Chapter 19: Rippling. What on earth does he mean?

The next day, after the morning meal.

Doukou hurried in, clutching a wooden box. “Miss, Young Master Shen sent Ping An over with this.”

“What?” Su Zhenyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

“Here.”

Su Zhenyue took the wooden box from Doukou and slowly opened it.

What met her eyes were about ten short arrows, neatly arranged on a piece of soft blue cloth.

Nanxing let out a soft “Huh?”

Su Zhenyue was a little baffled. What did Shen Ji mean by this?

If the box had contained the things she had sent him before, she could have understood it as a gentle refusal. If it had been something like a lover’s knot, an embroidered pouch, or a jade pendant that could serve as a token of affection, it would likely have been a sign of goodwill.

But it was short arrows.

He couldn’t have sent them just for the sake of sending arrows, could he?

Su Zhenyue was at a loss. She racked her brain, running through all the poems she knew about “bows and arrows,” but she couldn’t figure out his intended meaning.

After a moment’s thought, Su Zhenyue asked, “Doukou, did Ping An say anything when he delivered this?”

“No.” Doukou shook her head, then thought for a moment and added, “Oh, wait, he did. He said that Miss should be careful when handling them.”

Su Zhenyue fell silent, pondering deeply for a while. Forget it. If I can’t guess, I won’t. It would be better to go find Shen Ji directly. His attitude would surely reveal a thing or two.

She had spent so long on her preparations. It was time to see what effect they had.

However, Su Zhenyue did not act immediately. She had previously inquired and knew that at this time, Shen Ji was most likely in his study.

With the Spring Examination only two months away, it was best not to rashly disturb someone’s important business.

I’ll go check in the afternoon.

Su Zhenyue patiently suppressed the matter for the time being.

…

In Qingfeng Courtyard, Shen Ji asked once again, “Did you really deliver it?”

“Yes.” Ping An nodded emphatically, a little exasperated. “I really did. I handed it to Doukou myself. Right at the West Wing Courtyard.”

He couldn’t understand. Did the Young Master not trust him to get things done? He had asked him twice. It wasn’t as if it were some extremely difficult task.

“Mm.” Shen Ji feigned nonchalance, yet his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Based on her usual way of doing things, now that he had gifted her short arrows coated with anesthetic, shouldn’t she be using this as an excuse to come and thank him?

—Shen Ji had no ready-made anesthetic on hand; he had specially removed those arrowheads from his crossbow bolts last night.

How was it that there was still no sign of her?

Could it be that Doukou hadn’t given the item to her? Or did she think the gift was useless? Or perhaps she thought it was too little?

Shen Ji had also considered taking the initiative to find her, but if he suddenly acted out of character, wouldn’t that seem too deliberate?

“Young Master?”

“Hm?” Shen Ji returned to his senses and casually picked up a book. “You may leave.”

Seeing that his master was about to read, Ping An knew not to disturb him and quickly withdrew.

Shen Ji already knew the contents of the book by heart. Opening it now was merely a way to pass the time.

After forcing himself to flip through a few pages, he put it down, walked slowly to the window, and opened it.

A breeze blew in, carrying a hint of chill.

Shen Ji stood at the window and looked northwest, only to see the bare branches of the parasol tree in the West Wing Courtyard.

By noon, no one had come over.

Who would have thought that just after the midday meal, he would hear Ping An’s excited voice, “Young Master, a guest has arrived!”

“Show them in quickly.” A flicker of movement crossed Shen Ji’s brow. That’s right, she always comes to find me in the afternoon.

Shen Ji strolled into the courtyard.

Before he had even descended the steps, he saw the “guest” Ping An had mentioned—Fourth Young Master Gu, Gu Yuanjing.

Fourth Young Master Gu was seventeen this year, with a tall and slender, yet frail, frame. His lips were pale, and his complexion was so fair that the faint blue veins beneath his skin were almost visible.

Shen Ji had interacted with him a few times and knew this was the second son of the Gu family’s second branch. Unlike his twin brother, he had been born with a certain weakness. In such cold weather, he was dressed in a thick sable cloak and clutched a hand warmer.

“So it is Fourth Young Master Gu.” Shen Ji’s expression paused for a moment as he suppressed the faint disappointment that suddenly surged in his heart. His pace slowed.

Never mind. I’ll deal with it later.

“Cousin Shen.” Fourth Young Master Gu smiled, a little embarrassed. “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”

Unlike the other young masters of the Gu family, he had a gentle and somewhat shy personality. His only hobby in life was painting.

“No, not at all.” Shen Ji was quite polite.

“That’s good.” Gu Yuanjing was visibly relieved. He pointed to the scroll a servant boy was holding. “After seeing my cousin’s painting last time, I had a small epiphany. I completed a painting the day before yesterday and have specially come to ask for my cousin’s critique.”

“Oh? A new painting?” Shen Ji’s spirits lifted.

“Yes.” Gu Yuanjing couldn’t stand the cold; he had barely spoken a word before letting out a soft cough.

Shen Ji sighed. “It’s cold outside. Let’s talk in the study.”

“Yes.”

As soon as he entered the study, Fourth Young Master Gu noticed the white porcelain vase of wintersweet on the desk and smiled. “This wintersweet is quite nice.”

“It is.” A very faint smile touched Shen Ji’s lips, and he added nonchalantly, “A gift from someone.”

It was just a pity that it now looked to be wilting slightly.

Well, perhaps in the future, I can accompany her to cut plum blossoms.

Gu Yuanjing smiled but didn’t ask who “someone” was, simply unrolling the scroll.

Shen Ji temporarily set aside his distracting thoughts and examined the painting closely.

Gu Yuanjing was very talented in painting, and he was also humble and eager to learn. Although Shen Ji did not specialize in painting and calligraphy, his studies were eclectic and wide-ranging, and his mentor in Qingzhou had been a great master of both arts. As a result, his eye was uniquely discerning.

The two of them did not interact much, but they were surprisingly compatible in this regard.

However, Gu Yuanjing couldn’t tell if it was his imagination, but he vaguely sensed that Shen Ji seemed a little listless today.

But the thought was fleeting. He soon had a new idea and immediately borrowed a brush and ink to add a few more strokes to the painting on the spot.

…

In the afternoon, Su Zhenyue composed herself slightly and carried the wooden box to Qingfeng Courtyard.

Just as she entered the courtyard, she saw Ping An.

The weather was nice today, and Ping An was lifting the coverings from the hibiscus branches to let them bask in the sun.

He looked up and exclaimed in surprise, “Eh, Miss Su?”

Su Zhenyue collected herself and asked with a smile, “Ping An, where is your young master?”

“In the study. Fourth Young Master Gu is here, and my master is talking with him. Don’t worry, Miss Su, I’ll go inform him right now.” Ping An said, about to head for the study.

“No need.” Su Zhenyue quickly stopped him. “Let them finish their business first. My matter isn’t urgent. I can just wait here for a while.”

Private matters between a man and a woman required discretion; it wouldn’t do to discuss them in front of others.

Ping An scratched his head, his eyes darting to the wooden box in her hands several times.

At that moment, Shen Ji was in the study watching Gu Yuanjing revise his painting. Vaguely hearing the commotion outside, he glanced up and, as expected, saw the familiar figure in the courtyard.

His heart suddenly leaped. Shen Ji said, “You continue painting. I have something to attend to. I’ll be right back.”

“Please, Cousin, go ahead.” Gu Yuanjing was still busy and didn’t even raise his head.

Before his voice had even faded, Shen Ji had already left the study.

Unsurprisingly, he saw the girl’s joyful yet somewhat uneasy eyes.

“Cousin…” Perhaps mindful of the person in the study, her red lips parted, and she mouthed his name silently.

Su Zhenyue was a beauty without a single flaw. Her lips were also exquisitely shaped, full and rosy-hued, like freshly washed cherries, waiting to be tasted.

Shen Ji’s Adam’s apple bobbed. A tingling numbness spread from his spine. The thought that had abruptly flashed through his mind was too audacious, and he simply turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.

Su Zhenyue was stunned for a second, feeling a sense of unease.

Why won’t he even look at me? Is he trying to avoid me?

Unwilling to give up, Su Zhenyue clutched the wooden box and took two steps closer to him, her voice soft and gentle. “Cousin.”

“It’s cold. I’ll have Ping An take you to the Warm Pavilion first.” Shen Ji quickly collected himself, then immediately changed his mind. “Never mind, I’ll take you.”

“Alright.” Su Zhenyue breathed a small sigh of relief. His attitude was good, and he was even taking her to the Warm Pavilion, a place she had never been before. Did this mean the situation wasn’t as bad as she had imagined?

She couldn’t panic at a time like this.

The Warm Pavilion was not large, but it was extremely bright.

The moment Su Zhenyue stepped inside, she felt a wave of warmth wash over her. Her cheeks flushed red as if a thin layer of rouge had been applied, making her look even more enchanting.

“Have a seat for a moment.” Shen Ji personally poured a cup of tea and placed it before her.

“Thank you, Cousin.”

Shen Ji’s original plan was to have her wait for a moment while he dealt with Gu Yuanjing, and then they could talk things over slowly.

But with a single glance, he saw her sitting there obediently, watching him quietly, her pair of beautiful eyes rippling and captivating, seeming to hold some sort of affection.

Shen Ji’s heart skipped a beat, and an inexplicable softness filled him.

He thought, Actually, Gu Yuanjing’s matter isn’t that urgent.

Muah muah muah muah
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