Page 71 of The Scholar's Improper Wife

Outside, Chun-xi’s voice called through the door. “Third Maiden, Lady Shen requests your presence in the inner hall.”

“I’m awake,” Yun-si called back, her voice carrying an uncharacteristic lightness.

Chun-xi slipped into the chamber and laid breakfast on the table. Yun-si finished every bite, smiling all the while. It was the first time she had eaten with an appetite in weeks.

Yun-si hummed as she cut through the garden. The fresh morning air carried the sweet scent of jasmine and the morning calls of larks.

A flash of dark green caught the corner of her eye near the moon gate, where Ting-zhi leaned against the latticework, one hand idly turning a branch of leaves between his fingers.

Her steps faltered.

Isn’t he too free for a newly minted flower scholar?

Shouldn’t he be buried under congratulatory visits? Preparing for imperial appointments?Writingnew huabens? Anything other than lounging in her family’s garden like he owned the place?

She watched his long fingers play with the leaves with infuriating leisure.

Hmpf.

She veered left resolutely. She would take the long path around the reflecting pond. Theverylong path that curved past the servants’ quarters and the storehouses. Anywhere that didn’t require passing beneath that particular crabapple tree.

Her detour added fifteen minutes to the walk, but she reached the inner hall without incident, her composure mostly restored.

“Yun-si.” Lady Shen’s voice carried its usual measured authority. “Finally.”

Yun-si stepped through the doorway and stopped short.

The hall had been transformed into a textile merchant’s paradise. Bolts of silk in every imaginable shade draped across low tables—deep crimson shot through with gold thread, pale rose pink embroidered with blossoms, spring green scattered with—why did they embroider that with leaves?

Her phoenix headdress and wedding jewelry rested on the table, pearls, jade, and delicate gold filigree glinting softly in the morning light.

Yun-jia was darting from one display to another, bursting with excitement as she touched and admired all the finery. “Third Sister! You are finally here! Look at all the beautiful silks and jewelry!”

Oh. The final fitting.She had completely forgotten it.

“We must make the final alterations to your wedding robes today if they’re to be ready in time. You’ll also need more new clothes in your dowry.” Lady Shen stated.

Wedding robes. The words hit Yun-si like a splash of cold water, washing away the last traces of her jovial mood.

The wedding... to a husband she had not spoken to in weeks.

One month. That was all that stood between her and the wedding.

One month, and then—

Then what?

Yun-si’s stomach twisted.

“Come,” Lady Shen continued, “Madam Liu needs your measurements. And tonight we’re hosting a family dinner. Master Gu and Ting-zhi will both be joining us.”

Yun-si nodded mutely, stepping deeper into the sea of silk.

Chapter 32

The evening meal was served in the west receiving hall, where the family gathered around a long rosewood table laden with delicacies. Her favorite steamed fish was placed in front of her, while the tea-smoked chicken, rich with aromatic spices, was strategically placed just where Yun-jia’s chopsticks could comfortably reach. There was a big plate of Yun-hai’s beloved tender bamboo shoots with mushrooms right in the center of the table, and everyone had a personal bowl of her elder brother’s favorite fragrant winter-melon soup. Scattered between these dishes were other delicate dishes in smaller portions, filling the table with quiet abundance.

Lady Shen never made a fuss of it, but she knew exactly what each of her children liked.