Chapter 13: Rejected? Jiang Shiyuan Rejected Me?

As night fell, Moyu, clutching the returned invitation, returned to the Wenyuan Marquis’ residence, trembling with fear.

“Did you deliver it?”

The room was dimly lit, and Shen Luchu lay back in his chair, shrouded in a dull and unclear haze. His expression was listless, yet underneath, anger simmered.

Shen Luchu had never had such an embarrassing day.

Today, he and Zhou Jingshen had waited for almost a whole day, and by the end, Zhou Jingshen had felt so awkward that he had come up with an excuse to leave.

Shen Luchu felt as if his face had been ripped off and stomped into the dirt, dragged from the east city gate all the way to the west.

And the person who did this wasn’t anyone else but Jiang Shiyuan!

Shen Luchu should have been furious. He should have been seething with rage and severed ties with Jiang Shiyuan, never allowing her anywhere near him again, never even giving her a word, a glance!

Let her wander alone in the capital city, forever isolated and helpless!

But for some unknown reason, a sense of panic inexplicably arose in his heart.

Without thinking, he took out his invitation card and had someone send it to the General’s residence.

He was a man, he could be magnanimous, not argue with a woman, and it was nothing to take a step back.

Jiang Shiyuan would surely be pleased now; he had never been this humble towards a woman before.

Moyu stood at the door, sweat already dripping from his palms.

Being rejected wasn’t a big deal, but the person who rejected this invitation wasn’t just anyone—it was Jiang Shiyuan!

For the past three years, Jiang Shiyuan had always been at the Young Master’s beck and call. But today, the roles reversed—now it was the Young Master seeking an audience and being rejected!

At the gates of the General’s residence, when Jiang Shiyuan’s maid had rejected the Young Master’s invitation, it took Shen Luchu a long time to process it.

Jiang Shiyuan had changed. She had become like a completely different person.

But how could he report this to the Young Master?

Lie?

Moyu shook his head. Even if he managed to hide it tonight, he wouldn’t be able to fool anyone tomorrow.

He could only report truthfully.

Moreover, it was all just his speculation. The Young Master might not care that much about Jiang Shiyuan anymore.

Maybe, when the Young Master realized that Jiang Shiyuan would no longer bother him, he might actually feel relieved.

After all, the Young Master had often said that Jiang Shiyuan was quite annoying.

“Why aren’t you speaking? What was her reaction when she saw my invitation? Was she moved? Did she have mixed emotions?”

Before Moyu could sort out his thoughts, Shen Luchu pressed on, his tone full of expectation.

Moyu didn’t dare to look up at Shen Luchu. Nervously, he took out the returned invitation from his pocket and whispered, “Young Master, she rejected it.”

“Huh?” Shen Luchu froze, unable to respond.

Moyu thought he hadn’t heard clearly, so he raised his voice and said again, “Young Master, Miss Jiang rejected your invitation.”

Before his voice had even finished echoing, Shen Luchu jumped up from his chair, shouting, “Impossible!”

“You worthless servant, are you tired of living? I asked you to deliver one invitation, and you dared to slack off!” Shen Luchu roared at Moyu.

Moyu had never seen Shen Luchu so angry. He immediately dropped to his knees, trembling, and said, “Young Master, you’ve misunderstood! I didn’t slack off. I didn’t even dare to hand the invitation to the servants at the General’s residence. I waited at the door for half a day, and only when Miss Jiang appeared did I deliver the invitation.”

“You mean, you personally handed my invitation to Jiang Shiyuan? Then who rejected it?” Shen Luchu asked, confused.

Moyu, feeling desperate, replied, “It was Miss Jiang herself who rejected your invitation. She said she was unavailable.”

Although Moyu was telling the truth, he didn’t dare to fully repeat Jiang Shiyuan’s words, so he simply said “unavailable.”

But the difference was small; it still meant “rejected.”

Shen Luchu stood frozen in place, his expression stiff, as if the blood in his body had frozen.

The room fell into a heavy silence, like the calm before a storm. Moyu’s heart raced as he stood there. Just then, footsteps were heard outside the door.

“What happened? Who angered the Young Master?”

Shen Luchu’s mother, Princess Wenhe, entered the room.

Princess Wenhe was elegant and noble, with a faint smile on her face, appearing gentle and dignified. But to Moyu, the air in the room suddenly felt suffocating, especially when she cast a cold glance at him as she entered.

“It’s nothing,” Shen Luchu replied weakly.

Princess Wenhe looked at her son’s furrowed brows and smiled. “Nothing? Just now, I heard your voice outside the courtyard and thought someone had angered the Young Master.”

Shen Luchu replied again, “It’s nothing. Mother, it’s late. Is there something you need? I need to study.”

Princess Wenhe didn’t press further and said, “Haven’t you been to see your imperial uncle in a long time? Come with me to the palace tomorrow.”

Princess Wenhe was the cousin of the current emperor, and Shen Luchu’s imperial uncle was the emperor himself.

Shen Luchu didn’t want to go; he didn’t like going to the palace.

His imperial uncle treated him kindly, but every time he went, his mother made him show off in public. When he was younger, it was reciting poetry; as he grew older, it became archery and horse riding. Though everyone praised him each time, Shen Luchu always felt like a monkey performing in the street, and he hated the feeling.

“Mother, I have things to do tomorrow. Can we go another day?” Shen Luchu suggested.

Princess Wenhe didn’t say yes or no. She turned to light a lamp, muttering, “It’s so dark. Are you trying to ruin your eyes, Young Master?”

The room suddenly brightened. Princess Wenhe extinguished the match, casually saying, “Moyu hasn’t been attentive. Take him away and beat him with ten lashes.”

Moyu’s heart skipped a beat as he looked up, silently pleading for help from Shen Luchu.

Moyu had served Shen Luchu for many years and was one of the few old servants left.

“It’s not Moyu’s fault. I wasn’t feeling well tonight and wanted to rest early. Mother, what time are we going to the palace tomorrow?” Shen Luchu said, almost instinctively yielding.

“Didn’t you hear? The Young Master is going to the palace tomorrow. Go prepare your clothes.”

Princess Wenhe placed the lampshade back and continued her movements. Moyu immediately scrambled to get the clothes ready, moving quickly.

Princess Wenhe turned to adjust her son’s clothes and smiled lightly.

“You are the son of a princess, the Young Master of this Marquis’ residence. Your status is important. Don’t let yourself be bothered by a servant or even the lowliest person in the General’s residence. When you’re in a good mood, you can reward them, and when you’re not, just send them away. No need to lose your temper and degrade your own status, understand?”

Shen Luchu knew who Princess Wenhe was talking about. He felt a bit uncomfortable, but didn’t argue. He lowered his head and replied, “I understand, Mother.”

After a few more words about “resting well, taking care of your health,” Princess Wenhe left with her maid.

Shen Luchu slouched back in his chair, his mood growing darker, as if no amount of light would make it brighter.

Moyu finished packing and walked back into the room.

“Did you say Jiang Shiyuan rejected me?” Shen Luchu asked again.

Moyu’s heart skipped again. Was this not over yet?

“Young Master…”

Before Moyu could speak, Shen Luchu suddenly let out a light laugh.

“Good, if Jiang Shiyuan wants to play, let her play as much as she wants!”

This was perfect. He could use this opportunity to test her patience.

Let’s see who would give in first!

Moyu hesitated. Should he say it?

It seemed like Miss Jiang was really going to get married.

When he was at the General’s residence today, he overheard the doorman mention that the Jiang family was preparing for a wedding.