Chapter 15 (Typo Corrections)

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Shen Hang took this matchmaking seriously, and Zhao Lan was more than willing to cooperate with his plan. Before dawn, the entire Shen residence was bustling with activity—sweeping away dust, trimming the flowers and trees, arranging the courtyard. Servants hurried back and forth in an orderly fashion, presenting an atmosphere of a flourishing family.

Shen Lingyue finally saw her two elder brothers who had been studying hard at the academy and hadn’t come home for many days.

The eldest brother, Shen Ming’an, was known for his constant care for his younger sister. His personal attendant was also the older brother of Shuangxu, who often went to the market to buy snacks and sweets to bring back.

He invited Zhao Lan to sit and familiarly patted Shen Lingyue’s head. “Your health is much better now, right? If there’s anything you want to eat or play with, just tell me. Big brother will send someone to get it for you.”

Zhao Lan pretended to scold, “You’re spoiling her! Buying snacks again—look at what she’s become.”

Shen Lingyue dared not speak back, feeling both anger and helplessness.

Shen Ming’an winked at her quietly.

The second brother, Shen Mingda, though born of a concubine, also came first to the main hall to greet his legitimate mother.

Two years younger than Shen Ming’an, Mingda resembled Aunt Liu with a handsome appearance—rosy lips, white teeth, big double-eyelid eyes, and a smile that was innocent and adorable.

“Third sister, this is a gift I made with my own hands for you.”

Shen Mingda took from his sleeve a small wooden tiger carving, round-headed and chubby, with a simple charm.

Since the original body belonged to the tiger zodiac, this gift was quite thoughtful.

“Thank you, second brother.”

Shen Lingyue took it, examining and playing with it carefully. “What kind of paint did you use? It shines so brightly.”

Most wooden carvings sold outside were only coated with clear lacquer, but Shen Mingda’s had pigments. Looking closely, it contained tiny particles that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, exquisitely crafted.

Seeing the genuine delight on her face, Shen Mingda’s smile grew brighter, full of enthusiasm. “I made the paints myself! The red is from the juice of impatiens flowers, the green from ground turquoise, and the white from shells my classmate collected by the seaside, which I crushed…”

“Enough! You were sent to the academy to study and prepare for exams, but you spend all day tinkering with these things!” Shen Hang entered with a stern face, scolding sharply. “The teacher said you got several low grades in the last monthly test. Have you swallowed your books whole or what?”

At the sight of their father, Shen Mingda, like a mouse facing a cat, turned pale and instinctively hid behind Shen Ming’an. “Big brother, save me!”

Shen Ming’an glanced back with a reassuring look, then said to Shen Hang, “Father, please calm down. Second brother is just thinking about third sister’s upcoming marriage and prepared gifts for her.”

“Stop covering for him! The teacher told me already—he’s been playing with wood for a long time, often bringing it to class and secretly carving under the desk!”

Shen Hang puffed, glaring fiercely. “If you fail the provincial exam again this year, just forget about studying. I’ll open a carpenter’s shop for you!”

Shen Mingda’s eyes lit up, almost nodding in agreement.

Only after Shen Ming’an tugged hard on his sleeve did he snap back to attention and obediently lower his head to be lectured.

Shen Lingyue noticed the little gestures between the two brothers and was somewhat surprised.

The eldest and second brothers seemed to get along well.

One might think they were full brothers born of the same mother.

After a few more words of reprimand, Shen Hang’s gaze fell on the finely crafted wooden tiger in Shen Lingyue’s hands, growing even angrier.

If only he spent the time carving wood on studying instead!

Shen Lingyue quickly hid the tiger behind her back. “Second brother gave it to me. Father, don’t even think about taking it away.”

Shen Hang was momentarily speechless and could only huff angrily and say to his two sons, “Come with me to the study to check your lessons.”

After Shen Mingda was scolded severely for knowing nothing, he returned dejectedly to the east wing, sensing the atmosphere was off.

Especially Shen Songyi, whose face was so sullen it seemed water could drip from it.

Not understanding the situation, he thought for a moment, then pulled out another colorful wooden bird from his sleeve, smiling, “Third sister, this is for you.”

He wasn’t foolish and knew not to show favoritism—after all, Shen Songyi was his true sister.

Shen Songyi grabbed the little bird and threw it out angrily. “Who wants this useless junk!”

She glared at the surprised Shen Mingda. “What’s wrong with you? Why do you always fail the monthly tests? How can you ever surpass big brother?”

Shen Mingda was even more shocked. “Me? Surpass big brother? What nonsense are you talking?”

Impossible. Big brother had been a prodigy since childhood, able to recite the classics backward and forward. Unlike him, who would feel drowsy after reading for just fifteen minutes.

Passing the entry-level scholar exam had already nearly killed him, and now his father wanted him to pass the higher exam?

Shen Mingda would rather open a carpenter’s shop…

He sighed, unsure whether his father’s words were said in anger or earnest.

Picking up the thrown bird, he tenderly touched the chipped paint and said gloomily, “If you don’t like it, fine. Why throw it around?”

Third sister liked it a lot, even complimented his bold and innovative colors.

Shen Songyi grew angrier seeing his pitiful expression. “I should have swapped with you while still in the womb. Then I wouldn’t have to marry a poor scholar!”

She and Shen Mingda were fraternal twins. Strangely enough, the whole family was intelligent, but Mingda was the only one who disliked studying, always dull and slow to learn. Yet he was enthusiastic about tinkering with wood and stone, able to spend an entire afternoon watching ants move under a tree when he was little.

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Shen Songyi pointed at him, full of disappointment. “Life’s unfair. If I were a boy, I would have worked hard to top the exams. Why don’t you cherish this chance?”

Shen Mingda was scolded as soon as he got home. Though gentle by nature, he had his limits. Being criticized by his sister made him more unhappy, and he couldn’t help but retort, “Father is the one arranging your engagement, not me. If you’re unhappy, take it up with him. Why take it out on me?”

Earlier in the study, their father had said that today they would invite Compiler Qi to discuss scholarly matters—actually to evaluate the second sister’s marriage prospects, encouraging him and big brother to behave well and observe the future brother-in-law’s character.

He thought Compiler Qi was impressive—so young yet already passed the imperial exams and even the more difficult examination for official scholars, with a bright future ahead.

He was very satisfied with this man as his sister’s future husband.

“If you like him that much, then marry him!” Shen Songyi didn’t expect her usually gentle second brother to talk back. She turned away with teary eyes and ran off.

“Don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense. She’s just in a bad mood and not angry at you,” Aunt Liu said, holding her son’s hand and sitting down, caring about how he was doing at the academy. After comforting him for some time, Shen Mingda’s expression improved.

She had long seen that her son was not cut out for studying. Shen Songyi was right—if the twins had swapped places, perhaps she could have earned a title for the family.

Now? Better not mention it.

She envied nothing about Zhao Lan except her having a good son.

*

In the afternoon, Qi Xiuyuan arrived at the Shen residence as promised.

He understood the true purpose of this visit. When Shen Hang proposed taking him to the backyard to see Zhao Lan, he readily agreed.

In the main hall, Aunt Liu dressed modestly and stood humbly behind Zhao Lan, lowering her eyes and saying, “Thank you, madam, for giving me this opportunity.”

“No trouble at all. The second missus is your own daughter. Her future husband must meet you.”

Zhao Lan had no intention of causing trouble with the marriage. By extending this favor to Aunt Liu, she could also build a magnanimous image before Shen Hang—why not?

She gestured to the opposite chair, “No need to serve me today. Please sit.”

“Yes, thank you, madam.”

Aunt Liu took small, measured steps to sit at the lower seat, staying close to the edge of the chair, showing great deference.

Zhao Lan then looked at the excited Shen Lingyue and the expressionless Shen Songyi standing nearby and pointed to the folding screen.

“You two, stand behind the screen and keep quiet. No disturbances, or don’t blame me for punishing you according to family rules.”

The last words were directed at Shen Songyi.

Technically, Shen Lingyue shouldn’t be involved in this, but since the emperor personally arranged her marriage, and she was to be married next month, she was considered half a “married woman.” It was harmless for her to see the future brother-in-law.

More importantly, Shen Lingyue insisted on staying to watch the fun, persistently begging.

It was also convenient to keep an eye on Shen Songyi, preventing her from sabotaging the marriage or causing any trouble.

Soon, Nurse Liu reported, “Master and Compiler Qi have arrived.”

Shen Lingyue and Shen Songyi quickly moved behind the screen. Through the faint gauze, they saw a tall, slender figure clad in bamboo-green, following Shen Hang into the hall.

The man bowed and spoke with a cold, clear voice. “Qi Xiuyuan greets madam.”

He only greeted Zhao Lan, while looking respectfully but without deviation at Aunt Liu, showing great courtesy.

Zhao Lan sat upright with a warm smile. “Please rise, no need to be so formal. My husband admires your talent greatly. Just call me aunt.”

“Yes, aunt.” Qi Xiuyuan adjusted his address and sat down with a straight posture, answering Zhao Lan’s questions calmly, introducing his family background and journey to the capital for the exams.

“My mother sold our ancestral property to support my studies and provide for my travel expenses to the capital. After the spring examination results came out, I wrote home and asked neighbors to help hire escorts to bring my mother to the capital. We now rent a small residence in Tonghua Lane.”

“Tonghua Lane? That’s in the south of the city, quite far from the Hanlin Academy. You must travel far every day.”

Zhao Lan quickly mapped the city in her mind, sketching the route.

Qi Xiuyuan pressed his lips lightly and replied in a calm voice, “The rent in the south city is still affordable. The commute is manageable; I just need to get up an hour earlier every day.”

Zhao Lan looked concerned, “It’s fine now, but it will be tough in winter.”

“My family is poor. I can only manage the duties as best I can, so I may repay my mother’s kindness in the future.”

Behind the screen, Shen Songyi bit her lips tightly, almost crumpling her handkerchief.

Listen to this—that’s the outstanding future husband their father carefully chose?

Shen Lingyue didn’t think much but tried hard to peek through the gap between the two screens to get a clear look at Qi Xiuyuan’s face.

In this regard, Shen Hang hadn’t lied. Qi Xiuyuan was tall, with well-defined and handsome features, sharp brows, refined eyes, and a scholarly demeanor. His voice was pleasant—truly very handsome.

She glanced sideways at Shen Songyi. Really? You don’t even like someone like this?

In her past life, Qi Xiuyuan would at least be a campus heartthrob, maybe even able to debut as an actor.

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She didn’t know what the second young master Pei looked like, or who was more handsome between him and Qi Xiuyuan.

Shen Lingyue’s gaze drifted off, lost in thought.

Shen Songyi was still able to have a premarital meeting, but as for her, despite the imperial decree for marriage, the Changning Marquis’s residence never sent a proper elder to visit, let alone have the Pei young master come to meet her future mother-in-law.

…Could it be that the Changning Marquis’s family was also dissatisfied with this arranged marriage, so they silently protested with this cold treatment?

Thinking of this possibility, Shen Lingyue’s eyes widened.

She hadn’t even married in yet, and her future in-laws were already looking down on her?

It didn’t matter. If they disliked her, let them. She was marrying for the sake of being with Yan Yi every day—nothing else mattered!

Ah, why wasn’t June 18th here yet? She hadn’t seen Yan Yi for days and missed him terribly…

Completely lost in her own daydreams, Shen Lingyue smiled foolishly.

Beside her, Shen Songyi watched her frown and then grin, teeth clenched in anger.

How hateful! Shen Lingyue must be mocking her!

The angrier she got, the more she could not hold back and finally shoved Shen Lingyue hard.

Caught off guard, Shen Lingyue cried out and fell backward out from behind the screen, sprawling on the floor.

Shen Songyi struck successfully, showed no mercy, and turned to run away.

Shen Lingyue slowly got up, her face flushed red, calmly smoothing her clothes. Following the principle that if she wasn’t embarrassed, others would be, she nodded to everyone in the room without looking away and walked proudly out of the main hall.

“Ahhh, help me! My legs are dead tired, please move faster!”

Zhao Lan: …

Shen Hang: …

Qi Xiuyuan: …

Zhao Lan was the first to recover composure, expression unchanged as she said, “My youngest daughter is mischievous. Please forgive her.”

“Mingzhi” was Qi Xiuyuan’s courtesy name, meaning “clear vision.”

Qi Xiuyuan also recovered and lowered his eyes. “It’s nothing. This is Miss Shen’s home. Naturally, she can go anywhere.”

Shen Hang clenched his teeth, forcing a smile.

That third girl was deliberately causing trouble for her sister, wasn’t she?

Aunt Liu, who had been a silent observer, looked at Qi Xiuyuan, then at Shen Lingyue’s retreating figure, thoughtful.

*

“I’m so mad, so mad!”

Back in her courtyard, Shen Lingyue gulped down several cups of water to cool the burning heat on her face.

If only she hadn’t stayed to watch the commotion. That hateful Shen Songyi had embarrassed her!

Qingchan fanned the flames nearby: “Second miss is just jealous that you’re marrying well.”

She suddenly widened her eyes. “Could it be she wants you to marry Compiler Qi?”

Shen Lingyue rolled her eyes. “No way! I have the emperor’s decree. I can’t just change people.”

In the Daye Dynasty, there was no such rule that seeing each other’s faces before marriage meant responsibility. Otherwise, everyone would just cover their faces whenever they went out.

Qingchan whispered, “They say Compiler Qi is handsome. What if you like his face and insist on marrying him?”

Shen Lingyue was speechless. “Then I’d be crazy.”

She swore by the heavens, “This life, I belong to the Changning Marquis’s family. Nowhere else!”

*

Though there had been a small incident, everyone present was tactful and pretended nothing happened.

Zhao Lan, eager to return and prepare her daughter, and satisfied with the information gathered, suggested that Qi Xiuyuan go to the front courtyard to discuss scholarship with Shen Ming’an and Shen Mingda, and stay for dinner.

Suddenly, Aunt Liu interjected, “Madam, the spring weather is so fine today. Instead of staying inside studying, why not go to the octagonal pavilion in the garden, enjoy the scenery while brewing tea, and compose poetry together? Wouldn’t that be elegant?”

Zhao Lan frowned slightly. Before Aunt Liu could say more, Shen Hang quickly agreed, “Good idea. Mingzhi, what do you think?”

“I’ll follow Lord Shen’s arrangements.”

Shen Hang’s face grew more pleased. “Hahaha, no need to call me Lord Shen anymore—call me uncle.”

Today, an uncle; in a few days, a father-in-law!