Youthful Glory

The change in Prince Dingbei's expression was too sudden, leaving Yu Bozhong stunned and unable to react immediately.

It was Qingyu who snapped out of it first. Calling out "Your Highness," she couldn't help but follow him out.

Qingyu was the most outstanding girl in Huilou, meticulously raised by the madam since childhood. Next month, she was to be sent to the Su family upon her debut.

Though the Su family ruled like local emperors in Lingzhou, being someone's plaything meant her future would be confined to the walls of a courtyard. Moreover, Second Master Su was old enough to be her father, with over a dozen concubines and countless unnamed women in his household.

Most crucially, the Fourth Young Master of the Su family also coveted her. If she truly entered the Su residence, who knew what kind of life awaited her?

Thus, she couldn't afford to miss this chance with Prince Dingbei.

Seeing her chase after him, the hidden guards hesitated momentarily, unsure whether to stop her—after all, she had just attended to their Master, who hadn't rejected her company.

In that brief hesitation, Qingyu caught up. Boldly, she spread her arms and blocked Jiang Xu's path.

Jiang Xu paused slightly.

Qingyu met his gaze directly, mustering her courage to ask, "Prince Dingbei, may this humble servant follow you?"

This prince was young, handsome, and powerful. Even as a mere concubine—or without any status at all—just being by his side would elevate her status, offering a bright future.

Glancing at the mandarin duck-patterned sachet at Jiang Xu's waist, she added, "I ask for nothing but to remain by Your Highness's side forever."

The scene was moving, the beauty pleading so earnestly that even Shu Jingran felt a pang of sympathy and glanced at Jiang Xu.

Clearly, Qingyu was clever. Knowing a man like Jiang Xu was surrounded by beauties, she realized her earlier docility hadn't moved him. So she took this bold approach, hoping to stand out.

And Jiang Xu—

From what Shu Jingran knew, he did tend to favor those with audacity.

For a moment, Shu Jingran couldn't predict whether Jiang Xu would take Qingyu with him, especially given his slightly unusual demeanor during the banquet.

But before Shu Jingran could dwell on it, Jiang Xu delivered a ruthless response.

"Remaining by this prince's side? You're unworthy."

His tone was indifferent, his voice devoid of emotion—light, with not a trace of interest.

Qingyu froze, her face flushing and paling in turns.

How could this be? She had been at least seventy percent confident in this move. How could Prince Dingbei dismiss her without hesitation? If she was unworthy, then who was?

Before she could figure it out, Jiang Xu had already stepped around her and left Huilou without another glance.

Outside Huilou, most of the 180 pleasure boats along Lingyu River had been burned to ashes. All remaining vessels were ordered to cease operations, leaving the river dark and silent. The nearby magistrate's office was equally quiet.

Returning to the office, Jiang Xu gave a few instructions to his hidden guards before heading straight to his temporary courtyard.

The main room was brightly lit, suggesting someone was still awake. Pushing the door open, he startled the maid inside who was making the bed, causing her to drop to her knees with a thud.

"Where is the Consort?" he asked abruptly, scanning the room.

The maid trembled as she answered, "My Lord, the Consort is in the backyard enjoying the cool air. She said... her heart was restless and wanted some breeze. She also instructed this servant to place a mint sachet under the pillow and burn some cooling incense."With that, she respectfully presented the sachet with both hands.

Excessive heart fire.

Jiang Xu glanced briefly at the mint-scented sachet, his eyes darkening slightly.

After standing silently for a moment, he turned and left the main hall, heading to the backyard.

The residence arranged by the prefect for them included a small flower garden at the rear. At this time of year, it was a riot of color, with butterflies flitting about during the day, lingering gracefully among the blooms. The summer fragrance was also refreshingly pleasant.

Amidst the garden stood a swing entwined with vines, quite eye-catching in its decoration. However, Ming Tan, having previously embarrassed herself thoroughly on the swing at Yongchun Garden, had not dared to sit on it during her days here. Instead, she had a soft couch brought out for her to recline on sideways as she enjoyed the cool air.

Half an hour earlier, she had asked the Prefect's Wife to find temporary lodgings for the beauties from Huilou before returning to the courtyard. Fuming and aggrieved, she had unwittingly fallen asleep in her anger. The maidservant beside her dared not slack off, continuing to fan her gently.

Seeing Jiang Xu approach, the maidservant made to kneel.

Jiang Xu raised his hand, signaling it wasn’t necessary, and indicated she should continue fanning.

Earlier, at the Prefect's Wife's invitation, Ming Tan had changed into a fresh outfit. Her snow-white ruqun fluttered ethereally in the night, while the crimson hezi at her chest was embroidered with delicate intertwining crabapple branches. Her skin was as fair as frost and snow, and her naturally rosy lips seemed to invite plucking.

He approached, brushing his thumb against her soft cheek and gently tucking aside the strands of hair that had come loose during her sleep.

In her dream, Ming Tan felt something rough grazing her face. Her lashes fluttered slightly, her delicate brows furrowing unconsciously. Her cherry lips pressed together, the corners downturned in displeasure, and her cheeks puffed out slightly.

Jiang Xu gazed at her, then dismissed the fanning maid.

Who would have thought Ming Tan couldn’t tolerate the heat at all? The moment the fanning stopped, within mere breaths, she grew uncomfortably warm, smacking her lips and turning to her other side. Unconsciously, she tugged at the crimson hezi covering her chest.

With no one around and a faint, subtle fragrance lingering in the air, Jiang Xu stared at her unblinkingly, his throat inexplicably tightening. Bracing himself against the edge of the couch, he slowly leaned down, pausing just above her lips. Hesitating for some reason, he finally pressed a fleeting kiss to them, light as a dragonfly skimming water.

Ming Tan didn’t wake, but the heat made her restless. In a few movements, she nearly tugged the hezi completely off.

Seeing this, Jiang Xu picked up the silk fan the maid had left nearby and fanned her a few times. But he had never done this before—his movements were clumsy. The first two fans were merely too forceful, but the third one slapped directly against her chest, as if he had struck her there.

Ming Tan jolted awake, instinctively covering her chest with a shiver. Blinking sleepily, she stared in confusion before her eyes widened in shock. "H-Husband? What are you doing?"

"..."

Jiang Xu expressionlessly tossed the fan aside.

Ming Tan looked at the fan and suddenly understood. She slowly sat up from the couch, shifting to the edge, glancing around before hurriedly straightening her disheveled collar.

Freshly awakened, her mind was still muddled, and she hadn’t yet recalled the emotions from before she fell asleep. But as she adjusted her collar, it suddenly came back to her—how had she ended up sleeping outside? Ah, yes. The Huilou beauties. She’d been furious over them.

Her hands paused, and her entire demeanor shifted abruptly. With feigned nonchalance, she remarked, "Why has Husband returned so soon? I thought you’d be reveling with the officials and those beauties, and wouldn’t come back tonight."

Jiang Xu: "..."Sure enough, what was bound to come would always come.

Those who were jealous always thought they hid it well, unaware that the sourness was strong enough to wilt the delicate flowers in the garden.

Ming Tan was no exception. She continued nonchalantly, "The beauties sent by Lord Yu have been settled by the Prefect's Wife, though it might be a bit crowded since there are many and they arrived in haste. Please forgive the inconvenience, Husband. I initially wanted to bring more carriages, but you refused. Now that we’ll soon return to the capital, we’ll have to purchase additional horses and carts."

"..."

"This Lord was unaware he would act first and report later, sending those women into our residence."

Ming Tan remained indifferent.

Jiang Xu didn’t offer much explanation either, simply stating, "By now, the guards should have already sent them back."

Only then did Ming Tan glance at him. After a long pause, she suppressed the urge to question him and casually smoothed her sleeves, remarking lightly, "Indeed. I suppose Qingyu alone could outshine a thousand blossoms vying for spring’s favor."

"..."

Who had told her that?

Seeing Jiang Xu remain silent, Ming Tan paused, her heart turning half-cold.

She steadied her breath and asked, "Where is Qingyu? Did Husband not bring her back? Or are you waiting for an auspicious day to fetch her from Huilou?"

"Does the Consort wish for me to bring her back?"

...?

Why shift the blame onto her when it was his own desire?

Did he truly not know whether she wanted it or not?!

Ming Tan was so furious her vision blurred. Stubbornly, she retorted, "The manor is lonely—it would be nice to have another sister for company. This humble wife is clumsy and inept at serving the Lord, lacking in attentiveness. It must have been exhausting for you."

Jiang Xu studied her for a moment before replying, "In that case, this Lord shall order someone to fetch her at once."

With that, he turned to leave.

Ming Tan instantly exploded, grabbing the hem of his robe and impulsively hitting him.

Silence fell abruptly.

Ming Tan suddenly came to her senses.

What was she doing? Hitting her husband? Wasn’t this the jealousy condemned by the Seven Reasons for Divorce? She hadn’t even borne him an heir—would he use this as an excuse to divorce her? Or force her to accept that woman from Huilou into the household?

Her mind went blank for a moment.

After a long pause, her expression cleared slightly, and she suddenly hit Jiang Xu again.

"…?"

Jiang Xu could roughly guess what was going through her mind from her expression after the first hit, but the second one left him puzzled.

"Why hit this Lord again?" he asked.

Ming Tan lifted her chin, her eyes red as she glared at him, declaring righteously, "Since I’ve already hit you and violated the Seven Reasons, wouldn’t it be a waste not to hit you a few more times?"

Jiang Xu paused, a faint trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. "The Consort’s logic is impeccable."

With that, he suddenly swept her up into his arms and carried her toward the inner chamber.

"What are you doing? Weren’t you going to fetch her?"

"Fetch whom?"

"Didn’t you just say—" Ming Tan halted, belatedly realizing she had been played. "How could you!"

"How could this Lord?"

Ming Tan was too angry to speak.

Meanwhile, after setting her down on the bed, Jiang Xu suddenly pinched her cheek. "The Consort looks utterly adorable when jealous."