38. I’ll do whatever Brother Xin says.

(Page 1 of 3)

Jiang Shuwan shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Then you should be careful from now on about what she said just now, my lady. That woman looks like trouble.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Shuwan searched through her memories, trying to recall who, in her previous life, had been in love with Gu Yunting.

But no matter how long she thought, she could remember no one.

She gazed at the dazzling array of goods and decided to stop dwelling on it, choosing instead to relax and enjoy herself.

For the next few days, because of what had happened with Jiang Xueyu, the others kept a low profile and did not come looking for trouble. As for Lin Rou, Jiang Shuwan did not know whether she had been beaten and was recovering, or whether something else had happened, but she never appeared before her.

The weather gradually cleared. Jiang Shuwan reclined on a bamboo chair beneath a large tree, eyes closed as she basked in the sunlight, utterly at ease.

“My lady, this is terrible!” Liusu’s panicked voice suddenly rang out.

Jiang Shuwan opened her eyes and looked at her. “What is it? What happened?”

Liusu was panting. “I—I heard that the cousin young lady is going to be betrothed to the heir of the Marquis of Pingning.”

Jiang Shuwan sat up straight. “Who did you hear that from?”

“It’s being talked about everywhere now.”

“So that’s how it is.”

No wonder they had not come to provoke her these past few days. It seemed Lin Rou had used some means to persuade the Marquis of Pingning’s household to agree to her marriage with Gu Xin.

Jiang Shuwan rose to her feet. “Let’s go out for a stroll and listen to the gossip.”

With that, she headed toward the door.

“My lady, aren’t you angry?” Liusu asked cautiously.

In the past, her mistress had been deeply fond of the heir. Although they had quarreled some time ago, learning that he was going to marry someone else should still have upset her. Yet now, she looked as though she had merely heard some stranger’s affairs.

“What do I have to be angry about? A false sweet woman and a worthless man—they’re a match made in heaven. But after everything they’ve done to me, I ought to find out exactly what happened before I punish them.”

Liusu understood her meaning and followed her out with a smile.

As soon as they reached East Street, they saw Gu Xin and Lin Rou riding together in the distance. Lin Rou wore a tender smile, while Gu Xin sat behind her with one arm around her waist.

He called out to the onlookers, “I, Gu Xin, am pleased to announce that today I have become betrothed to Miss Lin Rou of the Jiang family. Please share in our joy!”

A servant of the Marquis of Pingning standing nearby scattered several handfuls of copper coins into the air. The onlookers’ faces lit up, and they surged forward to snatch them.

Those who did not join the scramble began whispering among themselves.

“Wasn’t the heir betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Jiang family? How did he end up marrying her cousin instead?”

“I heard it from someone in the Gu family. The eldest daughter of the Jiang family was in love with the Marquis of Gu. She even tried to kill herself so she could have a ghost marriage with him. The Jiang family had no choice but to send their cousin in her place.”

Hearing this, Liusu angrily defended Jiang Shuwan. “These people are outrageous, spreading nonsense without knowing the truth. Clearly, it was the heir who became enamored with someone else, yet he’s shifting all the blame onto you, my lady. And look at how pleased the cousin young lady is with herself. It makes me furious just seeing her.”

“Don’t be anxious. She won’t be able to smile for much longer.” A meaningful smile curved Jiang Shuwan’s lips.

(Page 2 of 3)

Gu Xin gently helped Lin Rou down from the horse, and the spectators looked on with envy at their apparent affection.

Lin Rou was enjoying herself immensely. Taking Gu Xin’s hand, she asked softly, “Brother Xin, do you think Cousin will be angry when she sees us like this?”

During this period, Jiang Shuwan’s actions had caused Gu Xin to be beaten by his father, and he had received countless cold looks from her.

Originally, he had intended to follow the path laid out in his previous life. But somehow, it was as though Jiang Shuwan’s fate had gone awry—she had actually rejected him.

She had even decided to marry his father, who was still alive.

Everything had changed.

Since that was the case, he might as well choose the woman he had loved in his previous life and begin their life of happiness ahead of time. At least then, he would not have to make the woman he loved live as his concubine.

“Don’t concern yourself with her. You’re the only person I love now. Come on, let’s visit a ready-made clothing shop and buy you a few new dresses.”

Lin Rou was delighted. She slipped her arm through his and lifted her head, smiling radiantly. “I’ll do whatever you say, Brother Xin.”

Looking at Lin Rou’s innocent, adorable, and gentle appearance, then comparing her with Jiang Shuwan’s cold words and sharp manner, Gu Xin still felt that Lin Rou was far better.

He led her toward a clothing shop nearby.

Kunji Cloth House was one of the most famous fabric shops in the capital.

Inside were all kinds of fashionable fabrics and ready-made garments, in every color imaginable.

The moment Lin Rou entered, the clothing caught her eye. She touched one garment after another, holding them against herself to see how they looked.

“Brother Xin, does this one look good on me?” Lin Rou asked, holding a blue-green dress against her figure, a bright smile blooming across her face.

Gu Xin stood behind her with his hands clasped behind his back, a doting smile at the corners of his lips. “You look good in anything.”

The fabric felt wonderfully smooth, and Lin Rou liked it very much. “Then shall I go try it on?”

“Go ahead.” Gu Xin nodded.

Watching her skip away like a child, he recalled how she had stayed by his side throughout his previous life, and the expression on his face grew ever gentler.

He walked to one side and looked around, intending to choose several fine garments for her to try when she came out.

He had come to terms with everything. He had decided to marry Lin Rou, just as in his previous life, and spend the rest of his days happily with her.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him.

He turned and saw Jiang Shuwan standing not far away in a pink padded jacket.

“Master Jin, is my beaded bracelet repaired?” Jiang Shuwan asked with a smile as she looked at a woman.

“Please come this way.”

Master Jin turned and walked toward the counter, with Jiang Shuwan following behind her.

Why was Jiang Shuwan here? Had she followed them?

But since he had chosen Lin Rou, he no longer wished to have anything to do with Jiang Shuwan. He ignored her and lowered his head, continuing to select clothes for Lin Rou.

Yet before long, he could not resist looking up.

Suddenly, disbelief filled his eyes. He strode forward and snatched the bracelet from Jiang Shuwan’s hand.

“This is what Rou wore from childhood. Why is it with you?” Gu Xin demanded.

Unable to tolerate his behavior, Liusu immediately spoke up for Jiang Shuwan. “Heir, what nonsense are you talking about? Return the bracelet to my lady.”

Liusu stepped forward to take it back, but Gu Xin dodged her and cast her a cold glance.

“I’m speaking to your mistress. This has nothing to do with you.” He turned to Jiang Shuwan and sneered. “It’s bad enough that you still can’t let go of your feelings for me. Don’t imagine that stealing Rou’s bracelet will make me look at you differently. What foolish wishful thinking.”

Jiang Shuwan snatched the bracelet back and held it high. “Heir Gu, Master Yuanming gave me this bracelet at Ci’en Temple years ago. I even had it repaired here six years ago. Master Jin, please tell us who it belongs to.”

Master Jin, holding the empty box, looked up. “Miss Jiang is telling the truth. This string of beads belongs to her.”

“What?”

Gu Xin was very familiar with Kunji Cloth House. He also knew that Master Jin was a woman of unyielding principles who would never lie.

“I remember this bracelet. It was given to Miss Jiang by Master Yuanming. Even the cord threaded through the beads was blessed by him. Many elderly people in the capital know about it.”

(Page 3 of 3)