Chapter 208
Chapter 208
Shen Si rose early the next morning. Ji Hanyi got up as well to help him dress.
He found he liked it very much. Watching her stand before him, fresh-faced and intent as she fastened his clothes, his habitually austere expression gradually softened.
Two maids stood nearby, passing Ji Hanyi whatever she needed.
Once he was dressed, Shen Si looked down at her in the warm light. She radiated gentleness, but the eyes raised to him held mostly respect and dutiful attention, not affection.
His lips tightened. The softness that had only just appeared in his face receded into severity. Still, he merely gave her waist a light squeeze and told her to sleep a little longer.
Ji Hanyi agreed, but did not actually return to bed. She still had to pay her respects to Old Madam Shen, and she could not have fallen asleep again now.
Before leaving, Shen Si came back for one more look at her, as though some invisible concern tugged at him. In the past, nothing had ever weighed on his mind.
Now there was someone in this room whom he could not stop thinking about, someone he wanted to see once more before he went.
Ji Hanyi was eating a bowl of milk custard a matron had brought to tide her over. She could not eat breakfast until after greeting Old Madam Shen, and no one knew when she would return, so the matron had urged her to take something first.
She was enjoying it when Shen Si reentered. His dark eyes settled on her. “You are the mistress of this courtyard now. When you have time, learn the names of the maids and matrons so you can give them orders. You should also inventory the small storeroom holding your dowry. Everything there belongs to you.”
Ji Hanyi hurriedly agreed to each instruction.
Shen Si paused, not really expecting any warm words from her, then left again.
At the courtyard gate, he stopped and told Wen’an to send Nanny Chen back to the palace.
The matron had served her purpose. Keeping her beside Ji Hanyi only made Ji Hanyi anxious over every little thing.
As soon as Shen Si left, Ji Hanyi finished preparing and set out for Old Madam Shen’s quarters.
The two courtyards were not far apart. A maid at the gate respectfully addressed Ji Hanyi as Second Madam, then bowed and led her inside.
Ji Hanyi casually asked what time Old Madam Shen usually rose, so she would know when to come.
The maid gave her a distant smile. “Second Madam puts me in a difficult position. Old Madam has no fixed time for rising, so I cannot say.”
Ji Hanyi gathered her sleeves and tilted her head slightly, studying the maid. The girl was clever-looking and pretty, but polite wariness lay in her eyes, as though she did not wish to converse.
Ji Hanyi pressed her lips together and said no more.
From beyond the curtain came lively conversation and laughter. Evidently many people were inside. She could faintly hear Old Madam Shen laugh, “No one knows how to please me as well as you do.”
Madam Bai replied smilingly, “If I don’t please Old Madam, whom else should I please?”
The room erupted in laughter again.
Ji Hanyi had thought she was not late. Judging from the sounds within, she had arrived very late indeed.
She drew a quiet breath. When the matron lifted the curtain, Ji Hanyi entered with a faint smile.
The laughter stopped. Every woman in the room turned toward her.
Old Madam Shen looked at Ji Hanyi, and her own smile faded.
For the past two days, with her son present and so many relatives watching, she had been forced to swallow her dissatisfaction and pretend she welcomed the marriage.
Her sister-in-law from the neighboring eldest branch had asked why she had chosen a daughter-in-law who had already been married. An obscure family background would have been bad enough, but Ji Hanyi was also the daughter of a convicted official. Those who knew better did not discuss it openly, but behind closed doors, who did not gossip?
No matter how angry or aggrieved Old Madam Shen felt, she could not pour out her bitterness. She could only praise Ji Hanyi, trying to convince herself as much as everyone else.
Now Ji Hanyi stood before her. The girl was undeniably beautiful, pure and luminous, and carried herself with dignity. Yet no matter how Old Madam Shen looked at her, she found her displeasing.
The thought of others’ gossip only made the pressure in her chest worse.
Even within the Shen Residence, the servants merely acted respectful. Who could say what they whispered in private about the newly married Marchioness?
For generations, the Shen Family had been known only for its spotless reputation, and its family discipline was among the finest in the capital. Now what ought to have been a joyous marriage had become fodder for gossip. Old Madam Shen could not reconcile herself to it.
Her husband, meanwhile, merely laughed and said that a family lived its own life; whether it was good was not for outsiders to judge. He seemed wholly unconcerned, hiding in his study to organize travel notes, manuscripts, and paintings. In all likelihood, he would leave again within two months.
It seemed she alone worried about this entire household.
Old Madam Shen was displeased to see Ji Hanyi, but the girl was still her own son’s wife. When Ji Hanyi respectfully greeted her, she asked coolly, “Have you adjusted these past few days?”
Ji Hanyi nodded. “I have adjusted well.”
Old Madam Shen had a seat placed beside her.
Madam Bai smiled at the scene, but inwardly resentment had already surged.
Her husband was not Old Madam Shen’s natural son, yet since being adopted into her household, he had served her wholeheartedly. Madam Bai had likewise earned Old Madam Shen’s affection and trust. Now the old woman’s own son’s bride had entered and immediately taken the seat at her side-a privilege even Madam Bai rarely received.
She was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen Residence. With all the younger women watching, what place did this leave for her?
None of that showed on Madam Bai’s face. She smiled at Ji Hanyi. “Just look at Sister-in-law’s complexion. You and Fourth Younger Brother must have spent these days sweet as honey. Anyone can see how thoroughly cherished you are.”
“How many people will envy your happy life together?”
The words sounded flattering, but they drove another thorn into Old Madam Shen’s heart. Her expression did not change, though her lips tightened.
Madam Bai noticed. If Old Madam Shen disapproved of Ji Hanyi, she would surely dislike seeing Ji Hanyi and Fourth Younger Brother so affectionate even more.
She smiled.
Ji Hanyi replied, “Please don’t tease me, Sister-in-law.”
Madam Bai came closer and bent toward her with a laugh. “There’s no need to be shy. This is simply my nature. We’re family, so I don’t speak in riddles. I say whatever comes to mind. You mustn’t blame me.”
Ji Hanyi looked up at her. Madam Bai had a stately, radiant face. Though nearly forty, her skin remained smooth, fair, and well cared for; she must have been very beautiful in her youth.
Her healthy vitality also made her appear younger.
Ji Hanyi could not tell whether the smile was sincere teasing or carried some hidden meaning. She smiled in return. “How could I blame you? I’ve only just married into the family and understand so little. I hope to grow close to you and learn from you.”
Old Madam Shen looked at Ji Hanyi. “Your sister-in-law is indeed capable. She has managed the household finances for years without a single error. Visit her often and learn from her. You should sit with her every day.”