The last piece of potato strip was hanging right in front of Lin Xingxue, but she didn’t hurry to open her mouth. She blinked, and the suspicion in her eyes was clearly evident.
Humph, don’t think she didn’t know. Once she leaned over to eat, her husband would definitely pull back the chopsticks.
“What’s wrong? Don’t trust me?” Shen Hanxing held the chopsticks persistently closer, “Don’t worry, I’m not teasing you. I’ve eaten too much, I can’t eat anymore.”
Lin Xingxue looked at him suspiciously, and Shen Hanxing smiled lightly at her, appearing somewhat trustworthy.
She didn’t open her mouth, and Shen Hanxing maintained the posture of leaning over to feed her. With servants watching nearby, Lin Xingxue’s face became a bit red as she was a bit thin-skinned.[1]
She tentatively opened her mouth, slowly biting the end of the potato strip. Seeing that Shen Hanxing showed no signs of retracting the chopsticks, she accelerated the pace and swallowed the entire strip.
Shen Hanxing, observing her cautious attitude as if she was being cautious of a thief, leisurely withdrew the chopsticks, casually remarking, “At such a young age, the tendency to be suspicious is quite strong.”
Lin Xingxue snorted inwardly, appearing unwilling on the surface, but she still managed to feed Shen Hanxing several times during the meal.
As the New Year’s Eve dinner ended, the outside was filled with the continuous sounds of firecrackers.
Lin Xingxue entered the inner room, changed out of her thinner clothes, and put on a crimson white fox fur coat. She draped a moon-white cloak over it.
Satisfied, she nodded at herself in the mirror and then turned to go find Shen Hanxing.
Shen Hanxing was still sitting outside, looking up at the fireworks blooming in the sky. Luo Yan leaned down and murmured something in his ear. As Lin Xingxue approached, she felt his aura becoming sharp and full of hostility.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, she hesitated in her steps, sensing that something had happened.
Shen Hanxing, aware of her approach, released the intense atmosphere around him. He turned to look at Lin Xingxue and was suddenly stunned when he saw her appearance.
Lin Xingxue was suited for vibrant and beautiful colors. In her red attire, she could easily capture everyone’s attention just by standing there.
But her attire tonight was more than that.
She took out the red coral hairpin that the old lady gave her during the tea ceremony, choosing a hairpin and forehead ornament. The hairpin was adorned with plum blossoms, coral, and green gemstones, forming a tassel. It swayed slightly with the girl’s movement, and the red coral pendant on her forehead complemented the purity of her face. She seemed like a fairy, ethereal and graceful, as if a snow-covered plum blossom had transformed into a heavenly maiden.
Shen Hanxing’s eyes flickered slightly, and in an instant, he resumed his normal demeanor, speaking in a lazy and casual tone, “Is this attire specifically for my benefit?”
Lin Xingxue nodded and then shook her head.
Wu Tong timely helped explain, “Madam agreed with the Old Madam yesterday that she would spend the New Year’s Eve with the General tonight. The headpiece was a gift from the Old Madam, and Madam wants to make the Old Madam happy by wearing it.”
Spending New Year’s Eve.
Shen Hanxing seized the key point, his eyes becoming somewhat cold. He stared directly into Lin Xingxue’s eyes, his tone turning faint, “Did you promise?”
Lin Xingxue felt uneasy and nodded honestly.
Shen Hanxing sensed her unease and withdrew his gaze. He turned to look at the sky again, remained silent for a while, and then lightly opened his thin lips, “Lin Xingxue, do you think you have the right to decide for me?”
His speech was slow and cold.
Lin Xingxue’s heightened emotions suddenly plummeted. She had actually anticipated this outcome, but hearing it directly from Shen Hanxing still stung a bit.
Yesterday, when she went to pay respects to the Old Madam, she learned that since the attack two years ago, Shen Hanxing had not shared a reunion meal with others and rarely visited the Old Madam. In over two years, the grandson and grandmother had met less than ten times.
After tonight, another year would pass since the ambush that took away his elder brother and his legs.
And another year in self-imposed exile for him.
In the distance, fireworks and firecrackers continued, contrasting with the somber atmosphere on this side of the corridor.
Lin Xingxue approached slowly, half-crouching beside Shen Hanxing, and handed him a note.
Ignoring her, Shen Hanxing kept his gaze away. She remained crouched there, silently waiting for him to relent.
Finally, Shen Hanxing lowered his eyes and looked at the note. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Husband, grandmother really misses you.”
Flipping over the back of the note, he read: “Husband, I took the liberty this once. If you’re angry, you can come back and punish me, alright?”
The young woman had anticipated he wouldn’t agree, so she had prepared words in advance to persuade him.
Having said her piece, Lin Xingxue drew a picture of a tree in the blank corner of the paper. The strong wind had broken the trunk, and the ancient tree seemed ready to fall at any moment.
She didn’t explicitly state it, but Shen Hanxing understood.
The tree desires tranquility, yet the wind does not cease. [2]
Lin Xingxue looked up at him, and Shen Hanxing’s gaze softened slightly. He then grabbed the note, tore it in half, and let the pieces flutter away with the wind.
He didn’t say anything, but everyone could discern his stance.
Stubbornly, Lin Xingxue remained crouched in place, waiting for him for a long time. When she finally stood up, she staggered a bit, but fortunately, Wu Tong was there to support her.
She didn’t stubbornly wait for Shen Hanxing to relent, as she did on their wedding night.
Some emotional knots need time to gradually dissolve. If it doesn’t work this time, then the next time. Someday, she will bring Husband to meet the Old Madam.
Lin Xingxue took a final glance at Shen Hanxing, seeing that he didn’t turn around. She then turned, picked up the rabbit lantern, and walked along the corridor toward the courtyard.
Even if Shen Hanxing didn’t go, she would still accompany the Old Madam for New Year’s Eve.
The girl’s figure appeared solitary, looking even more slender in the cold wind.
The rabbit lantern swung back and forth, casting light on her path.
It wasn’t until she entered Shou’an Hall that the biting wind was finally kept at bay.
Lin Xingxue removed her moon-white cloak, took a deep breath, and walked inside with a smile.
As soon as she entered, everyone instinctively turned their heads to look behind her.
Old Madam Shen waited for a moment, seeing that there was indeed no one behind Lin Xingxue. She sighed softly in her heart and waved for Lin Xingxue to come forward, saying, “Is it cold outside? Come, sit here.”
After Lin Xingxue paid her respects to Lady Tao, she sat beside Old Madam Shen.
Old Madam Shen looked at the hairpin and forehead ornament on her head, nodded with a smile, and said, “Grandmother’s guess was indeed correct. This red coral truly compliments you well. Finally, it doesn’t have to gather dust at Grandmother’s place.”
Lin Xingxue smiled shyly, feeling someone’s gaze on her. Following the gaze, her eyes met with Shen Li.
Shen Li, noticing her realization, smiled gently and asked, “Sister-in-law, isn’t Second Brother accompanying you for New Year’s Eve?”
After Shen Li asked this, the hall fell silent.
Old Madam Shen glanced at her, and Shen Li lowered her head to sip her tea, as if it was just a casual question.
Lin Xingxue remained composed, and Wu Tong explained in a timely manner, “General is busy, so he let Madam come over first.”
As for whether he could come in time, what was hard to say.
The topic was smoothly shifted.
Old Madam Shen looked at Wu Tong with some appreciation, and her gaze towards Lin Xingxue held a different light.
It was said that this illegitimate daughter was naive and innocent, but her maid spoke with propriety and caution. Was the mistress truly the protected one?
On the other hand, Lady Tao engaged in conversation, while Shen Li remained quiet, not uttering a word.
Old Madam Shen seemed noticeably closer to Lin Xingxue. When the two of them sat together, it looked more like the relationship between a loving grandmother and granddaughter, emphasizing the distance from Lady Tao and the others.
“Old Madam Shen, Second Young Master and Third Young Master have arrived.” A servant entered to inform, and as the words fell, two figures walked in from outside.
The elder of the two had a steady complexion and a kind demeanor. He bowed to Old Madam Shen, saying, “Mother, hope you are well, apologies for arriving late. Please forgive me.”
After he finished bowing, he noticed the young man beside him remained silent. He glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
Shen Qing immediately came to his senses, his face beaming with a smile. He said, “Grandson pays respects to grandmother. This is a string of prayer beads we specifically obtained from Longhua Temple. The head monk blessed them. Grandmother, please take a look and see if you like them?”
A servant handed over an eighteen-string emerald prayer beads to Old Madam Shen. She took it with a satisfied nod and said, “Very good, very good. You all are considerate. Please, have a seat.”
As soon as Shen Lin and Shen Qing arrived, Old Madam Shen conversed with them, gradually losing the initial distance.
Lin Xingxue sat beside Old Madam Shen, listening attentively to their conversation with a dignified and graceful posture.
Shen Qing occasionally glanced at her, quickly diverting his gaze.
He hadn’t expected that the illegitimate daughter he personally welcomed would be so stunning. He couldn’t help but sigh at Shen Hanxing’s good fortune[3] and couldn’t forget the image of Lin Xingxue in her wedding dress on the day of the welcoming ceremony.
He had seen many beauties, but she was the first to make him lose composure in front of everyone.
Shen Qing finished his hot tea in one gulp. Seizing the moment after the conversation, he smiled and looked at Lin Xingxue, saying, “I assume you’re the new wife that Second Older Brother recently married, right?”
Lin Xingxue nodded, and he continued, “Why isn’t Second Older Brother here tonight? Just newly married, shouldn’t he be accompanying his wife for New Year’s Eve?”
As soon as Shen Qing finished speaking, Lady Tao gave him a stern look.
What was going on with these siblings tonight? They shouldn’t be asking such questions, yet they asked twice.
But evidently, Shen Qing lacked the understanding of when to stop, more so than Shen Li.
After hearing Wu Tong’s explanation, he laughed, “Oh? Didn’t Second Older Brother just wake up two or three days ago? How come there’s so much to do already? He can’t even spare a few hours to accompany grandmother for New Year’s Eve?”
Lady Tao was now furious and seemed ready to grab Shen Qing by the ear to make him shut up.
However, Shen Qing was looking at Lin Xingxue, as if waiting for her response.
Knowing well that she couldn’t speak, such relentless questioning seemed more like an attempt to make her uncomfortable.
Lin Xingxue’s eyes gradually turned cold. Shen Qing was clearly implying that Shen Hanxing was disrespectful towards elders.
The smile on Old Madam Shen’s face had also faded. She was about to speak when there was a commotion outside the curtain, followed by someone lifting the curtain and pushing a wheelchair inside.
The wheelchair pressed heavily against the floor, and everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Lin Xingxue joyfully stood up, unable to resist rushing towards Shen Hanxing.
Shen Hanxing watched her approach, and when he saw her steady herself, he looked up at Shen Qing. “I’m not like some people who have plenty of time to wander the flower streets[4]. Why not let Third Young Master teach me how to manage my time?”
Although he phrased it as seeking advice, it was actually a sarcastic remark.
Shen Qing held a frivolous position in the court, a position he had acquired with Shen Lin’s money. His most frequent location was the Flower and Willow Lane, clearly a playboy, but no one had ever confronted him about it face to face.
Shen Qing gritted his teeth in frustration but knew that this wasn’t the appropriate occasion for a verbal altercation. Forcing a smile, he said, “I was just curious about Second Sister-in-law being alone, that’s why I asked. Second Older Brother, don’t think too much about it.”
Shen Hanxing couldn’t be bothered to dignify him with a response. He turned to the girl beside him, took out a hand warmer from his pocket, and handed it to her gently. In a mild tone, he chided, “Didn’t I tell you? Wait a little longer, and we’ll leave together. It’s cold, and the road might be slippery. You didn’t even bring a hand warmer, how clumsy.”
Lin Xingxue held the hand warmer, her eyes slightly widened.
This was the first time Husband has spoken so gently. Was he supporting her this time?
[1] means that Lin Xingxue is somewhat sensitive or easily embarrassed, especially when it comes to accepting gestures of intimacy
[2] conveys the idea that one desires peace and tranquility, but external disturbances or challenges persist, preventing the desired calmness. reflects the struggle or conflict between one’s aspirations for serenity and the persistent disturbances or challenges in life.
[3] bruh this dude giving me bad vibes already
[4] brothel