Chapter 26 Insolence “Your bracelet is quite unique, miss.”

Chapter 26: An Unwanted Advance

"That bracelet of yours is quite unique..."

Yue Rongrong seldom worshipped Buddha, for Shen Jichen did not believe in it. Once, on a whim, she had dragged him to offer incense, only for Shen Jichen to remark indifferently, "Only cowards entrust their future to intangible gods and Buddhas." Seeing the angry glances from those around them, she frantically covered his mouth and half his face in panic. His phoenix eyes deepened as he gazed at her, then he kissed her palm, making her blush and her heart race.

"Rongrong, why is your face so red?" Zhong Yu exclaimed in surprise, reaching out to touch her cheek. "It's burning!"

But Yue Rongrong's eyes were icy cold. "It's nothing," she said. *Now, he would accompany others to offer incense too—so it depended on the person after all.*

The three offered incense and bowed to Buddha. Zhen Xi pulled Yue Rongrong along to seek Dingsheng charms (victory charms for imperial exams). With the imperial exams approaching, the area was packed with people seeking the charms. Fortunately, Zhen Xi was quick-witted, pulling Yue Rongrong through the crowd like an eel until they reached the front. Soon, they emerged, each holding a Dingsheng charm, and Zhen Xi beamed with joy.

As Yue Rongrong squeezed out of the crowd and hurried toward Zhong Yu, a surprised voice called out, "Yue Rongrong?"

Her heart jolted, and she froze, turning toward the source of the voice. Her eyes met a pair of calm, dark ones—Shen Jichen stood beside Jin Tangsong, watching her expressionlessly.

Zhong Yu and Zhen Xi also noticed Shen Jichen and Jin Tangsong and immediately flustered, hastily bowing in greeting.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis, greetings, Miss Jin."

Yue Rongrong came to her senses, lowered her gaze, and followed suit in bowing, though her lips remained still.

Jin Tangsong approached them with a slight smile, her eyes sweeping over their faces before settling on Yue Rongrong. "What a coincidence meeting you here."

Zhen Xi, seeing such warmth from a noble lady, relaxed a little and looked up with a smile. "We came to seek Dingsheng charms."

Jin Tangsong glanced at the triangular yellow charm in her hand, then noticed Yue Rongrong also holding one. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Rongrong, you also came for a Dingsheng charm? Who is it for?"

Perhaps because Miss Jin had been so friendly since Yue Rongrong embroidered her wedding dress, Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu didn't think much of it.

Yue Rongrong had intended to stay hidden, keeping her head down the entire time, but now that Jin Tangsong had addressed her directly, she tightened her grip on the charm, feeling inexplicably flustered. Then she heard Zhen Xi blurt out, "It's for Young Master Wei—he's also taking the imperial exams this year."

As soon as the words left her mouth, a contemptuous, cold laugh echoed nearby. Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu looked up and met Shen Jichen's cold, piercing gaze. They shuddered involuntarily and quickly lowered their heads. Sensing Shen Jichen approach, they unconsciously stepped back.

"Did you get it?"

The voice was devoid of warmth, and it was unclear who he was addressing. Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu didn't dare answer, but Yue Rongrong stubbornly replied, "Yes, I did." *As if challenging him.*

"For Wei Hui?"

His voice grew even colder and darker. Zhen Xi felt a chill down to her fingertips and tucked her hands into her sleeves.

Yue Rongrong said, "Yes."

The atmosphere instantly froze, and silence fell. Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu kept their heads down but felt a cold dread creeping up their spines.

After a long pause, Shen Jichen's voice was deep and frosty. "Then why aren't you leaving?"

Yue Rongrong was taken aback. Seeing the impatience in his eyes, she realized he was dismissing her. She straightened her back, suppressing the crack in her heart, and retorted defiantly, "This is Wanfo Temple, not your Marquis' estate. Even if you hold great power, can you forbid commoners from coming to offer incense?"

Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu gasped in unison, frantically tugging at Yue Rongrong's sleeves.

Shen Jichen's brow furrowed at her provocation. He let out a cold laugh. "Whether I hold great power or not, you can test it. Angering me won't do you any good. Leave before my patience runs out!"

Yue Rongrong felt stung by his icy tone but kept her head held high, though her fingers clenched tightly.

Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu trembled in fear, each grabbing one of Yue Rongrong's arms and bowing repeatedly. "Lord Marquis, please calm your anger! We'll leave right away! Rongrong, let's go, now!"

Yue Rongrong was dragged away by them, tears filling her eyes. She shook off Zhen Xi and Zhong Yu and ran off. The two hurried after her. "Rongrong!"

Shen Jichen's expression grew increasingly grim and dark. Jin Tangsong observed coolly from the side and asked softly, "Cousin, is it that you don't want to see her, or are you angry that she sought a Dingsheng charm for another man..."

"Enough!" Shen Jichen snapped coldly, his brow furrowed.

Jin Tangsong waved her hand. "Or are you afraid of her being here?"

Shen Jichen did not respond.

Jin Tangsong watched as the Matron from the Grand Princess' household approached. She said softly, "Cousin, if your heart is at ease, why fear her presence? Why fear Aunt seeing her?"

Matron Chun stopped before them, bowed, and said, "Lord Marquis, Cousin, the Grand Princess invites you to the Buddha hall." She noticed Shen Jichen's unusual expression but said nothing more.

＊＊

Zhong Yu and Zhen Xi finally caught up to Yue Rongrong and saw her eyes red from crying, tears she hastily wiped away before turning to them. Zhen Xi, thinking she was upset from Shen Jichen's harshness, said angrily, "The Marquis went too far! This is a temple! Why can't we stay? He's too bullying! Rongrong... what exactly did you do to anger him?"

Zhong Yu shot her a warning look and helped Yue Rongrong down the mountain. "Anyway, we won't have anything to do with him again. We don't need to serve such nobility!"

Back in the city, Zhen Xi said she would deliver the Dingsheng charm to Li Suian. Yue Rongrong also decided to give hers to Wei Hui. When Wei Hui received the charm, he leaped with excitement and nearly hugged her, but Yue Rongrong deftly dodged it. Wei Hui paused, rubbing his head awkwardly. "I got too excited. Rongrong, don't worry, I won't let you down!"

Yue Rongrong nodded. Wei Hui invited her home for a meal, but she was too tired and declined.

She walked dejectedly back to Brocade Tower, only then realizing how impulsive she had been at Wanfo Temple. *What was she now? How dare she defy Shen Jichen? He had no reason to tolerate her, and if she truly angered him, she might not even be able to stay in the capital. But for Qu Lieshan's sake, she couldn't leave... Next time she saw Shen Jichen, she would avoid him completely!*

Lost in thought, she was suddenly jostled by the crowd and stumbled. A furious shout followed: "Are you blind?!"

Yue Rongrong's anger rose immediately. She looked up angrily and saw a man in his forties or fifties push aside the fierce attendant, staring at her blankly for a moment before scolding, "Step back!"

The attendant hurriedly retreated behind him.

The man, only half a head taller than her and dressed in rich garments, stared fixedly at Yue Rongrong. "Are you hurt, miss?"

Yue Rongrong disliked his gaze and shook her head, preparing to leave, but he asked, "Are you an embroiderer from Brocade Tower?"

Suddenly, Yue Rongrong looked up, examining the man more closely. His slowly forming smile seemed somewhat eerie. He abruptly took her wrist, his gaze covetous. "That bracelet of yours is quite unique."

It was the multicolored jade bracelet Zhen Xi had given her earlier. Yue Rongrong felt a surge of revulsion and quickly pulled her hand back, glaring coldly. "Please show some respect!"

The attendant stepped forward again. "How dare you! This is the Vice Minister of Works! Vice Minister Cai!"

Vice Minister of Works? Yue Rongrong frowned a little. She had heard of this official once at the Marquis' estate and wanted no association with him. She hurriedly bowed and left.

Vice Minister Cai did not stop her this time, only watching her departing figure with increasingly brazen desire—the possessiveness of a man certain of claiming a woman.

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Author's Note:

Half a month ago at the Marquis' estate

Wen Song: Give the order—if Vice Minister of Works comes again, there's no need to announce him.

Steward: Has this official offended our Marquis?

Wen Song scoffed, brushing dust off his sleeve: It's just that he's not worth our attention. He'd better not offend our Marquis, or else... (No update tomorrow [let's see], next update on Thursday, thanks!)