Chapter 151: Jiang Miaodan and Shi Shaohua Return to the Capital

Before, Hanshuang had been sent to check on Wusunya and had just returned. He reported to Shen Qingyun, “According to the news from the Wind Listening Pavilion, Jiang Miaodan and Shi Shaohua have reached Xiang County. To avoid attracting attention, they are currently renting a small farmhouse.”

“Oh? Xiang County is just a poor little town, isn’t it? How are those two getting along?” Shen Qingyun asked with a smile.

Jiang Miaodan had always been particular about her food, clothing, and lodging—never sleeping without a soft, high bed. It seemed love’s power was extraordinary for her to now live in a humble farmhouse.

But Hanshuang’s words quickly made Shen Qingyun realize she had overestimated them.

“The two don’t seem to get along well. Every night, there are noises of quarrels. Jiang Miaodan often complains about Shi Shaohua taking her to such a small town.”

It wasn’t just Jiang Miaodan; even Shi Shaohua was a hundred times unaccustomed.

Though he was a male courtesan, his delicate and handsome appearance, coupled with a sweet tongue, had long allowed him to live a carefree life among noble ladies of affluent families. Even when he came to the Marquis’s mansion, though it wasn’t extravagant, he still stayed in the upper chambers and had long forgotten the feeling of lying in a thatched hut as a child.

But now, the place they lived was an ordinary farmhouse. The hard bed was one thing; even the newly acquired bedding emitted an indescribable foul odor.

The house was more rudimentary than clean. Used to exquisite screens and ornaments, silk curtains, the simple wooden tables and chairs and earthen walls were a stark contrast. The courtyard no longer had carefully tended flowers, and there was some chicken manure on the ground. The disappointment in their hearts was indescribable.

They had even changed into plain clothes to avoid wearing gold or silver and drawing attention, which deeply displeased the fashion-loving Jiang Miaodan.

What was even harder to bear was having to do everything themselves. Little things like dressing and grooming had once been handled by maids or elderly women; now, they had to heat their own bathwater. Shi Shaohua, who had initially been obedient, began advising Jiang Miaodan that they needed to be self-reliant in all things.

Jiang Miaodan couldn’t help but erupt in anger and complaints daily. The spoiled young lady’s temperament gradually emerged, and Shi Shaohua found it increasingly difficult to deal with.

At that moment, the two in the farmhouse couldn’t help but question the relationship itself.

Jiang Miaodan hoped Shi Shaohua would buy a small house and hire a few servants so they could live like a fairy couple every day. But Shi Shaohua knew that if they really did that, their money wouldn’t last long. What then?

When Shi Shaohua refused her demands, Jiang Miaodan ran out in a huff. Shi Shaohua had to chase after her. Unfamiliar with the area, they took many detours and finally returned to the yard, disheveled and dirty.

To make matters worse, as soon as Shi Shaohua entered the room, he saw signs of a ransacking everywhere—then suddenly realized all their silver notes were missing!

“Who the hell stole our money!” Shi Shaohua was devastated. He rushed out of the yard shouting, but only distant dog barks responded.

Jiang Miaodan sat on the bed, tears brimming, sobbing helplessly, “Shaohua, the money’s gone. What are we going to do? Let’s go back to the capital.”

Shi Shaohua slumped down on the cold floor, dejected. “How can we go back? We can’t even gather the fare. No carriage. Who knows how long it will take on foot.”

“We can’t just wait here to starve! Can’t you go out and earn some money?” Jiang Miaodan lost control and shouted.

“You still have the nerve to say that! It’s your fault we’re in this state!” Shi Shaohua glared fiercely at her, “If I hadn’t gone out looking for you, no one would’ve stolen our money. If you dare yell at me again, I swear I’ll sell you for cash!”

Until now, Shi Shaohua had always been gentle and considerate. When did he become so irritable and fierce? His gaze seemed ready to tear Jiang Miaodan apart if she said another word.

Fear and anger mixed within her, and Jiang Miaodan dared not speak again. The room fell into a suffocating silence.

The news had come back through the Wind Listening Pavilion. Shen Qingyun sighed, “If that’s the case, let’s help them a bit.”

Two days later, Shi Shaohua and Jiang Miaodan were lucky enough to find a dropped package. Secretly bringing it back and unwrapping the layers of coarse cloth, inside was gleaming silver.

Though not much, it was enough to hire a carriage and buy some food to return to the capital.

The two, who had barely spoken since their quarrel, now silently set out on the road back to the capital together.

They had thought love could sustain them, but after days of drinking water tainted with earthy odors, they finally understood what hunger truly meant.

All the romance and passion in the world mattered less than a warm steamed bun in their hands.

Shi Shaohua packed some provisions and, traveling day and night, brought Jiang Miaodan back to the capital. As for what to do next, they tacitly avoided discussing it, unwilling to strip away the last veil of dignity between them.

By the time they arrived, dust-covered and weary, dusk was falling. Their bodies emitted a sour stench. All they wanted was to find an inn to settle for the night, so they could clean up before returning to the Marquis’s mansion.

By chance, only one inn in the vicinity was open—the same one where Lady Jiang and Shen Zhifeng stayed.

Shi Shaohua’s expression was complicated. He covered his face and silently followed the waiter inside.

The waiter, mistaking them for a young married couple, kindly advised, “Please keep your voices down tonight. The couple across the way is rather eccentric, rarely comes out, and has a bad temper. Any noise startles them.”

Jiang Miaodan frowned. “Can’t we have a different room?”

The waiter scratched his head awkwardly. “It’s fully booked. You’ll have to make do for one night.”

Shi Shaohua’s eye twitched twice. He whispered, “We understand. You may leave. We’ll be gone by morning anyway.”

“Useless,” Jiang Miaodan muttered, pouting softly. She collapsed onto the bed with a relieved sigh. It had been so long since she’d slept on such a soft bed.

She ignored Shi Shaohua, who was still lost in thought. Exhausted and sore all over, she soon fell asleep.

Shi Shaohua sat on a chair, staring blankly toward the door.

He knew that across the way were Lady Jiang and Shen Zhifeng.

Reflecting on the journey, he felt Lady Jiang had treated him quite well.

Jiang Miaodan would inevitably marry into another official household. He no longer harbored any illusions about her. If Jiang Miaodan was no longer useful, then perhaps staying with Lady Jiang, especially with the child, might be a better choice.

As he wrestled with these thoughts, he suddenly heard the sound of the neighboring door opening.

Shi Shaohua’s brow twitched. Confirming Jiang Miaodan was asleep, he quietly approached the door and cracked it open.

At the end of the corridor, a woman’s figure flashed past—it was Lady Jiang.

Shi Shaohua sighed inwardly. Just as he wished, what he hoped for came to pass. If he left now, he could meet Lady Jiang without causing a stir.