Ji Cheng knew that Shen Che was certainly displeased. If she were in his position, she would be unhappy too. She had already noticed Shen Che’s displeasure when Ling Ziyun visited that day.
However, Ji Cheng didn’t think Shen Che was jealous. People tend to have varying degrees of possessiveness over beautiful things, and she wasn’t exempt from this. Shen Che’s attitude towards her had always been somewhat ambiguous, so it was understandable that he’d be upset now that she was suddenly getting engaged. After all, his plaything was being taken away.
Ji Cheng clearly understood that Shen Che was merely toying with her, just as he had done with Wang Liniang, Rui Yu, and others before. Because he lacked respect for her, he could behave so ambiguously. Qi Zheng treated Shen Cui the same way, but Shen Cui had the advantage of being reborn and having the Shen family backing her. So when things went awry, Qi Zheng still had to marry Shen Cui. Ji Cheng’s situation was different; she might never see the light of day.
This was why Ji Cheng was so eager to get married and leave this place, to get away from Shen Che. Although there were topics Ji Cheng very much wanted to avoid, she had no choice but to face them.
“Cousin Che, I’ll be returning to North Jin after the Longtaitou Festival. Although I’ve sorted out these account books, there are still a few areas regarding the new arrangements in the Western Regions that I’m unsure about and need help with. Do you know anyone who’s extremely familiar with the geography of the Western Regions? I’d like to consult them,” Ji Cheng said.
“I’ll arrange it,” Shen Che replied, then smiled. “Speaking of which, I haven’t congratulated you yet, Cousin.”
Ji Cheng expressed her thanks.
Shen Che continued, “In the future if you go to the Western Prefecture, it’ll be more convenient for you to manage affairs in the Western Regions. I’ll have Nan Gui accompany you back. I have a special line in the Western Regions responsible for delivering letters. When the time comes, I’ll have someone contact you.”
“Good,” Ji Cheng replied with a bright smile. The biggest stone weighing on her heart had finally been moved. Since Shen Che had considered her future affairs in the Western Prefecture, it meant he approved of and supported this marriage. Things would go much more smoothly now.
Shen Che didn’t linger long. He slightly lowered his chin and then got up to leave.
It wasn’t until she returned to her small courtyard that Ji Cheng realized what was different about Shen Che today – he hadn’t brewed tea. It was rather strange.
However, Ji Cheng didn’t think much of it. She slept until dawn, and with fewer things on her mind, her sleep naturally improved. When she got up early, she encountered Shen Yuan and Shen Qian. Shen Qian was chattering non-stop about yesterday’s lantern viewing.
“Sister Cheng, this year the Ao Mountain lantern display in front of Xuanwu Tower is particularly different. They’ve even installed water tanks up there. The water flows down the mountain, splashing everywhere. Under the lantern light, it looks like jewels. It’s especially beautiful. You must go and see it,” Shen Qian said enthusiastically.
Ji Cheng nodded. Her future opportunities to visit the capital might be few, so this first and possibly only chance to experience the Lantern Festival in the capital was naturally cherished.
That night was for boat rides and lantern viewing. Ji Cheng stood on Hong Fu Bridge, looking at the Ying River. The river water, illuminated by the lanterns on both banks, looked like a colorful rainbow. Ji Cheng finally understood what “flower market as bright as day” truly meant.
The Shen family’s painted boat was moored near the dock by Hong Fu Bridge. Ji Cheng boarded the boat with Shen Qian, Su Yun, and the others. Although the Ying River usually appeared quite spacious, it was now congested and difficult to navigate. The boatman had a hard time maneuvering to the center of the river.
The surroundings were noisy, with the sound of silk and bamboo instruments never ceasing. Ji Cheng looked out through the cabin window. The most eye-catching sight on the Ying River was undoubtedly the two-story exquisite painted boat.
The boat had intricately carved flower patterns on all four sides of its windows, with corridors connecting the ship’s railings for people to lean on and gaze into the distance. Countless colored glass lanterns hung along the edges of the boat, illuminating the entire vessel as if it were a celestial craft from the Milky Way.
Ji Cheng couldn’t help but ask, “Whose boat is that?”
Shen Yuan and the others couldn’t answer, but the boatman chimed in, “That’s the Man Yuan Xiang’s painted boat.”
In the capital, probably everyone knew about Man Yuan Xiang. It was likely known throughout the world as the most famous place to squander money. Seven out of ten of the capital’s top courtesans were from Man Yuan Xiang. Even the incomparably beautiful and talented Fang Xuan had come from Man Yuan Xiang.
No wonder the Man Yuan Xiang’s boat could become a spectacle on the Ying River. As the boatman steered their boat closer to Man Yuan Xiang’s vessel, strains of music drifted out. If one listened carefully, those who knew music could tell that the pipa playing was truly exceptional.
Shen Qian exclaimed, “Oh, I wonder who’s playing that pipa. If Aunt Han Bi were here, she’d surely be itching to jump onto that boat.”
Ji Cheng wasn’t very knowledgeable about pipa music, so her attention naturally wasn’t on the instrument. She was more interested in watching the people.
On the second floor of the boat, the lights were as bright as day. Several small windows were open for ventilation, and she could see figures moving about inside. Ji Cheng looked up and saw that the person by the window was none other than Shen Che.
Ji Cheng wasn’t surprised at all. On such a day of universal joy and uninhibited revelry, it would be more unusual if Shen Che weren’t in such a place of entertainment.
Ji Cheng withdrew her gaze, not wanting to pry into others’ privacy. However, she heard Su Yun exclaim in surprise. Ji Cheng looked up in response and saw that a woman with a graceful figure had appeared beside Shen Che. Although it was too far to see her face, her figure, illuminated by the lantern light, immediately showed how different she was from others.
Her waist was so thin it seemed as if two of her ribs had been removed, but her hips could truly be described as voluptuous. It was said that such women were one in a million.
Ji Cheng didn’t know these things, but she saw the young woman whispering something in Shen Che’s ear, and Shen Che leaning in to listen attentively. There was an obvious intimacy between them, the kind that exists between a man and a woman.
Ji Cheng didn’t want to keep looking and risk getting a sty, so she quickly turned her gaze away. Su Yun, however, continued to stare, with tears glistening in her eyes. Ji Cheng thought it was good for Su Yun to see this scene with her own eyes. It would help her fully understand what kind of person Shen Che was and put an end to her hopeless infatuation.
However, Su Yun wasn’t the only one staring intently at Man Yuan Xiang’s boat tonight.
Ji Cheng suddenly felt the boat shake, as if it had been hit by another vessel. She quickly looked outside and saw a small covered boat nimbly weaving in and out among the other boats, brushing against quite a few in the process. It was thanks to the boatman’s superior skills that they didn’t capsize.
Finally, the covered boat crashed directly into Man Yuan Xiang’s painted boat. However, being small, the impact merely caused a slight tremor for those on the larger vessel.
Immediately, some servants from Man Yuan Xiang came out to scold the intruder. But then, a stunningly beautiful woman emerged from the covered boat.
With her hair piled high in a horse-hoof bun and wearing a water-red gold-woven robe, Ji Cheng could only see her profile and couldn’t make out her features. Yet, she could already tell that this must be an extraordinarily beautiful woman.
“Shen Che!” the woman called out loudly. Later, Ji Cheng heard from others that this woman was none other than Flower Bud Madam.
Shen Che, the Second Young Master of the Shen family, was a well-known figure in the capital. Everyone poked their heads out to watch the commotion when they heard someone calling his name.
“Shen Che,” Flower Bud Madam continued to call out loudly when Shen Che didn’t appear.
Flower Bud Madam called many times before Shen Che finally emerged on the deck of the boat.
As soon as Shen Qian heard Flower Bud calling for Shen Che, she ordered the boatman to quickly steer their boat closer. Then, fuming with anger, she walked out of the cabin to the bow. This young lady despised her second brother’s associations with such improper women. Shen Yuan’s expression also darkened, probably worried that Shen Qian might cause a scene. She quickly followed her out, with Lu Yuan naturally tagging along.
Ji Cheng, however, leaned against the cabin window, leisurely preparing to watch the drama unfold.
Su Yun didn’t go out either. Instead, she looked over at Ji Cheng. “Sister Cheng, aren’t you going to take a look?”
Ji Cheng pulled her lynx fur cape closer around her. “The river wind outside is too cold.”
When you dislike someone, you can find reasons to criticize everything they do. For instance, Ji Cheng not going out to watch the commotion could be seen as maintaining propriety, given that she was about to be engaged. But in Su Yun’s eyes, it showed a lack of conscience. She thought Ji Cheng had previously tried to entice Shen Che to marry into the Shen family, but now that it seemed impossible, she was quick to distance herself from him.
Ji Cheng was truly in a difficult position. If she liked Shen Che, Su Yun would be jealous. If she avoided him, Su Yun would think, “How dare you not like the man I love?”
“After all, we’re family. Sister Cheng, you’re content to hide here alone and watch the show,” Su Yun said pointedly.
How could Ji Cheng not understand Su Yun’s little mind games? She simply couldn’t be bothered to deal with them. For Su Yun, matters of love were the biggest concern right now. But for Ji Cheng, living comfortably was the unchanging goal. For instance, she was currently thinking about how to convince He Cheng after marriage to allow her to continue doing what she liked, such as reviewing account books. She was very curious to see what kind of impact she could make in the Western Regions.
“Indeed, I was inconsiderate,” Ji Cheng smiled and stood up. “Let’s go out then, Sister Yun.”
The feeling of punching a cotton pillow only makes one feel more frustrated. Su Yun felt that she and Ji Cheng were evenly matched, and her background was even better. So Ji Cheng should take her seriously and see her as a rival. But in reality, Ji Cheng had never stooped to her level.
Yes, it was this air of superiority, as if she understood everything while Su Yun remained confused. The more Su Yun thought about it, the more annoyed she became.
As Ji Cheng walked out of the cabin, she saw Flower Bud Madam wiping away tears. Upon seeing her lover, she was too choked up to speak. Behind Shen Che, a figure in goose-yellow suddenly appeared – it was the woman who had been so intimate with Shen Che on the second floor earlier.
When Flower Bud Madam saw this woman, her body shook several times like an autumn leaf, and tears streamed down her face. “Shen Che, what did you say to me last night when you held me? And how did you coax me this morning when you left? You said you would accompany me tonight. I waited for you for so long, but you… you…”
This speech immediately caused those watching to hiss. So, the Shen family’s Second Young Master had long been involved with the famous Flower Bud Madam and had even become her secret lover. The mere thought of such a scandalous affair was enough to make one’s heart flutter.
Although it might be pleasurable for a man to have multiple lovers, making a scene like this in public was embarrassing.
The delicate flower in goose-yellow beside Shen Che spoke coquettishly, “Sister, it’s chilly outside. Why don’t we talk inside the boat?” As she spoke, she had the boatman set up a gangplank between the two boats.
Flower Bud walked over and gave the goose-yellow beauty a vicious slap, then strode onto Man Yuan Xiang’s boat with her head held high.
This entire drama lasted no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, leaving many spectators disappointed that they couldn’t see how things would unfold inside Man Yuan Xiang’s boat. They felt they hadn’t seen enough and were dissatisfied that it ended so abruptly.
Shen Qian stomped back into the cabin, fuming. “Oh, I’m so angry! Second Brother just loves to associate with those improper women. He’s made such a spectacle of himself today.”
Shen Yuan felt obliged to offer some comfort but couldn’t find the right words. She only said, “Second Brother is a grown man. He has his way of doing things. Don’t concern yourself with it.”
Shen Qian cried angrily, while Su Yun’s face was also very displeased. Ji Cheng, however, remained calm. It was obvious that Flower Bud Madam had been lying earlier. Ji Cheng had seen Shen Che at Lan Yue Zhai last night.
Although Shen Che might have gone to Flower Bud Madam later in the night, Flower Bud Madam’s performance was too exaggerated. From what Ji Cheng knew of Shen Che if he truly wanted to juggle multiple women, he would be able to keep them all perfectly content. He would never allow Flower Bud Madam to come out and make such a scene.
Ji Cheng wondered what could have happened to compel Flower Bud Madam to put on such a performance as a heartbroken woman to see Shen Che.
However, because of this incident, everyone’s enthusiasm for the boat ride and lantern viewing was dampened, and they dispersed early.
The next day, Shen Qian searched the entire mansion for Shen Che but couldn’t find him. She couldn’t help but complain to Ji Cheng and the others, “After such an incident, he shows no restraint at all and still spends his days carousing outside.”
Su Yun said, “If only he could marry a sister-in-law to keep him in check.”
Shen Qian looked at Su Yun and just sighed softly. Even she felt that hoping for someone to manage Shen Che was probably wishful thinking. Even the family patriarch couldn’t control him.
Despite the earlier disappointment, by dusk, everyone’s spirits lifted again because tonight, the Zeng family’s eldest young master had arranged to view lanterns with Shen Yuan.
Or perhaps it couldn’t be called an arrangement with Shen Yuan. Zeng Xiuwen had come to the Shen mansion today to invite Shen Jing and Ji Yuan. Shen Che was nowhere to be seen, and Shen Yu, tasked with guarding the city during the Lantern Festival, couldn’t join them for lantern viewing and drinking.
When Zeng Xiuwen saw Shen Yuan, his shy expression made everyone guess his intentions – he wanted to use this opportunity to get closer to his fiancée. It was understandable; although Zeng Xiuwen had been in the capital for a long time, his chances to meet with Shen Yuan were few and far between. Now that the Lantern Festival had arrived, he naturally wanted to take advantage of the holiday to become more familiar with her.
Just as Ji Cheng was preparing to leave, Yun Zhu from Chang Heng Court brought Hong’er over. As soon as Hong’er saw Ji Cheng, he ran to her. “Sister Cheng, Father agreed to let me come play with you.”
Ji Cheng recalled what Shen Yu had said when he and Hong’er came to visit her during her illness. It seemed Shen Yu was true to his word. “That’s great. Let’s go view the lanterns together.”
Ji Cheng held Hong’er’s hand tightly, not daring to let go. The Lantern Festival was extraordinarily lively, and it was when child abductors were most rampant. She was terrified of losing sight of Hong’er for a moment and losing him. That would be the end of her.
Therefore, Ji Cheng had to instruct Nan Gui, “Tonight, just keep your eyes on Hong’er. Don’t let anything go wrong.”
Nan Gui nodded in agreement.
Today, Ji Cheng and the others went to view lanterns near the City God Temple. The area was a mixed crowd, even more bustling than Imperial Street. People were shoulder to shoulder, sweating profusely. Despite the cold winter, Ji Cheng’s nose was beaded with sweat.
Hong’er rarely got to go out. The other day, when he went out with Lu Yuan, she was so afraid he might choke from eating too much or fall from running too fast that she nagged the whole way. Hong’er was so exasperated he was stomping his feet, feeling even more restricted than when he went out with his father.
Tonight was different. Ji Cheng didn’t restrain him at all.
Ji Cheng felt that although Hong’er looked slim, he was surprisingly strong. According to him, it was because his father, Shen Yu, practiced martial arts with him every day. Of course, Hong’er’s naturally good physique was also a factor. In Shen Che’s words, he had excellent innate qualities, born with a talent for martial arts. He was also as clever as a little imp, making it impossible for ordinary kidnappers to snatch him away silently.
So Ji Cheng didn’t restrict Hong’er. She had been a child like this herself and still remembered what it was like – wild as a horse, only seeking joy and freedom.
Hong’er ate a date-paste pastry and then clamored for some rice cakes. Yun Zhu beside him tried to scare him, saying, “The food out here isn’t clean. If you want to eat, why don’t I buy some from De Yun Lou for you tomorrow? Their rice cakes are the most famous.”
Hong’er refused to listen.
Ji Cheng smiled and said, “If you want to eat, go ahead. But if you get a stomachache, tomorrow is the main day of the fifteenth, and you won’t be able to come out.”
This struck at Hong’er’s weak spot. He obediently put down the rice cake from the small vendor that looked quite unclean.
While Ji Cheng was wandering around the City God Temple with Hong’er, Shen Yuan and Zeng Xiuwen walked side by side behind the group. Ji Cheng could only glance at them when Hong’er was busy buying small trinkets. It could be said that they truly were a perfect match of talent and beauty.
Ji Cheng bent down to gently wipe the corners of Hong’er’s mouth. Hong’er said “Thank you,” and then his eyes were immediately drawn to the candied haws.
The candied haws were stuck in a straw-woven base, looking deliciously red. Ji Cheng had no choice but to buy a string for Hong’er. At his age, all he cared about was playing and eating.
Chu Zhen had originally been drinking with friends upstairs, but his mind wasn’t on the feast. He kept looking down, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone from the Shen family.
Fortunately, his efforts paid off, and he saw Ji Cheng. The sight of her bending down to wipe Hong’er’s mouth inexplicably caused a tingling sensation in Chu Zhen’s heart, and he immediately turned to go downstairs.
However, due to the crowd, it wasn’t easy for Chu Zhen to squeeze his way into Ji Cheng’s side. Before he could get close, Shen Qian spotted him and excitedly waved her handkerchief. “Brother Zhen Lang!”
Although Chu Zhen didn’t want to socialize with Shen Qian, the two families were relatives, and since they had seen each other, he couldn’t avoid exchanging pleasantries. However, Shen Qian talked incessantly, chattering so much that Chu Zhen’s head began to ache. Nevertheless, it wasn’t without gain.
At the very least, Chu Zhen learned that Ji Cheng was about to get engaged. At that moment, Chu Zhen felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, leaving him feeling cold from head to toe.
Chu Zhen admired Ji Cheng. When his mother, the Princess Consort, had previously mentioned his marriage, he had always avoided the topic. But when the Princess Consort of South Commandery brought it up again before the New Year, Chu Zhen didn’t brush her off with excuses about being too young or needing to focus on establishing his career.
The Princess Consort naturally inquired about Chu Zhen’s thoughts. She originally thought Chu Zhen had taken a liking to Shen Qian and was planning to arrange an engagement between them. The Shen family was known for doting on their daughters, and they would likely keep Shen Qian until she was seventeen or eighteen before marrying her off. By then, Chu Zhen would only be around twenty, making their ages just right. They could consummate the marriage and quickly have children.
Who would have thought that after some hesitation, Chu Zhen would mention Ji Cheng’s name?
The Princess Consort naturally remembered Ji Cheng because the girl’s exceptional beauty made her hard to ignore. The Princess Consort wasn’t worried about her son’s wife being too beautiful and leading him astray, as Chu Zhen was already quite oblivious to matters between men and women.
However, even if Ji Cheng were the daughter of a poor scholar, the Princess Consort would have agreed to the match for Chu Zhen without hesitation. But the daughter of a merchant was something the Princess Consort truly disliked. Without going too far, just taking Ji Cheng’s aunt Ji Lan as an example, the Princess Consort looked down on Ji Lan’s behavior.
Moreover, there are no secrets under the sun. The truth behind Shen Che and the Qi family’s eldest son’s affair had long been guessed by many. It was just that they had created a facade, and since everyone was of high status, no one wanted to expose it. However, this made people highly suspicious of the Ji family’s character.
Perhaps because the Shen family’s daughters had always been outstanding, with married daughters receiving high praise in their husbands’ families, and Shen Yuan being known for her virtuous conduct, many people naturally attributed the source of Shen Cui’s incident to the Ji family bloodline.
The Princess Consort of South Commandery naturally looked down on Ji Cheng, but she was a clever woman. She knew that if she openly opposed, Chu Zhen might cause some trouble.
“Oh, her? I remember. She’s quite a lovely girl, certainly worthy of my son,” the Princess Consort of South Commandery said with a smile.
Chu Zhen immediately felt relieved. Since his mother spoke this way, it meant she didn’t oppose Ji Cheng.
“However, you know that you’re my only son. Choosing your Princess Consort requires careful consideration. Although I’ve met Miss Ji once before, I’m not very familiar with her character. Anyway, you’re still young. Why don’t we observe for a while?” the Princess Consort of South Commandery suggested.
“Mother…” Chu Zhen was reluctant.
The Princess Consort continued, “Zhen’er, your marriage isn’t something that just your father and I can decide. Your future Princess Consort will be recorded in the imperial genealogy. We need to consider the palace’s opinion as well. Don’t worry, I’ll certainly bring home the girl you fancy.”
Chu Zhen was too young and no match for his mother’s scheming. He believed the Princess Consort’s words. “But what if we wait too long and Miss Ji gets engaged to someone else?”
The Princess Consort smiled, “I know a little about Miss Ji’s situation. She hasn’t been engaged yet because she’s looking for a match in the capital. It’s been over half a year, and there’s been no news. I haven’t heard that lady mention wanting to propose to her. Don’t worry, she won’t slip away from you anytime soon.” The Princess Consort’s words were a bit harsh, directly implying that no one wanted Ji Cheng.
Although Chu Zhen didn’t like hearing this, he didn’t dare offend his mother, fearing she might target Ji Cheng. “That’s because others don’t know how good she is.”
Hearing this, the Princess Consort became even more irritated. She knew Ji Cheng must be a frivolous and unrestrained girl, otherwise, how could Chu Zhen say such things? What did he know about her goodness? Could it be that they already had some involvement?
The Princess Consort became more determined in her view that she absolutely could not let a girl like Ji Cheng enter their family.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhen had been fooled by the Princess Consort into believing that his marriage to Ji Cheng was highly likely. Who would have thought that he would suddenly hear from Shen Qian that Ji Cheng was about to get engaged? It was like a bolt from the blue.
Chu Zhen felt his ears ringing, while Shen Qian continued talking, “A few days ago, Sister Cheng met with the He family’s son. Both sides were very satisfied with the match. After the New Year, when the snow on the mountains melts, the He family will send people to North Jin to propose.”
Chu Zhen woodenly looked in Ji Cheng’s direction, and coincidentally, Ji Cheng was looking back. Their gazes met in mid-air. Ji Cheng smiled lightly and quickly turned away.
Chu Zhen stared at Ji Cheng in a daze. Today, Ji Cheng wore a sapphire blue cloak embroidered with dark silver intertwining peonies. The gray fox fur trim on the cloak’s edge made Ji Cheng’s face appear even more crystalline and jade-like.
Chu Zhen’s entire heart felt as if it had been hollowed out. He wanted to do something but felt powerless. In the end, he could only turn around and push through the crowd, striding away.