Volume One, Chapter Nine: A Woman’s Honor Should Not Be Taken Lightly

Yun Chu looked at his young master, bewildered. Ever since they returned from the south, the young master had been acting strangely, claiming he had the same dream every night.

When Yun Chu asked what the dream was about, the young master refused to say, only ordering him to leave.

Why would Lu Junyan ever speak of having erotic dreams every night? He had always kept his distance from women, and he did not know why he kept dreaming of them lately. In his dreams, the woman was beautiful, with a melodious voice and eyes filled with tears.

Lu Junyan had initially assumed it was just a dream, but he never expected to catch a glimpse of Jiang Zhinian in Cheng County.

He recognized her instantly. It was Yun Chu who reminded him that Jiang Zhinian was the daughter of the Minister of Rites and the future Crown Princess favored by the Empress.

Just a moment ago, he had recognized her from afar. That such a person truly existed in the world was already beyond his expectations, and then he saw the fleeting panic on Jiang Zhinian's face.

Lu Junyan was certain: she had recognized him too.

Could it be that she was also having this dream?

...

Hongdou led the way, saying, "This is the Heir of the Marquis of Rong'an, and the adopted son of the current Emperor. The young master suffers from an eye affliction, so you two young ladies should be sure to keep a respectful distance."

"Yes."

When they arrived at Weiyang Palace, the Empress smiled brightly as soon as she saw Jiang Zhinian.

Jiang Zhinian remained modest and poised, while Jiang Ruozhen appeared somewhat more familiar with the Empress.

The Empress noticed that Jiang Ruozhen had a lively personality; it was no wonder Huai'an favored her more. However, in terms of talent and insight, Jiang Zhinian was superior. She was the Crown Princess candidate the Empress had personally selected, and there would surely be no mistake in that choice.

As for the other "warblers and swallows," keeping them in the Eastern Palace as pets would do no harm.

The Empress then asked what favor the two girls desired. Jiang Zhinian replied that it was Jiang Ruozhen who had performed the good deeds, not her, so she naturally could not accept a reward.

The Empress could not sway her, so she turned her gaze to Jiang Ruozhen.

Jiang Ruozhen persisted in what she had said at the Marquis’s residence: doing good deeds was a duty and required no reward.

A cryptic smile played on Jiang Zhinian's lips. It seemed that compared to Jiang Ruoqi, Jiang Ruozhen loved herself and her own reputation even more.

In the end, the Empress bestowed some gifts upon them to settle the matter. Just then, Crown Prince Shen Huai'an arrived to pay his respects. "Crown Prince, you have arrived just in time. The two Misses Jiang are here; why don't you take them to the Luomei Garden for a stroll?"

Hongdou added, "The plum blossoms are in full bloom these days. It would be a perfect time for the two young ladies to cut a few branches to take home."

Shen Huai'an frowned, intending to refuse this tedious errand, but upon glancing at Jiang Ruozhen standing nearby—who tilted her head and offered him a soft smile—he thought of that spirited figure he had seen in Cheng County and obediently agreed.

-

Along the way, Shen Huai'an walked in front, with Jiang Ruozhen following closely behind, leaving Jiang Zhinian a distance behind.

"Your Highness once said that you would teach me to ride a horse once we returned to the capital, but after we returned, I could hardly catch a glimpse of you."

"My studies have been demanding these days. Once spring arrives, I will certainly teach you," Shen Huai'an said, glancing back at Jiang Zhinian.

Did Jiang Zhinian dare to be absent-minded in his presence? Shen Huai'an felt a sudden sense of frustration. Didn't people in the capital say that Jiang Zhinian would stop at nothing to marry him?

Now that he was right in front of her, why was she so indifferent? Or was she merely feigning composure?

Shen Huai'an did not want to grant her wishes and said deliberately, "Jiang Zhinian, this is not your first time in the palace; there is no need for you to go to the Luomei Garden."

He waited for her to plead with him.

Jiang Zhinian stopped and looked at Shen Huai'an and Jiang Ruozhen. Jiang Ruozhen also looked puzzled; everything had been fine just a moment ago, so why did the Crown Prince suddenly seem angry?

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Zhinian merely gave them a faint look, then bowed her head slightly. "As Your Highness says. Then this subject will take her leave."

She had never wanted to be entangled with the Crown Prince anyway, and Shen Huai'an's words played right into her hands.

Shen Huai'an snorted coldly and walked away with Jiang Ruozhen. Jiang Zhinian did not follow; she had been to the palace many times before and returned the way she came, familiar with every path.

As she walked, a figure suddenly appeared at the end of the long corridor—it was the Heir with the eye affliction.

Jiang Zhinian froze, her slender neck stiffening. Forcing herself to calm down, she thought, *I am so far from him, and he has an eye affliction; he surely cannot know it is me.*

Besides, her entanglement with this man was a matter of her past life; in this life, nothing had happened.

Why scare herself?

Just as she turned to leave before he could notice her, a voice rang out from behind: "It is the Miss Jiang we met earlier, Miss Jiang!"

Yun Chu had sharp eyes and spotted her immediately. Now, Jiang Zhinian had no choice but to stop. When the two reached her, she bowed in greeting.

"This subject pays respects to the Heir."

"We have indeed met," Lu Junyan remarked, his tone carrying a deep, hidden meaning.

Jiang Zhinian felt an inexplicable panic triggered by these words. She wanted to find an excuse to leave quickly, but Lu Junyan spoke first. "Yun Chu, step aside. I have words for Miss Jiang."

Jiang Zhinian almost thought she had misheard. Her voice trembled. "I am not acquainted with the Heir. Pray excuse my rudeness, but I must be going."

As she turned, Lu Junyan's warm, strong hand gripped her. "Miss Jiang, do you truly not know me?"

Terrified, Jiang Zhinian shook off his hand and looked back, feigning composure. "Naturally."

"Miss Jiang may not know me, but I know Miss Jiang..." Lu Junyan squinted at her, his eyes surging with hidden currents. For a moment, Jiang Zhinian felt as if he could actually see.

Lu Junyan lowered his voice and whispered into her ear, "On your bodice, is there not a begonia embroidered alongside your childhood name?"

Memories of her past life flooded back like a tide—the scenes in the inner chamber were the very things she least wished to recall. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and her eyes filled with tears. Just as they were about to spill over—

*Slap!* A crisp sound echoed. Jiang Zhinian said coldly, "Heir, even with your noble status, you should not joke with a woman's reputation. Please show some self-respect!"

With that, Jiang Zhinian walked away without looking back.

Lu Junyan pressed his tongue against the corner of his mouth; his handsome face burned with pain. He deserved this slap—no one would ever speak like that upon a first encounter.

He was more brazen than a hooligan.

He had only wanted to test whether Jiang Zhinian truly recognized him, or rather, if they were both having the same dream.

It seemed, quite clearly, they were.