Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Beneath the warm, dim glow of the gauze-shaded lamp, Ji Hanyi did not dare pull away. She forced herself to suppress the uneasy trembling running through her.

Shen Si gazed at her, the skin beneath his fingers warm to the touch. Her breathtakingly beautiful eyes were filled with alarm, and her thick black hair set off her crimson lips and pearly teeth. She was like Mount Wu shrouded in mist and rain, or a young rabbit crouching beneath an eagle’s talons — so fragile that it made one want to bully her.

In the years since he had last seen her, she had grown even more ravishing.

His fingers released her chin, and his cool voice rang out. “Has Madam Xie made her decision?”

Ji Hanyi nodded at once, as though grasping her final lifeline. “I have. I only ask that Lord Shen save my cousin.”

Shen Si pressed his lips together and silently watched the tiny glimmer of hope kindle in her eyes.

She had used her one and only chance on someone so inconsequential.

Just like years ago, when he had given her the jade pendant. She had never taken his words to heart.

She had never known what this pendant represented.

But none of that mattered anymore. He only wanted this woman never to appear before him again.

Shen Si lowered his eyes, his expression growing colder and more distant. He placed the jade pendant in front of Ji Hanyi. “I can help you.

“But this pendant was never truly a gift from me. And since you’ve touched it, there’s no need to return it.”

With that, Shen Si rose and dismissed Ji Hanyi.

As the shadow before her withdrew, Ji Hanyi stared blankly at the jade pendant lying on the table. What Shen Si had just said stabbed at her heart. Since she had touched it, he no longer wanted it.

But of course. He had always been a favored son of heaven, lofty and untouchable, with scarcely anyone permitted near him.

His willingness to meet her and agree to help was already an extraordinary act of grace.

Clenching the jade pendant tightly in her palm, Ji Hanyi rose with some difficulty. Looking at Shen Si as he stood with his back to her, she lowered her head and curtsied gratefully. Only then did she put on her veiled hat and walk outside.

The courtyard was empty. Not a single maid waited in the outer rooms. Aside from the ceaseless hiss of snow outside, the silence was terrifying.

The instant she crossed the threshold and stepped beneath the covered walkway, snow and bitter wind came sweeping around her. The white veil attached to her hat whipped incessantly in the wind. She gripped one corner tightly, drew her dark cloak closer around herself, and walked out with her body slightly hunched against the cold.

Shen Si stood before the window with his hands clasped behind his back, silently watching that petite figure.

The lanterns beneath the eaves tossed chaotically in the wind. Great feathery flakes settled in her hair, and there was no one beside her to carry a lantern. Quietly, one step at a time, she walked into the darkness beyond the courtyard, her graceful silhouette gradually disappearing amid the swirling snow.

All alone, her figure frail and slender.

It was as though a taut string had wound itself around his heart.

A somber darkness flickered through his still eyes. Shen Si watched for a long while before finally turning away.

He returned to his seat behind the desk, picked up his brush, and continued reading the correspondence submitted by the Circuit Censor. Not a trace of emotion disturbed his face, as though no one had ever come to see him.

Wen’an had been waiting by the courtyard gate. When he saw Ji Hanyi emerge from the room alone, he hurried forward with a lantern to light the way.

He had no idea what had happened inside, nor would he have dared steal so much as a glimpse. He did not even know who this woman was.

Even so, Wen’an now regarded the woman beside him with the utmost respect. His reason was simple: the study of the Marquis had never admitted a woman before.

Even the cleaning was handled by the few personal attendants serving the Marquis.

Everything in the study was important, and given the position held by the Marquis, the correspondence passing through his hands was highly confidential. Not only was it difficult for outsiders to enter the residence at all, but even those who were admitted were forbidden from entering the study. Only Master himself was allowed inside.

Yet the Marquis had let this woman enter, and she had remained inside for quite some time.

The night was dark, but Wen’an could not restrain his curiosity and stole a few glances at her.
The woman walking beside him was quiet and courteous. She had even curtsied to him when they first came out. Judging by her brocade robes embroidered with silver thread, she clearly came from a good family.

He could not tell exactly how distinguished her background was, but she was wealthy and noble at the very least.

The light from the glazed lanterns flickered faintly, leaving the face beneath her snow-white veil hazy and indistinct. Even so, her graceful, slender figure and delicate, fair fingers were enough to make anyone imagine that the face hidden beneath the veil must be extraordinarily beautiful.

Wen’an thought it would be a good thing if the Marquis had truly taken an interest in this young woman.

The Former Chief Grand Secretary was nearly seventy now, and the old madam was also advanced in years. Whenever the old madam accompanied the Marquis into the palace to see Her Majesty the Empress, Her Majesty the Empress would urge him to marry as well.

For every noble young lady of any renown in the capital, Her Majesty the Empress had tried every possible means to persuade the Marquis to meet her, yet he had never shown any interest in going. Even when he did go, no one ever caught his eye.

He always said anyone would do, but when it truly came time to discuss a marriage, suddenly no one would do after all.

There were even rumors in the capital that his relationship with the Marquis was rather unusual. Because of that, young ladies kept their distance from him too.

With those thoughts in mind, Wen’an dared not show the slightest negligence. He personally escorted her through the side gate to the carriage waiting outside and even offered to arrange for guards to accompany her all the way home.

Of course, he had an ulterior motive of his own. The carriage was far too ordinary to reveal anything, and he wanted to know which family this young lady belonged to. It would be wise to keep it in mind, lest he accidentally offend her in the future.

Ji Hanyi had not expected to be escorted all the way out. Now that her cousin’s troubles had finally been settled, a path had at last emerged through the chaos her life had become, and she could finally breathe a little easier.

She had never worried that her cousin would not be released. Since Shen Si had promised her, her cousin was certain to get out.

Now, seeing how courteous Shen Si’s attendant was to her, Ji Hanyi felt somewhat dazed. She replied politely, “There is no need to trouble yourself. I am not going far.”

With that, Ji Hanyi curtsied to Wen’an once more. “Thank you for escorting me all the way here. The weather is cold and the snow is heavy, so please hurry back.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a delicate tenderness that made it exceedingly pleasant to the ear. Wen’an could not help looking at Ji Hanyi again.

The woman before him wore fine yet understated clothing, with a white veil as hazy as mist. Though her attire could not have been more discreet, it left far too much to the imagination.

Wen’an startled himself when he realized how intently he had been staring at her. Then understanding suddenly dawned on him. No wonder the Marquis treated this woman differently. Who could possibly resist her?

Wen’an hurriedly stepped back, bowed in return, and watched as the carriage departed.

Ji Hanyi sat inside the carriage. She had hired a different carriage and had Rongchun ride inside with her precisely because she did not want anyone to discover her identity.

After all, she was now a woman married into the Xie Family. Although the Shen Family was an eminent noble clan and an honorable household, she still needed to be cautious, both for her own sake and for Shen Si’s reputation.

In truth, coming to see him alone had already been an extraordinarily bold thing to do.

A moment ago, all she had wanted was to see Shen Si, and she had cast every concern out of her mind. Now that she was sitting in the carriage again and saw the concern in Rongchun’s eyes, a trace of belated fear finally crept into her heart.

She lowered her head and looked at the piece of jade she had been clutching tightly in her palm. Only when she loosened her grip did she realize she had held it so tightly that her palm ached slightly.

She thought this jade pendant would probably never be taken out again.

Just as Shen Si had said, the jade did not count as a gift from him to her, and the two of them would never have anything to do with each other again.

It would be just like after she had fallen into the water, when they had never seen each other again.

Rongchun looked at Ji Hanyi, clearly full of questions. Ji Hanyi put the jade pendant away once more, then turned to meet Rongchun’s gaze and said softly, “Do not tell anyone where we went today. Just say I stayed late taking care of Mother.”

Rongchun hurriedly nodded. “Do not worry, Young Madam. This servant will not say a word.”