Chapter 8 — The Simpleton’s Serendipity

Chu Nien froze completely, his body turning rigid. His voice trembled as he asked, “Your sister-in-law… is she not Jiang Fang Fei?”

The Princess rolled her eyes. “How could that green-tea Long Jing be my sister-in-law? My sister-in-law is Jiang Bao Nguyet.”

The Princess lowered the carriage curtains and departed. Chu Nien was left behind, wandering toward the prince’s estate in a state of utter desolation. Upon arriving, he caught sight of Xiao Lian helping Jiang Bao Nguyet into a carriage. It was only the second time he had seen her wearing pink. The first time, he had blushed so deeply at the sight of her that he had turned his head away, fiercely telling her that it did not suit her at all, and even forbade her from wearing it ever again. In truth, he had been terrified—afraid that such a beautiful, gentle girl would draw the eyes of other men.

“It was me. I mistook the person. I did not intend to treat you poorly. But back then, you never explained anything to me, and this matter cannot be laid entirely at my feet… Besides, you have forgotten me now.”

“Jiang Bao Nguyet, you are so kind-hearted; you must realize that this is unfair to me. You should make it up to me.”

Chu Nien’s voice choked with emotion. I shook my head, held up two fingers, and then placed them side by side.

“Even if you truly misunderstood, you could have treated your cousin well while still being kind to me. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.”

“Actually, I still remember. That day, when I went to the temple to pray, I made a wish before leaving. I prayed that I would no longer feel heartache over anyone. I wanted Jiang Bao Nguyet to be happy. It seems the Buddha heard my plea.”

I pressed my palms together, feeling a profound sense of joy.

“Perhaps I was once too kind to you, which is why you dare to speak such words today. But from this day forward, that will no longer be the case.”

“Chu Nien, the Jiang Bao Nguyet of today is no longer as foolish as she once was.”

I threw the ruby hairpin he had tried to force upon me onto the ground and turned to leave. Behind me, Chu Nien shouted, “Jiang Bao Nguyet, do you think Xiao Lian is a good match? He only tolerates you because he has not been with you long enough! Once you fail to manage the household and cause him to lose face in public, he will despise you! When that time comes, you will realize how well I treated you!”

I turned back and looked at him silently. Just as Chu Nien began to think I had wavered, I slowly raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

“Though I no longer remember you, from this moment on, you are the person I despise most.”

Xiao Lian arrived swiftly. He draped a soft fur cloak over my shoulders and carefully helped me into the carriage, instructing Xiao Lian to peel chestnuts for me to eat. Outside, the sound of Chu Nien’s agonizing screams pierced the air; Xiao Lian had shattered both of his legs. Xiao Lian’s voice was colder than winter snow.

“Bao Nguyet is too kind, so you have forgotten that she is now a Princess consort. Kidnapping a Princess is a capital offense. I will ensure your Chu family finds no peace.”

As he stepped into the carriage, the servant quickly gathered the chestnut shells and vanished. Xiao Lian carried a faint scent of blood. He reached out to embrace me, but his hands froze in mid-air. I took the initiative and leaned into him, resting my cheek against his burning chest. My heart instantly settled. Xiao Lian pulled me tight and whispered, “I will never disdain Bao Nguyet. Bao Nguyet is my treasure.”

“I did not kill those bandits because I intended to bring them back to the capital to seek justice for you. As for your cousin, she has voluntarily become a nun. She must pay for the things she has done.”

“Bao Nguyet, seeing me act this way… do you fear me?”

“No. I will never fear you.”

I had remembered everything. I recalled that in those days, when Chu Nien only followed Jiang Fang Fei, there had been a young boy in the schoolhouse—other than myself—who loved wearing black and sat alone in the shadows. Because his speech was harsh and he had a reputation as a jinx, no one wanted to play with him. I had given him a sachet I had embroidered crookedly. He had mocked it for being ugly, yet the next day, he wore it by his side. When the candied hawthorns melted, he would complain about them while eating every single piece. The following day, he would share with me the osmanthus wine his mother had made.

It was only when my cousin caught a cold that Chu Nien finally discovered I was spending time with Xiao Lian. He flew into a rage, calling Xiao Lian a jinx and claiming that playing with him would bring misfortune to everyone. I tried to argue, but he used my cousin as an example. He was so eloquent, and I was so foolish that I could find no words to counter him. I could only cover my mouth and cry, repeating over and over, “Xiao Lian is very kind, he is not like that…”

Chu Nien had angrily pulled my braids, and Xiao Lian had rushed out from the shadows, fighting him until both were injured. After that day, the consort had hired a private tutor for Xiao Lian, and he never returned to the schoolhouse. My memories of him had slowly faded, yet here I was, remembering it all. I buried my face in his chest, my voice heavy.

“You always have your servants speak for you—is it because you fear your own words are too sharp and will make me unhappy?”

Xiao Lian’s entire body stiffened. “I…”

“Then do you despise the foolish Bao Nguyet, who is always rambling?”

Xiao Lian hurried to explain, “Bao Nguyet is not foolish. Bao Nguyet is the most intelligent woman under the heavens.”

“Then Xiao Lian is also the man who knows how to say the sweetest things under the heavens.”

Silence settled inside the carriage. We looked at each other and both began to laugh. In the distance, the setting sun retreated, and the crescent moon began to rise.