Chapter 3 Choice “Rongrong, you go.”

Chapter 3: The Choice

"Rong Rong, you go."

Shen Jichen's hand, gripping the reins, paused imperceptibly. As he turned, a flicker of clear displeasure crossed his eyes, his thin lips pressed into a cold, severe line as he stared icily at Jin Tangsong.

Jin Tangsong felt her throat tighten, yet she mustered her courage, her gaze fixed on him, anxious and pleading: "Have you forgotten how she once..." The impulsive words she was about to blurt out were abruptly cut short by Shen Jichen's chilling glance.

"You've spoken too much today."

Jin Tangsong's beautiful face suddenly paled. She didn't want to dwell on the deeper meaning of his words, quickly turning her face away, suppressing the tears that threatened to spill. "I'm sorry."

Shen Jichen's expression softened slightly. "Escort Cousin back to her residence."

Already, older female servants and maids stepped forward, respectfully ushering Jin Tangsong into a carriage. He, meanwhile, leaped onto his horse and rode away, leaving her with only a magnificent, receding silhouette.

"Cousin, the wedding is approaching, and there's still much to prepare," the matron said cheerfully, supporting her arm.

＊＊

In the capital city, those permitted to ride on horseback were a rare sight. On the bustling main street, a splendid horse suddenly appeared, its rider a man of breathtaking handsomeness, yet so stern that none dared meet his gaze. Everyone on the wide street instinctively moved aside—not out of fear of being trampled, but out of fear of offending the nobleman on horseback.

"Which young master is that, so awe-inspiring?"

"So young, and allowed to ride through the streets—whose family do you think he's from? Surely one of those within the Wangjing Gate."

For a moment, the excited whispers of the common folk vanished mysteriously, carried away like dust stirred by the horse's hooves.

"A Cup of Jiangnan," the most renowned restaurant in the capital, boasted an elegant name and a serene ambiance, yet it exuded an air of opulence and wealth. The moment Shen Jichen dismounted, several attendants rushed forward: one took the horse, another supported Shen Jichen, and two others stood on either side, bowing respectfully.

Shen Jichen strode directly into the restaurant. The manager personally came to greet him, but Shen Jichen merely nodded with reserved pride, not even sparing a glance, heading as usual toward the private room at the eastern end of the second floor.

Only the wealthy or noble could enter "A Cup of Jiangnan"; ordinary commoners were not permitted.

Before even entering the room, he heard the melodious strains of music and joyful laughter from within. Shen Jichen pushed the door open, removed his cloak, and tossed it to a maidservant standing by. The dancing girl immediately halted her steps, bowing and retreating to the side.

"Piao Yao is here!"

Piao Yao was Shen Jichen's childhood name, bestowed by the late emperor.

The three young gentlemen in the room—Han Zixian, Zheng Xuchao, and He Minxuan—were of similar age. The four had grown up together within the Wangjing Gate and, at eighteen, had enlisted together in Hangzhou, sharing a close and intimate bond. Only one delicate beauty, Ye Shuyi, looked at him with surprise: "Piao Yao, didn't you go to the Brocade Tower? How..."

Shen Jichen took a seat in the center and said coolly, "How much time does a trip to the Brocade Tower require?"

"Uh..." Ye Shuyi was stumped. *Strange*, she thought, frowning. After pondering for a moment, she ventured cautiously, "How is the embroidery work at the Brocade Tower?"

Shen Jichen took the wine cup handed to him by He Minxuan and toyed with it, replying indifferently, "As long as Jin Tangsong is satisfied." As if it had nothing to do with him.

Ye Shuyi's frown deepened. Had he not seen her, or had he seen her and truly didn't care?

Earlier in the year, while repairing her grandmother's heirloom—an embroidered screen depicting a hundred flowers in bloom—she had unexpectedly encountered Yue Rongrong. It had unsettled her, and she debated whether to tell Shen Jichen. In the end, she didn't explicitly mention it but, half a month ago, deliberately brought out that embroidered screen in his presence and had her maidservant casually drop Yue Rongrong's name...

She remembered how his face had turned cold at the sound of that name, yet he stood there dazed for a long time.

The next day, he requested to be sent out of the capital to deal with corrupt officials and was out of contact for half a month. She thought he had already moved on, but he returned just yesterday, and today she heard he had accompanied Jin Tangsong to the Brocade Tower...

Suddenly, her chin hurt—Ye Shuyi's face was forcibly turned to meet a pair of displeased eyes. It was her new husband and childhood friend, Han Zixian, frowning handsomely as he complained, "You can only look at me! Not even Piao Yao!"

Ye Shuyi blushed, while the other three silently rolled their eyes in annoyance at Han Zixian. Shen Jichen stared blankly at the empty wine cup in his hand. An overly sweet fragrance assailed his nostrils as an alluring dancer leaned against his shoulder. He pushed her away in disgust, his gaze icy, leaving the fallen dancer frozen in fear.

The atmosphere instantly turned frosty. He Minxuan quickly stepped forward to pull the dancer away: "Marquis Shen has no appreciation for such charms, but I've got you covered."

*No appreciation for such charms?* Ye Shuyi recalled the time she went to Hangzhou to visit Han Zixian and met Yue Rongrong for the first time. Yue had been sweetly showing off all these new perfumes she'd bought, dabbing a bit on her wrist and asking Shen Jichen with a charming smile, "Does this smell good?"

"How about this one?" "This is a new fragrance." "Now smell this one."

After trying out different scents for a long time, her hands were covered in a mix of fragrances. Yet Shen Jichen showed no sign of disgust. Whenever Yue Rongrong extended her hand under his nose, he would offer his opinion.

It was a patience Ye Shuyi had never seen in him before. Even He Minxuan and the others were getting annoyed, but Shen Jichen gave them a warning look. Then Yue Rongrong would playfully cuddle up against Shen Jichen’s shoulder, proudly sticking her tongue out at them.

Back then, Yue Rongrong had been beautiful, adorable, and willful. Ye Shuyi felt a pang of melancholy.

**

Two days had passed since Shen Jichen’s visit to the Brocade Tower. During this time, the place had been bustling with activity, and even the embroidery workshop was abuzz with discussions, all centered around who would secure the Shen family’s commission.

Amid the excitement, Yue Rongrong wanted no part of it. Still, some came to ask if she had offended Marquis Shen that day and why the manager had been so angry.

Yue Rongrong paused her needlework, thought for a moment, and looked them straight in the eye and lied, "How would a nobody like me dare to offend such an esteemed person?"

A cold snort came from nearby: "Who’s to say some people didn’t harbor ideas above their station and ended up humiliated?"

It was Du Yan, who had just arrived. She had always disliked Yue Rongrong and never missed a chance to mock her. Yue Rongrong put on an innocent smile: "Is that all you ever think about?"

Du Yan’s face darkened, ready to retort, when an embroiderer quickly intervened: "What’s that in your hand?"

Someone else asked, "Did you bring something delicious? Such a large food box!"

Du Yan proudly opened the box, taking out honey-glazed apple blossom pastries, each exquisitely presented in small containers. She said, "I completed the embroidery for Minister Wu’s household. The lady was so pleased with my work that she specially sent these pastries. I merely mentioned sharing them with my sisters, and she gave me extra. Hope you girls don’t mind." She personally delivered the pastries to each embroiderer’s workstation, her tone brimming with pride.

"Sister Du, you’re so kind!" someone praised.

It was common for embroiderers to receive gifts or rewards when their work pleased noble ladies.

Du Yan couldn't hide her pride, but she deliberately skipped Yue Rongrong’s workstation, instead offering pastries to Zhong Yu and Zhen Xi nearby. Zhen Xi thanked her but said nothing more, while Zhong Yu said coolly, "Thank you for your kindness, but the monks at Wanfo Temple told me I should avoid sweets this month. I’m afraid I must decline."

Zhong Yu’s devotion to Buddhism and fate was well-known, so Du Yan said nothing. As she passed Yue Rongrong’s workstation again, her smile grew even more triumphant.

Yue Rongrong paid no mind to these petty actions. Zhong Yu glanced at the pastries and snorted quietly. Did Du Yan think she could put someone down with a mere treat? Such deliberate attempts to isolate Yue Rongrong were laughable.

Du Yan returned to her seat and turned to Ren Hanzhen beside her, speaking just loud enough for everyone to hear: "When I returned earlier, I overheard the managers discussing that Miss Jin’s wedding dress has been confirmed to be made here at the Brocade Tower!"

Her words spread through the embroidery workshop like throwing water on a hot griddle. Everyone grew excited and gathered around Du Yan and Ren Hanzhen.

Yue Rongrong accidentally pricked her finger. Wincing in pain, she turned away and pressed a handkerchief to the wound.

"Who is it? Who will do it?"

Du Yan’s shrewd eyes swept over the crowd, pausing deliberately before saying, "They say the person hasn’t been decided yet."

Tension filled the room. Naturally, this was an embroidery commission for Duke Zhenguo’s household!

"I heard Miss Jin has lived in Duke Zhenguo’s residence since childhood and grew up with Marquis Shen. Although the Marquis now has his own estate, Miss Jin has recently moved into the Marquis’s residence. If chosen, wouldn’t we get to see the Marquis every day?"

"Dream on! Do you think the Marquis would take a liking to you?"

The girls laughed and teased one another. Yue Rongrong’s heart suddenly clenched, then ached. She pressed her lips tightly together, forcing herself not to care. Hadn't she made things clear three years ago? Why should she still feel sad or hurt?

Back then, his mother, the Grand Princess, had brought Jin Tangsong to Hangzhou to visit him. She had known his status was noble and mysterious but never realized just how exalted it was.

The Grand Princess was furious upon learning he had married her without her consent, yet could do nothing about it. In the end, she was heartbroken. Shen Jichen frowned and said carelessly, “She’s just a young girl—why make things difficult for her? When we return to the capital, I’ll naturally marry a lady of equal standing. Don’t worry.”

Yue Rongrong stood outside the window, the crepe myrtle blossoms in her hand scattering across the ground. Yet by then, they were already married. Later, she wept and raged, smashing everything in the room, and demanded, her voice hoarse: “Then what does that make me?”

A sharp pain pierced her heart. Yue Rongrong suddenly felt suffocated, gasping for breath. When she regained consciousness, her eyes burned and stung. Zhong Yu, seated beside her, noticed: “What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

Yue Rongrong looked somewhat pale and shook her head. “No—I just suddenly remembered last night’s nightmare. Where’s Zhen Xi?”

Zhong Yu pursed her lips. “Over there.”

Looking up, she indeed saw Zhen Xi also gathered around, listening intently as Du Yan spoke about Marquis Shen.

“That Miss Jin is terribly arrogant—she might not choose any of us. Could it be Aunt Ming?”

“How could it be? Though Aunt Ming was praised by the Grand Empress Dowager as a renowned master—and once embroidered phoenix robes for both the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress—how could she possibly come out of retirement to embroider a wedding gown for someone else?”

Fame always has its price.

Just then, Du Yan announced loudly, “If you ask me, the only one here with a chance is Han Zhen—Miss Jin praised her skills that day!”

Her words caused an immediate stir. Ren Hanzhen blushed and playfully scolded, “Du Yan!” Yet her eyes held no reproach—only laughter as she pulled Du Yan’s hand. “Stop talking nonsense. Everyone’s skills are exquisite—it might not be me at all.”

Du Yan paid no heed, laughing and exclaiming, “When you strike it big, don’t forget your sisters!”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Aunt Ming arrived. Seeing everyone in an uproar, she scolded, displeased: “What’s all this noise?”

She was middle-aged—strict, serious, and authoritative, her stern, unsmiling demeanor commanding instant respect. Instantly, the embroidery workshop fell silent, and everyone returned to their seats. She scanned the room and declared, “Today, the Marquis’s household sent word: Miss Jin’s wedding gown has been confirmed for our workshop’s embroiderers—and the embroiderer has already been selected.”

The solemn atmosphere swiftly turned electric with excitement. “Aunt Ming—who is it?”

Du Yan declared confidently, “It must be Han Zhen!” Though she said so, she secretly hoped it would be herself—and grew nervous.

Not just her—everyone was nervous, staring eagerly at Aunt Ming. Zhen Xi held her breath, cheeks flushed red. Ren Hanzhen’s fingers, gripping the embroidery needle, trembled slightly. When Aunt Ming’s gaze swept over her, Ren Hanzhen’s heart fluttered like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. But before joy could reach her eyes, she watched Aunt Ming look away—and froze, stunned.

In the hushed embroidery workshop, Aunt Ming’s calm voice rang especially clear.

"Rong Rong—you'll do it."

Author’s Note:

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Piao Yao (Piao Yao)

Young Master Han: “Weren’t you scheduled to return on the twentieth? Why are you back early?”

Young Marquis Shen: “I’m efficient.”

Yi Yi: “Could it be…”