After the poetry gathering, Xin Yi picked up her talented beauty persona again, rising early each day to play the qin and read.
This time, however, she was a bit smarter about it. She deliberately chose to read on the path Shen Ru Jie had to pass through, making sure to catch his eye every time she picked up a book to brush her presence.
For the first couple of days, she pretended to trip and fell into his arms several times. It worked at first, but after his favorability held steady at 75%, it refused to budge no matter what.
It seemed 80 was a hurdle that needed some real progress to break through.
Propping her chin on her hand, she thought of some sensitive content that would surely get a “beep—” from the system.
Then she felt… it was probably time to put it on the agenda.
As Xin Yi pondered this, she shifted her gaze to the willow trees by the distant lake embankment. Her sight and mood both brightened.
She had to admit, the air and environment in ancient times were just superior. The sky was so blue, the water so clear it was like a painting. No wonder ancient people loved touring mountains and rivers, and had the leisure to write poems everywhere.
Little did she know that her idle, dazed appearance at that moment fell into another person’s eyes, stirring subtle ripples in a place she could not see.
At the corner of the path by the willows, the servant boy accompanying Shen Gui stopped in his tracks. He followed his master’s gaze to the woman with delicate hands holding a book as she read.
The woman wore a smoky cyan embroidered skirt, with a light shawl draped elegantly over her arm. Her brows and eyes held a smile, as if she had thought of something amusing. Her usually gentle and refined little face showed a touch of lively mischief, her crimson lips curved slightly upward.
She looked to be in a good mood—at least today.
The servant boy could not fathom his master’s thoughts and cautiously probed, “Marquis, shall we go over and chat with the Madam?”
It had been many days since the poetry gathering incident. The Marquis had been in a foul mood over it ever since, and after returning to the estate, he had not waited for the Madam to come and sweet-talk him.
Even when he visited Miss A Wu, he showed no interest, always making excuses about busy official duties and leaving after just a few words.
Just that morning, for instance, the servant boy had caught the Marquis lost in thought several times, his gaze drifting vaguely toward the Madam’s courtyard.
He had tried suggesting that since the Marquis was fatigued from handling affairs, they might go for a walk. He noted that the ginkgo trees by the Madam’s courtyard were blooming nicely—a good spot for relaxation and appreciating the scenery.
He had only mentioned it casually, mainly because the Marquis had been so distracted lately, his face perpetually grim and intimidating.
Unexpectedly, the Marquis actually stood up from his chair and agreed, “Then let’s go take a look. I remember those ginkgos are growing well too.”
Yet before they reached the Madam’s courtyard, they spotted her in a pavilion along the way.
The Marquis, who had spoken of viewing the ginkgo trees, halted and did not proceed. His gaze fixed straight on the woman sitting leisurely in the pavilion.
With no response forthcoming, the servant boy reminded him again, “Marquis, shall we go say something to the Madam?”
Shen Gui stood tall with his hands behind his back, his eyes dark as he clenched his jaw. There was no joy on his face. “Do you think the Madam looks very happy today?”
The servant boy’s scalp tingled, more uncertain than ever about his master’s intentions.
But he looked back at the pavilion and the woman’s slightly smiling, delicate face, then answered honestly, “She does seem quite happy. Not like the Madam from usual days.”
He did not know which word struck a nerve, but his master let out an inscrutable cold laugh. “It seems I know very little about my own wife.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and turned to head back to the residence.
The servant boy hurried after him, full of confusion. “Marquis, Marquis… what about the ginkgos?”
“Just a few damn trees. Nothing worth seeing.”
Xin Yi did not see Shen Ru Jie that day. She sighed in disappointment, her stomach full of frustration.
It was not until after lunch that she felt a bit better. Under the system’s repeated urgings, she finally had her maid set the qin in the courtyard, planning to perfunctorily pluck a few notes.
She never expected an uninvited guest.
She did not recognize him at first, until A Ying whispered in her ear, “Madam, this is the Marquis’s personal servant boy.”
Xin Yi let out an “oh,” still puzzled in her heart. Ever since that day at the poetry gathering, the two of them had had no interactions.
Since she had already decided on divorce, she had no intention of pretending to be a lovesick wife to coax him. Yet now he had sent his personal servant boy over…
What, was Shen Gui dying?
Melodramatic Transmigration System: “Host, you seem to really dislike Shen Gui? From entering the Small World until now, I’ve heard you curse him several times.”
Xin Yi replied matter-of-factly, “Who doesn’t hate a rotten cucumber? Especially since he’s the chief culprit who let down the original host and caused her to die of depression in the end.”
The system fell silent, because it felt Xin Yi had a point.
In that moment, the servant boy in front of her bowed with a beaming smile and offered congratulations. “Congratulations, Madam!”
Xin Yi frowned in confusion, her slender fingers still on the strings. “Congratulations? For what?”
The servant boy grinned even wider, practically beaming with delight. “The Marquis sent me to tell you that he plans to rest in your courtyard tonight. Please make preparations in advance.”
“…”
Xin Yi’s face darkened, her body visibly stiffening. “Say that again. Where does he plan to rest?”
The servant boy thought she was so overjoyed she had gone silly and was unsure how to respond, hence her hesitant tone.
So he smiled and answered loudly, “In your courtyard, Madam!”
Xin Yi: “………………”
Rest my ass.
As dusk gradually fell, everything in the Marquis’s estate proceeded as usual.
Shen Ru Jie returned from outside as he always did. His brows and eyes were extremely cold and indifferent, his skin pale. Though his appearance was strikingly handsome, the black robes and cold sword lent it a sharp, menacing edge.
He went straight back to his courtyard and drained the cold tea on the desk in one gulp.
The strange, churning emotions in his chest refused to settle. Then he thought of Xin Yi again—of Xin Yi, once more.
He recalled her walking over through the rain curtain, enduring fear, pressing the orchid-embroidered handkerchief to his bleeding hand.
He recalled the filthy, foul stable, the faint fragrance she brought as she drew near, the misty pearl flowers by her temples, her gentle and refined face.
He recalled her leaning over the waterside pavilion to feed him hazelnut pastries, earnestly offering them, then huffing as she used the handkerchief that had wrapped them to wipe the wine from his face.
Xin Yi.
Sister-in-law.
The more he thought, the less he could calm down. His mind filled with her face, the tone of her voice when she spoke, the breath as she leaned close.
And the faint dimples that gathered at the corners of her lips when she smiled.
No lamps were lit in the room. The youth’s eyes were pitch-black and deep, though the expression on his handsome face was far from pleasant.
He finally recognized the utterly vile and filthy thoughts hidden beneath his harmless facade.
Shen Ru Jie stood rigidly for a long time before opening the door and stepping out.
Unfortunately, before he could reach Xin Yi’s courtyard, A Ying blocked his path as she emerged from it carrying an empty medicine bowl.
She looked at him in surprise. “Is Second Young Master here to talk with Madam? I’m afraid it’s not convenient today.”
Shen Ru Jie’s steps faltered at her words, his brows furrowing. In a tone of anxiety he himself did not notice, he asked, “What’s wrong with Sister-in-law? Is she ill again?”
Her health was poor; she fell sick at the drop of a hat.
A Ying paused, then smiled. “No, the Marquis is staying in Madam’s room tonight. They should be having private words by now.”
The little maid, innocent in such matters, blushed as she explained. “The Marquis worried Madam’s body couldn’t handle it, so he specially sent Nurse Sun this afternoon to instruct her. He even had warming tonic soup brewed for her just now…”
She could say no more on the matter and trailed off awkwardly.
Blushing, with mirth in her eyes, she looked at the man before her. “It’s late, Second Young Master. You should head back to rest early.”
Moonlight bathed the courtyard, tree shadows swaying.
A partridge perched on a branch sensed danger and flapped away in panic.
The courtyard servants and maids had all withdrawn.
Only the night breeze passed through, blowing open a gap between the vermilion window frames. By the bright moonlight, one could glimpse the scene inside.
Shen Ru Jie reached out and lightly touched the window frame, his eyes dark and inscrutable as he stared fixedly at the slender figure seated at the desk.
She wore simple moon-white robes, her raven hair cascading like a waterfall to her slender waist. Her profile was alluring and beautiful.
The youth hidden in the shadows gazed at her lovely profile, his emotions surging. His mind replayed the words he had exchanged with the Seventh Prince that afternoon in the teahouse.
Words that left him no room for self-deception.
Xiao Cong Jing had been inexplicably irritable lately and invited him to the teahouse for drinks that day.
After listening to the other’s complaints, he asked flatly, “His Majesty wishes to grant marriage between Your Highness and Miss A Yuan—isn’t that good? Since it’s a mutual affection, why is Your Highness so troubled?”
“Or has Your Highness found a new love lately?”
Having been by the Seventh Prince’s side for so long, he knew Xiao Cong Jing’s special regard for A Yuan. The playboy reputation was mere facade; the Pleasure Quarters and fleeting women were just for show.
Only A Yuan could soften his cold heart.
Xiao Cong Jing actually indulged A Yuan’s bad temper greatly. As long as she did not go too far, he always accepted it with a smile.
Yet upon hearing this, the prince’s smile turned even more bitter. “Of course I like her, but in this life, I’m destined not to have only A Yuan.”
“I’ll have many women in the future. On nights when A Yuan fears thunder, I’ll hold other women and stay in their rooms, doing all manner of husbandly things with them, even if I don’t like them.”
Xiao Cong Jing narrowed his eyes, his tone chilling. “But A Yuan will be jealous. Seeing me with other girls will hurt her.”
The moonlight was clear, the wind rustling the courtyard trees.
Hidden behind the window frame, Shen Ru Jie stared at Xin Yi, his face ashen. Suddenly, his chest felt blocked by a stone, making it hard to breathe.
So this was jealousy.
He could not tolerate other men by her side, could not bear her gentle smiles going to a second person. Those indescribable feelings he had toward Xin Yi—they were liking.
He even recoiled at the thought of Shen Gui embracing her.
Just imagining the scene brought a bloody taste to his throat.
He wanted to chop off his hands.
So filthy—how could he touch Sister-in-law?
The door creaked open, followed by steady footsteps.
The tall, elegant man approached Xin Yi’s side, seemingly silently appraising her for a moment before chuckling lowly and placing a hand on her shoulder.
The youth behind the window saw this, his eyes turning crimson with sinister rage. The thick malice and fury could no longer be suppressed.
In the end, it twisted into a faint smile on his lips: Since his brother, as master of the marquisate, inevitably made enemies at court, having two arms severed by assassins… would be normal, wouldn’t it?
The night wind seemed to pick up, extinguishing one of the red candles in the room.
The remaining ones flickered unsteadily, as if they would not last much longer.
A Ying had specially lit them, saying it was to create atmosphere for the Marquis and Madam making up for their wedding night.
Xin Yi had just pursed her lips at the time: She knew this room would not see any “caving in” tonight. White or red candles made no difference, but she was too lazy to argue with the little maid, so she let it be.
From the moment Shen Gui put his hand on her shoulder, she had broken out in goosebumps from disgust.
Now, with the wind blowing, she shivered even more. For some reason, she felt an eerie sensation of being watched by a sinister viper.
From her spine to her scalp, everything tingled.
Before she could think further, the hand on her shoulder seemed about to wander, fingers nearly sliding toward her collar.
The man’s breathing above her grew heavier. Xin Yi quickly grabbed his wrist and lifted an innocent, pitiable face. “Sorry, Marquis, not tonight…”
Nor tomorrow.
Nor the day after.
Not ever.
Shen Gui stiffened at her rejection. Once he processed it, his handsome face darkened completely. “What do you mean? You refuse to share my bed?”
Xin Yi: Yeah.
Super refuse. Satisfied?
However, she still had to put on a bit of an act on the surface. Blushing, she said softly, “My period came.”
“……”
“And this time, the flow is especially heavy.”
“……”
Shen Gui left.
Xin Yi guiltily watched him go with her front foot, then happily blew out the red candles with her back foot and went to sleep: She had said it, after all—there was no need to light those red candles today.
The long night stretched on.
In a remote and dilapidated courtyard of the marquis manor, however, things were not so peaceful.
The youth lay on the couch, his brows tightly furrowed even in sleep, a suspicious sheen of sweat beading on his forehead.
His neck was also slightly flushed.
Shen Ru Jie had an indecent dream. In the dream, he took his brother’s place, pushed open the door to the room, and walked in, then embraced the woman sitting primly at the edge of the couch.
“Why are you wearing the wedding dress?” The youth gazed at her obsessively, his voice hoarse.
The woman gently lowered her beautiful eyes, her cheeks flushing with shyness. “Because I’m waiting for my husband to undo it.”
“Husband, shall we light the red candles all night long?”
Scattered and piled-up clothes, tangled long hair, teary eyes reddened with sobs. Even the sound of her crying was soft and delicate, calling “husband” one moment and “Shen Gui” the next.
He listened until his desire and jealousy mixed together, unable to distinguish reality from dream. He gripped her feverish, supple waist without a shred of pity. “Not Shen Gui, not Shen Gui…”
“Not Shen Gui, sister-in-law.”
The thick night burned away, the wind finally stilled, and the sky gradually brightened.
The maids in the marquis manor had already swept for a while. A Ying took a dustpan and cleaned the fallen flowers from the corner of the courtyard wall.
Xin Yi finally rubbed her eyes and sat up from the bed.
Still dazed and dozing off, she heard the system go “ding” and remind her by her ear, “Congratulations to the host. Shen Ru Jie’s favorability has now reached 80%, up five points.”
“……!”
She stopped rubbing her eyes, a little stunned. “What reason? I didn’t do anything.”
The system hemmed and hawed, seeming somewhat reluctant to say it. “He… he had a… spring dream about the host last night.”
Xin Yi was truly stunned this time.
She fell silent for a moment, then asked very seriously, “If it can rise from just a dream, wouldn’t it rise even more if we remove the word ‘dream’?”