Chapter 262
Chapter 262
Ji Hanyi spent most of the morning in Madam Bai’s quarters. Madam Cui was especially warm toward her, discussing the latest jewelry fashions in the capital, which shops sold the loveliest fabrics, and where they might go on an outing now that the spring scenery was at its finest.
Madam Cui was in fact the same age as Ji Hanyi-nineteen-so the two found several things to discuss.
In the midst of their conversation, Nanny Fang entered to report that the steward from Yucui Hall had arrived and asked Ji Hanyi to choose her jewelry. The announcement drew envious looks from everyone in the room.
Madam Cui clasped Ji Hanyi’s hand and laughed. “How I envy Fifth Aunt. Fifth Uncle must have arranged it again.”
Madam Cui did intend to cultivate a deliberate closeness with Ji Hanyi. Her mother-in-law had instructed her to do so. Whatever they thought in private, outwardly she must appear especially close to Ji Hanyi.
Besides, she had expected Ji Hanyi to be reserved and taciturn. After talking with her today, however, Madam Cui discovered she was remarkably easy to get along with. No matter the subject, Ji Hanyi responded with a smile. She never put on airs or hid behind a mysterious, knowing silence.
Ji Hanyi was also the same age as she was. She truly resembled a soft, delicate flower, fair and graceful from head to toe. Her voice was gentle, her eyes exceedingly clear, and she looked a year or two younger than Madam Cui herself.
Though Madam Cui addressed her as an aunt, Ji Hanyi did not feel like an elder at all. She seemed no different from any young woman of Madam Cui’s own age.
Even now, the teasing remark brought a touch of shyness into Ji Hanyi’s eyes. She possessed none of an elder’s authority.
Ji Hanyi was indeed somewhat embarrassed as everyone teased her about Shen Si. She rose to take her leave and said softly to Madam Bai, “Please let me know what arrangements Sister-in-law makes for the visit to the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence. I will follow your lead.”
Madam Bai beamed at her. “Do not worry. I will send someone to tell you. Old Madam is going as well.”
Ji Hanyi nodded and finally left.
Everyone watched her slender yet shapely figure depart at an unhurried pace, quiet elegance clinging to her every movement.
Once Ji Hanyi had left the courtyard, Madam Bai dismissed the other young ladies. Shen Suyi naturally remained. She turned to Madam Cui. “Did Sister-in-law see the jade butterfly hairpin Fifth Aunt was wearing? We saw it together last time. I wanted it, but they said it had already been reserved. So it was Fifth Aunt who had it.”
Madam Cui nodded and lowered her voice. “The bracelet on her wrist and the necklace around her neck were both of the finest quality. I might not even bear to buy such things for myself. Not a single piece she wore was ordinary. Fifth Uncle truly knows how to cherish a woman.”
Madam Bai silently drank her tea without speaking.
Madam Cui continued to sigh, her voice dropping lower, her eyes filled with envy. “She truly has remarkable fortune. After everything that happened to her family, she married a second time and still won such devotion from Fifth Uncle.”
Madam Bai gave her a cool glance. Madam Cui noticed it with a jolt and immediately fell silent.
Meanwhile, Ji Hanyi returned to Songhe Courtyard. The steward waited respectfully in the outer hall with a casket in his hands. The moment she entered, he hurried to welcome her with an ingratiating smile and opened the box.
Ji Hanyi had not expected Shen Si to send her jewelry. She already owned more pieces than she could possibly wear. Seeing the steward’s broad smile, she listened as Nanny Fang explained that this was the Marquis’s way of showing how much he cherished her.
Ji Hanyi could not help thinking of Shen Si’s cool indifference whenever he left the bed. Yet as she considered it, her resentment faded. If he gave her something, she might as well accept it. It would belong to her, and one could hardly complain of possessing too many valuable things. Besides, the jewelry represented Shen Si’s regard.
In truth, Ji Hanyi thought Shen Si was very good to her apart from his aloofness. He genuinely took great care of her.
Having reasoned herself into contentment, Ji Hanyi sat down and slowly examined the casket. The shopkeeper was exceptionally attentive. He presented a red-gold filigree butterfly hairpin, explaining that its wings had been shaped from gold wire as fine as hair, layer upon layer, thin as a cicada’s wings and glittering in the light. The Eastern Pearl suspended from it, he added, was the single finest specimen selected from a hundred.
Ji Hanyi studied it and truly liked it, so she chose the piece.
That afternoon, she followed Nanny Fang to inspect Shen Si’s private storehouse. The dazzling array of precious objects left Ji Hanyi overwhelmed. No wonder Nanny Fang needed three keys to open the doors.
Nanny Fang showed her around, and they selected a jade ruyi. As they left, Nanny Fang placed the keys and ledger in Ji Hanyi’s hands, explaining that she would manage them from now on.
Ji Hanyi stared in surprise. Nanny Fang added that these were the Marquis’s instructions.
Shen Si had never mentioned it. Looking at the thick ledger, Ji Hanyi could scarcely imagine that his private storehouse held so many possessions.
Nanny Fang smiled. “Whenever any great or small event occurred in the residence, many people sent gifts. Often, several separate gifts were required. Anything sent to the Shen Residence was recorded in the common household accounts, while anything sent directly to the Marquis belonged here.”
“The Marquis has also received many rewards over the years and owns shops and estates. When his shopkeepers travel elsewhere and discover fine furs, jewels, ornaments, or other rarities, they send those to him as well. The collection gradually grew.”
Ji Hanyi listened and leafed through the ledger. No wonder Shen Si was so generous. Not only had he given her betrothal gifts, he had also prepared a dowry for her.
After returning, Ji Hanyi stored the keys and ledger carefully, then went to the study to paint.
When Shen Si returned that night, he asked what she had chosen. Ji Hanyi gave him a detailed account, but he merely acknowledged it without further comment.
Ji Hanyi followed Shen Si into the inner room to change. The purple official robe made him appear especially stern and imposing, and her voice unconsciously softened. She mentioned the keys and ledger, then asked, “Does the Marquis truly trust me?”
Shen Si glanced at Ji Hanyi standing beside him. When she showed no intention of helping him change, he pressed his lips together and began unfastening his own belt. “You are my wife. They belong in your hands.”
Ji Hanyi had hoped to hear him affirm her abilities or perhaps offer praise and encouragement. She had not expected such a reply and did not know what to feel.
Seeing his aloof manner, as if he had no desire to speak further, she turned to leave.
Before she could take a step, Shen Si caught her hand. His deep voice carried the unquestionable authority of a man accustomed to command. “You will not help me change?”