Chapter 134
Chapter 134
When Ji Hanyi first tumbled into that embrace, she did not even realize what had happened.
She only felt something soft, smooth, and warm beneath her palms as her vision went dark. Then Wen’an’s voice came from outside the carriage. “A carriage came from up ahead, and we had to stop suddenly. Master, are you all right?”
Shen Si’s deep voice sounded above her. “I’m fine.”
Pressed against him, Ji Hanyi felt the faint vibration of his chest as he spoke. The scent of agarwood clinging to him, mingled with the fragrance of paper and ink, drifted into her nose. Only then did she belatedly notice the subtle patterns woven into the black robes before her. She looked up and met Shen Si’s lowered gaze.
His expression was perfectly calm. He showed no reaction whatsoever to her suddenly throwing herself into his arms. Faced with that cool gaze, Ji Hanyi was overcome with mortification and hurriedly tried to scramble off him.
Yet the more flustered she became, the more things went wrong. The hand braced against Shen Si’s chest slipped, and she fell into his arms all over again. Her face landed directly against his shoulder, leaving her eyes barely an inch from his neck. All she could see was the sensual line of his Adam’s apple.
Heat flooded her cheeks, and Ji Hanyi hastily tried to rise once more.
Perhaps one of her frantic movements had pressed against him somewhere, because a low, muffled groan sounded beside her ear. Ji Hanyi immediately went rigid and dared not move again.
“I… I didn’t mean to…”
The body in his arms was soft and sweetly fragrant. When she spoke in that quiet voice, her breath spilled against his neck. Shen Si drew a deep breath. His gaze fell on the tips of her ears, which had turned scarlet, and he raised a hand to rest it against her back.
Softening his voice, he said, “It’s fine. Don’t move just yet.”
The woman in his arms obediently froze. She even held her breath.
Supporting Ji Hanyi, Shen Si slowly sat upright. Then he took hold of her waist and helped her to her feet.
At that moment, Ji Hanyi wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it forever. She refused to meet Shen Si’s eyes. All she wanted was for him not to misunderstand – she truly had not meant to throw herself at him.
But any frantic explanation seemed feeble and unconvincing. Her shoulders slumped, and embarrassment radiated from every inch of her.
Shen Si glanced at her. In the dim candlelight, the rosy flush staining her cheeks looked especially alluring and shy. His gaze lingered on her as waves of emotion surged through his heart, tightening his throat.
Yet his expression remained perfectly calm as he said, “You should get out first.”
Only after his reminder did Ji Hanyi realize that they had arrived. She hastily straightened her clothes, then fled from the carriage.
Shen Si watched the curtain sway in her wake, as though her flustered, retreating figure still lingered there.
Lowering his gaze, he rose to his feet.
Once outside, the cool early-spring breeze swept over Ji Hanyi, easing some of the burning heat in her face.
She was also grateful she had worn a veiled hat, which at least concealed some of her mortification. Then, remembering the important matter they had come for tonight, she hurried off to find the restaurant.
She had visited Dewei Restaurant with her father before, but its food was by no means cheap. A private room alone cost fifty taels of silver, and ordering the better dishes would bring the total to several hundred at the very least.
Then again, given Shen Si’s status, the places he frequented would only be more extravagant. It was already no small favor that he had agreed to come. If she had to spend a fortune, so be it. At least the incident with the filth thrown on Li Mingrou had allowed her to vent her anger.
After stepping down from the carriage, Shen Si came to stand beside her. His tall, imposing figure exerted a palpable pressure simply by being there.
Ji Hanyi took several deep breaths before mustering the courage to suggest that she and Shen Si go to Dewei Restaurant across the street. Then, in a softer voice, she added, “If Lord Shen isn’t accustomed to the food there, we can go somewhere else.”
Shen Si lowered his gaze. The night breeze stirred the white gauze of her veiled hat, making it flutter against his sleeve like a scene from an elegant, unadorned painting.
His gaze drifted past her to the crowd behind her. There were men and women walking side by side, just as he and Ji Hanyi were now.
His expression softened slightly. “You may make the arrangements.”
At that moment, Ji Hanyi thought Shen Si looked much as he had when buying an inkstone for her cousin, his expression gentle. He no longer seemed quite so aloof and untouchable.
The tension in her heart gradually eased, and she nodded lightly.
Just as the two of them were about to cross the street, a delighted voice suddenly called out, “Fifth Uncle.”
Ji Hanyi turned toward the voice and was surprised to see Shen Changling approaching.
Shen Changling wore an ordinary blue round-collared robe. He seemed to notice Ji Hanyi only after drawing closer, and his face immediately lit up. With a few quick strides, the young man arrived before Ji Hanyi. “Sister Yi-”
Halfway through the greeting, Shen Changling felt Fifth Uncle’s cool gaze fall upon him. He shuddered and hastily corrected himself. “Miss Ji, why are you here with my Fifth Uncle?”
Ji Hanyi was still grateful to Shen Changling. If he had not spoken to Shen Si on her behalf, the matter would not have been resolved so quickly. She explained what had happened, then thanked Shen Changling.
Shen Changling looked a little embarrassed by Ji Hanyi’s gratitude.
In truth, he had not done much to help Ji Hanyi. Everything had still depended on his Fifth Uncle giving the word. Even so, he was pleased to have earned some goodwill from Ji Hanyi. “Helping Miss Ji is only what I should do.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a faint chill ran down his back. He cautiously glanced toward Fifth Uncle and saw him standing beside Ji Hanyi, his cool eyes resting impassively on him. The look made Shen Changling’s skin crawl.
When Ji Hanyi invited him to join them at Dewei Restaurant across the street, Shen Changling agreed without a second thought.
He had only just accepted when Fifth Uncle gave him a cool glance. “What are you doing here?”
Shen Changling did not dare show the slightest levity in front of Fifth Uncle. He quickly reined in the smile that had appeared upon seeing Ji Hanyi and stood properly as he replied, “I was drinking with a few friends over there. When I saw Fifth Uncle, I came over.”
Shen Si gave Shen Changling another look and let out a cold chuckle. Without saying anything else, he pursed his lips and walked ahead.
Shen Changling was only too glad to have Fifth Uncle walking in front. With him standing nearby, Shen Changling felt as though he had to watch every word he said.
Seeing Shen Si leave, Ji Hanyi hurried after him. Shen Changling walked beside her with a broad smile. “See? I told you this wouldn’t be difficult.”
“If you run into any other trouble in the future, just come to me.”
As he spoke, Shen Changling felt around on his person. When he found nothing suitable, he took the jade pendant from his waist and placed it in Ji Hanyi’s hand. “If it’s truly urgent, send this jade along with your message. Even if I’m not at the residence, my men will deliver it to me at the military camp.”