Shen Jingyi sat on the swing. Seeing that only she and her brother were present, she didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point, smiling brightly as she asked,“Brother, do you have someone you like?”
Shen Chenxi had thought she was going to say something else. Hearing her question, he froze for a moment before replying,“Of course not. Why do you ask?”
“Prince Xuan asked about you yesterday,” Shen Jingyi said. “I think he might arrange a marriage for you.”
Shen Chenxi responded indifferently,“That wouldn’t be bad. We’re on the same side now anyway. Whoever he chooses can’t be worse than that woman’s pick, right?”
Shen Jingyi was a little shocked. Somehow, she found it hard to believe.
“You mean you’d accept it?”
“What choice would I have if I didn’t? He’s a prince. Besides, you’re living in his residence—you have to rely on him.”
She was just about to feel touched when his tone suddenly changed.
“So, little sister, for my sake and yours, you’d better properly flatter the prince while you’re in the manor. Get him to choose me a reliable wife.”
Shen Jingyi shot her brother a glare.“Is that something a brother should say? Enough nonsense. Tell me—did that woman start stirring up trouble again?”
“How did you know?”
After being glared at again, he said sarcastically,“I heard she wants me to marry some niece of hers. Apparently she just turned sixteen this year.
“Compared to the families she mentioned before, everything about her is fine—except her status is a bit low.”
“She really dreams big,” Shen Jingyi snorted. “No son of her own, so she wants to control you instead. She doesn’t even look at herself to see if she’s capable. So what are you planning to do?”
“The usual,” he replied. “Investigate first.”
After thinking for a moment, Shen Jingyi said uncertainly,“Do you think it’s possible that from the very beginning, the person she wanted you to marry was actually this niece? And all those families she mentioned before were just groundwork?”
Shen Chenxi lowered his head in thought.
After a while, he looked up and said,“Now that you mention it, that’s entirely possible.
“That niece of hers is just the daughter of a wealthy country squire. By going through all this trouble, she makes it look like I was the problem—too old and still unmarried.
“In the end, she’d have no choice but to find me a girl from a humble family. That way, Father wouldn’t have anything to say.”
Shen Jingyi said bitterly,“Hmph. She’s not afraid that something might go wrong halfway and ruin her plans.”
Then she added seriously,“I’m telling you—be careful from now on. She probably has backup plans. Don’t fall into her trap, or you won’t be able to shake it off.”
“What other tricks could she have? I’ll definitely stay alert.”
Seeing how confident—and dismissive—her brother looked, Shen Jingyi grew irritated.
“You can’t afford to be careless,” she warned.“To force you to agree, she could arrange some ‘hero saves the beauty’ scenario, or engineer skin contact, or even drug you—turn raw rice into cooked rice.
“When that happens, you won’t have a choice but to marry. You’ll be crying then.”
Shen Chenxi felt his hair stand on end. Women were truly terrifying—he wanted nothing to do with such situations.
“I get it. I’ll be careful. But you should also be cautious in the prince’s residence. I heard several concubines in Prince Xuan’s manor have already died.”
“Relax,” Shen Jingyi replied confidently. “Your sister’s smart—how could anything happen to me? Besides, I’ve got Nanny Qin, Qiu Ju, and the others.”
If her brother knew someone had already made a move against her, he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Neither of them knew that everything they said was soon reported word for word to Prince Xuan.
Prince Xuan looked at the note delivered by the shadow guard, a mysterious glint flashing through his eyes.
Meanwhile, the Shen siblings continued chatting and laughing—until someone came to report,“The master has returned. He asks the Side Consort and the Eldest Young Master to dine in the front hall.”
“Understood,” Shen Jingyi said as she rose from the swing.
“Let’s go.”
Escorted by maids and servants, the two headed to the front hall, where two tables had already been set. The concubines were seated at one table.
All the masters and mistresses of the household were present. Their father, Shen Yaowen—the Vice Minister of Rites—sat in the seat of honor.
Beside him sat Lin Xixia, wearing a false smile, and Shen Qianqian, who looked obedient and well-behaved.
There was also Concubine Wen’s son, Shen Chenhui—fifteen years old and already a xiucai.Concubine Qing’s son, Shen Chenhao, twelve, was said to dislike studying, so Shen Yaowen had hired a martial instructor to see if he had talent in that area.
Then there were three younger half-sisters: Shen Jie, thirteen; Shen Qing, ten; and Shen Lin, eight.
Shen Jingyi raised an eyebrow at Shen Qianqian.So she’s already been coaxed into coming out? I thought she’d hide in her room.
“Greetings to the Side Consort.”
Looking at the seven beautiful concubines bowing to her, along with everyone else, Shen Jingyi thought to herself,How lively. Father really enjoys romantic fortune—though I wonder if that old waist of his can still take it.
Outwardly, she said calmly,“Rise. We’re family—there’s no need for so much formality.”
She and her brother then bowed to the two at the head table.
“Greetings, Father. Madam.”
True to being siblings, Shen Chenxi also addressed Lin Xixia as “Madam”—which was precisely what Lin Xixia hated most.
In the past, Shen Yaowen had scolded them and ordered them to change their address to “Mother,” but after several failed attempts and repeated arguments, he feared it would damage the father–son relationship and eventually let it go. After all, it was just a form of address.
Looking at his two children, Shen Yaowen smiled warmly.“You’re here. Come, take your seats.”
“Yes, Father.”
As a side consort, Shen Jingyi walked directly to the seat on the left below the main position—the one Shen Qianqian was occupying.
She stopped there without saying a word and simply looked at her.
Helpless, Shen Qianqian stood up resentfully and moved to the second seat.
Shen Chenxi took the seat on the right below the main position.
Once everyone was seated, Shen Yaowen said to the servants nearby,“You may all withdraw. No need for attendants right now.”
“Yes.”
The servants filed out in an orderly fashion. Nanny Qin and the others glanced at Shen Jingyi, and only after she nodded did they leave as well.
After the servants departed, Shen Yaowen looked at his elegantly dressed daughter. Thinking of his late wife, he felt a wave of emotion.
“Does the prince treat you well?”
“He treats me very well,” Shen Jingyi replied. “The princess is kind to me too.”
“You must be careful in the prince’s residence,” Shen Yaowen said softly.“Your father holds a low post and may not be able to help you much. But if you’re wronged, you can always come home. At worst, we’ll all return to the countryside.”
Shen Jingyi was touched. She hadn’t expected her father to care so deeply—at least, he truly cared for his children.
“Yes, little sister,” Shen Chenxi added. “You mustn’t suffer in silence. At worst—”
He was cut off by Lin Xixia’s laughing voice.
“What nonsense are you father and son talking about?” she said.“Jingyi has only just married. Can’t you think more positively? Didn’t she just say the prince treats her well? Don’t cause trouble.”
She shot Shen Yaowen a reproachful glance and continued,“If you think your position is low, then climb higher! Don’t keep talking about returning to the countryside. Are you still thinking about those two mu of farmland back home?”
The moment she finished speaking, Shen Jingyi couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
The others lowered their heads, shoulders trembling as they struggled to suppress their laughter.
Seeing this, Shen Yaowen sighed helplessly.“Alright, alright, Madam—let’s drop the topic. At least leave me some dignity.”
Only then did Lin Xixia relent.“Fine, we won’t talk about it.”
She hated it whenever Shen Yaowen mentioned resigning. Countless people coveted his position, yet he kept talking about quitting. If he was tired of it, why not aim higher instead?
Turning to Shen Jingyi, she said,“Jingyi, you’re now an officially recorded side consort of the prince. In the future, you should look after your younger sisters.”
“Of course,” Shen Jingyi replied obediently.
The Shen household rules weren’t as strict as those of the prince’s residence. They didn’t insist on servants serving dishes, nor did they observe strict silence during meals.
So the meal was lively and lasted quite a while.
Until someone came to report,“Prince Xuan has come to escort the Side Consort back. He’ll arrive any moment.”
Everyone rose reluctantly, expressions varied.
“Father, your daughter will take her leave,” Shen Jingyi said respectfully, bowing.
“Good. Serve the prince well, and come back often when you have time. Let’s go—Prince Xuan will arrive soon. Don’t keep him waiting.”
Shen Jingyi nodded.
As soon as they stepped out of the front hall, Nanny Qin and the others immediately followed.
They hurried outside, just as Prince Xuan was stepping down from his carriage.
Seeing this, Shen Yaowen quickly led everyone in greeting.“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Rise,” Prince Xuan said. “I happened to be passing by and came to take Jingyi home.”
As he spoke, his gaze swept briefly over Shen Chenxi’s face before settling on Shen Jingyi, meeting her smiling eyes.
Softly, he said,“Jingyi, let’s go.”
He personally helped her into the carriage, then followed her inside.
Seeing this, Nanny Qin and the others quickly boarded the carriage behind them.
Soon, the convoy of luxurious carriages set off again, laden with generous return gifts, departing grandly under the envious gazes of onlookers.
The wheels rolled on, kicking up clouds of dust.