Chapter 15 (Bug Fix) This third girl, save...
Shen Hang took this matchmaking very seriously, and Zhao Lan was happy to play along. So before dawn, the entire Shen household was busy sweeping, cleaning, pruning flowers and trees, arranging the courtyard, and servants bustling about. Everything was in good order, a picture of a prosperous family.
Shen Lingyue finally met her two older brothers who had been studying hard at the academy and hadn't been home for many days.
Needless to say, the eldest brother, Shen Ming'an, always cared for his younger sister. His servant was also Shuangxu's older brother, and every few days he would go to the street to buy some snacks and treats to send back to the mansion.
He greeted Zhao Lan and patted Shen Lingyue's head familiarly. "Are you feeling much better? Is there anything you want to eat or play with? I'll send someone to buy it for you."
Zhao Lan pretended to put on a stern face, "You just spoil her. You even bought her snacks. Look at the state she's in after eating them all."
Shen Lingyue: Enraged but dare not speak out.jpg
Shen Ming'an winked at her discreetly.
Although the second brother, Shen Mingda, was born out of wedlock, he still had to come to the main courtyard to pay his respects to his stepmother first.
He was two years younger than Shen Ming'an. He resembled Aunt Liu in appearance, and was very handsome with red lips, white teeth, big eyes, and double eyelids. When he smiled, he had a touch of innocence and cuteness.
"Third sister, this is something I made myself, and I'm giving it to you as a congratulatory gift."
Shen Mingda took out a small wooden tiger from his sleeve. It had a round head and a cute appearance.
The original owner was born in the Year of the Tiger, so this gift was quite thoughtful.
"Thank you, Second Brother."
Shen Lingyue took it and examined it carefully. "What kind of paint was used? It's so sparkly."
Most wood carvings sold outside are only coated with a layer of varnish, but the one made by Shen Mingda was made with pigment. If you look closely, you can see that it contains some particles. When you hold it up to the sun, it reflects brilliant spots of light, which is very exquisite.
Seeing that the joy on her face seemed genuine, Shen Mingda's smile brightened even more, and he said enthusiastically, "These are paints I made myself! The red is made from the juice of balsam flowers, the green is made from ground turquoise, and the white is from seashells that my classmate collected on the beach back home, which I crushed..."
"Fine, we sent you to the academy so you could study and prepare for the exams, but all you do all day is research this stuff!"
Shen Hang walked in with a stern face and reprimanded him bluntly: "The teacher said you got several C grades in the last monthly exam. Did all that studying go to waste?"
Upon seeing him, Shen Mingda turned pale with fright, like a mouse seeing a cat, and instinctively hid behind Shen Ming'an, crying out, "Big brother, save me!"
Shen Ming'an turned back and gave him a reassuring look, then said to Shen Hang, "Father, please calm down. Second brother was just thinking that Third Sister is getting married soon, so he prepared a gift for her."
"Stop trying to cover for him. The teacher told me that he's been playing with wood for a long time, and he often brings it to class, secretly carving it under the table!"
Shen Hang glared and puffed out his beard, "If you still can't pass the provincial examination this year, you might as well give up studying and open a carpentry shop for me!"
Shen Mingda's eyes lit up, and he almost nodded in agreement.
Shen Ming'an tugged at his clothes hard before he realized what was happening and obediently lowered his head to listen to the reprimand.
Shen Lingyue noticed the brothers' subtle actions and was somewhat surprised.
The eldest and second eldest brothers seem to have a pretty good relationship.
Anyone who didn't know better would think they were brothers born of the same mother.
After giving Shen Hang a few words of reprimand, his gaze fell on the exquisitely crafted wooden tiger in Shen Lingyue's hand, and he became even angrier.
What if he spent the time he used to carve wood on reading?!
Shen Lingyue quickly hid it behind her back, "This was given to me by my second brother, Father, don't even think about taking it away."
Chen Hang choked on his words and could only angrily say to his two sons, "Come on, come with me to the study to check your homework."
When Shen Mingda returned to the east courtyard dejectedly after being scolded and told he knew nothing, he sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere inside.
Shen Songyi, in particular, looked so pale she looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Not knowing what was going on, he thought for a moment and took out another colorful wooden bird from his sleeve, and said with a smile, "Second sister, this is for you."
He's not stupid; he can't show favoritism, after all, Shen Songyi is his own sister.
Shen Songyi grabbed the little bird and threw it away, saying, "Who wants this useless piece of junk!"
She glared angrily at Shen Mingda, whose face was full of surprise, "What's wrong with you? Why do you always fail the monthly exams? How are you going to surpass your older brother like this?"
Shen Mingda was even more surprised, "Me? Surpass Big Brother? What are you talking about?"
How could that be? My older brother has been exceptionally gifted since childhood, able to recite the Four Books and Five Classics fluently. Unlike him, he gets sleepy after reading for more than fifteen minutes.
Passing the county-level exam to become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations) was already a huge challenge for him, and his own father still wanted him to pass the provincial-level exam to become a Juren (another successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examinations)?
Shen Mingda would rather open a carpentry shop...
Sigh, I don't know if my father was just saying it out of anger or if he meant it seriously.
Shen Mingda picked up the lost bird, touching the chipped paint that revealed the hole with heartache, and said sullenly, "If you don't like it, fine, but why throw it away like that?"
My third sister really liked it and even praised his bold and innovative color scheme.
Shen Songyi was even angrier at his pathetic appearance. "I should have switched places with you when we were still in the womb. I wouldn't have had to marry a poor scholar!"
She and Shen Mingda were twins, a boy and a girl. Strangely enough, the whole family was smart, but Shen Mingda was a dullard who didn't like to study. He was slow to learn and even started learning later than others.
But when it comes to fiddling with wood or stones, they're more enthusiastic than anyone else. When I was little, I could spend an entire afternoon squatting under a tree watching ants move their nest.
Shen Songyi pointed at him, her face full of disappointment, "Heaven is unfair. If I were a man, I would have studied hard and passed the imperial examination long ago. Why don't you cherish it?"
Shen Mingda was scolded as soon as he got home. Even though he was gentle, he still had a temper. Now, being criticized by his sister, he became even more unhappy and couldn't help but retort, "It was Father who wanted to arrange the marriage for you, not me. If you're not satisfied, go find him. Why are you throwing a tantrum at me?"
Father just said in his study that he's inviting Editor Qi over to discuss scholarship today. Actually, it's to help my second sister find a husband, so that he and my eldest brother can make a good impression and observe the character of their future brother-in-law.
He thought Qi Bianxiu was very impressive. He passed the imperial examination at such a young age and even passed the more difficult Shujishi examination. He had a bright future ahead of him.
Anyway, he was extremely satisfied with this person being his brother-in-law.
"If you like him so much, then you should marry him!"
Shen Songyi never expected that her second brother, who always went along with her, would talk back. Feeling wronged, her eyes welled up with tears, and she turned and ran away.
"Don't listen to your sister's nonsense. She's just in a bad mood, it's not because of you."
Aunt Liu pulled her son's hand and sat him down, asking him for a long time how he was doing at the academy, which finally made Shen Mingda's expression improve.
She had long seen that her son was not cut out for studying. In fact, Shen Songyi was right. If the two siblings could switch places, they might be able to earn her an imperial title.
Now? Let's not talk about it.
She didn't envy Zhao Lan for anything else, except that she had a good son.
*
In the afternoon, Qi Xiuyuan arrived at the Shen residence as promised.
He knew perfectly well the true purpose of this visit, and when Shen Hang suggested taking him to the backyard to meet Zhao Lan, he readily agreed.
In the main courtyard, Aunt Liu, dressed in a very low-key and dignified manner, stood humbly behind Zhao Lan, saying with her head bowed, "Thank you, Madam, for giving me this opportunity."
"It's alright. The second young lady is your own daughter, and you'll have to give her future husband your approval."
Zhao Lan had no intention of sabotaging this marriage. Now, by doing a favor for Aunt Liu, she could also establish a magnanimous image in front of Shen Hang. Why not?
She pointed to the chair opposite her, "You don't need to serve me today, sit down."
"Yes, thank you, Madam."
Aunt Liu took small, quick steps to sit down at the lower end of the table, just next to the chair, behaving very respectfully.
Zhao Lan then looked at Shen Lingyue, who was standing to the side with an excited expression, and Shen Songyi, who was expressionless, and pointed to the screen.
"You two, stand at the back and don't make a sound, or don't blame me for punishing you according to family rules."
The second half of the sentence was meant for Shen Songyi to hear.
Logically speaking, Shen Lingyue shouldn't have been invited to join in this fun, but she has been granted a marriage by the Emperor and will be getting married next month, so she can be considered a semi-married person. It wouldn't hurt for her to see her future brother-in-law.
Of course, the main reason was that Shen Lingyue herself wanted to watch the drama unfold, and she insisted on staying, begging and pleading.
Perfect, it also lets her keep an eye on Shen Songyi, so she won't cause any trouble to ruin the wedding.
Soon, Liu's mother came to report, "Master has brought Editor Qi over."
Shen Lingyue and Shen Songyi quickly stood behind the screen. Through the hazy gauze screen, they saw a tall, slender figure in bamboo green following Shen Hang into the room.
The man bowed and spoke in a cool, clear voice.
"Qi Xiuyuan greets Madam."
He only greeted Zhao Lan, while keeping his eyes fixed straight ahead at Aunt Liu beside him, showing great courtesy.
Zhao Lan sat upright above, her smile gentle. "Get up quickly, there's no need to be so polite. My husband admires your talent. Just call me Auntie."
"Yes, Auntie."
Qi Xiuyuan changed his address and sat down with a very upright posture. He answered Zhao Lan's questions in a calm and unhurried manner, introducing his family situation, his journey to the capital for the imperial examination, and so on.
"...My mother sold our family property to pay for my studies and travel expenses to the capital for the imperial examinations. After the results of the imperial examinations were announced, I wrote back to my hometown and asked my neighbors for help. I hired a bodyguard to escort my mother to the capital for a reunion. Now we have rented a small house in Tonghua Lane."
"Tonghua Lane, that's all the way to the south of the city, not close to the Hanlin Academy at all. You must have to walk a long way to work every day, right?"
Zhao Lan had a map of the capital in her mind and quickly sketched out the route.
Qi Xiuyuan pursed his lips and said calmly, "The rent in the south city is still affordable. The shift work is also fine; I just need to get up an hour earlier each day."
Zhao Lan looked at her junior with concern, saying, "It's alright now, but it'll be tough when winter comes."
"My family is poor, and I can only do my best to fulfill my duties so that I can repay my mother's kindness in raising me in the future."
Behind the screen, Shen Songyi listened to Qi Xiuyuan's situation, biting her lip so hard that she almost crumpled her handkerchief.
Listen to this, is this the wonderful husband her father carefully selected for her?
Shen Lingyue didn't think too much about it; she just tried her best to see Qi Xiuyuan's appearance clearly through the gap between the two screens.
Shen Hang was not lying about this. Qi Xiuyuan was tall, with regular features, a well-defined face, handsome eyebrows and bright eyes, and the air of a scholar. He also had a pleasant voice. He was really handsome.
She glanced at Shen Songyi out of the corner of her eye. Seriously? You're not satisfied with this?
If Qi Xiuyuan were in her previous life, he would at least be a campus heartthrob, and might even have made his debut.
I wonder what that Second Young Master Pei looks like, and who is more handsome, him or Qi Xiuyuan?
Shen Lingyue's gaze drifted into the distance, somewhat lost in thought.
Shen Songyi could at least have a preliminary meeting, but she was different. Although it was said to be an imperial decree to arrange the marriage, apart from the normal six rites, not a single respectable elder from the Changning Marquis's residence came to visit, let alone let the Second Young Master Pei come to meet his future mother-in-law.
...Could it be that the Marquis of Changning's family is also dissatisfied with this arranged marriage, and that's why they're silently protesting with this cold treatment?
Upon realizing this possibility, Shen Lingyue's eyes widened.
She's not even married yet, and she's already being disliked by her future in-laws?
It doesn't matter. If she dislikes it, so be it. Anyway, she married him so that she could be with Yan Yi every day. Nothing else matters!
Ah, it's not June 18th yet! She hasn't seen Yan Yi for days. She misses her, misses her, misses her so much...
Shen Lingyue was completely absorbed in her own imagination.
Seeing her frowning and then grinning foolishly, Shen Songyi, who was standing to the side, gritted her teeth in anger.
Damn it, Shen Lingyue must be mocking her!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and finally, unable to hold back, she shoved Shen Lingyue hard.
Caught off guard, Shen Lingyue cried out and fell flat on her back outside the screen.
Shen Songyi struck her target with deadly accuracy, then turned and ran away without lingering.
Shen Lingyue slowly got up, her face flushed. She calmly smoothed out the corner of her clothes, adhering to the principle that "as long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed." She nodded to everyone in the room, then walked out of the main courtyard with her head held high and eyes straight ahead.
Ahhhhhh, help! My legs, get out of here!
Zhao Lan: ...
Shen Hang: ...
Qi Xiuyuan: ...
Zhao Lan was the first to regain her composure, and said without changing her expression, "My daughter is naughty, I'm sorry Mingzhi had to laugh at her."
Mingzhi is the courtesy name of Qi Xiuyuan, which means "to see far and be clear".
Qi Xiuyuan also came to his senses and lowered his eyes. "It's alright. This is Miss Shen's own home. Of course, she can go anywhere."
Shen Hang gritted his teeth and forced a smile.
Is this third girl deliberately trying to cause trouble for her older sister?
Aunt Liu, who had been sitting to the side as if she were invisible the whole time, looked at Qi Xiuyuan, then at Shen Lingyue's figure as she walked further and further away and disappeared outside the door, lost in thought.
*
"I'm so angry! I'm so angry!"
Shen Lingyue returned to her courtyard and gulped down several cups of water before the burning sensation on her face subsided.
I should have known better than to stay and watch the show. That wretched Shen Songyi made her look bad!
Qingchan fanned the flames from the side: "Second Miss is just jealous that you married well."
Her eyes suddenly widened. "She wouldn't be trying to get you to marry Editor Qi, would she?"
Shen Lingyue rolled her eyes. "How could that be? My marriage was ordained by imperial decree. How can I just change the person like that?"
In the Great Ye Dynasty, there was no reason for unmarried men and women to be responsible for each other just because they saw each other's faces; otherwise, everyone would just cover themselves up when they went out.
Qingchan hummed softly, "Isn't it said that Qi Bianxiu is handsome? What if Miss takes a fancy to his face and insists on marrying him no matter what?"
Shen Lingyue was speechless. "Then I'd be the one who's crazy."
She swore to the heavens, "I will never go anywhere else in my life but the Marquis of Changning's residence!"
*
Although there was a minor incident, everyone present was a sensible person and acted as if nothing had happened.
Zhao Lan was in a hurry to go back and deal with her daughter, and she had already asked about the situation, so she suggested that Qi Xiuyuan go to the front yard to discuss academic matters with Shen Ming'an and Shen Mingda, and stay for dinner that evening.
Aunt Liu suddenly interjected, "Madam, I see that the spring scenery is just right today. Instead of staying cooped up at home reading, why not go to the octagonal pavilion in the garden, enjoy the view, brew tea, and compose poems? Wouldn't that be more elegant?"
Zhao Lan frowned, but before she could speak, Shen Hang had already agreed: "That's a good idea, Mingzhi, what do you think?"
"Mingzhi will follow Lord Shen's arrangements."
Shen Hang's face grew increasingly satisfied: "Hahaha, why call me Lord Shen? Call me Uncle!"
Today he's my uncle, in a few days he'll be my father-in-law!
A note from the author:
----------------------
Ahhh, it's here! I had some delicious sweet and sour pork today, hehe [shy]
June 20th Bug Fix: I corrected Qi Xiuyuan's use of the term "Aunt Shen." Thanks to the reader for reminding me of the discussion about whether women took their husbands' surnames in ancient times. I didn't notice it while writing this chapter; it just slipped out without thinking [laughing emoji]. I'll remind myself not to make that mistake again and try my best to give every female character in my writing their own name [heart emoji].
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