The Eldest Princess' Substitute Husband (Transmigration) - Chapter 8

“She felt it was tainted.”

Song Jinsheng’s heart tightened; for a moment, she had no words.

Heavens above, of all places, why did it have to be here? A rouge shop, of all things. Right now she wore the guise of a man, yet what respectable “young gentleman” would stroll into a shop selling cosmetics?

“What’s wrong, husband?” Wei Luoyi’s tone sank when she saw her falter, the faint smile at her lips fading away.

Song Jinsheng guiltily averted her gaze, stammering twice before a sudden idea struck. “I… came here because the shopkeeper mentioned a new rouge had just arrived. I thought I’d buy some as a gift for my—my wife.”

“I didn’t expect to run into you here of all places.”

Her lie came out smooth, her face calm, her eyes fixed straight on Wei Luoyi with a solemn air, as though every word were true. But Wei Luoyi said nothing in reply, merely watching her in silence.

What lay behind those eyes of hers, Song Jinsheng had never been able to read. Or perhaps there had never been much emotion in them to begin with.

“If that’s so, then I must thank my husband for his thoughtfulness. I never imagined that even while out, you’d have me on your mind.”

Hearing her finally respond, Song Jinsheng quietly breathed out in relief and quickly followed her lead. “Why be so distant? Of course I would think of you.”

“Do you want to keep looking around? If not, let me take you somewhere else. I know a few stalls nearby that sell little trinkets. You might like them.”

Without waiting for her answer, Song Jinsheng reached out and took Wei Luoyi’s wrist, gently tugging her toward the door.

Su Ran was still inside. The longer they stayed in this shop, the more chance for trouble. Best to leave quickly.

Wei Luoyi didn’t protest. She lowered her gaze to the hand clutching her wrist, brows faintly knitting with a trace of puzzlement. Yet she didn’t pull away, allowing herself to be led.

Song Jinsheng’s instincts proved right.

They had not even reached the door when a startled cry rang out behind them, stopping both her and Wei Luoyi in their tracks.

“Oh heavens, miss, are you all right? I’m terribly sorry!” The shopkeeper bent to gather the shards of a teacup, her face full of apologies as she looked at Su Ran, who had been startled, and at the flustered little boy beside her.

Pulling the boy behind her, the shopkeeper scolded him sharply before turning back to Su Ran. “So sorry, miss. My son is terribly mischievous. He didn’t mean it.”

Su Ran herself was unharmed. Only her sleeve had caught some water when the teacup shattered, leaving a damp patch.

She drew out a silk handkerchief and dabbed at it carefully, then looked up at the shopkeeper, who was still apologizing nonstop, and sighed softly. “It’s nothing. Only my clothes are wet.”

“Thank goodness. You’re really most forgiving…”

With that, the little commotion came to an end. The shopkeeper dragged her son into the back room, while Su Ran continued to wipe at her sleeve with the handkerchief.

“Let’s go, my lady.” Song Jinsheng came back to herself and glanced at Wei Luoyi, who still hadn’t looked away from Su Ran, a faint unease rising in her chest.

“Husband.” Wei Luoyi finally drew back her gaze and lifted her eyes to Song Jinsheng.

“That handkerchief I gave you before. Do you still have it?”

Song Jinsheng froze. She didn’t know why Wei Luoyi brought this up now, but she obediently reached toward her robe. “Of course, I always keep it with me…”

Halfway through her words, her fingers brushed only fabric. The handkerchief was nowhere to be found. She stiffened.

Wait—where was it?

She clearly remembered tucking it into this very robe.

Wei Luoyi quietly watched her faltering movements, then lifted her lashes and looked her in the eye. “Do you?”

“Uh…” Song Jinsheng frowned, racking her memory, but couldn’t recall where it had gone.

“Perhaps I left it in the residence… didn’t bring it out today.”

“Oh?” Wei Luoyi let out a faint laugh, then turned her gaze toward Su Ran, still holding a delicately embroidered silk handkerchief. “Husband, don’t you think the one in that young lady’s hand looks remarkably like the one I gave you?”

At that, Song Jinsheng whipped her head around, meeting Su Ran’s eyes before quickly looking away. When her gaze fell on the handkerchief in Su Ran’s hand, realization struck. It must have been the one she had left behind at Qili Xiang the other day.

She glanced at Su Ran, then at Wei Luoyi, wanting to explain but finding her throat tight, no words forming.

Left with no choice, she strode over to Su Ran in a few quick steps, feigning surprise as she raised her voice. “Oh! Miss, where did you get that handkerchief?”

Su Ran furrowed her brows in confusion, staring at her until Song Jinsheng gave a quick blink. Understanding dawned.

“Ah…” Su Ran’s eyes flicked to Wei Luoyi not far away before she played along, speaking louder: “This handkerchief, I picked it up in a private room at a teahouse. I thought it was pretty, so I kept it.”

“Could it be yours, young sir?”

“Yes, exactly! It’s mine…”

“…”

Wei Luoyi remained where she was, coldly watching the two of them perform a neat little act before her eyes, feigning it with practiced ease. Truly, her “husband” went to great lengths.

That very morning, upon hearing that Song Jinsheng had left the residence again, she had already sent people to investigate who it was she had been meeting with these past few days. And as fate would have it, she now saw for herself.

She had no desire to watch any longer. By the time Song Jinsheng retrieved the handkerchief with a bright smile and turned back, Wei Luoyi had already stepped across the threshold of the shop, her measured pace unhurried, leaving Song Jinsheng to catch up.

“Your Highness—Your Highness, I’ve got the handkerchief back. I must have dropped it at the teahouse the other day, and that’s how she picked it up.”

Song Jinsheng hurried to her side, folding the handkerchief neatly and offering it with both hands, her eyes flicking toward Wei Luoyi’s face to gauge her reaction.

Wei Luoyi paused, lowering her gaze to the handkerchief in her hand before lifting her eyes toward Chunyue, signaling her maid to take it away.

Her carriage was still waiting ahead. The two walked side by side in silence. Song Jinsheng wore no mask today, her handsome features—red lips and white teeth were fully revealed. As for Wei Luoyi, though her veil hid her face, one needed only to see the brilliance in her eyes to imagine the breathtaking beauty beneath.

The pair made such a striking couple that passersby on the busy street couldn’t help but look back again and again.

Yet Wei Luoyi’s gaze never wavered from the road ahead, not once sparing her companion a glance. Song Jinsheng, too, seemed unbothered, though from time to time she stole a look at the silent woman beside her, her heart turning over with unease.

Why did the princess seem colder than usual today?

Could it be…

Lost in thought, Song Jinsheng lowered her eyes to the ground as they walked. After some hesitation, she finally raised her head again, leaning closer to ask softly, “Your Highness… are you angry with me?”

Wei Luoyi started slightly, her pace slowing as she turned to frown at her, eyes full of puzzlement.

Angry?

With whom? For what?

She hadn’t wanted to touch that handkerchief. To her, it felt unclean, even distasteful to look upon. But did that count as anger?

******

[Author’s Note]
Here’s a little analysis of the princess’s feelings toward Xiao Song at this point: she still sees her primarily as a convenient tool, but ever since Song Jinsheng “woke up,” she has found her unexpectedly amusing. Mostly, it’s curiosity, not affection. Still, whatever belongs to her, she doesn’t like to see it tainted by anyone else.

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