“The eldest son of Professor Liu from the Imperial Academy,” Shen Che said.
The Old Madam thought she had misheard. “Who did you say?” Although Liu Jun’s preferences were not publicly acceptable, and the Liu family tried their best to conceal them, there were no secrets in this world. When arranging marriages for her granddaughters, along with Su Jun and Lu Yuan’s marriages, the Old Madam had thoroughly investigated all eligible bachelors in the capital. She had heard about Liu Jun.
It was Shen Che who had initially told her about Liu Jun’s preference for men.
Shen Che repeated, “The eldest son of Professor Liu from the Imperial Academy.”
Hearing this, the Old Madam realized that Shen Che was being utterly unreasonable. She couldn’t fathom what had transpired between the two to reach such a state. However, out of consideration for Shen Che’s face, she refrained from scolding him outright. Instead, she patted Ji Cheng’s hand and said, “Marriage is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. Although you’ve met, we still need to consult your parents’ opinion. You must be tired after being out all day. Go and rest now.”
Ji Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, curtsied to the Old Madam and Shen Che, then turned to leave.
After Ji Cheng had gone, the Old Madam ordered tea to be brewed, signaling her intention for a long talk with Shen Che. Shen Che waved his hand to stop her, “Old Ancestor, I have to go out tonight. I just came back to change clothes.”
The Old Madam paid no heed to whether Shen Che had plans or not. “You’re not leaving until you explain this matter today.”
Shen Che feigned helplessness, rubbing his forehead. “Ji Cheng knows Liu Jun’s background. She agreed herself; who could force her?”
The Old Madam frowned. “Nonsense. What girl would willingly marry such a man?”
Shen Che smiled, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Does Ji Cheng look like she’s being forced? Can’t you see her intentions, Old Ancestor? As long as the man’s family background is decent, she’s willing. Isn’t that what the Ji family wants—a powerful backer?”
Shen Che’s words were so harsh that the Old Madam asked puzzledly, “Ache, you’ve never been one to speak so harshly. Why are you so different from Acheng?”
Before Shen Che could answer, the Old Madam continued, “Or has Acheng offended you somehow, causing you to treat her this way? After all, you’re relatives. If things truly sour between you, how will you face each other in the future? Would you allow this old woman to mediate between you?”
The Old Madam was experienced in matters of the heart. In her youth, she had tasted all the flavors of love—sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty. Now, looking back, what once seemed earth-shattering hardly mattered at all. What truly mattered was supporting each other through life and growing old together.
But such well-worn advice often falls on deaf ears when given to the young. Without experience, it’s hard to see through the illusions and return to simplicity.
A hint of incongruous amusement flickered in Shen Che’s heart. If he were to tell the Old Madam what Ji Cheng had done, she would likely be the first to refuse to forgive Ji Cheng. How could she then speak of meditating?
However, the Old Madam’s words stirred up thoughts he had been trying to avoid. “Old Ancestor, please don’t get involved. Ji Cheng has the heart of an ungrateful wolf. She may not remember your kindness.”
But she remembers your cruelty all too well, Shen Che thought self-mockingly. He had read the story of King Goujian of Yue sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall dozens of times, yet he had nearly fallen into the fate of King Fuchai of Wu.
Shen Che’s hand, resting on the small table, unconsciously clenched into a fist. Ji Cheng’s ruthlessness had indeed caught him off guard.
Yet Shen Che had to admit that it wasn’t entirely unexpected.
He had known what kind of person Ji Cheng was from the beginning. While on an important mission, he accidentally overheard a private conversation between Ji Cheng and her two maids while hiding under a carriage. Shen Che had been indifferent to Ji Cheng’s ambition to marry up—she was just an outsider, after all. But having heard it, Shen Che couldn’t help but view her unfavorably.
Moreover, after Ji Cheng’s schemes involving Ji Lan and Shen Cui, Shen Che found it even harder to think well of her. So even when they later became partners, when Shen Che saw reports of Wang Siniang buying “Magpie Bridge Fairy,” though he guessed its purpose and recipient with near certainty, he didn’t warn Ji Cheng.
Whoever sows the seeds must reap the harvest. Shen Che’s intervention would have been a favor; his non-intervention was simply what was due.
However, Shen Che hadn’t anticipated how his feelings for Ji Cheng would change. Or perhaps he had anticipated it but allowed it to develop, believing he could control everything.
The night Ji Cheng appeared at Phoenix Tower, if not for his hint, Nan Gui would never have known his whereabouts, let alone dare to bring Ji Cheng there.
Shen Che took a sip from his teacup. Even as unscrupulous as he was, he knew how precious a girl’s purity was. Of course, whether Ji Cheng was truly pure was debatable.
Shen Che recalled how Ji Cheng had acted as if nothing had happened the next day. Young as she was, she was more open than any woman Shen Che had ever met. He had to admit that night, he had been nothing more than a tool for Ji Cheng, no different from that young male prostitute.
Ji Cheng had intended to silence the non-existent male prostitute then. Looking back now, Shen Che realized he was no exception, especially when she wanted to marry his elder brother, Shen Yu.
Reflecting on that bet now, Shen Che realized Ji Cheng had probably never taken it seriously. Sometimes, her incomplete pretense was painful for Shen Che to watch. If she was going to pretend, she should have put in more effort to make it convincing, rather than letting him see through her calculations.
The Old Madam noticed Shen Che’s distraction and sighed. In her opinion, if Shen Che liked Ji Cheng, they should simply send a betrothal gift to the Ji family. But Shen Che had always been extremely stubborn about marriage matters. He would never agree to be forced.
The root of the problem lies with the previous generation. Before his marriage, the Duke of Qi, Shen Zhuo, had someone he liked, and both families had intended to arrange a marriage. Who could have known that the previous emperor would suddenly arrange for Princess An He to marry him? As for Princess An He, it was said she had been involved with a palace guard before her marriage. Forced together under such circumstances, there was naturally no love between them.
After An He became pregnant, they never shared a room again. Fortunately, An He gave birth to Shen Che in one try, sparing them from having to continue their awkward attempts at producing an heir. As for Shen Qian, she was merely the product of a drunken mistake.
The Old Madam had racked her brains over this couple, but Shen Zhuo and An He were both intelligent people with their own firm beliefs. Once they had set their hearts on someone, they never changed. Forcing them together only pushed them further apart. Moreover, although they weren’t a loving couple—one immersed in painting and calligraphy, the other indulging in music and dance—they hadn’t caused any trouble. So the Old Madam had given up on intervening.
Growing up watching his parents like this, Shen Che had more than once mocked the idea of parental arrangements and matchmakers in front of the Old Madam. He had even shockingly stated that if two people couldn’t get along before marriage, how could they expect to live harmoniously after?
Such words were utterly rebellious, which explained his later actions of bringing Fang Xuan before her. The Old Madam sighed again at the thought.
“Ache,” the Old Madam called out to bring him back to the present.
Shen Che snapped back to reality and said, “Old Ancestor, you’re overthinking. How could Third Cousin Cheng and I have any grudges? I’m helping her only to ease your worries.”
The Old Madam didn’t explicitly expose Shen Che’s true feelings. People at this stage were most prone to embarrassment; saying too much might backfire. But seeing Shen Che’s stubborn attitude, she couldn’t help but say, “Others are usually all smiles when matchmaking for people. After all, it’s a joyous occasion. Why do you look so troubled?”
Shen Che forced a smile and said, “Aren’t I just worried for Liu Jun?”
“Stop joking around with me,” the Old Madam chided.
Shen Che then laughed as if he had suddenly realized something. “I know what you’re thinking, Old Ancestor. Are you getting anxious about having a granddaughter-in-law? Didn’t you give me an ultimatum? If you’ve set your eyes on someone, just marry her to me. I trust your judgment.”
With Shen Che refusing to admit anything, the Old Madam was at a loss. “Stop changing the subject.”
Shen Che said, “Old Ancestor, I have matters to attend to tonight. I need to go back to Jiuli Yuan to change clothes. If you have any questions, just ask Third Cousin Cheng. You’ll see if I’m lying or not. She and Liu Jun are willing parties, a match made in heaven.” And they won’t harm anyone else, which is a blessing, he thought to himself.
As Shen Che stood to leave, the Old Madam could only call after him, “Ache, when you change clothes later, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Decisions made in anger, no matter what they are, often lead to regret. A girl’s marriage is a lifelong matter. Once the betrothal gifts are exchanged, there’s no turning back.”
Shen Che’s steps faltered, but he didn’t turn back.
The Old Madam stood at the door, gazing after him for a long while before turning back inside, shaking her head and muttering, “Still young and impetuous after all.”
Once Shen Che had left, Granny Cao emerged to support the Old Madam. “Miss, how can you be so sure there’s something between Ache and Cheng girl?”
“Did you see how Ache looked at Cheng girl earlier? He was waiting for her to say something, but she didn’t utter a word. It’s like punching a pillow—he can’t vent his anger, and it’s frustrating him. Doesn’t it remind you of when he was little, wanting An He to comfort him but pretending not to care?” the Old Madam said.
Granny Cao paused, carefully recalling Shen Che’s expression, then suddenly smiled. “Oh my, Miss, now that you mention it, I didn’t notice before, but you’re right. It does look similar.”
The Old Madam glanced at her smugly. “An He couldn’t bring the child, so I raised Ache since he was little. To put it bluntly, I know what he’s up to just by looking at him. He’s too close to the situation to see it now.”
Granny Cao chuckled at the Old Madam’s rare crude remark. “You know Ache’s personality. If he doesn’t want to talk, asking won’t help. I think the one who tied the bell should be the one to untie it. Since you’re sure something happened between Ache and Cheng girl, why don’t you ask her? She can’t hide it from you.”