Ji Cheng felt utterly disgusted by Shen Che’s shameless behavior in broad daylight. She hurriedly clutched her blanket and retreated.
Shen Che’s gaze followed Ji Cheng’s tensed toes up to her long, fair calves. Her evasive movement made him feel like a wolf cornering a lamb.
Shen Che leaned in, trapping Ji Cheng within his limbs. He nibbled her earlobe and whispered, “Last night, I was thinking how beautiful you’d look lying under the peach blossoms. Especially on a soft cushion of petals, with the wind blowing them onto your eyes, lips… and toes.”
Ji Cheng’s ear tingled from Shen Che’s warm breath. Her body softened, and her eyes melted into pools of tenderness.
The wind picked up, growing stronger. Ji Cheng was forced to look up at the sky, her eyes met with a flurry of pale pink petals dancing in the air, falling softly onto Shen Che’s back and her body.
It tickled.
Though the wind left no trace, Ji Cheng’s body was marked with the juice of crushed pale pink peach blossoms.
Alluring and sensual.
Her slightly parted lips breathed softly. Her throat was parched and her voice hoarse. Ji Cheng didn’t want to move a finger.
Shen Che, however, remained relatively refreshed. He casually donned a robe, his chest still exposed. He brewed tea on a small stove, quietly pouring hot water into the cup. His eyes, though, barely noticed his hands’ movements, fixed instead on Ji Cheng lying on the thick carpet of peach blossoms.
She was as white as a freshly boiled Tang Yuan, sticky and glutinous. Those with weak teeth might find themselves caught by her.
After the tea cooled to a suitable temperature, Shen Che brought the cup to Ji Cheng’s lips. She was too lazy even to open her eyes. Ji Cheng moved her mouth slightly, and a drop of tea trickled down her lip onto a petal.
Shen Che decided to take a sip of tea and feed it to Ji Cheng mouth-to-mouth. Startled, she choked a few times and pleaded in an extremely coquettish voice, “No more.”
For lunch, Shen Che again cooked noodles. This time, there was no competition. Shen Che wrapped the noodles around his chopsticks and fed them to Ji Cheng, asking, “Shall we stay another night and head down the mountain early tomorrow?”
Another night?! Ji Cheng felt she might not survive it, so she firmly shook her head.
Shen Che expressed regret as he put the newly wrapped noodles into his mouth.
Ji Cheng glared at Shen Che; she wasn’t full yet.
Shen Che fed Ji Cheng another mouthful. “Fair enough. You’ve nearly ruined all the peach blossoms anyway. I’ll bring you back next year.”
Shen Che’s mention of next year might have been an attempt at goodwill, but to Ji Cheng’s ears, it sounded like he didn’t intend to honor their bet.
“As if I’d come with you again,” Ji Cheng grumbled. Her attitude was just right; had she agreed, Shen Che might have grown suspicious.
On the return journey, they first traveled by water. Ji Cheng took the opportunity to nap in the gently rocking boat, her head resting on Shen Che’s lap. His hand lightly patted her back, lulling her to sleep throughout the journey.
Occasionally, Ji Cheng would open her eyes slightly, and Shen Che would bring a cup of water to her lips. After moistening her throat, she’d drift back to sleep, truly exhausted both physically and mentally. She indulged in Shen Che’s attentiveness.
As soon as Ji Cheng returned to Orchid Lane before she could even change her clothes, Fan Zengli arrived.
“Miss, where have you been these past days? No one in the household knew. What if something had happened? How could I have explained to my father-in-law?” Fan Zengli covered her chest, ready to shed tears.
“Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I have my discretion in my actions,” Ji Cheng’s voice came from behind the screen. In truth, she found her own words ironic. She no longer knew what discretion meant; she only knew that a fire burned in her heart, and if it couldn’t consume others, it would consume her instead.
“The other day, the Old Madam from the Shen family sent someone to fetch you. She said it was your birthday and wanted to celebrate with you,” Fan Zengli said.
Ji Cheng asked, “How did you respond?”
Fan Zengli replied, “I was at my wit’s end, unable to find you. I could only say you were ill and couldn’t risk spreading the sickness. I said you’d pay your respects to the Old Madam once you recovered.”
Ji Cheng smiled, “Sister-in-law, you’ve become much more tactful in dealing with people.”
Fan Zengli sighed in relief. In truth, she was quite afraid of this young sister-in-law. Despite her youth, Ji Cheng was incredibly shrewd. Over the past two years, she had managed to subdue all the concubines in the household, who no longer dared to cause trouble for Fan Zengli’s mother-in-law. Moreover, with Ji Qing’s poor health, Ji Cheng managed all the household affairs, both internal and external. Fan Zengli had no choice but to fear Ji Cheng.
This time, Ji Qing had sent her to Beijing to assist with Ji Cheng’s marriage prospects. Fan Zengli was more than willing, hoping for Ji Cheng to marry quickly so she could breathe easier. Having such a sister-in-law at home was suffocating for everyone.
After reassuring Fan Zengli, Ji Cheng heard from Liu Ye’er that Manager Mei had returned. She changed her clothes and went to the study to meet him.
Manager Mei had initially been sent by Ji Cheng to the Western Regions to establish new trade routes. Later, following Ji Cheng’s instructions, he connected with Pang Junxiong and Tong Xiang to collaborate. He had now found his footing in the Western Regions. Recently, he suddenly received a letter from Ji Cheng asking him to return to the capital for a meeting, which left Mei Changhe somewhat puzzled.
As soon as Mei Changhe saw Ji Cheng, he lavishly praised Tong Xiang and the others, saying that with their help, the Ji family’s business in the Western Regions was no longer a problem.
Ji Cheng nodded, “I will fully support you. I’m concerned you might be short-handed in the Western Regions. If you see anyone suitable from our shops in the capital, you can take them with you.”
Mei Changhe hadn’t expected such a generous offer. He was indeed severely understaffed, with trustworthy people being even scarcer.
Ji Cheng continued, “Tong Xiang and the others are ultimately not our people. Cooperation is fine, but Manager Mei, you must remain vigilant. Also, I hope you can quickly familiarize yourself with the royal families of the Western Regions, especially those of Jieshi and Gumuo.”
Jieshi and Gumuo had long since lost their influence, both suppressed by the Jingshi Army. Ji Cheng thought they must surely hate the so-called Jing Lord.
“Does Miss have any plans?” Mei Changhe asked, puzzled.
“In the future, I want to send them a grand gift. It depends on whether they can accept it. So I’d like Manager Mei to quickly build support in these two countries. No matter how much silver it costs, I’ll provide it. Send me news from the Western Regions every three days. Don’t use Pang Junxiong’s channels; find other reliable people to deliver the messages. Write using our agreed-upon code,” Ji Cheng instructed.
Mei Changhe immediately understood that Ji Cheng was planning to break ties with Pang Junxiong’s faction. “I’ll arrange it right away.”
Ji Cheng discussed some more details with Mei Changhe and inquired about the current situation in the Western Regions before sending him off.
As soon as Mei Changhe left, Bai Shouchun, the Ji family’s chief steward in the capital, entered. Ji Cheng had asked him to gather information, including news about the courtesan Shen Che had once admired.
After arranging all this, Ji Cheng finally accompanied Fan Zengli to the Shen residence the next day.
When Fan Zengli first arrived in the capital, she had already paid her respects to the Old Madam. Today’s visit was much better than the first time; she was no longer so nervous that she couldn’t speak.
The Old Madam held Ji Cheng’s hand and spoke a few words, asking how she had fallen ill again. Ji Cheng smiled and said, “It was just a minor cold. A few days of rest and plenty of water, and I was fine.”
“The weather is so unpredictable, hot one moment and cold the next. It’s easy to catch a chill. You young ladies always kick off your blankets while sleeping. I think you should move back to Ruiying Hall and take good care of your health. Ah Wan and the others miss you too. Go chat with them for a while. I have something to discuss with your sister-in-law,” the Old Madam said.
Ji Cheng felt a hint of suspicion. Why did the Old Madam want to speak with her sister-in-law in private? Could it be that another family was interested in her?
The Old Madam’s birthday was in March. Although it wasn’t a major anniversary, many people still wanted to pay their respects. Since Shen Wan’s wedding was set for the fifth day of the fifth month, the Ye family decided to set out early, taking the opportunity to wish the Old Madam a happy birthday as well.
As a result, Ye Lang arrived in the capital much earlier than Madam Huang had anticipated.
The Old Madam told Fan Zengli about the Ye family’s background and Ye Lang’s character. Fan Zengli immediately expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Old Madam.
“However, she would be a second wife, and there are already children from the first marriage. I fear Ah Cheng might feel wronged, so I haven’t mentioned it to her yet. I wanted to discuss it with you first and see what Old Master Ji thinks,” the Old Madam said.
“My father-in-law will certainly be pleased. For a family like ours to be connected to a prefectural governor’s family is already a great honor. Ah Cheng must have accumulated good karma from several lifetimes to receive such favor from you, Old Ancestor,” Fan Zengli said, somewhat nervously.
The Old Madam said, “Very well. Speak with your father-in-law. When my nephew from the Ye family comes to visit, I’ll have Ah Cheng meet him. If both families are willing, that would be for the best.”
Ji Cheng, of course, knew nothing of these matters. Since her sister-in-law had come, such marriage discussions couldn’t be shared with a young lady like herself.
However, whether they told her or not made little difference, because in March, a shocking event occurred that overshadowed all other trivial matters.
The incident began with Wang Yueniang. The pregnant Imperial Concubine Wang suddenly died. Then, Imperial Consort Wang Shu was stripped of her duties managing the six palaces and placed under de facto house arrest. Following that, allegations of corruption and wanton disregard for human life within the Wang family surfaced. Emperor Jianping issued an edict stripping the Wang family of their titles and ordering the confiscation of their property and the execution of family members.
It was said that six million taels of silver were confiscated from the Wang family, along with countless antiques and paintings. They were even more wealthy than the Emperor’s private treasury. A genuine work by Wang Xizhi, which should have been kept in the imperial palace, appeared on the inventory of confiscated items. Emperor Jianping was furious beyond measure and wanted to exterminate the Wang clan to the ninth degree of kinship. It was only after the joint petition of court officials that he relented, executing only all the male members of the Wang family and enslaving all the women.
Subsequently, Imperial Consort Wang Shu also died suddenly.
Everyone saw that something was amiss. Corruption, bribery, and disregard for human life were one thing, but the Wang family had been acting tyrannically for years. Why had Emperor Jianping suddenly become so strict?
Moreover, with the sudden deaths of two Imperial Consorts from the Wang family, it was clear that some palace secrets were involved. People were itching with curiosity but didn’t dare to discuss it openly.