The carriage wheels rolled slowly—a royal procession departing. Gu Juhan looked at Shen Xiling sitting inside the carriage. She was huddled in a corner holding a small hand warmer, her complexion looking somewhat better than it had at the polo grounds.
It was dinnertime. He lifted the curtain to look outside the carriage window, and they happened to be passing Yilou. He turned back and asked her with a smile: “Weren’t you saying a few days ago that you wanted to eat Yilou’s pastries? How about it—shall we stop and eat there today?”
Shen Xiling pursed her lips and leaned forward to peek outside through the gap he had opened, seeing the red lanterns in front of Yilou. She couldn’t help but think of the fragrant, glutinous pastries there.
She hesitated somewhat: “If people discover that I just claimed to be unwell and left, only to be found eating pastries with you at Yilou… wouldn’t that look rather bad?”
Gu Juhan had already told the coachman to stop.
Yilou was a famous restaurant throughout Shangjing City, particularly favored by the capital’s nobility. The pastries they made were especially renowned—no matter what kind, they all tasted excellent, which was one of their specialties.
The interior was elegantly appointed. The first floor was the main hall, the third floor had private rooms, and the middle second floor was divided into individual compartments, separated by curtains and screens. They didn’t disturb each other while allowing diners to observe the first floor scenery from above—these were always the most sought-after seats. Even during non-holiday periods, it was quite difficult to reserve such a spot on Yilou’s second floor.
However, the most advantageous compartment on the second floor was always empty, only occasionally receiving guests. Later, patrons learned that this seat was specifically reserved for Duke Yanguo’s mansion.
This wasn’t for any other reason—Yilou actually belonged to the Duchess of Yanguo.
Shen Xiling ordered jujube pastries today. When she bit into one, the jujube fragrance filled her mouth. The slightly warm filling combined with the soft, flaky crust was particularly sweet and glutinous.
Watching her eat pastries, Gu Juhan’s mood suddenly improved greatly, and all the vague discomfort he’d felt since morning completely dissipated. He poured her some fruit wine and said: “Don’t just eat pastries. Even the Empress noticed you’ve grown thin—you need to eat more proper food later.”
Shen Xiling nodded in agreement, but when the meal was actually served later, she only took a few chopstick-fulls before stopping.
Gu Juhan tried to persuade her for a long time, but this person was very difficult to convince, especially regarding food—she was particularly stubborn about not listening to advice. She only loved sweets but didn’t care for proper meals. No matter how much he coaxed, she wouldn’t eat more. If he pressed further, she would claim poor appetite and inability to eat. Gu Juhan was helpless and could only say: “Then sit here and keep me company while I eat. When you have an appetite later, you can eat another piece of pastry, alright?”
She seemed somewhat listless but agreed.
Only then did Gu Juhan begin his meal.
Shen Xiling rested her chin on her hand, looking through the screens and curtains down at the main hall below. It was very lively with people coming and going, and the restaurant was brightly lit. Though spring had returned early this year, Yilou still heated the floors, making it very warm.
As she watched, she suddenly asked Gu Juhan: “Tell me, why didn’t he come today?”
The chopsticks in Gu Juhan’s hand paused. After a moment of silence, he ate another piece of fish and said: “Didn’t they say he caught a cold?”
Shen Xiling made an “mm” sound, then asked: “Is it… serious?”
“I don’t know,” Gu Juhan answered calmly. “If you want to know, I can have someone go to his guest quarters and ask.”
Shen Xiling pressed her lips together and said: “No need… no need.”
After a pause, she looked up at him and said softly: “It’s just, if you see him later…”
She didn’t continue.
Gu Juhan put down his chopsticks. Shen Xiling sat up straight to look at him, and he gazed back very gently, saying: “Xiling, you don’t need to be like this. I will naturally be concerned about his affairs for your sake.”
Shen Xiling blinked and smiled at him, picking up chopsticks to serve him some Chinese toon.
She asked again: “When will His Majesty and the princess marry?”
“By rights it should be soon,” Gu Juhan ate the food she had served him. “But Great Liang’s princess has a noble status, and His Majesty takes this alliance very seriously, so the ceremonies will probably be quite elaborate.”
Shen Xiling pondered for a moment and said: “So… two months?”
Gu Juhan looked at her, hesitated, then said: “He is now Great Liang’s Left Chancellor. Personally escorting the bride is already not quite proper according to protocol. To stay in Great Wei for two months would be…”
He didn’t continue.
Shen Xiling nodded and smiled very faintly: “You’re right. I suppose at most it would be one month.”
She lowered her head to calculate, murmuring: “Two days have already passed…”
Gu Juhan made an “mm” sound, drank some cold tea, glanced vaguely toward the adjacent small compartment, then served Shen Xiling another piece of pastry with a smile: “You promised to eat another piece of pastry.”
Shen Xiling looked at him, then at the pastry, picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, but barely got any filling. Then she just poked at the pastry with her chopsticks. After poking for a while, the pastry was too damaged to eat. Shen Xiling looked up at Gu Juhan, pressed her lips together, and said: “I feel… a bit stuffy. I want to go back to the carriage first. Take your time eating, and come out when you’re finished.”
After speaking, she put down her chopsticks and left quickly with her personal maids, leaving Gu Juhan to sigh helplessly at her hurried retreating figure.
A Yilou servant came up to refill Gu Juhan’s tea. The young Duke of Yanguo thanked him politely, then dismissed his attendants.
He took a sip of tea, sat upright in his place, and raised his voice slightly: “It’s not easy for you to come to Shangjing once. It’s even harder for her to see you now that she’s an official’s wife. As for me asking His Majesty to arrange this polo match, that wasn’t easy either—with so many difficulties piled together, why did you claim illness and not come today?”
Behind him was another compartment, separated by very thick curtains and hidden by paper screens. Only dim candlelight could be seen. Unless one looked very carefully, it was almost impossible to tell someone was sitting there.
That end was silent for a long time before someone finally replied: “In public, she cannot hide her feelings.”
Gu Juhan smiled, still facing away from that person: “If you had sent her even one letter in these five years, perhaps she wouldn’t be so unable to hide her feelings.”
That end fell silent.
Gu Juhan’s fingers rubbed the rim of his cup, his emotions somewhat stirred: “You had Han Feichi tell me to bring her to Yilou without letting her know it was your idea—but what if she hadn’t been willing to come? Would you simply not see her?”
“Jingchen,” Gu Juhan sighed deeply, “she misses you very much.”
Amid the noisy voices in Yilou, only that side remained silent, but after a short while came a series of suppressed coughs, followed by another young man urgently calling “Young Master.” Only after a moment did quiet return.
Gu Juhan was somewhat surprised and turned his head to ask: “Are you really ill?”
That person didn’t answer, only saying: “She’s grown thinner.”
Gu Juhan’s fingers rubbing the cup rim paused, and he lowered his head: “Ever since news spread that you were coming to Shangjing, she hasn’t been able to eat properly.”
The person on the other side seemed to sigh: “You shouldn’t indulge her so much.”
“I can’t control her,” Gu Juhan put down his teacup. “If you’re worried, come manage her yourself.”
That end fell silent again.