Chapter 9: Jiang Shiyuan Will Regret Tomorrow

After sending Jiang Shiyuan back to safety, Pei Ziye hurried back to the Taifu Mansion and immediately headed to the study to report to Pei Che.

As soon as Pei Ziye entered the room, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Aunt is so amusing. She asked if I have someone I like and even said that if I do, she wouldn’t object.”

Pei Che raised his head without speaking. He paused briefly, then resumed writing.

…

Jiang Shiyuan returned to the General’s Mansion, and the first thing she did was head to the warehouse.

She had a small private warehouse where she kept various collected herbs. At the very back of the warehouse were several large boxes.

Jiang Shiyuan opened the box, revealing neatly stacked ancient books inside.

Looking at these well-preserved books, Jiang Shiyuan was momentarily stunned.

Ancient books…

There was someone whose study was entirely filled with ancient texts—an enormous room, yet there was not a single casual book to be found. It was as solemn and imposing as the person himself.

Earlier in the day, when Pei Zanxue had told her that Pei Ziye liked ancient books, she had been momentarily stunned.

She had thought…

Jiang Shiyuan shook her head and chuckled bitterly, interrupting her thoughts.

How could that be?

Jiang Shiyuan, you really dare to imagine such things!

She reached into the box with great familiarity, taking out a set of books and closing the box again.

“Hong Dou, go ask at the bookstore tomorrow if this set of ancient books is still available. If so, buy another set,” Jiang Shiyuan instructed.

Hong Dou looked confused.

These boxes of books had been carefully collected by Miss from various bookstores over the years. They were usually only taken out to be aired once a year, and Miss had never opened them to read. Why would she want to buy another set now?

Although Hong Dou had many questions, she didn’t ask and simply noted down the book titles, preparing to send someone to inquire at the bookstore.

As Jiang Shiyuan left the warehouse, Qin Mama greeted her cheerfully.

Since the return of Manting Chun, Qin Mama hadn’t stopped smiling.

Not only her, but the entire General’s Mansion was filled with festive cheer, almost like the atmosphere of the New Year.

Qin Mama had even quietly set off a few firecrackers outside the back door, with the little old lady personally lighting the fuse.

“Miss, there’s news from the palace,” Qin Mama reported. “The Empress Dowager says that the Pei family sent a message to her yesterday, asking to set a date to visit Empress Jiang and discuss the marriage between the two families.”

Qin Mama was overjoyed. This was exactly the manner of a distinguished family—everything was done so flawlessly.

The Jiang family had no one left, and the Empress Dowager had always favored this niece, so the Pei family’s request to discuss the marriage in the palace was both reasonable and respectful, preserving the dignity of the Jiang family.

“The Empress Dowager checked the almanac, and the day after tomorrow is an auspicious day—perfect for betrothing.” Qin Mama added.

In other words, if nothing unexpected happened, after the day after tomorrow, the marriage would be a done deal.

As Qin Mama spoke, she subtly observed Jiang Shiyuan’s expression.

Jiang Shiyuan understood the doubt in Qin Mama’s heart and smiled. “This marriage is excellent. I will leave everything to Aunt’s arrangements. The day after tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to the palace to settle it.”

“Ah! Good, good, good. I will make the arrangements.”

Qin Mama beamed at her words.

Great! The young lady’s good fortune had finally come.

After settling the matter of the palace visit with Qin Mama, Jiang Shiyuan turned and returned to the fragrance room.

Pei Ziye had sent her a set of storybooks and many snacks. Jiang Shiyuan thought to reciprocate, intending to prepare another incense blend for him.

Pei Ziye was flamboyant and unruly, so a strong, bold ambergris scent would suit him well.

It was unique to the capital and also a token of her thoughts.

Before she knew it, night had fallen.

At the Wenyuan Marquis’s mansion—

Shen Luchu held a book in his hands, but his gaze was fixed on a sachet on the desk. He suddenly let out a sneer.

Moyu, who had been standing quietly in the study, looked up in confusion.

Shen Luchu tossed the book onto the desk, a mocking smile on his lips.

He couldn’t focus on the book at all—he couldn’t even bring himself to look at it.

Every time he thought about Jiang Shiyuan saying she was going to get married, he wanted to laugh.

“Moyu, do you think Jiang Shiyuan will regret it tomorrow?” Shen Luchu suddenly asked.

Moyu was uncertain about his master’s thoughts, unsure whether Shen Luchu cared or not.

If he cared, then why hadn’t he shown any reaction to Jiang Shiyuan, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, saying she was getting married?

If he didn’t care… Moyu glanced at the book on the desk. If he wasn’t mistaken, that was the same page from earlier in the day.

If he didn’t care, then why had Shen Luchu been so distracted all day and couldn’t read a single page?

But Madam had ordered that the most important thing now was that the young master focused on his studies, nothing else could interfere with his preparation for the imperial exam.

Anyone who disturbed the young master’s studies would be dragged out and beaten to death.

Last time, the maidservant Cui had worn slightly flashy clothes and was suspected of distracting the young master, so Madam had immediately sent her away.

Madam placed a great importance on the young master’s examination. Everyone in the house knew this.

Moyu dared not think of the consequences if the young master failed the exam. While others might not know, he, as the personal attendant, would certainly suffer the consequences.

Madam would certainly blame him!

Moyu shivered, suppressing his doubts and following Shen Luchu’s tone, saying, “No need to wait until tomorrow. Jiang Shiyuan is probably already regretting her decision and can’t sleep. She could have lied about anything, but she chose to lie about getting married.”

As expected, as soon as Moyu finished speaking, Shen Luchu’s expression softened, and he picked up the book again.

Moyu continued, “Such a big lie, we’ll see how she handles it. I bet she’ll come rushing to explain herself to you tomorrow. Don’t worry, young master.”

“Who doesn’t know that Jiang Shiyuan likes you immensely? She’s just lying because she sees you getting close to Miss Su.”

Moyu spoke as he ground ink, then handed the brush to Shen Luchu.

Shen Luchu took the brush and wrote effortlessly, finishing an entire article in the time it took to drink a bowl of tea.