SFT 11

Chapter 11

After Jiang Zhixiu and Xie Meiying left, Xie Rongmo also prepared to return to the outer courtyard guest rooms. Jiang Jiayu, however, smiled and said, “Brother Xie, the moonlight tonight is splendid. Why don’t you and I stay up by candlelight and talk through the night?”

In her heart, He Fangting gave a slight start. Had Yu’er and Xie Rongmo already formed a friendship after only a single day together?

When they first met earlier, she had been focused entirely on observing Xie Meiying and had not paid much attention to Xie Rongmo. Only now did she realize that this young man had bright, spirited eyes and a handsome appearance. He carried a vigorous youthful sharpness, with a hint of wildness in his gaze, quite different from the typical young men in the capital.

She looked at Xie Rongmo, and he also looked back at her. Yet nothing could be discerned from his expression. He inwardly thought that the Princess Shun’an was deeply inscrutable. Then he smiled at Jiang Jiayu and replied, “It is exactly what I wish for, though I would not presume to ask.”

Nearby, Jiang Jiaqiong clapped and laughed, saying, “Candlelit conversation, poetry and song—how elegant! I want to join as well!”

He Fangting pulled her back, frowning. “Qiong’er, you’re drunk. Go back and rest quickly.”

How is Jiang Zhixiu, as their father, raising them? Why is his daughter drunk and left unattended?

And they were still outside—if anyone saw this, what would they think of the Jiang family’s upbringing?

Jiang Jiaqiong mischievously stuck out her tongue. “Yes, yes, I’m drunk. I’m only speaking nonsense; I wouldn’t actually go. Men and women should keep their distance—I know that!”

She said this deliberately to divert her mother’s attention and prevent her from interfering with her brother’s friendship with Xie Rongmo.

Then she curtsied toward Xie Rongmo with a bright smile. “Brother Rongmo, I’ll be leaving now. See you tomorrow.”

She had waited seven long years for the Xie family’s return; her excitement was known only to herself.

Xie Rongmo returned the courtesy. “Take care, sister.”

Jiang Jiaqiong looked at him a few more times before finally leaving under her mother’s urging.

The mother and daughter returned to Biqiu Courtyard. While He Fangting had someone bring sobering soup, she asked her daughter, “Didn’t you and your brother go to the West Market? How did you end up returning together with them?”

Jiang Jiaqiong smiled. “My brother and I were watching street performances when we suddenly ran into Father. He told us to come along, so we had no choice but to obey.”

This matched He Fangting’s guess. Just as she was about to ask for more details, Jiang Jiaqiong suddenly pressed a hand to her forehead and repeatedly complained of a headache. So she had no choice but to drop the matter.

She personally fed Jiang Jiaqiong the sobering soup and helped her lie down.

Before leaving, she carefully tucked in the blanket and instructed the maids to take good care of her.

After He Fangting left the room, Jiang Jiaqiong lifted the blanket and let out a soft sigh.

In truth, going to Yunshan Academy with her father had been something she and her brother had already agreed upon the day before. Afraid that their mother would overthink it, they had pretended it was a chance encounter with their father.

There was something else her mother did not know: regarding concubinage arrangements, their father had already written to her brother before returning home. At first, her brother did not understand, but later he came to accept it.

Their father had also introduced Xie Rongmo in his letters, and the two of them had exchanged poetry and essays through correspondence. They shared similar interests and had already become close friends who had never met in person.

Moreover, Xie Rongmo had extraordinary insight, unique opinions, and had experienced hardship, making him steady in mind and rich in substance. Her brother was deeply impressed by his talent.

If her mother had not been entirely focused on Father and Xie Meiying the day before yesterday, she would have noticed that her brother and Xie Rongmo behaved like old friends reunited.

In her view, this was an excellent development.

Her mother would not understand: only by sincerely accepting Xie Meiying and treating Xie Rongmo well could everything end favorably.

He Fangting, surrounded by attendants, walked out of the courtyard gate and looked back at Biqiu Courtyard, her eyes filled with confusion.

Her daughter was deliberately avoiding her questions. She could clearly sense it.

But why?

When Jiaqiong was young, she had been extremely dependent on her. Even a butterfly fluttering past would prompt her to rush over and share it with her mother. But as she grew older, she seemed to have gradually drifted away. Now, whenever something interesting happened, she would rather tell Yu’er than her.

She had worried about this before and once complained to Nanny Kong. Nanny Kong had laughed and said that if she was already worried now, what would she do when her daughter married? Would she cry herself to death?

She also said that once daughters grow up, they naturally develop their own secrets, and there is no need to overthink it.

She wanted to care, but there was nothing she could do, because Jiaqiong did not like her to get too close.

By now, she no longer understood what her daughter was thinking at all.

“Your Highness, should I call the maid who followed them to ask?” Qinghao asked softly.

He Fangting shook her head and said dimly, “No need.”

If her daughter did not want to tell her, she did not want to learn it through the servants either.

Besides, her silence already said a great deal.

After a moment of melancholy, she ordered that supper be sent to Jiayu and Xie Rongmo.

No matter what, propriety could not be lost in front of others.

In the Orchid Pavilion, the atmosphere was intimate and warm.

Jiang Zhixiu held Xie Meiying in his arms by the window and asked softly, “Are you reassured now?”

Xie Meiying leaned against him, full of affection. “Yes, I am! Jiang Lang, thank you!”

Today at Yunshan Academy, Mountain Master Fang had posed several questions, and Rongmo had answered them excellently. The mountain master praised him as a promising talent and gladly accepted him.

Rongmo’s future now looked promising, and she felt she had fulfilled her duty to her late parents and elder brother.

And all of this was thanks to Jiang Lang.

Jiang Zhixiu smiled. “Between you and me, why thank me?”

A good teacher is hard to find, and so is a good student. Mountain Master Fang greatly admired Rongmo and originally wanted him to enroll immediately. However, Rongmo had developed a close friendship with Jiayu and planned to wait until Jiayu’s vacation ended before going to the academy together.

Since his return home from afar, Jiayu had taken a ten-day leave; at present, seven days remained.

This was also because He Fangting indulged her children—three or four days would have been enough for a family reunion, yet she had allowed ten days.

Jiayu’s examination results had not been impressive. Who could say it was not due to He Fangting’s excessive indulgence? The child had been spoiled under her care.

In contrast, Meiying, though life had been difficult, understood priorities clearly and had raised Rongmo to be exceptionally capable.