Waiting for You for a Long Time, But You Haven't Arrived - Chapter 5

Don’t Covet the People By My Side

Before dawn, Jiang Qionghua had already left.

Ming Yishu couldn’t sleep again. She watched the moonlight all night, and after daybreak, she heard the news that the Prime Minister had entered the palace.

“Is the young lady not feeling well?” Her maid, Su Qian’er, seeing her rather unhappy, suggested, “A few months ago, the Prime Minister sent someone to make a jade flute for you. It just arrived at the mansion today. Why don’t I accompany you to the Plum Garden to try it out?”

Ming Yishu turned her head, temporarily putting aside her worries: “How come I didn’t know about this?”

Su Qian’er smiled: “Someone presented the jade to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister saw that the jade was a rare treasure and considered making a set of jewelry for you. Later, hearing that you love music, she specifically sought out master craftsmen in the capital to prioritize making the jade flute… Young Lady, the Prime Minister treats you so well. Such favor is nowhere else to be found in the world.”

Ming Yishu had heard of that jade. The capital had been buzzing about a rare piece of beautiful jade appearing during that time, but she never expected that piece of jade to enter the Prime Minister’s mansion and be given to her by her aunt.

This preferential treatment made her feel a little overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.

Just as she was pondering, the servants of the Prime Minister’s mansion indeed delivered the jade flute. The servant who brought it explained, “The Prime Minister originally intended to bring it to you personally, Miss Ming, but she left in a hurry today, so she instructed us to deliver it.”

A flute made of beautiful jade—Ming Yishu took out the exquisitely crafted jade flute, and her gradually chilling heart was uncontrollably stirred again.

After what happened last night, she had been low for a long time, but today, seeing this flute made with such utmost care, all the sadness that had been weighing on her heart dispersed.

Her aunt did care about her.

She comforted herself that last night’s incident must have been because her aunt had been having a nightmare, which caused her to act differently than usual.

Ming Yishu stroked the jade flute. Although the touch was cold, it still made her heart feel warm. In her real life, she had visited museums, and many burial objects on display were breathtakingly exquisite. The volunteer docents joked that some of the burial items were likely treasures offered by the entire nation, which the ruler had passed on to a loved one. Thousands of years later, even if the tomb owner had turned to dust, the extravagance and love she received in her time could still be seen from her grave goods.

At the time, the young women listening to the explanation gasped with envy. Ming Yishu, mixed in the crowd, quietly watched the cold burial objects in the display case, also sensing the genuine emotions that spanned millennia.

Unfortunately, she died at the age of twenty-one, without the chance to witness her own romantic love.

When she woke up again, she was in the Prime Minister’s mansion.

Ming Yishu stared distractedly at the jade flute in her hand, revealing a slight smile. She thought, how wonderful, that something she had envied was now happening to her.

If she were to die in this world, she would surely choose this item as a grave good, so as not to have lived here in vain.

She would never forget her aunt’s kindness for the rest of her life. Ming Yishu held the jade flute tightly to her chest, entrusting her entire heart to it.

In some respects, the spiritual aura of ancient master craftsmen is something modern technology cannot replicate or reproduce. On her way to the Plum Garden, Ming Yishu kept admiring the jade flute, tracing every detail and feeling the innate spiritual aura upon it.

Su Qian’er smiled too, seeing Ming Yishu happy: “Young Lady, try it quickly. When the Prime Minister returns to the mansion today, she will be able to hear your music.”

Ming Yishu replied with a smile, “Alright.”

Except when she was with Jiang Qionghua, Ming Yishu rarely showed such a captivating smile. Su Qian’er was momentarily mesmerized.

The Plum Garden was deserted. The combined beauty of the flowers and the snow could not rival Ming Yishu’s. She stood there quietly, not needing to make any special expression, yet she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Su Qian’er stepped back a few paces, her ears slightly red, and whispered, “I’ll go to the windbreak to shield you from the cold.”

Ming Yishu always indulged the young maid under her. Even with such a clumsy excuse, she wouldn’t refuse, simply assuming the maid wanted to enjoy the snow.

“The snowy road is slippery, be careful,” Ming Yishu instructed, “Don’t fall.”

Su Qian’er’s earlobes turned redder: “Mhm.”

The fine jade produced clear and melodious flute sounds. Ming Yishu stood alone in the Plum Garden, and Su Qian’er stood not far behind her, intently watching her back. She became engrossed without realizing it, and when she snapped back to attention, her feet, buried in the snow, were already frozen stiff.

How could there be such a kind and beautiful mistress as Miss Ming? Su Qian’er shivered with cold and sighed with emotion at the same time: it made sense that Miss Ming was so favored by the Prime Minister.

Just as Su Qian’er wanted to keep listening, the music suddenly stopped.

Someone seemed to have arrived behind them. Su Qian’er glanced hastily and saw a repulsive figure in the snowy scene.

“Young Lady, hurry and leave!” Su Qian’er walked toward Ming Yishu in a slight panic, whispering a warning, “Secretary Kang is lustful. Let’s not run into him; it’s bad luck.”

Ming Yishu had heard the name. This person worked under her aunt and had indeed received some heavy reliance recently. Because of this, Secretary Kang had ruined many decent girls.

She didn’t want to meet him. Even the slightest exchange would disgust her. The Plum Garden was large enough to take a detour to avoid him.

However, in the snow-covered Plum Garden, human figures always stood out prominently. Ming Yishu had not walked far when she heard someone call out for her to stop.

Ming Yishu silently stopped, her inner revulsion growing stronger.

“Was that the young lady playing the tune just now?” Secretary Kang performed a scholarly bow as a pretense, but, taking advantage of the isolation, he actively circled in front of Ming Yishu to bother her. He teased, “This music is truly ethereal and beautiful. This official often enjoys listening to little tunes in brothels and taverns in my leisure time, but I’ve never heard the tune the young lady just played. Would the young lady honor this official by playing another tune for me, to satisfy my craving.”

Of course, he couldn’t have heard it. After all, what Ming Yishu was playing was a piece composed by a modern musician, refined through the appreciation of hundreds of millions of listeners; its artistic achievement was far beyond what brothels and taverns could offer.

Just as Ming Yishu was about to say something, Su Qian’er beside her suddenly spoke up and stepped forward.

Su Qian’er took a few steps closer, blocking Secretary Kang’s repulsive gaze from Ming Yishu, and said, “It was me who played it.”

Secretary Kang withdrew his gaze from Ming Yishu, intrigued: “Oh? Was it you?”

He had thought it was the beauty in front of him, but it turned out to be this little maid.

Ming Yishu hated his gaze and was worried about Su Qian’er being targeted, so she bid him farewell: “It’s freezing cold. I don’t know why Secretary Kang is at the Prime Minister’s mansion, but I’ll take my people back now. I won’t see you out.”

At this, Secretary Kang’s mind, distracted by the beauty, finally came back to him. He realized Ming Yishu sounded like a noble lady kept within the Prime Minister’s mansion, and he had carelessly disturbed her.

Everyone working under the Prime Minister knew there was someone in the mansion. Secretary Kang didn’t dare to target this person, and he was fortunate that the one who played the flute wasn’t her.

He had come to the mansion today to see the Prime Minister but heard she had gone to the palace. He was just about to leave when he heard music coming from the Plum Garden, so he came to check. If he couldn’t find a beauty, taking a music-playing girl back for amusement wouldn’t be a wasted trip. He was currently heavily relied upon by the Prime Minister, so asking the mansion for a songstress would certainly not be a problem.

“So it is Miss Ming. This official almost didn’t recognize you.” Secretary Kang no longer dared to look around wildly, letting his gaze fall on Su Qian’er’s face. “The maid under Miss Ming is quite pretty, too. This official finds her quite pleasing. May I ask if the young lady would be willing to part with her for this official…”

A person with monstrous desires has dirty eyes. Su Qian’er tensed her shoulders, a little afraid, but thinking of the young lady behind her, she resolutely stood her ground.

Secretary Kang said: “Look at this little girl. I’m not a ravenous beast. If you follow me, I will treat you very well.”

The last few words were practically a threat. Su Qian’er’s hands and feet were trembling. Thinking of her potential fate, she was so scared she was close to tears.

In this scene, Ming Yishu felt as if she was seeing her former self, facing male classmates who whistled at her, shamelessly examining her face, ready to spew abuse and insults if they didn’t get a favorable reaction.

“Secretary Kang, watch yourself,” Ming Yishu shielded Su Qian’er behind her and decisively refused Secretary Kang, “Please leave—”

She was unwilling to even pretend to be civil. Secretary Kang was in the prime of his power, and few women dared to blatantly reject him like this.

“It’s just a maid. The young lady is too stingy.” Secretary Kang’s face gradually turned gloomy, and his gaze towards Su Qian’er became even more intimidating. “Even the Prime Minister would give a servant to this official if I asked for one.”

Ming Yishu spoke coldly: “She is my person. If I say I won’t give her away, is Secretary Kang going to snatch her?”

Secretary Kang inexplicably looked at Ming Yishu, thinking: Is it necessary to make such a fuss? It’s just asking for a person. Why is Ming Yishu’s attitude so awful?

The servants in the Prime Minister’s mansion all gave him some respect, and he was allowed to enter the Plum Garden. Even if he were to snatch this maid today, no one should stop him.

Seeing the atmosphere turn hostile, Su Qian’er, with red eyes, tugged at Ming Yishu’s sleeve and whispered, “Young Lady, you don’t have to be troubled. Don’t provoke Secretary Kang. I’m just a servant. You…”

—You can completely protect yourself.

She didn’t voice the last half of the sentence. Everyone knew Secretary Kang was petty and vengeful. It wasn’t necessary for Miss Ming to offend him just for a servant.

Su Qian’er thought that after she was taken, Secretary Kang, knowing she couldn’t play the flute, would probably get tired of torturing her after a few days. Then, she could try to find a way to survive again.

Secretary Kang also laughed: “See, Young Lady? Even your maid is being sensible. You don’t need to give me such a sour face.”

Ming Yishu did not back down, her expression cold and aloof: “But I choose not to let her go.”

Secretary Kang’s expression immediately became extremely awkward. He hadn’t expected to be frustrated repeatedly, and he wouldn’t allow a woman to reject him so much. He angrily wanted to step forward and drag Su Qian’er away: “This is not up to you.”

He insisted on pulling Su Qian’er. Taking a step forward, he suddenly felt a fierce gust of wind attack him, like a breaking blade, scaring him into hastily retreating.

Looking closely, it wasn’t a blade but a jade flute.

It was only a jade flute, yet Ming Yishu wielded it with the force of a sharp knife. Secretary Kang was a civil official and had never experienced such terrifying killing intent.

His throat moved, and he said with difficulty, “You, you really are…”

Ming Yishu pointed the jade flute at his face: “If you don’t want to die, get out of the Prime Minister’s mansion. This is not a place for an animal like you to run amok.”

Her words were too firm and serious, almost as if she were the owner of the Prime Minister’s mansion. Secretary Kang had initially thought she was a noble lady housed by Jiang Qionghua, but now, hearing her, he suddenly felt it might not be that simple. A normal woman being kept wouldn’t be so upright and arrogant.

Secretary Kang was so scared that his legs felt weak, and he hurriedly wanted to leave.

“Put away your filthy thoughts. Don’t covet the people by my side,” Ming Yishu said. “This jade flute is in my possession. If you seek revenge, seek revenge on me.”

Secretary Kang raised his eyes in fear and uneasiness, and cold sweat immediately poured down—the jade used for this flute was the one he had presented to the Prime Minister. There was only this one piece in the world. He had intended to flatter the Prime Minister, but he never thought Prime Minister Jiang would actually use it to make a jade flute for the woman in front of him.

Fortunately, he had not set his mind on this young lady today, or his head might not be safe.

He fled the Plum Garden, his steps light and unsteady, drenched in cold sweat as he left the Prime Minister’s mansion.

In his haste, he nearly bumped into someone.

Bolu entered the Prime Minister’s mansion from outside, intending to deliver a message to Ming Yishu according to the Prime Minister’s instructions. Unexpectedly, he ran head-on into Secretary Kang. Knowing this person was lustful, Bolu’s seemingly casual greeting was a test: “Secretary Kang, slow down. Our young lady was also in the Plum Garden just now. I hope you didn’t disturb her.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Secretary Kang wiped his sweat, waving his hands urgently, “I didn’t meet her.”

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