Chapter 174
Chapter 174
Shen Si placed his hand over the back of Ji Hanyi’s.
Feeling her tremble slightly, he said in a husky voice, “Hanyi, don’t be nervous.”
Ji Hanyi lowered her gaze to where Shen Si held her hand tightly. She gave a tiny nod and murmured her assent.
Shen Si watched the earring swaying beneath her jade-white earlobe, tapping lightly against her smooth jaw. He smiled and stroked his thumb across her palm.
Ji Hanyi did not dare look at him. The finger caressing her palm made her entire body stiffen. She had never experienced such intimacy, an action more suited to lovers. It even seemed a little improper.
Her head spun for a moment. Her palms grew damp with nerves, yet she stubbornly maintained an outward appearance of composure.
Shen Si studied the faint blush coloring Ji Hanyi’s cheeks. He had never imagined she could be so shy, with such an innocent, unworldly look in her eyes. He could feel the slight dampness of her palm, just as he had that night when he pinned her beneath him and kissed her. She had been equally nervous and frightened then.
Shen Si went no further. He wanted to take things one step at a time and had no wish to make Ji Hanyi recoil from him.
He said softly, “We’re going to meet the Grand Princess today. Don’t be nervous. I’ll be right beside you.”
Ji Hanyi knew full well how exalted the Grand Princess’s status was, so she truly was a little nervous.
Still, she did not want Shen Si to worry. She quickly nodded and murmured her assent.
When the carriage stopped, voices could already be heard outside as people came to welcome them. Shen Si alighted first, then extended a hand into the carriage. The last of Ji Hanyi’s nervousness vanished. Taking his hand, she stepped down.
She looked up at the plaque above the gates. It read: Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence.
Ji Hanyi had heard of Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence. The Grand Princess lived here.
The Grand Princess was Princess Rongqing, the Late Emperor’s elder sister.
Years ago, Princess Rongqing had been betrothed to Qin Zhong, the youngest son of a military commander who had campaigned under Emperor Taizu.
Qin Zhong was tall, imposing, and exceptionally distinguished. Because he married a princess and became a Commandant Consort, he could no longer hold an office with real authority, much less participate in government affairs. He was therefore granted a noble title, along with a stipend and fertile estates, and his descendants were permitted to inherit the title in perpetuity without any reduction in rank.
Such privileges, however, could only have been granted to a Grand Princess.
Although Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence held no real power now, the Grand Princess was the Reigning Emperor’s own paternal aunt and the elder sister most respected by the Late Emperor. Imperial favor toward the household had never waned. At every kind of banquet, the younger generations of Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence were treated as honored guests and seated in the places of highest distinction. No one dared show the household the slightest disrespect.
The attendants at the front gate treated Shen Si with great deference and respectfully ushered him inside.
Ji Hanyi stayed close behind Shen Si. On the way in, they encountered Qin Che, the Heir to the Marquisate. He appeared to be around Shen Si’s age. After the two men exchanged a few pleasantries, Qin Che’s gaze fell upon Ji Hanyi.
She was exquisitely dressed without being ostentatious, but what truly drew the eye was her face. She possessed the gentle refinement of a scholar, coupled with a soft, alluring beauty that made one feel as though another glance or two would be enough to lose oneself in her.
Qin Che had heard about Lord Ji before and naturally knew of Ji Hanyi, but this was the first time he had met her. After looking at her twice, he turned back to Shen Si and finally understood why this cold, desireless iron tree had suddenly burst into bloom.
He smiled, politely greeted her as Miss Ji, then led them onward. In a low voice, he said, “My grandmother is waiting for you. Let’s go.”
Qin Che’s grandmother was none other than the Grand Princess. She and Shen Si’s mother had been close since childhood, so Qin Che and Shen Si had naturally known each other from a young age as well.
Ji Hanyi paid close attention to her bearing throughout the walk. This was the Grand Princess’s residence, and most of the servants here were eunuchs selected from the palace to accompany her when she married. They followed palace protocol, so naturally, there were more rules here than elsewhere.
Shen Si moved closer to Ji Hanyi. Seeing how carefully proper she was being, he bent his head and murmured, “Don’t get too caught up in formalities. Just act naturally. I’m here.”
Upon entering the main hall, Ji Hanyi finally saw the Grand Princess. Though nearly seventy, she was still dressed in sumptuous finery and carried the authority of the imperial family. She had taken excellent care of herself, and the innate air of superiority about her embodied the majesty of the imperial house.
Ji Hanyi held her breath and lowered her eyes, following deferentially beside Shen Si as they offered their greetings.
Grand Princess Rongqing looked at Ji Hanyi with a smile and called her over so she could examine her more closely.
Of course she knew why Shen Si had brought Ji Hanyi here today. Anyone Shen Si favored was unlikely to be lacking, but Grand Princess Rongqing still had to see the young woman for herself before she could agree.
She knew Shen Si wanted to borrow her reputation and standing. Given her ties to the Shen Family, and the fact that Shen Si had once helped her grandson, she ought to grant his request. But with her status, her public reputation was equally important.
Besides, this matter was still being kept from the Shen Family and the Empress. How could she agree carelessly? If the young woman proved mediocre in every way, there was no chance she would do them this favor.
As Ji Hanyi approached, Grand Princess Rongqing studied her posture and bearing, as well as her lovely, delicate features. There was not the slightest fault to be found. When Ji Hanyi reached her, she performed a perfectly proper wanfu salute. Every movement was impeccable, displaying all the refinement of a noble family’s daughter.
Somewhat satisfied, Grand Princess Rongqing let her gaze settle on Ji Hanyi’s face above her silver-gray robes. She was as lovely as a hibiscus blossom, with cherry-red lips and snow-white skin. Her limpid almond eyes seemed brimming with emotion, while her delicate features were alluring yet dignified. Grand Princess Rongqing smiled again, took Ji Hanyi’s hand, and invited her to sit beside her before quietly asking her several questions.
In Grand Princess Rongqing’s view, Ji Hanyi’s family had fallen from grace, so she could no longer possess the same state of mind as before. She might even harbor ambitions of attaching herself to the powerful. But Grand Princess Rongqing had met far too many people in her life. A few questions were enough for her to discern someone’s character.
Shen Si stood below, his gaze fixed on Ji Hanyi without straying for even a moment. There was a rare trace of tension in his expression.
Qin Che walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and whispered, “Don’t worry. My grandmother won’t make things too difficult for Miss Ji. Let’s sit down over there.”
Only then did Shen Si look away, though the tension in his expression barely eased. He knew the Grand Princess was not easy to deal with, and he was ready to rise at any moment and rescue Ji Hanyi from an awkward situation.
He had not told her beforehand because he did not want to make her nervous.
At the head of the hall, Grand Princess Rongqing continued to observe Ji Hanyi. From their brief exchange, she could tell that the young woman before her was calm and composed, neither servile nor overbearing. There was no trace of ingratiating flattery in her eyes, which made Grand Princess Rongqing a little more satisfied. Still, the necessary tests had to be given.
She presented Ji Hanyi with her first challenge. “I’ve heard of your father’s talent. I imagine you are no less accomplished.”
After a pause, she continued slowly, “It is spring now, yet the swallows flew south in autumn, leaving their old nest empty. Can you compose a four-line poem on the empty nest? It must convey both departure and remaining, but you may not state either outright.”
As soon as Grand Princess Rongqing finished speaking, silence fell over the hall. Qin Che stared blankly. Wasn’t this challenge a little too difficult?
Shen Si pursed his lips and looked at Ji Hanyi. Seeing her expression remain relaxed, he halted his motion to rise, and his fingertips gradually loosened.