Chapter 62

The slanting sun illuminated the shadow wall; it was autumn, and willow catkins were drifting in the air, as if wrapped in spots of light, resembling stars in the daylight. Shen Linfeng paused to watch for a moment before walking with his hands behind his back toward Lady Shen.

Lady Shen was taking her medicine at this time. Her illness was not serious, just the ailments that come with age. If she did not take her medicine when feeling unwell, she always felt uneasy, so she often had the kitchen prepare medicine for her.

Han Ruohua now resided in the Shen household. She was a diligent and rule-abiding person, and paying respects morning and evening was a matter of course. When there was nothing else, she would also accompany Shen Mo to be with Lady Shen. Shen Mo had lived with her maternal grandparents when she was young, and she had always been on good terms with Han Ruohua.

Hearing that Shen Linfeng had come to pay his respects, Lady Shen wondered why he had come again today since he was on leave and had already paid his respects in the morning. However, she was still pleased to see her son and said, "Let him come in."

Lady Shen saw her son enter, the same person, but somehow there was an added touch of firmness in his brows.

"Son pays his respects to Mother," Shen Linfeng said respectfully.

Lady Shen nodded, "Where have you been?"

Shen Linfeng smiled, "I went to the bookstore to look for books and happened to meet Brother Boying. He is about to get married, and I didn't know what kind of gift to choose, so we chatted for a while."

It turned out he had met Yan Jingzhao. Lady Shen's expression eased slightly, "This elder son of the Yan family is indeed a rare young talent. I think he is no less capable than you. The two of you are now relatives by marriage, and it's good for you to visit each other."

Shen Linfeng thought that his mother could lavish praise on Yan Jingzhao without reservation but was so strict with his sister, the Divine Consort. Despite her young age, the Divine Consort had worked hard to secure a noble title for their mother. No wonder the Divine Consort told him not to speak well of her in front of Lady Shen; such a stark difference was even noticeable to him.

"Mother speaks truly," he said, not knowing why his mother treated his sister so unfairly, which he found increasingly intolerable.

Just as Lady Shen sensed that Shen Linfeng wanted to say something, he finished his respects and left.

Of course, Lady Shen asked Mama Zhou to send Lier to the study the next day to serve. She was not joking. Shen Linfeng had held back yesterday because he knew that if he had seen the Yan family and then talked to Lady Shen, she might think the Yans had said something.

Now, his mother had sent someone over without consulting him. If he were still a child, it would be one thing, but now that he was an official, his mother's actions without discussion were completely ignoring him.

So, he went straight to Lady Shen, who did not expect her son to actually come.

"Mother, why did you send someone over?"

"The maid in your study, Anxiang, is getting older and has reached the age for marriage, so I sent her back home to wait for marriage and sent another person over. What's wrong with that?" Lady Shen pretended not to know.

Shen Linfeng replied, "Mother, Anxiang used to serve in the study, but I never let outsiders enter my study, and she only prepared tea in the outer room. Why did you send another person over?"

Lady Shen was displeased, "Linfeng, you..."

Shen Linfeng, following Yao Niang's advice, said, "Mother, the engagement between me and the eldest daughter of the Yan family did not go smoothly, partly due to the second branch inviting Wei Wuji. Although Wei Wuji was exiled by the Yan family, I fear further complications. Mother, please have a genuine concern for your son. If this marriage does not work out, how can I face it?"

"Oh, sending a maid over has nothing to do with Wei Wuji," Lady Shen dismissed it casually.

Shen Linfeng thought that his sister, the Divine Consort, had indeed foreseen this. Adults only cared about their authority and paid no attention to what truly mattered to the children.

Therefore, he said, "Mother, since you think it doesn't matter, if anything goes wrong with the marriage later, I will not be responsible."

"What?" Lady Shen's eyes twitched.

Shen Linfeng sighed, "Mother, you and Father were already unable to hold your heads up high when people gossiped, and you even declined the Yan family's respect. But what about me? I have suffered countless criticisms. Now that I am about to marry, I don't want a grand wedding; I just hope it can proceed normally. But if you insist on doing this now, then you must guarantee that if anything goes wrong with this marriage, you will take responsibility."

"This is not a big deal," Lady Shen did not understand how a concubine maid could affect anything.

Indeed, once these people were made responsible, they began to hesitate.

Shen Linfeng said, "For others, it may be normal, but for me, I cannot afford to fail. Do you really want to see me become a laughingstock?"

"Alright, alright, I won't send anyone over," Lady Shen finally realized that her son was more afraid of the marriage failing than of the Yan family girl. If the marriage really went wrong, wouldn't she become a sinner for all eternity?

Shen Linfeng didn't expect Lady Shen to be so agreeable; he couldn't suppress his smile as he left.

Oh, Sister Divine Consort's move was truly divine. She said that for any matter, those who act arrogantly should be held responsible for their actions. Mother spoke with such conviction, but if she were to bear full responsibility for her marriage, she would immediately back out.

He thought this strategy could also work in his duties. For anyone who speaks confidently and incites others, if they were really made to do it themselves, they would likely retreat.

Although treating Mother this way wasn't good, if he couldn't even make decisions about his own room, how could he make decisions about other things in the future? Besides, he kept thinking of Sister Divine Consort; his mind was filled with thoughts of her, making it hard to think of anyone else.

After Lady Shen recalled Lier, Shen Mo naturally heard some rumors, but she couldn't meddle in her brother's affairs.

But for her brother to have Mother send someone away was indeed a rare occurrence. Since ancient times, one dares not refuse what an elder bestows. Her brother had always been extremely filial and never dared to disobey his parents.

Yao Niang didn't know much about the Shen family's affairs, but she was already better off than most couples who barely spoke before marriage, knowing that Shen Linfeng cared so much about her.

Sometimes, if a man loves you, even if you are lowly, he will still treasure you. If he doesn't love you, even if you are a celestial being, you are just like grass.

There's no point in talking about how much effort you put into yourself to make a man see.

Fortunately, she was the one Shen Linfeng was willing to marry, and they had interacted before their wedding.

However, she herself couldn't be too weak either. No matter what happens, she must remain calm and composed, and no matter who she encounters, she mustn't lose her composure.

Yan Jingzhao and Li Shi's wedding was scheduled for this month. After finishing her embroidery each day, Yao Niang would help at the Jie residence. The Jie residence was not only preparing for Yan Jingzhao's wedding but also for Yao Niang's, which had made Jie Shi lose several pounds, much to Yan Yingqi's concern.

At dinner, he said to Jie Shi, "You worry too much. We've invited the Four Ministries and Six Bureaus, and the color pavilions are set up. There's no need to rush."

Jie Shi smiled, "Raising a child is ninety-nine worries out of a hundred. Actually, you worry just as much as I do. To be honest, I'm really afraid for Jingzhao after his previous wife passed away, and for Yao Niang to marry so young."

"Life is always full of excitement; just stay calm," Yan Yingqi comforted.

Yao Niang looked at her mother, "Yes, Mother, there's no need to worry about me. Although being a daughter-in-law can be tough, I am very confident."

Jie Shi often worried a lot. With her around, she could help with big or small matters and keep her company. If she were to marry, she felt her mother would be alone and lonely.

Jie Shi couldn't help but wipe away tears secretly, "You child, you're even comforting me now."

"Mother, I hear my sister-in-law is coming soon, and she seems to be a sincere person. Don't be afraid."

Yan Yingqi hadn't felt anything special before, but seeing his wife's anxiety, he felt a pang of sympathy. He and Yan Jingzhao were men, and over the years, it was more like their daughter had accompanied him rather than Jie Shi taking care of her.

A few days later, Li Shi entered the household. In the morning, she and Yan Jingzhao came to pay respects, blushing shyly, hardly daring to look at Yan Jingzhao, which made Yao Niang feel that she truly admired her brother.

Jie Shi was certainly not the kind of mother-in-law who meddles in her son's marriage. She hadn't given any maidservants to her son. Seeing Li Shi's obvious admiration for her son, she was even happier for Yan Jingzhao and bestowed valuable gifts.

She also said to Li Shi, "I heard from Yao Niang that you enjoy cooking. We'll build a small kitchen in the eastern wing. Meals will still come from the main kitchen, but if you want to make pastries or soups, you can use the small kitchen."

Li Shi was delighted, "Thank you, Madam."

"Don't thank me. My unworthy son needs your care," Jie Shi smiled at them.

Yan Jingzhao also smiled, and Li Shi quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at her husband. Last night, when the veil was lifted, her husband treated her with great tenderness. She had heard that such intimate matters would be extremely painful, but last night was completely different, almost indescribably blissful.

Seeing her sister-in-law's shyness, Yao Niang quickly intervened, "Sister-in-law, try this pastry; it's new."

Li Shi smiled gratefully, picked up a piece, and found it sweeter than honey.

"Brother, this pastry is quite sweet. Pass this tea to your sister-in-law," Yao Niang asked a servant to bring it to Yan Jingzhao.

Yan Jingzhao didn't refuse; he needed to give face to his new wife. He smiled and handed the teacup to Li Shi. When Li Shi took the cup, she accidentally touched Yan Jingzhao's hand and blushed again.

Seeing this, Yao Niang and Jie Shi exchanged glances and stifled their laughter.

As relatives of Yan Jingzhao, they were friendly to Li Shi, hoping that his marriage would be harmonious and happy forever. May it be so!