Chapter One: First Encounter
After the crisp autumn, the cold winter arrived.
A north wind blew, carrying a few strands of snow, which drifted down.
Inside the Jingnan Marquis's residence, Shen Qingnian was leading Ling'er toward Qiushui Pavilion, the residence of her aunt, Aunt Su.
Shen Qingnian's expression was somewhat solemn.
She met with her aunt in a hurry yesterday and didn't have time to talk about many things. She doesn't know if her aunt is free right now.
Her most important task after coming here was to quickly raise money so she could open a shop and get her mother out of that hellhole as soon as possible.
Just then, Ling'er's soft voice came from beside her: "Miss, your aunt is here."
"There is also... there is another young master beside him."
Shen Qingnian looked over and saw a woman wearing soft-soled embroidered shoes, accompanied by two maids, walking towards them through the moon gate.
The woman had dark eyebrows and fair skin, and her skirt swayed gently with her steps, as light and graceful as a willow in the breeze.
That was his aunt, Aunt Su.
Behind Aunt Su was a handsome young man with his hair tied up with a jade crown, looking as gentle and refined as jade.
The features of his eyebrows and eyes vaguely resembled his aunt's, so he thought that must be his cousin Xie Zhao.
When Aunt Su saw Shen Qingnian, she smiled slightly, her eyes curving up slightly at the corners, exuding a captivating beauty.
Shen Nianqing also hurried over.
Aunt Su gently took Shen Qingnian's hand: "Nian'er, this is your cousin Xie Zhao. He was on duty yesterday and didn't have time to come home to see you."
Xie Zhao had just returned from his shift at the yamen early this morning, still wearing his court robes.
His mother had sent someone to tell him yesterday that his cousin had arrived, but he was on duty yesterday and had many things to do, so he couldn't get away and didn't get to see her. This time, however, he managed to come back and see her.
He glanced at her and saw that his cousin had a beautiful face, a gentle temperament, and a slightly red nose, like a little kitten, which made him feel a sense of closeness.
He took the initiative to speak: "I was busy on duty yesterday and didn't have time to go home and see my cousin in time. I hope my cousin won't blame me."
After saying that, Xie Zhao took out a peony hairpin and handed it over: "This is to apologize to you, please don't find it offensive."
Looking at the hairpin being offered to her, Shen Qingnian hesitated whether to accept it.
Seeing this, Aunt Su took the hairpin and stuffed it into Shen Qingnian's hand, saying with a smile, "Since it's your cousin's gift, you should accept it. You can't let this boy have it."
Shen Qingnian originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Xie Zhao's smiling eyes, she accepted it with a smile and gave Xie Zhao a sweet smile: "Thank you, cousin."
Xie Zhao looked at that smile and, for some reason, his heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself, "My cousin is really beautiful!"
Aunt Su then said, "The eldest young master has returned to the manor. The old lady has asked everyone from each household to go to the Wenxin Hall. You can come with us."
After saying that, he pulled the cloak up a little tighter for Shen Qingnian.
In fact, just as Shen Nianqing arrived yesterday, she was called away by the Second Madam and didn't have a chance to catch up.
Today, the eldest young master returned to the manor and came specifically to find Shen Qingnian, so that she wouldn't have to go looking for her and make a wasted trip.
Besides, it was the old lady who agreed to let Shen Qingqing stay yesterday, so Shen Qingnian should thank the old lady both morally and logically.
As they were exchanging pleasantries, Xie Zhao heard footsteps. He turned around, saw who it was, chuckled, and called out to Xie Yanzhi, "Big Brother."
Shen Qingnian looked in the direction Xie Zhao turned around and saw a tall figure stepping into the moon gate. The figure was as sturdy as a pine tree, with bright eyebrows and starry eyes.
The man drew closer, exuding a powerful aura. Shen Qingnian quickly lowered her head and curtsied.
Before him was a pair of black boots with gold thread, and when he looked up, he was dressed in black, which made his tall figure stand out even more.
Seeing the exquisite jade belt and wrist guards around his waist, and the aloof and noble air about him, Xie Zhao guessed from his earlier address that this must be the eldest son of the Marquis's main branch.
When they arrived at the manor yesterday, they overheard the maids gossiping, saying that the eldest son of the manor was refined and promising, and that many women who came to the manor to seek refuge with him almost all wanted to marry him and rise to a higher social status.
Although she also came here seeking refuge, she should not have any improper thoughts or do anything she shouldn't do.
If you want to live peacefully in this mansion, the most important thing is to be law-abiding and behave yourself.
She remembered the words "behave oneself and keep to one's lot" when she met the second wife, Madam Lin, yesterday.
She didn't want to marry into wealth or status, especially since she was already engaged.
However, since this eldest son is the future master of the Marquis's mansion, it would be wise to leave a good impression.
After thinking for a moment, she followed Xie Zhao's lead and obediently greeted the imposing and tall man in front of her, saying, "Greetings, cousin."
She thought that since she was Xie Zhao's cousin, there was nothing wrong with calling Xie Zhao's older brother "cousin".
Xie Yanzhi glanced coldly at Shen Qingnian before frowning.
Shen Qingnian glanced at Xie Yanzhi once and then lowered her gaze again. What she had just seen on Xie Yanzhi's face seemed to be a hint of disgust.
This was only the first time the two had met, so where did that dislike come from?
But she didn't do anything unreasonable or inappropriate, and her gaze was calm and composed, showing no remorse.
Just as she was thinking, a cold voice sounded above her head, sending a chill down her spine: "You can't call someone 'cousin'."
"Remember who you are."
The authoritative voice contained disgust, which startled everyone who heard it.
Xie Zhao was taken aback by these words and hurriedly tried to step forward to speak for Shen Qingnian, but was scared away by a look from Xie Yanzhi.
Aunt Su turned pale. She knew the eldest young master's temperament; he was always cold-hearted. Going up to persuade him now would only backfire.
She could only clench the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
Ling'er was so frightened that she knelt on the ground. She couldn't understand why this young master had suddenly become so fierce.
Xie Yanzhi's cold gaze swept over Aunt Su beside him: "Keep an eye on the people in the courtyard and teach them proper manners."
Xie Zhao wanted to go up and comfort Shen Qingnian with concern, but Xie Yanzhi grabbed his collar and pulled him aside.
He was four years older than Xie Zhao, and had been training in the army for many years. Faced with absolute power, Xie Zhao was powerless to resist.
Shen Qingnian's body was pulled by Xie Zhao's hand, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.
The white cloak was stained with mud and snow, making it look somewhat dirty and messy.
Shen Qingnian felt a sharp pain in her shoulder from the impact.
Xie Zhao hurried over to help Shen Qingnian up, calling out, "Sister Qing!"
But Xie Yanzhi's voice came from behind: "Xie Zhao, get over here!"
He didn't believe that this woman was really that weak; she was just pretending to be weak by falling in front of Xie Zhao.
He had seen this kind of tactic many times before.
Xie Zhao was taken aback. After helping Shen Qingnian up, he turned to look at Xie Yanzhi.
Shen Qingnian hadn't cried when her chin was pinched earlier, but now, the pain made her eyes red and tears welled up. She stood silently to the side.
Xie Yanzhi frowned at Xie Zhao, intending to remind him on the way, and then led Xie Zhao and his entourage to continue striding towards Wenxin Hall.
Aunt Su came over and took Shen Qingnian's hand, her eyes filled with heartache: "Nian'er, did you hurt yourself? Let your aunt take a look."
Everyone in the manor avoids this young master, yet we've run into him here today. I wonder what Nian'er did to upset him.
With tears in her eyes, Ling'er wiped the mud off Shen Qingnian's cloak as she said, "This young master is too scary."
That's so mean! How could they bully the young lady like that!
But she didn't dare say it aloud, as her mistress had told her to be careful with her words and actions in the Marquis's mansion.
Shen Qingnian said softly, "Don't worry, Aunt, I'm fine."
Aunt Su sighed and led Shen Qingnian to the Wenxin Hall. Today was a welcome dinner for Xie Yanzhi, and they couldn't delay.
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