Chapter 164: Chapter 106: Regarded as Unlucky

“Please have a seat, Ruoxi!” Xu Jingwan’s expression was calm, her tone steady.

“Thank you, Princess Consort.” Shen Ruoxi’s voice carried a clear sense of detachment, her words seemingly wrapped in frost.

Xu Jingwan didn’t correct her address, simply asked lightly, “Ruoxi, what brings you here this time?”

Shen Ruoxi slightly lowered her eyes, hiding the complex emotions in them, and said softly, “Cousin Jue has become the top scholar, and I haven’t congratulated him yet. I’m bringing him a painting.

And the date for his wedding is set. This Mandarin Duck Pillow is handmade by me. I’m giving it to Cousin Jue and his future bride as a blessing for their happiness.”

Xu Jingwan lowered her head, her gaze falling on the Mandarin Duck Pillow.

The mandarin ducks, embroidered with gold thread and jade silk, were vividly lifelike and exceptionally exquisite, and the pair of pillows emitted a delicate fragrance, refreshing and soothing the senses.

Just one glance would reveal the amount of effort and thought put into making them.

However, in her heart, Xu Jingwan secretly scorned. She was merely a divorced woman, an inauspicious figure, and she couldn’t let her son be affected by her misfortune, ending up with an unhappy marriage like hers.

“On behalf of Jue’er, I thank you, but it’s unfortunate he’s gone to visit Prime Minister Lin today.

This future bride, I couldn’t be more satisfied with her. She is well-read, sensible, and exceptionally talented.

Ruoxi, you are also about to marry soon. Afterward, try not to meet with Jue’er unless necessary. After all, you are both older now, and it’s best to avoid unnecessary associations.”

Xu Jingwan’s words were like sharp ice shards, piercing Shen Ruoxi’s heart with each sentence.

Shen Ruoxi bit her lip tightly, almost losing its color, her fingers clenched so hard that her knuckles turned white.

She spoke lightly, “The Princess Consort is right. Please trouble yourself to send this pair of pillows to Prince Lan and the future Princess Consort. I take my leave.” With that, she resolutely stood up, her posture naturally upright.

“I’ll not be seeing you off.” Xu Jingwan’s voice came from behind, devoid of any warmth.

Shen Ruoxi could not stay in this oppressive atmosphere any longer, turning and quickly leaving.

However, just as she was about to reach the main door, she glanced at the painting tube in her hand and froze.

This painting was a treasured piece collected by her master, something priceless, which was meant to be given to her cousin as well. She had forgotten to leave it behind.

Realizing this, she quickly turned back.

Upon reaching a corner, she overheard a maid speaking regretfully, “The Princess Consort actually told us to throw this away. It’s the most beautiful pillow I’ve ever seen.

Also, look, it’s embroidered with gold thread and jade silk. It’s incredibly precious. Just smell it; the fragrance is wonderful. How could the Princess Consort just discard it like that!”

Shen Ruoxi’s steps suddenly halted, her heart feeling like it was struck by a heavy hammer, her whole body plunged into an icy abyss.

The Mandarin Duck Pillow she painstakingly crafted day and night, filled with blessings and affection for her cousin, was being treated so callously.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling, clenching her fist tightly, her nails nearly digging into her palm.

Finally, she took a deep breath and walked over to the two young maids, “Give it to me!”

The young maid looked at her with astonishment, “Huh?”

“This was made by me. I’ll take it back. You don’t have to tell the Princess Consort.” Shen Ruoxi said coldly.

“Oh, oh! Here you go, Miss Shen.” The young maid, though hesitant, handed the Mandarin Duck Pillow back to Shen Ruoxi.

Snatching back her Mandarin Duck Pillow, Shen Ruoxi turned away and left, her steps hurried, as if chased by some monstrous beast.

Her heart ached subtly. Her own aunt regarded her as unlucky, so why stay to court humiliation?

She practically fled from the Prince Mansion in the southern city, keeping her head down as she stepped out the gate, with only one thought in her mind — to go home.

However, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind, “Ruoxi.”

Can’t hear, can’t hear.

Shen Ruoxi chanted inwardly, trying to block out the familiar voice as she headed straight for her family’s carriage.

The person calling her seemed not to have expected her complete disregard for his call. He hurried a few steps forward, tightly grasping her arm. “Ruoxi, what’s wrong? Cousin is calling you.”

Almost instinctively, Shen Ruoxi shook off his hand. His mother had already warned her, she couldn’t knowingly become a troublemaker.

Lan Jue was taken aback by her sudden action, nearly stumbling.

He could hardly believe his eyes, and seeing Shen Ruoxi about to board the carriage and leave, he deliberately shouted loudly, “Ouch, it hurts.”

Hearing his cry of pain, Shen Ruoxi was startled and quickly got off the carriage, anxiously asking, “Cousin Jue, what’s wrong?”

Lan Jue saw her finally stop, inwardly relieved but pretending to have twisted his ankle, frowning, “I twisted my foot just now. Cousin was calling you, why didn’t you respond?”

Shen Ruoxi felt aggrieved, but she knew that her aunt’s attitude didn’t represent Lan Jue.

However, her aunt’s words did make her feel they had some truth.

Since he already had such thoughts about her, choosing to stay away might be better for both of them.

“Cousin, I didn’t hear you. Since you’re fine, I have matters at home. I’ll be going back.” Shen Ruoxi lowered her gaze, her tone calm, as if purposely suppressing her inner turmoil.

“Wait a moment.” Lan Jue slightly frowned, she couldn’t have not heard him calling so loudly.

To be frank, she just didn’t want to pay attention to him, but what on earth had he done to offend her? Was it because he hadn’t visited her promptly after her return?

He had been suppressing his feelings, trying to maintain their familial relationship under the guise of being a cousin. If she ignored him now, he truly didn’t know what to do.

“Are you Marquis Shen? A young lady greeted formally.” A gentle and pleasant voice came, Shen Ruoxi turned around and saw a young woman approaching gracefully, saluting her with a smile.

The woman appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, with elegant gestures, a lotus-like delicate face, donning a smile of appropriate modesty.

Presumably, she should be Lan Jue’s fiancée, Lin Xuening.

“No need for formalities, Miss Lin. I have things to attend to, so I won’t intrude any longer.” Shen Ruoxi only wanted to leave this suffocating place quickly, intending to depart as she spoke.

“Ruoxi.” Lan Jue raised his voice slightly, a trace of displeasure in his tone.

Shen Ruoxi had no choice but to stand still.

Lin Xuening subtly bit her lip. In the Capital City, she’s always ranked as one of the top young women, celebrated for her talents and praised for her appearance.

However, facing Shen Ruoxi, she felt like a mere plain girl, overshadowed by her presence.

Since Lan Jue saw her, it seemed there was no one else in his eyes. Lin Xuening grasped her fingers tightly.

Then Lan Jue noticed Shen Ruoxi’s red-rimmed eyes, the pair of pillows and rolled-up painting tube in her arms.

“Ruoxi, are these for Cousin?” Lan Jue’s eyes held a hint of hope.

“No.” Shen Ruoxi slightly bit her lip, a stubborn note in her voice.

“Then why did you come to my house?” Lan Jue asked softly.

Shen Ruoxi paused, coming up with an excuse, “Earlier, I wanted to give them to you, but I realized this pillow wasn’t made well, the stitching is crude, so I’m taking it back to redo it.”

Lin Xuening didn’t want to be ignored by the two, so she suddenly reached and took the Mandarin Duck Pillow from Shen Ruoxi’s arms, exclaiming enthusiastically, “Wow, it’s so beautiful. You call this crude stitching? Heavens! I’ve never seen such fine handiwork, the mandarin ducks look alive. Once given, you can’t take it back, it’s mine now.”

Lin Xuening’s face was filled with delight, seemingly enamored with the Mandarin Duck Pillow.

Shen Ruoxi grasped the painting tube, almost biting her lips raw.

Lan Jue slightly frowned, seemingly guessing some of the reasons, his gaze turned cold.

“Did Mother Consort make things difficult for you?”

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