Chapter 07: Long Ming

Unlike the plain-looking Liu Zhi, General Long was a man who stood out at first glance. He truly was a dragon among men, unforgettable to anyone who saw him.

The shopkeeper Tong’s head only reached his shoulder, and the Liu Zhi by his side appeared even more delicate.

Liu Zhi wore emerald green clothing, draped with a snow-white fox fur cloak. It was obvious that it was expensive and valuable, possibly even hunted down by General Long himself from some hunting ground.

“Liu’er, the goldware here isn’t worthy of you. Let’s go check another shop,” General Long said tenderly, his tone full of affection, completely different from how he addressed Shopkeeper Tong.

Liu Zhi, on the other hand, looked frail and bashful. She nodded gently and spoke softly, “I will do as the General commands.”

Long Ming sighed and patted her head, “How many times have I told you? You will be my one and only wife in a proper marriage. Why, after all this time, do you still refer to yourself as a servant? Why do you only listen to others’ orders?”

“Are you an outsider?” Liu Zhi smiled faintly and added, “You are Liu Zhi’s husband. It is only right that I listen to you.”

Long Ming laughed loudly and took her hand, leading her downstairs.

After hearing their exchange, Di Jiang understood. So this was Liu Zhi’s tactic—fragile like a weak willow swaying in the wind, seemingly delicate yet captivating. Truly pitiable… Unconsciously shaking her head, Di Jiang thought inwardly: But she’s merely pitiable. Her appearance and demeanor could only be considered above average; she doesn’t match up to General Long.

At that moment, a cold laugh came from beside her: “Did you bring me here specifically to watch them being affectionate?”

“Just a coincidence.”

Di Jiang shrugged, indifferent.

As Di Jiang and ‘Wu Jingyi’ were talking, they suddenly heard a gasp ahead: “Princess?!”

Di Jiang looked up to see Liu Zhi staring at her in horror—not at her, but rather at ‘Wu Jingyi’ beside her.

Liu Zhi’s smile froze on her face, turning pale as paper.

Seeing this, Di Jiang was astonished. Another one capable of changing expressions so quickly.

“Liu Zhi pays respects to the Princess, may the Princess be blessed!” After speaking, Liu Zhi knelt down with a thud: “Princess! Please show mercy and bless our union!”

Such speed… Both Di Jiang and ‘Wu Jingyi’ were startled. Her swift kneeling caught everyone off guard.

“Liu’er, what are you doing? Get up!” Long Ming’s eyes filled with pain as he hurried to lift her, but Liu Zhi continued to push him away, refusing to stand.

“If the Princess does not forgive me, I won’t get up.”

Still stunned, ‘Wu Jingyi’ watched as Liu Zhi began bowing repeatedly, each kowtow echoing deeply into one’s heart.

“Princess, I know you are angry, but please direct your anger towards me. Do not punish General Long!”

“When did I ever say I would punish him?” ‘Wu Jingyi’ regained her composure, looking perplexed.

“Why else would you come here?” Liu Zhi was on the verge of tears, pleading urgently: “If you didn’t know we were here preparing for our wedding, why would you come to the Eastern Market? You were born noble, getting whatever you want. I’ve served you since childhood, with nothing but loyalty. You can have anything, but I only have General Long! Please, consider my ten years of service and grant us your blessing!”

Liu Zhi spoke rapidly, trembling visibly, as if Wu Jingyi had often bullied her, making her so terrified.

Di Jiang couldn’t quite follow, but seeing the bright red plum blossom imprint on her right hand, she found it horrifying… The pain must have been excruciating.

“Liu Zhi, get up!” Long Ming tried to lift her again, but she still refused, remaining kneeling.

Seeing this, ‘Wu Jingyi’ sneered indifferently: “Heh, I’m the one who was rejected. Yet you, the accomplice and beneficiary, seem more distressed than me. What kind of sense does that make? If you want to kneel, then kneel.”

“What are you begging her for? The Empress has already approved. My marriage is my decision!” Long Ming was agitated and simply lifted Liu Zhi in his arms, his expression showing deep concern, afraid she might vanish in his grasp.

A beauty in tears, pear blossoms adorned with rain, even Di Jiang couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy… If she hadn’t known the truth, she would surely have sided with Liu Zhi.

Di Jiang turned to look at Wu Jingyi’s resolute face, shaking her head with a sigh. Inwardly, she thought: These two are not even on the same level… Regardless of who this ‘Wu Jingyi’ is, judging by the pounding of her blood jade, if Liu Zhi begged forgiveness from the real Wu Jingyi, she’d probably kick her instead, causing Long Ming to despise her even more.

“Princess, forgive me. My wife is unwell. Long Ming takes his leave!” Without waiting for ‘Wu Jingyi’s’ response, Long Ming carried Liu Zhi and strode away.

Di Jiang and ‘Wu Jingyi’ exchanged glances, speechless.

Once they were out of sight, ‘Wu Jingyi’ sneered: “This is the man the Princess likes? Not impressive at all.”

Di Jiang smiled, praising him endlessly: “General Long is tall, handsome, and dignified—a true dragon among men. Sister Mei, why do you say such things?”

“You really know who I am.” Ruan Qingmei’s gaze sharpened, her expression venomous.

Di Jiang nodded: “We met once before.”

Qingmei instinctively touched her cheek, questioning: “Do you have ghost eyes?”

But Di Jiang just smiled, not replying.

At that moment, Prince Wu Rui’an rushed in with a group of servants. Judging by his urgency, he knew Wu Jingyi wasn’t easy to deal with, and encountering Long Ming and Liu Zhi could easily lead to trouble, hence his haste.

Approaching and seeing Wu Jingyi calmly standing in the shop, he finally exhaled in relief.

“Jingyi, your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Don’t wander around carelessly!”

“Big Brother!” Ruan Qingmei clung to Prince Rui’an like a flower blooming, naturally linking arms with him and coquettishly saying, “I’ve been cooped up in the mansion for too long. I just wanted to take a stroll. Besides, Doctor Di is with me. No worries.”

“It’s fine as long as nothing happened. Don’t do this again next time.” Rui’an finished speaking, glanced at Di Jiang, and nodded. Di Jiang promptly bowed in return.

Then he said to Ruan Qingmei: “Your health isn’t fully restored yet. Hurry back to the mansion with me.”

“Mm!”

“Prince, please wait a moment!” Just as they were about to leave, Di Jiang called out to Rui’an.

Wu Rui’an turned back: “Doctor Di, is there something?”

“Not urgent. I just wanted to ask the Prince, do you recognize Miss Plum from the Pear Garden? She recently became famous. Ruan Qingmei.”

“I don’t know her.” Rui’an lightly shook his head, his eyes calm and unruffled.

“Yes, it was just a casual question. Please don’t mind it, Your Highness,” Di Jiang nodded, bending her knees with a smile: “Doctor Di bids farewell to the Prince and Princess.”

“Mm.” Rui’an left naturally, but Ruan Qingmei’s expression soured. She glared fiercely, clenched her fists, bit her lower lip, and gave Di Jiang a venomous look filled with hatred.

“Don’t forget the seven-day agreement.” Di Jiang mouthed silently, not caring whether she understood or not. Then she headed toward the opposite direction of the shop. However, Di Jiang clearly felt the sharp gaze following her until she turned into a small alley.

“Phew, that scared me.”

“Indeed, I didn’t dare speak the whole way!” Wen Yao patted her chest, obviously frightened by Ruan Qingmei’s glare.

Di Jiang decided to visit Zhao’s tea shop to calm herself with a cup of tea.

The first shop on the eastern side of Dongshi Fifth Street was Zhao’s teahouse, named ‘Fusu.’

When Di Jiang first saw this shop, she didn’t even know what it sold. She passed by countless times without entering until one day, during heavy rain, she stepped inside to seek shelter.

Inside, the shop was less rustic than its exterior, tastefully decorated. Tea cakes were neatly arranged on shelves lining three walls, each cake a treasure.

Di Jiang was amazed by the shopkeeper’s wealth and discerning eye. Upon seeing her appearance, similar to her own, she felt an instant connection.

She, too, was a beautiful single woman, no older than thirty.

“Is Shopkeeper Zhao not here?”

Di Jiang circled the shop three times without spotting the shopkeeper, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Nan Shi and Dong Shi weren’t far apart, but due to differing schedules, they rarely met. They saw each other about every two to three months. As for Shopkeeper Zhao… she hadn’t seen her in half a year.

“Shopkeeper Di, our master has gone to restock and won’t return until early next month.” The young shop assistant, seeing Di Jiang, immediately smiled and brought out a set of tea utensils, arranging them neatly on the table.

“Thank you.” Di Jiang sat by the table, observing the tea set.

The tea cage, tea trough, tea grinder, tea sieve, and tea spoon were all brand new. The entire set was gilded, intricately carved with flying celestial beings, and the teacups featured hollow cloud patterns.

“What treasures!” Di Jiang exclaimed repeatedly.

“The shopkeeper said that if you came, we should serve you with this tea set. This is last year’s plum blossom tea. Drinking floral tea at this season helps dispel internal cold, beneficial for the body.”

“Thank you very much.” Di Jiang was satisfied and eagerly began brewing tea.

She used tweezers to pick some tea leaves from the tea cage, placing them in the tea pot. When bubbles resembling fish eyes, spring water, and continuous pearls appeared, she poured the tea into the cups. Instantly, the fragrance of flowers permeated the air, refreshing and soothing.

Di Jiang poured three cups—one for herself, one for Wen Yao, and one for the young shop assistant.

“Shopkeeper, can I speak now?” Wen Yao asked pitifully after finishing her tea.

Di Jiang chuckled, “You really held back.”

“On the shopkeeper’s orders, I naturally restrained myself.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Wen Yao glanced at the assistant, hesitating.

“Little Yu isn’t an outsider. Go ahead.”

“Then I’ll speak frankly,” Wen Yao let out a long breath, “Shopkeeper, I noticed Prince Rui’an’s brow is dark, his gait unstable, his words lack confidence, and there’s a pitch-black soul-binding mark beneath his feet. He may not live past seven days…”

Before Wen Yao finished, the blood jade on Di Jiang’s chest quivered violently.

“So?” Di Jiang asked, unfazed.

“Shopkeeper, you noticed too?” Wen Yao’s eyes widened.

“Something you can see, how could I miss?”

“I was just showing off,” Wen Yao realized, sticking out her tongue, “I thought everyone was preoccupied with gossip about General Long and Liu Zhi, but I was the only one who noticed.”

“Gossip is your favorite.” Di Jiang corrected her. Then, turning to the assistant, she said, “It’s getting late. Since Shopkeeper Zhao isn’t here, we’ll take our leave. Thank you for the floral tea. I’ll visit again to thank you.”

The assistant nodded, smiling as he escorted them out: “Shopkeeper Di, take care. Yu Xiang won’t see you off.”

“Stay.” Di Jiang clasped her hands in a gesture of farewell.