Chapter 8: Once Again Saved by the Young Marquis

Madam Shen came down with a headache and is still ill, so the task of going to Song Manor to express thanks was given to Shen Shuangning, who was accompanied by Shen Ling and Shen Er.

Shen Shuangning didn't sleep well last night; sitting in the carriage she was still a bit drowsy, propping her head with her hand.

Shen Ling saw her like that, so she quietly read her book, not disturbing her.

Suddenly a commotion came from outside.

"Stop right there! Don't run!"

A beggar clutching a few stolen buns charged wildly and accidentally startled the Duke's Manor's horse.

Before Shen Shuangning could react to what had happened, the horse flung open its hooves and galloped wildly down the street.

The carriage jolted violently; Shen Shuangning quickly held Shen Ling in her arms to protect her, and both felt somewhat helpless.

The coachman couldn't control the horse, and just then a young child stood in the middle of the road; the coachman shouted loudly, "Get out of the way! Get out!"

That young child, seeing the carriage rushing toward him, was frozen in place, motionless.

Just as a bloodshed seemed imminent, at the critical moment a silver spear came flying through the air and pierced straight into the turning wheel!

The carriage came to an abrupt halt; the horse lifted its forelegs high and let out a piercing neigh.

A figure flashed by, scooping up the still dazed child.

Everything happened too fast.

When they came to, the carriage had steadied and stopped with a gentle clatter; no one was hurt, just a false alarm.

Shen Shuangning climbed out of the carriage, looked up, and saw a handsome young man beside her, one arm holding a child who was sniffling and crying.

It was the Young Marquis Xie Lin.

Shen Er arrived a moment later; seeing they were unharmed, he finally let out a breath of relief.

"This time we truly owe it to the Young Marquis," Shen Shuangning thanked the youth.

Xie Lin hadn't expected the person in the carriage to be her; a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and he replied in his usual tone, "Just happened to be passing by; it was no trouble."

Shen Shuangning looked at the child still sniffling and felt uneasy; she reached out and said, "Please give her to me."

Xie Lin then handed the child to her, turned to retrieve his spear, but did not leave right away.

Just now the Duke's Manor's carriage had charged wildly, damaging several fruit vendors' stalls and frightening many passersby; we can't just leave it like that.

Shen Ling hasn't experienced such things, and Shen Er isn't attentive enough, so Shen Shuangning must step up to take charge.

Those who ought to apologize should apologize; those who ought to pay compensation should pay.

She held the child while soothing the crowd, orderly and meticulous.

He leaned lazily against the carriage with his spear, watching Shen Shuangning.

The woman's lips had not yet regained color, clearly still shaken, yet she forced composure to handle affairs while also finding the presence of mind to soothe the child in her arms.

What's more remarkable is that, facing resentful townspeople, she put on no airs of a young lady, treating everyone gently; every person who came with resentment left with a smile.

A strange feeling flickered in Xie Lin's heart.

He suddenly thought that the Shen family weren't all deceitful tricksters; there were also some pleasing to the eye.

Shen Shuangning didn't know Xie Lin was watching her; after finally handing the child back to the parents, she could finally rest.

In the bitter cold, sweat beaded on her forehead; she wiped it with her sleeve.

At that moment, a pair of long, slender hands reached out and offered her a handkerchief.

Shen Shuangning startled, followed the hand up with her gaze, and realized Xie Lin had not yet left.

"Thank you." She accepted his kindness, wiped herself, and returned the handkerchief.

Xie Lin tucked it away without a change in expression and asked, "Fourth Miss, where are you headed?"

Shen Shuangning replied, "We're going to Song Manor."

Xie Lin hoisted his spear, swung onto his horse, tightened the reins with one hand, spirited and unconstrained.

"It's nothing either way; I'll escort you over to prevent any further trouble."

Shen Shuangning said gratefully, "Then I'll trouble the Young Marquis."

Xie Lin glanced at her face, then squeezed his legs against the horse and rode ahead first.

Song Manor was especially lively today.

Originally Song Manor had prepared a banquet for Song Xizhi, inviting only close and distant relatives, without making a big announcement.

Not long ago, Miss Zhao had married into Song Manor; thus Shen Shuangning's cousin Shen Miaoyun came together with her husband Zhao Li'an.

Besides some distinguished guests, there was also a very important person present.

Shen Shuangning still didn't know who she would meet in there.

After Xie Lin saw them to their destination, he left.

Shen Ling glanced at his retreating figure as he rode away, and couldn't help telling Shen Shuangning beside her, "Older sister, the Young Marquis is really a good person."

Shen Er recalled how just earlier Xie Lin had handed a handkerchief to the Fourth Miss and also taken the initiative to escort them, and muttered to himself, "No one does favors without motive—either treachery or theft!"

Xie Lin had rescued her twice; Shen Shuangning's heart couldn't be completely unmoved, yet she said nothing, lifted her skirt, and stepped onto the steps of Song Manor.

"Let's go; the sooner we go, the sooner we'll return."

Shen Ling had never been to Song Manor; surrounded by many unfamiliar faces, she felt a bit shy, so she kept her head down and obediently followed behind Shen Shuangning.

The servant led them into the small flower hall.

"Please wait a moment, honored guests; I'll go report to the Eldest Miss."

After the servant left, Shen Er sat down boldly and helped himself to tea.

Shen Ling, however, tugged nervously at Shen Shuangning's sleeve: "Older sister, might our visit be untimely?"

Yesterday Song Manor's reply had not mentioned a banquet; those guests are all relatives of the Manor, so our coming here isn't really appropriate.

Shen Shuangning gently patted her hand and soothed in a soft voice: "We'll just give our thanks and leave; we won't stay long."

Shen Ling nodded.

They hadn't waited long before hearing the Song sisters had arrived; Song Xizhi came over personally, and before she even got close she smiled and said, "Shen Shuangning younger sister, Ling younger sister."

Song Xizhi was on good terms with Shen Miaoyun, and in the past she had always addressed them this way to show closeness.

But in reality, they were not actually acquainted with each other.

Upon drawing near, Song Xizhi again bowed slightly to Shen Er and said, "Second young master."

Song Xizhi wore a soft gauze skirt, her manner gentle and dignified, exactly the paragon of a virtuous lady that men aspire to.

Seeing her here, the usually flirtatious Shen Er restrained his frivolous attitude, returned the salute courteously, and apologized for the previous offense.

"I know that at the time you were flustered out of concern, I don't blame you, and I actually envy Shen Shuangning younger sister for having such a doting older brother."

Song Xizhi then said, "I only heard yesterday that the young marquis had a clash with you over this at Drunken Cloud Tower; I feel terrible about it, so rest assured, second young master, when I see the young marquis next I will certainly explain things to him."

Shen Er then said, "Thank you, Miss Song."

That day, after losing Shen Shuangning, Shen Er panicked and mistakenly took Song Xizhi's silhouette for A Heng, and in his desperation grabbed her hand.

Who would have thought that Xie Lin actually saw it, which then caused the misunderstanding.

He didn't even get a chance to explain before Xie Lin inexplicably kicked him, and it's no wonder Shen Er bears a grudge against Xie Lin.

"How is Shen Shuangning younger sister's health now?" Song Xizhi asked concernedly.

Upon seeing Song Xizhi, Shen Shuangning inevitably recalled some events from her past life; she hid the complexity in her eyes and softly said, "Thank you for your concern, Elder Sister Song; I'm much better now. I don't know if you're busy, Elder Sister Song, but our unannounced visit is an inconvenience."

"Not at all; you've come at just the right time, for the heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery and his wife are also in the manor. If she knew you were coming, she would certainly be delighted."

This refers to their older cousin, Shen Miaoyun.

When Shen Miaoyun married into the Zhao family, the heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery had not yet been decided, and the imperial decree conferring the title had only been issued half a month earlier.

Shen Miaoyun was elevated to the position of heir's consort, and now she is also the mistress of the Marquis's manor, living a happy and smooth life.

Moreover, most importantly, Zhao Lian'an is deeply devoted and faithful, yielding to his wife in everything; he has no concubine, not even a secondary consort.

In her previous life, Shen Shuangning often envied her older sister and brother-in-law's deep conjugal affection, lamenting that her older cousin truly had good fortune.

"What a coincidence? How wonderful, my older cousin is here too." Shen Ling couldn't help but exclaim happily, already eager to go see Shen Miaoyun.

The three Shen sisters had been close since childhood, but after Shen Miaoyun married, aside from staying half a day on her visit home, they hadn't seen her in a long time and all missed her dearly.

Song Xizhi warmly invited them to stay, so they did.

Shen Shuangning's thank-you gift to her was an authentic work by Mr. Qiu Shan: a painting of ladies pinning flowers in their hair, with a twin lotus behind the ladies.

It symbolizes that a young lady in her boudoir will someday marry a good man, her marriage will be smooth, and her life will be prosperous and beautiful.

She could not wholeheartedly become friends with Song Xizhi without reservation, yet she sincerely wished for her to find happiness.

Song Xizhi, with her all-around perceptive heart, fixed her gaze on the twin lotus for a moment, then broke into a smile: "Mr. Qiu Shan's authentic works are extremely rare to find; I have only heard of this painting of ladies pinning flowers in their hair, never seen it. I really like it; Ning younger sister, you have good intentions."

Shen Shuangning smiled but said nothing.

"The banquet is about to begin; don't just stand here chatting, come with me."

The three followed Song Xizhi through the covered corridor.

Song Xizhi, thoughtful and attentive, noticed Shen Ling's unease and proactively said a few words to her, after which Shen Ling gradually relaxed.

The Song mansion is vast; the banquet is set at Chonghua Residence, where the view is open and one can take in the snow‑scaped plum blossoms in the courtyard, and all around are braziers and felt tents to keep out the cold, so guests won't feel overly chilly.

Even the food on the tables was carefully prepared.

No wonder outsiders say that marrying a Song daughter is worth a fortune in gold.

Shen Shuangning, however, understands how difficult this is; no one is born knowing these things, and though Song Xizhi is so capable, behind the scenes who knows how much sweat she must have poured out.

Shen Ling was drawn to the red plum blossoms in the courtyard and couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!"

Just then Shen Miaoyun walked over gracefully and called out, "Ningning, A Ling."

Shen Shuangning and Shen Ling turned around at the same time, smiling, and said, "Older sister."

Shen Miaoyun smiled without showing her teeth, her black hair all coiled up and styled with a lady's hairpin, adorned head to toe in pearls and jewels, exuding noble aura, with two personal attendants following behind.

She seemed not to be the older sister they remembered who would chase butterflies and laugh loudly.

Shen Ling stared at her unblinking, not moving.

Shen Shuangning affected a curtsey, bowing with bent knees, and said, "I pay my respects to the heir's consort."

Shen Miaoyun came up to the two, pinched Shen Shuangning's cheek, and said, "You little brat, cut the act."

"Really good, older sister hasn't changed," Shen Ling thought.

Shen Miaoyun looked at Shen Shuangning and said gently, "I heard you had an incident; I originally wanted to come see you, but your brother-in-law refused to let me leave the house no matter what. Seeing that you're all right, I'm relieved as well."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ling complained, "What gives your brother-in-law the right to monopolize older sister?"

Shen Miaoyun gave a bashful smile, placed her hand on her belly, and said, "Because I'm pregnant."

Shen Ling exclaimed in surprise, "Older sister's pregnant—why didn't she write to tell us?"

Shen Miaoyun smiled and said, "It's only been a month today; I was thinking to wait until the pregnancy stabilizes, then in a few days return to the Duke's manor to tell everyone."

Shen Shuangning's gaze fell on her older cousin's belly, and she said solemnly, "Older sister, you must take good care of your health."

Shen Miaoyun said, "This is my first child, so I am naturally extremely careful. Rest assured, the doctor said both I and the baby are healthy; it's your brother-in-law who's too anxious."

When she mentioned her husband, her eyes filled with happiness and sweetness.

No one saw the worry lurking in Shen Shuangning's eyes.

In her previous life, the older cousin's marriage was happy and smooth, yet there was one regret: the child in her womb would miscarry unexpectedly at three months.

Then the older cousin deliberately concealed it, saying only that her own body was too weak, but Shen Shuangning never believed it, always suspecting there was some other hidden cause.

Although no one knows the true cause of the older cousin's miscarriage, in this life she will do everything she can to let her older sister's child be born safely, avoiding the disaster two months later......

Song Xizhi has always been thoughtful and meticulous in her conduct; she had the three sisters seated together, and even made proper arrangements for Shen Er, despite his poor reputation.

Shen Ling watched Song Xizhi bustling about yet orderly, possessing the bearing of a mistress, and couldn't help but sigh, "Song Elder Sister is truly outstanding; if it were me, I don't know how many omissions I would make."

Shen Shuangning also saw this.

Before, because Xiao Jingyuan was rather hostile toward Song Xizhi, she was unwilling to acknowledge her rival's excellence, but the fact is, in many respects she truly falls short of Song Xizhi.

Great Liang could have such an outstanding female ruler, and Shen Shuangning also felt proud.

She couldn't help but think, Older Sister Song is so outstanding—no wonder Xiao Jingyuan can't forget.

Great Liang's customs are not conservative, yet they also stress that men and women sit separately, with no screen in between.

Thus, Shen Shuangning immediately spotted that tall, handsome figure across from her.

The clear-moon gentleman, like bamboo and jade, leaves an unforgettable impression.