Upon hearing Shen Qian’s words, Ji Cheng looked up and indeed spotted a familiar figure in the crowd ahead. It seemed to be Shen Che. She tugged at Shen Qian’s sleeve and said, “Perhaps you’re mistaken?”
Ji Cheng was concerned that approaching Shen Che might lead to an awkward situation. While Shen Qian, being his sister, would be fine, Ji Cheng, as an outsider, felt uncomfortable.
However, Shen Qian wouldn’t listen. “How could I mistake my Second Brother? He’s unmistakable.” With that, she grabbed Ji Cheng’s hand and started running again.
Ji Cheng sighed helplessly. Why was she being dragged along to chase after Shen Che?
Though naive, Shen Qian wasn’t a fool. She knew her presence might interfere with Shen Che’s affairs, but she reasoned that he wouldn’t scold her in front of Ji Cheng, an outsider. Shen Qian thought her plan was brilliant.
“Second Brother! Second Brother!” Shen Qian called out as she ran, removing her veil hat due to the heat. Fearing Shen Che might not recognize her, she waved the hat in his direction.
Poor Ji Cheng was being pulled along by one hand while trying to keep her veil hat in place with the other. She had no desire to show her face, and this awkward posture made her look quite disheveled.
In contrast, Shen Che appeared every bit as the elegant young master. The scorching sun seemed to not affect him. He looked refreshingly handsome, like a snow-capped peak in midsummer, without a single wrinkle on his robe. It was a sight to behold.
Hearing the calls, Shen Che turned his head and saw Shen Qian. His brow furrowed slightly as he walked over, took the veil hat from her hand, and put it back on her head. “What are you doing here? Running about like this… Next year, you won’t be allowed to watch the dragon boat races.”
“No, no, it’s not like that!” Shen Qian protested, jumping up and down, unable to find the right words. She kept looking to Ji Cheng for help.
After some consideration, Ji Cheng spoke up, “Cousin Che, it’s my fault. I was curious about the street food in the capital, and Sister Qian couldn’t refuse my pleas to bring me here.”
Shen Qian made a gesture towards Ji Cheng that seemed to say, “You’re my savior, like Guanyin Bodhisattva!”
Shen Che knew his sister’s nature all too well, but he also knew she wouldn’t have come alone if someone hadn’t indulged her.
“This place is full of all sorts of people. You two young ladies shouldn’t wander around,” Shen Che said, then turned to Ji Cheng. “This isn’t like the simple folk of Jin territory. Miss Ji, you’re a year older than Qian’er, so in the future, please don’t indulge her reckless behavior. If something were to happen, regret would be useless.”
Ji Cheng’s face turned red at Shen Che’s words, thankfully hidden behind her veil. This Cousin Che was indeed formidable, his words layered with meaning, completely pinning Ji Cheng down.
Ji Cheng and Shen Che were barely acquainted. She had thought he wouldn’t pay much attention to such a distant cousin, but to her surprise, he knew she was from Jin territory. He had also seen through her indulgence of Shen Qian’s whims and took the opportunity to warn her. If anything were to happen to Shen Qian, Ji Cheng would face dire consequences, and regret would come too late.
Unable to respond, Ji Cheng fell silent. Shen Qian quickly came to her rescue, “Second Brother, it’s not Sister Cheng’s fault. I wanted to come too.” She tugged at Shen Che’s sleeve. “It’s all your fault! You’d rather accompany some random person than watch the dragonboat races with me.” Shen Qian glared disapprovingly at the woman standing silently beside Shen Che.
The woman wore her hair in a married woman’s style, but with a white flower at her temple, indicating she was a widow who hadn’t remarried, as per the current dynasty’s customs. However, her cherry-colored short jacket and dark purple twelve-panel Xiang skirt, fastened with a jade belt ornament, suggested she had passed the three-year mourning period.
In reality, commoners were far less strict about mourning periods than officials. The gentry feared that improper observance of mourning might invite criticism and affect their chances of promotion. But ordinary people were too busy making a living to worry about such things as not appearing in public. They couldn’t even afford to maintain a vegetarian diet during mourning, let alone abstain from meat if they had the money for it, regardless of whether it was for parents or a husband.
Ji Cheng observed that while this young widow’s attire seemed quite luxurious, indicating a decent family background, the fact that she was out alone with Shen Che on the Dragon Boat Festival suggested she wasn’t from a very strict household. She was probably from a background similar to Ji Cheng’s own, with the only difference being that her family might not be as wealthy as the Ji family.
Noticing Shen Qian and Ji Cheng looking at her, the young widow smiled and curtsied gracefully. Her manners seemed quite refined, but there was an undeniable air of coquetry about her, likely indicating she was experienced in matters of romance.
Ji Cheng didn’t judge the beautiful widow too harshly, understanding that widowhood was difficult. Everyone was simply struggling for a better life.
Shen Qian, on the other hand, turned up her nose, clearly looking down on the young widow. She tugged at Shen Che’s sleeve again, “Second Brother, now that I’ve caught you, you have to accompany me. Otherwise, I’ll tell Mother.”
Shen Che pulled his sleeve from Shen Qian’s grasp. “If you don’t go back now, you can forget about going out for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, or the Lantern Festival this year.”
Shen Qian hadn’t expected Shen Che to still want to accompany the young widow even in her presence. Feeling hurt, she pointed at the widow and said, “Don’t get too smug. A month ago, you weren’t even the woman by his side.”
Ji Cheng wanted to bury her face in her hands. Was this how one undermined their brother? But it wasn’t her place to intervene in the siblings’ affairs. Saying too much might only invite resentment, and Shen Qian probably wouldn’t listen to her anyway.
“Qian’er, where are your manners?” Shen Che frowned slightly, his gaze shifting to Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng had intended to stay out of it, but under Shen Che’s gaze, she found herself tugging at Shen Qian’s sleeve. “Sister Qian, let’s hurry back. The polo match is about to start, and Sister Yuan must be looking for us everywhere.”
Shen Qian, not appreciating Ji Cheng’s intervention, angrily shook off her hand, redirecting all the frustration she had felt from Shen Che onto Ji Cheng. Then, lifting her skirts, Shen Qian pushed through the crowd and ran off, wiping tears as she went.
Ji Cheng stomped her foot in frustration. She had planned everything so well in her mind, but Shen Che’s stern gaze had compelled her to comply. Who would have thought that this young master had such an imposing presence?
Watching Shen Qian’s retreating figure, Ji Cheng had no choice but to lift her skirts and give chase. She cursed Shen Che inwardly, realizing that all her efforts to ingratiate herself with Shen Qian had been ruined by him.
As she ran, Ji Cheng kept glancing back at Shen Che and the young widow. The wind blew the light veil of her hat, clearing the obstruction from her eyes. She could see Shen Che’s impassive face. He truly was heartless, showing not a shred of sympathy for his crying and upset sister.
Ji Cheng resigned herself to continue running after Shen Qian.
As for the young widow beside Shen Che, she was truly shocked, her eyes nearly popping out of her head. Ji Cheng’s beauty, though only glimpsed for a moment, was enough to make Wang Liniang feel utterly inadequate as if she had taken ten steps backward.
Wang Liniang glanced at Shen Che. Hearing Ji Cheng call him “Cousin Che,” she realized they were cousins. She never imagined his cousin would be so stunningly beautiful, enough to make even celestial beings jealous. Although she had some confidence in her looks, compared to that cousin, she felt like a plain cabbage. She couldn’t believe Shen Che would be interested in her with such a jewel in his family.
“Young Master, won’t Miss Qian be in trouble running off like that? I’ll be fine, you should go after her first,” Wang Liniang said considerately.
Shen Che gave Wang Liniang a fleeting glance, and she felt as if she had lost most of her soul. For a man to be so handsome was truly a disaster for women. Moreover, Shen Che’s charm wasn’t limited to his outstanding looks. Wang Liniang couldn’t quite explain it, but she felt that this man was both cold and wicked. Even knowing he was poison, she would willingly die for him at that moment.
“Liniang, I still prefer how you were when we first met,” Shen Che said.
How she was when they first met? Wang Liniang was confused. When they first met, she was still a young widow mistreated by her mother-in-law, living in a cramped room on the second floor above her husband’s family’s wine shop.
That day, Shen Che had passed by with his attendants. Wang Liniang, struck by his divine appearance, had somehow found the courage to tie her handkerchief to a fan weight and toss it to him. To her surprise, the young master had been quite perceptive, and from that moment, they had formed a connection. Even her mother-in-law had started treating her differently. But what exactly had she been like when they first met? Wang Liniang asked herself nervously, wondering if she had been shameless.
Just as Wang Liniang felt her heart sinking into cold water, she heard Shen Che say, “Back then, you dared to throw your handkerchief at me in the street. Didn’t you say you missed me? Why are you now pushing me away?”
Wang Liniang looked at Shen Che. There was a smile in his eyes, but coldness in their depths.
Wang Liniang forced a smile, understanding Shen Che’s hint. Playing coy games with him was utterly pointless. It was her fault for harboring unrealistic hopes. How could someone of her status be worthy of him? Why bother pretending to be a virtuous wife? It was better to enjoy the moment while she could.
Though her heart was bitter, Wang Liniang couldn’t bear to let go of the few traces of affection in his eyes.
Meanwhile, if Ji Cheng had truly wanted to catch up with Shen Qian, it would have taken but a moment. A sheltered young lady like Shen Qian couldn’t match her stamina. However, Shen Qian was currently upset, having just lost face in front of Shen Che. If Ji Cheng approached now, she would likely become the target of Shen Qian’s anger again. Shen Qian might even feel more embarrassed, as no one likes their most vulnerable moments to be witnessed.
Moreover, Shen Qian often spoke of how much her Second Brother doted on her, making it even harder for her to back down now.
After allowing Shen Qian’s emotions to settle for a while, and when she was out of breath, Ji Cheng finally caught up, panting as she called out anxiously, “Sister Qian.”
Shen Qian, too tired to run anymore but unwilling to face Ji Cheng, simply turned her back and remained silent.
Ji Cheng didn’t speak either. She just reached out to hold Shen Qian’s hand. Each time Shen Qian shook her off, Ji Cheng would take her hand again. Finally, Shen Qian stopped resisting, though she still didn’t speak.
Ji Cheng sighed in relief and led Shen Qian back.
As they approached the Shen family’s tent, Shen Qian finally spoke, “Don’t tell anyone about what happened today.”
Ji Cheng removed her veil hat and nodded solemnly.
Shen Qian pouted, unable to hold back her complaints, “My Second Brother chose some shameless woman from who-knows-where over his sister. I hate him.”
Ji Cheng wanted to join Shen Qian in criticizing Shen Che, but she knew that once the siblings reconciled, she would be the one left out. So instead, she said, “How could Cousin Che not want you? Perhaps his relationship with that woman isn’t what you think. Maybe he had other business and they just happened to be walking together.”
Shen Qian retorted, “What proper business could he have? He spends his days dallying with flowers and willows.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. “I’m not saying my brother is that kind of person, but he… he…”
“I understand,” Ji Cheng quickly interjected. “Cousin Che is clearer than most when it comes to important matters. Just look at how he doesn’t even have anyone in his household now.”
Shen Qian couldn’t help but reveal more, “That’s not because he can restrain himself. At first, Mother wouldn’t allow it, fearing the servants might corrupt Second Brother. Later, it was because of his impending marriage. Having no concubines in the household makes those noble families more willing to marry their daughters to him.”
For those noble families, family reputation was more important than anything, even more than being related to royalty. If the family’s reputation wasn’t good, they wouldn’t want to marry their daughters into it.
Ji Cheng nodded, increasingly recognizing the importance of family reputation from Shen Qian’s words.
“But the fact that Cousin Che can follow the Princess’s arrangements shows his filial piety and ability to discern right from wrong,” Ji Cheng said, setting a very low bar for Shen Che. However, Shen Qian was delighted to hear this. Her outburst earlier had partly been due to fear that Ji Cheng might speak ill of her Second Brother to others in the future.
No matter how angry Shen Qian was with Shen Che, she absolutely wouldn’t tolerate anyone else saying a bad word about him.
“That’s true. He’s always been very filial to my mother since he was little,” Shen Qian nodded. “But it’s a different story when it comes to me, his sister.”
Ji Cheng found this amusing. Shen Qian was seeking comfort from her. She racked her brain trying to think of how to defend Shen Che. “I think Cousin Che might have had other business. Given his status, how could he be interested in that kind of woman? She wasn’t even that attractive. Perhaps someone asked Cousin Che to look after her, and he couldn’t leave her because of that request.”
Even as Ji Cheng said this, she didn’t quite believe it herself. The intimacy between Shen Che and that woman had been obvious, especially from the way the woman looked at him.
Yet Shen Qian believed it because she wanted to. “Sister Cheng, you’re right. My Second Brother has very high standards.”
Having finally consoled Shen Qian, Ji Cheng walked side by side with her into the colorful tent.
Shen Cui impatiently greeted them, “Where have you two been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you. The polo match is about to start.”
The polo match was being held in a royal villa not far from the Golden Rainbow Pool. This royal villa was only open to the public for a few special days each year, and of course, ordinary citizens couldn’t enter.
Thanks to the Shen family’s influence, Ji Cheng was also able to enter the royal villa.
Polo was popular in the capital, and the names of skilled polo players were almost household names. As this was Ji Cheng’s first time watching a match, she naturally knew nothing about it.