Chapter 8: Solitude of the Newlyweds

Meanwhile, a wine glass suddenly came crashing down from the second floor. It struck Pei Jing’s hand so forcefully that he dislocated it on the spot, his hand weakening as he released the carriage curtain and took a step back to steady himself.

The curtain fell but was stirred again by the wind.

Shen Ruojin glanced up and saw Prince Qin Lang leaning against the second-floor window, idly playing with the wine glass in his hand—handsome and elegant, exuding a rakish charm even in the chilly breeze.

For a moment, she neither moved nor spoke, simply gazing at this young prince.

Qin Lang caught her eye and smiled ambiguously. “Shen Ruojin, aren’t you here looking for me?”

Shen Ruojin, just coming out of a heavy bout of memories, instinctively replied, “Yes.”

Qin Lang’s lips curled into a smirk, but his grip on the glass tightened until it shattered. “Then why waste time with these outsiders? Why don’t you come up?”

The broken glass fell, clinking loudly on the ground, causing the crowd gathered in front of the theater to recoil in fright.

Shen Ruojin thought to herself: This young prince certainly has a temper.

“Coming,” she answered softly, lifting the curtain and stepping down from the carriage.

The onlookers, catching sight of the new bride of the prince’s mansion, craned their necks to get a better look, and the murmurs grew louder.

Unfazed, Shen Ruojin walked calmly through the crowd and headed inside the theater.

“Ruojin—” Pei Jing hid his injured hand in his sleeve and stepped forward to block her path again. “You have no feelings for Qin Lang, and yet on your wedding night, he would do something as outrageous as spending the night at the theater. That shows he cares nothing for you. If you turn back now, this marriage can still be undone.”

Shi Jian took a swift step forward, standing firmly in front of Shen Ruojin to prevent Pei Jing from advancing any further. He spoke sternly, “My lady has already married the young lord according to custom. How can it be undone? Harassing a married woman in public, even if you are the top scholar, you’ll face the law and punishment!”

Pei Jing tried to explain, “Yesterday’s matter was a misunderstanding. I have no improper relations with Yun Wei…”

Shen Ruojin didn’t want to argue further and cut him off coldly, “Young Master Pei, please show some respect.”

Pei Jing’s face fell instantly, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. All his pride as a scholar seemed trampled beneath her words.

He had come sincerely to explain, yet Shen Ruojin dismissed him with a light “please show some respect,” as if he were nothing more than a clingy leech trying to latch onto her.

The noble daughter of the Marquis’s household had likely long been dissatisfied that he was just a poor scholar. Now that she had the chance to marry into the prince’s mansion and become a high-born lady, she had no intention of listening to him.

Pei Jing grew angrier and sneered, “Shen Ruojin, you’re so angry with me, yet you’re willing to marry a prodigal like Qin Lang? You’re blinded by fortune and will regret it someday!”

Shen Ruojin glanced at him dismissively, unwilling to waste more words, and strode past him to climb the stairs to the second floor.

Pei Jing stood rooted to the spot for a long while, staring blankly as she walked away from him step by step.

Inside the theater, the lively performance continued. The leading actress sang in a melodious voice: “He taught me to let go of grudges, to stop sulking, to renew myself, to change my ways, to cease yearning for the past, to turn from the sea of bitterness, and to awaken early to the cause—”

---

Shen Ruojin stepped onto the stage with the rhythm of the drumbeats, all eyes in the audience shifting from the actors to her. At this moment, the play on stage paled in comparison to the drama unfolding below.

Even the leading actress stole a glance toward the central box on the second floor.

The elegant curtains on either side were drawn aside, revealing Prince Qin Lang in his purple robe, leaning lazily by the window, casting a teasing look at Pei Jing.

Pei Jing’s anger flared even more, and he swept his sleeve and left immediately.

“He said you’ll regret it someday. Why didn’t you respond?” Qin Lang turned to Shen Ruojin, his eyes curious.

Shen Ruojin sidled around a chair and approached leisurely. Without answering, she countered, “Whether I regret it or not has nothing to do with outsiders. Any more nonsense is superfluous.”

Qin Lang’s lips twitched into a faint smile at her words.

“Hurry up! Our Second Young Madam has arrived. Bring the tea quickly!” The steward was nearly sweating as he hurriedly ordered the servants.

Earlier, the steward had rushed upstairs to report to the young lord, saying, “The Second Young Madam has come. Please come downstairs and return to the mansion.”

But Prince Qin Lang was unhurried, saying, “If she wants to come, let her come. If she wants to wait, let her wait.”

Before his words even finished, someone downstairs shouted that Pei Jing, the top scholar, had arrived.

He never got close enough to speak clearly to the Second Young Madam before Qin Lang rose, looking down from above, and with a single phrase—“Weren’t you looking for me?”—he smashed down the wine glass.

“Second Young Madam, please have some tea.”

The steward took the cup from the waiter and placed it on the table before stepping aside.

Shen Ruojin sat beside Qin Lang, raised the teacup to her lips, took a sip, and focused intently on the play.

The tea was ordinary, but the performance was excellent.

The leading actress was flawless in appearance, every frown, smile, and turn dripping with grace. When she furrowed her brows, the entire audience seemed to break their hearts.

Such a beauty explained why the nobles lavished fortunes on their favorite actresses.

Shen Ruojin herself felt a bit restless watching.

Qin Lang waited beside her for a moment. When she didn’t speak to him, he glanced sideways and asked, “You’ve come but remain silent. What exactly did you come here for?”

“I was originally sent by the prince and princess to bring you back. Now, I’m here to watch the play.”

Her gaze remained on the stage until the actress finished the final line, earning thunderous applause, then gracefully stepped off the stage before Shen Ruojin finally looked away.

Qin Lang laughed at her, “Why are you staring so intently at the Red Begonia?”

Shen Ruojin smiled, “A renowned actress performs for the audience’s enjoyment. Surely, the young prince wouldn’t forbid me from watching?”

---

“You weren’t coming to find me?”

Qin Lang acknowledged the reason for her visit.

If she had come to see him, how could her attention be elsewhere, her gaze shared with others?

“Isn’t that exactly what I’ve done?”

Shen Ruojin set down her teacup. She had promised the prince and princess she would find Qin Lang, but she never said she had to take him back immediately.

Besides, all men are the same; if you revolve around them, they will run further away.

If you don’t care about them, they’ll think you’re different from other women.

The play, The Locked Brocade Pouch, was Red Begonia’s specialty and famed throughout the capital. Shen Ruojin had been back in the city for quite some time but had never heard it performed.

Since she was here, she might as well watch.

But Qin Lang’s gaze was impossible to ignore. Shen Ruojin glanced sideways at him and asked, “You came to the Fenghua Theater but didn’t watch the play. Why do you keep staring at me?”

Her clear phoenix eyes met his, full of sincerity. “Or do you think that since I came to this scene without crying or making a fuss, something’s missing? It’s okay; we are both newlyweds. Young couples always need time to adjust. If you have any requests, just say them. I’ll try my best to fulfill them.”

“Oh?” Qin Lang smiled teasingly. “And how do you plan to satisfy me?”

Shen Ruojin hesitated slightly. She had been entirely sincere, yet this young prince always seemed to lead her into traps.

Qin Lang tapped his fingers on the windowsill in time with the music from backstage and casually said, “With nothing else to do, why don’t you cry for me?”

“That’s a bit difficult.” Shen Ruojin thought it over. “I’m usually the one who makes others cry. Want to try?”

Qin Lang withdrew his hand into his sleeve, momentarily speechless.

Shen Ruojin raised an eyebrow. “Why are you silent? Embarrassed?”

“Shen Ruojin—” Qin Lang stared at her rosy lips, his eyes darkening. He raised a hand to brush the corner of her mouth. “There are many ways to silence someone. Want to try?”

Shen Ruojin was momentarily stunned, then lifted her chin slightly. “Why not try?”

Having already become husband and wife and entered the bridal chamber, what was left that they couldn’t do?

Qin Lang grabbed her wrist and pulled her up from the chair. With a slight twist, she fell into his lap.

He held her waist gently, caressing her softly. His peach blossom eyes grew darker as he lowered his head and kissed her.