Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty-Two

A month later, the news that Shen Yun was to discuss marriage with the Gu family spread throughout the Hanlin Academy. Those who worked together were all astonished—how could the Minister of Revenue's family have taken a liking to Shen Yun? If one were to speak of talented youths, shouldn't they have first picked the one-in-a-million Xie Junling? After thinking it over, everyone understood.

Xie Junling already had a wife, while Shen Yun wasn't married yet! Naturally, the Gu family's cousin would marry into a respectable family and couldn't become a concubine. Thinking this way, everyone couldn't help feeling sorry for Xie Junling.

Xie Junling had no interest in the so-called cousin of the Gu family. Upon realizing that Shen Yun had been noticed that night while drinking, he figured it out. It seemed Xie Junling had gotten lucky, avoiding being schemed against. He couldn't help but lower his gaze and let out a cold laugh.

After the Hanlin Academy dispersed, Xie Junling hurried straight back to his residence. Lu Bao'er was just picking up a miscellaneous book to read, and in her hand she plucked a salted plum to eat. Seeing Xie Junling come, she hurriedly rose from the couch, and the plum pit in her mouth almost choked her.

Seeing this, Xie Junling snapped, 'Stupid? Why the rush? There are plenty of servants around—do you really need to serve me?'

Lu Bao'er felt rather wronged. Seeing Xie Junling happy, was it wrong for her to want to walk over to him? Clearly it was she who had choked on the plum pit; she was the one suffering, yet she still got scolded for no reason.

Only the old wet-nurse standing aside saw clearly in her heart: Xie Junling wasn't scolding Lu Bao'er at all; it was clearly extra indulgence, fearing she might have a mishap in her flustered state, so he first protected himself before attending to her.

Lu Bao'er today received the wedding invitation from the Gu family, stating that in two months Shen Yun and Li Jiao would be married. Her impression of Li Jiao was shallow; she only remembered her as an arrogant official's daughter, with nothing else standing out.

At the gathering, Lu Bao'er told Xie Junling about this: 'You say, how did Miss Li and Mr. Shen meet? Their stations don't seem to match either.'

Xie Junling inwardly found it amusing and asked, 'Oh? Even you can see they're ill-suited?'

'After all, she's the Gu family's cousin; she certainly wouldn't marry Mr. Shen, would she?'

'To bring about such a good match, someone must be fanning the flames.'

Lu Bao'er started and asked, 'Could it be that Mr. Shen schemed against Miss Li?'

'Quite the opposite.'

Lu Bao'er covered her mouth, exclaimed, 'You mean, Miss Li schemed against Mr. Shen?'

Perhaps speaking of something amusing, Xie Junling let out a snort of laughter. He usually dared not drink much when out, fearing he'd lose his tongue when drunk, but now in front of Lu Bao'er he unhesitatingly took a sip of wine, saying: 'Earlier, I and Mr. Shen once went as guests to the Gu family's residence. That day, the Gu family's steward, intentionally or not, led me toward the rear courtyard. Seeing the situation wasn't good, I pushed Mr. Shen ahead and returned to my own residence. Perhaps it was because of what happened that day that there's some resentment.'

Lu Bao'er's mind in a tangle, she asked, 'In other words, Miss Li originally had designs on my husband?'

'Mm, so you should cherish him well—after all, your husband is in high demand.' Xie Junling didn't know why he said these worrying words to Lu Bao'er; perhaps he wanted her to guard against Li Jiao in the future, or perhaps, subconsciously, he wanted to gauge how much weight he held in her heart, knowing that after being so sought‑after, would she feel sour and jealous?

Who would have thought, Lu Bao'er only froze for a moment, then countered, 'What is she after? My husband's official rank isn't that high either...'

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she realized she had misspoken and hastily shut her mouth.

On the contrary, Xie Junling didn't get the answer he wanted, and Lu Bao'er's words left him seething. He snorted repeatedly and said, 'How so? Do you feel it's a grievance to be married to me?'

'No, I didn't mean that!'

'Then what do you mean?'

'I mean, your husband is a dragon among men, but he's only just starting out and hasn't yet shown his nobility. I come from the countryside; to be matched with him is already a stretch for me. That Miss Li has her eyes set too high—I imagine she surely wouldn't recognize a young talent like your husband with such potential, hence my question.' Lu Bao'er said this with trepidation, and Xie Junling's expression softened a little, yet he still felt uneasy inside. One day, when he earns her an official title, she'll finally know how good her husband is!