Chapter 193
Chapter 193
Shen Si had helped Ji Hanyi down from the carriage several times now. At first, she had felt embarrassed and wanted to avoid him, but this time, when she saw his outstretched hand, she instinctively placed hers in it.
Madam Gu’s carriage had been traveling ahead of theirs. After alighting, she turned and saw Ji Hanyi descend with her hand in Shen Si’s. Her eyes filled with gratification.
If he did not harbor at least some fondness for her daughter, why would a man of Shen Si’s background and temperament personally offer his hand to help her down?
Seeing her mother waiting nearby, Ji Hanyi bid Shen Si farewell and started toward her.
In truth, Ji Hanyi still was not used to holding hands with Shen Si in public. Though the courtyard was quiet and hardly anyone seemed to pass through on an ordinary day, several guards were standing nearby. It was inevitably a little embarrassing.
Shen Si released her and watched her leave his side. His gaze swept over Madam Gu’s expression, and when he saw her satisfaction, he thought that he finally had one more person who could persuade Ji Hanyi to grow closer to him.
He followed Ji Hanyi inside.
Once inside, Shen Si met with Madam Gu alone. Ji Hanyi waited beneath the veranda, curious about what the two of them might be discussing.
She did not have to wait long before Shen Si emerged.
Seeing Ji Hanyi waiting beneath the veranda, he walked over and looked at her.
As always, Shen Si’s handsome features were cool and aristocratic, and his eyes were equally aloof.
Ji Hanyi looked up at him curiously. “What did you and my mother discuss just now, Lord Shen?”
Shen Si lowered his gaze, his eyes unfathomably deep. “Our wedding is less than five days away.”
Hearing that, Ji Hanyi could not help wondering how time had passed so quickly.
There were fewer than five days left already.
It felt as though she had only just agreed to marry Shen Si, yet in the very next moment, she was about to wed him.
It was impossible for her not to feel apprehensive.
Even so, Ji Hanyi looked up at Shen Si and said softly, “Don’t worry, Lord Shen. I’m ready.”
She had said those words countless times, almost as though she were repeatedly pledging her loyalty.
In truth, Shen Si was not particularly pleased to see her like this.
But at least she would soon be his.
He continued, “Stay in this courtyard for the next few days. In two days, I’ll come take you to the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence.”
Shen Si paused, his gaze resting on Ji Hanyi. “On the day of the wedding, you’ll depart from the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence as a bride.”
“Hanyi, from now on, the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence will be your support. It will benefit you to marry from there.”
“I’ve already discussed this with your mother, and she understands.”
Ji Hanyi understood what Shen Si meant, and she understood even more clearly the thought and care behind his arrangements.
The Shen Family was one of the highest noble houses. Those they associated with were likewise powerful aristocrats and members of the imperial clan. Just as Her Majesty the Empress had said last time, it was difficult for someone to fit in when they did not belong to the same circle.
Perhaps she would even find it difficult to fit in with the Shen Family.
But now, she was the Grand Princess’s adopted daughter. If she married from the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence, the Grand Princess’s status alone would command respect from even Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor, let alone everyone else. Ji Hanyi would have someone powerful behind her, and no one would dare openly bully her on the assumption that she had no backing.
Ji Hanyi was deeply grateful for Shen Si’s consideration. She looked up and said softly, “I’ll do as Lord Shen says.”
Shen Si was not particularly satisfied with the way she addressed him.
He did not want to hear Ji Hanyi call him Lord Shen anymore. The title was deliberately distant.
But it was still too early to ask her to call him husband.
Fortunately, there were only five days left.
Shen Si then took a booklet from Wen’an and placed it in Ji Hanyi’s hands. “I’ve prepared your dowry for you. It’s being kept at the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence, and when the time comes, it will accompany you into the Shen Family.”
The dowry inventory felt strangely heavy in Ji Hanyi’s hands.
She thought of the three years she had spent married into the Xie Family. Because of her meager dowry, everyone in the Xie Family had looked down on her for all three of those years. Yet now, Shen Si had gone out of his way to prepare a dowry for her.
She looked up at him, the weight of a fortune seeming to settle over her heart. “Lord Shen, you don’t need to give me so much.”
Shen Si arched a brow coolly. Perhaps it was just as well that she felt indebted to him. At least that would give them a bond.
But everything he gave her was simply because he wanted her to have it.
His expression remained unchanged as he said, “I would never mistreat the woman I marry. Just accept it.”
Ji Hanyi tightened her grip on the inventory, then lowered her head and said softly, “From now on, I will be a good and virtuous wife by Lord Shen’s side. I will fulfill all my duties and do everything I can to help Lord Shen. I promise I will never put Lord Shen in a difficult position or cause you any trouble.”
Shen Si’s gaze darkened, and he pressed his lips together.
He did not want some perfectly virtuous wife. He had no doubt she could fulfill that role admirably.
What he wanted was someone who would love him, a partner whose heart was bound to him.
She would not shrink from his touch. She would want to draw close to him of her own accord, grow jealous on his account, and even act spoiled or sulk at him from time to time.
He wished she would soon forget all about repaying his kindness.
There were no debts of gratitude between husband and wife.
Unfortunately, he could not tell her yet that he had deceived her. Perhaps he could never tell her for the rest of his life. But they had a lifetime ahead of them, and that would be enough time for her to slowly understand.
Shen Si let out a low sigh. Looking into her slightly reddened eyes, which were brimming with gratitude, he said quietly, “It’s all right. Just be yourself. I don’t need a virtuous wife who does everything perfectly.”
Ji Hanyi froze.
Shen Si’s eyes darkened as he gazed into her bewildered eyes from mere inches away. The rosy flush on her face was like rain and mist, soft and hazy – irresistibly alluring and achingly sweet.
Ji Hanyi asked softly, “I don’t believe I’ve visited the Shen Family to meet the Old Madam yet. Will that be all right?”
Shen Si’s gaze remained calm. “You’ll have plenty of chances to see her after you marry me.”
He then quietly told her that he would come the day after tomorrow to escort her to the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence and asked her to prepare in the meantime. Finally, Shen Si looked at Ji Hanyi, his inky eyes as deep as a still pool. They held his usual aloofness, but also a trace of warmth.
“Hanyi, I’ll be going now.”
Ji Hanyi hurriedly answered, “All right. Let me see Lord Shen out.”
That was not what Shen Si had hoped to hear, but it was still better than having her simply send him away. At least she was willing to see him off.
Shen Si kept glancing at Ji Hanyi from the corner of his eye. Every glimpse of her made him think of their wedding day.
His heart stirred, and it took him a moment to steady himself. He murmured his assent, then walked out beside her.
When they reached the gate, Shen Si told Ji Hanyi to go back inside. Only after watching her leave did he board the carriage.
Ji Hanyi’s faint fragrance seemed to linger inside, sweet and soft. Shen Si closed his eyes, recalling the warmth of her slender waist beneath his arm, and heat flared in his chest.
Only when Wen’an’s voice came from outside the carriage did Shen Si open his eyes. His gaze was once more dark and cool as he ordered, “Whatever happens at the front gate, wherever she goes, and whoever visits her, report it to me as soon as possible.”
Wen’an hastily acknowledged the order. He understood what the Marquis meant. The wedding was only a few days away, and the Marquis was afraid something might go wrong.
Today, Miss Ji had barely set out for the Gu Residence before the Marquis followed right behind her, without even bothering with the documents and cases on his desk. It was as though he were terrified some unexpected mishap might occur.