Ji Yushu’s expression slowly darkened.
“Xie once said that no matter what, the first branch of the Shen family will inevitably be destroyed.” Gao Yang stopped fanning and his eyes flickered. “Just like the Xie family.”
…
The next day, the weather was good. In the side courtyard of Rongjing Hall, Tao Yuan was taking out a few clothes for Jing Chuchu to choose.
Ever since the Jing couple came, the courtyard that Old Madam Shen had given Jing Chuchu and her brother to live in had become a little crowded. The Jing couple occupied the largest courtyard in Rongjing Hall without asking. Other than that, they also ordered the servants of Rongjing Hall around. Those who did not know better would think that the people living in Rongjing Hall were not Old Madam Shen but the Jing couple.
Jing Chuchu sat at the table and carefully drew her eyebrows in front of the bronze mirror. Her face was layered with a faint rouge, and her hair was combed neatly. Clearly, she had spent a lot of time dressing up.
“That moon-white dress,” Jing Chuchu said. The moon-white dress was simple, but it suited her innocent look very well. Today was the day she was going to meet Sun Cainan. Whether or not she could make Sun Cainan remember her forever depended on this.
Perhaps it was because of a woman’s vanity, or perhaps it was because she really had some feelings for Sun Cainan. She knew that it was extremely risky to meet Sun Cainan now, but she still wanted to give it a try.
Tao Yuan put away the rest of the clothes. Someone pushed the door open and entered. It was Mrs. Jing.
Seeing Jing Chuchu dressed like this, Mrs. Jing was a little puzzled. “Chuchu, are you going out?”
“I want to go out and buy some jewelry.” Jing Chuchu said, “Since I’m going to be the young madam of the second branch of the Shen family, I can’t wear those jewelry from the past. People will look down on me.”
“That’s right,” Mrs. Jing said. In any case, Jing Chuchu would spend the Shen family’s money to buy jewelry. Mrs. Jing herself had been pocketing a lot of money these days too. She said, “I’ll go with you.”
“No!” Jing Chuchu quickly rejected.
Mrs. Jing was puzzled. “Why?”
“I-I agreed to go with Miss Yi.” Jing Chuchu shook Mrs. Jing’s hand. “If I’m going to stay in the capital, I must build a good relationship with these young ladies. Mother, don’t come along. Miss Yi doesn’t like to meet strangers. You know that these young ladies from rich families have a strange temper.”
Mrs. Jing was a little displeased. “Humph! These arrogant young ladies. Forget it, since you want to build a good relationship with them, go. Bring a few more guards with you.”
“No need.” Jing Chuchu declined. “Miss Yi will bring her guards. Don’t worry about me. I’ll buy you some jewelry when I come back.” After saying that, she continued to draw her eyebrows.
When she left the mansion and got into the carriage, Jing Chuchu was a little nervous and asked Tao Yuan, “Is the restaurant you chose safe?”
“Don’t worry, Miss.” Tao Yuan said, “That restaurant is very far and remote. Very few people go there. With a bamboo hat on, you will not be recognized by anyone.”
Only then did Jing Chuchu feel relieved.
The carriage passed through the southern gate of the city and finally stopped in front of a remote alley. Jing Chuchu adjusted her bamboo hat and her veil before walking towards the restaurant with Tao Yuan’s help.
Although Jing Chuchu often hung out with young masters when she was in Suzhou, her status was different now. Although Ming Qi was open-minded, if an engaged woman met another man in private, it would still be a serious crime.
The restaurant only had two floors. It was really as remote as Taoyuan said. The guests were in groups of two or three and were not crowded. Tao Yuan gave the shopkeeper a silver ingot and said with a smile, “Shopkeeper, where is the guest room that I booked yesterday?”
