A Stolen Romance - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Masks

Since Shi Yuning stopped going to the Eastern Palace on Tu Chunhua’s orders, she found her days incredibly dull.

Day after day, she returned to a monotonous, aimless routine that made her feel life was less happy than it had been in the countryside, where she could at least call on her friends.

In the capital, Shi Yuning didn’t have a single friend. In retrospect, the month she spent learning riding and archery with Xie Zhaoran was probably the happiest she had been since arriving in the city.

She found herself thinking about Xie Zhaoran again, wondering what she was doing. She figured she wasn’t as bored as she was.

Xie Zhaoran seemed to have many things to do and many friends.

Shi Yuning propped her head up, listening to the storyteller at the teahouse repeat a tale for the third time.

Boring, so boring.

She drained the tea in her porcelain cup, called the waiter, and had the pastries and dried fruits she had ordered packed up.

Carrying the items, she left the Jing Sheng teahouse and headed west.

The capital was divided into districts, with the east reserved for the nobles and high-ranking officials. The west, by contrast, was a residential area for the common people.

Unlike the broad streets of the east, where four-horse carriages could travel side by side, the west had narrow roads and tightly packed, low-lying houses.

It was precisely this tight arrangement that gave the area a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere.

Shi Yuning went straight to the Ruyi Noodle Shop on Xishuo Street.

As soon as she entered, she saw Lu Wenzhou reading a book behind the counter.

Without even looking up, he said with a practiced air, “Welcome. Our specialty is southern-style noodles with a variety of toppings. The menu is on the wall. Let me know when you’re ready to order.”

He said the words as if he had spoken them thousands of times, perfectly smooth and fluent.

Shi Yuning hadn’t been there in a long time. Seeing that her friend seemed to have adapted to his new life so well made her feel much better.

“One bowl of noodles, and give me all the signature toppings!” Shi Yuning announced her order grandly.

Lu Wenzhou heard the familiar voice, his gaze shifted from his book, and he looked up. When he saw Shi Yuning, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

“Why are you here?” he exclaimed, as if in disbelief.

Shi Yuning deliberately put on a stern face. “What, I’m not allowed to be here? I brought enough money today, so hurry up and bring me your best dishes.”

Lu Wenzhou smiled, watching her theatrical performance, especially when she slapped a piece of broken silver on the table.

“I only hope you’ll come more often. That way, our little noodle shop will never lack business.”

…

Shi Yuning paused, walking to the counter and asking with some concern, “Is business not good?”

Lady Lu’s cooking was so outstanding; there was no reason people in the capital wouldn’t like it.

Shi Yuning had asked her parents to bring Lu Wenzhou and his mother to the capital, so she felt a certain responsibility to make sure they were doing well.

She looked around the noodle shop. Only a few scattered customers sat at the seven or eight tables. Shi Yuning didn’t know if this was because the lunch rush was over or if business was just that slow.

Seeing Shi Yuning’s worried expression, Lu Wenzhou’s heart warmed. He smiled gently. “It’s fine, don’t worry. It’s just that we don’t have many big spenders like you who want all the signature toppings.”

Shi Yuning let out a sigh of relief when she heard that. She then smiled and said, “I haven’t had Lady Lu’s cooking in so long that I’ve been missing it.”

“If that’s the case, then why haven’t you been here for so long? What you’re saying doesn’t sound entirely truthful.”

Shi Yuning quickly defended herself. “Don’t accuse me! I’ve just been busy with things recently.”

Lu Wenzhou clearly didn’t believe her. Shi Yuning was now the daughter of a marquis and had no chores to do. How could she possibly be so busy?

As they were talking, Lu’s mother, hearing their voices, came out of the kitchen. When she saw Shi Yuning, she greeted her warmly, her smile as bright as a forsythia flower.

“I thought I heard Ningning’s voice! Ningning, you haven’t been here in a long time. What would you like to eat today? I’ll make it for you.”

Shi Yuning smiled just as brightly. “I love everything Lady Lu makes. I’m not a picky eater.”

She was certainly not like Xie Zhaoran, who had so many dietary restrictions.

Lu’s mother was overjoyed and told Lu Wenzhou to keep Shi Yuning company in the backyard while she took care of things up front. It was past the lunch rush, so the noodle shop wasn’t busy.

Lu Wenzhou glanced at the customers in the shop. Since Shi Yuning had arrived, their eyes had been glued to her. He was a little annoyed.

He led her to the backyard, feeling a sense of relief.

Shi Yuning was still as casual and unrestrained as ever, not even bothering to wear a veil when she went out.

After Shi Yuning sat down, Lu Wenzhou poured her a cup of hot tea and finally got a good look at her.

She was wearing a goose-yellow, narrow-sleeved spring tunic with a matching half-sleeved jacket. Her hair was in a simple bun, adorned with a few apricot-colored artificial flowers. She looked simple and unadorned, but it suited her naive and charming nature perfectly.

Lu Wenzhou also felt that Shi Yuning was a little different from the last time he saw her. She now seemed to have a certain quiet demeanor of a young lady from a good family. She no longer gulped her tea down but took small, delicate sips.

“You really are very different from before. That wild girl from the countryside, who was so used to having her own way, is now truly a marquis’s daughter in every sense.”

Lu Wenzhou said this with genuine emotion, a hint of indescribable bitterness in his tone.

Shi Yuning took it as a compliment. After all, she had been cooped up in the palace for a month learning etiquette from the Empress, and she had spent another month with Xie Zhaoran.

Being so close to her, she couldn’t help but be influenced by some of her daily habits.

As the old saying goes, ‘one who hangs around with red becomes red, and one who hangs around with black becomes black.’

When Shi Yuning mentioned that she hadn’t been around because she had been at the Eastern Palace, Lu Wenzhou immediately became interested.

“Everyone in the capital is saying the Crown Prince is in poor health. Is it true?” Lu Wenzhou asked with concern.

Shi Yuning thought for a moment. “He’s alright. He’s not as seriously ill as the rumors say.” At least, the Crown Prince seemed to be able to eat and drink. He also had the energy to bicker with Xie Zhaoran and would occasionally say profound and meaningful things to her.

Oh, and the Crown Prince also had a strange habit of smiling at her for no reason, a smile that made her feel quite uneasy.

“The students at my academy are all very worried about the Crown Prince’s health.”

The Crown Prince was highly revered by students all over the country because he was an intelligent prodigy with exceptional knowledge. He was also known for his excellent poems and had a reputation for being a great patron of scholars.

“I wish I could meet the Crown Prince someday,” Lu Wenzhou said, as he was one of the Crown Prince’s admirers.

Shi Yuning laughed. “That’s easy! You’ll definitely get to meet him when you become a top scholar.”

Hearing Shi Yuning speak of him becoming a top scholar so casually, as if it were as easy as taking something out of his pocket, the tips of Lu Wenzhou’s ears turned faintly red.

“I’m just a simple scholar. I wouldn’t dare to dream of being a top scholar.”

Lu Wenzhou was preparing for the autumn imperial exam this year, and he wasn’t even confident he would pass. He had been feeling quite anxious and uneasy lately.

“You’re our great talent from Linzhou. I believe in you!”

Hearing her speak with such firm conviction, a warm feeling welled up in Lu Wenzhou’s heart. “Okay, I will do my best.”

He then paused, the redness on his ears slowly spreading to his cheeks. He lowered his gaze, afraid to look at Shi Yuning, and asked softly, “Ningning, if I pass the imperial exam this autumn, will there be… I mean… will I have a chance with you?”

Shi Yuning had just peeled a peanut and was rubbing off the skin. Her hands stilled at his question.

“Why are you still thinking about things like that? I told you we’re not a good match.”

Ever since she found out that Lu Wenzhou wanted to marry her, she hadn’t known how to face her childhood friend. This was also the reason why she hadn’t visited the noodle shop in a long time.

She thought that after she had rejected him and so much time had passed, Lu Wenzhou would have let go of the idea.

But he clearly hadn’t. He seemed confused and pressed her for an answer. “Is it because you despise me for only being a scholar?”

Lu Wenzhou knew that his current status wasn’t worthy of Shi Yuning, but he was trying. He was determined to gain an official position through the imperial exams to close the gap between them.

Seeing his persistence, Shi Yuning felt annoyed. She had never cared about a person’s social status, wealth, or family background.

“Look at you. You love studying and reading. I don’t like any of that. I like to roam the world, and I want to wander far and wide someday. You’re determined to be an official, so you’ll never come with me.”

Lu Wenzhou frowned in surprise. “That wild fantasy you had as a child, why haven’t you given it up yet?”

He tried to earnestly persuade her and gently guide her. “Your status is different now. You’re no longer a country girl. You’re a true marquis’s daughter, a proper young lady from a good family.”

“Even though your family is broad-minded and doesn’t force you to stay cooped up at home, they would never agree to something as ridiculous as you roaming the world. Besides, it’s far too dangerous for a girl!”

Shi Yuning pouted. She knew it would be difficult to get Tu Chunhua and her family to agree.

“I’m secretly saving money,” Shi Yuning said, as she planned to save enough to go on an adventure.

“I’d advise you to give it up. Why does a girl like you have to have such a dangerous idea?”

“It’s more proper to learn a girl’s skills like needlework. Your father should never have let you learn martial arts. It’s made your heart wild. It’s not something a proper young lady should learn.”

Hearing him say that, Shi Yuning immediately took offense. She instantly thought of Xie Zhaoran.

“The Crown Princess is also a skilled martial artist, and she’s a model noblewoman in the capital!”

Lu Wenzhou sighed. “That’s different. The Crown Princess comes from a family of generals. She only learned these things out of childhood interest. Do you see her giving up her position as the Crown Princess to roam the world?”

“Furthermore, what use is her martial arts now? As the Crown Princess, she has bodyguards to protect her. She never has to use her skills herself.”

Shi Yuning paused. It was true. Even though she practiced every day at the Eastern Palace to maintain her skills, besides using them to save her life from assassins, they seemed to be of no use.

In her daily life, Xie Zhaoran was still the high-and-mighty, dignified, and elegant Crown Princess, no different from any other noblewoman in the capital.

She was like a female eagle who could spread her wings and fly freely, but she was deeply confined by that high wall.

Shi Yuning’s breathing became heavy, and a feeling of gloominess filled her heart, as if a wad of cotton had been stuffed inside.

She didn’t want to stay any longer. She politely declined Lu’s mother’s invitation to stay for dinner and took her leave.

Lu Wenzhou wanted to say more. In the end, he chased after her and stopped her.

“If you really like it, after we get married, I’ll set aside a courtyard just for you to practice martial arts. You can practice however you want, and I promise no one will say anything.”

As if to strengthen his argument, Lu Wenzhou added, “My mother likes you so much that she won’t have any objections.”

Shi Yuning’s heart sank. She once again found herself thinking of Xie Zhaoran, and also the Crown Prince.

She thought of the courtyard that had been specially set aside in the Eastern Palace.

She felt a deep sense of powerlessness and bitterness. She didn’t want to talk about this with Lu Wenzhou anymore.

“I wish you good luck in the autumn imperial exam. I’m going home now.”

Lu Wenzhou brightened when he heard this, thinking that Shi Yuning had been convinced. “Okay, I’ll definitely work hard. Ningning, just wait for me.”

Shi Yuning forced a smile and left without another word.

Shi Yuning had no appetite for the rest of the day. She ate very little for dinner and went back to her room.

She saw the basket on the small table by her bed, filled with the fabric she had just cut for sachets.

Her grandmother had already sent the spices from their hometown, and she had planned to make the sachets over the next few nights.

But tonight, she had no interest in making them. She went to the bathing room early, washed up, and planned to pull the covers over her head and sleep.

Who would have thought that just as she came out of the bathing room, she would find Xie Zhaoran sitting on her bed.

The moment she saw Xie Zhaoran, Shi Yuning wondered if she had been thinking about her too much during the day and was now having a hallucination.

After she walked closer, still filled with doubt, she realized it was a real person, a real person of flesh and blood who could smile and move!

“Why are you here?” Shi Yuning’s voice had a happiness she didn’t even realize was there.

“What, Miss Shi, you don’t welcome me?” Xie Zhaoran, who had already heard the happiness in Shi Yuning’s voice, deliberately said.

“No, no! It’s just that it’s so late…”

Xie Zhaoran smiled gently. “I just missed you. Is that alright?”

Shi Yuning was stunned, as if she hadn’t expected Xie Zhaoran to tease her like this. After a moment, she said, “I guess it’s okay.”

Xie Zhaoran pursed her lips and asked a question that Shi Yuning never would have expected.

“Can you climb walls?”

Shi Yuning was completely baffled. It was late at night, and Xie Zhaoran had suddenly appeared in her room to ask her if she could climb walls.

“Yes.”

How could she not know how to climb walls? When she first arrived in the capital, Tu Chunhua wouldn’t let her go out, so she always snuck out by climbing the walls.

“I want to take you somewhere. Do you want to come?”

Shi Yuning’s eyes widened, her pupils shining brightly. Without any hesitation, she nodded vigorously.

“Yes!”

Shi Yuning didn’t ask where they were going or what they were going to do.

Xie Zhaoran was so amused by her reaction that she was in a great mood. She took a set of night clothes from behind her and handed them to Shi Yuning.

Shi Yuning, without a word, put them on.

When she looked up again, Shi Yuning’s heart skipped a beat. At some point, Xie Zhaoran had put on a chilling bronze mask of a fierce beast.

Shi Yuning didn’t know what kind of ancient mythical beast it was. The bronze carvings of the mask looked like a ferocious beast emerging from its cage, fiercely and boldly clinging to Xie Zhaoran’s high nose bridge.

Through the hollowed-out eyes of the mask, she could see the pair of star-filled eyes gazing at her gently from beneath it.

The fierce, cold face of a beast combined with gentle, watery eyes.

These two contrasting images merged into one, creating a swirling vortex that disrupted the peaceful night with a sense of excitement. The effect was powerfully infectious.

Shi Yuning suddenly felt that she couldn’t handle it.

She gazed in fascination, following the lines of the beast mask down. Below the greenish mask, a sharp jawline was revealed, like a drop of rain from the peak of a snowy mountain that finally reached the sea.

It seemed both profound and harmonious. Only those slightly parted, rosy lips offered some comfort to her endlessly pounding heart.

This kind of wicked and enchanting beauty left Shi Yuning utterly speechless on this gentle, breezy night.

“Let’s go.”

Xie Zhaoran walked slowly forward, leaned down, and placed another mask in her hand on Shi Yuning’s face, gently tapping it.

“I’m taking you to see a show.”

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