Chapter 50

Su Chen felt he had truly suffered an undeserved disaster; the prince and the Fourth Miss had an unpleasant quarrel, the Fourth Miss simply patted her dust and left, yet he was forced to endure the prince's foul temper.

Sigh! Truly, when immortals fight, it's the little ghosts who suffer!

Even the fine wine in his hand no longer smells fragrant!

In the entire hall, Princess Jingyu sat upright at the head seat, with Duke Zhen Guo Pei Shengan and his lady, Madame Wen, on either side, along with other members of the Pei clan, while on the other side were senior figures of high rank such as the Consort of the Prince of Yan.

Shen Shuangning sat together with the younger generation, with Shen Ling and Pei Qing on her left and right.

This time the Duke Zhen Guo's mansion specially invited court musicians to perform, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments made people feel pleased in body and mind.

"Older Sister Ning, what do you think of my third brother?" came Pei Qing's voice from beside.

Upon hearing this, Shen Shuangning glanced at Pei Zhi not far away; he was speaking with Lord Gongsun, and though she couldn't hear what they said, Lord Gongsun's smiling stroking of his beard clearly showed his appreciation for Pei Zhi.

This Lord Gongsun is a famed strict instructor at the Imperial Academy and also an imperial tutor, often lecturing the emperor and officials, never showing favor to anyone; this was the first time Shen Shuangning saw him display a warm demeanor.

Shen Shuangning did not elaborate, merely saying, "Pei Zhi must be an outstanding young man."

Pei Qing smiled, eyes narrowing, and said, "Of course, if my third brother hadn't been ill and confined to his home for so long in the past, delaying him, how could anyone else have become the top scholar?"

Before her words had finished, Pei Qing suddenly recalled that Shen Xiuci was last year's top scholar, and she quickly added, "I don't mean your elder brother is unworthy of being top scholar; Shen Gongzi is also very capable, someone I admire, but if it were my third brother, it might be more difficult."

Shen Ling, standing nearby, heard this and her expression showed considerable disagreement.

Pei Zhi is Pei Qing's elder brother, so her view of him is naturally biased.

Shen Shuangning did not say much more, then took the opportunity to ask Pei Qing about Pei Zhi's situation.

Outsiders only know that Pei Zhi suffered a high fever in childhood, and due to delayed treatment his brain was damaged, after which he had not gone out to see people for over ten years; Shen Shuangning had heard the same version.

But Pei Qing told her the truth was not so.

It is true that Pei Zhi became muddle-headed from the fever, but he is not foolish; he merely ended up paralyzed on one side, and because he could not accept his own incapacity, his temperament changed greatly.

Pei Zhi was precocious and intelligent, with IQ and ambition far surpassing his peers; for someone like him, falling into such a predicament is more painful than death.

Precisely because he is too intelligent, he does things that ordinary people cannot understand, leading others to deem him "mad."

And now he stands sound and whole before everyone, naturally because he has recovered.

"My mother sought a divine doctor for my third brother a year ago; he was able to stand up half a year ago, but since his legs had lacked feeling for many years, he needed considerable time to gradually adapt, and now he is completely well!"

Pei Qing felt genuine joy for her third brother, yet thinking of something else, her expression grew somewhat forlorn.

"My third brother is well, but my second brother has been injured again; for now we can only rely on the third brother."

Upon learning Pei Zhi's past, Shen Shuangning murmured, "So that's how it is......"

No wonder she merely pushed Pei Zhi today with little force, yet he actually fell.

It turns out his legs were problematic to begin with.

Shen Shuangning couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

The Consort of the Prince of Yan originally did not know Shen Shuangning had also come, so seeing her she was somewhat surprised.

Having heard that Shen Shuangning was quite favored by Princess Jingyu and had even received the princess's waist token, she began to pay more attention to her; even the consort herself did not know why she would secretly keep an eye on a little girl, when she had previously not taken much liking to Shen Shuangning.

Then she discovered an astonishing fact: Madame Pei and even the other Pei family members seemed to be paying special attention to Shen Shuangning, their gazes, intentional or not, falling on her, subtly sizing her up, yet without malice.

She had seen this situation before, when Song Xizhi came to the prince's manor as a guest; the entire manor furtively observed her, that being the gaze of curiosity toward a future mistress of the house.

Now, in the Duke Zhen Guo's mansion, the people around are also using that kind of gaze to furtively observe Shen Shuangning.

Could it be that the Duke Zhen Guo's mansion has also taken a liking to Shen Shuangning?

The Consort of the Prince of Yan stared, wondering when this Fourth Miss Shen had become so popular.

The ladies nearby were whispering about the young masters and misses who had come to today's banquet.

No one knew who steered the conversation toward Pei Sanlang, when a lady probed Madame Pei: "Madam Duke, the Third Young Master is at an age when he should marry; one should establish a family before a career. Do you have any young lady in mind for him?"

There were also many outstanding young masters in the Duke Zhen Guo's mansion, but the ladies had originally come without intending to consider Pei Zhi, after all he had once been so seriously ill that they still harbored some reservations.

But upon seeing him today, they noted his impressive appearance, his modest demeanor, his robust health, and most importantly his talent; even if they had no intention of considering him, asking would do no harm.

The Consort of the Prince of Yan also looked over, a vague suspicion forming in her heart.

She saw Madame Pei set down her teacup, smile lightly, and say, "Sanlang is a person with his own ideas; I cannot decide his marriage."

The ladies disagreed: "Since ancient times, marriage follows parental order and matchmaker's words; you are his mother, how can you not decide? Moreover, I see the Third Young Master as a well-educated, reasonable person; how could he not heed your words?"

They all felt Madame Pei was unwilling to reveal her intentions to them.

Madame Pei smiled and said nothing; they did not know that Sanlang, who seemed easy to talk to, was actually the most disobedient and most troublesome.

Had they witnessed Pei Zhi when he goes "mad," they would not think so.

One lady asked on behalf of her daughter: "My girl is about the same age as Sanlang, and their temperaments are compatible."

Madame Pei bluntly replied: "Sanlang already has someone he belongs to; he cannot accommodate anyone else."

Upon hearing this, the lady felt a bit embarrassed and said, "... Is that so? Then I wonder which young lady it is."

Madame Pei then said no more, but the Consort of the Prince of Yan clearly saw her lift her eyes and glance toward Shen Shuangning.

The Consort of the Prince of Yan thought, "Indeed, that is the case."

She felt a bit stifled in her heart.

Before she refused the Marquis of Rong's mansion, this Fourth Miss Shen was utterly ordinary among the noble girls, not at all a catch; how then has she now become a coveted prize?

The Consort of the Prince of Yan felt as if her chest were blocked by a breath that would neither rise nor fall; she had to sip several mouthfuls of tea before barely managing to swallow it down.

At the hour of Xu, the banquet ended.

As Pei Qing saw Shen Shuangning out, she suddenly let out a sigh.

Shen Shuangning then asked with concern, "Younger Sister Qing, do you have any worries?"

Pei Qing then said, "A couple of days ago I heard from my third brother that the Grand Princess's birthday banquet had been arranged, and they had specially requested his name, asking him to play a piece on the zither then; but now his hand is injured, so I fear......"

Shen Shuangning's heart jolted.

The Grand Princess's temperament has always been unpredictable; if one messes up her birthday banquet, even if one doesn't die, one will surely lose a layer of skin.

Pei Zhi was injured precisely while saving her; how could she just stand by? Moreover, it was because of Pei Zhi that she learned of the connection between Grand Councilor Song and the Holy Heaven Sect, and Pei Zhi also counts as having helped her and the Shen family.

Shen Shuangning has always been clear about gratitude and grudges; now Pei Zhi has done her a favor, so she cannot refuse to help.

Thus, before leaving the Duke of Zhen Guo's mansion, Shen Shuangning went to see Pei Zhi again and told him this.

"Fourth Miss wants to play the zither for me?" Pei Zhi said, somewhat surprised.

Shen Shuangning said, "My zither skill is passable, but I don't know if doing this will get us past the Grand Princess's test."

"After all, the Princess herself wants me to play the zither to celebrate her birthday; if Fourth Miss substitutes, it probably won't work." Pei Zhi glanced at his own hand again.

The snake's fangs were long; when it bit, they struck bone, and now, raising his hand, his fingertips still trembled slightly.

Shen Shuangning had been bitten by a snake before; she knew this pain well, and it wouldn't fade in just ten days or half a month.

However, the Grand Princess's birthday banquet is in four days.

"What can I do for you?" Shen Shuangning's guilt grew stronger; if she caused Pei Zhi to be blamed by the Grand Princess, she would truly feel uneasy.

She didn't want to owe Pei Zhi anything.

Pei Zhi looked at her worried face, pondered a moment, and said, "How about this: you play the zither, and I'll play the xiao."

Shen Shuangning hesitated a while, then agreed.

Pei Zhi's eyes flashed with a smile: "Then thank you, Fourth Miss."

"This is what I ought to do."

Shen Shuangning didn't linger; she was about to leave when she saw Xiao Jingyuan not far away.

She paused, then withdrew her gaze with an indifferent expression, not caring what he was thinking, and walked straight away.

Xiao Jingyuan's face was gloomy.

Pei Zhi remained where he stood, then turned to look at the Young Master Xiao.

Across a long corridor, Pei Zhi's lips curled in a smile as he gave a slight nod to the Young Master Xiao, as if greeting him, yet also as if provoking.

Xiao Jingyuan furrowed his brows and ignored him.

Spring weather was changeable; the next day it began to rain.

Shen Shuangning learned within the mansion that Senior Official Song had been arrested and taken to the Embroidered Uniform Guard; aside from her, everyone else in the Duke of Zhen Guo's household was shocked.

Of course, Shen Shuangning was also somewhat surprised; she knew Senior Official Song would eventually run into trouble, but she hadn't expected it so soon.

Yesterday the Song mansion was still splendid as it hosted nobles; who would have thought today it would suffer disaster, truly lamentable.

However, the outside world still doesn't know exactly what crime Senior Official Song committed; one expects many who don't know the truth will petition the throne, so Shen Shuangning specially instructed her mother: never let her second uncle speak recklessly before the emperor.

"Rest assured, I've already told your second aunt; your second uncle always listens to her, and the second branch is shrewd, so they won't make a mistake," said Madam Shen.

The second branch had harbored some resentment when they were barred from attending the Song feast, but now that they learned Senior Official Song had entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that resentment vanished, leaving only shock.

The lady of the second branch even came specially to see Madam Shen to inquire about the Senior Official Song matter.

But Madam Shen is tight-lipped, so she naturally didn't reveal the key information; the second branch lady didn't know it was related to Shen Shuangning, only thinking Shen Xiuzhi had heard some rumors at the Hanlin Academy.

Shen Xiuzhi, however, knew this matter was inseparable from his sister.

After Madam Shen left, Shen Xiuzhi went to his sister's orchid garden.

"Ningning, Brother usually doesn't inquire much into your affairs, but this time Senior Official Song was found guilty of corruption; before this, there hadn't been a whisper of it in the capital—how did you find out?"

"Ningning, you're hiding something from Brother, aren't you?"

Shen Xiuzhi gazed at the young lady before him; her appearance was exactly as he remembered, yet he couldn't pinpoint what had changed.

Shen Shuangning had long guessed she couldn't hide it from her brother; this elder brother of hers was alert and sharp—how could her little tricks slip past his eyes?

"It was the Young Marquis who told me."

There was no way; Shen Shuangning could only use Xie Lin as a shield.

Right now Xie Lin isn't here, and even if he were, Shen Xiuzhi would definitely not go to him for confirmation.

"Did he really tell you that?" Shen Xiuzhi looked at her somewhat suspiciously.

Shen Shuangning nodded repeatedly, her gaze unwavering.

Shen Xiuzhi stared at her for a while, then fell silent, lowering his eyes to sip tea as he pondered.

The Xie and Song families are neither old friends nor related by blood; merely, it's said that the Marchioness and the Lady Song are close confidantes, their relationship decent, so Xie Lin occasionally calls Lady Song Xizhi "cousin Song."

Yet the two families ultimately have no marital ties; even if the ladies get along, it's only as long as no side's interests are harmed—perhaps the Marchioness doesn't even know this, maybe the Marquis heard something and passed it to Xie Lin.

Given Xie Lin's affection for his sister, he would indeed remind her.

He doesn't have much fondness for the Young Marquis Xie, but it's undeniable that this time Xie Lin indeed helped the Duke of Zhen Guo's household; otherwise, there would likely be much trouble.

Shen Xiuzhi didn't press further, merely mentioning it before he left.

"I heard that as soon as Xie Lin reached Danzhou, he fell into an ambush by the Black Wind Stronghold and seems to have been wounded."

Those local tyrants entrenched in Danzhou are always fierce; upon hearing the court would come to suppress bandits, they certainly wouldn't just wait to be slaughtered.

"Is he wounded?! How serious is it?"

Upon hearing Xie Lin was wounded, Shen Shuangning was both shocked and worried; she sprang to her feet, only to realize she could do nothing, and grew so anxious her eyes reddened.

Shen Xiuzhi looked at her for a moment, then said, "Don't get too worked up; I don't know exactly what happened, but I know him well enough—he won't die."

What kind of comfort is that?

Ah Heng covered her face.

After Shen Xiuzhi left, Shen Shuangning kept Xie Lin's injury in mind and wrote a letter, but after Ah Heng reminded her, she realized this letter would likely be hard to get to Xie Lin's hands.

The military post system of the Da Liang dynasty is strict; privately delivering civilian letters to soldiers is a serious crime, and since she and Xie Lin are neither kin nor acquaintances, they won't be lenient.

Moreover, Danzhou is a perilous place; ordinary couriers wouldn't risk going there, and merchants even less so.

Then only a non‑solution remains...