On the sixth day of the ninth lunar month, a refreshing autumn breeze blew. Zhou Yuanming rode his tall horse happily along the wide road, while Shi Rong coldly watched as Yingtao, supporting the small red sedan chair, followed silently behind.
Inside the study, Mr. Shi sat upright at the table, his long, strong fingers gripping a purple bamboo writing brush, intently writing something.
Shi's mother stood anxiously by the door, unsure whether to go in or not.
Shi Rong came over from the covered walkway and saw his mother. He quickened his pace and, when he reached her, whispered, "Mother, it's getting cold, and it's windy here. You should go back first."
Shi's mother turned to look at her son, her eyes warm and kind. She took Shi Rong's hand and said, "Your father is in a bad mood, so be careful later."
Shi Rong nodded, pushed open the door, and went inside.
Shi's mother sighed softly, helped Su Qing, and returned to the house somewhat dejectedly.
Inside the study, Shi Rong took two steps forward, stood by the table, and remained silent with his hands at his sides.
Shi Fu concentrated and slowly filled the small, gold-flecked paper with his writing before putting down his brush and setting the paper aside.
"The person has been sent away?"
Shi Rong lowered his head slightly and said, "Yes, the Zhou family specially invited a drum and music troupe. Zhou Yuanming was also very serious and his attitude was extremely humble and polite. It seems that he values my second sister very much."
Mr. Shi snorted coldly, putting his hands behind his back. "No matter how much she values her, she's still just a concubine, and a merchant no less..." Thinking of his daughter, whom he had raised for over a decade, being given away for such a disgraceful reason, Mr. Shi's feelings were hard to describe. "She's utterly hopeless. If it weren't for..."
Mr. Shi paused for a moment, then did not continue.
Shi Rong lowered his brows and eyes, remaining silent.
Mr. Shi took a breath, composed himself, and said, "Let's leave it at that. We can't really tell what the Zhou family is like just by looking at them now. If they know what's good for them, they'll behave themselves. But if they think they've made a good in-law relationship and act recklessly, I won't tolerate it. They're not exactly proper relatives anyway, so there's no need to worry about them too much!"
Shi Rong replied with a "yes".
After a moment's thought, Shi's father said, "Your most important task now is the imperial examination next year. Your future depends on this one exam."
Shi Rong said "yes" again, and only then did Shi's father nod, his tightly furrowed brows relaxing slightly.
At Lanxiang Courtyard, Shi Lan was on tenterhooks from the moment she woke up in the morning. She was still in shock when Cui Zhi came to report that Shi Yi had been carried out of the mansion.
In Shi Lan's mind, Shi Yi was not someone who could be manipulated by others. She never expected that Shi Yi would marry so obediently without making a sound.
Is Sweet Leaf still following behind?
Cui Zhi shook her head. Tian Ye was always elusive, and she had no idea where that person might be.
Sweet Fruit smiled and replied, "Following me."
Shi Lan nodded and lazily got up.
To guard against Shi Yi, Shi Lan got up very early today, but now that she's relaxed, she feels a bit drowsy.
Cuizhi helped her to the bedside, lowered the curtains, and blocked out the sunlight from entering the room.
Shi Lan half-closed her eyes and muttered to herself with unease, "Sweetie called me as soon as she got back. I don't feel at ease until I hear her confirmation."
Knowing that Shi Yi was her biggest worry, Cui Zhi readily agreed.
Shi Lan then closed her eyes with relief, and her breathing became long and deep.
As the sun climbed higher, a commotion arose at the entrance of the Shi family mansion. A man covered in blood was frantically banging on the newly painted gate.
The doorman opened the door, recognized the person who had come to fetch the bride earlier, and his expression immediately changed. He helped the person up and asked repeatedly what was wrong.
The man sobbed, only managing to say "Something terrible has happened," before rolling his eyes and passing away.
The gatekeeper was so flustered that his hands and feet trembled. He put the person down and scrambled into the courtyard.
Mr. Shi was in his study discussing academic matters with Shi Rong when he heard the news. His face turned ashen, and he asked the gatekeeper, "Is there anything wrong with the Second Miss?"
The gatekeeper shook his head, unable to give a clear answer.
In a panic, Shi's father got up and went out to summon the servants in the mansion to search along the way they had come.
Shi Rong was also taken aback. When he came to his senses, his father was nowhere to be seen. Shi Rong turned his head and saw the gold-flecked paper that his father had placed on the side of the table. He was surprised to find that his usually rigid and dignified father had just written Buddhist scriptures.
Perhaps his father wasn't as indifferent to Shi Yi as he thought.
Shi Rongxin was slightly moved. From this piece of paper, he saw an unspeakable fatherly heart.
Perhaps Shi's father hated Shi Yi's behavior and was angry at her temperament, but in the end he was still worried about her and hoped that she could be peaceful and happy.
In Lanxiang Courtyard, Cuizhi lifted the curtain and woke the sleeping Shilan.
Shi Lan opened her eyes groggily and said, "Sweet Leaf is back?"
Sweetie stepped forward and said in a hoarse voice, "Miss, I'm here."
"Hmm, how is it?"
Shi Lan leaned to one side, resting on the soft pillow that Cui Zhi had given her.
Sweet Leaf swallowed hard, moistened her throat, and said, "Something's happened."
Shi Lan's eyes widened suddenly, her soft back straightened, and she sat up abruptly. "What happened?"
"When the sedan chair was halfway there, several masked men suddenly rushed out, killed Zhou Yuanming, and kidnapped the second young lady."
Shi Lan frowned. "What about the others? Were they killed too?"
Sweet Leaf nodded. "There were basically no survivors, only two clever ones who ran fast, but they were also seriously injured and probably won't make it."
Shi Lan blinked her bright eyes, and after a long while, a smile appeared on her lips. "She really is ruthless. She doesn't make a move unless she's sure of killing someone."
Sweet Fruit quietly handed Sweet Leaf a cup of tea. Sweet Leaf grinned, tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp. She wiped her mouth and said, "The leader's skills are not bad. I exchanged a few moves with him and took this from him in the chaos." As she spoke, she spread out her hand, revealing a translucent green jade pendant.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
