Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Ji Hanyi truly wanted to see the painting Shen Si had mentioned. After all, it was the painting her father had spoken of and searched for over the course of many years.

But now did not seem like the right time.

Old Madam Shen was surely waiting for Shen Si up ahead.

Her presence today did not matter, but Shen Si’s did. No matter how much she wanted to see the painting, she could not go now.

Besides, she was a recently divorced woman. It would be improper for her to go alone with Shen Si to his study.

She shook her head. “The Old Madam and my aunt are still waiting for me up ahead. She just said she still wished to speak with me.”

Shen Si looked at Ji Hanyi with darkened eyes and said evenly, “I won’t go.”

Ji Hanyi froze, then blurted out, “Why?”

Shen Si looked at her again. “I came back to see you.”

Ji Hanyi stared blankly at him.

Watching her expression, Shen Si pursed his lips before adding in a low voice, “If you are unwilling to come to the study with me, I won’t go over either.”

“I have no interest in Miss Gu whatsoever.”

Ji Hanyi’s heart raced, and her mind was a confused jumble of countless thoughts. Yet Shen Si’s cold, detached expression made her afraid to read anything more into his words.

His gaze remained fixed on her, making her heart tighten under its intensity. She had no idea how she should respond.

She only knew that even if Shen Si did not go over, she certainly could not leave with him.

They were no longer children. She had neither reason nor excuse to go alone with him to his study again.

She would soon be leaving, and she no longer dared hope for any affection.

She bit her lip and remembered the handkerchief tucked inside her sleeve. Perhaps this was the perfect time to return it. This was most likely her last chance to see him. Whether he wanted it or not, she could at least put an end to the matter.

She took out the clean, neatly folded handkerchief and held it before Shen Si in both hands. Raising her head, she spoke in a soft, gentle voice tinged with an awkward shyness she did not even notice herself. “This is the handkerchief Lord Shen gave me last time. I left in such a hurry that I forgot to return it.”

“I’ve washed it clean, so I came to return it to Lord Shen.”

Ji Hanyi truly was embarrassed. After all, she had run into Shen Si after mistakenly drinking strong liquor and becoming hopelessly drunk.

She had no idea whether she had made a spectacle of herself while intoxicated. If she had, and he had seen her in such a state, what would he think of her?

Whenever she remembered it, shame flooded her entire body. She was almost afraid to even think about it. Now that she was standing before Shen Si, her embarrassment only intensified, leaving her too ashamed to face him.

Fortunately, she thought, she would probably never see him again after this. That was the only comfort she could offer herself.

Shen Si lowered his eyes to the handkerchief resting on her fair, delicate hands. It carried a faint trace of her scent.

She did not know that he never used the same handkerchief twice.

Even so, he reached out. His warm fingertips brushed the edge of her cool palm as he took the handkerchief from her.

Seeing him accept it, Ji Hanyi breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, a servant woman’s voice came from behind them. “Marquis, Young Madam Xie, Old Madam Shen is waiting in the plum grove and asks that you hurry over.”

Ji Hanyi quickly stepped aside upon hearing the woman.

She could only be thankful that Shen Si had been standing in front of her and blocking the woman’s view. Otherwise, if anyone had seen her giving him the handkerchief, there was no telling what sort of misunderstanding might arise.

She paused when the woman called her Young Madam Xie. Did Old Madam Shen not know that she was already divorced?

But now was not the time to think about that. Ji Hanyi replied with perfect decorum, “I’ll go over right away.”

The woman was one of Old Madam Shen’s personal attendants. Though she was a servant, she held considerable standing in the household.

Shen Si glanced at Ji Hanyi. When she dipped into another curtsy, indicating that she would take her leave first, he pursed his lips without a word. His cool, somber eyes followed her as she lowered her gaze and turned away.

The servant woman instructed another maid to lead Ji Hanyi, then hurriedly addressed Shen Si in a low, respectful voice. “The Old Madam says it’s easy to get lost in the plum grove and asks the Marquis to guide Third Young Lady Gu there.”

Shen Si’s lips curved into a cold smile. The faint warmth that had colored his features moments earlier was already gone, leaving only icy indifference. The sight made the woman swallow everything else she had been about to say, her heart quailing.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Shen Si watched Ji Hanyi’s figure gradually recede into the distance. The faint heat that had just stirred in his heart subsided, leaving it silent once more. Then he cast the servant woman another cold glance.

Her heart jolted under that look. She stood frozen for a long moment, utterly unable to understand which of her words had offended him.

—

A pavilion had been built beside the plum grove, with a brazier set out on the veranda. Plum branches stretched inside, and it was not cold at all within – making it the perfect place to admire the blossoms.
By the time Ji Hanyi joined them, Old Madam Shen was chatting with Gu Wanyun and Madam Zhang. Now that Gu Wanyun had won Old Madam Shen’s favor, she had gradually begun to relax and was no longer quite so reserved.

Ji Hanyi quietly took a seat behind Madam Zhang, with no intention of drawing attention to herself.

Old Madam Shen noticed her anyway. Seeing that Ji Hanyi had come alone and that Shen Si was nowhere behind her, she asked the maid who had gone to summon him, “Where is the Marquis?”

The maid hurriedly replied, “The Marquis said some official business suddenly came up, so he probably won’t be able to join us.”

Even that was merely the tactful version. The Marquis had left without saying a single word, his expression full of impatience. She had not dared utter another word to persuade him.

Gu Wanyun heard the exchange as well, and the disappointment in her eyes was impossible to hide.

If she had never seen the Marquis, and if Old Madam Shen had not treated her with such warmth, these hopes would never have taken root in her heart.

She twisted the handkerchief in her hands, unable to stop her thoughts from running wild. Had the Marquis deliberately come today to see her? But then he had left. Did that mean she had failed to catch his eye?

It made sense. She had always considered herself an obscure young lady among all the women of the capital. Why would the Marquis ever take an interest in her?

But now that this hope had been kindled, she could no longer let it go.

Old Madam Shen paused. “He came all this way only to sit for a moment before leaving again. I wonder what could be keeping him so busy.”

Then she glanced at the disappointment beneath Gu Wanyun’s lowered lashes, patted her hand, and smiled. “Ah Si almost never comes home at this hour. It was already no easy thing for him to find time to visit me today.”

“Never mind that he isn’t here. We can simply carry on without him.”

Ji Hanyi’s thoughts drifted for a moment. She remembered what Shen Si had said – that he had come back to see her.

Just then, the First Madam of the Shen Residence arrived with her two daughters-in-law. When she saw Madam Zhang and the others, she hurried over to Old Madam Shen, first apologizing for arriving late, then explaining that she had been busy selecting a carpenter to make Old Madam Shen a more comfortable chair.

This First Madam was the principal wife of Fourth Master, who was the child of the Former Chief Grand Secretary’s elder brother and had been adopted by the Former Chief Grand Secretary years ago. Before the household divided, she had been known as Fourth Madam. Now that the family had split into separate households, she was the First Madam of the residence. Though around forty, she looked remarkably young. She had maintained herself well, and her entire bearing radiated competence and energy.

The First Madam was exceptionally attentive. Her own birth was distinguished as well, for she was the youngest daughter of Duke Rong’s Residence. She was poised and accomplished in every regard and knew exactly how to please Old Madam Shen. As soon as she arrived, she had Old Madam Shen’s plum blossom tea replaced and began massaging her shoulders.

Then she raised her eyes and looked at Gu Wanyun, who was seated beside Old Madam Shen. “This must be Third Young Lady Gu?”

First Madam Shen spoke with such warm enthusiasm and such a bright smile that Gu Wanyun grew nervous instead. Still mindful of etiquette, she hurriedly rose and greeted First Madam Shen.

First Madam Shen smiled, went over to take her hand, and looked her over with great warmth. She showered Gu Wanyun with praise and told Old Madam Shen that the young lady had a face blessed with good fortune.

First Madam Shen was naturally shrewd. Given Old Madam Shen’s standing, why would she meet a young lady from a modest household like the Gu Family for no reason? She had also heard some rumors and had come especially to see Gu Wanyun for herself, if only to put her own mind at ease.

Though she found Gu Wanyun ordinary in every respect and could not understand Old Madam Shen’s interest, she nevertheless became even warmer in her conversation with the girl.

Their conversation lasted until nearly noon, and they completely forgot about going out to pick plum blossoms.

In the midst of their conversation, Old Madam Shen suddenly addressed Ji Hanyi, who had not said a word, and asked how she had been faring with the Xie Family.

Seeing Ji Hanyi dressed far too plainly, Old Madam Shen suspected that she had not been treated well by the Xie Family and felt a surge of pity. Perhaps Ji Hanyi had come here to air her grievances. If so, Old Madam Shen would not mind giving the Xie Family a warning on her behalf.

Old Madam Xie had once been on friendly terms with her and was a reasonable woman. It would take no more than a letter.

Only after Old Madam Shen spoke did everyone’s attention finally fall on Ji Hanyi, who had kept her head lowered and remained inconspicuous until now.

First Madam Shen had met Ji Hanyi before, but only now did she notice her presence. She could not help looking her over. Ji Hanyi’s face was fair and unblemished, and she wore neither earrings nor any other jewelry. She sat primly to one side, looking fresh and luminous. Her delicate, alluring features remained as exquisite as ever. It was better not to look at her at all, for once one did, it became difficult to look away.

With her red lips, pearly teeth, and petite figure, a single glance was enough to make her seem exquisitely delicate.

Without pausing to wonder why Ji Hanyi was here, First Madam Shen asked, “Why are you dressed so plainly?”

Before Ji Hanyi could answer, Madam Zhang cut in. “The Xie Family broke their word and took in a concubine. My niece has already severed all ties with the Xie Family, and it was entirely thanks to Marquis Shen that her divorce was settled. We came together today especially to thank Old Madam Shen and Marquis Shen. Otherwise, who knows how much more torment my niece would have suffered in the Xie Residence?”