Soon, everyone in the family had gathered. Two large round tables were set up, separated by a screen. One table was headed by the Old Madam, surrounded by the womenfolk, while the other was led by Duke Guo, and Shen Zhuo, with the Shen family men, including Shen Yu and Shen Che.
It should have been a day for the He family to reunite, but the Second Master was still at the border on military duty, and the Third Young Master was with his father in the military camp for training. Without an imperial edict, they couldn’t return to the capital, which was slightly regrettable. Shen Jing was still studying diligently at Dongshan Academy and would likely return around the time of Shen Yuan’s official wedding day, as the autumn imperial examinations were only a few months away.
As soon as Shen Che arrived, the Old Madam called him over. “Where have you been running off to all day? Your First Sister and Second Sister have returned, and you didn’t even think to welcome them?”
Shen Che quickly apologized, “I was at the palace today.”
The Old Madam finally let him off the hook. “Now, go and toast your First Sister and Second Sister, and greet your sister Fengqing.”
Hearing the Old Madam mention her name, Fengqing timidly raised her head to look at Shen Che.
Her eyes were as innocent as a fawn’s, watery and pitiable to look at. She wanted to look but dared not, her eyelashes fluttering. Ji Cheng thought to herself, here was another poor young girl whose heart had been captivated by Shen Che’s appearance.
Shen Che, however, greeted Fengqing quite casually, then toasted Shen He and Shen Yun.
After the meal, everyone dispersed. Ji Cheng had just walked out of Canjin Tower when Young Master Hong called out to her, “Aunt Cheng, why haven’t you come to see me for so long?”
Young Master Hong only called Ji Cheng “aunt” in front of Shen Yu. Ji Cheng didn’t dare raise her eyes. Ever since she had embarrassed herself at Changheng Courtyard, she had been trying to avoid the father and son duo whenever possible.
Young Master Hong ran up to Ji Cheng, looking up at her with watery eyes. Ji Cheng had no choice but to say, “I’ll come see you in a couple of days, alright?”
Young Master Hong blinked his eyes and said, “You can’t go back on your word.”
Ji Cheng nodded.
Only then did Young Master Hong let Ji Cheng go.
Lu Yuan, standing behind Ji Cheng, said, “Young Master Hong likes you.”
Ji Cheng turned to look at the slightly depressed Lu Yuan. She knew that Lu Yuan had run away from Changheng Courtyard last time because Shen Yu had rejected her without mercy. Since then, Lu Yuan has also been avoiding Shen Yu and his son, never returning to Changheng Courtyard.
“I suppose we just get along well,” Ji Cheng said lightly.
Lu Yuan looked at Ji Cheng silently for a moment, then said no more. She just took Ji Cheng’s hand and said, “My mother will be back in the capital in a few days. I want to stay at my grandfather’s house with her for a while.”
Ji Cheng patted Lu Yuan’s hand, knowing that staying here would only make her more miserable.
The next day, when Ji Cheng went to pay her respects to the Old Madam, Shen Yun and Fengqing were already there. Ji Cheng thought she had woken up late, but then remembered that Liuye always woke her up on time, so there was no reason for her to be late. It must be that Shen Yun had arrived too early.
Since Shen Yun’s return, and with Fengqing’s presence, not only Ji Cheng but even Shen Qin had to take a back seat in front of the Old Madam.
Ji Cheng sat to the side, listening to Shen Yun talk to the Old Madam. The Old Madam looked heartbroken because last night, Shen He had told her about the sinking of the Su family’s boat in the lake. The Old Madam was naturally saddened and had slept poorly. Only now was her spirit somewhat better, and Shen Yun was trying to cheer her up.
Shen Yun was a smooth talker, and while comforting the Old Madam, she naturally couldn’t neglect Ji Cheng. “Old Madam, your rooms are truly nurturing. In all these years, I’ve never seen anyone as radiant as Sister Cheng. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry her. If she’s not betrothed yet, I know of a few excellent young men.”
The Old Madam pinched Shen Yun’s cheek. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Your Sister Cheng is still an unmarried lady.”
Shen Yun laughed, “When I see a beautiful young lady, I can’t help but want to play matchmaker.”
The Old Madam was amused by Shen Yun’s words. Just then, Shen Che came to pay his respects.
Fengqing was shyly twisting her handkerchief beside them. Shen Yun gently pushed her, “Go and greet your Second Cousin.”
After all, no matter what the actual relationship, calling someone “cousin” to get closer was never wrong.
Fengqing greeted him in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. Shen Che only returned the greeting coolly, just as he had done with Su Yun back then.
Shen Yun seemed somewhat dissatisfied and asked Shen Che if he had eaten breakfast. Shen Che replied, “Isn’t that why I’m here at my Great-Grandmother’s place? To mooch some breakfast?”
In the end, the Old Madam doted on Shen Che the most. Hearing that he wanted to stay for breakfast, her mood immediately improved.
Breakfast was set up in the western side room. The Old Madam said, “We’re all family here, no need to be overly formal. Let’s all sit together.”
Shen Che sat to the left of the Old Madam, with Shen Yun on her other side. Fengqing naturally sat next to Shen Yun, leaving Ji Cheng to sit next to Shen Che.
“I never imagined that Yun girl would be so unfortunate, passing away so young. My poor old sister,” the Old Madam sighed again, thinking of Madam Su and Su Yun.
“Life and death are predestined. If the King of Hell calls for someone at the third watch, he won’t let them live till the fifth. Great grandmother, haven’t you come to terms with this yet?” Shen Che said.
Is this how one comforts people? Ji Cheng looked at Shen Che.
Although Shen Che didn’t look back at Ji Cheng, his hand hidden under the table suddenly grabbed hers, even scratching her palm lightly. Ji Cheng’s face flushed, afraid someone might notice, but she couldn’t pull her hand away. What a daring scoundrel.
Shen Che’s words of comfort were quite perfunctory, but surprisingly, the Old Madam seemed to accept them. “You’re right. They were blessed people. Who knows, they might have been reborn into an even better family.”
Hearing this, Shen Yun quickly agreed, though she thought to herself that the Old Madam still favored Shen Che the most. One word from Shen Che was worth a hundred or even a thousand of theirs. Whatever he said was right in the Old Madam’s heart.
This made Shen Yun even more determined to marry Fengqing to Shen Che. As a daughter of a concubine, it was truly difficult for her to establish herself in her husband’s family. Not only did she need to have her abilities, but she also needed support from her natal family. Although Second Madam Huang hadn’t made things difficult for Shen Yun, it was hard to ask her to support Shen Yun, the daughter of a concubine. So Shen Yun had to find another way out.
When Shen Yun saw that Fengqing was growing to look more and more like that person, her excitement was unimaginable. Even if Shen Che was a playboy, he was still the Old Madam’s favorite and Princess An’he’s only son, the future Duke of Qi. She had to find a powerful backer for the couple.
Thinking this way, Shen Yun looked up at Shen Che and Ji Cheng sitting opposite her, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. There was nothing improper between Shen Che and Ji Cheng, but it was too normal, which made Shen Yun feel it was abnormal.
Shen Yun had certainly heard of Shen Che’s romantic exploits and quite a few of his love affairs. With a beautiful woman like Ji Cheng by his side, how could he show no interest? Of course, it wasn’t impossible. At least Shen Che had some principles and never touched those close to home. It was said he hadn’t even touched any of the maids in the household.
Shen Yun looked at Ji Cheng, who sat with grace and poise, then glanced at the timid Fengqing. A daughter of a concubine indeed lacked some refinement. Originally, someone of Fengqing’s background wouldn’t be a match for Shen Che, but Shen Yun knew all too well about Shen Che’s affair with Fang Xuan. If he was willing to marry a brothel singer, why not the daughter of a concubine? As long as Shen Che liked her, it would be fine.
A meal eaten in such silence didn’t fit Shen Yun’s plans, so she had to liven up the atmosphere. Shen Yun looked at Ji Cheng and said, “Sister Cheng has such a good appetite. Seeing you eat so heartily makes me feel hungry too. Fengqing’s appetite is too small. I often tell her that a good appetite means a healthy body.”
Ji Cheng silently swallowed the lotus seed cake in her mouth. Her appetite had indeed been very good recently, much better than before. By now, she had eaten a bowl of fine rice porridge, a crystal bun, a piece of lotus seed cake, and a small bowl of chicken and mushroom noodles, much more than the others.
“Being able to eat is a blessing,” the Old Madam smiled. “With Cheng girl keeping me company at breakfast, I can manage half a bowl more porridge.”
Everyone naturally laughed along.
Although Ji Cheng had only eaten to about sixty percent fullness, it was enough. After all, the principle of maintaining health is to be seventy percent full and thirty percent cool.
“Why has Ah Cheng stopped eating?” Shen Che asked with concern.
Hearing this, Ji Cheng couldn’t eat another bite. She felt that Shen Che was using her as a foil again, but Ji Cheng didn’t want to create another Su Yun situation.
Another voice entered her ear, “Don’t mind her, eat if you want to eat.”
This couldn’t be said in front of Shen Yun. Ji Cheng looked at Shen Yun and saw no reaction. Surprised, she turned to look at Shen Che. Shen Che was putting a piece of soft jade cake on the Old Madam’s plate and a pot sticker on Ji Cheng’s. “Eat up. You’re still so thin even though you eat so much.”
Ji Cheng wanted to jump up and slap Shen Che, but she could only politely thank him. Shen Che was speaking with hidden meaning. Not only did he take advantage of her, but he often complained about this and that, saying she didn’t have enough meat here or there. She wanted to send him two pounds of pork belly and let him eat his fill. Didn’t he know that a litter of piglets has many?
Shen Yun’s smile faded slightly, but she didn’t say anything more.
After the meal, Shen He and the others arrived to play mahjong with the Old Madam. Shen Qin and Ji Cheng took Fengqing for a walk in the courtyard. The early summer beauty of Qing Garden was breathtaking, especially favored by young ladies who could find many fragrant flowers and graceful grasses.
As they were crossing the Broken Bridge, they happened to meet Aunt Hanbi. Shen Qin was Hanbi’s disciple, so their meeting was naturally very warm.
Ji Cheng was also familiar with Hanbi and stepped forward to exchange greetings. However, when Hanbi saw Fengqing, she suddenly paused.
Ji Cheng, sensing something, asked, “Has Aunt seen Fengqing before?”
Hanbi came back to her senses and shook her head, “No, I haven’t.”
Ji Cheng asked again, “Does Fengqing resemble someone Aunt knows?”
Hanbi said, “At first glance, there is some resemblance.”
Manager Bai had never been able to find out about Shen Che’s past affairs. Firstly, he didn’t dare to probe too deeply for fear of alerting Shen Che. Secondly, Shen Che had surely erased any traces of those past events. Ji Cheng didn’t blame Manager Bai.
But from Fengqing, Ji Cheng had noticed some clues. Both the Old Madam and Madam Huang were surprised when they saw Fengqing. Shen Yun’s attitude was just short of stripping Fengqing naked and sending her to Shen Che’s bed. But why was she so confident that Fengqing could move Shen Che?