In less than half an hour, all the maids in the household knew that an esteemed guest had arrived in the front courtyard—the young master of Duke Qi’s manor, the future Duke Qi. Every maid with a shred of ambition scrambled to serve in the front courtyard, completely disregarding proper etiquette.
More than ten maids had already brought tea to Shen Che’s room.
Tong Yue, the servant boy accompanying Second Young Master Shen, couldn’t help but shake his head and say, “We’ve nearly met all the Ji family maids in just one day. I wonder how they’re managed—there’s no sense of order at all. If this were our house, such shameless behavior would have gotten them all sold off already.”
Even Tong Yue looked down on the Ji family’s merchant-like conduct; the inner courtyard was in utter chaos.
Truth be told, the Ji family hadn’t always been like this. When Ji Cheng left, Concubine Xiang and Fan Zengli engaged in overt and covert power struggles, each vying to run the household. They both brought in numerous new staff, driving out most of the Ji family’s old servants. After Fan Zengli’s departure, Concubine Xiang became the sole authority, openly selling favors and positions. This led to the current sorry state of affairs.
When Fan Zengli returned home and saw Ji Cheng dismiss Concubine Xiang without a second thought, she became extremely wary. As an unmarried woman, she was expected to observe a full twenty-seven months of mourning at home, and she had no desire to be under Ji Cheng’s control for so long. She approached Ji Qing, requesting to manage the household. Ji Qing, already displeased with Ji Cheng’s aggressive behavior, seized the opportunity and handed over the household management to Fan Zengli.
Although Fan Zengli had gained some worldly experience in the capital and wished to restore order to the household, her abilities were limited. Moreover, the past few days of keeping vigil had been physically and emotionally draining, leaving her no time to deal with these seductive, bed-hopping maids. Besides, in her mind, offering these maids to noble guests was a form of virtue.
With the masters of the house turning a blind eye, the maids grew even bolder. By nightfall, some even approached Shen Che to offer themselves as bedfellows.
“Please leave. I don’t need anyone to serve me here,” Shen Che said, sparing some face for the maid called Jing Jing by not having her forcibly removed. In a noble house in the capital, encountering such a shameless maid would be utterly humiliating for the host family. Shen Che didn’t want to embarrass Ji Cheng, so he refrained from losing his temper.
However, Jing Jing interpreted Shen Che’s mild rejection as mere shyness. The next evening, she bathed, changed into a sheer silk robe, and returned. The robe was so thin that one could see the patterns on her undergarments.
Jing Jing sashayed in with a tray of tea, intending to enter. When Tong Yue tried to stop her, she deliberately brushed her chest against him, frightening the boy into withdrawing his hand. She gave Tong Yue a flirtatious wink and pushed the door open with her hip.
Tong Yue, momentarily dazzled by Jing Jing’s snow-white bosom, couldn’t be blamed for his lapse—he was, after all, just a teenager, at an age when the sight of a woman could easily inflame him. When he followed her into the room, he saw Jing Jing frozen in a strange pose.
Tong Yue couldn’t help but laugh. Jing Jing had been in the process of undressing when Shen Che paralyzed her with a precise strike.
“Wrap her up in something,” Shen Che said, not even glancing at Jing Jing, finding the sight offensive. He had initially wanted to spare the Ji family embarrassment, but some things cannot be overlooked twice. So he instructed, “Go fetch the Ji family’s eldest daughter.”
Realizing this might not be appropriate, Shen Che added, “Don’t alarm anyone else.”
Tong Yue wrapped Jing Jing in the room’s curtains and left to carry out his orders.
At that moment, Ji Cheng was burning paper money at the spirit altar. Liu Ye’er approached her quietly and whispered Tong Yue’s message in her ear.
Ji Cheng felt her temples throb. How utterly humiliating! She dreaded to think how Second Young Master Shen would mock her now. Reluctant to face Shen Che directly, Ji Cheng said, “I’m not in charge of household matters now. Tell this to my sister-in-law; she’ll handle it.”
Liu Ye’er nodded and rose to leave, but then heard Ji Cheng say, “Never mind, I’ll go myself.”
Ji Cheng realized that constantly avoiding Shen Che wasn’t a solution. If he truly wanted to see her, she couldn’t escape. Ji Cheng wasn’t one to hide, and besides, she had things she wanted to say to Shen Che as well.
When Ji Cheng entered the guest quarters where Shen Che was staying, he was standing in the corridor. Upon seeing her enter, he turned his head and watched her intently.
Ji Cheng approached reluctantly. Although the handprint on Shen Che’s face had disappeared, it was impossible to pretend nothing had happened.
Shen Che observed Ji Cheng as she drew near. Her face was so small that a single hand could cover it twice over, and it was deathly pale. Dressed all in white for the evening, she could have passed for a ghost. There were ashes from the paper money on her bangs, and Shen Che instinctively reached out to brush them away.
At that exact moment, Ji Cheng took half a step back and turned away. Forgive her for judging a gentleman by her low standards—she thought Shen Che was about to retaliate.
The atmosphere grew awkward. This time, however, Ji Cheng’s evasion didn’t spark anger in Shen Che, but rather a sense of desolation. Seeing Ji Cheng so haggard, he wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to embrace her. But even this small wish was unwelcome—she probably wished he hadn’t appeared at all.
Having dodged Shen Che’s hand, Ji Cheng felt equally awkward. She tried to dissipate the silence by signaling to Liu Ye’er with her eyes.
Liu Ye’er turned and gave instructions to two older female servants behind her, who then entered the room.
Shen Che took a couple of steps toward the door and made a gesture to release Jing Jing from her paralysis. Jing Jing let out a moan and collapsed softly to the ground, the curtain wrapped around her coming loose to reveal her ample bosom.
The two older women spat in disgust at the sight, while Ji Cheng felt too ashamed to look. She bowed slightly to Shen Che and said, “I sincerely apologize for the offense, Cousin. I’ll have my sister-in-law discipline the servants properly.”
After a moment of silence, and once the servants had carried Jing Jing away, Shen Che said, “If there’s anything you need my help with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, Cousin.”
“My condolences.”
These two people, who had once shared a bed, now spoke to each other more stiffly than strangers.
“Since you’re here, Cousin, please take Nan Gui back with you,” Ji Cheng said, still keeping her head lowered. “Now that I’ve returned home, I’ll be living in a hut by my mother’s grave to observe mourning after her burial. Keeping Nan Gui here would be a waste of her talents.”
Ji Cheng had expected some verbal sparring, but Shen Che simply replied, “Very well. However, since Nan Gui is most familiar with you, she’ll remain your point of contact if we need to exchange messages in the future.”
“Understood,” Ji Cheng responded. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to the spirit altar.”
The Ji family, while considered wealthy in northern Jin, usually maintained a low profile. However, for an event as significant as the passing of the family matriarch, there would be no shortage of mourners paying their respects. With only a few family members available, they were struggling to receive all the guests properly. Even Ji Qing, bedridden with illness, couldn’t rise to help.
Even Ji Cheng’s second brother, Ji Ze, despite his leg injury, had to come out to entertain guests. Ji Ze had once been the most lively and active member of the family, with some skill in martial arts. But after the incident involving Ji Cheng, he was beaten by the Zhu family and left with a permanent limp. This had turned his personality gloomy, and he rarely left the house these days.
Whenever Ji Cheng saw Ji Ze, she was filled with guilt. They had once been the closest of siblings, but now they had grown apart. Ji Cheng couldn’t bear to see Ji Ze; every glimpse of his injured leg pained her deeply. She lacked the courage even to face him, only able to silently make amends. Her later efforts to support the Ji family, risking everything by privately dealing in military equipment—wasn’t it all to ensure that Ji Ze could live a life of luxury without worry?
While Ji Ze loved his sister, the injured leg remained an insurmountable barrier between them. In moments of sorrow, he couldn’t help but wonder: what if he hadn’t intervened back then?
When Shen Che saw Ji Ze struggling to walk to a chair due to his leg pain, he stepped forward to offer assistance.
After thanking him, Ji Ze realized it was Shen Che, the heir to Duke Qi’s manor, who had helped him. In the past, Ji Ze had been fond of making friends and would have eagerly sought to befriend someone as distinguished as Shen Che. Now, however, he only felt shame at his condition.
“If I may ask, Brother Zhong Ze, is your leg condition congenital?” Shen Che asked, clearly feigning ignorance. He was well aware of the circumstances surrounding the Ji siblings and knew that Ji Ze’s injury was related to Ji Cheng.
Ji Ze shook his head, surprised that Shen Che knew his courtesy name. While he usually despised anyone mentioning his leg injury, he felt compelled to tolerate it coming from Shen Che. “No, it’s an old injury from a few years back. Nothing serious. Let’s not dwell on it.”
Shen Che, seemingly oblivious to Ji Ze’s discomfort, pressed on, “How many years has it been since the injury?”
“About four or five years,” Ji Ze replied. “I’ve grown accustomed to it.”
“Four or five years? That’s not too bad. If it had been eight or nine years, it might be a different story,” Shen Che mused. “I have a friend who’s quite skilled in bone-setting and joint manipulation. He might be able to help with your injury.”
Ji Ze, who should have been elated at this news, instead grew suspicious. Shen Che’s line of questioning seemed deliberate leading up to this offer. But who were they, the Ji family, to deserve such unsolicited kindness from the heir of Duke Qi? There’s no such thing as a free lunch, Ji Ze thought, growing wary.
Shen Che, perceiving Ji Ze’s thoughts, smiled and said, “I only inquired further because I noticed your difficulty walking. My friend, though highly skilled, is a wanderer. I’m not sure of his current whereabouts, but when I receive word, I’ll let you know, Brother Zhong Ze.”
“Thank you, thank you,” Ji Ze bowed in gratitude.
“Our families are relatives, Brother Zhong Ze. There’s no need for such formality,” Shen Che replied.
Long after Shen Che had left, Ji Ze remained deep in thought. He couldn’t fathom any reason for Shen Che to harm him, so this must genuinely be an act of kindness. If so, Ji Ze mused, this heir to Duke Qi truly embodied chivalry and righteousness. No wonder the Qi ducal manor had stood strong for so many years.
In truth, Shen Che could have easily mentioned Ji Cheng to Ji Ze but refrained out of concern for her reputation. He feared Ji Ze might misinterpret things, especially since Ji Cheng still had three years of mourning ahead of her. Being associated with a notorious playboy like himself at such a time might not be beneficial for Ji Cheng.
Shen Che didn’t stay long in Jin. He had pressing matters to attend to, and recent news about Zhe Li demanded his attention, so he couldn’t linger.
When Ji Cheng heard of Shen Che’s imminent departure, she felt a sense of relief. Her nerves had been on edge these past few days, constantly fearing some mischief from Shen Che.
Just as she was pondering Shen Che, Ji Cheng caught a glimpse of him at the doorway. He walked straight towards her, leaving Ji Cheng no choice but to avoid his gaze by lowering her head under the pretense of burning paper money.