Days of Old | Jiang Cheng

2

credentials goes to the righful owner of the picture.

~

And... Jiang Cheng tailed them in secret.

"I swear I'm not jealous. I'm not jealous." He keeps telling himself while hiding in spaces and people.

Jin Ling mumbled "Auntie, do you like hairpins?"

He Wujuan hummed "I'm not quite sure if I like them but I find it pretty." The lady answered honestly.

"Then, I'll ask someone I know to make a custom hairpin for you."

"What?" He Wujuan exclaimed. Both of her hands waved left and right. "No, no. It's okay. You don't have to."

"Auntie, just take it as a welcome gift to our family and..." Jin Ling look away, hiding his embarrassment. "You can stop calling me Sect. Leader. You are clearly not an underling."

"Then..." He Wujuan contemplated if she really has any of the rights to call him by his name. However, after giving it some thoughts. This Sect. Leader was once a free child. "Thank you, Rulan."

Jin Ling can't hide his happiness after hearing this and cling his hands on her arms. "I change my mind. Auntie, I'll deliver a carriage of jewelry at your room tommorow morning!"

He Wujuan furrowed her brows and lips slightly parting from shock. The Lanling Jin Clan is really different, overflowing of fortunes.

"I'll accept the gifts wholeheartedly." She said looking straight at his eyes. Jin Ling seems to look pleased himself hearing this. "However, spending a lot is wrong, Rulan. Remember that, okay?" she said as calm as possible, keeping in mind that Jin Ling is used to get what he wants and never in his life heard the word 'no'.

"I'll remember it well, Auntie."

"That's my boy." she said, caressing his head "Thank you, Rulan."

"The gifts is not with me now. You can thank me after you got them." he said, smile never left on his face.

"Alright, alright." a giggle escape her mouth.

Unaware of the rat following them, the two continued to walk around the town. To He Wujuan's surprise, the people welcome her warmly as the new Madam after several years of being emptied.

He Wujuan went back to Lotus Pier before night carrying 2 full baskets of fruits from the townfolks. Jin Ling already said his farewell in town as he still need to go back to Lanling Jin City.

"Madam Jiang, let me carry them." a servant said, his hands extending to carry the heavy baskets.

"Oh, Thank you so much. Here. I'll carry the other one." she said, giving the other basket. "Where is the kitchen?"

"Ah, I'll lead you there. Do you need anything, Madam Jiang?"

He Wujuan felt cringed from the endearment.

"Can I cook dinner for tonight?" she said, a bit shy.

The servant took a while to answer until a familiar voice from behind said something.

"Do as you please." Jiang Cheng said while entering the house gates, both hands hidden behind him.

"Sect. Leader, Welcome back." the servant showed his respect with a salute. He Wujuan unconsciously did the same and lower her head.

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, walking past both of them and went straight to his room.

"Let's go, Madam Jiang." the servant said, leading her into the kitchen.

~

He Wujuan was overly confident earlier and regretted it now. She knew her cooking skills were good and it receive praises from her clan, Sichuan He Section. However, after realizing Jiang Cheng might not like it, she felt lost.

"Madam Jiang, are you okay?" The head of the kitchen said. She's a lady in her mid 60's. According to her, her family has been serving the Jiang Family for decades.

"What? Ah, yes." He Wujuan said, going back to her senses. "What time am I going to serve this in the dining hall?"

"The Master only eats in his room." The old lady gave a smile, her eyes saying differently. "The dining hall is rarely occupied and only open when the Young Master Jin Ling is here like earlier."

"What?" she ask, puzzled.

"The Master doesn't have anyone to eat with." The old lady gave her hand a squeeze. "But you are here now, Madam Jiang."