Chapter 9: Rouge As Bait

The young maid led Cheng Wenque to wait in the lakeside pavilion.

When Pu Jinyu arrived, she happened to catch sight of his upright yet unrestrained seated figure.

Her gaze lingered on the man’s profile.

He really did resemble her sworn brother.

Even though their complexions differed, the contours of their brows and eyes were six or seven parts alike.

Her foster mother had only ever had two children and no others lost outside the family.

Perhaps it was merely a coincidence.

The world was vast, and similar faces were as common as ox hairs.

Before Pu Jinyu even stepped into the pavilion, Cheng Wenque had already sensed the gaze cast toward him.

In truth, it was not just now.

From the day he first arrived at the Yan residence to attend the return banquet, he had felt this young matron’s eyes lingering on him for long stretches.

From a young age, he had known his looks were pleasing.

Back in Lanling, many merchant daughters and officials’ young ladies had sought to take him as a husband.

Over the years, he had experienced such fixed, appraising stares until the onlooker lost themselves more than once.

Only… this Yan household’s young matron was already a married woman.

Perhaps because of that, the way her gaze rested on him was far more restrained.

It lacked the heat of those merchant daughters and official ladies and did not carry the same sense of blatant offense.

“Young Master Cheng has been waiting for some time, hasn’t he?”

Pu Jinyu concealed her thoughts and, as usual, put on her mask, interacting with him under Pu Wange’s identity with a gentle smile.

She was also rather curious about why Yan Huaixiao’s old acquaintance had come looking for her.

In her previous life, Cheng Wenque had also come to the Yan household.

She had seen him then as well.

But she had always remembered that she was living in the Yan family under her elder sister’s identity.

When she noticed his resemblance to her sworn brother, she was surprised, yet she did not stare for long.

After a brief moment of astonishment, she had quickly shifted her gaze away, afraid of being discovered.

As a result, she and Cheng Wenque had little interaction.

He had not come looking for her a few days later either.

In this life reborn, although many things remained the same as before, many others had diverged.

For instance, she had dealt with that old thing Matron Wu and had even ensnared Yan Chiyun.

Cheng Wenque rose and bowed, saying that he had only just arrived and had not waited long.

She told him there was no need for courtesy and invited him to sit.

She then asked, “Is there something lacking in the courtyard rooms, or has the household staff been negligent in their service?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Pu Jinyu had already seen the item Cheng Wenque had set aside.

She did not ask about it and pretended not to notice.

She looked at the man opposite her and recalled the days back in the countryside.

Her sworn brother had often sat across from her just like this.

Sensing the young lady’s gaze, Cheng Wenque steadied himself and said that nothing was amiss.

The courtyard rooms were fully equipped, and the servants attended diligently.

“Then what exactly brings Young Master Cheng here today?”

Pu Jinyu lifted a teacup and took a small sip.

Even while drinking tea, the woman opposite him kept her eyes fixed on his brows and eyes.

She watched him with intense focus.

Did she not feel that this was rather intrusive?

He did not think he had misunderstood.

If his guess was correct, this Yan household’s young matron might truly be somewhat taken with his looks.

Otherwise, she would not have received him alone.

Thinking this, Cheng Wenque’s heart settled somewhat.

He also felt more assured about the purpose of his visit.

“Thanks to the Yan family’s kindness and the young madam’s thoughtful arrangements, I was able to stay in Shuyuan.

This is merely a small token of my appreciation.

It is not worth much, but I hope the young madam will accept it.”

Pu Jinyu followed his words and looked toward the small sandalwood box at the side.

She said in surprise, “This is for me?”

Cheng Wenque’s heart stirred, and he responded, “Yes.”

Pu Jinyu did not answer right away.

She looked once more at the man’s face and stared at him steadily, her gaze unwavering.

Although the man opposite her concealed himself well and his words were without obvious flaw, she had lived two lifetimes.

She had seen far too many demons and monsters.

With ease, she could see through the impure intentions behind that face so similar to her sworn brother’s.

Cheng Wenque had not expected her to stare at him for so long.

This was the Yan household, after all.

Even though Madam Yan had instructed Pu Wange to take good care of this guest and show no neglect, and even though he could seek her out if he had matters to attend to, men and women were different.

For him to come to her rashly would inevitably draw attention.

“What is this?”

Just as Cheng Wenque was about to speak and interrupt her gaze, she shifted her eyes away.

She smiled lightly and looked at the small sandalwood box.

“It is some rouge and face powder.

I had someone bring it from Lanling some time ago.

Although it cannot compare to the shops in the capital, it is still a specialty rouge from Lanling.

I hope Madam will not disdain it.”

Pu Jinyu lowered her lashes, hiding the interest in her eyes.

Her expression appeared composed and dignified as she reached out and drew the small sandalwood box closer.

Cheng Wenque’s gaze followed her hand and fell upon the young lady’s slender fingers.

Her nails were painted a vivid red, making the back of her hand appear even more fair and tender.

Pu Jinyu did not open the box.

She had the maid beside her put it away and said, “I must thank Young Master Cheng for your thoughtfulness, only…”

“Only what?”

Cheng Wenque snapped back to himself and asked in confusion.

Pu Jinyu did not answer.

She merely smiled.

Cheng Wenque wanted to press the matter and was still forming his words in his mind.

Before he could decide how to ask, the woman opposite him was already smiling as she spoke.

“I thought that Young Master Cheng gave this rouge and powder because you wished me to pass it along to my young sister-in-law.

After all, I heard that Young Master Cheng has been rather close with her recently…”

Cheng Wenque was startled.

Seduced by the gaze before him, his heart beat somewhat erratically.

He hurriedly said, “No.

This rouge and powder is for the young madam.”

“Oh?”

Pu Jinyu’s tone lifted slightly, and the smile on her face deepened.

“So it was I who misunderstood.”

Cheng Wenque looked at her face.

The woman before him was exquisitely made up, elegant and impeccable, just like a noble matron of the capital.

Yet when he looked into her eyes, he felt his heart inexplicably speed up.

He found the feeling difficult to describe.

On one hand, he thought her pupils were beautifully serene.

On the other hand, that very serenity felt faintly dangerous.

What kind of danger it was, he could not quite say.

In the end, she was only a woman confined to the inner quarters.

Even if she were born to a high family, she could not escape common sentiments.

The Yan family head was certainly outstanding.

In terms of power and talent, Cheng Wenque could not compete with him.

But when it came to appearance, he did not think he fell far behind.

Most importantly, he was more approachable and younger than the Yan family head.

Perhaps that sense of danger stemmed from the Yan family head’s status.

Yan Chiyun stood at the pinnacle of authority, and the woman before him was his wife.

If Yan Chiyun were to find out about his closeness to her, the consequences would be dire.

Thus, he could not allow any rumors to leak out.

Otherwise, it would be utter ruin.

“Yes… I have no relationship whatsoever with Fourth Miss Yan Minghsu.

We only met once some time ago.

That meeting was merely so I could inquire about the young madam’s preferences from Fourth Miss Yan Minghsu.

Brother Huaixiao was also present at the time.”

Pu Jinyu said nothing.

Cheng Wenque carefully observed her expression, trying to gauge her thoughts.

That said, Pu Jinyu had not been entirely wrong about one thing.

Yan Minghsu did indeed harbor some interest in him.

It was just that he had no intention of becoming a live-in son-in-law.

Even though the woman opposite him kept her eyes lowered and he could not read her expression, there was one point in his analysis that favored him.

She knew about his single meeting with the Yan family’s fourth miss.

It seemed that over these past days, she had been paying attention to his movements.

Today had only been a probing attempt.

He could not rush to draw too close.

Having delivered the gift, Cheng Wenque did not linger.

He rose and took his leave.

The woman opposite him finally spoke.

“Then I will see Young Master Cheng out.”

She personally rose to escort him, which seemed to show that she had been moved.

After leaving the pavilion and walking as far as the corridor entrance, Cheng Wenque asked Pu Jinyu to stop there.

Pu Jinyu looked at the man before her and smiled.

“Once again, thank you, Young Master Cheng, for the rouge and powder.

I like it very much.”

Yan Huaixiao and Yan Minghsu had both said that she used rouge and powder quickly and often sent servants out to purchase more.

Even the Pu family sent such items over from time to time.

That meant she must truly like them.

“I am glad the young madam likes it.”

Pu Jinyu looked at him.

“If I use it all up, may I still seek more from Young Master Cheng?”

Cheng Wenque’s heart tightened.

He suppressed his expression and answered solemnly.

“If the young madam has need, I will naturally provide it.”

Pu Jinyu smiled and did not respond.

Cheng Wenque cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave.

After passing through the begonia gate and returning to the room where he was staying alone, Cheng Wenque finally revealed a relieved smile.

He had not expected this visit to go more smoothly than anticipated.

In this way, aside from the imperial examinations, he would have an additional layer of security.

***

When Jing Chun returned, she found that Pu Jinyu was no longer reviewing the accounts.

Instead, she was intently fiddling with some rouge and face powder.

Over the years, because she had to apply makeup day and night to reshape her appearance, Jing Chun could tell even without Pu Jinyu saying anything that she loathed rouge and powder.

Yet now, she was ignoring the account books and playing with cosmetics.

“Miss, this servant has already retrieved the gift register.”

Pu Jinyu gave a faint acknowledgment and did not even look up.

“This is… where did this rouge and powder come from?”

It did not look like anything from the dressing table.

There had been no new cosmetics recently either, since purchases had been made not long ago.

Staring at the sandalwood box, Jing Chun felt puzzled.

But Pu Jinyu ignored her completely.

She continued to play with the items in the brocade box.

She even applied some to her hand and had someone bring over a small bronze mirror.

Taking advantage of a moment when she turned away, Jing Chun asked a nearby maid who had sent the rouge and powder.

When she heard that it was sent by Cheng Wenque, a friend of the Third Young Master, Jing Chun immediately frowned.

How could Miss accept something given by an unrelated man?

It was far too improper.

If it were truly the eldest young lady, she would never do such a thing.

Was she not afraid of inviting gossip?

Jing Chun did not dare accuse Pu Jinyu to her face.

She only said, “Miss, you have not finished checking the accounts yet.

Why not play with the rouge and powder later?”

But Pu Jinyu still ignored her.

Instead, she summoned two elderly matrons to take over Jing Chun’s work and continued to toy with the cosmetics.

Jing Chun swallowed her anger again and again.

Recently, she had already passed word of Pu Jinyu’s abnormal behavior to Madam Pu.

Madam Pu had instructed her to keep watching and see what further trouble Pu Jinyu might stir up, but not to alert the enemy.

She had not expected Pu Jinyu to actually accept and use rouge and powder from an unrelated man.

She even played with it constantly, looking very invested.

At the return banquet, Jing Chun had also noticed Pu Jinyu staring at Cheng Wenque, the Third Young Master’s friend, for a time.

What exactly was Third Miss trying to do?

This could not be allowed to continue unchecked.

Jing Chun used a small trick.

She had a maid pass along the news that Cheng Wenque had come and had given Pu Jinyu rouge and powder to one of the attendants following Yan Chiyun.

The matter naturally reached Yan Chiyun’s ears when he had just returned home.

He halted mid-step.

“Cheng Wenque came?”