Chapter 116

The two inside the tent didn't know Xie Lin was outside; Qing Yun wanted to remind him, but saw Xie Lin raise his hand, gesturing for him to stay quiet.

Seeing this, Qing Yun thought, after all his master had no intention of keeping it secret; the young marquis would find out sooner or later, so he kept his mouth shut, merely stealing glances at Xie Lin's expression.

Everyone knows the young marquis is spoiled and ill-tempered; no one knows what mood he's in now.

All that could be seen on Xie Lin's face besides fatigue was a cloud of gloom, his fists clenched tight.

Qing Yun secretly worried for his master, fingertips quietly pressing on the sword sheath, ready for any need.

Inside the tent, the Yan Princess Consort exclaimed in surprise, "You don't like that Miss Song anymore?"

Xiao Jingyuan slowly furrowed his brows: "My son never liked her to begin with."

The Yan Princess Consort widened her eyes, somewhat astonished: "But I see you treat her differently from other women; I thought you were also pleased."

"I am pleased, but not fond of her." Xiao Jingyuan said without hesitation.

It was merely obeying his parents' order and the matchmaker's words; since the Song family and the Yan Manor were discussing marriage, he treated her as his future wife, thus showing a little more patience and difference. With another woman, he would do the same, but it had nothing to do with liking her.

Moreover, Song Xizhi's temperament did not annoy him; the lady was quite learned, and with the Yan Princess Consort's approval and urgent urging, he had no objection to this marriage.

Back then he never imagined he would later take charge of the Surveillance Office, remain in Jingcheng, and encounter so many incidents.

He thought he would still leave Jingcheng for the Northern Border, so he wanted to marry a princess consort-approved heiress consort; after all, barring mishaps, he rarely returned, and a harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship would keep the household peaceful.

If he unfortunately died in battle, the capability of the Song family's lady would also be able to manage the Yan Manor well.

That was his original idea.

And now, with his past-life memories mostly restored, Xiao Jingyuan still remembers A Heng's blood-curdling question after Shen Shuangning's death: "If my young lady won't divorce, must we wait for the heir to bring back Song Xizhi to humiliate her?!"

Shen Shuangning wanted to divorce him, and it was all because of Song Xizhi.

The Princess Consort's driving Shen Shuangning to death was likely also related to Song Xizhi, making her mistakenly believe he intended to marry Song Xizhi.

Xiao Jingyuan raised his hand, his pale fingertips pressing on his brow bone, veiling a shadow and pain in the depths of his eyes, though this ache lay hidden, continuous and unending.

In his past life, no one was at fault; the fault was his, for he had not arranged things properly, causing a series of misunderstandings. He could also not blame the Princess Consort.

Seeing him thus, the Princess Consort no longer mentioned Song Xizhi, for she was about to marry into the Eastern Palace as the Crown Prince's concubine, and her fate with Xiao Jingyuan was completely severed.

The Princess Consort sighed and asked again, "Then when did you start liking her?"

She was referring to Shen Shuangning.

Xiao Jingyuan only said, "I've liked her for a long time."

The Yan Princess Consort really wanted to ask, "How early is 'early'? Why didn't you say so sooner? Otherwise I wouldn't have had to refuse the Duke's Manor!"

But saying more would be useless; the Yan Princess Consort could only steady herself, adjust her splendid sleeves, and say, "Do you know that the Xie and Shen families are already discussing a marriage? They've already exchanged birth characters."

All that could be seen was Xiao Jingyuan lowering his hand, wrist resting on his knee, fingertips dangling like one sitting in meditation; after a long while he softly replied, "I know."

The Yan Princess Consort unconsciously lowered her voice: "You're on such good terms with Young Marquis Xie; how could you like her? Among the noble ladies of the capital, so many—why fix your thoughts on her? Once Lord Xie finds out, what will he think?"

She had practically watched the two boys grow up together; toward Xie Lin, she even felt closer than to the mansion's second young master.

She certainly didn't want the two to turn against each other over a woman—that would be too...

Thinking thus, the Yan Princess Consort couldn't help but feel a bit of displeasure toward Fourth Miss Shen, her carefully drawn brows slightly furrowed.

A woman born that gorgeous inevitably brings trouble.

Xiao Jingyuan lifted his gaze to the Yan Princess Consort, furrowed his brows, and said, "She hasn't done anything wrong; the problem is mine." His tone already held a hint of coldness.

The Yan Princess Consort heard the protective intent in his words, paused, her face a little embarrassed: "I haven't blamed her. Just......"

Xiao Jingyuan had already cut her off: "In these troubled times, I still have important matters to attend to; I'll have someone see you back."

The Yan Princess Consort looked at his still somewhat pale face, wanted to speak but held back, and ultimately said nothing.

This child has always been like this since childhood—not overly intimate with anyone, always seeming to have a barrier; this feeling has become ever more apparent.

But what else could she be dissatisfied with? He's already quite outstanding.

The Yan Princess Consort sighed in her heart and didn't linger any longer.

Upon leaving, she saw Xie Lin outside the tent and couldn't help but stare.

Xie Lin, however, had already composed himself, clasped his hands in a salute.

"Ah Lin has come."

The Yan Princess Consort didn't know when Xie Lin had arrived, nor how much he had heard from outside, and wanted to say something.

But seeing Xie Lin's expression normal, and unable to tell whether he had heard or not, she feared that speaking more would ruin things.

Anyway, since it was Xiao Jingyuan who caused this, let him settle it himself!

The Yan Princess Consort exchanged a few words with Xie Lin about the recent situation of the Xie family.

The matter of the Xie family's rebel traitors was almost common knowledge; for a time, memorials like snowflakes were delivered to Emperor Xuwen, some pleading, some impeaching.

Only Emperor Xuwen, citing poor health, stayed away from court for several days, pressing all those memorials down; no one could guess his attitude toward the Xie family, nor what he truly intended.

Zhai Ji had already returned safely; outside, everyone said it was Marquis Yongning Xie Yongnian who rescued him from the rebels.

But Zhai Ji didn't seem to see it that way; at the time he was still making a fuss, wanting to storm the palace and lodge a complaint against the Xie family with Emperor Xuwen.

However, Emperor Xuwen didn't receive him, only seeing Grand Tutor Pei.

No one knows what Grand Tutor Pei said to Zhai Ji; afterward Zhai Ji returned obediently, and to this day remains hidden in his imperial prince's residence, never showing his face again.

Logically, Marquis Yongning's rescuing the imperial prince should count as merit to atone for his crimes, but Emperor Xuwen never summoned the marquis for a single day, and the Xie family's crisis remained unresolved.

It was as if an unsheathed sword hung over the Xie family's heads, leaving everyone uneasy.

The Yan Princess Consort looked at the gaunt youth before her and couldn't help but feel pity.

She was unaware of the circumstances, only feeling that Xie Lin had changed greatly overnight, becoming more steady, yet as if suppressing something, no longer possessing his former spirited vigor.

The boy would inevitably grow up, but this kind of growth was all too cruel.

"I heard your father is ill—how serious is it?" the Yan Wangfei asked with concern.

The Xie family is facing this calamity; they should not just wait for destruction, yet the Yongning Marquis, who is the family's main pillar, has fallen ill and even shut his doors to guests, showing a passive, world-weary attitude.

Even outsiders who want to help don't know where to begin.

As for the Xie family's collateral uncles, they were even more hypocritical. Almost as soon as the incident happened, they rushed to draw a clear line with the Yongning Marquis line, fearing implication.

Thus, the burden almost entirely fell on Xie Lin alone.

These past days, Xie Lin has been running around for family affairs, inevitably looking exhausted and haggard; even a faint blue-gray stubble has sprouted on his clean-cut, knife-like chin.

"Thank you for your concern, Consort, there's no serious problem." Xie Lin replied.

The Consort of the Yan Prince could only comfort: "His Majesty is your maternal uncle; he will surely remember this affection and will not exterminate the Xie family. Besides, even if the sky falls, your father will bear it—don't overburden yourself."

If spoken aloud, probably no one would believe it—now the Yongning Marquis simply doesn't care whether the Xie family survives or perishes.

Xie Lin lowered his eyes and whispered softly: "Let's hope so."

After the Consort of the Yan Prince left, Xie Lin stepped into the camp tent and saw Xiao Jingyuan seated at the place of honor, as if waiting for him to enter.

Xie Lin, however, did not mention Shen Shuangning, but instead began discussing official matters with Xiao Jingyuan, as if he knew nothing.

Xiao Jingyuan, however, could read a few clues from his expression; they understood each other all too well.

After Xie Lin left, Qingyun cautiously said to him: "The Young Marquis has been outside all along and heard everything."

Xiao Jingyuan raised his brows at the words, but it was not particularly surprising.

His fingertips rested lightly on the armrest, tapping gently, his eyes deep and unfathomable, unknown what he was thinking.

Qingyun couldn't understand—how could the Young Marquis act as if nothing had happened, without losing his temper? This was utterly unlike Xie Lin!

Meanwhile, after Shen Shuangning returned to the Duke's residence, Lady Liu led her to the Hall of Virtue, in Grandmother Shen's courtyard.

Shen Shuangning had a faint premonition, guessing that her grandmother was about to bring up her marriage.

Indeed, as soon as she sat down, the old lady got straight to the point: "Ning Yatou, I know you and the heir of the Marquis's residence have deep affection, but the Xie family itself can barely hold on now; the Duke's residence cannot get dragged into this muddy water, so your marriage may not come to pass."

Shen Shuangning lowered her gaze and said softly: "Granddaughter understands."

Seeing her low spirits, the old lady sighed, took something from beside her, and placed it on the table.

"It's not that Grandma is cruelly trying to separate you; this birth character slip was returned by the Marquis's residence a few days ago."

Shen Shuangning blinked in surprise, lifting her eyes to look at that birth character slip.

Whether commoners or aristocrats, when discussing a marriage they must exchange birth character slips, ask a geomancer or elder to match the marriage, check whether the eight characters compat; only if the eight characters match can they proceed to discuss the proposal.

Once the step of exchanging birth character slips is reached, other families, no matter how much they might want to, can no longer interfere.

Shen Shuangning had been busy with other matters before and never got around to asking whether her and Xie Lin's eight characters matched, but by now, asking again would be meaningless.

Looking at this birth character slip, which was returned a few days ago, it must be the second day after Xie Lin and she had spoken openly.

Xie Lin returned this birth character slip proactively, fearing she would be implicated by the Xie family's misfortune.

Moreover, by doing so, the Duke's residence would not have to bear the reputation of being heartless and unjust.

He always thinks of her; reflecting on this, Shen Shuangning couldn't help but be moved, her eyes reddening slightly.

After leaving the Hall of Virtue, Shen Shuangning racked her brains, thinking about what she could do to help Xie Lin.

This life is ultimately different from the previous one; she cannot foresee the future.

In the previous life, although the Yongning Marquis's residence also ended poorly, outsiders did not know that Xie Yan had colluded with the rebels; although the Marquis's residence declined, it never fell into such a peril threatening its very survival.

Shen Shuangning then thought of Xie Yan, this very crucial figure; as if recalling something, she suddenly felt a chill surge up from her feet.

Xiao Jingyuan had once told Xie Yan the title "Recluse of the Hidden Machine Mountain".

And coincidentally, in her previous life she had unintentionally heard this title at the Prince Rui's residence!