chapter 8

It seems Yuan Zong, my cousin, is about to return to the Central Plains.

That night, I went to find Cheng Jia and overheard them talking outside the house. Yuan Zong said he had already contacted Wei Ming, who was on his way with his guards. Now that matters in Changan were settled, it was time to go back.

Cheng Jia was silent for a moment, then said to him, “When you return, just tell them I have died in the Western Regions.”

Yuan Zong let out a laugh, “You can’t be serious about staying here, can you? What a joke. The grandfather and grandson have indeed done us a great favor, but there are many ways to repay kindness. You could bring them back to Changan. There will be a grand mansion, fine clothes and food-they won’t be mistreated.”

“They don’t want to go to the Central Plains.”

“Then transfer a team from the Central Plains here, bring maids and servants, give them whatever they want.”

“Yuan Zong, all they want is me.”

Cheng Jia looked at him seriously, his voice calm: “A gentleman’s word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. How can I go back on my promise and lose the trust of others? You needn’t say more. I will not return. From now on, there will be no Cheng Jia in the Central Plains.”

“You!”

Yuan Zong seemed angry, fuming for a while before throwing out a “Suit yourself,” and then turning to leave.

After he left, I stood behind Cheng Jia, a little uneasy: “You really won’t go back?”

Cheng Jia turned around.

Yuni City was very quiet at night. Moonlight spilled over the endless city walls, and onto the earthen walls outside the house, coating them in a beautiful silver glow, making Cheng Jia look like a jade tree.

He wore a collared robe of the Hu people.

It was a robe I had someone make after I arrived in Yuni City.

The Pearl and Beast Pattern Brocade from the Western Regions is a fine silk, with beautiful colors, but when worn by Cheng Jia, it couldn’t compare to his moon-like face.

He was truly handsome, his brows and eyes dark as a crow, his lips thin and delicate.

Seeing my unease, he smiled and reached out his hand to me.

“Ah Li, come here.”

I immediately stepped forward and took his hand.

The Western Regions are open-minded, and the girls of Yuni City like to wear red skirts, with low-cut blouses and half-sleeved tops.

I always dressed like this too, a jeweled belt at my waist, a string of pearl and jade hair ornaments on my forehead, Red Carnelian Beads wrapped around my wrist, jingling as I walked.

Cheng Jia had long known I was behind him. Since arriving in Yuni City, he had developed a habit: calling me to his side and retying the straps of my half-sleeved top, covering the exposed part of my chest.

He had gotten used to me holding his hand in public, at first blushing, but gradually showing no reaction.

But the first time he reached out to tighten my half-sleeved top, his gaze awkwardly shifted away, and his ears turned red.

Actually, I didn’t quite understand. Ah Sang, the girl who makes musical instruments on the street, often wears even shorter skirts, showing half her calves.

Later, after I married Cheng Jia, I asked him why he always tightened my top, since everyone dressed like this.

Cheng Jia couldn’t help but laugh, his eyes reflecting in mine: “It’s better to show less. The weather is unpredictable, I’m afraid you’ll get sick.”

I knew he cared about me. Although he was left behind because of a deal between me and my grandfather, he would definitely come to like me.

Qi Mo said that girls who love to smile like me are liked by everyone.

Well, that’s not entirely true. At least Yuan Zong doesn’t like me.

After he talked with Cheng Jia outside the house, he came to see me once more.

He asked if I wanted to go to the Central Plains. The handkerchief Qi Mo gave me was actually quite ugly; there are many prettier silk handkerchiefs and clothes in the Central Plains.

I shook my head and said seriously to him, “I know what you mean. I won’t go to the Central Plains, and neither will my Husband.”

Yuan Zong pressed his lips together, looking rather unhappy: “Do you know that he has someone he likes in the Central Plains, someone he’s engaged to?”

Of course, I didn’t know. Hearing it, I was stunned for a long time.

After I recovered, I sighed, “There’s nothing to be done. You never mentioned it before, and this is his own choice. It’s too late for regrets. He can only be mine.”

“Do you really enjoy forcing people? Why must you do this? You don’t like the men of the Western Regions. When I return to the Central Plains, I’ll pick the best Central Plains Person for you, as long as you let Cheng Jia go and let him come back to Changan with me.”

Yuan Zong’s tone was unpleasant. I was already feeling upset, and hearing this made me angry too. I slapped the table and looked at him: “I said it’s too late. If you want him to return to the Central Plains, fine, give your life back!”

I stared at him: “My grandfather hates Central Plains Person who don’t keep their word the most, so don’t let him hear you say these things. No matter how many guards you bring, try taking him away and see what happens. No matter how capable you are, you won’t get out of the Western Regions.”

Yuan Zong frowned, his expression cold.

I sneered: “You people from the Central Plains are typical of taking advantage and then acting innocent. My grandfather was kind, so you have the chance to stand here and talk to me. I was kind, so Cheng Jia could stay in the Western Regions. Otherwise, you’d have been buried in Tianshan long ago. What right do you have to make demands?”

“I like Cheng Jia. For him to be chosen by me is his good fortune. Things are already like this. Whatever person he liked in the Central Plains, whatever engagement he had, he’d better forget it all. It’s not like I can’t live without him.”

As I spoke these harsh words, tears were already welling up in my eyes. Before they could fall, I got up and ran out of the herbal shop.

Outside the door, Cheng Jia happened to come in and bumped into me. He steadied my shoulders: “What’s wrong, Ah Li?”

I shoved him hard, angry: “You heard it all, didn’t you? If you want to leave, just go. Why play along with your cousin? Right now, I kind of hate you. I don’t like you anymore.”