Chapter 47

The time spent winning over Jiang Yi was perhaps the most comfortable period Yan Yiming had experienced since entering this system.
Each day, she only needed to share an evening meal with Jiang Yi, take leisurely strolls to his quarters during her free time, and exchange a few words. Day by day, the favorability steadily increased.
Yan Yiming had guessed correctly. Because of the injustices and upheavals he had endured in his childhood, such a child would be colder and more difficult to win over than most. But by offering him a little warmth when everyone else gave him cold indifference, she could carefully pry open a crack in his defenses.
In the eyes of others, Jiang Yi was unlikable, always appearing aloof and detached. Yet, with such a child, if you treated him well, he would repay you with double the kindness.
Back then, a single unintentional act of help from Jian Yu’er had left a lasting impression on the young Jiang Yi. Now, with Yan Yiming’s daily, subtle influence, it was enough to make this stoic youth break into a rare smile whenever he saw her.
His favorability rose faster than Yan Yiming had anticipated. In just a few months, it had already crossed the passing mark of sixty. Perhaps it was because he was still a child, his emotions were much simpler compared to adults like Jian Yuyan. Or maybe it was because the indifference of those around him made Yan Yiming’s presence all the more precious.
Yan Yiming might not have known it, but in Jiang Yi’s eyes, after reuniting with her, he finally understood the meaning of the word “only one.”
He couldn’t precisely define what Yan Yiming meant to him, but he understood her significance.
At that time, he was only thirteen.
“I think Jiang Yi's favorability will max out much sooner than we imagined. It's been three months straight now, increasing bit by bit every day, and yesterday it even rose a little extra,” Little A once confided to Yan Yiming in private. “But why? Nothing special happened yesterday, right?”
Yan Yiming, having nothing better to do, sat on the bed wrapped in a quilt, braiding tassels. At these words, her hands paused briefly. “Well, it's not like nothing happened. Didn't we run into the matchmaker arranging marriages for the third and fourth daughters yesterday? Once they're married off, it'll inevitably be my turn next.”
“So, is he jealous that you might marry someone else, or upset that you're 'sick' and no one would want you?”
“I don't know,” Yan Yiming stopped her work and shot Little A a warning look. “What do you mean by 'sick'? Is that how you use the profoundness of Chinese culture?”
“Even with its profundity, I'm not wrong,” Little A grumbled for a moment before sighing softly. “I think it's the latter. After all, with your current health, no one would take you even if you paid them. Marrying you would cost them a fortune.”
Yan Yiming tossed a ball of thread at her in mock anger. “No one would think you're mute if you kept quiet!”
“Hehe,” Little A dodged with a laugh and leaned in again. “Aren't I just telling the truth? The medicine and tonics you drink every day are beyond what an ordinary family could afford. We'll have to see if Jiang Yi can manage it once he makes something of himself.”
“By then, I might not even be alive to enjoy it,” Yan Yiming examined the finished tassel in her hand with satisfaction before scolding Little A, “Don't you think your system is cruel? Jiang Yi is such a good kid.”
Little A, completely unapologetic, made up an excuse, “People need to go through trials to grow. Look at Jian Yuyan and Nan Gongxuan…Hey, where are you going?”
“To see poor Jiang Yi,” Yan Yiming tucked the newly braided tassel into her sleeve, got out of bed, threw on a coat, and headed to Jiang Yi's quarters.
Since the household started paying more attention to Jiang Yi, his rooms, though still not as warm as Yan Yiming's, had become comfortably temperate.
Yan Yiming went straight to the study, where Jiang Yi spent most of his time.
Jiang Yi was absorbed in his book and only looked up when a faint scent of plum blossoms reached him. Meeting Yan Yiming's smile, his features relaxed involuntarily, and the corners of his lips lifted.
“Sit here.”
He stood up, guided her to his seat, then turned to close the ventilating window. After adding a few pieces of charcoal to the brazier, he still felt it wasn't warm enough and ordered a maid to bring another brazier.
After finishing everything, he walked back with a smile and said, “You could’ve just sent a maid to let me know, and I would’ve come over. What if you catch a chill in this cold weather?”
“If I catch a chill, I’ll just take some medicine. I’m already used to drinking it every day, there’s no difference,” Yan Yiming replied indifferently.
Jiang Yi’s smile vanished abruptly.
Yan Yiming picked up a book from Jiang Yi’s desk and read for a while before noticing his silence. She looked up and saw his face taut with tension. Hurriedly putting the book down, she asked, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
Jiang Yi glared at her fiercely. How could she speak so carelessly, as if she didn’t care about herself at all? Her words sounded casual to her, but to him, they were unbearably harsh.
He had never been angry with Yan Yiming before, but now his chest tightened with frustration.
Just then, a young maid entered with a brazier and was startled by Jiang Yi’s gloomy expression. She quickly set it down and scurried away, closing the door behind her.
The room fell into sudden silence. Yan Yiming tentatively called out, “Jiang Yi?” He didn’t respond. She tried again, “Young Master?” Still no reply.
She ventured, “Little Jiang Yi?”
Jiang Yi: “...”
“Yi Yi? Ah Yi?”
Jiang Yi’s eyelids twitched, and he shuddered involuntarily. “What kind of address is that!”
As expected, he was too young to keep his composure. Yan Yiming chuckled inwardly but kept a straight face. “It’s a term of endearment. My parents call me A’Ming too.”
Jiang Yi rolled the word “endearment” over in his mind, and some of his anger subsided. He muttered, “Why do they call you A’Ming?”
“I heard that when I was born, I wouldn’t cry no matter what. My mother was worried, so she gave me that name.”
Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Yi wisely used the moment to admonish her. “Your mother gave you that name hoping you’d stay healthy and safe. Yet you speak so carelessly, how can you repay her heartfelt wishes?”
“So that’s why you’re angry,” Yan Yiming sighed softly, resting her head on the table. “I know my parents want me safe and sound, but... never mind, I won’t say such things anymore to avoid upsetting you, Young Master. By the way, I noticed the tassel on the jade pendant you always wear has gotten old. I had some free time, so I braided a new one.”
She took the newly braided tassel from her sleeve and handed it to a surprised Jiang Yi. “My craftsmanship isn’t bad.”
Jiang Yi looked down at the tassel in her hand and suddenly felt hesitant to take it.
How to express deep affection? With a beautiful jade adorned by a tassel.
Though young, Jiang Yi was more mature than his peers. At this age of budding emotions, his heart suddenly raced wildly.
Did she... not know that this phrase originated from Fan Qin’s “Poem of Eternal Love,” where “tying the tassel” symbolized a woman’s marriage?
But when he met Yan Yiming’s innocent gaze, he immediately felt he was overthinking it. She probably just noticed the old tassel and simply made a new one.
Seeing him hesitate for so long, Yan Yiming asked uncertainly, “Is it inappropriate to change the tassel?”
“No,” Jiang Yi snapped out of his thoughts and quickly replied. He untied the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to her. “You help me tie it on.”
Yan Yiming smiled and took the jade pendant, removing the old, faded tassel and replacing it with a new one. She then deftly retied the pendant to Jiang Yi’s waist. The jade, of exquisite quality, now hung with a blue silk cord, looking exceptionally elegant.
“When this one wears out, I’ll weave another for you,” Yan Yiming said with satisfaction, as if she hadn’t noticed Jiang Yi’s stunned expression. She stood up and added, “Now that I’ve delivered the cord, I won’t disturb your reading. By the way, Lan Xiu will be making ginseng chicken soup tonight, don’t forget to come.”
With that, she put on her cloak, waved at him, and turned to leave.
Jiang Yi watched her go before picking up the jade pendant at his waist. It was the one Fifth Master Jiang had given him before his passing, a piece of jade with a superb luster. The delicate and intricate silk cord complemented it perfectly, as if they were made for each other.
Sitting at his desk, Jiang Yi found himself lost in thought for a rare, long moment. Only after a while did he pick up his brush again. As he lowered his head, he noticed that the unfinished poem he had been transcribing earlier was now completed with a line of graceful, small script, just enough to finish the entire piece.
Because of her frail health and striking beauty, people often overlooked the fact that she was also a woman of remarkable talent.
Jiang Yi smiled softly, studied the writing for a while longer, then folded the paper and tucked it into a treasured book.
Time continued to flow without pause. After the preliminary imperial examinations, none of the Jiang family’s younger generation had passed, not even the highly anticipated Third Young Master from the second branch, who regrettably failed as well.
Second Lady Jiang no longer dared to boast and kept a low profile for quite some time. Later, when Yan Yiming occasionally encountered members of the second branch paying their respects at the main house, she noticed the daughters of the family glaring resentfully at Jiang Yi. It seemed that despite the second madam staying home, she hadn’t restrained her tongue and had likely spread some gossip.
After the preliminary exams, Jiang Yi began attending the private school with the other Jiang family youths. When Yan Yiming asked if he had encountered any troubles, he always shook his head and said no, even when she discovered scribbles in the books he brought home.
Later, she heard from her elder brother’s son that the third young master from the second branch, resentful and unwilling to accept defeat, had tried to cause trouble behind the scenes. The next day, the nephew gleefully reported that the third young master had been severely punished by the tutor, much to his humiliation.
Yan Yiming glanced at Jiang Yi’s calm, unruffled expression and smiled to herself. Even at such a young age, he was not someone to be trifled with.
Not long after, the third and fourth young ladies, who were already betrothed, were married off. When they returned the following New Year, both were several months pregnant. The third young lady’s husband, upon seeing Yan Yiming for the first time, was so stunned that he didn’t react until his wife pinched him sharply. He then chuckled awkwardly, only to meet the gaze of a strikingly handsome but young boy, whose fierce glare startled him.
When he looked back, the boy was already chatting with Yan Yiming, his expression gentle and smiling, as if that momentary intensity had been nothing but an illusion.
Another half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
By the time flowers bloomed red, willows turned green, and the fragrance of lotus filled the pond, it was the height of summer that year. The third and fourth young ladies had already become mothers, Jiang Yi had turned fifteen, and Yan Yiming, now eighteen, had grown even more strikingly beautiful, yet she remained unmarried.
While the rest of the household grew increasingly anxious, Yan Yiming remained remarkably composed. As she lay dozing among the flowers, the handkerchief covering her face was suddenly lifted away.
The sudden glare of sunlight made her instinctively shield her eyes. Through the dappled light filtering through her fingers, she lazily looked up and saw the handsome young man standing above her, no longer the boy he once was.
He called out to her,
“A’Ming.”