Chapter Thirteen: A Gifted Painting

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“Master Su, actually, I painted this picture myself. It was hung here on consignment.”

“You painted it?” Appreciation shone in Su Mingxiu’s eyes. “Yes, I remember that your mother was a master of painting. It seems you inherited her talent.”

Hearing someone mention her mother stirred complicated feelings in Jiang You’an, and her expression grew somewhat distant.

Su Mingxiu realized that both of her parents had passed away and said apologetically, “I’m sorry.”

Jiang You’an smiled faintly and said it was all right.

After hesitating, she glanced at Su Mingxiu and tentatively said, “It’s rare to meet someone who appreciates this painting. If you don’t mind, Young Master Su, I could give it to you.”

Su Mingxiu looked at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I had already intended to buy this painting. Now that I know it was painted by you, I ought to pay more to show my support. How could I simply take it for free?”

“If you want to buy my painting but feel obliged to offer me an exorbitant price, then it would lose its charm. It would be better to give it to you.”

Jiang You’an toyed with her fingertips, her expression slightly shy. “Consider it… a token of friendship.”

Su Mingxiu’s gaze fell upon her delicate, rosy face. In a gentle voice, he said, “Since your kindness cannot be refused, I shall accept it with gratitude. After all, such a fine painting is hard to come by, and I would hate to let it slip through my fingers.”

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere suddenly became faintly charged. Jiang You’an blinked in bewilderment, while the tips of Su Mingxiu’s ears turned slightly red.

“But I should give you something in return.” Su Mingxiu began searching through his belongings.

Jiang You’an smiled. “If you wish to give me a return gift, you can give it to me the next time we meet.”

Su Mingxiu pressed his lips together in a smile. “Yes. Until next time.”

He took the painting and bade her farewell first. Jiang You’an watched his carriage disappear into the distance, the corners of her lips curving upward.

The last time they had met at the marquis’s residence, she had thought Su Mingxiu’s legs were afflicted and that he would spend his entire life confined to a wheelchair. She therefore had not paid him much attention. Now, however, it seemed that his health was not as poor as she had imagined. He was gentle by nature, courteous and refined, and possessed all the bearing of a true gentleman.

Most importantly, he had accepted her painting. That meant he must feel at least some fondness for her.

If she could marry Su Mingxiu, it would be an excellent match.

Jiang You’an suddenly found herself with a clear direction, and her spirits lifted.

Over the following days, she kept asking about Su Mingxiu, trying to learn more about him.

It turned out that his poor health was the result of an accident in his youth. He had once fallen from a horse and been left with a chronic ailment. He could not stand for long and was constantly falling ill.

That was also why his marriage had yet to be arranged. Although he came from a family of hereditary nobility, there were very few women whose family backgrounds matched his and who would still be willing to marry such a sickly man.

Jiang You’an found him rather pitiable. He was clearly such a good person. In truth, even if Su Mingxiu was frail and frequently ill, given her present circumstances, marrying him would still be considered marrying above her station.

What troubled her now was how she might possibly reach high enough to marry him.

They had met twice, and Su Mingxiu had even promised of his own accord to give her a return gift the next time they met. But when would that next meeting be?

Su Mingxiu did not like going out, and she could hardly wander the streets every day in the hope of running into him again.

Jiang You’an grew anxious. Several more days passed, and on the day of the Winter Solstice, Lu Yunyao came to visit her for a chat.

Lu Yunyao was the daughter of the Lu family’s third branch, half a year younger than Jiang You’an. She had never gotten along with Lu Yunzhu of the second branch, but she and Jiang You’an could at least carry on a pleasant conversation.

Gentle and kind by nature, she was the only person in the Lu residence whom Jiang You’an genuinely liked.

“I heard my mother say that Lu Yunzhu’s marriage to Shen Heping has been settled. The wedding is to take place next March.”

Lu Yunzhu wore an expression of satisfaction. “That hateful woman is finally getting married. I’ll never have to live under the same roof with her again. Wonderful.”

Jiang You’an merely smiled.

Lu Yunzhu and Shen Heping had each chosen the other for different reasons: one valued the other’s talent and appearance, while the other valued the other’s family background. Now, they had both gotten what they wanted. Hopefully, they would remain together for a long time and stop causing trouble for everyone else.

“Still, Grandmother and Aunt have not given Lu Yunzhu much of a dowry, so she has been complaining in her room every day these past few days. Hmph. Who told her to do something so disgraceful? Grandmother may not say anything, but she must be very displeased with her.”

Lu Yunyao curled her lips, looking rather gleeful. “If you ask me, Lu Yunzhu should already be grateful that Grandmother and Aunt are willing to arrange the wedding for her. After all, Eldest Brother’s marriage to the Princess of Nanhua is what matters most right now.”

At the mention of Lu Xuanheng, Jiang You’an fell silent.

Because of the matter concerning the painting, they had had a terrible quarrel. Although their relationship had already been poor, lately they had reached the point where they behaved as though they were complete strangers.

Jiang You’an did not care about him in the slightest. He could marry whoever he pleased!

“By the way, in a few days Prince Xian’s residence is hosting an ice-skating gathering, and they have sent an invitation to our family. From what I heard Grandmother say, she probably wants to use the occasion to give the princess and Eldest Brother more time together.”

Jiang You’an replied blandly, “They’re going to all that trouble for the sake of a single bowl of vinegar, with an entire feast of dumplings thrown in.”

“Exactly. The prince’s residence has invited nearly all the noble families in the capital. The Duke of Dingguo’s residence and the Marquis of Yong’an’s residence will both be there.”

A ripple suddenly stirred the calm depths of Jiang You’an’s eyes.

The Marquis of Yong’an’s residence…

Although the Su family would certainly attend to show their support for Prince Xian’s residence, Su Mingxiu disliked going out. Would he come?

She could not be certain, but she had to try her luck.

“Then it should be very lively. Let’s go together.” Jiang You’an suddenly grew interested and took Lu Yunyao by the hand.

Lu Yunyao said cheerfully, “All right. I thought you didn’t want to go. Otherwise, I would have had to stare daggers at Lu Yunzhu by myself.”

They chatted for a while longer before Lu Yunyao took her leave.

Jiang You’an had already begun looking forward to the day of the ice-skating gathering. Unable to contain her anticipation, she went to look through her clothes and plan what to wear.

Just then, Xiuzhu arrived, carrying several boxes.

“Cousin Miss, these are tonics from Eldest Young Master.”

Jiang You’an’s face remained expressionless. “No need. Take them back.”

Xiuzhu gave an awkward laugh. “The physician said last time that your health is too weak and that you need more nourishment. These are all Eldest Young Master’s heartfelt concern. Please accept them.”

“I don’t need them. Even if you leave them here, I’ll only throw them away. Take them with you.”

With that, Jiang You’an turned and went into the inner room, clearly unwilling to say anything more.

Xiuzhu had no choice but to carry the untouched tonics back to Lanyue Residence.

“Eldest Young Master, Cousin Miss refused to accept them.”

Lu Xuanheng’s expression darkened.

Was she still angry with him over the painting?

He had taken the initiative to make peace, even sending her gifts to coax her, yet she still refused to show him the slightest consideration.

Forget it. She had always been hot-tempered; it was not as though he had only just learned that. He would try to placate her again after a few days.

Lu Xuanheng waved a hand, signaling Xiuzhu to leave. Then, as though he had suddenly thought of something, he called him back and instructed, “Prince Xian’s residence is holding an ice-skating gathering. All the young ladies of the household will certainly go and join in the festivities, but don’t let her attend.”

That way, she would not see him with the princess and make another fuss.

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