The hall fell into a brief silence, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Gold-threaded jade beads slid between Jin Chong's fingers as he broke the quiet with a seemingly offhand remark, "Our acquaintance may be shallow, and my words may come across as meddlesome, but for the sake of lasting business, I feel compelled to give you a piece of advice."
Jiang Huaiyu tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Please, enlighten me."
"Stay away from Qin Ziqin. That man is too complicated for anyone's good."
Her eyebrows arched faintly, lips curving into a subtle smile. "Could it be that even Young Master Jin suspects some unsavory connection between us? Perhaps you think I've been engaging in sordid dealings with him?"
Though her tone was light, there was an undeniable sharpness beneath her words. Jin Chong, however, simply rolled his eyes, his voice laced with disdain. "Do I look like an idiot? I'm not suggesting scandal, but it does strike me as strange that someone like Qin Ziqin could earn your trust."
"And why," Jiang Huaiyu countered smoothly, "does Young Master Jin choose to collaborate with me in business?"
Caught off guard, Jin Chong paused before a wry smile tugged at his lips. "Point taken. It seems I've overstepped."
While his words were casual, the glint in his eyes betrayed deeper layers of calculation. Qin Ziqin was no ordinary man. Despite the rumors branding him as a reckless libertine, Jin Chong knew better. The fall of the Qin family was no mere accident; a web of intrigue lay beneath the surface. Qin Ziqin, in Jin Chong's eyes, was as much a player as he was a piece on the board.
His gaze lingered on Jiang Huaiyu, as though attempting to read the invisible script of her thoughts. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, she remained an enigma—a puzzle with no easy solution.
Leaning back, Jin Chong spoke again, his tone nonchalant but his words cutting sharp. "Speaking of complications, I assume you've heard of the scandal involving the missing bride—Lady Jiang of the Jiang family, promised to the Third Prince?"
Jiang Huaiyu's long lashes fluttered faintly, but her expression remained composed. "I haven't the time to concern myself with courtly rumors. Managing my household and raising my child leaves little room for idle gossip."
Jin Chong studied her intently, searching for a crack in her armor. Her calm response, devoid of guilt or surprise, almost convinced him that his suspicions were misplaced. Almost.
"Surely, you don't think I'm that wayward bride, do you?" she teased, a soft laugh lacing her words. Her demeanor was as breezy as a spring morning, though her mind raced beneath the surface. The mere mention of the Jiang family was enough to set her heart pounding, the weight of a past she had tried to leave behind pressing against her ribs.
Jin Chong's lips curved into a faint smirk. "What a preposterous thought."
The sun cast long shadows through the ornately carved window lattice, dappling the room with patterns of light and shade. Jin Chong continued, his tone almost offhand but his words deliberate. "The Jiang family has fallen on hard times since the disappearance of their daughter. These days, it seems they're going to great lengths to uncover her whereabouts. I wouldn't be surprised if they extended their search beyond the usual channels."
The implication hung heavy in the air, a quiet warning masked in conversational ease.
Jiang Huaiyu's smile didn't falter, though her mind churned. If the Jiang family truly sought her out with renewed vigor, it would only be a matter of time before their paths crossed again. The question was not if, but when—and how she would handle it.
"An interesting piece of gossip," she said lightly, as if filing the information away under 'idle chatter.'
Rising from his seat, Jin Chong smoothed his robes, his sardonic tone returning. "I'll leave you to it, then. With the profits our next caravan will bring, you'll be rubbing elbows with the capital's elite in no time. Might I suggest upgrading from this… humble abode?"
Jiang Huaiyu chuckled softly. "If my residence offends your sensibilities, Young Master Jin, why do you keep gracing it with your presence?"
He snorted, striding toward the door. "The food. Next time you have something remarkable, don't forget to call me. I'll pay, of course."
As the door closed behind him, the room fell into a contemplative stillness. Cradling her son, Jiang Huaiyu strolled into the courtyard, the warmth of the sunlight a stark contrast to the chill lingering from Jin Chong's words.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her child as her thoughts circled back to the Jiang family. The idea of being dragged into their schemes left a sour taste in her mouth. Would they dare to claim her as their own? Would she even want to be?
For now, there were simpler things to focus on. "Xiaocao," she called to her maid, her voice steady and resolute. "How's your calligraphy coming along?"
Xiaocao beamed. "I've been practicing every day, Madam. My writing's improved a lot!"
"Good. Once the restaurant opens, we'll be busier than ever. Make sure the arrangements for the mooncakes are finalized. Also, let's consider buying a separate shopfront just for the pastries."
Xiaocao's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes, Madam!"
Later, as Jiang Huaiyu wandered the marketplace, her son nestled in her arms, she found herself drawn to a street vendor crafting sugar figures. The sight brought a rare lightness to her heart, a simple joy that briefly pushed aside the shadows of court intrigue.
Yet, lurking in a nearby alley, danger brewed.
A man with a lecherous gaze approached, his steps purposeful. Before Jiang Huaiyu could react, a sharp whistle cut through the air. The man's body was flung backward, crashing into a vendor's stall.
"Are you all right?"
The voice was low and cold, its owner stepping into view. Jiang Huaiyu turned, her breath hitching.
There, bathed in the dappled light of the marketplace, stood He Congjun—his expression as unyielding as a glacier.