The day of the Flowing Cup Poetry Meeting arrived quickly. Because she planned to go out, Xin Yi got up even earlier than usual.
She sat in front of the bronze mirror, drowsily yawning, letting A Ying dress and groom her. They picked through several outfits before finally settling on the first one she had tried on.
A Ying was clearly delighted. As they headed out, she whispered in Xin Yi’s ear, “This is the first time the Marquis has taken Madam out! I heard that young masters and ladies from many noble families will be there. It’ll be quite lively. See, the Marquis must have you in his heart.”
Xin Yi tugged at the corner of her mouth upon hearing this. The little maid probably thought she was living in a high-society household drama novel, naively fantasizing that she could reconcile with the scumbag, live happily ever after, and have two kids in three years.
Little did she know, Xin Yi’s task was to make the scumbag weep bitterly.
The weather was nice that day, and Xin Yi was dressed lightly.
She lifted her skirt hem and stepped over the threshold, spotting a carriage parked outside. It was very luxurious and imposing, adorned not only with tassels but also with gold and silver patterns. It could easily seat three to five people.
Xin Yi stepped out of the Marquis Manor and the first person she saw was Shen Ru Jie.
The youth wore a dark robe embroidered with cloud patterns, strikingly handsome. Yet his expression was very indifferent, as if others owed him several hundred taels of silver. He held a silver-red longsword and stood in front of a black horse.
As if sensing her gaze, he looked up.
A slight daze appeared on his face, and the coldness gradually faded. But for some reason, he seemed a bit troubled and evasive.
Xin Yi smiled at him.
Then she walked gracefully over to him and sincerely praised, “Second Young Master, you look really good today.”
It was actually just ordinary clothes, not made of particularly expensive material, but it looked good on him.
He was a very handsome young man who, based on looks alone, would easily attract girls.
If he didn’t keep such a cold face all the time, countless bees and butterflies would probably swarm him.
Xin Yi looked at his indifferent, downcast eyes and suddenly wanted to reach out and pinch his cheeks.
But she desperately reminded herself in her heart: Stay in character, Xin Yi. Don’t act like a lovestruck fool at a time like this.
Being good-looking isn’t a reason for you to ravage him.
Little did she know, Shen Ru Jie was also frowning and holding back.
He silently took two steps back, trying to suppress the inexplicable urge to get closer.
And at his waist hung the jade pendant she had personally given him.
Before heading out that day, he had taken it off and put it on again, then off once more, before finally deciding to wear it.
She had the nerve to give it, so why shouldn’t he have the nerve to wear it?
Though unmarried ladies giving jade pendants to men were usually tokens of affection for lovers. But she was so straightforward, clearly just giving it as thanks.
Logically, he shouldn’t feel guilty.
Yet standing face-to-face like this, Shen Ru Jie still felt a bit uneasy at heart.
She would notice, right?
After all, that warm white jade pendant hung so obviously at his waist against his dark robe.
Sure enough, the next second, surprise flashed in the woman’s eyes.
Then she spoke in praise, her tone earnest: “I said this jade pendant really suits Second Young Master. It looks perfect like this.”
She wore a crimson skirt that day.
Like the enchanting ripples on a lake after rain, misty with lotuses, it made her dignified and beautiful little face even more vivid. Especially those almond eyes holding a faint smile—they seemed to hook right into him when she looked over.
The youth’s throat bobbed slightly, then he calmly shifted his gaze away.
Before the two could say more, they heard servant girls nearby calling out “Marquis” in a jumble.
Xin Yi turned her head and sure enough, Shen Gui had arrived.
He looked over, instinctively frowning in disgust at Shen Ru Jie.
When his gaze fell on Xin Yi, a hint of amazement couldn’t be suppressed.
But that emotion was quickly hidden. He walked over, wanting to take Xin Yi’s hand and say some soft words.
Unfortunately, Xin Yi subtly dodged.
Her tone remained gentle, but without the former adoration. “Since the Marquis is ready, let’s set off.”
Shen Gui hadn’t expected the rejection. He stared at his empty hand in silence for a moment, his face turning slightly cold.
A Ying saw the situation wasn’t good and couldn’t help whispering in Xin Yi’s ear, “Madam…”
Had Madam lost her mind in anger? How could she embarrass the Marquis in public like this? Wouldn’t this make it even harder to mend things between husband and wife?
Xin Yi naturally understood her meaning.
But she pretended not to see and walked to the side of the carriage, lightly lifting the curtain with her pale, slender hand. “A Ying, come help me up.”
…
The carriage rumbled along, passing through bustling streets and alleys, creaking over the bluestone slabs.
But the atmosphere inside the carriage never improved. After being ignored, Shen Gui kept a straight face and said nothing, thinking his wife would coax him coquettishly as usual.
Who knew that after traveling most of the way, Xin Yi had no intention of initiating conversation? His face grew even colder.
The Melodramatic Transmigration System: “Host, I feel like you’re about to anger Shen Gui to death. Weren’t you supposed to be nice to him before the divorce? This isn’t the right approach.”
“What do you know? Being too meek for too long makes one boring. He should know his wife is a temperamental noble lady.”
Not just gentle, but proud and aloof. Only such a woman would completely despair upon learning of her husband’s affair and demand divorce.
And wasn’t there an old saying?
One only learns to cherish after losing.
Xin Yi casually lifted the curtain and glanced outside, just meeting Shen Ru Jie’s gaze.
The youth casually held the reins with one hand, his sword brows and starry eyes making him look like a jade tree in the breeze. That supposedly spirited horse obeyed him like a docile donkey under his control.
Caught peeking, Xin Yi didn’t blush at all. She pursed her lips and gave him a sweet smile: “^_^”
Then A Ying gently tugged her sleeve, turning her head, and she saw Shen Gui still pulling a long face.
The Xin Yi who had been smiling the second before: “→_→”
After nearly two hours, they finally arrived at the destination of the poetry meeting.
A Ying helped Xin Yi down from the carriage. At first glance, she couldn’t help but marvel.
This place truly looked like a paradise outside the world.
With lake views and mountains, pavilions and waterside gazebos, the Flowing Cup Poetry Meeting was even grander than she had imagined.
Unfortunately, she didn’t recognize a single one of the noble families present.
Even so, quite a few came up to greet her on account of her title as “Marquis Manor Madam.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Xin Yi finally found a seat.
Shen Gui sat beside her, Shen Ru Jie across from her—she could look straight ahead without glancing sideways.
Before coming, she had actually been a bit looking forward to this poetry meeting, since she had only seen such things on her phone screen before.
After arriving, she realized it wasn’t as wonderful as imagined—quite boring, in fact.
Her health was poor, so she couldn’t drink alcohol. There weren’t many good dishes either, and she had to listen to their pretentious, dull chatter. Sitting for long was torture even for her buttocks.
Not only that, there was even the risk of being called upon to compose poetry.
So Xin Yi didn’t stay long before finding an excuse to slip away.
She weakly clutched her chest, saying she felt stuffy—like Xi Shi herself. No one doubted her.
Only after walking some distance did she straighten up and breathe a sigh of relief.
A Ying asked her, “Madam doesn’t like this poetry meeting? This servant saw you barely ate anything, only drank two cups of tea.”
Xin Yi answered honestly, “I don’t like it.”
Mainly because she disliked places thick with a scholarly atmosphere, and looking around, she was the only one just tagging along unqualified.
Fortunately, before leaving the table, she had stuffed many pastries into her handkerchief and sleeves.
Perfect for feeding the fish.
Perhaps because the area was rich in water and mountains, even the fish in the pond were exceptionally fresh and plump.
Several leaped up to eat, splashing water that nearly wet Xin Yi’s sleeve.
She silently shifted her position, leaning farther away.
Just as she thought she would stay here until the end.
Her gaze caught a familiar figure, and surprise flickered in Xin Yi’s eyes. She paused her feeding. “Second Young Master, what a coincidence?”
Shen Ru Jie’s eyes flashed, then he casually forced a smile. “…Indeed, quite a coincidence.”
“What is Sister-in-Law doing?”
Thus, things developed from her feeding fish alone to the two of them feeding together.
Xin Yi was in a great mood.
While teaching him how to crumble the pastries and sprinkle them slowly; while absentmindedly picking up the leftovers to eat.
Halfway through, finding it delicious, she wanted him to try too.
She directly broke off the unbitten part and naturally held it to his lips. “Try this. This flavor is really good.”
She leaned so close, completely unguarded against him.
It was as if ever since that time he returned from You Province with the spirit herb, and she walked over holding an umbrella in the rain in front of Shen Gui’s courtyard, she had always been unguarded around him.
The youth froze for a moment, looking at her gentle and pure smile. As if possessed, he obediently opened his mouth.
He took the remaining half pastry right from her hand into his lips.
Seeing him so cooperative, Xin Yi couldn’t help feeding him another piece, smiling as she asked, “Is it good? Hazelnut flavor.”
Beneath the gazebo, fish leaped for food.
Above the gazebo, her fingertip still lingered unknowingly by his lips.
Her crimson sleeve, carrying a faint cool fragrance, draped down, gently brushing his hand back. The orchid embroidery on it tickled him.
The youth lowered his lightly trembling raven-black lashes and hooked his finger.
Shen Ru Jie didn’t stay with her long. The two couldn’t both leave the seats successively, or it might spark gossip amid the strict rules of noble families.
So when he rose, Xin Yi didn’t stop him.
She sprawled bonelessly on the vermilion-lacquered railing, crumbling the remaining pastries and tossing them into the pond.
She cupped her chin and admired the lake and mountains for a while before checking the time and having A Ying help her back.
Then she witnessed a scene that shocked her immensely and ignited her fury.
Shen Ru Jie’s status in the Marquis Manor was well-known among noble circles. He was always unwelcome; even his brother Shen Gui despised him. This so-called Second Young Master was really just a dog kept by the Marquis Manor.
When the master was happy, he’d toss him a bone; when unhappy, he’d take it out on him.
And bullying him was far more fun than bullying ordinary servants.
Those servants were spineless, breaking after a moment and kowtowing for mercy.
Shen Ru Jie wouldn’t. Even if he endured every humiliation and torment, he never begged for mercy.
So whenever he appeared at such occasions, some disgruntled young masters from noble families would casually find an excuse to hassle him.
Over time, they even privately bet on who could first force this emotionless little beast, Shen Ru Jie, to beg or cry.
Shen Gui never intervened anyway, always just watching, which emboldened those around him.
Even at this Flowing Cup Poetry Meeting, someone had deliberately asked Shen Gui if his bastard brother would come along.
With the poetry meeting nearly over, how could they let him leave without doing anything?
So Shen Ru Jie had just returned from outside and sat in a corner when a dandy young master patted the beloved concubine in his arms, signaling her to bring a wine cup over.
The concubine understood and sauntered over like a water snake, all seductive grace.
She knelt coquettishly beside him and offered the wine. “This humble one is being forward, but I’d like to invite Second Young Master to drink a cup.”
The rim of the wine cup still bore her lip rouge from drinking.
She deliberately offered the side with the lipstick, and as she leaned, her loose outer robe slipped from her shoulder, exposing large expanses of snowy skin.
Shen Ru Jie didn’t take it.
The look he gave her was like staring at a pile of rotting bones reeking of decay.
Unexpectedly, the young master continued with a fake smile, “Yu Niang, Second Young Master’s meaning is for you to get closer. He wants to drink this cup right from your hand.”
That beloved concubine named Yu Niang indeed drew nearer to the youth, holding the wine cup to his lips.
But the next second, she was fiercely shoved away by him, the wine cup shattering on the ground.
The young master’s first reaction wasn’t to help up his pitiful fallen concubine, nor to get angry.
Instead, he feigned shock as he stood and said, “Oh no, this wine cup is a priceless treasure bestowed by His Majesty. Now that Second Young Master has casually smashed it, what are we to do?
“Why don’t Second Young Master… kneel and kowtow to this broken cup?”
“Not only kneel, but kneel while slapping your own face, prostrate on the ground crying that this criminal deserves death, long live His Majesty, long live, long live long long live. What do you say, Second Young Master?”
Everyone waited to see Shen Ru Jie’s spectacle.
Shen Gui did as well. He sat high above as if detached from the matter, silently permitting such behavior from others time and again.
Until that young master in fine robes walked up to Shen Ru Jie’s side and, with a light teasing motion, picked up the wine pot and poured it down from above his head.
The wine drenched the youth’s entire face, yet he smiled and said, “This one is also personally bestowed by His Majesty. Second Young Master, make sure you don’t accidentally shatter it again.”
Shen Ru Jie had thoroughly become a drowned rat.
His expression icy cold, he lowered his eyelashes, allowing the wine to slowly drip from the edges of his eyes.
‘Just endure a bit longer.’
‘Once today’s Flowing Cup Poetry Meeting ended and everyone gradually forgot about this incident, he could eliminate this person just like the other stumbling blocks he had removed for the Seventh Prince.’
The surrounding jeers grew louder, and the youth patiently closed his eyes.
He thought this time would be like before—just restrain the boiling murderous aura and killing intent in his chest and endure it.
Unexpectedly, he heard a crisp slap.
A woman’s soft yet furious voice rang out beside him, resounding as she demanded, “Today has truly broadened my horizons. So the so-called Flowing Cup Poetry Meeting is just a pretext for bullying people. Are the young masters raised by great clans all like this, humiliating others?!”
The originally chaotic atmosphere was completely stunned by that slap. Including Shen Gui.
He even took several seconds to react before realizing that the one shielding Shen Ru Jie and standing up for him was actually his own wife, who had been bedridden in her chambers for years, gentle and timid.
She seemed to have poured all her strength into that slap, for a red swollen handprint immediately rose on that dandy young master’s cheek.
Yet she still felt it wasn’t enough, her brows and eyes brimming with bone-deep cold fury. “The Second Young Master’s life is as cheap as frost; if all of you want to beat or kill him today, go right ahead. But don’t blame this sickly elder sister-in-law for staking her life to beat the drum of grievances and let His Majesty judge this himself!”
With that, she turned to look at Shen Gui on his seat, her usually gentle eyes filled with indescribable disappointment. “This wife originally did not know that the Marquis, as an elder brother, could be so indifferent, watching his own brother slandered and humiliated by others without lifting a finger.”
“The Marquis’s actions today have truly disappointed this wife.”