Chapter 36: Entering the Qi Household (2)

The carriage came to a halt before the gates of the Qi family estate. Following closely behind Qi Ying as she alighted, Shen Xiling caught sight of the grand mansion and felt a deep sense of trepidation.

The Qi family’s main estate was entirely different from Fenghe Garden. While Fenghe Garden was also part of the Qi family’s holdings, it was a secondary residence, its architecture and gardens prized for their delicacy and refinement. The main estate, however, exuded the weight of a noble lineage. Its imposing vermilion gates were flanked by two massive stone lions that seemed to radiate authority, striking fear into anyone who approached.

Shen Xiling’s hands were icy cold with nervousness. Qi Ying glanced at her tightly clenched fingers and, lowering his head slightly, reassured her, “There’s no need to be afraid. Everything will be fine.”

Shen Xiling tilted her face up to look at him, her heart still uneasy, but she managed a weak nod.

After a brief pause, Qi Ying said, “In a moment, I’ll take you to see Mother. She has always been fond of young girls and won’t make things difficult for you. Just behave yourself.”

Shen Xiling nervously pursed her lips and asked, “How should I behave?”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and replied, “Just act the way you do in front of me.”

If she could simply be herself as she was around him, that would be enough to win favor.

Hearing this, Shen Xiling couldn’t help but recall all the trouble she had caused him recently, making her even more uncertain. Seeing her fingers twist even tighter, Qi Ying realized further reassurance wouldn’t help at this point. Without another word, he led her directly through the gates.

The Qi family’s main estate was vast, reportedly spanning an entire ward. Once inside, Shen Xiling truly grasped the saying, “The gates of nobility are as deep as the sea.” The halls and pavilions were majestic and towering, the trees and rocks lush and verdant, every beam and pillar intricately carved, exuding an air of solemnity and splendor. Following Qi Ying, she passed through countless reception halls and winding corridors, navigating past numerous folding screens and partitions. She noticed the servants bustling about—ten times more than in Fenghe Garden—and saw birds like painted-brow parrots and mynahs hanging in cages near the covered walkways and artificial mountains, kept for amusement. It was then she understood what true “luxury” looked like.

The servants bowed deeply as Qi Ying passed. A steward-like man rushed forward with wide strides upon spotting him and greeted him warmly. Without pausing, Qi Ying asked, “Is Mother in Jiāxǐ Hall?”

The steward beamed and replied, “Madam heard that Young Master returned early today and will be staying at the main house tonight. She is delighted and is waiting for you in Jiāxǐ Hall.”

After a slight pause, he added, “Lord Chancellor is also there, enjoying tea with Madam.”

Qi Ying’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Father is here too?”

The steward quickly affirmed, “Yes, indeed!” Qi Ying fell silent for a moment, instinctively glancing at Shen Xiling beside him before turning away and nodding.

Shen Xiling couldn’t shake the feeling that his glance had carried a hint of concern, though she hadn’t seen it clearly. Her nerves tightened further: not only was the second young master’s mother present today, but so was his father—the illustrious Left Chancellor of Liang, Qi Zhang, now the leader of the Jiangnan aristocracy. And soon, she would have to meet them.

At that moment, Shen Xiling felt her breath quicken with anxiety. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was looking, she secretly drew a small figure on her palm and swallowed it.

Not long after, they arrived at Jiāxǐ Hall.

A servant went in to announce their arrival, and Shen Xiling heard a woman’s cheerful voice from within: “Jingchen has returned? Quickly, let him in.”

Qi Ying took a step forward to enter, but after walking a few paces, he realized Shen Xiling wasn’t following. He stopped and turned back to find the young girl nervously bowing her head, so distracted that she hadn’t noticed him moving ahead. He couldn’t help but smile faintly. Returning to her side, he reached out and gently pinched her cheek, his eyes carrying a trace of amusement as he said, “Let’s go.”

His pinch was firm enough to cause Shen Xiling some discomfort. Rubbing her cheek with a hint of grievance, she looked up at him. Catching the playful glint in his eyes, her heart suddenly calmed.

In that instant, something clicked in her mind.

This man had once taken her out of the city amidst the chaos of war, personally buried her disgraced father, and shielded her—the daughter of a condemned criminal—from harm under his wing. With him by her side, what did she have to fear?

Shen Xiling shyly offered Qi Ying a small, tentative smile and followed him into Jiāxǐ Hall.

Jiāxǐ Hall wasn’t the main hall of the Qi estate; rather, it was the reception room of Lady Yao’s quarters, where she often entertained guests or chatted with younger family members. Though not overly large, the hall was finely decorated without being ostentatious. Lady Yao suffered from a weak back, so every seat in the room was cushioned with soft padding, and pillows were scattered about for comfort.

Qi Zhang, having been raised under the strict etiquette of noble families, valued propriety and decorum above all else. In the early years of his marriage to Lady Yao, he had found her habit of leaning on cushions everywhere somewhat unrefined. However, their deep affection for each other endured over decades of marriage, and when he wasn’t busy with state affairs, he often stayed in her chambers for long periods. Over time, he grew accustomed to the soft cushions and pillows, even finding hard chairs uncomfortable in his own quarters.

That day, after court, Qi Zhang had come to Jiāxǐ Hall to see his wife. The couple sat on a kang playing a game of Go. Noticing Lady Yao reclining listlessly against the cushions, Qi Zhang asked, “What’s wrong? You seem so spiritless.”

“It’s all because of Jingchen,” Lady Yao chided him with a glance. “How long has it been since he last came home?”

Qi Zhang coughed lightly. “He has been quite busy lately…”

Lady Yao sighed. “Jingyuan was right—you should have sent Jingchen to assist him in the Ministry of Rites. Why did you send him to that… whatever it’s called, the Privy Council? Not only does he leave early and return late every day, but if the Gao-Wei rebels stir up trouble again, who knows if he might lose his head?”

Though Lady Yao was well past forty, she remained exceptionally beautiful due to her careful upkeep. Even when sulking, she was endearing enough for Qi Zhang to indulge her.

Qi Zhang sighed. “I’ve explained this to you countless times. Sending Jingchen to the Privy Council wasn’t solely my decision—it was also the Emperor’s arrangement. Given the current national crisis, these critical positions naturally go to those most capable. As the saying goes, ‘Heroes emerge young.’ Jingchen has the ability, so why insist on holding him back?”

Lady Yao sniffed, her tone tinged with resentment. “My lord chancellor needn’t lecture me on such lofty principles. This talk of heroes emerging young is nothing but old foxes’ lies to deceive us.”

She shot Qi Zhang a pointed look.

“Where is it deception?” Qi Zhang replied, exasperated. “Just look at the Gu family of Gao-Wei. The eldest son of the old Duke, Gu Juhán, is around Jingchen’s age, yet last year he achieved a great victory at Shicheng against Shouye and Jiang Yong. How is that not a case of a young hero?”

Lady Yao frowned, sitting up straight in indignation. “Are you suggesting that Jingchen emulate that Gu family wolf, wielding weapons and charging into battle?”

Seeing his wife visibly upset, Qi Zhang hastily poured her a cup of hot tea to soothe her. “You know full well that’s not what I mean. It’s just the way things are—I have no choice.”

Lady Yao sipped her tea, and as her emotions settled, Qi Zhang seized the opportunity to add, “Rest assured, Jingchen is our only child. How could I possibly abandon him? When necessary, I’ll surely lend him a hand.”

Lady Yao inwardly scoffed. Lending a hand? That wasn’t nearly enough. If lending a hand already placed Jingchen in such peril, why not let him lead a quiet, ordinary life instead? For instance, becoming a scholar in the Hanlin Academy would be ideal.

Lady Yao, by nature, was indifferent to worldly competition and lived a tranquil life. Though she was Qi Zhang’s second wife, she treated his eldest son, Qi Yun, with kindness and never harbored any thoughts of replacing him with Jingchen. Qi Zhang, however, was different. He placed far greater expectations on his second son, though he never publicly expressed intentions of grooming Jingchen as the next head of the Qi family. Still, the idea had long taken root in his mind—but his wife likely didn’t share his thoughts…

As Lady Yao prepared to voice her dissatisfaction once more, a maid announced that Second Young Master had returned and was waiting outside. Upon hearing this, Lady Yao’s earlier gloom vanished, and she brightened immediately. “Jingchen has returned? Quickly, let him in.”

Qi Zhang watched his wife’s sudden joy with a wry smile, shaking his head gently.

Not long after, Qi Ying entered the hall and greeted his parents. Lady Yao was about to speak to him when she noticed a slender, delicate young girl hiding behind him. On closer inspection, the girl was breathtakingly beautiful, almost unreal, with a red mole between her brows that gave her an ethereal charm.

Lady Yao paused, then smiled warmly, addressing Shen Xiling. “So, this is Wenwen?”

Standing respectfully but nervously in the hall, Shen Xiling was startled to hear someone call her childhood name. Looking up, she saw the lady reclining against the cushions on the kang, gazing at her with kindness and familiarity. Lady Yao’s phoenix-like eyes bore a striking resemblance to Qi Ying’s, and seeing this, Shen Xiling’s fear melted away.

She performed a proper bow to Lady Yao and Qi Zhang, lowering her head as she introduced herself. “Greetings, Lord Chancellor, greetings, Madam. My name is Fang Jun… my childhood name is Wenwen.”

Lady Yao chuckled. “I’ve heard much about you from Jingchen. Last night, Jing’an and Jingkang couldn’t stop praising how lovely you are—come, step closer so I can take a better look.”

Shen Xiling hadn’t expected the chancellor’s wife to be so amiable. Startled by the invitation to step closer, she glanced at Qi Ying, who nodded encouragingly.

Shen Xiling then walked with measured steps toward the kang, stopping beside Lady Yao and raising her face slightly.

Up close, Shen Xiling’s beauty became even more apparent.

Some people may appear beautiful from afar but reveal flaws upon closer inspection—eyes of different sizes, a slightly crooked nose, uneven skin texture. Yet no matter how closely one examined Shen Xiling, she remained flawlessly sweet and lovely, impossible to fault. Her bright, clear eyes and graceful demeanor radiated the poise of a noblewoman, making her utterly endearing.

Lady Yao, having only Qi Ying as her child and surrounded by male heirs, had always adored pretty young girls. Whenever she encountered a lovely girl from another household, she would often dote on her, pulling her close. Zhao Yao’s favored position in the household stemmed partly from this tendency. Now, seeing Shen Xiling, she was delighted. “I thought the children were exaggerating, but it seems you truly resemble a painting from a treasure scroll!”

Beside her, Qi Zhang also observed Shen Xiling’s appearance, but his brow furrowed slightly.

Though Shen Xiling bore a stronger resemblance to her mother, traces of her father, Shen Qian, lingered in her features. Qi Zhang had known Shen Qian for many years and was familiar with him. Though he didn’t immediately connect Shen Xiling to Shen Qian, something about the girl’s face struck him as familiar.

Vaguely… she resembled Shen Qian.

________________________________________

Author’s Note:

Master of the House: I stand tall and dignified as befits a noble patriarch.

But in my wife’s chambers: Hmm, these cushions are quite comfortable.

P.S. Interview with the male lead: So, how does it feel to pinch such a cute little face?