Chapter 21 Banquet “Piao Yao, you still cling to the past, still…”

Chapter 21: The Gathering "Piao Yao, you're still clinging to the past, still..."

Shen Jichen had been gone for a long time. By the time he returned, Yue Rongrong had already fallen asleep at the table.

He paused, unconsciously softening his steps. Wen Song approached to greet him, about to bow, but Shen Jichen stopped him, whispering, "Fetch a blanket."

Wen Song understood, and quickly retrieved his lord's blanket. Shen Jichen took it and walked over to cover Yue Rongrong. He gazed at her peaceful sleeping face—skin like snow, a faint blush like flower sap seeping through a snowy field. His heart softened. He left the west hall and returned to the east, where from his desk, he could see her clearly.

Ultimately, he couldn't fight his own feelings.

Wen Song stood beside him and asked, "Has the Vice Minister of Works come again to seek your lord's help?"

Shen Jichen's expression was calm. "Tell them not to announce his visits from now on."

Wen Song understood perfectly—his lord wished to avoid him. It was no surprise; this Vice Minister of Works was far too eager. His superior hadn't even been dealt with, yet he was already scrambling to secure a higher position, his ambition unseemly. Wen Song added, "Word has it the Luo family has been very close to the Vice Minister of Works lately. The Luo family's project to repair the river channels in Yangzhou, which had been stalled due to conflicts of interest, was recently approved by the Ministry of Works."

Wen Song was not only Shen Jichen's attendant but also his trusted confidant.

Shen Jichen frowned slightly. "The Luo family?" He cast a deep, thoughtful glance toward Yue Rongrong.

Just then, a maid entered to serve tea. Startled at the sight of a young lady sleeping soundly in the study, she gasped. Wen Song quickly shushed her with a stern, low voice.

"What's all this commotion? Where are your manners!"

The maid looked up and, seeing Shen Jichen's displeased expression, immediately knelt. The teacup in her hands clattered, and Wen Song quickly steadied it.

"Keep your voice down! Now leave!"

The maid hastily retreated.

Yue Rongrong was awakened by the noise. She yawned, stretched, and sat up, still disoriented and unsure of her surroundings.

Shen Jichen's gaze lingered, as if transported to another time. In the past, she would wake up just as groggily, nestling into his arms, clinging to him and refusing to leave, just to sleep a little longer.

His heart tightened, and his grip on the brush stiffened. When Yue Rongrong looked over, her dazed eyes suddenly sharpening with awareness, his own gaze darkened. Was she truly so startled to see him?

Yue Rongrong's heart pounded, and her cheeks flushed. She immediately turned toward the embroidery frame, picked up her needle, and, flustered, unsure where to begin.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Shen Jichen walking over. She lowered her gaze, pretending to focus even more intently. Sensing him standing beside her, she frowned, let out a soft "Huh?", and turned to ask, "Do you want an auspicious pattern embroidered here?"

Shen Jichen didn't even glance at the embroidery frame. "Get ready. You're coming with me."

Yue Rongrong was taken aback. "Where to?"

"I'm taking you for a meal."

Yue Rongrong stared wide-eyed, even after getting into the carriage, still unable to process what was happening. What was with him today?

The carriage stopped outside a garden. Shen Jichen had already gotten out and was waiting for her. She hesitated for a moment before stepping out. Seeing his outstretched hand, she paused briefly before placing her hand in his, using it to steady herself as she stepped down. The moment her feet touched the ground, he released her. Her heart fluttered unsteadily. She took several deep breaths and looked up to see Shen Jichen already waiting ahead. She hurried to catch up.

Only then did she notice the garden’s signboard: "Songya Mountain Garden." Originally following behind Shen Jichen, she fell behind as she looked around distractedly. When she turned back, he was already walking by her side. As they entered the garden, a subtle, refreshing fragrance filled the air. The garden was awash with vibrant flowers, and displayed paintings were interspersed among the blossoms.

The young gentlemen coming and going carried an air of scholarly elegance, occasionally pausing before a painting to admire it.

Yue Rongrong looked at Shen Jichen with surprise and suspicion. Didn't he say he was taking her to eat? Why were they at a painting exhibition?

Before she could voice her confusion, she noticed a group of refined scholars gathered around an elderly man in his fifties approaching them. The elder, dressed in a blue robe, carried an air of immortal grace. The young men around him wore expressions of reverence as they humbly sought his advice.

The elder answered each question kindly, his eyes eventually landing on Shen Jichen and Yue Rongrong. A warm smile gradually spread across his face.

Shen Jichen stepped forward calmly. "Mr. Jimo."

Yue Rongrong’s eyes widened in astonishment. This was Mr. Jimo! The foremost painter of the Zhou Dynasty! The person she admired most!

"Piao Yao, you’ve arrived." Mr. Jimo nodded reservedly, showing no trace of flattery or surprise despite Shen Jichen’s status.

The scholars, sensing Shen Jichen’s extraordinary presence, dared not overstep and politely excused themselves to admire the paintings elsewhere.

Shen Jichen spoke with respect. "Mr. Jimo, this is Yue Rongrong."

Yue Rongrong was stunned. She looked at Shen Jichen, feeling as though a jar of honey had been overturned in her heart. He remembered… Since childhood, she had excelled in painting. At five, she could paint landscapes. At fourteen, her "Peacock Spreading Its Feathers" caused real peacocks to compete in displaying their plumage, earning her fame throughout Hangzhou. Everyone said she had the potential to become the foremost female painter. She idolized Mr. Jimo and once remarked, "If I could meet Mr. Jimo just once in my life, I would die without regret," which earned her a scolding from him.

But after coming to the capital, she had to make a living and chose embroidery—a trade still somewhat related to painting—which paid well.

Shen Jichen frowned slightly, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "Aren't you going to greet Mr. Jimo?"

Yue Rongrong snapped back to attention. Nervous, her hands fumbled, not knowing how to properly clasp them. Yet her smile bloomed like a rose. Regardless of whether her posture was correct, she performed a deep bow. "Greetings, Mr. Jimo."

Mr. Jimo was charmed by her natural demeanor. "There’s no need for formalities."

He then said to Shen Jichen, "So the young lady you mentioned back then was her."

Yue Rongrong’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Shen Jichen, who remained expressionless and did not refute Mr. Jimo’s words.

Mr. Jimo invited them to the tea hall. He brought out two scrolls of his recent works for Yue Rongrong to appreciate. Overjoyed, she accepted them respectfully, unrolled them, composed herself, and examined them carefully. One depicted a spring banquet, the other a scene of galloping through mountain wilds.

Shen Jichen held his teacup, his gaze fixed on Yue Rongrong. The early spring sunlight slanted across her face, highlighting her jade-like fairness. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she looked up, as if countless stars had gathered in their depths.

She said, "This painting is a counterfeit! It imitates the master’s style and brushwork." The moment the words left her mouth, she realized her audacity and flushed bright red. "I’m sorry..." She had been too excited and spoken without thinking! She glanced anxiously at Shen Jichen, much like she had when she made mistakes in the past.

Shen Jichen was momentarily taken aback, then a smile spilled from his intense eyes.

Mr. Jimo, however, laughed heartily. "You’re the first to notice. Or perhaps, you’re the first brave enough to say it."

Yue Rongrong bowed her head. "This junior has been presumptuous."

Mr. Jimo waved it off. "Those who didn’t speak up may have been constrained by politeness or doubted themselves. But for us painters, our works are like our children. We cannot tolerate any impurity." He did not explain the origin of the counterfeit, and Yue Rongrong naturally did not ask.

Yue Rongrong’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Shen Jichen, as if saying, "Mr. Jimo praised me!"

Shen Jichen chuckled softly. Then, noticing He Minxuan, Han Zixian, and Zheng Xuchao standing not far away watching him, he turned to Mr. Jimo. "Please excuse me for a moment."

Mr. Jimo, engrossed in discussing art with Yue Rongrong, merely waved him off without a second glance.

Shen Jichen didn’t mind. He glanced at Yue Rongrong once more before walking over. Han Zixian and the others wore expressions that clearly said, "You’re beyond help," shaking their heads and sighing.

They found a pavilion and sat down, and immediately servants brought tea and snacks.

Zheng Xuchao said calmly, "After all this back and forth, it’s still her."

He Minxuan was agitated, even angry. He paced back and forth in the pavilion until even Han Zixian grew impatient. Shen Jichen, however, remained composed, sipping his tea.

"Have you forgotten how heartless she was back then? How she’d rather die than be with that Qu—what was his name?" He Minxuan looked at Han Zixian.

Han Zixian supplied, "Qu Lieshan."

Shen Jichen’s expression turned cold. "Don’t mention that name again. He and Rong Rong have nothing to do with each other anymore."

He Minxuan exclaimed in surprise, "They went their separate ways too? So you don’t even care that she ignored you despite your severe injuries and ran away back then?"

To this day, He Minxuan could not forget how Shen Jichen led a team in pursuit out of the city gates, surrounding Qu Lieshan by the lake. Without the slightest hesitation, Shen Jichen gave the order, "Fire the arrows!"—truly intent on piercing Qu Lieshan with a thousand arrows, leaving no chance for survival.

But Qu Lieshan was, after all, the head guard of the escort agency. That day, arrows rained down like torrential rain, yet he dodged every one. In the biting wind, Shen Jichen drew his bow, his killing intent sharp and fierce. The arrow shot out like lightning, aimed straight at Qu Lieshan’s heart.

In a flash of his gaze, however, he saw Yue Rongrong racing desperately toward Qu Lieshan. Shen Jichen’s face instantly drained of color. He charged forward like a bolt of lightning. Amid the shower of arrows, everyone gasped, their hearts skipping a beat, as they watched the arrow Shen Jichen had fired graze his own hand, splattering blood, while another arrow pierced clean through his chest. He suddenly dropped to his knees.

Han Zixian and the others rushed over in terror. He Minxuan fumed, "Piao Yao, are you trying to get yourself killed?" But Shen Jichen paid no heed, his face tense as he stared intently at Yue Rongrong, his pale lips parting slowly: "Rongrong, come here."

Yet Yue Rongrong only kept backing away, until she stood by Qu Lieshan’s side, severing all ties with Shen Jichen with harsh words.

Even now, thinking back, He Minxuan felt it was utterly unjust for Shen Jichen.

Shen Jichen’s expression darkened, his face turning frosty, his voice low and heavy: "Back then, I deceived her first…"

He Minxuan cut him off: "What did you do wrong? Her status was so far beneath ours. You fought with your mother just to marry her, lying there at death's door, begging your mother to bring her to you. And what was she doing…"

"*Ahem*." Zheng Xuchao cleared his throat dryly and handed He Minxuan a cup of tea. "Moisten your throat."

He Minxuan took the teacup, following Zheng Xuchao’s gaze to Shen Jichen’s expression, which had turned to ice. His questioning had once again torn apart Shen Jichen’s pride.

Han Zixian, however, saw things clearly. He nailed it: "Piao Yao, you still can’t let go of the past. You still resent her."

He Minxuan was slightly stunned, not understanding: "Resent her? If you resent her, why would you specially bring her to meet Mr. Jimo?"

Zheng Xuchao shook his head and patted He Minxuan’s shoulder pityingly: "No wonder you got so thoroughly beaten in that battle."

He Minxuan glared angrily!

Zheng Xuchao immediately turned to Shen Jichen: "What are your plans?"

Shen Jichen fidgeted with his teacup, slowly sighed out the bitterness in his heart, and said indifferently: "No plans. I’ll take one step at a time."

Han Zixian frowned: "If you can’t let go of the past, it’s best to keep your distance from Rongrong. You’ll hurt her."

He Minxuan shot back defiantly: "Whose side are you on? So what if she gets hurt? Hasn’t Piao Yao suffered enough because of her? Back then, Piao Yao almost died…"

"Drink your tea," Zheng Xuchao poured him another cup.

Shen Jichen’s expression had turned icy cold.

By then, Yue Rongrong had finished her conversation with Mr. Jimo and walked into the garden. She glanced in their direction. He Minxuan sneered: "See? Want to bet? She definitely won’t come over to greet us."

The pavilion went quiet. Shen Jichen’s eyes held deep meaning as he watched Yue Rongrong from afar, his heart sinking little by little.

Author's Note:

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He Minxuan was incredulous: Qu Lieshan and Yue Rongrong broke up? Just like that, he convinced himself?

Han Zixian sighed: Then let’s pray that Qu Lieshan never shows up again. Amitabha...

[*Let me see*][*Let me see*]