Chapter 3 How Can I Feel at Ease

Shen Mansion, Wengui Courtyard.

The Osmanthus fragrans can bloom in all four seasons. In late spring and early summer, the courtyard is filled with the faint fragrance of Osmanthus.

As soon as Shen You entered the courtyard, he saw Zi Teng anxiously waiting by the moon gate.

“Miss, you’re finally back,” she said in a low voice. “Madam and Madam Shen came by just now.”

The lady mentioned by Zi Teng is Chen Qiurong, the current mistress of the Shen family, who was married by Marquis Chengde Shen Yao after the death of Shen You's mother.

As for Madam Shen the Fourth, she was a distant relative of the Shen family who had been staying at the Shen residence for the past few days. According to the seniority of their relationship, her husband was the fourth among his brothers in the distant branch, so it was only proper for the people in the Chengde Marquis's residence to call her Madam Shen the Fourth.

Yesterday, the reason why Shen You went to Bilu Pavilion to meet the second young master of the Li family was due to the madam's arrangement.

“Granny must know about your meeting with the second young master of the Li family yesterday,” Zi Teng looked at Shen You, her eyes full of worry. “She hasn’t said a word since just now.”

Shen You pursed her lips, instructed Green Ivy to prepare the medicine, and then walked towards the side room, saying, "I'll go take a look."

As she finished speaking, she was about to take a step when Zi Teng stopped her and continued in a low voice, "When you were not in the manor, the gatekeeper came to report that someone had come looking for you, but left after hearing that you were not in the manor."

Shen You asked, "Do you know who it is?"

Wisteria shook her head. "I don't know. The gatekeeper said it was an unfamiliar face, a man in his fifties or sixties."

Fifty or sixty years old...

Shen You did not recognize the man of this age.

She didn't pay much attention at first, but then, as if remembering something, her clear and gentle brows furrowed slightly.

like...

If you calculate their ages, it does indeed match.

But now that the person has left, we can only wait and see if we can find them later.

She nodded and said, "I understand. Don't make a fuss about this."

"yes."

——

In the side room, Zhao Mama was no longer lying in bed as before. She was sitting at the table, lost in thought, with a cup of tea beside her that had gone cold.

Hearing footsteps, she looked over and saw Shen Youshi, her eyes filled with tenderness, "Miss."

Shen You smiled slightly, "Granny, I asked Doctor Lin, and he said that after you finish this medicine, your headache will be cured."

Granny Zhao stood up, took her hand, and instead of being happy that her headache was about to get better, she was filled with self-reproach. "Miss, it is this old servant who failed to protect you."

"This old servant has failed to live up to the old lady's expectations..."

Shen You's eyes softened as he grasped Zhao Mama's calloused hands and said gently, "Mama, don't worry, I can handle it."

“If I had known that Wang was trying to trick you into going to the matchmaker yesterday, I would have driven her away,” Zhao Mama said, her eyes red. “You absolutely must not agree to this.”

Shen You nodded, "Don't worry, Granny, I won't agree."

Yesterday, Wang and Chen Qiurong had arranged to go to the opera house together to listen to music.

However, it rained the night before, and Chen Qiurong had a cough when she woke up yesterday morning, so she couldn't leave the house.

Thus, Shen You became the one who "temporarily" accompanied Wang Shi to listen to the music.

However, they didn't get to hear the music. Wang Shi used the excuse of tired legs to take her to Bilu Pavilion.

It wasn't until she stepped onto the wooden steps to the second floor that Shen You realized that listening to music wasn't really listening to music, and drinking tea wasn't really drinking tea.

These words were merely an excuse to bring her out of the Shen residence.

So that she could meet a man.

Shen Yao and Chen Qiurong should both know about what happened yesterday, otherwise Wang Shi wouldn't have been so bold.

At that moment, Shen You paused as she stepped onto the wooden steps. Wang Shi glanced at her expression and kept talking about how wonderful the man from yesterday was.

Shen You waved his round fan, his gaze sweeping over the elegantly decorated teahouse, but he didn't remember a single word.

She glanced at the teahouse on the second floor facing the street and saw that it had a wide view, with people inside and outside able to see each other, so there was nothing to worry about.

Since I was idle anyway, I figured I might as well have a cup of tea since I was tired from walking.

That's why Shen You appeared at that teahouse yesterday, but unexpectedly...

You will meet Chu Xiao.

When she thought of Chu Xiao, her eyelashes drooped, concealing the emotions that were about to be revealed in her eyes.

“Wang Shi doesn’t do things without a reason, she has no good intentions. No matter how well she speaks of that person, Miss, you must not believe her,” Zhao Mama said worriedly as she continued.

Having served the old lady for many years, she knew all too well what the Shen family's collateral branches were thinking.

There are plenty of people who only come to the temple when they have nothing to do, and who only want to freeload.

Her face was full of worry, but the smile in Shen You's eyes grew even gentler. "Have you forgotten, Granny? I'm not a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl. I won't be fooled."

As she finished speaking, Granny Zhao's gaze fell on the young woman's married hairstyle, her eyes reddening terribly, and she murmured, "Yes, yes... young lady is twenty-two this year..."

"If only..."

Her throat tightened as she recalled the scene of Shen You's wedding six years ago, but she could only swallow the rest of her words, afraid that saying them would hurt Shen You.

“Granny, there are no ifs,” Shen You comforted her in return, her voice gentle yet firm. “The marriage was my own choice, and I can’t blame anyone else.”

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about the past anymore," Zhao Mama wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "but how will you deal with Madam Wang, young lady?"

Shen You said, "Don't worry, Granny. No matter how well Wang speaks of that person, I still have to give my approval for this marriage. She wouldn't dare to do anything about it."

Four years ago, when Shen You returned from her divorce, the old lady felt sorry for her and also felt that her days were numbered. She was afraid that no one would be able to protect Shen You in the future. So, in front of everyone, she made Shen Yao personally promise that if he were to arrange another marriage for Shen You in the future, the marriage would not be possible unless Shen You herself agreed.

Shen Yao agreed.

Therefore, the so-called "arranged marriage by parents and matchmaker" does not apply to Shen You now, and Shen Yao and Chen Qiurong cannot make decisions about her marriage.

Perhaps it was precisely because Lady Wang knew this that she went to great lengths to arrange for Shen You to meet the second son of the Imperial Censor.

After all, this matter requires Shen You's approval.

Granny Zhao seemed to recall the scene when the old lady was alive, and sighed, "The old lady was truly prescient."

“So,” Shen You smiled gently, “there’s no need for you to worry, Granny.”

"But..." Granny Zhao sighed softly, finally asking, "Miss, have you really never thought about remarrying?"

Two years in the blink of an eye, four years to forget.

When Shen You returned, she never mentioned what had happened in the south, and they dared not ask her any questions, for fear of upsetting her.

Now, four years have passed, and Granny Zhao is worried that her young lady may still be thinking about that person.

Upon hearing this, Shen You's eyes flickered, and she replied, "If I truly meet a suitable husband, I will let nature take its course."

Hearing this, Granny Zhao felt somewhat relieved.

She smiled and gently stroked Shen You's hand, her eyes full of affection, "My daughter deserves the best husband in the world."

The atmosphere in the room finally became a little lighter.

Just then, Green Ivy brought in the decocted medicine, and Granny Zhao tilted her head back to drink it.

Shen You pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and her gaze flickered slightly.

It's time for her... to start thinking about herself.

*

The next day, it was past 7:30 AM.

Inside the main room of Wen Gui Courtyard, gauze curtains hung down, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.

However, inside the gauze curtains, on the bed, Shen You's eyes were tightly closed, her delicate eyebrows were furrowed, and her hands were tightly gripping the quilt.

"Grandma, don't be sad..."

"Grandmother, it is Youyou who is unfilial..."

"grandmother!"

Shen You suddenly woke up with a start, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, her face slightly cool.

He raised his hand to wipe it away; it was covered in tears and sweat.

She pursed her lips, her chest still pounding very hard and fast.

The dream was so vivid that she couldn't come back to her senses for a long time.

In her dream, she returned to her grandmother's side.

On a bright, sunny afternoon, the room was filled with the strong smell of medicine. Grandmother, her eyes red, held her tightly, filled with self-reproach.

"It's Grandma's fault, Grandma didn't protect Youyou well."

"I should have gone south and brought you back. If it weren't for that marriage, things wouldn't be like this now."

Tears streamed down her grandmother's face, landing on the back of her hand. "Who will take care of you from now on? How can I live in peace..."

Shen You cried uncontrollably, "How can you blame Grandmother for these things? It's Youyou who is unfilial and has made you worry."

Grandmother stroked her hair, her eyes full of worry, "My Youyou, I'm afraid I won't live to see the day you find your true home."

"I cannot rest easy knowing that I have not been able to entrust you to someone worthy of my life."

"But Grandmother's health truly can't hold on any longer..."

As soon as she finished speaking, she coughed violently and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"grandmother!"

Shen You's pupils contracted sharply. She wanted to help him up, but the scene shifted, and in front of her was no longer her grandmother, but Chu Xiao.

The man looked at her coldly, his gaze devoid of any emotion, and threw a piece of paper in front of her.

"Shen You, let's get a divorce."

The dream was so deep and confusing, like a fog, that she couldn't find a way out.

Only two sentences kept repeating in my ears.

"Youyou, Grandma can't rest easy..."

"Shen You, let's get a divorce."

As dawn broke, she suddenly screamed and struggled to wake up from her dream.

But those scenes were too real, and even now that she's awake, Shen You can't help but tremble when she thinks about them.

"grandmother..."

She covered her face and buried her head between her knees.

Tears gradually soaked the bedding.

Hearing the commotion inside the house, Green Ivy and Wisteria quickly pushed open the door and went inside.

"Girl, what's wrong?"

The gauze curtain was lifted, and Green Ivy took Shen You's hand. "Miss, were you having a nightmare?"

Wisteria quickly lit some calming incense and poured some tea before coming to the bedside.

Shen You sniffed, then looked up, took the cup, and drank the tea in one gulp.

Everything in the dream felt so real.

Her grandmother's self-reproachful expression, worried eyes, and earnest words all tightened her heartbeat.

Although there were still traces of tears on the girl's cool and delicate face, she pinched her palm with her fingertips hidden under the quilt, and her eyes gradually calmed down.

"What time is it?"

She spoke, her voice a little hoarse.

“It’s past Chenshi (7-9 AM),” Zi Teng replied. Just as she was about to ask if she wanted to get up and wash, the voice of Butler Liu came from outside.

"Young lady, the lord requests your presence in the study."