Chapter 7
Edward Quan ·
Chapter 7
If I hadn’t stepped in, the two of them should have naturally become husband and wife, then grown old together in love.
The ill-fated bond between him and me had been a mistake from the start. Of course it could never end well.
“Thank you for your kindness, Heir. But this is far too precious for someone like me.”
“I… haven’t touched a paintbrush in a long time.”
I spoke softly and pushed the wooden box back toward him.
“Princess Yun Zhao is of noble birth. If she had it… she would surely be delighted.”
Shen Xingyi stared at the box I’d returned. For a long while, he said nothing.
A trace of loneliness crossed those eyes that had always been so gentle.
“You think you’re unworthy.”
He gave a bitter laugh, his voice turning hoarse.
“Or do you think I’m simply incapable of protecting you?”
I froze for a moment.
Before I could think through what Shen Xingyi meant, he braced a hand on the edge of the table and stood.
He rose too quickly and stumbled, banging his knee hard against the table leg.
“Miss Du, please rest well. If there’s anything you need, just send someone to the storeroom.”
As if fleeing, Shen Xingyi swept out in a rustle of sleeves.
I bit my lip and watched him disappear from sight.
Only much later did I taste something metallic, like rust, on my tongue.
I thought the matter had ended there.
But a few days later, Nanny Gui, who served Madam Hou, hurried into the guest courtyard.
She bowed to me with a smile.
“Miss Du, wonderful news! Madam Hou invites you to come see her today.”
08
Madam Hou’s courtyard was always perfumed with styrax incense.
My gaze passed over the slender shadow cast on the screen and settled on the teacup in Madam Hou’s hand.
Nanny Gui set down a bowl of almond milk, then quietly stepped back.
“You’ve grown thin.” Madam Hou studied me for a while and sighed. “Miss Du, you’ve shut yourself away these past few days. Is something weighing on your heart?”
I lowered my eyes. “Thank you for your concern, Madam. I’ve simply been feeling unwell and haven’t wanted to walk around.”
Madam Hou smiled and set down her teacup. “Zhao’er has told me everything.”
“If she hadn’t sent word in time that day, Xingyi might have lost his life. So today, I must thank you properly.”
For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.
I hadn’t expected Pei Yun Zhao to give me some of the credit instead of claiming it all for herself.
Someone as proud as she was had gone out of her way to share the credit with me.
Madam Hou still wore a smile, but her voice dropped slightly. “Tell me, then: if you could have jumped in and saved him yourself, why insist on running to call Zhao’er?”
I looked up and met Madam Hou’s eyes.
“Please, Madam, understand. Yuning cannot swim, and I’m timid and frail. I was afraid I’d fail to save him and only make things worse.”
Madam Hou said nothing.
After a long moment, she chuckled.
“You’re always so careful with your words and actions, child. No one can find anything to fault.”
She pushed her teacup aside and abruptly changed the subject. “Yuning, how old are you this year?”
“Madam, I’ll turn seventeen after the Dragon Boat Festival.”
Madam Hou repeated my answer, her gaze probing my face. “Your mother passed away early, and your father… is far away in Jiangnan. Someone ought to take charge of your marriage prospects.”
My eyelid twitched.
“I asked you here today because there’s something I wanted to ask you in person.”
Madam Hou sat upright, a kind smile on her face.
“You’ve lived in the manor for many years. I’ve always thought you clever and capable. You’re good at managing the household, handling affairs, and dealing with people. Xingyi is frail and will struggle to shoulder the family estate. If you were willing to stay and help him…”
She paused, her gaze drifting as if by chance toward the screen.
“Would you be willing?”
I was stunned.
In my previous life, at this point, I had tried to claim a reward for saving his life. I knelt before Madam Hou, weeping as I poured out my feelings for Shen Xingyi and begged her to approve our marriage.
Madam Hou had turned pale with anger, while Pei Yun Zhao had bluntly called me shameless and delusional.
Shen Xingyi had defied everyone’s objections and married me, but even Madam Hou, tolerant as she was, still thought my lowly birth made me an unsuitable match for him.
Her attitude only began to soften after I became pregnant.
And yet now, Madam Hou was the one broaching the subject.
“I know you’re a girl with a mind of your own, and Xingyi has feelings for you too.”
Madam Hou continued, her tone growing even warmer. “If you agree, you can first become his favored concubine. After that, you’ll have say over everything in Xingyi’s household, and your standing will be little different from that of his principal wife.”
“When Zhao’er marries into the manor, the two of you can be sisters in name and manage the family estate together…”
A sudden noise came from behind the screen.
Madam Hou must have heard it too, but she only smiled and said nothing.
“I’m deeply grateful for your favor, Madam.”
I stood and bowed low. “But there is something I’ve never dared to tell you.”
“Back in my hometown, I was once betrothed to a gentleman.”
I raised my head and met Madam Hou’s astonished gaze.
“The Chen family of Yangzhou deals in silk. My father and Master Chen have been old friends, and the two families arranged our betrothal years ago. It was only put on hold after I came to the Hou Manor.”
Madam Hou was taken aback.