Mei Gongxue furrowed her brow almost imperceptibly and quickly took a step back.
Yet faced with Ji Yunchu's request, she found it somewhat difficult to refuse.
Ji Yunchu seemed to have seen right through her thoughts, for he climbed up onto the carriage first and ducked directly inside.
After a moment, seeing that Mei Gongxue had not moved, he lifted the corner of the carriage curtain and asked, "It is so cold outside, why aren't you getting in?"
Mei Gongxue pressed her lips together and had no choice but to board the carriage.
The interior was very quiet, save for the rumbling sound of the wheels.
Mei Gongxue kept her brows tightly knit the entire time, lost in a daze as if pondering something.
Ji Yunchu glanced at her and, unable to help himself, repeated his earlier question, "Is something the matter? Do you need my help?"
Whether or not he could be of any assistance in the matter, at least he could listen to her vent her grievances.
He remembered how, back when he had first moved into the Marquis Manor, his foundation in martial arts was very poor, and he could not keep up with the progress of the other young masters, making him feel constantly disheartened.
It was Mei Gongxue, back in their childhood, who had always encouraged him, saying that flowers bloom again and youth can be lived anew—that anything could be started over from the beginning!
"It is nothing."
Mei Gongxue spoke indifferently, and that was the end of it.
Undeterred, Ji Yunchu persisted, "Did you hear any gossip at the Ministry of Punishments? You do not need to take it to heart, nor do you need to worry about being locked back up. After all, it was His Majesty who pardoned you and let you out of the dungeon!"
Mei Gongxue merely nodded, and this time she did not even offer a reply.
She was clearly giving off the impression that she wanted nothing more to do with him.
Ji Yunchu felt somewhat awkward, but his gaze suddenly fell upon her hair, and he remarked, "You are still wearing this hairpin? It really is lovely!"
Mei Gongxue instinctively reached up to touch it; it was the Peach Blossom Hairpin she had worn at her coming-of-age ceremony.
"Thank you."
Perhaps because she was reminded of her father, even her tone softened considerably.
With a profound look in his eyes, Ji Yunchu suddenly blurted out, "I painted a portrait of you back then, you know!"
"Is that so?"
Mei Gongxue paid him no mind whatsoever. She was merely wondering why Ji Yunchu's appearance by her carriage just now did not seem like a coincidence.
Was he waiting for her on purpose?
A sudden sense of wistfulness washed over her. If, three years ago, he had been able to speak up for her the way he did now, perhaps she would not have been left so isolated and helpless.
Or perhaps, while she was trapped in the Zhao Estate, if he had found a way to send someone to ask whether she was faring well, things might have turned out entirely differently!
However, there were no ifs; she no longer needed such care and concern.
Ji Yunchu finally closed his mouth as well, seeming somewhat unaccustomed to this side of Mei Gongxue.
In the past, whether her mood was good or bad, it was always written plainly across her face.
Yet now, she seemed to have encased herself inside a shell, rejecting any overtures or closeness from anyone, making it impossible to guess what she was truly thinking.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently.
Mei Gongxue was already distracted, and losing her balance, she nearly crashed against the carriage wall.
Fortunately, Ji Yunchu reached out in time and caught her.
His palm was warm and broad, and the heat of it seemed almost searing.
Mei Gongxue hurriedly pulled back her hand, her heart instantly racing and her face burning hot.
Fearing that she would be found out, she quickly turned her head away.
Yet the next moment, Mei Gongxue felt a wave of vexation so sharp she wanted to slap herself.
What on earth was she doing just then?
Things had reached this point, and yet her heart still fluttered for a man who was entirely out of reach—did she not feel any shame?
What a spineless creature she was!
Ji Yunchu was going to marry Mei Xianghan very soon; did she intend to remain entangled with him?
She must not lower herself to such a sordid state!
She somewhat despised herself for this, despised that she could not even keep her own heart in check!
After letting the cold wind blow through the gap in the carriage window for a while, Mei Gongxue finally dared to sit up straight, her expression once again an icy mask of detachment.
Watching her like this, Ji Yunchu felt as though she was desperate to sever all ties with everything around her—a realization that brought a sense of helplessness and a faint, lingering unease.
A moment later, he handed over the gift box he had been holding all along. "Sister-in-law's health has not been very good lately. I specifically sought out a few mild, restorative herbs that will not harm her constitution and are very well-suited for her."
Mei Gongxue hastily took the box. "Thank you!"
So this was the real reason he had come to find her today.
"These herbs are very precious and cost me quite a bit of money," Ji Yunchu said suddenly, with a deadpan expression.
Mei Gongxue was stunned and was about to ask him for the exact sum.
Although she had no money of her own, she could go back to the Marquis Manor and ask for it.
Before she could speak, Ji Yunchu cut in, "Actually, I am not particularly concerned about the money. It is just that I have not heard the zither played in a long time, and that Youlan Tune you played last time was quite lovely!"
Mei Gongxue was once again taken aback. Why did something feel a bit strange?
A glint of cunning flashed in Ji Yunchu's eyes.
Was Mei Gongxue not insistent on using formal politeness to distance herself from him? Very well, then he would play her game of polite reciprocation!
Since these medicines were so expensive, they constituted a favor, did they not? It was hardly unreasonable to ask her to play a tune for him in return!
Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Mei Gongxue actually nodded.
The two of them exchanged no further words, yet Ji Yunchu's spirits were vastly improved.
When they reached their destination, he did not say much more and stepped directly down from the carriage.
Mei Gongxue breathed a slight sigh of relief, but a moment later, the carriage curtain was suddenly yanked open with a rustle.
Ji Yunchu pointed toward the gates of his residence and said, "I live here now."
He was afraid she might not know where he was currently staying and would be unable to find him if she needed something!
"That is very nice." Mei Gongxue nodded.
With its magnificent facade and exquisite carvings, the estate in front of them certainly looked very nice.
Only then did Ji Yunchu feel reassured enough to leave.
The carriage traveled for a little longer before returning to the Marquis Manor.
Mei Gongxue's mind was set on checking in on her eldest sister first, but no sooner had she stepped through the doors than she ran into the very person she least wished to see.
"Sister, are you alright?"
Mei Gongxue frowned.
For reasons unknown, when Mei Xianghan had called out to her like that in the past, it had sounded cute and endearing, but hearing it now, it felt cloying and affected.
Supported by her maid, Mei Xianghan hurried out to greet her, deliberately looking Mei Gongxue up and down for a moment before tears instantly welled up in her limpid eyes.
"I thought those people at the Ministry of Punishments would give you a hard time. I am so relieved that you are alright! It is all my fault for running a high fever this morning and holding up Second Brother, forcing you to go to such a dreadful place all by yourself. Sister, you do not blame me, do you?"
Mei Gongxue truly had no idea what she ought to say.
She knew Mei Xianghan did not mean to gloat, but these words still grated painfully against her ears.
Perhaps because the truth was so often wounding!
"I am fine, I was only asked a couple of questions. You should hurry back to your room!" Mei Gongxue said stiffly.
Mei Xianghan's expression brightened with joy, believing that Mei Gongxue was showing concern for her.
In truth, however, Mei Gongxue simply wanted to avoid being blamed by others should her condition worsen again.
Thus, the two of them walked inward together.
Suddenly, the driver called out from behind, "Eldest Miss, you forgot the gift Young Master Yunchu gave you!"
At those words, the color drained entirely from Mei Xianghan's face.
Could it be that when Mei Gongxue went out earlier, she had actually met with Ji Yunchu?
Was it a chance encounter, or an arranged meeting?