Dead?

Yes, Ji Pei was already dead.

When Shen Changqin heard this, his eyes showed slight surprise, and a trace of regret appeared in his gentle, jade-like gaze.

He said in a low voice: “When old friends depart at dusk, the living remember them.”

Ji Wanxin continued: “The old love doesn’t cherish the new affection. Though it’s stubborn, I hope you understand, Young Master.”

Shen Changqin smiled bitterly.

“I understand!”

To put it plainly, Ji Wanxin had no feelings for him whatsoever!

The two didn’t talk in detail for much longer. Ji Wanxin, blown by the cold wind, found her body unable to endure it. Her coughing grew increasingly severe, so she was helped away by a maid.

Shen Changqin sat in the pavilion for quite a while before heading to the General’s Residence front hall.

By this time, Minister Shen had finished talking with Ji Li. After Shen Changqin returned, they left the General’s Residence.

After the Shen family boarded their carriage and departed, Ji Li’s expression darkened. His originally modest smile gradually tightened, and he muttered a phrase.

“Old fox!”

Ji Huan, this rough man, looked completely confused.

“Big brother, you’re calling Minister Shen an old fox?”

“Who else would it be?”

“Why?”

Ji Li snorted, turned and entered the residence. Ji Huan quickly followed, waiting for his answer.

As Ji Li walked, he said: “Didn’t you hear that Minister Shen is completely unsatisfied with Wanxin?”

Really?

No way…

Ji Huan was stunned. He quickened his steps to walk alongside Ji Li, tilting his head to look at him and saying: “That can’t be right. Wanxin is so lovable, how could Minister Shen not like her? I saw that Madam Shen was very satisfied, praising her constantly.”

Yes, Madam Shen quite liked Ji Wanxin’s gentle and refined temperament.

Throughout, she had nothing but praise for her future daughter-in-law!

But Ji Li was no fool. He stopped in his tracks, turned his body, and faced Ji Huan directly.

With a look that said “how did I end up with such a foolish brother,” he said: “Wanxin’s health is poor, she’s different from ordinary women. What Minister Shen values most is face. If in the future Wanxin marries into the Shen family and cannot bear children for them, what do you think Minister Shen will think?”

“What does that mean?” Ji Huan immediately flared up: “Could it be that Minister Shen wants to break off the engagement?”

“That’s not very likely. After all, our Ji family is not to be trifled with. That old fox Minister Shen won’t clash with us head-on, otherwise in the end, he’ll be the one who suffers.” Ji Li said calmly.

But Ji Huan didn’t have such a good temper!

Dare to look down on my sister? My Xuanchi Sword is no pushover.

He roared furiously: “What does that Minister Shen think he is? He’s just a first-rank official! That Shen Changqin isn’t any good either—he just has a pretty face. What exceptional intelligence? What achieving things through his own ability? If he didn’t have a minister for a father, could he have gotten the position of vice-minister? A whole household of worthless people.”

Bah!

Brother, you iron-boned great general—when you curse people, you really do have quite the presence!

While raging, spittle flew everywhere.

Ji Li raised his hand and wiped his face, furrowing his brow as he reminded him: “Listen well, you can say these things in front of me, but don’t go spreading them around everywhere, lest you invite unnecessary trouble.”

“What trouble could there be? Does Minister Shen dare to show us attitude?”

“Ji Huan, walls have ears. Some words, we can say between ourselves, but if they reach the Emperor’s ears, it won’t be easy to explain.”

“I know!”

“You’d better really know.”

After giving Ji Huan a disdainful look, Ji Li left.

Leaving Ji Huan fuming in place…

On the other side, inside the carriage!

Shen Changqin sat by the curtain, reaching out to lift it aside, his gaze constantly looking outside, saying nothing.

Minister Shen wore a cold expression, displeased in his heart!

But Madam Shen was different. Her face was full of smiles as she asked her son: “Changqin, how was it? Are you satisfied with Wanxin?”

“…”

“That child is gracious and gentle. Having her enter our Shen family would be wonderful. In the future, you two…”

Before she could finish speaking, Minister Shen cut her off with a low growl: “This marriage engagement must be broken off.”

No room for discussion whatsoever!

This truly shocked Madam Shen.

She said: “Master, what are you saying?”

Minister Shen said seriously: “That Second Miss Ji is just a medicine jar. This daughter-in-law—our Shen family doesn’t want her.”

By rights, Shen Changqin should have agreed, since after all, he had promised Ji Wanxin he would break off this engagement.

But—

“Father, Miss Ji’s health has no major issues. She’s just a bit weaker than ordinary women. I think she’s quite good, and she’s different from other women. Mother is right—Miss Ji is gracious and truly likable.”

All praise and satisfaction!

Hearing his son say this, Minister Shen became even more unhappy.

“What’s so good about that woman?”

Questioning!

“Everything about her is good!” Shen Changqin retorted.

Sometimes, love at first sight is just that incredible!

Minister Shen glared at his son furiously, slapping his thigh heavily: “Worthless thing.”

“In any case, Changqin will marry none but Miss Ji.”

“Say that again!”

Barely suppressing his fury.

Madam Shen on the side quickly tugged at Minister Shen, coming over to smooth things over.

“Master, if Changqin likes her, let him have his way. Besides, you know what the Ji family’s power is like. If our Shen family can become in-laws with the Ji family, things will be much more convenient in the future.”

“The Shen family doesn’t need the Ji family as a backer!”

“Master…”

“Say no more. In a while, I’ll depart for Jinjiang. At that time, I’ll see that Third Miss Ji, and then this marriage won’t need to be broken off—after all, they’re all Ji family daughters.”

Madam Shen became worried and quickly said: “That Third Miss Ji’s mother is said to be a courtesan. In the Ji family, she apparently has no status either. Although this Second Miss Ji is also a concubine-born daughter, her real brother is Ji Huan, the Changlin General personally enfeoffed by the Emperor. If you want to change candidates, you might as well choose that First Miss Ji.”

“Nonsense!” Minister Shen rebuked coldly: “Someone who didn’t even qualify to participate in the Crown Princess selection—how could she become my Shen family’s daughter-in-law? You saw it yourself just now, that woman is so sharp-tongued.”

Absolutely right!

Such a sharp-tongued girl doesn’t even qualify to enter the outer gates of the Shen family!

Shen Changqin listened to his parents’ intermittent conversation, furrowing his brow.

After Minister Shen had calmed down somewhat.

Only then did he say: “Father, Changqin has made his intention clear. In any case, I will marry none but her.”

Extremely stubborn!

Minister Shen nearly turned green with rage.

Grinding his teeth fiercely, he scolded: “How did I raise such a worthless son!”

The tempers of father and son were quite similar—neither willing to back down.

Madam Shen sighed. She couldn’t help either side.

…