After dinner, Jiang Lai suggested going back.
"Dad, Mom, after all, I’m a married daughter and can’t always stay at home. Take good care of yourselves, and I’ll go back with the Prince."
Murong Dun didn’t speak, feeling Luoyang beside him constantly signaling with his eyes, he could only suggest gathering together for the evening.
Jiang Xiong was quite happy about it, but unexpectedly, Jiang Lai glared at him and refused without hesitation.
"You’re about to set out on a long journey, so don’t drink too much. Also, here’s something for you, health pills I’ve personally concocted. Take one in the morning and one at night without interruption. It should last you until the New Year when you return."
Jiang Xiong accepted the medicine bottle, a man of strength and character, deeply moved just looking at it.
Jiang Lai then spoke a few words with Qin Feng, giving her some beauty formulas to make at the pharmacy herself.
"When did you learn such a skill?"
"I had nothing to do at the Prince Mansion, so I fiddled around. It worked very well for me. Didn’t you notice I’ve become prettier this time back?"
Qin Feng nodded repeatedly.
At first meeting, she hardly recognized her own daughter, whom she had watched grow up. Her hair had thickened, her face whitened, her figure slender. Examining closely, her features hadn’t changed much, but as a whole, she appeared more beautiful and graceful to her.
It seems the formula really works, Qin Feng cherished it and tucked it into her bosom.
"Be sure to send some to your sisters as well."
Before getting in the carriage, Jiang Lai glanced once more at Jiang Ling, who had been staring at her from the doorway.
"You rascal, your gaze is quite overpowering today. What’s wrong? I haven’t bullied you like I did when you were young, why do you still look so aggrieved?"
His eyes, dark and deep, with him standing there so tall and imposing, it’s easy to forget this boy is only sixteen or seventeen.
Jiang Ling looked into her eyes.
"I’m going to the Northern Military Camp with Father, back by the New Year."
"Hmm, young people should go through more trials. You’ll take over my father’s role one day, guarding the land."
Jiang Ling pulled his lips into a half-hearted smile.
"Doesn’t sister have something for me too? Dad and Mom both got gifts."
"Why are you acting like a child, unhappy just over this?"
Saying so, Jiang Lai fetched a square box from the carriage for him. Opening it revealed a newly pickled jar of sour plums and two white porcelain bottles. Jiang Lai handed them over with instructions.
"Your wound might not have healed completely, easy to leave hidden dangers. Also, apply this to your old scars. The other bottle contains pills like Dad’s, take them morning and night. Don’t waste them, or I won’t make them for you next time."
"Sister treats me so well that I prepared something for you too."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Lai’s eyes gleamed with joy.
Jiang Ling retrieved a wooden box from inside his coat, opened it to reveal a jade bracelet of emerald green, with patterns like flowing white clouds visible inside.
"It looks so exquisite, help me put it on."
Jiang Lai offered her hand proactively, Jiang Ling looked at the fair and slender hand, recalling her delicate and helpless form from last night when she rested against his chest. At that time, he had carefully savored these hands, smooth and soft as if boneless, squeezed within his own, possessing no resistance at all.
His eyes surged with a dark and swirling light.
Jiang Lai’s smile almost faltered, simultaneously trying to block his near-devouring gaze.
"Ling?"
Jiang Ling slowly broke his gaze, openly held her hand, and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.
Made seemingly for her, the jade bracelet felt cool yet smooth, slightly heavy on her hand, making her slender wrist appear even more fragile.
"You’re too thin."
"Managing the Prince Mansion is exhausting, so Ling must work hard, achieve success, and find more helpers for your sister in the future."
"Hmm, I’ll build you a big house too."
"Good boy, my dear little brother."
Jiang Lai tiptoed and patted Jiang Ling’s shoulder with the bracelet-adorned hand, feeling like an affectionate mother while ignoring Jiang Ling’s predatory, invasive gaze.
This gaze made Jiang Lai weak at the knees, quickly withdrawing her hand and turning swiftly to enter the carriage.
Only when the curtain of the carriage fell did that gaze finally disappear from her back.
Jiang Lai patted her chest, feeling slightly terrified.
No, Jiang Ling is too tall and fierce, previously she’d just focused on his face and nearly forgot he can battle a hundred men on the field, a mighty general who could kill her with one hand.
Thankfully, last night he maintained control well enough, and her acting was good too. Otherwise, she might have died in bed yesterday.
Frightened.
This tempting piece of meat, let whoever wants it have it.
Looking up again at Murong Dun, refined and elegant, fair and handsome, a change of taste eased her heart greatly.
"Madam, the bracelet is lovely. Jiang Ling gave it to you?"
"Yes, despite his low salary, he keeps buying me things like this."
Saying so, Jiang Lai lovingly toyed with it, the enclosed space filled with a subtle fragrance emanating from the bracelet, prompting her to sniff it closely. A sigh of resignation followed.
"Madam treasures these jade items?"
Isn’t it obvious, what woman wouldn’t love them?
"Not exactly a passion, just brings me comfort."
Murong Dun lowered his gaze, lost in thought.
Back at home, Jiang Lai personally helped him off the carriage, changing his bandages and then clothes one after another herself.
Since his leg was injured, Murong Dun seldom ventured outside, but today he made an exception, returning with an exquisite earring he presented to Jiang Lai, helping put it on himself.
"Do you like it?"
A speck-sized earring, what’s there to like.
"I like it, did you personally buy this, Husband?"
"Yes, if you like it I’ll get more next time."
"Then wait, I’ll change clothes!"
After putting on the emerald earrings, Jiang Lai changed into a red dress, stepping out barefoot, her movements lively and figure enchanting. Murong Dun’s eyes instantly brightened, unable to tear his gaze from Jiang Lai’s rosy-white feet.
Jiang Lai pushed him toward the wooden zither by the window.
"Husband, play the zither."
Murong Dun felt deeply stirred as Jiang Lai gracefully danced, like a blossoming flower swaying in the breeze, skirt flowing thinly, her feet glowing like snow, her waist slenderly graceful. Her enchanting, tender gaze remained fixed on him, shy and bold, like invisible threads slowly wrapping around and entangling his heart.
He had never felt such excitement, heat, and impulse, only wishing to pull the window open and embrace the woman before him with abandon.
"Jiang Lai..."
The dancing Jiang Lai suddenly spun like a butterfly with broken wings, landing in Murong Dun’s arms.