Chapter 207

Chapter 207

Gu Xun hurriedly lifted the hem of his robe and dropped to his knees before Shen Si.

The movement drew every eye in the room.

Madam Zhang watched and secretly cursed herself for not thinking of it first. Madam Liu was willing to make Gu Xun kneel merely to curry favor with Marquis Shen.

But kneeling to Shen Si was hardly shameful. How many people had the privilege of kneeling before him to ask a favor, or any chance of forging a connection with him at all?

Shen Si frowned faintly. Catching sight of Ji Hanyi looking his way, he told Gu Xun to rise.

Truthfully, seeing Cousin Xun kneel before Shen Si left Ji Hanyi vaguely uncomfortable. He was family, after all.

Then she remembered that Shen Si had saved him and held far higher rank. Her discomfort eased. Cousin Xun did indeed owe him thanks.

Shen Si said coolly, “I helped Hanyi. There is no need to thank me.”

Madam Liu froze, then understood and hastened to thank Ji Hanyi all over again.

Despite the exchange of courtesies, the Gu Residence never achieved the easy warmth of the Cheng’an Marquis’s Residence.

Shen Si sat in the main hall, stern and unsmiling. Young and old alike were subdued by his presence. Even those who wanted to flatter him did not dare approach.

Ji Hanyi noticed it as well. Wherever Shen Si was, the atmosphere turned constrained. Conversation became stiff, and every attempt at flattery seemed painfully deliberate, as though everyone wanted his favor but had no idea how to seek it.

Before coming, Ji Hanyi had written to her mother and asked her to tell the family not to be nervous. A relaxed welcome would leave a better impression. Clearly, her mother’s advice had made no difference.

Ji Hanyi was about to suggest they leave when Madam Zhang suddenly knelt before Shen Si in tears and begged him to allow her husband to return.

Impatience flickered in Shen Si’s eyes, but because she was Ji Hanyi’s maternal aunt, he granted her some dignity. He had Wen’an help her up, though he made no promise. “We can discuss other matters another day.”

Madam Zhang looked as though the sky had collapsed. Remembering how she had treated Ji Hanyi, she feared the young woman now bore a grudge and stood there stunned.

Ji Hanyi knew they could stay no longer.

When Old Madam Gu heard she meant to leave, she hurriedly drew her into an inner room for a private conversation.

She wanted Ji Hanyi to say a few good words so that her eldest maternal uncle might return from his remote posting.

Ji Hanyi understood her grandmother’s feelings. Her eldest uncle had spent five difficult years away.

But she looked at Old Madam Gu and told her that Eldest Maternal Aunt had twice brought members of the Xie Family to find her.

Old Madam Gu’s face changed. “I knew she was greedy, but I never imagined her heart had grown so black that she could do such a thing.”

She looked at Ji Hanyi. “After today, rest assured that I will speak to her sternly.”

Ji Hanyi was silent for a moment. “I told you because I have always regarded the people here as family. But Eldest Maternal Aunt could do this for her own gain. Clearly, she did not regard me as family.”

“Since she did not, she has chilled my heart. I will no longer trouble myself over her affairs.”

“I am no saint. I cannot repay injury with kindness.”

Old Madam Gu understood. Ji Hanyi had been deeply hurt.
Madam Gu, hearing of it for the first time, went pale. “You only just escaped the Xie Family, yet your Eldest Maternal Aunt brought them to you…”

Old Madam Gu’s eyes reddened. “I know you have your own judgment now and weigh every matter carefully. I will not force you.”

After a brief silence, Ji Hanyi said softly, “I am not saying this to settle old scores. I merely want everything made clear.”

“My mother lived here for three years, and Eldest Maternal Aunt and Cousin Yan did care for her. Whatever the truth behind it, that was a kindness, and I remember it.”

“She raised the matter just now. What my husband decides is his affair. If he is willing, then so be it. If not, I will not interfere.”

Her boundaries could not have been clearer.

Sorrow filled Old Madam Gu’s eyes. Her eldest daughter-in-law had brought all of this upon herself.

She patted Ji Hanyi’s hand and nodded repeatedly. “No one will blame you. You have married into such a fine family, but your birth is not as distinguished as theirs, and because this is your second marriage, people will inevitably gossip behind your back. None of this has been easy for you.”

Ji Hanyi knew her grandmother had always respected her decisions and felt reassured.

Then Eldest Maternal Aunt entered. Though she could barely humble herself, she gritted her teeth and tried to beg Ji Hanyi to intercede.

Old Madam Gu immediately rebuked Madam Zhang and mentioned her collusion with the Xie Family.

Madam Zhang blanched, then denied it vehemently.

Ji Hanyi headed out. As she passed Madam Zhang, she paused. “You may deny it, Eldest Maternal Aunt, but I know the truth better than anyone.”

“It happened twice.”

With that, she walked past.

Madam Zhang stared after her, shaken by the rare coldness in Ji Hanyi’s voice. Panic rose within her. Had she known Ji Hanyi would marry Marquis Shen, she would never have conspired with the Xie Family.

The Xies were arrogant and looked down on everyone. She resented them too. For the past two days they had kept sending letters asking where Ji Hanyi lived, which meant they still did not know she had married Marquis Shen.

Madam Zhang decided not to tell them. Let First Madam Xie, who never looked anyone properly in the eye, fret herself sick.

When she turned, she met the cold gazes of Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu.

Then Old Madam Gu confined her to the residence for two months and forbade her from sending any more letters. Her knees nearly gave way.

It was noon when Ji Hanyi and Shen Si left. In the carriage, he did not mention Madam Zhang’s plea, and Ji Hanyi quietly refrained from asking.

Shen Si glanced at her and raised a brow at her silence.

—

His marriage leave lasted only three days. He would return to court the next morning.

They retired early that night, but Shen Si did not touch Ji Hanyi as he had on the previous two nights. He merely held her, caressing her lightly and breathing softly against her neck, slowly coaxing her.

Only when she began to rub unconsciously against him did he smile without a sound.

Half his purpose had been achieved.

Habit sometimes conquered everything.

Tomorrow night, it would be time to claim her fully.