Chapter 263
Chapter 263
Caught by Shen Si, Ji Hanyi paused. She glanced at the touch of authority in his expression, then stopped and helped him change.
Shen Si lowered his head slightly so Ji Hanyi could unfasten the clasp at his collar. His gaze fell to the ornaments in her hair. One silver hairpin was quite plain, but its design was unattractive. He asked, “Do you not have enough hairpins?”
Ji Hanyi did not understand what he meant. She looked up. “I have enough.”
Shen Si met her gaze. “The silver hairpin in your hair is unattractive. It does not suit you.”
Ji Hanyi wanted to say she could wear whatever she pleased. She liked the silver hairpin very much, and she told him so. “But I like it.”
Shen Si paused and arched a brow. He studied Ji Hanyi’s half-lowered almond eyes. She was already as lovely as a flower, and he wanted nothing more than to adorn her with the most splendid treasures. Feminine beauty found its fullest expression in her, and the silver hairpin did nothing to enhance it.
Noticing her displeasure, he curved his lips as if to soothe her. “I will have several jade hairpins made for you.”
The words sounded like an offer of another gift, but they did not acknowledge Ji Hanyi’s wishes.
Once Shen Si had changed, they went out. He had returned early that day expressly to dine with Ji Hanyi.
Every dish on the table was one she liked. Shen Si rarely spoke during meals, and Ji Hanyi was silent as well, though he placed food in her bowl from time to time.
After dinner, Ji Hanyi felt a flicker of delight when Shen Si announced he was going to the study. She had planned to sleep early. After two nights without proper rest, it would be better if he remained busy in the study.
Shen Si naturally noticed her reaction but said nothing and left first.
Yet in the middle of the night, while Ji Hanyi slept in a haze, someone pressed against her from behind. A trail of damp kisses fell across the nape of her neck.
Ji Hanyi turned and said she wanted no more, but Shen Si covered her mouth with his, pushed up her sleeping robe, and looked at the red marks still lingering on her skin. He hesitated only briefly before taking her once more.
Ji Hanyi whispered several times that her body was tired. Shen Si heard her, but she looked so soft and delicate beneath him, and he did not make her move. He disregarded her words, though he coaxed her patiently a few times.
She was the woman he had yearned for and thought of every day. Knowing that someone waited alone in their room for him filled his heart with heat. He truly felt he could never have enough of her.
He looked at the flushed woman in his arms as she instinctively nestled closer. Fair and unspoiled, she still possessed something of the clear purity she had shown as a child. Shen Si’s eyes softened, and he gently kissed her forehead.
When Ji Hanyi woke in the morning, Shen Si was already gone. He had risen without waking her. She suppressed the resentment in her heart and ate several of her favorite honey griddle cakes at breakfast before finally calming herself.
On the day of the banquet at the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, Ji Hanyi returned from paying her respects to her mother-in-law and made her final preparations. When a message arrived from the front gate, she went out.
Three carriages waited before the Shen Residence. Ji Hanyi shared one with Madam Bai, Madam Cui and Shen Suyi rode in another, and Old Madam had a carriage to herself.
When they reached the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, a steward came to welcome them the moment the Shen Residence carriages stopped. They were escorted directly to the front hall where honored guests were received.
Old Madam Shen was a guest of honor and was immediately shown to a high seat. Madam Bai was well acquainted with the First Madam of the residence, and the two began chatting with smiles as soon as she arrived.
The Grand Princess sat in the place of highest honor. Seeing Ji Hanyi, she continued speaking to Old Madam Shen while smiling and beckoning for Ji Hanyi to come quickly.
The instant the Grand Princess drew Ji Hanyi to her side, everyone in the room turned to look.
They saw a young married woman in pink rain-patterned brocade, her face fair and exquisite. Every gold hairpin and jade ornament she wore was finely crafted. Her graceful steps, slender waist, and round sandalwood-handled fan painted with Buddha’s-hand citron, flowers, and birds set her distinctly apart.
Seeing members of the Shen Family beside her, everyone understood at once. So this was the bride who had recently married into the Shen Residence after departing from the Grand Princess’s residence.
Many had heard of the marriage but had never seen the woman herself. They had not known her name, much less which noble family she came from.
Now that they saw her, her youthful beauty and soft, exquisite grace drew more than a few lingering looks.
Most of the women in the room possessed rank and status. Few of those invited to the seats of honor knew Ji Hanyi, though several recognized her from banquets she had attended in the past.
Even those who recognized her could hardly exclaim or gossip now. They saw the Grand Princess holding Ji Hanyi’s hand and asking warmly after her health, while others from the Grand Princess’s residence gathered around her and spoke with easy intimacy. Whatever thoughts they harbored were swiftly concealed.
They remembered that she was no longer the divorced woman of the Xie Family but the Marchioness of the powerful Marquis Shen. No trace of disdain could remain in their eyes. Those seated nearby even leaned over to exchange a few words with her.
Madam Wang, the First Madam of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, treated Ji Hanyi with exceptional warmth. She introduced several young ladies of the family and presented Ji Hanyi to the other guests in the room.
Old Madam Shen watched the scene. Ji Hanyi spoke warmly with the members of the Grand Princess’s residence, carried herself with perfect propriety, and sat close beside the Grand Princess. A trace of satisfaction stirred within the older woman.
After they talked for a while, Qin Che’s principal wife, Madam Su, came to link arms with Ji Hanyi and suggested they take a walk outside. The room was filled with Dowager Madams closely acquainted with the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, and Ji Hanyi had little to contribute to their conversation.
Ji Hanyi nodded. She and Madam Su excused themselves from the company and went out.
Old Madam Cui of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence watched Ji Hanyi leave, then turned to Old Madam Shen beside her. “I thought Marquis Shen would not marry so soon. I never expected it to happen with such startling speed.”
Faint regret and disappointment threaded her words.
Old Madam Cui and Old Madam Shen were exceedingly close. The two families had nearly become related by marriage. Circumstances had intervened, and the matter still inspired some regret.
Two years earlier, Second Young Lady Cui of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence had been close to Shen Si in age. She was as lovely as a flower, a celebrated talent praised throughout the capital, gentle and sweet-tempered, and beloved by everyone she met. Old Madam Shen had wished to arrange a marriage between them and raised the matter with Shen Si.
To her surprise, Shen Si agreed. Overjoyed, Old Madam Shen reached an understanding with Old Madam Cui and planned to formally discuss the marriage with the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence after some time.
But everything changed within days. Second Young Lady Cui’s father died at the frontier. The funeral rites lasted half a year, and Second Young Lady Cui was required to observe three years of mourning, a period that had still not ended.
The marriage was left in abeyance, and no formal proposal was ever made. Even during the New Year celebrations that year, Old Madam Shen had asked whether Shen Si would wait. He said he would not and added that he had no feelings for the young lady of the Cui family.
Otherwise, Old Madam Shen would never have considered arranging another marriage for Shen Si. Her son had always left her at a loss.
Old Madam Cui patted Old Madam Shen’s hand. Unable to think of any comfort, she merely said, “Let it go. It is all in the past.”
Old Madam Shen nodded, but disappointment still lingered in her heart.