A couple of days after returning from Marquis Jing’an’s residence, Madam He paid a visit to the Shen family’s matriarch. Ji Lan, still in seclusion at the family temple, was unable to receive guests and thus didn’t make an appearance.
Even in her naivety, Madam He knew something was being concealed. Otherwise, even if Ji Lan were recuperating, given that this matter concerned Ji Cheng’s marriage, the elderly Madam Shen wouldn’t have prevented her from seeing Ji Lan.
As Madam He was related to the Shen family and the two families often socialized, she spoke frankly, “Old Madam, do you find anything unsuitable about this matter? I admire Miss Cheng’s character.” The implication was clear: if Ji Cheng’s character were questionable, the match couldn’t proceed.
The old lady smiled, “Miss Cheng’s conduct is impeccable. Earlier this year, when our young master Hong fell into the water, it was thanks to her that he survived. She nearly drowned herself, yet her hands never stopped holding young master Hong above water.”
Madam He nodded. Talented and kind-hearted—such a person was indeed ideal.
“Well, if you also approve of this match, Old Madam, since Miss Cheng’s aunt is unwell, who should we approach about this matter?” Madam He inquired.
The old lady pondered, “It’s Miss Cheng’s good fortune that you favor her. Isn’t it every daughter-in-law’s wish to have an agreeable mother-in-law?”
Madam He, amused by the old lady’s wit, couldn’t help but laugh.
“However, marriage is a lifelong commitment, so the young ones should meet first. As for Miss Cheng’s affairs, I’ll have a letter sent to her father,” the old lady said.
Madam He smiled, “That’s good, I’m relieved.”
The old lady asked, “Oh? Why do you say that?”
“To be honest, Miss Cheng is too beautiful and of such noble birth that I feared I might have misjudged. But today, Old Madam, you’re willing to vouch for her, which proves she truly is exceptional,” Madam He explained.
The old lady sighed inwardly. This Madam He was genuinely astute, though she appeared naive. Initially, the old lady had favored Madam He for the Third Master, but that scoundrel had fallen for Ji Lan’s charms instead.
Madam He’s perceptiveness was evident. She didn’t point out that Ji Lan’s unavailability likely meant she was being punished. Under such circumstances, even if the old lady harbored no ill feelings towards Ji Cheng, she shouldn’t have spoken so favorably of her. By coming to probe and having the old lady take responsibility instead of suggesting Madam He approaches Ji Cheng’s father directly, it was clear the old lady truly thought highly of Ji Cheng.
With both parties favoring this match, they now only needed the young ones to meet and approve of each other. Then Madam He could send a matchmaker to propose, and the marriage would be settled.
For the young ones to meet in the first month of the year was most convenient. According to Great Qin customs, lanterns were lit from the twelfth to the eighteenth of the first lunar month for the Lantern Festival. During these seven days, the usual strict rules were considerably relaxed.
Young gentlemen and ladies could admire lanterns and go boating, even walking side by side without criticism. These were the most pleasant and carefree days of the year. Before leaving home, elders would only caution, “Don’t go where the lights are dim, lest you see something you shouldn’t and get a sty.”
Young ladies were slightly better behaved, but some married women would use these days to meet their lovers. Some who locked eyes on the street would duck straight under the bridge. At dawn, they’d part ways, treating the spring night like flower dew that dissipates with the morning sun.
On such days, young ladies naturally called on their friends, making early plans to admire lanterns and go boating together.
On the eleventh day of the first month, Shen Yuan came to invite Ji Cheng to go lantern-viewing the next day. The Ao Mountain lanterns in front of Xuande Gate would be lit on the twelfth, marking the zenith of the capital’s festivities.
Hearing Shen Yuan’s invitation, Ji Cheng looked troubled, her face reddening as she said, “I have to accompany the Old Madam tomorrow.”
Shen Yuan narrowed her eyes, looking as if she was about to witness something interesting, “Is what I heard true, then?”
Ji Cheng nodded straightforwardly.
“Oh my, then I must congratulate you!” Shen Yuan laughed, taking Ji Cheng’s hand.
Ji Cheng smiled reproachfully, “We haven’t even met yet, and without exchanging birth charts, it’s not official.”
“With your beauty and character, meeting or not, the result will be the same,” Shen Yuan said.
Shen Yuan spoke without thinking, but Ji Cheng caught the implication. The man would have the luxury of choice in their meeting, while Ji Cheng would only be the one chosen. As long as he agreed, she naturally couldn’t refuse.
Ji Cheng’s heart felt a slight sting, but she quickly chided herself for being greedy. She had already gotten what she wanted; asking for more would only invite trouble.
After seeing Shen Yuan off, Ji Cheng had Willow Leaf and Elm Coin bring out her clothes, carefully selecting what to wear the next day and meticulously matching accessories. Since this was happening, Ji Cheng naturally wanted to do her best, hoping her future husband would fall in love with her at first sight. Marrying into his family with her husband’s protection would make life much easier.
As Shen Yuan left Ji Cheng’s courtyard and returned to her room, she encountered Lu Yuan. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to see young Master Hong. He’s been clamoring for me to take him to see the lanterns tomorrow. I just spoke with an aunt, and she agreed,” Lu Yuan said. Ever since that day when Ji Cheng and Lu Yuan visited young Master Hong together, Lu Yuan had started frequenting the Chang Heng courtyard again.
Shen Yuan nodded.
“Sister Yuan, did you just invite Sister Cheng? What did she say?” Lu Yuan asked casually.
“She has something to do tomorrow, so she won’t be joining us,” Shen Yuan replied.
Lu Yuan immediately covered her mouth and laughed, “So that matter is true?”
“Mm,” Shen Yuan responded with a smile.
Lu Yuan had felt somewhat uneasy after Rui Xue’s words that day. Now, hearing that Ji Cheng was truly about to be betrothed, her heart instantly brightened, and her steps toward the Chang Heng courtyard became even lighter.
Young Master Hong had been eagerly awaiting Lu Yuan. As soon as he saw her, he hurriedly approached, “Aunt Yuan, what did grandmother say?”
Lu Yuan smiled, “Aunt said that as long as you behave and don’t run off, she agrees to let me take you out.”
Young Master Hong immediately cheered, “Is Sister Cheng coming too?” This was actually what made young Master Hong happiest, thinking Ji Cheng would surely take him to play many fun games.
Lu Yuan smiled, “Your Sister Cheng has something to do and can’t come.”
“Why not?” Young Master Hong’s shoulders immediately drooped.
Lu Yuan said, “Because your Sister Cheng is about to be betrothed. Tomorrow she’s going to meet the man’s family.”
Young master Hong was still confused about the concept of meeting a potential spouse, but he understood the term “betrothal.” It meant Ji Cheng was going to get married. His eyes immediately dimmed, “Why is she in such a hurry to get married? When I grow up, I’ll marry her.”
His childish words made Lu Yuan laugh heartily, “That won’t do, but in the future, you can marry your Sister Cheng’s daughter.”
The news of Ji Cheng’s impending betrothal spread privately throughout the Shen mansion.
When it reached Shen Yu’s ears, it was already late that night. He had just returned from socializing outside. Rui Xue served him sobering soup and helped him change his shoes and clothes. As if making casual conversation, she said, “Young master Hong was quite happy when Miss Yuan said she’d take him to the Lantern Festival tomorrow, but when he heard that Miss Cheng couldn’t accompany him because she was meeting a potential husband’s family, his shoulders immediately drooped.”
Hearing this news suddenly, Shen Yu felt an indescribable melancholy. Originally half-drunk and in a festive mood, he now felt utterly dispirited.
Shen Yu rose irritably and stood by the window. The feeling of something slipping through his fingers just as he was about to grasp it left him feeling melancholic and frustrated enough to want to pick a fight.
Regarding Ji Cheng, Shen Yu had given up on her as a potential match after his conversation with Shen Che on New Year’s Eve, as young master Hong was the most important consideration. So when he encountered Ji Cheng in the Chang Heng courtyard that day, Shen Yu’s attitude was distant and cold. He only blamed himself for unnecessarily following Ji Cheng and young Master Hong into the garden.
To this day, Shen Yu still remembers how Ji Cheng glided on the ice like a butterfly, even recalling the exact angle at which her skirts flew up.
This girl was extremely skilled with a slingshot, her horsemanship likely surpassing even the cavalrymen under his command, and now her ice-skating skills were nothing short of magical—completely at odds with her outward appearance of gentle refinement.
But Shen Yu knew that to excel at these things to such a degree, one must truly love them and put in tremendous effort.
Ji Cheng had become an enigma in Shen Yu’s mind, and he dared not act rashly before solving the puzzle, for the burden on his shoulders was too heavy to choose a wife merely based on fondness.
So Shen Yu had planned to observe for a while longer, not knowing that Ji Cheng would be meeting a potential husband the very next day, followed shortly by an engagement. Like Shen Yuan, Shen Yu never doubted that Ji Cheng’s meeting would be successful.
Ji Cheng, caught in the middle of it all, was too nervous to sleep. Of course, her other source of anxiety came from Shen Che. Ji Cheng believed that Shen Che must know about her impending betrothal; if nothing else, Nan Gui would surely tell him.
Ji Cheng hadn’t actively sought out Shen Che, but she had been waiting to see his reaction. She clasped her hands to her chest, praying to Buddha for blessing. No reaction would be the best news; Ji Cheng only hoped that Shen Che would maintain his silence, which would indicate his tacit approval.
If Shen Che was so amenable, Ji Cheng thought that she would certainly cooperate sincerely with him in the future, never causing trouble. This would mean that Shen Che truly saw her as a collaborator, or at the very least, showed respect due to a capable subordinate. She wasn’t sold to him for life, after all.
But if Shen Che were to interfere with this matter, Ji Cheng’s eyes flashed coldly at the thought. Although she was under Shen Che’s control, she equally knew what Shen Che cared about.
He wanted peace and prosperity for the country, for the common people to live and work in contentment, because Shen Che was a relative of the Chu Dynasty, working for their Chu surname royal family. But Ji Cheng was not a member of the imperial clan. If Shen Che were to back her into a corner, Ji Cheng wouldn’t care about trampling any moral bottom line, because all she sought was to live well and with dignity.
Otherwise, after the incident with Zhu Jijun, Ji Cheng wouldn’t have daringly set her sights on smuggling military equipment. At that time, she was furious, feeling the world was utterly unfair. People like Zhu Jijun had so many protectors, and even her aunt hesitated to help out of fear. Why should Ji Cheng willingly serve such a government? Her only thought then was that chaos in the world would be good, that killing off those corrupt officials who protected each other would be good.
So why had Ji Cheng’s attitude changed now? Because now she lived without worries, naturally no longer wanting to live on the edge of a knife. She had come to the capital, more or less becoming part of Shen Che’s circle. Peace and prosperity now only benefited the Ji family, so Ji Cheng’s stance had shifted.
This was simply human nature. There is no absolute good or absolute evil.
Fortunately, Ji Cheng’s worries didn’t materialize. There was no sign of Shen Che, so Ji Cheng accompanied the Old Madam out with peace of mind.
“I’ve asked your elder brother to come along,” the Old Madam told Ji Cheng. “With your parents absent, it’s good to have him here to look out for you. When your family inquires later, he won’t be completely in the dark.”
“Thank you, Old Madam,” Ji Cheng smiled, slightly nervous. After all, she was only a fifteen-year-old girl, and this concerned her entire life. Claiming not to be nervous would certainly be a lie.
The method of meeting was simple. From the twelfth day of the first month, all the private rooms along both sides of Imperial Street were booked solid, with everyone in the capital out to enjoy the lanterns.
The Old Madam led Ji Cheng to a private room on the second floor of Ling Yun Pavilion. Soon, Madam He would bring He Cheng over, under the guise of a chance encounter between relatives. If the meeting went well, everyone would be happy. If not, it would be treated as merely a coincidental meeting, not a formal introduction. This thin veneer of pretense preserved everyone’s dignity.
Ji Cheng wondered how many other girls were meeting potential husbands on this street tonight, finding the thought both embarrassing and amusing.
Shortly after Ji Cheng and the Old Madam were seated, a maid announced Madam He’s arrival.
Nervously smoothing out nearly invisible creases in her skirt, Ji Cheng obediently stood up and positioned herself behind the Old Madam, head lowered.
Madam He entered with He Cheng, who first paid his respects to the Old Madam. His clear gaze, neither wandering nor distracted, spoke volumes about his upbringing.
From the moment He Cheng entered, Ji Cheng had cleverly observed him from the corner of her eye. He was tall and handsome, though not comparable to Shen Che or Qi Zheng, but still quite presentable.
As the Old Madam questioned He Cheng, Ji Cheng listened attentively. His manner of speech was decent, without affectation, and quite straightforward.
From the Old Madam’s questions, Ji Cheng learned that He Cheng was currently serving in the military under his father as a Xuanjie School Captain, aspiring to surpass his predecessors.
After the conversation, the Old Madam seemed to suddenly remember, “I’ve been so caught up in talking that I forgot to introduce you. This is your Third Aunt’s niece, who’s accompanying this old woman to see the lanterns today. We’re all family relatives, and you might meet again in the future. It wouldn’t do for family members not to know each other.”
Hearing this, Ji Cheng stepped forward, curtsied to He Cheng, and said, “Young Master He.”
He Cheng’s face immediately reddened, and he stammered out, “Miss Ji.” As he spoke, he couldn’t even look at Ji Cheng’s face, causing the surrounding maids and older women to stifle their laughter. Even the Old Madam and Madam He could hardly contain their amusement.
He Cheng had just arrived in the capital when he heard from his sister that his mother had arranged for him to meet a young lady. At eighteen, He Cheng was at the age of thinking about marriage, and his heart had warmed at the news. Moreover, his sister had praised this Miss Ji as if she were a celestial maiden, not only well-versed in poetry and literature but also described as the most beautiful in the world. Though He Cheng didn’t fully believe it, he couldn’t help but have some expectations.
Ji Cheng’s background was somewhat lacking, but He Cheng understood the situation clearly. His mother didn’t approve of girls from the Western Regions, and most ladies in the capital were unwilling to marry far away. Moreover, many noble ladies were reluctant to marry military men, who were often considered rough. His marriage prospects were difficult, being neither high enough nor low enough. When He Cheng heard his mother speak of Ji Cheng, he felt she was the most suitable match.
He Cheng had come upstairs to meet the Shen family’s Old Madam with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. But he never expected that his sister hadn’t exaggerated at all. When He Cheng saw Ji Cheng’s appearance, he didn’t even know where to put his hands.
When the great courtesan Fang Xuan had passed through the Western Regions, his father had specially invited her to their mansion as a guest. At that time, He Cheng thought Fang Xuan was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, believing that in all the world, there couldn’t be a second person to match her. Little did he know he was just a frog in a well. Today, upon seeing Ji Cheng, he realized there truly were higher mountains beyond mountains and greater people beyond people.
After Madam He and He Cheng left, the Old Madam was very considerate, deliberately giving Ji Cheng and Ji Yuan space to talk and discuss as siblings.
Ji Yuan was extremely satisfied with He Cheng. To be honest, when Ji Cheng had initially insisted on coming to the capital to seek a marriage, Ji Yuan had thought his sister was aiming too high. Now, unexpectedly, she had secured an excellent match.
The Old Madam intended to leave the siblings to discuss the He family’s proposal, but Ji Yuan skipped this step and directly said to Ji Cheng, “If this marriage is settled, there’s no need to call your sister-in-law to the capital. Mother can’t manage everything at home alone, and she relies on your sister-in-law’s help. Of course, you’ll marry from our family. When the snow melts, I’ll have someone escort you back to Jin Bei.”
Ji Yuan had this patriarchal nature, deciding everything without the need for discussion. Ji Cheng knew her brother’s personality, so she didn’t object and nodded in agreement.
Back in her small courtyard, Ji Cheng pondered this matter. It truly was a case of “the flowers you tend won’t bloom, while the willow you casually plant thrives.”
Ji Cheng had been so eager to secure a good marriage, yet her aunt not only didn’t help but hindered her efforts. Unexpectedly, it was Shen Qian, whom Ji Cheng had never considered, who hurriedly arranged the match with the He family out of fear that Ji Cheng might steal Chu Zhen, and it succeeded.
It showed how unpredictable life could be, never entirely within one’s control.
Now that her wish had come true, Ji Cheng felt much of her resentment towards Ji Lan and her daughter dissipate. After all, without her aunt’s connection, how could Ji Cheng have entered the Shen family’s door? Of course, Ji Cheng was also extremely glad that she would soon be far away from Ji Lan and Shen Cui.
With the engagement imminent, Ji Cheng still had many matters to attend to. She had just begun to untangle the Western Regions business and needed to draft a complete strategy for Shen Che while still in the capital, which would count as an achievement. However, this couldn’t be done on paper alone; Ji Cheng needed to consult Shen Che’s subordinates who had long-term experience in the Western Regions.
Ji Cheng was a person of action. She immediately went to the Lan Yue Study, hung the map of the Western Regions on the wall, and pondered, stroking her chin.
Hearing movement outside, Ji Cheng turned to see the stone door moving and Shen Che walking in.
Ji Cheng, feeling grateful and full of enthusiasm, walked towards Shen Che with a smile, no longer showing her usual awkwardness. Her attitude was simple: as long as she received appropriate benefits, she would naturally repay in kind.
“Cousin Che, you’ve come at the right time. I was just looking for you,” Ji Cheng said eagerly. “I’ve finished reviewing and organizing the account books for the Western Regions business.”
Shen Che nodded indifferently, making it impossible for Ji Cheng, as a subordinate, to gauge her superior’s mood. So she could only cautiously attend to him.
Ji Cheng pointed to two boxes of account books in the corner, “Those accounts have no issues.” Then she took out three stacks of account books from a low cabinet beside her, placing her hand on the left stack, she said, “These accounts are neatly kept and clear at a glance. The accountant hired is very good. Judging from the profits, they’re quite outstanding. I asked our family’s Manager Mei, and considering the turmoil in the Western Regions last year and the many bandits along the way, to still have such profits shows that the manager responsible for this area is capable. Cousin Che might consider promoting him.”
Ji Cheng had been learning to read account books with her father from a very young age. She understood most of the intricacies and could generally gauge a person’s capabilities just from the accounts.
Shen Che casually flipped through the stack of account books. The names noted were all familiar to him. When he initially gave the account books to Ji Cheng, he had deliberately erased the shop names, intending to test her. These people were familiar to Shen Che precisely because they were managers he planned to rely on heavily. However, he hadn’t deduced this from the accounts, but from other intelligence.
Shen Che put down the account books without showing any emotion and glanced at another stack. “And those?”
“These are also beautifully kept accounts, but beautifully falsified,” Ji Cheng said.
Shen Che flipped through them, indeed finding several familiar names. These account books were so cleanly done that even the experienced accountants under Shen Che who annually cleared the accounts couldn’t spot major issues, yet Ji Cheng had picked them out.
Ji Cheng pushed the last stack in front of Shen Che, “These are the account books I’m uncertain about. If they’re falsified, it’s the work of a master among masters. If they’re genuine, there must be something hidden. Cousin Che might want to investigate further.”
Shen Che nodded.
Ji Cheng continued, “Currently, the most profitable items in this business route are jade, fine horses, and spices. However, I heard from Manager Mei that the Arabs have made new improvements to poli (glass). Previously, the poli that reached the Central Plains wasn’t very transparent, but now their technology can greatly increase transparency. I think if we could acquire this technology, it would surely bring substantial profits.”
Shen Che seemed to show some interest, “What use do you think the newly improved poli could have? The current transparency might be slightly lacking, but it doesn’t seem particularly problematic.”
Ji Cheng said, “I was thinking if we could obtain the new manufacturing method for poli and if we could reduce costs, wouldn’t it be better than paper windows in the future? In winter, it could let in light while blocking the wind.”
The interest in Shen Che’s eyes intensified. Currently, some people use poli for windows, like the colored poli used in the Shen family’s boat hall, but mostly for decoration and slight light transmission. If it could be as Ji Cheng described, using large pieces of poli for windows, the profit would be substantial.
“Good, I’ll have someone look into it,” Shen Che said. “Your Manager Mei seems quite capable.”
Hearing this, Ji Cheng feared Shen Che might try to poach her staff, “For a family to prosper, it needs several profitable helpers. Manager Mei helping me now is also helping you, Cousin Che, isn’t it?”
Shen Che’s lips twitched, but there was no trace of amusement in his eyes.