Chapter 35

Xiao Jingyuan thought it over, still caring enough to ask: "How far have you and her progressed?"

Xie Lin then assumed Xiao Jingyuan already knew, he clenched his fist and gave a light cough twice, embarrassedly saying: "We haven't even got a dot of the eight characters yet; I'm not in a hurry."

He wants to achieve something, then proudly bring her home as his wife!

"Anyway, the Old Man of the Moon said we are a match made in heaven, perfectly suited; she will only be mine."

Xie Lin lifted his chin, his expression determined to succeed.

Xiao Jingyuan never believed in such ghostly superstitions; hearing that Xie Lin had actually gone specially to draw a love slip, he couldn't help but flash a hint of surprise.

Only then did he recall that last time Xie Lin went to Hanshan Temple together with the Lin family maiden; it's said the temple has a Wan Yuan Treasure Pagoda, and love prayers there are very accurate.

Probably that's when he prayed for it.

It seems the young marquis is serious this time.

I didn't expect Xie Lin to be cold outside but warm inside; when facing Miss Lin he always kept his distance, yet in private he was utterly infatuated with her.

Thinking of Shen Shuangning's face, Xie Lin couldn't help but smile sweetly: "You have no idea how good she is; before I was narrow-minded, misunderstood her a lot, but after really getting along I realized she's not just a pretty vase, she's the most unique woman I've ever met! Calling her a confidante is no exaggeration!"

"A Yuan, once you truly know her, you'll change your opinion of her."

A flicker of confusion passed through Xiao Jingyuan's eyes; he knew little about the Lin family maiden, even forgetting what she actually looked like, and Xie Lin's words seemed to imply he had some dissatisfaction with Miss Lin.

But he didn't think much of it, giving a noncommittal "hng."

Xie Lin: "A Yuan, I will definitely bring her home as my wife."

Xiao Jingyuan couldn't fathom how Xie Lin could have such strong feelings for a woman he'd only known a few months, yet he sincerely blessed him.

"Then may you and your beloved become a couple."

The next day, the weather was fine and bright.

By the Qu Shui lake, the young ladies went out together to enjoy spring and fly kites; the young gentlemen also ran nearby to sketch, admire flowers, boat on the lake, stealing a half-day of leisure.

Laughter and chatter startled a few wild egrets nesting in the reeds.

At that moment, someone noticed a handsome, beautiful youth not far away.

"Hey, isn't that the Xie family's young marquis?"

Lin Wanrong, who was flying a paper kite, heard this, her face stiffened, and she recalled the embarrassment of that day.

Yet someone lacking tact teased her: "Miss Lin, the young marquis must be here for you, right?"

Lin Wanrong still couldn't help but glance at Xie Lin.

Xie Lin wore a scarlet tight outfit, over it a dark-patterned silver-trimmed cape lifted by the wind at one corner, his silver waist belt pulled tight, outlining his lean waist like a bamboo bearing snow.

The youth rode a white horse, crossed the Qu Shui bridge, casually plucked a willow branch and tucked it at the saddle side, the corner of his mouth turning up with a carefree smile, truly attractive.

Xie Lin was born with fine looks; as soon as he appeared, the surrounding young gentlemen were eclipsed, and many noble ladies stole glances.

Lin Wanrong's heart skipped a beat.

She watched Xie Lin walking toward them, and a flicker of hope arose: perhaps he really was coming for her?

However, Xie Lin lightly gripped the horse's belly with his legs and swept straight past them.

Only then did Lin Wanrong notice the pink sachet hanging at his waist, her face instantly paling,

Last time Xie Lin refused her, he had frankly said he already had someone he liked; she had thought it was just an excuse to turn her down, but it turned out he wasn't lying...

Lin Wanrong felt a bit unsteady, her hand loosened, and the paper kite flew away.

Shen Shuangning and Shen Ling had just alighted from the duke's mansion carriage, and from afar they saw Xie Lin riding a horse toward them.

When he drew near, he dismounted.

Shen Shuangning looked at him and said: "You've been waiting a long time, huh?"

Xie Lin smiled: "Not long. Take a look, how's this horse?"

Shen Shuangning assessed the white horse like snow silk, couldn't resist stepping forward to touch it; the horse obediently lowered its head and gently rubbed against her.

Being rubbed made her a little itchy, but her heart grew ever happier.

In her previous life she had envied those lads who could ride and gallop, also wanting to experience the freedom of horsemanship, but lacked the chance; later, when she took an arrow for Xiao Jingyuan, she injured her foundation, her body grew even more frail, and riding a horse became an unattainable luxury.

In this life she will live for herself, live joyfully and freely, making up for all the regrets of her past life!

Xie Lin stared at her unwaveringly and said: "If you can learn to ride, this horse will be yours."

"Really?" Shen Shuangning's eyes shone bright.

The maiden had bright eyes and white teeth, her beauty lovely, even more moving than this spring scenery.

"Really." I'd even give it to you.

Xie Lin thought.

Shen Shuangning broke into a radiant smile: "Then I will surely study hard!"

Xie Lin helped her onto the horse, while he held the reins, walking beside her, patiently and gently guiding her.

This scene fell into the eyes of the noble ladies, who knows how many would have their hearts broken.

Their eyes nearly popped out.

"How could the young marquis be with her?"

"I must be mistaken; isn't the young marquis fond of the Lin family maiden? How is he getting so close to Shen Shuangning, and... actually teaching her to ride!"

This young marquis of the Xie family always does as he pleases; aside from the eldest daughter of the Song manor, Song Xizhi, they had never seen him greet any maiden with a smile, let alone be so attentive!

Hearing the surrounding gossip, Lin Wanrong felt ever more embarrassed; why, of all people, was it Shen Shuangning?

Last time she lost to her in a ladies' etiquette contest, and this time too...

Lin Wanrong, face pale, said: "The young marquis doesn't like me; from now on don't say such things again."

She also resented in her heart: if they hadn't kicked up a fuss at the start, she wouldn't have mistakenly thought the young marquis had feelings for her, causing a big mix-up that made people look down on her.

Lord Lin, who holds considerable position in court, the ladies all give Lin Wanrong face; seeing her displeased, they grudgingly shut up.

Lin Wanrong's paper kite had just accidentally flown away; she had no kite to fly, looking somewhat awkward.

At this moment, Wei Chun handed her his own paper kite.

"Lin sister, let's fly the kite together."

Lin Wanrong showed a grateful smile: "Thank you."

Wei Chun kept her company flying the kite, and gradually her heart felt less heavy.

Wei Chun glanced at the simple Lin Wanrong, rolled his eyes, and said as if offhandedly, "Lin sister, you needn't belittle yourself; you're just not as scheming as Shen Shuangning."

Lin Wanrong blinked: "Elder sister Wei, what do you mean by that?"

Wei Chun curled his lips and said, "Don't you know? She previously tried to cozy up to Prince Yan's mansion, even shamelessly going to the Song residence to hook up with Xiao Jingyuan, but the young master utterly disregarded her."

Lin Wanrong covered her mouth in shock: "Is she really that kind of person?"

"Song Yao told me herself—how could it be false?" Wei Chun gazed at the slender figure riding a horse not far away, a flash of resentment crossing his eyes, and said, "This Shen Shuangning, seeing that her attempt to attach herself to Prince Yan's mansion failed, turned her sights on the Young Marquis."

"Lin sister, I believe the Young Marquis previously liked you, but now he's merely bewitched by a vixen; you must absolutely not let her go."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but recall that day at Hanshan Temple—how coincidental that she and the Young Marquis went to the temple, and Shen Shuangning was there too.

Could it really be as Miss Wei said—that everything was done deliberately by her?

"Who are you saying is the vixen?"

Wei Chun jumped, turning his head to see Shen Ling standing behind him at some point.

Shen Ling's eyes were full of coldness, making Wei Chun inexplicably uneasy.

Just a little maid—what is there to fear?

Wei Chun showed no guilt at being caught, raising her chin and saying, "Whoever is the vixen knows it themselves; an unmarried young lady openly consorting with a gentleman in broad daylight is simply shameless!"

Seeing the crowd gathering, Wei Chun felt pleased—this wasn't the first time she had spread rumors about Shen Shuangning outside.

She wanted Shen Shuangning to lose all reputation and status—who made her cause Wei Chun to lose the qualification for the ladies' etiquette contest, becoming a laughingstock in Jingcheng?

Shen Ling snapped, "Wei Chun, you dare insult my elder sister—I'll fight you to the end!"

Shen Ling lunged forward, knocking Wei Chun to the ground!

Wei Chun was no pushover either, raising a hand to pull Shen Ling's hair; soon they were tangled together, pulling each other's hair, to the astonishment of onlookers.

Shen Shuangning and Xie Lin had walked some distance away, still unaware of what had happened behind them, until Aheng came running to tell her, and then she learned that Wei Chun and Shen Ling had gotten into a quarrel.

Shen Shuangning hurried to go back, and Xie Lin swiftly mounted his horse, grabbing the reins from her hand.

A clear, melodious voice sounded beside her ear.

"Come closer, hold on tight."

Shen Shuangning did as told, shifting back until her back pressed against Xie Lin's chest; he held the reins, as if embracing her—this proximity had already crossed the boundary of proper male-female decorum.

But Shen Shuangning's mind was on Shen Ling at the moment, completely unaware of this.

At that moment, several pleasure boats from the Ruyi Workshop floated on the lake.

Xiao Jingyuan was on the boat discussing matters with several officials.

The commotion on the shore quickly drew their attention.

Young ladies pulling each other's hair was nothing major.

Just as Xiao Jingyuan was about to withdraw his gaze, he seemed to see something, his eyes fixing on the two figures riding swiftly toward him.