Chapter 106: Coming of Age (1)

After a brief encounter with Qi Yin in the back alley carriage, Shen Xiling fell into a daze and lost her sense of direction.

She couldn’t focus on reading, checking accounts, or eating. She even lost interest in playing with her beloved cat, Snowflake. Day after day, she remained listless, causing those who saw her to feel deep sympathy.

During this time, Song Haotang visited her once to discuss business disputes. She forced herself to listen attentively. The guild had repeatedly obstructed her from contacting other cloth merchants. The situation was dire; the guild was becoming increasingly aggressive. Some of the cloth merchants who had previously cooperated with her started to withdraw under pressure, beginning to distance themselves from her. However, there were others who remained resolute, determined to oppose the guild and continued to stand by Shen Xiling.

Due to the guild’s covert sabotage, the shopkeepers bore significant losses. Shen Xiling appreciated their loyalty and transferred a sum of money from Yi Tower’s account to cover the deficits of the cloth merchants. Though it wasn’t enough to completely fill the gap, it showed her goodwill.

After this matter was temporarily settled, she rarely went out anymore. She spent her days secluded in Fenghe Garden, avoiding people. The maids noticed her despondency and tried various ways to cheer her up, but nothing seemed to work.

She wasn’t just unhappy; she also had little appetite. She already ate sparingly, and now she barely touched her food. In no time, she became noticeably thinner. Zijun tried every trick in the book to prepare her meals, and she always pretended to enjoy them, but she only picked at her food before stopping.

The maids could see that she didn’t intentionally refuse to eat; she genuinely couldn’t stomach it.

It was a heart ailment.

The maids were deeply worried as they watched their young mistress grow thinner day by day. They knew something had to be done. Eventually, Shuipei took the initiative and sent Liu Zi to ask Bai Song for help, hoping he could find a way to convey a message to the young master.

Initially, none of them held much hope, especially since Shuipei had personally witnessed the young master’s aloof demeanor. To her surprise, shortly after sending Liu Zi to seek Bai Song’s assistance, an esteemed guest arrived at the villa.

The visitor was Madam Yao.

Madam Yao’s unexpected visit astonished everyone at Fenghe Garden. After all, she rarely came here unless the young master was present, and never without prior notice like this.

Shen Xiling was the most surprised and somewhat flustered. Madam Yao arrived when the sun was already high, but Shen Xiling had tossed and turned late into the night and hadn’t gotten up yet. Upon hearing that Madam Yao had arrived, she hastily got up and dressed in a rush, then hurried to the main hall. But upon exiting her room, she learned that Madam Yao had already reached Woyu Courtyard and was sitting in her small reception room.

Feeling uneasy, Shen Xiling calmed her slightly erratic breathing and entered the small reception room.

Inside, Madam Yao was sitting and playing with Snowflake. The little cat was very docile in her arms, delighting Madam Yao, who even attempted to feed it some fruit. However, the picky Snowflake showed little interest.

Madam Yao chuckled while scolding the fussy little cat. Looking up, she saw Shen Xiling enter and smiled, saying, “Wenwen is awake? Come, sit beside me.”

Shen Xiling approached and awkwardly greeted Madam Yao with a curtsy. Madam Yao waved her hand dismissively, saying, “You are too formal. Why do you need to be so proper in front of me?”

She placed Snowflake on the ground, and the little thing scampered off. Fengchang picked it up and left. Madam Yao then took Shen Xiling’s small hands and examined her closely, frowning. “You have grown so thin. Why aren’t you eating properly?”

Unaware that the maids had secretly sent word to Qi Yin, Shen Xiling found Madam Yao’s words bewildering. It seemed as if Madam Yao had already heard about her condition, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Noticing her confusion, Madam Yao smiled and said, “It was Jingchen who asked me to come and check on you. He heard that you haven’t been sleeping or eating well recently and has been very concerned about you.”

Hearing this, Shen Xiling understood.

Qi Yin hadn’t returned to Fenghe Garden for a long time, so how would he know about her current state? Clearly, someone close to her must have contacted him.

She glanced at Shuipei, who immediately lowered her head, confirming her suspicions.

Shen Xiling felt a mix of emotions. She was grateful to her sisters for helping her, but she also thought it inappropriate to cling to him this way. Moreover, despite their efforts, he hadn’t returned, and instead, Madam Yao had made a special trip, which made her feel even more guilty.

Apologetically, she said to Madam Yao, “Thank you for coming to visit. I am actually fine.”

Madam Yao gave her a disapproving look. “Fine? You’ve grown much thinner. You hardly have any meat on your bones to begin with, and now I worry a gust of wind might blow you away.”

Embarrassed, Shen Xiling lowered her head, accentuating her frailty. Seeing this, Madam Yao felt genuine pity. Reflecting on the previous night, she recalled when Jingchen had come to see her.

Since he had entered public service, her son rarely sought her out for private conversations. Yet last night, he visited Ji Xi Hall to ask if she could spare some time tomorrow to visit Wenwen at Fenghe Garden.

Madam Yao had already found this odd. Since taking in Wenwen three years ago, her son seldom returned home, unless it was for holidays or unavoidable obligations. Recently, however, he had stayed at home continuously for three months, raising her suspicion.

She eyed her son and asked, “Is there something wrong with Wenwen? Why don’t you go see her yourself?”

Qi Yin didn’t respond.

Madam Yao, familiar with his temperament, sighed and found it somewhat amusing. “What’s going on? Did you two have a quarrel?”

Her son usually maintained a composed demeanor, but now he appeared somewhat uncomfortable. “No, Mother worries too much,” he replied.

Madam Yao laughed. “Nothing? Then why are you staying at home every day and not returning there? Didn’t you used to worry so much about Wenwen that you couldn’t go a day without seeing her?”

Qi Yin remained silent again.

Sighing, Madam Yao, understanding the principle of giving space, decided not to push him further, though she still felt concerned.

She could tell that Jingchen was preoccupied. Despite his calm exterior, how could he hide it from his mother’s eyes? Moreover, he had grown thinner recently—something that hadn’t happened even during wartime, indicating that he was troubled.

Patting Qi Yin’s back, she said, “Alright, alright. I’ll go see her tomorrow. But first, you need to tell me what happened between you two.”

Qi Yin glanced back at his mother and then lowered his gaze, repeating, “Nothing really happened.”

With nothing further to say, Madam Yao couldn’t help but feel frustrated by her son’s reticence. His earlier glance had carried a heaviness that unsettled her.

Coming back to the present, she looked at Wenwen sitting before her, similarly thin as Jingchen. Her feelings of helplessness intensified. Realizing she wouldn’t get much information from Jingchen, she thought perhaps Wenwen might reveal more.

“I can tell there’s some tension between you and Jingchen. He’s always been taciturn, impossible to draw anything from. Perhaps Wenwen would be willing to share?” She smiled kindly. “Even sharing a little would make you feel better.”

Madam Yao’s gentle demeanor moved Shen Xiling, stirring a desire to confide in her. However, after much deliberation, she still couldn’t understand why Qi Yin had suddenly distanced himself from her, as nothing had occurred between them.

Feeling wronged and powerless, she twisted her fingers together. After a long silence, she truthfully admitted, “I... I don’t know what happened...”

The girl’s expression was pitiful, on the verge of tears. Madam Yao couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.

She quickly pulled the girl into her embrace, recalling the scene three years ago when she knelt in Lady Lao’s Rongrui Hall. Back then, despite immense injustice, she shed no tears. Now, merely mentioning Jingchen brought her to the brink of tears.

Madam Yao felt a wave of emotion, realizing the depth of their bond. She silently blamed her son for handling things poorly and causing such sadness to this young girl.

Gently patting Shen Xiling’s frail shoulders, she consoled her. “Good girl, don’t cry. If nothing happened, then it’s his fault. Suddenly being cold for no reason is truly hateful!”

Sniffling, Shen Xiling murmured, “No... it’s not his fault. Maybe I unknowingly did something wrong...”

Madam Yao laughed at this, saying, “And you’re still defending him? Do you think I don’t know how disagreeable my son can be? It’s definitely his fault. Stop protecting him.”

Lowering her head, Shen Xiling blushed.

Seeing her calm down, Madam Yao smiled, releasing her embrace and sighing. “Jingchen may seem hard-hearted, but towards family, he’s often soft-hearted despite his tough exterior. He might have encountered something recently, neglecting you a bit. But he surely misses you deeply; otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked me to visit. Don’t you agree?”

Blinking, Shen Xiling nodded.

Smiling, Madam Yao affectionately patted her cheek. “He’s been particularly concerned about your hair-pinning ceremony. Every so often, he reminds me about it, worrying about every detail. It’s driving me crazy! I told him that if he’s so worried about my handling it, then he should do it himself. That shut him up!”

Her half-serious complaints made Shen Xiling laugh, along with the maids attending in the small reception room.

Seeing the girl smile, beautiful like a blooming flower, Madam Yao felt even more convinced of the joys of raising daughters. Comforting her, she said, “That’s right, smiling suits you. No more tears from now on.”

Pausing briefly, she suddenly remembered something. “Oh dear, today I came not just to see you but also for another important matter.”

Turning to the servant she brought from home, she instructed, “Quickly, have the maids bring the items in.”

Shen Xiling was puzzled, unsure what Madam Yao had brought. Moments later, a row of maids from the main house entered, each carrying something. On closer inspection, they held square trays containing ceremonial attire for her hair-pinning ceremony: colorful robes, plain skirts, deep-curved dresses, and a grand-sleeved gown. There were also various hairpins and accessories—all exquisitely crafted.

Shen Xiling hadn’t expected Madam Yao’s preparations to be so meticulous. As an orphan under their care, unrelated by blood, she felt unworthy of such treatment. Such elaborate ceremonial attire was fit for noble daughters of prestigious families, let alone someone like her.

Overwhelmed with gratitude and apprehension, Shen Xiling looked at Madam Yao, wanting to speak, but Madam Yao preemptively cut her off, half-scolding, “Don’t you dare decline. I’ve always wanted a daughter, but fate gave me four sons instead. Just when I thought I’d never have a daughter, you came along. It’s destiny, and I insist on arranging this for you. Don’t you dare refuse.”

At a loss for words, Shen Xiling attempted to express her thanks again, but Madam Yao stopped her, laughing. “Though I arranged these items, the money came from Jingchen. If you want to thank anyone, thank him. Not me. Come, take a look. Do you like these styles? If not, we can still make changes.”