Chapter 32 "Xie Wenlang, who gave you permission to address me by my full name..."
Since that day, the marriage agreement between the Duke's Mansion and the Shen family was brought to the forefront again. The Emperor personally selected a date and bestowed countless gifts, which immediately became the talk of the town once again.
The only difference is that the groom changed from the rumored second son of the Duke of Wei to the eldest son, Xie Chengyan.
Some people were puzzled, some were surprised, but these were just idle gossips to be heard over tea and after dinner. No one dared to ask the question: "Young Master Xie has been chasing after Madam Shen for many years, and with the wedding date approaching, why has the groom changed?"
One can only lament that the wrong message was sent; after all, the schemes and tactics behind it are too daring to ponder.
Days passed, and spring was in full bloom. The shrike had grown plump and strong, but it no longer went out for a stroll, spending its days circling the small patch of sky in Chenxi's courtyard.
At noon, Qingqiu prepared some birdseed and placed it under the eaves, calling it to come down and eat.
This shrike was quite intelligent. Seeing that there was new food in the food dish, it turned half a circle and swooped down without hesitation, landing steadily on the outstretched arm of the catalpa tree, and chirped happily twice.
Upon hearing this, Qingqiu quickly raised his index finger and whispered, "Keep your voice down, don't disturb the young lady, eat quickly."
The shrike tilted its head, its round eyes widening as it peered behind Qingqiu, where a tightly closed window frame stood.
Qingqiu seemed to sense its thoughts and reached out to stroke its feathers: "It's not that the girl doesn't like you, she... she's just been having some troubles lately."
Shortly before the wedding, the groom was replaced without explanation, and no one was happy about who got the new groom.
Ever since Xie Chengyan proposed marriage that day, Shen Xi has felt a deep hatred for him. She has completely forgotten all the good things he used to say about her, and she always looks disgusted whenever his name is mentioned.
The items he delivered were also innocently implicated.
For example, this shrike.
But the shrike had no idea about any of this. After pecking at the food a couple of times, it couldn't contain itself and started chirping happily.
This time, before Qingqiu could stop her, the window behind them was suddenly pushed open, revealing Shen Xi's expressionless face.
She stared at the shrike for a moment, then coldly ordered, "Move it away, I don't want to see it."
Having followed Shen Xi for so many years, this was the first time Qingqiu had seen her in such a bad mood, not even during the time when she had the worst falling out with Shen Wangchen.
Qingqiu didn't dare say a word more, only bowed her head in agreement, and then quickly left her sight with the shrike.
Shen Xi still felt a tightness in her chest, like a burning fire that was making her lose her mind and become increasingly irritable.
With the window open, the bright spring morning light streamed onto the desk without any obstruction.
The light danced and shimmered, illuminating an exquisite and elaborate wedding gown deep within the room. Gold and silver threads gracefully coiled around it, shimmering and dazzling in the spring sunshine.
With a stroke of his pen, the Emperor set the wedding date for the two of them on the 26th of May, leaving only one month to go.
It was as if they were afraid she would find a chance to escape.
The wedding was arranged so hastily; whether it was Xie Chengyan's or the Emperor's idea was no longer important. Regardless of who it was, she had no power to resist.
Now, Shen Xi's words have truly come true. The Shen family has little influence and can only follow the Duke's wishes in everything.
No, actually, it was Xie Chengyan's idea.
He arranged for the wedding dress to be delivered.
The light reflected from the wedding dress dazzled her eyes, and Shen Xi angrily threw the wolf-hair brush in her hand into the brush washer, splashing up a small patch of water mixed with ink.
On the table lay the book she had been rewriting from memory to calm her mind; in reality, even just half a page had taken her two days to complete.
She was frustrated, couldn't understand, and felt resentful.
Why her of all people?
In the past, she only regarded Xie Wenlang as her last lifeline to leave the Shen family, even though she could leave the Shen family by marrying Xie Chengyan.
But what about the future?
After years of getting to know each other, she already knew Xie Wenlang's temperament and character well. If she married him, no matter what happened, he would do everything he could to protect her.
Xie Chengyan was different. He married her without sincerity, only for fame and fortune. And she was no match for him.
The Shen family used to be a tiger's den, and Shen Wangchen and the Jiang family were the fierce tigers that posed the greatest threat to her. Now that the tigers have left the mountain, she can finally have a few days of peace and quiet.
Unexpectedly, a single misstep led him straight into the Dragon Pool.
Marrying Xie Chengyan, she couldn't fight him and had no one to rely on. What should she do?
Chen Xi slumped into the rose chair, devoid of any will to live, unconsciously clutching her sleeve, staring blankly at the fiery red wedding dress before her, her thoughts drifting away again.
Just then, there was a knock on the wide-open window behind her. Qingqiu spoke softly, as if afraid of disturbing her: "Miss, someone from Renfeng Hall has delivered something."
Shen Xi turned around in confusion: "Renfeng Hall?"
She had no connection with Renfengtang, the only person she had any dealings with was Wen Tingmao. She didn't care much about what a doctor would give her.
When the servants brought all the items into the courtyard, several large boxes full of gold, silver, jewels, and jewelry, a dazzling array, almost blinded Shen Xi.
While it couldn't compare to the extravagance of aristocratic families, it was still quite extravagant.
She paused, then frowned hesitantly: "Are clinics really that profitable these days?"
Qingqiu was also dumbfounded, shaking her head and sighing, "Doctor Wen is really generous."
But why would he give her such a large gift for no reason? Shen Xi couldn't understand.
She was too lazy to think about it anymore and decided to go to Renfengtang directly to ask him in person, which would also help her clear her head.
As soon as she stepped out of the Shen residence, Shen Xi looked around through her veil and saw many unfamiliar faces dressed as passersby, their eyes fixed on her every move.
This group of people started appearing around the Shen residence after Xie Chengyan proposed marriage. Whenever she left the residence, they would follow her closely, and she couldn't shake them off.
I was afraid that she would disappear into thin air if I wasn't careful.
Whose work it was is self-evident.
Chen Xi irritably withdrew her gaze, and as soon as she got into the carriage, she angrily took off her veil and threw it aside.
The feeling of being watched all the time was suffocating for her. Every little thing was exposed to others, and she had no freedom at all.
He let out a long breath to relieve the discomfort that was weighing on his heart, and said to the driver, "To Renfeng Hall."
"Young lady, the wedding is approaching. If there's anything you need, our servants can run errands for you. You don't need to..."
Before the coachman could finish speaking, Shen Xi lifted the carriage curtain and looked at him coldly: "Are you from the Xie family or the Shen family?"
The coachman was taken aback, nervously wringing his hands. If it weren't for the instructions given by the previous person, he wouldn't have dared to question his master's whereabouts even if he had ten lives.
"girl……"
But Shen Xi showed no mercy: "If you listen to Xie Chengyan so much, why don't you go to the General's Mansion? What are you doing staying here with me?"
"Go to Renfeng Hall by carriage, or you can go down and find Xie Chengyan. There's no need to stay at the Shen family anymore."
Meeting Shen Xi's eyes, which were brimming with anger, the coachman broke out in a cold sweat. This was no longer the kind and easy-going Shen Xi from before, so he dared not argue with her anymore and responded in a low voice.
Shen Xi then lowered the carriage curtain and sat back down, leaning gently against the carriage wall.
He really is omnipresent; in order to monitor her, he even bribed people in the Shen family.
Shen Xi couldn't help but frown when he thought of Xie Chengyan's name.
bother.
But there was nothing they could do.
With a somber face, he arrived at Renfeng Hall. After getting out of the car, the group of people still followed behind him. Shen Xi didn't want to look at them any longer and quickened his pace to walk in.
Wen Tingmao was not in Renfeng Hall. Only Wangyou, the little boy who used to accompany him, saw Shen Xi, welcomed her in, and quickly brewed a pot of tea.
Seeing her staring intently at the small flute-playing puppet on the table, he asked in surprise, "Why do you like this thing too? But you mustn't touch it. Your master treasures it and takes it with him everywhere he goes."
Wangyou wasn't afraid of strangers at all. Since there weren't many people to entertain at Renfeng Hall, he chatted with Shenxi by himself.
Shen Xi's eyes flickered slightly: "I've never seen you before. When did you arrive in the capital?"
With the carefree nature of a child, Wangyou didn't hide anything: "Winter Solstice, we waited for you at your doorstep early this morning on our very first day in the capital. I don't know what he was after, traveling for so many days, I almost starved to death there."
He spoke without restraint, and his unconventional tone was in line with that of Wen Tingmao.
Shen Xi was amused by him and smiled slightly: "If I had known this would happen, I would have treated you to a special breakfast in the capital that day."
Wangyou pouted, "I don't believe it. You even looked down on that prescription back then!"
"It's my fault for being blind before."
Unexpectedly, she admitted her mistake so quickly. Wangyou felt embarrassed and scratched her head.
"I heard you were all in Qingzhou before, what brings you to the capital this time?"
Wangyou didn't refute the first half of the statement. Instead, she rested her chin on her hand and replied in the same tone, "I don't know either. It seems that someone found out something, and Doctor Wen was worried about some old friend, so he came. But it's been so long, and I haven't seen him look for any old friends."
Shen Xi lowered her eyes, a vague guess forming in her mind.
Before she could ask any more questions, Wen Tingmao had already stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over Shen Xi with a hint of surprise.
Before the two could say anything, Wangyou rushed forward, her small figure blocking Wen Tingmao's path, hands on her hips, head tilted back: "Where did you go again! Why didn't you take me with you?"
Wen Tingmao didn't even look at her, and pushed Wangyou aside: "Why bring you along? Just stay here and guard the house."
Enraged, Wangyou grabbed him and scratched him.
The two, who are half a year apart in age, get along surprisingly well, unlike the rigid and formal relationship between a typical master and apprentice.
Shen Xi observed for a moment without making a sound before getting up and greeting Wen Tingmao.
Knowing that she had something to say, Wen Tingmao took out a piece of sweet cake from his pocket and, half-scolding and half-coaxing, chased Wangyou, who was making a ruckus, out of the room.
“Miss Chen, please don’t take offense. He’s young and doesn’t know any better. He’s always been disrespectful to me.”
Shen Xi chuckled and shook her head: "No, he's very clever."
Wen Tingmao rushed back, travel-worn, and poured himself a cup of tea.
Shen Xi didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Doctor Wen, the Shen residence received some things today, saying they were sent by Renfeng Hall. Is this at your behest?"
Wen Tingmao paused in his tea-drinking motion, then realized after a moment: "Yes, I sent it over. You're getting married next month, so consider it a small wedding gift from me."
But that momentum was far from insignificant.
Shen Xi considered carefully and said, "I have no relation to Doctor Wen, so your gift is far too precious."
Wen Tingmao didn't take it seriously, and drank the tea in one gulp before saying, "That was a dowry I prepared for someone else before, but unfortunately she didn't get to use it. After thinking about it, I realized it might not be useful in the future. Since we are destined to meet, I'm giving it to you."
After saying that, he paused in his gaze, a hint of awkwardness and probing in his eyes.
"What, you don't like it? Those styles are indeed a bit old, and besides... I prepared them according to her preferences, so they may not suit your taste. If you really don't like them, just leave them."
Shen Xi smiled gently and asked, "Dr. Wen, there's no need for that. But I'm a little curious, why didn't the woman you mentioned use this dowry back then?"
Wen Tingmao turned his gaze to the small puppet playing the flute, turned the teacup in his hand, and remained silent for a long time, as if he was lost in some memories.
Seeing this, Shen Xi was unwilling to ask any further questions: "If it's inconvenient, you don't have to tell me."
“There’s nothing inconvenient about it.” Wen Tingmao let out a breath. “This happened a long time ago. Back then, she was determined to marry a man, but she was still young and inexperienced. I was afraid that she would entrust herself to the wrong person. Most men only care about looks. What will happen when her looks fade and her love wanes over time?”
"So I disagreed, and the two of us were at an impasse, neither willing to back down first. Unexpectedly, she was even more stubborn than me. She turned around and left with that man, never to return, and the dowry was naturally put on hold."
Shen Xi blinked and sighed softly, "So that's how it is."
At this point, Wen Tingmao couldn't help but nag her, "You're getting married soon, what, are you really going to marry Xie Chengyan?"
This worry was not unfounded. Ever since he arrived in the capital, everyone had been talking about the romantic affair between Shen Xi and the second young master of the Xie family. How come in the blink of an eye, the groom has become the eldest young master of the Xie family?
He had met Xie Chengyan before; he was a scoundrel with malicious intentions from beginning to end.
The topic suddenly shifted to herself. Shen Xi was slightly taken aback, and lowered her eyes to hide her helplessness: "If I don't marry, it will be disobeying the imperial decree."
In just one sentence, the predicament was sealed.
Wen Tingmao blew on his beard in dissatisfaction. What a ridiculous imperial edict! Xie Chengyan was definitely behind this.
Upon closer reflection, his shoulders slumped slightly, revealing an air of age and vicissitude. Gazing at the flute-playing puppet, weathered by time, his eyes gradually glazed over.
Years ago, he stubbornly refused to agree to marry her.
But now, he just stands by and lets Shen Xi marry him so easily.
As time goes by, things change and people change.
Finally, Wen Tingmao sighed softly: "If you have suffered grievances and do not want to tell your family, then come and find me. I am getting old and just need someone to chat with."
Shen Xi remained silent as the tea, which had been steaming hot, gradually cooled down, and the atmosphere became tense for a moment.
But since she had nowhere to escape and this was the only path left to choose from, she was determined to keep going, even if it meant crashing into a wall and suffering a bloody head.
Shen Xi didn't want the somber atmosphere to last too long, so she didn't linger. After thanking Wen Tingmao, she got up to take her leave.
Outside Renfeng Hall, the secret guards sent by Xie Chengyan were still dutifully guarding their posts, and Shen Xi turned her eyes away to avoid seeing them.
Just as he was about to step onto the carriage, he heard a voice behind him, trembling and hoarse.
"Xi'er..."
Shen Xi froze, immediately standing still. After a long while, she looked in the direction of the sound and suddenly saw Xie Wenlang's figure reflected in her pupils.
He stood not far away, looking dejected, no longer the spirited young man she remembered.
With just one glance, Shen Xi was struck dumb, his brows furrowing involuntarily and his lips trembling slightly.
She dared not see him.
The two locked eyes, and before either of them could speak, in the next instant, without any warning, a strong, slender arm suddenly reached out from around Shen Xi's waist, tightly wrapping around her waist and pulling her slightly backward.
Suddenly, she was pulled into a broad chest behind her.
Shen Xi's breath hitched. She suddenly looked up and met a pair of gloomy eyes, calm but unfathomable, staring straight into her.
A cool, clear voice brushed past my ear.
"Xi'er".
"Xie Chengyan? You..."
Shen Xi was startled by this ghostly appearance. Her brows furrowed, and her body subconsciously twitched slightly, but he didn't notice. His gaze swept over her, and the arm around her waist suddenly tightened.
Xie Chengyan held her slender waist firmly in his palm, and the places where his long fingers pinched her even throbbed slightly.
Shen Xi couldn't take it anymore and turned around, trying to push away the chest pressing against her from behind. But as soon as she made a slight movement, Xie Chengyan intensified his actions, pressing her even deeper into that firm embrace.
After several attempts, Shen Xi finally gave up and refused to continue the standoff. Besides, they were in front of Xie Wenlang, and she didn't have Xie Chengyan's thick skin.
Therefore, he turned his head away, made no further moves, and did not look at either of the brothers.
Seeing that she had finally given up struggling, Xie Chengyan loosened his grip slightly, lifted his eyelids, glanced at Xie Wenlang casually, and then lowered his gaze to the person in his arms.
"I heard you came to Renfengtang, and I was worried, so I came to check on you."
Shen Xi wrinkled his nose but didn't respond. Every word he uttered was laced with insincerity, making one want to vomit.
Xie Chengyan didn't care about her subtle resistance. Instead, he looked at Xie Wenlang, who was not far away, with indifferent eyes and asked, "Why aren't you staying in the Duke's mansion? What are you doing running around here?"
"Big brother, I..."
Xie Wenlang stammered, but his gaze kept drifting to Chen Xi in Xie Chengyan's arms, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He had been confined to the mansion for some time, and this time he sneaked out while the servants weren't paying attention, just to see Shen Xi. But he didn't expect to run into his brother, and he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
An awkward and strange atmosphere filled the three of them. Finally, Xie Wenlang made up his mind: "Big brother, I want to say a few words to Xi'er."
Xie Chengyan lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze stern: "Xie Wenlang, who gave you permission to address your elder sister-in-law by her maiden name?"
Xie Wenlang was suddenly stunned, his face drained of color by the way he was addressed.
Faced with his elder brother's cold and stern expression, which subtly revealed a sharpness he had never seen before, Xie Wenlang's lips parted and closed several times, but he could not utter a complete sentence.
"I……"
A spring breeze rustled through a tree in full bloom, and for a fleeting moment, my eyes were captivated.
In the ensuing stalemate, Shen Xi couldn't bear to see Xie Wenlang so dejected. Finally, she looked up and met the eyes of the person behind her, deliberately softening her voice: "Xie Chengyan..."
Before she could even finish calling out her name, Xie Chengyan saw through her little scheme, and his eyes darkened.
His palm slowly moved up from Shen Xi's waist, directly covering that delicate and slender nape of her neck. His fingertips gently caressed that soft skin, slowly and deliberately, like an intimate and tender comfort.
But Shen Xi was so agitated by the caresses that she shivered and turned her face away to dodge, but suddenly felt a pain in the back of her neck. He forcefully held her in place.
Shen Xi was forced to meet his gaze, and then a cold voice descended from above.
"Why are you hiding?"
His fingertips were frighteningly cold, as if they had been dipped in freezing water in the dead of winter. They wreaked havoc on the back of her neck, occasionally brushing against her side and increasing the pressure, before pinching her throat with a light but firm touch.
It was clearly a silent threat.
She closed her eyes with difficulty, unable to avoid it, enduring his murderous intent that suddenly appeared at any moment.
Her eyelids trembled slightly with fear, causing her long eyelashes to flutter. Xie Chengyan paused for a moment, no longer trying to frighten her, and asked in a low voice, "What did you want to say when you called me just now?"
The voice was gentle, dispelling the chill.
But his palm remained firmly on the back of her neck, and Chen Xi, suppressing a trembling urge, said softly, "I want to go back."
Before she could finish speaking, he chuckled softly, "Erlang went so far as to escape confinement to find you. Go and say a few words to him, hmm?"
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Author's Note: Yan, keep acting up. Our Xiao Xi will turn on you sooner or later. [Clown]
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