Hearts of Gold: 1-2 The Only Two Choices

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Jiaojiao teams up with Wenrou to save the flower seller. Wenrou's behavior, both in deeds and words, is vastly different from that of the typical noblewoman of Beidu, piquing Jiaojiao's curiosity.

Info

Style: No dress-up component Required: Gu Yin Goodwill Lv. 4 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Soulful Return

Soulful Return

Dialogue Choices

Yuan Yu: Otherwise, why would she be here with a gift...

• Don't greet Miss Wen
  • No change
• Go greet Miss Wen
  • No change

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Before today's visit to the temple, I never imagined making offerings could be so thrilling.

• The person standing in front of me turns her head to look at me.
• Shen Jiaojiao: (It's the daughter of the Wen family, whom I just met today.)

• I bow to her and respond.
• Shen Jiaojiao: I'm fine. Thank you for your help.

• She nods and turns around to scan the surroundings, then a disdainful laugh escapes from her lips.
• Wen Rou: To see such behavior on display in Beidu is truly eye-opening.

• The wastrel finally realizes what's happening. His eyes widen in fury, and he raises his arm to strike.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Look out!

• I exclaim out loud, but I see that the woman has grabbed his arm halfway through its swing.
• Wen Rou: You're not that strong. And how dare you hurt others?

• Wastrel: Argh!

• With a shove, she sends the wastrel sprawling face-up on the green bricks of Guhua Temple.
• Wastrel: How dare you! Don't you know who I am? My brother is the deputy cavalry commander!

• Wastrel: I'll make you pay for this!

• Shen Jiaojiao: (So he's the younger brother of Tan Tong, the deputy cavalry commander.)

• Shen Jiaojiao: (The Tan family has recently aligned themselves with Marquis Wang, and their fortunes have risen accordingly. Now, even a younger member of their family dares to act so brazenly in Beidu.)

• Wen Rou: I don't care who you are, treating a woman like this is a crime! Even if you go to the administrative office, you won't be able to argue your way out of this.

• Wen Rou: Did you think no one here would dare to stand up to you?

• Wen Rou: Or that Yuanning's law means nothing to you?

• She speaks in a calm and steady voice, her eyes sweeping through the crowd without a trace of panic or hesitation.
• From where I'm standing, I can even see a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
• Shen Jiaojiao: (There are so many people present at the temple today...)

• Shen Jiaojiao: (She must know there are others in the crowd who aren't afraid of a mere deputy cavalry commander's brother.)

• Shen Jiaojiao: (With such a heavy accusation hanging over him...)

• Shen Jiaojiao: (A visit to the administrative office is no longer a matter of choice.)

• Shen Jiaojiao: (She's pretty smart.)

• Wastrel: Hmph! Don't think you can scare me with your talk!

• Wastrel: Fine, we'll go to the administrative office now and settle this!

• He reaches out to grab her arm as he speaks, but she anticipates his move and steps back.
• I take this opportunity to move in front of her.
• Shen Jiaojiao: I advise you to think things through again.

• Shen Jiaojiao: Let's say we go to the administrative office.

• Shen Jiaojiao: Do you think they will side with a relative of the deputy cavalry commander, or the Shen family?

• Wastrel: The Shen family? Who are—

• He stops halfway through his sentence.
• Wastrel: The Shen family? Only a few in Beidu dare to claim that association. Who are you?

• Shen Jiaojiao: The eldest daughter of the Shen family, Shen Jiaojiao.

• With these words, this farce finally comes to an end. The crowd starts moving again.
• Flower Seller: I will never forget the kindness both of you have shown...

• Flower Seller: Th-Thank you...

• I sigh to myself and pull out a handkerchief and purse from my sleeve, handing them to her.
• Flower Seller: I-I can't take it. You've already saved me...

• I forcefully stuff the items into her stiff hand, gently patting her fingers, which are covered in frostbite.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Take them. Don't let today's events weigh on you. And don't pay attention to what others might say. That wastrel was at fault, not you.

• I give her shoulder a comforting pat.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Your father is waiting for you to buy medicine and return home, isn't he?

• Flower Seller: Yes. Thank you... thank you...

• Shen Jiaojiao: It's fine. Go on.

• I watch as the flower seller stumbles towards the door with her flower basket. I turn back once she's out of sight.
• And then I find myself facing a pair of scrutinizing eyes...
• Shen Jiaojiao: Is something the matter?

• The person looks away.
• Wen Rou: No, I just wasn't expecting this.

• Before I can inquire further, the abbot of the temple finally arrives with a team of martial monks.
• Abbot: I'm ashamed to learn about such an incident happening in the temple. Please, let's not cause any further disturbance for everyone.

• I see him searching the crowd and call out to him.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Abbot, the person involved has left.

• Wen Rou: Even so, this incident shouldn't have happened in our temple. Please allow us to make amends. Refreshments have been prepared inside the hall, please come with me.

• Lady Jing: Abbot, although today's incident did not cause a great disaster, it was still quite alarming.

• Lady Jing: Everyone comes here year after year because they have a sincere heart and trust in Guhua Temple.

• Lady Jing: Such a disrespectful thing shouldn't have happened here.

• Abbot: Absolutely. We will ensure that more staff are assigned to prevent any such incidents from happening again.

• Lady Jing: We hope you will take action accordingly. It was a major breach of decorum, especially with so many women witnessing the incident today.

• While the lady addresses the abbot, I hear a faint murmur from beside me.
• Wen Rou: All this talk about decorum and being appropriate, but where's the compassion? It's as though none of you even saw the flower seller.

• I glance up and catch a hint of embarrassment on her face, as if she's been caught off guard. Her eyes dart around, avoiding mine.
• On the contrary, my curiosity about her grows, and I take the opportunity to steal a few more glances.
• Shen Jiaojiao: (It's been a while since I've encountered someone so genuine in Beidu.)

• We follow the abbot to the main hall, get some incense, pray, and make offerings.
• Once it's over, Yuan Yu returns to my side.
• Yuan Yu: Miss, I've noticed you looking back several times along the way. What has caught your eye?

• After leaving the main hall, the woman has been staying at the back of the crowd, seemingly reluctant to draw closer to our group.
• In that case, I'll leave it to fate to bring us together again.
• Shen Jiaojiao: It's nothing, let's go.

• It has been a few days since the trip to the temple, and my father has had a furrowed brow since he returned from the palace. He has been in the study all day.
• Today, I don't have much of an appetite for lunch, so I've just asked the kitchen to make some sweet soup and give each person in the house a bowl to enjoy a taste of sweetness.
• The sweet and velvety texture melts in my mouth, soothing all weariness with each sip.
• Yuan Yu: Miss, this winter is really cold. It hasn’t even snowed yet, and I have already put on my thickest clothes.

• Setting down my bowl, I glance out the window at the stark, leafless tree branches.
• Inside, the roaring hearth wards off the chill, but her words bring to mind the flower seller from Guhua Temple that day.
• Shen Jiaojiao: I wonder if she has any clothing for the cold.

• Yuan Yu: Who are you talking about?

• Before I can reply, a voice interrupts from outside the door.
• Servant: Miss, there's a lady from the Wen family waiting outside with a gift box. She wishes to see you.

• Yuan Yu: The Wen family? Miss, have we met a family by that name before?

• Shen Jiaojiao: It must be that woman who intervened at Guhua Temple that day.

• Yuan Yu: Ah, yes, the woman who sent someone flying with a single kick.

• Yuan Yu: But what brings her here now, and with a gift box no less?

• Yuan Yu: Could she be trying to leverage on that incident to gain favor with the Shen family?

• Shen Jiaojiao: Stop speculating.

• Yuan Yu: Otherwise, why would she be here with a gift...

Don't greet Miss Wen

• Although I believe Miss Wen wouldn't resort to flattery, human behavior can be unpredictable, and it's best to avoid unnecessary complications.
• The servant by the door is still awaiting my response.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Just inform her that I'm not feeling well today and won't be able to see her.

• Servant: Understood.

• The figure outside the door retreats.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Wait!

• Servant: Is there anything else you'd like me to do, Miss?

• Shen Jiaojiao: (Considering she saved me at Guhua Temple, I shouldn't be so dismissive.)

• Shen Jiaojiao: I'll speak with her myself.

Go greet Miss Wen

• Shen Jiaojiao: Regardless, since she saved me at Guhua Temple, I shouldn't be so dismissive.

• Yuan Yu: Miss!

• I raise my hand to silence Yuan Yu.
• Shen Jiaojiao: No need to worry. I won't accept the gift.

• Donning my fur coat, I head towards the front door.

• Upon opening the door, I do indeed find the daughter from the Wen family standing outside, her hood drawn up.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Miss Wen.

• She seems surprised to see me.
• Wen Rou: You received me after all.

• How interesting.
• Shen Jiaojiao: What made you think I wouldn't receive you?

• Wen Rou: Aren't all young ladies from noble families supposed to be arrogant and snobbish?

• Wen Rou: Given my humble background, you must think I'm here to curry favor with you.

• Wen Rou: When someone refuses an audience in person, it can seem impolite, so pretending to be unwell is often the best way to decline.

• Yuan Yu: What are you implying?!

• I smile.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Miss Wen, you're quite astute.

• Wen Rou: So, what brings you here? Is it because I intervened at Guhua Temple?

• Shen Jiaojiao: Yes, I realized I shouldn't dismiss someone who aided me.

• Wen Rou: You were the first to stand up for that woman at Guhua Temple.

• Wen Rou: I thought you were different from those noblewomen who only preach about decorum and etiquette.

• Wen Rou: Now it seems I was mistaken.

• Wen Rou: You'll only personally receive those who have done you a favor, while others would be merely dismissed.

• Wen Rou: You're no different from those who have lofty expectations but little ability.

• Despite her blunt words, I don't feel offended. Instead, I admire her candor.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Equality and compassion are virtues. I strive for fairness and equality.

• Shen Jiaojiao: But as the eldest daughter of my family, I can't just think about what I would do.

• Shen Jiaojiao: I must consider my family's reputation as well. We're already on thin ice in court, so I cannot accept gifts lightly, lest someone make false accusations towards my family.

• She appears surprised by my response, remaining silent as if gauging its sincerity.
• After a moment, she sighs and lifts the lid of the gift box.
• Wen Rou: Honestly, I'm here today because my mother insisted. I apologize if my earlier remarks sounded rude.

• Shen Jiaojiao: Don't worry, just speak your mind. It's refreshing.

• Wen Rou: Originally, she had prepared hairpins and jade bracelets as a gift, but I switched them out.

• Wen Rou: I'm not one for flattery, nor do I wish to be used as a means to an end.

• She reveals the contents of the box—two plates of pastries, intricately crafted with a jade green hue and delicate layers.

• Wen Rou: These are lotus pastries, a renowned delicacy in Chongyu. I wonder if it's possible for you to accept them since they're in this gift box.

• Shen Jiaojiao: While I can't accept hairpins or jade bracelets, some pastries should be fine.

• I accept the gift box from her and gesture for her to join me inside.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Please, come in, and we can talk further.

• She follows me into the parlor.

• I have someone bring tea and snacks, and place the lotus pastries between us.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Just now, you mentioned how you're not one for flattery, yet here you are, with me. Why is that?

• Wen Rou: If one could win the favor of the Shen family with just a couple of pastries, the Shen residence would have been overrun by now.

• Wen Rou: I'm here seeking friendship, not favors.

• Shen Jiaojiao: Friendship? With me?

• Shen Jiaojiao: Even though I'm one of the noblewomen you spoke of?

• I look at her and sample a lotus pastry. Its sweetness is perfectly balanced without being overly rich.
• Wen Rou: You're different. Take what happened at Guhua Temple.

• Wen Rou: Despite what everyone saw, you were the only one willing to step forward.

• Wen Rou: Whether someone is sincere or not is easy to see.

• Shen Jiaojiao: I'll admit, I hesitated at first.

• Wen Rou: Hesitation is human, but the key is that you acted. You didn't ignore someone in distress.

• Wen Rou: Unlike those who prioritize decorum over compassion.

• Her smile is genuine as she speaks.
• Wen Rou: This is why I'd like to be friends. My name is Wen Rou.

• Shen Jiaojiao: The feeling's mutual, Wen Rou. I'm Shen Jiaojiao.

• There isn't too much time for a chat over just a pot of tea.
• After seeing her off, I return to the courtyard.
• Shen Jiaojiao: Yuan Yu, could you find out if the kitchen can make those lotus pastries?

• Yuan Yu: You've eaten most of the pastries from earlier, Miss. Are you still not satisfied?

• Shen Jiaojiao: I am. But I'm in a good mood today, and if we can make them here, we can share them with the rest of the household.

• Yuan Yu: You seem quite taken with Miss Wen as well. Does her straightforward nature appeal to you that much?

• Yuan Yu: I don't really see anything special about her.

• Shen Jiaojiao: Beidu is like a large cage.

• Shen Jiaojiao: There's something refreshing about someone who stands out from the pretense of Beidu.

• Shen Jiaojiao: In a place where everyone hides behind masks, meeting someone who speaks and acts with genuine courage is rare and admirable.

• Shen Jiaojiao: I'm actually excited to see what the future holds.