Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Shen Si looked at the faint sheen in Ji Hanyi’s eyes, and his heart clenched painfully. He remembered how she had cried as a child. Back then, she had wailed without restraint and burrowed into her father’s arms. Now, even with tears in her eyes, she remained utterly silent, as though she had suffered so many grievances that she no longer knew how to cry aloud.
In a low, hoarse voice, Shen Si asked, “Why are you sad?”
Was it because she still cared about what had once existed between them? Because she still felt some attachment to their shared past? Or was it something else?
His cool fingertips came to rest beneath Ji Hanyi’s chin. She froze, and the moment she blinked, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
Ji Hanyi did not want this. Even less did she want to cry in front of Shen Si.
But she could not control it.
Hearing Shen Si’s voice only made the ache worse. Her hoarse, trembling voice emerged from her throat as she said sorrowfully, “I was thinking of my father.”
Shen Si’s fingers stilled, then slowly withdrew.
The breath he had been holding eased. Gazing at her tear-streaked eyes, he sighed. “It’s all in the past.”
Ji Hanyi lowered her head and pressed an embroidered handkerchief to her eyes. Then, ever obedient, she gave a soft murmur of agreement. Her voice was faintly hoarse. “It’s all in the past.”
Shen Si watched as she covered her eyes with the handkerchief. Her graceful figure remained perfectly upright, but her shoulders had drooped and her gaze was lowered. The sight made his chest ache.
He sighed. He had never meant to make her cry.
Ji Hanyi also knew she could not remain like this in front of Shen Si. She tried hard to suppress the surge of emotion in her heart, then said softly, “Lord Shen, I haven’t had these in a very long time. They’re truly delicious.”
“Thank you, Lord Shen.”
Shen Si looked at her reddened eyes and the profound sincerity within them. For a moment, he lost himself in the sight of her before saying hoarsely, “I’ll bring you more tomorrow.”
Ji Hanyi froze. Once she realized what he meant, she hurriedly shook her head. “I couldn’t trouble you again, Lord Shen.”
Shen Si pursed his lips and glanced at her. “I’m staying next door for the next few days. I can give them to you while passing by. It won’t be any trouble.”
That left Ji Hanyi with no way to refuse.
She could not help stealing a glance at Shen Si, but the instant she looked up, he caught her eye. She quickly turned away and nodded hastily.
Shen Si smiled at her little reaction. He was in no hurry. As long as Ji Hanyi had not yet left the capital, he would find a way to make her stay.
Whether she liked him or not could wait until after they were married. For now, he only needed to keep her by his side.
Shen Si knew he could not make his desire to draw closer to her too obvious. Otherwise, she would retreat and perhaps even think of fleeing farther away.
The letter he had given her last time had indeed been too abrupt. She had only just divorced, and she had not been prepared for any of this. He should not have pressed her to make a choice so soon. He had been too impatient.
His dark eyes lowered to her once more. “I’m right next door. If anything happens, send someone over to get me.”
Ji Hanyi had just cried in front of him and now did not dare meet his eyes. She nodded again, then whispered, “Lord Shen, I should go.”
Shen Si pointed at the small box on the table. “Do you want the other one?”
Ji Hanyi looked over. Since Shen Si had brought the pastries for her, she ought to finish them.
It had been so long since she had tasted anything like this. They truly were delicious.
She nodded quickly, lowered her head, and finished the other pastry.
Ji Hanyi was still careful as she ate. With her head lowered, she held her other hand beneath the pastry to catch the crumbs, unwilling to dirty Shen Si’s carriage.
Shen Si stared at the crumbs clinging to the corner of her lips. His eyes darkened slightly, but he restrained the urge to wipe them away for her.
The pastry was small, and Ji Hanyi finished it in two bites. Holding the box containing the packets of medicine, she thanked Shen Si once more before stepping down from the carriage.
Shen Si lifted the curtain beside him and watched Ji Hanyi standing outside the carriage in the night. The chilly wind brushed against her slender figure, and his expression softened as he looked at her.
After returning home, Ji Hanyi first had Rongchun put away all the packets of medicine. From now on, they would use these whenever they brewed medicine for her mother. Only then did she go to her mother’s room.
Her mother had already fallen asleep, so Ji Hanyi quietly returned to her own room and began writing a letter to Mr. Zhang.
By the afternoon of the following day, Ji Hanyi received Mr. Zhang’s reply.
She sat in the small covered walkway in the rear courtyard, a gentle breeze drifting past. Mr. Zhang’s letter was not long, and Ji Hanyi soon finished reading it.
The letter said that both of Ji Hanyi’s shops had been sold, and the painting had also fetched a good price. Since it amounted to a considerable sum of silver, Mr. Zhang asked whether she would come and collect it herself or have him send someone to deliver it.
After some thought, Ji Hanyi decided it would be better to collect it in person.
Everything went smoothly. When Mr. Zhang placed the heavy money pouch in Ji Hanyi’s hands, he lowered his voice and said, “Your shop on Chongwen South Street wasn’t in the best location, and properties on that street don’t command high prices. Although the shop was doing fairly well, it still couldn’t fetch a premium. Even so, it sold for more than the other shops nearby – nine hundred taels of silver.”
“The other shop in the north of the city was worth a little less. It only sold for six hundred taels.”
Ji Hanyi knew the shop on Chongwen Street was not particularly valuable. She was already quite satisfied that it had sold for this much.
She nodded gently. “Thank you, Mr. Zhang.”
Mr. Zhang smiled. “It was nothing. I didn’t do much to help.”
As he spoke, he handed Ji Hanyi the proceeds from her last painting, which came to more than four hundred taels. Then he added in a low, earnest voice, “Your paintings fetch the highest prices at Baoshan Tower every time. If you truly intend to leave the capital, you should paint a few more and bring them here. That person will certainly want them as well.”
Ji Hanyi detected another meaning behind Mr. Zhang’s words.
Although she had only sent three or four paintings to Baoshan Tower each year, she knew that every one of them had sold for a considerable price.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Ji Hanyi asked, “Could you explain what you mean, Mr. Zhang? Who is that person?”
Mr. Zhang paused. Only then did he realize he had said too much. He hurriedly replied, “It was merely an offhand remark. Many people buy your paintings. I only meant that you should paint a few more.”
Ji Hanyi smiled but did not agree outright.
Although she sold paintings to make a living, inspiration was crucial to her. Without it, she could not paint no matter how much she wanted to.
Her mother’s poor health had weighed heavily on her lately. She worried about the future and about her mother. Now that she had moved out of the residence and was living on her own with only two maids at her side, countless trivial matters demanded her attention. She no longer had the same peace of mind or leisurely inclination. In fact, she might not be able to pick up a brush at all for some time.
Back when she lived at the Xie Residence, she might not have been treated well, but she had few responsibilities and plenty of free time. Her days had been quiet, allowing her to settle her mind and devote herself to her work.
Ji Hanyi understood that Mr. Zhang wanted her to paint more so she could save additional silver for the future. He was only looking out for her.
She took one hundred taels from one of the money pouches and placed it in Mr. Zhang’s hands. “There are few people left in the capital who are willing to help me, and you are one of them. I have always remembered your kindness.”
“Once my mother recovers, I will leave the capital. I don’t know when we will meet again. This silver is nothing more than a small token of my gratitude, so please don’t refuse it. Accepting it will put my mind at ease.”
Mr. Zhang looked at the silver she had offered, then at the determination in her eyes. With a sigh, he finally accepted it.
His expression full of melancholy, he said, “No matter what help you may need in the future, just write to me.”
Ji Hanyi nodded. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with him, she left.
On the way home, Ji Hanyi passed a pastry shop and decided to buy some of her mother’s favorite pastries. To her surprise, however, she ran into Xie Jin there.
Ji Hanyi had gotten out of her carriage first and was nearly done with her purchase when Xie Jin appeared.
Xie Jin was dressed as lavishly as ever, decked in jewels and finery. Her chin was slightly raised, and three or four female attendants followed behind her as she approached from across the street.
Ji Hanyi glanced at Xie Jin. The affairs of the Xie Family had nothing to do with her anymore, and she had no desire to deal with Xie Jin. She turned and was about to climb back into her carriage when Xie Jin’s urgent voice rang out behind her.
“Ji Hanyi!”