Tao Chun leaned toward Su Yihan, whispering:
“Miss, do you think if I asked Doctor Song to teach me some legwork skills, he’d actually teach me?”
If she could learn that silent, stealthy movement technique, it would make future escapades far more fun.
Su Yihan scoffed lightly. “You’d probably have to work for that old man for a lifetime before he’d even consider teaching you.”
The truth was harsh but accurate. That old man had initially agreed to become her personal physician only after Su Jin had spent most of his lifetime savings—enough to buy several cities—just to secure his service.
And afterward, the fees he demanded only increased. During that early period, the household lived frugally. Her father accepted every case, large or small, even competing with the Six Doors Bureau for cases. The captains of the Six Doors would gossip about him behind his back. The family’s life was humble, hardly fitting for a commander, worse than ordinary townsfolk.
Yet even in those tight times, her father never gave up on her. Because Su Yihan had delicate skin and was allergic to ordinary fabrics, all her clothes were made from the finest materials.
Thus, her father appeared as a humble, poor man, while she, spotless and pristine before him, seemed like a pure little princess.
Only after the old man discovered her talent in medicine did he stop demanding exorbitant fees, and life in the household gradually improved.
“Miss, you’re right,” Tao Chun said with a small huff, recalling Song Jian’s miserly nature.
Everyone was assembled. Yun Li raised a cup of wine to Shen Yu, praising him publicly:
“Minister, you have triumphed, arriving in the capital to resolve the Han family case. I toast you.”
Shen Yu poured a cup in return and drained it in one gulp.
Yun Li set down his cup and continued:
“What reward would you like?”
“No need,” Shen Yu declined. “This is my duty.”
But his refusal was only formal; Yun Li would still grant him a reward—gold, fine fabrics, porcelain, rare treasures, all dazzling to behold.
Shen Yu obediently thanked him: “Your Majesty, thank you.”
“You needn’t be so formal, minister.”
Music and dance filled the hall as the empress’s appointed dancers performed.
Shen Yu, a proper gentleman, didn’t even glance at them. He had no wives or concubines yet; likely, upon returning to the capital, the palace would attempt to match him with women.
Su Yihan smiled faintly. Would Shen Yu accept such beauties graciously? If he fell for a seduction, expecting him to disrupt the capital would be impossible—someone else would need to take over.
As expected, it didn’t take long before Yun Li began to concern himself with Shen Yu’s domestic affairs:
“Minister, you have no wife or concubine yet. It is proper to have someone close to attend to you. Miss Xue You of the Qi family is gentle and obedient, and Miss Han Ruishuang of the Han household is elegant and poised… both suitable for the bedchamber.”
“I have no intention of marrying at present,” Shen Yu replied with a smile, politely declining.
Yun Li continued to persuade him:
“Even taking a secondary wife would be acceptable. Filial duty is paramount, and having no heir is a fault. Or, if you wish to reserve a place for the lady you admire, that is also possible. Keeping a few concubines nearby is not inappropriate.”
“Marquis Qing’an, what is your opinion?” Yun Li turned to him.
The marquis set down his cup, considered, and replied:
“A man’s marriage should be his own choice.”
He wanted Shen Yu to marry early, but Shen Yu now held an office higher than his own. As a father, he had to defer when meeting his son; he couldn’t control him. If pressured, Shen Yu would remain in the northwest for years, guarding the desolate lands.
He was grown, yet in some behaviors, still more childish than a child.
Yun Li was momentarily stumped.
Shen Yu’s reply was reasonable:
“I have spent many years in the northwest. The environment is harsh; even a lively girl would suffer. I have no interest in leisure or romance. I would only waste Your Majesty’s good intentions.”
Yun Li sighed, deciding not to push further.
The empress dowager, however, was displeased:
“General Shen, in the prime of your vigor, how can you not have a close companion? The ladies recommended are all famous beauties.”
Shen Yu’s repeated refusals embarrassed Yun Li in public. He dared not challenge the empress dowager directly. The banquet’s atmosphere grew cold.
The empress dowager pressed:
“General, will you only accept a marriage contract from me?”
Su Yihan watched with interest. In this situation, would Shen Yu offend the empress dowager or comply?
Shen Yu paused briefly, then bowed his head:
“To be honest, Your Majesty, I already have a lady I admire and am pursuing. If she learned that I took concubines while courting her, she would never forgive me.”
A trace of bitter humility lingered at his lips—the demeanor of a devoted admirer.
The hall fell silent.
A general of his status—why would he need to pursue a lady? That should have been her honor.
Yet having spoken so openly, the empress dowager could not embarrass him. After a pause, she asked:
“Which household does this lady belong to?”
Shen Yu humbly replied:
“Your Majesty… she does not allow me to disclose it.”
“…!”
A mighty general, yet completely subdued by a woman.
The empress dowager took a deep breath, exasperated. Regardless of truth, this remark cemented Shen Yu’s image as a hopelessly devoted admirer.
The matter of concubines was dropped. Shen Yu returned to his seat with a bitter expression.
Su Yihan remained silent.
Tao Chun clapped in delight:
“This General Shen really says whatever comes to mind! I’m curious what the northwest is like to produce such a man.”
Men might scoff at such words, but women’s hearts quietly admired him—a brilliant general who served his country, respected women, and pursued love faithfully.
Many officials teased Marquis Qing’an:
“Your Lordship, General Shen…”
“Unexpectedly, General Shen is a devoted husband!”
The marquis, blushing, drank in silence. It was embarrassing—Shen Yu had no shame.
Su Jin casually reassured him:
“Little Shen’s behavior is nothing to be ashamed of. Marquis, no need to mind others’ remarks.”
The marquis smiled faintly at Su Jin. Everyone knew Su Jin was a famously devoted husband and father; now his own son followed the same path.
Yet… “Little Shen?”
The marquis glanced at Su Jin with suspicion. Since when had Shen Yu been close enough to allow Su Jin to call him that?
The marquis then noticed Shen Yu’s gaze fixed on the opposite side of the hall—on the women’s seating.
There were Shen Xinyao, Miss Xue You of the Qi family, and… Su Yihan, the little weakling.
Wait…