{"id":3580,"date":"2026-05-24T07:42:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T07:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pursuit-of-jade-38\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T07:42:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T07:42:23","slug":"pursuit-of-jade-38","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/chapter\/pursuit-of-jade-38\/","title":{"rendered":"Pursuit Of Jade 38"},"content":{"rendered":"

The waiter waiting for payment and the other diners in the restaurant all froze, clearly not expecting such a turn of events.

The few men who had mocked the An family\u2019s live-in son-in-law earlier were momentarily stunned as well.

Fan Changyu stared blankly at first, then asked in surprise, \u201cDid your money pouch get stolen on the road just now?\u201d

She immediately called to the waiter, \u201cI\u2019ll pay.\u201d

During the New Year holidays, the streets were crowded, making it easy for pickpockets to strike.

With Fan Changyu\u2019s loud shout, the entire room that had been staring at them finally returned to eating, though some still discussed it quietly.

\u201cWhen we go see the lantern festival later, the streets will be packed shoulder to shoulder. Things are even easier to steal then. Better stay alert!\u201d

Someone else whispered, \u201cThat man\u2019s prettier than a woman. Think he\u2019s a kept pretty-boy too?\u201d

The person beside him refuted, \u201cNo way. He even rushed to pay just now!\u201d

\u201cAfter seeing the An family\u2019s son-in-law make a fool of himself, anyone can put on an act. But with a face like his, living off a woman wouldn\u2019t be hard\u2026\u201d

Before Xie Zheng could explode, Fan Changyu scooped up Changning with one arm, grabbed him with the other, and quickly dragged him out of the restaurant.

Only once they reached the street did she finally breathe out and ask, \u201cYour money pouch really got stolen?\u201d

The icy look on Xie Zheng\u2019s face stiffened for an instant. He gave a tiny nod.

With his skills, it was impossible for someone to steal something from his person without him noticing. The truth was exactly what Fan Changyu had guessed earlier\u2014he had bought too many things for the child and simply hadn\u2019t noticed he\u2019d run short of money.

After all, in the past, whenever he bought anything, he had never needed to think about whether he had enough silver.

Fan Changyu recalled that he had even gone to the bookstore and decided not to buy anything because the goods were expensive there. Clearly he should\u2019ve known how much money he had left. It didn\u2019t make sense for him to only realize he was broke at checkout.

She sighed.

\u201cIt must\u2019ve happened when the streets got crowded earlier. A thief probably lifted your pouch.\u201d

She pulled out her own purse, counted out two small pieces of silver and a large handful of copper coins, then handed them to him.

\u201cTake this. If you see something you want at the lantern festival later, it\u2019ll be more convenient.\u201d

Changning also generously declared, \u201cNingniang\u2019s New Year money can go to Brother-in-law too!\u201d

The little girl smiled so sweetly that they really looked like a family.

A strange feeling rose in Xie Zheng\u2019s chest. Frowning slightly, he said, \u201cNo need. I\u2019m not buying anything.\u201d

\u201cHow are you this troublesome? It\u2019s convenient to have some money on you no matter what.\u201d Fan Changyu assumed he was embarrassed to take her money, so she directly grabbed one of his hands and stuffed the silver and coins into his palm.

Her hands were always warm. When she grabbed him, that warmth passed over as well, seeming to seep through flesh and bone into somewhere deeper.

After she withdrew her hand, Xie Zheng looked at the copper coins and broken silver in his palm. His fingers curled almost imperceptibly before he quickly closed his hand as though concealing something.

Night had fully fallen, and lanterns throughout the streets and alleys had all been lit.

Warm yellow light outlined the sharp lines of his profile. Looking at Fan Changyu, the emotions within those dark phoenix eyes became even harder to read.

\u201cThank you.\u201d

\u201cWhat are you thanking me for? You already bought so many things for Changning anyway. Besides, you still have forty taels stored with me\u2026\u201d Fan Changyu didn\u2019t think much of it.

Xie Zheng merely listened quietly. After she finished speaking, he finally said, \u201cCandy money is candy money. It\u2019s different.\u201d

Fan Changyu froze slightly.

At that moment, loud cheers suddenly erupted from the distant crowd. All three of them turned toward the sound and saw a street performer breathing fire.

No one knew how the performer managed it. Holding a small burning bamboo stick in his hand, he blew forcefully, and the tiny flame instantly burst into a massive blaze. The crowd shrieked and stumbled backward whenever the fire swept near them, then immediately burst into applause and cheers.

Changning found it all incredibly fascinating and immediately tugged on Fan Changyu\u2019s sleeve.

\u201cBig Sister, Ningniang wants to watch the big fire!\u201d

By now it was fully dark and the streets were packed. Afraid Changning might get knocked over or trampled, Fan Changyu directly picked her up and said to Xie Zheng, \u201cLooks like the lantern festival\u2019s already started. Let\u2019s head over there.\u201d

Xie Zheng glanced at the fire-breathing troupe, all traces of emotion fading from his eyes.

\u201cI\u2019ll carry her.\u201d

Fan Changyu immediately refused.

\u201cNo need. Your injuries still haven\u2019t fully healed\u2026\u201d

Xie Zheng replied, \u201cHolding a child won\u2019t matter.\u201d

After a pause, he added, \u201cI noticed all the other children on the street are being carried by their fathers or older brothers.\u201d

Fan Changyu looked around and realized he was right. Families out viewing the lanterns usually had the father carrying the child.

With her and Yan Zheng bringing Changning along, people already mistook them for a family of three.

Yan Zheng was tall and strikingly handsome. Since she had been carrying Changning herself, plenty of passersby had already glanced at them repeatedly.

Some who didn\u2019t know the situation had even pointed at Yan Zheng and whispered.

Remembering what had happened at the restaurant, Fan Changyu hesitated briefly before finally handing Changning over to Xie Zheng.

\u201cIf your arms get tired, give Ningniang back to me.\u201d

Xie Zheng answered calmly, \u201cAlright.\u201d

He stood over half a head taller than Fan Changyu. Perched against his shoulder, Changning could see much farther. Along the way she constantly pointed here and there for them to look at, excitement overflowing from her.

Fan Changyu walked shoulder to shoulder with Xie Zheng, still holding the painting the scholar had given them. Rarely did such a relaxed smile appear on her face.

Many passersby who saw them sincerely praised what a perfect-looking couple they were.

One middle-aged couple was also out enjoying the lantern festival with their child. The woman held their son in her arms, but after seeing Fan Changyu\u2019s group, she immediately stuffed the child into her husband\u2019s arms and scolded him with a stern face.

\u201cLook how considerate that young man is toward his wife! You useless lump, can\u2019t you see my arms are about to break from carrying him?\u201d

The man hurriedly held the child with both hands while his wife twisted his ear. He yelped and apologized over and over.

Fan Changyu found the scene amusing, yet the woman\u2019s words still made her feel oddly uncomfortable.

She secretly glanced at Xie Zheng, only to discover he had turned his head at the exact same moment.

Their gazes collided beneath the dazzling lantern lights.

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked.

Fan Changyu coughed lightly and quickly pointed toward a distant tower covered in colorful lanterns.

\u201cI think they\u2019re doing lantern riddles over there. Let\u2019s go solve some!\u201d

Changning had also spotted the various lanterns hanging there and excitedly shouted, \u201cNingniang wants a piggy lantern!\u201d

Fan Changyu laughed.

\u201cAlright, let\u2019s go take a look first.\u201d

Xie Zheng asked, \u201cIs she born in the Year of the Pig?\u201d

Before Fan Changyu could answer, Changning nodded vigorously and counted on her chubby fingers.

\u201cBig Sister\u2019s a tiger, Ningniang\u2019s a pig.\u201d

Xie Zheng shot Fan Changyu a strange look.

\u201cYou\u2019re only nine years older than your sister?\u201d

\u201cMore accurately, ten.\u201d Fan Changyu explained, \u201cI was born in the first month of the Year of the Tiger, while my sister was born at the end of the twelfth month in the Year of the Pig.\u201d

She looked at Changning, her gaze softening.

\u201cAfter last twelfth month passed, Ningniang turned six. But according to our town\u2019s customs, during mourning for one\u2019s parents, children aren\u2019t allowed to openly celebrate birthdays lest it shorten their lifespan. So I didn\u2019t prepare any birthday gifts for her this year. I only made her a bowl of noodles.\u201d

Then she looked at Xie Zheng.

\u201cYou ate them too. Those pig intestine noodles.\u201d

Xie Zheng: \u201c\u2026\u201d

That truly was not a pleasant memory.

Still, if her birthday was in the first month, then she had already turned sixteen this month?

Xie Zheng lowered his gaze slightly.

Suddenly Fan Changyu asked him, \u201cWhat animal year are you?\u201d

Xie Zheng didn\u2019t answer.

She guessed randomly, \u201cYou\u2019re a dog, right?\u201d

That sounded suspiciously like an insult. Even passing pedestrians couldn\u2019t help glancing back at them.

Xie Zheng shot Fan Changyu a cold look.

She tried to suppress her grin but completely failed.

\u201cActually, if you really were born in the Year of the Dog, it\u2019d suit your personality perfectly.\u201d

Her smile was so bright and carefree.

Xie Zheng turned to look at her.

\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d

Fan Changyu coughed lightly.

\u201cI heard people born in the Year of the Dog hold grudges especially well. They\u2019re also very good at insulting people.\u201d

Before she finished, she received another icy glare.

Feeling inexplicably guilty, she muttered, \u201cDon\u2019t you know how venomous your own mouth is?\u201d

The corner of Xie Zheng\u2019s lips curled slightly.

\u201cI\u2019ve never said much else about you. I only remarked that your taste in men is poor. One Song Yan and you\u2019ve remained hung up on him until now\u2026\u201d

Fan Changyu finally understood what it meant to reap what one sowed.

Back then, in order to prevent him from misunderstanding that she had feelings for him, she had fabricated some nonsense about still being deeply in love with Song Yan. Now this man seized every opportunity to mock and despise her over it.

Unable to endure it anymore, she protested, \u201cWhen have I ever been unable to forget him\u2014\u201d

\u201cPfft\u2014\u201d

A snicker suddenly came from behind the wall covered with hanging banners and lanterns.

Fan Changyu looked up and saw several young scholars emerge from behind the lantern wall after lifting aside the banners.

One of them was Song Yan.

\u201cBrother Song truly hides his talents well. Even the county magistrate\u2019s daughter has fallen for Brother Song\u2019s literary ability, and now even this former fianc\u00e9e who\u2019s already married is quarreling with her husband over Brother Song!\u201d A man in a yellow robe and scholar\u2019s cap pointed at Fan Changyu with his folded fan, his face full of frivolous amusement.

Clearly, he had been the one laughing behind the lantern wall earlier.

Fan Changyu\u2019s face instantly darkened. She had never expected Song Yan and his fellow scholars to be standing behind that lantern wall.

Her lips pressed tightly together.

Nothing disgusted her more than letting that surname Song think she still liked him.

Xie Zheng had met Song Yan before and still vaguely remembered him. His heavy, oppressive gaze swept over the group of scholars, lingering on Song Yan for several extra moments.

Song Yan wore a dark blue robe and held a folding fan despite the freezing weather. The moment he met Xie Zheng\u2019s eyes, he instinctively looked away.

His companions, however, were unconcerned. In their minds, they were all degree holders. Even in court they wouldn\u2019t need to kneel. Why should they fear some butcher woman\u2019s live-in husband?

The man in yellow immediately sneered, \u201cBrother, there\u2019s no need to lose your temper. Brother Song is the only successful provincial exam candidate in Qingping County. Your wife still thinking about him is perfectly understandable.\u201d

Another man beside him suddenly clapped his hands after staring at Fan Changyu for a while.

\u201cI remember now! One winter this young lady even came to the academy to deliver winter clothes to Brother Song. I asked who she was, and Brother Song said she was his younger sister!\u201d

\u201cSo this young lady truly is deeply in love with Brother Song. No wonder this brother here became furious the moment Brother Song was mentioned\u2026\u201d

The lantern festival was lively tonight, and with the group loudly bantering back and forth, many passersby stopped to watch the excitement.

Some even pointed at Fan Changyu while whispering.

\u201cSo this is Scholar Song\u2019s former fianc\u00e9e.\u201d

\u201cShe\u2019s quite pretty, but now that she\u2019s married, why\u2019s she still hung up on Scholar Song? Only a live-in husband could tolerate that sort of humiliation\u2026\u201d

\u201cWhat a coincidence they ran into each other here. Maybe she knew Scholar Song would attend the lantern festival tonight and specifically came just to see him?\u201d

Listening to the crowd\u2019s discussion and seeing Song Yan\u2019s expression, Fan Changyu felt rage surge from her chest through every vein in her body until she felt physically sick.

Xie Zheng glanced at her before turning toward the group.

\u201cStop.\u201d

His tone was lazy, yet carried unmistakable command.

The surrounding crowd instantly became even more excited.

Song Yan\u2019s group halted. When his companions turned around, their faces were filled with mocking superiority.

The man in yellow laughed.

\u201cWhat, brother? You planning to fight us? We all hold degrees. If you lay a finger on us, you\u2019ll suffer for the rest of your life.\u201d

The mockery at Xie Zheng\u2019s lips deepened.

\u201cYou studied the teachings of sages for ten years only to stuff propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame into a dog\u2019s stomach? Is gossiping about a woman how scholars conduct themselves?\u201d

Several of them immediately looked embarrassed.

Xie Zheng\u2019s thin lips coldly spat out two words.

\u201cApologize.\u201d

Only the man in yellow stubbornly retorted, \u201cWhen did we gossip? We merely stated facts.\u201d

Xie Zheng lazily lifted an eyelid, his words sharp and merciless.

\u201cAre your examination essays also filled entirely with gossip about women? You don\u2019t remember a gentleman\u2019s conduct, but you\u2019re quite skilled at wagging your tongues. Did you crawl out of a male brothel?\u201d

The surrounding crowd burst into laughter.

Someone even shouted loudly, \u201cWell said! A bunch of scholars gossiping like old hens about a woman\u2014aren\u2019t you ashamed? Even the male prostitutes from the pleasure houses don\u2019t gossip as much as you lot!\u201d

Hearing the crowd\u2019s jeers, the yellow-robed scholar\u2019s face instantly turned the color of pig liver. He pointed at Xie Zheng furiously.

\u201cY-you\u2026\u201d

One of his companions chimed in, \u201cSuch vulgar, shameless words! Completely lacking refinement!\u201d

Xie Zheng snorted lightly.

\u201cRefinement? Do any of you deserve those two words? Read a few books and suddenly your eyes rise to the top of your heads. How would you know that when geese fly south, even phoenixes can find nowhere to land?\u201d\u00b9

As he said this, his indifferent gaze landed directly on Song Yan. The words were clearly aimed at him.

After realizing Xie Zheng was also educated, the scholars all looked furious. Yet his final line was obviously mocking them, and none could think of a suitable couplet to answer him with. Their faces became extremely ugly.

Song Yan\u2019s expression shifted repeatedly after hearing those words. In the end, he cupped his hands and bowed.

\u201cMy two friends spoke carelessly earlier and offended Miss Fan\u2026 Madam Fan. I apologize to the two of you on behalf of my friends.\u201d

The others saw Song Yan lower his head first. Though unwilling, they also bowed.

\u201cWe were in the wrong earlier. Please accept our apologies.\u201d

Xie Zheng said nothing and instead looked toward Fan Changyu.

Fan Changyu already knew Xie Zheng was talented, but she\u2019d never imagined he could verbally crush several scholars by himself. After a brief moment of astonishment, she immediately straightened her face and coldly said:

\u201cMy husband and I were joking with each other. Since when is it your place, as readers of the sages, to criticize us? My husband has looks, talent, and learning. I\u2019m neither stupid nor blind, so why would I still pine for someone else?\u201d

That statement immediately made many onlookers laugh.

Song Yan\u2019s face alternated between red and pale. Even the fingers clasped together in his salute stiffened tightly.

Meanwhile, Xie Zheng lazily lifted his eyes.

Although he knew most of what she said was simply to save face, the words still sounded extremely pleasing to him.

After all\u2026 he didn\u2019t think any of it was false.

Having regained her dignity, Fan Changyu huffed lightly, grabbed Changning\u2019s hand, and declared, \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d

Xie Zheng casually glanced at the scholars still standing there before leisurely following after her.

Song Yan and his companions felt unbearably humiliated.

The surrounding crowd continued gossiping.

\u201cThey say heartless men are usually scholars. Song Yan broke off his engagement after passing the provincial exam, and now he still mocks that Fan family girl in public. Truly despicable!\u201d

\u201cI think the Fan family\u2019s live-in husband seems even more talented than those scholars. If he takes the imperial exams and passes, the Fan family\u2019s future will be prosperous indeed!\u201d

Hearing these comments, Song Yan\u2019s face hidden beneath the lantern shadows turned dark and gloomy.

His companions tried to save face by loudly shouting:

\u201cA pretty-boy live-in son-in-law! If he really had the talent to pass the imperial exams, he wouldn\u2019t need to marry into another family!\u201d

\u201cIn my opinion, if he took the exams, he probably wouldn\u2019t even pass the elementary scholar exam!\u201d

Yet Song Yan\u2019s expression remained cold and unchanged. He only said, \u201cLet\u2019s end things here tonight. We\u2019ll gather another day.\u201d

Now that he had spoken, the others\u2014already having lost so much face\u2014were too embarrassed to continue strolling through the lantern festival and all headed home.

\u2014

Xie Zheng walked several steps behind Fan Changyu, the two moving one before the other.

After a stretch of silence, he suddenly said, \u201cEarlier\u2026 I misspoke first.\u201d

If he hadn\u2019t brought up Song Yan, those scholars behind the lantern wall wouldn\u2019t have overheard and mocked her.

Fan Changyu\u2019s steps paused briefly.

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing. You already helped me. Besides, I was the one who lied to you first.\u201d

Xie Zheng raised his eyes.

\u201cLied to me about what?\u201d

Fan Changyu scratched her head awkwardly.

\u201cI was afraid you\u2019d misunderstand and think I had feelings for you, so I deliberately said I still hadn\u2019t gotten over him.\u201d

At those words, something shifted within Xie Zheng\u2019s eyes.

\u201cI thought\u2026 you were upset.\u201d

Fan Changyu shot him a look that clearly said \u201cAs if.\u201d

By now they had already left the lantern festival street. The surroundings suddenly became quiet, and the occasional alley they passed looked dark and eerie.

Xie Zheng asked, \u201cIs this the road to Yixiang Tower?\u201d

\u201cNo.\u201d After saying that, Fan Changyu shoved Changning into his arms. \u201cIn a bit, cover Ningniang\u2019s eyes and take her farther away.\u201d

Xie Zheng fell silent for a moment.

\u201cWhat are you planning to do?\u201d

Fan Changyu pulled him into a dark corner and crouched down together with him. Then she took out the large burlap sack and laundry-beating stick she\u2019d bought while leaving the marketplace earlier. Baring her little tiger teeth, she grinned viciously.

\u201cThat yellow-robed bastard\u2019s mouth was way too foul. Of course I\u2019m going to beat him up to vent my anger!\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3580","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3580","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3580"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3580\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3581,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3580\/revisions\/3581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3580"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}