At the mansion entrance, the First Madam was welcoming her sister-in-law, Madam Wen, from her maternal family.
Madam Wen, having just arrived, took the First Madam’s hand and said, “Sister, how is Yunzhi’s illness really? Your brother has spoken several times—the Shen family may have the Taishi’s backing, but our Wen family is not to be trifled with either. We cannot allow ourselves to be bullied.”
All that talk about returning to the countryside due to serious illness was just an excuse. To those like them, who had been immersed in the inner quarters for years, it clearly meant the Shen family had given up on Shen Yunzhi.
The First Madam’s expression softened. “Sister-in-law, Yunzhi truly is gravely ill. Otherwise, with my temperament, would I have quietly accepted such a loss?”
Madam Wen had confidence in her sister’s methods, but seeing her insistence, she was half-convinced and half-doubtful. She could only sigh and say, “I’ve brought plenty of medicinal herbs this time. Send them all to Yunzhi, and may she return to the capital soon.”
“What a pity that even a duck in hand can fly away.”
The First Madam expressed her gratitude. “Yunzhi is simply unfortunate.” Even with her own family, the First Madam dared not reveal everything. Deep down, she still held a sliver of hope: in a year or two, if Shen Yunzhi realized her mistake and returned to the capital, her maternal family might become her best refuge.
For this, she had to thank the Third Branch for the reminder. Jiang Wensheng favored the Jiang family, but her own maternal Wen family was far better.
Noticing Nanny Yang’s return, the First Madam deliberately lagged behind. Upon hearing Nanny Yang report that the task was accomplished, the corners of her lips curved slightly as she signaled Nanny Yang to take charge in the rear.
The birthday banquet was organized by the First Madam, and she could not afford any mishaps. The Old Madam had managed the Shen family’s inner quarters for many years, and the First Madam had no intention of openly angering her mother-in-law or sabotaging her own efforts. However, she absolutely could not stand by and watch Shen Yunman cozy up to the Heir of Marquis Yong’an.
The best strategy was to discreetly send Shen Yunman away. Shen Yunman’s Hibiscus Pavilion was by the lake. When she passed by, she would “accidentally” fall into the water, be rescued, and taken to the Hibiscus Pavilion to recuperate. There would be no chance for her to appear today.
Upon arriving at Cihui Courtyard, Madam Wen, as an in-law of the Shen family, was warmly received by the Old Madam. With eloquence and wit, Madam Wen praised the Shen family and the Old Madam, delighting all the ladies present.
Just as the First Madam was about to leave, she was called by the Yong’an Marquis’s wife. “First Madam Shen.”
The First Madam smiled in response. “Madam Yong’an, I was just about to look for you. We’ll be heading to the peach grove to admire the blossoms soon. Shall we go together?”
“Of course. I’ve long wanted to see the peach grove of the Taishi Mansion,” replied the Yong’an Marquis’s wife with a smile. The two left with a tacit understanding.
Although the birthday banquet separated men and women, such restrictions were relaxed in the peach grove. Everyone gathered to appreciate poetry and prose, an elegant affair.
The Shen family and the Yong’an Marquis Mansion tacitly arranged for Zhang Xingyu to meet the two Shen young ladies in the peach grove.
For the Shen family, the Taishi was over seventy years old. As the saying goes, “Few live to seventy since ancient times,” and he could not protect the Shen family for much longer. The eldest master of the Shen family, Shen Fengze, was already in his fifties and still only a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. The second master, Shen Fengwang, had remained in his position as a Director in the Ministry of Works without any promotion, engrossed in artifacts and disinterested in mundane affairs. The deceased third master had been skilled in officialdom, but his life was cut short!
The First Madam was well aware of the Shen family’s predicament, which was why she did not oppose this arrangement. However, she had secretly manipulated matters to prevent Shen Yunman from appearing. Whether Shen Yunying would catch their eye would depend on her own fate.
The Yong’an Marquis’s wife hailed from the Qinghe Cui Clan, a family that revered poetry and literature. Previously, she had favored Shen Yunzhi as a potential daughter-in-law and had not paid much attention to Shen Yunman or Shen Yunying. Today, she was determined to take a good look at these two young ladies.
Before heading out, the Marquis of Yong’an had instructed that as long as the Shen family’s daughter was not lacking, she could be married into the household. The Yong’an Marquis Mansion had a large family, but few outstanding descendants. The Marquis of Yong’an was a civil official among the nobility, an anomaly among the aristocratic families, while the scholarly gentry regarded them as mere military men. As a result, the Marquis of Yong’an struggled to find support in the court. The Shen family was an excellent ally.
It could be said that both the Shen family and the Yong’an Marquis Mansion were eager to facilitate this marriage alliance.
Shen Yunying found her way to the most secluded pavilion in the peach blossom grove, separated from the small Buddhist shrine in the rear courtyard by a wall. Few people came here on ordinary days.
Shen Yunying lounged lazily by the railing, leaning against a pillar.
Before long, Yinzheng arrived carrying a food box, excitedly saying, “Miss, we’re truly in luck today. The First Madam, to please the Old Madam, specially invited the master pastry chef from Yipin Zhai to make pastries. I heard it took quite some effort.”
Shen Yunying’s eyes lit up. The master chef from Yipin Zhai was a descendant of imperial chefs. The old master was advanced in years and couldn’t overexert himself, so the pastries from his shop were sold in limited quantities each day. One had to queue before dawn to buy them.
Yinzheng laid them out one by one, and Shen Yunying recognized each as a signature item from Yipin Zhai.
There were translucent Jade Dew Balls, peach-shaped Longevity Cakes, the intricate and auspicious Thousand-Layer Brocade symbolizing steady advancement, and finally, Pine Nut Lily Pastries, naturally wishing for longevity like pine and cypress.
Shen Yunying swallowed, “We really are in luck,” and invited Yinzheng to join her. “It’s just the two of us here. If you don’t want to sit, you can stand and eat.”
Yinzheng, mindful of her place, refused to sit and eat with her.
Yinzheng took a bite of the Jade Dew Ball, her eyes squinting with sweetness. “Miss, it’s truly delicious.”
Shen Yunying smiled. “Later, we’ll go to the kitchen and get another portion to take back to Jingyuan Studio.”
Yinzheng nodded eagerly, her mind preoccupied. Seeing Shen Yunying enjoying the pastries so casually, she couldn’t help but advise, “Miss, don’t you want to stroll through the peach grove? Many talented young gentlemen have come for the birthday banquet. I heard that the Heir of Marquis Yong’an and the Third Son of Duke Chongguo are both here. In terms of character, learning, and appearance, they are all top-notch.”
Shen Yunying’s mind was entirely occupied by the fragrant, soft, and crispy pastries, with no interest in meeting potential suitors.
“Oh, two of the capital’s most eligible bachelors are here. Grandmother’s arrangements aren’t grand enough, I suppose—Yan Peifeng isn’t coming?” Shen Yunying remarked casually. After the earlier discussion in the pavilion, she recalled the three famously eligible bachelors of the capital.
Yinzheng choked on her words, not daring to respond to her mistress’s comment. Instead, she asked, “The Old Madam asked you to dress beautifully. Does she intend to arrange a match for you?”
Shen Yunying nodded. “Probably. But with my mother here, my grandparents can’t decide my marriage.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Today, I’ll just pass the time here.”
Shen Yunying felt she was still young. In the Shen family, marriage discussions only began after a girl’s coming-of-age ceremony, so she would have to wait another year or two before anything was settled. Her mother would make arrangements for her, and when the time came, she would only need to nod or shake her head, choosing a simple and easy-to-get-along-with family.
For now, she would enjoy her life as an unmarried young lady.
Yinzheng couldn’t help but feel anxious for her mistress. “Miss, the Madam can’t take you to banquets. The Taishi Mansion is only this lively during the birthdays of the Taishi and the Old Madam. If you miss this opportunity, you’ll have to wait until the end of the year.”
The third branch of the family was not highly regarded, and Yinzheng believed Shen Yunying should actively seize opportunities. The Grand Tutor and the Old Madam would never genuinely plan for the young lady’s future. Rather than leaving it to them to arrange matches, it would be better for the young lady to take the initiative herself—if she took a liking to any young gentleman, she should go and chat with him for a while. With the young lady’s beauty and grace, she was sure to achieve her wishes.
In Yinzheng’s eyes, Shen Yunying was truly exceptional, aside from being a bit lazy, a bit fond of food, and, well, a bit too fond of spouting nonsense.
Shen Yunying shook her head and said, “Yinzheng, ah, when you plant flowers with intent, they may not bloom, but when you plant willows without thought, they may flourish. Matters of marriage are all about fate.”
Yinzheng asked foolishly, “What does that mean?”
“It means we’ll just stay here. If fate wills it, we’ll meet.” Shen Yunying picked up a piece of thousand-layer pastry, thin as a cicada’s wing and crisp as paper, its flavor simply marvelous.
Yinzheng: …
Was the third young lady just talking nonsense? Did she just want to stay in the pavilion without moving?
Half an incense stick later, Yinzheng resigned herself to it. However, rustling sounds suddenly came from the bushes next door. She jolted—could someone really have come to such a remote place?
Even Shen Yunying was startled. She had only been speaking casually.
The mistress and servant exchanged a glance and simultaneously looked in that direction.
“Young master, the peach grove of the estate ends here. Have you perhaps lost your way?” A gentle female voice drifted over.
The man in front stopped, turned around, and cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Zhang Xingyu. Thank you for the reminder, young lady.”
Shen Yunying’s almond-shaped eyes shifted. Shen Yunman and the Heir of Marquis Yong’an, Zhang Xingyu, had encountered each other. And she was about to witness the entire scene. Shen Yunying instinctively took two pieces of pine nut lily pastry from the plate, handed one to Yinzheng, and continued eating while watching.
This spectacle had come right to her doorstep. How could Shen Yunying refuse?
“So it is the Heir of Marquis Yong’an. Shen Yunman of the Shen family greets the heir.” Shen Yunman took two steps forward and gave a slight curtsy. “My elder sister once instructed me that if I ever met the heir, I must apologize on her behalf.”
Shen Yunman was dressed simply and elegantly, with delicate features and a touch of innocence in her gaze, making her appear anything but scheming.
Zhang Xingyu immediately felt a sense of goodwill and replied gently, “There is no need for that, Second Miss Shen. The sudden illness of the eldest Miss Shen was beyond anyone’s control. I hope she recovers soon.”
“The heir truly has a generous heart, just as the rumors say.” Shen Yunman’s eyes held admiration.
“You flatter me, young lady. Those rumors are merely outsiders’ praise.” Zhang Xingyu smiled, placing one hand behind his back.
Shen Yunman blinked. “Is it also untrue that the heir is skilled in poetry and painting? I specially prepared a gift of apology—Meng Zhaowen’s Misty Mountain Painting.”
Zhang Xingyu was taken aback, his heart stirring slightly. Meng Zhaowen was a master of calligraphy and painting; his landscape paintings were celebrated for their profound artistic conception and were highly sought after by scholars and literati. Zhang Xingyu was one such admirer.
Shen Yunman smiled. “Azure skies and verdant mountains, shrouded in mist and clouds. Last year, when I offered incense at Lingcheng Temple outside the city, the back mountain bore some resemblance to the scenery in the painting. I wonder if the heir has seen it?”
“You also appreciate it?” Zhang Xingyu excitedly waved his fan. “Indeed, I have a replica at home. The back mountain of Lingcheng Temple does bear some resemblance in form. I even made a copy of it myself. I shall invite Miss Shen to appreciate it another day.”
Zhang Xingyu regarded Shen Yunman as a fellow enthusiast of poetry and painting.
The two conversed happily.
Amidst the conversation, Zhang Xingyu recalled his mother’s words, urging him to meet the other two young ladies of the Shen family. If he felt inclined, the two families could continue their alliance through marriage. He had only met Shen Yunzhi a few times, and each time she had appeared cold and distant. Zhang Xingyu had taken a dislike to this fiancée of his. However, bound by parental orders and matchmaker’s arrangements, he could find no fault with Shen Yunzhi and thus agreed to the engagement.
Unexpectedly, before the formal betrothal, Shen Yunzhi fell ill and immediately left the capital. His mother said the Shen family would send another daughter to marry him.
Thus, Zhang Xingyu had no choice but to come and see for himself.
To his surprise, the second daughter of the Shen family was like this—innocent and refined.
Watching the two walk away, Shen Yunying returned to the stone stool and muttered, “So Second Sister also wants to marry into the Yong’an Marquis Mansion. What was the point of saying all that to me before?”
“Exactly, has Second Young Lady lost her mind?” Yinzheng also wondered.
She clearly wants it herself, yet she urged me to fight for it.
Could it be that what is snatched from others is more appealing?
Shen Yunying shook her head. She wouldn’t fight over a man; it was better to focus on eating and drinking.