Chapter 11

At this moment, Shen Shuangning heard someone calling Miss Song, so she turned her head.

Song Xizhi wore a lotus-pink traditional Chinese dress, as always gentle and charming.

She first smiled at Shen Shuangning and Shen Ling, then seemed to notice something, so her gaze swept past them and landed on someone, her eyes instantly turning gentle.

Shen Shuangning was quite clear about whom Song Xizhi had seen.

In her previous life, Shen Shuangning had met Xiao Jingyuan right here.

The Yan Prince's Manor heir apparent merely stood in the crowd, bearing an excellent appearance and extraordinary aura, easily outshining the other noble youths.

A gentleman is like jade, unmatched in the world.

Every woman present was stunned and drawn in; Shen Shuangning was no exception.

She merely needed to be more naive.

At that time Xiao Jingyuan also looked over in that way, but she mistakenly thought he was looking at her, interested in her, and therefore secretly rejoiced for a long time.

Afterwards she fell deeply in, inquiring about his preferences, monitoring his movements; even though he treated her with extreme coldness, she ignored it completely, like a moth flying into flame.

It turned out to be wrong from the start.

He was not looking at her, the person he liked was not her, but Song Xizhi.

Shen Shuangning's fingers hidden in her sleeve slightly curled, and she lowered her eyes.

Shortly after, she exhaled a turbid breath.

Familiarity bred ease; Shen Shuangning concealed her emotions well, and no one noticed her oddness.

In this life, she would no longer entangle herself with Xiao Jingyuan; could he and Song Xizhi still achieve fruition?

Shen Shuangning no longer cared.

She withdrew her gaze, no longer paying attention to the horse field over there, unaware that someone's gaze had never left her since she appeared.

"Whose young lady is this? She looks like a celestial being."

"Which one are you talking about? That's the granddaughter of Grand Secretary Song, the eldest daughter of the Song family."

"How could I not know the Song family's eldest daughter? No need for you to tell me; I'm speaking of another celestial being."

"You mean her? She's the daughter of Eldest Young Master Shen, the Fourth Miss of the Shen family."

Upon hearing that, this person was immediately shocked: "Does Shen Xiuci have such a beautiful sister?"

No man can resist beauty; seeing a lovely woman, it's inevitable to stir some thoughts. Moreover, she is a miss of the Dukedom Manor, undoubtedly adding another halo.

The young masters were all drawn in by the gaze of those ladies over there.

Someone noticed that the heir apparent Xiao was also looking, but his expression showed not the slightest change.

One couldn't help but feel that this might be what people often say: those who achieve great things do not drown in lust.

Just as the young masters were chattering about the Dukedom Manor misses, a tall figure riding up on horseback blocked their view.

"What are you looking at?" Xie Lin glanced at them coldly.

"Young, Young Marquis." The young master who had just been scheming about the Fourth Miss stammered instantly.

Xie Lin sized him up, then suddenly snorted coldly: "You don't even measure your own worth—do you really think you can harbor designs on the Dukedom Manor miss?"

This young master's face flushed alternately green and white.

Xie Lin's gaze swept over the others: "Are you here to look at the ladies, or to compete? Get lost, quickly."

The crowd looked somewhat displeased, but ultimately dared not provoke him, muttering as they dispersed.

On this side, Song Xizhi and Shen Shuangning walked side by side.

"Last time we enjoyed the snow, why didn't I see Younger Sister Ning?"

Song Xizhi is the same age as Shen Miaoyun, two years her elder.

Song Xizhi was close with Shen Miaoyun, but Shen Shuangning was merely ordinary to her, so she politely replied: "I just felt a bit unwell, so I didn't join the bustle."

"But is it because of that previous incident that your health hasn't recovered?" Song Xizhi asked.

Shen Shuangning replied: "Not really; perhaps I caught a chill, but I'm much better now, Elder Sister Song need not worry."

Song Xizhi remained her gentle self; after expressing concern for a moment, someone called her away.

Following behind Song Xizhi, Song Yao glanced coldly as she passed Shen Shuangning, then muttered: "A petty clown, don't think that dressing up alluringly will make the heir apparent like you."

Song Yao had walked far away before saying that; Shen Shuangning did not hear those words.

"Older Sister isn't coming today?" The sunlight was a bit glaring; Shen Ling raised her sleeve to shield her eyes and looked around.

Shen Miaoyun did not come today; she is resting at home to nurture the fetus.

But Zhao Lian had arrived, not far off, leading a blood-sweat precious horse.

Yet he delayed mounting, seemingly engaged in an inner struggle.

Previously Zhao Lian was merely a spectator, but this time, as the heir apparent of the Loyal and Brave Marquis Manor, he must share the manor's honor and disgrace, so he cannot naturally shirk it.

Because of his wife Shen Miaoyun's connection, Zhao Lian'an is with the Duke's mansion team, so they can look after each other.

In past polo matches, the Prince Yan's mansion always took first place; now that Xiao Jingyuan has returned, there is no doubt this championship will surely belong to the Prince Yan's mansion.

Seeing Shen Xiushi and Shen Er full of fighting spirit, Zhao Lian'an felt a surge of unease and guilt; he is not skilled at horseback riding, much less polo, and if he were to drag others down because of him, how embarrassing would that be?

Zhao Lian'an turned his back to the crowd, feeling both annoyed and resentful toward the surrounding clamor.

Why is he the one to become the heir? If he weren't the heir, he wouldn't have to bear these burdens.

He really wants to escape, but he cannot get away.

Not far away, Shen Shuangning looked at Zhao Lian'an with a solemn expression.

She remembered that in her previous life, her brother-in-law had fallen from his horse along the way, thereby breaking a leg.

Her elder sister had worried about this for a long time.

It is probably because of this that her elder sister worried excessively, ultimately suffering an unfortunate miscarriage.

No matter what, she ought to find a way to avoid this hidden danger.

The ladies' etiquette competition on this side still had to wait for the Grand Princess to arrive; Shen Shuangning thought for a moment, then lifted her foot and walked toward Zhao Lian'an.

"Brother-in-law."

Zhao Lian'an heard the familiar voice, froze for a moment, and quickly hid the expression on his face.

"Ningning, how did you come here?"

The lady had carefully dressed herself, a floral ornament drawn on her forehead, her brows and eyes like stars, seven parts charming, three parts alluring—utterly different from the sweet little girl in his memory who only ever called him brother-in-law.

Zhao Lian'an involuntarily swallowed his saliva.

Even though Shen Ling was also beside him, he only saw her.

Shen Shuangning furrowed her brow slightly, thinking of her elder sister, she patiently said: "Wei Changqing often uses underhanded tactics; brother-in-law, you must be careful of him and stay away."

Having said that, she was about to leave.

Zhao Lian'an reacted, raised his hand as if to detain her, then realized it was improper, quickly lowered it, and asked:

"Wait a moment, how do you know Wei Changqing will use underhanded tactics?"

Shen Shuangning said: "Brother-in-law, you just need to listen to me; I won't harm you."

Zhao Lian'an looked full of doubt.

Shen Shuangning, however, did not want to stay longer with him, turned and left.

Just then, an accident suddenly occurred.

A polo ball flew in from the side.

This ball was solid; if it hit someone, it would surely leave a bruise of black and blue.

Shen Shuangning couldn't react in time and instinctively closed her eyes.

A neighing of horses came from her ears.

The imagined pain did not appear.

She hesitantly opened her eyes, and upon seeing who it was, she was startled.

Xiao Jingyuan sat on horseback, one hand holding the reins, the other gripping the polo ball, his brow bone sharp as a knife carving jade, he glanced at her lightly, lips slightly parted.

"The drill ground is dangerous; Fourth Miss, you'd better not set foot there."

The horse was extremely close, its hot breath spraying onto her face.

Shen Shuangning hadn't expected to see Xiao Jingyuan; as she hastily stepped back, she stumbled slightly, but Shen Ling, quick-eyed and quick-handed, steadied her.

After Shen Shuangning steadied herself, she then thanked him: "Thank you, Heir Apparent, for your rescue." She kept her head lowered, not daring to look at him.

Xiao Jingyuan remained silent, still aloof.

Zhao Lian'an hurried over, concerned: "Ningning, are you alright?"

Shen Ling was also frightened, her face turned pale: "Elder sister, are you okay?"

"... I'm fine." Shen Shuangning shook her head, still somewhat shaken.

She did not want to linger with Xiao Jingyuan, hurried away, her retreating figure seeming to flee in defeat.

Zhao Lian'an felt worried, but it was not proper to chase after her to look.

He withdrew his gaze, looked up at the person on horseback, and flattered: "I have long heard of the fame of Master Xiao; I hope that in the competition, the Master will show mercy."

Who would have thought Xiao Jingyuan would lightly say: "Who are you?"

"I am Zhao Lian'an of the Loyal and Brave Marquis's manor." Zhao Lian'an wore a three-part obsequious smile.

Although both are heirs apparent, there are distinctions of rank; eighteen Zhao Lian'ans would still not be enough to be seen in Xiao Jingyuan's eyes, so he deliberately concealed his identity as the heir of the marquis's manor to avoid disgracing himself.

Xie Lin had just gone to look for Xiao He, only then learning that Shen Shuangning had almost been hit by the polo ball; but by the time he rushed over, Shen Shuangning had already left.

Xie Lin glanced at Shen Shuangning's retreating back, then noticed Zhao Lian'an's gaze toward her, and his expression suddenly darkened.

If he remembered correctly, Zhao Lian'an was Shen Shuangning's brother-in-law.

At this moment, a young master rushed over, panicked: "I, I didn't do it on purpose; I didn't know there was anyone here."

This person was named Dong Zhuo; the polo ball was thrown by him; just now he was playing rough with another young master, not intending to hit anyone.

Seeing that Master Xiao had intercepted the polo ball he had hit, he hesitated for a long time before daring to come over.

The next moment, the polo ball struck his chest, causing him to stagger several steps.

Dong Zhuo stared, dumbfounded, and lifted his head.

"If you're blind, go get it treated." Xiao Jingyuan said coldly, then rode away.

Dong Zhuo remained stunned in place.

Xiao He said: "You idiot, the Master meant the person you should apologize to is the young lady who was almost injured by your ball, not him."

Only then did Dong Zhuo react, stammering: "I, I will go apologize to that young lady right away!"

"Wait." Xie Lin spoke up.

Dong Zhuo looked at him, doubtful and uneasy; these three people, he could not afford to offend any of them.

Xie Lin said: "You're going to apologize to the Fourth Miss like this?"

Dong Zhuo lowered his head and saw that his clothes were all dirty; going to see the young lady like that would indeed be rude.

"I'll go clean up right away!" Dong Zhuo clasped his hands and then left.

Xiao Jingyuan and Xiao He had already ridden off; Xie Lin remained where he was, glanced at Zhao Lian'an, and said loudly: "The polo match is about to start soon; Master Zhao, won't you mount up to get familiar with the horse?"

Men all care about face; Zhao Lian'an swallowed his saliva and, with a burst of effort, clambered up.

But before he could sit steady, the horse beneath him nervously kicked its hooves, making the already fearful Zhao Lian'an panic instantly, and he hurriedly clung to the horse's neck.

Xie Lin seemingly kindly said: "Master Zhao, don't panic; just coax it, the more you panic, the less it will obey you."

Zhao Lian'an, unsuspecting, truly began to coax the horse.

"Good horse, although we have just met, I hope we can get along well..."

Suddenly a loud laugh rang in his ears; Zhao Lian'an looked at Xie Lin, puzzled.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I was just saying it casually, but you actually believed it?"

Zhao Lian'an finally realized he was being teased, and instantly flew into a rage out of embarrassment: "How dare you......"

Xie Lin's smile vanished, and he said harshly: "If you dare to look at the Fourth Miss with that kind of gaze again, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't gouge out your eyes!"

After returning to the tent, Shen Shuangning belatedly realized.

How could Xiao Jingyuan recognize her as the Fourth Miss?