With Yugian’s marriage plans obstructed, Ji Cheng didn’t dare to rush Liu Ye’er’s situation either. The current circumstances were unclear, and she still needed to make long-term plans for these two girls.
Although Ji Cheng’s side was filled with worry, the Shen family was experiencing double happiness. Just as Shen Qian’s marriage was settled, Shen Zheng’s marriage prospects also showed promise.
The Shen family was now adorned with flowers and brocade. The Old Madam, however, was thinking of potential dangers even in times of peace. Madam Huang, breaking with tradition, no longer nitpicked about the daughter-in-law’s background, focusing only on the girl’s character.
In the end, after much discussion, they settled on Shen Zheng’s benefactor, the girl who had saved him when he was injured—Feng Shuang.
Feng Shuang was now considered an orphan. Thanks to Shen Che using his official position to inquire, they found out she had almost no relatives left in the south. Her parents had passed away long ago, and she had gone to the frontier with her brother. She happened to save Shen Zheng once, and as a result, Feng Shuang’s brother wholeheartedly followed Shen Zheng to join the Northern Expedition Army. Unfortunately, he had sacrificed his life in the great victory at Leyuan Pass.
Regardless, Feng Shuang’s family background was clean, and she had done Shen Zheng a favor. Marrying her as a daughter-in-law might not bring advantages, but it certainly wouldn’t bring disadvantages. At the very least, there would be almost no poor relatives coming to ask for favors, and it would give the impression that the Shen family was very grateful and repaid kindness.
Shen Zheng now had no objections to marrying anyone. He was eager to settle down because as long as his marriage wasn’t settled, the Old Madam and Madam Huang guarded him like a thief, making it inconvenient even to go out. Moreover, if he kept putting off the marriage, his second brother might become suspicious. To dispel Shen Che’s doubts, Shen Zheng also needed to clear himself quickly.
Shen Zheng and Feng Shuang were quite familiar with each other. Rather than marrying one of those affected noble ladies, it was better to marry someone he could get along with comfortably. So, with a mindset of giving it a try, Shen Zheng suggested Feng Shuang’s name. The Old Madam and Madam Huang put their heads together and agreed.
Shen Zheng’s marriage was thus swiftly settled, with the date set for June. Madam Huang was worried about potential changes if they waited too long, fearing that Shen Zheng, with his restless nature, might slip away to the frontier again.
Feng Shuang was currently staying at the Zhongyi Marquis Manor, but once the marriage was settled, they were worried about people gossiping about premarital relations. However, Feng Shuang now had no relatives to turn to, and it wasn’t safe for a young lady to live alone outside. So Madam Huang arranged for Feng Shuang to stay in the Qing Garden.
Although there was no substantial difference, at least they were separated by a courtyard and a wall, which could barely silence the gossip.
However, since the future Third Young Madam was moving into Qing Garden, Ji Cheng, as the Second Young Madam, naturally had to take good care of her.
When Ji Cheng first saw Feng Shuang, her immediate impression was poverty.
Compared to the Shen family’s standard of living, Feng Shuang’s frayed clothes and wooden carved hairpin naturally appeared shabby.
It wasn’t that Madam Huang was being stingy with Feng Shuang—the Shen family certainly didn’t lack money. Rather, Feng Shuang didn’t want to take advantage of the Shen family. She was a girl with a very proud nature, and if it weren’t for the fact that the Shen family could help her inquire about her relatives’ whereabouts, she wouldn’t have stayed with them.
Now that Feng Shuang was engaged to Shen Zheng, Madam Huang had been very thoughtful and thorough, preparing quite generous betrothal gifts.
However, Feng Shuang, suddenly elevated in status, was afraid of being criticized for being shallow, so she refused to use the jewelry sent by Madam Huang, still wearing her old accessories.
Feng Shuang was clear-headed about it. With her family background, how could she compare to the Shen family’s sisters-in-law? To put it bluntly, even the slightly prominent maids in the household were more impressive than her. What difference would it make if she wore gold and silver? Could it change the fact that she was an orphan with a meager dowry?
Ji Cheng had already inquired about Feng Shuang’s personality, so when she came from the Second Branch to receive Feng Shuang, she didn’t wear any jewelry, and her clothes were only half-new.
But even so, when Feng Shuang first saw Ji Cheng, her only impression was that they were as different as clouds and mud.
Feng Shuang knew Ji Cheng meant well by reducing her jewelry and attire, but the more careful Ji Cheng was, the more uncomfortable Feng Shuang felt. She was indeed poor, but she didn’t envy their gold and silver adornments. It made her seem petty instead.
Ji Cheng could tell from Feng Shuang’s expression that she had made a mistake today. Recently, her mind had been in a muddle, and she hadn’t been doing anything well. She had good intentions, but unknowingly stimulated Feng Shuang’s sensitive thoughts.
Ji Cheng could only pretend not to notice for now. She led Feng Shuang to the courtyard prepared for her. The furnishings had been carefully selected by Ji Cheng a few days ago, choosing only elegant pieces without any hint of luxury.
Feng Shuang’s expression finally improved a bit. She also felt that she had overreacted and understood that Ji Cheng had good intentions, so she smiled at Ji Cheng, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, sister.”
What a proud girl, Ji Cheng thought. Before even marrying into the family, she was unwilling to call her “sister-in-law.” Ji Cheng understood a bit more about Feng Shuang’s personality. Being proud wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but being overly sensitive wasn’t good either.
Ji Cheng said a few more considerate words, then turned to leave. She then turned her head to instruct White Mama, who had been assigned to serve Feng Shuang, “You must take careful care of Miss Feng. If anything is lacking, please pay attention on her behalf. She’s a young lady and will certainly be too shy to speak up. Please be more attentive, and make sure Miss Feng isn’t wronged in any way.”
White Mama nodded heavily, “Young Madam can rest assured. This servant will not let Miss Feng suffer any grievances.” White Mama wasn’t foolish; Feng Shuang was undoubtedly going to be the Third Young Madam, who would dare to wrong her?
Ji Cheng looked back at the courtyard once more before leaving with Yugian.
When they reached a place with fewer people, Yugian finally pouted and said, “Miss, that Miss Feng is putting on airs too much. You’ve been busy helping her, even personally going to the Second Branch to receive her, and she didn’t even say a word of thanks. It seems she looks down on us.”
Ji Cheng turned her head and asked, “Why would she look down on us?”
Yugian quickly replied, “Isn’t it because she looks down on our merchant background? What does she think she is, how noble can she be?”
Ji Cheng shook her head and sighed, “She’s not looking down on us. On the contrary, she’s afraid we’ll look down on her, so she’s putting up a wall to keep us at a distance.”
Ji Cheng tapped Yugian’s forehead and said, “You have such a narrow perspective, girl. You’re so focused on your merchant background, thinking others must look down on you. At the slightest breeze or movement of grass, you relate it to your background, even when others don’t mean it that way.”
Yugian muttered, “It’s not that my perspective is narrow. You don’t know how much gossip the Fourth Young Madam has spread about you behind your back. Her maids have been spreading it everywhere, and Miss Feng must have heard it.”
Ji Cheng said, “She doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”
Yugian asked, “Then what does she mean? It makes us look like we’re trying to curry favor with someone cold towards us.”
Ji Cheng glared at Yugian. This girl’s speech was as crude as ever. Ji Cheng said, “Isn’t she thinking the same as you? She thinks we look down on her.” Ji Cheng sighed, “I made a mistake today, I was too concerned about appearances.”
Ji Cheng had indeed been too concerned about appearances. Sometimes, the more effort one puts into doing something, the easier it is to make mistakes. Why was Ji Cheng so attentive to Feng Shuang? Wasn’t it because Shen Zheng was Shen Che’s brother?
But it looked different in others’ eyes.
When Li Rui heard about Ji Cheng welcoming Feng Shuang, she curled her lip and said while eating an orange, “Looks like they’ve found a companion. A merchant’s daughter and an orphan, each one worse than the other.” Li Rui complained to Shen Jing, who had just entered, “I won’t be able to show my face outside anymore. What am I supposed to say when people ask about my sisters-in-law?”
Shen Jing took his clothes and went straight into the washroom, saying without looking back, “If you’re so ashamed of the Shen family, why don’t you just divorce and go back to the Li family?”
This set off a storm. Li Rui immediately burst into tears, “Shen Jing, what do you mean? Come out here and explain yourself clearly. Talking about divorce out of nowhere, have you set your eyes on some vixen outside? You learn all the bad things and none of the good, just like your second brother.”
Hearing this, Shen Jing became even angrier. This woman was simply unreasonable, even dragging his second brother into it. Shen Jing strode out of the washroom and said, “Look at yourself! What right do you have to criticize others? I think it’s sisters-in-law like you, who look down on others, that make it difficult for the Second Sister-in-law and the others to show their faces outside. Instead of cultivating proper wifely virtues, you’re gossiping about Second Brother without even seeing anything. Go ask around, which family has a daughter-in-law like you? I think you’ve been spoiled too much.”
Shen Jing had long been dissatisfied with Li Rui, but he had refrained from confronting her due to her pregnancy. As a result, she became increasingly presumptuous, making it difficult for others to tolerate her behavior.
After being severely scolded by Shen Jing, Li Rui immediately burst into tears. “Shen Jing, do you have no conscience? What did I say? What exactly did I say to make you treat me like this?”
Li Rui’s crying immediately alarmed her wet nurse, Madam Han. Madam Han entered through the curtain and said, “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Oh my, my young mistress, you’re with child now. How can you cry like a child? You mustn’t cry like this; be careful not to harm the baby.”
Li Rui was already sobbing, and she buried her head on Madam Han’s shoulder, saying, “I want to go home, I want to go home. I can’t live like this anymore.”
Madam Han looked at Shen Jing and said, “Young Master, what happened? The young couple was fine when they left this morning, how did it come to this? The young mistress is pregnant, so her emotions are bound to be intense. You should be a little more accommodating.”
Shen Jing replied, “Our Shen family can’t afford to keep such a demanding person. She can do whatever she wants.” With that, he walked straight out.
This left both Madam Han and Li Rui dumbfounded. They were used to manipulating Shen Jing and never expected that the usually mild-tempered Shen Jing could be so stubborn.
As a result, Li Rui cried even louder.
The commotion in the room had already alarmed Ji Lan. Just as Shen Jing reached the courtyard gate, Ji Lan hurried over.
“What’s going on?” Ji Lan asked Shen Jing with a displeased expression. “Where are you going so late at night? Your wife is crying so miserably, and you’re not going to do anything about it?”
Shen Jing replied coldly, “She looks down on the background of our Shen family’s sisters-in-law, saying they embarrass her and make her unable to hold her head high. She lacks wifely virtue and gossips about Second Brother behind his back. This is the good daughter-in-law you chose for me!” This time, Shen Jing didn’t even consider Ji Lan’s feelings and continued directly, “Mother, I suspect this daughter-in-law of yours might not even approve of your background. Our family can’t accommodate such a demanding person.”
Li Rui never expected Shen Jing to say such things and cried out in defense, “I didn’t, I didn’t.”
Ji Lan stomped her foot, “Fine, fine, fine. I’m tired of managing your affairs.” In truth, Ji Lan was also displeased with Li Rui. Taking in a daughter-in-law was no different from taking in an ancestor; there was always some drama every few days, and she was tired of mediating.
With both Ji Lan and Shen Jing gone, Li Rui was thoroughly humiliated. She turned and harshly ordered her maid, “Pack up. We’re going back to my family’s house.”
The next morning, when Ji Cheng went to pay respects to the Old Madam, she had already heard the news of Li Rui returning to her maiden home.
However, upon hearing this, the Old Madam only said, “It’s good for her to stay there for a few days. With her family taking care of her, we don’t have to worry.”
Ji Cheng had originally thought that since Li Rui was pregnant, the Old Madam would ask Shen Jing to humble himself and bring Li Rui back. Who knew the old lady would turn a blind eye and speak so cleverly? If Li Rui wanted to return to the Shen family, she would probably have to swallow her pride and come back on her own.
As Ji Cheng was lost in thought, she heard the Old Madam say, “A woman shouldn’t be too stubborn, or even the most even-tempered man will lose his patience. I’m not favoring my grandson, but everyone knows how gentle Ah Jing’s temperament is. To anger him to this extent, I’m afraid Ah Rui must have done something wrong.”
These words weren’t meant for Ji Cheng alone; Madam Huang, Ji Lan, and Cui Long were all present, and they all nodded in agreement upon hearing this. But when Ji Cheng heard it, she felt conflicted, wondering if the Old Madam was speaking indirectly to her.
Ji Cheng’s heart had become sensitive.
After paying respects to the Old Madam, Ji Cheng ordered a carriage to be prepared and left. Due to the consecutive engagements of Shen Qian and Shen Zheng, Ji Cheng didn’t have the chance to visit her eldest brother.
Shen Yuan had already sent the books to Ji Cheng, and she was grateful. Zeng Xiuwen’s notes were not usually shown to others, and if not for Ji Cheng’s marital connection, Ji Yuan would never have obtained these books.
When Ji Cheng saw Ji Yuan, she immediately noticed that he had lost a lot of weight and had dark circles under his eyes. She couldn’t help but say, “Brother, you should take better care of yourself. You’re not made of iron. You should go out for walks when you have time, or you’ll ruin your eyes.”
Ji Yuan replied, “I know. I’ve endured for years; how can I not manage these few days?”
Ji Cheng’s sister-in-law, Fan Zengli, chimed in, “Your brother is doing this for you. He’s afraid you’ll be bullied in the Shen family. Your two sisters-in-law come from prestigious backgrounds, and he’s worried they’ll look down on you. That’s why he’s staying up late and working so hard.” As she spoke, Fan Zengli’s eyes reddened.
Ji Cheng said, “I understand. Please take good care of my brother and sister-in-law. Give him more nourishing food. If you won’t eat it, at least coax him into eating more.”
“Of course,” Fan Zengli replied. She then asked Ji Cheng, “Do you know who the Emperor will appoint as the chief examiner this year?”
This was something Ji Cheng didn’t know. According to Da Qin’s customs, the Emperor would only appoint the chief examiner at the last moment. Once the chief examiner was determined, that official would immediately move into the examination grounds. This prevented those seeking to use connections from even touching the hem of his garment.
Of course, those with real connections could anticipate Emperor Jianping’s intentions in advance or gather some inside information about who might be appointed as the chief examiner this year. That’s why Fan Zengli asked this question.
It was impossible to ask Shen Che, but perhaps she could ask Shen Jing. After all, Shen Jing had already passed the provincial examination and was just waiting for the palace examination results to be announced. It seemed almost certain that he would pass the imperial examination, and his connections had broadened considerably.
Ji Cheng nodded, “I’ll inquire when I get back.”
On the return journey in the carriage, Ji Cheng was still worried about Ji Yuan, but both Ji Yuan and Fan Zengli seemed very eager about this imperial examination. Ji Cheng felt that his attitude was a bit too anxious, which might hinder his performance. However, when she merely mentioned this, she was immediately rebuffed by both Ji Yuan and Fan Zengli.
Although Ji Yuan’s success in the imperial examination would benefit Ji Cheng to some extent, it was only incidental and not entirely for Ji Cheng’s sake as Fan Zengli had claimed. Ji Cheng couldn’t help but smile at the thought; Fan Zengli had certainly become quite adept at speaking over the years.
Outside the carriage, people and scenery rushed by in reverse. Ji Cheng gazed aimlessly through the gaps in the bamboo curtains. She didn’t want to return to the Nine Li Courtyard, not because the Shen mansion wasn’t good, but because the Nine Li Courtyard was so empty that it left her with no desire to return. She would rather wander through the bustling streets and soak in the lively atmosphere.
A familiar figure flashed by outside the curtain. Even though she only caught a glimpse through the gap, it was enough for Ji Cheng to immediately lift the curtain and look out.
It was Shen Che.
Ji Cheng only managed to see the edge of his robe as he turned the corner, but she also saw the purple-clad beauty walking beside him. Although she couldn’t see her face, the graceful figure suggested she must be a stunning beauty.
Ji Cheng wasn’t sure if she had seen clearly. She had only caught a fleeting glance, and it might not have been Shen Che at all. But even if it was Shen Che, what right did she have to comment?
Although Ji Cheng thought this way, she still urgently instructed the carriage driver to turn around and head towards the street where Shen Che had just walked.