Chapter 45: Drawing the Bow and Drawing the Arrow
"Mom, he can't just rely on the Shen family. He won't be called a gigolo by others. You and Dad just need to give him a hand at the critical moment. He still needs to make his own achievements."
"My daughter will depend on him for a living in the future. If she doesn't hone her skills, how can she stand tall and proud? Don't let your father interfere. Wait until he has made achievements, and then transfer him back. Now let him go and try his luck."
How could Mrs. Shen be happy about it?
She wanted to wait for him to be transferred back in three to five years, but she also knew that An An was too old to wait that long.
She was absolutely unwilling to let her daughter suffer with her.
"An An, the county town is remote, how can you stay there? It's the same in the capital. With the help of the Shen family, you can slowly endure it. It won't be worse than being a county magistrate in Jiangnan."
Shen Anan blinked, "But my daughter likes his character, I don't think he would agree. We are still young, so it's better for us to go out and see the world and accumulate experience."
Mrs. Shen frowned and said nothing, obviously not wanting to agree.
"Mom, you forgot that my grandmother is still here in Jiangnan. I will bring my grandmother to live with me when the time comes. With her watching over you, you don't have anything to worry about."
She snuggled in Mrs. Shen's arms and acted coquettishly.
Mrs. Shen rubbed her temples, her tone full of helplessness, "Let me discuss it with your father tonight."
Shen Anan knew that she shouldn't be too anxious, so she readily agreed.
After that, he no longer mentioned the marriage that upset Mrs. Shen, and just accompanied her for dinner and chat. It took a long time before he made Mrs. Shen happy again.
In Shen Wen's office, the servant brought up the sobering soup.
Shen Wen frowned and drank it again, then lay down for a while rubbing his solar plexus, still feeling dizzy and uncomfortable.
He had never drunk such strong liquor before. If it had not been a gift from the emperor, he would have almost suspected that something had been added to the liquor.
After sitting in the chair for a long time, his mind finally became clear. He waved his hand to let the servant go back and began to look for something among the pile of documents.
After checking all the documents, he found nothing related to the Fourth Prince or the affairs of the Yongning Marquisate, which made him feel puzzled.
He couldn't figure out what Prince Ling and the Fourth Prince were planning by suddenly looking for him to drink.
He lowered his gaze, half-closed it, and thought.
The moonlight was bright, and a few beams of it had already shone through the window into the study.
After a while, he suddenly opened his eyes, and a cold and stern light flashed in his old eyes, "Someone come here."
The study door was immediately pushed open, "Master."
Shen Wen frowned and asked, "Did Lord Wang resolve the issue of the scholar staying in office?"
"It's resolved, but the official position in the capital is full, so it's difficult to arrange for it for the time being. The person has already stayed."
"Yeah." Shen Wen finally let go of the worry in his heart.
The servant tactfully retreated, not forgetting to close the door.
The horrible thoughts that appeared in his mind slowly subsided, and Shen Wen's brows relaxed a lot.
If the Fourth Prince really did it for his daughter, the scholar's life or death would be in danger now, let alone his safe stay in Beijing.
He must be overthinking it, or maybe it was just a coincidence. There were so many famous ladies in the capital who failed to impress the handsome Fourth Prince, so his daughter would not be so unlucky.
Even so, Shen Wen still had hidden dangers in his heart. The royal family was thorny, and the road to succession was full of blood and corpses. It was better for his daughter to stay as far away from him as possible.
He originally thought that it would be a good idea for Zhang Yeyang to go to Jiangnan to gain some experience.
He had checked that place, and just as his daughter said, it was easy to achieve political achievements. He would wait until everything was settled and then bring the person back. It was better than staying in the capital, which would lead to many troubles.
How can a man rely solely on the protection of his wife's family?
But his wife refused and asked him to keep the scholar in the capital, crying bitterly.
Shen Wen frowned, thinking that he should persuade his wife. The court was about to face turmoil, and it was not wise to stay in Beijing at this time.
——
Begonia Garden.
After Shen Anan came back, she asked Mo Xiang to spread paper and grind ink so that she could write a letter to Old Madam Shen who was far away in Jiangnan.
She talked about her marriage to Zhang Yeyang, and said that she would go to Jiangnan soon and take her to live with her.
Only at this moment did Mo Xiang see joy on the girl's face. Even when the Madam and the Master agreed to the marriage and asked Master Zhang to stay in Beijing, the girl's face was indifferent and her emotions did not fluctuate.
She knew that the girl wanted to return to Jiangnan, but she also thought that the girl must be happy with Mr. Zhang.
"Girl." Mo Xiang took the envelope and said in a low voice, "Have you really thought it through? Getting married is a lifelong event, and you can't be careless."
"Hmm?" Shen Anan stood in front of the window lattice, enjoying the cool breeze. Upon hearing this, she turned around and looked at Mo Xiang, "Didn't we agree on this? Why are you asking this suddenly?"
Mo Xiang straightened her lips and lowered her head, "I just feel that the young lady doesn't seem to be that fond of Master Zhang."
Shen Anan was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Mr. Zhang is very good, with good character and good looks. If you help him in his future, it will be good."
Happy?
In fact, it is not that important. As long as you don’t hate each other, it’s good enough if two people can live a stable life, support each other, and respect each other.
At least it is much better than constantly doubting yourself, getting angry with the other person, and worrying about whether you love or not in the trivial life.
"You said that Mr. Zhang is good in every way, but you never said that you like him." Mo Xiang said in a very low voice, watching Shen Anan looking at the figure outside the window, and retreated with the envelope in his hand.
As winter was approaching in late autumn, the weather became increasingly colder, and Shen Anan curled up in the quilt and was not very willing to get up.
She followed her grandmother and had the habit of staying in bed late.
"Girl." Mo Xiang lifted the curtain and met Shen Anan's lazy, half-opened almond eyes.
She brought all the clothes over, helped Shen Anan sit up, and whispered, “Mr. Zhang sent someone to deliver another letter, wanting to see the girl.”
"Yeah." Shen Anan stretched out her arms and let Mo Xiang help her put on clothes.
Three days have passed since he was detained in Beijing. He must still be kept in the dark and needs to be given an explanation.
After tidying up and having breakfast, Shen Anan opened the door and walked out.
Walking through the corridor and reaching the archway with hanging flowers, all you can see is red silk. Servants are busy running around, making the place very lively.
There are only two days left before my eldest brother proposes marriage.
"Brother, are you busy these days?" She tilted her head and asked Mo Xiang who was standing beside her.
Mo Xiang nodded, "Except for the first time he came to Haitang Garden to see the girl, the eldest master has hardly ever returned to the mansion. When he is busy, he just stays outside."
Shen Anan frowned.
Even if he is busy, he shouldn't have no time to go home to wash up and rest. Is he busy or does he not want to come back?
While she was thinking, an unfamiliar old woman bowed to her.
Shen Anan raised her eyes and looked at the well-dressed old woman, who was also examining her at the same time, and that look made her very unhappy.
"Who is this?"
The butler on the side hurriedly introduced, "Young lady, this is someone close to the Second Prince's wife. He is here to deliver a letter and would like to invite you and the lady to come to the mansion to attend the plum blossom viewing banquet."
Shen Anan looked up at the bare tree trunks, flowers and plants in front of her.
It's too early to appreciate the plum blossoms now.
However, when those royal relatives and nobles held banquets, they never did so for fun; it was just an excuse to achieve their goals.
"Then the housekeeper, please take Madam to my mother's courtyard."
It's never her business.
After saying that, he walked away.
The nanny followed the housekeeper and continued walking forward. When she turned around the corridor, she suddenly turned back to look at the slim figure who was about to leave the house. Her old eyes were narrowed, and it was hard to tell what she meant.
Shen Anan didn't take it to heart and told Uncle Zhong to drive to the western suburbs.
There is an open grassland there, which is usually a place for noble children to ride horses and go for an outing. However, the weather is bad now, so there are not many people, and it is quiet and vast.
The place was chosen by Zhang Yeyang, it was a bit remote, but I think he was worried that she would be met by people she knew in the city and it would affect her reputation.
There are dozens of trees on the other side of the grassland, which were planted by the children of officials for cooling off in the summer. They are also very friendly to men and women who are in love and want to chat in private during the outing.
But now it's bare, without the shade of branches, and its use is reduced by half.
Uncle Zhong stopped the carriage in front of the grove.
As soon as Shen Anan got off the car, she saw Zhang Yeyang's shy and gentle smile. He stood beside the carriage with a gentle light in his eyes.
“Miss Shen.”
"Mr. Zhang."
Zhang Yeyang started to get nervous again, "This... this place is open and windy, are you cold?"
Shen Anan gathered her cloak and shook her head, "Not bad."
Fortunately, she prepared clothes in advance, but she would be lying if she said it wasn't cold.
Zhang Yeyang felt a little guilty. "Recently, scholars from the capital have left one after another. I was worried that if I met someone I knew, it would affect the girl's reputation, so..."
"I understand what you mean, sir." Shen Anan took over Zhang Yeyang's words calmly with a peaceful smile.
Zhang Yeyang's heart began to beat violently uncontrollably.
"Why don't we go inside? I just took a look around there and there are trees close together, which can block the wind."
"Okay." Shen Anan followed him and walked a little further inside, not very far, with Uncle Zhong and Mo Xiang following behind.
Zhang Yeyang was also very measured, and was three steps away from Shen Anan.
"I..." Zhang Yeyang's face turned red whenever he talked to Shen Anan.
Shen Anan gently said, "Even if Master Zhang didn't send the letter, I was planning to meet Master Zhang."
Zhang Yeyang was stunned, and infinite joy appeared in his eyes.
"When I came back from the temple that day, I told my parents about what happened between you and me. It was my father's idea that you delay your taking office. I'm sorry for making the decision without consulting you in advance."
Shen Anan bowed slightly, and Zhang Yeyang hurriedly shook his head, "Don't say that, I... I'm a poor scholar, and it's Yeyang's blessing to be treated differently by the girl."
At first he wanted to stay in Beijing just for her, but now it doesn’t matter whether he stays or leaves as long as he can be with her.
He was feeling uneasy, "Lord Shen..."
"My father agrees." Shen Anan said, and when Zhang Yeyang looked at her happily, she lowered her head shyly.
"Master Zhang, don't worry."
Zhang Yeyang pursed his lips tightly, "Lord Shen, I will repay you for your kindness if I have the chance in the future."
He cupped his hands and bowed deeply.
Shen Anan raised her lips, "We'll be a family from now on, you don't have to be like this."
Shen Anan looked normal, but Zhang Yeyang's face was red as blood.
"You are right."
From now on, we are a family.
Several days passed, and now his steps were still a little unsteady. It seemed unreal, as if he was dreaming, that such a beautiful and noble woman was really willing to accept him.
"Mr. Zhang." Shen Anan's smile faded a little, and her almond eyes were full of seriousness. "I'm asking you again honestly, is there anyone married in your family?"
"No." Zhang Yeyang blurted out, very sure, "I have never been married. I only have a younger sister and an older sister. Now my older sister is about to get married."
"really?"
"Really." Zhang Yeyang raised his hand and swore, "Every word I said is true. There is really no deception at all."
Shen Anan nodded.
That's good. She was just afraid that his family might be married, and she didn't want it to ruin the girl's marriage.
"Don't worry, Miss Shen." Zhang Yeyang said sincerely, "I didn't do that before, and I won't let you down in the future."
Shen Anan raised her lips and smiled.
"You stay in the restaurant for a few days. Once my father has settled our affairs, you can take up the position."
Zhang Yeyang nodded happily, with stars in his eyes, circling Shen Anan's figure, reflected in it.
"Tsk." Behind the woods, the clattering sounds of several galloping horses, accompanied by the rustling of cold wind, disappeared in the whistling.
Li Huaiyan had a half-smile on his lips and whispered to the cold and sinister Xiao Yuan beside him.
"If only you were as sweet as that scholar, maybe..."
Before he could finish his words, Ling Chenyi pulled his sleeve.
She raised her eyes and saw Xiao Yuan's cold and terrifying face, then she shut up in embarrassment.
His jaw was clenched as he stared at the two figures standing opposite each other not far away, his eyes as sharp as knives.
Even the surrounding air became a little colder.
Li Huaiyan lowered his head and picked up a pair of gray rabbit ears. That was his prey for today, but before he could appreciate it carefully, someone snatched it away.
Xiao Yuan held the rabbit, narrowed his eyes, and threw it in the direction of Zhang Yeyang. The rabbit fluttered in the air and landed on a slightly softer wet ground.
Having survived the disaster, it spread its legs and ran forward in panic.
At the same time, he bent the bow and drew the arrow in one go.
Xiao Yuan tilted his head, aiming the arrow in the direction the rabbit was running, and suddenly moved it upwards, stopping at the man's back, with a cold arc on the side of his lips.
Ling Chenyi and Li Huaiyan's breathing stopped for a moment, and they stared at the arrow in his hand.
The woman's gentle and peaceful smile was like adding fuel to the fire, making the anger in Xiao Yuan's heart burn more and more fiercely. The joints of his hands holding the bow were pale and blue veins were exposed.
As the rabbit ran farther and farther away, his fingers slowly loosened.
At the last moment, he half closed his eyes, and the tip of the arrow moved down a few inches. The cold arrow, wrapped in cold wind and shining with cold light, shot at the rabbit's leg.
Li Huaiyan and Ling Chenyi breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.
I almost thought I would have to collect the scholar's body. If that were true, today would not end well.
Shooting her lover in front of Miss Shen, given that girl's temper, she would have to fight Xiao Yuan to the death.
Xiao Yuan slowly put down the bow and arrow. The hand holding the bow even trembled slightly. His thin lips were pursed very tightly, and his cold face looked eerie and terrifying.
No one knew how much effort he had put in to barely control his anger.
No one knew that what shackled him was not anything else but the woman's cold and hateful eyes. That moment flashed through his mind like a basin of piercing cold water, extinguishing the impulse in his heart.
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