Chapter Thirty-Four: Longing to See Her

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“It hasn’t been settled yet. At the very least, you’ll have to wait until both sides have signed the marriage contract and the engagement is formally arranged.”

Daoist Chongxu waved his hand. “I can’t wait any longer. Money has been tight lately, and I’m in urgent need of it. If you have it, give it to me as soon as possible. I’ve done everything you asked me to do, haven’t I? Even if something goes wrong afterward, it can’t be blamed on me.”

Jiang You’an was deeply displeased. They were not even formally engaged, yet he had already come demanding payment. If something truly went wrong later, wouldn’t her money have been wasted?

Seeing that she remained silent, Daoist Chongxu’s expression turned cold. “Miss, are you thinking of going back on your word?”

Jiang You’an glanced at him. “Of course not.”

Very well. She would have to pay him sooner or later.

“Qiulan, go back and fetch one hundred and fifty silver notes.”

“Wait.” Daoist Chongxu smiled. “I want another hundred taels.”

Jiang You’an’s brows drew together. “We agreed at the beginning that I would give you fifty taels first, then another one hundred and fifty after the matter was accomplished—a total of two hundred. Now you’re demanding the money in advance, and you’re raising the price as well?”

“Miss, I’ve done you a great favor. Surely this marriage is worth three hundred taels to you?”

“But raising the price at the last minute is hardly honorable.”

Daoist Chongxu stroked his beard and spoke leisurely. “What I’m doing for you is deceiving others and going against my conscience. In any case, not a single coin can be taken off the three hundred taels. If you can’t afford it, I could always say a few more words and change my story. I might tell them that your horoscope is too harsh, and that you’re fated to bring about your husband’s death!”

“You!” Jiang You’an clenched her fists, grinding her teeth in fury.

Yet no matter how angry she was, there was nothing she could do. This Daoist could help her, but he could also ruin her. If they truly fell out, it would do her no good.

Things had already come this far. She could not let all her previous efforts go to waste. If she had to spend a little more money, then so be it.

Suppressing her anger, Jiang You’an said to Daoist Chongxu, “Daoist, don’t rush me. I never said I wouldn’t pay. I’ll have someone fetch the money now.”

When Qiulan brought the money, Jiang You’an handed the silver notes to Daoist Chongxu.

Greed shone across his face as he snatched at them impatiently, but Jiang You’an did not release her hold.

She stared at him. “Now that I’ve paid you, can you keep your mouth shut?”

Daoist Chongxu thumped his chest. “Of course.”

Jiang You’an smiled and let go.

After leaving Xuanzhen Abbey, Qiulan complained angrily, “I never imagined that filthy Daoist would be so vile. He actually demanded such an outrageous price!”

Jiang You’an gave a cold laugh. “The moment he agreed to help me lie, I knew he was no good person.”

Qiulan was filled with worry. “But he’s so greedy. What if he comes back later and extorts even more money from you? Wouldn’t that become a bottomless pit?”

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Jiang You’an remained calm. “Don’t panic. This sum should keep him quiet for a while. In a few days, the Su family will come to propose the marriage. I expect they’ll set the wedding date very soon. Once I marry into the Su family, even if that filthy Daoist changes his story—or exposes me outright—the Su family won’t easily believe him. And even if they do, I’ll already be the Su family’s daughter-in-law. They won’t be able to cast me aside so casually.”

When she finished speaking, she let out a long sigh.

“Miss, didn’t you just say there was no need to panic? Why do you still look so troubled?”

Jiang You’an smiled bitterly. “I was thinking about how many schemes I used and how much I concealed in order to secure this marriage. Su Mingxiu has treated me with complete sincerity, and I feel terribly guilty toward him.”

Qiulan comforted her, “You were forced into this, miss. Once the two of you are married, just treat him well.”

Jiang You’an nodded. “Once I become his wife, I will love and respect him with all my heart.”

…

The days passed one after another, and at last the nineteenth arrived. Tomorrow, the Su family would come to propose the marriage.

Jiang You’an was so excited that she paced restlessly around the room. She would paint a few strokes, then put down her brush to read; after turning only two pages, she would reach for a pastry. She could not settle her mind enough to do anything.

As fate would have it, Su Mingxiu asked to meet her again that very moment.

The proposal was to take place tomorrow, so why did he want to see her now? Could Daoist Chongxu have told him something?

Jiang You’an was like a startled bird, trembling at every faint disturbance and terrified that something might go wrong with the marriage.

After tidying herself up, she went to meet him.

The moment she saw Su Mingxiu’s smile, gentle as a spring breeze and drizzle, her heart settled.

She walked toward him slowly and naturally took his hand. “Why did you ask me to come out at this hour?”

Su Mingxiu lowered his eyes to their clasped hands. “Tomorrow morning, my mother will come to propose the marriage.”

“Yes, I remember the date.”

Su Mingxiu gazed at her tenderly. “If you’ve changed your mind, it’s not too late.”

Jiang You’an tilted her head. “Did I fail to make myself clear before? Why are you asking me this again, Young Master Su?”

Su Mingxiu pressed his lips together in a faint smile. “I merely wanted to remind you once more. Once the marriage contract is signed tomorrow, you’ll have to marry me. There will be no chance to regret it.”

Jiang You’an lifted her face to look at him. “Young Master Su, did you come to remind me not to regret it, or did you simply want to see me?”

A trace of shyness appeared on Su Mingxiu’s face. In a low voice, he replied, “I wanted to see you.”

Jiang You’an smiled sweetly and tugged at his hand. “Then from now on, we’ll see each other year after year.”

The corners of Su Mingxiu’s lips curved upward. He raised a hand and drew her into his arms by the shoulders. Jiang You’an leaned lightly against his chest, breathing in the faint medicinal fragrance clinging to him, and felt utterly at ease.

By the time she parted from Su Mingxiu, dusk had fallen. Jiang You’an had just stepped into the courtyard of the Lu residence when she heard the sound of hooves behind her.

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She turned around and saw, to her surprise, Lu Xuanheng’s carriage.

Why had he returned at such a crucial moment?

Lu Xuanheng lifted the curtain and saw her as well, then beckoned her over.

She approached, and Lu Xuanheng asked, “Where have you come back from?”

Jiang You’an lied, “I was merely wandering around the streets.”

Lu Xuanheng did not think much of it. “Get in. We’ll go to a restaurant for dinner together.”

As she happened to want to ask him when he would next be going to the western part of the city, Jiang You’an climbed into the carriage.

Yet the moment she sat down, Lu Xuanheng’s brows furrowed. He leaned toward her and sniffed.

“Why do you smell of medicine again?”

How could his nose be so sharp?

Feeling guilty, Jiang You’an hastily invented an explanation. “Didn’t I tell you before that I wasn’t feeling well? I’ve been taking medicine these past few days.”

“Is it serious? Otherwise, I’ll stay at the residence tomorrow and keep you company.”

How could that do? Madam Su would be coming tomorrow. If he stayed at the residence, wouldn’t he run straight into her?

Jiang You’an quickly said, “There’s no need. Your official duties are more important, and I’m almost completely recovered.”

Hearing this, Lu Xuanheng did not insist.

Jiang You’an asked again, “Why did you come back today?”

“It wasn’t particularly busy today. I realized I hadn’t come back for several days, so I took the opportunity to return and spend the night here.”

Jiang You’an nodded.

However, the moment Lu Xuanheng heard that she was no longer feeling unwell, he grew restless again and lifted her into his arms right there in the carriage.

“We’re still on the main street. Don’t…”

But Lu Xuanheng merely carried her to one side and set her down, then gave her an amused glance. “Do you think I’m constantly in heat?”

With that, he lay down and rested his head in Jiang You’an’s lap. “I’m exhausted. I’ll take a short nap.”

Seeing the dark circles beneath his eyes, Jiang You’an said nothing more and let him sleep.