Ji Cheng was sitting on the couch by the south window, hugging her knees and lost in thought. In reality, she wasn’t as frightened as she had appeared in front of Shen Che. At least now, after sorting through past events and future possibilities, she could calmly sip a cup of clear tea.
Before Shen Che had revealed his plan, Ji Cheng was indeed trembling with fear, unsure of what storm was coming. But the idea of marrying Liu Jun, though difficult to accept, was much milder than even the lightest revenge she had anticipated.
So what if he preferred men? It happened to suit her, as she wasn’t particularly interested in men either. As long as they went through the wedding ceremony, not consummating the marriage might even be a relief. Ji Cheng thought to herself.
The only thing that made Ji Cheng frown was: had Shen Che let her off so easily?
Ji Cheng shook her head. She couldn’t help but interpret Shen Che’s actions with the worst intentions. This seemed too lenient coming from him. Wouldn’t it have been better to force her to marry Dai Liheng? Ji Cheng shuddered at the mere thought of Zhu Jijun.
Ji Cheng rubbed her brow, trying to guess Shen Che’s next move. What did he want? He hadn’t answered her at the time. Marrying her to Liu Jun while allowing the Ji family to continue cooperating with Yuan Qianhe – did that mean she and Shen Che would continue to be entangled?
At this thought, Ji Cheng’s fingers trembled, knocking over her teacup. The tea meandered across the small table like tears.
Ji Cheng held her head in her hands, recalling Liu Jun’s preferences. Why had Shen Che chosen between Dai Liheng and Liu Jun? Now she realized that Dai Liheng’s presence was merely to make her willingly choose Liu Jun, as Shen Che must have known how much she despised anyone associated with Zhu Jijun.
But why Liu Jun? Because he would never touch her, allowing her to continue being Shen Che’s forbidden fruit, right?
Ji Cheng’s hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Shen Che indeed knew what bothered her most. As long as she had value to him, as long as she could still… Ji Cheng didn’t want to think about those filthy things. Wasn’t Shen Che most fond of toying with young widows?
Ji Cheng felt all her strength drain away. Suddenly, she recalled Shen Che’s words before he left for the Western Regions. Looking back now, it seemed ironic. He knew everything, yet still spoke of her being “blessed” and told her to “wait for his return.”
As Ji Cheng was hazily trying to figure out the reasons behind all this, she heard Nan Gui softly reporting at the door, “Miss, Jin Xiu has come to invite you to dinner.”
Ji Cheng had no appetite for dinner, but she couldn’t refuse the Old Madam’s invitation. She wasn’t alone; the Ji and Ling families were in Shen Che’s hands. No wonder he was so confident.
Ji Cheng quickly washed her face, changed her clothes, and headed to the front.
The maids in the Old Madam’s room had already been dismissed. As soon as Ji Cheng entered, she understood that the Old Madam surely had something private to say to her.
“Cheng, come here quickly,” the Old Madam beckoned to Ji Cheng, indicating for her to sit beside her.
As soon as Ji Cheng sat down next to the Old Madam, she heard her say in a reproachful tone, “Che has gone too far this time. Did he tell you about the background of the eldest son of Dr. Liu from the Imperial Academy?”
Ji Cheng nodded.
“Child, what are you thinking? You’ll be a living widow as soon as you enter that house, and you’ll have to bear an unsavory reputation. You’re not missing any limbs, so why have you set your heart on the Liu family?” the Old Madam asked.
Ji Cheng sighed, her eyes already brimming with tears. This wasn’t difficult for her; just thinking about her current situation made it hard not to cry. “The two previous engagements were thanks to your concern, Old Ancestor. But it was all due to my lack of virtue. Now people outside are saying all sorts of things.” Gossip always liked to think the worst. If Ye Lang would rather marry a buck-toothed girl than Ji Cheng, one could imagine how low Ji Cheng had been degraded in people’s self-righteous logic.
If not for this, the Old Madam wouldn’t have allowed Shen Che to act so recklessly at that time.
“Don’t mind what others say. Don’t we know who we are?” the Old Madam said.
Ji Cheng lowered her head and said, “I’m not getting any younger, and Cousin Che means well. With my family background, being neither high nor low is already awkward. Although Young Master Liu’s preferences are somewhat unusual, the Liu family’s traditions are not bad. I thought that after marrying, I would first be filial to my in-laws, then slowly see if I could win Young Master Liu’s heart. As they say, sincerity can pierce through the stone. As long as I’m sincere, I’m sure I can move Young Master Liu one day.”
These words were naively convincing. To make her reasoning sound plausible, Ji Cheng didn’t hesitate to portray herself as a self-pitying, melancholic woman.
Having lived for so many decades, how could the Old Madam not understand how difficult it would be to win over Young Master Liu? If it were truly possible, would Master Liu have allowed Liu Jun to act so recklessly, remaining unmarried well into his twenties?
However, the Old Madam couldn’t discourage Ji Cheng. Who knows, with Ji Cheng’s snow-white skin and flower-like beauty, she might be able to move Liu Jun?
“Ah, who can predict the future? Marriage is not a trivial matter. We should still consult your father,” the Old Madam said, looking at the demure Ji Cheng. She then changed the subject, “It’s just the two of us now, so I’m not afraid to tell you. Someone as clever as you, who wouldn’t like you? The boys in our family are all still unmarried. I thought surely one of them would be suitable for you. What do you think?”
Ji Cheng would have been truly naive to believe the Old Madam’s words. She immediately realized that the Old Madam had become suspicious for some reason and was trying to test her.
Ji Cheng pretended to be flattered but shook her head, “Old Ancestor, I’ve never thought of it that way. I respect all the cousins in the family like brothers.”
The Old Madam stared at Ji Cheng without blinking. Seeing no trace of shyness in her eyes, only mostly panic, she knew Ji Cheng was probably telling the truth. The Old Madam suddenly felt a bit angry. Whether it was Shen Yu or Shen Che, how were they lacking? Her evasiveness – could it be that she looked down on them?
However, the Old Madam knew her thinking wasn’t quite right. After all, if Ji Cheng could accept someone like Liu Jun, it showed she was too mindful of her place.
After dinner, once Ji Cheng had left, Cao Ma-ma asked, “Miss, did you notice anything?”
She had noticed something, yet nothing at all.
The Old Madam’s feelings were hard to describe. “Cheng’s words were watertight.”
Cao Ma-ma didn’t understand her meaning.
In the Old Madam’s view, Shen Che was full of holes. Once feelings arise, they’re hard to conceal. In contrast, Ji Cheng was impenetrable.
The Old Madam wasn’t the only one who felt Ji Cheng’s emotions were watertight.
In the South Guang Alley by the river, the sound of a pipa rose, like pearls falling on a jade plate or jade falling on ice. Chu De listened while tapping the rhythm on his knee. Occasionally glancing at Shen Che, who was looking down and fiddling with his wine cup, he couldn’t help but curse him inwardly for wasting such a fine performance.
Luo Zhenzhen’s pipa skills were heavenly. Luo Zhenzhen was originally a famous courtesan from Jiangnan, the reigning beauty of the Hangzhou Flower Festival three years ago. Later, she redeemed herself, married, and left the profession. Now she had returned to her old trade, coming north alone to establish herself in the South Guang Alley of the capital. She had just opened her doors, and people willing to pay silver just to see her face were already booked half a year in advance. Chu De had gone to great lengths, doing both good and bad deeds, to cut in line.
All this was just to help Shen Che divert his mood.
Honestly, Chu De felt stifled on Shen Che’s behalf. He had waited so long but hadn’t seen Shen Che take any thunderous action. He had even prepared various tortures for Ji Cheng, but Shen Che hadn’t shown any signs of movement.
Chu De leaned over to Shen Che and said, “What are you thinking about? You were the one who regretted not going south to hear Zhenzhen’s pipa. Now the beauty is right before your eyes, why do you look so dispirited?”
Luo Zhenzhen’s fingers plucked the pipa, but her ears were pricked up listening to their conversation. Both Shen Che and Chu De had status she couldn’t afford to offend. Not only could she not offend them, but she also had to flatter and please them to truly establish herself in the capital.
Chu De winked and made faces at Shen Che. Luo Zhenzhen’s appearance fit men’s aesthetic quite well – charming and alluring. Most importantly, having given birth, her bosom was high and full, just looking at it made one want to grab it. If Shen Che wasn’t interested, Chu De would strive to be her patron.
“Haven’t seen you for a few days, feels like you’ve gained another ten jin. Can you still move?” Shen Che said harshly and impatiently.
Chu De’s eyebrows rose, “Hey, Shen Sixing, that’s not fair. I invited you out of goodwill to cheer you up, why are you taking it out on me?”
Seeing Chu De and Shen Che start to quarrel, Luo Zhenzhen doesn’t know whether to continue playing or stop. Fortunately, she saw Shen Che wave his hand at her, so she packed up her pipa and retreated.
Shen Che then looked at Chu De, patted his shoulder, and said, “Sorry.”
Chu De wasn’t angry. Having been friends with Shen Che for so many years, when had he ever seen him take out his frustrations on a friend? This was the first time, and it was clear that he was extremely unhappy.
In Chu De’s view, there were plenty of fish in the sea. Shen Che was being too sentimental. How could someone like Ji Cheng be worth such turmoil? Besides, wasn’t Fang Xuan coming back?
Good heavens!
Chu De suddenly remembered Ji Cheng had schemed against Fang Xuan, yet she was still alive and well. Wasn’t that too… At this thought, Chu De wanted to slap himself. No wonder Shen Che had silenced him when he spoke out of turn that day.
Although Shen Che usually appeared generous, when he turned petty, Chu De suffered. Fearing that Shen Che might bring up old grudges in the future, Chu De didn’t dare say anything bad about Ji Cheng now. After a moment of silence and thought, he said, “What are you apologizing for? I know you’re not happy. We’re brothers, what can’t we talk about? If you don’t mind me talking too much, let me say a few words.”
Shen Che smiled at Chu De’s words. He straightened his robe, sat up, and said, “Alright, go ahead.”
Chu De had no idea what to say. He had just spoken casually earlier, but now that it had come to this, he had to come up with something. “What exactly do you plan to do with Ji Cheng?” he asked.
Things had already reached a point of no return, and Chu De really couldn’t see how there could be any reconciliation between Shen Che and Ji Cheng. Moreover, who would dare to marry a woman who was ready to kill at any moment and keep her by their pillow?