Lin Xingxue curiously looked at the sachet on Gu Yan’s waist, wondering how exquisitely it was made to make her husband so fond of it. She was taken aback when she glanced at it.
The dark blue sachet was also embroidered with Yulan magnolias, but the fabric color was so deep that it was hard to notice.
How could Gu Yan have a sachet similar to hers?
As Lin Xingxue pondered this question, Gu Yan covered the sachet with his outer robe.
He was careless and didn’t expect to reveal it so easily to Shen Hanxing.
“Why, Lord Gu, reluctant to part with it?” Shen Hanxing asked with a half-smile, seeming to jest.
Gu Yan, however, knew it wasn’t just a joke.
They both understood; if he refused now, he was afraid that it would cause Ah Xue to suffer injustice for no reason.
“General Shen is joking; it’s just a sachet. How could I be unwilling?”
He looked at the “blessing” character silver coin on Shen Hanxing’s wrist and said, “How about using the blessing string on General Shen’s wrist as the wager?”
In Dongning’s customs, a silver coin with the character “blessing” tied with a red string is known as a blessing string.
Typically, it’s a gift from elders to children, but young women sometimes give it to their loved ones to express their feelings and best wishes.
Lin Xingxue noticed that Gu Yan’s gaze was fixed on the blessing string. She stared at Shen Hanxing with her peach blossom eyes, fearing that he might agree. To cover up her nervousness, she nonchalantly adjusted her sleeve.
Shen Hanxing chuckled, fiddling with the silver coin, and shook his head: “That won’t do. It’s a thoughtful gift from someone else and cannot be used as a wager. Recently, my residence received a set of fine ink chess. If Lord Gu has the skill, come and take it.”
When Shen Hanxing mentioned “someone else,” he deliberately glanced at Lin Xingxue.
Even Lin Fucai could discern his meaning, understanding that he cherished the blessing string given by his wife.
Gu Yan no longer had the right to argue with him. Shen Hanxing casually took a set of ink chess and bet with him, while Gu Yan didn’t even have the qualification to change the wager.
At the chessboard, Lin Xingxue stood beside Shen Hanxing, with Lin Fucai also watching.
This time, Shen Hanxing was not like how he was the night of New Year’s Eve where he played with Lin Xingxue; his attack was fierce, almost not giving Gu Yan a moment to breathe.
The chess game started abruptly and ended even faster.
Gu Yan finally put down the white pieces with difficulty and bitterly smiled to himself: “I lost.”
“Tsk,” Shen Hanxing shook his head, “Lord Gu’s chess skills are not very good, even inferior to my wife’s.”
He spoke of his wife so familiarly.
Gu Yan was stunned, his hands clenched into fists, veins protruding on the back of his hands.
No one noticed his odd behavior; he took off the sachet from his waist and placed it beside the chessboard: “I am willing to accept the outcome of the bet.”
Shen Hanxing didn’t touch the sachet but had Luo Yan take it.
Gu Yan remained seated, and Shen Hanxing did not urge him to leave. He had someone bring over an embroidered cushion and handed the white pieces to Lin Xingxue.
“Play a game with me.”
Lin Xingxue stood up, intending to sit opposite him, but Shen Hanxing pulled her back: “Sit here.”
They sat on the same side, making Gu Yan appear especially awkward and out of place on the opposite side.
As he stood up and glanced at the chessboard, his gaze paused, and his palms tightened slightly.
Earlier, Shen Hanxing had said his chess skills were not as good as Ah Xue’s. He had initially thought it was a taunt, but it might not be.
Lin Xingxue’s chess skills were not inferior to Gu Yan’s; it was just that she had never shown them before him.
The Lin Xingxue in Gu Yan’s mind was merely a kind, timid illegitimate daughter who had never had a moment of brilliance or any particular skills.
In the second game, Shen Hanxing continued his previous aggressive tactics.
Lin Xingxue had observed Gu Yan’s dismal defeat earlier and she felt quite embarrassed when it was her turn. Pitifully, she looked at Shen Hanxing with eyes full of grievance and extended a finger.
She wanted to play another game; she had been careless this round and couldn’t lose so badly again.
Shen Hanxing nodded, “Alright, let’s play another game.”
The second game ended quickly as well.
Lin Xingxue sighed helplessly, now fully understanding how deep her husband’s leniency was during the New Year’s Eve.
She had been utterly defeated, twice.
Her husband was ruthless today.
In the inner room, Lady Han looked at Lin Xingran with concern: “What happened? Did you suffer at the Gu residence? Tell me, and I’ll stand up for you.”
Lin Xingran’s face was slightly pale; she shook her head and forced a smile: “No, my husband treats me well, it’s just Sister…”
Lin Xingxue recounted the events in front of the residence with a pitiful tone, which made Lady Han’s brows furrow: “She actually dared to bully[1] you like this? Truly, she’s forgotten her own status after climbing to higher branches.”
Lady Han was deeply concerned about her two children and could not bear to see anyone bully her precious daughter[2].
“Mother, don’t blame Sister. She is now married in Jinning Hou’s residence. If you rashly reprimand her…”
“And what if I do? She is still a daughter of the Lin family and will need to rely on the Lin family in the future. Rest assured, Mother knows how to handle it.”
Lady Han wasn’t afraid; Shen Hanxing was suffering from a rare poison and wouldn’t live long.
Lin Xingxue couldn’t see her own future clearly, so Lady Han would help her see who her future reliance would be.
Outside, Lin Xingxue was studying the second game’s chessboard. She analyzed Shen Hanxing’s tactics, hoping to win a small victory next time.
When Nanny Gao came looking for her, her expression became slightly stiff, but she quickly smiled and nodded, then rose to follow Nanny Gao inside.
Compared to her composure, Wu Tong’s emotions were much more obvious.
She noticed Nanny Gao’s unfriendly demeanor.
However, she was forced to stay outside the inner room and wasn’t allowed in.
Lin Xingxue entered the inner room. Lin Xingran was already gone, and Lady Han was seated in the main position, slowly stirring her tea cup, just like the dignified and virtuous main wife she appeared to be in public.
After Lin Xingxue performed her greetings, Lady Han nodded and said in a calm voice: “Sit down.”
Lin Xingxue lowered her head and sat down. She felt Lady Han scrutinizing her, and soon heard Lady Han ask, “In a few days, will it be your birthday?”
In a single sentence, Lin Xingxue’s calm expression cracked.
Lady Han observed carefully, her heart sneering coldly. She heavily placed the tea cup down, her voice was as if it was tapping on Lin Xingxue’s heart, yet maintaining a very gentle tone: “You have been weak since childhood. Concubine Su [3] worked hard to take care of you, and in the end, even when preparing longevity noodles for you…”
Lady Han seemed unwilling to continue, letting out a soft sigh.
Lin Xingxue knew what Lady Han was about to say. She remained quietly seated, passively listening, with her clasped hands trembling imperceptibly.
Perhaps, not even she herself realized.
“At that time, when your uncle came looking, Concubine Su had the chance to leave, but she had to stay because of you. After giving birth to you, she damaged her body fundamentally and was completely unable to leave the Lin residence. How many women truly wish to be a concubine? With Concubine Su’s case, Mother didn’t want you to marry into another family as a concubine. After all, Concubine Su’s tragedy shouldn’t repeat itself with you.”
Lady Han spoke slowly, as if she wanted each word to weigh heavily on Lin Xingxue’s heart, making her remember deeply.
To outsiders, she still appeared as the thoughtful and gentle lady of the house. Follow the newest chapters on novelping.com.
Lin Xingxue closed her eyes, desperately suppressing the emotions surging inside her.
Lady Han would not have stomped on her sensitive points without reason. There must be more to her words.
Soon, Lady Han changed her tone: “I heard that you and General Shen have been sleeping apart since the second day of your wedding?”
In the Hou residence, with Nanny Kang and An Ling as spies, Lady Han was aware of this matter. It was not surprising, as other people in the residence didn’t know that Lin Xingxue had been sleeping on the big bed these days. When Shen Hanxing didn’t want news to spread, others would not be able to find a morsel.
Lady Han believed that they were not getting along, and by bringing this up, she wanted to make Lin Xingxue understand that she couldn’t escape her control just by marrying out.
Lady Han remembered Lin Xingxue as weak and timid, with only one instance of resistance, which was for Gu Yan, but it ended up as a wedding dress for Lin Xingran.
Lady Han wanted her to realize that her support and reliance still came from the Lin family.
“Mother originally wanted you to marry into a respectable family, but due to a twist of fate, you ended up in the Jinning Hou’s residence. General Shen is afflicted with a rare poison, and he is likely to… In the future, his uncle will naturally inherit the title, and you will no longer be Hou’s wife. If you use your status as the Hou’s wife to oppress others now, once General Shen has passed away, the only support you will have will be from your natal family…”
For the second time, Lady Han mentioned that Shen Hanxing would die, even bluntly using the term “pass away.”
Lin Xingxue felt a pang in her heart. She knew better than anyone that Shen Hanxing’s health was poor, that he was undergoing treatment and detoxification, striving to survive.
But to others, he was just a dying man.
Lin Xingxue suddenly stood up, sweeping her sleeve across the table, causing the tea cup to fall and shatter.
The sudden and harsh sound startled everyone outside.
The crowd looked towards the inner room door and only then realized that Shen Hanxing was seated at the door of the inner room. Luo Yan was holding a sword against a servant who was trying to report, creating a tense atmosphere.
Lin Fucai had been talking to Gu Yan, with Lin Xingran sitting beside them, drawing their attention. They were on the east side, while the inner room was on the west. They didn’t notice Shen Hanxing’s departure. Now realizing something was wrong, Lin Fucai was the first to step forward, bending to inquire.
“Shh.” Shen Hanxing put a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet.
His phoenix eyes narrowed, radiating a cold light.
The people in the inner room remained oblivious, and the people outside didn’t dare to make a sound.
Lady Han frowned, not expecting Lin Xingxue to be so agitated, daring to be disrespectful in front of her.
“What are you doing? Where has the etiquette you’ve learned gone? How dare you show such disrespect to an elder.” Lady Han was clearly angry.
Lin Xingxue wanted to refute Lady Han, to tell her that Shen Hanxing would not die, that he would survive. She also did not intend to rely on the Lin family; escaping to her husband’s side was already a blessing.
But she couldn’t speak, and Wu Tong was not by her side.
The past, the times when she was unable to refute, seemed to replay in front of her.
Lin Xingxue clenched her hands, feeling extremely wronged.
But she did not cry; she didn’t want to show weakness in front of Lady Han.
The inner room fell silent for a long time until the sound of a wheelchair rolling over the floor approached.
Lin Xingxue was the first to hear it; her body trembled slightly. She turned to look at Shen Hanxing, and at that moment, all her grievances surged.
Lin Xingxue’s eyes reddened, but she still managed to smile at Shen Hanxing, just as she did when she saw him before.
The young woman always smiled at him, even when she was very sad and distressed.
Shen Hanxing thought she was foolish, reached out to pull Lin Xingxue down, awkwardly patting her head. His voice was gentle but carried a certain harshness: “Be good, with me here, no one can bully you.”
Anon: AHHHHHH SHEN HANXING TO THE RESCUE HEHEHEHE
[1] lmao WHAT, how does that even count as bullying? She barely talked or interacted with you…these people are insane, they need to worship you???
[2] I mean good for you for being a good mom ig, but like this is overstepping…spoiling her daughter TOO much
[3] Lin Xingxue’s mother