Without waiting for anyone to respond, she glanced at Ji Huan and Ji Wanxin, then patted her bottom and left.

This left the entire room feeling extremely awkward!

Ji Li could only break the stalemate, smiling as he said to Minister Shen: “Minister, please forgive the spectacle.”

“No harm done. It’s just that the siblings in your esteemed household seem to have a very good relationship.”

Ji Li nodded!

With a humble demeanor.

At this moment, Shen Changqin, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke. His gaze was as gentle as water as he looked at Ji Wanxin across from him and said: “Miss Ji, I wonder if you could show me around your residence?”

Hmm?

Only then did Ji Wanxin slowly raise her head to look at him.

She pressed her lips together and nodded: “Of course.”

Shen Changqin revealed a smile, stood up, walked to Ji Wanxin’s side, and helped her to her feet.

The two of them, paying no heed to the several pairs of eyes behind them, left the front hall together.

After the two departed, Madam Shen said: “Young people still have more to talk about with each other. I think these two children are indeed well-matched.”

She was very satisfied with this prospective daughter-in-law.

However, Minister Shen didn’t show much fondness, and instead changed the subject.

He asked Ji Li: “I heard there’s another young lady in your household?”

He was naturally referring to Ji Yinshu.

However, Ji Li replied indifferently: “She is my third younger sister, but she’s not in the capital.”

“I wonder if she’s been betrothed to anyone?”

Ji Li wasn’t a fool—he understood Minister Shen’s meaning.

So—

He deliberately said: “She was indeed betrothed to a family, but unfortunately, when she was born, my father had her fortune told, and they said she had an aspect that would bring death to her husband. We originally thought it was all nonsense from some charlatan fortune-teller, but who would have known they’d be right on the mark—before she could even marry into the family, the groom’s parents both passed away.”

But—

Minister Shen completely didn’t believe in supernatural talk, and he certainly wouldn’t believe the words of charlatan fortune-tellers.

He immediately said: “What utter nonsense! Life and death are inherently unknowable matters. How can such things be conflated with such absurd talk?”

“Minister is quite right.”

“In a while, I need to make a trip to Jinjiang. At that time, I’ll pay a visit to your residence.”

These words made his meaning quite clear.

Ji Wanxin was beautiful, yes, and gentle, yes, but she had chronic health issues and might have difficulty bearing children in the future.

Ji Li didn’t say anything more, only responded with a smile.

…

Meanwhile, outside the hall, just as Shen Changqin helped Ji Wanxin disappear from everyone’s view, she withdrew her hand and then deliberately stepped back.

She lowered her head in thanks: “Thank you, Young Master Shen.”

Shen Changqin smiled: “Why thank me?”

“You knew I didn’t like staying there, so you found a way to bring me out. Naturally I should thank you.”

“But I spoke no falsehood!” Shen Changqin was sincere.

Ji Wanxin stared at him, not understanding.

Shen Changqin then explained: “I truly did want to come out for a walk, and I truly do want Miss Ji to show me around your residence. You and I can also talk more.”

Though he was a refined gentleman, his way of expressing affection was quite straightforward.

Ji Wanxin tilted her head. Being someone who didn’t know how to refuse people, although she didn’t like it in her heart, she still nodded.

She said: “Since that’s the case, I’ll take you to see the back courtyard.”

“Mm!”

So the two went to the back courtyard.

What was there to see in the General’s Residence back courtyard?

Apart from rocks and martial arts practice equipment, there were just mountains.

Large mountains, small mountains—all mountains.

Of course, there was also a lotus pond, though without lotus flowers, upon which sat a pavilion.

The entire scene appeared quite desolate and cold.

The two sat down in the pavilion, and a young maid from the courtyard quickly brought over some pastries and tea.

Just as Ji Wanxin raised her hand to lift the teapot, at almost the same moment, Shen Changqin reached his hand toward the teapot’s handle.

Their fingertips touched, carrying a slight chill.

Shen Changqin gazed at her with affectionate eyes, filled with a hint of expectation.

In the next moment, Ji Wanxin immediately withdrew her hand, tucking it into her sleeve as if nothing had happened.

Shen Changqin could only pretend as if nothing had occurred, then picked up the teapot, poured two cups of tea, and pushed one in front of Ji Wanxin.

He asked gently: “Is this Miss Ji’s first time in the capital?”

“Mm!”

“Everyone says Miss Ji is gentle and gracious, with outstanding temperament, and that she’s a renowned beauty of Jinjiang. Seeing you today, it’s indeed true.”

Ji Wanxin replied modestly: “Those are just idle words people say. Please don’t laugh at me, Young Master.”

But Shen Changqin said: “You should just call me Changqin directly, and I’ll call you Wanxin.”

Very intimate.

Clearly, Shen Changqin had already accepted her as his wife.

From the first glance just now, he had been quite taken with her.

Ji Wanxin pondered for a moment, her expression turning cold. She raised her head and finally met Shen Changqin’s affectionate gaze. Her heart hardened as she asked: “Young Master Shen, do you think that since ancient times, parental decree and matchmaker’s word—is that right?”

“Why do you ask this?”

“Don’t you have someone you like yourself, Young Master Shen? You and I have never met, yet our parents arranged our betrothal. Don’t you think this is terribly unfair?”

Abandoning her previous gentle and refined demeanor, Ji Wanxin at this moment had gained a few degrees of coldness.

The words she spoke were also hard and sharp.

Shen Changqin took a moment to digest this before understanding her meaning.

He asked: “So you’re saying you already have someone you like?”

Ji Wanxin nodded: “Yes!”

Very honestly!

This was awkward!

Shen Changqin withdrew his originally affectionate gaze, his face showing a hint of disappointment.

Then, he revealed a brotherly understanding: “Your and my betrothal was decided by our parents. By rights, it cannot be refused, but since Miss Ji has spoken, I understand the meaning. When I return, I’ll bring it up.”

The implication was that he would discuss this marriage with his parents, hoping to have it dissolved.

Hearing him say this, Ji Wanxin seemed much more relaxed.

She rarely showed a smile.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

“You needn’t thank me. Love cannot be forced. However, I’m curious about the man you like—what is he like?”

At this mention, Ji Wanxin actually revealed a trace of a young woman’s bashfulness.

Her gaze turned toward the water’s surface, her crimson lips parting slightly.

She said: “Actually, I don’t really know what kind of person he is, but the first time I saw him was five years ago. Our first meeting was in a plum blossom grove. He stood beneath a plum tree, looking up at the scattered petals dancing through the sky. That scene—I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”

That person she spoke of wasn’t actually Jingrong!

But Ji Pei!

Sitting across from her, Shen Changqin felt a sourness in his heart.

“The person Miss Ji remembers is truly fortunate.” He then followed up with another question: “I wonder where he is now?”

She shook her head, withdrawing her gaze.

After a moment of contemplation.

“Dead.”