Chapter 76

The cotton tree in the courtyard rustled in the autumn wind, its pod-like fruits swaying and falling into the nearby pond. Some floated through the window into the room.

In the bedroom, Shen Yao Xing lay sprawled on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Five days had passed, and he hadn’t come to see her, nor called for her to visit, not even once. In the past, Shen Yao Xing would have been glad for the peace, but now… she felt somewhat bored.

She didn’t know what to do with herself all day. Lying down was boring, standing was uncomfortable, her whole body felt ill at ease.

Shen Yao Xing rolled over, staring blankly at the carpet beside the bed. She had thought a lot these past few days, feeling he must be angry, which is why he suddenly ignored her. But then she realized she hadn’t done anything to anger him.

After all, that day she had accompanied him from morning until sunset, and everything seemed fine then. How could he suddenly become angry?

So she thought of another possibility – that he had suddenly realized she had many flaws, decided being with her wasn’t worth it, and thus became so cold overnight.

Shen Yao Xing felt a bit sad. After all, he was the first man she had liked in this world. She felt a sense of having her feelings played with.

Hei Sha, Bai Sha and Qing Shu, waiting outside the room, sensed their young lady’s low mood and exchanged glances. Finally, Bai Sha was pushed inside. She peeked carefully through the beaded curtain, observing the girl’s expression. “Young miss… is something troubling you?”

Outside, Hei Sha and Qing Shu rolled their eyes at such an obvious question.

Shen Yao Xing suddenly sat up, startling Bai Sha. She quickly got out of bed, put on her shoes, paced the bedroom twice, then looked at the three of them and said gravely: “My feelings have been deceived.”

Hei Sha, Bai Sha and Qing Shu: “…Huh???”

Bai Sha’s face twitched as she tentatively asked, “You mean by young master Ming Yue?”

Shen Yao Xing silently nodded, then recounted the events of that day in detail, though omitting what happened outside the temple. As a result, the three didn’t know why Jiang Ming Yue was angry.

“They say men’s moods are unpredictable. Perhaps young master Ming Yue was simply in a bad mood that day, which is why he treated you that way, young miss,” Qing Shu said naively.

“Then why hasn’t he asked to see me these past few days?”

“If young master Ming Yue doesn’t say anything, you could take the initiative to go see him, young miss. Maybe he’s waiting for you to go to him,” Bai Sha suggested.

“…Really?” Shen Yao Xing looked doubtful.

Hei Sha nodded in agreement, “Bai… Bai… Bai Sha… has… has a… a point!”

“I see…”

“Or young miss could write a letter to young master Ming Yue. Men seem to like that sort of thing. If he’s really angry with you, perhaps reading a letter would cheer him up,” Bai Sha continued enthusiastically.

This suggestion was unanimously approved by the other two spectators present.

“Write a letter? What kind of letter?” Shen Yao Xing humbly asked for guidance.

“I know, a love letter!”

“A love letter?” Shen Yao Xing’s eyes widened.

“Mm!” The three nodded in unison.

“But, but I… I don’t know how…” Shen Yao Xing stammered. Writing a love letter! Wouldn’t that be too forward for a girl? She’d never done such a thing even in her past life, though she’d only lived sixteen years then.

At this moment, Shen Yao Xing had completely forgotten that in this world, men were supposed to be the reserved ones.

Urged on by the three, Shen Yao Xing reluctantly went to the writing desk, but didn’t know how to begin. Bai Sha offered more suggestions, taking a few books from the nearby bookshelf.

“Young miss, we can copy from these books!”

Shen Yao Xing gave her an approving look, but after flipping through several books, she couldn’t find anything suitable. They were either too mushy or too profound. She preferred something more straightforward – what if Jiang Ming Yue couldn’t understand?

“Young miss, if you understand it, surely young master Ming Yue will too,” Bai Sha mumbled quietly.

Shen Yao Xing clenched her fist. “What do you mean by that?”

Bai Sha immediately shut her mouth.

Ignoring her, Shen Yao Xing rested her chin on her hand, staring thoughtfully at the envelope. Suddenly, inspiration struck. She grinned excitedly and began to write, while Hei Sha, Bai Sha and Qing Shu curiously peered over.

Lost in thought, Shen Yao Xing unconsciously murmured aloud: “Ah, you are the dazzling moon in the sky… I am the inconspicuous star by your side…”

As she continued writing, she couldn’t help but chuckle to herself.

The simple-minded Qing Shu watched admiringly from the side: “Young miss, you’re so talented!”

Hei Sha and Bai Sha: “…”

The young lady had completely forgotten about being reserved. At this moment, she was like a child who had found a new toy, her clear eyes sparkling as she wrote as if divinely inspired.

After finishing, without a second thought, she took the letter and ran towards the Yin mansion, eager to see the man’s moved and tearful expression when she showed him the letter. Bai Sha and the others couldn’t stop her.

But reality is cruel. Shen Yao Xing sat waiting for nearly half an hour, her enthusiasm fading, without seeing anyone.

Her bright smile gradually dimmed.

Shen Yao Xing looked down at the letter in her hand, suddenly feeling a twinge in her nose. It seemed he disliked her after all.

If he wouldn’t see her, so be it. She wouldn’t come looking for him again.

Thinking this, Shen Yao Xing stood up to leave. Just as she exited the guest hall, she saw Jiang Ming Yue walking leisurely towards her. His expression was as cold as it had been the past two days. He glanced at her, his manner indifferent, “What is it? Did you need something from me?”

The young man was still dazzlingly handsome, especially in the sunlight, like a banished immortal coated in a layer of radiance, giving off an untouchable aura of aloofness.

Shen Yao Xing felt dejected. Her gaze fell to the envelope in her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she silently held it out to him.

Jiang Ming Yue’s eyes swept over the envelope, but he didn’t take it.

Shen Yao Xing stole a glance at him, then said awkwardly, “This is a letter for you.”

Jiang Ming Yue narrowed his eyes slightly. “If you have something to say, just say it. Why go to such trouble?”

“But this is… this is a love letter…”

The girl’s voice was so soft it was barely audible, but with his keen hearing, Jiang Ming Yue heard every word clearly. His long, narrow eyes widened slightly, the cold aura faltering for an instant. But he quickly suppressed the intense emotion, regaining his composure.

Head lowered, Shen Yao Xing was unaware of the young man’s thoughts. Seeing no response from him, she assumed he was uninterested and was about to withdraw the envelope when it was suddenly snatched away.

As he opened the envelope, Jiang Ming Yue mocked, “How rare for Miss Shen to be so considerate. It would be churlish of me not to accept.”