Chapter 166 Not Wanting to Separate Residences
Shen Ci'an escorted Jiang Zhi back to the cabin.
Just as she was about to leave, Jiang Zhi remembered something and called out to him, "Master, I have something I want to say to you."
Shen Ci'an turned around, his long blue robe accentuating his tall and upright figure, as graceful as a pine or bamboo. His clear, gentle eyes were like a pool of water enveloping her.
As Jiang Zhi was looked at by his gaze, which was filled with boundless affection, her heart, which had just warmed up, immediately turned cold again, thinking about what she was about to say.
Seeing her solemn expression, Shen Ci'an lifted the chair and sat down opposite her. "What does Miss want to say?"
Jiang Zhi hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke, "Master, I have something I want to discuss with you regarding our return to the capital for our marriage."
Shen Ci'an's hand, hidden in his sleeve, unconsciously tightened.
Is the young lady trying to postpone the wedding?
Or did she regret her decision after meeting her cousin and want to cancel the engagement?
He was gripped by inexplicable panic, his ears ringing, and he stared intently at Jiang Zhi, his face solemn.
"You say it." He struggled to swallow, managing to squeeze out just two words.
"After we get married, I want to live with you. I don't want us to live separately," she said tentatively, pursing her lips.
Her original plan was to use the marriage with Shen Ci'an as an excuse to escape the Jiang family and live a free and unrestrained life without being burdened by marriage.
But now I realize that those ideas were too naive.
If Xiao Xuanyou knew that she and Shen Ci'an were living separately, he would surely know that her marriage was fake, and he would probably cause her further entanglement.
Shen Ci'an felt as if he had just returned from the gates of hell, and only when he came to his senses did he realize that he was hearing celestial music.
He suppressed the overwhelming joy in his heart, but finally couldn't help but reach out and take Jiang Zhi's hand, which was on the table, into his own palm, gently stroking it. "Of course you can."
His hands were large, calloused from years of holding a pen, and could easily completely envelop her hand.
His earlier anxiety vanished without a trace, and he felt as if he were immersed in a honey pot.
The young lady said she wanted to live with him, does that mean she likes him?
She is willing to be close to him, willing to spend her life with him, and willing to bear his children...
Before his thoughts could settle, Jiang Zhi's voice continued to echo in the cabin, "Also, I don't want to have any children after we get married."
Shen Ci'an was stunned.
He knew that childbirth was a life-or-death ordeal for women, and the slightest mistake could result in the death of both mother and child.
Even if the fetus is born, it will cause significant damage to the mother's body.
It's understandable that a young lady of noble birth would fear childbirth.
If she really doesn't want to, I really can't bear to force her.
Jiang Zhi interpreted Shen Ci'an's brief pause as hesitation.
Yes, Shen Ci'an is a man and an official in the court. With so many eyes watching him, how could he possibly accept having no offspring?
Jiang Zhi sighed, "I know this is putting you in a difficult position, so if you take in concubines or maids after we get married, and they have children born out of wedlock, I will definitely treat them as my own and will not be jealous."
As she uttered those words, Shen Ci'an's tenderness faded, and he felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cave, his blood frozen solid, ready to crumble into powder at the slightest touch.
What did she say?
Should he be allowed to take concubines and maids?
To let him have children with other women?
And she doesn't even get jealous?
Shen Ci'an almost burst out laughing in disbelief, but her face remained stiff as she forcefully suppressed her expression. Her voice squeezed out from between her teeth, "The young lady isn't even married yet, and she already wants to take in concubines and maids for me?"
Jiang Zhi felt a little uncomfortable under his cryptic gaze.
Why did Shen Ci'an not only not feel relieved, but seem angry instead?
She said that entirely for his sake.
Even after deciding to marry Shen Ci'an, she never imagined that she would be with him for life.
Feelings are fickle, and people's hearts are unpredictable.
She doesn't doubt the vows made in the heat of the moment, but she also knows that as time goes by, all that's left after the love fades is a mess.
Just like my father and mother.
They had a sweet period when they got married, but it didn't affect the fact that the father later secretly had an affair with Wang Yuru and even had a daughter with her.
"Rest assured, my lord, now that I have decided to marry you, I will do my best to consider everything for you."
What a thoughtful consideration!
This was the first time he had realized that the young lady was such a virtuous and generous person.
Shen Ci'an almost ground his teeth to powder, and unconsciously tightened his grip on Jiang Zhi's hand.
Only when Jiang Zhi cried out in pain did he seem to wake from a dream and let go of her hand, his expression bitter, as if he had swallowed a handful of bitter herbs.
But what can he do?
This marriage agreement was something he had obtained by half-coaxing and half-tricking the young lady after discovering her personality.
How could you possibly ask for more?
His heart ached terribly. Looking at Jiang Zhi's innocent, even slightly boastful face, he forced a smile and said, "Thank you for thinking of me, Miss."
He then dared not look at Jiang Zhi's face any longer and fled her room as if escaping.
He felt as if his spine had been suddenly removed, and even breathing became difficult and labored.
He had come to the deck to get some fresh air and relieve the pent-up frustration in his heart, but unexpectedly, he encountered someone on the deck whom he didn't want to see at all.
"Lord Shen." Lu Yuan was enjoying the breeze on the deck when he saw Shen Ci'an approaching, and his originally relaxed expression turned cold.
Shen Ci'an nodded in acknowledgment, but at the moment his mind was in turmoil and he had no time to think about anything else. Just as he was about to avoid Lu Yuan and go to another place, he suddenly saw what Lu Yuan was holding in his palm.
Shen Ci'an's expression suddenly changed.
His already pale face became even paler.
“This is…” He stared intently at Lu Yuan’s hand, as if he wanted to burn a hole in it.
Although most of the object was held in Lu Yuan's palm, a cyan corner was still visible, covered with layers of brown and gold threads, forming a familiar eagle claw.
Although so much time has passed, Shen Ci'an has an excellent memory. Even if he had only glanced at it briefly back then, he would not have mistaken it.
This is a sachet that Jiang Zhi originally intended to give to him when he achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, but she took it back.
Why has it ended up in Lu Yuan's hands now?
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