Seeing that Ruan Jiu didn't say a word for a long time, Young Master Shen continued, "Don't you want to ask me who made a deal with me?"
A hint of expectation flashed across Young Master Shen's face. At this moment, he had already fantasized about a grand drama of a power struggle within a noble family.
Ruan Jiu simply gave a faint smile and said, "Do you know what you look like now?"
"What?"
"A young lady in the boudoir who loves to listen to storytelling." A glint of mockery flashed across Ruan Jiu's eyes.
Hearing Ruan Jiu's sarcasm that he was like a gossiping woman, Young Master Shen blushed with anger. If he argued with her further at this moment, he would seem even more like a petty woman. So he had no choice but to open his folding fan and fan his face vigorously to calm himself down.
Seeing Young Master Shen like this, Ruan Jiu finally felt that her anger had subsided a little.
"Let's just let bygones be bygones. Young Master Shen is a man of noble character. I'm sure you won't interfere in other people's family affairs in the future. In such a big Qinzhou City, everyone is here for money. There's no need to hurt our harmony for someone unworthy."
Ruan Jiu didn't want to bicker anymore. She directly pointed out the purpose of her visit to Young Master Shen today. After all, she had met a great many people. This Young Master Shen clearly came from a wealthy and noble family. It was hard to tell what kind of power was behind him. They might not be friends, but they must never become enemies. As for the one at home, she would settle accounts with him properly later.
"Miss Ruan is indeed different from other young ladies in the boudoir. You've really broadened my horizons," Young Master Shen said. Then he picked up the cup on the table and said sincerely, "My name is Shen Yu. I hope to make friends with Miss Ruan."
He really meant what he said. Such an interesting and intelligent woman must never be an enemy.
Seeing Shen Yu say this, Ruan Jiu had no choice but to put aside her misgivings. She picked up the teacup on the table and said, "Me too."
Accompanied by the sound of the two cups clinking, the two of them looked at each other and smiled.
Everything that happened in Mingxiang Pavilion was seen by Xie Jingchu downstairs. He had a dark face and a gloomy look in his eyes. The air pressure around him was terribly low. Qin Yuan, who was standing beside him, couldn't help shivering and looked up at the sky. Could it be that the weather had turned a bit cooler today?
In the next few days, Ruan Jiu had been struggling with whether to tell Xie Jingchu about Shen Yu. But after their unpleasant parting not long ago, she would inevitably feel a bit awkward if they met now. After that day, she seemed unable to regard Xie Jingchu as the Fourth Master of the Xie Family anymore. Once some thoughts popped up, they would grow terribly. Just like now, whenever she calmed down, Xie Jingchu would pop up in her mind, repeating the words he had said that night.
She lay on the table with a sad look on her face. Her delicate and beautiful little face was wrinkled together as if it could squeeze out water. It wasn't until the maid beside Xie Chong came to deliver a message that she collected her thoughts.
As soon as she walked into the main hall, she saw Xie Jing and Xu Qing smiling at her. Xie Yanchuan beside them, although with his head down, his cheeks were faintly blushing. She immediately felt that something was wrong. She had forgotten about the First Branch these days! Now that she had become the owner of the silk and satin shop, although Xie Jing had strongly opposed it, he must be eager to let her and Xie Yanchuan get married soon.
"A Jiu, you and Yan'er go to the silk and satin shop later to order your wedding clothes," Old Master Xie said. Sure enough, his words confirmed her suspicion.
"Grandfather, you know that there are a lot of things to do in the silk and satin shop recently. I don't have..."
"Anyway, you're going to the shop. Taking your measurements won't take much time," Xie Chong immediately interrupted Ruan Jiu. His tone left no room for refusal.
"But..."
Ruan Jiu wanted to say something more for herself, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she was interrupted by Xie Jing.
"Is Miss Biao still blaming me for pushing back like this?" Xie Jing squinted his eyes and looked obsequious. But in his heart, he had cursed Ruan Jiu a thousand times. If it weren't for Xu Qing's persuasion, he wouldn't have flattered this lowly girl.
Xu Qing quickly added, "Miss Biao, don't blame Master Xie. He was just worried that you were too young to manage the silk and satin shop well that day."
Xie Jing nodded, "Yes, we're all family. We should be more understanding of each other."
Although Ruan Jiu knew exactly what they were up to, if she continued to refuse, she would seem petty. So she had no choice but to nod helplessly.
She had only intended to appease Old Master Xie and just go through the motions at the shop. But unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the shop, Xie Yanchuan shouted at the top of his voice, "Quick, bring out the best wedding clothes in the shop for A Jiu to try on!"
Ruan Jiu immediately stepped forward to cover Xie Yanchuan's mouth, but it was already too late. There was an uproar in the shop, and everyone began to jeer. Some smart ones had already started to congratulate Xie Yanchuan. And Xie Yanchuan was also very generous. He simply took out the silver from his pocket and gave out rewards one by one. As a result, more people rushed over and surrounded Xie Yanchuan. Xie Yanchuan enjoyed it so much that he was almost beaming from ear to ear. Ruan Jiu was left standing on the side, helplessly supporting her forehead. She wished she could just throw Xie Yanchuan out.
Just then, Qiu Niang walked over with a big smile and said to Ruan Jiu, "It seems that Miss Biao and the Eldest Young Master's wedding is approaching."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu felt even more helpless. She forced a smile and said, "Are you teasing me too?"
But Qiu Niang only thought that Ruan Jiu's reaction was just a young girl's shyness. She immediately led Ruan Jiu into the inner room and stuffed a wedding dress into her arms without hesitation.
"Qiu Niang, I didn't come here to try on wedding clothes," Ruan Jiu immediately explained. But this explanation sounded rather weak.
Qiu Niang glanced at Xie Yanchuan, who was smiling brightly outside, covered her mouth and snickered, "I understand. I'm an old hand at this. Miss Biao doesn't need to be shy."
"I really didn't..."
Before Ruan Jiu could finish her sentence, Qiu Niang had already retreated outside the door and closed it tightly.
"Miss Biao, this wedding dress was sewn for you by me a long time ago. Try it on and see if it fits," Qiu Niang said outside the door. She could hardly contain her joy. Then she covered her mouth and left.
Ruan Jiu looked down at the wedding dress in her hand. Every stitch and every thread showed Qiu Niang's care. The mandarin ducks embroidered with silk thread in front were even more lifelike. She stroked the wedding dress, and her eyes were filled with indescribable affection.
Suddenly, the joy in her eyes turned into sorrow. She didn't know if she would ever be able to wear this wedding dress in her lifetime. Thinking of this, she made up her mind. Since there was no one around, why not try it on herself?
So she slowly undressed herself, feeling a strange flutter in her heart. After putting on the wedding dress, she sat in front of the bronze mirror. Looking at her long black hair scattered on her waist, she imagined what she would look like wearing a wedding crown. Wearing a phoenix coronet and flaming red robes, full of joy, marrying the man she loved.
Suddenly, Xie Jingchu's image flashed through her mind again. After only a moment of daze, she quickly shook her head to drive out those terrible thoughts.
Just then, a gloomy face of Xie Jingchu unexpectedly appeared in the bronze mirror. She was so startled that she gave a start and suddenly turned around, her pupils slightly dilated. For a moment, she couldn't tell whether the person in front of her was an illusion or reality.
Xie Jingchu had quietly stood behind her without making a sound. A sudden scarlet glow gathered in his eyes. His pitch - black pupils stared directly at her. Looking at her in the red wedding dress, he found it extremely eye - catching. His expression was solemn, and there seemed to be two flames ignited in his deep eyes. It was a mixture of anger and desire. He wished he could tear this wedding dress to shreds!