Ji Cheng initially thought she was hallucinating, but upon closer inspection, the figure remained.
A sapphire blue robe, a black fox fur coat, and a white jade crown adorned a face as flawless as polished jade with eyes like cold stars—who else could it be but Shen Che?
Ji Cheng was startled, abruptly standing up and nearly bumping into Ling Ziyun’s nose. Ling Ziyun quickly dodged backward, almost twisting his waist and falling.
“Acheng…” Ling Ziyun, still unaware of the situation, couldn’t understand why Ji Cheng suddenly changed her expression and pushed him away.
By now, Ji Cheng had already moved to shield Ling Ziyun.
This action caused Shen Che, standing under the tree, to narrow his eyes. A cold smile tugged at his lips as he stared fixedly at Ji Cheng, who was protecting Ling Ziyun like a mother hen guarding her chick.
Ling Ziyun had also noticed Shen Che by now, and a tinge of embarrassment colored his face. He had chosen this spot as the most secluded place in Fahong Temple, surrounded by giant trees. Even the temple’s monks rarely came here, let alone outside visitors. How did Shen Che end up here?
Amidst his chagrin, Ling Ziyun began to wonder why the Second Young Master of Duke Qi’s household would suddenly appear in North Jin. He and Shen Che had last met over two years ago when Ji Cheng’s mother passed away. However, they had no connection, and although Ling Ziyun had wanted to strike up a conversation then, Shen Che’s arrogant demeanor had deterred him.
Now, faced with this sudden encounter, Ling Ziyun, who had been momentarily dazed and shielded by Ji Cheng, quickly stepped forward to partially obscure her. Young women were naturally shy, and since they weren’t yet engaged, Ling Ziyun feared Shen Che might spread rumors, tarnishing Ji Cheng’s reputation. So he intended to exchange a few words and establish a friendly rapport.
“Cousin Che,” Ji Cheng finally managed to say after taking a deep breath.
Only then did Ling Ziyun realize, “Oh, right, this Second Young Master Shen is also considered Ji Cheng’s cousin. Surely, he’ll help keep things discreet for the sake of family ties.”
Hearing Ji Cheng’s voice, Shen Che smiled and took two steps forward. Each step seemed to tread on Ji Cheng’s heartstrings, making her heart race uncontrollably.
Shen Che’s gaze swept over to Ling Ziyun, and Ji Cheng immediately shifted to block him again.
Shen Che halted and spoke, “So it’s Cousin Cheng. I thought it was some wild lovebirds being so brazen in this sacred Buddhist ground.”
His words made Ji Cheng’s face burn with embarrassment, and Ling Ziyun was equally uncomfortable. Ling Ziyun stepped forward and said, “Young Master Shen misunderstands. Acheng is my betrothed. We haven’t seen each other for several years, which is why we were a bit carried away.”
“Betrothed?” Shen Che raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Ling Ziyun had already sensed Shen Che’s arrogance. Not one to grovel, and having already explained twice, he changed the subject: “I wonder what brings Young Master Shen to North Jin so suddenly? Since we’ve had this chance encounter, and you’re Acheng’s cousin, why don’t you let us host a gathering?”
“Alright,” Shen Che agreed, looking at Ling Ziyun with a meaningful smile.
Both Ji Cheng and Ling Ziyun were taken aback. It had been a mere pleasantry, but unexpectedly, Shen Che had accepted.
Ling Ziyun quickly said, “Very well then, Ling will await Young Master Shen at the Sanhua Tower tonight.”
After Shen Che left, Ling Ziyun finally exhaled, thinking to himself how imposing this Second Young Master Shen was, with such an overwhelming presence that it had been hard to breathe earlier. He had heard that Shen Che was a notorious playboy in the capital, but he hadn’t expected him to possess the same aura as the eldest Shen son. Perhaps it ran in the family.
Ling Ziyun turned to comfort Ji Cheng, “Don’t worry. Men aren’t gossips. Since Young Master Shen has agreed to attend the dinner, he surely won’t speak of today’s incident. I’ll have my father send someone to propose marriage soon.”
Ji Cheng merely responded with a soft “Mm,” but in truth, Ling Ziyun’s reassurances did not affect her. Her concern wasn’t about Shen Che revealing her relationship with Ling Ziyun, but rather Shen Che’s sudden appearance in Jin territory, which truly alarmed her. Moreover, hadn’t he been unusually agreeable today?
Ji Cheng tried to reassure herself. It had been nearly three years since they last met. Even if there had been something between them in the past, it should have faded by now. Perhaps Shen Che was in Jin territory for other matters, or maybe it was related to the Western Regions? She shouldn’t be so presumptuous and scare herself unnecessarily.
Ling Ziyun gazed at Ji Cheng’s beautiful profile, his thoughts stirring again, wanting to spend more time with her. However, Ji Cheng was no longer in the mood. With no one at her disposal, she thought about quickly returning home to ask her Second Brother if he knew why Shen Che had come to North Jin.
As soon as Ji Cheng’s carriage entered the side gate and stopped, an old woman came running to offer congratulations, “Congratulations, Young Miss! Felicitations, Young Miss!”
“What’s the occasion?” Ji Cheng frowned at the old woman’s commotion. She hadn’t noticed much when she lived at home before, but after staying at the Shen household for so long, the behavior of these servants and maids at the Ji household now seemed somewhat distasteful. Unfortunately, she had no authority over the Ji household and could only turn a blind eye.
“A young master from the Duke’s mansion came to propose marriage today. Young Miss is going to be part of the Duke’s household in the future,” the old woman said gleefully, seeming even more excited than the family members themselves. In reality, she was just anticipating the reward for delivering good news.
Little did she know that instead of a reward, she received a rebuke from Ji Cheng, who frowned and snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
When the old woman first heard the news, she didn’t believe it either. Now, seeing Ji Cheng’s disbelief, she didn’t doubt herself and continued grinning, “This old servant wouldn’t dare speak nonsense. How could I make up such a thing? The First Young Madam gave everyone rewards early this morning. The master wants you to go to his study as soon as you return.”
Ji Cheng strode towards the inner gate. As soon as she entered, she saw Fan Zengli coming to greet her, her face beaming with a smile that rivaled the spring sunshine. She began with, “Young Miss, great joy has come to you!”
Ji Cheng raised an eyebrow.
Fan Zengli, still deliberately building suspense, said, “Who would have thought that Young Miss would have such good fortune? It truly shows that timing is everything. I’ve always said that a young lady of your beauty and character would be wasted in our North Jin.”
Ji Cheng remained silent with a stern face. Fan Zengli finally noticed something was amiss. She understood that Ji Cheng probably had Ling Ziyun in mind, but now was not the time to bring up that matter.
“Young Miss, you and the Second Young Master are already acquainted, aren’t you? You know each other well, and when you marry into their family, the old madam there has always been fond of you. Nothing but good days await you there.” Fan Zengli carefully tried to flatter Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng, however, halted in her steps. The glimmer of hope in her heart had now completely vanished. She never imagined that Shen Che’s visit to North Jin was to propose marriage to her.
“Sister-in-law, could there be some mistake? How could a young master from the Duke’s household propose to me? Could it be some distant relative, and you misheard?” Ji Cheng asked.
Fan Zengli’s eyes widened as she said, “How could that be possible? The Shen family sent the Duchess of Peng to propose marriage. It must have been quite an ordeal for Duchess Peng, traveling such a long distance without complaint. It shows how much the Shen family values this marriage.”
“Has Shen Che come to our house?” Ji Cheng asked directly, tired of Fan Zengli’s chatter.
Fan Zengli replied, “How could the Second Young Master come himself? In respectable families, how could the groom-to-be come to propose in person? Naturally, they sent a matchmaker.” Fan Zengli smiled, thinking that despite Ji Cheng’s outward calm, she must be thrilled inside, so excited that she had forgotten the customs of marriage proposals and was eager to see her future husband. So Fan Zengli teased, “Young Miss, don’t be in such a hurry. The Second Young Master isn’t that young anymore, and his family can’t wait either. They suggested setting the wedding date for May or June. You’ll be together for a lifetime then, so what’s the rush for these few months?”
Ji Cheng coldly responded, “Sister-in-law, you should speak less. Think about it—what kind of family is the Shen household, and what kind of family are we? Shen Che is the future Duke of Qi. How could he come to propose to our family? How much do we know about what’s behind this? One should know one’s place. There are plenty of people who starve to death in this world, but there’s no shortage of those who die from overindulgence.”
Fan Zengli had already considered this question. She was puzzled too. Although Shen Che had a reputation as a playboy, his handsome appearance was unparalleled in the capital. Not only did young girls’ hearts flutter at the sight of him, but even married women like herself couldn’t help but blush uncontrollably. No one could have imagined that the Shen family would propose to Ji Cheng.
“Young Miss, you’re overthinking it. You stayed at the Shen household for so long; they must have fallen in love with your character and that’s why they’ve come to propose. Duchess Peng also said that the Shen family’s ancestors and Princess Anhe wanted to find a girl of outstanding character and appearance for the Second Young Master. Family background isn’t always the most important factor; they only require a girl from a respectable family. The Shen family doesn’t need to rely on their in-laws for support. Besides, although the Second Young Master is desirable, he is indeed quite old, and some families might have reservations.” Some might worry about why Shen Che, at his age, hasn’t been betrothed yet—could there be something inappropriate or some unspoken issue?
Ji Cheng coldly smiled, “Other families might have reservations, but doesn’t our family have any concerns?”
Fan Zengli’s smile faltered, feeling that Ji Cheng was being ungrateful. Even if there was something wrong with Shen Che, he was still from the Duke of Qi’s household. She would be the future Duchess of Qi.
Ji Cheng knocked on the door of Ji Qing’s study. The one who opened the door was Pan, her father’s recently taken concubine, who bore some resemblance to the former Xiang. Ji Cheng hadn’t expected her father to still harbor genuine feelings for Xiang, which explained why he hadn’t thoroughly investigated her mother’s death back then.
The rift that had formed between father and daughter over this matter had yet to heal.
Pan, with slightly disheveled hair, emerged from the room and smiled awkwardly at Ji Cheng, “Congratulations to Young Miss.”
Ji Cheng didn’t respond and entered the room.
Seeing Ji Cheng enter, Ji Qing coughed lightly before speaking, “You had just left this morning when the Shen family of Duke Qi sent Duchess Peng to our house to propose marriage. I have already agreed.”
Ji Cheng said, “Father, didn’t you suspect why the Shen family would propose to me?”
Ji Qing replied, “Duchess Peng said that the Shen family’s old madam is fond of you, which is why they’ve come to propose for the Second Young Master. It’s also because of your own merits.”
Ji Cheng lowered her head and said, “But I don’t want to.”
Ji Qing sighed, “Acheng, marriage is not a trivial matter. It was you who wanted to go to the capital in the first place. Now that such a good marriage proposal has come, why are you unwilling? Have you forgotten your original intention for going to the capital?”
“I haven’t forgotten, but Brother Ziyun has helped me a lot, and he has made something of himself now. Moreover, this marriage is beyond our station.”
Ji Qing said, “What do you mean beyond our station? Right now, the Shen family is at the height of its power. The Great General of the Western Conquest has repeatedly achieved military success in the Northwest, which is an enormous merit. How many families wish they could marry their daughters into the Shen family, yet here you are… Don’t you realize that when you’re old, will Ling Ziyun still treat you as well as he does now? You’re young and naive, easily swayed by a man’s sweet words. When you reach my age, you’ll understand. I won’t harm you. If you don’t heed my words today, you’ll regret it in the future.”
Ji Cheng stood up and said, “I have faith in Brother Ziyun. Even if I make the wrong choice, it’s my own decision. Father, don’t assume everyone in this world is like you.”
These words might have been too hurtful. Ji Qing raised his hand and slapped Ji Cheng, “You ungrateful child! You wanted to deal with Xiang and Huo, and I complied with all your wishes. What more do you want? I gave birth to you and raised you, and this is how you repay me? Girls truly have their hearts set elsewhere. If I had known this would happen, why did I sacrifice our family’s wealth to save you when Zhu Jijun wanted to forcibly take you as a concubine?”
Ji Cheng, holding her face, said, “If Father was willing to save your daughter from such peril then, why can’t you fulfill your daughter’s wishes now?”
Ji Qing felt that Ji Cheng must be bewitched. Rejecting such a good marriage proposal and insisting on marrying Ling Ziyun—if this wasn’t being misguided, what was it? “Back then, you were going to be someone’s concubine. Now, you’re marrying as a principal wife, the future Duchess. How can these be the same? I’ve met the Second Young Master. How is he not better than Ling Ziyun in every way?”
Ji Cheng was determined, “Even if he’s better than Brother Ziyun in every aspect, I just don’t like him.”
“You…” Ji Qing pointed at Ji Cheng’s nose, too angry to speak. “You unfilial child! Have you no shame? A young lady, constantly talking about liking or not liking—have you thrown all the teachings of the sages to the wind?”
Ji Cheng knew that Ji Qing was set on accepting this marriage proposal. Further discussion would be futile, so she said, “But Father, don’t be too happy yet. Shen Che might not want this marriage anymore.”
If Ji Cheng hadn’t misunderstood, the proposal would have come before Shen Che discovered her intimate relationship with Ling Ziyun.