As soon as Shen Hanxing finished speaking, everyone in the room showed expressions of disbelief to varying degrees.
They had previously never imagined Shen Hanxing could speak in such a gentle manner. Now, not only did they witness it firsthand, but they even detected a hint of gentle reprimand in his tone.
Shen Li’s expression immediately became somewhat strange, and Shen Qing didn’t look any better.
It was the old madam who reacted first, showing a genuine smile on her face, “Come forward quickly, let Grandmother have a look at you.”
Lin Xingxue, holding a hand warmer, followed Shen Hanxing back to the old madam’s side.
In fact, it wasn’t cold at all in Shou’an Hall; holding the hand warmer made her feel excessively hot. But it was something her husband had prepared for her personally, so Lin Xingxue held onto it tightly with happiness.
Old Madam Shen carefully examined Shen Hanxing and, seeing that he was in good spirits, felt relieved, “It’s good that you’re here. How have you been eating lately? Do you like the chef in the small kitchen? It just so happens that I have a chef by my side who is good at Sichuan cuisine. I’ll have him sent to you, so you can have a change of taste.”
“Not lacking a chef,” Shen Hanxing responded with a light laugh, “There’s already someone whose cooking skills are excellent and who can make a lot of different dishes.”
He hinted at something.
The old madam immediately understood and looked curiously at Lin Xingxue, “Ah Xue[1], you know how to cook? Have you cooked for Hanxing?”
Lin Xingxue nodded shyly and, while the old madam wasn’t looking, secretly tugged at Shen Hanxing’s sleeve, hoping he would change the subject.
She had only made oil-splashed noodles and fried potatoes once. How could that be considered a lot of variety? Her husband really lied without batting an eye.
Shen Hanxing grabbed her mischievous hand, feeling the sweat on her palm. He then took the hand warmer from her arms and tossed it onto the table.
Lin Xingxue wanted to take it back, but after a light glance from him, she reluctantly gave up.
The old madam watched the couple’s little actions and laughed heartily, “Seeing you two like this now, I am relieved. I used to worry that you were careless and didn’t know how to take care of people, but now I see you’ve come to your senses.”
Lin Xingxue blushed at the old madam’s words but still glanced at Shen Hanxing. Her peach blossom eyes were full of disagreement with the old madam’s statement.
How could her husband know how to take care of someone? He only knew how to bully people.
The three of them were enjoying a harmonious moment.
When there was just over an hour left until New Year’s Eve, the old madam showed signs of fatigue. As she stood up, she wobbled a bit, and Shen Hanxing promptly reached out to steady her.
Seeing the old madam look down at him as if she had something to say, he remained silent for a moment before finally smiling and softly saying, “I’ll come to visit you often in the future, Grandmother.”
The old madam, reassured by his promise, felt both joy and sadness, her emotions a mix of many things.
She looked at Lin Xingxue and took her hand, “Child, would you help me to my room to rest?”
Lin Xingxue nodded and supported her into the inner room to lie down.
The old madam leaned against the soft pillow, gently patting Lin Xingxue’s hand with a look in her eyes that held emotions others couldn’t understand, “Now, Grandmother is truly grateful for the marriage bestowed by the Emperor.”
Regardless of the Chengqian Emperor’s intentions behind arranging this marriage, it didn’t seem to be a bad thing now.
The old madam sighed, looking through the candlelight as if she were seeing a distant and misty past. “You don’t know, he has had such a hard time these past years. He used to have his older brother to support and accompany him, but now he’s all alone. At first, our family was whole and happy, but then he lost his grandfather, mother, father, and finally even his brother… He feels like he has let me, his grandmother, down, but what fault does he have?”
The old madam lowered her head, unable to continue speaking. Lin Xingxue took a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears, her eyes full of concern.
The old madam took the handkerchief, smiled, and shook her head, “Don’t worry, Grandmother has weathered many storms and won’t fall easily now.”
She looked at Lin Xingxue with a gentle gaze, “I’ve always worried that Hanxing would suffer alone, but now that I see you by his side, I am at ease. Child, can you promise Grandmother one thing?”
The candlelight flickered, and no one heard what the old madam asked. In the shadows cast by the candle, a young girl could be seen nodding firmly and without hesitation.
When Lin Xingxue came out, Shen Hanxing was no longer in the inner room.
She searched until she reached the pavilion and found Shen Hanxing sitting at a chess table. He was holding a black piece, and the white pieces had already formed an encircling position, putting the black pieces in a precarious situation.
Lin Xingxue stood by his side, watching him place a black piece and then pick up a white piece. Black and white pieces alternated continuously, with the black pieces gradually escaping danger. Like a hibernating lion striking back, the outcome was decided with a victory.
Lin Xingxue, seeing the game turned from defeat to victory, couldn’t resist the urge to play.
She sat across from Shen Hanxing, who waved his hand to disrupt the board, resetting the black and white pieces. He asked her, “Do you know how to play chess?” New chapters come out on g.com first.
Lin Xingxue nodded confidently. Shen Hanxing handed her the white pieces, indicating for her to make the first move.
Lin Xingxue took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm.
Her husband was very skilled; she didn’t need to win, she only needed to not lose too quickly.
Outside, the sound of firecrackers continued, and occasionally, the light from the fireworks bloomed against the paper windows.
Inside, the chess game was becoming increasingly intense. Shen Hanxing looked at the white pieces gradually showing an offensive stance and let out a light laugh.
It seemed he had underestimated her. The white pieces, which appeared to be defensively passive, were actually quietly encircling the black pieces.
The young woman’s chess skills were not bad at all, and she was very composed. Regardless of how the game progressed, she remained calm and collected.
However, his laugh made Lin Xingxue inexplicably feel guilty.
She felt she was being mocked.
Determined not to lose face, Lin Xingxue became even more focused and serious.
Tiny beads of sweat appeared on her forehead; whether it was due to the heat or anxiety, her face remained composed.
Shen Hanxing, seeing her flushed face from the heat, subtly changed the direction of his black piece.
Lin Xingxue slightly widened her peach blossom eyes, wondering whether her husband was tired and made a mistake or if he had a hidden move planned. Amid her worry, her desire to win reignited.
As the incense stick was about to burn out, Shen Hanxing leaned back in his chair and tossed the black piece into the chess jar.
“You won.”
Lin Xingxue nodded excitedly, glancing back and forth at the victorious game board several times, ultimately reluctant to disrupt it.
She moved a small embroidered stool next to Shen Hanxing, pointed at the chessboard, then at herself, and wrote three characters in Shen Hanxing’s palm: “Is it pretty?”
The young woman was asking Shen Hanxing if she looked good.
Shen Hanxing understood. He relaxed against the back of his chair, taking in Lin Xingxue’s appearance.
The young woman’s snow-white skin and flower-like beauty, combined with her meticulous grooming today, made her hard to look away from.
Is she beautiful? Of course, she is. But…
Shen Hanxing seemed to be on the verge of shaking his head when Lin Xingxue tugged at his sleeve forcefully, indicating the chessboard.
She had won, after all. Couldn’t he at least compliment her and make her happy?
The young woman’s eyes gradually revealed a hint of grievance.
Shen Hanxing held back a laugh, leaning closer and looking directly into Lin Xingxue’s eyes. He slowly said, “Ah Xue, you look very beautiful today.”[2]
The warm breath on her cheeks and hearing those words made Lin Xingxue’s face flush red, feeling as if even her neck was heating up.
She modestly pulled away, nodded, and agreed with Shen Hanxing’s words, unable to contain the blooming happiness in her heart.
Her husband called her “Ah Xue” and complimented her looks, making her very happy.
The girl’s eyes sparkled like stars, and Shen Hanxing reached out, pinching her cheek.
Her face was soft and tender, like a piece of tofu or fluffy cotton candy.
He gently pulled at her cheek, and the girl was not pleased, glaring at him with her peach blossom eyes and trying to push his hand away.
Shen Hanxing didn’t let go, slowly kneading her soft cheek as he leisurely reminded, “Don’t be too happy just yet. I still have one more chance to punish you.”
He still remembered the words on the back of that note.
Lin Xingxue gently tugged at Shen Hanxing’s sleeve, blinking her eyes innocently and pitiably.
Shen Hanxing, not at all tender or sympathetic, brushed her hand away and looked her up and down, seemingly contemplating how to punish her, which made Lin Xingxue feel uneasy all over. The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
The couple was close, and from a distance, they appeared to be deeply affectionate.
Lady Tao glanced over and sighed, “Second Master, Mother is being a bit…”
Since Shen Hanxing’s arrival, their family seemed to have taken on the role of guests.
“I’ve been busy with everything these years. Mother outwardly says she is satisfied, but it’s clear she favors the main branch[3] more. Now that the Second Young Master has married, what should I do if I’m asked to hand over the household duties?”
Lady Tao had always felt that although the old madam appeared kind on the surface, she was actually biased in her heart.[4]
Shen Lin understood her meaning and, after taking a sip of tea, murmured softly, “Don’t overthink it. Mother acts with her own reasons. Now that the Second Young Master holds a Hou title, it’s only natural that the household duties are handed over to his wife.”
Lady Tao, seeing her husband wasn’t supporting her, chose not to say more.
It was simply put, so did her years of hard work count for nothing?[5]
She had previously thought Shen Hanxing disliked this woman, but now it seemed not to be the case. While their relationship being good didn’t matter much, Shen Hanxing’s health might not last long, and if a legitimate heir was born, then…
Shen Lin glanced at Lady Tao. She didn’t hide her emotions in front of him, he could guess what she was thinking.
He didn’t want to comfort her, as he too had his own considerations.
With less than half an hour until New Year’s Eve, Lin Xingxue, exhausted, fell asleep on the soft couch. As she tilted her head and was about to topple over, Shen Hanxing quickly supported her.
Seeing she didn’t want to wake up, Shen Hanxing slightly adjusted his position, allowing Lin Xingxue to comfortably settle into his embrace and fall asleep with her eyes closed.
Shen Hanxing watched her trembling eyelashes but didn’t call her out. Instead, he casually picked up a book.
Tonight was New Year’s Eve, and he decided to let her enjoy herself a bit.
As Lin Xingxue slept in a half-dazed state, she heard distant chimes followed by the intermittent sound of firecrackers. The old madam, who had woken up at some point, was now walking toward the pavilion.
Lin Xingxue quickly got up, adjusted her clothes, and, noticing the fireworks outside, realized what time it was.
She pulled a red string from her sleeve and handed it to Shen Hanxing.
The red string had a round silver disc with the character “福”[6] engraved on it, resembling a traditional gift from elders to children.
“Childish,” Shen Hanxing glanced at it with disdain.
Lin Xingxue ignored his comment, firmly pressed the gift into his arms, and seriously wrote “新年快乐”[7] in his palm. She smiled at him, her sparkling eyes reflecting the festive fireworks.
Shen Hanxing said nothing but slowly clasped the silver disc with the character “福” in his hand.
As night fell, after everyone had congratulated the old madam and received their joyous red envelopes[8], they each went back to their own homes.
Lin Xingxue, on her way back, made sure to carry the hand warmer Shen Hanxing had brought for her. Wu Tong held the rabbit lantern in front, and the four of them walked towards the East Transverse Courtyard, bathed in the warm candlelight.
Back at the residence, utterly exhausted, Lin Xingxue finished washing up and sat on the chaise lounge but found Shen Hanxing absent.
Recalling the events of the previous night, she glanced towards the big bed and then at the neatly arranged bedding on the chaise lounge, a satisfied smile curling on her lips.
Meanwhile, in the hidden dungeon of the Hou residence, a ladder with clanking chains descended to the bottom level.
The iron door slowly creaked open, and the man bound to the iron frame shuddered, a great sense of fear rising in his heart.
[1] nickname for Lin Xingxue
[2] REEEEEEEEEE SO CUTEEEEE AHAHAHHASDKNSKNSDNS
[3] refers to the main branch of a family or the primary household, often indicating the eldest son’s family in a traditional extended family structure
[4] I mean just because she’s kind doesn’t mean she’s not biased.
[5] what benefit do you even get out of managing the accounts, isn’t it more bothersome?
[6] blessing
[7] Happy New Year
[8] I ALSO WANT SOME MONEY