“I…” Shen Qian anxiously tried to speak but couldn’t express herself.
Ji Cheng looked into Shen Qian’s clear, bright eyes. “Qian, do you think you’re not only helping Young Master Chu but also helping me?”
Shen Qian was surprised that Ji Cheng had seen through even this.
Ji Cheng thought about how different the siblings Shen Qian and Shen Che were – one terrifyingly naive, the other detestably scheming. “Qian, let’s not even discuss how heartbroken you are over this. As for me, you’re harming rather than helping me. I know you feel guilty towards me, thinking you ruined my engagement with the He family. I’ve told you before, that marriage is about fate. The He family and I weren’t meant to be, and I’ve never blamed you.”
Tears began to fall from Shen Qian’s eyes as she choked out, “Sister Cheng, I…” Indeed, this was what Shen Qian had thought. Since Young Master Chu didn’t like her, she might as well help him and Ji Cheng get together, considering it a good deed.
“Did you guess what Young Master Chu wanted to tell me?” Ji Cheng handed her handkerchief to Shen Qian. “Then you should have realized that the Princess Consort of Chu would certainly not approve of this match. That’s why Young Master Chu wanted to speak to me privately. But Qian, did you want me to become Young Master Chu’s concubine?”
Shen Qian was shocked; she had never thought of it that way. “That’s not possible.”
“If Young Master Chu were truly sincere, he should know that marriage is a matter of parental consent and proper matchmaking. How could it be a private arrangement? People are already speculating about me since my engagement with the He family fell through. If they saw me entangled with Young Master Chu today, I fear I’d never shake off the reputation of trying to climb the social ladder.”
Shen Qian shook her head repeatedly, “Sister Cheng, I didn’t mean…”
“Qian, I know you had good intentions to help, but even if I marry a common merchant in the future, I want to be the principal wife. I will never be someone’s concubine,” Ji Cheng said. “So, I can’t go with you to see Young Master Chu. I have no romantic feelings for him either.”
Ji Cheng turned to walk back, not forgetting to instruct Nan Gui, “Take good care of Miss Qian. I’ll return to Sister Yuan and the others by myself.”
Shen Qian stood there for a long time, neither speaking nor moving. Finally, she knocked her head with both hands, realizing she had been confused by heartbreak and had done something she shouldn’t have. However, Shen Qian also admired Ji Cheng for being so clever and guessing everything.
When Ji Cheng and Shen Qian returned to Shen Yuan one after another, Shen Yuan noticed that both seemed out of sorts and weren’t speaking or even looking at each other. Curious, Shen Yuan found an opportunity to pull Shen Qian aside. “How did you upset your Sister Cheng? She has such a good temperament; she doesn’t get angry easily.”
Shen Qian was extremely regretful. She trusted Shen Yuan the most and was just thinking of asking her to find a way to make amends with Ji Cheng. So, she haltingly told Shen Yuan everything that had just happened.
Shen Yuan sighed deeply and tapped Shen Qian’s forehead, saying, “You’re confused. No wonder Cheng is angry with you. If she had even the slightest interest in Young Master Chu, would she need you to act as a go-between? She’s been avoiding any hint of impropriety for your sake. Can’t you see that?”
This was also why Shen Yuan viewed Ji Cheng differently. Everyone understood why Ji Cheng had come to the capital – to seek a marriage. Young Master Chu’s feelings for Ji Cheng were obvious to anyone with eyes, let alone someone as clever as Ji Cheng. But from Shen Yuan’s observation, Ji Cheng had never said or done anything inappropriate. Instead, she constantly avoided any hint of impropriety, clearly for Shen Qian’s sake. Otherwise, Ji Cheng could have taken a gamble. Even if she couldn’t become the Princess Consort, she could at least secure a position as a royal concubine.
“You’ve probably hurt her feelings,” Shen Yuan sighed again.
Tears welled up in Shen Qian’s eyes again, “Third Sister, I originally… I originally thought I was doing what was best for everyone.”
Shen Yuan stroked Shen Qian’s head, “Silly girl, Young Master Chu must be blind not to see the pearl of our family. He’ll regret it later.” At this point, Shen Yuan’s resentment towards Chu Zhen deepened. How heartless he was, knowing Shen Qian’s feelings yet asking her to find Ji Cheng. Even if he didn’t care for Shen Qian’s feelings, didn’t he consider Ji Cheng’s? Wasn’t he afraid this would cause a rift between Shen Qian and Ji Cheng?
Little did Shen Yuan know that Chu Zhen was used to such situations. Many of his cousins had stopped associating with each other because of him, so to Chu Zhen, it was inevitable that Shen Qian and Ji Cheng would fall out in the future. He didn’t need to consider it at all.
As they were talking, they heard the sound of festive gongs and drums. Ji Cheng looked up to see a procession of drummers with red flowers approaching. She asked, “What’s this about?”
“It’s the congratulatory team for the ‘Top Scholar Sachet,'” Shen Yuan explained.
Ji Cheng asked in surprise, “They’ve chosen so quickly? It’s quite a grand affair.”
“The Fragrance Association is just looking for publicity, isn’t it?” Shen Yuan laughed.
Although the Top Scholar Sachet wasn’t a big deal, everyone loved a spectacle. Ji Cheng saw people at the front turning and pointing towards them.
The red flower team started beating their gongs and drums again, making their way to Ji Cheng and the others.
Amidst the congratulatory announcements, Ji Cheng finally understood that she had won first place this year, earning the honor of the “Top Scholar Sachet.”
Surrounded by a chorus of congratulations, Ji Cheng found it amusing. The scene almost felt as if she had become the top scholar in the imperial examinations.
After returning to Ruiying Hall and sitting for a short while, Ji Cheng saw Hong’er running excitedly into her room, calling, “Sister Cheng, Sister Cheng!”
Ji Cheng quickly hugged Hong’er, afraid he might run too fast and bump into the furniture. “What is it?”
“I heard your sachet won the ‘Top Scholar Sachet’ this year. Is it true?” Hong’er asked excitedly.
Ji Cheng thought the news had spread quite quickly. “Yes, it is.”
“Sister Cheng, I want one, I want one!” Hong’er said urgently.
Ji Cheng had prepared sachets in advance. She had plenty of herbs ready, and since she had won today, she had asked Liu Ye’er to have the young maids fill the pre-bought sachets with herbs and send them to the female heads of each household as soon as she returned.
“Children shouldn’t wear sachets. The fragrance that refreshes the mind and beautifies the appearance might affect your sleep,” Ji Cheng said.
“I won’t wear it all the time. I’ll only wear it when I’m practicing writing,” Hong’er tugged at Ji Cheng’s sleeve. “Sister Cheng, does your sachet smell like peaches?”
“No, I just added some mint, perilla, lemon balm, and dried orange peel,” Ji Cheng took a sachet from Liu Ye’er and handed it to Hong’er.
Hong’er sniffed it at the tip of his nose, “Wow, it’s so refreshing and invigorating!”
Ji Cheng guessed that the judges must have been tired of the floral scents and that’s why they chose her sachet as the Top Scholar Sachet.
“Mm, it can also help with headaches after drinking,” Ji Cheng smiled.
Upon hearing this, Hong’er immediately said, “Sister Cheng, can I have another one? I want to give one to Father. He always gets headaches after drinking.”
Ji Cheng felt a bit conflicted. Hong’er was too young, and she couldn’t explain to him that if she gave Shen Yu a sachet, people might misunderstand her intentions towards him.
“Sister Cheng, please?” Hong’er continued tugging at Ji Cheng’s sleeve.
“Of course, it’s not anything precious,” Ji Cheng gave Hong’er another sachet.
When Hong’er returned to the Old Madam’s room, Madam Huang was sitting there chatting with the Old Madam.
“Did your Sister Cheng give you something nice again?” Madam Huang pulled Hong’er onto her lap and asked.
Hong’er held up the sachet, “This, the Top Scholar Sachet.”
Madam Huang took it from Hong’er’s hand and sniffed it. The fragrance was very clear and refreshing, pleasing to the mind and body, but without an overpowering floral scent. At first, it didn’t seem particularly special, but after smelling it a few times, one couldn’t help but like it very much.
“Cheng girl has done well with this herb mix,” Madam Huang, who rarely praised others, couldn’t help but comment.
“Yes, she just sent some over to my side as well. I’m sure someone has already delivered some to your quarters too,” the Old Madam smiled, then sighed.
Having been the Old Madam’s daughter-in-law for so many years, how could Madam Huang not understand the Old Madam’s concerns? She asked a maid to take Hong’er out to play, then spoke, “Cheng girl’s talents, looks, and character are all excellent, but her marital prospects have indeed been a bit rocky. Old Ancestor, I have an idea. Although Dr. Liu said Cheng girl’s body can recover, no one can guarantee it.
If we rashly arrange a marriage for her and it harms both parties in the future, that wouldn’t be good. I have a nephew whose father is the Magistrate of Langya. He’s twenty-six this year. His first wife passed away two years ago, leaving behind two sons and a daughter. It’s quite pitiful, and he has no one by his side. Old Ancestor, you’ve met my nephew before, it’s Ye Lang. What do you think about arranging a match between him and Cheng girl?”
“Ah? Is it him? He’s indeed not bad. But we should still ask Cheng girl’s family about this matter,” the Old Madam said.
“When Yuan gets married this time, the Ji family will surely send someone. Ye Lang’s father can’t leave his post casually, so he’ll come from Langya for Yuan’s wedding. The two families can take a look at each other then,” Madam Huang said.
The Old Madam nodded, “That would be most appropriate.”
While the Old Madam and Madam Huang were concerned about Ji Cheng’s marriage prospects, Shen Qian was crying her heart out elsewhere. The maids below couldn’t console her, and Princess Anhe had gone to stay in a separate courtyard, so they had to seek help from the Nine Li Courtyard.
Shen Che didn’t even change his clothes before going directly to Shen Qian’s room. Shen Qian was lying on her bed, crying inconsolably. Shen Che sat quietly in the adjacent room, drinking plain water. Except for his tea, he rarely drank tea outside.
Shen Qian’s crying continued in the inner room. Although comforting women was one of Shen Che’s strengths, this didn’t include his sisters.
Shen Che sat for a moment, seeing that Shen Qian had no intention of stopping, and stood up to leave.
Rustling sounds began in the inner room, followed by hurried footsteps. “Second Brother!”
Shen Che hadn’t left; he had just looked around. He still had ways to deal with Shen Qian.
Shen Che looked at the disheveled Shen Qian and said, “What’s wrong? Who was so inconsiderate as to upset our Qian?”