Shen Che was quite restrained, except for occasional lapses of control. Although Ji Cheng slept in Shen Che’s arms every night, they were intimate quite infrequently, perhaps once every few days. Rather than such acts, Ji Cheng felt that Shen Che preferred to bite, nibble, and touch her – all of which she found extremely annoying.
Thoughts of Shen Che naturally led to contemplation of his current situation. Ji Cheng was anxious but could only wait. At night, she would wonder what would happen if Shen Che met his demise in Gumuo as she had planned.
Ji Cheng felt guilty towards Old Madam Shen and Princess An He and even began to distance herself from Shen Qin and Shen Yan – the less close she was, the less guilty she felt. However, she couldn’t bring herself to spare Shen Che, as he had never intended to spare her.
If Shen Che hadn’t pushed her step by step, she wouldn’t have wanted his life. It was all Shen Che’s fault! Ji Cheng comforted her restless heart with these thoughts.
The anxious waiting seemed to drag on endlessly, but finally, June arrived, and Shen Cui’s wedding day was approaching.
In the sweltering heat of June, even Dongshan Academy gave students a few extra days off. Shen Jing and Ji Yuan returned to the Shen mansion together. Previously, Ji Yuan could stay at the Shen mansion, but now that Ji Cheng’s sister-in-law had arrived in the capital, Ji Yuan naturally had to return home to accompany Fan Zengli.
During Shen Yan’s wedding, Shen Jing didn’t find an opportunity to speak with Ji Cheng. Now, with a ten-day break, he finally had a chance to meet her.
On this day, Ji Cheng was accompanying guests in Qing Garden with Shen He and Shen Qin. Since Shen Yan and Shen Qin’s wedding days were close together, many guests stayed, making it unnecessary for them to leave and return. As a result, Qing Garden was bustling with activity daily, with singers and dancers performing constantly.
Many ladies with unmarried noble daughters would casually mention Shen Che, wondering why the Second Young Master hadn’t been seen for some time.
Feng Qing pricked up her ears at this, but Shen He seemed to have lost her enthusiasm. Ji Cheng guessed that Shen Che must have warned her.
Unable to find Shen Che, the ladies turned their attention to Shen Jing. Ji Lan was happy to push Shen Jing forward, as he would need to start considering marriage after the autumn imperial examinations in August.
Shen Jing was overwhelmed by the attention from various cousins, unable to match names to faces. When he finally caught sight of Ji Cheng, it was as if he had found a lifesaving Buddha.
“Sister Cheng, I’ve finally found you. A’Cui has been looking everywhere for you. Come quickly, or who knows how she’ll lose her temper,” Shen Jing said, striding up to Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng didn’t believe Shen Cui was actually looking for her, but seeing Shen Jing’s helpless expression and noticing several young ladies peeking from behind the trees, she immediately understood the situation.
It had been a while since Ji Cheng had seen Shen Jing, and she noticed he had grown a bit taller. With features that combined the best of Third Lord Shen Ying and Ji Lan, he had a face as white as jade, with red lips and white teeth, exuding a strong scholarly air that was very appealing to young ladies.
Seeing Ji Cheng’s silence, Shen Jing quickly gave her meaningful looks, his exaggerated facial expressions quite comical. Ji Cheng couldn’t help but smile, “Where is A’Cui now, Cousin? Please lead the way.”
Shen Jing let out a sigh of relief and led Ji Cheng forward. Being naturally attentive, he would stop every few steps to wait for Ji Cheng, which he enjoyed as it gave him a chance to observe her closely.
Shen Jing felt that every time he saw Ji Cheng, she seemed to have grown more beautiful. The sunlight fell on her face, highlighting the fine down on the young girl’s cheeks, making her look adorable and warm. It made his fingers itch with the desire to touch her face.
“Sister Cheng,” Shen Jing called out softly again, though he had nothing particular to say. Just calling her name made his heart feel full, and his entire body felt as comfortable as if touched by a spring breeze.
Seeing Shen Jing’s expression, Ji Cheng sighed inwardly. She had been trying her best to avoid him.
With people coming and going in the garden and maids following nearby, Shen Jing couldn’t say much to Ji Cheng. When they reached the foot of the artificial mountain, Shen Jing took advantage of the corner to quickly whisper to Ji Cheng, “Sister Cheng, please wait for me. After the autumn examinations, I won’t let anyone mock you anymore.”
Shen Jing had privately heard many people mocking Ji Cheng for her failed engagement. Ye Lang would rather marry a buck-toothed girl than Ji Cheng, which had been a source of ridicule for Ji Cheng for a long time. At the time, Shen Jing had clenched his fists in anger, but as he currently held no official position and was dependent on his parents, he didn’t dare insist in front of Ji Lan, fearing that if things didn’t work out, it would only irritate Ji Lan against Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng was about to speak when she saw someone coming down the stone path from the artificial mountain. Who else could it be but Shen Yu?
Shen Jing awkwardly called out “Elder Brother,” unsure if Shen Yu had overheard his previous words. “I’m taking Sister Cheng to find A’Cui.”
Shen Yu grunted in acknowledgment, “A’Cui is in the Fishing Pavilion by the water up ahead.”
Hearing this, Ji Cheng immediately said to Shen Jing, “Cousin Jing, I can go by myself. You should return to attend to the guests. Aunt might be looking for you.”
At the mention of Ji Lan, Shen Jing didn’t linger. He was indeed afraid of Ji Lan looking for him, and if she heard he was with Ji Cheng, his mother would surely lecture him again. Shen Jing wasn’t afraid of Ji Lan’s scolding, but he found her nagging unbearable, testing his patience to the limit.
“Alright then, you can go by yourself,” Shen Jing said.
Ji Cheng parted from Shen Jing and Shen Yu and headed towards the Fishing Pavilion. However, after just a few steps, she heard Shen Yu call out, “Sister Cheng.”
Ji Cheng turned back to see Shen Yu standing under a willow tree by the pond, where a pair of mandarin ducks were playing in the water by the edge.
Ji Cheng walked back a few steps and lowered her gaze, “Does Cousin Yu have something to discuss with me?”
Shen Yu didn’t speak, and just when Ji Cheng thought he would remain silent forever, she heard him say, “A’Cheng, I want to marry you. I will speak to my mother about this in the next few days. You might face some difficulties from her, but there won’t be any problems with our marriage. If you don’t object, just nod your head.”
Ji Cheng lifted her head in shock, unable to believe what she was hearing from Shen Yu. She had thought he merely had some fondness for her but never imagined he would say such things.
Ji Cheng wanted to nod, but only if Shen Che never returned and the Shen family never learned the truth. However, Ji Cheng wasn’t willing to take that risk. There was no need to live a life burdened by guilt. She had schemed against Shen Che because he owed her, but marrying Shen Yu would mean she owed him.
Ji Cheng looked into Shen Yu’s eyes and said, “I’m not worthy of you, Cousin. I can only disappoint your misplaced affection.”
Shen Yu fell silent. He had anticipated that Ji Cheng might refuse, but he had been quite confident that she shouldn’t have rejected him.
“There’s no question of being worthy or not. If you have any other concerns, you can tell me. If it’s because of my mother, I can assure you that she won’t be able to prevent this.” After a pause, Shen Yu added, “Or are you worried about Hong’er?”
Ji Cheng shook her head, “I’m very fond of Hong’er, but Cousin and I are worlds apart. I dare not have any wild fantasies. If Cousin has nothing else to discuss, I’ll take my leave.” Ji Cheng curtsied to Shen Yu and turned to leave.
“Are you in love with A’Che?” Shen Yu asked from behind her.
Ji Cheng’s steps faltered. She turned back to look at Shen Yu, “Cousin Che and I are also worlds apart. I have no special feelings for him.”
Shen Yu frowned. He really couldn’t understand why Ji Cheng would reject him. After all, she had even agreed to the marriage with Ye Lang, so why refuse him?
However, Shen Yu was not one to give up easily. This decision had not been easy for him to make, but once he had made up his mind, it was hard to change.
Ji Cheng felt the burning gaze on her back and quickened her pace to find Shen Cui. Naturally, Shen Cui hadn’t been looking for Ji Cheng, but she didn’t mind Ji Cheng seeking her out. After all, five thousand taels of silver was enough to buy a smile.
Ji Qing had returned to Jin the day after Shen Yan’s wedding, and the Old Madam had specifically asked Ji Cheng a few questions. Now, with Shen Cui’s big day approaching, Ji Qing had finally returned to the capital ahead of time.
Ji Cheng naturally had to accompany Ji Qing in Lanhua Lane. However, from the moment Ji Qing arrived in the capital, he was constantly engaged in social activities, with endless banquets. Such was the life of a businessman.
The Shen family had also started hosting wedding banquets. Although it wasn’t the actual wedding day yet, this was the custom for weddings in the capital. Ji Lan had used the highest standards, first arranging seven days and nights of continuous feasts – all of which cost a fortune.
Ji Qing naturally contributed more to Ji Lan upon arriving in the capital, earning a smile from his sister. As for Ji Lan’s complaints about Ji Cheng, Ji Qing certainly wouldn’t relay them to Ji Cheng, managing to appease both sides.
On this day, Ji Qing returned from a banquet at the Shen mansion, his face flushed red with happiness. Ji Cheng couldn’t help but ask, “Father, why are you so happy today?” In previous years, Ji Qing had attended banquets at the Shen mansion, but due to his limited status, even though he was Ji Lan’s brother, Ji Lan herself didn’t pay much attention to him, except when she needed money. Otherwise, she kept her distance. So whenever Ji Qing visited the Shen mansion, while he might not have felt embarrassed, such a beaming smile was rare.
“Today, your father gained face. Ah, the demeanor and bearing of these noble young masters are indeed different, especially the Shen family’s eldest son. I thought he was aloof, but who knew he could be so approachable? His manners were impeccable, of course, and he even took great care of in-laws like us, introducing me to many important people,” Ji Qing said with a smile. He was also puzzled inwardly. He had met Shen Yu before but had never seen him so enthusiastic. It made Ji Qing feel a bit uneasy.
Hearing Ji Qing’s words, Ji Cheng knew that Shen Yu hadn’t given up.
Ji Qing carefully observed Ji Cheng’s expression. Although he was a man, he was not without astuteness. Seeing Ji Cheng’s evasive look, he guessed one or two things, but he didn’t point them out. After all, the gap between their family and the Shen family was too great. Shen Yu was the eldest son of the Shen family’s second branch and held a title. The possibility of him marrying Ji Cheng was very low, but Ji Qing was also unwilling to let Ji Cheng become someone’s concubine.
So Ji Qing didn’t take this matter too seriously. However, at the Shen family’s continuous banquets, Ji Qing encountered Shen Yu for several days in a row. Shen Yu tirelessly accompanied him, to the extent that those unaware of the situation thought Ji Qing must be some important figure to receive such attentive and courteous treatment from Shen Yu.