Ji Cheng waited for a long time, her eyelids growing heavy, until she heard the water boiling and saw Shen Che finally make a move to brew tea.
“You were right earlier. I could indeed make a big scene with the Wang family and am confident I could handle the aftermath well. But doing so would be the worst strategy,” Shen Che said.
Hearing this, Ji Cheng’s interest was piqued, and she was no longer sleepy, revealing her inherently curious nature.
“Why would it be the worst strategy?” Ji Cheng asked.
Shen Che poured boiling water over the teacups, speaking slowly and deliberately, “If such a commotion had been made when the Emperor was young, it might have been beneficial. But now the Emperor is old and in poor health. What does a sick person fear the most?”
“Noise and disturbance,” Ji Cheng immediately understood Shen Che’s point. Although Shen Che would be justified in causing a stir, the Emperor might see it as unnecessary trouble, disturbing his peace. Moreover, since the matter involved the imperial succession, it was even more sensitive.
Seeing Ji Cheng’s expression, Shen Che knew she had grasped his meaning. “I don’t like to engage in actions that harm both the enemy and myself. Moreover, if this matter were to become public, it would also be embarrassing for the Emperor.”
Ji Cheng had already considered that since Emperor Jianping was the instigator, making the issue public would indeed tarnish his reputation. Many people, for the sake of face, easily abandon right and wrong.
Ji Cheng found Shen Che quite formidable. Despite his youth, he was adept at understanding human nature, remaining neither arrogant nor impatient, hiding like a viper and striking like a leopard.
“Even if the matter is resolved and the Emperor does not blame me, the outcome might not be favorable,” Shen Che continued.
“Why?” Ji Cheng, like an inquisitive child, sought more wisdom from Shen Che.
“I can’t tell you everything, but you should know that everything I do is to balance the situation in the Western Regions. The military equipment from Jin is a double-edged sword; it can harm the enemy but also ourselves. If the Western Regions were unified and marched east, Da Qin would be in trouble,” Shen Che explained.
Ji Cheng immediately thought of the local ruler in the northwest, Shen Che’s second uncle, Earl Zhongyi, Shen Xiu. If the Western Regions advanced eastward, wouldn’t the Shen family gain more power?
Shen Che shook his head, “If you were the Emperor, would you dare to place so much military power in my second uncle’s hands?”
Ji Cheng shook her head.
“Now, with the old generals in the court dwindling and the young commanders lacking wartime experience, even if Da Qin wins this battle, it will never regain its former glory. Moreover, the northern Hu tribes are always watching Da Qin. With wolves in front and tigers behind, my second uncle cannot fight on two fronts, and the world would be in turmoil,” Shen Che said.
Ji Cheng had never seen things from such a high perspective, but Shen Che’s analysis was enlightening, clearing her mind.
“So you want to control the military equipment in Jin, as it’s the only outlet for the Western Regions to buy arms from Da Qin. By controlling this line, you can influence the situation in the Western Regions,” Ji Cheng realized the magnitude of Shen Che’s plan, aiming for complete control over the Western countries without bloodshed.
“Yes, and I haven’t been in charge of the Jing Shi Army for long. It took a lot of effort to consolidate everyone, and only now can I focus on the affairs in Jin,” Shen Che said.
Shen Che spoke lightly, but Ji Cheng felt a storm in her heart. She had underestimated him, thinking that someone so young must have others above him. But from his words, he was indeed the leader of the Jing Shi Army. Although Ji Cheng didn’t know much about the Jing Shi Army, she understood that Shen Che must have paid a great price to command respect at such a young age.
This realization made some of Ji Cheng’s small schemes seem futile.
“So, Cousin Che, you don’t want to touch the Wang family’s wealth partly because you’re afraid the Emperor will be displeased and the Crown Prince will settle accounts after ascending the throne, right?” Ji Cheng asked, eager to understand whether Shen Che would support the son of Consort Wang.
Shen Che replied, “The Emperor knows the Jing Shi Army’s power and won’t allow it to interfere in the imperial succession. Some ministers have already proposed abolishing the Jing Shi Army. Both sides are in a standoff, so the Jing Shi Army cannot openly intervene in Jin’s affairs. The iron mine issue in Jin must rely on your Ji family and the Ling family to negotiate. I’ve said before, don’t worry about the finances or what you give to those people. One day, they will return everything they’ve taken. The governor of Jin and the Tan and Chen families are not united.”
Since Shen Che had pointed out so much, Ji Cheng knew what to do. She would have to work hard to persuade Uncle Ling.
“Then, Cousin Che, can you share the information the Jing Shi Army has on Governor Yuan, as well as the Tan and Chen families, so I can see where to start?” Ji Cheng asked.
“I’ll send it to you once you’re well. There’s no rush in these few days,” Shen Che said, sipping his tea and offering Ji Cheng plain water.
Ji Cheng was taken aback.
“You’re still recovering and shouldn’t drink tea. I’ve added calming herbs to your prescription. At your young age, if you can’t sleep well, even the most beautiful face will deteriorate in a few years,” Shen Che said.
Ji Cheng was speechless, surprised that Shen Che considered her a beauty.
After using Shen Che’s prescription, Ji Cheng’s sleep improved significantly, and with better rest, her complexion also improved, and her cough was almost gone. Otherwise, she always felt a bit annoying when coughing in front of others.
Finally, Ji Cheng could return to the academy. Upon seeing Su Jun, she naturally congratulated her. Although Ji Cheng had little impression of Li Zhi, anyone who could win the favor of the Old Madam and gain Su Jun’s approval must be quite remarkable.
However, Su Jun was rather indifferent towards Ji Cheng. She was the type to keep things to herself, which surprised Ji Cheng, who had thought Su Jun was willing.
Ji Cheng glanced at Shen Yuan, who pulled her aside, “Sister Jun hasn’t been very happy these days.”
Ji Cheng didn’t ask why, assuming it was simply because she hadn’t gotten what she wanted.
Shen Yuan sighed, knowing that Su Jun had some feelings, but without Princess Anhe’s approval, even the Old Madam couldn’t arrange a marriage for Shen Che. Now, seeing Su Jun’s resentment towards the Old Madam made Shen Yuan feel uncomfortable.
Su Jun, originally proud and talented, was among the best in the capital. She had hoped to make a name for herself, but the capital’s complexities were beyond her expectations, and Shen Che’s lack of response to her affection left her feeling hurt.
Ji Cheng whispered, “Sister Jun will feel better after some time.”
“Hopefully,” Shen Yuan said. “I heard she’s going back to Suzhou to prepare for her marriage. We’ve been together for so long, it’s hard to say goodbye.”
“What?” Ji Cheng was slightly surprised. “Is she leaving for Suzhou so soon?”
“The Old Ancestor asked Madam Su to stay, but they must leave by the end of the year. They can’t have the wedding in our house, can they?” Shen Yuan said.
Ji Cheng nodded, “But it’s not a big deal. Sister Jun will marry into the capital, and we’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future.”
After the teacher’s lecture, he tested the students’ progress. Although Ji Cheng had missed many classes, she hadn’t fallen behind in her studies, earning the teacher’s praise.
Su Jun couldn’t help but feel a bit down, thinking the teacher was biased. She had made some friends in the capital, who often asked about Ji Cheng, saying the teacher frequently praised this female student outside of class.
Over the years, the teacher’s reputation in the capital had grown, often attending poetry gatherings and being invited as a judge. With her praise, many people no longer thought of Ji Cheng as a merchant’s daughter but as a teacher’s student.
Many things subtly change people’s perceptions.
Su Jun glanced at Ji Cheng’s rosy cheeks, her skin so delicate it seemed it could break at a touch. No wonder the Second Young Master favored her. But Ji Cheng had nothing to be proud of; with her background, she could never marry into the Shen family.
Su Jun couldn’t help but wonder why the Old Madam, who didn’t approve of her as a granddaughter-in-law, treated her so well, only to lead her into a deep emotional entanglement.
Su Jun was caught in a delusion. It’s not entirely her fault; marriage for women is a lifelong matter, just as men strive for official positions. It’s their only way to change their fate. Many have fallen into delusions for the sake of officialdom, and for women, marriage is often the only path to change their status. Facing such a setback, even someone as perceptive as Su Jun couldn’t avoid being trapped.
After returning from the southern garden to the capital, the weather turned snowy, worsening the plight of the poor, with many freezing to death. The Old Madam even used her private funds to open a porridge stall outside the city, a common practice among the capital’s nobles.
For the wealthy, however, it was a time to enjoy the beauty of the snow, with new wine and a small stove, roasting venison—a truly divine experience.
After class, Shen Qian and Shen Cui clamored for roasted meat. Everyone in the household knew that when it came to roasting meat, Yu Yi from the Nine Li Courtyard was the best. Despite her average appearance, her skills were exceptional, earning her a place in the Nine Li Courtyard.
Naturally, the task of requesting someone from the Nine Li Courtyard fell to Shen Qian.
However, Shen Qian looked troubled, “Every time I eat roasted meat, I get cold sores, and Second Brother forbids me from eating it.” This was only part of the reason. Shen Qian was known for her bossy nature, often taking things from the Nine Li Courtyard, causing Shen Che to forbid her from entering when he wasn’t around.
Su Jun glanced at Ji Cheng from the corner of her eye and smiled at Shen Qian, “Sister Qian, let me give you a tip. If you can bring Sister Cheng along, you’ll achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
As soon as she said this, everyone fell silent and turned to look at Ji Cheng. Su Jun’s implication was too obvious, and everyone was surprised because they had never noticed any connection between Ji Cheng and Shen Che.
Ji Cheng herself was quite taken aback by Su Jun’s words. The jealousy in her tone was unmistakable. In the past, Ji Cheng would have been open and straightforward, but now, she couldn’t deny that there was something unspeakable between her and Shen Che. She paused, trying to figure out what had tipped Su Jun off.
Unable to come up with an answer, Ji Cheng decided to play dumb and looked at Su Jun, “Why would bringing me along make it more effective?”
Realizing her slip, Su Jun regretted her words and tried to cover up with a smile, “Sister Cheng is always so considerate and gets along well with everyone. Among us, you have the best connections. If you go, even Yu Yi will give you a face.”
The more Su Jun spoke, the less convincing it sounded. Ji Cheng indeed had good relations with the servants, thanks to her wealth. While the masters of the house might disdain the smell of money, the servants relied on their monthly wages to support their families and marry. They naturally appreciated Ji Cheng’s generosity.
Ji Cheng didn’t expose Su Jun’s words. Even though Su Jun targeted her, it was just a minor friction, not worth getting upset over. They would still have to interact in the future, so it was best to leave some room for maneuver. “Alright, I’ll go with Sister Qian and see if my connections are really that effective.”
Once Ji Cheng and Shen Qian left, Shen Yuan pulled Su Jun aside to scold her, “Sister Jun, what’s gotten into you lately? You’re not as amiable as you used to be. It’s a good thing Sister Cheng has a good temper; otherwise, anyone else would have fallen out with you by now.”
Su Jun remained silent, thinking that if they fell out, so be it. Ji Cheng was good at winning people over, even Shen Yuan was completely on her side. Even the most cold-hearted people were friendly with her, unlike Su Jun, who always received a cold shoulder. What did Ji Cheng have that she didn’t?
Shen Yuan sighed, understanding Su Jun’s feelings, which were akin to “Why was Zhuge Liang born when I was already here?” “Why do you have to provoke Sister Cheng? It only makes you seem narrow-minded. She doesn’t have the same background as us, so she naturally has to be more agreeable. If you and I are a bit tougher, the people below will only obey. But for her? Those difficult ones won’t give her face. She uses money because she has no other choice.”
Su Jun looked at Shen Yuan, knowing she was speaking the truth. But some people are just natural rivals. She and Ji Cheng had arrived at the Shen family around the same time and were both considered equally attractive. The servants often compared the two. Shen Yuan and the others might not know, but Su Jun had overheard the servants discussing her and Ji Cheng several times.
Every time, the servants praised Ji Cheng for being generous and kind. Whenever her maids went to the kitchen, they would tip the staff. But when it came to Su Jun, the comments were never flattering, often calling her stingy. They even compared their clothing and accessories. Although Ji Cheng always dressed simply, everything she used was of the highest quality. Many of Su Jun’s accessories were old items refurbished before coming to the capital. The Shen family’s servants had sharp eyes and could see through everything.
All these comparisons made Su Jun’s heartache. Even before the Su family declined, they were a family of scholars and poets, not as free with money as Ji Cheng. Despite this, Su Jun never let it affect her relationship with Ji Cheng. She didn’t care about these things, but she couldn’t ignore what the Old Madam had said.
During their trip to Suyu Mountain, Su Jun stayed with the Old Madam. During the midday rest, she slept in a side room of the temple. Although the room was separated from the Old Madam’s by a wall, the beams were connected, so she could hear some of the conversation from the other side.
That day, Su Jun didn’t sleep well and overheard the Old Madam’s maid, Madam Cao, say, “I noticed that Miss Jun doesn’t seem too happy about the marriage with the Li family. You kept her in the house and worried about her marriage, trying to help her family. Miss Jun’s talents and character are impeccable. Why not keep her in our family for good?”
Madam Cao was the Old Madam’s trusted aide, and Su Jun had worked hard to win her favor. Madam Cao, with no ill intentions, often spoke on Su Jun’s behalf.
Hearing Madam Cao’s words, Su Jun’s heart tightened, and she barely dared to breathe, clutching her clothes and listening intently.
The Old Madam didn’t respond immediately, but Madam Cao continued, “You never cared much about family background. You can see Miss Jun’s feelings. Why not fulfill her wishes?”
The Old Madam finally replied, “I can’t decide on Ah Che’s marriage. He’s very opinionated, and even Anhe might not be able to control him. As for Miss Jun, her character and looks are impeccable, but I don’t think she can tolerate others. If she were to marry Ah Che, they would surely become a resentful couple. Why bother?”
The Old Madam was indeed insightful. If Su Jun married Shen Che, she wouldn’t tolerate his affairs with other women, and they would likely quarrel constantly.
“I can see that in this regard, she doesn’t compare to Miss Cheng. Miss Cheng is genuinely broad-minded,” the Old Madam praised. Even with Ji Lan and Shen Cui, Ji Cheng got along well, neither overly accommodating nor competitive, always helping others, and showing her intelligence. She was more suited to their family. Of course, the Old Madam had no intention of marrying Ji Cheng to Shen Che; she had had enough of Ji Lan’s behavior.
The Old Madam was simply comparing Ji Cheng and Su Jun.
But to Su Jun, it sounded different. Even the Old Madam favored Ji Cheng. Su Jun was stunned. If she hadn’t overheard this conversation, she wouldn’t have agreed to the marriage with the Li family.
Li Zhi had fallen for Su Jun at first sight and was quite handsome, but with someone like Ji Cheng around, Su Jun couldn’t see him in the same light.
Su Jun shook her head, trying to shake off her resentment, and took Shen Yuan’s hand, “Sister, you’re right. I was being narrow-minded.”
Her words were still tinged with resentment, and Shen Yuan had no way to persuade her further.
Su Jun shook Shen Yuan’s hand, “Good sister, I was wrong. I’ll go apologize to Sister Cheng. Let’s go to her.”
So Shen Yuan led Su Jun, Shen Cui, and Lu Yuan, the four of them heading to the Nine Li Courtyard. Lu Yuan, halfway there, said she needed to fetch Brother Hong and turned towards Shen Yu’s Changheng Courtyard.
Meanwhile, Shen Qian and Ji Cheng were on their way to the Nine Li Courtyard. Although Shen Qian was somewhat naive and didn’t think deeply about things, she was Shen Che’s sister and not entirely foolish. She had noticed Chu Zhen’s special attention to Ji Cheng, but she wasn’t worried about Ji Cheng being a threat to her.
Shen Qian had a natural admiration for her second brother. Although she was often dissatisfied with Shen Che’s neglect, in times of trouble, she always thought of seeking him out first. So when Shen Qian’s romantic feelings first blossomed, she asked Shen Che about it.
If her brother said it was okay, then the possibility of her marrying Chu Zhen was high. If Shen Che said no, Shen Qian would have to cry in secret.
Shen Che wasn’t very interested in the Wang family and knew a bit about Chu Zhen. He doubted Chu Zhen’s ability to cherish women. Shen Che, being a man himself, knew that someone like Chu Zhen might not be very attentive. The Wang family’s extravagance and decay meant that while Chu Zhen seemed fine now, after marriage, anything could happen in such an environment.
It was reasonable to say Chu Zhen wasn’t attentive. When Ji Cheng was injured, it was Shen Che took off his cloak to cover her, while Chu Zhen didn’t notice such details. Even when visiting the sick, Shen Yu knew to bring some medicine, but Chu Zhen showed no such consideration.
Such a man might genuinely care for you, but his lack of attention to detail might not suit someone like Shen Qian, who was a delicate flower.
Shen Che didn’t want Shen Qian to be misled by a rough man. Some men make great brothers but aren’t suitable as husbands.
So Shen Che’s response to Shen Qian was ambiguous. He didn’t say no, but he gently suggested that he thought Shen Qian was still young. Being a wife wasn’t as comfortable as being a girl, and after the engagement, many things would be more restrictive. Shen Che advised Shen Qian not to rush.
But Shen Qian interpreted his ambiguous words differently. Since Shen Che didn’t oppose, he must agree, right? As for whether to rush, Shen Qian thought her brother wasn’t concerned about major life events, assuming others weren’t either.
Although Shen Qian didn’t want to marry early, if delaying meant she couldn’t marry Chu Zhen, she was willing to marry sooner and fulfill her duties as a wife.
This is why daughters are hard to keep at home.
Although Shen Qian didn’t see Ji Cheng as a threat, Chu Zhen’s concern for Ji Cheng still made her a little jealous, so she couldn’t help but ask directly, “Sister Cheng, are you close with Cousin Zhen? Last time you fell off the horse, he was very worried and circled your tent several times.”
Ji Cheng replied, “Honestly, I didn’t even know Young Master Chu was outside my tent. I was quite surprised when he visited me while I was sick. I thought it was because he was your cousin and happened to see me fall, so he came to visit out of courtesy. Or maybe he came to see me, but his real interest lay elsewhere?”