TRBDM -Chapter 118 Parting

When Dou Shuxin hurried to the noodle shop, Dou Shuyao was already crying. The noodle shop owner gently comforted her: “Madam, don’t worry. Your second young lady was probably drawn away by something fun.”

“There are so many strange and wondrous things at the Flower Festival. One could easily get distracted just looking around. Maybe your second young lady will come back on her own soon.”

Dou Shuxin knew things weren’t good and immediately ran forward. “Sister, I’m back.”

Tears blurred Dou Shuyao’s vision. She looked up and, seeing Dou Shuxin, immediately pulled her into an embrace.

“Where did you go? You scared me half to death!”

Dou Shuyao no longer cared about maintaining the image of the eldest daughter-in-law of the household; she was sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing the crowd around them, Dou Shuxin felt guilty and led Dou Shuyao up to a private room on the second floor.

“Sister, I’m sorry. There was a lion dance performance over there, and I got so caught up watching that I forgot to tell you. I’m so sorry, please don’t cry.”

Finally, Dou Shuyao’s tense heart eased. She patted her chest, still shaken:

“You scared me to death. Losing our eldest sister was bad enough, but losing you too… I would’ve died of fright.”

Dou Shuxin, knowing she had made a grave mistake but unable to tell the truth, kept quiet. She wiped Dou Shuyao’s tears and poured her some water, expressing her apology through actions.

After drinking a cup of water, her racing heart finally calmed.

Dou Shuyao wiped her tears and, not forgetting to scold, said: “Next time, you mustn’t do this. If you want to watch the lion dance, I’ll go with you. Don’t ever just go off by yourself. Look outside—so many people, how could anyone tell who’s good or bad?”

“If something happened to you, how would I explain it to our father and mother in the afterlife?”

Dou Shuxin nodded repeatedly. “You’re right, sister.”

Seeing Dou Shuxin obediently admit her mistake, Dou Shuyao could no longer bear to keep scolding her.

She held Dou Shuxin’s hand and then noticed something different about her.

Her lips were unusually flushed, as if she had a fever.

And her hair—before leaving, it hadn’t been styled simply. Dou Shuyao remembered it clearly as a cloud bun.

“Shuxin, are you feeling unwell?”

“Huh? No…” Dou Shuxin avoided her sister’s gaze, feeling guilty.

“Are you running a fever? Your cheeks are warm.”

Dou Shuxin forced a smile. “Really, sister, I’m fine. I’m not sick.”

But as she spoke, a sharp pain shot through her tongue.

Zhao Jingheng had kissed her fiercely, biting her tongue, and the metallic taste of blood spread in her mouth, reminding her of that kiss.

She suppressed the pain and spoke calmly to Dou Shuyao.

Before long, Xie Wanrou and the others arrived.

Accompanying them was also Jiang Yuelin, the junior minister of the Court of Justice.

Dou Shuyao quickly composed herself, glancing over at Jiang Yuelin and Xie Wanrou, her brows slightly raised.

These two did not seem ordinary.

“The jade flute in your hand is beautiful, sister. Where did you get it?” Dou Shuyao asked.

Xie Wanrou smiled gently. “I bought it at an antiques stall.”

She didn’t mention that it had been a gift from Jiang Yuelin.

“It’s really lovely. By the way, later we’re going to rent a boat to enjoy the moon. Could you play a piece for us?”

“Of course.”

Dou Shuxin, preoccupied with thoughts of the Tenth Prince, wasn’t in the mood to go on the boat. But seeing everyone else so excited, she didn’t want to spoil the fun and joined them.

The boatman rowed, shadows of the trees drifting across the water, the moon breaking into scattered silver reflections on the rippling surface.

Xie Wanrou stood at the bow, jade flute in hand, and a graceful, melodious tune flowed from her lips.

Jiang Yuelin had long discarded his mask in the cabin and watched Xie Wanrou, completely entranced.

Music, painting, chess, calligraphy… what was there that she couldn’t do?

How could such a perfect woman exist in the world?

Every smile, every movement of hers, captured Jiang Yuelin’s gaze.

As the piece ended, Xie Lan and Xie Yu applauded enthusiastically.

“Play another piece!”

“Another piece,” Jiang Yuelin said.

Dou Shuyao also followed suit: “Another piece.”

Xie Wanrou lowered her eyes, a gentle smile on her lips: “Alright.”

The music flowed gracefully, the moonlight was enchanting, and the candlelight along the shore reflected in the lake, layer upon layer.

They enjoyed tea, played chess, ate candied fruits, and chatted leisurely under the moon, utterly delighted.

Dou Shuyao had just lost a game of chess, so she let Xie Lan take her place.

Xie Lan patted his chest confidently:

“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law, I’ll avenge you.”

“Then I’ll leave it to Fourth Brother,” she said.

Dou Shuyao stepped aside and sat next to Dou Shuxin.

She had long noticed Dou Shuxin’s distraction: “Shuxin, what’s wrong?”

“Sister, do you remember, not far from the noodle shop, there’s an old mansion belonging to the Xiang family?”

Dou Shuyao thought for a moment—yes, there was such a place.

“I want to go get something.”

“Now?” Dou Shuyao found it odd. “What do you need that can’t wait?”

“Something important.”

Dou Shuyao looked at her, sensing she was hiding something.

“Once we’re ashore, I’ll go with you.”

“No, I can go myself…”

“Shuxin.” Dou Shuyao’s face turned serious, leaving no room for refusal. “I’ll go with you.”

Dou Shuxin hesitated, but the image of Dou Shuyao’s anxious tears earlier was still fresh in her mind. She couldn’t bear to make her worry again.

After everyone disembarked, Dou Shuyao offered to accompany her sister to the old mansion, planning to return to the marquis residence on her own.

The others didn’t suspect a thing and waved goodbye.

Having spent half a day together, Xie Wanrou and Jiang Yuelin also reached the moment of parting.

Xie Lan pulled Xie Yu into the carriage first, leaving the two of them to talk.

Xie Yu poked his little head out the window, puzzled: “Fourth Brother, what is Jiang Yuelin saying to Sister?”

“Mature matters, child, better not to ask.”

“Oh.” Xie Yu ducked back in and rested familiar on Xie Lan’s lap. “So tired, Third Brother, may I borrow your lap?”

Xie Lan’s hand covered Xie Yu’s eyes: “If you’re tired, just sleep.”

“Mm!”

Outside the carriage, Jiang Yuelin lowered his gaze toward Xie Wanrou: “Miss Xie, I exchanged the jade flute for the pastries you made yourself. Don’t forget.”

“I’m grateful that you don’t find them inferior, sir. Such humble pastries cannot compare to a jade flute.”

“Is that so? But I think a craftsman could replicate a jade flute exactly, while the pastries made by your own hands are truly unique. So, Miss Xie, don’t belittle yourself.”

Xie Wanrou had already felt respect and care from Jiang Yuelin on multiple occasions.

She felt grateful.

“Since you like them, I’ll make more.”

“Will I get to eat them tomorrow?”

Xie Wanrou was surprised—so soon?

Though puzzled, she didn’t refuse: “Yes.”

Jiang Yuelin’s gaze held a hint of triumph, a faint smile curling his lips: “See you tomorrow, Miss Xie.”

By the time Xie Wanrou entered the carriage, Xie Yu was already asleep, and Xie Lan was waiting for her.

“Lan’er, you rest too. I’ll wake you when we get home.”

“Mm.”

Xie Lan closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.

Elsewhere, the two Dou sisters walked out of the dim alley and arrived in front of the old mansion.