The quiet courtyard and Su Miao's courtyard were very close to each other.
He stood in his courtyard, and when he looked up, he saw Su Miao's bathroom.
At this moment, Su Miao didn't pay much attention. She only knew that she had just returned from Shen Changji's place and was covered in sticky sweat. She wanted to take a bath and change her clothes before going to bed.
Right now, she reached out and untied her sash.
This scene just happened to come into Chen Changji's view.
The dim candlelight illuminated her figure, her graceful silhouette outlined on the window.
Her clothes slid down her shoulders, revealing her full figure, making every movement clear.
It is both alluring and suggestive.
Seeing this scene, the restlessness that had been suppressed in Shen Changji's heart became unbearable once again.
At that moment, Tao'er happened to be delivering clothes to Su Miao, and for some inexplicable feeling, she couldn't help but look next door.
Hearing Tao'er's footsteps stop, Su Miao couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I don't know if it's because our courtyards are so close, but I keep feeling the presence of the eldest young master..."
Su Miao chuckled softly, "Don't think so much, it's impossible for him!"
At this hour, Shen Changji should probably be asleep.
After Tao'er put the clothes away, Su Miao soaked in the water for a while longer before coming out.
Even after she fell asleep, Chen Changji in the next room was still awake.
...
The next day, Shen Changji went to pay his respects to Old Madam Shen a little later.
Old Man Shen had heard a little about what happened yesterday.
"Grandmother, don't worry, it's nothing serious," Shen Changji said calmly, taking a sip of tea.
"Ultimately, it's because Jiaojiao lacks a sense of security. Grandmother knows you're busy. But you should also make time to spend with her more often, after all, she's your future wife," Old Man Shen said earnestly.
Their Duke's mansion cannot afford to be impolite.
"Grandson knows."
"Is Miao'er alright? Her personality is different from Jiao Jiao's. Jiao Jiao will be the mistress of the house in the future, and she comes from a prestigious family, so naturally she exudes confidence in every move she makes. Miao'er has lived in seclusion for a long time, so naturally her personality is a bit weaker than hers."
After all, Su Miao was someone she had watched over, so there was some affection between them.
“I saw her last night, and there was nothing unusual about her.”
"This incident reminds me of Miao'er's husband. How did you like the portrait I showed you last time? Did you think he was a good match for her?" Old Madam Shen continued.
Upon hearing this, Shen Changji almost slipped.
However, because Old Mrs. Shen's eyesight was failing, she didn't notice much of his unusual behavior.
“I’ve been quite busy with official duties lately and haven’t seen all of them yet. She is, after all, a daughter of the Duke’s family, so why not let her find her own ideal husband based on her own preferences?” Shen Changji said.
"How can that be? I have to carefully vet Miao'er's future husband! I'm afraid Miao'er is too young and won't be able to see through his intentions. It would be bad if she were deceived! In any case, he has to be someone respectable and of decent status." Old Madam Shen planned.
Shen Changji raised an eyebrow slightly. "Grandmother still wants to personally oversee things?"
"Of course!"
"How does Grandmother plan to oversee things?" Shen Changji asked again.
"Why are you asking so many questions? It's not just me, as the grandmother, who needs to be involved; you, as the elder brother, naturally need to be involved as well!"
"That's true. Then I'll give my grandmother an answer after my grandson has looked at those portraits."
"Yes, but I also plan to have someone take the portrait over to Miao'er to see. After all, the people chosen are all of good status. If she likes one, it would be good to settle down sooner rather than later," Grandma Shen continued.
Shen Changji had been lazily fiddling with the jade thumb ring in his hand, but upon hearing these words, he stopped.
“Didn’t Grandmother say she would check it? I, as the elder brother, haven’t finished looking at it yet, so naturally it has to pass my eye first before I can send the portrait to her.”
Shen Changji raised his eyebrows, looking like a good older brother who was thinking of his younger sister.
"Since that's how you put it, then so be it. Just remember to spend more time with Jiaojiao."
"Yes, Grandmother."
After finishing his tea, Shen Changji got up and left.
The subtle aroma of tea lingered in my mouth, bringing a strange and inexplicable sense of comfort to my heart.
Since she provoked him first, he wouldn't let her escape so easily.
A dark glint flashed in Shen Changji's eyes, a smirk appeared on his lips, and he exuded a dangerous aura.
...
Tao'er went out to gather information early in the morning and returned.
Su Miao was even more surprised when she heard that Shen Changji intended to suppress the marriage for her.
Why did this man suddenly act like this for no reason...?
"Miss, the old lady thought that the eldest young master was too busy and might not have time to look at them, so she thought she would let you look at those portraits of the young masters first, but who knew! The eldest young master was unwilling!"
As long as Shen Changji uses the excuse of being busy with work, Old Lady Shen can do nothing about it.
After all, he needs to see it!
"What could he possibly see..." Su Miao scoffed.
"Furthermore, I've learned that the eldest young master likes osmanthus cake. Perhaps, it's because of this osmanthus cake that the eldest young master has developed feelings for you, Miss. He may be slowly sensing that you are different from others and is starting to feel a little flutter in his heart!" Tao'er boldly guessed, her face showing seriousness.
I'm tempted...
Su Miao believed this.
She initially planned to send osmanthus cake to Shen Changji because, among all the pastries, osmanthus cake was her specialty.
To show her favoritism towards this man, she gave him osmanthus cake.
But unexpectedly, by sheer chance...
Since she was unsure, she decided to make osmanthus cake again today.
But shortly after Su Miao entered the kitchen, Liu Jiaojiao sent someone to deliver something to her.
"The maid who delivered the gift said that she didn't mean to frighten you yesterday, Miss. She hopes that you will be magnanimous and accept this small gift." Tao'er said as she opened the box for Su Miao.
Inside were several exquisite hairpins.
Su Miao had no shortage of hairpins; in fact, she had more than she could wear.
Normally, she would secretly take these things out and sell them for money.
Because she thought about leaving the Duke's mansion in the future, she wanted to open her own small clinic, carrying with her the regretful wish to save lives.
"Don't take it out, there's something wrong with the hairpin."
Upon hearing this, Tao'er's eyes widened.
If they didn't accept what they were given, the Liu family would say they were ungrateful, since they were trying to ease tensions. But if they did accept it...
Su Miao looked at the contents of the box with sharp eyes and a mocking smile on her lips.
...
After a long and quiet day, Lone Eagle told him that Su Miao was waiting for him at Wanxiang Courtyard.
That was a private residence under his name.
Su Miao actually thought of waiting for him there...
Why are they offering themselves up so readily? Shen Changji remembered the unfinished business from last night, got into the carriage, and headed towards Wanxiang Courtyard.
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