Chapter 40

Chen Jia completely failed to notice Xiao Jingyuan's off complexion, then said: "Just now when I left the Rong Guogong manor, I inadvertently overheard that the Fourth Miss seemed to be going to an appointment; the other party appears to be a young gentleman, I don't know what sort of person he is, capable of catching the Fourth Miss's eye......"

Chen Jia let out a sigh, seeming regretful.

Su Chen, who had just entered, heard this and couldn't help glancing at Xiao Jingyuan; seeing his uneasy expression, he furtively nudged Chen Jia: "You're a man in his thirties without a wife, yet you're worrying about the marriage of young ladies from the inner chambers—I think you've farmed yourself stupid."

Then Chen Jia was just a blockhead, completely unable to read Su Chen's glance, and only sighed: "I merely feel that someone like the Fourth Miss shouldn't be confined to a grand manor."

This remark silenced the other two men present.

Chen Jia seemed to have said it offhandedly, and after speaking he hurried away, leaving not a trace of cloud.

Only then did Su Chen glance at Chen Jia's retreating back, his expression complex.

Originally Chen Jia was sent to surveil the Fourth Miss, but now it feels...... has Chen Jia been turned?

"What is it?" Xiao Jingyuan had already returned to normal, speaking in a light tone.

Su Chen came to, his expression solemn: "That Wang Huan lost all his money in one night, not a single cent left, and even owed the gambling house 150 taels; I paid it off for him and gave him another 500 taels."

"But he really does have some talent......" Su Chen took out a sheet of paper from his sleeve, stepped forward and placed it on the table: "This is the map of the underground gambling den he drew; it's quite detailed. I fear that within three days he'll have that place figured out. He's a talent."

Xiao Jingyuan picked up the map and glanced at it, saying: "He once served in the Ministry of Punishments, having a foundation in surveying and cartography; unfortunately he got involved in gambling, treating survey maps as poker charts, which got him assigned to the Bureau of Soldiers and Horses to feed horses."

"He brought it upon himself." Su Chen also said, "You're using him to raise gu."

"Everyone has some use value. That's what my teacher taught me." Xiao Jingyuan placidly put the paper into the sandalwood box; the copper lock clicked shut.

Su Chen caught a glimpse of a bright hue inside the sandalwood box, but couldn't make out what it was, then withdrew his gaze and continued: "So you're using the Fourth Miss, under the pretense of trade, gradually pulling her onto the pirate ship, thereby gaining leverage over the Rong Guogong manor."

Xiao Jingyuan's hand holding the tea cup froze mid-air, and he said: "If I wanted to gain leverage over the Rong Guogong manor, marrying her would be the most direct method; why go through all this trouble?"

Su Chen pondered, then nodded: "That's true, but she may not want to marry you."

Xiao Jingyuan calmly replied: "Marriage isn't always up to the individual."

Su Chen faintly sensed that his words carried deep meaning.

Su Chen shifted his tone: "But if she marries into the Xie family, it would also benefit you."

That Marchioness Princess Changyu is a person of Emperor Xuanwen; if Shen Shuangning marries into the Xie family, it could also cut off the Grand Princess's design to win over the Rong Guogong manor.

Xiao Jingyuan didn't elaborate further on this matter.

Today Shen Shuangning's riding attire was especially neat; the moon-white short jacket was cut with narrow shoulders and fitted sleeves, and when the hem lifted slightly it revealed the exquisite trim of an lotus-colored horse-face skirt, spirited yet not losing its gentleness; Xie Lin couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.

She sat alone on the horse, while Xie Lin led the horse walking beside her.

"I've heard the young marquis and Master Xiao are well acquainted," Shen Shuangning asked without changing her expression.

Xie Lin smiled at the words: "I and Ah-Yuan became acquainted through conflict; in the Northern Expedition Camp we were both hotheads, we endured many military canings together and even saved each other's lives—he is the person I admire most. Later he went to the Northern Border, I went to Yongzhou, each heading south and north, yet our returns to the capital happened around the same time."

Xie Lin added: "Actually I originally wanted to bring him to meet you, but he's such a busy person that I can hardly see him myself."

Shen Shuangning thought to herself: "I only saw him yesterday; he doesn't seem that busy, and he still has time to interrogate you for me."

Xie Lin: "When the opportunity arises, I'll host a banquet at my manor; you must definitely meet him."

Shen Shuangning gave an embarrassed laugh.

Xie Lin added: "How come you're bringing him up, Ningning?"

"It's just that I heard you two are close friends, which came as a bit of a surprise," Shen Shuangning said softly.

Xie Lin inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

Earlier the Rong Guogong manor had considered a marriage alliance with the Yan Prince's manor, and the candidate had been Xiao Jingyuan; although that came to nothing, Xie Lin still minded it a bit.

He naturally trusted Xiao Jingyuan, but the Young Master Xiao was too outstanding and eye-catching; he feared his Ningning might be drawn to his good brother, which is why he never voluntarily mentioned Xiao Jingyuan to her.

When a youth falls in love, his emotions inevitably become somewhat sensitive, worrying that the attention of his beloved might be snatched away by another.

"Ah-Yuan......" Xie Lin chose his words carefully: "Although he and I are friends through life and death, his temperament is too cold and hard; he can only say a few soft words to the Song family's cousin. If you see him, just treat him as a lump of iron ice—don't pay too much heed."

Shen Shuangning gave a soft "hng".

Two days later, Chen Jia bade farewell to his elderly mother, boarded the Rong Guogong manor's carriage, and Shen Shuangning personally came to see him off.

She knew Chen Jia's greatest worry was his aging mother, so she assured him: "I will send someone to properly look after your mother; sir, go in peace, and I await your good news."

That the Fourth Miss would come to see him off was something Chen Jia hadn't expected—what merit or ability did he have?

Chen Jia felt both warm and grateful; the Fourth Miss, like Young Master Xiao, had shown him kindness in recognizing his talent.

Chen Jia made up his mind; he would certainly achieve something, not letting the Fourth Miss down.

"I will not disappoint the Fourth Miss's trust! Farewell!"

Chen Jia boarded the carriage, carrying a cartload of "golden potatoes," and headed to Jiangting.

The carriage wheels began to turn gradually, slowly fading into the distance.

The heavy stone weighing on Shen Shuangning's heart fell away; handing the potatoes to Chen Jia, she felt reassured, for she could not find anyone more suitable than him.

Even if Chen Jia had been sent by Xiao Jingyuan to surveil her, she no longer minded it much, and even thanked him for bringing Chen Jia to her side.

In the days that followed, Shen Shuangning would regularly find time to consult Xie Lin on horsemanship.

She was the most perceptive woman Xie Lin had ever seen—quick to grasp, bold and diligent; within just three or five days she could already control that Korean horse at a trot, keeping pace with him.

In horsemanship, perhaps many men are not her equal.

Today Shen Shuangning arrived late, and from afar across the grassfield she could already see that tall figure.

Whether she came early or late, Xie Lin always arrived before her.

Thus Shen Shuangning curiously asked: "Exactly when did you arrive?"

Xie Lin smiled and evaded the question: "No practice today."

Shen Shuangning startled: "Why?"

"Ningning, you're about to complete your training; I've nothing left to teach you." Xie Lin's gaze swept over her legs: "You've practiced for several days; it's time to rest, and no one is urging you."

He knew how arduous horseback riding was; as a young lady with delicate skin, even with protection she would inevitably get hurt.

Shen Shuangning suddenly understood why he always arrived before her: perhaps he had been waiting in the grassfield before dawn, just to inspect the tack inside and out three times before she came, then wrap a new layer of soft cloth around the reins she often held, and pad the saddle with a soft cushion……

Shen Shuangning's heart softened; the azure sky, clean as washed, brightened her smile, and she said sweetly: "It's all thanks to my master's good teaching."

Xie Lin's face flushed slightly, then he coughed lightly twice and patted the white horse beside him.

"Your word is your bond; it's your mount now."

Shen Shuangning stroked Trample Cloud's mane, smiling happily.

Trample Cloud was the name she gave the horse.

Trample Cloud affectionately rubbed its head against her, already regarding her as its master.

Then Xie Lin took an oil-paper parcel from the stone and handed it to her: "Aren't you fond of Li's snacks? I bought them for you."

Shen Shuangning's eyes lit up, she didn't stand on ceremony, and sat with him on the stone to sample them.

"Was it you who sent them before?" Shen Shuangning suddenly recalled that at the Song Manor, someone had also sent her Li's pastries.

Xie Lin wondered: "Before?"

Shen Shuangning blinked: "Could it not be you?"

Xie Lin said honestly: "I only bought them for you this once."

"That's strange—if it wasn't you, who else could it be?" Shen Shuangning looked doubtful, even suspecting Xie Lin was teasing her again.

But upon further thought, if it really were Xie Lin, given his personality, he would openly show his favor, eager to let her know how good he was to her, and would hardly hide it.

As Shen Shuangning puzzled over it, Xie Lin said: "Tomorrow I need to go out of the city."

Shen Shuangning paused at his words, turned to look at him: "Where are you heading out of the city?"

Xie Lin said: "I volunteer to go to Dan Prefecture to suppress bandits; if successful, I'll return before your birthday, but for now I can't teach you archery."

"Dan Prefecture?" Shen Shuangning's heart tightened, she lifted her little face to look at him: "The bandits there… aren't they called 'where the blood blade passes, no one lives'? It's too dangerous."

Xie Lin's eyes seemed to blaze with two flames: "I want to join the Golden Wu Guard; without remarkable military merit, I can't meet the threshold."

Xie Lin's post in the Bureau of Military Affairs was arranged by the Marquis; it's merely a idle post one can buy with a little money, while the Golden Wu Guard's badge must be earned with one's life.

The Golden Wu Guard protects the emperor's safety, serves as close attendants to the Son of Heaven, and throughout history those pursuing official careers have done so to draw nearer to the imperial center.

Xie Lin resolved not to rely on his father's influence; he intends to enter the Golden Wu Guard through genuine ability, and once he reaches the pinnacle of power, he will proudly go to the Duke's Manor to propose marriage.

Seeing Shen Shuangning's worried expression, he softly laughed and asked: "Ningning, are you worried about me?"

Who would have thought Shen Shuangning spoke bluntly: "Yes, I'm worried about you; if Black Wind Stronghold were easy to deal with, it wouldn't have held power since the previous dynasty. You're still young, of high standing, with a bright future—why take such a risk?"

Xie Lin casually picked up a stone and flung it far into the lake, his face relaxed as he said: "What's there to fear about Black Wind Stronghold? In Yongzhou I've also suppressed plenty of bandits—they see me and all kneel, calling me 'Grandfather'; Ningning, don't look down on me."

"I'm not looking down on you..." Shen Shuangning was about to say something more when Xie Lin interrupted her.

"All right, I've already petitioned the Emperor for permission—this trip is a must, and I'm determined to obtain the Imperial Guard's waist plaque. Will you come see me off tomorrow?"

Xie Lin didn't tell her his calculations, and also didn't want his Ningning to bear any burden.

……

Xie Lin suddenly developed a strong drive to advance, and Lady Hou felt both pleased and worried.

As the saying goes, none knows a son better than his mother. Lady Hou advised: "You are my son, the heir of the Yongning Marquis's residence; wanting to marry a daughter of the Duke's residence, why go to such extremes? I will go ask the Emperor for an edict—he dotes on you, so he will surely grant you a marriage."

Xie Lin hastily stopped his mother: "Mother, I have my own plans. Besides, I'm not doing this entirely for her—don't you want your son to make a name for himself?"

"I want you to make a name for yourself, but I didn't mean for you to achieve it all at once."

Lady Hou still wanted to say more, but Xie Lin laughed it off and walked away.

"Never mind, I still have to go back and prepare!"

"You child, you never listen to me." Lady Hou was both angry and helpless.

Xie Lin didn't go straight back to his rooms, but instead went elsewhere along the corridor.

Just as he stepped into the courtyard, he sensed that someone had entered.

Xie Lin instantly became alert.

However, when he looked up, he saw a familiar figure.

The newly planted magnolia tree trembled softly in the breeze, and beneath it stood a tall, slender figure; he raised his head, as if gazing at the moon, or perhaps at the magnolia blossoms above, lost in thought.

It wasn't until Xie Lin called out "A Yuan" that the person turned around.