“The snow has just melted, and the mountains are turning green again. The scenery in the hills is quite nice,” Shen Che said. “Now is the perfect time to take you to drink tea in the mountains, as I mentioned before.” Shen Che furrowed his brow slightly, probably realizing the difficulty.
Ji Cheng hadn’t taken Shen Che’s words seriously at the time, but she didn’t expect him to still remember. However, Ji Cheng didn’t show much reaction, just smiled and put it out of her mind.
“Cousin Che, can you tell me about the situation in Yanxia Valley?” Ji Cheng couldn’t stop talking about Yanxia Valley.
No one knew the events in Yanxia Valley better than Shen Che, as he had personally arranged everything. “The three major bandit leaders have been executed. The remaining followers are just a disorganized rabble. I’ve already sent Pang Junxiong to recruit them as your first caravan, temporarily named Caravan A. You can rename them if you wish.”
“Using bandits as transporters?” Ji Cheng’s eyes lit up. “There couldn’t be a better arrangement.”
As for the name “Caravan A,” Ji Cheng had no intention of changing it. It was fine as it was. They could continue with B, C, D, and so on. She wouldn’t have to think of names, and those rough men would understand easily.
“I’ll need to revise my previously drafted regulations,” Ji Cheng’s mind raced. She sighed, “If only we had a few more groups of bandits like this.”
These bandits were tough enough to forcefully carve out a business in transportation initially. The merchants were already afraid of them, and now that they weren’t robbing but helping transport goods, the merchants would only be grateful and wouldn’t have other thoughts. But if others were to engage in transportation, those merchants, especially the caravans of wealthy merchants, might not give face to their “Great Passage Caravan.”
The more Ji Cheng thought about it, the more brilliant it seemed. She was so excited that she wanted to immediately bury herself in redrafting plans. Many details need to be worked out. It wasn’t that Ji Cheng was moving too slowly, but rather that she hadn’t expected Shen Che to resolve the Yanxia Valley issue so quickly and bring back such great news.
Given Ji Cheng’s current mood, she wanted Shen Che to leave quickly so he wouldn’t interfere with her work. However, Shen Che remained still, as if his bottom was glued to the cushion. Ji Cheng even heard him say, “Give me your hand, let me check your pulse.”
Ji Cheng extended her wrist onto the table and said with a cold smile, “What’s wrong, Cousin Che? Are you afraid Imperial Physician Liu misdiagnosed me? Do I have a chance to bear children in the future?”
Thinking of this, Ji Cheng found Shen Che too detestable. Because of Imperial Physician Liu’s words, Ji Cheng had already planned to suppress her dissatisfaction with Shen Che, but how could she endure such provocation?
Shen Che glanced at Ji Cheng in slight surprise, placed his fingers on her pulse, and frowned, “Why have you consumed such a large amount of cold-natured substances?”
Ji Cheng suddenly remembered something, quickly withdrew her hand, covered her sleeve, and lowered her eyes without speaking.
Shen Che said with mild sarcasm, “Little Sister Cheng seems quite experienced.”
On the night of the Lantern Festival, although the bedding was in disarray, there was no blood stain. Ji Cheng had practiced horseback riding since childhood, so the absence of blood wasn’t strange, but people often misunderstood. Although the wedding night didn’t require checking the wedding sheet, mothers would privately instruct their sons to pay attention to the bloodstain to determine the bride’s chastity.
Ji Cheng had neither virginal blood nor did she seem affected by the experience, as if intimate relations weren’t a big deal. She even knew to drink contraceptive tea afterward. It would be hard for anyone to believe she lacked experience.
Ji Cheng knew that arguing with Shen Che about whether she was a virgin or not was pointless. Even if she were, would he marry her? At most, it would only satisfy a bit of his despicable and disgusting male possessiveness.
“So, Cousin Che needn’t worry about that matter. I’ve always been grateful that you saved me,” Ji Cheng said, mimicking Shen Che’s faint smile.
Shen Che’s face showed no expression of relief. Ji Cheng knew he was cold-hearted and didn’t expect him to show any pity.
Speaking of pity, Ji Cheng couldn’t help but think of her experience that night. She couldn’t appreciate the beauty of such things. Ji Cheng firmly believed that women were born to suffer, which was why their status was so low. Men enjoyed toying with women’s bodies, but for women, it was an extremely unpleasant experience.
The first time, Ji Cheng didn’t feel much pain, thanks to the effect of the drug. But the second time was truly miserable. The layers of pleasure for Shen Che were indescribable ecstasy, but for Ji Cheng, it was pain like being cut by a knife or hacked by an axe. That pain was much worse than when she fell from her horse.
Ji Cheng felt the pain was endless until she fainted.
Shen Che poured the last cup of tea into the tea wash. “Rest early. There’s no rush in doing anything.”
For several days after that, Ji Cheng didn’t go to Lanyue Study again, probably afraid of encountering Shen Che brewing tea for her. Now when they met, she only felt awkward and irritated.
On this day, Ji Cheng was copying Buddhist scriptures for the Old Madam, who wanted to copy eighty-one volumes to donate to Daci Temple. Ji Cheng had volunteered, firstly to please the Old Madam, and secondly to seek the peace of mind. Unexpectedly, Huang Yuanniang came looking for her.
When Yunjin saw Huang Yuanniang approach, she said in surprise, “My, you’re a rare guest. What wind blew you here?”
Huang Yuanniang smiled, “I’m here to see Miss Ji, to ask for her help.”
Yunjin asked curiously, “Are you quite familiar with Miss Ji?”
Huang Yuanniang shook her head, “We’ve only met once. But that time, Miss Ji helped me greatly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to handle the situation in front of the Princess during the first month. Now, the third day of the third month is Princess Zhenping’s birthday, and she specifically asked me to help. You know, my little bit of skill was exhausted over a decade ago, so I have no choice but to shamelessly come and ask Miss Ji for help.”
Yunjin smiled, “Miss Ji is probably copying Buddhist scriptures now, and she hates being disturbed. Why don’t you sit in my room for a while? We haven’t chatted in a long time.”
Huang Yuanniang agreed and explained in detail the ideas Ji Cheng had given her.
When Huang Yuanniang finally pleaded her case to the Old Madam, the Old Madam smiled at Ji Cheng and said, “Why don’t you go stay at Nanxun Garden for a few days? Look how worried Yuanniang is, she has more white hair than this old woman.”
Ji Cheng agreed, only asking Liuye’er to pack some clothes, and taking Nangui and Yuqian’er with her to Nanxun Garden.
Ji Cheng asked curiously, “Aunt Huang, what difficult task has Princess Zhenping given you?”
Huang Yuanniang smiled helplessly, “It’s not Princess Zhenping who’s given me a difficult task, it’s someone else.”
Ji Cheng soon found out who this “someone else” was.
The carriage jolted heavily as it traveled up the mountain road. Ji Cheng had to brace herself with her hands on both sides to maintain balance and avoid falling into Shen Che’s arms with each bump. She didn’t want to experience another encounter like the one on the iron-plated carriage.
Ji Cheng felt so nauseated from the jolting that she thought she might throw up. In contrast, Shen Che sat steadily against the carriage wall, showing no discomfort.
Comparing oneself to others can be infuriating. Although Ji Cheng always told herself to remain calm, she couldn’t help but feel malicious towards Shen Che. “Shen Che, what exactly are you trying to do? What if someone finds out?”
The full sentence Ji Cheng meant was, “What if someone finds out I’m not in the Shen residence?” She couldn’t believe Shen Che was so bold as to openly “abduct” her from Nanxun Garden. At least, that’s how Ji Cheng saw it, because she hadn’t agreed to come.
“It won’t be difficult to handle if someone finds out,” Shen Che said, looking at Ji Cheng.
Of course, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to handle. He could just have her carried into his house in a small sedan chair, and that would be that. But for Ji Cheng, that was the outcome she least wanted. “I’d rather die than be your concubine.”
Shen Che raised an eyebrow.
Ji Cheng knew her words sounded a bit affected. If she truly preferred death, she would have let the aphrodisiac take its course when she was poisoned, either going blind or dying, rather than submitting herself to Shen Che.
Ji Cheng blushed slightly and turned her head away.
“Does Ah Cheng think so little of herself?” Shen Che asked in a teasing tone.
Of course, Ji Cheng didn’t think little of herself. But she was an outsider, unaware of the Old Madam’s intentions or Princess An’he’s thoughts. She could only deduce from common sense that the future Second Young Madam of the Shen family certainly couldn’t come from a merchant family.
“The Old Ancestor only asks that I marry a wife. As long as she’s a complete woman and not from those brothels, it’s fine,” Shen Che said.
Ji Cheng couldn’t deny that her heart skipped a beat. Marrying Shen Che, aside from the man himself, was the best choice in all other aspects. Ji Cheng could see that Princess An’he didn’t involve herself much in affairs and wouldn’t be a strict mother-in-law setting rules for her daughter-in-law. The Old Madam was also very reasonable.
But Ji Cheng didn’t believe she could get any good results from Shen Che. His words were just meant to deceive young girls. If Shen Che had even half a sincere intention, he wouldn’t have used the “unsuitable for childbearing” excuse when ruining Ji Cheng’s engagement with He Cheng.
Shen Che was, after all, Princess An’he’s only son.
Ji Cheng didn’t want to continue this conversation with Shen Che. She lifted the side curtain to look at the mountain scenery outside. Although there were signs of green returning, most of it still looked desolate and lonely, nothing special. “Just for a cup of tea, my stomach is about to turn inside out.”
Hearing this, Shen Che called for the carriage to stop. He got out and extended his hand to Ji Cheng, “Come down, we’ll walk up.”
This time, Ji Cheng didn’t hesitate. She lifted her skirt, took Shen Che’s hand, and jumped down. Then she leaned against a tree trunk, clutching her chest for a good while before suppressing the churning in her stomach.
A hand appeared before her eyes, with long, slender fingers and clean nails. Shen Che was holding a water pouch. Ji Cheng took it and drank a mouthful, expecting it to be ice-cold. The mountain stream water was from newly melted snow, with icicles-like combs still hanging above the stream. To her surprise, the water temperature was just right, not cold enough to upset her stomach, but refreshing enough to invigorate her spirit.
“Thank you,” Ji Cheng said. She poured some water to rinse the mouth of the pouch, wiped it with her handkerchief, and returned it to Shen Che.
Shen Che casually hung the water pouch on his waist. “Let’s go. At your pace, it should take about two hours to reach.”
Two hours? Ji Cheng almost couldn’t catch her breath. She couldn’t understand Shen Che’s self-inflicted torment. If he had nothing better to do all day, wouldn’t it be better to help people farm in the fields?
Ji Cheng exhaled a white breath and rubbed her hands. The mountains in late February were still cold enough to numb one’s toes. “When April ends in the mundane world, peach blossoms begin to bloom in mountain temples.” At this time, forget about flowers, there wasn’t even a single bud in the mountains. “Can I not go to your mountain residence for tea?”
Shen Che slung Ji Cheng’s bundle onto his back from the carriage. “Sure, you can walk back by yourself.”
Ji Cheng stamped her feet and followed Shen Che, her eyes fixed on his back. She had to admit, the sight of Young Master Shen carrying her bundle was somewhat amusing. Ji Cheng’s bundle was wrapped in pink floral cloth.
With her mouth curled in a smile, she didn’t watch her step. The mountain mist dispersed slowly, and even though it was almost noon, the dew on the grass hadn’t dried. The small path between the grass and trees was naturally slippery. In her carelessness, Ji Cheng stumbled forward.
If Shen Che didn’t have eyes on the back of his head, Ji Cheng would have fallen face-first into the mud.
Ji Cheng no longer felt inclined to express gratitude, as the person before her was the root cause of her predicament. She raised her hand to unfasten her cloak, which had become burdensome while climbing the mountain. Ji Cheng was tempted to discard it entirely.
Unexpectedly, Shen Che extended his hand and said, “Let me carry it for you.”
Ji Cheng didn’t bother with politeness towards Shen Che. After half a shichen of walking, her appearance had transformed into that of a rustic village woman. She had hitched up the hem of her skirt and tucked it into her waistband, revealing the white silk ankle-binding trousers underneath. Fortunately, she was wearing ankle boots instead of embroidered shoes, or she would have looked even more disheveled.
Shen Che offered the water pouch to Ji Cheng once again. She took a sip and surveyed the path ahead. They had just climbed to the top of a mountain pass, and looking down, she could see a cluster of village houses in the valley below. Regrettably, it wasn’t Shen Che’s mountain dwelling.
“Shall we impose on them for a meal?” Shen Che suggested.
Ji Cheng was already famished. She had eaten little for breakfast before being hurried onto Shen Che’s carriage by Nan Gui. The descent was much more challenging than the ascent. While climbing up, Ji Cheng had managed to avoid relying on Shen Che, but going down, one misstep could lead to a fall.
Given that they had already shared the most intimate experiences, maintaining strict propriety between men and women now seemed pointless. Ji Cheng allowed Shen Che to guide her carefully down the mountain, her eyes fixed on her feet, not daring to look elsewhere. She had already fallen three times, soiling the seat of her trousers and providing Shen Che with ample amusement.
By the time they reached the village houses, Ji Cheng’s vision was blurry. Shen Che draped the cloak back over her shoulders, helping to conceal the mud stains on her clothes, making her somewhat presentable.
The village house belonged to a widowed old woman who lived with her son and daughter-in-law. Upon seeing Ji Cheng and Shen Che, who appeared as celestial beings descend to earth, they were stunned for a moment before hastily inviting them inside.
Being simple farmers, they didn’t mention payment, treating Ji Cheng and Shen Che as honored guests and bringing out their best provisions to entertain them.
“Might you two be a golden boy and jade girl descended from heaven?” the old woman asked Ji Cheng with a smile. “How else could you be so breathtakingly beautiful?”
Ji Cheng was at a loss for how to respond to such simple praise.
“Eat up, have some more. Look how thin you are, a gust of wind could blow you away,” the old woman chatted amiably, unlike a native of the mountains.
As the conversation continued, Ji Cheng learned that the old woman had spent several years working outside the mountains with her late husband before returning.
While Ji Cheng and Shen Che ate, the old woman’s son and daughter-in-law remained in the kitchen, unable to contain their curiosity, constantly stealing glances at the guests.
The sturdy daughter-in-law was quite practical. Although initially shocked by Shen Che’s appearance, realizing such an exquisite man existed in the world, she quickly understood he must be a high official, inspiring deference in those who beheld him. Deeming him beyond her reach, she focused her attention on Ji Cheng instead.
She scrutinized every detail of Ji Cheng’s appearance, from her hairstyle and pearl hairpin to the patterns on her clothes. The desire for beauty is universal, even among village women and mountain dwellers.
Ji Cheng’s entire ensemble would provide Li Cuihua and her neighbors with gossip material for half a month.
The old woman’s son, with his dark, honest face, also kept stealing glances at Ji Cheng, embarrassed yet unable to look away. He envied Shen Che, wondering what it would be like to have such a beautiful wife. Wang Dahou felt he probably wouldn’t want to leave the bed if he were in Shen Che’s place.
Mountain folk often have such simple thoughts.
After lunch, Shen Che left the old woman’s family with several pieces of silver, totaling about one tael. The old woman was overjoyed, her mouth unable to close from smiling. Being older, she wasn’t as preoccupied with the guests’ appearances as her son and daughter-in-law.
The old woman accompanied Ji Cheng and Shen Che to the village entrance, showering them with auspicious words, even wishing them an early birth of noble children.
Ji Cheng hurriedly shook her head, “We’re siblings.”
The old woman smiled knowingly, “Of course, siblings, siblings.” Though her words agreed, her smile conveyed a different meaning.
After walking a few steps, Shen Che said to Ji Cheng, “Your denial will only make her think we’ve eloped.”
Carrying their belongings, dressed finely but somewhat disheveled, they did indeed resemble an eloping couple.
Ji Cheng glared at Shen Che, blaming him entirely for their situation.
Shen Che’s prediction wasn’t far off. As soon as the old woman returned home, she called her son and daughter-in-law, instructing them to pretend they had never seen the couple, even if someone came asking.
“Why, Mother?” Wang Dahou asked, puzzled.
“Ah, an eloping couple, so well-matched. I wonder what their parents are thinking,” the old woman sighed.
She didn’t believe Ji Cheng’s claim about being siblings. Siblings aren’t usually so close that a brother would eat his sister’s leftover steamed bun without hesitation.
Ji Cheng suddenly remembered this detail, “Were you that hungry earlier?” Two steamed buns weren’t enough, and he still ate her leftovers?
Shen Che explained, “Rural people are very frugal with food. Making those few white flour buns probably used up all their white flour. If you couldn’t finish it, it would be a waste. No matter how much silver we gave them, they’d still feel bad about wasting the bun. We couldn’t let them eat your leftovers, could we?”
His reasoning seemed sound. But what about wiping her bench and chopsticks earlier? Ji Cheng felt uneasy, unable to sit still. She understood Shen Che’s intentions, recalling how he must have acted similarly attentively towards Wang Liniang and Rui Yu, explaining their unwavering devotion even after being abandoned, never seeking justice.
Ji Cheng didn’t want to end up like Wang Liniang and the others, as she had never fantasized about being the one to capture Shen Che’s heart. Most women Shen Che had been involved with probably believed they would be the unique ones.
The mountain was steep, and having just eaten lunch, Ji Cheng felt drowsy, making the climb even more challenging. Finally reaching another mountain pass, the opposite mountain seemed within reach, yet they still had to descend and climb again.
Ji Cheng asked through gritted teeth, “How many more mountains do we have to cross?”
“Three,” Shen Che replied.
Ji Cheng plopped down on a nearby rock, disregarding its cleanliness. “I can’t walk anymore.” Her feet ached, and her boots were chafing.
“Are your feet sore?” Shen Che approached and crouched by Ji Cheng’s feet.
Ji Cheng looked at Shen Che in surprise, wondering if he had X-ray vision or could read minds.
Shen Che smirked, “It’s not hard to guess. When have you ever admitted defeat in front of me unless you were at your limit?” He held up Ji Cheng’s small begonia mirror, which was tied to her skirt, “Your brows are furrowed into a knot.”
Ji Cheng glanced dejectedly at her reflection in the mirror, realizing she had failed to maintain a composed expression.
Shen Che reached out to grasp Ji Cheng’s foot. She instinctively tried to pull back, but Shen Che’s grip was like an iron vise, and she was no match for him.
“Let me take a look,” Shen Che said, lowering his head and pulling off Ji Cheng’s boot, then peeling off her sock.
Ji Cheng’s foot involuntarily curled, her toes clenching.
Shen Che said, “Don’t move. What are you hiding?”
Ji Cheng understood Shen Che’s meaning. After intimacy between a man and a woman, many barriers naturally fall away, especially for the man. However, Ji Cheng’s sense of embarrassment hadn’t diminished at all. Moreover, after walking such a long distance, although her feet weren’t particularly sweaty, they were inevitably slightly damp. Having Shen Che holds her foot now filled her with an immense sense of shame, vaguely tinged with fear of his disgust.
Shen Che examined Ji Cheng’s ankle, “You’ve got blisters. You’re quite resilient.” As he said this, Shen Che couldn’t help but recall that night, realizing that Ji Cheng’s endurance had indeed exceeded his expectations.
Women can often sense when men are thinking inappropriate thoughts. For instance, Shen Che was now unconsciously caressing Ji Cheng’s foot with his thumb. Ji Cheng kicked out forcefully, nearly knocking the unsuspecting Shen Che to the ground.