Chapter 45: Successfully Pursuing the Wife

Chi Mei gritted his teeth, enduring silently.

Wen Hua pushed him smugly, shoving him to the ground, then raised her eyebrows and smiled like a victorious general as she left.

Chi Mei lowered his head, his thin lips trembling slightly as he discreetly wiped away the humiliated tears from the corners of his eyes.

In the warm room, sandalwood incense burned quietly in the copper-green censer. Amidst the curling smoke, Jiang Yang stretched lazily and sat up in bed. The brocade quilt slid off her body, her black hair as dense as spilled ink, draped over her white silk inner robe with water chestnut flower prints. The wide sleeves revealed a section of her lotus-white jade arms. Jiang Yang rubbed her eyes, still drowsy and somewhat weary.

Outside the golden silk curtains with crabapple patterns knelt a man with beautiful features and thick makeup. Hearing Jiang Yang getting up, he lifted the curtains and hung them on both sides, then lowered his head to help Jiang Yang put on shoes, change clothes, and wash up.

“Second Young Miss, the weather has turned quite cold today. This humble servant took the liberty of preparing thicker clothes for you to change into. Is that alright? Rest assured, the clothes have already been scented in advance.” The man held a deep-colored dress made of double-petaled purple lotus satin, speaking in a soft and gentle voice.

Jiang Yang had been drinking all night yesterday, and her head was still a bit fuzzy when she woke up today. Her eyes could barely open as she was being helped to change clothes and put on shoes. She didn’t even look at who was assisting her.

Hearing the man’s words, Jiang Yang became a bit more alert. She glanced at the man and saw that he was beautiful and charming, but his mouth seemed somewhat harsh due to being too thin. Who else could it be but Wen Hua?

Jiang Yang nodded, having no objection to wearing this thick outfit, but was a bit curious: “Why are you serving me today? Where’s Rou Shu?”

Wen Hua smiled slightly, his smile as pretty as a flower: “Second Young Miss, brother Rou Shu is playing outside with Shu Qin. This humble servant estimated that you would wake up around this time, so I went to the kitchen to fetch some Di Xian Jian and Su Qiong Ye. It just so happens that you woke up now, so let this humble servant attend to you.”

“……” Jiang Yang looked him up and down, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth: “You’re quite diligent.”

Jiang Yang was inherently good-looking. As she smiled faintly at him, her eye corners trailing a hint of languor, Wen Hua only felt his heart skip a beat, his earlobes flushing red: “Thank you, Second Young Miss. This is simply this humble servant’s duty.”

Having said that, he continued to help Jiang Yang change clothes, deliberately waving his fair and slender hands in front of Jiang Yang’s eyes, trying to entice and flaunt.

Jiang Yang looked away and sat at the table: “Do my hair for me.”

“Yes.” Wen Hua picked up the jade comb to style Jiang Yang’s hair.

Women in the matriarchal country didn’t care much for dressing up, and their hairstyles were simple and practical. However, for noble women like Jiang Yang, to showcase their status, the jade hairpins and gold hairpins used for their hairstyles were quite particular.

Wen Hua looked at the various hairpins in the small-leaf red sandalwood box, holding one in each hand. His charming brows furrowed slightly, as if unable to decide, and he asked with a hint of coquettishness in his voice: “Second Young Miss, do you think this gold vine step-shake is better, or this amethyst hairpin?”

Jiang Yang fixed her gaze on Wen Hua.

Wen Hua’s face flushed and his heart raced under her stare. The gold step-shake in his hand trembled slightly, making a crisp and pleasant clinking sound. He asked in a sweet voice: “Second Young Miss, did this humble servant choose poorly?”

Jiang Yang withdrew her gaze. Although she had a reputation for being a flirt outside, she never touched the grass by her own nest – too troublesome! Judging by Wen Hua’s expression, he should have understood her meaning. Jiang Yang didn’t bother to reprimand him further and said lazily: “Just use this amethyst hairpin.”

“Yes.” Wen Hua inserted the amethyst hairpin into Jiang Yang’s hair bun, but his heart was in turmoil. The Second Young Miss had been staring at his face just now – surely she must have noticed him?

Wen Hua’s palms were warm. Although Jiang Yang had many attendants, few truly got close to her. Especially opportunities like this to serve her alone were rare and precious. He had used some tricks to get this chance today, and was fortunate enough to chat with Jiang Yang and make her notice him. Otherwise, on normal days, Jiang Yang wouldn’t pay attention to a minor character like him at all.

“Second Young Miss, please rinse your mouth and try the Di Xian Jian made by the kitchen. A bowl of Di Xian Jian is most nourishing in early winter.” Wen Hua eagerly offered the Di Xian Jian and Su Qiong Ye, hoping to make a good impression on Jiang Yang and make her remember him.

“Mm.” Jiang Yang waved her hand at him: “You may go now. I don’t need you to serve me here anymore.”

Wen Hua hesitated, unwilling to leave. Having finally gotten a chance to climb higher in Hui Xue Residence, how could Wen Hua bear to miss it? Although he had mocked Rou Shu and Shu Qin for trying to climb up, calling them lowly, Wen Hua wasn’t a fool. He had understood since he was young that it was better to be a servant in a rich family than a poor man’s husband. He had said those things only to discourage Shu Qin and Rou Shu from trying to get close to Jiang Yang, so he could have the advantage of being close at hand.

If he were truly aloof, he wouldn’t have disliked Chi Mei so much.

“Second Young Miss, let this humble servant stay here to serve you. What if you need something later?” Wen Hua stepped forward, his arm intentionally moving closer to Jiang Yang.

Jiang Yang gave a sidelong glance at this tactless fellow and said: “The scent on you is too strong. It’s making me uncomfortable. Go call Rou Shu in.”

Wen Hua, scolded by Jiang Yang without any tenderness, became flushed with embarrassment and ran out.

“Brother Wen Hua? Brother Wen Hua, what’s wrong?” Rou Shu and Shu Qin were chatting idly when they saw Wen Hua running out of Jiang Yang’s courtyard in tears, and hurriedly asked.

But Wen Hua ignored them completely and ran straight out of the courtyard.

“Brother Wen Hua?” Rou Shu wanted to chase after him but was pulled back by Shu Qin.

“What are you chasing for? Didn’t you see where he just came out from?” Shu Qin said.

Rou Shu looked back at Jiang Yang’s room: “He came out of Second Young Miss’s room, what’s wrong? Didn’t Brother Wen Hua say he was going in to deliver Di Xian Jian and Su Qiong Ye?”

“Pah!” Shu Qin sneered: “How long does it take to deliver food? I bet he offered himself and was rejected by the Second Young Miss.”

Rou Shu could hardly believe it: “That can’t be, Brother Wen Hua isn’t that kind of person.”