Chapter 260
Chapter 260
Deep down, Shen Si had always respected Shen Su, and he knew perfectly well how Shen Su had treated him. He had acted only to warn his Fourth Sister-in-law and did not wish to create a rift with Fourth Brother. He knew his brother was an upright man. He had intervened only because his Fourth Sister-in-law was too calculating.
More than anything, he hoped this incident would prompt Fourth Brother to discipline the inner household more closely. All Shen Si wanted was peace within the family.
He pressed his lips together, then said quietly, “Bai Rongqing will naturally be released once the case is concluded. Whatever becomes of him afterward will no longer concern me.”
“Hanyi has only just arrived at the residence. She is young, simple-hearted, and has no desire to compete with anyone. Please ask Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law to look after her. I would be deeply grateful.”
“Hanyi is young and still has much to learn, but I do not intend for her to be overworked. Fourth Sister-in-law need only teach her some household skills; I must still trouble her to carry the greater share of the residence’s affairs. I will remember the favor she has done me.”
Shen Su understood everything from these words. Shen Si knew the truth but had left it unspoken out of regard for their bond. Overcome with shame, Shen Su said again and again, “Your Fourth Sister-in-law likes Hanyi very much. She often praises Hanyi’s intelligence. Rest assured, your Fourth Sister-in-law will certainly take good care of her.”
Shen Si looked at Fourth Brother. Shen Su’s official career had gone smoothly over the years. With the Shen Family behind him, he had risen steadily through the ranks while remaining honest and upright, never allowing success to make him forget their father’s teachings.
Shen Si also remembered what his father had taught him: to always honor Fourth Brother as his elder. They were full brothers. Seeing Fourth Brother appear almost humble before him now was more than he could bear. His expression softened. “Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law have held the residence together all these years. You are my elder brother, and your judgment carries more weight than mine. I only wish for us to remain as we have always been.”
Shen Su’s eyes reddened. The younger brother he had cherished so carefully since childhood had not forgotten him after all.
Emotion surging, he insisted that Shen Si stay for wine and a private conversation. Shen Si saw how moved Fourth Brother was. He had meant to say that Ji Hanyi was waiting for him, but the words died on his lips. In the end, he drank several cups with Shen Su, then sent someone to tell Ji Hanyi to eat without waiting for him.
When Shen Si returned, Ji Hanyi had just finished washing and was seated before her dressing table while Qiuyu applied hair oil. Qiuyu’s touch was soft and gentle. She used a jade comb to distribute the oil strand by strand, leaving Ji Hanyi’s lustrous hair even smoother.
Qiuyun brought red jade balm and gently smoothed it over Ji Hanyi’s hands and neck. The balm was blended from almonds, pearls, honey, and goose fat. It left a delicate shimmer and a faint fragrance upon her body, making her skin appear even fairer.
Ji Hanyi was admiring the smooth, luminous skin the balm had created beneath the gauze lantern while wondering what gifts she ought to prepare before visiting the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence in a few days.
As she considered it, a hand suddenly settled on her shoulder.
Ji Hanyi looked into the mirror and saw Shen Si standing beside her in an informal robe. The mirror did not show his face, so she turned to look up at him.
As she raised her head, Shen Si lifted the hand from her shoulder and placed it beneath her chin. Her jade-smooth skin felt like the finest silk. With her red lips and pearly teeth, she embodied all the gentle warmth of a sheltered woman’s chamber.
Shen Si had noticed how Ji Hanyi was admiring her own hand. He said, “If you like that red jade balm, I will have more prepared for you another day.”
Embarrassed that Shen Si had caught her admiring herself, Ji Hanyi said, “I have never seen it before.”
Shen Si smiled faintly. “It is tribute goods from the palace. Naturally, you would not have seen it.”
Ji Hanyi blinked. “Then it must be very rare.”
Shen Si’s fingertips continued to caress her cheek. She looked plump and rosy from the balm’s moisture, and the sight of her sent heat through his entire body. Perhaps it was because he had finally tasted complete satisfaction, but now he found himself thinking constantly of making love to her.
Shen Si knew perfectly well that he had indulged himself more than enough that day. His body, however, insisted it could never be enough and that he was fully capable of taking her many more times that night.
Distracted by his thoughts, Shen Si gave a vague murmur, scarcely hearing Ji Hanyi. He watched the ruby earring sway beside her ear, let his gaze drift over the body beneath her spring robe, and asked, “Have you eaten?”
Ji Hanyi nodded. “And you?”
Shen Si did not answer. “I will bathe and change first.”
Ji Hanyi stared blankly after him as he simply walked away.
She looked down at her hand again. Pearl powder shimmered on her skin, carrying a pleasant fragrance.
Before bed that night, Shen Si had already settled onto the bed. He watched lazily as Ji Hanyi sat sideways before him and spoke. “Nanny Fang has given me many invitations recently. Most are for minor gatherings that do not matter much, but I believe I should attend the one at the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence.”
Ji Hanyi leaned a little closer and asked, “The invitation from the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence was delivered to me. Did Fourth Sister-in-law receive one as well? Are gifts usually sent in the name of the Shen Residence, or should they come from our branch?”
Shen Si explained patiently, “Invitations of this kind are ordinarily sent to Eldest Sister-in-law first. Since Fourth Sister-in-law has always managed the household, they could hardly bypass her. But because of my position, the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence sent you a separate invitation as a mark of respect.”
“As for gifts, they are ordinarily sent in the name of the Shen Residence. However, I am acquainted with the Heir to the Marquisate, so you may send an additional gift from my private treasury.”
Ji Hanyi understood. She wanted to ask Shen Si what she should send, but the question would make it seem as though she knew nothing, so she abandoned it.
Shen Si spoke first. “If there is anything in the courtyard you do not understand, ask Nanny Fang. She managed most of my courtyard’s affairs in the past and coordinated gifts and social obligations with Fourth Sister-in-law. You will not go wrong if you ask her.”
Only then did Ji Hanyi nod. She rose and started toward the door.
Shen Si caught her wrist, his dark eyes narrowing at her. “Where are you going now?”
Ji Hanyi paused. “I forgot to roll up the painting in the study.”
Shen Si looked at Ji Hanyi beneath the lamplight, as exquisite as pearl and jade. She seemed sweetly obedient, almost as though waiting to be cherished. His fingers tightened around her wrist, then loosened.
When Ji Hanyi returned, Shen Si was still reclining against the pillows as he waited. She climbed onto the bed and saw his robe hanging loose across his chest. The way he looked at her made her feel as if he were hinting at something.
Her body still ached a little. She had never imagined Shen Si possessed such stamina, taking her again and again. The very thought frightened her.
She averted her eyes and did not even bother lowering the bed curtains. Ignoring Shen Si’s gaze, she slipped beneath the covers.
Shen Si arched a brow at the way she treated him as though he were invisible. Then he saw the wide space she had left between them, and his eyes darkened.