Chapter 46 Ningning, tell me, were you being coerced...?
Chapter 46
In early August, the group finally arrived in Yangzhou. After a day's journey by land, they arrived at Shuyu Villa.
The heads of all departments of Shuyu Manor knew about this matter early on and personally greeted them at the foot of the mountain. It was quite a grand occasion; even Shen Suining rarely saw so many people present.
Shen Suining was very happy and proud. She affectionately took He Hansheng's arm and introduced him to everyone.
"This is Wei Zhao, the head of the Thousand Machines Pavilion, the one my father mentioned going to Yunzhou."
He Hansheng remembered him and humbly bowed, saying, "Pavilion Master Wei."
Wei Zhao returned the greeting with a cupped hand, without saying much. Shen Suining explained with a smile, "That's how people from the Thousand Machines Pavilion are; they don't like to talk much."
Shen Suining continued to lead He Hansheng to recognize people.
“These are all brothers and sisters from Bifeng Hall. You know the Hall Master, it’s Feng Yu.”
“These are the men under my maternal grandfather’s command at White Tiger Mountain. White Tiger Mountain is quite a distance from here, and my grandfather is getting old, so he probably can’t come in person. I’ll take you to visit him later.”
When she arrived in front of Shen Heyang and Shen Yunwei, Shen Suining smiled somewhat warily. Before she could speak, Shen Heyang teased her, "Ningning is usually fearless, almost like a little devil. Why are you so nervous today since you brought your husband back?"
Shen Yunwei chimed in with a teasing laugh: "She's probably afraid that we old folks will scare her young man away."
The two were only a few years older than Shen Suining, and when they joked around, they were just like peers.
Shen Suining blushed, glared at them, and pulled He Hansheng over: "These two are Shen Heyang, the head of Jishitang, and Shen Yunwei, the head of Linrongge. One is skilled in medicine, and the other specializes in making all kinds of weapons. They are also Miao Wei's master and mistress."
"Anything else?"
Shen Suining gritted her teeth, somewhat unwillingly, "It's still my uncle and aunt."
Shen Heyang smiled with satisfaction, "That's more like it. When introducing your husband to your elders, how can you only introduce him halfway?"
After He Hansheng greeted them, Shen Suining mysteriously pulled Shen Heyang and his wife aside and whispered, "I've already called him uncle and aunt, so you two can't make things difficult for him. He brought you a lot of precious medicinal herbs all the way from Huadu."
"They haven't even entered the door yet, and they're already protecting each other." Shen Heyang had a "pathetic" expression on his face.
The group gradually made their way up the mountain. Shen Heyang led He Hansheng at the front, chatting with him familiarly about some interesting things about Shuyu Manor.
Perhaps sensing that He Hansheng was somewhat reserved, Shen Heyang smiled and patted his shoulder. "You don't need to be nervous. Since Ningning has taken a liking to you, no one will make things too difficult for you. Although her mother is not very happy, she also takes this matter very seriously and sent a letter early on to call us all back. Right now, she is probably waiting at the door."
He Hansheng nodded slightly and said softly, "My mother-in-law probably hopes that Ningning will stay nearby."
“Of course, what mother doesn’t want her child by her side? Besides, Ningning is the young master of Shuyu Manor. Her mother originally wanted Ningning to marry into the family like her,” Shen Heyang said with a smile and shook his head. “But there are very few men like her father who have the courage and ability and are willing to marry into the family! It’s a waste to delay our Ningning from growing up to be a young lady.”
As they talked, they soon arrived at the entrance of Shuyu Manor.
Unlike when He Hansheng first came three years ago, the long stone steps in front of the door were lined with flowers, and festive red silk was hung all the way to the front door. The stone door that was tightly closed last time was now wide open, and Madam Shuyu stood in front of the door, waiting for them to return with a solemn expression.
Even though he had made full mental preparations, He Hansheng was inevitably a little nervous when he met Shen Suining's family for the first time. His palms were sweating, and as he slowly lifted his foot to walk up the stone steps, Shen Suining suddenly walked up to him and reached out to hold his hand.
Their palms overlapped, both feeling warm to the touch, and He Hansheng paused slightly.
“Don’t be afraid. In my father’s words, my mother is just a paper tiger. She looks scary,” Shen Suining said, holding He Hansheng’s hand and linking arms with him as they slowly walked to Madam Shuyu. She knelt down on one knee and bowed respectfully: “Mother.”
"You're back," Madam Shuyu said expressionlessly, her gaze fixed on He Hansheng. "This is the young master you brought back."
He Hansheng bowed respectfully, "Your son-in-law He Yunchu greets Mother-in-law."
"Not bad." Madam Shuyu nodded, perhaps out of consideration for He Hansheng being the son of an old friend, and did not make things difficult for him, so she let him in.
After entering, Madam Shuyu instructed, "Jingyun and Jingyu, take the young master to Yuquan Villa to settle down and rest. Ningning, come to Biyueyun Residence, I have something to ask you."
As she spoke, Madam Shuyu cast a cold glance at Shen Yan, who had remained silent, and said, "And you, get over here too."
"..." Shen Yan and Shen Suining secretly exchanged a glance and sighed softly.
He Hansheng was worried that Shen Suining would be scolded or punished because of him. He wanted to say something, but was stopped by Jingyun and Jingyu. The two reminded him, "Young Master, please come with us to the Young Master's Jade Spring Villa to rest. Madam will not make things difficult for the Young Master."
Yuquan Villa is located halfway up the mountain, backed by green hills and built along the water. With its waterside pavilions, clear blue waters, gray tiles and white walls, every step reveals a new scene, making it a typical Jiangnan courtyard.
After leading He Hansheng to the Jade Spring Villa, Jingyun summoned Meng Chun and Huai Xia, who usually took care of Shen Suining, and instructed them: "This is the young master. Show him around. Before the young master returns, you should try your best to fulfill any requests he may have, understand?"
Meng Chunhuai Xia: "Understood."
Jingyun looked at He Hansheng and said, "Mengchun and Huaixia will arrange accommodations for you and your entourage. Young Master, you can wait here for your return."
He Hansheng: "Thank you for your trouble."
Not long after Jingyun and Jingyu left, Jiang Yuchu came over and said, "My lord, everything has been settled."
"Have the gifts and wine I prepared arrived?"
Jiang Yuchu: "We just arrived. My subordinates and the people who made the arrangements went with Feng Yu and the others to pick us up. It will take some time to carry us up the mountain, but since there are so many of them, it should be quick. Just as Madam said, it seems that everyone on the mountain has been mobilized. What a grand display."
He Hansheng smiled but didn't say anything.
He stood under the eaves, facing a lotus pond where koi carp were kept. Although the season had passed, the lotus leaves were still lush. He reached out and gently touched the core of a lotus leaf, looking at the corridors built around the water. He couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.
Meng Chun was very good at handling things. Seeing He Hansheng standing under the corridor by the pond, she smiled and said, "Young Master likes to pick lotus leaves and wear them on her head in the summer. She is afraid of the heat. In addition, she likes to use lotus leaves to make some refreshing dishes and desserts. Madam was worried that the lotus flowers she raised in the pond at the foot of the mountain would suffer, so she specially transplanted some to this villa."
He Hansheng withdrew his hand and chuckled softly, "This is indeed a good place to escape the summer heat."
"Yes, this Jade Spring Villa is the best place to stay in the entire Shuyu Manor. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, warm in winter and cool in summer. Every room has a different view from the window. There is also a natural hot spring behind the young master's bedroom, right on the edge of the cliff. It is open and spacious with the best view. The young master likes to stay there in winter."
Meng Chun led He Hansheng and Jiang Yuchu around. This mountain villa was not like the square houses in the city. The layout was not too orderly. It was built entirely based on the natural scenery. The corridors were all around and the winding paths led to secluded spots. If you were not careful, you would get lost.
"This is the inner courtyard where the young master rests. Please wait for the young master inside."
Huai Xia brought tea and snacks and placed them in the room, after which the two left.
Shen Suining's room was very large, with several rooms. The outer room where He Hansheng was currently located was in the center. To the left were her bedroom and bathroom, and to the right were her study and reception room. All the rooms were connected in an arc, and the rows of windows faced the cliff, offering an exceptionally wide view and excellent scenery.
Jiang Yuchu couldn't help but sigh, "So this is the kind of idyllic life Madam used to lead. No wonder she couldn't stay in our Marquis's mansion."
Although the Marquis's mansion was large, it was surrounded by high, impenetrable walls. Ordinary people might not have thought much of it, but Shen Suining, who was used to living in such an open place, would probably feel oppressed.
Seeing that He Hansheng did not speak, Jiang Yuchu knelt down beside him and asked, "My lord, what are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing." He Hansheng forced a smile, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
Slightly astringent.
...
At Biyun Residence, Shen Yan and Shen Suining knelt side by side.
Shen Yan was in an even worse situation, with a jar of water on his head, and water splashed out with the slightest movement.
Perhaps to save face for the two of them, only the three of them were in the room, and the windows and doors were all closed.
Madam Shuyu sat on the bamboo couch, her face ashen. "Explain yourself! How come when you went to Huadu, those who became marquises became marquises, and those who got married got married? What promises did you make to me before you left?"
Shen Yan coughed lightly, "Aren't we all back now?"
"Shut up," Madam Shuyu glared at him, then looked at Shen Suining and took a deep breath. "Ningning, tell me, were you coerced?"
Shen Suining exclaimed "Huh?" somewhat confused. "Does Mother think... the husband I brought back isn't good enough?"
"What does it matter whether this young man is good or not? Is that what I care about!" Madam Shuyu suddenly raised her voice, then realized she had lost her temper and calmed herself down. "Ningning, I know you are not the kind of woman who will be trapped by romantic feelings. You love freedom by nature. If you were not coerced, how could you willingly lock yourself in that dark and secluded inner courtyard? Do you think I am as stupid as your father!"
"..." Shen Yan felt wronged but dared not interrupt.
Seeing that Shen Yan couldn't be relied on, Shen Suining had no choice but to speak up herself: "Mother, putting everything else aside, He Hansheng and his mother have been very good to me. Although the Marquis's mansion has many rules, they haven't deliberately restricted me in any way, and I'm doing quite well in the capital. As for any coercion or not, that's just a temporary measure and doesn't matter."
"He's your husband, it's only natural that he treats you well! Don't bring that up!" Madam Shuyu was furious. "A noble family like yours must have many enemies in Huadu. How can you expect to have a good life if you're tied to them?"
“I can testify to that; Han Sheng and his wife treat Ning Ning with genuine kindness,” Shen Yan couldn’t help but interject.
Madam Shuyu immediately glared at him and launched into a tirade: "Did I even ask you to speak! I can't even be bothered to scold you. You and Brother Jingchuan were sworn brothers, his closest friends. He died unjustly, and you're unwilling to accept it, wanting to find out the truth and avenge him—that's all fine. But that's your business. What does it have to do with Ningning? As for the debts and favors between our generation, why don't you repay them yourselves? Why drag Ningning into this!"
Shen Yan was scolded mercilessly and didn't dare to utter a sound.
After about half an hour, Madam Shuyu got tired of scolding and finally stopped to catch her breath.
She took a sip of tea, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shen Suining kneeling obediently below. Feeling a little sorry for her, she coughed lightly and softened her tone, "Ningning, get up."
Upon hearing this, Shen Suining finally felt relieved and, supporting her numb knees, shakily stood up.
Shen Yan tried to stand up, but as soon as he moved, Madam Shuyu immediately stopped him: "Did I tell you to stand? Kneel properly! Don't spill a drop of water!"
Shen Yan: "..."
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