Chapter 203
Chapter 203
Ji Hanyi was still conversing pleasantly with the people in the main hall. From time to time, someone took her hand for a closer look and quietly asked her a question or two.
The most curious were the little girls and boys of four or five, who clustered around her and stared.
Madam Bai laughingly shooed them away several times to no avail. Ji Hanyi was patient and good-natured; she even gathered one child into her arms and teased the little one for a while.
When they reached Shen Changling, the younger relatives standing beside him all addressed Ji Hanyi as Fifth Aunt. Shen Changling alone stood frozen, staring at her without a word.
Afraid her unreliable son would forget his manners before the elders, Madam Bai gave him a smiling nudge. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Has seeing your Fifth Aunt made you speechless with joy?”
Ji Hanyi did not know how to address Shen Changling either. She certainly could not bring herself to call him her nephew, but following Shen Si’s example and addressing him directly by name still felt strange.
Seeing him dazed, she smiled. “Perhaps he simply hasn’t adjusted yet.”
Shen Changling’s eyes burned and his throat ached. He simply could not force himself to call her Aunt.
He had been confined to the army camp these past days. His requests for leave to see Ji Hanyi had been denied, and he had been assigned to oversee the grain shipments along the canals. Only after hearing of Fifth Uncle’s wedding had he finally been allowed back to attend the banquet.
When his elder brother told him Fifth Uncle was marrying Ji Hanyi, Shen Changling had refused to believe it. He had arrived early today solely to see the truth with his own eyes.
Now that he had, it felt as though stones had battered every inch of his body.
A cold gaze fell upon him from across the room. Shen Changling met Fifth Uncle’s eyes blankly and found them terrifyingly icy. Only when his mother pushed his shoulder again did he awaken as if from a dream. Lowering his head so he would not have to look at Ji Hanyi, he murmured respectfully, “Aunt.”
His voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
Madam Bai could tell something was wrong and wanted to ask him what the matter was, but she had the entire room to manage. She could only set the question aside and lead Ji Hanyi elsewhere.
Today, she wanted everything handled to perfection. She had managed the Shen Residence for so many years; Ji Hanyi’s sudden arrival inevitably stirred a sense of unease in her.
Shen Changling retreated to a corner and stood there, lost and hollow-eyed. Then he abruptly turned and walked out.
Ji Hanyi noticed him leave. She was not far away and had already seen that something was wrong. His steps staggered, and he looked so dazed he might faint.
Worried that something had happened to him, she followed him outside, but Shen Changling vanished in an instant. She had no choice but to return.
She had barely crossed the threshold when, as if by instinct, she met Shen Si’s gaze. That stern, impassive look made her heart give a sudden jump. Then Madam Bai took her arm again, and the moment passed.
By the time all the introductions were finished, it was nearly noon.
Her Majesty the Empress returned during the proceedings, accompanied by the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. Despite being family, their exalted positions required everyone to welcome them at the front gate and kneel in formal obeisance.
Ji Hanyi followed the others through the elaborate sequence of rites, then returned to the main hall to converse. People pulled her this way and that, eager to ingratiate themselves. She scarcely had a chance to sit.
In the afternoon, the two princes and Shen Si went to the Former Chief Grand Secretary’s study. The Empress summoned Ji Hanyi to sit with her and several of the Shen Residence’s madams. Their conversation concerned harmony between husband and wife, the prosperity of the clan, and the proper conduct and speech of women.
Ji Hanyi understood the implications perfectly well. The Empress was warning her and laying down rules.
She kept her head obediently bowed and gave every appearance of taking each word to heart-at least enough to satisfy those watching. The Empress finally showed a little approval and did not release Ji Hanyi until dusk was near.
But when Her Majesty the Empress departed, everyone had to see her off, which meant another round of elaborate formalities.
At the evening banquet, Old Madam Shen seated Ji Hanyi beside her, with Madam Bai on her other side. Madam Bai was consummately tactful at the table, keeping the conversation lively while attending to Old Madam Shen so well that the quieter Ji Hanyi seemed clumsy by comparison.
Ji Hanyi could not imitate Madam Bai’s outgoing nature. Still less could she understand how the woman remained radiant and not the least bit tired after bustling about all day.
Ji Hanyi was reserved by nature, and she could not help admiring Madam Bai’s shrewd competence.
The other women at the table were all the First Madams of their respective branches, while Ji Hanyi alone was so young. She was less adept than Madam Bai at attending to Old Madam Shen, and she could find no opening in their conversation. In the end, she quietly allowed herself a moment of idleness and concentrated on eating. She was famished, after all.
Yet as the new bride, she was drawn into the conversation every few moments and pressed to drink another cup or two. Even her meal was constantly interrupted.
More socializing followed after the banquet. Ji Hanyi’s problem was that she was young but held high seniority, leaving her without an easy place in any group. She remained beside Old Madam Shen, who cast her a sidelong glance and remarked coolly, “Now that you’ve married into this family, you must learn to socialize. Don’t tell me you don’t know even this much.”
Ji Hanyi obediently agreed. Though exhausted, she joined several of her cousins-in-law in conversation.
They discussed the younger generation’s prospects, amusing stories about their grandchildren, the management of inner households, and the discipline of concubines. Ji Hanyi offered a comment from time to time.
When the subject turned to heirs, they grew even more animated and urged Ji Hanyi to conceive as soon as possible.
Ji Hanyi assented. But when she stepped outside midway through the conversation for some air, she overheard two cousins-in-law whispering about her years with the Xie Family. One of them lowered her voice with malicious delight and said that Ji Hanyi had failed to conceive in three years there, so perhaps her body was incapable of it. Who knew what Fifth Younger Brother had been thinking?
They were speaking so softly that the words should have been inaudible, yet Ji Hanyi heard them. Remembering the meaningful looks they had exchanged while urging her to have a child, she felt a quiet discomfort settle over her.
She told herself not to dwell on it. Every family had its gossip behind closed doors. Such remarks were commonplace and not worth taking to heart. She returned to her seat, but her spirits were gone.
She was listless now. Two cups of sweet wine had left her faintly flushed and warm, and exhaustion weighed heavily upon her.
Then someone entered from outside. The roomful of women fell silent the moment he appeared. He walked straight to Ji Hanyi.
At the sight of Shen Si, she felt as though her rescuer had arrived.
The cool night air still clung to him, and his features were as austere as ever. He took her hand and went directly to Old Madam Shen to announce their departure.
Ji Hanyi had meant to observe proper etiquette and bid everyone farewell in turn, but Shen Si led her away before she had the chance.
Maids carrying lanterns walked beside them. Shen Si’s pace was brisk at first, forcing Ji Hanyi to hurry in tiny steps to keep up. Gradually, however, he slowed, and only then could she ease her pace.
He said nothing along the way. Ji Hanyi was accustomed to his aloof manner and merely hoped the palace matron would not stand watch in the outer room again tonight.
Upon their return, Shen Si told Ji Hanyi to bathe first, his tone cool and remote. She did not dare study his expression. She agreed and let the maids attend her in the bath.
When she emerged, Nanny Chen was still at her side, apparently determined to observe her every word and gesture. Ji Hanyi said, “Nanny, you should retire early tonight.”
Unexpectedly, Nanny Chen smiled. “Her Majesty specially ordered me to remain at Madam’s side. If there is anything Madam does not understand, you need only ask me.”