Chapter 48: First, Sever the One in My Heart

In the courtyard, Big Black sat at the doorway, its dog face solemn.

The dinner was served, meats and vegetables, even more sumptuous than yesterday.

Lu Dashan, Li Qingtian, Su Tang, and Jingyuan sat around the table, eating. The only sounds were chewing and the clinking of bowls and chopsticks; not a soul spoke.

Lu Dashan kept his head down, holding his bowl, stealing glances at Su Tang and his young master as he ate.

Su Tang was poised and elegant.

His young master’s expression was calm and indifferent.

It seemed no different from before, yet something felt off.

Lu Dashan looked at Li Qingtian, and as luck would have it, their eyes met.

Lu Dashan was startled and quickly lowered his head, shoveling food into his mouth.

Li Qingtian’s brow twitched; he glanced at the young gentleman, then at his own daughter.

What had happened?

Just as he pondered, Su Tang lifted her gaze and met Li Qingtian’s eyes.

Li Qingtian was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly lowered his head, eating quickly.

Su Tang frowned slightly, looked at Lu Dashan who was also shoveling food, then turned her gaze to her young husband.

He ate with his head down, as elegantly and composed as ever.

...

Night deepened.

Inside the house.

The candlelight flickered.

Jingyuan stood at the table, brush in hand, writing.

Su Tang, who had long finished counting the silver coins, sat at the table, resting her cheek on her hand, watching her young husband.

In the glow of the candle, the boy’s features were refined, his gaze bright, every stroke of his brush marked by the bearing of a distinguished family.

If he shed his coarse clothes for silk robes, he would surely be a noble young gentleman.

The gaze beside him was too direct, too intense; Jingyuan had to put down his brush and meet her eyes.

Is there something you need?

Su Tang parted her lips, “When my father called us ‘husband and wife’ earlier, why did you say ‘No’?”

Jingyuan replied, “Why did you?”

“I’ve told you, I don’t like it,” Su Tang said.

Jingyuan said, “Nor do I.”

“You also find the term ‘wife’ a bit old-fashioned?” Su Tang asked.

Jingyuan nodded, “I do.”

Su Tang smiled, “Earlier, I was merely deceiving you; in truth, I was afraid I might hinder your future.”

Jingyuan paused, a look of realization dawning, “So that’s the reason.” Then he picked up his brush and continued writing.

He ignored her!

Ah, does he truly think so?

Afraid that word of their ‘husband and wife’ status would spread across Ping’an Town, making it hard for him to seek better prospects?

First step ashore, sever ties with his sweetheart?

He’s not even ashore yet~

And just yesterday she had saved him with the courage of a thousand men!

Su Tang watched her young husband.

He furrowed his brow at his writing, seemingly indifferent, yet as if he were avoiding her.

Su Tang smiled gently, leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

Nearly half her body blocked his view.

Jingyuan had no choice but to look at her.

Still something to say?

“How are you and Master Fang at the academy?” Su Tang asked.

Jingyuan replied, “Master treats me as his own son.”

“Why not invite him over someday, let us host him properly?” Su Tang suggested.

Jingyuan said, “Certainly.”

“Do you have any close friends at the academy? Not including Huang,” Su Tang asked.

Jingyuan was puzzled, “Why?”

“Invite them home, let me host them on your behalf,” Su Tang proposed.

“No need,” Jingyuan said.

“It’s necessary,” Su Tang said seriously. “Today they are classmates; tomorrow, they may be colleagues in court. Friendships formed in youth are the most spirited and pure, free of self-interest. You should cherish them.”

“Free of self-interest,” Jingyuan murmured, as if lost in thought.

Su Tang smiled warmly, “I know you’re not adept at handling such matters, but you have me. You can focus on your studies, leave the rest to me.”

Whether he severs ties with his sweetheart is none of her concern.

She is courteous, obedient, and respects elders.

The academy’s scholars will surely amount to something in the future.

If she leaves a good impression now, then even if the young gentleman turns out to be heartless, Master and classmates will support her~

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked, “Are there any you don’t get along with? I should know so I can avoid offending them.”

Whether it was Su Tang’s mention of “avoid offending” or something else, Jingyuan returned to himself, his gaze probing as he looked at her.

Su Tang opened her eyes wide, indicating she meant exactly what she said.

But her composure broke with her young husband’s next words.

“Didn’t you already send someone to ask around?” he said.

“Ahem~”

Su Tang suppressed a cough, her gaze flickering as she avoided his eyes, “What are you talking about? Who asked? There’s no such thing—”

“Horse-hoof pastry, Liu Hu,” Jingyuan interrupted calmly.

Su Tang was surprised, “Who is Liu Hu?”

“Do you want me to ask him?” Jingyuan inquired.

Su Tang was helpless.

Truly, this young husband was exceptionally clever.

“I’m just worried about you. You’re new at the academy and not quick with words. If others try to deceive you like Huang, it wouldn’t be good. I don’t want you to mistake the false for the genuine.”

“Didn’t you just say friendships are spirited and free of self-interest?” Jingyuan countered.

“But there are always villains among them. As the saying goes, ‘It’s easy to paint a tiger’s skin, but hard to paint its bones; you can know a person’s face, but not their heart,’” Su Tang said, feigning solemnity.

Jingyuan was stunned, murmuring again, “You can know a person’s face, but not their heart.”

Su Tang: Were her words tonight really so profound?

“Husband…”

Su Tang had just begun to speak when Lu Dashan’s voice called from outside, “Young master.”

Jingyuan glanced at her, set down his brush, and went out.

Su Tang could only fiddle with the candle wick and look around, when her eyes landed on the writing her young husband had left on the table.

Bold and forceful, iron strokes and silver hooks.

His calligraphy was improving.

“What you dislike on the right, do not associate with on the left; what you dislike on the left, do not associate with on the right.”

Her former self didn’t know the meaning, but remembered it was from the last chapter.

Was the young husband already studying here?

That was fast~

Could he really take the county exam next year?

No wonder...

The door creaked open, and her young husband entered.

Su Tang composed herself and asked, “What did Father want?”

“Nothing,” Jingyuan replied. “It’s late. Let’s rest.”

Su Tang seemed not to notice his subtle dismissal, asking, “You haven’t told me who you don’t get along with yet.”

“No one,” Jingyuan answered.

“Then who do you get along well with…”

“No one,” Jingyuan said.

Su Tang silently exhaled.

“All right, you’ve only just started at the academy, not close to your classmates yet. But remember what I’ve said,” she continued, pulling out a sheet of red paper from somewhere and laying it on the table, moving Jingyuan’s earlier writing aside.

“Husband, write something for me,” Su Tang said. “Your handwriting is beautiful.”

Jingyuan: “…”

...

“Bang, bang, bang.”

The night watchman passed outside.

Su Tang, having tidied up, lay on the bed, watching her young husband still diligently writing at the table.

He was writing and practicing his stance at the same time~

Up earlier than the rooster, asleep later than the dog.

And so clever.

Such potential deserves success.

Drowsily, Su Tang drifted to sleep.

Jingyuan, hearing the gentle breathing behind him, quietly set down his brush.