Chapter 37

Xiao Jingyuan felt a tightness in his chest, momentarily unsure what he was feeling.

Xie Linhui liking Shen Shuangning is, upon reflection, not surprising.

Miss Shen Si is no ordinary boudoir lady; she has courage and resolve, is loyal and righteous, and has her own ideas—the more one gets to know her, the more easily one is drawn to her.

Her beauty is merely her most ordinary advantage.

Xie Linhui being infatuated with her is only natural—Xiao Jingyuan suddenly froze.

What was he thinking?

This made it seem as if he cared a lot about this matter.

No, he was merely concerned about his own brother.

Xiao Jingyuan thought, but his eyes stared fixedly at the direction Shen Shuangning and Xie Linhui were leaving.

"Does the Second Young Master have a big objection to the Fourth Miss?" Su Chen glanced at Xiao He.

Xiao He recalled the loss he suffered last time at Shen Shuangning's hands, his scalp tightening as he muttered, "I dare not have any objections to that shrew. Frankly, if she stays with the Young Marquis Xie and stops bothering the Prince of Yan's manor, all will be well."

He absolutely did not want such a sister-in-law; it was too terrifying.

Thinking of this, Xiao He again worried for Xiao Jingyuan; the previous mishandling of the Song household affair had left the elder lady dissatisfied with Song Xizhi, making it unlikely the two families could sit down to discuss a marriage alliance.

Moreover, Xiao Jingyuan has now taken on an ungrateful, thankless task for Emperor Xuanwen; these past days he has offended half of the aristocratic families in Jingcheng—who would dare send their daughters his way? Even the Dukedom of Rong would likely avoid the Prince of Yan's manor.

As he was thinking in a jumble, Xiao He caught a glimpse of his elder brother's expression out of the corner of his eye, and his heart gave a sudden thump.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

His elder brother was always steady as an abyss, and Xiao He had never seen him wear such a look before.

This was completely unlike Xiao Jingyuan's usual gaze—it was as if he were watching his beloved being taken away, feeling a bit unwilling, and holding a grudge almost childish in nature, his brows even frosted with a cold chill.

Xiao He was frightened by his own thought.

Su Chen, hearing this, also looked over.

Fortunately, Xiao Jingyuan collected himself quickly; he lowered his eyes, rubbed the teacup, and said in his usual tone, "Xiao He, go back first."

Xiao He stared for a moment: "Ah?"

Xiao Jingyuan lifted his gaze at him, and Xiao He stopped asking further, giving a obedient "Oh."

Soon after, the boatman pulled ashore, and Xiao He walked off muttering to himself.

Su Chen stayed behind.

Xiao Jingyuan stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, his deep eyes fixed ahead, showing no joy or anger: "Wasn't she the one who asked me to find a farming master for her? Go tell her I've found one—let her come see me."

Here, Shen Shuangning brought Shen Ling to the waterside pavilion and tidied her disheveled hair.

Xie Linhui halted his horse not far away, without coming over.

Shen Ling was still indignant: "Elder sister, you didn't hear how foul that Wei Chun's words were! She actually called you a fox spirit, clinging to the Young Marquis and refusing to let go—if such slander were spread, it would be intolerable!"

Shen Shuangning heard it, and her brows didn't twitch at all.

How could she fail to see through Wei Chun's petty little thoughts? Those words seemed light and airy, but were like a soft blade coated in poison.

The world regards a woman's reputation as more important than her life. An ordinary young lady from the inner chambers, if faced with such slander, would either shut herself away in fear, or, in worse cases, seek rope and blade to prove her innocence with death.

But how could Shen Shuangning be such a fragile nature?

In her previous life she had swallowed and chewed up those heart‑rending, vicious remarks; how could she now be frightened by a few mad dogs' barking?

Her reason for publicly reprimanding Wei Chun and exaggerating the matter was also that she feared Wei Chun's extremely vicious nature—today she could be labeled a fox spirit, tomorrow who knows what bloody trick she might pull.

Wei Chun bullies the weak and fears the strong; without a heavy blow to her head, she would never restrain herself.

"From now on, when you see her, keep your distance and don't take her seriously." Shen Shuangning brushed the grass from her head, "Don't be so impulsive from now on."

Shen Ling obediently replied, "Ling will remember."

She touched her head, suddenly noticing something missing, her heart startled: "Elder sister, my hairpin is gone."

Shen Shuangning heard her, looked closely, and indeed a jade hairpin was missing.

"It must have fallen somewhere; we'll look for it later."

Shen Ling glanced at Xie Linhui still standing not far off, and said guiltily, "Sorry, elder sister; originally today you and the Young Marquis were supposed to have a pleasant time, but I've caused you trouble."

Shen Shuangning extended a slender finger and tapped her nose, "Silly girl, how could this be your fault? Besides, I only asked the Young Marquis to teach me horseback riding—don't overthink it."

Shen Ling nodded, then pushed Shen Shuangning forward.

"Elder sister, I'll go look for the jade hairpin myself; you go practice riding with the Young Marquis."

Shen Shuangning was uneasy about Shen Ling, so she had Ah Heng follow her.

The sky was clear and blue, grass grew and warblers flew; even if there were no Wei Chun causing trouble, simply sitting to admire the scenery would be a lovely thing.

With no one else around, Xie Linhui took Shen Shuangning's hand and asked, "Does your hand hurt?"

"No." Shen Shuangning felt a mix of laughter and tears.

"It's not worth getting your hands dirty over a meaningless maid." Xie Linhui's eyes bore a hint of domineering, "She won't appear before you again."

Shen Shuangning's heart skipped a beat: "What are you going to do?"

Seeing her nervous, Xie Linhui smiled and said, "Just have her leave Jingcheng; I won't do anything to her. You did well just now, but if such a petty person isn't rooted out, she'll become a future disaster."

Shen Shuangning shook her head: "Leave a line of retreat when dealing with people; her thoughts are a bit twisted, but not so heinous as to be unforgivable. After this incident, she will speak and act cautiously, and the Wei household will also discipline her properly."

Above all, she did not want to owe Xie Linhui a favor.

Moreover, if Xie Linhui got involved, there's no guarantee the Wei household wouldn't bear a grudge.

"Let this end here; don't act recklessly." Shen Shuangning said earnestly.

"I'll do as you say."

The two stood beneath a willow tree, the docile Korean horse leisurely grazing underneath, while gentle blue ripples lay behind them.

And far off on the blue ripples drifted a boat, upon which stood a tall, slender figure.

Xie Linhui still held her hand, unwilling to let go.

"Do you want to keep practicing?" he asked.

"Mm." Shen Shuangning nodded.

Xie Lin helped her onto the horse, but this time Xie Lin also got on.

He raised his hand and gently grasped her shoulders, guiding her on how to adjust her seating posture, the two of them sitting very close.

Shen Shuangning held the reins in her hand, listening attentively to his instruction; she was an eager student, occasionally turning her head to ask him questions.

Whenever this happened, Xie Lin would always stare at her face, lost in thought.

The distance was too close—

Close enough to count each of her eyelashes, to see the fine down on the girl's cheeks, and the way her lips lightly opened and closed when she spoke, their color like cherry blossoms. He struggled to dispel distracting thoughts, wishing to be a proper gentleman: since he was not yet married, he absolutely could not entertain any improper thoughts toward Ningning!

Fortunately, Shen Shuangning's earnestness quickly brought his focus back, and he gave his full attention to guiding her.

Under Xie Lin's guidance, Shen Shuangning gradually found her rhythm, and the horse beneath her became exceptionally docile, managing several circles on its own without his interference.

Her eyebrows and eyes curved like a new moon as she turned back and teased, "You teach so skillfully—must you often instruct other girls?"

"I teach only you; I have no leisure to bother with anyone else."

Xie Lin lowered his eyes and laughed softly near her ear, "Want to try going a bit faster?"

His lips seemed to brush her earlobe inadvertently; Shen Shuangning's body trembled slightly, her ears grew hot, and after a moment she let out a soft "mm."

Xie Lin thought she was afraid, so he spoke gently, "With me here, don't be scared."

Having said that, he placed his hand over hers holding the reins, lightly squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and said, "Giddy-up!"

The horse's hooves shattered the spring's thin mist; the wind whistled past Shen Shuangning's ears. At first she gripped the reins tightly and cried out, but the youth held her steady, gradually letting her relax and fully enjoy the exhilarating freedom of horseback riding.

This was, since her rebirth, her happiest moment; for the first time her chest overflowed with such pure joy, her heart pounding fiercely.

Vitality burst forth from the girl's body, lively and charming, like a blazing flame.

Xie Lin was completely infected by her enthusiasm; for the first time he felt that horseback riding could actually be quite fun.

Not long after, the horse slowed its hooves and returned to the spot where they had started.

It was getting late, but because Xie Lin and Shen Shuangning were here, the young ladies and gentlemen had not all dispersed; watching the two appear together again, everyone's mood remained unsettled.

Shen Shuangning didn't care about the onlookers' gazes, and Xie Lin didn't even glance sideways at them.

He helped her dismount.

The girl's cheeks still bore the flush from riding, her pointed chin slightly sweaty; Xie Lin offered her his handkerchief, watching her wipe herself carefully like a kitten, and for some reason he averted his gaze somewhat unnaturally.

Shen Shuangning's heartbeat gradually calmed, the mood affected by Wei Chun also returned to bright; she smiled as she returned the handkerchief to him.

Xie Lin carefully put it away.

At that moment, A Heng hurried over to the two and whispered something in Shen Shuangning's ear.

Shen Shuangning's expression shifted slightly, then she told Xie Lin, "I need to go back."

Xie Lin immediately said, "I'll see you off."

"No need, I came out in a carriage." Shen Shuangning hesitated a moment, afraid Xie Lin would follow, and added, "Today you taught me to ride, and everyone's watching; I'll return on my own."

Hearing her intent to keep distance from her words, Xie Lin felt a bit disappointed, but out of concern for her reputation he nodded and did not insist on seeing her off.

He simply looked at her and said, "I'll still be here waiting for you tomorrow."

Shen Shuangning smiled and replied, "Okay."

After bidding farewell to Xie Lin, Shen Shuangning and Shen Ling boarded the duke's mansion carriage; she could feel the youth's gaze never leaving her.

Xiao Jingyuan was still waiting for her at Ruyi Fang; it seemed she would have to go farther, at least leaving Xie Lin's line of sight before she could find a chance to circle back.

In the carriage, Shen Ling wore a gossipy expression: "Elder sister, did you have fun today?"

Thinking about meeting Xiao Jingyuan later, Shen Shuangning couldn't bring herself to smile.

Although they needed to discuss serious matters, why did this person's appearance always happen at such an inconvenient time?

"A Ling, did you find the hairpin?"

Shen Ling, not knowing what she was thinking, blushed and nodded.

Seeing Shen Ling's expression, Shen Shuangning immediately sensed something was off, fixing her gaze on her face and asking, "Could it be that some young master picked it up?"

Shen Ling instantly reacted as if her tail had been stepped on, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

"No, no young master at all!"

Shen Shuangning raised her eyebrows: "Looks like when I'm not around, A Ling also has a great time."

Shen Ling covered her flushed face with both hands and pouted, "Elder sister!"

"Which young master's family is he from?"

Shen Ling lowered her head, picking at her fingers while saying, "I don't know either; he didn't tell me."

"Elder sister, stop asking; he just came to return the hairpin, and then... said a few words, and that was it."

Seeing her somewhat disappointed look, Shen Shuangning also stopped asking.

It was merely a chance encounter; whether they will meet again in the future remains uncertain.

Midway through the carriage ride, Shen Shuangning made an excuse to let Shen Ling return first, while she herself took A Heng to Ruyi Fang.

At the shen hour, the sun was gradually setting westward.

Shen Shuangning quickened her pace.

These days her mother watches her closely; she cannot linger outside too long, needing to return before dark, otherwise she'll be confined for several more days.

Ruyi Fang is near the riverbank, a few medium-sized boats moored there; even before she got close, Shen Shuangning recognized Official Su standing by the shore feeding the fish.

Su Chen wore a sky-blue long robe, gentle and refined, with an air of aloof, ethereal serenity about his brows and eyes.

Upon seeing her arrive, Su Chen nodded in greeting and kindly reminded her.

"Fourth Miss, the heir has been waiting for a while; I'm afraid his mood isn't very good right now."