Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 34

She pinched a corner of the brocade quilt near the bloodstain and held it before Jiang Wanshu, her expression one of utter shock. “Were you and Zhuojing Cha’er truly that… intense last night?”

As she spoke, Maigulaji’s brows furrowed deeply. “Don’t you know? While it is normal for a woman to bleed on her wedding night, if a man ravages you like this in your daily affairs, it will ruin your health!”

Maigulaji’s voice rose an octave; she was worried her friend was too shy to speak up.

“If you find this too difficult to voice, I shall go speak to him for you. If you continue to indulge Zhuojing Cha’er like this, do you have no regard for your own body?”

Serious and resolute, she was about to turn and settle the matter with Zhou Yan when, in an instant, Jiang Wanshu caught her sleeve.

“It’s… it’s because I injured my neck. I accidentally smeared the blood onto the quilt.”

She absolutely could not let Maigulaji go to Zhou Yan with such an embarrassing accusation; he would surely mock her for it. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she could feel the heat radiating from her cheeks.

Realizing the truth, Maigulaji froze. Noticing the faint mark on the girl’s neck, she felt a wave of awkwardness. Scratching her head, she stammered, “I… I thought wrong.”

The friendship between girls is a curious thing; even if they haven’t known each other long, they are willing to cross swords with others for one another’s sake.

Jiang Wanshu offered Maigulaji a small smile. “You were only looking out for me. I don’t blame you.”

Only then did Maigulaji feel at ease.

However, her gaze now fixed upon the injury on the girl’s neck, and she asked a question that Jiang Wanshu found incredibly difficult to answer: “Still, what on earth were you two doing to end up with a neck injury?”

At this, Jiang Wanshu was left speechless. Her dark eyes darted away. “It’s nothing, truly just an accidental graze.”

Noticing Maigulaji’s skeptical look, Jiang Wanshu hurried to change the subject. “Miss Maigulaji, did you come to see me so early for a particular reason?”

Upon hearing this, Maigulaji had a sudden realization, remembering the task Musha had entrusted to her.

“Musha and I are heading out of the grasslands today. Zhuojing Cha’er asked us to see if you needed anything, so we can bring it back for you.”

Out of the grasslands?!

In an instant, Jiang Wanshu’s eyes widened. She excitedly grabbed Maigulaji’s sleeve and asked, “Can I go with you?”

Unfortunately, Maigulaji’s reaction caused her spirit to sink immediately.

She shook her head. “No. If Zhuojing Cha’er found out, he would never agree to it.”

Jiang Wanshu’s ears drooped, and her voice grew weak. “Then… I have nothing I need to buy.”

Maigulaji scanned the tent, clearly unconvinced. “How is that possible? You don’t even have a vanity mirror here for a young lady to dress herself. How could you have nothing to buy?”

As Maigulaji watched her in surprise, Jiang Wanshu began to think.

Since Zhou Yan was the one who told Maigulaji to ask, if she truly requested nothing, would he suspect she had no interest in feminine trifles and was instead plotting something else?

Maigulaji added, “Musha and I made a pact long ago to spend ten days or so every year in the capital of the Central Plains, just to experience the atmosphere there.”

To Jiang Wanshu, these words sounded like divine music. Her eyes lit up with renewed hope.

She recalled a jewelry shop in the capital run exclusively by women. The items sold there were designed for “women of the martial world” wandering the lands—hairpins were sharp, and earrings hidden poisons; every piece of jewelry served a functional purpose for self-protection.

It was unrealistic to expect them to bring back reinforcements from the capital, but it wouldn’t be difficult to have them purchase personal ornaments that could protect her should she encounter danger during an escape.

She spoke cautiously, terrified that Maigulaji might sense her true intent.

Vagueness in her voice, Jiang Wanshu said, “In a bustling district of the capital, there is a jewelry shop called ‘Chunxi Pavilion.’ Could I trouble Miss Maigulaji to pick out two hairpins and a necklace for me?”

Maigulaji was about to ask what style she preferred when, a second later, Musha shouted from outside the curtain, “Are you ready yet? The horses are saddled!”

Hearing this, Maigulaji hurriedly replied, “Yes, coming!”

The corners of Jiang Wanshu’s mouth curved up, bright as a spring breeze. “Go quickly, Miss Maigulaji; time waits for no one. As long as the hairpins and necklace please your eye, any style will do.”

Hurrying to catch up, Maigulaji nodded quickly. “Then I’ll be off. Take care of yourself while I’m gone, Wanwan.”

Jiang Wanshu watched with a smile as the other girl ran outside, skipping with joy.

The days passed one by one. When October truly arrived, a winter snow fell upon the frigid grasslands.

Snowflakes drifted down upon the wilderness, turning the withered yellow earth into a blanket of white. From a distance, it looked like a precious, finely woven white carpet from the Western Regions.

On this day, Jiang Wanshu rarely donned the soft boots Zhou Yan had hand-woven for her. She changed into a set of Suzhou-embroidered “Moonlight” robes, her slender waist swaying gracefully. Over this, she wore a pale yellow cloak edged with gold-thread auspicious cloud patterns, looking extraordinarily magnificent.

Jiang Wanshu pinched a corner of her skirt and cast a pleasant, smiling glance at the scenery outside, thinking to herself that it was quite lovely.

In a few days, Maigulaji would return to the grasslands. If all went well, she would have a chance to return to the palace soon after.

She stepped outside, lifting the curtain of the tent. A cold winter wind blew against her face, but in her good mood, she found it as gentle as warm water, touching her heart.

She held her head high and looked forward, noticing a tall figure by the stables—the man was feeding his horse.

Regarding Zhou Yan, she had always maintained a cold and indifferent attitude. Seeing him there, she had no intention of greeting him.

She turned to walk in the opposite direction, but a moment later, the man called out to her.

“Where is Wanwan going?” Zhou Yan asked, putting down the fodder and looking toward her.

The girl’s back was to him, but seeing her slender silhouette, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but steal another glance.

Since the day she had threatened him with her life, he hadn’t touched her for six or seven days, behaving himself quite well. Now that he had called out, Jiang Wanshu had no choice but to respond.

Used to this by now, she turned around.

The cold wind blew against her, tossing the stray hairs across her delicate, charming face. As he looked her over, Zhou Yan stood dazed.

When he finally snapped out of it, he immediately untied the ropes of the black horse in the stable. Leading the horse, he strode toward Jiang Wanshu and stopped before her.

Since he had forcibly brought her to the grasslands, he had never seen her in Central Plains attire. Seeing her like this again, he was once more struck with awe.

Zhou Yan looked into her eyes, which were as clear as spring water, and praised her without reservation. “You look truly beautiful dressed like this, Wanwan—just like a celestial fairy from the heavens.”

Jiang Wanshu’s ears flushed at the compliment. “Thank you,” she stammered.

Finding it dull to stay with Zhou Yan, she turned to leave again, but in the next heartbeat, the man swept her up by the waist. Her long hair fluttered in the wind as she was lifted into the air. Startled, Jiang Wanshu let out a small cry as she was placed upon the back of the black horse.

This was Zhou Yan’s prized steed, massive and imposing, much like the man himself.

Her body seemed tiny against the horse; even on tiptoe, she couldn’t reach the ground. Thus, she could only watch as the man easily flipped himself up onto the saddle behind her.

Confused, Jiang Wanshu asked, “What are you doing?”

Zhou Yan was a direct man. Within a second, he explained, “There is a wintersweet grove up ahead. After yesterday’s heavy snow, the blossoms should be in full bloom today. You miss your home, and since the wintersweet is a favorite tree in the courtyards of the Central Plains, I thought I’d take you there to ease your boredom.”

Before Jiang Wanshu could answer, the man pressed forward. The wind whipped against their faces as the horse galloped across the wilderness.

In less than fifteen minutes, they arrived before the wintersweet grove.

Delicate, beautiful yellow blossoms bloomed upon the mottled branches, with sunlight piercing through the gaps between the trees. Zhou Yan lifted her down from the horse, and Jiang Wanshu stood there with a look of pure wonder, gazing at the magnificent scene before her.

How beautiful!

Though she had been pampered since childhood, her mother, the Empress, had taught her that a young lady should rarely show her face in public before marriage. Only by doing so could she maintain an air of purity and virtue that would be praised once she wed.

Consequently, in her sixteen-odd years, she had seldom been outside the palace except for imperial gatherings. Her most frequent excursions had been when her father and mother intended for her to marry the eldest son of the Zhou family, Zhou Yan, and they had shared lighthearted conversations then.

Thus, Jiang Wanshu had rarely seen such a lush and flourishing landscape. Caught by a vista that looked like a celestial wonderland, she couldn’t help but wander in.

White snow mingled with wintersweet; a breeze stirred the petals, sending them fluttering down to hide within the folds of her skirt. Jiang Wanshu widened her eyes and looked up at the sky—clusters of wintersweet in vibrant yellow were everywhere, making her feel exceptionally peaceful and content.

She was already in a good mood today, and this scenery made her truly joyful. Even her response to Zhou Yan carried a bright tone.

“I’ve been here so long, yet I never knew such a grove existed.”

Seeing the girl’s radiant smile, Zhou Yan felt a secret pang of regret. Had he known that bringing her to see such a sight would win him a smile, he would have brought her here much sooner.

After tethering the horse nearby, he stroded toward her. “Ever since Wanwan came to the grasslands, you’ve been like a little lazy bird, barely leaving your tent. Naturally, you wouldn’t have seen such beautiful scenery.”

If it weren’t for the fact that he had forcibly abducted her and soured her spirit, she wouldn’t have been so withdrawn. Ultimately, it was his fault. But with such beauty before her, she didn’t want to dwell on it.

Jiang Wanshu ignored his remark and walked ahead to enjoy the view alone. Captured by the fragrance, she raised her slender arms and opened her palms to catch the falling yellow petals.

Zhou Yan stayed where he was, silently watching the girl’s lively movements as she lingered among the trees. He watched as the blossoms scattered; one delicate petal fell from her ink-black hair, brushed against her white neck, and slipped into the swell of her chest.

The scene from that night flashed back in his mind, and a fire began to stir in his heart.

Zhou Yan had never been one to control his impulses in front of Jiang Wanshu. Faced with a beauty like a painting, his desire flared. He lunged forward, swept her up by the waist, and pressed her against a wintersweet tree.

His rough, large palm stroked her silky hair. His breathing grew heavy, and before Jiang Wanshu could react, his handsome face moved closer, his eyes full of passion. His scorching lips pressed firmly against her pink ones.

The faint scent of plum blossoms filled her nose. Jiang Wanshu, dazed by the kiss, hurriedly slapped at the man’s arms.

Thinking he was being too rough, Zhou Yan pulled his lips back slightly, only to be met by Jiang Wanshu’s sharp teeth biting him. “Zhou Yan, can you stop going into heat whenever and wherever you please!”

Having stayed with him for so long, Jiang Wanshu realized she had picked up his coarse way of speaking. As soon as the words left her mouth, she was shocked by her own vulgarity and covered her lips with her hand.

She felt truly at a loss; she really had become a victim of the saying, “He who touches pitch shall be defiled.”

Zhou Yan was amused by her startled expression. He raised his brows and grinned like a rogue. “As if Wanwan didn’t know—I only act this way toward you.”

In the presence of such beauty, Zhou Yan surprisingly didn’t ruin the mood further. However, the person before him found it difficult. Seeing that Zhou Yan looked ready for another round, she hastily backed away.

Unaware that a thin trunk was blocking her path, she suddenly lost her balance and was about to fall. Terrified, Jiang Wanshu reached out to grab the back of his head. Just as she was about to hit the ground, at the critical moment, the man firmly caught her by the waist and pulled her back up into the air.

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