Ji Cheng glanced behind Li Rui. The servants who had just finished their tasks hadn’t gone far, and they likely overheard a bit of the conversation.
Her sister-in-law, despite her seemingly innocent appearance, often used that facade to say things inconsiderate of others’ feelings. Of course, she had that privilege, being the daughter of the Loyal and Valiant Marquis. She was born with the right to look down on most people.
“What brings you here?” Ji Cheng asked with a smile as she stood up.
“Do I need a reason to chat with my Second Sister-in-law?” Li Rui pouted.
Ji Cheng led her to sit in the nearby Zhenyan Hall.
Li Rui brought up the earlier topic again, “Second Sister-in-law, you were so impressive earlier. Without even raising your voice, you subdued those cunning old servants with just a few soft words. Unlike me, ah…”
Although Li Rui also managed the affairs of the Third House, there was a “Dowager Empress” above her who hadn’t fully relinquished power. She bore the title of housekeeper in name only, having to consult Ji Lan on everything. Those old servants, being sly, knew she had no real authority over them and simply ignored her instructions, paying lip service while doing as they pleased.
As Li Rui spoke, her eyes caught sight of the green jade hairpin in Ji Cheng’s hair. It was shaped like a camellia flower, with an exquisite design. The petals were inlaid with thin jade pieces, gradually changing from green to white, looking as natural as a swaying camellia on a branch.
Coming from a prestigious family, Li Rui had seen her share of rare treasures. To her knowledge, even the master craftsmen in the palace workshops couldn’t produce such paper-thin jade pieces.
Li Rui inwardly sneered, wondering how this Second Young Madam had such good fortune to marry into the Main House. She thought of the bamboo grove and the winding path by the spring she passed on her way to the Nine Li Courtyard. That was truly a divine dwelling, only possible with a century of heritage.
It wasn’t that Li Rui looked down on the Third House, but their residence truly lacked heritage. Nothing about their food, clothing, or living quarters suggested they were part of a Duke’s household. Whenever she tried to make improvements, her mother-in-law would react like a cat with its tail stepped on.
Li Rui saw Ji Cheng every day when they paid respects to the Old Madam. In the month since Ji Cheng had entered the family, Li Rui had never seen her wear the same clothes or shoes twice. The accessories in her hair and on her hands were never repeated either. Indeed, it showed her merchant family background, as if she feared others wouldn’t know she had money.
Ji Cheng was truly wronged in this matter. She didn’t pay much attention to her attire. Her maids, Liuye and Yuqian, were responsible for matching her accessories and clothes. Yuqian, being fond of novelty, liked to adorn her mistress with new items every day.
In reality, Ji Cheng didn’t originally have so many accessories. After her marriage, her wardrobe and jewelry box were filled to the brim, but it wasn’t her doing.
Ji Cheng didn’t even know which items were hers and which were new additions. It was Yuqian who told her about the many new accessories and clothes that had appeared.
It was easy to guess that this was Shen Che’s doing. Oh, right, it’s worth mentioning that the pink blouse with the particularly low neckline was also prepared for Ji Cheng by Shen Che.
“Second Sister-in-law, the hairpin in your hair is so unique. I’ve never seen such a style before. I wonder which craftsman made it, it’s truly ingenious,” Li Rui had forgotten about discussing the cunning old servants and turned her attention to Ji Cheng’s hairpin.
Women always love to compare – comparing husbands, sons, attire, everything. Li Rui had been comparing herself with her cousin Li Hui since childhood, and now it has become a habit in her daily life.
Ji Cheng was pondering how to respond to Li Rui’s earlier comment about the obedient old servants, which wasn’t her doing. The Main House was the only branch, with Shen Che being the future sole master and having a domineering personality. How could those old servants dare not listen to Ji Cheng? But Li Rui had suddenly changed the topic.
Ji Cheng touched the hairpin in her hair and smiled bashfully, “I’m not quite sure either. Let me call Yuqian to ask.”
Normally, a guest would say there’s no need to trouble oneself over a small hairpin. But Li Rui remained silent, tacitly agreeing.
Unfortunately, Yuqian was also clueless, “This servant only knows that the Young Master had it sent over, but doesn’t know which craftsman made it.”
No craftsman could have made it. Initially, Shen Che had someone take a design to Feng Laoe, the most skilled craftsman in the Southern Craftsmen’s Quarter of this generation. But upon seeing the design, Feng Laoe repeatedly shook his head, saying he couldn’t produce such thin jade pieces.
So, Shen Che himself had carved the camellia petals for the jade hairpin. When it was sent to Feng Laoe, he was amazed and didn’t even charge for the labor, simply completing the hairpin.
Li Rui was somewhat disappointed but felt that Ji Cheng was deliberately concealing information. However, she could understand. Such a hairpin could make her stand out among all the noble ladies, so naturally, she wouldn’t want others to have the same.
Ji Cheng could see that Li Rui liked it very much, so she removed the hairpin and handed it to Li Rui, “If you don’t mind, Sister-in-law, please take this hairpin. I’ll ask my husband later where it was made.”
Li Rui was uncomfortable with this. She never thought she’d be in a position to receive gifts from Ji Cheng. But she truly liked it too much, so she accepted it with a seemingly reluctant attitude.
It was then that Li Rui mentioned her real purpose. Ji Lan’s birthday was approaching, and since August was also the time for the autumn imperial examinations, Ji Lan didn’t want a grand celebration. However, this was Ji Lan’s first birthday since Li Rui had entered the family, so as a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t ignore it. She had come specifically to invite Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng immediately agreed. Li Rui smiled and said, “Second Sister-in-law truly lives a comfortable life. The Princess is such a considerate mother-in-law, and I hear Second Brother has taken a position at the Four Houses Academy and has learned to settle down and care for the family. Sister-in-law, you truly have good fortune.”
Compared to Ji Cheng, Li Rui indeed felt some imbalance. Ever since Ji Cheng’s wedding day when she and Shen Jing disagreed, Shen Jing had returned to study at Dongshan Academy and didn’t come home even during breaks. Her mother-in-law was also quite troublesome, aging her with worry. Li Rui sighed and touched her face. She was two years younger than Ji Cheng, but her complexion couldn’t compare. Ji Cheng’s skin was fair with a rosy tint, without a single blemish.
As soon as Li Rui left, Yuqian began to gossip, “Miss, the Fourth Young Madam’s words were truly sour. I’ve inquired about her. Her father is incompetent, and their branch couldn’t establish itself in the Loyal and Valiant Marquis’s household. She didn’t bring much dowry when she married in, and she spends her days currying favor with the First Young Madam. But when she comes to our mansion, she acts like a big shot.”
Ji Cheng gave Yuqian a reproachful look, “Stop gossiping about the masters behind their backs, you chatterbox.” Although Ji Cheng didn’t know about the things Yuqian mentioned, she could guess Li Rui’s previous circumstances. Ji Lan had wanted to take Li Hui as a daughter-in-law, but she looked down on such a mother-in-law. The fact that Li Rui, born of the Loyal and Valiant Marquis, married into the Shen family’s Third House, allowed one to infer many things.
Ji Lan’s birthday celebration was held as a family banquet at the mansion in Tiexian Hutong. Li Rui had invited the masters of all the houses, and even the Old Madam attended. They had also invited a troupe of actors and acrobats to liven up the occasion.
However, when everyone had arrived, Shen Cui was nowhere to be seen. This was her mother’s birthday. It was almost time for lunch when Shen Cui finally rushed in. Instead of offering birthday wishes, she immediately fell to her knees in front of the Old Madam and began to cry.
If it weren’t her mother’s birthday, someone might have slapped Shen Cui first.
“What’s the matter?” the Old Madam quickly asked, “Get up quickly, it’s such a good day, why are you crying?”
No one else moved, so Ji Cheng had to step forward to help Shen Cui up. Shen Cui’s relationships were poor; she had even offended Shen Yuan.
Shen Cui first shook off Ji Cheng’s hand, and Ji Cheng was about to let go and ignore her, but Shen Cui had become smarter than before and didn’t dare to be too capricious. She stood up with Ji Cheng’s help.
Ji Cheng heard Shen Cui crying and wailing, and only then learned that Qi Zheng’s cousin was pregnant. Shen Cui was demanding to abort the child, but the Qi family naturally disagreed. This morning, Shen Cui had caused a big scene at the Qi house, and now she had returned with a carriage full of belongings, clearly intending to stay for a long time.
“If that child isn’t removed, I won’t go back. I’ll divorce him,” Shen Cui shouted.
Everyone seemed unmoved as if they were used to this. Ji Cheng, having been away for three years, didn’t know that this wasn’t the first time Shen Cui had made such a scene. When Qi Zheng took in his cousin as a concubine, Shen Cui also caused trouble, but it eventually came to nothing.
It wasn’t that the Shen family didn’t support her, but rather that she would obediently return after a few coaxing words from Qi Zheng, saying she couldn’t let that little vixen win.
As a result, who would dare help her? In the end, she would end up pleasing neither side.
“Child, that’s a life. Once conceived, how can you talk about removing it? It would harm your yin energy,” the Old Madam’s words set the tone.
She was a sensible person. Qi Zheng’s mother was barely holding on, and now that there was a chance of a grandson, how could she let go?
Ji Lan poked Shen Cui’s forehead hard with her finger, “What were you doing? What about the contraceptive medicine?”
Shen Cui sobbed, “Stopped it.”
“You agreed?” Ji Lan asked again.
Shen Cui fell silent, then cried, “Qi Zheng tricked me.” He had said the contraceptive medicine was harmful to the body, so he had stopped giving it to the concubines. He had coaxed her into playing various bedroom games for a night, saying that even if he went to the concubines’ rooms, he wouldn’t do anything. This was said less than two or three months ago, and now that cousin was pregnant.
“Old Ancestor, what should we do about this?” Ji Lan looked to the Old Madam for help. Although she was usually tough, when faced with difficult decisions, she still had to consult the Old Madam.
The Old Madam closed her eyes briefly, then reopened them and said, “Since Cui’er agreed to it herself, there’s no justification for such a fuss. If you’re willing, you can take the child as your own after the concubine gives birth. If not, then take care of your health and try to conceive quickly.”
Unfortunately, with Shen Cui’s temperament, she couldn’t tolerate a child born to a concubine, especially one from that seductive cousin. Yet she could not also conceive herself. She had taken many medicines but to no effect.
With Shen Cui’s outburst, no one was in the mood for merriment anymore. However, the family banquet for the evening had already been arranged, and the Duke had been invited. Shen Jing was also returning from Dongshan Academy, so the evening banquet would proceed as planned.
Shen Che, breaking his usual pattern, returned to the Nine Li Courtyard before dinner. Ji Cheng had just changed her clothes, and Liuye was adjusting her dress and presenting jade pendants and sachets for her to choose from.
Shen Che walked over and selected a melon-shaped sachet from the black lacquered, gold-painted tray with sea caltrop patterns. He approached Ji Cheng and reached out to fasten it for her.
After the morning’s events, Ji Cheng felt uncomfortable being so close to Shen Che. She shifted slightly and said, “The banquet is about to start. Have Liuye help you change first.”
Shen Che finished fastening the sachet for Ji Cheng, stepped back slightly to examine it, and continued adjusting to ensure it wasn’t crooked. Meanwhile, he said to Liuye, “You may go now. Ask Nishan to brew a pot of strong tea.”
Ji Cheng then noticed the dark circles under Shen Che’s eyes. “How long have you gone without sleep?”
Shen Che selected a double fish jade pendant for Ji Cheng and put it on her, “Three days, I suppose. I only dozed off for a moment on your bed this morning.” He had intended to take a short nap, but lying on his side watching Ji Cheng’s sleeping face, time had passed unknowingly, and he ended up not resting at all.
“Are the matters in the Northwest troubling you?” Ji Cheng unconsciously reached out to help when Shen Che started to undo his belt to change clothes.
Shen Che raised his arms to cooperate with Ji Cheng’s movements, “Only a great battle can bring a few years of peace to the Central Plains.”
Ji Cheng helped Shen Che remove his outer robe and then stopped. Shen Che complained, “Not going to take off the trousers?”
They had been discussing serious matters, and Ji Cheng had slightly improved her opinion of Shen Che for his concern for the country and its people. But now he was being improper again.
However, Ji Cheng couldn’t let Shen Che tease her successfully, or he would only become more brazen. She saw a pair of scissors in the nearby sewing basket and picked them up.
Shen Che chuckled softly.
Ji Cheng, embarrassed and annoyed, said, “What are you laughing at? Can’t you take off your trousers? Here, use these to cut them off.” Ji Cheng extended her hand to pass the scissors, but midway, her eyes caught sight of the gradually rising bulge in Shen Che’s trousers.
Shen Che laughed out loud, seemingly not at all ashamed, while Ji Cheng was so embarrassed she immediately turned away. When she heard footsteps, Shen Che had already entered the bathroom, calling out, “Bring me a set of robes.”