Chapter 107

Chapter 107: I Knew You Were Still Alive

By mid-March, grass grew and orioles sang. Spring winds swept through the Capital and beyond. Every garden bloomed with reds and greens. Song Manor too was a sea of flowers.

After the Emperor decreed the marriage for Huo Zheng and Chun Zhi, the Directorate of Astronomy matched their birth characters and set the wedding date for June sixteenth.

A lucky day was chosen, and everyone looked forward to it.

With less than three months left, the Song Clan siblings helped Chun Zhi prepare her dowry.

While the weather was good, Song Wan’er accompanied Chun Zhi to the streets to shop.

The Capital was far more prosperous than Dongzhou. Song Wan’er, who rarely went out, was dazzled by all the shops and wanted to go into each one.

When in Linshui Town, Chun Zhi had been busy earning money every day; after reaching Dongzhou, she mostly stayed indoors. She had never seen a place as bustling as the Capital. Forget the jewels. Even the kinds of rouge and powder in one cosmetics shop amazed her.

The two sisters, with their servants, went from shop to shop. At the Gold and Jade Tower, a store for hair ornaments and jewelry, Song Wan’er took a fancy to a set of ruby headpieces and planned to buy them as an extra gift for Chun Zhi.

But the shopkeeper said: “This ruby set has already been reserved by Miss Wang. It is only on display for two days. If miss likes it, you will have to wait until we find rubies of this quality next time and have a new set made.”

Song Wan’er frowned and said: “Buying things in the Capital is so troublesome. If you will not sell it, why put it on the counter? You let people see it, like it, and then cannot buy it. It only makes people angry.”

Back in Dongzhou, anything good was sent to Song Manor for Song Wan’er to choose first.

She knew the Capital was different, full of nobles and royals, and even buying something depended on rank.

But to let her see a good thing and then not be able to buy it was truly maddening.

Chun Zhi smiled and said: “Wan’er, do not be angry over such a small thing. You and elder brother have already prepared so much dowry for me. We do not need this one set.”

Song Wan’er said: “One more set of rubies or one less does not matter, but seeing it and not being able to buy is what feels worst,” then told the Gold and Jade Tower shopkeeper: “Shopkeeper, speak with the person who reserved this set. Tell her I am willing to pay double and ask her to let it go.”

The Gold and Jade Tower shopkeeper looked troubled and said: “The buyer is a noble lady from a high family. I fear double the price will not solve it.”

Song Wan’er said: “If double is not enough, then triple. If triple is still not enough, let her name a price.”

The Song Clan miss was not short of money.

Seeing her generosity, the shopkeeper could only nod and say: “Then I will ask for you, miss.”

Song Wan’er said, “That is better,” and finally looked satisfied.

Chun Zhi said with some helplessness: “Wan’er, you.”

Song Wan’er held Chun Zhi’s arm and smiled, saying: “Sister, keep looking to see what you like. Elder brother earns money for us to spend. If you do not spend it, is his hard work not wasted?”

Song Wan’er’s words sounded very reasonable. For a moment, Chun Zhi had no reply.

While they were browsing in the Gold and Jade Tower, Lu Jing Yun walked in quickly and saw Chun Zhi at a glance.

In a place like the Gold and Jade Tower, which sold hairpieces and jewelry, most customers were women. A young, handsome man like Lu Jing Yun stood out as soon as he entered.

A shop girl came forward and said: “Young master, what would you like to buy?”

But Lu Jing Yun bypassed her and walked straight toward Chun Zhi.

Now Chun Zhi wore fine brocade and looked like a lotus in bloom, completely different from the days when she sold tofu in Linshui Town. She was like a different person, except for that same face.

Lu Jing Yun whispered: “Chun Zhi… I knew it, I knew you were still alive.”

Ever since hearing that Chun Zhi had jumped into the river, he had often dreamed of her. He dreamed of when they were young, winters were so cold, they could not afford charcoal, and they huddled together for warmth. He dreamed that before he went to the Capital to sit the exams, Chun Zhi told him again and again that whether he passed or not, he must come home. He dreamed of telling her, “I will never fail you.” He woke full of regret: regret that, on a careless thought, he married Ji Ru Zhen; regret that he wronged Chun Zhi and let her cross paths with Prince Chang’an; regret that he let Chun Zhi go.

Chun Zhi was a little stunned to meet him here and said: “Lu Jing Yun.”

Seeing this, Song Wan’er at once stepped in front of Chun Zhi and said: “Stay there. Do not come any closer.”

The accompanying maids came over too, blocking Lu Jing Yun.

Song Wan’er did not know who Lu Jing Yun was, but seeing him rush at Chun Zhi like a lost soul, she knew she could not let him near. She called to the Gold and Jade Tower shopkeeper and said: “What is wrong with your Gold and Jade Tower? Why do you let anyone in?”

Shopkeeper Qian hurried forward to block Lu Jing Yun, saying: “Lord Lu, what are you doing? You must not frighten other people’s ladies.”

When Lu Jing Yun had won Top Scholar, he had ridden through the streets in glory, and many in the Capital knew him. Moreover, Top Scholar Lu had married the Chancellor’s Daughter, Ji Ru Zhen. Ji Ru Zhen was a regular customer here, and Lu Jing Yun had accompanied his lady several times, so Shopkeeper Qian recognized him at once.

Lu Jing Yun said: “Move.” All he wanted was to speak to Chun Zhi; he had no patience for greetings.

But how could Shopkeeper Qian dare move? If Top Scholar Lu frightened someone’s lady in the Gold and Jade Tower, how could the store keep doing business?

Still blocking him, Shopkeeper Qian said: “Top Scholar Lu, whatever you wish to say, tell me first and I will pass it to that miss. The way you are now will scare people.”

Lu Jing Yun rasped: “Chun Zhi, I have searched so hard for you. Will you come and say a word to me? I have no other meaning. I only want to speak with you.”

Chun Zhi said: “I have nothing to say to you. Lord Lu, take care of yourself. I will go on ahead.”

Then she turned and walked out, with Song Wan’er and the maids escorting her away.

Lu Jing Yun called after her: “Chun Zhi, Chun Zhi, do not go yet!”

He tried to chase after her, but Shopkeeper Qian and the shop girls held him back.

While stopping him, Shopkeeper Qian urged: “Top Scholar Lu, Lord Lu, you still have Madam Lu at home. If this matter reaches Madam Lu’s ears…”

Only after Chun Zhi’s group left the Gold and Jade Tower did Shopkeeper Qian and the others release Lu Jing Yun.

Watching Chun Zhi go farther away, Lu Jing Yun shoved Shopkeeper Qian aside and hurried after her.

At that moment, Wang Yi Yue came down from the second floor with her maid and saw the scene clearly.

Wang Yi Yue said: “So this Song Chun Zhi can still make Top Scholar Lu lose his composure. How interesting.”

These days Wang Yi Yue had been troubled that her cousin would not let her get close. She had only come out to pick up a set of hair ornaments, not knowing she would witness such a scene.

Her maid said: “Top Scholar Lu seems to be very fond of this Song Chun Zhi.”

Wang Yi Yue, intrigued, said: “Send someone to investigate what exactly is the relationship between this Song Chun Zhi and Top Scholar Lu.”

“Yes,” the maid answered and went at once.