attract attention.
No comments:
Post a Comment