The carriage stopped in front of the Qi Mansion. Shen Xiling followed behind Qi Ying as they alighted, and upon seeing this noble mansion with its grand gates, her heart filled with great trepidation.

The main Qi residence was completely different from Fenghe Courtyard. Though Fenghe Courtyard was also a Qi family property, it was after all a separate estate, where the buildings and gardens excelled in their delicate craftsmanship. The main residence was different – it emphasized the profound heritage of a great family. The vermillion gates stood majestically, and the two stone lions at the foot of the entrance steps were carved with such imposing dignity that one felt intimidated at first sight.

Shen Xiling was so nervous her hands were ice-cold. Qi Ying glanced at her tightly clasped fingers and lowered his head to tell her: “Don’t be afraid, it will be fine.”

Shen Xiling raised her face to look at him, her heart still uneasy, and nodded with difficulty.

Qi Ying remained silent for a moment, then said: “In a while I’ll take you to see Mother. She has always liked girls and won’t make things difficult for you. Just be well-behaved.”

Shen Xiling nervously pressed her lips together and asked: “How does one be well-behaved?”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and said: “Just be the same as you are in front of me.”

As long as you’re the same as when you’re with me, that will be charming enough.

Upon hearing these words, Shen Xiling couldn’t help but recall all the trouble she had caused him recently, making her feel even less confident. Seeing her fingers becoming even more tightly clasped, Qi Ying knew that saying more now would be useless, so he directly led her through the mansion gates.

The main Qi family residence was extremely vast – reportedly covering about one ward’s worth of land. Upon entering, one felt even more keenly that this noble gate was deep as the sea. The halls and pavilions were lofty and imposing, the trees and rockeries lush and verdant, with carved beams and painted pillars everywhere displaying solemn grandeur. Shen Xiling followed beside Qi Ying as they passed through layer upon layer of flower halls and covered walkways, circling around countless screens and partitions. She saw servants coming and going in numbers ten times greater than at Fenghe Courtyard, and by the walkways and artificial hills hung orioles, parrots, and other birds kept for viewing and amusement. Only then did she understand what the two words “luxurious extravagance” truly meant.

The passing servants all bowed to Qi Ying. A man who appeared to be a steward, upon seeing him, hurried forward with large steps to greet him. Qi Ying’s steps didn’t pause as he asked the man: “Is Mother in Jiaxi Hall?”

The steward’s face was wreathed in smiles as he answered: “Madam heard that Second Young Master would return early today and would also stay overnight at the main residence. She’s very happy and is waiting for you in Jiaxi Hall.”

After a pause, as if remembering something, he added: “His Lordship is also there, taking tea with Madam.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Ying’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he said: “Father is there too?”

The steward repeatedly confirmed “exactly so.” Qi Ying was silent for a moment, instinctively glanced at Shen Xiling beside him, then turned his head back and nodded.

Shen Xiling felt that the glance he had given her carried some worry, though she couldn’t see clearly, making her heart even more nervous: so today it wasn’t just Second Young Master’s mother who would be there, but also his father – that illustrious Great Liang Left Chancellor and current leader of the Jiangzuo aristocratic families, Qi Zhang – was also in the mansion, and she would have to meet them both shortly.

For a moment, Shen Xiling felt so nervous she could barely breathe evenly. Taking advantage of when no one was watching, she secretly drew a small figure in her palm and swallowed it.

Before long, they finally arrived at Jiaxi Hall.

A servant went in to announce that Second Young Master had returned. Shen Xiling heard a woman’s delighted voice from inside saying: “Jingchen has returned? Quickly tell him to come in.”

Qi Ying stepped forward to enter the room, but after taking two steps realized Shen Xiling hadn’t followed. He stopped and turned back to look at her, seeing the young lady nervously looking down, not even noticing he had walked away. He couldn’t help but smile slightly. He walked back to her, reached out to pinch her cheek, his eyes holding gentle amusement as he said: “Let’s go.”

His pinch used quite a bit of force, making Shen Xiling feel some pain. She rubbed her face and looked up at him with slight grievance, but after seeing the amusement in his eyes, her heart suddenly calmed.

She suddenly understood something.

This person before her had once brought her out of the city amid the forest of weapons at the city gates, had personally buried her father who was reviled by thousands, had concealed the truth from heaven and earth to protect her, the daughter of a criminal, under his wing – with him there, what did she have to fear?

Shen Xiling showed Qi Ying a slightly shy smile and followed behind him into Jiaxi Hall.

Jiaxi Hall was not the main hall of the Qi Mansion, merely the main room of the courtyard where Yao Shi lived. She often entertained guests here or chatted with the younger generation. This hall wasn’t very large, decorated finely but not overly ornate. Since Yao Shi had some back problems, every seat in the hall was covered with soft cushions, and there were pillows to lean against everywhere.

Qi Zhang had been raised from childhood with aristocratic family etiquette and placed great emphasis on proper behavior and deportment. In the early years after marrying Yao Shi, he was still unaccustomed to his wife’s habit of having soft cushions everywhere and always leaning against something, considering it quite inelegant. But he had deep affection for Yao Shi, and even after decades of marriage still cherished her greatly. When not busy with government affairs, he would mostly spend long periods sitting in his wife’s room. Over time he adapted to these soft cushions and pillows, and when returning to his own room would find the hard stools too uncomfortable.

This day after court, Qi Zhang came to Jiaxi Hall to see his wife. The couple were playing chess on the daybed when Qi Zhang noticed Yao Shi leaning rather listlessly against the soft cushions. He couldn’t help asking: “What’s wrong? You look so spiritless.”

“It’s all because of Jingchen!” Yao Shi gave him a reproachful glance. “How long has it been since he’s come home?”

Qi Zhang coughed and said: “He has indeed been rather busy lately…”

Yao Shi sighed and said: “Jingyuan was right – you should have had Jingchen help him at the Secretariat. Why did you have to send him to that Privy Council? Not only does he leave early and return late every day, but if that Gao Wei causes more trouble, he might even lose his head.”

Though Yao Shi was past forty, she maintained herself well and remained very beautiful. Even while throwing this small tantrum, she still made Qi Zhang willing to coax and indulge her.

Qi Zhang sighed: “How many times have I explained this to you? Having Jingchen enter the Privy Council wasn’t entirely my idea – it was also His Majesty’s arrangement. Now with the nation in crisis, these crucial positions naturally go to the capable. Since ancient times heroes emerge young – Jingchen has this ability, so why must you obstruct him?”

Yao Shi snorted and said with some resentment: “Your Lordship need not lecture me with these grand principles. What ‘since ancient times heroes emerge young’ – it’s all just what old foxes say to deceive people.”

She gave Qi Zhang a meaningful look as she spoke.

“How is it deception?” Qi Zhang was rather helpless. “Just look at that Gu family under Gao Wei – that old Duke’s eldest son Gu Juhan, who’s about the same age as Jingchen, defeated Shouye and Jiang Yong at Stone City last year. How is that not ‘heroes emerge young’?”

Yao Shi frowned and sat up straight, angrily saying: “By Your Lordship’s meaning, do you want Jingchen to learn from those Gu family wolves, taking up weapons to kill enemies on the battlefield?”

Seeing his wife was quite angry, Qi Zhang quickly poured her a cup of hot tea and consoled her: “Madam knows that’s not what I meant. It’s just that circumstances are such – I have no choice either.”

Yao Shi picked up the teacup and took a sip. Seeing her emotions somewhat calmed, Qi Zhang seized the opportunity to add: “Madam, rest assured – Jingchen is our only child. How could I abandon him? When necessary, I will certainly lend him a hand.”

Yao Shi thought to herself: how could lending a hand be enough? If you need to lend a hand, doesn’t that mean Jingchen has already entered dangerous territory? Rather than this, it would be better to let him live an ordinary, quiet life – for instance, becoming a scholar at the Hanlin Academy would be excellent.

Yao Shi was by nature indifferent and unworldly. Though she was Qi Zhang’s second wife, she was extremely kind to his eldest son Qi Yun and had never harbored thoughts of having Qi Ying replace him. Qi Zhang was different from her – compared to his eldest son, he placed greater hopes on his second son. Though he had never publicly stated his intention to support Jingchen as the next Qi family head, he had long held this consideration in his heart – only, his wife probably thought differently from him…

Just as Yao Shi was frowning and about to express more dissatisfaction to Qi Zhang, she heard the maids announcing that Second Young Master had returned and was waiting at the door. Upon hearing this, Yao Shi’s face lit up with joy, her previous melancholy swept away entirely as she immediately smiled: “Jingchen has returned? Quickly tell him to come in.”

Qi Zhang looked at his wife’s immediately brightened expression and shook his head with helpless amusement.

Soon Qi Ying entered and greeted his father and mother. Yao Shi was about to speak with him when she noticed a slender, thin young lady hiding behind him. Looking carefully, she saw the girl had bright, beautiful eyes and was so pretty she hardly seemed real, with a red mole between her brows that gave her a very spirited appearance.

Yao Shi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and looked at Shen Xiling: “This must be Wenwen?”

Shen Xiling stood in the hall, both respectful and nervous, when she suddenly heard someone call her pet name. Looking up, she saw the lady on the daybed, leaning against soft cushions, gazing at her with kind eyes and an intimate expression – one could tell at a glance she was approachable. She also had phoenix eyes that bore some resemblance to Qi Ying’s. Seeing this, much of the fear in Shen Xiling’s heart inexplicably dissipated.

She properly bowed to Yao Shi and Qi Zhang, lowering her head to answer: “Greetings to Left Chancellor, greetings to Madam. This humble girl is Fang Jun… pet name Wenwen.”

Yao Shi smiled: “I’ve heard Jingchen mention you often. Yesterday when Jing’an and Jingkang returned, they kept praising your beauty – come, walk closer so I can have a look.”

Shen Xiling hadn’t expected this Chancellor’s wife to be so amiable. Hearing her call her to come closer, she was stunned for a moment. She quietly glanced up at Qi Ying, who nodded at her.

So Shen Xiling walked properly toward the daybed, approaching Yao Shi’s side and slightly raising her face.

Examining her so closely made Shen Xiling’s beauty even more apparent.

Some people, though beautiful, are only suitable for viewing from afar – up close one can see many flaws, such as eyes of different sizes, a slightly crooked nose, or rough, uneven facial skin. But no matter how closely one examined Shen Xiling, she had a sweet, lovely appearance. No matter how one looked, nothing could be found wanting. Moreover, her eyes were bright and clear, her bearing light and upright – she had the proper demeanor of a noble lady and was very likeable.

Yao Shi only had Qi Ying as her child, and all the offspring in the family were males, so she had always been fond of pretty young girls. If she saw other families’ daughters, most would be held close with such affection she couldn’t bear to let them go. The reason Zhao Yao received such favor from her was also for this reason. Now seeing such a beautiful girl as Shen Xiling, her heart was very pleased, and she praised her: “I thought the children at home were just talking nonsense, but you really are as pretty as a girl painted in a precious scroll!”

Qi Zhang on the side also saw Shen Xiling’s appearance, but frowned slightly.

Though Shen Xiling resembled her mother more, around her brows and the corners of her eyes there were also similarities to her father Shen Qian. Qi Zhang had known Shen Qian for many years and was very familiar with him. Now seeing Shen Xiling, though he didn’t immediately connect her with Shen Qian, he vaguely felt this young lady looked familiar.

Dimly… she bore some resemblance to Shen Qian.

Author’s Note: Father-in-law: I am the head of an aristocratic family, standing like a pine, sitting like a bell. After arriving at Madam’s room: Ah, these soft cushions are quite nice. BTW interviewing the male lead: May I ask, are little faces nice to pinch?