Chapter Twenty-One: A Display of Tea Artistry

Princess Zhou clearly had not expected Lin Zhaoyan to be so enthusiastic. A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Jiang Ruoqing's face, and she quickly accepted, "Then I shall defer to your wishes, Ruoqing."

"I'm coming too." Zhou Jingxuan raised his eyes to meet Lin Zhaoyan's gaze, giving her a sly wink.

Lin Zhaoyan hesitated slightly, feigning a look of dilemma.

Princess Zhou let out an exclamation, "These are young ladies out for a stroll; what business do you have tagging along?"

"Didn't Mother tell me to make amends to my cousin?" Zhou Jingxuan grinned. "Naturally, I must look after her."

Prince Zhou waved his hand impatiently. "Go wherever you want, just don't be an eyesore here."

"Understood." Zhou Jingxuan chuckled. "Let's go, Cousin Jiang."

Jiang Ruoqing clenched her handkerchief. Given Zhou Jingxuan’s arrogant and reckless nature, she feared he was planning to play a trick on her. Thinking this, she stepped slightly behind Lin Zhaoyan. "That sounds lovely. Let the three of us go together."

Prince Zhou tucked his hands into his sleeves, watching them walk away. "Are you really going to let your niece marry into the Zhou family? That Jiang Ruoqing is not someone to be trifled with. Just a few days ago, she poured a basin of water over Xuan’er in public."

Seeing the Prince’s unrefined posture, Princess Zhou’s temper flared, and she gave his ear a sharp twist. "And who is to blame but the ‘good’ son you raised? If he hadn't sullied that girl’s reputation, would I be forced to humble myself like this?"

"Pah, pah, pah! It was your coddling that made him this way! I don't care, handle it however you see fit!" Having said his piece, the Prince slipped away.

The trio headed toward Yingliu Lake in the west. The autumn night was chilly, and the willow branches were sparse, appearing rather desolate.

"Cousin, you look quite troubled. Have you not been sleeping well lately?" Lin Zhaoyan asked with feigned concern.

"I suffer from occasional palpitations, but it is nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, General... You may simply call me Ruoqing."

Lin Zhaoyan responded with an "Oh," then added, "Cousin Ruoqing, have you seen a physician?"

Zhou Jingxuan followed slowly behind them, fiddling with something in his hands. A faint, clean, bitter scent drifted from him, lingering near Jiang Ruoqing, though she was too distracted to notice.

What was he holding? Jiang Ruoqing glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her focus entirely on his movements.

Zhou Jingxuan was deliberately holding up an object: a white jade earring carved in the shape of a magnolia flower.

It was hers! When had he taken it? She instinctively touched her earlobe, her heart suddenly racing with anxiety.

"Cousin, what are you thinking about?" Lin Zhaoyan called out to her again. Her gaze shifted to Zhou Jingxuan, and the two exchanged a brief, meaningful look before quickly looking away.

"Ah? What?" Jiang Ruoqing snapped back to reality, feeling uneasy.

"I asked if you have seen a physician?"

"Not yet," Jiang Ruoqing replied absentmindedly.

Lin Zhaoyan tilted her head and spoke slowly, not like an interrogator, but with gentle persuasion. "Your health should be your priority. Would you like me to find you a skilled doctor?"

"I couldn't possibly trouble you, General..."

"It is no trouble at all. It is settled then." Lin Zhaoyan did not give her a chance to refuse.

Jiang Ruoqing’s thoughts were pulled back to Lin Zhaoyan, and she felt somewhat dazed. Why was Lin Zhaoyan being so warm toward her all of a sudden? And insisting on finding her a doctor? There must be an ulterior motive, but what could it be? She pondered, trying to find a way to gracefully decline.

Zhou Jingxuan spoke up unhurriedly, "Cousin, this earring looks exactly like the pair you wore to the Mid-Autumn Banquet."

The Mid-Autumn Banquet? Jiang Ruoqing’s eyes widened, alarm bells ringing in her head. She hadn't even worn those earrings that day; she had only taken them out to admire them before putting them back, as they were a gift from him and she couldn't bear to wear them. Had she accidentally dropped them at the banquet?

Her mind was in a turmoil. She forced a smile. "Thank you for keeping them safe, Cousin. These are mine—"

"Actually, it seems not," Zhou Jingxuan said, tucking the earring away before she could get a good look at it. "I was mistaken. You don't seem to have this pair. It must belong to someone else."

Jiang Ruoqing froze, her hand hanging in mid-air. Within seconds, her eyes filled with tears.

"Cousin, you keep mentioning the Mid-Autumn Banquet—are you trying to humiliate me by bringing up what happened that night?" she cried out, drawing the attention of the surrounding ladies. She lowered her head, weeping bitterly. "If that is the case, I have no desire to live!"

She lifted her skirt and made a show of rushing toward the lake. Lin Zhaoyan reacted swiftly, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. Just as the standoff reached its peak, Princess Zhou and Lady Jiang arrived.

"Zhou Jingxuan, what are you doing?!"

Zhou Jingxuan was baffled. *Huh? It’s my fault again?*

"Ruoqing, what happened? I will see justice done for you," Princess Zhou declared, establishing her stance to avoid gossip.

Jiang Ruoqing didn't dare mention the earrings anymore; no one knew she possessed such a luxurious pair. She panicked for a moment. "I... nothing happened."

Lin Zhaoyan spoke up kindly. "I was merely expressing concern for the Second Young Lady’s health. She mentioned that ever since the Mid-Autumn Banquet, she has been feeling unwell, so I offered to introduce her to a famous physician to help her recover."

Lady Jiang asked anxiously, "Qing'er, if you were unwell, why didn't you tell me?"

"Mother, I..." Jiang Ruoqing wasn't actually ill, but it was clear the others had misunderstood.

Princess Zhou glared at Zhou Jingxuan, who had become numb to it by now. He turned his head away, ignoring her. Lady Jiang took Jiang Ruoqing’s hand, finding it cold from nerves.

"Your hands are so cold. Let’s go back inside to rest. The banquet won't start for another hour," Lady Jiang said tenderly.

Lin Zhaoyan’s eyes sparkled. "There is a miraculous female physician in my army named Xia Wan. She can examine Miss Jiang."

"That would be too much trouble for the General," Jiang Ruoqing said, clearly reluctant.

"...I only wish to show my concern for Miss Jiang," Lin Zhaoyan said, looking dejected and mimicking Jiang Ruoqing’s earlier demure, "tea-like" air.

Lady Jiang gave her daughter a reproachful look. "How can you refuse such a kind gesture from the General?"

Zhou Jingxuan glanced secretly at Lin Zhaoyan. Her attempt at playing the victim was clumsy and inexperienced, but he found it incredibly cute. On impulse, he added with a look of disappointment, "I only mentioned the Mid-Autumn Banquet because I feel quite guilty. That night, you were drunk and fell into my arms, and I accidentally pushed you to the ground. I fear you were injured."

"You really should let a doctor examine you so I can set my mind at ease," he said, sounding entirely sincere. "What if your condition worsens from neglect?"

For every word others said, Zhou Jingxuan had a dozen more, leaving no room for anyone to interrupt. Lin Zhaoyan stifled a laugh; when it came to "tea-like" art, no one could best Zhou Jingxuan.

Jiang Ruoqing clenched her hands tightly within her wide sleeves, gritting her teeth in silence.