TTTQF Chapter 88

Rumors

After daybreak, the customers who ordered zongzi the previous day come to pick them up with their receipts. Regular customers who come for breakfast are disappointed to find that the shop is only selling zongzi today—nothing else! The pot is filled with zongzi, and when some people inquire about buying some, they are told that all the zongzi have already been pre-ordered.

Later, two carriages stop at the Jiang family shop. People come and go, and soon the shop is empty. The carriages are loaded with several sacks of zongzi, and Jiang Miao has no idea who these people are.

“Thank you all for your hard work yesterday. Please go home and get some rest,” Jiang Miao says, distributing the agreed-upon overtime pay. Once everyone leaves, Jiang Miao, along with Pei Mu and Jiang Yu, heads towards the courtyard.

Although Jiang Yu is tired, she has a very bright smile on her face. Even though she has walked this path many times before, she still looks with enthusiasm at the shops and the passing crowds, as if the novelty of these things will never wear off. For a girl who has never ventured out of her hometown, Liangjing City is truly remarkable.

“Sister Xiaoyu, do you want to buy anything from those stalls?” Jiang Miao asks, noticing that Jiang Yu’s gaze is fixed on a small stall selling cosmetics and small accessories. While the quality of items at these stalls might be lower than those in shops, the prices are very friendly.

Jiang Yu hurriedly shakes her head, her hands waving in denial, and her face flushes with embarrassment. She is always shy about expressing her preferences.

“If you like something, just buy it. You’re here, and I haven’t given you anything. Pick out a few things, and I’ll pay for them,” Jiang Miao says firmly, pulling Jiang Yu towards the stall. Jiang Yu has always worked very hard and never slacked off because she is a relative of the boss. Jiang Miao always treats this optimistic and positive girl as a sister.

Despite Jiang Yu’s repeated refusals, she can’t argue with Jiang Miao and ends up standing in front of the stall, awkwardly eyeing the items and trying to choose the cheapest ones and then pay for them herself.

The stall owner, a young man, notices her hesitance and says, “Miss, if you like something, feel free to try it on. I think these items would suit you very well.”

Jiang Yu smiles shyly but still doesn’t pick and choose like other customers. She looks around, and her gaze settles on a red thread bracelet with a translucent bead in the shape of a raindrop.

She picks up the bracelet, and the young vendor immediately says, “Miss, you have a good eye. The bead on this bracelet is a rare glass bead. It will look great on you.”

Jiang Yu immediately freezes when she hears that the bead is rare. Although she doesn’t buy things often, she understands the stall owner's implication.

Jiang Miao, who has been watching her closely, reaches out to stop her as she tries to put the bracelet back. 

“Brother, how much is this bracelet?” Jiang Miao asks the stall owner.

“It’s not expensive, only sixty wen,” the stall owner replies.

Jiang Yu is startled by the price and, despite Jiang Miao’s attempt to stop her, tries to put the bracelet back. Sixty wen could buy a whole bundle of red thread, enough for all the girls at Jiangjiawan to use for their hair.

“It’s alright, it’s not expensive. Just take it. And take these few items too…” Seeing that she clearly likes the bracelet but is reluctant because of the price, Jiang Miao pays the stall owner directly and places the red thread bracelet into Jiang Yu’s hands.

The scene of the two siblings interacting is very heartwarming, but in the eyes of some people, it becomes a standard for Jiang Miao as an “unfaithful husband.”

“Brother Cungang, what are you looking at?” A scholar taps another scholar on the shoulder.

“Brother Yunqing, look at the people standing by that stall. Do they seem familiar?” Cungang points towards the front, indicating Zhao Yunqing to take a look.

Zhao Yunqing observes closely and says, “They do seem familiar. That young gentleman next to him also looks familiar… Ah, right! Isn’t that the person who frequently comes to the Imperial Academy to deliver things for Young Master Pei?”

“Yes, it’s him. I recognized him at once. He has a marriage contract with Pei Che, but look at what he’s doing now,” Cungang’s tone is filled with derision.

Wu Cungang comes from a poor family and has always harbored resentment towards the wealthy students of the Imperial Academy. He refers to those whose studies are not as good as his as wastrels. When someone better than him appears, he feels envious and bitter, thinking that they only succeed because of their family background.

Among all the wealthy students, he dislikes Pei Che the most, believing that he is always showing off just because of his handsome face. No matter where he goes, he always manages to attract everyone's attention.

Zhao Yunqing says, "There is a woman beside him; is she his sister?"

Wu Cungang shakes his head with a mysterious expression. “Brother Yunqing, you’re so immersed in your books that you don’t understand the ways of the world. Have you ever seen someone bringing a family member to shop in the streets? There’s clearly something wrong with those two.”

Zhao Yunqing frowns slightly. “One shouldn’t be too hasty in judgment. Be careful not to ruin their reputations. They seem to act with composure and clear eyes, so they’re probably not what you’re suggesting. Besides, what does this have to do with us? Let’s focus on our own tasks given by the master.”

The two of them come to this street to find a craftsman skilled in repairing paintings and calligraphy. Their master has accidentally torn a borrowed painting and needs it repaired to ensure that they can borrow items in the future.

Wu Cungang, feeling a bit bored, is about to argue when he sees that the man has already left the stall with the woman and a little boy.

Not long after they return to the Imperial Academy, rumors begin spreading. As the rumors grow more widespread and outrageous, Han Qin hears the news the next day and looks full of disbelief.

"Hey, Su Jin, do you know where Ah Che went?" Han Qin goes to Pei Che’s residence but can’t find him. He then sees Su Jin leaning on the railing, sitting in the pavilion with a distant look, not knowing what he is staring at.

Startled by the interruption, Su Jin’s expression is initially displeased, but seeing Han Qin’s anxious face, he asks, “The Dean summoned him. What’s the matter?”

Han Qin replies in exasperation, “The rumors are all over the place, and you still ask me why I’m looking for him?”

Su Jin frowns. “Rumors?”

"Yes, I just heard that someone saw Brother Jiang spending a fortune on the street just to make a lady smile. Then the two were seen acting intimately in public, almost engaging in scandalous behavior!” Han Qin vividly recounts the rumor to Su Jin.

Su Jin scoffs. “Nonsense!” How could anyone believe such rumors? Moreover, it seems to him that Han Qin doesn’t believe it either; he just wants to watch the fun.

As they talk in the pavilion, they suddenly see Pei Che walking towards them from a nearby path. Han Qin calls out to him, and Pei Che, upon seeing them, walks straight over.

“Pei Che, why does the Dean call for you?” Compared to the unrealistic rumor, Han Qin is more concerned about this matter.

Pei Che smiles slightly and says, “A few days ago, the Dean eats the zongzi made by Ah Miao and can’t stop thinking about it. He asks me for the location of Jiang’s shop, saying he wants to send someone to buy more.” In fact, Pei Che infers this from the Dean’s long-winded talk about local customs and his hometown's traditions before casually mentioning the zongzi. At that moment, Pei Che feels a mix of amusement and inexplicable pride. The emotion comes suddenly, but he doesn’t mind.

"So that's the case." Han Qin nods. “I didn’t expect that old man to still have such a craving at his age. By the way, Pei Che, I just hear a rumor about your family member. Do you want to hear it?”

“About Ah Miao? What’s the news? Don’t beat around the bush; just tell me directly,” Pei Che’s expression grows serious.

Han Qin repeats what he just told Su Jin. After listening, Pei Che’s expression becomes quite strange and inscrutable.

Han Qin hurriedly adds, “It’s just a rumor. You know how these people from the Imperial Academy are—always appearing refined and gentlemanly, but when it comes to gossip, their true nature comes out.”

Su Jin looks at him oddly, wondering how he can be so brazen in talking about others like that.

“Who starts this rumor?” Pei Che asks.

Han Qin says, "I ask around for you. It seems the rumor comes from people living in the South Dormitory. Among them, two people have previously been out of the Imperial Academy, and I think it’s one of them who spread the rumor.”

“Which two?”

“Wu Cungang and Zhao Yunqing. They go out for Master Xu.”

“It’s Wu Cungang,” Pei Che says with certainty.

“Why do you say it’s him?” Han Qin frowns, trying to figure out any possible grudge Wu Cungang might have against them.

“I’m not familiar with him, but I know Zhao Yunqing. He is upright, adheres to gentlemanly conduct, and believes in ‘Speak not of what is improper, listen not to what is improper.’ With his character, he wouldn’t spread rumors. So, by process of elimination, it must be Wu Cungang.”

“Let’s go find him and see what his intentions are, and why he would make up such a rumor to slander Brother Jiang.”

“The bell has just rung, so he might have already left the Imperial Academy. I’ll first check with Ah Miao and then deal with him when I get back. The Dragon Boat Festival holiday starts tomorrow, so I can leave in the afternoon.”

"You want to go find Brother Jiang?" Han Qin shows interest. “In that case, let us go with you.” After all, there’s nothing much to do at home anyway.

Pei Che wants to refuse but is unable to withstand Han Qin’s numerous excuses, and has even dragged Su Jin along.

"If you want to come, then fine. Just make sure not to speak out of turn when we get there. By the way, where’s Ah Chen?” Since the other two are coming, Pei Che doesn’t mind taking one more person along.

“His family’s servants come earlier and say there’s something urgent at home that calls him back,” Han Qin says.

"Then never mind. You all go and get ready, I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

As Pei Che watches them leave, his brows tighten. With whom could Jiang Miao be acting intimately? Could it be that he saves a damsel in distress, or…

With many thoughts on his mind, Pei Che quickly walks down the mountain. The carriage is already waiting at the bottom. After boarding and settling down, he is about to leave. Fortunately, he remembers Han Qin and Su Jin, so he patiently waits on the mountain.

While waiting, he frequently lifts the curtain of the carriage window to look at the steps leading up the mountain, eagerly hoping for their figures to appear soon. This kind of anxious emotion seems rarely to manifest in him.

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