Chapter 36

Xie Lin and Fourth Miss Shen rode together on a white horse to the riverbank.

After Xie Lin dismounted first, he then helped Shen Shuangning down.

Today Xie Lin wore a scarlet outfit with silver-threaded dark-patterned cloak, suave and debonair, while Fourth Miss Shen donned a crimson lotus‑shaped skirt, its hue bright and vivid, like a lotus rising from the water.

As they stood side by side, a gentle breeze lifted the lady's skirt, which intertwined with Xie Lin's cloak, weaving a scene of alluring charm.

A talented man and a beautiful woman, they made a fine match.

Xiao Jingyuan's gaze fell on the two; his fingers twitched slightly, and a subtle unease rose in his heart, as if something were slipping beyond his control.

But he was habitually impassive, and now his face showed only indifference.

Wang Huanzi sat at the lower seat, lifted his eyes, and silently scrutinized the newly appointed commandant before him, unable to fathom his thoughts.

Xiao Jingyuan had already withdrawn his gaze, then tossed him a few banknotes: "There's a concealed underground gambling den at Drunken Clouds Tower; go there and gamble—any winnings or losses are yours."

Wang Huanzi's fingers trembled slightly, his throat churned violently, and he stared at the eight‑hundred‑tael silver notes; two flames of greedy fire ignited in his cloudy eyes—not the look of a man eyeing money, but the frenzy of a hungry ghost spying blood food.

He hastily shoved the notes into his belt, his smile obsequious to the extreme: "Many, many thanks, sir—I'll see to it properly!"

Su Chen glanced at him, a fleeting disgust crossing his eyes.

Wang Huanzi was a thoroughgoing gambler who had long since lost his fortune, driven away his wife and children, and only after gambling away the money for his mother's medical expenses did he, in a daze following her funeral, finally calm down for a while.

Employing such a person carries risk, but only thus can one lure the great fish hidden beneath the water.

The boat docked, and Wang Huanzi together with the others took their leave, leaving only Xiao Jingyuan, Su Chen, and Xiao He still aboard.

Seeing that Xiao Jingyuan had no intention of disembarking, Su Chen leaned back lazily and said, "Since we have nothing else to do today, let's enjoy this spring scenery together."

Having received the order, the boatman gently rowed to the opposite side of the lake.

Shen Shuangning was unaware of Xiao Jingyuan's presence, nor did she look toward the lake.

She shielded Shen Ling behind her, her fair as snow, frost‑defying face flashing with anger, and she coldly demanded of the equally disheveled Wei Chun: "Ah Ling would never strike someone without cause, Miss Wei—please give me an explanation."

When Wei Chun met Shen Shuangning's icy almond eyes, her heart jolted, and she felt an inexplicable fear.

Strange—she is clearly younger, yet how could she possess such an awe‑inspiring gaze?

Wei Chun turned her face away guiltily, glaring at Shen Ling and said, "I did nothing; she struck first!"

Shen Ling flared, "It's clearly you who schemed against my elder sister behind her back! Miss Lin, you were there then—say something!"

Seeing everyone's gaze turn to her, Lin Wanrong glanced at Shen Shuangning, her voice fading: "I… I… I don't know anything—don't ask me."

Wei Chun's lips curled slightly.

"You…" Shen Ling's eyes widened; she hadn't expected Lin Wanrong to shield Wei Chun: "Miss Lin, you clearly heard it just now!"

She didn't want to repeat Wei Chun's words, for they were truly unpleasant.

Lin Wanrong sensed Xie Lin's gaze upon her, dared not meet his eyes, and whispered softly: "No matter what, striking someone is wrong; Fifth Miss should apologize to Miss Wei."

As soon as she saw someone backing her, Wei Chun gained confidence and immediately turned the tables: "Yes, my Wei household may not match the grandeur of your Duke's residence, but you cannot simply bully people. Look—this is the upbringing of the Duke's daughter?"

Xie Lin furrowed his brows; although he did not know who this Miss Wei was, he despised troublemakers who stirred up strife and meddled unreasonably, especially since she had harmed someone he held dear.

Xie Lin could not tolerate it.

Yet Shen Shuangning glanced at him, signalling him not to intervene.

Xie Lin paused; out of respect for her, he folded his arms and watched from the side, though he silently noted the Wei household in his mind.

Recently the Shen daughters had shone in the ladies' etiquette contest, both Shen Ling and Shen Shuangning receiving jade tokens bestowed by the Elder Princess; naturally some took offence. Now, after Wei Chun's twisting of truth and falsehood, they felt even more that the Shen ladies lacked virtue to deserve their status.

A noble lady of the Duke's residence, a paragon of etiquette, actually relied on her status to bully outsiders, striking and berating other young ladies.

If this were to spread, the loss would be more than just the Duke's face—it would also bring shame upon the Elder Princess!

Wei Chun thought, "Best to let the Elder Princess know; perhaps, in her anger, she would rescind the honors granted to the Shen ladies."

Who would have thought Shen Shuangning would suddenly step forward two paces and slap Wei Chun across the face?

Everyone was startled by her sudden move; Wei Chun also froze, momentarily unable to react.

Shen Shuangning spoke coldly: "Wei Chun, last time at the ladies' etiquette contest you repeatedly framed me and Ah Ling—do you truly think you covered your tracks flawlessly? Lady Pei was merciful, she did not expose you on the spot, preserving your and the Wei family's dignity. Moreover, out of respect for your uncle Wei and my father being colleagues, I did not press the matter."

"But that does not mean I will tolerate your repeated wickedness; how you scheme against me behind the scenes I do not care, yet you must not offend the residence of the Duke of Rong—that is my red line."

Wei Chun covered her face, her mouth twitching, forced back two steps by Shen Shuangning's aura.

Fourth Miss Shen struck before everyone, yet her ladylike bearing remained utterly unblemished—her waist and back straight as a bamboo shoot, the lotus embroidery on her cuffs fluttering down with her motion, which only made the shrinking Wei Chun beside her look all the more slumped and shoulders hunched, like a filthy, wretched clown.

How strange it is: seeing Fourth Miss Shen's aggressive demeanor, one feels that a beauty's wrath ought to be just this—almost as if whatever Fourth Miss Shen does is right.

Xie Lin had been standing aside, watching her forthright and decisive manner as she left the villain powerless to retaliate, and he felt rather proud.

But then, glancing around, he saw those scions of the great families also eyeing Shen Shuangning with subtle looks, and his face instantly fell, his brows knitting deeply.

This, too, was not good.

Shen Shuangning paid no heed to others' thoughts; she finally warned Wei Chun: "The previous lesson was not deep enough; today I will plainly tell you—if you dare offend me again, it will no longer be a petty squabble among juniors, but a matter between the Duke's residence and the Wei household."

The precincts of Jingcheng are small, the great clans intertwined like roots; juniors' petty squabbles are mere tea‑time gossip, but should it rise to a feud between mansions, it becomes a major affair that moves the whole body with a single thread.

Take Xie Lin and Shen Xiuci, for example—even if they privately clash like needle against chaff, fighting until dark, a single remark about "youthful vigor" can smooth it over; it would never allow the affection and fundamental interests of the Shen and Xie houses to suffer damage.

A tiny Wei household would certainly not offend the Duke of Rong's residence over a scandal‑ridden miss; by then, Wei Chun would likely not even find a grave to weep at.

Shen Shuangning is the sole legitimate daughter of the Duke of Rong; her words are no joke.

Wei Chun's face blanched; she plopped down on the ground, not knowing whether she felt wronged or afraid, tears streaming down.

She had thought Shen Shuangning a soft persimmon, but she turned out to be an iron plate—even harsher than Song Xizhi!

The onlooking young gentlemen and ladies now understood as well, their gazes toward Wei Chun completely changed.

It turned out this Miss Wei had long been unruly, indeed framing other ladies in the etiquette contest—no wonder she received such severe punishment.

Truly, she brought it upon herself and cannot go on.

Young ladies of noble houses may harbor scheming and ambition, but they must not be vicious; Wei Chun's petty conduct is disgraceful.

Having finished admonishing Wei Chun, Shen Shuangning withdrew her gaze coldly, too disinclined to notice others' expressions, and took Shen Ling's hand as she left.

Having spoken thus today, she surely has offended Wei Chun to the death—but what of it?

At least from now on, if Wei Chun wants to cause trouble again, she'll have to weigh it—can she bear the consequences?

Xie Ling was about to follow up when Lin Wanrong's expression panicked and she hurriedly called out to him.

"Young master!"

Xie Ling turned his head and saw Lin Wanrong, tears in her eyes, say: "I didn't know Miss Wei was this bad."

Xie Ling raised his hand and coldly interrupted: "Miss Lin, you don't need to explain to me; I don't want to hear it."

He's not stupid either.

Just now he saw clearly: Miss Wei must have spoken ill of Ning Ning to Lin Wanrong, and accidentally Shen Ling overheard; Shen Ling struck out at Wei Chun to protect her older sister.

Lin Wanrong clearly knew the situation, yet she didn't speak up—how is that not being an accomplice?

Xie Ling looked at Lin Wanrong's gradually paling face, not wanting to speak too harshly to a lady; after mounting his horse, he looked down at Wei Chun and said: "I've always had a bad temper, and I'm not one who cherishes fragrance and jade; Shen Xiu's sister is my sister—if you dare cause trouble again, Lord Wei won't be able to protect you."

Wei Chun shrank back, frightened.

Xie Ling's words were also meant for the others; with him backing Shen Shuangning, those who wanted to gossip would have to think twice.

Xie Ling also glanced at those aristocratic young masters whose eyes were still glued to Shen Shuangning, displeased: "What's there to watch in a quarrel between ladies? Hurry up and leave."

Everyone immediately dispersed.

But after Xie Ling walked away, they muttered among themselves.

"Isn't this young marquis always on bad terms with Shen Xiu? Why is he meddling in the affairs of the Rongguo Duke's mansion?"

The person who raised the question was immediately smacked on the head: "Are you missing a brain?"

"Xie Ling isn't doing this for Shen Xiu; he's clearly taken a liking to her sister!"

That person then suddenly understood, but soon felt a bit regretful.

Not only he felt regret; all the young masters felt the same.

To say the ladies by the winding stream were all as lovely as flowers and jade, exceedingly beautiful; but when the Fourth Miss arrived, she was like a bright moon rising, making the pearls lose their luster. Ordinary people would inevitably have some thoughts.

But with Young Master Xie Ling present, they could only think about it.

On the boat, Xiao He watched through the window as Xie Ling followed Shen Shuangning away, and let out a soft hum: "This Fourth Miss Shen really has skills; in the blink of an eye she's got the young marquis all confused."

From a distance, they couldn't hear clearly the argument that had just taken place on the shore, but they could see clearly that Xie Ling was standing on Shen Shuangning's side.

Moreover, the two had arrived sharing a horse; for an unmarried young lord and lady to do so is already improper, making it hard not to speculate.

Xiao Jingyuan heard Xiao He's words, his brows knitting; he still couldn't believe that Xie Ling would like Shen Shuangning.

Isn't the person Xie Ling likes actually the Lin family lady on shore?

But in a flash of thought, the image of Xie Ling's eyes shining and brows smiling when he spoke of his beloved last night crossed his mind.

If that person were Shen Shuangning, then everything would make sense.