Chapter 445: A Crowd Ablaze with Fury
Jiaojiao, do you already have a beloved?
The moment the handsome scholar finished asking that question, Zhu Ping’an clearly saw every male creature around them stretch their necks forward in unison, eyes locked onto the peerless beauty standing at the very center of the scene. Every one of them was desperate to hear whether this breathtaking woman already had a sweetheart. If she didn’t—then wouldn’t that mean there was room to slip in while the door was still open?
Under countless gazes brimming with anticipation, the beauty finally spoke. And the instant she did, both the handsome scholar and the surrounding onlookers felt their spirits soar.
“No.”
Bathed in sunlight, the young woman gently shook her exquisite head. Her rosy, petal-soft lips curved into a slight pout, and her clear black-and-white eyes shimmered with lively intelligence. Her voice was light and melodious, as crisp and sweet as a lark’s song.
No. She said she didn’t have one.
The handsome scholar’s face immediately bloomed with a radiant smile.
Hahaha! Another peerless beauty is about to be conquered by my looks and talent! His heart surged with uncontrollable joy.
This, after all, was an unshakable truth that had endured for ages: when you ask a girl whether she has a boyfriend, and she answers that she doesn’t, congratulations—your chances are already very high. At the very least, it means she doesn’t dislike you. If she had absolutely no interest whatsoever, she would have cut you off cleanly by saying she already had someone, extinguishing any inappropriate thoughts at the root.
That was precisely why the handsome scholar was so delighted.
That voice seemed to call straight into people’s hearts. Many of the men watching couldn’t help swallowing hard. Only now did they truly understand the phrase “an orchid blooming in a secluded valley.” In the past, they’d lived like blind dogs. Just those three simple words were enough to melt half a man’s body into weakness.
The surrounding male spectators were equally ecstatic. Hahaha! Such a stunning beauty—and she was still unattached! This was a gift from the heavens. If they didn’t seize it now, then when?
Thus, clutching the belief that “what heaven bestows must not be rejected, or divine punishment will follow,” the men began to stir restlessly, each itching to make a move.
“Then why don’t you find one?” the handsome scholar asked again, his lips curving into a charming smile as he addressed Li Shu in his most magnetic voice.
He was simply waiting for her to say one more thing—anything at all—and then he would launch into recommending himself. Such a delicate, peerless beauty was already at his lips; there was no way he would loosen his grip. After speaking, the handsome scholar swept a glance over the other eager men nearby and revealed a smile full of confidence, as if victory were already his.
“Because my husband won’t allow it.”
Li Shu blinked her large eyes as she said this, her expression innocently adorable beyond measure. The little bun-faced maid beside her immediately covered her mouth and giggled.
My husband won’t allow it.
The moment those words left Li Shu’s lips, Zhu Ping’an felt as though he heard the sound of hearts shattering all around him. The handsome scholar clutched his chest and staggered back two steps, as if he’d been struck squarely in the heart by a heavy hammer without warning.
The other onlookers fared no better. Each of them looked as though they’d suffered a critical blow. One second they were in paradise; the next, they’d plunged straight into hell. The sheer drop was unbearable.
Still… judging by the playful way the beauty blinked her eyes, perhaps she was just joking with them? That had to be it. Look at her little maid laughing so sweetly with her hand over her mouth. Tsk tsk. Who would’ve thought that even the maid was such a looker? Though she fell short of her mistress, she was undeniably beautiful. If one could marry this peerless beauty, wouldn’t the maid naturally come along too, free to be enjoyed at will? And if both beauties were to—
Heh heh… little tease…
The handsome scholar hastily comforted himself with such fantasies. Unfortunately, they lasted no more than a single second before being completely crushed.
“Husband, you’re here. Look—aren’t the flowers I picked pretty?”
Before everyone’s eyes, Li Shu lightly gathered her skirts and stepped forward with graceful, lotus-like movements, walking straight up to Zhu Ping’an, who had been watching from the crowd. Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief as they turned toward him, her expression hovering between a smile and something teasing. Her red lips puckered slightly, her voice thick with coquettish sweetness.
As if that weren’t enough, she extended her slender jade-like hand, took hold of Zhu Ping’an’s rough one, and tugged him toward the bun-faced maid. Like a child seeking praise, she pointed at the small flowers in the basket and looked up at him expectantly.
So… she noticed me coming over the whole time.
Meeting Li Shu’s sly gaze, her deliberately delicate, bird-like posture, and that syrupy tone of voice, Zhu Ping’an couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his mouth.
She had called him “husband.” And she was holding his hand. There was no way to deny that.
At this sight, the handsome scholar and the surrounding men felt their hearts shatter beyond repair.
Another reason no one questioned it was their clothing. What Zhu Ping’an wore was practically a matching set with Li Shu’s attire. Though the concept of “couple outfits” didn’t exist in ancient times, it was obvious their clothes came from the same tailor. Both were a deep sapphire blue, and even the ornamental pendants were paired.
Zhu Ping’an wore a sapphire-blue arrow-sleeved riding outfit, while Li Shu was dressed in a sapphire-blue, double-breasted gauze skirt with hibiscus patterns and a trailing hem. The edges of her skirt were embroidered with black drifting-cloud motifs—the exact same trim as on Zhu Ping’an’s clothing.
Even the ribbons on Li Shu’s outfit and the belt around Zhu Ping’an’s waist were embroidered with plum blossoms.
Most telling of all were their jade pendants. Both wore gold-inlaid jade ornaments shaped like half-moons. The only difference was that Zhu Ping’an’s bore a golden dragon at its center, while Li Shu’s displayed a golden phoenix.
A match made of gold and jade. Dragon and phoenix singing in harmony. The dragon-and-phoenix pendants were clearly meant to be a pair.
So even without the idea of couple attire, the truth was far too obvious. No one could deny it, even if they wanted to.
And yet—this man didn’t look like much at all. Granted, his clothes radiated wealth and refinement, but compared to everyone else present—especially compared to the handsome scholar—Zhu Ping’an was plainly unimpressive.
If Zhu Ping’an had also been handsome, perhaps the crowd could have forced themselves to accept it. But the truth was, many of them looked better than he did.
A fresh flower stuck into a pile of cow dung—nothing stung more than that. Everyone felt it was an injustice to the flower.
The handsome scholar, in particular, was clearly of this mindset. As the saying went: fate may be decreed by heaven, but only the virtuous are worthy of it. The girl was stunning beyond compare, while you looked utterly ordinary—not even remotely connected to the word “handsome.” How could you possibly deserve such a beauty?
“Hey. Who are you, exactly?”
Unable to endure it any longer, the handsome scholar stepped forward and blocked Zhu Ping’an’s path, asking with open dissatisfaction.
“Why don’t you ask her?” Zhu Ping’an replied with a faint smile, casting a teasing glance at Li Shu, who looked every bit like a little fox.
“He’s my husband,” Li Shu said, then shyly hid behind Zhu Ping’an like a timid little rabbit. Both hands clutched the corner of his robe, her posture perfectly embodying the bashful elegance of a well-bred young lady.
This girl really missed her calling, Zhu Ping’an thought. If she didn’t go into acting, it would be a complete waste.
He silently offered Li Shu twelve points of respect for her astonishing performance.