freenovelworld Chapter 39 Earrings
Chapter 39 Earrings
It was only long after Fu Zijin left that the acupoints on Xie Wanqing's body were unsealed.
She stumbled and swayed, almost falling to the ground in a sorry state if she hadn't reached out and grabbed the artificial rock beside her in time.
Her body ached terribly from the prolonged stiffness, but the physical pain paled in comparison to the humiliation and anger she felt inside.
Recalling Fu Zijin's icy gaze and heartless words, Xie Wanqing felt as if her heart was being torn apart, the pain almost suffocating her. She bit her lower lip tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, almost drawing blood.
Xie Wanqing recalled everything she had done for Fu Zijin, the sleepless nights she spent for him, and even her willingness to become enemies with her aunt's family. But in the end, all she received in return was his merciless humiliation and abandonment.
Where exactly did she fall short of Shen Jingshu? In terms of appearance, she felt she was no less beautiful than Shen Jingshu; in terms of talent, she too had been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood.
Why does Fu Zijin only have eyes for Shen Jingshu? Why is he so heartless towards me?
Intense resentment and bitterness writhed in Xie Wanqing's heart, gnawing at her reason like a venomous snake. She hated Fu Zijin for his heartlessness and treachery, and she hated Shen Jingshu's seemingly innate "good luck" even more.
"Miss, are you alright?" Biyi and Feiyun had just had their acupoints released, and the two cautiously stepped forward, their faces filled with worry and fear, their voices trembling slightly.
"Get out of my way!" Xie Wanqing shoved them away violently. "It's all because of you two wretched maids that I've lost face in front of Brother Zijin!"
Biyi and Feiyun were pushed so hard they almost fell to the ground. Without hesitation, they knelt down with a thud and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Please calm down, Miss! We know we were wrong!"
"You admit you're wrong? You know you're wrong now? Too late! Get back here, all of you!"
Biyi and Feiyun trembled with fear, not daring to raise their heads. They could only whisper their agreement and follow Xie Wanqing as they slunk away from Shaoguang Courtyard.
Shen Jingshu stood at the entrance of Shaoguang Courtyard, coldly watching Xie Wanqing's departing figure. A cold smile curled at the corner of her lips. Let her taste the pain of being used and abandoned by the one she loved.
Fu Zijin returned to his residence in Liuyin Lane, sat down at his desk, picked up his brush, and began to draw a portrait of Shen Jingshu again. Every stroke was filled with deep affection.
After finishing the painting, he pinched a corner of the Xuan paper and placed the painting over the candle. The firelight illuminated his face, sometimes bright and sometimes dim, making it impossible to see what kind of expression he had.
"Jing Shu, why won't you believe me?" Fu Zijin murmured to himself, looking at the burning portrait.
Looking at him like this, Qingzhu felt a chill run down her spine, as if the atmosphere in the room was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
The night was as dark as ink, but the Jiang residence was brightly lit.
Wuchen quietly left the study and came to Jiang Jin'an, saying in a low voice, "Young Master, I have something to report."
"explain."
"Today, Miss Shen met with Fu Zijin at the manor." Wuchen's voice was low, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet study.
Jiang Jin'an's pupils contracted slightly, and the scroll in his hand became somewhat deformed from his grip. He remained silent for a moment before asking, "Are there only the two of them?"
"Yes," Wuchen replied.
The study was deathly silent, with only the occasional chirping of insects coming from outside the window.
Seeing this, Lin Yu couldn't help but ask Wu Chen with his eyes: What did they say?
Wuchen shook his head and responded with his eyes: I didn't hear you.
After a long silence, Jiang Jin'an closed his eyes and said, "From now on, you don't need to report such things to me."
"But this..."
“Since I’ve left you with her, you belong to her.” Jiang Jin’an interrupted him. “She has her reasons for what she wants to do. Your duty is to protect her, not to monitor her every move.”
Wu Chen was taken aback, lowered his head, and said respectfully, "Your subordinate understands."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The next day, Gu Changyi sat alone in the room, holding a book in her hands, but she didn't turn a single page.
A knock sounded at the door. Gu Changyi looked up and saw Changfeng walk in, his expression quite complicated. "Young Master, Miss Wen is here again. What do you think?"
To be honest, Changfeng had never seen such a proactive noblewoman.
Every day, he would find all sorts of excuses to see his young master, and each time he would bring homemade pastries, even giving some to Changfeng and the gatekeeper. Since he was obliged to accept their gifts, he had no choice but to coax Gu Changyi out to meet Wen Yin every day as well.
A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Changyi's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by helplessness. He coughed lightly, put down the book in his hand, straightened his clothes, and stood up, saying, "Let her in."
Before long, Wen Yin jogged in and pushed open the door. She had bright eyes and white teeth, and her pretty face showed a touch of cuteness. "Gu Er, Changfeng said you were bored in the study, so I came to keep you company."
Gu Changyi glanced at Changfeng, then turned to Wen Yin, feigning displeasure as she asked, "Why are you here again? I was just studying, what brings you here under the guise of one of my sisters?"
Wen Yin blinked and placed the food box on the table. "Reading should be done in moderation. Burying yourself in books all day will make you stupid. I brought some pastries to keep you company. I'm not here as your sister, I'm here as your friend!"
Just as Gu Changyi was about to respond, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted them. A servant rushed in, panting, and said, "Second Young Master, the Young Master requests your presence."
Gu Changyi's brows furrowed instantly, and he said to Wen Yin, "You eat first, wait for me here, I'll be right back."
Then he instructed Changfeng, "Find two clever maids to keep her company."
"Oh, no need, I—" Before Wen Yin could finish speaking, Gu Changyi had already strode out the door. Changfeng watched his young master's departing figure, shook his head at Wen Yin, and followed him out.
Upon arriving at Gu Changfeng's courtyard, he became secretly on guard. Sure enough, as soon as he entered, Gu Changfeng immediately launched into a tirade of reprimands.
"Changyi, look at you, idle and aimless all day long, you don't look like the second young master of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion at all!" Gu Changfeng sat in the armchair, playing with a teacup in his hand, his eyes full of disdain.
Gu Changyi, with a nonchalant air, casually replied, "Ah, yes, yes, brother is right. You are busy with countless affairs every day, you are naturally a dragon among men, how can I, a leisurely person, compare with you?"
Gu Changfeng snorted coldly, stood up, pulled a thick stack of rosters from the servant's hand, and threw it forcefully at Gu Changyi. "Father sent you to the army for roll call so you wouldn't be running around all day, bringing shame to the manor."
Gu Changyi reached out and took the roster. It felt heavy in his hand. He flipped through it and was dizzy from the dense list of names. "So many names, how long will it take to go through?"
"If you don't want to go, I'll go and tell Father right now that you, Gu Changyi, are unambitious and unfit for important positions!"
Gu Changyi shrugged, and just as he was about to leave, the interplay of light and shadow caused an earring under the table to block out the sunlight, dazzling his eyes.
He bent down and picked up the earring, finding its style quite familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.