I Am This Type of Woman

At sunrise, as the morning mist gradually dispersed, being able to see one's beloved was a joyous occasion, provided that the beloved wasn't accompanied by someone one detested.

Shi Feixian had never realized how much she disliked Ban Hua. The two of them could have had very little interaction, yet why did Ban Hua repeatedly approach Lord Bo Rong? Lord Bo Rong had observed three years of mourning for his mother, another three for his father, and later, his only elder brother also passed away, leaving him alone in the vast Cheng'an Manor.

His Majesty, appreciating his talent and pitying his young age when he lost his entire family, allowed him to inherit the Earl title without demotion.

Shi Feixian felt for Cheng'an Bo's past. Although he always appeared graceful and composed, his words and actions like a gentle spring breeze, how could he not be saddened by experiencing so much grief? Lord Bo Rong… merely concealed it with a smile.

She often thought about how wonderful it would be to live with Lord Bo Rong.

But this moment wasn't so wonderful. She looked expressionlessly at the man and woman riding horses in the distance. Although they maintained half a horse's length between them, in Shi Feixian's eyes, this distance was already unsettling.

"Stop the carriage." She lifted the curtain and stepped down with the help of her maid. She didn't believe that Lord Bo Rong wouldn't see her if she stood here.

A beauty seen through the mist appears even more beautiful. Ban Hua, watching the delicate and frail Shi Feixian standing there, couldn't help but stop her horse to admire the beauty for a while longer.

Seeing her stop, Rong Xia asked with a smile, "Junzhu, why did you suddenly stop?"

"I'm enjoying the scenery," Ban Hua blinked. "As graceful as a startled swan, like a celestial being."

Rong Xia followed her gaze and saw Shi Feixian standing under the tree. She wore a light green dress and a plain silver cloak, looking as delicate as a flower.

"With the thick white fog, where is the beautiful scenery?" Rong Xia withdrew his gaze and said with a faint smile, "Is Junzhu teasing me?"

Ban Hua looked at Rong Xia in surprise. Did he really not care about Shi Feixian?

Yet, the man before her had a gentle smile. Even the most critical woman in the world wouldn't find any fault with him. She smiled, "Lord Bo is truly interesting."

Shi Feixian, who had captivated the Second Prince, was no different from the thick white fog in Rong Xia's eyes. This was truly interesting, very interesting.

As they were talking, Shi Feixian had already walked over with her maid. "Lord Bo Rong, Junzhu Ban, what a coincidence."

Ban Hua felt that Shi Feixian's look was not at all like "what a coincidence," but more like "why is this nuisance here?" However, she had never been one to care about such things, so after giving Shi Feixian a slight nod, she remained silent.

Since they had nothing in common, she wasn't interested in performing sisterly affection in front of a handsome man with another woman. She'd rather spend the time looking at the handsome man a few more times.

A handsome man was always worth a few extra glances.

"Miss Shi," Rong Xia greeted Shi Feixian with a bow from horseback. "May I ask where Miss Shi is headed?"

Shi Feixian returned a curtsy, "My brother is accompanying me to offer prayers to Buddha today. I didn't expect to encounter Lord Bo here." She paused, her gaze sweeping over Ban Hua. "Have Lord Bo and Junzhu been out for a stroll?"

Ban Hua turned to Rong Xia and said, "Lord Bo Rong, we won't disturb your conversation with Miss Shi. We'll take our leave first. Farewell."

"I only happened to encounter Junzhu Ban," Rong Xia patted his horse. "Miss Shi, farewell."

Shi Feixian forced a smile, "Farewell."

She watched Rong Xia and Ban Hua leave together, tightly clutching her handkerchief to maintain the gentle and graceful smile on her face.

"Lord Bo Rong," a man in black, riding a tall horse, greeted Rong Xia with a cupped fist. His gaze fell on Ban Hua. "Junzhu Ban."

Ban Hua looked at the man, tilting her head in thought for a moment. "Young Master Shi?"

Was black brocade clothing very popular in the capital recently? One Xie Chongan wasn't enough, and now there was another, Shi Jin.

Shi Jin's tense expression softened slightly. "Indeed, it is I. Greetings, Junzhu Ban."

"Didn't you go to the Northwest Camp?" Ban Hua still had some impression of Shi Jin because he was the most outstanding in horsemanship and archery among the noble children. Some even praised him for having the demeanor of Jingting, so Ban Hua remembered him.

Of course, this "demeanor of Jingting" didn't refer to her father, but to her grandfather, Duke Jingting.

"My mother is ill. As a son, how could I remain away while she worries?" Shi Jin cupped his fist towards the palace. "Fortunately, His Majesty showed mercy and granted me the position of Commandant of the Imperial Guards, allowing me to reunite with my family."

No wonder Shi Feixian went to offer prayers to Buddha; it turned out that Madam Shi was unwell.

"I see," Ban Hua said without returning the courtesy. "I wish your mother a speedy recovery."

"Thank you, Junzhu." Shi Jin saw Ban Huai and Ban Heng slowly catching up and greeted them with a bow.

The Shi and Ban families were the legendary contrasting pair. One was a model of dedication and loyalty to the court, while the other was a noble family known for leisure and amusement. Therefore, there wasn't much interaction between the two families.

Although Ban Huai held a position in the court, it was a sinecure, and Ban Heng didn't even have that. So, the three of them had nothing to say to each other, exchanging greetings and then staring blankly.

Shi Jin couldn't help but look at Ban Hua again. She wore a goose-yellow riding habit with an apricot-yellow cloak. Her hair was styled in a man's bun, but secured with an extremely ornate golden crown. A bright red five-petal flower was painted on her forehead, making her look incredibly vibrant.

"After more than two years, Junzhu's grace surpasses even before." After saying this, he realized it was somewhat presumptuous and immediately changed the subject. "The morning mist is cold. Please return to the manor soon, Junzhu. I'll take my leave."

"Master Shi is truly kind-hearted," Rong Xia said to Shi Jin with a cupped fist and a smile. "Master Shi, please."

"Marquis Jingting, please. Earl Cheng'an, please. Junzhu, Heir, please." Shi Jin backed his horse half a step, gesturing for them to pass first.

Seeing his action, the smile on Rong Xia's face remained unchanged. "Master Shi, farewell."

He turned to Ban Hua. "Junzhu, let's go."

Ban Hua nodded, smiled at Shi Jin, and squeezed her horse's flanks. The horse began to trot.

"Brother," Shi Feixian sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked at Shi Jin riding beside her. She hesitated before asking, "Are you very familiar with Junzhu Ban?"

Her brother was always of few words, yet he had just spoken several sentences with Ban Hua. Could it be that all men became unlike themselves when they saw a beautiful woman? Her brother was like this, and even… Lord Bo Rong was the same.

Shi Jin shook his head slightly. "I see that she is the same age as you, and I thought there would be many opportunities to interact in the future, so I said a few more words."

Shi Feixian wanted to say that she didn't like Ban Hua at all and wouldn't have any interaction with her, but she was afraid that her brother would think she was being rude, so she swallowed her words.

The Cheng'an Manor and Jingting Manor were some distance apart, so after traveling together for a while, they each returned to their respective residences.

Just after lunch that day, Ban Hua heard a servant report that someone from the Cheng'an Manor had arrived and brought many gifts. Ban Hua rushed over and saw several chests of fine furs in the courtyard: fire fox fur, white fox fur, each pelt flawless and without a single blemish.

"Sister, these furs are treasures that can't be bought with money," Ban Heng leaned closer to Ban Hua. "Earl Cheng'an is too generous."

"Yes, even Earl Cheng'an is so generous. When will you buy me something valuable?" Ban Hua rolled her eyes at Ban Heng. "You're my own brother."

"If I weren't your brother, would you give me money to spend?" Ban Heng grinned shamelessly. "Well, I don't have any money."

As the heir to the marquisate, he occasionally had to ask his sister for money when he went out with friends. This was a sorrow that no one would believe even if he told them.

Ban Hua opened a small chest placed on top, which contained a complete set of ruby jewelry. After reading the note inside the box, she put the box away.

"Sister, Earl Cheng'an is so generous that I feel a little uneasy." Ban Heng looked at the box of ruby jewelry, feeling that something was amiss. Earl Cheng'an, under the guise of sending him gifts, sent things that were all for his sister. Wasn't this intention a bit…

"Do you know who this set of jewelry was originally intended for?"

"Who?"

Ban Hua placed the note in Ban Heng's hand. "See for yourself."

After reading it, Ban Heng sighed. This Earl Cheng'an also had a difficult time. He lost his mother at fifteen, his father and brother at nineteen, and his sister-in-law remarried. This set of jewelry was originally prepared for his sister-in-law. As a result, with his father and brother gone and his sister-in-law returning to her family to remarry, this set of jewelry was left unused.

It sounded nice, saying that gems should be paired with a beautiful woman, but he probably didn't want to see these sad reminders, so he sent them over along with the fox furs.

Before dinner, Rong Xia received a return gift from Jingting Manor: a pastry recipe, two boxes of pastries, and… a box of books.

A handwritten copy of the Records of the Eastern Sea, said to be lost, copied by a renowned scholar from a hundred years ago.

A rare copy of Travels to the West: Daily Notes, long lost.

A rare copy of Northern Travels, which, according to legend, was like traveling thousands of miles after reading it.

And… Dreams of Nanke?!

Dreams of Nanke, which scholars all over the world dreamed of even glancing at?!

Rong Xia held these four books, feeling as if he were holding a mountain of gold.

Did those civil officials at court who looked down on Marquis Jingting know… that the Jingting Manor's collection of books was so rich?

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