Chapter 90 — A Night Without a Private Room

CHAPTER 90

A Night Without a Private Room

“There's no private room,” Shi Feng said.

Ling Qingzhu stopped beside the courtyard gate. She wore a pale violet robe and a white veil, and her black hair fell from a silver clasp. Beneath the evening light, even the plain lane looked brighter around her.

“I haven't asked for one,” Ling Qingzhu replied.

“I'm telling you beforehand,” Shi Feng said.

She understood immediately. Her expression turned cold.

“Are you still thinking about Yuelan Terrace?” Ling Qingzhu asked.

“I remember my own name too,” Shi Feng answered. “Neither takes much effort.”

Ling Qingzhu wanted to refuse the outing just to annoy him. Instead, she stepped past him and held the gate open.

“Then stop talking about it,” Ling Qingzhu said.

Shi Feng followed. He'd finished his commissions early and bought enough ingredients for the next day's work.

He wanted to spend that evening with her. That was all.

The streets near Qingliu Lane were still busy. Shi Feng turned toward the river instead.

Ling Qingzhu glanced behind them.

“The lantern fair is that way,” Ling Qingzhu said.

“The crowds are that way,” Shi Feng replied.

“And the lanterns,” Ling Qingzhu added.

“They'll still be visible from here,” Shi Feng said.

She gave him a doubtful look but kept walking.

At the river, red lanterns hung along the opposite bank. Their reflections trembled in the water. The path on this side held only a few food stalls and scattered walkers.

Ling Qingzhu stopped complaining.

Shi Feng noticed and smiled slightly. He thought, Good. The river hasn't asked for a room fee yet.

A boy ran past carrying a paper kite. Ling Qingzhu stepped aside, and Shi Feng caught the loose kite string before it wound around her sleeve.

He handed it back without breaking his stride. The boy thanked him loudly and ran back to his father.

Ling Qingzhu looked at Shi Feng's fingers.

“You're quick when there's no work involved,” Ling Qingzhu said.

“You should see me leave a bad shop,” Shi Feng replied.

She laughed softly. There was no one here whose opinion she needed to manage.

She walked a little closer.

“Two bowls,” Shi Feng told the stall owner.

A broad-shouldered man stood behind a steaming pot. His thin Qi Condensation aura was weaker than most guards in the capital. He looked at Ling Qingzhu, then hurriedly wiped an already clean stool.

“Fresh sesame dumplings!” He Shun said. “Young lady, I make them myself.”

“That sounds less reassuring when you shout it,” Shi Feng said.

He Shun glared at him before remembering who was paying.

“They're good,” He Shun said stiffly.

Ling Qingzhu sat down. Shi Feng took the stool opposite her. The bowls were plain, the spoons didn't match, and nobody appeared to announce the history of the sesame.

She tried one dumpling and paused.

“It's good,” Ling Qingzhu admitted.

He Shun brightened at once.

“Of course! My wife taught me,” He Shun said proudly.

“Then your wife deserves the praise,” Shi Feng replied.

Ling Qingzhu lowered the spoon, her eyes laughing above her veil. He Shun nodded without arguing and returned to his pot.

Across the path, a silk-robed young man noticed her. He checked his own sleeves before approaching. A pair of servants followed, both carrying wrapped boxes.

The young man's Qi Condensation cultivation was ordinary, but his belt buckle was large enough to announce his family's money first.

“Miss Ling?” Kou Liang asked eagerly. “I didn't expect to meet you here!”

Ling Qingzhu put her spoon down. Her warmth disappeared.

“Then you've met me,” Ling Qingzhu replied.

Kou Liang faltered. His gaze moved to Shi Feng, and recognition made him bold again.

“You brought her here?” Kou Liang asked. “There are better places across the river. My family's booked a pavilion.”

“Go there,” Shi Feng said.

Kou Liang's face reddened.

“I wasn't inviting you,” Kou Liang snapped.

“Neither was I,” Shi Feng replied.

Ling Qingzhu picked her spoon up again. She didn't even turn toward Kou Liang.

“I'm eating with my husband,” Ling Qingzhu said. “You're blocking the path.”

Kou Liang's servants stared at the ground. Their young master stood still for two breaths before turning away.

He Shun watched him leave with great satisfaction.

“Another bowl?” He Shun asked.

“No,” Shi Feng said.

“Half a bowl?” He Shun tried.

Ling Qingzhu finally laughed aloud.

They walked farther along the bank after eating. Shi Feng paid the ordinary price. He didn't spend the next ten steps looking pained, and Ling Qingzhu found herself strangely pleased about that.

“Did you like it?” Shi Feng asked.

“The food?” Ling Qingzhu replied.

“The shouting,” Shi Feng said.

She bumped his arm with her sleeve.

“The dumplings were good,” Ling Qingzhu said. “Your taste isn't completely hopeless.”

“High praise,” Shi Feng replied.

“You should treasure it,” Ling Qingzhu said.

Her praise pleased him, even with the proud way she gave it.

Ling Qingzhu saw his expression before he turned toward the river. Her heart beat faster. She lowered her gaze and pretended to straighten a fold in her robe.

Why did he have to look at her like that?

They reached a stone crossing with a shallow step beside it. Ling Qingzhu's hem caught under her shoe. She stopped, annoyed, and Shi Feng held out his hand.

She looked at it.

“I can walk,” Ling Qingzhu said.

“Then walk,” Shi Feng replied, leaving his hand there.

She took it anyway.

Her fingers were cool. Shi Feng led her down the step without tightening his grip. Once the path was level, she didn't let go immediately.

Neither did he.

Ling Qingzhu watched the coloured lights drift between the people and suddenly wanted one. Then she looked at the joined hands and kept quiet.

She didn't need to carry anything else.

They passed an old woman selling embroidered purse strings. Ling Qingzhu glanced at a violet one, then at the plain knot on his purse.

“That one's coming loose,” Ling Qingzhu said.

“It still holds,” Shi Feng replied.

“One day it won't,” Ling Qingzhu said.

“You sound hopeful,” Shi Feng replied.

She pulled him to the stall and bought the string herself. It cost little, and she didn't make a show of paying. Shi Feng let her replace the worn knot.

Her fingers worked carefully. He watched her bowed head, feeling pleased in a way a full purse hadn't managed.

“I won't charge for the work,” Ling Qingzhu said.

“I was waiting for the price,” Shi Feng answered.

She tightened the last knot harder than necessary. Near home, Shi Feng finally released her hand to lift a loose branch from their path. Ling Qingzhu's fingers curled into her sleeve.

“Next time, we can try the other stall,” Ling Qingzhu said.

Shi Feng glanced back.

“Next time?” Shi Feng asked.

“If you're not busy,” Ling Qingzhu added quickly.

“I'll see,” Shi Feng said.

She immediately regretted sounding so eager.

“Don't make yourself too important,” Ling Qingzhu said coldly. “There are other people I can ask.”

“Then I'll be busy,” Shi Feng replied.

Ling Qingzhu stared at him. The small smile at his mouth made her understand that he was teasing her. She caught his sleeve and pulled him toward the gate.

At their gate, a lantern was burning that neither of them had lit. Bao Shun stood under it with a lacquered docket and the Hu family's apology already in his mouth: Hu Jian's jade cup, left on the rail at Yuelan Terrace, and the hope that Young Master Shi would accept a small token of correction.

Shi Feng read the docket and handed it back. “The apology I'll take,” Shi Feng said. “The cup goes back to the Hu house.”

Bao Shun bowed low enough for the lane to see. Two neighbours found business in their doorways.

“You've already promised,” Ling Qingzhu declared.

“I haven't,” Shi Feng said.

“Then promise now,” Ling Qingzhu replied.