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Shen Xiling’s body grew increasingly weak after she awoke from her dream.
Her constitution was frail to begin with, and she often fell ill as a child. Later, under the meticulous care of Qi Yin, her health gradually improved. However, since coming to Shangjing, she had been burdened by constant worries, which eventually manifested into an illness. Thus, this bout of sickness had its roots in her circumstances. Even though her fever had subsided and she regained consciousness, she still lacked strength and could not be considered fully recovered.
Lian Zi and Wan Zhu were loyal servants comparable to Shui Pei and Feng Chang. They were dedicated to restoring their mistress’s health while alleviating the general’s concerns. Besides preparing medicine daily, they ensured Shen Xiling consumed three nourishing soups a day, fearing she might not eat or drink enough.
Qin Shi, Shen Xiling’s sister-in-law, had always shared a close bond with her and often visited along with Gu Jingqi, the younger sister of the household. Sometimes their conversations would extend, coinciding with meal times, leading to shared meals on occasion.
Gu Jingqi usually enjoyed visiting her eldest sister-in-law for meals because she knew Shen Xiling lived comfortably and her meals carried the distinct flavors of Jiangzuo, making them novel and appealing. However, recently, due to Shen Xiling’s convalescence, the food, though nutritious, carried a faint medicinal taste, which Gu Jingqi found off-putting. Consequently, she began visiting earlier to avoid meal times.
Gu Jingqi had just turned thirteen, a blossoming age full of liveliness and curiosity. After school, she often ran to Shen Xiling’s quarters, where Qin Shi was usually already present. They would either chat about everyday matters at the round table in the small flower hall or read and write together, enjoying a leisurely and relaxed atmosphere.
Whenever Gu Jingqi arrived, she would chatter animatedly with her sisters-in-law, her lively chatter endearing her to everyone.
Shen Xiling had always liked her little sister-in-law, finding her naturally charming and adorable. Now, looking at her evoked even more poignant feelings.
She had just woken from a profound dream and hadn’t completely detached herself from it. Occasionally, unrelated triggers would pull her back into the dream’s thoughts. For instance, every time she saw Gu Jingqi, she couldn’t help but recall her own teenage years in the dream. Even at the end, when she parted ways with that person, she was only sixteen, around the same age as Gu Jingqi now.
What was she like back then?
Admittedly, she was different from Gu Jingqi—far less outgoing and likable—but she did have a radiant period in her life, starting from age twelve and lasting nearly five years. During these years, she experienced a peaceful life, laughing and crying freely before a man she adored, unreservedly seeking his favor, and receiving heartfelt promises from him.
It was incredibly beautiful.
She felt a longing, and the dream seemed to threaten to engulf her again. Fortunately, Gu Jingqi’s chatter pulled her attention back somewhat.
The young girl was talking about her older brother.
While munching on sunflower seeds at the round table, Gu Jingqi earnestly said to Shen Xiling, “Sister-in-law, have you noticed that Brother has been returning home rather late these past few days?”
Lian Zi and Wan Zhu, who were attending to Shen Xiling, chuckled at this. Before Shen Xiling could respond, Qin Shi playfully tapped Gu Jingqi’s nose and teased, “Why are you poking your nose into your brother and sister-in-law’s affairs, little missy?”
Gu Jingqi was visibly displeased and replied seriously, “That’s not true.” She continued, “Sister-in-law shouldn’t say that. Brother and sister-in-law aren’t outsiders; their affairs naturally concern me too. How can I not care?”
Everyone in the room burst into laughter. The little girl, however, remained earnest, tugging at Shen Xiling and saying, “Sister-in-law, don’t take my words lightly. My brother is quite popular with women. Who knows, some vixen might take advantage of your illness to steal him away. Though my brother is a gentleman, one can never be too sure if he can resist temptation. You should keep a closer eye on him!”
The little girl’s antics and expressions were so amusing that they made everyone laugh heartily, including Shen Xiling, who pinched her cheek and said, “What vixens? What resisting? Is this what you’ve been learning in school? Be careful I don’t tell your brother, and we’ll see who needs to keep an eye on whom.”
Upon hearing Shen Xiling threaten to tell her brother, Gu Jingqi immediately became disheartened and pleaded, “Please, Sister-in-law, don’t do that! It’s almost the eighth day of the fourth month. If I get caught doing something wrong now, I definitely won’t be able to attend the Buddha Bathing Festival! Dear Sister-in-law, please spare me!”
Shen Xiling released Gu Jingqi’s cheek, shaking her head with a smile. The little girl rubbed her face and muttered, “I’m genuinely concerned for you, Sister-in-law. My brother has indeed been returning late recently. Wan Zhu told me he hasn’t come back to have dinner with you for several days…”
Wan Zhu, mentioned by name, shrank back slightly. Lian Zi glared at her, prompting her to stick out her tongue in response.
Qin Shi took over the conversation, addressing Gu Jingqi, “What do you know? Your brother holds the esteemed position of Grand Guardian, burdened with state affairs. Naturally, he’s bound to be busy. He skipped court for a few days to take care of Sister-in-law, likely accumulating a lot of work. It’s natural for him to spend extra time handling it now. What’s strange about that?”
Gu Jingqi pouted and retorted confidently, “But there’s no war going on now. My brother is a general, not a scholar-official. Why does he have so much to do? If he doesn’t come home to have dinner with my sister-in-law, it clearly means he’s hiding something from her!”
This statement carried a somewhat startling impact but was undeniably childish. Her two sisters-in-law regarded it as mere jest, not taking it seriously.
Shen Xiling and Gu Juhan weren’t truly married. He was forced to marry her to secure a vast fortune from Qi Yin to save his homeland. She was merely a pawn and thus had no grounds to interfere in his life. Moreover, she harbored no such intention. In fact, she hoped Gu Juhan would find a confidante, sparing him from wasting his marriage as she had.
Thus, on the second day of the fourth month, when Gu Juhan unusually returned early to have dinner with Shen Xiling, she dismissed the maids and broached the subject with him, initially speaking rather cryptically.
She first served him a bowl of soup, handing it to him while asking, “General, is there any difficulty with official matters causing you to return late recently?”
Gu Juhan appeared quite weary, seemingly preoccupied, as if burdened by something.
He accepted the soup bowl from Shen Xiling, surprised by her question. She rarely inquired about his personal affairs unless it involved Qi Yin. Over their five years of marriage, this was unprecedented. He felt unexpectedly flattered.
After coughing lightly, he thanked her and sipped his soup. Setting down his spoon, he replied, “Nothing major. Just some things delayed from the days I missed court. I need to catch up on them.”
Shen Xiling said, “This is originally my fault for causing trouble for the General.”
Gu Juhan was momentarily stunned, realizing his previous statement sounded as if he were blaming her illness for delaying his official duties.
He certainly didn’t mean that. Immediately, he said, “That’s not what I meant. Don’t overthink it…”
How could he forget that she was sensitive?
In truth, Gu Juhan’s thoughts weren’t entirely accurate. Shen Xiling was sensitive as a child, but now she had grown up, shedding most of her youthful naivety. She wouldn’t repeat her childhood mistakes. She was simply uncomfortable troubling Gu Juhan—after all, she treated him very politely.
Shen Xiling smiled and didn’t pursue the matter further. They ate in silence for a while. After a moment, Shen Xiling spoke again, “General… shall I arrange a concubine for you?”
Gu Juhan paused with his chopsticks.
He looked at Shen Xiling briefly before resuming eating, then asked, “Why bring this up again? Didn’t we agree never to mention this again?”
Indeed, he had said that.
It was before she fell ill. They had returned from Yi Tower to the Duke’s residence. While feeding fish in the garden she had replicated, he had expressed that the current situation was complex, and he had no desire to involve another innocent woman, thereby adding unnecessary complications.
At that time, Shen Xiling had fully agreed with his reasoning. However, after waking from her dream, her thoughts underwent subtle changes.
She pursed her lips, deliberating for a moment before saying, “Today, Miss Xue came to see me.”
Gu Juhan was startled, frowning as he asked, “Xue Yuan?”
Xue Yuan, Gu Juhan’s childhood friend, the only daughter of Duke An Ding, and niece of Lady Ping Jing, was infamous in Shangjing for her long-standing infatuation with Gu Juhan.
Shen Xiling nodded.
Gu Juhan’s brows furrowed deeper, and he worriedly asked Shen Xiling, “Why did she come? Did she come to make things difficult for you? Or did she say something unpleasant?”
He appeared somewhat angry.
Shen Xiling realized he misunderstood and quickly shook her head, setting down her utensils. She explained, “You misunderstand, General. Miss Xue harbors no ill intent. She… came to give me a hairpin.”
This incident regarding the hairpin happened not long ago.
In March, a princess from Liang was sent far away to Shangjing for a political marriage. The Wei Emperor was delighted and organized a polo match. However, Qi Yin claimed illness and did not attend. That day, the young Yan Duke stole the limelight and won the top prize—a finely crafted, exquisitely beautiful golden hairpin.
The Yan Duke presented the top prize to his wife, and during Madam Zhong’s tea party a few days later, the mischievous Wan Zhu placed the hairpin in her mistress’s hair, drawing envious gazes from all the women in the garden.
On that day, eager to see Qi Yin, Shen Xiling secretly tucked the golden hairpin into her sleeve, pretending it was lost. This prompted Madam Zhong to mobilize many people to search the entire mansion, creating an opportunity for Shen Xiling to slip away to the guest quarters unnoticed.
Today, Xue Yuan visited the Yan Duke’s residence to deliver the hairpin.
She arrived when the sun was high, around late morning, accompanied only by a maid. She requested to see the Duchess.
The servants of the Duke’s residence were well aware of the strained relationship between Miss Xue and their mistress. With the General absent during the day, they feared that their mistress, who had just recovered from a serious illness, might be distressed. Therefore, they were on high alert, advising Shen Xiling to simply refuse visitors.
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