Chapter 46: Exclusive 27 Eminem, a meat-tasting...
Chen Jinshi returned to his nonchalant demeanor and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Since he's your uncle, brother, it's only right that you serve him well. If he continues to give you trouble, you won't be much of an uncle anymore. I, Chen Jinshi, won't acknowledge him as your uncle."
Chen Ying rubbed her brows. They hadn't even said they recognized them yet, but Chen Jinshi was still saying stupid things.
She put down her teacup, her voice flat and without any ups and downs: "Never mind, as a junior and my mother's daughter, now that I've arrived in the capital, whether they recognize me or not, I should pay them a visit."
Chen Jinshi was unhappy when he heard this: "Why are you going? No! They should ask them to invite you over."
Chen Ying looked up at him and said, "You really are the one. What does it have to do with you whether I go or not? Chen Jinshi, you're being too nosy."
This was a bit harsh, but they were very close not long ago.
Zhang Ruoling hurriedly advised, "We're just here to pass on a note and say hello. We should go there with a smile on our faces. How can we be wronged? Brother Shi, don't be silly."
"Then I'll go with you."
Like the Xie family, the Shen family also occupied half a street, but the Xie family occupied the half street under the imperial city, while the Shen family was two streets away.
Chen Ying prepared a generous gift, handed over the visiting card first, took out the exquisite seal left to her by her mother, stamped it, and then sent it on.
On this day, Chen Jinshi must accompany her, but Chen Ying ordered him to stay at home and study, and not to get involved in these matters.
"Chen Ying, I'm afraid you'll be bullied."
Chen Ying was sitting in front of the dressing table putting on her makeup. Chen Jinshi took out two sets of clothes from the cabinet for her: "Wear this one. This one is dark in color and looks majestic."
He walked behind her with the clothes in his hand, stroking the back of her neck with his fingertips, and softened his voice: "Besides, what if they give you a cold shoulder?"
Chen Ying grabbed his hand and said helplessly, "I'm not a child. In your eyes, can't I even handle something like this?"
He lowered his head, resting his chin on the top of her head, and stretched out his hand, pinching and rubbing her jaw. From a distance, it seemed that his palm could completely cover her face.
"You can handle it, but you're used to swallowing your grievances, which makes me worry. Since you've followed me, I won't let you suffer any grievances. If someone dares to give you a hard time, even if I don't get angry on the spot, I'll always know who to take revenge on afterwards, right?"
Chen Ying's face darkened, she waved his hand away, and glared at him: "Don't do anything, there is no such thing as revenge. You should just stay at home and study hard, because you want to follow me. If you have the title of Jinshi, you will be able to support me better."
Chen Jinshi looked at her cold eyes and eyebrows, his Adam's apple moved. He leaned over and cupped her cheeks, kissing her deeply. Then he rested his chin on her shoulder and said in a muffled voice, "Okay, I'll listen to you this time. I'll be your backer, and make sure those people in the Shen family curry favor with you one day."
Chen Ying was finally amused by him: "It's up to you."
At the appointed time, Chen Ying picked up her cloak and walked out. The carriage was already waiting at the door. She stepped forward, turned around and waved, "You can go back, Chen Jinshi."
Chen Jinshi stood in the corridor. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, making his figure a little blurry, but his eyes were bright and glued to her without blinking.
Zhang Ruoling also came to see him off, and warned, "If we are treated coldly there, we don't have to acknowledge this relationship."
"Got it, let's go back. It's only half an hour's carriage ride. Why are you all staring at me like that? I'm not going to come back after being turned away?"
After hearing this, Zhang Ruoling became even more worried.
A woman like her, a person like her, would definitely come back crying if she was turned away by her relatives. But Miss Shen was different. She seemed to be born not to care about these things and was not afraid of embarrassment. Zhang Ruoling had to admire her.
Chen Ying was dressed simply and elegantly, and had no followers. When the two doormen in front of the Shen family's vermilion lacquer gate saw her, they were a little dismissive at first. After they went back to report to the head of the family, they came out to welcome her in.
Chen Ying was half foreign, with light green amber pupils and a tall and straight figure that did not look like a Han lady. All of this reminded the old people in the mansion of the aunt who married into Loufan many years ago.
Chen Ying heard the whispers and knew that she should never appear here again in her life.
The one leading the way was an old servant, who sighed when he saw Chen Ying: "Tsk, the young lady looks so much like our young lady, what a pity."
"What a pity?" Chen Ying asked.
"What a pity... The eldest lady and the head of the family had such a quarrel that they would never see each other again. I really don't know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing for the young lady to come this time." As he said this, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Chen Ying paused, and without asking any further questions, she simply replied softly, "I'm just here to check on behalf of my mother, it's not for anything else."
The old servant sighed and led her through two moon-shaped gates to the main hall. This mansion was exquisite and luxurious. It was obvious that the Shen family was proud and attached great importance to their family background. No wonder they would not hesitate to break up with their disobedient daughter.
Arriving at the main hall door, the old servant lifted the curtain and went in to announce. After a while, he came out and bowed, "Young lady, please come in. The master of the house is waiting inside."
Chen Ying took a deep breath and walked in. Silver charcoal burned in the main hall, creating a warm atmosphere. Sitting in the main seat was a silver-haired old man with a resolute face. Between his eyebrows and eyes, one could vaguely see a slight resemblance to her mother.
"Chen Ying has met Grandpa."
"Are you Ling Wan's daughter?" Shen Cheng'an spoke in a cold voice. When his eyes fell on her heterochromatic pupils, his brows instantly frowned.
It was as if he remembered something that hurt his heart.
His daughter, Shen Chengan, married a barbarian and gave birth to a daughter of a foreign race. Now she has come back to recognize her relatives. How can he recognize her?
But she... upon closer inspection, she didn't look exactly like Ling Wan. She had a lot more tenacity than Ling Wan in her youth. Standing in this luxurious room, Shen Chengan could tell at a glance that the other party was not here to please him.
Chen Ying lowered her eyes and responded, "Yes, I am Chen Ying, a junior. I have come to pay my respects to my grandparents in accordance with my mother's wishes."
Shen Chengan stood up, his anger slowly turning into shock, and he stammered: "She... Ling Wan has already..."
He sat down dejectedly. Well, Ling Wan had cut off contact with them long ago, so he naturally couldn't know about this.
Chen Chengan's fingers trembled violently as he pointed at the sky outside the door. "That place is bitterly cold, and there are many wars. She chose this path herself, and it's all her own fault! How can a girl who grew up in a mansion in the capital live there..."
His shoulders slumped, and the hatred he had held on to before suddenly dissipated for some reason.
His gaze fell on Shen Ying again, examining her and sizing her up, his eyes still sharp.
"Your last name is Shen?"
Chen Ying nodded: "My Chinese name follows my mother's surname."
His sharp eyes relaxed a little, and he glanced at her. After a long silence, he stood up and said in a firm tone: "Follow me."
Chen Ying followed him through the corridor and around to a moon-shaped gate in the backyard. Pushing open the wooden door, a courtyard full of cinnabar plums came into view. He turned and looked at Chen Ying: "Since you are here, why don't you stay here first? Let's talk slowly. Since your last name is Chen, there is no reason for me to kick you out."
Chen Ying looked at the plum trees in the yard, then at her grandfather. Her eyes suddenly warmed up, and she knelt down and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Grandfather. But I don't live here."
Shen Chengan's brows, which had just relaxed, knitted again: "My Shen family is willing to accept you because we are grateful for our old friendship. Could it be that you still look down on me, your grandfather?"
"Grandfather, you misunderstood. I came here today only to visit the elders and to show all courtesy. I have no intention of seeking refuge with them."
Shen Chengan's face darkened: "You are the daughter of my Shen family. Since you are here, this is your home. Could it be that you are married and have a husband's family?"
“Although my surname is Shen, I am not the daughter of the Shen family. I was born free and I am free to come and go. I’m sorry, grandfather.”
Shen Chengan was choked by these words and felt heartbroken. This granddaughter was exactly like her mother. He hated such disobedient younger generations who disregarded etiquette for the sake of freedom.
"Well, whatever you want, go to the backyard and see your grandmother, then go ahead."
Shen Chengan didn't want to talk to her any more, and when he asked her where she was now living in the capital, Shen Ying brought up the matter of the Chen family.
"The general has been kind to me. After I've repaid the favor, I'll return to Loufan."
Chen Chengan couldn't help but get angry again: "You are so stupid! In order to repay the favor, you even postponed your marriage. Look at how old you are now! In the capital, there has never been a girl as old as you!"
Chen Ying didn't respond. She had originally lived in Loufan as a traveling doctor and herder; she wasn't a woman from the capital.
Grandmother was in poor health, so Chen Ying didn't dare to bother her too much. The other party treated her coldly, just glanced at her briefly, said hello, and was about to leave.
Shen Cheng'an asked the old servant who had just escorted her in to escort her out again. "The Chen family is now quite respectable. I've also heard of Chen Jichuan, a well-known figure in the eyes of the Emperor. You should stay there and teach the three children well. Make sure they don't embarrass you. I know about the Imperial Hospital. I'll tell the third son about it when he returns. Since you don't want to stay, don't mention your relationship with my Shen family in the future."
Chen Ying felt a pang of pain in her heart. She knew that the old man wanted her to stay and become a daughter of the Shen family. From then on, she would have to obey the arrangements of the Shen family in everything. Anything that happened to her would be considered a "scandal" to the Shen family. The two of them were not compatible. It was reasonable for her to meet him, but it was inappropriate for her to stay.
Furthermore, the reason why my grandfather was willing to talk to her more was simply because the Chen family she was in now was of decent status and did not bring disgrace to the Shen family.
"Yes, I know."
After returning to the Chen Mansion, Chen Ying deliberately avoided seeing Chen Jinshi, but Chen Jinshi had been waiting for her.
Seeing her come back, he took a few steps forward and scanned her from head to toe. Seeing that she looked calm, he breathed a sigh of relief: "You weren't bullied?"
Chen Ying avoided his gaze and walked towards the east wing: "No, I just met two old people, nothing serious."
Chen Ying was annoyed by him and waved his hand away, but Chen Jinshi came up to her again and followed her closely.
"There's white fungus soup heating up on the stove, Mom. I'll serve you a bowl. Come sit in the living room."
He pulled her into the hall, and walked in front of her, holding her hand in his palm. Her arm was slender, and he stretched it to form a curved arc in the air.
She struggled twice but couldn't get free, so she just let him go.
He pushed her down on the chair. There was no one in front or behind her. He pinched her cheek and said, "Wait a moment." Then he turned and walked towards the kitchen.
Chen Ying couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips and lowered her head. After a while, he came back with a white porcelain bowl, still steaming. He blew on it carefully before handing it over: "Just warmed it up, it's not hot anymore, try it."
Chen Ying took the bowl and scooped up a spoonful of white fungus. It was so glutinous that it melted in her mouth, and the sweetness was just right. She drank slowly without saying a word. Chen Jinshi sat opposite her, his chin resting on his hand, staring at her.
She put down the bowl and said softly, "Thank you."
"Why are you being so polite to me!" He just wanted to get a good look from her, so he immediately came over and gently rubbed her cheek with his fingers, "Am, I'm willing to do anything you want me to do for you."
Chen Ying turned her face away: "Chen Jinshi, stop making trouble." She waved his hand away.
He sat down beside her and softened his voice: "Then lean on me for a while, I'll stay here with you. The kitchen will make your favorite lamb, I'll call you later."
Chen Ying didn't respond. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes to rest. Zhang Ruoling knew she was back and hurried out of the room to see her.
Holding the half-sewn handkerchief in his hand, he looked at Chen Ying first: "I've heard that the Shen family has strict rules. Am I not being wronged?"
Seeing her coming, Chen Ying turned her head and gestured to Chen Jinshi: "Go back to your room and study."
She now keeps urging him to study all day long, just because of the general's instructions back then, that Chen Jinshi should study hard for the imperial examination.
With a personality like his, how could he be content with his life if he couldn't reach the top along the way?
He is still young now. When he reaches middle age, he will think about how he had martial arts skills but was forced to become a writer, and ultimately ended up with a mediocre result. How frustrated he will be.
Being a civil servant in the court, one has to worry about reputation. No matter how naughty he was in his childhood, it has nothing to do with him coming and going alone naked. From today on, he can act like a gentleman in the bright moon and cool breeze, make friends with young men from noble families, and taste the feeling of being sought after.
But looking at his appearance today, Chen Ying really wanted to sigh.
Chen Jinshi naturally didn't know what she was thinking. He lingered beside her for a long time before standing up: "Read, read, read. I'll read this book till it's worn out. I wonder if you'll even glance at me."
Chen Ying frowned and looked at him with a stern face: "Whether I look at you or not, what does it have to do with whether you study or not?"
Zhang Ruoling was sitting aside and hadn't said anything, but now she thought of something irrelevant.
She put down her needlework and smiled as she chanted, "A beautiful woman with elegant hair and a beautiful lady by her side, reading at night. To let Shi'er study with peace of mind, all he needs is a beautiful lady by his side. What does his study have to do with your opinion of him? This has been the truth since ancient times."
Chen Ying stared at her in surprise, not expecting her to utter such a poem.
Zhang Ruoling covered her mouth and smiled awkwardly: "It's just a joke, just a joke." She didn't mean it.
Chen Ying's ears felt warm. She reached out to pick up the cold tea on the table and took a sip. Only then did she suppress her discomfort and deliberately put on a stern face: "What do you mean by beautiful woman but not a good person?"
Zhang Ruoling smiled and said, "What I mean is, Shi'er, you have to study hard so that you can have a beautiful woman by your side in the future. If you don't study hard, you will never have a beautiful woman."
Chen Jinshi smiled, "Sister-in-law is right. Isn't the reason I study for a beautiful woman? If she only looks at me, I can really finish all the books. I'm serious."
Chen Ying glared at him, but Chen Jinshi was not afraid of her glare. Instead, he moved forward and stared at her straight.
Just at this moment, Chen Jinxing came back.
"Chen Jinshi, don't be disrespectful to Ammu."
My brother's voice was majestic and intimidating, as if he was issuing a decree, a decree that belonged exclusively to the Chen family mansion.
Chen Jinxing walked past Chen Jinshi and went to the main seat to sit down. His eyes first swept over Chen Jinshi's appearance, then fell on Shen Ying: "Mom, I heard that you went to the Shen family today."
"Yeah. I met my grandparents, but not my uncles. We chatted a bit, and everything was fine."
Chen Jinxing turned his gaze to Chen Jinshi again, his tone serious: "Studying is for your own good. Look at how you act like a fool all day long!"
After scolding Chen Jinshi, he looked at Chen Ying and asked, "Mom, in my opinion, we should lock Chen Jinshi in his room and not let him see the light of day."
Chen Ying was stunned, then caught Chen Jinxing's gaze and nodded slightly. Both parties agreed that Chen Jinshi had been acting a little too much recently.
Things really shouldn't be the way he wants them to be.
Although Chen Ying didn't want to embarrass Chen Jinshi, Chen Jinxing held her back.
When teaching children a lesson, it is indeed not enough to just reward without punishing them.
When Chen Jinshi heard the word "confinement", his face instantly darkened: "Chen Jinxing, I'm already so old, and you're still doing this."
Before Chen Jinxing could speak, Chen Ying stood up and said, "That's enough. I agree with Jinxing's proposal. Chen Jinshi, I do think that you need to study hard in seclusion before the New Year, no, before the imperial examination. Don't go out these days. I will send someone to lock your door."
Chen Jinshi sat down, leaning back against the backrest, his face calmed down, and he raised his eyebrows: "Since Am has said so, I will naturally listen to Am."
Zhang didn't know why, but as soon as her husband came back, he wanted to lock up Shi Ge'er in a few words.
However, since the two people above her agreed, she couldn't say anything. She could only sigh, thinking that with Shi Ge'er's temper, he would probably suffer for a while.
When dinner was served, Chen Jinshi kept staring at Chen Ying, but Chen Ying didn't look back at him.
The imperial examination was approaching, and Chen Jinshi was too impatient and irritable, so she had to calm him down.
"Hurry up and eat, Chen Jinshi. This should be your last time eating here before the New Year." Chen Jinxing said in a cold tone.
Chen Jinshi's expression changed. He picked up a piece of mutton and put it into Chen Ying's bowl: "Eat more, Am."
After dinner, Chen Jinxing personally picked a lock and took Chen Ying to push Chen Jinshi into the west wing.
Wang Er, watching from outside, was anxious and pleaded: "Master, the Second Master knows he's wrong. He's not a child anymore. It's not appropriate to lock him up like this."
Chen Jinxing glanced at him and said, "He knows he's wrong? Do you know where he's wrong?"
Wang'er's face was grim. What could he have done wrong? His grandfather was just that kind of person. If he said something was wrong, he would find it out just by standing there.
At this time, Chen Jinshi was sitting obediently in the room. Chen Ying watched Chen Jinxing slam the door shut, just like closing a ferocious beast that had temporarily calmed down.
Before the door was completely closed, she saw Chen Jinshi grinning at her. She didn't dare to look into his eyes, but she could barely guess that his eyes were not as upturned as the corners of his lips.
The lock tongue clicked into place, and Chen Ying felt a sudden pang in her heart.
Chen Jinxing handed the key to the maid beside him and said in a deep voice, "Send one meal in through the window every day. Apart from writing brushes, inkstones, paper and inkstone, no other miscellaneous items are allowed."
The old woman agreed, and Wang'er stood aside and could only peek inside secretly.
Chen Jinxing turned around and walked back, glancing at Wang'er and warning him, "If you help him open the door, I'll take you out and sell you off."
Wang'er shuddered and waved his hands quickly: "No, I dare not, Master, please forgive me."
Ever since this old man got promoted, he has become extremely majestic and terrifying!
Chen Ying turned her head away and walked towards the east wing. Chen Jinxing followed her and said in a low and steady voice, "Amu, Shi Ge'er needs to cultivate his character. With his temper, even if we have a falling out, don't open the door for him this time."
Chen Ying hummed softly, and her tone became a little harder: "Jinxing, don't worry, I won't be soft-hearted anymore."
As it grew darker, Chen Ying opened the window and looked across. The lights in the west wing were on, and she could vaguely see him sitting by the window, writing with a pen in hand. He looked very content, only occasionally raising his hand to turn the pages of a book. Somehow, the light sound of the pages turning could be heard by the wind.
She suddenly realized that it had been a long time since she saw him holding a sword.
That figure gradually overlapped with the dim figure on the window paper.
The man turned his wrist, showing the boldness of a young man, especially the wind caused by the sword tassel breaking through the air, which lifted his hair.
The figure on the window paper had his back straight and his hand holding the pen hanging above.
This house is really too narrow.
She saw the figure pause, as if it had encountered difficulties.
She saw him raise his hand to rub his brow, then lean over the table, his fingers slowly running between the lines, as if he was considering each word.
She breathed a sigh of relief and lowered the window. This was fine, this was fine.
The next morning, Chen Ying just got up and walked to the window. The bad thing about daytime is that she couldn't see his shadow in the room.
Fortunately, Wang'er came out from the west wing after packing up some things. When he saw her, he said, "Miss Chen, the Second Master got up before dawn to study. The eldest master is really cruel. He only allows one meal a day. How can the Second Master's body bear it..."
How can one meal a day not be enough? There are many ordinary people who only eat one meal a day.
When Chen Ying was in Loufan, she had no idea that the wealthy families in Jinling and the capital had to eat three meals a day and have tea and snacks at other times.
She had been able to live such a precious life since she came to the Chen family, relying on the general's care.
Chen Ying was determined not to be soft-hearted this time: "The reason why it's called 'hard study' is because of the word 'hard'. If studying isn't hard, how can it be called studying?"
Wang Er shut up, rolled his eyes, and said, "Miss Chen, I'll make another crack in the second master's window so that some cold wind can get in, and then he can read with shivering hands. That would be the real deal!"
Chen Ying was startled when she heard this, then she glared at him, and then she thought that Chen Jinshi was in good health. Although he had asthma, he hadn't had an attack for a long time. A little fresh air would make him feel more energetic, so it should be a good thing.
"Open it a little, don't open it too wide. If you get sick from the cold, you'll miss out on studying, which is not worth it."
Wang Er was stunned and murmured in a low voice: "You are really cruel this time. OK, I will go now!"
After he left, Chen Ying stood in the corridor for a while. The west wing was quiet all day long. Chen Jinshi was really well behaved.
The whole day passed quietly. Chen Jinxing came and saw that he was fine in the room. He left without saying anything.
Late at night, Chen Ying had just blown out the light after washing up when the door creaked open. Her heart tightened as she realized she had lifted her wrists and pressed them against the wall.
Restless, aggrieved, with great strength, his hot breath hit her lips.
"Am, you have such a cruel heart." His voice was hoarse and suppressed.
"Chen Jinshi, how did you get out?" She looked panicked. She didn't know how he came out of the locked door silently, nor did she know whether he was angry with her.
He stared at her with burning eyes. She struggled but couldn't break free. His breath was hot and rapid, and he pushed her back until she hit the dressing table.
He grabbed her neck with one hand, forced her to look up, and leaned over to kiss her. Chen Ying was caught off guard and her whole body tensed.
His tongue forcefully filled her lips and tongue, and he bit her lips hard.
She groaned and pushed his chest hard until her cheeks turned red: "Get out!"
He stepped back slightly, resting his forehead against hers, cupping her cheeks and rubbing them hard. "Why can't I come out? Am, it's completely impossible to ask a dog that has tasted meat to become a vegetarian again. You should have been mentally prepared. Besides, do you really want to force a starving and thirsty wild dog to spit out the food in its mouth? That's too unrealistic!"
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