The Runaway Bride 10
Chen Yao blinked, forcing herself to drag her wandering thoughts back to the present.
But since Xie Qingyan had already caught up, she no longer felt like strolling around with Xie Yi'an.
"Yi'an, I hope you had fun today."
When they reached an open area, Chen Yao bent down, intending to gently wipe the corner of the little girl's mouth, which still had a trace of sugar coating.
"Thank you, Sister Jiang, but I can do it myself."
Xie Yi'an's small face flushed red, and she shyly reached out to take the brocade handkerchief from Chen Yao's hand, wanting to wipe her own mouth.
Her voice was soft and a little embarrassed as she nodded. "Mm, I had a lot of fun today."
"That's good." Chen Yao smiled.
But then she noticed that the handkerchief she had pulled out had a corner embroidered not with a small peony, but with the abstract ball of tangled thread she had haphazardly stitched that morning.
Chen Yao: "..."
The corner of her eye twitched, and she noticed that Xie Yi'an, after wiping her mouth, kept holding the handkerchief tightly in her little hand.
If only she hadn't thought it was her first embroidery piece and had Chuntao wash it and tuck it into her own clothes.
Until they parted ways, she hesitated, but couldn't bring herself to ask the little girl to return the handkerchief.
---
On the carriage back to the Xie mansion.
Xie Yi'an looked down at the handkerchief in her hand, and although her little face remained as calm as ever, Xie Qingyan, sitting across from her, could sense a change in his sister's mood.
"Does Yi'an like Elder Miss Jiang very much?"
His voice was warm and clear, and although it was phrased as a question, he already had his answer.
Xie Yi'an sat upright, nodding with a reserved air. "Sister Jiang is very kind."
"She will be your sister-in-law in the future," Xie Qingyan said. "If you like her, you can spend more time with her later."
Xie Yi'an glanced at her elder brother. "But I feel that Sister Jiang... doesn't seem to pay much attention to Brother?"
Xie Qingyan was silent for a moment. It was only their second meeting, but he was already somewhat accustomed to Jiang Chenyao's ignoring him.
"She's just not familiar with me," he said, still calm on the surface. "Once she's married into the family, everything will naturally be fine."
After all, it was a marriage arranged by the elders, and he had never spent time with his betrothed before, so it was only natural that she felt strange and ill at ease with him now.
Xie Qingyan reassured himself, and thinking about marrying Jiang Chenyao in the coming year, he had to admit that he wasn't averse to it—in fact, he was faintly looking forward to it.
Xie Yi'an was relieved. "Then I look forward to Sister Jiang moving into the mansion too."
That way, she could see her every day, she thought happily.
"That silk handkerchief in your hand..." Xie Qingyan suddenly changed the subject.
Xie Yi'an didn't immediately follow her brother's question and tilted her head. "Hmm? It's from Sister Jiang."
She looked down and tapped the ball of thread at the corner with her finger. "I think Sister Jiang embroidered it herself, but I can't tell what it is."
"Her original handkerchief was embroidered with a peony," Xie Qingyan said.
Xie Yi'an suddenly understood. "Brother, you're very observant. But peonies are the beauty of the nation, and they suit Sister Jiang well."
Xie Qingyan gave a soft "Mm," then picked up the teacup on the small table beside him and took a light sip.
Xie Yi'an sensed her brother seemed hesitant to speak, and her expression turned thoughtful. After a slight pause, she said, "Brother... do you want Sister Jiang's handkerchief?"
Xie Qingyan couldn't help but cough lightly, and the amber-colored tea in his hand swayed slightly. He set down the teacup, trying to look nonchalant. "Why would you think that?"
"Because that's the feeling you give Yi'an, Brother," she said honestly.
He kept glancing at the handkerchief she was holding in her hand.
"That's not what I meant," Xie Qingyan said calmly. "It's just that a handkerchief is a personal item for a young lady. I was just reminding you to handle it properly."
Xie Yi'an expressed understanding. "Mm."
She didn't care what her brother thought; she would keep Sister Jiang's handkerchief for herself.
Mother had said that close sisters exchanged silk handkerchiefs, so next time, she would give Sister Jiang one of her own embroidered ones as a return gift.
Xie Qingyan fell silent and finally looked away.
---
As autumn arrived, the summer heat gradually receded, and a gentle breeze brought a hint of coolness and moisture.
It was also the best time for the noble young men and ladies of the capital to take pleasure boats out on the lake to enjoy the scenery.
Chen Yao didn't have such refined tastes, but the plot point where she won over Xie Yi'an and saved her life happened on a pleasure boat called the "Floating Jade."
So she had to come and stage a chance encounter.
At the moment, Chen Yao was sitting in the flower hall on the first floor of the boat. Accompanied by the ethereal sound of a zither, the literati around her gathered in twos and threes, reciting poetry and composing verses, discussing lofty topics—a veritable ancient version of a literary salon.
Unfortunately, her literary cultivation wasn't up to par, and she had always shied away from such gatherings. So she quickly stood up and walked out of the cabin.
The outer edge of the boat was lined with vermilion carved railings. There was no moon that night, and only a few sparse stars scattered across the sky. Only the colorful lanterns hanging from the cabin cast a warm yellow glow.
Chen Yao narrowed her eyes, feeling the slightly damp autumn breeze brush against her face.
All she could hear was the sound of the boat cutting through the water and the rustling of reeds swaying in the wind.
"How much longer do I have to hold this pose?" she asked stiffly.
"Lean your body forward another 7 degrees, relax your shoulders and press them down naturally, and let your eyes droop slightly..." System 04 continued to direct.
Soon, it replied with satisfaction, "Done. Take a look."
"System, you're my god!"
Chen Yao looked at the photo before her—full of shimmering light and atmosphere—and felt utterly delighted, letting the sweet words flow freely.
Then the two of them continued snapping photos merrily.
Until...
"Sister Jiang?" A slightly hesitant child's voice came from behind.
Chen Yao turned around and, sure enough, saw Xie Yi'an standing behind her, eyes shining as she looked at her with some surprise.
Today, she wore her hair in cute double buns, and a bright pomegranate-red brocade dress, looking as adorable as a snow doll.
"It's me," Chen Yao replied, a smile spreading across her face. "Yi'an, you're here too? Seems we're destined to meet."
Xie Yi'an couldn't help but smile behind her hand. "I came with Third Brother, but he's too busy competing in poetry with the others right now."
Actually, she liked it too, but the adults saw her as just a little girl and only teased her without taking her seriously.
Xie Yi'an found it utterly boring, so she left the flower hall by herself to get some fresh air.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Jiang Chenyao on the same boat, and her mood immediately brightened.