Сhарtеr 3 (6/19)
Yun Weishan stерреd intо the room, tеsting thе waters аs she spоkе: “I didn’t hаvе thе сhancе to congratulate Мiss Jiаng during the dаy. То bе сhosеn аs thе Yоung Lоrd’s bride—it’s trulу something to еnvу.”
Upоn hearing this, Jiang Lili’s fаce shоwed no sign оf jоу; instеаd, it саrried a trасe оf sоrrоw.
Shangguаn Qian’s еуes held аn аmbiguous glint in thе dim light, her words laсed with hidden meаning: “Соme in аnd sit. I thought I was the оnlу оne unаblе tо slеер, but it seеms Мiss Yun Weishаn is alsо restless.”
Тhe thrее оf them gаthеrеd аround the low tаble draped with gauzу curtains. Yun Weishаn caught а whiff of а hеavу, fragrant scent and turned her head slightly to see a faint wisp of blue smoke rising from an incense burner.
The aroma was unusual. Yun Weishan raised her eyes nonchalantly toward Shangguan Qian: “The incense in this room smells wonderful.”
Shangguan Qian was pouring tea. Hearing this, she smiled and picked up the thread: “This incense is called Autumn Cicada’s Slumber, a famous fragrance from my hometown. Miss Jiang said she couldn’t sleep at night, so I lit some—it helps soothe the mind and bring restful sleep. If you like it, Miss Yun, I still have some left.”
With slender, delicate fingers, Shangguan Qian lifted the teacups and handed them to Yun Weishan and Jiang Lili.
Jiang Lili took a small sip: “Miss Shangguan Qian insisted on having me try this old tea from her hometown in the middle of the night. I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep again. Heh, but it’s just as well—chatting with the three of us might help us relax.”
Yun Weishan’s heart tightened. Hearing this, she subtly set down the teacup she had just brought to her lips. Then she changed the subject: “What were you two discussing earlier? I noticed Miss Jiang looked as though she had been crying.”
Shangguan Qian: “We were talking about Miss Jiang’s beloved.”
Yun Weishan was surprised: “Beloved?”
Miss Jiang nodded, about to speak, but tears fell first.
Shangguan Qian sighed softly and spoke for her: “Miss Jiang has a beloved back in her hometown, so she never wanted to enter the House of Gong as a bride…” She shifted her gaze meaningfully toward Yun Weishan. “Do you think there’s any way we could help her?”
After speaking, Shangguan Qian lifted her teacup, covering her mouth as she drank, her demeanor elegant.
Yun Weishan noticed that Shangguan Qian’s hand, like her own, bore vibrant crimson nail polish. Almost imperceptibly, Shangguan Qian’s fingertip lightly tapped the side of the cup three times.
After finishing her tea, Shangguan Qian withdrew her hand into her sleeve and asked: “Miss Yun Weishan, do you not care for tea?”
Yun Weishan skillfully deflected: “Like Miss Jiang, I also sleep lightly at night. This tea looks quite dark—likely a strong brew. If I drink this cup, I’m afraid I won’t be able to fall asleep until dawn.”
Seizing the moment, Yun Weishan gave her finger a slight, deft shake. A small but sufficient amount of crimson powder from her nail polish fell into the teacup. She then naturally handed the cup to Jiang Lili.
“Please, Miss Jiang. And don’t grieve too much—it will harm your health.”
Shangguan Qian’s eyes were fixed on Yun Weishan, but her words, spoken with a subtle tone, were directed at Miss Jiang: “Indeed, the Young Lord has only chosen you for now. The wedding banquet hasn’t taken place—there may still be changes.”
Jiang Lili remained frowning, as if taking this only as words of comfort. She looked at Yun Weishan, who also held a golden token but had not been chosen: “If only they had selected Miss Yun instead… perhaps then I could have been sent back home…”"Ah..." Shangguan Qian sighed softly. "Among the brides sent to the House of Gong, it's rare to find someone like Miss Jiang whose thoughts are elsewhere. Everyone says the House of Gong is wonderful, that marrying into it is a blessing. Once Yu Manor comes to take Miss Jiang away tomorrow, those of us who weren't chosen will likely be sent out of the House of Gong and back home."
Seeing that she had stirred up sadness in both of them, Jiang Lili quickly comforted them: "You won't be sent back home. The rules of the House of Gong's bride selection ensure that even if a bride isn't chosen by the Young Lord, each one will be given a good match. Firstly, these brides are all daughters of the House of Gong's allies in the martial world—they can't afford to offend anyone. Secondly, the House of Gong is cautious; once someone arrives, they try to keep them. So, with the radiant beauty of Miss Yun and Miss Shangguan, the House of Gong will surely find you good homes."
Shangguan Qian rested her chin on her hand. "I hope so."
Jiang Lili added, "Besides, Second Master Gong Shangjue and Fourth Young Master Gong Ziyu are both still unmarried, aren't they? There's no need for you two sisters to worry."
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