Chapter 80: To Ask for Money Is Pure Wishful Thinking

For the sake of meeting Shen Qingyun, Jiang Lin had dressed today with an air of dignity almost befitting a gentleman. His deep blue robe was embroidered with pale blue patterns that shimmered in the sunlight, exuding an air of nobility. The jade crown securing his hair was carved from the finest white jade, adorned with openwork cloud motifs that echoed the cloud-patterned borders at his sleeves. He was already strikingly handsome by nature, and such attire only added to his elegance.

Unfortunately, a dog cannot speak human words—very little of what he said was decent.

Shen Qingyun narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze fixed upon Jiang Lin.

Under her scrutiny, Jiang Lin’s cheeks flushed deeper. “Qingyun, my dear, I know it’s been some time since we last met. When I heard from Sisi that you missed me dearly, I found it hard to believe... In the future, we should see each other more often. I do have an urgent matter today—could you give me the money first?”

Shen Qingyun raised her brows. “Young Master Jiang, perhaps you misunderstand. I was only looking at the Song brocade on your robe and the jade crown on your head. They look rather familiar—may I ask where you got them?”

If she was not mistaken, these items were part of Han’s dowry.

The Madam of the Marquis’s household often went to Han to pour out her woes, claiming poverty. Han, with a soft heart for her dear friend, would send many gifts during festivals—bolts of cloth, gold, silver, and jewelry, all practical items.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingyun felt a headache coming on. It had taken such effort to stop Han from supporting Shen Zhifeng, only to forget about the Marquis’s family, always seeking favors in disguise.

Now the old came for things, and the young followed after—did they take her for the Marquis’s treasury?

Jiang Lin’s face was now crimson with embarrassment, his tone losing all bravado. Clearly, he knew exactly where these things had come from. “Qingyun, with the ties between our families, there’s no need to be so formal with me.”

Shen Qingyun’s expression was icy. “Young Master Jiang, we are not close. It is best to speak plainly. I will not give you the money. As for why my sister would falsely implicate me, I shall ask her myself when I return.”

“Qingyun, how can you be so heartless?” Jiang Lin’s anxiety showed as soon as money was denied. “I know you’re troubled by my engagement to Sisi, that you’re jealous and hurt, but you must understand me. Sisi and I grew up together; it’s only natural that your feelings might be overlooked.”

“Young Master Jiang!” Pearl could bear it no longer and cut him off. “You and the eldest miss are childhood sweethearts—so why don’t you go ask her for the money? Why come to our young lady?”

“Sisi told me that Qingyun is now in charge of the accounts at home. Her own allowance is so meager—how could she possibly hand over five hundred taels of silver?”

Shen Qingyun laughed softly. “I heard my sister just ordered a custom set of jewelry days ago, for exactly five hundred taels.”

Jiang Lin nodded earnestly, “Yes, that’s precisely the sum we’re short.”

Pearl was so angry she was speechless and whispered to Shen Qingyun, “Miss, why not let Hanyu kill him with a single stroke?”

Shen Qingyun hadn’t thought Jiang Lin could be so shameless. Composing herself, she asked, “So the five hundred taels you want for Shen Sisi—is it for the jewelry?”

Seeing her darkened expression, Jiang Lin thought she was even more jealous and hurried to explain, “Qingyun, you misunderstand—it’s not what you think. Sisi went to buy the jewelry at a shop owned by the Sixth Prince. Who could have known the Sixth Prince had improper intentions upon seeing her and tried to accost her? I argued with him to protect her and accidentally damaged the jade-carved piece. The shop is demanding compensation.”

“The shop is right to do so. You, the heir of a marquis, can’t even produce five hundred taels?” Shen Qingyun made no effort to hide the scorn in her eyes.

Jiang Lin was mortified. “The marquisate is struggling, surely you know that, Qingyun. You have so much money—giving me five hundred taels would mean nothing to you. The Sixth Prince has threatened to collect it himself in three days, with drums and fanfare at the marquis’s gates. Today is the final day.”

He grew more agitated as he spoke. “Qingyun, please, just lend me the money. When I earn enough, I’ll repay you twice over.”

Now he was making empty promises.

“Where is this shop?” Shen Qingyun asked.

“On West Street,” Jiang Lin replied eagerly, thinking he’d finally persuaded her.

“I’ll pay a thousand taels, on the condition that when they come to collect at the marquis’s residence, they bring a whole troupe with drums and trumpets and parade twice around the capital. Jiang Lin, let me be clear once more—I have not the slightest affection for you. Do not bother me again.”

Pearl spat at him, “Bah! A toad lusting after a swan. Never seen such a daydreamer.”

Jiang Lin’s last shred of reason snapped. Days of anxiety erupted into a torrent. “Shen Qingyun, isn’t it just that you want me to marry you? Very well! I’ll change the engagement from Sisi to you—will that satisfy you?”

“Young Master Jiang, go have your head examined—you must be delusional,” Shen Qingyun replied coldly.

She gripped the whistle in her hand, barely restraining the urge to order Hanyu to kill him. But not here—this was a public street.

Jiang Lin’s face twisted as he shouted, “Do you think you could marry anyone but me? You’re just a country girl—no noble house would want you! I am the heir to a marquis—could you find anyone of higher status?”

“Would my rank be considered higher than yours?” came a low, cold voice.

The chill in those words was like a winter wind laced with ice, cutting straight through. Jiang Lin turned in disbelief.

Prince Li’s lips were pressed into a thin line, a frigid aura radiating from him that made one’s blood run cold. He’d heard that Shen Qingyun had been frequenting the Medical Hall and, unable to rest easy, had come to see her—only to discover yet another fool with no sense.

Despicable.

Without further thought, Prince Li struck Jiang Lin squarely in the chest. Jiang Lin had no chance to resist; blood spurted from his mouth as he crashed to the ground.

“Prince Li, how dare you strike me?”

“Because you harassed a respectable young woman in the street. Is it not right for me, as a prince, to intervene?”

Seeing Prince Li, Pearl’s eyes sparkled. “Your Highness, he even tried to rob us! He came to demand silver from our young lady.”

Sima Li’s brows furrowed deeply. To think the marquis’s heir would stoop to extorting money from women—no wonder the family had fallen into decline. “If you don’t want me to have you sent to the authorities, then get out of my sight!”

Shen Qingyun, too, had no desire to spare Jiang Lin another glance. He was nothing but bad luck. “Thank you for your help, Your Highness. Let’s go.”

Jiang Lin sat on the ground in disgrace, clutching his chest, watching as Prince Li and Shen Qingyun departed together.

Why? Sisi had never said things would be like this.

Moreover, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he always felt Shen Qingyun ought to be his wife, someone who should give him everything. He even dreamed, from time to time, that he married her, but in those dreams, he didn’t even like her.

Where had it all gone wrong?

Prince Li felt the hateful gaze Jiang Lin cast at them. He lowered his voice, “Shall I take care of him for you?”