Chapter 25: In Her heart, She Thought, This Sentence Seemed Like Praise

Xiao Jin was a stubborn person who wouldn’t listen to advice and insisted on following Lu Shujin. Left with no choice, she had to compromise.

They were still riding the same carriage that brought Lu Shujin back yesterday, but the snacks on the table inside had been replaced with fresh ones. Half were dried fruits like almonds and melon seeds, while the other half consisted of dried meat and fresh plums, neatly arranged with vibrant colors, making them look quite tempting.

The fragrance in the carriage had changed to a sweet and subtle osmanthus scent. It wasn’t very noticeable when they first got in, but over time, the scent gradually permeated the air.

As soon as Xiao Jin sat down, he casually propped his legs on the footrest beside him, assuming a rather lazy posture, completely ignoring the snacks on the table.

Lu Shujin wasn’t tempted by them either, as she had eaten her fill before leaving. But she couldn’t help but glance at the table now and then.

After a few seemingly casual glances, Xiao Jin noticed and remarked disdainfully, “If you want to eat, just take it yourself. Why are you sneakily peeking? Do you really think I’d begrudge you a few bites?”

Lu Shujin shrank her neck and shook her head. “Last night, when we returned, these weren’t the snacks on the table.”

“How can you eat food that’s been left overnight? Of course, everything was replaced with fresh ones.” Xiao Jin crossed his arms and struck up a conversation with her, as if they were just chatting.

Lu Shujin asked, “But these today won’t be finished either. Will they also be replaced with new ones tomorrow?”

Xiao Jin looked at her, immediately understanding the underlying meaning of her words, but he didn’t answer right away.

He knew Lu Shujin was pitiful. Not only was her family poor, but she was also mistreated by her parents. For someone like Lu Shujin, “waste” was a cardinal sin because she had so little to begin with. She couldn’t afford to waste anything.

The carriage fell silent for a moment. Lu Shujin thought Xiao Jin wouldn’t respond, but then he adjusted his posture and said leisurely, “These dried goods won’t spoil anytime soon. But I never eat anything that’s not fresh, so anything left overnight is replaced with new items. The old ones are given to the servants to share, not wasted.”

“Oh,” Lu Shujin replied softly.

Xiao Jin, seemingly unintentionally, looked out the window and said, “If you want to eat, just help yourself. I have plenty of these things.”

Lu Shujin froze, then quickly lowered her eyelashes, hiding the emotions in her eyes. She leaned against the carriage wall and also looked out at the street scenery.

After leaving the academy, the carriage entered a bustling market, slowing down significantly. Halfway through, Lu Shujin suddenly requested to get off and buy something. She had brought some silver, planning to buy a chicken for Yang Peier and some meat to help her recover and calm her nerves from the recent fright. Although she couldn’t cook, Aunt Miao’s cooking skills were excellent, and she thought it would be nice to buy enough for everyone to share.

That was her initial plan, but Xiao Jin disagreed, frowning. “Why stay there to eat? Just take a look and leave.”

Thinking it over, Lu Shujin realized it wasn’t appropriate. Mainly because of Xiao Jin—this young master probably couldn’t sit still in such a place for even a minute. She wouldn’t enjoy the meal, and if they stayed for dinner, Xiao Jin would be driven mad.

She took a step back and said, “But Sister Peier is weak. I want to buy some things to help her recover.”

Xiao Jin waved his hand, directly sending a servant to handle it. At the same time, he mocked her, “You only have twenty-eight taels and seven hundred wen on you. That’s not even enough for a single ginseng strand. What are you going to use to help her recover?”

Lu Shujin couldn’t simply accept Xiao Jin’s help and quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare trouble Young Master Xiao with the expense.”

Xiao Jin thought to himself, “This little amount can be considered an expense? It wouldn’t even cover the tips I give at the Yuhua Pavilion.”

Of course, to maintain some virtue, he didn’t voice his thoughts to mock the poor Lu Shujin. Instead, he asked, “How often do your parents send you money?”

Not understanding why he suddenly asked, Lu Shujin pressed her lips together and replied, “They don’t send me money. I rely on myself to earn a living.”

Her tone was calm, without any fluctuation, as if she didn’t want to portray herself as pitiful. But the words themselves were full of misery. Sure enough, the moment she spoke, Xiao Jin’s eyebrows subtly raised, showing a hint of surprise.

“The academy fees are fully waived, and I don’t eat much usually. I don’t spend much,” she added, trying to downplay her situation.

Although everything she said was true, in Xiao Jin’s ears, it only made her seem even more pitiful. His gaze fell on her plain, wrinkled cloth dress, her white-soled cloth shoes, and her hair tied with a simple gray hemp string. Yet, her small, fair, and delicate face contrasted with her humble appearance. She was curled up in the corner of the carriage, leaning against the wall, like a small, lonely bundle. Even the hardest heart would soften at the sight.

Suppressing his expression to avoid showing sympathy, he turned his face toward the window and said, “I have a way for you to make money. Want to give it a try?”

Lu Shujin, who was just worrying about how to earn some money, immediately seized the opportunity and asked, “Really?”

“Mhm,” Xiao Jin replied with an unusually serious tone. “Last night, Elder Qiao also went to the yamen. When he found out I was squandering money at the brothel, he got furious and punished me by making me copy the entire book Admonition Against Lust. I have no intention of copying it. If you’re willing to do it for me, I’ll pay you two taels of silver per page. The book has just over fifty pages, which means you can earn a hundred taels. What do you think?”

Before he even finished speaking, Lu Shujin’s eyes were already wide with confusion and shock.

She couldn’t understand how Xiao Jin could say such words with a straight face.

Did Qiao Bailian really catch him at the brothel? And punish him by making him copy Admonition Against Lust? And she could earn a hundred taels by copying it?

She was overwhelmed with too many shocking details and didn’t even know which question to ask first.

“Well? Speak up.” Xiao Jin looked at her stunned expression, raising an eyebrow. “Not interested?”

“No!” Lu Shujin shook her head immediately. Wasn’t this like a pie falling from the sky? Even if she were kicked in the head by a donkey, she wouldn’t refuse. “I’m willing. Thank you, Young Master Xiao.”

Yet, in truth, it was someone else who seemed to have been kicked by a donkey. Xiao Jin’s expression darkened, and he scolded her with a “hating iron for not becoming steel” tone, “You’re really a foolish boy. Only you can imitate my handwriting. No one else can do this for me. Why not use this fact to hold me at your mercy? Raise the price to five taels per page and make a good profit.”

“Ah?” Lu Shujin was stunned.

“I’m your newly acknowledged elder brother. I have a duty to help you get the best deal. This time, remember it well and be smarter next time,” Xiao Jin cleared his throat. “I accept your price hike. Let’s make it five taels per page, totaling two hundred and fifty taels. There’s no time limit. You can exchange each completed page for five taels.”

Lu Shujin was utterly baffled by Xiao Jin’s self-negotiation. In all her life, she had never seen someone bargaining with themselves. Was this Xiao Jin guy out of his mind?

Right now, in Lu Shujin’s eyes, Xiao Jin was like an ostentatious bag of gold, sprinkling silver coins wherever he went just to feel comfortable. Did his father know he was this wasteful?

But then she thought, if she didn’t take Xiao Jin’s silver, he would just throw it away at brothels or other pleasure houses. It would be better for her to take it in exchange for her own labor.

“Alright.” Lu Shujin nodded immediately. “Five taels per page.”

Xiao Jin smiled with satisfaction and stopped talking to her. The rest of the journey was relatively quiet. Xiao Jin, having not rested well the previous night, soon dozed off in his seat with the gentle sway of the carriage.

Lu Shujin gave the driver directions twice, finally guiding the carriage to the entrance of Changqing Alley. When the carriage stopped, she saw that Xiao Jin was still asleep. She thought of getting out quietly and letting him continue resting inside, avoiding any chance of him losing his temper at the people in the courtyard.

But just as she opened the carriage door, Xiao Jin’s eyes snapped open. His sharp gaze instantly caught Lu Shujin’s intention of sneaking away.

Having no choice, Lu Shujin gestured for him to step out first and then stepped back.

Xiao Jin got up and exited the carriage. As soon as his feet touched the ground, a strong sour and foul smell hit his nose. His handsome brows immediately furrowed. Turning his head, he saw a small mountain of garbage piled at the alley entrance. The weather had yet to cool, so the trash would start to rot within two days, emitting a horrible stench.

He blurted out, “What kind of place is this? So clean, isn’t it?”

Lu Shujin, who followed behind him, explained, “There are many tenants nearby, and the trash at the alley entrance is only cleaned once every five days. It’s unavoidable for it to smell.”

Xiao Jin scoffed, showing no restraint in his words. “Even the dogs at my house know to throw their leftover bones outside their kennels.”

She had expected such a reaction and didn’t argue, simply stepping over the scattered filth on the roadside and walking ahead. After ten or so steps, she turned and saw that Xiao Jin was still standing in place.

Dressed in a striking red robe with a snow-white inner layer, his long hair was tied loosely with a crimson silk ribbon, cascading casually over his shoulders. His black embroidered boots were so clean that even the edges were white. He looked so dignified and handsome, completely out of place in this shabby alley. His face showed a clear look of disgust, reluctant to take even one step forward.

A young master raised in a wealthy nest would naturally be unwilling to tread on this filthy, muddy path filled with refuse.

Lu Shujin sighed lightly and suddenly raised her voice, “Young Master Xiao, why don’t you wait in the carriage? I will be quick.”

Hearing her call, Xiao Jin immediately looked up at her.

He indeed didn’t want to go in—this path was so dirty that even walking back and forth once would soil his shoes. He couldn’t understand why these people lived here yet allowed their surroundings to become so filthy.

But there Lu Shujin stood, right in the middle of the muddy path, with dirt-stained shoes and her wrinkled gray cloth dress. Yet, somehow, she looked clean—those bright, obsidian-like eyes set against her fair face were so clear and luminous.

A thought flashed through Xiao Jin’s mind, and just as Lu Shujin’s face showed surprise, he suddenly realized he had already stepped over the foul-smelling refuse scattered on the ground.

He quickly regained his composure and said, “Lead the way.”

Seeing him come in, Lu Shujin knew better than to say anything more. “Then please watch your step, Young Master Xiao, and try not to step on anything hard to clean.”

“I’ll just throw the shoes away,” Xiao Jin huffed. After a moment, perhaps feeling that wasn’t enough, he corrected himself, “Burn them. Burn them to ash.”

Lu Shujin secretly found it amusing but didn’t show it. She led him into the courtyard where she lived.

As soon as they entered, they saw Yang Peier and Aunt Miao sitting under the eaves, chatting idly. The two were stunned when they saw Lu Shujin enter with a richly dressed young man following behind.

“Sister Peier,” Lu Shujin called out and walked in.

Xiao Jin stood in the middle of the courtyard, looking around. His face was expressionless, and his posture relaxed with his arms crossed.

Yang Peier immediately stood up and approached Lu Shujin. After a night of rest, she seemed much more spirited, though the noticeable slap mark on her face was still swollen. Holding Lu Shujin’s hands, she began to cry and express her gratitude.

Lu Shujin felt a pang of sadness. She took out the small bookcase she was carrying and handed it to Yang Peier. “This was taken from your room before. It wasn’t used, so take it back.”

Yang Peier refused, insisting, “This silver was meant to save my life. Now that I am rescued, it is all thanks to you—consider it your reward.”

“I can’t accept it. You don’t earn much from your daily work, so keep it for yourself.” Lu Shujin half-turned and looked toward Xiao Jin. “Actually, it wasn’t me who saved you, but this young master of the Xiao family—Xiao Jin. If you want to thank someone, it should be him.”

The name of the Xiao family was renowned in Yuncheng, especially the direct young master Xiao Jin. Yang Peier and Aunt Miao were instantly stunned, never expecting Lu Shujin to bring such an influential person here.

Yang Peier hurriedly knelt down to thank him, but Xiao Jin sidestepped and avoided her gesture.

His voice was indifferent, “I didn’t do it to save you. No need to thank me.”

Lu Shujin leaned down to help Yang Peier up and smiled, “Young Master Xiao acted to bring down the den of kidnappers who forced women into prostitution. That’s how you were rescued. So keep the silver. You don’t owe anyone.”

Yang Peier wiped her tears and stopped refusing, putting away the small bookcase and taking it back to her room.

Xiao Jin glanced at Lu Shujin, his gaze sweeping over the back of her fair neck. He was reminded of that day during the sunset, her tear-filled eyes gripping his hand, timidly asking if the promise still held.

She had clearly run around and exhausted herself trying to save Yang Peier, coming up with every possible solution, yet she refused to take any credit for it in front of Yang Peier.

Just as these thoughts flashed through his mind, she suddenly turned to face him and met his eyes. Then she ran over, brought out a chair, and said, “Please have a seat, Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Jin had no intention of sitting. He wanted to leave after exchanging a few words. Yet, he not only ended up sitting down but also had his shoes taken off.

Aunt Miao, seeing his elegant boots covered in mud, warmly offered to help clean them. Xiao Jin couldn’t refuse and didn’t want to lose his temper in front of Lu Shujin’s neighbors, so he awkwardly handed over his left shoe.

Aunt Miao took the shoe and hurried into her room to fetch a bamboo brush.

Xiao Jin, now shoeless on his left foot, couldn’t let it touch the ground. His pristine white socks were too delicate to be dirtied. Holding his foot up like that, he felt rather foolish and his expression darkened in displeasure.

Just then, he looked over and met Lu Shujin’s gaze. She was sitting properly with her legs together, looking especially well-behaved.

Suddenly feeling mischievous, Xiao Jin stretched out his left leg and placed his foot directly on her knee.

Lu Shujin glanced down but didn’t show any reaction.

Soon, Aunt Miao returned with a bamboo brush and took away Xiao Jin’s other shoe. He simply placed both feet on Lu Shujin’s lap, leaned back against the chair, and assumed the full demeanor of a pampered young master, slowly closing his eyes to the sound of their idle chatter and the gentle splash of water from shoe cleaning.

The chair Lu Shujin had fetched for him was the only one in the courtyard with a backrest—an old bamboo-woven chair. Yet, for Xiao Jin, it still felt uncomfortably hard. But somehow, he managed to drift off, undisturbed even by the distant street vendors’ calls.

Yang Peier glanced quickly at Xiao Jin. Seeing him reclining peacefully with his eyes closed as if asleep, she leaned closer to Lu Shujin and whispered, “Shujin, when did you become so close with Young Master Xiao?”

Lu Shujin wanted to say they weren’t close at all—at best, she had used him to deal with Liu Quan and later begged him to save someone. If they had any connection, it was only her ghostwriting essays and cheating in exams, which weren’t exactly noble connections.

But now, with his legs resting comfortably on her lap as he slept without any guard, saying they had no connection would probably be unbelievable. To be safe, in case Xiao Jin was just pretending to sleep, she replied, “Young Master Xiao is an upright and enthusiastic person who makes friends easily. I was just lucky to become his classmate and get a chance to associate with him.”

Her words were quite flattering, but Xiao Jin, who was fast asleep, didn’t hear them.

Yang Peier smiled. “That’s wonderful. You came here to study all by yourself with no one to rely on. I was worried you might be bullied at the academy. If you can get some help from the Xiao family, your days will be much smoother.”

Lu Shujin smiled and shook her head, not wanting to dwell on the topic. She changed the subject. “Sister Peier, you’re the one who should be careful. Yuncheng is vast and crowded with all kinds of people. Some harbor evil intentions, so you mustn’t easily trust others again.”

Yang Peier nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Lu Shujin’s advice. She then recounted the events of the past few days and thanked Lu Shujin again and again, saying she would treat her as a younger brother from now on.

Just then, the attendants sent to buy things returned, carrying large bundles. Their tall and sturdy figures startled Yang Peier, who stood up in shock.

Lu Shujin was slightly tugged but didn’t get up. However, the slight movement caused one of Xiao Jin’s feet to slip from her lap, and the heel knocked straight to the ground.

“Ow!” Xiao Jin woke up with a cry of pain.

The attendants, unaware of the situation, called out loudly, “Young Master.”

Half-awake, Xiao Jin glared at Lu Shujin in anger. But before he could say anything, she quickly said, “I didn’t move. You fell off on your own.”

He was still drowsy, unsure whether he had moved in his sleep or if Lu Shujin had done something. But with her denying it so firmly, he could only swallow his anger, giving the attendants an annoyed look instead. “Why did you take so long?”

The attendants kept their heads down, not daring to answer.

“Bring my shoes.”

Fortunately, Xiao Jin’s nap had put him in a better mood. Rubbing his neck, he let them help him put his shoes on. Once he stood, his temper seemed to have cooled. “What did you buy?”

“Five taels of ginseng, red dates, and lotus seeds each. Three old hens and twenty pounds of pork and mutton each.”

Xiao Jin frowned. “Is that all?”

Lu Shujin quickly interjected, “That’s plenty! If we buy too much, it will spoil before we can finish it.”

Xiao Jin didn’t argue further, simply gesturing toward Yang Peier’s room. “Place everything at the door there, then wait outside.”

The attendants followed his instructions, setting the items neatly by the door and then leaving.

Yang Peier was shocked, unsure how to react.

Lu Shujin was also taken aback. She had originally just intended to buy one chicken. But seeing Yang Peier’s astonishment, she quickly reassured her, “These are for you to recover your health. I planned to buy them myself, but Young Master Xiao has a generous nature. Aunt Miao was also worried when you were taken, even accompanying me to report it to the authorities. You should share some of these with her as a thank you.”

In just one hour, the infamous Xiao Jin, notorious throughout Yuncheng, had been transformed into a warm-hearted, courteous young master of a prestigious family in the eyes of the courtyard residents.

Tears welled up in Yang Peier’s eyes. She gave Xiao Jin a deep bow of gratitude, then pulled Lu Shujin aside, thanking her repeatedly while wiping her tears.

Xiao Jin waited a while but soon grew impatient. “Lu Shujin,” he called, “You should get back and start copying the book.”

Lu Shujin responded with a soft acknowledgment, feeling that it was about time to leave, so she bid farewell to Yang Peier. Aunt Miao followed along to see them off, her face beaming with joy as she walked behind Lu Shujin, repeatedly praising both Xiao Jin and her for being such talented young individuals.

Xiao Jin walked ahead with large strides and soon reached the alley’s entrance. He turned around and saw Lu Shujin still walking slowly, chatting and responding to the two women. If it were Ji Shuoting or anyone else, he would have already started scolding them. But watching Lu Shujin’s smiling eyes and lively demeanor—much more cheerful and full of life than she appeared in the academy—he kept quiet, choosing to stand by the alley’s entrance and wait.

The attendants who were familiar with their young master’s temperament were surprised. Seeing him standing beside the filthy, trash-filled alley without urging anyone, his face free of irritation, they exchanged glances in silent astonishment.

Finally, when Lu Shujin reached the alley’s entrance, Xiao Jin climbed into the carriage.

After finishing her farewells with Yang Peier and Aunt Miao, Lu Shujin also boarded the carriage. Once the door closed, the luxurious carriage slowly departed from Changqing Alley.

Xiao Jin cast a glance around the carriage floor, where their mud-stained shoes had left a messy trail. His brow twitched in irritation, and he simply closed his eyes, pretending not to see the mess. Lu Shujin noticed this and quietly settled down against the carriage wall, not disturbing his feigned sleep.

After a while, as the carriage swayed along the road, Xiao Jin suddenly spoke, “Did you change your bandage today?”

“Huh?” The question caught Lu Shujin off guard, and it was only then that she remembered the wound on her neck. She had indeed forgotten to change it.

Xiao Jin opened his eyes and gestured towards the white cloth wrapped around her neck. “Untie it. Let me take a look.”

Lu Shujin carefully unwound the bandage, revealing the wound covered in a dark, bluish ointment. Xiao Jin’s brows knitted together. “How did it get like this?”

Unable to see her own wound, Lu Shujin looked puzzled. “Is it serious?”

Xiao Jin didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned down and pulled out a hidden drawer beneath his seat. Inside were various bottles and jars. He picked out a few, checked them briefly, and chose a pale yellow porcelain bottle, placing it on the small table.

He then picked up the kettle on the table, pouring some warm water into a cup. From his coat pocket, he pulled out a dark green silk handkerchief, soaking it thoroughly in the warm water, wringing it out slightly. Finally, he looked at Lu Shujin. “Come over here.”

As the carriage swayed lightly, Lu Shujin steadied herself against the wall and moved to sit next to Xiao Jin, just as he had instructed. The space wasn’t very wide, and Xiao Jin was already seated in the middle. As Lu Shujin settled down beside him, the distance between them became almost nonexistent. To expose her wound to him, she had to turn towards him, causing their knees to press against each other.

Xiao Jin first pressed the warm, damp cloth against her wound. The lingering warmth immediately stirred a faint stinging sensation, and as the heat spread, Lu Shujin felt a rising warmth across her neck, slowly creeping towards her ears.

She glanced slightly to the side, looking at Xiao Jin.

He was focused on her wound. Once the heat had softened the old ointment, he gently wiped it away, his expression displeased. “You really can’t trust those street-side doctors. Their medicine is too slow in taking effect. If you keep using it, it will not only leave an ugly scar but might even cause the wound to fester.”

“Too much happened yesterday. I forgot about this when we got back,” he muttered, almost to himself.

With the dark ointment wiped off, the true state of Lu Shujin’s wound was revealed. Though it had stopped bleeding, the area was swollen and slightly red, showing little improvement compared to the night before.

Xiao Jin picked up the porcelain bottle, poured some fine powder into his palm—some sort of expensive medicine that he didn’t hesitate to use.

As he set the bottle aside, a thought seemed to occur to him. He looked up at Lu Shujin and asked, “This medicine is quite strong. It will sting a bit when applied. But you’re a big, strong lad. You’re not afraid of a little pain, right?”

Lu Shujin met his gaze for a moment, then shifted her eyes to the window frame behind him, nodding slightly.

She felt that Xiao Jin’s words didn’t sound like a challenge but more like encouragement, his tone oddly gentle.

As she was caught in her thoughts, Xiao Jin’s hand suddenly pressed against her wound, and the burning pain that followed was almost unbearable—far worse than when she was injured yesterday. Yet despite the intense pain, Lu Shujin gritted her teeth, fists clenched, and endured without uttering a sound, letting Xiao Jin apply the medicine in three careful layers.

After treating the wound, Xiao Jin handed Lu Shujin a fresh piece of white cotton cloth, letting her wrap the injury herself. As his gaze swept over her reddened eyes, he silently thought to himself that he had never seen such a delicate boy before.

But his mouth couldn’t help but take a jab at his good friend. “Last time Ji Shuoting used this medicine, he was crying for his parents. Didn’t expect you to handle it better than him.”

Lu Shujin carefully wrapped her wound without responding.

Yet in her heart, she wondered—wasn’t that actually a compliment?

Although most of the praise she gave Xiao Jin earlier was just for appearances, that part about him being “warm-hearted” wasn’t entirely untrue.

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