Two days later, when Shen Yu came to pay his respects to the Old Madam at Rui Ying Hall, she kept him behind to speak privately. “Your mother spoke to me about your situation a couple of days ago. Have you set your mind on Cheng?”
Shen Yu replied, “I just feel it’s time to marry. If I were to wed a daughter from a high-ranking family, His Majesty would certainly be uneasy. It’s better to choose someone like Cousin Cheng, whose family won’t cause the Emperor concern.”
The Old Madam nodded, “I’ve already tried to persuade your mother, but she dislikes merchant families. If you’re truly worried about the palace’s reaction, even finding a scholar’s daughter would be acceptable to your mother.”
Shen Yu said, “Cousin Cheng’s brother, Tianze, is taking the imperial examinations this year. Isn’t he also a scholar? If he succeeds, the Ji family’s status will improve. Besides, shouldn’t a man of great ambition rely on his own merits rather than his in-laws?”
The Old Madam replied, “You’re not wrong, but your Third Aunt’s example is right before us. How could your mother approve of Cheng? For the sake of you both, why not look around more? There might be a more suitable girl out there.”
Shen Yu responded, “These matters also depend on personal affinity. What’s rare is that Hong’er gets along well with Cousin Cheng, which would prevent future discord between mother and son.”
“You’re doing this for Hong’er?” the Old Madam asked. “That’s true. With Hong’er’s temperament, it might be difficult to get along with someone else. Well, try talking to your mother again, and don’t be confrontational.”
Shen Yu nodded.
Unfortunately, Madam Huang had been angry with Shen Yu lately and ignored him completely. She wrote another letter to send to the border, asking for Loyal and Righteous Marquis Shen Xiu’s opinion.
Ji Cheng knew nothing of these matters. Ji Qing had stayed in the capital for over ten days without seeing any matchmakers from the Shen family. She stopped thinking about Shen Yu’s situation and only comforted Ji Cheng, telling her not to be anxious. If necessary, they could arrange a marriage after Ji Yuan’s autumn imperial examinations. If Ji Yuan succeeded, Ji Cheng’s prospects would improve as well.
Ji Cheng could only sigh inwardly upon hearing this. If Shen Che were still alive, even her brother’s success would be of no use. News from the Western Regions had completely ceased, and Ji Cheng knew that Shen Che must have discovered something amiss and ordered his people in the Western Regions to stop relaying messages to her.
Ji Cheng felt a chill run through her, now filled with regret and fear. Her own life was worthless, and at worst, she could end it herself. But involving her family was unforgivable. She had been too impulsive, risking her entire family’s lives for a moment of anger.
Ji Cheng had never been religious, but lately, she often found herself muttering “Amitabha,” praying to the heavens for her wishes to be granted.
By mid-June, on the day of Shen Cui’s wedding, Shen Che had still not returned. It had been a month and a half without news, and no news was good news. Ji Cheng thought that perhaps the heavens had finally blessed her.
However, that evening, during the Shen family’s banquet for the bride’s guests, Ji Cheng saw a maid enter with a joyful expression, reporting, “Old Ancestor, the Second Young Master has returned.”
Ji Cheng’s chopsticks fell to the ground with a clatter. Fortunately, the room was noisy and everyone’s attention was focused on the news of the “Second Young Master’s return,” so no one noticed Ji Cheng’s loss of composure and terrified expression.
The maids attending the table were always attentive to the diners’ needs. Seeing Ji Cheng’s chopsticks fall, they quickly provided a new pair. Little Rong, who gave Ji Cheng the chopsticks, noticed her face had turned pale and asked with concern, “Miss Ji, are you alright?”
Ji Cheng shook her head with difficulty. It was fortunate she was sitting; had she been standing when she heard the news, she might have collapsed.
Ji Cheng was utterly despondent, her mind blank. She struggled to control her hand, which trembled slightly with fear, but she could hardly sit still.
Not long after the little maid’s announcement, Ji Cheng saw Shen Che enter the room. He wore a white jade crown with intricate cloud patterns and a sapphire blue robe embroidered with swastika and eight-treasure motifs in dark silver. He showed no signs of travel fatigue; instead, he appeared relaxed, as if he had merely visited next door rather than returning from a long journey.
Shen Che was naturally handsome and refined. Despite his efforts to portray himself as a carefree playboy, his noble aura was impossible to conceal. Years of holding a high position, combined with his tall stature, gave him an imposing presence that left the female guests in awe.
It wasn’t just the young ladies; even the ladies in their twenties probably regretted not being born a few years later.
The Old Madam stood up as soon as Shen Che entered, her face a mix of surprise and joy. “I was just saying this morning that if you didn’t make it back today, I’d have to teach you a lesson.”
Shen Che, who hadn’t spared Ji Cheng a glance since entering, quickly walked over to support the Old Madam’s arm and help her sit down again. “How could I miss Cui’er’s wedding? I came straight to pay my respects to you, Old Ancestor, as soon as I arrived.”
The Old Madam, relieved to see Shen Che return, couldn’t help but complain, “These past few days, I’ve been having nightmares every night. I dreamt you were injured and calling for me. My heart has been unsettled. Now that you’re back, I can finally sleep peacefully tonight.”
Shen Che comforted the Old Madam with a few more words. Knowing it wasn’t the time for a long conversation with over a dozen tables of female guests dining, the Old Madam finally let go of Shen Che’s hand. “Since you’re back, why don’t you go and offer a toast to each table of distinguished guests on my behalf?”
Shen Che nodded, “Of course, it’s my duty.”
Ji Cheng wasn’t seated at the Old Madam’s table. Having lived in the Shen residence for over a year, she was considered half a member of the household and was acting as a hostess today, seated at the third round table to the left of the Old Madam.
When Shen Che came to toast Ji Cheng’s table, she was impressed that she could even stand up. Though her smile was stiff, at least it was a smile.
While Shen Che’s smile appeared warm, his eyes were unusually cold when he looked at Ji Cheng, almost piercing. Ji Cheng didn’t dare meet his gaze and quickly looked away.
As Shen Che moved on to the next table, Ji Cheng finally exhaled deeply and sat down. Despite the table being laden with delicacies prepared by renowned chefs from Lianyun Restaurant in the capital, specially hired by Ji Lan, Ji Cheng had no appetite.
As one of the hostesses, Ji Cheng couldn’t leave at will. She sat on pins and needles until the banquet ended, then had the maids escort the lingering female guests to the Water Pavilion to watch singing and dancing performances. Afterward, she accompanied Ji Lan to the garden entrance to see off the departing guests.
Ji Cheng was distracted, causing Ji Lan to glance at her frequently. Finally, Ji Lan couldn’t hold back anymore, “What are you doing? If you didn’t want to be here, you should have said so earlier. How could you confuse Madam Chu with Madam Liu? Now you’ve offended them both. I’ll probably have to apologize to you when I see them next time.”
Ji Cheng just listened silently. Anxious to leave, she interrupted Ji Lan before she finished scolding, “Aunt, there are some urgent matters I need to attend to in Orchid Lane. I’d like to return first.”
Ji Lan was furious upon hearing this, “So your wings have grown strong now, is that it? Fine, go ahead and leave. But don’t ever set foot in the Shen family’s doors again if you do.”
Ji Cheng sighed inwardly. She probably wouldn’t have the chance to enter the Shen family’s doors again, and it was uncertain if she’d even see tomorrow’s sunrise.
“I’m sorry, Aunt, but it’s truly urgent,” Ji Cheng apologized, bowing slightly to Ji Lan before turning to leave. Earlier at the banquet, she had already instructed Yuqian’er to return without alerting anyone, only telling Liuye’er to avoid Nangui. By now, they should have packed the necessary items and be waiting for her at the west side gate.
Unfortunately, before Ji Cheng could reach the side gate, she was intercepted by Nangui. “Miss, the Young Master instructed that since there are still many guests at home, he requests that you stay at the Shen residence for a few more days to help entertain them.”
Ji Cheng replied, “I’m not a mistress of the Shen family. I fear I might be too negligent in entertaining guests. Now that both the First and Second Young Ladies are home, there’s no need for me to take charge. Please inform the Second Young Master that I have urgent matters at home and must leave first.”
As Ji Cheng tried to leave, Nangui extended an arm to block her way, saying with difficulty, “Miss, the Second Young Master instructed me to keep you here. If you truly have urgent business, perhaps you should speak with him directly.”
Seeing that she couldn’t leave, Ji Cheng was grateful that she had already given the sachet to Yuqian’er to take away. Ji Cheng had always been cautious about planning her escape routes. She had anticipated that once Shen Che returned safely, she might never be able to leave, or if she did, it would only implicate her family.
So Ji Cheng had written her contingency plans in the sachet and kept it with her at all times, hoping to find an opportunity to send it out if the situation turned unfavorable.
Nangui was highly skilled; even if Ji Cheng managed to deceive her and escape now, where could she go in the capital, the stronghold of the Jingshi Army? Resigning herself to the situation, Ji Cheng gave up any hope of escape and followed Nangui back to the small courtyard.
Neither Liuye’er nor Yuqian’er were in the courtyard, which slightly relieved Ji Cheng. She hoped these two maids wouldn’t be implicated.
Ji Cheng obediently waited in the small courtyard, like a prisoner awaiting the master’s judgment. She felt hungry now, having barely eaten anything at the banquet. Even condemned prisoners get a last meal before execution, so she gave a handful of copper coins to a young maid in the courtyard and asked her to bring some food.
The little maid was resourceful and even managed to bring some wine. Ji Cheng welcomed the chance to drown her sorrows and gather courage. She drank herself into a stupor and fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, the Nine Li Courtyard was brightly lit. Two figures were seen hurrying along the mountain path leading to the main courtyard of Nine Li.
As soon as Chu De entered, he saw Shen Che sitting shirtless on the couch. A basin of bloodied water sat on a nearby table, used by Nishang to clean his wounds. It was now completely red with blood, and Nishang’s eyes were filled with tears, unable to look directly at the injuries.
The chubby Chu De exclaimed upon seeing this, “Heavens! How did you get hurt so badly? You know medicine yourself, how could you not treat the wounds properly? They’re already infected!”
Shen Che’s face was pale, and he didn’t respond to Chu De’s words. Instead, he addressed the person behind Chu De, “Yuan Tong, I trouble you.”