Chapter 163
Chapter 163
By now, Madam Bai had only one thought where the Gu Family was concerned: see them off as quickly as possible.
She rose with a faint smile. Though she knew perfectly well that Gu Wanyun had made a spectacle of herself at the poetry gathering, she had no intention of mentioning it.
Given her own upbringing, lowering herself to mock someone of the Gu Family’s standing over such a petty embarrassment would only be beneath her dignity.
Old Madam had also instructed her to see the guests out with all due courtesy, since she was the one who had invited them.
With a perfunctory smile on her face, Madam Bai said to Madam Zhang, “Now that Third Young Lady Gu and Miss Ji are back from the poetry gathering, I’m afraid I won’t be able to entertain you any longer. Old Madam is taking her afternoon nap, and I have a few matters to attend to as well.”
Madam Zhang could hardly fail to understand that she was being shown the door, and she hurriedly stammered her agreement.
She could see the perfunctory impatience on Madam Bai’s face even more clearly. Although she cursed her inwardly, she did not dare offend Madam Bai and had to force a smile instead. “Madam Shen, you’re too kind. I still have matters awaiting me at home too. I only managed to spare a little time to come this morning, so it is about time we headed back.”
Madam Bai nodded without offering any polite words of protest and accompanied them out.
This time, Madam Bai showed none of the warmth she had displayed on their previous visit. Though she walked beside them, her expression displayed to perfection the courteous yet distant air of a noblewoman from an eminent household. She did not even glance at Madam Zhang or Gu Wanyun again.
There was no way Madam Zhang could miss the change in her attitude, but she could only swallow her resentment. She could not afford to offend the likes of the Shen Family.
When Madam Bai turned back halfway, claiming she had business to attend to, and sent a maidservant to escort them the rest of the way, Madam Zhang still had to smile and tell her to go ahead with her work and not trouble herself seeing them out.
Even Madam Zhang could feel how abject she was being. It was the helplessness of someone faced with a person of far higher status. She quickened her pace, wanting nothing more than to leave as soon as possible.
At the entrance, Ji Hanyi was about to follow her aunt and Gu Wanyun into the carriage when a whistle sounded behind her. Her steps paused slightly. Turning around, she saw Shen Changling, dressed in red, perched atop the wall beside the southern side gate, smiling at her.
Ji Hanyi’s heart gave a sudden jolt.
Gu Wanyun had heard the whistle as well. When she looked back, she saw that the Third Young Master of the Shen Family had his bright, sparkling eyes fixed entirely on Ji Hanyi.
She stared blankly for a moment, then gazed at Ji Hanyi’s profile through tear-filled eyes as a faint tremor ran through her heart.
Why? Why was it always her…?
At the sight of Shen Changling, Ji Hanyi turned to Madam Zhang and said softly, “Aunt, please wait for me a moment. I’ll go speak with Third Young Master Shen. He may be able to help smooth things over regarding what happened at the poetry gathering today.”
Madam Zhang had also learned Shen Changling’s identity. Seeing that he appeared to know Ji Hanyi, she hurriedly nodded. “It would be good if you spoke to him.”
By the time Ji Hanyi walked over, Shen Changling had already sprung onto a tree branch and bounded down along the trunk. He landed in front of Ji Hanyi and looked at her with a cheerful smile.
Ji Hanyi had thought Shen Changling had gone to the military camp. She had not expected him to still be waiting here.
She asked, “Why are you still here?”
Shen Changling smiled. “There was one more thing I hadn’t said to you.”
Ji Hanyi grew curious. “What is it?”
Shen Changling said, “I didn’t dare mention it with Fifth Uncle there earlier. I wanted to ask if you’d like me to sneak off and give Xie Yuheng a beating.”
A smile tugged at his lips as he added, “I’m particularly good at that sort of thing.”
Ji Hanyi had not expected Shen Changling to say such a thing. She quickly shook her head. “I no longer have anything to do with the Xie Family. You needn’t do that for me, Third Young Master Shen.”
Then Ji Hanyi looked at Shen Changling and continued, “There is one matter I would like your help clearing up, Third Young Master Shen.”
As soon as Shen Changling realized Ji Hanyi wanted a favor from him, he said, “Go ahead.”
Ji Hanyi briefly recounted what had happened at the poetry gathering, then lowered her voice. “What happened today was indeed rather sudden. Third Younger Sister was unwell and spoiled everyone’s enjoyment, and she left in such a hurry that she had no chance to apologize or say goodbye to the other ladies. Please explain the situation to Third Young Lady Shen for us, Third Young Master Shen. None of it was intentional. If necessary, we will visit your residence another day to apologize in person.”
She raised her eyes to Shen Changling. “This also concerns our reputations, so please put in a good word for Third Younger Sister and me. We would be deeply grateful if you could keep this matter from spreading.”
Shen Changling might not have seemed particularly dependable, but he was Shen Suyi’s full elder brother. His words would naturally carry weight with her.
When Shen Changling heard her request, he thought it was only a minor matter. Ji Hanyi was even curtsying before him, her eyes lowered. Dressed simply, she stood fair and serene beneath the dappled shadows of the trees, looking humble yet possessed of an unmistakable resilience. For a moment, Shen Changling was entranced.
He found himself staring at the delicate tip of her nose.
All at once, he recalled the sight of Ji Hanyi reciting poetry at Xiaoxiang Residence.
It was only when a fallen leaf drifted slowly down from the tree that Shen Changling came back to himself. He hurriedly said, “Don’t worry. It’s nothing serious. I’ll speak to Third Younger Sister later and have her explain it to the other ladies as well. I promise word of this won’t get out.”
Ji Hanyi breathed a sigh of relief. At least Gu Wanyun’s reputation should be safe now.
The young ladies at the gathering all came from distinguished aristocratic families and wielded considerable influence among the young women of the capital. A single careless remark from any one of them could spread far and wide in no time. Gu Wanyun was still unmarried, and rumors like these would be extremely damaging to her.
Ji Hanyi softly thanked Shen Changling.
Just as Shen Changling was about to respond, he suddenly sensed an icy gaze upon him. He turned his head and instantly went rigid with fright.
Fifth Uncle stood not far away with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at him coldly. His expression was so terrifying that Shen Changling felt as if Fifth Uncle’s gaze had already sliced him to pieces a thousand times over.
When he saw Fifth Uncle start walking toward them, every hair on Shen Changling’s body stood on end.
Noticing the sudden change in Shen Changling’s expression, Ji Hanyi belatedly followed his gaze and saw Shen Si approaching.
Ji Hanyi now felt somewhat nervous whenever she saw Shen Si, especially when she met those cool, unfathomable eyes of his. She could never help tensing up.
While she was still lost in thought, Shen Si arrived before them. His cold gaze swept over Shen Changling first, then lowered to Ji Hanyi’s face.
Shen Si’s eyes settled entirely on Ji Hanyi, his mind filled with the image of her standing before Shen Changling and speaking to him just now.
She had stood much closer to Shen Changling than she ever did to him.
The two of them had seemed to be enjoying their conversation. If he had not come over, how much longer would they have talked?
They had only met a few times. What could they possibly have to say to each other?
Shen Si pressed his lips together as he stared at Ji Hanyi’s fair nape, slightly exposed by her lowered head. A heavy breath lodged in his chest, accompanied by a rising tide of restless irritation.
He had taken his eyes off her for barely a moment, and she was already talking to another man.
Ji Hanyi grew uneasy beneath Shen Si’s gaze. His stern expression made it seem as though she had just committed some unforgivable offense, and she could not help feeling tense.
Shen Changling was no better off. Fifth Uncle looked dark enough to devour someone alive, and Shen Changling did not dare utter a single word.
At last, Shen Si spoke. His question was directed at Ji Hanyi.
“Why did you stop talking?”