Chapter Sixty-One: Jiang Li Is Jealous

Liu Qin stuck out her tongue, grateful for her quick wit—otherwise, who knew what might have happened? She truly feared that these two children would start fighting in the teacher’s classroom, all over a seat. Was it really necessary?

Jiang Li hadn’t quarreled with Xiao Wu, but when school let out, Liu Qin clearly sensed something was wrong with him; he seemed to be angry.

As soon as the teacher left, Jiang Li stood up. He didn’t come over to take Liu Qin’s hand as he usually did, nor did he acknowledge anyone else. He simply walked out of the classroom all alone, his figure solitary and forlorn. Liu Qin was momentarily stunned, then hurried after him, only catching up once he’d left the courtyard. She grabbed his hand, breathless and complaining, “Brother Li, why didn’t you wait for me? I had to chase you so far.”

Jiang Li didn’t shake her off, but he didn’t respond as warmly as before. His lips pressed into a tight line, and he remained silent.

“Brother Li, what’s wrong? Are you angry?”

Under Liu Qin’s puzzled and pitiful gaze, Jiang Li finally lowered his head and muttered, “No.”

Yet he might as well have had the word ‘angry’ written across his face. Liu Qin was truly perplexed—what on earth had happened? She hadn’t offended the young master, had she? Over the past year, Jiang Li rarely got angry, especially not in front of Liu Qin; he was always gentle, patiently coaxing her. But now, out of nowhere, he was irritable, and Liu Qin felt a little panicked. People like Jiang Li, who kept everything bottled up and never spoke their hearts, truly were troublesome.

With no other recourse, Liu Qin clung to his hand, shaking and tugging as she pleaded, “Brother Li, just tell me. If I’ve done anything wrong, let me know, and I’ll change it. I promise—absolutely promise to change. If I don’t, you can spank me. Deal?”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh at her words; his expression softened a little. He raised a hand to stroke her head, his tone tinged with melancholy. “I’m not angry, I’m just… just…” But he couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

Liu Qin waited for a long time, but he only said “just…” with nothing more to follow. So she pressed him, “Just what?”

Jiang Li hesitated for ages. Looking at Liu Qin’s curious, childlike face, he seemed to make a huge decision and finally asked, “Did you go to see Xiao Wu last night?”

“Yes, it was Xiao Wu’s birthday. I brought him a cake and longevity noodles. Brother Li, I brought you noodles for your birthday too, remember? Hehe, seems my noodles are pretty tasty—Xiao Wu finished them all.”

“But… but didn’t you say…” Jiang Li couldn’t continue. He wanted to say, Didn’t you promise you’d only make those for me? Not even for Hai or Chao, and now you’re giving them to someone else?

“Brother Li, are you still angry at Xiao Wu? It’s really not a big deal. Xiao Wu didn’t do it on purpose. He promised me he won’t quarrel with us anymore and will get along well from now on.”

“I… I…”

Jiang Li opened and closed his mouth for a long time, unable to say a word. What could he say? That he wasn’t angry at Xiao Wu, but at his sister? No, he was angry at Xiao Wu too—why did he have to come into the Liu estate, why did he have to get involved between me and my sister, and why did my sister treat others so well? Ah, his mind was in a tangle. What was he really thinking?

Seeing Jiang Li still gloomy, Liu Qin finally began to understand. Could it be that Jiang Li wasn’t angry, but jealous? Goodness, people in ancient times couldn’t be so precocious, could they? They were still children, and already knew how to be jealous?

Though surprised by Jiang Li’s jealousy, Liu Qin secretly rejoiced. It proved her plan to raise her future husband was working; in just a year, she’d tied Jiang Li’s heart to hers. Given time, she could surely train him to be a devoted husband with eyes only for her. All those other women, the scheming concubines, would never get a chance. Ha!

To comfort Jiang Li, Liu Qin deliberately pouted and said, “Brother Li, if anything’s bothering you, just tell me. You know, in my heart, besides father and mother, you’re the closest to me—even closer than my big brother and sister-in-law.”

Though meant to soothe him, she spoke from the heart, for she truly believed no one in the world could treat her better than Jiang Li.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li’s eyes lit up, brighter than sun and stars. All his unhappiness vanished; he gripped Liu Qin’s hand tightly. “Is that really true?”

Liu Qin nodded earnestly. “Of course. It couldn’t be truer.”

Jiang Li broke into a smile, and when he smiled, he was truly captivating. Liu Qin was dazzled by his smile, lost in the moment, until she heard Jiang Li solemnly declare, “You’re also the dearest to me.”

“Mm, Brother Li, let’s always stay this close, and live happily together our whole lives.”

“Our whole lives?”

“Yes. Don’t you want that, Brother Li?”

“No, no, I do, I do!”

Jiang Li blushed and hurriedly promised. Liu Qin, meanwhile, was laughing inside, more slyly than Fang Nuo, like a little fox. This innocent boy was so easy to win over—a few sweet words and he was hers. She was delighted, oh so delighted…

The two of them were now standing beneath a fragrant camphor tree outside Xuanlu Courtyard. Nearby, several rose and monthly rose bushes bloomed in profusion, their pink and crimson petals intermingled. The wind blew, scattering petals and lifting their sleeves, fluttering like a dream—so beautiful, so romantic, just as Liu Qin had imagined.

Only then did Changxing and the others emerge from the courtyard, chatting about their lessons. Seeing Jiang Li and Liu Qin there, they gathered around, laughing and joking, before heading together to Moxiang Courtyard.

When everyone had left, Xuanlu was quiet once more. From behind a large tree, someone finally stepped out—it was Xiao Wu. Who knew how long he had been hiding there? He gazed in the direction the others had gone, his eyes once again inscrutable.

These lively days always passed quickly. True to his promise to Liu Qin, Xiao Wu had mellowed a great deal. Though he remained aloof and rarely joined conversations, at least he no longer stirred up trouble. When the group gathered, he wouldn’t squeeze into the center but wouldn’t leave either, always keeping a careful distance. Liu Qin, understanding his quirks, didn’t force him, but always remembered to include him, making sure he didn’t feel excluded.

When alone with Liu Qin, Xiao Wu was much more relaxed than before, willing to talk with her. He still wasn’t exactly warm, but the coldness in his eyes had faded. Liu Qin believed the boy was slowly opening up to her; perhaps, in time, he would truly let go and reveal his real self.

The days grew hotter, and Liu Qin faced the stifling summer she dreaded most. The old lady, troubled by matters at the Fifth Lord’s residence and suffering from a touch of heatstroke, never felt well. One day, she proposed retreating to the villa for a while, both to relax and escape the summer heat.