He Ning smiled shyly, “Sister Cheng.”
He Ning, about the same age as Shen Qian, was graceful and delicate, with a touch of bashfulness that made her very endearing. She was someone you liked at first sight.
Ji Cheng quickly invited the two to sit down, and Liu Ye’er promptly served tea and snacks. Thanks to Shen Qian’s natural friendliness, He Ning and Ji Cheng soon became acquainted.
As they continued their conversation, Ji Cheng learned that He Ning had also studied painting under Master Ziyu while she was in the South.
“I noticed a hint of Master Sanhe’s style in your paintings, Sister Cheng. Do you know Master Sanhe?” He Ning asked.
Ji Cheng didn’t answer directly but instead asked, “It seems you are quite familiar with Master Sanhe’s style. Do you know who Master Sanhe is?”
He Ning nodded, “This time when I returned to the capital with my mother, Master Ziyu instructed me to pay respects to Master Sanhe. He even mentioned a certain disciple.”
Ji Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “I’m sorry, A-Ning. Madam has preferred solitude these past few years and dislikes socializing. Without her permission, I dared not reveal her identity, so I was testing you earlier. I apologize.”
Ji Cheng stood up and made a bow to He Ning, causing He Ning to cover her mouth and giggle, “Sister Cheng, don’t be like that. I understand.”
For them, there was no need to rely on their master’s reputation to add to their own. He Ning genuinely loved painting. She particularly admired Ji Cheng’s approach of not using Madam Yu’s name to seek fame. Before meeting Ji Cheng, He Ning had some doubts about whether the exquisite and unique stationery from the Ji family was made by Ji Cheng. But upon meeting her, all doubts vanished.
He Ning felt an instant connection with Ji Cheng. The young girls chatted away for a long time, and when it was time to leave, He Ning repeatedly invited Ji Cheng to visit the Zhou family.
Although the Zhou family was He Ning’s maternal family, she seemed equally cherished there as in the He family.
Ji Cheng initially thought it was just a polite gesture, but a few days later, He Ning sent an invitation. Ji Cheng and Shen Qian went to the Zhou family together. When He Ning’s mother, Madam Zhou, saw Ji Cheng, she warmly held her hand and asked many questions.
Ji Cheng had never received such treatment from a noble lady in the capital, and she felt a bit overwhelmed. It turned out that Madam Zhou also loved painting; otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent He Ning to Hangzhou every spring to study with Master Ziyu for three months.
After this, He Ning often visited Ji Cheng and frequently invited her to the Zhou family. Shen Qian naturally accompanied them each time, and Ji Cheng soon learned about the He family from Shen Qian.
He Ning had two older brothers. The eldest son had followed in his father’s footsteps and secured a position under him, and he was already married. The second son was eighteen and not yet engaged.
Whenever Shen Qian mentioned the second son of the He family, she would glance at Ji Cheng, her little thoughts transparent to Ji Cheng. Was she thinking that if Ji Cheng got engaged, it would end Chu Zhen’s hopes? Such a straightforward thought, but Ji Cheng didn’t point it out.
Later, when Shen Qian mentioned it to Su Jun, she was puzzled, “Sister Cheng doesn’t seem anxious at all.”
Su Jun replied, “She’s a young lady; she can’t show her anxiety. She’s the same age as me, and not being engaged at this time must make her anxious. Among us sisters, I’m already engaged, and seeing her without a future in sight makes me feel bad.”
Shen Qian said, “Actually, I think He Ning’s second brother is quite good, and Madam Zhou is kind. I just don’t know if Sister Cheng would be willing.”
“What does it matter if she’s willing or not?” Su Jun scoffed, “If Madam Zhou truly favors her, you’ll see, Sister Cheng will agree to such a match.”
Ji Cheng was unaware of Shen Qian and Su Jun’s whispers because the days quickly passed to the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice was as significant as the New Year, with the Shen family needing to perform ancestral rites and pray to the gods. After the Winter Solstice, it was almost the New Year, and all the shop accounts needed to be settled.
During this busy period, Ji Cheng often went to Orchid Lane, where people were constantly coming and going. The sound of abacus beads clacking could be heard at all hours.
Ji Cheng had specially trained maids for accounting. They arrived in the capital from Jin before the Winter Solstice. They would calculate the accounts once and then cross-check them with the accounting office to find any errors.
This year, half of the funds were diverted to pave the way to the Western Regions, so the profits were not as high as in previous years, but they were still acceptable.
By the time Ji Cheng finished this busy period, it was already the end of November. She hadn’t even had a chance to catch her breath when she encountered another troublesome matter she didn’t want to get involved in.
When Shen Cui appeared before Ji Cheng with a pale face, she thought she had seen a ghost. Although Ji Cheng had been busy, she never missed paying respects to Ji Lan morning and evening. She had just seen Shen Cui that morning, so why did she look like a different person now, with beads of sweat on her forehead in the middle of winter?
“What happened?” Ji Cheng took Shen Cui’s hand and sat her down, finding her hand as cold as ice. Ji Cheng placed an old silver hand warmer in Shen Cui’s hand and asked again, “What happened?”
But Shen Cui, after entering, was like a mute, not saying a word, her eyes red, lost in thought.
In truth, someone as perceptive as Ji Cheng had already guessed most of the situation, so she didn’t press Shen Cui, hoping she wouldn’t have to hear it.
Shen Cui, holding the hand warmer, didn’t even know why she had come here. When she realized something was wrong, she was first so scared that her hands and feet went cold, thinking everything was over. Her mother would surely be furious. Then she found herself heading straight to Ji Cheng.
Even Shen Cui didn’t realize that subconsciously, whenever she encountered difficulties, she wanted to find Ji Cheng, as if Ji Cheng could solve everything for her.
But now that Shen Cui’s mind was a bit clearer, she remembered Ji Cheng’s earlier warnings and how she had responded. She felt embarrassed, but compared to the life growing inside her, those feelings seemed insignificant.
“Sister Cheng, I… I might be pregnant.” Shen Cui, though hesitant, finally spoke.
Although Ji Cheng had suspected that Shen Cui and Qi Zheng might not have maintained propriety, she hadn’t expected Shen Cui to be pregnant.
“What should I do, Sister Cheng?” Shen Cui released the hand warmer and gripped Ji Cheng’s hands tightly, her grip so strong that it hurt Ji Cheng.
“How could you be so foolish?” Ji Cheng scolded. If she truly was pregnant, it couldn’t be hidden. Not only would Shen Cui’s life be ruined, but the reputation of the Shen family girls would also be affected.
“I…” Shen Cui’s eyes welled up with tears, “What’s the use of scolding me now? Please help me think of a solution.”
“Don’t worry, let me think.” Ji Cheng withdrew her hand and patted Shen Cui’s hand to comfort her, “Sit here for a moment. I’ll go outside and check.”
Ji Cheng walked to the door and signaled to Liu Ye’er, who was waiting outside, to guard the door and not let anyone approach.
After making these arrangements, Ji Cheng returned to Shen Cui. She suspected that Qi Zheng had done this deliberately. Shen Cui, after all, was a young lady from a prominent family. Even if she was a bit frivolous, she wouldn’t have done something so improper before marriage.
Ji Cheng’s guess wasn’t far off. Matters of the heart are like dry wood and fire; once emotions are involved, it’s hard to control oneself. Despite strict societal norms, people have always acted on their feelings.
Last time at the Southern Garden, although Shen Cui and Qi Zheng had been affectionate, it was mostly hand-holding and light kisses. But one day, Shen Cui mentioned seeing Chu and others behaving inappropriately at the Night Chrysanthemum Banquet at the Southern Prince’s Mansion. She spoke with disdain and warned Qi Zheng not to visit such places when socializing, or she wouldn’t forgive him.
Men react differently to such matters than women. Qi Zheng, following Shen Cui’s words, began to tease her.
One thing led to another, and Qi Zheng, having already planned his moves, found Shen Cui unable to resist. He managed to have his way with her outside. Once he succeeded, it became a natural occurrence. A young lady often follows her heart’s desires, caring for her beloved’s needs, but her beloved may not care for her in return.
“Are you sure you’re pregnant?” Ji Cheng, inexperienced herself, asked Shen Cui, who was even less experienced, “How do you know?”
Shen Cui choked up, “I’ve been feeling unwell for half a month, with constant nausea. I didn’t know why, but today at dinner, the smell of meat made me sick. My mother thought I had a stomach issue and wanted to call a doctor, but I was scared. Sister Cheng, what if I’m pregnant?”
Ji Cheng reassured Shen Cui, “Don’t scare yourself. It might just be a stomach issue. We need to find a doctor to check your pulse.”
“No, absolutely not,” Shen Cui cried out.
Ji Cheng quickly grabbed Shen Cui, “Keep your voice down. My family has a doctor at Changchun Hall who can keep his mouth shut. Tomorrow, come with me, wear a veil, and he won’t know it’s you. Let him check your pulse. If it’s not a pregnancy pulse, wouldn’t that be great?”
Shen Cui, feeling lost, nodded at Ji Cheng’s suggestion.
“What if I am pregnant?” Shen Cui asked Ji Cheng.
“Then you’ll have to take medicine to terminate it,” Ji Cheng replied.
Shen Cui shook her head repeatedly, “No. The Qi family only has Brother Qi as a son. If I can give birth to a son, imagine how happy he would be.”
“Have you thought about yourself?” Ji Cheng asked. “Even if Aunt agrees to your marriage immediately, the formalities will take at least half a year. Can you still hide your belly by then? If someone finds out, forget about marrying into the Qi family; you’ll be facing a dead end.”
“Then what should I do, Sister Cheng? Do you think my mother will agree to my marriage with Brother Qi?” Shen Cui asked Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng thought for a moment and decided to be honest. “Given Aunt’s temperament, she would certainly not agree to you marrying into the Qi family. But now that you’re pregnant, the situation is irreversible. She might have no choice but to agree, though she will be very heartbroken.”
“So you’re saying that if my mother knows I’m pregnant, she’ll agree to my marriage with Brother Qi?” Shen Cui stopped crying, her eyes brightening. She had been too panicked to think clearly, but now, hearing Ji Cheng’s analysis, she understood.
Ji Cheng looked into Shen Cui’s eyes, unsure whether to worry for her. Perhaps Shen Cui’s pregnancy was part of Qi Zheng’s plan. Without this, he knew he couldn’t marry Shen Cui.
“Sister Cheng, how should I tell my mother?” Shen Cui pleaded, clearly hoping Ji Cheng would accompany her.
But Ji Cheng dared not agree. Ji Lan might not blame her daughter for being indiscreet; she might even suspect Ji Cheng of instigating it.
“This matter should be addressed sooner rather than later. I don’t know, but as Aunt’s daughter, she won’t harm you. Only she can protect you now,” Ji Cheng said.
Shen Cui nodded but still lacked the courage to speak to Ji Lan. “Sister Cheng, I’ll wait until tomorrow after the pulse check to tell my mother.”
Ji Cheng nodded.
Shen Cui pleaded again, “Sister Cheng, Brother Qi doesn’t know about this yet. I haven’t seen him for days because my mother is strict. Could you have a maid send a message to Brother Qi to meet me at Changchun Hall tomorrow?”
Ji Cheng didn’t respond.
In Ji Cheng’s view, meeting Qi Zheng now had no benefits. She didn’t believe Qi Zheng truly loved Shen Cui. If he did, how could he have led a young girl to such indiscretion before marriage? If the matter became public, it would be Shen Cui who would be condemned.
If Ji Cheng were Qi Zheng, knowing Shen Cui was pregnant, she would use it to manipulate the Shen family. The benefits would be numerous. Only Shen Cui, foolish as she was, thought Qi Zheng would be her savior.
“Sister Cheng!” Shen Cui shook Ji Cheng’s arm.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to see him now. If someone sees you, it will be hard to explain. Besides, if you don’t tell him you’re pregnant, will he not marry you? Now is the time to show him your stance. If he doesn’t intend to marry you, he shouldn’t keep entangling you,” Ji Cheng said.
“Of course, he wants to marry me,” Shen Cui raised her voice. “He’s just afraid my mother won’t agree.”
Ji Cheng replied, “If he can’t overcome this small obstacle, can you trust his sincerity?”
Shen Cui released Ji Cheng’s arm. “Sister Cheng, you don’t need to sow discord. I know whether Brother Qi is sincere. You won’t help me because you think I’m frivolous and fear I’ll tarnish your reputation, right?”
Shen Cui always acted this way when asking for help, as if others were obligated to assist her.
Ji Cheng remained silent.
Shen Cui continued, “What’s the big deal? Every Lantern Festival, if you look behind the trees or under the bridges, you’ll see plenty of such things. It’s an ancient custom.”
Indeed, the custom of couples sneaking under bridges during the Lantern Festival persisted, but it was rare for noble ladies to engage in such acts, and no one had ever heard of a pregnancy scandal.
“I don’t look down on you,” Ji Cheng said.
Ji Cheng’s thoughts were peculiar. In Jin, she had seen the nomads living freely, and history was full of chaos. She didn’t find such matters strange. It was an instinct to continue the family line, but societal norms dictated that it was only acceptable after marriage. Why did a simple ceremony change everything? Ji Cheng couldn’t understand, so she didn’t judge.
She didn’t look down on Shen Cui, but she thought Shen Cui was foolish for not knowing the consequences. Had she never heard of contraceptive medicine?
Shen Cui might have heard of it in passing, but she likely didn’t know much. Such matters were not discussed with young girls, who were well-protected from anything unsavory.
As for Ji Cheng, she was burdened with responsibilities. Her mother, Yun Niang, was weak, and she often confided in Ji Cheng about her father’s affairs, seeking her advice. So Ji Cheng knew a lot about these matters.
“I still think it’s not the right time to see Qi Zheng. If he knows and wants you to have the child, will you give birth? What if someone sees your belly? If you don’t have the child, knowing about it might cause him to resent you,” Ji Cheng said.
Ji Cheng’s analysis was reasonable. Shen Cui thought for a moment and understood her good intentions. “Sister Cheng, I misspoke earlier. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Ji Cheng nodded. “You should go back and rest. You look exhausted. Tomorrow we’ll go out together and say we’re going to the bookstore.”
Shen Cui said, “Sister Cheng, I’m scared. Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Ji Cheng raised her eyebrows. Shen Cui, feeling guilty, avoided her gaze. Ji Cheng smirked inwardly, thinking Shen Cui feared she might leak the secret.
Ji Cheng didn’t expose her. She had Shen Cui’s maid bring her pillow and bedding to the small courtyard, and they slept together.
The next day, Ji Cheng and Shen Cui went out together, first to the bookstore and then to Changchun Hall. Ji Cheng didn’t let Shen Cui get off the carriage. Instead, she had Liu Ye’er invite Doctor Deng to check Shen Cui’s pulse.
Shen Cui extended her wrist outside the carriage curtain. Doctor Deng couldn’t see her, only focusing on the pulse. Afterward, he quietly said, “It seems to be a pregnancy pulse.”
Sitting in the carriage, Shen Cui’s tears flowed uncontrollably, and she collapsed into Ji Cheng’s arms. “Sister Cheng, what should I do?”
What should she do? In Ji Cheng’s opinion, she should take medicine to terminate the pregnancy and act as if nothing happened, eventually marrying as planned.
But Shen Cui was unlikely to accept such a straightforward solution. Ji Cheng thought that today, she must inform Ji Lan, though she feared Ji Lan would blame her.
In truth, Ji Cheng should have told Ji Lan about Shen Cui’s situation yesterday instead of taking her to Changchun Hall for a diagnosis. But Shen Cui had kept her too close.
“Now you must tell Aunt. She will find a way to help you. Don’t be afraid; Aunt loves you dearly. Even if she’s angry, it will pass,” Ji Cheng said.
Ji Cheng could say this easily, but Shen Cui knew her mother would be so disappointed she’d want to kill her. Yet Shen Cui also knew she couldn’t hide this from her mother.
“Sister Cheng, will you come with me to tell my mother?” Shen Cui asked.
Could Ji Cheng refuse? If she didn’t go, wouldn’t Shen Cui implicate her? To avoid blame, Shen Cui might shift all responsibility onto her.
“I’ll be with you,” Ji Cheng said.
Ji Cheng was about to instruct the driver to return when Liu Ye’er signaled her and said, “Miss, Manager Li mentioned some issues with the accounts this year and wants to discuss them with you.”
Changchun Hall’s accounts had already been checked, so what issues could there be? There was something else. Ji Cheng hadn’t turned to see Shen Cui’s reaction when Shen Cui said, “Sister Cheng since you have matters to attend to, I’ll head back. The smell of medicine here makes me uncomfortable.”
Ji Cheng was uneasy about Shen Cui, suspecting she had other plans.
But Liu Ye’er kept signaling Ji Cheng, so she weighed her options and said to Shen Cui, “Alright, go back and rest.”
After Shen Cui left, Ji Cheng followed Liu Ye’er to the inner room of Changchun Hall. When she saw the man in the dark fur robe, she was shocked beyond words.
Liu Ye’er had been signaling her urgently, indicating something important or troublesome, but she hadn’t expected it to be Ling Ziyun.
“Brother Ziyun.” For some reason, seeing Ling Ziyun made Ji Cheng’s eyes well up, and her eyes turned red.
Ji Cheng never liked calling people “brother,” just as she found Shen Qian calling Chu Zhen “Brother Zhen” too intimate and weak. Even with her brothers, she only used “brother.” But with Ling Ziyun, she felt like a little girl again, innocent and naturally calling him “brother.”